AT-AT Complete Jan. 28/10 Options

[glorbes]

I've been thinking about this project for a couple of years now. Last week, I said "The Hell With It" and decided to start in earnest. Now, understand that I've been trading sleep for smashing together this basic structure. I have no idea what possesses me to make this stuff, but I know that I'm pretty excited. As usual, I looked more to the conceptual art than the final design for inspiration, which allows me wiggle room, creative license, and plenty of opportunities to cheat and cut corners. But it also allows me to explore some nifty ideas in terms of design. Anyway, McQuarrie and Johnston's concepts are the starting point:


And my design sketch (notice the boxier features, which are easier to create in styrene):


After many late nights, I managed to assemble the basic profile and structure:


Because it's stupidly huge, I opted to make portions of it removable (otherwise I'd risk being murdered by my wife):

It measures in at 25" tall, and 30" long. I have no idea what sort of pace this project will progress at...getting this much done was no small feat, and I may need to break from it. Any ideas, crtis, and feedback are welcome.

[Soja Rinn]

are the legs going to be static--no joints? if so, i'd put them in a little more dynamic pose, just a little angle to them, like the 2nd sketch you posted.

[glorbes]

One of the things I'd like to tackle if I ever get the energy is a revamp of the legs, incorporating joints and whatnot, so your critique is certainly a good one. However, as a static display piece, I like the way the legs look...for now Thanks for the feedback.

[glorbes]

Well…the bastard's done. In the middle of working on this, I found out that Hasbro are pretty much assured to be making a biggy of these for release this year. While slightly annoyed by this news, I also enjoyed working on it.



This behemoth is 26" tall, 30" long, and 8" wide. I built it with the intention of adding some nifty features, combining the look and feel of the final design from the films with some of the earlier conceptual design features.
Sides:



This thing could fit quite a few figures, has opening hatches, and is completely collapsible. When I was a kid I always liked toys that had compartments and space for figures…projectiles and electronics were a secondary interest to me.



The cockpit is quite heavy, and I am the most worried about this section of the finished model for long term display. I reinforced it with a beam made from styrene, which I think will do the trick. It seats three figures (I just need to find me two of those Legacy Collection AT-AT drivers…all I have is the POTF2 driver from the AT-AT vehicle).


Opening eye flaps (like the AT-ST)


Access!

Interior:


The main body separates into two sections, and has various hatches and access points.
Hatches!



This one on the top is my favorite by far…the engineered hinge worked out really well:



Sections separate!



Lower section interior has a troop bench and a speeder bike garage that holds two speeders:


Upper section has gunner station and removable wall panel (ignore the unpainted edge):

Umm…I still have to paint the console buttons:


Computer terminal in upper section:


Underbelly detailing:


Back wall exterior detailing:

Detailing beneath cockpit section:


Scaled comparison with AT-ST and old AT-AT:



Scale picture with Sandtrooper:


Collapsed form:


Let me know what you think and thanks for looking!

[pbarny]

I'm also seeing a bit of the Incredible Cross Sections influence on the interior.

One thing, on the cockpit/head. Did you start off with those dimensions or did you revise to the dimensions to accomodate figures?

Beyond that, this was a pretty quick build. That is damn impressive.

[The Spectre]

Very impressive detailing and construction. The only element I am not feeling is the squared neck (I know it was in the original design, but I never liked it there either ), it's a little off-putting but I can see why you went with square as it's harder to do rounded edges while working with sheets of styrene.

[glorbes]

I'm also seeing a bit of the Incredible Cross Sections influence on the interior.

One thing, on the cockpit/head. Did you start off with those dimensions or did you revise to the dimensions to accomodate figures?

No question that I used the Cross Sections illustration...I love that book. The cockpit dimensions were built around fitting three figures in this configuration...that was the first thing that I started with (as is the case with most of my scratchbuilds). The same goes for the body compartments...they have enough clearance for the figures to stand up straight.

I can see why you went with square as it's harder to do rounded edges while working with sheets of styrene.

Bingo. I agree, its a bit of a cop-out. One idea that I toyed with was building the neck and then surrounding it with some of that plastic corrugated drainage pipe. In hindsight, I wish I had gone with that solution, but the only stuff I could find would have been too bulky. Another option I suppose was to go with an hexagonal shape. Oh well...once you get to a certain point, turning back no longer seems that appealing. Maybe next time

[clonecommander97...]

FFFFFF, hasbro's new "big" AT-AT has nothing on this monster! this is just....wow!
i love the design influence of the concept artwork, especially the double compartment!
the one thing that seems off is the neck seems a little low on the body, but i understand that it probably wouldn't work well if it was attached between the two seperating compartments, so...

[DnJcustoms]

O-M-G!

I would have sold one of my siblings into slavery to have had this thing as a kid! This is utterly amazing!

[Commander Fuzz]

That is 100% awesome! Man, that thing us huge!
Awesome Custom!

[darthschroeder]

SWEET ship, glorbes!

Looks very playable and displayable!

[craftsman78]

That speeder bike garage just screams awesome a la Tim "the toolman" Taylor.......sure would give my left nut for this.. Great job man.

[meandnooneelse]

What can I say that has not been said. This is truly amazing!

[clonecommander97...]

so when do we get to see this monster next to hasbro's BAT-AT?