Sunday 31 December 2017

Star Wars 1/48 Scale Snowspeeder, Fully Painted Model Kit (Wedge Antilles and Wes Janson version)

Before 2017 officially ends, Shire Works is proud to add to its list of fully painted model kits for sale i.e. the Bandai 1/48 scale Star Wars Snowspeeder as seen during the Battle of Hoth scene in Star Wars Episode IV: The Empire Strikes Back.

Fully painted Bandai 1/48 scale Snowspeeder [Wedge Antilles and Wes Janson version]

Specifically, this version is a recreation of the snowspeeder piloted by Wedge Antilles and Wes Janson during the iconic battle against Imperial AT-AT walkers on the planet Hoth. As such the identification stripes on the hull were painted in orange red. In addition, pilot uniforms and helmets were painted to mimic the ones worn by Wedge and Janson.

Wedge Antilles is painted in detail and can be seen through the clear plastic on the canopy
Upper left air brake flap deployed ... initiate banking turn to the left
Appropriate decal markings (e.g. inverted ZZ symbol) were applied onto the snowspeeder's hull
More closeup shots of the pilots, this time with Wes Janson's showing through the canopy 'glass' clearly

No detail has been left untouched as can be seen by the freehand paint job on both the pilots as well as the cockpit interior (see three immediate shots below).

Rebel Alliance snowspeeder pilots: Wedge Antilles (left) and Wes Janson (right)
Cockpit interior of the 1/48 scale Snowspeeder prior to being assembled
This is how both pilots looked against the cockpit interior before the canopy was fixed onto the hull

Meticulous research was carried out to ensure that the paint chip and grime streak effects closely mimic those found on the studio snowspeeder. In essence, this fully painted version is based as closely as possible on how the actual studio model looks like.

As such, the snowspeeder shown here is NOT a version that was painted on the whim and fancy of our resident painter's personal interpretation of how a space-faring vehicle should look like. Such versions will eventually be offered in Shire Work's fully painted range. But when they are, a description will be added to denote that the painter has used creative license in the final depiction of the model kit's paint job.That wasn't the case here.

Lower hull of the snowspeeder is exposed as it banks to the left
Finally, a photographic closeup of Wes "Good Shot" Janson
Closeup view of the rear power generator, cooling fins and insulators

To simulate snow on Hoth, the base has been painted in shades of white. And the snowspeeder's pose is based on that of an airborne craft banking to the left. For this, its upper left and bottom two air brake flaps are deployed. This pose was inspired by the Battle of Hoth scene in which Janson had just deployed the tow cable and Wedge was piloting the snowspeeder in a leftwards banking turn. Here then are a series of photographic shots of the snowspeeder taken from eight different angles for a limited 360 degree view.





As with all fully painted model kits on offer, this piece will be a limited one-of-a-kind offering. It was painted by our resident painter whose collection of works can be seen at his personal miniature/model kit painting blog site http://foureyed-monster.blogspot.my  





Fully painted to resemble the snowspeeder piloted by Wedge Antilles and Wes Janson in Star Wars: Empire Strikes Back, this Bandai Star Wars 1/48 Scale Snowspeeder retails for RM599 inclusive of shipping which will be on a cash-on-delivery basis to selected public malls in Kuala Lumpur and Petaling Jaya. The reason for a face-to-face meet up to hand over the product is due to the extremely fragile nature of a fully-painted and completed work. For interested parties, please email us at shireworks@gmail.com for more info on the purchasing process. And finally with the new year almost here, here's wishing you and your loved ones all the best for 2018.

http://shireworks.blogspot.my/p/custom-painted.html

Wednesday 13 September 2017

Star Wars 1/72 Scale TIE Fighter, Fully Painted Model Kit (The Empire Strikes Back version)

To continue with our offering of fully painted model kits for sale, Shire Works is pleased to present a different version of the Bandai Star Wars TIE Fighter. Specifically, this 1/72 scale TIE Fighter was painted in a bluish grey colour scheme similar to those seen in episode five of the Star Wars franchise i.e. The Empire Strikes Back [EST].

Bandai 1/72 scale TIE Fighter; Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back [EST] version

With the introduction of this version collectors now have a choice between the light grey TIE Fighter from A New Hope and this one from EST. Both would look equally good in any collection, individually by themselves or together side-by-side. 

EST version of the TIE Fighter is fully painted in a bluish grey colour scheme
Twin lasers of the TIE Fighter come in the form of clear green plastic parts
Also included is the Death Star base, suitably weathered

Inside the TIE Fighter's cockpit area sits the Imperial Navy pilot with the requisite decals and paint job. Sufficient lighting can enter the cockpit area via the top hatch to make the pilot partially visible to the naked eye. With reference to the first photo, the TIE pilot's helmet can be seen as light - coming in through the upper hatch - reflects off it. Accordingly, the front viewport has been assembled without the front clear plastic canopy - ala the actual movie studio models - in order to allow more natural light into the area.

Imperial Navy pilot that is seated inside the cockpit area of the TIE Fighter

These model kit includes painted details that aren't obvious at first glance. For example, details on the TIE Fighter's power, fuel and laser systems have been painted. However, if you choose to display the TIE Fighter on a stand on its base then the fuel tank cap will have to be installed. This cap in turn attaches to the display stand. That being said, the fuel tank cap can still be removed to show the painted innards if you so wish.

Bottom view of TIE Fighter's power, fuel and laser systems - still visible at this stage...
... until it's covered by the fuel tank cap which incidentally attaches to the base

Included in this fully painted Bandai Star Wars 1/72 scale TIE Fighter set are its twin laser shots. These are green clear plastic parts which attach securely to the laser cannons. 

Solar array wings were painted in matt black
Top down view of the Bandai 1/72 scale TIE Fighter, [EST] version
Back view of the Bandai 1/72 scale TIE Fighter, [EST] version

Painted to mimic a colour scheme as seen in Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back, this Bandai Star Wars 1/72 Scale TIE Fighter retails for RM499 inclusive of shipping which will be on a cash-on-delivery basis to selected malls in Kuala Lumpur and Petaling Jaya. Interested parties can email shireworks@gmail.com for info on the purchasing process.

Pew, pew, pew ... die you rebel scum

For a less distracting view, the following are photos of the TIE Fighter which were taken without its green laser shots attached to the laser cannons.




Careful, time-consuming panel line work was required to bring the bluish grey colour scheme to life
 
As with the earlier fully painted model kit on offer (i.e. TIE Fighter, A New Hope version), this piece will be a limited one-of-a-kind offering. It was painted by our resident painter whose collection of works can be seen at his personal miniature/model kit painting blog site http://foureyed-monster.blogspot.my 

http://shireworks.blogspot.my/p/custom-painted.html

Wednesday 19 July 2017

Spider-Man Homecoming

Arguably one of Spidey's big screen adventures in a long time, Spider-Man Homecoming exists within the Marvel Cinematic Universe - a huge storytelling vehicle that ropes all of Marvel Studios’ superheroes into one interconnected movie narrative. Homecoming is not to be confused with Sony Pictures' own Spider-Man offerings i.e. The Amazing Spider-Man which exists in its own story world. Regardless, any Spider-Man movie is a must-see with Spider-Man Homecoming more so than the others.   


Although Knight Models no longer sells miniatures from the Marvel Universe franchise, we here at Shire Works still have some of their Marvel superhero resin/metal miniatures in stock. Shown below is their Spider-Man model kit which comprises a resin base (part of a taxi) and white metal parts of Spidey himself. This miniature requires assembly and paint. To see the Knight Models Spider-Man kit assembly and paint process, click here.  

Knight Models Spider-Man miniature model kit
Unboxed - white metal and resin parts comprise the Knight Models Spider-Man kit

Shown below are photographs of the Knight Model Spider-Man after he had been assembled and painted by our resident modeller/miniature painter FourEyedMonster.










This classic version of Spider-Man by Knight Models sees Spidey in his original suit and not the high-tech one shown in Homecoming. Nevertheless, it's still an excellent kit and has the potential to look good when painted up as you can see above.


So be sure to catch Spidey's latest adventure in the big screens. We here at Shire Works had a blast watching Homecoming and believe it to be one of the best Spidey movies in a long time. And while you are at it, you might also wan to get your own friendly neighborhood Spider-Man miniature to paint up, classic superhero suit and all.

http://shireworks.blogspot.my/p/knight-models.html