Building the Falcon

Thanks you guys. Too kind, too kind. I have to admit that it took a lot of patience to go back and forth between reference photos and my turret (a process that will consume time for the remainder of the weathering). Escape pods are next up.
 
A sneak peek...

Oct8016.jpg
 
Peek-a-boo.
fm_cp_tunnel_01.jpg


Boy, this thread has gotten very quiet. :) It's like it's just you and me PH. :cricket: :cricket: oh, and that annoying cricket. :lol

I think I will delete my blog before I finish the project.
 
<div class='quotetop'>(QuartZ @ Oct 9 2006, 04:42 PM) [snapback]1334861[/snapback]</div>
I think I will delete my blog before I finish the project.
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When you are finished, it would be great if you could find a way of posting it in chronological order so it can be downloaded and savored.
 
I wish I had the patience and talent you guys have... and also the money to buy this beautiful kit before they are all gone... LOVE the 1:72 scale... though... would really love for someone talented to finish it up for me... instead of it just sitting in the box on my shelf... :cry

Absolutely stunning progress.
 
Man they look fantastic guys.. This thread was the final catalyst to get my Ertl/falconkits Falcon finished........it only sat in my basement for 10 years :lol

The differences are staggering in the accuracy between the two (finemolds/Ertl)...and that's from just what I can see in pics. Painting my Ertl was a pain because of its inaccuracy too....panels in the wrong place and everything.

You guys really, REALLY, REALLY knocked the fine molds kit out of the park with all the add ons.

Thanks for the inspiration.

Steve :)
 
I was only kidding about deleting the blog :) checking to see who's paying attention. When it's all done I'll make a permanent copy available on my website in chronological order.

NoHumorMan- there's a FM kit for sale in the Junkyard (not sure if it's still there as I type this)

DL 44- You rock. Thanks for the compliment. There's a world of difference between the ERTL and FM for many reasons. The most important being that the ERTL is based off the 5' model and the FM off the 3'.
 
<div class='quotetop'>(QuartZ @ Oct 10 2006, 04:13 AM) [snapback]1335068[/snapback]</div>
NoHumorMan- there's a FM kit for sale in the Junkyard (not sure if it's still there as I type this)
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Thanks. But having zero $$$ makes it difficult to buy anything. Keep up the good work... highly enjoyable and awe-inspiring. :thumbsup
 
A little more eye candy...

I've since enhanced the weathering to better match the original, and the cockpit tub is not permanently attached, so is thus off-skew in the pic. Additionally, the ribbed strip encircling the tunnel (which is NOT ribbed on the original model. :angry) is now closer to the light grey of the original. Finally, inspired by QuartZ, I added teh rectangle-shaped greeblie below the circle.
MFCockpit001.jpg




Mine, QuartZ's, and the original...
MFTunnels001.jpg
 
Fantastic work. Man, I soooo want to get startd on my FM Falcon. It won't happen in a looooong time though, lots of comission work that I need to take care of plus a couple of SS builds.

Are you guys planning to add lights to your builds? If so how are you coing to tackle the engine, so far I've seen a lot of EL engines done but they all look to dimm IMO.

Cheers,

Steve.
 
Steve, we will be adding lights, but QuartZ is more on top of that...

Here's an updated shot of the underside of my cockpit

MFCockpit007.jpg
 
<div class='quotetop'>(PHArchivist @ Oct 12 2006, 12:47 PM) [snapback]1336658[/snapback]</div>
Additionally, the ribbed strip encircling the tunnel (which is NOT ribbed on the original model. ) is now closer to the light grey of the original.

MFCockpit007.jpg

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I'm curious as to why you think there isn't a ribbed strip that encircles the Falcon cockpit? There most definitely is on the 32" model. It's composed of three inlaid pieces. To be sure, the detail is a somewhat different and more sutble than that on the FM model, but it's there.

Barry
 
Perhaps I should have consulted the Master first (Master Replicas, that is.). ;)

Regrettably, albeit understandably, I am limited to photographs only. And by what is evident in all but the very best reference photos, the area appears smooth, and not to ribbed.

However you, I, and everyone know the limitations of photography. And MR (if I'm not mistaken) had direct access to the original model.

Alas in the end you are correct -- it is ribbed; very finely so. As the ribbing on the ILM model (at least in photos) is barely visible, I would conclude that it would be almost entirely lost in 1/72 scale. The scale of ribbing on the FM model is probably too large even for the MR model.

I'm fairly confident you would agree, at least based on photos. How does it look in person?

To me, it almost appears as if there is a clear or semi-translucent strip of plastic over the ribbing on the original. Perhaps a way to improve the FM kit...?

MFCockpit009.jpg


MFCockpit001.jpg


MFTunnels001.jpg
 
The detail and improvements you guys have accomplished on this already phoenomenal kit is simply rediculous. :love

Steve
 
<div class='quotetop'>(PHArchivist @ Oct 12 2006, 06:20 PM) [snapback]1336893[/snapback]</div>
Perhaps I should have consulted the Master first (Master Replicas, that is.). ;)

Regrettably, albeit understandably, I am limited to photographs only. And by what is evident in all but the very best reference photos, the area appears smooth, and not to ribbed.

However you, I, and everyone know the limitations of photography. And MR (if I'm not mistaken) had direct access to the original model.

Alas in the end you are correct -- it is ribbed; very finely so. As the ribbing on the ILM model (at least in photos) is barely visible, I would conclude that it would be almost entirely lost in 1/72 scale. The scale of ribbing on the FM model is probably too large even for the MR model.

I'm fairly confident you would agree, at least based on photos. How does it look in person?

To me, it almost appears as if there is a clear or semi-translucent strip of plastic over the ribbing on the original. Perhaps a way to improve the FM kit...?

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The ribbing is definitely there. It does seem to disappear in some of the ref. pics you posted, but that might be down to the limitations of the lighting and film grain? I can't say for sure, but I know how deceiving photographs can be.

You're quite right about the overscaled treatment it received on the FM Falcon, but honestly what you guys have done with your kits isn't diminished one iota if you leave the ribbing as it. Your paint job has taken care of any glaring discrepancy. You should both be extremely proud. I'm gobsmaked at your patience and skill adapting what was already a very fine kit.

As for how noticeable the ribbing is? I've lived with the MR Falcon for so long this year that I'm acutely aware of this feature so I think it's very noticeable. I was happy that FM included it, even if they missed one important detail of it.

Barry
 
Cool, Barry -- thanks for the response (and the comps).

Quick question: On the original, the center 60% (of the width) of the ribbed band is a lighter color, and appears like it may be another piece of plastic laid over the ribbing -- are you able to expand (or erxpound) on this?

I told Q that I may experiment with laying a clear strip of styrene over the ribbing.

But ultimately, I think you're right, in the grand scheme of things, the FM ribbing scale doesn't detract too much, especially when it is properly weathered.

When modeling, I need to remind myself to occasionally step back and take in the project as a whole, rather than focusing on the (fairly) minute detail of the particular day. Gestalt psychology -- the whole is greater than the sum of its parts.
 
The ribbing appears to be pieces of rubber tank track laid between the surrounding raised collars. The "missing" detail on the FM piece are two raised ridges that run parallel with the sides of the collar just in from the edge of the collars.

I'll post a pic later to show what I've decribed.

Barry
 
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