I wanted to add a front grill to the speeder but was having trouble finding a decent mesh material. I finally figured out that I could make a really convincing ‘screen’ with polyclay. I rolled some Sculpy out until it was paper-thin, and then carefully rolled the knurled handle of my Exacto knife across the surface. The handle left a uniform diamond pattern in the clay which looked just like a screen! I baked the clay, cut it to shape, glued it to the speeder and framed it out with some styrene strips. Now the engine won’t overheat!

I decided to paint the speeder with an automotive primer as I liked the neutral colour, and I didn’t have any other colours available. Once dry, I sculpted some cushions for the speeder, pressing Pete into the clay to ensure he would sit level. I baked the cushions, gave them a quick coat of paint, and attached them with CA.

I weathered the speeder with some charcoal and real dirt and fixed everything with some Testors Dullcote.

I’m happy with the results but have no illusions about what I’ve created. This is not a fine-scale model; there are no control devices, rivets, and the detailing is crude. I am still looking for something to represent the headlamp, and I need to figure out what I’m going to do with the Rapido couplers. That being said, I’m starting to think of this project as a character more than a model, so I think the design is a good fit for that standard.

My next challenge is to make some rolling stock!