Subject:
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My impressions of the Imperial Star Destroyer Model ( some "spoilers")
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Newsgroups:
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lugnet.starwars
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Date:
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Tue, 31 Dec 2002 00:21:47 GMT
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Viewed:
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523 times
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During the week of Christmas I had a 9-day vacation from work. Along with
spending time with my family, and playing a good chunk of Metroid Prime, I
wanted to use the time to build my Star Destroyer. I decided that instead
of trying to build it all in one sitting, that I would spend a few hours
each day on it, and build it as carefully as possible. It took about 18
hours total. I could have built it in a much shorter time, however I wanted
to take the extra time that detail requires.
I spent the first couple of "sessions" sorting pieces into partitioned
plastic containers and tupperware buckets that I had purchased solely for
building this model. I also thumbed through the 220+ page manual, and built
the small Correlian Corvette (Blockade Runner) model that is included. By
the third day I was ready to start building.
The Star Destroyer itself is made up of seven sections that can be assembled
separately and then pieced together. There's the inner frame, four panels,
the bottom tier of the tower, and the rest of the tower. The model is quite
sturdy, but it can be easily broken down into the seven sections so that it
can be quickly moved and reassembled without worrying about it collapsing on
itself.
Following the instructions, I built the inner frame first. This is where
you first get the idea of how massive this model truly is... Once you
complete the first section, you have a giant triangle made out of technic
beams, pins, hinges, plates, and other miscellaneous parts. You actually
have to build two identical sections that sit back to back and get clamped
together by technic pins and bricks. I built the first section following
the instruction manual, and used the first section as a guide to build the
second one (since it was identical.) The detailing around the "middle" of
the Star Destroyer is a bunch of clips, nozzles, cones, panels, and castle
goblets arranged semi-symmetrically on a bunch of 1x10 dark gray plates,
which are then clipped onto the frame using 1-stud technic pins. It's very
cool to look at, but it's the most tedious part of the build... it takes
positioning hundreds of tiny parts. I got through it using an
"assembly-line" method, by positioning all of one type of piece onto each of
the 32 plates, then grabbing a different type piece and repeating.
Attached to the inner frame are the magnets to which the 4 hull panels
mount, the engines, and the display stand. At first I was disappointed that
the display stand was attached to the model, but once I started attaching
the other sections I began to understand that it's necessary. The three
large engines are quite pretty to look at... however the advised mounting is
not very sturdy. A technic axle is pushed into the a 4x4 round brick that
is attached to the frame. The axle runs through a 2x2 round brick with it's
studs faces the 4x4 round brick's studs, through the large tire, and is
attached to additional bushings inside the tire. However, the axle easily
slipped out of all of the 4x4 round bricks that I have so I ended up turning
the 2x2 round bricks around to add friction to keep the engines from falling
off. This had the negative result of allowing the engines to spin, but this
is a small drawback compared to them falling off.
I then took the time to re-sort the remaining pieces. This allowed me to
place pieces that were often being used together into the same containers to
facilitate building. This helped so much that I decided to re-sort the
remaining pieces after every section got built. I decided to stop until the
next day.
On the fourth day, I started on the hull. The next section to be built was
one of the lower hull panels. At this point my work table was taken up by
the bulky inner frame. I decided to use it to display the Star Destroyer,
so that it wasn't a problem, but I needed a place to work on the other
sections of the model. I did not want to build on the floor as I have weak
knees and a dog that sheds like crazy. I cleared off a spot on the coffee
table, and set to work on the panel. The panel consists mainly of lots of
gray plates laid side-to-side and reinforced on both sides. The problem is
you have to build the studs up side first, flip the entire thing over, and
then reinforce the other side. Some of the plates come partially apart
while flipping which can cause misalignments, which is why after flipping I
made sure to re-secure all of the plates. Once you reinforce the other
side, it's pretty sturdy.
Once completed, I attached the first of the lower panels to the frame. To
my dismay, this caused the frame to lean. I detached the panel and set it
aside. I decided to complete the other lower panel before attaching the
first one again.
I re-sorted the remaining pieces, and stopped until the next day.
The other lower panel was pretty much a mirror of the first one. While
attaching the panels, I noticed how easy it would be to misalign them... and
that if they didn't get aligned just right they would not stay on. I
attached the magnets first, then the three stud connections on the edge of
each panel. It just seemed like the logical way to do it.
Once again, I re-sorted the remaining pieces, and stopped until the next day.
The next day was Christmas day, I decided not to do any building so I could
fully enjoy the festivities of the day.
The day after Christmas, I got building again. I built one of the upper
hull panels. It was similar to building the lower panels, but of course
there were some differences. I set this panel aside until the other panel
was done so the frame wouldn't lean.
Re-sort, stop, next day.
Second upper hull panel built, pretty much a mirror of the first. I
attached the two upper panels. I thought that I could just attach the studs
to the panel hull, and then swing it in to attach to the magnets... however
the hull panels can only be attached to the 3 2x2 attachment plates when at
the correct angle... so you have to attach them to the magnets first.
This was more difficult than the lower panels, as you can't reach inside as
well to attach the studs. At least on the first of the upper panels you can
kind of reach through, but in order to reach inside when positioning the
final hull panel you have to go through the hanger bay below, or the "tower
hole" above... Lining these up was tough, but once again careful planning
and a steady hand got the job done.
It was starting to look like a Star Destroyer...
At this point, very few plates were left. According to the position in the
manual, I had completed about 2/3 of the whole model. It was Friday; I had
only two days left to complete it. I decided to finish it on Saturday.
Re-sort, stop, next day.
Now came the fun part... The frame was an enjoyable build, but the panels
were largely repetitive. The tower assemblies are by far the most enjoyable
part of building the ISD...
The first part of the tower splits down the middle. It's hinged on a whole
bunch of technic pieces that allow it to split and sit at opposing angles.
Just like on the inner frame, the detailing is accomplished with various
little parts stuck onto dark gray plates and attached to technic beams like
paneling. Many "wing" pieces are used here. The tower doesn't actually
attach to the frame; it rests on top of it thanks to some tiles placed on
the frame.
The second part of the tower, which includes the "head" of the ISD (with the
shield generators and the command deck) is actually three sections connected
by technic pins. The first section, the "neck" uses the large slopes. Once
again many little pieces are attached to create details. The look is very
effective. The second section, the "head" is put together in a fairly
ingenious manner. A blend of technic bits and bricks, with standard plates
and wings, gives the illusion of a single object. At first, I thought the
"moon rock" bottoms used for the shield generators would look bad, but they
actually look quite good. The third section is the "collar." It's very
similar to the lower part of the tower in the way it is build. It splits
down the middle just the same. Once pieced together, the three sections are
very solid. This assembly sits in the first part of the tower, again it's
not attached, it just rests on top of tiles.
I built the little frame for the sticker, but not wanting to adhere the
sticker to the plates, I cut away the extra wax paper and extra sticker bits
and placed the sticker in the frame... it looks just as good as if it had
been adhered.
The ISD is an absolutely beautiful model. It was worth the money, worth the
time, worth the planning, and worth the frustration.
This is definitely NOT a model for children. However, if you are an AFOL
you owe it to yourself to get this model. It will inspire you with building
techniques that you will use for years to come. However, if you don't have
the time or patience to build it right, you may be disappointed.
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