Beatlepaul's 1/72 fine molds falcon

[MARK M3]

Hi Guys.

Thanks to our Friend Teslabe, I was able to pick this kit up at a very reasonable price(Thanks Kent!).

Anyhoo, I was originally going to start a MPC Falcon, But have since changed my Mind.

I had one of these Fine Mold Kits when they First came out and sadly had to sell it. This one I plan on hanging on to.


I air brushed the main color using Floquil paints(50% grime/50%Reefer White).

I have weathered the entire ship and have begun the fine detailing process.

The upper hull is a mish mash of colors. Being how this model represents the 32" Falcon used for Empire, that's the color refrences I used. You will notice I corrected the Upper Hull colors that I did in the first picture. I used the Kit supplied Decals, as well as custom mixed paint for the different Hull Panels.

The colors differ between the 5' Falcon and the smaller 32"

I used a varity of techniques to achieve the look of the ship, with still more detail work to be done..I have to say I am having a hoot with this kit! More fun than the first one I built years ago!!

The lower hull is getting the same treatment as is the Landing Gear. Since this kit is back , and at a discounted price, I hope you fellas who missed this kit the first time can pick one up.

 

[JMChladek]

Wow! In some shots I thought I was looking at my model! I would say you got the ESB Falcon look down nicely (or a happy meeting of the ANH and ESB looks). The weathering on the rear deck especially looks good as it seems about right and not covered with soot like I've seen on so many other Falcon models.

 

[MooCriket]

WOW...is right!

 

[MARK M3]

Wow! In some shots I thought I was looking at my model! I would say you got the ESB Falcon look down nicely (or a happy meeting of the ANH and ESB looks). The weathering on the rear deck especially looks good as it seems about right and not covered with soot like I've seen on so many other Falcon models.

I humbly thank you Sir:$

I have seen your Falcon(It's Beautiful!), and I take that as a compliment indeed!

Your right about the rear Deck, A lot of Guys over do the Weathering Back there.

 

[PHArchivist]

Nicely done!

 

[Qrest Fourstar]

Looking good from here!

 

[dbuck]

Very nice.

I cannot let this kit pass me by again.

 

[crackerjazz]

Nice work on this Falcon! Shows what a good paint/weathering job can do to this baby. Whets everyone's appetite for the FM.

 

[MARK M3]

All righty then.....

More work on the Falcon. I feel like Han Solo himself at times here..(LOL)!

I have added some key "Battle Damage" to my model that was clearly evident on the 32" Ilm Miniature.
At first I didn't want to damage it(for just a second!).

To get the huge gash on the lower hull next to the Boarding ramp, I used my wife's soildering iron..with a little soilder!!!
I used the same method on the upper hull to replicate the "Laser Blast Damage"..Not too shaby me thinks

I also detail painted the lower hull.

I am trying to keep all this in correct scale, it's hard not to go overboard on this....

 

[Muzza]

Nice job of the falcon, I have ordered, cant wait...

 

[MARK M3]

MORE Pics of my in Progress Falcon...

 

[MARK M3]

...It is a period of Galactic ..oops!

Not ever smart enough to leave well enough alone, I Modified my Falcon Cockpit a wee bit.

Out of the box, Fine Molds Has the "Dash" Way to long..And there is no way for Han and Chewie to navigate through any asteroid fields

So, I shortned the "Dash" and Lowered Han And Chewie's Profile to better reflect the Actual Filming set, Raising somewhat Leia and C-3po to match the well know Publicity Photo.

I also cut the Notches out around the Hull in the plating.

 

[JPolacchi]

EXCELLENT WORK!Looks like it was built right at ILM.

 

[Too Much Garlic]

Awesome piece.

 

[crackerjazz]

Hi Beatlepaul, can't help but check back on these photos every now and then. It looks just like a full-sized ship. I'm almost sure you made use of the "scale effect" concept of painting. What paint did you use, if you don't mind my asking? Did you have to mix the gray or is there anything that comes straight out of the bottle in the correct shade? Because were I to do mine, I'd have to do it in sections, probably at great intervals, and any mixing I doubt I could perfectly repeat. Thanks in advance!

 

[Dedalus5550]

i like the effect of the rust. Is that paint, wash, pastels, something else? Also, did you use an undercoating on the whole ship? On my current build, I sprayed the whole thing black first, and I'm wondering how it will affect the final coat. Also, I notice the rails on the top side of the mandibles are backwards, while the ones underneath are correct. Did the instructions tell you to do that?

 

[Dedalus5550]

i like the effect of the rust. Is that paint, wash, pastels, something else? Also, did you use an undercoating on the whole ship? On my current build, I sprayed the whole thing black first, and I'm wondering how it will affect the final coat. Also, I notice the rails on the top side of the mandibles are backwards, while the ones underneath are correct. Did the instructions tell you to do that?

 

[crackerjazz]

Hi Dedalus - about having black as base - I think someone mentioned it turned his succeeding coats a bit on the blue gray side which is why I'm a bit hesitant to do the same.

 

[MARK M3]

Hi Beatlepaul, can't help but check back on these photos every now and then. It looks just like a full-sized ship. I'm almost sure you made use of the "scale effect" concept of painting. What paint did you use, if you don't mind my asking? Did you have to mix the gray or is there anything that comes straight out of the bottle in the correct shade? Because were I to do mine, I'd have to do it in sections, probably at great intervals, and any mixing I doubt I could perfectly repeat. Thanks in advance!

Many Thanks Sir for your Kind Remarks:$

Yes I did intentionally do the Painting to reflect a "Full Size Ship". I have seen countless other Falcon Builds where the Builder just does the "Airbrush routine".

What I mean is, although I wanted to replicate the 32" filming miniature, I also wanted the weathering to be in scale(1/72).

As I pointed out, I used a varity of weathering techniques to achieve my results. I really don't remember everything exactly But I'll try and help you out.

First I primed the whole ship with a white primer, then airbrushed the base coat of 50/50/ Floquil Reefer White/Grime.

Then I did a wash of Black, a Heavy Wash, wiped away the excess, and airbrushed the base coat again to even things out and soften the wash...

Then I painted the different areas of the hull with Mixed paints, eyeballing the applications until I got the results I wanted. So Every bit of paint you see was mixed, Nothing came straight from the bottle. Then mixed again to achieve the worn, Faded look.....

Then I went to town on the Rust, Grime, soot and Oil stains. As well as the Blaster Damage.

Then another Wash, another "Mist" of the base color...Sealed the whole thing with clear Flat.

I hope this helps a little, and please feel free to use these methods on your own Falcon. Big thing is to Take your time and Get a lot of good refrence Pics.
Let me know if I can help anymore!

 

[MARK M3]

i like the effect of the rust. Is that paint, wash, pastels, something else? Also, did you use an undercoating on the whole ship? On my current build, I sprayed the whole thing black first, and I'm wondering how it will affect the final coat. Also, I notice the rails on the top side of the mandibles are backwards, while the ones underneath are correct. Did the instructions tell you to do that?

Howdy!

As far as the rust..ALL of the above you mentioned was done to get the results I wanted.

About the Rails On the Top Side of the Mandibles being backwards...I may have goofed!!!LOL! I don't know, I'll have to check the instruction sheet! Your RIGHT MATE! I just fixed them..will post more Pics soon. Great eye my friend, Thanks!