[MOC] Steampunk Star Wars

[goatman461]

My first entry for the FBTB contest. I left the title ambiguous because I've already built my Round 2 entry (wishful thinking + no time this week to build) and I will add it here once it's ready to shoot. If anybody else wants to add their Steam builds to this topic, feel free to reply with your pics. Please leave C&C below and go vote for my build if you have an account. Enjoy.

Edited October 30, 2014 by goatman461

[GuyDudeMan27]

Very nice build! I love how you mixed in some wood, while keeping the yellow and grey color scheme! The front with all the details is just mindblowing! The commando droid head is an awesome way to give it a little more of a steampunk feel. Good luck!

[markus1984]

Ah, this was your entry?

Nice you have become a vote from me .

The MOC is absolut great and in best Steampunk style!

Great details and nice colours.

Good Luck

markus

[Dapper-D2]

Sweet build! I especially like the engine and tubing, wing details, black and gray smoke effects, and the ladder to board is a nice touch.

[Nom Carver]

Yours is one of my favorites for this contest, I hope you win, good luck buddy

[grum64]

Nice. Very nice.

[Yzalirk]

The front looks awesome with the fans and the smoke, great job!

[Retro]

Ha, I just noticed the smoke. Brilliant. And the head in a jar?!

[Brickdoctor]

I love the droid commando head used as a hood ornament. I also really like the use of the old Aquazone octagonal pipe pieces to shape the fuselage — they make for some very interesting shapes, and they've got a more industrial feel than slopes.

I do kind of wish that there was a little more 'Steampunkishness' incorporated, things like gold trim and exposed gears and belts and pipes that look like they're actually running something, rather than being there for the sake of having visible gears and belts and pipes. You have a lot of great Steampunk detailing here, but in a way it looks like the ship is still a regular N-1 powered by two standard wing-mounted engines at its core, with some Steampunk detailing added on.

Nevertheless, still one of the cleanest conversions of a curved, colorful PT ship into Steampunk. Nice work!

[goatman461]

Thank you for all the compliments. I'm glad y'all like it. There's more to come whether I advance in the contest or not.

@BD - I do worry that I'm not Steampunk enough for the polls. I was going for a later version of steampunk, like early 20th century industrial steel-almost mid-century modern. It is from Naboo so it's got to be a little sleeker/advanced. You definitely caught me throwing gears on there just for the greebling. My speeder is a bit more steampunk, but the walker I'm working on is guilty of the same type of surface level steampunkery.

And the head in a jar?!

That's my grumpy, backseat-driving, mech with a curiously well groomed moustache for being a head in a jar

[Brickdoctor]

I was going for a later version of steampunk, like early 20th century industrial steel-almost mid-century modern. It is from Naboo so it's got to be a little sleeker/advanced.

You should definitely mention that when presenting the MOC, because it's a very interesting interpretation of how the Naboo would design things if Star Wars was a steampunk universe, and I think it makes a lot of sense. Maybe not what most people expect to see, but it does make sense. I think the main drawback there would be that it doesn't have quite the same Rube Goldberg machine charm that some other steampunk MOCs do.

You definitely caught me throwing gears on there just for the greebling. My speeder is a bit more steampunk, but the walker I'm working on is guilty of the same type of surface level steampunkery.

Walkers are definitely difficult to make believable, but generally throwing some gears driving chains into the joints and some pistons with pipes leading to a boiler (after all, it's powered by steam) will look like it works.

[goatman461]

If I send you some pictures of my WIPs would you be willing to give me some notes? That goes for anybody that is willing. I just don't want to publish my pics in the forums until after they're posted on fbtb

[Brickdoctor]

If I send you some pictures of my WIPs would you be willing to give me some notes? That goes for anybody that is willing. I just don't want to publish my pics in the forums until after they're posted on fbtb

Absolutely. Haven't really been able to build that much in the past year (Being a university student leaves me no room in my bedroom to store LEGO, no time in my schedule to build LEGO, and no money in my budget to buy LEGO. ), but I'm happy to give feedback.

[goatman461]

Absolutely.

awesome, i'll PM you when I can get some pics, thank you.

bob, beaver, and mstrofppts can expect some PMs too

[Brickdoctor]

awesome, i'll PM you when I can get some pics, thank you.

bob, beaver, and mstrofppts can expect some PMs too

If you like, PM Bob or myself first and we can set up a big group PM.

[BEAVeR]

Incredible job, Goatman! You made quite an impressive Steampunk version of a not so straightforward craft. The angles really make this model stand out. I adore the way you used those octagonal column pieces to shape the ship. And towards the back of the cockpit, there are some really nice area's too. The angled details in the wing give this fighter a look of speed as well. Since you didn't have to replicate the studio model, you could have taken this further and angle the entire wings altogether. In that way, you would make the effect even stronger and make your entry even more original in a not so obvious way as the details do. Then you could really make those angles the selling point, expanding on what you already have, like the nice angles in the cockpit window that complement the sides beautifully. So, already, you have a really nice play of angles that make your build quite unique in the Steampunk genre that too often revolves around details alone.

Concerning those details. Yours aren't very conventional, and that's definitely a good thing. I'm in favor of the more advanced Naboo Steampunk style, that goes a bit more towards Dieselpunk (this hypothesis is supported by the black smoke rather than white vapor coming from the chimneys). The flaps seem to make sense, but it would be more logical if they would be pointed in the direction of the airflow. But they make for a great reinterpretation of the original design, combined with that humorous droid head as ornament. The fact you have one central intake is quite new too, and that actually makes the two motors a bit obsolete. Now there's no real connection between them and the central area that gives power. Maybe some mechanical linkages that transfer the created motion to where it's needed. Or go for something completely different, and re-purpose those two big engines as water barrels, or maybe as big gun pods, and make new ones closer towards the center of the fighter. Then your creation would stand out as even more original.

This 'missing connection' between the engine and the thrusters I speak of, is part of something bigger. Brickdoctor already mentioned some details seem a bit purposeless. I agree. A look at the tubes that adorn the sides or the gears on the bottom proves this. These are nice details, but in Steampunk you're ultimate goal is to make something that looks beautiful and plausible. The problem with those loose tubes, for example, is that none of the ends stand in contact with a reservoir of some kind, so what are these tubes for then? And those gears don't mesh, so what motion do they transfer? So instead of adding random (but beautiful!) details, you should think a bit less like a lawyer, and more like an engineer. You already made a good start at some points, like the simple addition of that ladder. Those kind of details are meaningful. My comment on this goes further than pointing out that the things that are already there don't all seem purposeful. There are also places where detail just seems a bit lacking. I mentioned the thrusters. The fans are another example. It's good to have them there, but they have no connection whatsoever with the rest of the ship. Nothing going in or out. Nothing to show us how it all fits together. So next time, try to build the crucial features first in a somewhat logical manner, and then add the Steampunky detail, in service of those elements, to show how everything works. I think that that slight change in mentality might already produce some more realistic (and perhaps more beautiful, because who knows what incredible machine parts would be needed to make everything work!) builds, making your builds from 'great' Steampunk builds to 'AWESOOOOMUH' Steampunk creations.

I would really like to see that, because you already have a very nice build right here. You can be proud of it, and I think you have a fair chance of going through, despite the hard competition. But who else has such nice angles and that unique style. Who else has that amazing astro- ehm...-head? Who else has those popping colors that tie the Steampunk and the Star Wars together? Who else has all those nice details (it just occurs to me, that the new spring missile shooter would make a nice detail, hint, hint!) that are still original? Not a lot of people beside you. So good luck, and may this contest bring the best of Steampunker in you forth!

bob, beaver, and mstrofppts can expect some PMs too

I was just about to ask if you would appreciate my advice on those creations as well. I guess you're starting to know me .

[goatman461]

I appreciate the comments as always Beaver.

I like the idea of re-purposing the side engines, two giant Gatling guns comes to mind. My intent was to have forward propulsion by the side engines and upward lift by the fans, all powered by the large center engine. The side engines are meant to have tesla coils coming out the front to either power the engine or act as lightning guns, or something. I originally had a C3PO shoveling coal into a furnace underneath the fighter but got rid of it because I thought it upset the overall shape and would not come through in a single picture needed for the polls.

Go check out my flickr page, I've got you listed as "family" so you can see my WIPs.

[goatman461]

X-34 Landspeeder, The Empress of India. This modified speeder is the personal recreational speeder of the Imperial Governor and sports a decorative skull design on the front of the craft.

Round 2 - X-34 Landspeeder (Empress of India) 1 by goatman461, on Flickr

Round 2 - X-34 Landspeeder (Empress of India) top2 by goatman461, on Flickr

Round 2 - X-34 Landspeeder (Empress of India) side3 by goatman461, on Flickr

Her underbelly engines generate hot air to inflate her forward balloon and pressure for her top and side engines. Wood paneling accents the side of the craft while fine leather adorns the interior. A metal faced butler helms the craft from an elevated steering platform and a fashionable slave girl serves the finest blue milk. Today the crew is escorting the Imperial Governor on a hunting expedition, led by one of Tatooine's finest trackers. The hunt has been successful as the Governor spots a desert hulak wraid and calls for his rifle.

More pics on Flickr. Special thanks to BrickDoctor, Markus, BeaVER, and Bob De Quatre. Please leave comments and criticisms.

[Yzalirk]

I'm just blown away by this newer on!

I actually love everything about it and the minifigs stand out nicely too! The pilot looks awesome and so does the guy with the cowboy hat with the goggles on it.

[goatman461]

Round 3 Entry. C&C welcome. Please be sure to vote on Sunday and Monday.

Round 3 - DSD1 front by goatman461, on Flickr

Round 3 - DSD1 side by goatman461, on Flickr

Round 3 - DSD1 rear by goatman461, on Flickr

[goatman461]

Round 4 Entry. Please get over to FBTB and vote tomorrow.

Presenting the Rueppelli Vulture Droid.

Round 4 - Vulture Droid - 1 bygoatman461, on Flickr

Separatists forces have deployed these flying terrors to not only take their N-1 counter parts out of the sky but then to land and ravage the remains. The fighter is lifted into the air by a autonomous pilot that pedals at tremendous speeds to power the two large fans on its body. Once in the air, energy from the pedals is used to vibrate the golden feathers extending from the wings. These vibrating feathers allow the fighter to glide through the skies at incredible heights for extended periods of time so that enemy fighters can be identified and destroyed from above. The Vulture Droids have allowed the Separatist forces to keep a tight grip on the kingdom of Naboo.

Round 4 - Vulture Droid - open bygoatman461, on Flickr

Round 4 - Vulture Droid - flight bygoatman461, on Flickr

Round 4 - Vulture Droid - 3 bygoatman461, on Flickr

Several more shots on Flickr at https://www.flickr.c.../110484383@N05/

Thank you to all of my builder friends for your advice and encouragement along the way. And special thanks to my beautiful, pregnant wife who stood for a long time carefully and patiently holding fishing line to allow me to get those standing shots.

http://www.fbtb.net/forums/viewtopic.php?f=14&t=10797

Edited August 25, 2014 by goatman461

[BEAVeR]

Truely superb entry, Goatman461!!! Aesthetically, it's quite perfect. The head is beautiful and grim at the same time, much like one of the thestrals from Harry Potter, which is very suitable for your entry. I wonder what would happen if you built it with black pieces... The way you made the 'manes' is truly inspiring. Also, what happened to the wings is just beautiful:the mechanics around them also add to the reality and fit the description. When the fighter stands upright, it is just beautiful... The flight mode is a bit dull compared to this actually. Maybe because there are no very defined shapes, because the details tend to blend everything together. Maybe in the future, try to have different kinds of details in different areas to split them up visually. You already did that with the head compared to the body, and this section is very strong. The contrast between the body and the wings is much less present, and that makes it a bit hard to appreciate it like that.

Also a note on presentation. I like the background story a lot, and you have some really nice pictures. It would help if you learned to use some photo-editing software though, to get rid of the shadows, supporting blocks and wires that ruin the sense of realism a bit of the flight mode. Keep in mind that presentation is a key component in contests like this (also if it should be all about the build). So now that you've shown your building skills, maybe it's time to develop your editing skills... (I have some experience myself, so if you'd ask, I'd be happy to help you along the way. Brickdoctor is also a pro with picture editing)

Anyway, great build. I feel honored to be able to help you, and I can't wait to see what's next!

_____

That last sentence really warms my heart

[markus1984]

WOW!

And the next great entry from you!

Looks so stunning, a little bit crazy and absolut beautiful!

Great techniques and also like the colours you used in this MOC.

good luck!

markus

[_epicster_]

The robot with the human head I'm assuming is an astromech is awesome! Love the smoke and the build in general.

Only saw the first build, wow! That landspeeder is awesome!

Edited August 25, 2014 by _epicster_

[goatman461]

Only saw the first build, wow! That landspeeder is awesome!

Thank you. Don't forget to check out the other two.

Voting ends tonight. If y'all haven't voted already please be sure to do so. http://www.fbtb.net/forums/viewtopic.php?f=14&t=10797