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So, I put out my begging for a particular hard to get kit in the swap shop forum in Dakka:

I have been bitten by the X-wing bug and want to get a Hoth or Endor battle going so I want the:

AMT STAR WARS Battle of Hoth Action Scene Model Kit Skill Level 2
Which is this:

OR this:


I am having a bit of trouble trying to get shipments from the States to Canada.
USA cost is about $65 from what I have seen and local in Canada varies wildly to about $150.

<snip>

Then did a bit more digging and research:

I really wish I did not get these occasional obsessions with hobby projects, at least they happen infrequently!

Gosh darn, shapeways strikes again... I found this themed combo at a competitive price: https://www.shapeways.com/product/SG8BT25BE/theme-battle-of-hoth?li=shop-results&optionId=32092723

This is kinda what inspired me:
http://www.beastsofwar.com/eventslist/live-blog-xwing-endor/
I already had those "generator" bits.

I am still trying to hunt down those small "Japanese" models they talked about that they got instead.
Ah!!! Shapeways strikes again... (back?)
http://www.shapeways.com/product/QULXDX5LU/at-st-1-270?li=search-results-1&optionId=43411609

I was told the AT-AT "Titanium" black editions are spot-on in size but cost is about $65 just for one.

So yeah, I am both excited and frustrated.

A few other links that got me going:

3D printed stuff:
http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:1218656

This is really neat:
http://theminiaturespage.com/boards/msg.mv?id=346867

Ah! speeders at shapeways here:
http://www.shapeways.com/product/LGWL7T93T/snowspeeder-1-270?
http://www.shapeways.com/product/8UXQ8PEC9/4x-snowspeeder-1-270?optionId=8621716

And eeeeven more inspiration:
https://community.fantasyflightgames.com/topic/105371-dont-hassle-the-hoth/

Neat battle for Hoth info here:
http://www.wired.com/2013/02/battle-of-hoth/

Oh my, some guy here got all the dials and cards done:
https://boardgamegeek.com/thread/1116574/weve-spotted-imperial-walkers

So yeah, chomping at bit to get some models and build an X-wing ground attack component to the game.

So, any suggestions? I am thinking of getting the shapeways "themed" kit X2 if a reasonable price cannot be reached with the AMT Hoth model kits.
Anyone else see how cool and readily done this dream could be?

This looks really awesome. I've always longed for an actual Star Wars tabletop game with ground units.

Yes, there is Imperial Assault, but the rebel miniatures are so goddarn ugly and those aren't armies fighting each other, but a few people.

So I got a times two of the shapeways "themed pack" and will see what this gets me. I have to think now on appropriate basing of these models since people have made mighty fine cards for them.

I found that Endor mission rather interesting and like yourself I'm planning on doing something similar but turn the tables with a Rebel base.

So, ordered from CinC where buried in all their stuff I think I have storm troopers and rebels.
<edit> Link: http://www.pfc-cinc.com/front_page.html
I even got Tauntauns as well as those weird radar dish shaped "P-Towers".
So things are looking like they are sticking way too closely to 6mm standard.
I am prepared to go blind.

Talizvar keep us posted on how it looks. very interested in seeing the finished thing

Thanks, really interested myself.
It is all in transit now.
I have a HotLead hobby convention all this weekend but will be looking forward to this.
I am looking up how to properly seal "White Strong and Flexible" plastic from shapeways, it sucks up paint like crazy otherwise.
This may all become an X-wing ground war how-to if I can stick with it.
Gotta look for good bases first, I want them to not be slaved to a snow or jungle theme.

Hazzah!
My shapeways order has arrived!

You can see more pictures in my gallery if you click on the picture.
BUT this was my quick pictures and not in my paint booth / photo booth so are not as good as they could be.
The artist for this is "MelMiniatures".

The Good:
Even ordering the lowest kind of plastic "White Strong and Flexible" detail is amazing.
I just could not get the picture right for the speeder, it is awesome, the little ribs / fins at the back, the tiny rear gun... it is all there.
The AT-AT blows the model kit versions out of the water (check out underside picture).
They are very light and appear quite strong.
Speeders all have a peg built into them with the half-moon in them for the appropriate stand...

The Bad:
I had a couple struts on the inner ankle of the AT-AT break in the middle or mount point.
Due to the proper proportions and "realism" both the AT-AT and AT-ST have some weak points I will either wire or add material to reinforce.
The ankles of the AT-ST in particular make me nervous (looks amazing though): For gaming it may not be ideal, as a display piece it is spot-on.

Due to the process and material, I have to clean it off carefully to remove excess powder.
I have to file a little bit of roughness off on the more prominent flat surfaces.
I then have to seal it since they are made of fused beads of nylon so it is porous like a sponge.
Future floor polish should work, some people use watered down white glue and paint it that way first.
I will have to settle on a primer, the obvious go-to would be to reach for grey, but I am torn since I usually start from black and work my way up.

Good thing is, even if the surface remains a bit grainy, I will block paint first with an airbrush and it should not pick-up on rough bits.
It may help a lot with dry-brushing after.

So, it would be a matter of settling on stands and cards, then suitable terrain.
I have more than a few items that will work, I have two sets of these:


Hopefully FFG will get those new replacement stands for X-wing so I can add 2-3 more pegs to the fighters so they sit a bit higher.
Unless someone knows where to get compatible pegs?