1:1 Millennium Falcon Cockpit Replica - Group Build

[SofaKing01]

So awesome!
Will I be able to get some shots in her at the Star Wars Celebration? I will be in my Han ESB costume. Just need to find a Wookie.

Hi C,

Thanks so much! We're making a lot of changes in prep for SWC! Good news... the Pit will be at SWC this April and will be open to the public but with 75,000 attendees, we're planning/giving access to a VERY limited number of people. Shoot me a PM!

If there is anybody from the RPF going to SWC, the closer we get to SWC (Mar) PLEASE send me a PM so we can get you on the list!

 

[Cameron]

Sent you a PM. On a side note, I live 20 minutes from the celebration and I will be there every day. If you need any help at all with set up, security, break down load in/out let me know. It would be my pleasure after all the joy you've given me sharing your build.

 

[THXBOY]

PM sent

 

[SofaKing01]

Hi Gang,

For those who missed it:

If there is anybody from the RPF going to SWC, the closer we get to SWC (MAR/APR) PLEASE send me a PM so we can get you on the list! Those who will be in costume as Han, Chew, Luke, Leia, Lando, Nein Numb and 3PO - you'll def get in for photo ops!

I'll send reminders over the next few months

CORRECTION: And Obi Wan!

 

[mvanwalks421]

^ Maybe Obi-Wan?

 

[bbmchl]

Dropping in to check in on progress. Excellent work! Wish I could be at SWC this year. Maybe next year.

Keep up the excellent work!

Mike

 

[pianomanpj]

Man, this build keeps blowing me away. :eek I only wish I didn't live so far away! :cry

Have you folks ever seen any of the original concept art for Star Wars? I just saw some at the following link. Sorry if you've seen this before, but I had to share!
http://www.slightlywarped.com/crapfactory/curiosities/2015/january/star_wars.htm

 

[jkno]

You really need to post pics from SWC when coming back!!

 

[TXarmory]

Hi Gang,

If there is anybody from the RPF going to SWC, the closer we get to SWC (MAR/APR) PLEASE send me a PM so we can get you on the list! Those who will be in costume as Han, Chew, Luke, Leia, Lando, Nein Numb and 3PO - you'll def get in for photo ops!

Sofa King, we are planning to take the X-34 Land Speeder and the T-47 Snow Speeder to SWC. Please put me down for four butts that would really love to sit in your Falcon. You, of course are welcome to take a ride in ours too. Who are you working with at SWC? I'll try to coordinate with them about if it is good or bad that we park all of the big hardware in one area or better to spread it out. I've not been to the Anaheim convention center before so I don't know it's layout and size constraints. Anyone able to speculate?

 

[SofaKing01]

Hi Gang,

It's UPDATE time! Spent the last few days working on the new console and other little things. With the panels off to be wired up for lighting I figured it was time to get back to work on the console and fix the warping issue.

But first... Greeblies

Painted these silver

Added them to these two boxes

Not quite sure what to do with this guy

Almost finished putting these on to the nose to add a little visual interest

Jessie then laser cut these little MDF donuts

Slid them onto the bolt for the handles

Which then slid into place on the lever. The donuts have to be adhered together and then a small bolt or screw will then feed through the handle and into the MDF, leaving the inner bolt to spin freely so the handles can rotate...

I spent a little time using a chisel breaking the two panels apart. I then placed them back onto the console to see exactly what was going and how to fix - bottom line - warping... UGH

So... add some shims and then hopefully everything will go back together

I wound up having to shave off part of the top instrument panel to fix some of the warping... this resulted in a little bit up overhang for the cover

That instrument panel cover got Jessie and I thinking... Do we permanently adhere the instrument panel top or make it so it can be removed. We didn't like the idea of having exposed screw heads. This would mean the guys would have to remove the entire panel to fix one little issue or replace a LED. So the top will be adhered into place just like all the other panels, but now we have to remove material from the back of the panels to allow access for wiring... WHEW...

Marking out what to cut

Top panel almost done

From the back

We're hoping this will be enough room for the guys to wire everything

Top and bottom finished

Now I just have to remove this area from the main console to allow for the throttle and nav screen wiring

More to Follow to Stay Tuned!

 

[Fuzzual]

"She's a beaut Clark!" Love the greeblies!

 

[SofaKing01]

Hi Gang,

More Console Updates!

As many of you know I stopped work on the new console because of the warping that plagued the instrument panels. After some much needed attention, the addition of shims and a some luck everything seems to be fixed and we're back on track!

Adding shims

Once everything was in place and the panels were bolted back together I simply took a knife, scored the shims and removed the extra

CRACK!

I then filled the areas with wood glue and clamped everything into position. When the wood glue dried I filled with wood filler

I then decided to bring the panel inside and mark up where the holes will be cut for the backlit 1" tiles

I grabbed my trusty tile guide

And marked out the areas...

I then sketched out a rough template for the "elbow" that would be adhered on the edges of the instruments panels

Making sure the new throttle housing still fits... whew!

It was time to mount to the panels to the cradle. The cradle will keep the panel in place when nestled in the console but it will also hold much of the new electronics

Looking from the bottom back side

Elbow is cut

It was then time to remove some over hang. Looking from the bottom back side

A lonely R2 unit sits and waits for some attention...

Both elbows have been cut and adhered into place. Time for some filler and TONS of sanding

These elbows will make the panels more sturdy and reduce flex - I HOPE!

The hardest part is going to be getting that center seam to look perfect!

From the bottom - note the cradle

Switched gears to the nose - I added a simple plate that would keep the nose in place

Looking from the bottom

It then slips into place. I still need to add braces to the sides to keep everything aligned

EWE... lots of sanding and filling! Where's my trusty primer filler?

After the filler had dried and some light sanding

Since I had to remove some material when I fixed the warp, I'm going to cover this back side with a strip of MDF or similar - I don't think Filler will do the trick since it's 3 pieces of MDF simply glued together

If all goes well today, I MIGHT be able to paint this afternoon or evening!

More to Follow!

 

[Luke the Belter]

It is so stunning.
You improve every piece you already build. Though everytime I read through your updates I think: "Wow...they build another cockpit...again :confused"
It's kind of confusing.
Kudos for your patience in doing this.

 

[SofaKing01]

Hi Gang,

As always I never get as far as I would have liked... but I was able to get SO MUCH done on the console! There were many areas around the entire console that had to be addressed with either filler or more material or in some cases both...

Adding primer/filler to the nose and instrument panels

Then it was time to address to all the areas around the console... This is the lower part of the nose. Before

During

During

After! 95% Complete

I decided to prime the entire instrument panel

Does anybody have any suggestions on how to solve this little issue? It's cracking right down the middle where the two panels meet. I'm debating whether just to scribe a line down the middle to remove the stress from the primer/filler and paint when it flexes. Any ideas?

GRRRR

Nose catching some rays - it was chilly 60 degrees! It was awesome

While all the filler/primer was drying I broke out these projects that have been collecting dust

I then worked on the console base - creating templates

Making sure the nose still fits - nice

Still a little more work to do on those corners...ugh

Everything is lining up

Created more support guides for the nose

From the top looking down on the instrument panel and nose

As you can see the instrument panels are several layers of MDF. It was time to address this issue - filler alone would not have worked

Cut a cover piece from MDF

Adhered with glue and braids

Time to sand down those edges nice and smooth then add some filler

While the filler was drying I removed this piece of the console to match the instrument cluster back panel - no wires will get crushed

I also mounted the lower console base - this sucker is HEAVY!

Time to sand some filler

Missed a few holes but the cover piece turned out really well. And it gives a little bulk and rigidity to the instrument panels

The nose piece simply slides into place

PERFECT! I love it when a plan finally comes together!

Now it's time to create some back covers/boxes for the new console!

Lots of room for electronic goodies!

Whew... HUGE kudos to Starkiller, Maruska and Philip for making console #2 come to life! Stay Tuned!

 

[SofaKing01]

Hi Gang,

UPDATE UPDATE UPDATE

Bad News! I chatted with the project lead last night and we are NOT going to SW Celebration. While the reasons remain unknown, it appears that many of the vendors and exhibitors are being scaled back and or dropped. The powers that be definitely left the door open for future events - that's a good thing!

Sorry gang... But not to worry. Work will continue and there are many many more shows in our future! As always, stay tuned!

 

[SofaKing01]

Dropping in to check in on progress. Excellent work! Wish I could be at SWC this year. Maybe next year.

Keep up the excellent work!

Mike

Hi M,

Thanks so much for the kind words! We were really hoping to show off the project at SWC - maybe next year.

- - - Updated - - -

Man, this build keeps blowing me away. :eek I only wish I didn't live so far away! :cry

Have you folks ever seen any of the original concept art for Star Wars? I just saw some at the following link. Sorry if you've seen this before, but I had to share!
http://www.slightlywarped.com/crapfactory/curiosities/2015/january/star_wars.htm

Hi P,

Thank you! We're doing our best to be as faithful to the original as possible (with a little tweaking here and there).

COOL LINK! I've never seen those before

- - - Updated - - -

You really need to post pics from SWC when coming back!!

Hi J,

You know we would have never gone to an event like SWC and NOT taken pics. They would have to lock me away on stupidity alone! However, as I stated above, we wont be going to SWC this year... sigh... But visit often, forward progress continues!

- - - Updated - - -

Sofa King, we are planning to take the X-34 Land Speeder and the T-47 Snow Speeder to SWC. Please put me down for four butts that would really love to sit in your Falcon. You, of course are welcome to take a ride in ours too. Who are you working with at SWC? I'll try to coordinate with them about if it is good or bad that we park all of the big hardware in one area or better to spread it out. I've not been to the Anaheim convention center before so I don't know it's layout and size constraints. Anyone able to speculate?

PM Sent

 

[mattkelly]

Aw no! I'm sure this news comes as a mixture of both severe disappointment and maybe a little relief. But overall, I'm sure it is a bummer.

 

[SofaKing01]

It is so stunning.
You improve every piece you already build. Though everytime I read through your updates I think: "Wow...they build another cockpit...again :confused"
It's kind of confusing.
Kudos for your patience in doing this.

Hi LtB,

Thanks so much! Kudos to the team for making the files CNC ready! That made ALL the difference in the world! The console you're looking at now is going to take the place of the older console. With all the mods we've done to the cockpit, it only makes sense to update the console to match. The older one will remain part of the project but it will be a stand alone prop - console, platform and chairs.

And to make things even more confusing... after cockpit #1 is finished, we're planning on building an entirely new cockpit once again taking advantage of the CNC. Everything will fit like a HUGE puzzle. No more guess work!

Stay tuned for more and thanks agin for the kind words!

- - - Updated - - -

Aw no! I'm sure this news comes as a mixture of both severe disappointment and maybe a little relief. But overall, I'm sure it is a bummer.

Hey M,

You are exactly right! Disappointment because I really enjoy chatting with all the fans and fellow builders. And I was looking forward to all the photo ops. Relieved... no more deadline! But it is a bummer in the bigest way! But there will be more shows/cons/events! And I'm not stopping the build any time soon!

 

[Fuzzual]

Thats a HUGE bummer about the show. You really deserved to show this beauty off, and I am personally bummed out to not get a chance to see it in person.

 

[knnyjay]

Hi, I'll try to head out to SWC, if I can get a replacement, while I'm gone from work

So, that I can check this awesome masterpiece in person.

Keep up the great work SK01 :thumbsup :thumbsup :thumbsup

Ken