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Collecting => Customs => Star Wars Ships and Vehicles => Topic started by: DARKLORD on August 26, 2007, 04:02 AM

Title: HUGE ride for my Jawas!**UPDATE**12/29/07
Post by: DARKLORD on August 26, 2007, 04:02 AM
About 2 months ago, I went up to my collection room and spent some time admiring my hoard of TAC  Jawas.  I’m not entirely sure why, but I just LOVE those new little buggers!

Anyhow, I decided to see what my new little scavengers would look like in a makeshift droid auction in front of their Sandcrawler.

I pulled my Vintage Kenner Radio Controlled Jawa Sandcrawler off the shelf, posed a bunch of droids and TAC Jawas around it... and my heart sank.

That tiny, dinky, out-of-scale, pathetic Sandcrawler looked ridiculous next to my new  Jawas!  I loved this Sandcrawler as a kid, but now… it just wasn’t working for me.

Anyone that knows ME (and my severe STAR WARS Collector mental illness) knows that I could NOT allow that to stand!!

I immediately got in touch with a model builder friend of mine from South America and commissioned him to build me a NEW Radio Controlled Jawa Sandcrawler toy in correct scale to 3-3/4 inch figures!!

Some detail adjustments to the Sancrawler are currently being finished up, and I will be taking delivery very shortly. I cannot wait!!!

This behemoth measures 29 inches (that’s 2-1/2 FEET) in height, and 61 inches (that’s 5.1 Feet) in length.  It features a removable side panel for access to the crawler's ore-processing room, a removable top panel for access to the detailed cockpit, a front loading main ramp into the main hold, and working interior / exterior lights.

I have a feeling my Jawas are going to be VERY happy when “Sandy” arrives.

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v516/darklord1967/STAR%20WARS%20COLLECTION%20ROOM/Roberto_sCustomSandcrawler2.jpg)
Title: Re: HUGE new ride for my new Jawas!
Post by: Dressel Rebel on August 26, 2007, 06:48 AM
That is just, unreal.

Can I get his number?  I want to commission him to build me a to-scale Death Star.
Title: Re: HUGE new ride for my new Jawas!
Post by: Darth_Anton on August 26, 2007, 09:36 AM
Congratulations! That's just awesome.
Title: Re: HUGE new ride for my new Jawas!
Post by: BrentS on August 26, 2007, 10:07 AM
That is freakin' sweet!  I love it.  I'm also a horder of Jawas.  Maybe someday I'll take a shot at something like this.
Title: Re: HUGE new ride for my new Jawas!
Post by: David on August 26, 2007, 10:56 AM
Holy crap! If you don't mind me asking, about how much does it cost to have something like that made? I'm blown away. That is really amazing, congratulations!  8)
Title: Re: HUGE new ride for my new Jawas!
Post by: DARKLORD on August 26, 2007, 04:16 PM
Holy crap! If you don't mind me asking, about how much does it cost to have something like that made?

Well, admittedly it's pricey!  To have one built normally costs $1800 US Dollars with the shipping coming in around $400.  And that's BEFORE the RC modifications that I'm building into it!

MY custom Sandcrawler cost me LESS, however.  When I contacted my friend in South America about building me one, he gave me the choice of building me a brand new one from scratch (for the prices mentioned above) OR bidding on (and hopefully winning) an already existing (mint) specimen that he had built, and that a friend of HIS was auctioning on Ebay.

I decided to try my luck at the EBAY crawler, figuring that if I lost, I would just have him build me a brand new one at full price.

But as Luck would have it, I won the EBAY crawler for $1200!

This Sandcrawler can now keep the rest of my big vehicles company, including my 6ft long Millennium Falcon!

 Some stats about my Custom-built Sandcrawler:

As I mentioned before, her measurements are 29 inches (2-1/2 FEET) in height, and 61 inches (5.1 Feet) in length. It features a removable side panel for access to the crawler's "ore-processing room", a removable top panel for access to the detailed Main Control Overbridge , a front loading main ramp into the main hold, and working interior / exterior lights.

The treads seen in these photos are NOT the final ones that this custom Sandcrawler will sit on.

These treads seen here are solid, in-articulate prop pieces (just like on the OTC Diamonds Exclusive Sandcrawler). They do NOT roll. There are currently some tiny recessed wheels under the Sandcrawler that allow it to be rolled. But that's it.

However, for an additional fee, I have commissioned to have this toy fully converted into a rolling, functioning, steerable RC toy with working treads! (Just like the Lucasfilm model)

For the conversion, we are using the electronic rolling treads from a 1/10th scale RC german tank as the functioning RC platform. There will be one PAIR of rolling treads at each of the Crawler's 4 corners (that's 8 total).

The final treads and the faceplate housings will also be painted in a darker, grimier color than the rest of the crawler for that desert weather-beaten look.

There were some minor inaccurate detail errors evident in the photos of this custom toy (no square window opening on the side of the crawler, etc.), but I've ordered these various errors to be corrected/re-built before shipping.

In the end, the Sandcrawler that I'll receive in another few weeks from South America will be considerably more accurate than the way it appears in these photos.

This custom Sandcrawler toy is made of 1/4 inch thick hardboard, fibergass, plastic, and metal. It's considerably heavy.

I am simply waiting for all the detail modifications to be completed, and then I'll be taking delivery.
Title: Re: HUGE new ride for my new Jawas!
Post by: Darth_Ennis on August 26, 2007, 04:25 PM
 :o :o :o :o :o

WOW!! Just WOW! :o

I'm speechless.
Title: Re: HUGE new ride for my new Jawas!
Post by: Daigo-Bah on August 26, 2007, 04:37 PM
Sweet mother of.....
Title: Re: HUGE new ride for my new Jawas!
Post by: King_Maul on August 26, 2007, 07:20 PM
Jawa Heaven  :o
Title: Re: HUGE new ride for my new Jawas!
Post by: MetalJedi on August 26, 2007, 11:38 PM
I want that.
Title: Re: HUGE new ride for my new Jawas!
Post by: Phrubruh on August 27, 2007, 10:06 AM
Your going to give Chewie a complex now! I can just see him calling up Owen begging for a commission of this thing. ;)

Truely marvelous work. What eletronics does it use? What frequency? How fast can it go? Does it really have tank treads? Can we see the underside? Does the front mouth open up? Is it lite inside?
Title: Re: HUGE new ride for my new Jawas!
Post by: Glassman6 on August 27, 2007, 12:57 PM
As awsome as that is i bet it doesnt have a working droid vaccum to suck up R2!!
That is amazing, I contimplated having a scale falcon built. If i ever move to a bigger house and have money to spend...  :'(
Then i'll buy one.
Title: Re: HUGE new ride for my new Jawas!
Post by: DARKLORD on August 27, 2007, 01:57 PM
Your going to give Chewie a complex now! I can just see him calling up Owen begging for a commission of this thing. ;)

Ah, I've got NOTHING on Chewie and Owen!!  The awesome stuff in those guys' custom collections make me look like an amateur!!

I'm still hoping one day to get a Star Destroyer Bridge built by Owen.  I tried to do it about a year ago, but ran out of cash during a house construction emergency.  I'm only NOW just getting back on my feet.

Anyhow, as to your questions about "Sandy":

What eletronics does it use? What frequency? How fast can it go? Does it really have tank treads? Can we see the underside? Does the front mouth open up? Is it lite inside?

1)  When finished, this sandcrawler will use the electronics, RC frequency, and working treads of this RC Tank:  http://www.trendtimes.com/rcta1sc212fe.html

2)  You can see in the video how fast the tank moves. The Sandcrawler will move somewhat slower due to its considerable weight.

3)  When I take delivery of this behemoth, I will GLADLY take additonal photos of the underside.  The front mouth loading ramp DOES indeed open up (to load and unload droid inventory, of course) See the attached photo.  Also, there are (not one but) three lights on the interior.  Additional lights are being added to the exterior as headlights just beneath the main loading ramp.


As awsome as that is i bet it doesnt have a working droid vaccum to suck up R2!!


4)  Heh, well you got me there, good buddy.  The Jawa's entry hatch and R2-D2 Vaccum Tube (between the giant treads) are currently NOT functioning items.

HOWEVER, these are among the details that I have ordered the builder to modify to be functional.  The entry hatch will have a simple door that slides open and closed with a small ladder. And the vaccum tube will extend up and down.  Unfortunately, no access into the Sandcrawler's  main hold will be available from these two areas, I'm afraid.



(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v516/darklord1967/CUSTOM%20STAR%20WARS%20Action%20Figures/SandcrawlerImage1.jpg)



(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v516/darklord1967/CUSTOM%20STAR%20WARS%20Action%20Figures/SandcrawlerImage4.jpg)



Title: Re: HUGE new ride for my new Jawas!
Post by: Deanna Rash on August 27, 2007, 03:22 PM
 :o :o :o Can You imagine a to scale AT-AT?! That's totally awesome!
Title: Re: HUGE new ride for my new Jawas!
Post by: Phrubruh on August 27, 2007, 03:44 PM
Looking at the tank and the treads on the sandscrawler, it looks like there won't be four separate sets of treads. I assume the sandcrawler will pretty much ride on top of the tank. Is that going to change? Due to the weight, are you sure the tank motors will be able to turn with this much payload on top of it?

I wonder how hard it would be to put a small vacuum motor in it. That way it might be able to lift a small vintage r2 if close enough. I wish this was an R/C builders forum. We could get into a very cool conversation about the eletronics for this beast.
Title: Re: HUGE new ride for my new Jawas!
Post by: DARKLORD on August 27, 2007, 04:41 PM
Looking at the tank and the treads on the sandscrawler, it looks like there won't be four separate sets of treads. I assume the sandcrawler will pretty much ride on top of the tank. Is that going to change? Due to the weight, are you sure the tank motors will be able to turn with this much payload on top of it?



I am comfortably certain that the RC tank motors can handle the Custom Sandcrawler's weight (approx. 21 Lbs.), but they will be slowed which works out nicely for the scale, size, and apparent locomotion speed of the Sandcrawler as seen in A New Hope.

Also, to be clear:  The Fake "cosmetic" treads currently on this Custom Sandcrawler are being REMOVED and then they are being REPLACED by the treads and motors of the RC tank.  So this Sandcrawler WILL NOT simply ride atop the RC Tank. 

Instead, this crawler will move on four separate motorized sets of double treads "kit-bashed" off of the RC tanks.  That is why I have purchased FOUR of the 1/12th scale RC Tanks shown in the link above (for 8 total treads). This will be a full-scale "reverse engineering" operation on the RC Tanks.  Serious stuff.

It is for this reason that I am confident that the motors can handle the Custom Sandcrawler's weight.  Don't forget: It won't just be ONE RC tank motor pushing the Sandcrawler forward.  It will be four.

The only item from the custom Sandcrawler's original fake cosmetic treads that will be salvaged will be the faceplate facades placed over the modified RC tank treads.  And even those faceplate facades are being re-worked to be more accurate. For example, the three (currently missing) vertical rectangular vent openings are being added to the center of each faceplate.

Title: Re: HUGE new ride for my new Jawas!
Post by: Phrubruh on August 27, 2007, 05:04 PM
That sounds like it will work great. So are the little wheels on the faceplace going to turn?
Title: Re: HUGE new ride for my new Jawas!
Post by: Jesse James on August 27, 2007, 05:29 PM
They make small vacuums for cleaning electronics...  One of those COULD fit I think, however the suction needed to lift a figure would probably be more than the tiny vacuum could handle I'm afraid.

I too would have some concerns on the weight issues...  Less on the motor though and more on the transmission of the tank, as they are known to strip gears pretty easily if you put too much weight on them.  I had some problems taping my RC runs years ago when I was young by strapping a camcorder to my truck...  WEight could be a problem to consider...

I at the very least wouldn't run it on too rough a surface for a bit.
Title: Re: HUGE new ride for my new Jawas!
Post by: DARKLORD on August 27, 2007, 05:54 PM
That sounds like it will work great. So are the little wheels on the faceplace going to turn?

Hmm... good question.  I hadn't thought of engineering them to do that.  I could be wrong, but I always assumed that the little wheels on the faceplates were not meant to turn, even on the actual Lucasfilm Sandcrawler.  I always thought they were a cosmetic consideration.


I too would have some concerns on the weight issues...  Less on the motor though and more on the transmission of the tank, as they are known to strip gears pretty easily if you put too much weight on them.  I had some problems taping my RC runs years ago when I was young by strapping a camcorder to my truck...  WEight could be a problem to consider...

I at the very least wouldn't run it on too rough a surface for a bit.

Hmm interesting information.  Do you think the weight would be an issue even with all 4 Tank transmissions being applied?
Title: Re: HUGE new ride for my new Jawas!
Post by: DARKLORD on August 27, 2007, 06:01 PM
:o :o :o Can You imagine a to scale AT-AT?! That's totally awesome!

Yes... unfortunately I CAN imagine it.  Although, I'm trying not to so I won't grow to hate my Hasbro AT-ATs!

I think the ONLY reason I've not commissioned a correctly-scaled 3/34" AT-AT for my collection is that I could NOT afford to own FIVE of them like in the movie! :'( :P ;)
Title: Re: HUGE new ride for my new Jawas!
Post by: Phrubruh on August 28, 2007, 04:09 PM
How tall would a 3 3/4" scale AT-AT be? Are we talking 6' or 7' tall?
Title: Re: HUGE new ride for my new Jawas!
Post by: DARKLORD on August 29, 2007, 09:06 AM
How tall would a 3 3/4" scale AT-AT be? Are we talking 6' or 7' tall?

As I'm sure you know, an AT-AT correctly scaled for 4 inch Hasbro figures would be absolutely ENORMOUS, far larger than my SAndcrawler!

For those of you that own the STAR WARS Chronicles photo refernce book, the land vessels comparisons page shows the Sandcrawler as dwarfing an AT-AT in scale.  In my humble opinion, this is incorrect.  Based of what we've seen in the films themselves, an AT-AT is definitely larger than a Sandcrawler:

My custom built Jawa Sandcrawler takes it's scale (basically) from film and photo references of the full-sized filming set used in Tunisia.  This was where we saw the relative height of the Sandcrawler's treads when compared to jawas, droids, and average heighted individuals (C-3PO, Uncle Owen, Luke Skywalker, Ben Kenobi, etc.)

Based on that information, a correct Hasbro-scaled Sandcrawler was determined to be (approximately) 2-1/2 FEET tall and just over 5 FEET in length.   Pretty big.

Now let's look at the AT-AT based on what we saw in TESB.   Here is what was written in the technical commentaries over at The Force.net:

The scale of the AT-AT is contentious. There are several independent claims and points of evidence:

   •    West End Games and derivative sources indicate a height of fifteen metres, but they do not state any justification or proof. Their number could be an arbitrary invention for all we know. On the other hand, AT-AT walkers seem much bigger in the movies.

   •    A late-stage ILM scaling diagram from the production of The Empire Strikes Back indicates a height of about 14.5m. However it's impossible to say whether this diagram reflects the final condition of the movie.

   •    Long-range views of Luke Skywalker ascending a cable beneath an AT-AT indicate a height of 22.6m, with a precision of seven percent.

   •    Comparison of an AT-AT and the scale of the handrails of a docking platform at Endor in Return of the Jedi indicate a height of about 23m, with the rail being slightly more than 1.0m above the deck. This is consistent with architectural standards handrails on Earth.

   •    One of the walkers on Hoth managed to crush Skywalker's snowspeeder, covering most of the vehicle with the walker's footpad. If an AT-AT is about 23m tall, the foot diameter is about 4.5m. The snowspeeder's length is independently known from set blueprints: 4.53m. If the AT-AT was only 15m tall, it could not have covered the 'speeder as well as it did.

   •    Interestingly, the length of the snowspeeder as indicated by set blueprints [The Art of STAR WARS Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back] is 4.5m, which would suggest that the walker foot should have covered it. However vehicles on movie sets are traditionally built underscale. Oddly, the West End Games value for the snowspeeder length is 5.5m, which supports the larger, non-WEG value walker height.

   •    A stormtrooper officer receiving orders from General Veers was able to stand and walk within the AT-AT cockpit. If the vehicle was only scaled to 15m tall, the space between floor and ceiling in the cockpit would have been no more than 1.3m. The walker must be scaled to over 20m in height in order to allow the observed cockpit scenes to fit.

   •    Observations of a snowspeeder in the act of tying an AT-AT's legs would provide another scale estimate. By initial eyeball estimates, these scenes seem to support a larger AT-AT height.

On the balance of evidence, an AT-AT walker is approximately 23m tall and 26m long. Judging by direct front views, the hull width is approximately 35% of the height, the width across the legs is about 26% of the height, and the width across the toes is about 46% of the height.



So if our friends over at The Force.net are correct (and I believe they are!), an AT-AT stands approximately 75-1/2 FEET tall. So much for early descriptions of the AT-AT in magazines and documentaries as "...40 foot tall giants..."  Way off!

That's equivalent to 12-1/2 average men (6 FEET in height) standing end to end.

If we stand 12-1/2  average STAR WARS figures (4 inches in height) end to end, we get 50 inches (or an AT-AT's correct HASBRO scale height). Add to that the fact that Hasbro's Snowspeeder is actually too LARGE in its scale size for Hasbro figures, and this all seems to pan out.


My friends, THAT translates to a toy that would be (sigh) 4 FEET 2 inches in height. LARGER than a correctly-scaled Sandcrawler.

Now, just to give you some perspective on this: The largest AT-AT miniature built by ILM for filming The Empire Strikes Back came in at roughly the same 4 feet in height!
Title: Re: HUGE new ride for my new Jawas!
Post by: David on September 3, 2007, 10:40 AM
I could NOT afford to own FIVE of them like in the movie! :'( :P ;)

 :D THAT would be AWESOME!  :D
Title: Re: HUGE new ride for my new Jawas!
Post by: King_Maul on September 3, 2007, 01:13 PM
Wouldn't it be awesome if your custom could do this?  Sandcrawler Racer (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bWzjMDKnR20&mode=related&search=).  ;D  I saw this video link over in RS and couldn't resist.

Great Custom!
Title: Re: HUGE new ride for my new Jawas!
Post by: evenflow on September 18, 2007, 09:57 AM
That is just amazing! I would love to have one.
Title: Re: HUGE new ride for my new Jawas!
Post by: DARKLORD on October 8, 2007, 04:07 AM
Wouldn't it be awesome if your custom could do this?  Sandcrawler Racer (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bWzjMDKnR20&mode=related&search=).  ;D  I saw this video link over in RS and couldn't resist.

Great Custom!

That sandcrawler racer is OUTRAGEOUS!  Those jokers at ILM are sick! ;D
Title: Re: HUGE new ride for my new Jawas!
Post by: DARKLORD on October 8, 2007, 04:19 AM
I could NOT afford to own FIVE of them like in the movie! :'( :P ;)

 :D THAT would be AWESOME!  :D

Yes, it would ALSO be grounds for my wife to divorce me. ::)
Title: Re: HUGE new ride for my new Jawas!
Post by: DARKLORD on December 7, 2007, 08:50 PM
Well... my custom Sandcrawler arrived, and the pictures DID NOT do it justice.

First of all, this Sandcrawler is HUGE.  You don't realize just HOW huge it is until you see her it in person.

My best guess is that it weighs in the neigborhood of 25 pounds.I'm telling you, my vintage Kenner Jawa Sandcrawler looks like a Micro Machines dinky toy next to this.

This custom Sandcrawler is TOUGH too.  Not quite as tough as a tooled and molded Hasbro Toy, since the kit-bashed parts are glued on the surface.  But it is TOUGH nonetheless.  It is made of thick styrene plastic, wood, and fiberglass. The kit-bashed parts are an assortment of plastic and metal.

All in all, guys, my Jawas are EXTREMELY happy!

The next step NOW is my RC Conversion guy will come over to take meansurements so that he can fabricate the rolling RC TREADS, and in another 2 months or so, we'll install the new RC motors and treads on this baby.

I also have a very close friend who works in the area of retail store DISPLAY manufacturing.  He will be stopping by tomorrow to take measurements for the heavy corrugated cardboard box and inserts we are making to store her in.  The colorful graphics for the box have already been designed (based on the one I created for the Vintage Kenner RC Jawa Sandcrawler)
Title: Re: HUGE new ride for my new Jawas!
Post by: Phrubruh on December 8, 2007, 10:49 AM
Your right it is huge! What's your budget on this guy?
Title: Re: HUGE new ride for my new Jawas!
Post by: DARKLORD on December 8, 2007, 12:06 PM
Your right it is huge! What's your budget on this guy?

After shipping, RC conversion, and the paint modifications I'm planning we're talking about $2200.
Title: Re: HUGE new ride for my new Jawas!
Post by: patreektherodian on December 9, 2007, 09:16 AM
Boy would it ever suck for you if hasbro came out with a better one.
Title: Re: HUGE new ride for my new Jawas!
Post by: DARKLORD on December 9, 2007, 07:19 PM
Boy would it ever suck for you if hasbro came out with a better one.

Yes that would suck.

But I gotta tell you, that seems EXTREMELY unlikely. Even in the unlikely event that they moved on from their current vintage KENNER Sancrawler mold and created a newer larger one, I SINCERELY DOUBT it would be anywhere near as big or impressive as the custom crawler I own.

I've been in the middle of a raging debate over at rebelscum regarding the likelihood of Hasbro making really LARGE vehicles for their STAR WARS 3-3/4 inch STAR WARS line.

I've been pushing really HARD for over two years for a close-to-scale Millennium Falcon toy designed for play use with the STAR WARS figures. 

That's a 4-1/2 foot long ship... basically a 3 foot diameter saucer with two 1-1/2 foot long mandibles that attach assemble on.

This is a totally manangable and PLAYABLE toy spaceship / playset.  WIth a price point of $250 as a mass-retail item (admittedly unlikely), or $400 as an exclusive, limited edition, or online retail offer, I'm convinced that this ship would be a HUGE sales hit for Hasbro and not at all the retail failure repeat of 1999's 3 foot long Naboo Royal Starship.

The Millennium Falcon is a much more popular, iconic, recognizable, and desired spaceship than the  Naboo Cruiser.

Well, everyone and their mother are giving me every reason on the PLANET why Hasbro simply WILL NOT commit to producing such a large toy. Undoubtedly, someone HERE will begin posting even MORE reasons against this bigger-scale Falcon.

So if they're all correct, and I'm the one that's wrong, then  Hasbro will NEVER make a 5 foot long, 2-1/2 foot tall Remote Controlled Jawa Sandcrawler with working lights, interior play environment for figures, and full front cargo bay loading ramp.
Title: Re: HUGE new ride for my new Jawas!
Post by: patreektherodian on December 10, 2007, 06:41 AM
I agree
Title: Re: HUGE new ride for my new Jawas!
Post by: patreektherodian on December 10, 2007, 06:43 AM
Hope I did not send you on a rant or anythin. I'm just jealous I wish I could get my hands on that thing! I could cast and mold the panels then mass produce.
Title: Re: HUGE new ride for my new Jawas!
Post by: evenflow on December 11, 2007, 01:30 PM
That is  just incredible  :o I would love one.
Title: Re: HUGE new ride for my new Jawas!
Post by: patreektherodian on December 12, 2007, 07:54 PM
Impossible question but I'm just Hypothesising
Is there a way you could get a scan or photocopy of the panels 1:1?
Title: Re: HUGE new ride for my new Jawas!
Post by: CHEWIE on December 13, 2007, 03:45 PM
Amazing stuff, but I can't imagine where I'd put something like this... I don't have enough display space.  Or the money of course... over two grand is a lot! 

Regarding if it would go over if available for $400.00, I'd pass - it's well worth that amount of money, but for that size/price, I'd get more use out of a diorama/playset.  Several levels on a Death Star or even a Utapau cliff section would be more up my alley... that isn't to knock this extremely killer work of art though at all - it's AMAZING and I'm sure you're absolutely thrilled with it!   :)
Title: Re: HUGE new ride for my new Jawas!
Post by: DARKLORD on December 14, 2007, 02:46 PM
Impossible question but I'm just Hypothesising
Is there a way you could get a scan or photocopy of the panels 1:1?


I honestly just don't see how that is possible. I don't know of any scanner or photocopier LARGE enough to handle copying even ONE full surface panel on this Sandcrawler... not to mention the horrible logistics of transporting this heavy and cumbersome beast TO an adequate copy machine even... if one DID exist.




Amazing stuff, but I can't imagine where I'd put something like this... I don't have enough display space.  Or the money of course... over two grand is a lot! 

Man you're not kidding!  I had to work serious extra hours all summer long just to be able afford this bad boy AND still keep up with Hasbro's TAC offerings!  It's a good thing I'm only an Original Trilogy collector! Plus, I've STILL got to sell off my Vintage Kenner Remote Controlled Jawa Sandcrawler (as I promised my VERY patient wife that I would) in order to at least off-set some of the cost of this commission.

And now, I've already begun to save my pennies for the Custom 6 Foot Long Jabba The Hutt Sailbarge (which I hope to purchase mid-year 2008). 

Even though I am NOT a displayer, I must admit that space IS now starting to become an issue in my collection room.  Right now, The Sandcrawler is sitting on a 6-foot long folding banquet table set up smack-dab in the middle of the space.  I've posed a handful of Jawas at the base of the Crawler, and the whole display looks GREAT, but it IS only temporary.  I'm just waiting for the big custom box with inserts that I've ordered.


Regarding if it would go over if available for $400.00, I'd pass - it's well worth that amount of money, but for that size/price, I'd get more use out of a diorama/playset.  Several levels on a Death Star or even a Utapau cliff section would be more up my alley... that isn't to knock this extremely killer work of art though at all - it's AMAZING and I'm sure you're absolutely thrilled with it!   :)


Yes, well, being "thrilled" with it doesn't even begin to cover how giddy I am these days. ;D

But, again, I DO know what you mean. I fully intend to purchase some of the awesome playset works of art from Owen Driscol sometime soon, for example.  I was preparing to do just that about 3 years ago when some repair issues with my HOUSE came up that required my immediate attention first. But I am planning to reach out to him again.

I DO love diorama / playsets. No doubt about that.

But for ME, there's nothing like the thrill I get from hunting down and owning a really impressive 3-3/4 inch-scaled STAR WARS spaceship or vehicle... big or small... Kenner, Hasbro, or custom. 

When I was a kid, I used to LOOSE MY MIND over behind-the-scenes photos in books and magazines of those AWESOME Star Wars model space ships and vehicles.

I guess some things never change. ;)
Title: Re: HUGE new ride for my new Jawas!
Post by: CHEWIE on December 14, 2007, 03:06 PM
Yeah, I know what you mean about wanting more to scale stuff.  If I were a rich man, then I'd commission work from those guys too (they're in Chile, right?)... and you're getting a Sail Barge from them too?  Wow.  I'm very envious of you.

As for Owen's work, unfortunately he's not doing too many commissions anymore... but I did manage to get THIS (http://www.owenscustoms.com/palpatinesoffice.html) about three weeks ago...
Title: Re: HUGE new ride for my new Jawas!
Post by: DARKLORD on December 15, 2007, 02:52 AM
Yeah, I know what you mean about wanting more to scale stuff.  If I were a rich man, then I'd commission work from those guys too (they're in Chile, right?)... and you're getting a Sail Barge from them too?  Wow.  I'm very envious of you.


Hah!! And here I was always being envious of YOU, what with the awesome size of your collection, the beautiful, custom rare pieces in it, AND the amazing photonovels you create!! 

I guess it just goes to show the qualities of the collector mentality:  Somehow enough is never ENOUGH!  We're always focused on the awesome pieces we DON'T yet own. ::)



As for Owen's work, unfortunately he's not doing too many commissions anymore... but I did manage to get THIS (http://www.owenscustoms.com/palpatinesoffice.html) about three weeks ago...


Wow!!!  That Palpatine office is GORGEOUS!!!  Of course I'd expect nothing less from Owen!

But, uh, he's not doing too many commissions anymore, you say?  Say it isn't so. :'(

I know he doesn't know me personally. And I did flake out two years ago from buying his Star Destroyer Bridge Playset like I was planning to (due to the aforementioned house repair emergency that arose). But I sure hope he'll make an exception for me someday and allow me to commission the construction of the Executor bridge playset.
Title: Re: HUGE new ride for my new Jawas!
Post by: CHEWIE on December 18, 2007, 04:46 PM
Yeah, I've got pretty much an entire collection now of Owen's work... cost me an arm and a leg, but actually I think his prices are cheap compared to what I'd expect for the quality.  He's truly made my collection into something special and very personal.

I guess maybe ask him what his interest level would be on making another SD bridge... I think more than anything he's a bit burnt out by making dioramas, and I believe he started a new job that eats up quite a bit of his time.
Title: Re: HUGE new ride for my new Jawas!
Post by: BrentS on December 21, 2007, 10:44 PM
I'd love to give my Jawas a ride in that.

(http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y271/cerius31/Jawas.jpg)
Title: Re: HUGE new ride for my new Jawas!
Post by: DARKLORD on December 22, 2007, 04:57 AM
I'd love to give my Jawas a ride in that.

Wow!!  That's an awesome looking horde of Jawas you got goin' on there, Brent!

If you and your Jawas are ever in the NYC area, feel free to stop over.  They are all welcome to go for a spin. ;D
Title: Re: HUGE new ride for my new Jawas!
Post by: DARKLORD on December 29, 2007, 10:47 AM
My vintage Kenner Jawa Sandcrawler looks like a Micro Machines dinky toy next to this Custom Sandcrawler.  The top Control room fits only ONE modern Comm tech styled jawa at the controls and maybe 2 vintage Kenner ones.

Just for laughs, I tried to see how many Jawas I could fit up in the main control room on my new big Sandcrawler.  I placed 18 Jawas from one of my vinyl collector cases into the control room. There was plenty of room to spare!

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v516/darklord1967/CUSTOM%20STAR%20WARS%20Action%20Figures/SandcrawlerCockpit.jpg)


(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v516/darklord1967/CUSTOM%20STAR%20WARS%20Action%20Figures/SANDCRAWLERControlRoom.jpg)



The interior lighting details add a whole lotta fun too.  There are two working lights in the front loading ramp bay, and one working light in the main side compartment.

The main front loading ramp bay looks like it could hold my CAT!!

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v516/darklord1967/CUSTOM%20STAR%20WARS%20Action%20Figures/SandcrawlerOpenRamp.jpg)


(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v516/darklord1967/CUSTOM%20STAR%20WARS%20Action%20Figures/SandcrawlerMainHold.jpg)




The panel scribing detail is really most impressive on this crawler.  Perfectly straight and clean. I've never seen anything like it outside of a production Hasbro STAR WARS toy.

And the kit bash detailing is outta this world.


(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v516/darklord1967/CUSTOM%20STAR%20WARS%20Action%20Figures/SandcrawlerTable2.jpg)


(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v516/darklord1967/CUSTOM%20STAR%20WARS%20Action%20Figures/SandcrawlerTop-1.jpg)


(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v516/darklord1967/CUSTOM%20STAR%20WARS%20Action%20Figures/SandcrawlerTop2.jpg)


(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v516/darklord1967/CUSTOM%20STAR%20WARS%20Action%20Figures/SANDCRAWLERTreads.jpg)


(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v516/darklord1967/CUSTOM%20STAR%20WARS%20Action%20Figures/SandcrawlerTable.jpg)
Title: Re: HUGE ride for my Jawas!**UPDATE**12/29/07
Post by: patreektherodian on December 29, 2007, 11:08 AM
Any idea on how it was made??  What does kit bashed mean anyways.
Title: Re: HUGE ride for my Jawas!**UPDATE**12/29/07
Post by: DARKLORD on December 29, 2007, 03:19 PM
Any idea on how it was made??

The basic body shape of the Sandcrawler's flat panels was assembled in wood and hardboard.  A thinner styrene plastic "skin" (with all the scribed surface panel details) is glued on top of that.

  What does kit bashed mean anyways.
[/quote]

Wow. That's certainly unusual... someone posting to the Customs forum that does NOT know what the term "kit-bashed" means. I'm not saying that to attack you. It's just an observation.

Anyhow, "kit-bashing" is a term that means to add detailing to the basic shape of a model by taking interesting parts and shapes off of existing model kit parts or even everyday household items.

It was a technique used widely by the ILM modelmakers back in 1975 and 1976 while building the models for STAR WARS.
Title: Re: HUGE ride for my Jawas!**UPDATE**12/29/07
Post by: patreektherodian on December 29, 2007, 06:10 PM
Ok that's what I though, It's just that all the pieces on the sandcrawler look so original. Also the word kit bashe gets thrown aroun a lot.

kool
Title: Re: HUGE ride for my Jawas!**UPDATE**12/29/07
Post by: DARKLORD on December 29, 2007, 07:25 PM
Ok that's what I though, It's just that all the pieces on the sandcrawler look so original. Also the word kit bashe gets thrown aroun a lot.

kool
 

You're right.  The term "kit-bashing" does get thrown around a lot and the meaning is getting dilluted.

I've even seen it used to refer to Hasbro action figures that are made up of body parts from previously made figures.

Thanks for the props, good buddy!
Title: Re: HUGE ride for my Jawas!**UPDATE**12/29/07
Post by: BrentS on December 30, 2007, 01:35 AM
That looks so sweet.  If I lived closer to NYC, I'd definitely be over there to help you fill up that Sandcrawler!!

Your photography really does that thing justice.  I can see why you are so proud to own it.
Title: Re: HUGE ride for my Jawas!**UPDATE**12/29/07
Post by: Darth_Anton on December 30, 2007, 09:23 AM
Pretty amazing detail. Thanks for posting the extra pictures.
Title: Re: HUGE ride for my Jawas!**UPDATE**12/29/07
Post by: patreektherodian on December 30, 2007, 10:45 AM
I put this project on hold for two yrs now

http://ca.geocities.com/jangosgluegun1@rogers.com/new_page_36.htm