Step72

Here's my FINAL SUBMISSION

It's been a long and enjoyable journey with you. I'd abandoned this hobby for years because a stroke left me with a tremor in my left hand and impaired my vision... this was the chance to rekindle my old passion!

I'm happy with the final result, and I'd like to review the work and choices I made with you.

I chose the RX78 because for me it's the most iconic model in the series, the one that started it all. I chose not to repaint the model to respect its colors. I opted for light paneling so as not to distort its lines and to respect its design. The choice not to use weathering was dictated by more or less the same principles. I only used a light matte coating to remove the plastic effect.

For the hangar, I first used a Tamiya AS-4 Grey Violet (Luftwaffe), which I thought was particularly suitable. Then I livened it up a bit by adding metallic details in various contrasting colors.

Finding the structure a bit empty, I decided to add another structure, a "bay" for the model inside.

For the lighting, I used:

2 flashing sirens

8 flashing orange LEDs

2 COB LEDs with a tracer effect

16 blue COB LEDs to create a soft light effect

4 blue COB LEDs under the bridge

30 red and blue induction LEDs

32 white LEDs for the ceiling

6 white LEDs and 2 flashing LEDs for the side wall

Finally, I added 8 movable spotlights to vary the lighting angles.

The whole thing was wired to operate with a single switch on a 3V battery pack that manages 7 different lines and 3 USB ports that manage the two inductors and the screen.

The screen was made with an ESP32C6 Dev Kit measuring approximately 58.15mm x 25.40mm which was programmed to display slides with the RX78 projects.

Another gadget included is a smoke generator, hidden behind the bay, stolen from a Lego car.

I included various objects to create the context, some specially printed with a 3D printer, others stolen from other kits, and others, like the containers, created from discarded objects, in this case TicTac boxes.

I painted the miniatures I had purchased specifically for the purpose, but I didn't just place them in the hangar. I tried to create a suitable context for each one, so that the character didn't seem "just there" but rather fit perfectly into the hangar.

This is the final result that I submit to you and the jury.

I especially thank "Bad Evil Guy" whose advice helped me improve the diorama. Sam, Alice, and Francesco, my dwarves, that supported me and offered guidance with their criticism. I thank my good wife, who, despite the lack of space, time, and often energy, didn't clip my wings and allowed me to play with you.

And finally, I thank you for supporting me and keeping me company on this journey…

Au revoir

Step

P.S.

It's a shame that after the attempted hack of the site, the upload limits for the final submission were lowered. To be able to upload a video, I had to reduce the quality to the limit of acceptability.

To whom it may concern the files in higher quality are stored here.

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1ZsWllkAyeajV2hmuUwFqUrDP7RGWvRn4?usp=drive_link