Here are some pics taken a while ago. There was a lot of work already done on R2 before the thought of this blog even existed, so as I get time, I'll post up what few pics I have and I'll make sure to take more in future.
This was taken after all of the dome panels had been removed and all the tabs that held them in were smoothed out. The hardest part was getting rid of the laser slag on the insides of each dome. Well, it wasn't hard, just time consuming and monotonous.
These two shots were taken after the first cutouts were made in the inner dome. I started out using a Dremel to cut these, but after lots of cutting wheels flying about the garage at high speed, I tried a different, less volatile method. I pilot drilled 4 or 5 holes around each panel, then used a spotface to create larger holes. All that I needed to do after that was file everything flat.
My initial plans don't include any use for the 3 Pie Panel cutouts, but I want them there just in case I get bored one day and decide to put a periscope or lightsabre in there. The round hole at the top is for the upper Holo Projector. At the time these pics were taken, I only had one HP - an aluminium example produced by Dave Shaw. Resin items will be used for the two rear HPs.
When the skins arrived, I just had to put things together for a quick photo. Aluminium frame, dome and now skins. This photo shows only the front skin with the cutout panels removed. This was another time consuming process with great care taken to keep the skins in shape. Not all of the panels have been removed from that photo - just enough for a Kodak moment.
The material used on the skins is thinner than the dome stuff so hitting with a hacksaw blade was risky. What did I use instead? A chisel! A sharp one. By laying the skin down on the bench with a thick sheet underneath for protection, I was able to get at the panels from inside the skins. Applying body weight to the chisel with a slight rocking motion was all that was needed. Some panels on the outer skin wont be needed, but I've kept them anyway, just in case I need to make something else up using AL.
This was taken after all of the dome panels had been removed and all the tabs that held them in were smoothed out. The hardest part was getting rid of the laser slag on the insides of each dome. Well, it wasn't hard, just time consuming and monotonous.
These two shots were taken after the first cutouts were made in the inner dome. I started out using a Dremel to cut these, but after lots of cutting wheels flying about the garage at high speed, I tried a different, less volatile method. I pilot drilled 4 or 5 holes around each panel, then used a spotface to create larger holes. All that I needed to do after that was file everything flat.
My initial plans don't include any use for the 3 Pie Panel cutouts, but I want them there just in case I get bored one day and decide to put a periscope or lightsabre in there. The round hole at the top is for the upper Holo Projector. At the time these pics were taken, I only had one HP - an aluminium example produced by Dave Shaw. Resin items will be used for the two rear HPs.
When the skins arrived, I just had to put things together for a quick photo. Aluminium frame, dome and now skins. This photo shows only the front skin with the cutout panels removed. This was another time consuming process with great care taken to keep the skins in shape. Not all of the panels have been removed from that photo - just enough for a Kodak moment.The material used on the skins is thinner than the dome stuff so hitting with a hacksaw blade was risky. What did I use instead? A chisel! A sharp one. By laying the skin down on the bench with a thick sheet underneath for protection, I was able to get at the panels from inside the skins. Applying body weight to the chisel with a slight rocking motion was all that was needed. Some panels on the outer skin wont be needed, but I've kept them anyway, just in case I need to make something else up using AL.
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