Introduction
This is my first diorama since 20 years. I got the inspiration when seeing the following anticipation picture from Antoine Sandoval about Nar Shadaa and some landing platforms next to a road.
I used an Imperial visit as theme as it is relatively easier, especially as I own some of the 1999-2001 Lego® Star Wars sets.
Size Matters Not, or Does It ?
Yoda was very wrong with that one. When building Lego MOCs, I've read somewhere that large dioramas should be modular and each module should not exceed 4 base plates. So my diorama is exactly 64x64 and very modular. The structure can be cloned and put side-by-side with its clones or even front-to-front to have both sides of the roads. It's pitiful that I lack the bricks to make a second one.
It also gives ideas for complementary structures: a ramp allowing speeder to move from one floor to the other, a huge palace above the roads, defensive towers on top of towers ... Possibilities are infinite.
The Structure
The structure is composed of a landing platform on top of a support tower and a road in front of it. A ramp provides access from the road to the landing platform. On the base level, there is another road (going into the other direction) with also a technical walking access to the tower.
The top view:
Look at the arrow shapes used for the side barriers. They provide some dynamism to the structure.
Landing Platform and Tower
I really enjoy the surrounding of the landing platform, the yellow strips on the tower, and how the access ramp fits perfectly and smoothly with the road and the platform. There is almost no hole.
The killing comment from my son: “Dad, how can I play inside the tower? And then I had to build an opening mechanism giving enough space to play inside. The result is user-friendly.
The rear side of the tower and landing platform:
The Refuelling System
The art concept of Antoine Sandoval shows pipes and something remotely looking to a refuelling system at the rear of the landing platform. I tried to transcript the concept into something possible.
The Access Ramp
I like quite a lot how the access ramp turned out. It fits perfectly within the base road and the landing platform with only minimal gaps. A nice detail: the stairs helping people to walk on the ramp (and incidentally allowing minifigs to stand up).
From below:
The Base Floor
In order to decently render the sense of volume of the picture, i wanted to create to floors but had no idea what to do below. I decided to go with another road going to the opposite direction because it could be possible and would consume quite less bricks. So I replaced a problem of quantity by a technical challenge as the top road would ultimately be supported by eight 2x1 bricks and this is not a lot. Happily, i could use blue rails to consolidate the pylons.
A view from inside the walkway under the pylons’ arches.
The guards’ squad from behind. Look at the blue rails.
The Stormtrooper at the entrance of the tower:
Photoshopping
Some quick photoshopping to change the background of some pictures. Enjoy the results. The main photo was retouched by Jevon Lambright. The below two pictures have been retouched by Sam Silvers and the third one by Alard..
Prototyping, Testing, and Trying
Do or do not, there is no try! – Yoda (ESB)
This is so wrong !!! I had to build, un-build, rebuild, test, simulate, and restart so many times before finally having something satisfying me. Here are some photos from the building phase.
Comments, Criticism, Remarks ?
Ok, feel free to post your comment and hints to help me improving my future creations.
