Mowe's Sky Glider - Studio Ghibli's Nausicaa: Valley of the Wind - WIP

[Mikey_W_1980]

Morning all, I've kinda put the Mig-37 Ferret on the back burner for the moment as I found this beauty of a kit at Birmingham Comicon a few weeks back.

The kit is from BanDai and is Mowe's glider from Studio Ghibli's first master piece - Nausicaa - Valley of the Wind

Will be making a start on it this evening, but I thought you'd all like to see the spru's.



What it is supposed to look like when finished


Spru set one


The Glider Spru


I have to say, the polymer used for the mould which I think is PS is simply gorgeous. Solid, extremely well detailed.

Hopefully I'll be able to do the kit justice and will keep you all posted.

 

[Timbaux]

Re: Mowe's Sky Glider - Studio Ghibli's Nausicaa: Valley of the Wind

Sweet! Love Hayao Miyazaki films! In for the build

 

[Mikey_W_1980]

Re: Mowe's Sky Glider - Studio Ghibli's Nausicaa: Valley of the Wind


I came VERY close to buying the 2 robot types from Laputa, but at £52 each.....my budget didn't quite stretch that far.

I may even watch Nausicaa while building it too ;D

 

[Timbaux]

Re: Mowe's Sky Glider - Studio Ghibli's Nausicaa: Valley of the Wind

I agree those robot are quite expensive...
Definitely a great inspiration to building when researching technical info about your build ;D

 

[Grendels]

Re: Mowe's Sky Glider - Studio Ghibli's Nausicaa: Valley of the Wind

I have this kit in the model stash, will be watching!

 

[Mikey_W_1980]

Re: Mowe's Sky Glider - Studio Ghibli's Nausicaa: Valley of the Wind

Bit of a slow burn on this...other things taking priority, but here are a few pics of the engine assembly.

Clipped, cleaned and base coated - All the parts are click fit, but I wanted to make more of an effort.

The parts click very tightly together so be careful when painting as some modifications may be required



First top coat of gun metal


Front view


Underside (that isnt seen on the finished model)


I have started on the wings, though the click fit assembly is proving fiddly. Sadly I forgot to take a pic of the underside of the wings, but I will hopefully have some bench time soon to do a bit more..

thoughts and tips are always welcome.

 

[Mikey_W_1980]

Managed a little more, this time just the primary wing construction, fiddly as the location pegs needed modifying so that the upper and lower engine housing fitted together.

Upper wing section


Lower Wing section - needs a little filler on the seem


Front profile


Again, and comments are welcomed

 

[Grendels]

Looking good, love the profile of this thing.

 

[Mikey_W_1980]

Same here....

Kinda reminds me of a stingray with out the long tail.

 

[Mikey_W_1980]

Afternoon all, didnt get much bench time over the past week, only able to fix the wing tips, again, needing to modify the locator pins as they would not align properly.

Now glued with a coat of white so I can start to highlight and weather slightly.




Next up will be the grab rails, and the figure of Mowe herself....which could be interesting...

 

[MrNatural]

Very cool. Great work so far. I've been wanting this kit for a while. Love that movie.

 

[Mikey_W_1980]

Ok,
Managed to get some bench time over Zombie Jesus Weekend, so far the basics are done for the the glider with movable flaps



I've left the engine cover un-glued for access







Not 100% sure how to approach any kind of shading or weathering to the glider...

Suggestions are always welcome.....thinking of a light blue wash to the seams...and possibly some light weathering along the leading edges of the glider wing.

Next up, Mowe herself.

 

[Ozzman78]

Zombie Jesus... really... Its a VERY important day for some of us. Maybe a touch of respect in a public space is in order?

As for your weathering question... I vote aircraft weathering. Edge chipping as you noted, a wash, some streaking along the wings. That sort of thing.

Ok,
Managed to get some bench time over Zombie Jesus Weekend, so far the basics are done for the the glider with movable flaps

Not 100% sure how to approach any kind of shading or weathering to the glider...

Suggestions are always welcome.....thinking of a light blue wash to the seams...and possibly some light weathering along the leading edges of the glider wing.

Next up, Mowe herself.

 

[Mikey_W_1980]

Ok,


A pour choice of words, no offence was meant by it at all.


As soon as I get some mre bench time I'll take a look at the weathering, I dont want to detract from the Studio Ghibli look, but certainly give it a realistic feel?