Thanks mate. Aye, TIE fighters feel the most boring to paint for me, but X-wings are the most difficult. Thre's a ton of issues on the mold lines too, compared to how clean some of the fighter packs are. I can't be the only one to think the X-wings are weirdly misaligned, right?

Bit of a question out there: how are the R&V models on the mold line front?

X-Wings are the worst - Starter pack X-Wings in particular.

R&V Mold lines aren't too bad... They're more in the "why is it in this annoying section" re: Dash and Han - Cockpit area - versus "Man, this is a really crappy seam."

The Firespray has the worst, as its the most obvious, as it drags itself down through the front of the engine shield below the cockpit.

Vykes, you are nuts, those look great!

Thanks for the kind words on the Slave One... Unfortunately the canopy varnish looks a little messed up, which I didn't see until I saw the pictures... I hope it looks better in person!(

That's interesting to hear Dras, glad I'm not the only one who thinks the X-wings are just sorta 'ugh' in that sense. I still haven't worked on any of the R&V stuff, but we'll see. It's still good to know what I'll be in for.

Dat I am, mi'lord! I do like Version 2 quite a bit better, sometimes there's just little irritations that you can see in person that aren't there in the photo, but there's also some stuff in photos which outright don't appear in person. I'd wager the canopy is something like that. Trust me, the camera does 'put on ten pounds' for models as well.

Example:

It's hard to miss, eh? I was aghast, then looked at the ship... couldn't see it. I knew where the problem spots were and I just couldn't see it in person, not even in good light. Just slapped another coat of paint over them, took a picture and voila, they were gone. And yet, it looked exactly the same to me.

The camera is the evil eye!

Yep, taking pictures is a curse when you think your are done a project Always some little thing that you missed...

I can't be the only one to think the X-wings are weirdly misaligned, right?

On A-wings I had to file the tips due to one half usually being longer.

To all:

Get some nail sanding sticks like these to fix up the flashing on the squadrons.

Just be careful, they're quite rough so just a couple of light passes will do.

Then finish with a fine grit sandpaper (2k?)

http://www.sallybeauty.com/Sanding-Sticks/SBS-154145,default,pd.html

Those Xwings are awesome!

I know, right Lyr? **** these talented people with their talent and their paintbrushes!

I know, right Lyr? **** these talented people with their talent and their paintbrushes!

**** them all,

can someone point me in the direction of some good painting techniques and guides i've never painted stuff this small before, ties are coming along nice right now, sort of experimenting with them, not doing black panels on the insides of tie adv, bombers and interceptors though making it a darker grey than the rest ( except the blueish -grey ones) wondering if i can get the inner panelling on the TIE/LN tighter.'

also would like to get some pointers on the bigger capital ships.

Go into the local Games Workshop and buy a tactical squad, then ask the guy in the shop to teach you how to paint them. They will dedicate hours of their time to teaching you how to paint, so long as you can go at times when the shop is not busy.

I learnt to paint this way. In 1994. I probably should have gone to school.... but I use nothing I learnt there apart from History and French, and am still painting minis to this day.

Speaking of which:

Here is my Bossk - he is flying a Gozanti courtesy of Mel's miniatures. I find it hard to believe that a freighter that is smaller than a single TIE fighter is the single most bulldozer-tastic bully squadron in the game. This makes it more believable, but a little less canon.

Here is my Rhymerball. Vader, 2x TIE bombers and Rhymer in his ATR-6 (Thanks Mel!). Again, I find it hard to believe that a TIE bomber contains the logistics suite to more than double the effective range on the guidance warheads of other ships nearby, and still have more than their payload. An ATR-6 with its torpedoes, ion cannons and room out back for warhead guidance technicians fits the bill nicely.

Also, I made vader a single model, like a rouge and villain. He flies alone, with his black TIE.

Sorry for the crappy focus on this shot, that's the best I have for now.

ew you said games workshop. also mostly how to aply techniques to small stuff is what I need. I guess i'll keep practicing.

ew you said games workshop. also mostly how to aply techniques to small stuff is what I need. I guess i'll keep practicing.

Small, good quality brushes, thinned paints with a wet palette and a magnifying glass. The latter makes a huge difference.

I like the idea of aces being mounted as single ships. Makes them stand out more. I think I will borrow that idea D503.

I was thinking of replacing my extra Bossk with a Sentinel Landing Craft.

... o...m...g *falls to his knees* it seems so obvious now...

I know, right Lyr? **** these talented people with their talent and their paintbrushes!

**** them all,

can someone point me in the direction of some good painting techniques and guides i've never painted stuff this small before, ties are coming along nice right now, sort of experimenting with them, not doing black panels on the insides of tie adv, bombers and interceptors though making it a darker grey than the rest ( except the blueish -grey ones) wondering if i can get the inner panelling on the TIE/LN tighter.'

also would like to get some pointers on the bigger capital ships.

I've put a painting guide for Armada Squadrons on my blog (link in sig)

On the magnifying glass, Harbor Freight sells a 5 pack of jewellers loops for about $12 bucks. I have found them to be a huge boon while detailing fighters.

put your blog in favorites for future reference.

I'm really loving all these painted custom 3d-prints! Would anyone mind telling me which materials you had to order in to achieve that level of preserved detail from the 3d model?

These ones are the 'Frosted Ultra Detail' option. It is not cheap, but is worth it. I have never got the basic option, but having seen the photos of people who have, I arranged my budget for quality over quantity and don't regret doing so.

I would also recommend frosted ultra detail if you are a painter. Plus you don't lose tiny details that way.

I have a couple of the basic 3d-printed models. They look fine on the table-top, but the details are less crisp if you're looking at it closely. Will try to see if I can get some pictures up later, though I don't have any Frosted Ultra Detail models for comparison.

I'm also loving the single-mounted hero units, D503. And Vader's black TIE. I have some more advanced coming next week, so I think I'll try that look! (And some FO TIE Fighters to chase my Poe X-wing )

So many awesome looking models here. Thanks for sharing and I look forward to keeping an eye on this thread.

It's only vader

I'm also loving the single-mounted hero units, D503. And Vader's black TIE. I have some more advanced coming next week, so I think I'll try that look! (And some FO TIE Fighters to chase my Poe X-wing )

It's only Vader that gets a single fighter mount. Because he's Vader... he forced choked his wife and burnt the galaxy in an emo-rage. He doesn't deserve friends.

Other aces are all the full complement of fighters, but a couple of them are heavier single ships such as Rhymer.