ROTJ STUDIO SCALE AT-ST Scout Walker

Monday

Jul082019

ROTJ STUDIO SCALE AT-ST CHICKEN WALKER PROJECT

This design is 100% my childhood. The chicken walker! This is a studio scale AT-ST (18" TALL) with a dozen points of articulation adjustable with embedded nylon fittings and hex screws.

THE 3D MODEL FOR THIS KIT IS LOCATED ON THIS PAGE: 3dmodels - Prop Replicas, Custom Fabrication, SPECIAL EFFECTS (goldenarmor.com)

ESB VERSION OF THIS MODEL IS HERE.

ATTENTION!: I CANNOT SHIP ITEMS OVERSEAS. THE BUYNOW BUTTONS ARE ONLY FOR BUYERS THAT HAVE A U.S. ADDRESS. PLEASE DO NOT USE THE BUYNOW BUTTONS IF YOU ARE OVERSEAS. EMAIL FIRST AS WE CANNOT SHIP DIRECTLY TO OVERSEAS DESTINATIONS. WE NEED TO USE A 3RD PARTY CARRIER.

The kit is now available for order either as a phyiscal model or a 3D model!! This is recommended for the experienced builder. This kit is comprised of over 80 individually crafted multi-media pieces. The parts are primarily resin cast components, with some details as 3D prints and laser cut parts. To complete this kit, you will need at least 1/2" acrylic or aluminum rod, 4 1/2" bore metal set nut collars, 3 1/4" couplers, and a handful of 10-24 hex cap screws and nuts. Additional hardware recommended is a magnetic phone mount ($9.00 on amazon) to allow the head to swivel in all directions.

The build-up tutorials are here! Here is the 3-episode series to guide you through the studio scale AT-ST assembly and paint. Check it out:

I recommend using this panavise mount. It is mounted directly UNDER the AT-ST chassis. It can telescope up and down to allow for multiple poses and provides the best support for this model. Amazon.com : Panavise 883-T Dual Option Telescoping Mount (Black) : Surveillance Mounting Brackets : Electronics

This sample was built with a swiveling chingun, 2 rotating cheek guns, and each of the 14 hip and leg joints are completely articulated using aluminum rods/couplers and hex cap bolts/locknuts. The head is mounted on a magnetic ball joint allowing it to pan, tilt and rotate!!

You can see that having the hips mounted at 4 locations using 1/2 aluminum rod and couplers (locked in place with a grub nut) allows for maximum movement.

The kit is composed of 104 pieces. 10 are 3D printed, 14 are laser cut, and the rest are cast in smoothcast 300 and ONYX for maximum strength.

3D STL FILES

The head is rotocast as kept as lightweight as possible.

HOW IT WAS MADE:

I started the project by studying every available reference photo and video of the ILM filming miniature. I have visited this model in three different countries at exhibits over the years and had a massive library of images of the animation puppet. Combined with the hasbro model as reference and photos of the astounding model Steve made, I was able to map out all the parts and begin 3d sculpting them:

Exploded views of the different components:

Once all the 3d parts were completed, I set about making a carboard mock-up to examine scale and points of articulation.

3D PRINTING

80+ PARTS READY FOR MOLDING!!

Over 2 gallons of silicone rubber was required to produce the molds! Here's a small sample of how the head was molded.

A sample build is rendered before a tutorial can be produced.

By building the first reference model I am able to gauge whether or not parts need to be replaced or refined. During this build I learned I needed to reduce the thickness of the gun port coverplates and reduce the weight of the chassis and head castings.