Falcon kit basics..please

[anj4de]

Hello everybody and a happy new year to you all...

I have some basic questions about those Falcon kits out ther right now...those around 1/72...
Having red a lot in here and elsewhere I seem to have come to the following conclusion...
MPC (Ertl, Aifix), Revell as well as the FM kits are too "flat". On the MPC and Revell kit I have red that this would be the reson for the too high side walls. This, if I am correct, would indicate that the general thickness of the ship between the two weapons turrets is corrcet and the "only" modification required would be to make lower side walls and squezze the covers togther thus creating the more pronounced curve of the body...simplified speaking.
Now, one the FM kit the side walls are of the correct heights...and the body is still too flat..does that mean the whole ship measured between the turrets is not thick enough and has to be spead in tha area? I am confused a bit...please help me out.

thanks a lot
Uwe

PS: Have a Bandai and a Hasbro in the pipeline...but really would love to have a 72 scale one since Bandai is a bit small and the Hasbro one too big (it will be a wall hanger)

 

[Jun Austria]

Your observation are. But if you start checking dimension and disregarding scale. Bandai 1/144 falcon is the best kit in town now.

 

[Jedi Dade]

So all of the 1/72 models are too flat if you're trying to build a replica of the 5 foot version of the Falcon model.The Side wall height is too high on all of them regardless of this fact - even if you fixed the hull curvature they's still be too high. The fine molds (Now Revell) kit which is based off the 32" ESB model has the right curvature - for that model - but has other issues related to the front mandibles and jawbox.

AS has been mentioned the 1/144 Bandai kit looks like it has the correct hull curvature and mandibles but there is some question about the accuracy of some of the side panels that will only be cleared up after some good reference shows up. the 1/144 Fine molds kit is also very good - but its based off the 32" model so if you're looking for that Fat hamburger look its going to look too flat to you.

In general the 5 foot model has a LOT more fine detailing then the 32" so if you're grabbing a model that is based on the 32" or the 5 footer as the starting point you need to adjust what you're looking for accordingly.

the Bandai and the Fine molds (repackaged as rRvell) kits are the best bets for "accuracy" to the original models - but as I've stated even those need corrections to be 100%.

My advice - just build them and enjoy - they are "close enough" that almost everyone except us die-hards here will think they are the best model they've ever seen

You can always dive into the super detailing/modification pool later .

Jedi Dade

 

[Jaitea]

The FM kits (1/72 & 1/144) both have a reduced curvature to be right for the 32" model it's based on

....so really,.....so far in nearly 40 years,....the Bandai,...the Hasbro Hero Series toy & the DeAgo weekly kit (I think so far it looks promising) are the only models which have the right curvature

J

 

[anj4de]

Thanks for the detailed answer...so what you are saying is that the FM model, apart from the mandibles and jawbox issues (which are really a PITA) shape wise is correct for a 32" MF?
I guess MPC and Revell are hence too high/thick in general since they have the too high side walls...32" version or not?

I for one will build the Bandai kit once it arrives and think about the big Hasbro...not sure if I really want to dive into that hunderts of $ game? And I will wait for the hopefully soon to be released 1/72 Bandai or Dragon Falcon...the price for the Revell Master Series (FM) is still rediclously high, especially given the issues it has!

thanks
Uwe

 

[Jaitea]

Thanks for the detailed answer...so what you are saying is that the FM model, apart from the mandibles and jawbox issues (which are really a PITA) shape wise is correct for a 32" MF?
I guess MPC and Revell are hence too high/thick in general since they have the too high side walls...32" version or not?

I for one will build the Bandai kit once it arrives and think about the big Hasbro...not sure if I really want to dive into that hunderts of $ game? And I will wait for the hopefully soon to be released 1/72 Bandai or Dragon Falcon...the price for the Revell Master Series (FM) is still rediclously high, especially given the issues it has!

thanks
Uwe

No the FineMolds Falcon Models are both way off,.....the curvature is too shallow....the docking rings sit out too far....the dish is undersized....the cockpit tube is at the wrong angle,....the cockpit cone is too long,....the jawbox is too wide,...the mandibles are parallel

......but apart from that,.....theres loads of details/parts,.....& can be built & painted to make a fantastic model

J

 

[Dedalus5550]

Also, keep in mind that the curvature of the FM kit can be more difficult to fix. The top and bottom are much more sturdy. Some people have fixed the sidewalls of the MPC without surgery or without much. With the FM kit, you would have to cut a lot of things up. I wish it had more curvature, but I will live with the shape of the FM (and Anigrand) kit as it is in this regard.