Underlord's Falcon (WIP)

[Underlord]

Ok, I've been hoping to build this one for about a year, and I hope my skills are up to the task. I'm sure I'll learn as much from others during this group build as I learn from my own mistakes. LOL!

I'm starting with the MPC Return of the Jedi kit, adding:

Some 1/72 aircraft seats that look a little like the rear seats from the set.
Blue Moon sidewalls : http://starshipmodeler.biz/shop/index.cfm/product/625_42/amts-millennium-falcon-upgrade-set-sidewalls.cfm
Millennia Models International PE Grille Detail Set : http://starshipmodeler.biz/shop/index.cfm/product/623_42/amts-millennium-falcon-pe-grille-detail-set.cfm
Trilliance's gun turret / gun wells incl. interior, quad turbo laser cannon, and possibly added to a diorama if I have time, the ground crew. : http://www.triliance.de/index2.htm
Outerspace Outfitter's Falcon Lighting Panels : http://www.culttvmanshop.com/Falcon-Lighting-Panels-for-the-Revell-kit-from-Outer-Space-Outfitters_p_681.html
And Modeler's Brand light tape when it comes in!

I've recorded some video, and this is the first time for me with the how-to, lighting, aftermarket resin parts etc. I hope I can keep up! Of course Youtube had a problem converting my video file, so that will have to wait. Until then, here are some shots I took.

Here's the rear seats I found.


Marked up the bottom of the hull for drilling:


Here's a closer look at my marking. I used a sharpie pen and it smudged a few times.


Now... off to debug my youtube woes.

[Quaralane]

Looks like your version of the cockpit is off to a good start

[ModelMan]

Can't wait to see the LEDTape with engine grills!

[fumblethumbs]

1/72 aircraft seats...Of course!  Hope you don't mind if I blatantly rip off your idea Underlord.

[Underlord]

fumblethumbs: Isn't that why we're here!?  The seats I used were listed as AHM7169 GRU7A Ejection Seats for F-14A 1-72 Aires. Kinda pricey at just under $20 delivered, but the detail puts the rest of this model to shame. Too bad no one will see them through the cockpit plastic. I'm considering leaving the clear plastic out of the cockpit just like the filming miniature.

[Scott Girvan]

Looks awesome so far. This will be a great build. I'd clear parts off if I were you...don't wanna hide that detail.

[fumblethumbs]

Yep, those seats really look the part.  I like the way you have the size and colour of your lights marked out.  Great start on this one!

[Underlord]

I've got a LOT of cleaning to do. I've got tons of flash on both the MF and aftermarket parts. Next steps will be grinding the back of the rear seats down into the curve we're used to seeing, replacing the boxed in base of them with a stem (brass rod hasn't come in yet). While I'm waiting for the rod, I'll be test-fitting the blue moon sidewalls. I'm planning on using a combination of Aves Apoxie Sculpt and Zap-A-Gap CA to install the sidewalls. Any thoughts?

I've got a bit of a furnace problem, so no more work for this weekend. We'll see what I can get done on Wednesday night.

[Scott Girvan]

CA and Aves should work just fine. CA to tack in place and AVES for the long haul.

Good idea...I think I'll do the same with Falcon Kits.

[Underlord]

Ok, a little more work tonight... just HAD to

Removed the heavy back and base of the rear seats. Still not accurate, but good enough for me.


and a quick tape-up to measure for the scratch forward console.


I'm going to be printing out the forward console based on the CGI references that Scott posted.

[Grendels]

Aves will act as a glue if you give it enough curing time.  I don't think the hold is as strong as epoxy however.   If I had to judge, it is a bit weaker than CA.

[scratchy]

That's a nice looking cockpit, nice work with the back chairs. 

[Solander]

The chairs look great indeed, like the whole cockpit as well. Nice job!

[Scott Girvan]

Yup! Looking killer.

[Underlord]

You guys are totally stellar! Thanks for all the encouragement!

In other news... my Modeler's Brand light tape came in today!!