Scratch building a T-47

[Jamaicanmodels69]

I decided to use the old mpc kit and make mine,
exactly 2x's bigger. Using just a hair under 2mm
HIPS (high impact poly styrene)

Started out mapping the hull and making
templates........

 

[Jamaicanmodels69]

Then i sliced up my templates so they could
be used as working pieces, and traced onto
the styrene to be cut out.Then i began to build
the main hulls including sides and front section.

 

[Jamaicanmodels69]

Then i started on the big boxes in the rear,
much easier to lay in the cooling fins on the
front plate before fitting rather than after, then
they are easily trimmed.




The front boxes are done the same.....

 

[Jamaicanmodels69]

At this point the speeder is a little flimsey
so i made the rear bulkhead just to sure it up,
the heat sink bank will attach to this eventually.

 

[Jamaicanmodels69]

I started on the canopy and built it up
piece by piece on the speeder's main hull,
some how i got it "to tall" and had to mark
it off then dremel the sides down and slip
in a new roof. :'(

 

[Jamaicanmodels69]

Ok moving on to the bottom of the speeder.......
it took me three attempts to dial in in correct angles
for what i had in front of me, in regards to "my model".
But i just kept taking notes on what needed to be tweeked until it fit.

 

[Jamaicanmodels69]

The bottom hull has to fit or fold into the bottom
of the top hull, to do this i made sure to cut lines
on the opposite side of the lower hull.these lines would not show
that were cut, but would allow for the plastic to fold and
at the same time leave a seamless joint, as the break
lines are on the opposite side. The key is to to cut them
just enough to fold but not snap.Before any folding could be done
this little shape you see in the 2nd pic had to be removed.








Forgot to mention the break lines are filled with CA glue
after it is fitted properly into the top hull.

 

[Jamaicanmodels69]

next up the runners for the lower hulll.....

 

[Jamaicanmodels69]

The lower hull was a bit long not a problem,
marked it and trimmed it off.




Ok the lower hull is all seams and that makes things a
bit flimsey .......but its not a weight bearing part so not
a great concern. But i was going to be handling it a great
deal so it was a concern none the less. So i decided to sand
away all the nasty glue in the seams, and lay in some fiberglass
mat and over it with Z-poxy epoxy.






Glad i did this because now its nice and strong,
and i dont have any concerns handling it. The glassed
side is the bottom and does not show no worries.

 

[Jamaicanmodels69]

Ok time to let some light in the 47 ........
mark out the reference lines drill some pilot
holes and dremel away the rest, using a file
to finish up close. I wanted my canopy frame
to be a little thinner than the kit........this caused
a problem with the small quarter window at the rear,
and it's orientation with the rear box'es tab. I was
forced to cut the rear window a bit longer.....ah
thats not going to kill me or the model!LOL

 

[AKE]

Great googly moogly!!!

 

[Jamaicanmodels69]

Well thats about where i am at the rest of the
progression of the model will be current. I did
have to re-do the boxes (big ones) i have them
scribed and in primer but they still need the toe
steps built in.........coming soon!

 

[java]

Woooow ;D

 

[Grendels]

You sure love to scratch build and make them large! Please keep us posted.

 

[Noddy4000]

That is a superb scratch build, Jamaicanmodels69! And big too - my kind of stuff! Can't wait to see what you do with the interior.

8) 8) 8) stuff indeed.

 

[Junkie]

What a great step by step! This is looking great!

 

[Quaralane]

Definitely a good show of technique there

 

[Jamaicanmodels69]

Thanks guys got some pics to post......

 

[Jamaicanmodels69]

That is a superb scratch build, Jamaicanmodels69! And big too - my kind of stuff! Can't wait to see what you do with the interior.

8) 8) 8) stuff indeed.

LOve your Avatar!!!! LOL

 

[panzerace007]

Jamaica ,

This is Awesome !! I agree with SCOTT. Great SBS !! Dyn-no-mite !! Great looking stuff Red Leader. I can't wait to see how this turns out !!