I must admit I miss doing this type of work. This was absolutely FUN!! Utilizing a screen capture from the Star Wars film “The Force Awakens”, I also utilized my Blue Screen photos of the Dan Grumeretz build of the 1/24 KORBANTH T-70 X-Wing that the character Poe Dameron flew in that same film.
ILM paved the way to do these type of things… and Photoshop is one of the tools that came from their excellence.
Below is the Blue Screen Photo I used to re-create this scene. Click on the photo to be taken to the full set of Blue Screen Photos of this Model
The Black T-70 X-Wing turned out fantastic by artist Dan Grumeretz. To my knowledge, this is the world’s first 1/24 build to be completed and shown publicly. It was a pleasure to photograph, and now resides in the collection here for all to view.
This began life a few years ago with a Pattern being made by Artist Richard Long. A few years later Richard sold me the incomplete Patterns of which I in turn, gave them to the owner of KORBANTH Sabers Props & Models (Randy Johnson) to finish and offer parts from, that all may enjoy this model. Randy gave them to one of his Kit Makers, artist Mark Worley, and it was Mark that finished the pattern, adding details to it before making molds of it. Eventually the first set of parts came out of those molds. Because I purchased the patterns originally, I received cast numbers 1, 2 & 3 of this fine offering. What you see here is number 1 that I asked artist Dan Grumeretz to turn into Poe Dameron’s BLACK X-Wing Fighter. In the film “The Last Jedi” there was an addition to the rear of the X-Wing added…. a TURBO Booster Engine. Both Mark and Dan went to work to produce this excellent add on that we made interchangeable with the original by adding magnets to the part.
A beautiful job by all. I wish to thank Richard Long, Randy Johnson, Mark Worley, and Dan Grumeretz for helping bring this miniature to life, and to the public.
Above: Kurt Kuhn with the 1/24 Poe Dameron “Black” T-70 X-Wing
Model Information
Current Owner: Kurt Kuhn of Kuhn Global, Inc.
Build Artist: Dan Grumeretz of Grumeretz, LLC
Parts Once Offered By: Korbanth Sabers, Models & Props
Pattern Work: Richard Long & Mark Worley
~Hours Vested to Final Display: 250
Total Vested Cost: Unknown
Current Estimated Value: $2,800 USD
Current Appraised Value: TBD
Built to display with either The Last Jedi Booster Engine, or the original The Force Awakens look.
Standing nearly 38 Inches Tall (while walking), this beautiful Imperial Walker is the second I have had in my Collection. The first was built by artist Mark Elkins, and resides today in a major Collection in Hong Kong. This fine piece seen here was made from Parts created by artist Mike Salzo, then beautifully built by artist Dan Grumeretz to resemble what we viewed in the 1980 film, Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back! This build of this specific model actually is it’s second incarnation of the model. We originally had it positioned to be like the AT-AT that we see stepping back with it’s left rear leg, and turning it’s head to the left in order to shoot down a Rebel Snowspeeder. That position was simply to hard for the model to hold in a display, as it placed much pressure on the right rear leg for nearly three years before we decided to make that change. It was best in order to preserve the strength integrity of the model. The reason it was originally positioned like that is due to it being part of a huge diorama that never came to be…. a 20 foot by 20 foot Hoth Snow Battle Scene. We have two more Salzo 1:24 AT-AT’s that have yet to be built that were to be included in this scene. I am sorry to report that I am simply unable to follow through with said display at this time. It is well, because these AT-AT’s stand as AWESOME displays on their own. Now this piece is obviously stomping it’s way forward. It’s right-front leg lifted toward it’s next step, and it’s head looking slightly to its left as it scans the horizon for Rebel activity. It is ominous in every way. Mike Salzo did fantastic work in his creation of these parts, and Dan Grumeretz brought it to life for me… twice! The cockpit window glows read with the push of a button hidden among the details on it’s back. Inside we see actual slides of the two AT-AT Pilot’s driving the beast as General Veers stands behind them in the center. The weathering is purposefully done using 1970’s ILM techniques to make it look like the original filming miniatures. Early ILM techniques are world-class (truly legendary), as those amazing model makers changed everything for the art form and industry world-wide in the works they produced. I am eternally grateful of them. Dan has done what he always does, and made it look classically marvelous utilizing their proven techniques. I LOVE THIS PIECE!
Kurt Kuhn Kuhn Global Incorporated
Model Information
Current Owner: Kurt Kuhn of Kuhn Global, Inc.
Parts Master Artist: Mike Salzo
Build Artist: Dan Grumeretz
Blue Screen Photographer: Kurt Kuhn of Kuhn Global
~Hours Vested to Final Display: ~160
Total Vested Cost of Development and Build: Unknown
I had originally shown these reference photos on Modelers Miniatures & Magic back on January 5, 2009… and if I am remembering correctly, even earlier on the professional modeling board Resin Illuminati when I owned it back then. That stated, as of today’s date of showing them here, I reflect on how many years I have been doing such things. Around the year 1998 is when I began to collect Studio Model Reference for those models I would end up recreating for display here. One of those models was the K’Ronos One from Star Trek The Undiscovered Country. This K’Tinga Class ship was made to be a very ornate model to differ itself from that of The Motion Picture K’Tinga we all loved. This particular incarnation of this design was the Flagship of the Klingon Empire that carried Chancellor Gorkon (the ruler of the Klingon Empire in that timeline).
These studio model photos were taken years ago by artist’s Jim Creveling (first set), the late Mark Dickson (second set), with the third set by a yet unidentified person. I am thankful to each for allowing me to show these back then… and today on several of my sites, including this one.
Being that there are a few kits, in a few scales being released soon of this model, I thought I might accumulate a few screen captures off the internet for paint reference for all to utilize. There are a few shots.. from FatHead… to new concept art, and of course the screen caps.
I was hoping to grab many more, but time has been challenging lately. Hopefully I will get back to this soon. These are mostly from the Bonus Blu-Ray Disc. I thought everyone would like to view the different pilot helmets, and early digital versions of the T-70. Enjoy!!
Kurt Kuhn Kuhn Global Modeler’s Miniatures & Magic
Many of you saw this model last May as Dan Grumeretz completed the build from the parts made by NICE-N Model Designs. He brought it over for Blue Screen photos last July, and we just now time to do something with them. We had moved just before that time. That stated, this is the second parts kit produced by NICE-N as Steve Neisen himself was going to build it for the collection here, and upon going to work for Disney, the build transferred to one of our own artist’s… Dan Grumertez. Only a handful of these currently exist. As for the photos, please pardon the model lighting starbursts…. during the move I had misplaced a filter. We hope you enjoy the shots of this beautiful model.
Kurt Kuhn
Kuhn Global, Inc.
Modeler’s Miniatures & Magic
Kurt Kuhn & Dan Grumeretz with the Star Trek III Studio Scale Klingon Bird of Prey Replica
Wings are manually positioned.
Model Information
Current Owner: Kurt Kuhn of Kuhn Global, Inc.
Klingon Bird of Prey Designed by: Nilo Rodis
Parts Master Artist: Steve Neisen
Build Artist: Dan Grumeretz
Blue Screen Photographer: Kurt Kuhn of Kuhn Global
~Hours Vested to Final Display: 500
Total Vested Cost of Development and Build: Unknown
Missing only the Battlestar Triton from the Peace Envoy at CIMTAR (the openings of the original Battlestar Galactica series and film), here are the other four that were built and painted from the Salzo kits by artists Dan Grumeretz and Marc Elkins. They include the Battlestar’s Galactica, Atlantia, Pacifica and Acropolis. All painted differently to identify them each by their color scheme and detail. Dan and I were in a rush that day, and set these up quickly in my home office. Thus the unfinished shots never came to be. Never the less… I thought we’d share a few shots quickly taken that day. Please remember that this is my home office…and not truly set up for this… LOL. Of note: The mystery Battlestar seen in a few shots is the study model originally starting it’s life for the upcoming Singer/DeSanto Battlestar Galactica film, and with a few ownership agreement issues, and with even more design changes, then became for the Kuhn Global Productions, Battlestar Galactica origin story of “13”.
Kurt Kuhn
Kuhn Global, Inc.
Modeler’s Miniatures & Magic
EACH Battlestar pictured has a 2016 Modeler Magic appraised value of $15,000 USD
“Available in November 2014 exclusively at Walmart stores and Walmart.com, the massive Star Wars Hero Series Millennium Falcon (approximate retail price of $59.99) measures over two-feet-long, and features a rotating radar dish and moving cannon. Check out the gallery below for a special early look at the fastest — and biggest — hunk of junk in the galaxy.”
ABOVE: The Original Toy Promotional Photos from Walmart.
The above statements and photos were shown on StarWars.com when this amazing toy was going to be made available through the U.S. based company of Walmart in 2014. This would be the first time a large scale Millennium Falcon toy would be offered that was scaled correctly to itself, not misshapen in some way for action figures to fit, and was only a few inches shy of being studio scale! It’s length being approximately 28″ makes this piece a solid 1/48 scale replica once it was remade by Marc Elkins. So many model builders and model makers grabbed up as many of these as they could, as we all knew it was a gift that was not going to be offered forever. With the price stated above, one simply could not lose. It was a great toy for everyone, and now it would make great displays for those who would turn them into something much more… like this one shown here today.
Using the main hull of the toy, Marc obtained the parts enhancement kit that Randy Cooper created just for this toy’s conversion, as well as the fantastic 3D printed cockpit from 308 Bits which fit perfectly. Lets face it, for any discerning person in this art form, a toy is still a toy until one adds the correct details and and properly weathered paint and body work that makes a museum replica magically appear. A toy is essentially a model made for playtime, no matter what age one may be. Marc worked his great talents on this piece, making it shine. From the interior and mandible lighting, to its engines… this is an amazing piece, complete with enhanced weathered damage and markings that make the Millennium Falcon truly appear. The photos show up close shots of his fine detailed work. Even the Kool Shade covered intakes are done beautifully. The turrets look beautiful, and they move appropriately. Marc even placed the barrel holes in these tiny cannon parts. As you look at the photos, you will notice that I turned the turret cannons upside down so that the top ‘bump’ part actually sits toward the canopy when the turrets are not in use. I had to do this because of the positioning of the turret mount itself. When they are placed right side up, with the ‘bump’ part on the top, the cannons sit with the barrels angled upward, taking away from the proper look of the Millennium Falcon whether in flight, or landed. Turning that part over allowed the the turret barrels to sit more correctly, and though not perfectly,… it looks marvelous. I wish to thank Marc Elkins for his amazing work, and Randy Cooper and Antonio Regidor of 308 Bits for their making enhancement parts for this magnificent piece. I also wish to thank Hasbro and Disney for making this great toy in the proper shape that we all love. Finding one of these toys is now rare… and they are very valuable on their own, especially after a conversion like this. I recommend grabbing one if you find one.
Kurt Kuhn Kuhn Global Incorporated
ABOVE: Kurt Kuhn with the 1:48 Millennium Falcon
Model Information
Scale & Size: 1:48 at ~28″ Long X ~20″ Wide.
Current Owner: Kurt Kuhn of Kuhn Global, Inc.
Build Artist: Marc Elkins
Blue Screen Photos by: Kurt Kuhn of Kuhn Global, Inc.
Parts Offered By: Hasbro, Randy Cooper, 308 Bits
Pattern Work: Hasbro, Randy Cooper, 308 Bits, Marc Elkins
During the building of Battlestar’s Atlantia, Galactica, and Pacifica, artist Dan Grumeretz took a few photos, one of which I used to create the Composite you see below. The Vipers are actually R.L. Bleecker builds from my own Collection and Blue Screen photos. If you look very closely, you will see three of those Vipers landing on Atlantia…. with two coming in further back. They nearly look like dots, don’t they? Also, much closer we see a set of three off the port side of Galactica, with two even more close toward Galactica’s aft area. I felt adding these elements gave it a more realistic feel.
Kurt Kuhn
Kuhn Global Inc.
Modeler’s Miniatures & Magic
