Firefly "Vera" Build - New Pics!

[tmax]

Hey guys. So I'm a big fan of Firefly, Serenity and the guns they wield, especially Jayne's guns. Already made myself a Boo...

But the real beauty is of course Vera! "This is my most favourite gun..."

Looked at a few options over the past few years, but nothing came together. That was until I got chatting with @JOATRASH FX. He has built an incredible all-metal Vera...

Long story short, I picked up one of his 3D printed kits that I will fit to my spare Denix AK47 receiver, left over from my Elysium build. The kit is awesome of course (all his kits are), although somewhat daunting - so many parts! Which is probably why it's sat in a box for the last year or so.

Enough procrastinating! Time to get to it...

Wish me luck! :lol

 

[tmax]

Re: Firefly "Vera" Build - WIP

Back in NZ a couple months ago I cut down the AK to make it easier to travel with. Canada is a royal pain when it comes to replica firearms and I didn't want to have this thing confiscated. So chopped as much as I could in the time I had.

Although not 100% accurate, the Denix AK will make a solid base for this build. Plus the charge slide will still function which is cool. Unfortunately the trigger won't function and in fact has to be cut off altogether. Gotta do what you gotta do!

 

[BipeFlyer]

Re: Firefly "Vera" Build - WIP

Looking forward to seeing how this comes out. Firefly was an awesome series.

Did they let you bring a replica into Canada just by removing the trigger? Navigating Canadian gun laws can be a real pain. It's easier to go out and buy a 30-06 in a 12 gauge than it is to buy prop replica gun.

Sent from my Nexus 6P using Tapatalk

 

[Mechanized]

Re: Firefly "Vera" Build - WIP

Oh, man! It begins...

 

[eethan]

Re: Firefly "Vera" Build - WIP

oh cool; looking forward to see that build!

 

[tmax]

Re: Firefly "Vera" Build - WIP

Looking forward to seeing how this comes out. Firefly was an awesome series.

Did they let you bring a replica into Canada just by removing the trigger? Navigating Canadian gun laws can be a real pain. It's easier to go out and buy a 30-06 in a 12 gauge than it is to buy prop replica gun.

Sent from my Nexus 6P using Tapatalk

Yeah, I actually saw Serenity first, which I loved. I had only heard about a show called Firefly but didn't know what it was. When I discovered it was a full tv series with the same actors, etc, I figured it was worth checking out, but it surely wouldn't be as good as the movie. I borrowed the series off a friend and watched it... man was I wrong! What an awesome show! The banter between the crew is fantastic. Such likeable characters and so well written. So now I own the series on blue-ray of course and am a big fan. Ironically this kit came from @JOATRASH FX and I just read on his build page that has a similar story in discovering Firefly.

Reg Canada customs, I've heard how bad they can be. And yes, it's easier to own real guns then replicas in Canada! Sheer madness. Lol. I got the receiver in as you see it in the pics, still with the trigger attached. I didn't have time to remove it before we left NZ. It made it through, but customs on both ends opened up the tote and pulled everything out just to inspect it. Along with my Weta Manmelter space gun. Which is an obvious threat! :lol

 

[tmax]

Re: Firefly "Vera" Build - WIP

And we're into it!

The kit comes with an inner silencer which the outer muzzle brake slides over.

On the original Vera, the outer muzzle brake was pinned to the silencer, so I'll pin and glue them.

The kit comes with peg holes for added strength.

It also has a working hinge for the barrel, so technically you could fold the barrel back on itself as it did in Showtime. But as Vera in Firefly with all the extra scopes, it renders the hinge pointless. So it will be more decoration than functional.

Next to my workbench I had one piece of pipe kicking around. Just so happens to be the exact size needed for the forward barrel! Destiny?? I think so! :lol

Glad I started with these pieces first as I feel like I've got half the gun done! Of course, this is so far from the truth it's not funny. But at least I might fool myself into some false confidence for a while.

After a bunch of sanding we're ready for primer...

First coat down...

I'll move on to the stock next.

 

[tmax]

Re: Firefly "Vera" Build - WIP

Front end coming together...

Onto the stock...

The ammo holder has 2 tracks that you glue on so the tail end of the rounds can slide in and be held in place...

The "but-plate" comes in 2 halves...

Mock fitted the stock together before gluing the fins in place as the placement of the fins is crucial to it all fitting together properly...

Fins glued...

So all the stock parts have been sanded ready for primer-fill paint tomorrow.

 

[Ozymandias]

Re: Firefly "Vera" Build - WIP

This is going to be one beautiful build.

 

[cokefiend]

Re: Firefly "Vera" Build - WIP

this s frikkin gorgeous! I must have one!

 

[paulsboutique]

Re: Firefly "Vera" Build - WIP

fark me ... once again tmax ...where do you find the time - looking awesome as usual !!!!

 

[tmax]

Re: Firefly "Vera" Build - WIP

This is going to be one beautiful build.

Thanks, I'm pretty pumped about it myself.

- - - Updated - - -

this s frikkin gorgeous! I must have one!

Know the feeling! This will be one of my favourite props when she's done.

 

[tmax]

Re: Firefly "Vera" Build - WIP

fark me ... once again tmax ...where do you find the time - looking awesome as usual !!!!

Ha ha, thanks mate!

I'm between film projects, so I'm pretty much a full-time prop maker at the moment. Living the dream! Plus @JOATRASH FX has been a HUGE help in answering my ongoing questions, even the dumb ones! If I had to wait a day or so for a response this would be a long, drawn-out build, but he's been an absolute legend in getting back to me super fast. Finally, I'm really keen to get this knocked out before the D9 SMG kit shows up.

T.

 

[tmax]

Re: Firefly "Vera" Build - WIP

Onto the mag...

A little time saver here, these flat pieces have a textured side (meant to be the top side), and a dead smooth side (that was on the bed of the printer). By simply flipping these over and using them on opposite sides of the mag, it will save me having to sand smooth the top side.

Parts prepped for first filler-primer coat

Making good progress.

 

[tmax]

Re: Firefly "Vera" Build - WIP

Onto the rear assembly.

As you'd expect from JOATRASH FX the kit is very clever. Is has parts, that when joined to the side panels, replicate the original machined parts...

Found another barrel ring, which goes in front of the larger ring.

Onto the mag-well...

Scope mounts...

Grip and trigger assembly...

It seems this set up actually utilises the existing Denix trigger, which means both the slide and the trigger will move. Yus! I love moving parts! So running out of time to cut the trigger off back in NZ was a good thing. A very good thing! :lol

 

[Mechanized]

Re: Firefly "Vera" Build - WIP

You’re burnin’ through this build, mate.

Loving every bit of it :thumbsup

 

[azheat01]

Re: Firefly "Vera" Build - WIP

Wow, very cool. and a beautiful kit! Can't wait to see it finished.

 

[tmax]

Re: Firefly "Vera" Build - WIP

You’re burnin’ through this build, mate.

Loving every bit of it :thumbsup

Thanks mate! How's Texas treating you? We were in Dallas/Fortworth last year.. we want to move there! Not kidding. We loved it!

 

[tmax]

Re: Firefly "Vera" Build - WIP

Wow, very cool. and a beautiful kit! Can't wait to see it finished.

Ha ha you and me both!

Yeah it's a great kit and I'm loving working with it. When I bought it I was in two minds as JOATRASH FX has an awesome resin version of Vera coming out soon. But I'm so glad I went with the 3D kit. It means I get to assemble each part as if I was building a Vera from scratch. And I'm really getting to know Vera and how she was made. A week ago she was a mystery to me but now I feel like I know her well. Lol. Still learning of course and a massive thanks to JOATRASH FX not just for the awesome kit, but for all the info to go with.

 

[tmax]

Re: Firefly "Vera" Build - WIP

Wanted to get the rest of the parts prepped and first filler-primer down. So went hard...

Done for the day but all the parts have their first primer-filler down so I'm stoked!