Weathering 1.2 - R5-D4's Head

This morning I started on weathering R5's head, by applying Burnt Umber around the neck, side recess, eyes, top pie panel grooves and around the base of the Antenna. This is just the start. One good thing I've noticed is that the woods imperfections help when wiping off the paint as it sinks into them giving a 'pitted' surface finish.

These pics were taken right after paint was applied, so its still wet. But looked a lot better once dried. Should look even better once rubbed off a bit and ochre applied.

Weathering 1.1 Rear Hatch

After a very long day, I was exhausted, but wanted to try the Yellow Ochre on the rear hatch.
On applying it, very sparingly, it didn't seam to be visible. Blending & mixing in with the Burnt Umber. Still i carried on applying it in the places I wanted it.

Then it started to dry.......and was then a lot more noticeable lol. So using my finger, I gently rubbed it in to the Umber and the grooves and this helped to blend it all in and rub off the excess.

I didn't want to over do the weathering at the moment, but its a start and am happy so far.

R5 gets dirty - weathering 1.0

R5's paint job had included some black paint in the grooves, legs, body and feet areas. This was to give him a dirty/oily appearance. Now its time for him to get his main 'used' colours of sand and dirt.

Two of the colours I've bought, are Yellow Ochre and Burnt Umber (a dark brown). These came Wednesday via eBay.

Had to give it a go, so off came the rear hatch and dabbed on the Burnt Umber to start with.

Start of weathering

R5's transportation platform 1.2 (on hold)

Next was a handle!
R5's not the lightest Astromech out there, plus I wanted something to secure him whilst being moved...........


.........this project is going on hold. Loaded R5 onto the platform as a test and am not happy about a few things, so am having a re-think.......

R5's transportation platform 1.1

I've decided to make R5 a platform for moving him from car to event. After the difficulty I had at Fleet Air Arm Museum's car park surface last year, it would be easier if the platform took the brunt of the possible rough surfaces. It would also be easier to move/steer.

I salvaged a set of 4 wheels (x2 with swivel casters) from a discarded cabinet. The x2 swivel  wheels bushes were shot so had to bin them, but its a start.

Using a piece of 18mm thick plywood, I measured out a suitable size area for R5 to be mounted to. I cut, drilled and screwed to pieces of wood to act as stops for the outer wheel front casters. I then found some 'U' aluminium channel that the scooter wheels fit in. I cut these, drilled and screwed these down next.

I didn't get to mount the fixed casters as I have run out of M8 bolts, these will screw into M8 T-nut's that will be installed. This is a job for Tuesday.

I dont want the platform to be to high off the ground, so after seeing a similar platform, the fixed casters are going to be 'recessed' into it. Measured and marked holes out. Then got to drilling and cutting out with jigsaw. Next I bolted the casters into place.

I was going to put casters on the front....no.....rear of the platform, but after thinking about it and the fact with no brakes, R5 could do a runner, I've decided to just put a 'rest' to the back face.
That's next stage.....

Hopefully I'll have it finished by April 26th 2014, Corsham Sci-Fi Fun Day.

*** Corsham Charity Sci-Fi Day 2014 ***

R5-D4, Artoojayzero (UK  R2-D2 Builders) & friends, will be at Corsham.

Come on down and check out all things Sci-Fi!

Check out their website and FaceBook pages.
*** Latest, the council have suspended parking fee's for the day! ***
*** So FREE parking will be available ***

Under Shoulder Stabiliser

Finally got round to fixing this onto the recessed plate, that I made up. Plate has a clearance hole in it and then I've drilled and tapped a 6BA thread into the Stabiliser and screw fitted.

This unit then gets silicone applied to it's back and pushed into the recess.

Still have to machine up the last one tho.

Memorabilia Comic Con: 22nd - 23rd March 2014

At the weekend the UK R2 Builders Club attended
Memorabilia @ MCM Birmingham.

I wasn't able to attend with R5, but lots of Club members did.

http://www.astromech.info/home

There are loads of pictures on the internet so keep your eyes open for one or more of these fantastic Droids....... These are the ones your looking for!

Two of these can be seen in this report on.....