Airfix 1:150th Star Wars 'Hoth' diorama restorations
The Rebel Base after first rub-down and new primer coat. Still a few areas need attention before getting back into the detailed colour work.
The Hoth Battle diorama base after puncture holes repaired, first rub-down and new primer coat. Still a few areas need attention before getting back into the detailed colour work.
First test run using Milliput for casting replacement figures and gun parts from moulds made from Blue-Stuff. Original figures are top row.
Third incarnation of Blue-Stuff moulds for replacement figures, taking a lot more care on working the plastic to conform to the shape of the figures, and greatly reducing (but not eliminating) the amount and thickness of flash around the split lines.
Ships, figures and accessories well under way in the paint stripping and dismantling process.
Paint removal was done using Revell Paint Remover.
Paint removal was done using Revell Paint Remover.
Close-up of some of the puncture damage to the Hoth Battle base surface.
The Battle on Hoth base. Originally white vac-form plastic with pale blue pre-printed detail, painted over with enamels. Some puncture hole damage where items were broken off during storage. Next step is wash, rub-down and repair the holes prior to fresh coat of primer.
The Rebel Base. Originally white vac-form plastic, but unlike the Hoth Battle this did not have the pale blue pre-printed detail. Painted with enamels but has survived without any damage during storage. Next step is wash and rub-down prior to fresh coat of primer.
Closer look at the results of paint stripping.
All the surviving figures combined from the two dioramas; Rebel Base on the left, Hoth Battle on the right. Gaps in the ranks show missing troops that need to be replaced. 'Hero' figures are included in the Rebel Base set and feature Princess Leia, Chewbacca, C-3P0, R2-D2 and Darth Vader.
The AT-AT's and AT-ST as included on the Hoth Battle set. Very basic construction, but on the main bodywork (for the AT-AT's at least) the surface detail is quite fine. Next step for these will be dismantle and paint strip.
Underside of the Rebel cruiser/transport. Simple, 7-piece construction. As with several other items in these diorama kits, the surface detail is surprisingly fine for such small pieces (even if not 100% studio accurate). Next stage is dismantle and paint strip.
Upper surface of the Rebel cruiser/transport. Simple, 7-piece construction. As with several other items in these diorama kits, the surface detail is surprisingly fine for such small pieces (even if not 100% studio accurate). Next stage is dismantle and paint strip.
Underside of the Millennium Falcon. Simple, 4-piece construction. As with several other items in these diorama kits, the surface detail is surprisingly fine for such small pieces (even if not 100% studio accurate). Next stage is dismantle and paint strip.
Upper surface of the Millennium Falcon. Simple, 4-piece construction. As with several other items in these diorama kits, the surface detail is surprisingly fine for such small pieces (even if not 100% studio accurate). Next stage is dismantle and paint strip.
The surviving Rebel combat fleet. Each fighter is a 2-piece build (upper and lower sections). Next step is dismantle and strip prior to repair.
Accessory equipment items for both the Rebel Base and Hoth Battle. Gantry ladder and laser turrets in need of repair. All up for dismantle and paint strip.
The Battle on Hoth base. Originally white vac-form plastic with pale blue pre-printed detail, painted over with enamels. Some puncture hole damage where items were broken off during storage. Next step is wash, rub-down and repair the holes prior to fresh coat of primer.
The Rebel Base. Originally white vac-form plastic, but unlike the Hoth Battle this did not have the pale blue pre-printed detail. Painted with enamels but has survived without any damage during storage. Next step is wash and rub-down prior to fresh coat of primer.
All the surviving vehicles and figures from both diorama sets prior to any restoration work starting.
Comments
9 8 January 2021, 21:37
JDI grab the first seat, front row center!
Ooo and you're casting parts with Blue stuff too?
Man, this is gonna be awesome!
8 January 2021, 23:53
Rob HendersonYep, the souvenir t-shirt and mug can be collected in the foyer at the end of the presentation😉
The casting with Blue Stuff was an experiment to see what could be achieved with 2-part moulds while using miliput as a medium for reproducing small parts. It's been a mixed bag of results; the casting works well, but the fine stuff like the figures in this scale are generally very fragile and don't stand for much handling. Larger items like the Snowspeeder airframes have come out well, but their laser cannon muzzle ends that protrude in front of the wing leading edges also suffer from the same fragility as the figures....hence the comment I made elsewhere about going down the route of silicon moulds and resin for making the missing pieces.
Overall though, it's been a good proof of concept experiment, and has opened the door to other possibilities for replacement parts with other rebuild projects I have in line😎 👍
9 January 2021, 00:12
JDYeah, I've had mixed results with blue stuff also using Milliput. It's a tricky business learning to cast your own parts. Will you be using any secret powders to simulate real snow?
9 January 2021, 00:27
Rob HendersonIt may sound mad at the moment, but I was thinking of varying layers of white in matt/satin/gloss, with hints of very pale clear blue and white pearl or a similar suspension for depth and bit of an icy sparkle. I'm also considering a mix of normal 'smooth' sprayed finish with patches of deliberate dry spray for texture variation which could then have clear coat (or a mix of clear and pearl) over the top.
9 January 2021, 00:46
JDThat sounds cool, lots of texture, without all the extra messy work. I see the base already has lots of detail.
9 January 2021, 02:29
Rob Henderson@JD & @Torsten - the vac-form bases are quite nice all things considered that these are essentially model kit 'toys' than what many modellers would consider to be serious display items (for want of a better expression).
Both had been brush painted with enamels back in the day, and the Hoth battle had gained a few holes were some pieces that were glued to it had torn the base when they got broken off while in storage. As you can see from the photos, both bases have now been washed, sanded and re-primed with an automotive acrylic spray can of white primer. The damage holes have been plugged, filled and sanded smooth, but there's still spots of glue here and there that need a bit more attention before the repainting can begin proper.
All the figures, vehicles and accessories have now been dismantled, stripped and are in the process of being cleaned up and reassembled ready for priming.
9 January 2021, 14:40
TorstenI know this from the past, I remember I made a build for my little brother. So some memories coming up😉
10 January 2021, 08:58
Album info
These two diorama sets were built and painted by me as a kid in the early 1980's. Refusing to let them go, for many years they've been kept in boxes up in various lofts - sadly becoming more damaged as the years have progressed.
I've decided to give this kits a new lease of life, with a full paint strip, dismantle, repair and rebuild.
