Star Wars MPC/AMT Shuttle Tydirium

OK folks, due to time constraints I seldom post images of work in progress models. As you can see under our currently on our workbench section on the right side of the page, one of our models under works is the Star Wars Imperial Shuttle Tydium. I did build this model kit near 12 years ago but it was straight out of the box build with little attention to seam lines. The MPC Shuttle Tydirium kit is quite far from perfect, but in my opinion, it offers a nice canvas for kitbashing and other details especially on the wings, which out of the box have no details at all. By adding some details on them and other parts, you might end up with a very presentable model kit of this iconic ship.

NOTE FROM THE AUTHOR

See this model kit finished after this link.

Having the luck of seeing and photographing twice the real prop at The Star Wars Magic of Myth in Minnesota, I decided to add a neon tube on the shuttle for that engine glow. As per the word of prop model builders from the original trilogy on the book Creating the worlds of Star Wars 365 days, silver is better than black paint to keep light from leaking. So to make sure no light was going to leaks, I airbrushed Tamiya XF-16 Flat Aluminum and over it, flat black.

The neon tube came from a 4” battery operated lamp available at Home Depot for less than $10. The neon tube fits perfectly but you will have to break the mounting ends leaving only the exposed wires that will be soldered then to the electrical wires. From the transformer and down a brass tube, the main power cable will be connected to a battery pack.

Here you can see the pictures of the Shuttle Tydirium during a light test, it passed! No light did leak and the hull halves were glued together. There is some warping on the hull, but they will get to its place once other parts are set into place.