Building Bandai's Imperial Star Destroyer

[@modelchili]

Bandai 1/5000 Imperial Star Destroyer model kit: amzn.to/3hFMwXp

[@gamingunner128]

ModelChili Scale Models damn.

[@hellsfirefreedomtube6984]

Bandai a really good model maker. I’ve been building Gundam models since the early 2000’s and is always impressed with their model kits

[@sidneysickness3826]

Wow man, you are the Bob Ross of plamo! Seriously, when I listen to you building some of the most iconic vehicles that I loved as a kid, combined with your calm and methodical delivery, you put me in a happy place I never knew existed. I am bipolar, so when I feel stressed out, I'll watch one of your videos to calm me down. What you do really helps the mental health community, for me anyway. Keep on building, please. Thank you for existing sir! 93

[@modelchili]

Wow that's so cool to hear! I'm so happy I can take away a bit of the stress of life. 🙂

[@garyhoffman503]

32:31 The side lighting when your holding the model in hand is perfect. Forget imperfection. The magic is there and the engine LEDS are also spot on.

[@ryanvertein7020]

I think it's brilliant! I love how at a distance it looks uniformly gray but as you get closer you can see all the various details.

[@modelchili]

Thanks!

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Amazing for such a small model!

[@arniewingco3561]

Thankyou Sam, you have inspired me to return to making model kits after a 30+ year hiatus. I've got some catching up to do with new painting products and techniques. And , in time, I can teach my (now) 3yo stepson. Cheers :)

[@modelchili]

That's great to hear, thank you! 😀

[@kevinhaan1532]

Yeah, I built this kit two months ago and I was amazed at the molded detail. The light switches suck but the effect is awesome. Hung the model from my ceiling , looks great.

[@keithwhisman]

I remember building a Star Destroyer kit back in the late 1980s and remember reading how the studio model was covered in hundreds of tiny panels that were individually brush painted a lighter tint than the base color. I spent hours brush painting each and every panel but it looked awesome. No lighting in my kit though. I believe the kit I built was an Ertl.

[@modelchili]

Nice! Yeah I think it was AMT Ertl, I had one too back in the 90s. 😁

[@adorimable]

I've been looking for a reliable "tutorial" for the bandai at at, do you think you could do that some time?

[@modelchili]

No plans to do it currently.

[@tteokbokki588]

Do they not come with a manual like gunplas?

[@seth1987]

@@tteokbokki588 They do, but imho many pieces require "special" handling- not to mention the best paint effects - and only someone who already built/painted one can point out what to do, so the model is near-perfect at the end.

[@whytho25]

Seth I did it only with the instructions, it really isnt that hard, the only part thats annoying is making the legs 4 times

[@Andrew-el8xi]

The best model maker out there . Spot on

[@Davy.J.Y]

The detail looks really nice on this kit.

[@nunyabusiness8538]

crazy to think about how detailed the injection molds they use and how expensive they must’ve been to make

[@josue9687]

It came out great. As you said, I might leave it flat light gray with a very light wash because I like the contrast of the light gray with the blackness of space.

[@davidundefinedrivera9473]

Brilliant build. Excellent video.

[@modelchili]

Thanks!

[@victoriasmith8229]

Impressive kit Sam. Thanks for the info about the model tank parts on the various starwars ships.. You're very good at spotting those. The end result looks pretty good. Merry Christmas and thanks for all the interesting content in 2019.

[@modelchili]

Thanks Vaughan!

[@johngormley2192]

I enjoyed the build, great information. Agree, external power and switches or magnetic reed switches would be easier to use. Perhaps the next model release.

[@BobH809]

What a build that was. I think the closeness of the Death Star in your video would look good in the photo's as it appears to be in the background. You get lots of detail from the Star Destroyer too. I have the 'no lighting' kit version but have bought enough lighting kit to light up a real Star Destroyer. I hope to use a metal tube to support it (the stand) and run cables inside to the lights connecting to the fibre optics. It's going to be difficult as I have never lit a model before. Think I will paint all the inside black first to block unwanted light. Looking forward to it. Very inspiring video.

[@franciscop1192]

What I was going to say? Ah yeah. You're crazy dude!! Outstanding job

[@modelchili]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@hotsauce8780]

Me: no I wont spend 100 dollars on a light up kit *watches this* Well.....

[@xanderguldie]

I do everything myself. It's way cheaper and looks much better

[@deepyamandas1192]

@@xanderguldie ah good 👍👍👍

[@hungryowl1559]

$170

[@Yora21]

I've just been making scale accurate icon images for on online RPG campaign, based on great high quality renders other people made. And Star Destroyers really complicate finding a good scale. With a Star Destroyer as a massive 1600 pixel image, the Millennium Falcon is only 38 pixels long, and starfighters become completely invisible. Make the starfighters big enough to be usable, and it's impossible to see a whole Star Destroyer even when you zoom out completely. These things are just stupendously huge.

[@barrykent9877]

Very nice model... after all... All the best!

[@modelchili]

Thanks, you too!

[@鎌田英明-c6f]

ディズニー好きのアメリカ人にも日本ブランドのベストキットですねぇ！エピソード5に出てくるスターデストロイヤーなんか正に大型模型でした！！動画thx.👍

[@jasongould405]

Fab job, love your panel work, you've done justice to one of the most iconic sci-fi crafts ever imagined! Jas.

[@modelchili]

Thank you!

[@gamingunner128]

Jason Gould why JAS?

[@TheFlymar]

Considering in movies they filmed it with several passes the model looks super real. And blue tint in engines is just great.

[@zerovalon6243]

Wow that detail is out of this world. Bandai does it again.

[@nickgi3636]

It's over 40 yrs old but the Star Destroyer is still the most fashinating spaceship ever seen!

[@ROOKTABULA]

I'd be a little crushed to get that big box and then see the ship fits sideways across the short side. Lolz. I actually got to see the original 8 foot model with the big bulbs still in the engines. SOFA King sweet.

[@dannbrauckmann1545]

I think you've done a nice job with this one, not too much weathering, I like the subtle different greys. Sucks that the top won't stay down like it should, but it's hard to tell. I didn't see it until you pointed it out. Nice work!

[@lunaticloon5638]

Well, the model looks Awesome! You've inspired me to buy the kit and build it. The kit is being shipped to me now. I think I will follow your lead and go more subtle with the weathering and paint colors; they can be easily overdone. Great job! Thanks for the video. Eric

[@allgood6760]

Nice!.. Star Wars is TIMELESS.. cheers mate👍🇳🇿

[@ronnieholt3863]

Very instructive bro, beautiful kit

[@modelchili]

Thanks!

[@ronnieholt3863]

This is one of the more amazing examples I've ever seen

[@Rayyman]

I remember it looking like that. Nice build.

[@modelchili]

Thanks!

[@christianmineo6617]

I love ur videos and I could watch it for hours

[@modelchili]

Thanks :)

[@ToeCutter0]

Nicely done! I felt your paneling was just a bit conservative, but even so it looks GREAT finished. The lighting looks phenomenal on camera, but I’ve also heard quite a few other builders lament the different hues from the LEDs. They were also critical of how the hull fits over the battery compartment. That said, the 360* camera shots looked very accurate, reminiscent of the ISD I from Rogue One. Ironically, when I saw the tiny Falcon was included, I immediately wondered how it would look hanging off the back of the bridge from ESB!

[@modelchili]

Thanks! The Falcon has a peg underneath for the stand, so this makes it difficult to stick to the tower nicely. You could cut off the peg if you wanted a permanent solution!

[@owenrichards1418]

I remember the old MPC kits from back in the day and I can't get over the level of accuracy and detail in these.

[@ToeCutter0]

Owen Egan Is MPC still around? I’ve bought a few Revell models recently, but these Bandai Star Wars kits represent a whole new level of detail. I just received the Executor & ISD kit from Bandai and the amount of detail on those molds is INSANE. The ISD in my kit is less than 4” long assembled, but includes a ludicrous degree of detail! Waiting on a new air compressor, it can’t get here soon enough.

[@nettneo]

Some imported kits had the 2 large hull pieces wrapped tightly with plastic wrap to cardboard to keep pieces from warping in weather changes. Looks like yours got warped. Still looks Great!

[@modelchili]

Ah that might be it. Thanks!

[@MrAndybob71]

Just found your channel. And its brilliant been looking for a channel for tips and advice keep up the amazing work👍

[@modelchili]

Thank you!

[@henmich]

The Bandai kits blow my mind...

[@PanzermansBunker]

Magnificent build and paintwork. Lighting looks fantastic too. Enjoyed the project....thanks for sharing your talent with the community. Bill

[@modelchili]

Thanks Bill!

[@randomations11]

Sam, I love your videos so much. I am very thankful that you make these, as I want to start modelling again soon, as soon as I can acquire all of the necessary means. You have so many videos of models that I want to make (and have watched several times lol) and I've already learned so much from you. I can't wait to see what you do next. Keep on keeping on brother! :)

[@modelchili]

Thank you, that's awesome to hear!

[@priyonjoni]

It’s so clean, it looks CG

[@petertobin8938]

Merry Christmas, Sam! I have one of these kits in my stash right now, can't wait to get started. I may do my own lighting system though.

[@modelchili]

Thank you!

[@keithwhisman]

When I was a kid I remember seeing Star Wars The Empire Strikes Back here in Phoenix at our biggest theater and they had a lot of the actual studio models on display and they were awesome. A lot of the studio models were huge.

[@modelchili]

That's awesome! I saw a few of them at the Star Wars Exhibit in London, including the massive command tower of the Executor.

[@JONNYCABANI]

I wish they would have had those at the theaters near me.

[@malcolmmacdougall]

it's the curse of modelmaking, only somebody else will think it looks brilliant

[@absboodoo]

These Bandai kit are so amazing.

[@RestorationAustralia]

Super cool kit.

[@paulgertsch7105]

Great job. My the force be with you.

[@modelchili]

Cheers!

[@silviofoj]

This kit deserves better Lights. Nice work, dude.

[@bjrnhalfhand2258]

Oh yes! Now you're spoiling us. Love the design of the ISD. This is going to be a good one.

[@modelchili]

Hope you enjoyed!

[@bjrnhalfhand2258]

@@modelchili I did, it was great, thank you

[@tonyromano4341]

Lovely step, by step. Thanks!

[@modelchili]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@tilaurin]

Thanks for the video, I picked one up recently and I'm thinking of putting it together this weekend, was a really good walk through of some of the issues - I might be able to prevent some light leakage, and might even tweak the LED's somewhat.

[@14arma]

Awesome job, much better than I could have ever done, looks movie quality. Only bummer about that kit from what I can tell is they didn't model the bridge from the outside; imo that should be a given on any model, its really the only interior shot of a star destroyer we ever get to see in the movies, and modeling that externally should be crucial for consistency, but that's just me nit picking at the kit itself, not your work as that is outstanding as always. Thank you for sharing.

[@modelchili]

Thanks! From what I can tell they went for an exact replica of the studio model, which didn't have bridge windows until they did the close up Executor exterior.

[@14arma]

@@modelchili Ah right on. That annoyed me in the movies as well, I remember as a kid pausing my VHS tape and trying to find a set of windows on the outside that resembled the interior haha. I'm guessing when the studio made the original model, subsequent films had not yet been made to feature the bridge possibly? Thanks for the info.

[@tomashampl5899]

I think it is so perfect that you could use it as a model in the official Star Wars movie...

[@modelchili]

Thanks 😁

[@ryansergeant2896]

Sweet! Nice work!

[@modelchili]

Thanks!

[@goldenscales]

Absolutely amazing job, mate! Well done! (Tell me, was I the only one who had the Imperial March humming through my head as I watched this?) Lol.

[@modelchili]

Thanks!

[@bjrnhalfhand2258]

That's impressive detail painting on the Falcon. That scale must be very challenging.

[@modelchili]

Thanks Bjørn!

[@gregmize01]

Amazing job!

[@modelchili]

Thank you!

[@whittaker007]

50 Shades of Grey: Star Wars edition :)

[@legrandgougoulilumine6940]

Xizor probably had a sex dungeon or something like that..

[@schecterman5466]

I had the same issue with my 1/700 Trumpeter Wisconsin lol I primed it and then tried painting it Haze grey and I’m like “am I even painting!?”

[@yortsemloh1156]

Lovely work sir! I’ve just order this model and am going to attempt to stand up the comms tower to make it like the Devastator. Since the ISDs in Rogue One were pretty much white I’m going to paint it flat white and use a light gray wash and see how it turns out. I wish they made the engine baffles for this model.

[@michaelprocter1298]

Nice looking build

[@robwebnoid5763]

I have a Star Destroyer kit that I built 40 years ago, not sure which model company, but definitely not any lightup version, although the scaling seems the same, I will have to check later, it's in another town.

[@modelchili]

That was the old AMT/Ertl kit, I had one too back in the 90s.

[@amaurythewarrior]

damn the ISD looks nice, but i think the falcon and corvette look fantastic for how tiny they are

[@darfjono]

that is a beautiful triangle

[@modelchili]

It's more of a kite shape.

[@Jedimax01]

That is impressive work!

[@modelchili]

Thank you very much!

[@sheep21]

Looks perfect, don't beat yourself up :)

[@modelchili]

Thanks!

[@tHeWasTeDYouTh]

Is there a model like this of the Resurgent Class Star Destroyer from the Disney sequels??? really the only thing I like about Disney Star Wars is that design

[@modelchili]

Not by Bandai.

[@kyleruiz7167]

I've been wondering the same exact thing and want a FO SD model too, maybe down the road they will most likely :). I'm scratch building my own

[@doubleheadedeagle6769]

I want that model. Cool design.

[@richardg6949]

I have this kit, totally dig how you did this one

[@ianfleetwood8804]

I saw this kit while in Japan earlier this month and it proved cheaper to buy the light unit separate with the standarded kit. I passed on both as I have the huge zveda star destroyer to build and also while in Japan I brought a bb8 and the pg falcon

[@nicholasdickens2801]

I do love this brilliant model. It looks amazing.

[@Matt7895]

Great video, just a tiny criticism - the Falcon shouldn't have red on it - but other than that, lovely to see this, I'd love to have an ISD but I know I'd get the paintwork wrong.

[@Aminuts2009]

I've just found your content and I was wondering if you were going to talk about the "tank" greebly. I have seen it often in the Bandai kits and I like Bandai's commitment to model authenticity.

[@rochedl]

Looks great, I am amazed at the level of detail, shame the 1/2700 Revell model does not have that level of detail. As a suggestion Games Workshop has great detailed models. Such as the warlord Adeptus Titanicus.

[@chrisvoa]

Bloody awesome mate!

[@modelchili]

Thank you!

[@TheLongHairedFellow]

I also experienced the same issue of the top piece not wanting to sit all the way down on one side, so it seems to be a common issue with this kit. Otherwise, looks great!

[@modelchili]

Thanks!

[@reviewswithdouglas]

I loved building this model I just didn't get around to paining it yet

[@ambiva]

I tried to use just Tamiya gray panel liner and finish Tamiya flat color spray can, the result is already outstanding :), since the kit plastic surface finish is already high quality

[@jimvikernes7754]

Another great video. Have a merry Christmas!

[@modelchili]

Thanks!

[@vonijoe]

If you look at certain photos or film stills of the movie models themselves, you can see unintended curvature in them, too. So I've noticed.

[@modelchili]

That's cool.

[@LupisGoat]

Might get one of these

[@truthofdsp]

Gorgeous

[@JONNYCABANI]

Great job!

[@modelchili]

Thanks!

[@blocpartyrocker]

any plans for a titanic model build? would be cool to see a video on the 1/200 scale trumpeter titanic

[@modelchili]

Would love to do a Titanic, maybe not that big lol.

[@nickirmen6671]

2:58 I have a lot of spare sherman suspensions from other models lmao, bandai and the empire love that little guy he's even on the legs/chassis of the Bandai AT-ST. Since the AT-ST came with so many stickers I'm gonna paint a sherman firefly in imperial colors as little love letter to that

[@michaelfarrell8811]

About time bandai did a decent star destroyer, pity about the bowing effect must be a defect of some sort, your video have given me some idea how I'm going to paint my star destroyer, well done keep up with the good work 👍

[@modelchili]

Thanks!

[@ZonoYT]

Wow looks really good, Nice job! Have you ever thought of building bandai's gundam kits at some point?

[@charlesballard5251]

Well, that's certainly got more detail than the old MPC/MONOGRAM kit!!!!!

[@foxhound773]

Your vids are relaxing and fun to watch! Great job and Merry Christmas!🎅👍👍

[@modelchili]

Thank you!

[@Phyde4ux]

You should start rating the kits you build. Like 1 through 10 in certain categories like difficulty, accuracy, build quality, value etc. It would really help make your channel the go-to guide for helping modelers pick which models to buy.

[@modelchili]

I don't think I build enough or know enough to start reviewing. I just buy kits that I'm interested in building. I also never read or listen to reviews, mainly because they're so subjective.

[@Phyde4ux]

@@modelchili I think you under-estimate yourself. You have 35,000 subscribers who value your skills as a modeler and content provider. I think it's fair to assume a reasonable portion of them trust your judgement as well. You could be the Doug Demuro of the KZbin modeling community.

[@modelchili]

lol maybe! "THIS... is Bandai's Star Destroyer". 😁

[@Phyde4ux]

@@modelchili "... and now I'm going to give it a Chili score..."

[@benhodge1206]

Oh I thought that you would have got one or two like 6 months back because of the airborne trooper and Wolffe. Oh well I found some for £26 each when you buy two including postage. Love your vids and keep making them as awesome as they are 😀👍

[@modelchili]

Thanks! I had a bunch of clone kits and accessories sent to me by a viewer a few months back. :) They're too expensive for me to buy now.

[@benhodge1206]

@@modelchililike I said before I found some for £26 each which is relatively cheap compared to £50 on Amazon I found them on Gundam World Online

[@johnstedman4075]

Another fine build Sam. The "greebling" (fine detailing) is often omitted on one or more faces of studio filming miniatures because it is so time consuming. Thus, there was no detail on the rear of the Alien Derelict in "Alien" or on the port side of the "USS Sulaco" in "Aliens". We are currently scratchbuilding new models of these for an exhibition and since they will be viewed from all angles we are having to try to get into the mind of the original designers to "fill in the blanks". I've built that lit Bandai kit of the Star Destroyer in your video and had the same problems with the "banana effect" (solved with hot water and a long stiff metal rod inside the hull), the "miscoloured LEDs" (substituted with the right colour) and the cumbersome switching (I hid a micoswitch in an inconspicuous posiition on the hull undeside). I was going to seal the model up but realised that it has to remain openable to change the batteries. Bandai definitely need to rethink their lighting arrangements!

[@modelchili]

Thanks John! That scratchbuilding sounds interesting! You got anything I can take a look at? ;)

[@IanSelvaraj]

use a hair dryer to heat the plastic carefully then weigh it down a little to keep it straight while it cools.

[@williamclarke8835]

Man your a sucker for punishment with all those tiny masks, but a great result. Great job, and what a steady paint hand you have.

[@boomerdiorama]

I have this fine looking kit on the back burner. I think I`ll pass on the lighting though. Even in film the lights are left off anyway, for the most part, simply because they would melt the model. I think the key when it comes to painting is how we perceive the model to be. Unless you have worked in film, the actual models look completely different than they do in Cinema. Some look horrible, some look fantastic. Cheers.

[@acterene1]

I love Bandai! Great work!

[@boomerdiorama]

I have the non-lighted kit. Glad I went with it. Seems rather pointless to go though all the trouble to turn on the lights after one or two times. I mean really?

[@sykotikmf8100]

nice build up of what should have been a better kit given the amount of research went into it. Your not alone in regards to the warped hull, PITA lighting system and mismatched LED's as numerous people have all reported the same issues. You could always cover the bridge LED in clear yellow to help change the colour more. I've seen some guys cover a few windows with clear PVA and then tint them orange/red to break up the monotony of the single colour white It's half the reason why I haven't bothered to buy one. That and it's also too small for me - especially for the price. Still, if space is an issue, then this would be a good option. Way better than the old MPC offering for sure I'm currently building and detailing the bigger Zvezda kit which is also not without its own "issues". Out of the 2, I prefer the Zvezda over the Bandai for sheer enjoyment but I'd love to have Bandai's engineering incorporated into the Zvezda. Can't have everything I guess Thanks for sharing this

[@atleybaldwin9199]

That’s amazing!!! And I’m not trying to sounds mean here when I say this but you sound like Korg 😂

[@열가지-r2l]

Wow! The whole thing is extraordinarily interesting.

[@uss717hamptonify]

Do you thin the Model air colors before brush painting them? Any specific ratios to brush paint if they need to be thinned?