Correcting the Revell and Jazware's Micro Galaxy Squadron Imperial Shuttle proportions

[Sym-Cha]

Hot Wheels came with a Starship Select series that incuded an Imperial Shuttle ... it's a Die-Cast and really quite nice ... it looks fantastic :

Mind you this is not the regular Hot Wheels which comes in this packaging and has too short a cockpit and a wrong to high dorsal fin:

As mentioned earlier there is also the new Die-Cast Imperial Shuttle from DeAgostini ... of which I just found some great sample pictures :

Still my all time favourite is the F-toys modelkit in 1/350 scale :

Some great choices to start a collection, ... yet some are becoming expensive by the day

Chaïm

 

[Analyzer]

Lots of great info here

It is a shame that no one has ever put out a more accurate commercial model kit

Revell had the chance, but seemed t just go with a scaled down version of the MPC while Bandai (so far) have not even touched it with a mini kit even
Fine Molds kind of did with the F-Toys one but those can be hard to find in some places

It is sad that a Christmas ornament, gaming miniature and Hot Wheels toy have all outclassed any model kits as far as accuracy in shape/proportions

 

[jusdrewit]

Lots of great info here

It is a shame that no one has ever put out a more accurate commercial model kit

Revell had the chance, but seemed t just go with a scaled down version of the MPC while Bandai (so far) have not even touched it with a mini kit even
Fine Molds kind of did with the F-Toys one but those can be hard to find in some places

It is sad that a Christmas ornament, gaming miniature and Hot Wheels toy have all outclassed any model kits as far as accuracy in shape/proportions

Yeah it's such a shame, it's one of my favorite models and we can't get an accurate model kit. We've been spoiled by Bandai I guess lol. I could be wrong but I could swear I saw a newer/updated Revell Imperial Shuttle released in Germany so far, it still wasn't 100% accurate, but it was slightly improved over the MPC and Revell I have. I could be mistaken however, it was a few months back and I forgot to take screenshots.

Slight update: not much progress, still chipping away on one of side of the main dorsel fin, scribing panel lines, adding styrene bits and cleaning up some areas where it attaches to the body. I should've scribed the panel lines before I glued the fin on, would've been much easier. I hope to work more on the under side of the cockpit more this weekend and hopefully finish both sides of the dorsal fin.

 

[JediMichael]

Having that main fin more correct and the cockpit at the right angle makes such a huge difference.

 

[Sym-Cha]

Indeed ... wonderful progress ... the only options for an accurate Tyderium is either Merlin Models (quite expensive and personally I'm not yet impressed with their cockpit) or this one :

... by Scifi Studio Scale Modellers on facebook ... which looks fantastic yet still has to be released ... no idea at the cost ... most likely lots $$$

Chaïm

 

[Analyzer]

Yeah it's such a shame, it's one of my favorite models and we can't get an accurate model kit. We've been spoiled by Bandai I guess lol. I could be wrong but I could swear I saw a newer/updated Revell Imperial Shuttle released in Germany so far, it still wasn't 100% accurate, but it was slightly improved over the MPC and Revell I have. I could be mistaken however, it was a few months back and I forgot to take screenshots.

Slight update: not much progress, still chipping away on one of side of the main dorsel fin, scribing panel lines, adding styrene bits and cleaning up some areas where it attaches to the body. I should've scribed the panel lines before I glued the fin on, would've been much easier. I hope to work more on the under side of the cockpit more this weekend and hopefully finish both sides of the dorsal fin.

View attachment 1708821
View attachment 1708822

Looks great that way

as far as Revell doing an updated version, I don't think they did any retool. They did do a repop of the same one with a fancy new 40th Anniversary box though last year or so.

One boxing they did had a scale of 1/106 on it

If accurate, that makes it a near perfect scale match for the MPC AT-AT just in case anyone is interested in doing an Endor landing platform diorama

It also sizes nicely with the small pocket X-Wing from Revell as well as the pocket Tie Interceptors from Revell

 

[jusdrewit]

Having that main fin more correct and the cockpit at the right angle makes such a huge difference.

100% agree, also fixing the angle of the cockpit helps streamline it too in my opinion.

Indeed ... wonderful progress ... the only options for an accurate Tyderium is either Merlin Models (quite expensive and personally I'm not yet impressed with their cockpit) or this one :

View attachment 1708857

View attachment 1708858

... by Scifi Studio Scale Modellers on facebook ... which looks fantastic yet still has to be released ... no idea at the cost ... most likely lots $$$

Chaïm

Yeah I've seen the Merlin one before and they make gorgeous work, but a little too pricey for my wallet and nice! I hadn't heard about SciFi Studio one, it looks fantastic but I agree it will also likely be out of my price range as well.

Looks great that way

as far as Revell doing an updated version, I don't think they did any retool. They did do a repop of the same one with a fancy new 40th Anniversary box though last year or so.

One boxing they did had a scale of 1/106 on it

If accurate, that makes it a near perfect scale match for the MPC AT-AT just in case anyone is interested in doing an Endor landing platform diorama

It also sizes nicely with the small pocket X-Wing from Revell as well as the pocket Tie Interceptors from Revell

You're right. I went back and double checked and it's just the 1/106 scale one which is this one I'm working on.

If i had the space, an Endor landing platform would be incredible. I still have my MPC AT-AT stored away, i could never bring myself to throw that one away lol given the space though, using my tiny F-toy shuttle and finding a comparable scale ATAT might be more practical .

I should have more updates tonight/this weekend hopefully.

 

[JediMichael]

Scifi Studio one looks nice, but yeah, probably cost a lot.

So now, guess the correct scale to the shuttle.

 

[Analyzer]

Scifi Studio one looks nice, but yeah, probably cost a lot.

So now, guess the correct scale to the shuttle.
View attachment 1708951

Very cool display!

Is that the Revell or the MPC shuttle?

If Revell, at 1/106 then yes it should be nearly the same scale or at least close enough as the MPC AT-At (1/100)

The old MPC shuttle is a bit larger ( more like 1/87) from what I remember

 

[JediMichael]

Very cool display!

Is that the Revell or the MPC shuttle?

If Revell, at 1/106 then yes it should be nearly the same scale or at least close enough as the MPC AT-At (1/100)

The old MPC shuttle is a bit larger ( more like 1/87) from what I remember

Mpc

 

[kermet]

Scifi Studio one looks nice, but yeah, probably cost a lot.

So now, guess the correct scale to the shuttle.
View attachment 1708951

Nice display Love it

 

[jusdrewit]

It's amazing how many hours I put into it this weekend, but it looks like nothing has changed lol

Updates:

-Added more styrene around, under and on top of the neck.

- The bottom wings were indeed off in scale after measuring (slightly too long and too wide), but after debating my options, I choose the easier route and trimmed them both with the Dremel and sanded them smooth. Does that mean the panel lines are off on both slightly? Yes lol. But rebuilding 2 wings from scratch just seemed too much work and I doubt anyone will notice, plus this is hardly a rivet counter build.

- Rebuilt all 5 guns (10 turrets) from scratch. The stock rear gun was too fat so I snipped it and replaced it with some old 1/700 battleship/destroyer turrets I had. The 2 bigger rotating wing guns I snipped and moved them above to the two stationary guns. Those stationary guns I snipped and tossed them away. I also added two tiny (I guess sensor?) items above the guns that I noticed the studio model had. The 2 rotating wing guns were rebuilt using styrene tubes and thin metal wire and then glued onto place.

- Looking at the pics, I think I'm gonna drill little holes for the 2 stationary front guns

- Filled in both side seams and sanded it. Also filled in seam of main body where I had sliced it half horizontally.

- Added more styrene and spare parts to wings, body, and in-between the wings.

- I'm an absolute novice at lighting, but I'm highly considering cutting out the engine outline and figuring out a way to cheaply light it. The back isn't glued on so I can think that over. Any help and ideas would be greatly appreciated on that.

- Lastly I spray painted some light gray primer on to see how it looked. This has revealed some areas I'm going to sand and try smooth over before I put the main paint coat on.

That's all for now!

 

[JediMichael]

Its always the tiny little details that take the longest that hardly are noticeable. But in the end, its what you will be most happy with.
If you are fine with something being a little off, then move on, it you think it will keep bugging you in years to come, then try and fix it now.
Its also just a for fun project. I always reminds myself that what I work on is for me and won't be in a feature film for millions of fans to nitpick over.
Right?
But its definitely looking much better.
These kits always need way to much work to get just right.

 

[Sym-Cha]

StevenBills posted this scifi-studio-scale-modellers picture in curiouslysophie's thread and it looks as if the body part is one piece, which avoids having to fill and sand those nasty seams on the sides :

I mentioned considering purchasing the upgraded cockpit from shapeways for my MPC Shuttle, but I may hold on to my cash a little longer and use it towards this more accurate modelkit ... saving me the hassle to upgrade the MPC dorsal wing, body, side-wings etcetera.

Chaïm

 

[jusdrewit]

StevenBills posted this scifi-studio-scale-modellers picture in curiouslysophie's thread and it looks as if the body part is one piece, which avoids having to fill and sand those nasty seams on the sides :

View attachment 1709877

I mentioned considering purchasing the upgraded cockpit from shapeways for my MPC Shuttle, but I may hold on to my cash a little longer and use it towards this more accurate modelkit ... saving me the hassle to upgrade the MPC dorsal wing, body, side-wings etcetera.

Chaïm

I don't blame you at all lol I thought this upgrade would be a bit easier then it turned out to be, I sure was wrong. I do think that maybe the larger MPC kit would be easier to modify than the smaller Revell one given the size. Kicking myself for getting rid of it years ago. I'm definitely curious on the price of that model... if it's reasonable then all my efforts might be in vain

 

[3Dsf]

Pffft! You lot with your enormous models. Whatever!

Now this one is what I call miniature.

 

[Sym-Cha]

I do think that maybe the larger MPC kit would be easier to modify than the smaller Revell one given the size.

So certain are you? Hm, this next picture with the overlay on it may answer those thoughts :

Not so easy I would reckon ... there's lots of dimensions wrong with that MPC kit ... and if I
had to choose between upgrading a Hasbro Imperial Shuttle or building an accurate Studio
Scale model ... I'd go with the larger studio scale kit

Chaïm

 

[jusdrewit]

So certain are you? Hm, this next picture with the overlay on it may answer those thoughts :

View attachment 1710100

Not so easy I would reckon ... there's lots of dimensions wrong with that MPC kit ... and if I
had to choose between upgrading a Hasbro Imperial Shuttle or building an accurate Studio
Scale model ... I'd go with the larger studio scale kit

Chaïm

Yeah the toy is definitely the ideal option. I guess I just meant between the Revell vs the MPC, that due to the larger size of the MPC I could get more details in it and it would be easier to work it such as cutting tiny styrene strips vs the Revell, or adding greeblies etc. Of course i could be completely wrong too lol

 

[jusdrewit]

Frustratingly little progress has been made. I noticed recently that the main dorsal was ever so slightly off per my ref pics, and given it was glued so tightly in place, I had no choice but to Dremel the whole thing off. I repositioned it to my liking but to my horror I later discovered that while it was in the correct position, the front of the dorsal fin was ever so slightly incanted a few millimeters downward, which to my eye was unacceptable. Again it was glued too tightly, so gritting my teeth I Dremeled it yet again and glued it correctly. Now I need to clean up my mess and rebuild the areas I destroyed. Sighs...

On a somewhat brighter note, I Dremeled out the back of the engines as I'm toying with the idea of lighting it...

I also redid (yet again) the two wing swivel guns with new thin pics of metal this time and I redid the rear gun yet again with thin pieces of metal. I'm hoping this weekend I can really try and get close to the finish line. That's all for now!

 

[JediMichael]

Frustratingly little progress has been made. I noticed recently that the main dorsal was ever so slightly off per my ref pics, and given it was glued so tightly in place, I had no choice but to Dremel the whole thing off. I repositioned it to my liking but to my horror I later discovered that while it was in the correct position, the front of the dorsal fin was ever so slightly incanted a few millimeters downward, which to my eye was unacceptable. Again it was glued too tightly, so gritting my teeth I Dremeled it yet again and glued it correctly. Now I need to clean up my mess and rebuild the areas I destroyed. Sighs...

On a somewhat brighter note, I Dremeled out the back of the engines as I'm toying with the idea of lighting it...

I also redid (yet again) the two wing swivel guns with new thin pics of metal this time and I redid the rear gun yet again with thin pieces of metal. I'm hoping this weekend I can really try and get close to the finish line. That's all for now!

View attachment 1710323

The Empire thanks you for your dedication and service to their ships.

I know, pain in the butt to have to redo something over and over. But you'll get it and be thankful.
I've learned, sometimes you can use some white glue (Elmers) or tacky glue, or something thats not quite as strong but will hold it to get it set in place, then, later on, if I know its for sure good, then try and get some super glue on an area that should hold it together.
Won't work with all parts of course, but can help.
An example. Gluing the top and bottom of the Falcon I'm working on. I knew that trying to put super glue on all the pegs, edges and areas that needed to be glued, lined it all up before it dries to much, or I end up misaligning something and then having to rip it all back apart....and getting super glue all over my hands. You can see this type of thing has happened plenty times.
So using the tacky glue, which takes way longer to dry, gave me the time to make sure everything was lined up best I could get it, let it dry, and then add some super glue in the holes from the side docking area since that piece went on later.