TND's Hasbro Millennium Falcon Conversion

theyrenotdolls · Sep 12, 2016

I wanted to start a diary for my Hasbro Millennium Falcon Conversion. I've been working on this for a while, off and on. I plan on using Tony / Mike 's resin kit, Gus76's bays, some of tonys's other shape ways parts and a rear grill from the starship modeler store. I initially planned a hybrid design, with ability to have landing gear down or in flight, but I'm not so sure about that now as it may be to complex for my skill level. I'm thinking of an inflight version is the more straight forward way to go.
Also, I'm not sure about lighting it as I have no experience w this either.

I should mention that I have some limited experience w model building and props but this could be one of the biggest projects I've taken on.
I'm sure I've read all of the build threads here though. At least once. Thanks for all of the ideas and inspiration.

here are a few pics of where I am now.

rbeach84 · Sep 13, 2016

Go get it, buddy! Looks like a competent start to me...

Regards, Robert

theyrenotdolls · Sep 14, 2016

Thanks rbeach84

some updates today.

Round 1 painting the cockpit. Base coat on the gunner wells, Closed the landing gear bays ( scratch built some from styrene) , closed the greeblie box area w styrene.

I need to to figure out how I'm going to mount this bird. I'd like to keep the lower turret and mount it just aft of that ( see red tracing in pic below)

rbeach84 · Sep 15, 2016

My idea was to use an external frame, since it will primarily be displayed using a wall mount (a re-purposed TV wall mount, so it will have some swivel action to it...) Since I will have two versions of landing gear (Up or Down), swappable via RE magnets, the frame will simply attach at those points. I'll have strong points with threaded sockets embedded in the internal support frame, for the mounting frame bolts... that's my plan, anyway.

I like the egg crate paint palette, by the way. ;^)

R/ Robert

tek2graphics · Sep 15, 2016

Very nice so far.

theyrenotdolls · Sep 19, 2016

Rbeach84 and tek2graphics. Thanks for ur comments

I like reusing plastic containers and egg crates for painting etc.

couple let of updates today

painted cockpit details and gunner station details. I'm pretty happy w how they came out.

I realize now, for the gunner wells it's really best to paint them first then assemble afterward. Was really hard to reach the back with it assembled.

also I had to cut out quite a bit of the cockpit so the new assembly will fit. Only thing holding me back from assembling it now is I think I may want to put Han and Chewie in there.

rbeach84 · Sep 20, 2016

Looks awesome! Great job...

Regards, Robert

theyrenotdolls · Sep 21, 2016

Another update today.
I did lots of sanding of resin and trimming etc. I also installed the wells/hubs the exhaust fans and grills. I also put the engine vents together and did a test fit.

Only a few major steps left. I am waiting on shape ways Han/Chewie figures to finish the cockpit, as well as a cabin door for the cockpit. I need to finalize my solution for mounting. I need to install lighting for the engines, need to figure out my solution for the quad guns and then install the gunner stations. Then put her together and install the sidewalls. After that, paint. Which sorta frightens me

As always. Comments and critiques are welcome.

theyrenotdolls · Sep 23, 2016

Question for all.. Are any of you doing anything to reinforce the glue used on the inside of this thing? To make sure the parts stay in place? Like would plastidip work?

Also, what are you all doing about the screw holes after u put her back together?

thanks.

rbeach84 · Sep 24, 2016

theyrenotdolls said:
Question for all.. Are any of you doing anything to reinforce the glue used on the inside of this thing? To make sure the parts stay in place? Like would plastidip work?

Also, what are you all doing about the screw holes after u put her back together?

thanks.

RE: the screw holes, I was thinking of filling a bit with a PVA glue (aka 'Elmers White Glue') to make a removable plug, then skinning over with a bit of modeling putty so if necessary, I could break out the putty, pull out the PVA and then get to the screws. Come to think of it, I might also put a small wad of tissue to prevent the PVA from getting down in the threads.

RE: reinforcing the glued joints, consider using sheet plastic to make structural reinforcements for joints you think might flex enough to break the glue bond. This adds more glue area and resists the flexure that causes the CA mechanical bonds to fracture. The CA itself should resist any tension stress pretty well, but torque stress ('twisting') is a CA "killer".

R/ Robert

theyrenotdolls · Sep 25, 2016

Interesting idea regarding the elmers. Thanks.

SirCharles77 · Sep 25, 2016

Loving what your doing! Also great idea with elmers glue! I have been trying to figure out what I was going to do regarding those holes as well. Wanted to be able to take them out so I can do repairs if necessary since I am putting lighting in mine.

Sent from my SM-N915V using Tapatalk

theyrenotdolls · Sep 26, 2016

Did some led lighting. With a rig similar to what others have done. I'm not too happy with it. May redo it w just the grill rather than the nozzle thingies....which I bought when I was thinking of not lighting it.

Jaitea · Sep 26, 2016

Wow.....sharp

J

theyrenotdolls · Sep 26, 2016

Thanks jaitea

Took a couple more pics and a short video. I used 5 3mm cool white LED's and 3 1.8mm flickering cool white LED's w a 9volt power supply w snap switch from modeltrainsoftware.com.

Working on getting the vid posted

theyrenotdolls · Sep 26, 2016

Thanks jaitea

Took a couple more pics and a short video. I used 5 3mm cool white LED's and 3 1.8mm flickering cool white LED's w a 9volt power supply w snap switch from modeltrainsoftware.com.

Def need to get some light blocking on the rig there.

theyrenotdolls · Sep 28, 2016

Starting to take flight

lesson learned....planning and executing a feasible mounting system should have been one of the first few steps with this hunk of junk. Next time.

Wooden frame/ internal support (if that's the right thing to call it.) With a coupling nut inserted into the base and a long 1/4" inch screw and another coupling nut on the outside for now. Panavise is on its way from Amazon.

internal support on the dorsal side...can view the internal coupling nut

2 views of the support attached to the ventral side

Not or sure what the final base will be. Thinking glossy black acrylic. Not sure what size that will need to be or how to arrange that exactly. Any ideas?

thanks for looking

Den

theyrenotdolls · Oct 2, 2016

More updates. And a question at the end.

Assembled the cockpit. After seating Han and Chewie. Chewie took quite a bit of work to get him to fit in the seat.

Added the door

Installed the back of the cockpit

Installed the turrets and windows.

So for those of you that have completed this and done the cockpit installation, did you trim this lip ( pointing w the ink pen) completely off. And if so, how did you get the cockpit to adhere to the hull? Besides just glue obviously.

Pcoz · Oct 3, 2016

These Hasbro mods are a bear, but the pure size and affordability are such an attraction.

You're doing a fine job though, love the interior paint job.

theyrenotdolls · Oct 3, 2016

Thanks ks for the encouragement. It really is a bear sometimes but it is really fun. I wish I had a better workspace. Waay too much time spent on the living room floor lol.

Pcoz said:
These Hasbro mods are a bear, but the pure size and affordability are such an attraction.

You're doing a fine job though, love the interior paint job.

TND's Hasbro Millennium Falcon Conversion

Sr Member

Sr Member

Sr Member

Sr Member

Sr Member

Sr Member

Sr Member

Sr Member

Sr Member

Sr Member

Sr Member

Well-Known Member

Sr Member

Master Member

Sr Member

Sr Member

Sr Member

Sr Member

Well-Known Member

Sr Member

Similar threads