Star Wars Star Destroyer [Assembled; unpainted]

Assembling this Star Destroyer is so simple that if you aren't a perfectionist the whole process can be completed in under two hours or even within one. Of course if you're like me, then assembly can take considerably longer what with the careful removal of the runner/gate from the actual parts; the tedious cleanup work after; the gluing together of certain sections for better adherence despite parts being of the snap-fit variety; and last but not least the constant dropping of small parts by clumsy fingers followed by expletive-filled-rants while looking for said parts while they just under your nose.

Bandai Star Wars Star Destroyer - assembled but unpainted

Unpainted, this Star Destroyer could almost pass off as a brand new vehicle fresh off the space dock ... almost

Even unpainted the Bandai Star Destroyer already looks very impressive indeed. They could almost pass off as those new whitish Star Destroyers you see in the Rogue One movie trailers. But almost doesn't quite cut it and something feels incomplete about them. With good LED lighting, one could perhaps get away with not having to paint this model kit. Unfortunately microelectronics is a skill set I do not posses hence I'll have to rely on old fashioned acrylics paints to breath some life into it.

Bandai Star Destroyer [Front view, assembled but unpainted]

Bandai Star Destroyer [Back view, assembled but unpainted]

Without any panel lining or washes, it's a bit hard to make out the fantastic details on this plastic model kit especially those on the Star Destroyer's main hull. However, at certain angles (see photo above) you can clearly see the potential this model kit has even at this small scale (see last photo). 

Bandai Star Destroyer [Top and bottom view, assembled but unpainted]

The fact that in addition to a black wash I only have whites, greys, yellows and blues to work with on the colour scheme - it's going to be tough to paint/create a realistic looking Star Destroyer especially one that's in full flight in space. If there was ever a model for which LED lighting was better suited than solely paints then the Star Destroyer is it. Best I can hope for is to give it an illusion of reality.  

Shadowed exterior of the Star Destroyer's lower hull 

Course calculated, hyperdrive ready to engage ... but sir she's still unpainted

Measuring about 111 mm in length, the Star Destroyer just about fits into the palm of my hand. I hope Bandai eventually produces one at a bigger scale but for now she'll have to do.

Measurement of the Bandai Star Destroyer plastic model kit - about 111 mm in length

She - Star Destroyers are always a she aren't they? - will be painted by the next post but there will be a couple of firsts involved. For one, I'll be using Tamiya Acrylic Paints for the first time and with a brush rather than the recommended air brush. Also I'll be mixing a Vallejo fluorescent colour into its regular paints to hopefully create some oomph in the Star Destroyer lights in lieu of actual lighting. If things don't turn out all bad I'll put up the results in the next post. If things go very badly though, I can always smash it in two with a hammer, sprinkle lots of sand on it and ... voila ... a Jakku diorama. Let's just pray it doesn't come to that as I'm not very dexterous with a hammer.