Monday, April 22, 2013

Steam-Powered AT-AT Enjoys Hunting Rebel Forces, Long Walks On The Beach

I usually reserve my steampunk finds for Saturdays, but it's rare that I get to debut something this awesome before all the other big sites out there, so you'll have to indulge me:

Behold, Captain Bayley's Infernal Mechano-Perambulator!

[Who else heard that in Dr. Doofenschmirtz's voice? Just me?]

This is Caroline L.'s engagement present from her fiance, Mark, who made it from a vintage AT-AT toy and is CLEARLY a keeper. Just saying, Caroline. But I guess you already knew that. :)



Caroline writes,
  
"Each one of those rivets was cut out with a punch and applied with tweezers, and we both lost track of the number of coats of spray paint he used to get that gorgeous patina before washing it down and creating the stains and drips. He made the narwhal horn on the front as well. It's hard to see but the legs and feet are covered in seaweed and barnacles - I can just imagine it tramping up and down the coastline, or standing in a harbour next to a crumbling pier."

Wow. I can't get over how great that finish looks! And I especially love the Widow's Walk on top:


Hey Caroline, any chance Mark will post a paint tutorial? Because I have a baby AT-AT here on my desk that's just BEGGING for a steampunk make-over now. :D


Watch Mark's Flickr page this week for more photos of the IMP. They're not up as of this writing, but Caroline assures me they'll be there soon. [Warning: there are mildly gory special-affects makeup pics on that stream, so don't click if you're squeamish.]

[UPDATE: Direct link to those photos here!]

Thanks for sharing the awesomeness, Caroline!

14 comments:

  1. Wow. That is amazing. It really looks like it came from the bottom of the sea!

    (And part of the Captcha I was just supposed to use included 1337. Just needed to share...)

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  2. OMG - totally amazeballs!!! I want one.

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  3. Color me green with envy!!!!!!!!!

    They should figure out a way to use him as a ring bearer for the ceremony!

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  4. >_>
    Not only did I hear Doofenschmirtz's voice; my brain added an "-inator" on to the end..

    <_<
    >_>
    CURSE YOU JEN THE BLOGGER!

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  5. *sings* Doofenschmirtz Evil Incorporated! Lol.

    I suspect when I show this to my husband the planning will begin, haha! Oh and we have a steampunk project in the works that I hope we can finish sometime this lifetime so we can share it. I'm so excited for it. :D

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  6. Superb work. impressive most impressive, Ive 8 vintage ATAT toys myself.

    This is a modern one not vintage. but amazing none the less.

    heres what I did with mine last winter.

    http://www.jedinews.co.uk/news/news.aspx?newsID=10025

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  7. I am sitting here with my jaw dropped at the amazing beauty and craftsmanship of this piece. Wow. Words just don't to it justice.

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  8. Thanks so much for sharing Mark's beautiful work!

    He has updated his flickr feed with some more pictures of the IMP. Here is a direct link to the photo set (you can bypass the slightly gory special effects make up!):

    http://www.flickr.com/photos/93391952@N04/sets/72157633303852415/

    Also, we have a little bit of extra backstory on our blog, here: http://badgerandowl.blogspot.co.uk/

    -Caroline L

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  9. WHAT. That is beautiful and amazing. OH MY.
    And halfway through the phrase his voice kicked in. We're not Disney nerds at all! ;)

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  10. Jen,

    So this is what happens to an AT-AT when the ice planet of Hoth defrosts? Just too cool!

    Maureen

    P.S. It was great to see you in Pittsburgh!

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  11. Ha, that could be right out of Leviathan.

    Seriously though, vintage Star Wars? Grr.

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  12. "Why yes, yes I did" {hear that in Doofenschmirtz's voice}

    Methinks P&F should do a steampunk ep.....

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