ULTIMATE 80's VINTAGE DAGOBAH PLAYSET RESTORATION!

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So without saying this is without a doubt the nerdiest thingI've ever done ; )....but what a blast anyhow. So over the Holiday my 4 yearold son acquired some amazing SW items including but not limited to The Vintage Collection AT-AT (I accidently purchased one for myself as well), Black Series Fett, Black series 3.75" Scout and Biggs as well as the little gem you see below.

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Now this being said, I just couldn't get over how great these new sculpts are. In fact, they are so great that I felt it was necessary to display them properly. Although I have quite a bit of my 80's vintage stuff from when I was a kid, I needed to get my hands on the Dagobah playset vehicle(Deadland to the rescue). In conversation Rob graciously offered his up for agreat price. In getting my hands on this missing piece I could strip, refurbish and trick this bad boy out in order to create the organic environment whichcould allow these figures to shine...and so, here begins the ULTIMATE 80's VINTAGE DAGOBAH PLAYSET RESTORATION!

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Above is a nice shot of what we started with. Now, don't let the "POO-brown" fool you! This sculpt is actually beautiful and discussing with the Temecula boys and Thirdthree it was really a shame they couldn't garner a nicer paint scheme...For example,There are 6 reptiles/ insects, a spoon and bowl in Yoda's hut as well as 5 "fruit bulbs" on the foliage I never even noticed... I wanted to bring light to these details. Next, the playset is actually pretty unique in that it represents several scenes simultaneously; Luke in hand stand training, Yoda's hut scene and the spirit of Darth Vader...Pretty cool. And, let's not stop there...once the actual playset is completely restored, why not scratch build a massive base representative of the entire swampy planet of Dagobah?!
In watching a couple impressive videos on youtube by "budgetjedi" (in which he puts together these really simple,yet intricate dioramas using his 3.75" figure collection) I began to think foam and plaster may be the way to go. That being said, for the display base, I decided to go with foam core, floral foam and plaster cloth for my medium. Luckily I was able to carefully dismantle this beautiful piece and begin the paint process w/ my usual Rustoleum primer followed by various model master custom mixes and quite a bit of fictitious organic material from Michaels.

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Below are some of the images I used for inspiration along w/ pausing the blue ray edition of ESB several hundred times ; ).

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Here are some images showing the paint progression. I should have final photos in the next few days.

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I bet that AT-AT purchase for yourself was accidental lol. I myself just got the black series fett as well as the 5 wave 3 figures including darth plagueis. The only vintage vehicles I have are the ESB version slave 1 and the 1997 sealed millennium falcon. Good luck on the resto bro.
 
I bet that AT-AT purchase for yourself was accidental lol. I myself just got the black series fett as well as the 5 wave 3 figures including darth plagueis. The only vintage vehicles I have are the ESB version slave 1 and the 1997 sealed millennium falcon. Good luck on the resto bro.

LOL Thanks Jc....I must admit, I too have the Falcon still boxed (2012 Vintage collection I think), the Slave 1 and Biggs 2013 Vintage Collection X-wing ; ).

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Room for Yoda to raise an X-Wing...?

Thanks Kimelius! And ofcourse ; )...Actually the perspective will be from right ...a lateral view of X-wing in swamp, recessed land, incline to marsh lands, Yoda's hut/ Lukes training area etc.(y)
 
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Ok all, I've been gathering bits for Yoda's hut. As my reference I have been referring to not only the movie of course, but the "Complete Locations" book that I have. So far I have the "Sloth rug", a few dried-out sticks of "local habitat", in purchasing a few inexpensive "loose" figures which are complete w/ accessories I have acquired a candle, cooking pot, another cane and of course a back pack. Although Rob is double checking on the Cylinder and tree branch lever arm (that come w/ the vintage playset) does anyone have these items that they are willing to sale? I could use extra if in fact Rob and I don't have any luck in locating them. Thanks for following guys(y)
 
Alright guys, another quick update. Was able to get some of the textures down on the MASSIVE base LOL. I am still waiting on the "realistic water" which should be here tomorrow. For my colors I've used mostly model masters enamels and various craft soils for my mediums along w/ earth brown and concrete for my dry brushing. Thoughts are welcome.

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There is a store by my house that sells vintage toys. Next time i go I will ask if he has one of those play sets and the parts available for sale. I am in there all the time buying figures and comics so he will probably cut me a deal.
 
There is a store by my house that sells vintage toys. Next time i go I will ask if he has one of those play sets and the parts available for sale. I am in there all the time buying figures and comics so he will probably cut me a deal.
You are the man!...I actually just found a lever arm and tree branch in the UK...could still use extra though for sure(y) still need a cylinder...there tough to find!


Just took some new pics in the early AM light...

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Wow what a cool project, it's looking fantastic so far! Definitely keep us posted. As a fellow vintage collector, I'll definitely be watching this thread (y)
 
What a bunch of nerds....toys? The only reason I got the 12" sideshow Fett and the 12" snowtrooper is because I mistakenly put them in my shopping cart on eBay, and paid before I realized what had happened....

Seriously though, wish I had an entire room to deck out with this kind of collectibles.
 
Wow what a cool project, it's looking fantastic so far! Definitely keep us posted. As a fellow vintage collector, I'll definitely be watching this thread (y)

Thanks RKD! As soon as I lay the water ill dress it up and take some shots...(y)

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What a bunch of nerds....toys? The only reason I got the 12" sideshow Fett and the 12" snowtrooper is because I mistakenly put them in my shopping cart on eBay, and paid before I realized what had happened....

Seriously though, wish I had an entire room to deck out with this kind of collectibles.

AAAHHH LMAO!!!!! Thanks Syllander!(y)
 
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Sorry bro, no luck with the extra pieces. He said that he sold the only one he had a while ago and hasn't seen another or parts from one since.
 
Alright...Although I haven't completed the branch arm lever (waiting on my new air compressor) I wanted to give a prelim update as I completed the background. This was really a blast ; ).

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