AMT/Ertl’s Star Wars Episode 1 STAP with improved Battle Droid

(Page Three)

(Painting the base and applying some “grass”)

I wanted to do something different with my STAP bases. What I wanted to do was create a realistic grass look on them. I washed the bases, followed by air brushing Testors Gloss Green on. When dry, I sprayed a liquid called Scenic Cement (by Woodland Scenics) on. I had picked it up from the train section in a local model store. The nice thing about Scenic Cement is that it dries completely clear and flat, leaving no residue.

While the bases were still wet, I applied the first of 2 bags of some in-scale turf. These are also manufactured by Woodland Scenics. The first, called Weeds (T46) was sprinkled on, followed by spraying another application of the Scenic Cement. Next, the slightly darker Green Grass (T45) was then sprinkled onto a couple of patch areas. I ended up tilting the bases on their sides, in order to successfully apply this grass onto the bases’ lower lip. A final coating of the Scenic Cement sealed everything in.

When the Scenic Cement had dried, I Zap-A-Gap-ed the small metal rod into the middle of each base. The stands were now complete. I then glued the STAPs to their display bases.

(Attaching the Droids to their mounts)

To allow the Droids to be removable, I decided to try to use White Glue. I applied a small amount to the palms of the Droids’ hands. In addition, a very small amount of TacN'Stik was sandwiched between the bottom of the Droid’s feet and the footlocks. This would (hopefully) allow the Droids to be removed from their flying vehicles should the desire arise.

I had a WHAAALE of a time attaching the Droids’ feet to the footlocks. With the way they were designed, the feet of the Droid’s just would not fit in place. As a kluge, I ended up removing one of the two alignment pins found under each footlock and angled in them towards each other. This allowed the feet to fit properly in place. The footlocks were Zap-A-Gap-ed into place.

(Later on, when this assembly broke off for the umpteenth time I ended up going back and reinforcing it a bit more. I drilled small holes up through the lower portion of the STAP wings into the lower portions of the footlocks. I then Zap-A-Gap-ed some small pieces of wire in place, giving the connecting area more stability.

Finally! (Drum roll please…….) The Droids were now successfully positioned on their STAPs. I WAS DONE!

(Final analysis)

It took around four months to complete the two Droids and their STAPs. This rather long building time period was due more to large amounts of time not spent working on these kits, as opposed to being caused by a complicated and time consuming construction and painting phase. All told, these two kits would have been completed within three or four weeks if I had spent more consistent time building them.

The Battle Droids and their STAPs were very enjoyable to build. My newly discovered technique for reducing the amount of seam clean up really helped reduce much of the otherwise burdensome task that would have resulted.

One downer with this kit centered on the assembly of the STAPs themselves. The fitting problems with the wings and footlocks, along with the scraped off paint from the swiveling parts put a bit of a damper on this otherwise enjoyable modeling project.

Once built though, the Droids and their STAPs do look most impressive. As I mentioned earlier, since I am partial to 1:6 scaled figures, they fit right in with my vinyl and resin figures.

With enhancements made to the Droids, they can be removed from their STAPS and repositioned into different “action” scenes. (Now, if I can just get my hands of some Droid blasters and binoculars!)

With two down, I only have two (or maybe three) more STAPs and Battle Droids to build, before I have the makings for my most excellent, ultimate Star Wars Naboo fighting diorama scene. (Then, I’ll just have to find the space to display this rather LARGE diorama scene)!

If you like large scaled figure kits or you are a Star Wars buff, (or both), I highly recommend getting your hands onto a STAP with Battle Droid, and doing some, uhhh, serious damage.

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Copyright © 2008 by Anthony I. Wootson. No material may be reproduced without permission of Anthony I. Wootson. Unauthorized duplication is prohibited.