Star Wars Speeder Bike [WIP - Weathering the Hull Plating & Steering Vanes]

 Because of the nature of the Speeder Bike's dark metal alloy (aka black metal), metallic scuff and scratch marks were painted as well as dry-brushed onto the the chassis and main frame structure (see previous post) in order to bring out both details and structural lines. A similar concept was applied to the Speeder Bike's hull plating. However, because the brownish hull plating wasn't as dark as the black metal, more weathering than just metallic scuff/scratch marks were needed to bring out the details and structural lines in addition to increasing depth. This came in the form of dirt/soot streaks and simple panel-lining, results of which you can see in the photos below.  

Star Wars Speeder Bike work-in-progress: Fully-weathered Hull Plating & Steering Vanes

 This process of additional weathering picks up from where the Speeder Bike's hull plating and steering vanes was last worked on and its progress updated ... more than 15 months ago. As the relevant parts had already been top-coated, they were already prepped for the first step of the weathering process i.e. panel-lining. Ever since I started using it, Mr.Weathering Color Multi-Black has become my go-to paint for panel-lining. It has replaced my previous preferred panel-liner i.e. Tamiya Panel Line Accent Color. I still use the latter as it's a good product, just not as much as I used to.

Star Wars Speeder Bike early work-in-progress: Panel-lined Hull Plating & Steering Vanes

 As for next steps in the weathering process namely the application of streaks of dirt as well as metallic scuff marks and scratches, the steering vanes were the first parts to be worked on. This was because in comparison to the hull plates, it was relatively easier to envision where dirt streaks, metallic scuff marks and scratches should be placed on the steering vanes. After all it would be the latter that takes the brunt of any airborne detritus (e.g. sand in the Tattoine desert) or straggling branches (e.g. trees in the forests of Endor) in the way of a moving Speeder Bike.

Fully-weathered Speeder Bike Steering Vanes (view from the rider's seating position)

Fully-weathered Speeder Bike Steering Vanes (view from the front of the bike)

 From the start, my aim was to maintain a relatively minimalist approach to the weathering process. This meant I applied as little weathering as possible - be it streaks of dirt or metallic scuff/scratch marks - to the Speeder Bike as I could get away with. Admittedly though, going by this benchmark, it could be argued that I may have applied a little too much weathering to the steering vanes, and the protruding hull plating that protects the thrust arrays and repulsor projection units (see last photo in this blog). Then again, this are the same parts that would be most exposed to erosive particles/matter. So I guess it's a subjective call, and I'll know better once the bike is fully assembled.

Fully-weathered Speeder Bike main Hull Plating, nose section (isometric view, front right side)

Fully-weathered Speeder Bike main Hull Plating, nose section (isometric view, front)

Fully-weathered Speeder Bike main Hull Plating, nose section (isometric view, front left side)

 This minimalist approach is heavily influenced by the concept of the umbrella project, which involves Star Wars Empire figurines and/or vehicles that are relatively new-looking because they are being used in propaganda shoots. It wouldn't do to have dirty Empire soldiers and vehicles gracing the propaganda photos. On the other extreme I felt that if they were presented in pristine conditions as if in a parade, then it would be unrealistic. So on a spectrum of heavily weathered to marching parade pristine, I choose somewhere in the middle but biased towards the pristine end of things. 

Fully-weathered Speeder Bike main Hull Plating, mid-section (isometric view, left side)

Fully-weathered Speeder Bike main Hull Plating, tail section (isometric view, left side)

Fully-weathered Speeder Bike main Hull Plating, tail section (isometric view, back)

Fully-weathered Speeder Bike main Hull Plating, tail section (isometric view, right side)

Fully-weathered Speeder Bike main Hull Plating, mid-section (isometric view, right side)

 While in the previous Speeder Bike update I alluded to the fact that there were more black/dark metal alloy parts to be painted and assembled, this is not the case for the hull plating. All you can see here is all there exists of the hulll plating. There are additional non-dark metal stuff to paint and fix onto the hull plating itself such as the seat, the tarp for wilderness shelter, as well as miscellaneous switches and buttons. But as far as I can tell there won't be any more brown hull plates to worry about. 

Fully-weathered Speeder Bike main Hull Plating (isometric view, right side)

Fully-weathered Speeder Bike main Hull Plating (isometric view, left side)

 With the core components of the Speeder Bike (i.e. Chassis/Main Frame Structure, Hull Plating, and Steering Vanes) painted and weathered, the time has come for these individual/sub-assembled parts to be in turn assembled into a larger whole thus allowing a recognizable silhouette of the Speeder Bike to take shape. This I'll attempt soon. And to prepare for this latter stage assembly process, I also have to figure out the best way to prop up the entire bike as pieces are being put together.  

Fully-weathered Speeder Bike bottom Hull Plating

Fully-weathered Speeder Bike Hull Plates covering the thrust arrays and repulsor projection units

 As such, before further assembling, painting, and weathering is done for the Speeder Bike project, I plan to first put together all the pieces that have been painted/weathered so far. I'm looking forward to it partly because it's an indication that this project is progressing again at a good pace. As I'm not naive enough to think this fast pace is going to last forever, I'm milking it for all it's worth. I plan to channel what I term as an 'excess of hobby energy' into reviving a third project (i.e. Space Battleship Yamato) in the midst of the two (i.e. Girl's Rider and Speeder Bike) in progress. Am I pushing myself towards a premature burnout? Let's hope not. Until next time, stay safe and be well.