Building the Falcon

[PHArchivist]

Sweet.

I had to balance mine out and finished up the left mandible tonight (coincidentally, QuartZ and I were independently working on the right mandibles at about the same time -- some mid-week solo work sessions)... Tomorrow I'll knock out the jaw box and some sidewalls.

 

[QuartZ]

It's been a long time. Did some more work on the ship yesterday:

Feels good to be back.
-Dana

 

[PHArchivist]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(QuartZ @ Jan 22 2007, 10:07 PM) [snapback]1402750[/snapback]</div>

Feels good to be back.
-Dana
[/b]

Hear, hear.

:cheers






While QuartZ worked on his cockpit interior, I knocked out the right side escape pod... Here's how she's looking...

 

[Gold Leader]

Just wanted to give a little bump.
Any progress guys?

 

[PHArchivist]

Not lately -- pace has slowed just a tad...

 

[QuartZ]

The new dish was coming along...

-Dana

 

[PHArchivist]

QuartZ made a small but important discovery yesterday (listen up, those of you still building.) -- the six exhaust vents on the FM kit stand up too tall.

This is hard to perceive at first, but once picked up on, it becomes noticeable. We compared the FM vent piecs to those on my MR Falcon. The FM vents are only about 1mm to 2mm shorter than the MR. Then should be 5'' to 7'' shorter.

 

[cobywan]

Your numbers aren't making sense to me. 5" to 7" shorter would put the vents below the table the FM falcon is resting on.

 

[Qrest Fourstar]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(PHArchivist @ Feb 19 2007, 12:49 PM) [snapback]1422019[/snapback]</div>

QuartZ amde a small but important discovery yesterday (listen up, those of you still building.) -- the six exhaust vents on the FM kit stand up too tall.

This is hard to perceive at first, but once picked up on, it becomes noticeable. We compared the FM vent piecs to those on my MR Falcon. The FM vents are only about 1mm to 2mm shorter than the MR. Then should be 5'' to 7'' shorter.
[/b]

So what, one should cut off the circles on the hull and drop them ? Or would it just be easier to press them down on a piece of sandpaper and make a few circles?


I'm loving your build very much, but this sounds like the "the Mandibles are off by 2 mm" arguement(one that I JUST do not see).

 

[QuartZ]

Paul, the geometry of the engine exhaust discs are beyond simple fixes, new parts would be required to make them correct here is why:

The outer diameter of the housing where it meets the hull is probably correct. However, because FM made them too tall (at least 50-75%) and they taper towards the top edge, what happened is the diameter at the top is now too small. Imagine if you cut the housing in half (height wise). The resulting top surface would now be larger in diameter, so the size of the dark grills would also increase in diameter, and they would look correct again. The top of the housings really should be nearly flush with the height of the greeblies surrounding it.

As for the mandibles, this has been covered, but I'll explain anyway. The distance between the mandibles (measured from the inside edge across the gap) should be smaller at the tips (near the headlights) and larger at the hull (or near the jawbox). On the FM model, the distance is the same because they made those inner edges completely parallel. This is wrong.

With that, here's a photo from the blog update:

-Dana

 

[Qrest Fourstar]

I've read all the stories about the mandibles. Ive got dozens of pictures downloaded, but I just don't see the difference. And I've looked at all the places people have said.

As for the vents, I guess I'm going to have to test fit the circles on the hull and compare it to pictures. After reading your post, I looked over the pictures I have compared to the pics of the MRMF. I'm not seeing such a height diffference.

 

[PHArchivist]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(cobywan @ Feb 20 2007, 01:06 AM) [snapback]1422283[/snapback]</div>

Your numbers aren't making sense to me. 5" to 7" shorter would put the vents below the table the FM falcon is resting on.
[/b]

My error -- 5mm to 7mm, (if memory serves).

But as QuartZ took the time to explain, it's not a quick and easy fix (as with many of the "baked in" errors), as any alteration effects the overall geometry. Forgive me for not highlighting this earlier, as my previous post was made as I was heading ut the door.

And as also has been pointed out, the difference is not overtly noticeable. One of the many things about the FM kit that doesn't stand out too much, but contributes slightly to the overall impression of the model.

We (I...) compared it to a sculpt of a human subject. For instance, if one subtle nuance is off, it may not stand out, but the overall impression isn't quite right. If, for example, you're doing a Harrison Ford sculpt, and you get the location of his scar off by a few millimeters, it may not be immediately noticeable, but it would detract from the overall likeness accuracy.

 

[Blackbirdcd]

I've heard of both the mandible and vent "innacuracy" in the FM kit here. I really couldn't begin to be bothered to care about either. They are miniscule issues on this model (especially when compared to the awful sidewalls on the older MPC kit), and I don't have nearly the amount of brain damage needed to care.

This build is looking excellent and makes me want to tackle my own kit. Thanks for posting.

 

[QuartZ]

Blackbirdcd: are you suggesting that I have brain damage for recognizing and wanting to fix the rather obvious inaccuracies of the FM kit? Because that's how your post reads to me.

We are simply supplying people who read this thread with factual information regarding some of the many areas where the FM kit could be improved. Whether or not you personally feel they matter to you is up to you to decide. Those who do care about the finer points of accuracy may find the information interesting and perhaps...gasp...important.

Also, just because the old MPC kit was horribly inaccurate does not mean that the vastly improved FM kit is without flaws.

-Dana

 

[Qrest Fourstar]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(QuartZ @ Feb 20 2007, 04:06 PM) [snapback]1422906[/snapback]</div>

Blackbirdcd: are you suggesting that I have brain damage for recognizing and wanting to fix the rather obvious inaccuracies of the FM kit? Because that's how your post reads to me.

We are simply supplying people who read this thread with factual information regarding some of the many areas where the FM kit could be improved. Whether or not you personally feel they matter to you is up to you to decide. Those who do care about the finer points of accuracy may find the information interesting and perhaps...gasp...important.

Also, just because the old MPC kit was horribly inaccurate does not mean that the vastly improved FM kit is without flaws.

-Dana
[/b]

I think he means tyhat some people might think its insane to ad such detail to something. I appreciate everything you guys have done. I've saved your entire blog on my hardrive so I can look at it when ever.

As for brain damage, I'll give you an example. I wanted a better cockpit for my CC X-wing. Now, I cant cut styrene to save my life. I've tried scratchbuilding with the stuff and I JUST SUCK. So, I contacted a friend of mine who has 'brain damage'. He's a master builder who believes in 'smaller the better' and details accordingly(come on, there allot of you guys out there that do the same detail of work). So I asked him to scratchbuild me a cockpit based on the studio scale prop for ANH. He gathhered a few hundred DVD stills and set out a month or so ago. I finally saw the thing sunday. Holy crap. Its got a working targeting computer and if I want, the canopy lifters will work. He also mentioned that there 62 holes for fibre optics, and 3 different types of piano wire for hoses. He feels that kind of detail is necessary, Some feel the guys is brain damaged. To each his own. But when you say to him he's mental, he gives this creepy little "Heh, heh, heh....."

I'll have to post some pics of it here. Just got to get them off my new camera.

 

[Blackbirdcd]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(QuartZ @ Feb 20 2007, 02:06 PM) [snapback]1422906[/snapback]</div>

Blackbirdcd: are you suggesting that I have brain damage for recognizing and wanting to fix the rather obvious inaccuracies of the FM kit? Because that's how your post reads to me.

We are simply supplying people who read this thread with factual information regarding some of the many areas where the FM kit could be improved. Whether or not you personally feel they matter to you is up to you to decide. Those who do care about the finer points of accuracy may find the information interesting and perhaps...gasp...important.

Also, just because the old MPC kit was horribly inaccurate does not mean that the vastly improved FM kit is without flaws.

-Dana
[/b]

Yes you are guilty of brain damage. Guilty, guilty, guilty. It's called AMS, or "anal modeler's syndrome". This madness, once acquired, cannot be cured. You've found a "nit" (or several) in a beautiful kit, and now that you know it's there it will drive you over the brink to complete and total insanity. The manufacturers of hobbysaws and glue love you for this madness, as do the rest of us. The makers of resin replacement parts feast on your condition, you fuel their business.

Personally I think your builds, and your blog, rock and I'm thrilled that you've taken the time to do this and share your experiences with the model community. No sarcasm intended.

 

[Rhett J Martin]

Does anal-retentive have a hypen?

Sorry, couldn't resist.

This Flaocn work here is truely inspiring. I can't wait to post mine..
More more pics..

 

[PHArchivist]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Blackbirdcd @ Feb 23 2007, 01:27 AM) [snapback]1424602[/snapback]</div>

Yes you are guilty of brain damage. Guilty, guilty, guilty. It's called AMS, or "anal modeler's syndrome". This madness, once acquired, cannot be cured. You've found a "nit" (or several) in a beautiful kit, and now that you know it's there it will drive you over the brink to complete and total insanity. The manufacturers of hobbysaws and glue love you for this madness, as do the rest of us. The makers of resin replacement parts feast on your condition, you fuel their business.


[/b]

This is creative and I find the humor/entertainment in it...

For me persoanlly, though, its actually very true. Problem is, once studied very carefully, the FM kit has a number of uncorrectable, "baked in" problems. Individually, any one of them can be easily accepted. Put together, it has effected my overall impressions of the kit.

Gestalt psychology, I suppose...

Nonetheless, its still a great kit, and the second best thing out there next to the MR beast...

 

[leplante]

I am a new memeber, but I have been following this thread for a while. I just wanted to say that I am blown away by the paint and the attention to detail that has gone in to these projects. Absolutely amazing work. I hope that you offer lots of pics of the finished project, and thank you for sharing. Really inspirational.

 

[PHArchivist]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(leplant @ Mar 3 2007, 12:56 AM) [snapback]1430375[/snapback]</div>

I am a new memeber, but I have been following this thread for a while. I just wanted to say that I am blown away by the paint and the attention to detail that has gone in to these projects. Absolutely amazing work. I hope that you offer lots of pics of the finished project, and thank you for sharing. Really inspirational.
[/b]

Thanks and welcome.