Dioramas/Custom by DarthMac (UD:10/29/07)

[darthmac]

So I thought I might just start my own dioramas/customs thread.  I had mainly been posting in the RS Diorama's section, but there is just not that much activity in that forum.  Since JD's did not really have Dioramas and customs sectioned out I thought I might give it a try here.

Here are the threads I started for my last two project here at JD:
Hoth Invasion
Tantive IV

I also built a rotating display that I do not recall posting here, so I will post some of my favorite shots of it here soon.

Also here are some shots of some of my recent aquisitions/customs:

Desert Snitch



Moff Jerjerrod Escort



Cody's Crew



This is one of my few attempts at customizing.  I had seen someone else do a orange repaint of Commander Bacarra and I liked it a lot.  Also I was getting tired to the crayon box collection of clones that I have and wanted to have a more coherent collection.  With the Airborne Trooper arriving next year, I decided to repaint some of my troops in line with Cody's crew.   Right now I have just repainteded the Battle Pack Bararra (the real bararra is waiting for his marines next year!), a SA Clone and a standard QD Clone.  I have tried doing minor repaints using crafting paint but was not really happy with the result.  So here it tried using modelers paint and I like the look much better.

My new Rebel Troopers



Thanks for taking a look.

[darthmac]

This was my first attempt at building a diorama.  It was ambitious.  I was generally pleased with how it turned out.  Its biggest flaws are its size and weight (that sucker is really hard to move).  But I learned a lot from its construction (like how to wire LED lights!).

For more shots of this display head over to my diorama website

Wide Shot of Main Hanger



Vader



Vader's Shadow



Winter in Endor / Duel Platforms



Droids!



Winter Bunker



Duel of the Fates



Biker Scout Winter Outpost



Bly & Grey Troops (2 SA, 1 QD, 1 Gunner clone repainted to match Battle Pack clones)



Maul's Watch



Emperor's Throne



Display Rotation

[Straxus]

That is very cool! A spinning display...that definitely allows more diaramas in much less space.

I had seen someone else do a orange repaint of Commander Bacarra and I liked it a lot.

Well your orange Bacarra makes the fourth one I have seen. Asside from my own, I know that Owen used one for a military police (though he did parts swaps as well on his) and I saw another one, I think over at Yak forums.
The shadow of Darth Vader looks very menacing!
The winter bunker is very cool...takes me back to playing "Sidewinder" level in Halo 1...hehehe.
Great work!
How long did the entire display take to make?

[darthmac]

I believe I worked on it pretty frequently for at least 3 months.  The basic frame did not take that long to construct.  You can read my extensive write up over at RS here.

[jedistyle]

the whole set up looks awsome mac! very professional looking and creative. i love the whole rotating idea!

[darthmac]

Just a sneak peak of what I am currently working on.

[darthmac]

Finally got some Elite Clones.  I'll be custom painting some regular clones to fit in with Gree and company.



I also got my hands on the new TAC figures, so pics will be coming of the updated Utapau clones, and Mygeeto (poor bacarra, he was the last of my clone commanders to get his grunts).

[Deanna Rash]

 That's a neat Diorama!!

[darthmac]

Here Bacarra's Crew



I had also gotten my hands of the Felucia battle pack, so here is my Bly clones (one guy was missed in the shot, he is behind Bly).

[hemble]

Excellent work on the dios mate I especially like the winter/endor dio and Vader's shadow great work

Ron

[darthmac]

Really tough custom here (ha ha).  Saw someone do a custom jedi luke using the new farm boy luke head and was really impressed, so I thought I would give Stormtrooper Luke a go.  Yeah, he's a little tall for a Luke Stormtrooper, but I am happy.  Now I just need an good Han head!



I thought I had also posted my pilot luke here, but I guess I didn't, not much of a custom, but the shot came out really cool - no photoshop effects here - except for the lightsaber.

[Darth_Anton]

Excellent photographs! Beautiful work.

[Brisk Arper]

i use the new tac han head on astormi as a sergent and it works fine...the heads a little tight...i just sanded the ball joint a bit and it perfect!

[Phrubruh]

I agree. Your photograph skills are great. Very clear and professional feeling. I really like the idea of the spinning diorama. It reminds me of the old cardboard death star. It's very well crafted and I really like the LCDs. I can't wait to see how your cantina diorama comes along.

[darthmac]

I'm finally finding time to get back to my cantina booths.  Here is the progress:

Chairs mounted, and wall going up...







Top view...



Arched booth ceilings and spackled.  The blocks above are structural support for wall to be nailed into...



Wall is up and the first layer of spackle is on...