Smaller scale Millenium Falcon (Model)

[d_jedi1]

I'm not sure exactly WHAT scale this build is.
When I was younger, I had the Echo Base model kit and it included a falcon that was approximately the same overall size as this, which I also had back then. (though the sidewalls were nowhere NEAR this tall)

https://i120.photobucket.com/albums/o176/d_jedi1/Millenium Falcon/P1130015.jpg
https://i120.photobucket.com/albums/o176/d_jedi1/Millenium Falcon/P1130016.jpg
https://i120.photobucket.com/albums/o176/d_jedi1/Millenium Falcon/P1130017.jpg
https://i120.photobucket.com/albums/o176/d_jedi1/Millenium Falcon/P1130018.jpg

I got this in the mail today, having made a purchase of both this and the revell pocket kit (which has yet to arrive) via Amazon.
As you can see, the walls are too high, it's moulded in a silver plastic and has been sprayed with silver paint. If you haven't seen this before, it's a watch-case and came with a C3P0 watch that I'll be giving to my nephew.
My goal is to use this as a starting point for getting my feet wet enough to feel comfortable with doing the revell pocket kit justice. I MAY add lights to it but haven't decided yet if I will.
I started by cutting it apart with my Razor saw.
https://i120.photobucket.com/albums/o176/d_jedi1/Millenium Falcon/P1130019.jpg

I removed details that were poorly moulded.
https://i120.photobucket.com/albums/o176/d_jedi1/Millenium Falcon/P1130020.jpg

 

[d_jedi1]

Here I'm trying to salvage the dish...
https://i120.photobucket.com/albums/o176/d_jedi1/Millenium Falcon/P1130024.jpg
https://i120.photobucket.com/albums/o176/d_jedi1/Millenium Falcon/P1130025.jpg
and thats where I am at the moment.
More updates will follow and once the Revell kit arrives, it will be added to the thread as well.

 

[darthviper107]

Hah, I had that thing. It was a case for an R2-D2 watch.

It's smaller than the 1/144 scale

 

[galactiboy]

What an odd looking ship... from the top not bad, but the sides Looking forward to seeing what you end up with

 

[elar]

Hi, I can recommend you Revell easy kit MF - [ame]https://www.amazon.com/Revell-EasyKit-Millenium-Falcon-Model/dp/B000FCOK4A/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1328644788&sr=8-3[/ame] - it will be better than this with less work! I have this one and I love it.

 

[thundergod]

I have one of those watch cases and have often considered doing some work on it , so I'll be watching your progress with interest ! I'm with Elar as far as the "pocket kit " goes as well , I think you'll be pleasantly surprised when you get it . I've the majority of the Revell kits , both "pocket " and "easy" versions and didn't have high hopes for the Falcon , as some of the smaller ships released at the same time ( Jedi Starfighter , Mauls ship and the Republic Gunship ) were a little disappointing compared to the earlier kits in the range . The Falcon though , is a little belter of a model and all it needs is a "wash" to bring out the ( genuinely impressive ) detail . It's size ( a couple of inches long ) make it great for diorama work .

 

[d_jedi1]

Thanks guys.
I could be wrong but I thought I mentioned the pocket kit in the first post?
I have one ordered from Amazon and it's on it's way. I got this one to get my modeling skills back on track BEFORE that one gets here.
If I screw this one up, I'm only out six bucks

I did a quick test fitting, it looks better but I still need to remove between 1:16" and 3:32"
https://i120.photobucket.com/albums/o176/d_jedi1/Millenium Falcon/P1130026.jpg
https://i120.photobucket.com/albums/o176/d_jedi1/Millenium Falcon/P1130027.jpg
https://i120.photobucket.com/albums/o176/d_jedi1/Millenium Falcon/P1130028.jpg

See what I mean? Still needs somewhere between 1:16 and 3:32 removed.

 

[d_jedi1]

Right, so thats done. I trimmed the sidewalls again. aside from leveling out my mistakes on the mandibles, I think I'm done with the trimming.
here it is taped up. Not glued mind you, just taped to mock-up how it'll look.
https://i120.photobucket.com/albums/o176/d_jedi1/Millenium Falcon/P1130030.jpg
https://i120.photobucket.com/albums/o176/d_jedi1/Millenium Falcon/P1130031.jpg
https://i120.photobucket.com/albums/o176/d_jedi1/Millenium Falcon/P1130032.jpg
https://i120.photobucket.com/albums/o176/d_jedi1/Millenium Falcon/P1130033.jpg

As you can see, it's already looking better (as far as thickness anyway)

https://i120.photobucket.com/albums/o176/d_jedi1/Millenium Falcon/P1130036.jpg
https://i120.photobucket.com/albums/o176/d_jedi1/Millenium Falcon/P1130037.jpg
https://i120.photobucket.com/albums/o176/d_jedi1/Millenium Falcon/P1130038.jpg

Next up, trying to open this mess...
https://i120.photobucket.com/albums/o176/d_jedi1/Millenium Falcon/P1130035.jpg

 

[d_jedi1]

I got a little more work done on it today.
I started by replacing the missing hull plates
https://i120.photobucket.com/albums/o176/d_jedi1/Millenium Falcon/P1130045.jpg
https://i120.photobucket.com/albums/o176/d_jedi1/Millenium Falcon/P1130046.jpg

I also worked on the dish a bit.
https://i120.photobucket.com/albums/o176/d_jedi1/Millenium Falcon/P1130047.jpg
https://i120.photobucket.com/albums/o176/d_jedi1/Millenium Falcon/P1130048.jpg

It's not accurate but close enough for this project.
Then I added the mandibles, the upper portions are now permanently mounted to the rest. I managed to hollow out that "tricky" section too.
When it had all cured, I filled some gaps, sanded those down and sprayed the parts with a flat-white primer.
at this point, it's dried enough that I feel comfortable doing a test-fit.

https://i120.photobucket.com/albums/o176/d_jedi1/Millenium Falcon/P1130050.jpg
https://i120.photobucket.com/albums/o176/d_jedi1/Millenium Falcon/P1130051.jpg
https://i120.photobucket.com/albums/o176/d_jedi1/Millenium Falcon/P1130052.jpg
https://i120.photobucket.com/albums/o176/d_jedi1/Millenium Falcon/P1130053.jpg

I can see some areas that still need work, some gaps that need filled but that's all I'm going to get done tonight.

 

[Doctor_B]

Very cool! Really nice transformation and it highlights what a nice sculpt that was there.

I got a little more work done on it today.
I started by replacing the missing hull plates

I also worked on the dish a bit.

It's not accurate but close enough for this project.
Then I added the mandibles, the upper portions are now permanently mounted to the rest. I managed to hollow out that "tricky" section too.
When it had all cured, I filled some gaps, sanded those down and sprayed the parts with a flat-white primer.
at this point, it's dried enough that I feel comfortable doing a test-fit.

I can see some areas that still need work, some gaps that need filled but that's all I'm going to get done tonight.

 

[OutLander]

I was a little skeptical when you started but after these last pictures it looks quite good with some nice detail. keep up the good work.

 

[Qrest Fourstar]

Funny how the fine detail is based on the old MPC kit.

 

[rakkasan7]

This is awesome. Can't wait to see this painted.

 

[jkno]

Great custom here! I like the details on this thing

 

[d_jedi1]

Thanks. I would post an update, but I've been out of state all weekend (with the model sitting on my work-table at home). Got to see some family I haven't seen for a while and saw a family member for the last time.
Looks like I'll be traveling to Illinois again VERY soon. Just not under as happy of circumstances.

 

[d_jedi1]

I FINALLY got back home after nearly five days away visiting family. I have a terminally ill relative and based upon the swiftness of their descent, I'll probably be making a return trip VERY soon.
I'm about to hit the sack but figured I should get some work done and post an update.
I started adding details to the ship tonight. first up, making the cockpit more accurate.

It's a little hard to make out, but I've added the missing struts from the window there.
You may notice that I have also started adding the sidewall details.

and I gave the engine section a grill.

Obviously, I still have a lot to do and I still need to work on the supports for the dish but that will all come in time.
Oh, one last thing. While I was away, my revell minikit pocket-falcon FINALLY hit town. I have to pick it up from the post-office in the morning.

 

[thundergod]

First of all d_jedi , I'm sorry to hear about your family member situation . Strangely , it's times like these that having a hobby to occupy you can be a very useful "therapy " . Anyway , nice work on the Falcon . As I've said , I've the same case/model and have often considered doing what you are doing and your results so far have inspired me to do so ! I'll be getting cracking this weekend so keep up the work so I can nick all your ideas !

 

[d_jedi1]

I'm adding the more recent images to a Flickr account and changing the older images to links. It won't bring back the photobucket ones until the end of the month but it should keep this from happening again next month.
While I'm here...

 

[d_jedi1]

Having been away, I didn't get much done on the watch-case Falcon.
I DID try weathering it up a bit, just to experiment.

"WHY did you (I) make so little progress on that one?" you ask.
Because I was busy going to town on the Easykit Pocket version.
I didn't take any WIP pics but here she is.

oh, did I mention that I added a light to the engine?

I feel like I need to add some more weathering but first I need to paint the odd panels that don't match the rest.

 

[d_jedi1]

I altered the engine deck so that it's removeable. It holds in place via rare earth magnets.

Before I sealed up the cockpit, I modified some 1:350th figures and made myself a Han and Chewie.(Somehow the upper hull managed to NOT stay flush with the trimmed sidewalls.)

A quick comparison... Obviously, the watch-case needs a better paint-job and re-weathered.