A Small Update

Time and money have been in short supply recently so still nothing new to report. Hopefully gonna get some work done in the next few weeks.

Custom 3 3/4" A-Wing fighter

I started work on customising a Hasbro POTF2 A-Wing fighter. This was the vehicle I always wanted as a kid but never found so holds a special place in my heart.

This will be used for filming against greenscreen so needs to be fairly accurate. While the Hasbro model is pretty good there are a few things that need adjusting. Things like the paint detailing and weathering are fairly minimal and the cockpit details on this version are basic (later models had a better sculpt).

On top of this I will be scoring in the panel lines on the main body of the ship, adding lights, maybe sounds, adding a new paint scheme and maybe a little sculpting.

I've started by using a craft knife to trim down the raised panel lines to make then flush with the main body of the ship. I left the raised lumps at the corners of each panel (meant to be rivets or screws) as I prefer them raised as opposed to indented. Once I had gone over the entire body removing the lines I went over them again, this time with a dremel circular cutting disk tool. I started on the bottom of the ship to minimise any "learning mistakes" until I got better at it.

The dremel can't fit into all the spaces on the ship. To get the panel lines on these parts I used the knife again to slice a line at an angle where the panel line should go then cutting at a V angle into and removing the filling. I did this for some of the detailing aswell.

A Man A Quin

Here are the photos of the mannequin as promised. My lad thinks he's cool and can't wait to see him with the armour on!

Still going... Honestly!

It's been a busy time in the Cooke household. Christmas and work being the main issue but those darling little rugrats occupying my time swell. In the recent weeks I've also been recovering from an accident at work. Early one morning I slipped over on a sheet of wet plastic whilst avoiding a reversing lorry. As I slipped I landed flat on my back winding myself and cutting my hand open when I hit the floor. The lorry driver hadn't seen me and continued to reverse towards me but I managed to drag myself out of the way in time. A trip to A&E followed and I'm now fairly well recovered. So with my build I've not done a massive amount recently however I did pick up a mannequin yesterday for £10. Bargain! A shop where we we're filming was closing down so flogging them cheap. I've been after one of these for years and they normally fetch about £120. I'll photograph it tonight and post pics later. It'll be perfect for my stormtrooper outfit. With the pilot outfit, plans are afoot to get my Arse in gear and build the chest box I've nearly finished my designs for it (more for measurements than actual an all new design) and as soon as I have they will be inked, scanned and posted here. That's all for now back soon with those plans

Comm Pad 9.1

Did some playing about with idea's for the comm pad and here's what I came up with.

The electronics for this haven't been worked out yet but it should be fairly feasable, but I'm open to any help thats offered. The sounds would be something like the one's on these soundboards. Just imagine pressing a button and getting admiral Ackbar informing you "its a TRAP!" or Red Leader telling Wedge to "cut the Chatter Red 2" or even a scream from R2! The lights are there to indicate that the pad is on and seperate on and off switches to take up a few more buttons. Sure keeps it interesting. By the way thats not my actual comm pad above, just there as an example. I may have to slightly alter how my pad is made to accomodate the electrics. Maybe rubber buttons through a plastic frame or real push buttons with correct size plastic buttons on top of them. We'll see how it goes.

Comm Pad 9.0

"Accurate Comm Pad (size, details, 3-dimensional, coloration, etc.) visible in the comm pad pocket."






I bought my compad from Richie's Armour as it was only a couple o quid extra and I heard it was a difficult part to obtain. It cost me $5 (about £3.27) so not disasterous. Trouble was it isn't a great pull from the mould but like I say, it only cost £3 so I'm not gonna cry. I'll make my own from wood and clay and vaccum form it. I plan to modify the pad in the future and an idea of what I hope to do with it can be seen here. Love this idea!

X-Wing Helmet 10.0

"X-Wing Helmet with Star Wars-style decoration" - From the Rebel Legion costume standards

My lid will be the Wedge Antilles Rogue Leader design.
I've bought it from Richie's Armour in the US and it cost $150 plus $30 p&p (about £117.72). I've heard various reports about the quality of his equipment but found the gear sent to me was very good. I had asked for a kit but it came ready built and nicely put together. The visor is straight, the helmet fits snugly on my noggin and all the seams look neat and tidy, no glue seeping out anywhere. It came with the necessary decals for Wedge, just waiting for the time needed to paint this baby up and I will be taking my time! I don't want to rush it 'n' ruin it, especially when doing the weathering on it.

If you are building your helmet from a kit there's a full tutorial here. Even if you have bought a completed helmet, there are some usefull mods to be found within.

Here's my helmet before painting.

It will be a while before I paint this. New baby due to arrive and work comitments always slow things down.

More as it happens