1:1 Millennium Falcon Cockpit Replica - Group Build

I still love the progress no matter how small it is... Sometimes a little breathing break and letting your brain works in the background to get ready for another BIG step forward!! Who says that passion has to be always at the fastest pace possible??
 
Hi Gang,

Just a quick morning update...

I re-designed and cut these pieces
20170508_152351_zpspbwllm2c.jpg


Skinned another pedestal
20170508_155736_zps3whr3l78.jpg


20170508_164248_zpszkroeb1s.jpg


The circles I laser cut will simply cover the edges of the holes
20170508_155816_zpsrrs2kdly.jpg


I cut new backer plates
20170508_160638_zpso9aqlhrq.jpg


Slightly shorter
20170508_160634_zpslqfna62y.jpg


Let's adhere everything together
20170508_162849_zpsvl0tk7pq.jpg


Add some eyeballs
20170508_163326_zpshmqnwgy3.jpg


Add some primer
20170508_164223_zps1ydvouvq.jpg


20170508_164229_zpswxy4jk78.jpg


20170508_164220_zpsyhsyssxf.jpg


I wound up having to recut these - anther ugh moment
20170508_153430_zpsndgrt4kl.jpg


More sanding and filling on other misc panels
20170508_164412_zpskyovzs65.jpg


Fixing cracks
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No matter the steps you take you always find small errors!
20170508_170946_zpsomgop5jl.jpg


20170508_171254_zpsaukjuuzl.jpg


:facepalm
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I then adhered these beauty rings in place
20170508_165228_zps7bintodd.jpg


20170508_165243_zpsqak7l47l.jpg


20170508_165259_zpsnzrwliri.jpg


I thought this was a cool pic with the sunlight
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And this is where we are!
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More to follow so stay tuned! :)
 
Great update SK -your slow weekends are the equivalent of my productive ones. :)

Caught Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 2 this weekend. Don't know if you've seen it yet, but there's a scene where Rocket is tied to a chair and, after watching your build, it's a very obvious ejection seat. I'm guessing more modern than the ones you're creating, but the lineage is very obvious.

Thanks SB! I have to laugh about Saturday. It felt like a "limbo" day...

Haven't caught GotG yet. I like it when designers use real world objects to dress sets. Makes it easier for us! Sometimes! ;)

- - - Updated - - -

Looking good Sofaking01. Looking good

Thank you, Sir! :)

- - - Updated - - -

I still love the progress no matter how small it is... Sometimes a little breathing break and letting your brain works in the background to get ready for another BIG step forward!! Who says that passion has to be always at the fastest pace possible??

Hey D,

Thank you so much and I appreciate the continued support!

I couldn't have said it better myself. I think my brain was trying to tell me something. I just have to go with the flow! :)
 
Another amazing update!

Looking at all those gorgeous in-progress shots, I realize what makes some of these so amazing are the partly shiny, partly matte surfaces when the paint is drying. At work, a lot of old machinery is being dragged out these days, and I've been taking mental notes on the surfaces. Heavily used surfaces that are either very shiny or very matte will often wear to a semi-gloss. Would it be an idea to use a rattle can to patch-wise either matte down parts of the high gloss paint or shine up some of the matt stuff to simulate the effect of wear? I was particularly thinking about the chair lauch tubes, which are large surfaces without much detail to distract the eye.
 
Looking very good Sofa...and yes, when screwing into solid wood/MDF , I always use a clamp to make sure it's holding the sides (no splitting that way);)
 
Actually you don't have to use a clamp to screw into wood if you drill a pilot hole. A drill removes material, a screw just pushes it to the side. Of coarse, drill a small enough hole that the threads can bite.
 
I understand 13doctorwho...but I was never lucky, even when pre-drilling a hole prior to insert the screw (especially MDF);)
 
Hi Gang,

Another quick morning update! I spent an hour or so at the shop and jumped all over playing catch up on a few things. I want to work on the other two chairs at the same time. So...

I fixed the cracks in the headrest
20170509_170347_zpswqsxkrzn.jpg


I've started the process of mounting all the greeblies to the frames
20170509_172259_zpsnqfuvdck.jpg


I painted the new parts
20170509_172317_zpsq54hrtlt.jpg


Drilled the holes in the 3rd frame
20170509_172538_zpsbrbpdyqd.jpg


20170509_172551_zps2ye5tbrg.jpg


Nice and clean
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On both sides! ;)
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Sanded the filler and gave the entire chair a light sanding before adding paint
20170509_174932_zpsvfwsg3q4.jpg


1st of several coats
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20170509_175559_zpsoxv9jeam.jpg


Let's mount some greeblies!
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3rd chair frame in place
20170509_182828_zps4cuq3xeu.jpg


20170509_182836_zpsppr2oerk.jpg


Slowly coming along
20170509_183038_zps2sxecqpe.jpg


And this is where I left things...
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More to follow!
 
Another amazing update!

Looking at all those gorgeous in-progress shots, I realize what makes some of these so amazing are the partly shiny, partly matte surfaces when the paint is drying. At work, a lot of old machinery is being dragged out these days, and I've been taking mental notes on the surfaces. Heavily used surfaces that are either very shiny or very matte will often wear to a semi-gloss. Would it be an idea to use a rattle can to patch-wise either matte down parts of the high gloss paint or shine up some of the matt stuff to simulate the effect of wear? I was particularly thinking about the chair lauch tubes, which are large surfaces without much detail to distract the eye.

Thank you, Sir! :)

Any high gloss pics you see of paint are all fresh out of the can. I don't use any gloss, high-gloss or even satin finishes (expect on the cockpit panels). I use only "Flat" paints. The silver does have a natural metallic gloss to the finish but usually tamper that down when I weather. Even the silver trim around the nav chair panels will be repainted and weathered.

However, your idea of adding "Gloss" to simulate "low traffic/wear and tear" is VERY interesting. I wonder how the ejection tube would look if it had a satin or gloss finish to it? HMMMMMMM

I LIKE IT!

- - - Updated - - -

Looking very good Sofa...and yes, when screwing into solid wood/MDF , I always use a clamp to make sure it's holding the sides (no splitting that way);)

Hey J,

I did drill a pilot hole before screwing the angle bracket in place. I thought the bit was larger enough... :facepalm

- - - Updated - - -

Actually you don't have to use a clamp to screw into wood if you drill a pilot hole. A drill removes material, a screw just pushes it to the side. Of coarse, drill a small enough hole that the threads can bite.

That is exactly right! Unfortunately, the bit I used was too small. I needed the hole to be wide enough to accept the screw post and barely catch the threads. I just wasn't thinking. Bad me!

- - - Updated - - -

I understand 13doctorwho...but I was never lucky, even when pre-drilling a hole prior to insert the screw (especially MDF);)

MDF is one of those tricky materials to work with. Depending on the vendor you can have a perfect piece of MDF or you can have a piece that has not enough or way too much adhesive making laser cutting a nightmare. I've even seen some MDF so brittle in some areas it literally fell apart in my hands.
 
Hi SK!

While browsing for motion simulators (a crazy idea of mine involving a "Banshee" from Avatar and VR) I stumbled upon this video:

And it got me thinking: you made a superb job on the Falcon cockpit, but did you ever though about setting it up so that it could mimic the Falcon's flight? like the greebles and gadgets actually made something work? it would be amazing to not just walk into the Falcon (you got that down to a T!) but if you were to turn it on and take off (lights and sound included). Maybe it is worth 5 minutes of discussion, and I don't mean to hijack your thread, maybe not, but one can only wonder, and with the new Star Wars Land coming up which will supposedly have a flyable Falcon, maybe you could be one step ahead of Disney here.

Cheers buddy!
 
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Thinking like that is definitely a bruce thing I have previously made same suggestion I've also suggested changing the glass panels of the windows to tv screens so as you can play clips of the falcon flying (like approaching death star)
 
Thinking like that is definitely a bruce thing I have previously made same suggestion I've also suggested changing the glass panels of the windows to tv screens so as you can play clips of the falcon flying (like approaching death star)

Nice idea, although besides the tv-as-windows, I would also like to see the greebles actually DO something, trigger things, lights and sounds.
 
Hi Gang,

Time for another one of those updates again! ;) Let's jump right to it!

First, I accidentally broke a piece... ugh
20170513_071028_zpseid9xezp.jpg


No worries...
20170513_071048_zpsnnrk8sny.jpg


20170513_091909_zpszdyixujy.jpg


While the paint dried I weathered the new assemblies
20170513_082252_zpsxye0kkqp.jpg


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And dry fit into position
20170513_082309_zps5il86dct.jpg


20170513_090848_zps1orxbyvi.jpg


20170513_090852_zpscswpluio.jpg


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Interior side mounting plates
20170513_091857_zpspn1ekrqb.jpg


From above and in position
20170513_100639_zpsk3ewawqo.jpg


20170513_100649_zpskqo92aer.jpg


20170513_100630_zps1f8b4n9q.jpg


I masked off the 3rd and final headrest
20170513_104202_zpswmmrkruw.jpg


Painted
20170513_104308_zps4mf9eah2.jpg


Dry fit
20170513_105516_zpsqltfvlsz.jpg


20170513_105523_zps6viuenyu.jpg


Bolted in place
20170513_105531_zps1ucaxcn2.jpg


Looking through more images of the real ejection seat I noticed this little detail
20170513_111759_zpsi86vanf6.jpg


20170513_111948_zpsdkb3cttl.jpg


Add some eyes
20170513_112254_zpss4vqgxv3.jpg


Primer
20170513_112402_zpscygcvmdz.jpg


20170513_112408_zps8r78jpfi.jpg


Paint
20170513_122400_zpsg26ooner.jpg


Time to mount and weather!
20170513_135709_zps4nov4vhe.jpg


20170513_140006_zpso9gmpjxc.jpg


20170513_140012_zpsnbk4iq5x.jpg


20170513_140017_zpsdspecqhq.jpg


Love this photo! DEF needs more weathering
20170513_140719_zpsjoxvyknd.jpg


Laser cut these new guide plates for the nacelles
20170513_141700_zpsreapdobk.jpg


20170513_141707_zpsikd12vts.jpg


20170513_142053_zpscatjxj9w.jpg


20170513_153754_zpswxpdnzqd.jpg


Paint
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I laser cut new nacelle covers and dented these guys up a little to see how it looks - what do you all think? :)
20170513_153757_zpsqeewvli0.jpg


20170513_173226_zpsbgj9b1es.jpg


Silver
20170513_175836_zpsducybgvh.jpg


20170513_175844_zpsgzbtev1i.jpg


Before weathering
20170513_183859_zps4wgpiaku.jpg


After
20170513_183943_zpsqq4owwor.jpg


Dented versions on the bottom. Yes? No?
20170513_184329_zpsxbidps2g.jpg


I laser cut more nacelle guides
20170513_154235_zpskqegjrcd.jpg


20170513_154242_zpsyonudqm6.jpg


20170513_161143_zpsaxwgrvdm.jpg


Primer
20170514_123556_zps4fyt4lky.jpg


Paint
20170514_133735_zps7veapqyy.jpg


Inspired by fellow RPFer Fuzz, I decided to give a try at using rubber cement as a way to give the appearance of chipped paint. I painted the edges of the panel black
20170514_101044_zpsvmvjux4z.jpg


Broke out the rubber cement and dabbed it on as if items had hit the edges
20170514_101049_zpsk605thxf.jpg


Plop Plop Plop
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Waited for the rubber cement to dry then sprayed with silver
20170514_132652_zps4gdpuuau.jpg


When the silver dried I simply rubbed off the rubber cement! And Ta-Da!
20170514_132753_zpsm2vyynog.jpg


YUCK! It looks like dripped paint!
20170514_132759_zpsp8wbyr3u.jpg


However... A+ technique... F for execution!
20170514_132929_zpsu8jc7tf4.jpg


Some areas look good. I need to be MUCH MORE careful with how the cement is applied
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I'll sand smooth and start over :)
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This angle gives a better idea how I want it to look
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I cut these nacelle extenders
20170514_111952_zpsczanwi6v.jpg


The original idea was to have the interior of the nacelle tips exposed but the covers I created took that away so I cut solid pieces and adhered into place
20170514_115651_zps3h0cqyxe.jpg


20170514_115657_zpszujwanyy.jpg


Work continues on the ejection tube cap / guide
20170513_095455_zpsu6lrh7bt.jpg


Still lots of filler required
20170513_095500_zpsht0ywvz8.jpg


Told ya! ;)
20170513_115537_zps7gexw6ts.jpg


Its a never ending process
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I really like this piece but I'm not sure if I can put it into it correct position
20170514_111954_zpsqoz2pbpz.jpg


It attaches to the ejection tube and can be seen only from the back
20170514_115201_zpsbascwsx7.jpg


There is a vertical plate
20170514_115208_zpsuqirprir.jpg


20170514_115215_zpsehfmfbx0.jpg


More on this guy later! ;)
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Finally... work continues on the pedestals
20170513_072112_zpseuuwcc2v.jpg


Added all the skins
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Filler
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PRIMER! That's a good sign!
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20170513_173216_zpsh7ewojhc.jpg


I then had an idea... we DEF want to add more sound to the cockpit and these pedestals would make a GREAT bass housing! So I designed and laser cut these
20170514_112603_zpsgwpfigna.jpg


What the heck is this?
20170514_112825_zpslzp4pjfc.jpg


Not only a pedestal detail but also a speaker grill!
20170514_113307_zpsn09kpuos.jpg


20170514_124515_zpsomozoara.jpg


2 More
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Back side
20170514_125053_zpss8rllsn4.jpg


Front
20170514_125057_zpsrrlpn0h9.jpg


20170514_125417_zpscur6sfv4.jpg


Primed!
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Paint
20170514_133739_zpsagzp6ld8.jpg


20170514_144346_zps0jbk8yst.jpg


Finishing up this one pedestal
20170514_150957_zpsteu7xcxk.jpg


Beauty rings
20170514_162619_zpsueilomht.jpg


Paint
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Grills temp in place... what do you guys/gals think? Yes? No?
20170514_165624_zpsigoqctmh.jpg


20170514_170511_zpsfhzws9uz.jpg


I still have to cover the front / back sides
20170514_170521_zpsswncv4dm.jpg


20170514_170525_zps1uqnuknt.jpg


20170514_170612_zpsssugme1v.jpg


And this...
20170514_172024_zpsbuxegzyd.jpg


Is where we are!
20170514_170559_zpsxtm7eslp.jpg


Stay Tuned! More to follow! :)
 
Hi SK!

While browsing for motion simulators (a crazy idea of mine involving a "Banshee" from Avatar and VR) I stumbled upon this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FV8PMwbGh08?t=10m40s

And it got me thinking: you made a superb job on the Falcon cockpit, but did you ever though about setting it up so that it could mimic the Falcon's flight? like the greebles and gadgets actually made something work? it would be amazing to not just walk into the Falcon (you got that down to a T!) but if you were to turn it on and take off (lights and sound included). Maybe it is worth 5 minutes of discussion, and I don't mean to hijack your thread, maybe not, but one can only wonder, and with the new Star Wars Land coming up which will supposedly have a flyable Falcon, maybe you could be one step ahead of Disney here.

Cheers buddy!

Hey BK,

We've been toying with the idea of turning the cockpit into a "sort" of flight sim but it would take some serious money to make functional yokes - not to mention to reinforcement of the console. We might get away with it using XBox or PS controllers but that would DEF take away from the overall experience.

Its not out of the question and any flight sim would be cool! Again, we're DEF looking into it! :)

- - - Updated - - -

Thinking like that is definitely a bruce thing I have previously made same suggestion I've also suggested changing the glass panels of the windows to tv screens so as you can play clips of the falcon flying (like approaching death star)

Hey LB,

I really like the idea of having a IMAX style screen wrapped around the cockpit to give a full view experience but again... money! Enclosing the cockpit creates/retains an incredible amount of heat so venting would be necessary. But again, everything is possible but we're restricted to what we can afford... :(

- - - Updated - - -

Nice idea, although besides the tv-as-windows, I would also like to see the greebles actually DO something, trigger things, lights and sounds.

As of right now I think I've convinced the guys to make every toggle switch (250+) have some sort of function - whether light or sound. If we go "Flight Sim" then the switches and throttles would DEF have specific flight related tasks!

I love the idea! :)
 
Hey BK,

We've been toying with the idea of turning the cockpit into a "sort" of flight sim but it would take some serious money to make functional yokes - not to mention to reinforcement of the console. We might get away with it using XBox or PS controllers but that would DEF take away from the overall experience.

Its not out of the question and any flight sim would be cool! Again, we're DEF looking into it! :)

- - - Updated - - -



Hey LB,

I really like the idea of having a IMAX style screen wrapped around the cockpit to give a full view experience but again... money! Enclosing the cockpit creates/retains an incredible amount of heat so venting would be necessary. But again, everything is possible but we're restricted to what we can afford... :(

- - - Updated - - -



As of right now I think I've convinced the guys to make every toggle switch (250+) have some sort of function - whether light or sound. If we go "Flight Sim" then the switches and throttles would DEF have specific flight related tasks!

I love the idea! :)

Hi SK! it's great that you guys are also thinking about it. I can see the reinforcements needed to withstand the shaking, the idea would be NOT to take away from the experience, but to enhance it.

You are very right about venting, and I'm not sure where you could have AC ducts, although I'm sure the original set had some, and the "in-universe" ship also had some ducts, maybe they are not as obvious? Now thinking about functional (as in flight-related) switches and throttles on the Falcon makes me drool already. Do you think there would be a way to quantify how much it would be needed to make it happen? I've seen some flight sims on the internet, so there is some road covered by other people maybe a donation drive....I dunno....I'm brainstorming here, it's just that the idea is so fascinating!!!
 
I always thought the easiest place to start from would be to find an old simulator fairground ride. then simply change the existing body for the cockpit this way you already have a portable powered unit that comes with powerful enough rams to lift up and move (tip back to front side to side etc). obviously I don't know how available stuff like that is over there and how much but would certainly in my opinion give best starting point and then as well it becomes a ride.


on a side note I've always had similar ideas to create a x wing cockpit and connect it to a pc playing the old x wing games.
part of me hopes Disney does a mass simulator where you go in as 24 people 12 in x wings 12 in ties and you dog fight for say 10 mins highest scoring team wins how cool that be flying a x wing in a sim against other people.

loosebruce
 
Hello there!

So yes for the dented version... and yes for the pedestal grills speakers.

The trick with the rubber cement to create that special effect is very interesting.

I'd like to point out, that weathering/ paint chipping...has to make sense.

For example, weathering costumes you have to think of where is the most friction, most likely where the fabric will be more damaged... so in the elbow, the knee and the butt area , there,s gonna be color/dirt around the hem of the pants , the sleeves, around the collar...so you have to think about where the object is gonna get more damaged, attacked, scrubbed or touch, where is the friction is going to be...

this is the secret to have a more realistic feel to weathering...

so you have to be more careful... and not creating a random effect that doesn,t feel real... our brain can feel it but sometimes we,re not able to say what,s good or wrong...

I know that you have to be all those departments , all at once... plans, building, finances, technical stuff, electrician, research and painters and artists...

so I wish that I could help you in some way...

Can,t wait for the next updates,

Cheers .. Éric
 
As always, LOVE seeing your work. I say yes for the pedestal grill speakers and dents. Also, I love the red engraved covers, even though not screen accurate. ;)
 
I also say "yes" to the dented version and the pedestal grills.

In regards to the paint chipping effect with the rubber cement, I agree with Daboudzi but would also add that doing the black layer first, then the rubber cement, then the silver creates the illusion that the base material is something black and it's been painted over with silver paint, which has then chipped. I think you want to reverse that - base it with silver, then rubber cement (strategically), then over spray with black. That would result in the look of a metal surface that has been painted black, that's now chipped and worn.
 

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