Inspiration:
I always considered myself a casual Star Wars fan: I watched the original trilogy on VHS multiple times and every movie in the prequel and sequel series in theaters. It wasn't until Episode II: Attack of the Clones came out alongside the original Star Wars Battlefront I and II that I took a deeper interest in the story, especially the Clones themselves. The Clone War is my favorite era - full scale campaigns with sides of comparable power fighting against the other. The Clones' stories as individuals trained to be soldiers without the freedom and choice in the matter. In trying to absorb as much media as possible, I read the Star Wars: Republic Commando series twice, because it finally told the story from the Clone perspective. I am currently watching the Star Wars Clone Wars animated TV show which is giving me a similar sense.
I was ecstatic when Bandai announced their intention to make the Clone Trooper. Their design has always spoken to me, especially their Phase I helmet and gear. The kit being a blank slate also gives us modelers the opportunity to customize it as we see fit. One of the issues when it was first released was actually getting the kit though - no American/US shop seemed to sell it and the import of it (and many other Bandai Star Wars kits) seemed to be banned for a while. It wasn't until a few years after its release that I found one at Discount Hobby Warehouse in San Diego, CA
In my curiousity about the kit, I looked up reviews online and found a few modelers. The one that got me most excited was IC Model Kits and Sculpts's "How to make your Bandai Clone Trooper Look Like a SideShow Figure" video (unfortunately, he has taken down the video). After watching this multiples times, looking at the process and techniques, I was ready to tackle my own.
Now, while I had the option to pick one of the many trooper designs and color schemes, I elected to keep the Clone Trooper in Phase I with no decoration, because I wanted this to represent the Trooper's first sortie in the Battle of Geonosis.
Now, while I had the option to pick one of the many trooper designs and color schemes, I elected to keep the Clone Trooper in Phase I with no decoration, because I wanted this to represent the Trooper's first sortie in the Battle of Geonosis.
