Snowspeeder
Source: Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back
Brand: MPC/ERTL
Scale: 1/22 (unspecified)
Medium: Injection-molded styrene
Release Date: 1989
Pieces: 67
Life Lost: 50 hours
Enhanced: Yes (see captions)
TSF Rating: * * *
They don't make 'em like they used to! In a reasonable size and with plenty of moving bits this kit is one of MPC's better efforts. The detail, proprtion and overall shape is more than satisfactory, except to perhaps the most discerning modeller fan.
However, all this "good" was seriously undone when the manufacturers tried to squeeze the crewmen into the cockpit. MPC has received a lot of flak over the years because of these two malformed figures, whose torsos were almost completely deleted to get them to sit properly in their seats. With a lack of space in the footwells perhaps a better compromise would have been to amputate somewhere below their knees.
Anyways, still a great wee kit that I had a lot of fun with! Built a long time ago the finish is a bit sub-standard. The photos below show how the decals have yellowed due to lack of surface preparation and a final dull-coat over top. The other stand out flaw is that big "radiator" in back. At the time I thought it would look good in gun metal but my now more mature sensibilities tell me I should have stuck to the authentic colour scheme, as it has made the vehicle look a bit too heavy in the trunk. Plus it's simply not movie accurate!
On the subject of that "radiator", I also made it removable to get to the button battery inside, which powers a green LED behind the pilot's view screen, and a red LED in the gunners targeting portal. The harpoon gun is the on/off switch, hence its odd trajectory which is the "off" position.
However, all this "good" was seriously undone when the manufacturers tried to squeeze the crewmen into the cockpit. MPC has received a lot of flak over the years because of these two malformed figures, whose torsos were almost completely deleted to get them to sit properly in their seats. With a lack of space in the footwells perhaps a better compromise would have been to amputate somewhere below their knees.
Anyways, still a great wee kit that I had a lot of fun with! Built a long time ago the finish is a bit sub-standard. The photos below show how the decals have yellowed due to lack of surface preparation and a final dull-coat over top. The other stand out flaw is that big "radiator" in back. At the time I thought it would look good in gun metal but my now more mature sensibilities tell me I should have stuck to the authentic colour scheme, as it has made the vehicle look a bit too heavy in the trunk. Plus it's simply not movie accurate!
On the subject of that "radiator", I also made it removable to get to the button battery inside, which powers a green LED behind the pilot's view screen, and a red LED in the gunners targeting portal. The harpoon gun is the on/off switch, hence its odd trajectory which is the "off" position.
September 2017 and here they are! Just a couple, mind...
All images property of The Starship Factory 2010 / 2017.