Bandi PG Millennium Falcon, My Turn :) **WIP**

[skahtul]

There are so many amazing builds here on the RPF of this kit. And from what I can see so far, it really is an amazing model kit! This kit is particularly important to me as it's the reason I got into building models which then led to adding 3D printing to my list of tools

When this kit was first released in 2017 I pre-ordered it immediately. As it was a Christmas present to myself it sat around for a while before I was able to open it up and check it out. As soon as I unboxed it I realized that I had no idea what I was doing or how to paint a model of this quality. It's a pretty expensive kit so I wanted to hold off and elevate my skills to the point where I was confident that I could take this on. Of course, I had no idea that this would lead me to where it did, all of which is pretty much outlined here on the forums

Long story short, I feel that I am finally ready so it's time to dive in! Much like my recently completed Star Destroyer, I plan to knock this thing out as fast as possible. I know this kit can literally take years but I want to get this model done and move on to my next project (one of those is actually a second one of these kits as I have two and will be the largest project I have ever attempted. I hope to start that in the fall).

I will be adding a few small things to this kit:

1. Photo-etched parts (some were included in the kit, others are add-ons).
2. Adding pretty much every documented light I can find
3. 3D printed wall mount.
4. Archive-X paints

The first step, get organized! I am finding more and more that small things like getting everything laid out, labeling things clearly, and having a drawn up plan on things like the base and how to attack any extras really helps to speed up the build.

Here are some of the extras, a bunch of LED's and the photo-etched parts.

Since there are so many other amazing builds I am not going to document every step, just the 'interesting' parts.

 

[skahtul]

Firs up is to get the cockpit out of the way. This is an area where I still need a ton of practice. I decided to forgo the decals (other than the one which came with the photo-etched part) and just dry brush a bit. The way this is going to be mounted, you will not see a ton of it. In my next iteration I plan to add some fiver optics to the back and see how that looks, but for now this is what I came up with.

 

[skahtul]

Here is the 3D-printed wall mount which has provisions for a pass-through plug. I know that the center hole is meant for a specific type/size of nut (maybe related to a Panavise?). If anyone has any info I would greatly appreciate it. I got the file years ago and I can't seem to find any info on it anywhere...

 

[skahtul]

I hope to use these small boards to keep the wires cleaner than some of my previous builds:

I found these LED's with longer ends which are perfect for sections like the front:

 

[skahtul]

Now that I finally have what I would consider a 'real' soldering iron, making the lights and getting everything connected up has become so much easier!

I am thinking about patining the top and bottom of these difusers to help with light blocking.

This is with just a single row installed:

 

[JediMichael]

Good start so far and good luck with everything.
Lot of Falcon builds out there, some of these guys have set the bar very high.
When I joined here in November 2013, my skills were just barely good enough to put a kit together correctly, painting was basic, and scratch building was using cardboard and paper.
I've learned so much while here and am very grateful to everyone who has helped.

 

[3Dsf]

That looks like Lab 's printed bracket.

Bandai 1/72 PG Millennium Falcon (also the Revell Germany rebox)

Re: Bandai 1/72 Millennium Falcon I'm surprised that Mr Takahashi incorrectly remarked that the MPC Falcon was based on the Episode V design, when it actually came out before then. But that nitpickiness aside, it's fun to see how unabashedly thrilled and proud he is to have worked on this...

www.therpf.com

 

[3Dsf]

This page may also be useful:

Bandai “Perfect Grade” 1:72 Millennium Falcon Upgrades

Bandai's 1:72 “ Perfect Grade” kit of the five foot Millennium Falcon special effects miniature is a remarkable piece of injection moulded artistry, with very few inaccuracies. There really isn’t much needed to improve it. Unlike every other model of the ship ever made, there probably won’t be a

sites.google.com

 

[skahtul]

This page may also be useful:

Bandai “Perfect Grade” 1:72 Millennium Falcon Upgrades

Bandai's 1:72 “ Perfect Grade” kit of the five foot Millennium Falcon special effects miniature is a remarkable piece of injection moulded artistry, with very few inaccuracies. There really isn’t much needed to improve it. Unlike every other model of the ship ever made, there probably won’t be a

sites.google.com

Thanks! Ha, all this time and it came from the RPF

Thanks again, I was looking all over for that info, I was able to finally order the right insert.

 

[skahtul]

Good start so far and good luck with everything.
Lot of Falcon builds out there, some of these guys have set the bar very high.
When I joined here in November 2013, my skills were just barely good enough to put a kit together correctly, painting was basic, and scratch building was using cardboard and paper.
I've learned so much while here and am very grateful to everyone who has helped.

Agreed on all points, thanks!

 

[StevenBills]

This is going to be awesome! Something that I did to light-block off the mandibles on mine was to use some blue tack putty like this:

Once it's shoved in there good you really can't see it at all. Especially once painted. Have fun with it!

SB

 

[skahtul]

This is going to be awesome! Something that I did to light-block off the mandibles on mine was to use some blue tack putty like this:


Once it's shoved in there good you really can't see it at all. Especially once painted. Have fun with it!

SB

Sweet, thanks for the tip! And I sure hope so

 

[skahtul]

Time to finish up getting this build so I can get to what I really want to do, paint!

The cockpit is done and all sealed up. The only thing I am worse at than the cockpit, is painting microscopic figures

Decided to run some fiber optics for the upper gun well. I also plan to run some light below it to light it up. Of course, you can't tell in the pic, but the red, blue, and white LEDs are slow flashers which gave it a bit of 'life'.

 

[skahtul]

As this model (from my research anyway) appears to mostly be based on A New Hope, I went pretty loose with the landing lights as I didn't see them on that version. The smaller and larger landing lights, along with the red lights appear to be something added for Empire. I decided to just run the outer landing lights and then fiber optics for the red lights.

Keeping that in mind, I did not kill myself trying to get them all in the exact same spot. The largest issue I had with the LED's out more toward the edge was room for them so I brought them in a bit to make them easier to install (plus this will allow me to install them after final paint).

These photo-etch parts were a bit of a pain, I am really having an issue getting them to stick. I really hate CA glue as it just seems so brittle. I did get some better BSI flexible CA to see if that helps. I found that the E6000 was my best bet here. If you have any glue you love for photo-etch please let me know as I plan to use it a lot in some upcoming builds.

 

[skahtul]

I was finally able to get this mounted up as it's about 90% built. I just need to add some of the final outer most details which seem so delicate. To help with not touching the kit I broke out my WIP mount that I use for primer and paint. Seems to hold it pretty well and will help lessen the chances of breaking off the tiny deails.

 

[StevenBills]

awww man.... You're making me want to build another one!

SB

 

[kermet]

Rite on making me feel the same way, I got to much going on rite now but it may be in the cards just to go on and get one. Also You are doing a super job nice model building just how good are those cutting matts been wanting one but I would mess it up the way I work Nice job so far can't wait to see more of this build thanks for sharing

 

[skahtul]

awww man.... You're making me want to build another one!

SB

Ha, for sure! And you were right, it's a ton of fun to build. In my head, I thought it would be a huge laborious undertaking, but as usual, it's so well-engineered it's pretty much like a lego kit. This one is going on the wall, but I have a second one that I plan to put into a huge diorama with a lot more detailed interior.

Rite on making me feel the same way, I got to much going on rite now but it may be in the cards just to go on and get one. Also You are doing a super job nice model building just how good are those cutting matts been wanting one but I would mess it up the way I work Nice job so far can't wait to see more of this build thanks for sharing

Thanks! The matt is amazing, it's literally indestructible and does a fantastic job of protecting my table surface.

 

[kermet]

Ha, for sure! And you were right, it's a ton of fun to build. In my head, I thought it would be a huge laborious undertaking, but as usual, it's so well-engineered it's pretty much like a lego kit. This one is going on the wall, but I have a second one that I plan to put into a huge diorama with a lot more detailed interior.



Thanks! The matt is amazing, it's literally indestructible and does a fantastic job of protecting my table surface.

I think I might be getting me one ever seen my work benches to many but I do have one or two model building benches one area is where the viper is being built which I just finished Thanks I will be following your build with excitement looking very cool and you are doing it up rite Thanks Jim

 

[Padawan311]

I hope to use these small boards to keep the wires cleaner than some of my previous builds:

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I found these LED's with longer ends which are perfect for sections like the front:

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I would love to know where you got those LEDs. Do you have a link you could share? Great work! Following this closely!