Hasbro Legacy Millennium Falcon Conversion

[crackerjazz]

Hi Eric! That's one of the shots that really inspired me to start my own build. And at first I was ready to settle for the plating on the Hasbro but then realized it looked too clean. the dilapidated overhangs was one of the keys along with battle damage that made her look the worn-out hotrod she is. And so I sanded off the hasbro plating and will attempt to do as you did on your awesome scratchbuild.

 

[crackerjazz]

JunkPilot, that photo brings back memories of how my kid loved it so dearly. He'd wake up very early every morning ahead of us just to see if it's still there. Until that fateful morning I woke up earlier.

 

[Junk Pilot]

Love it, CJ.

I have decided though to keep it as the 32in bird, since it is almost studio scale anyway, as I can live with the incorrect hull curvature which is a little less drastic than the steps you're taking.

 

[Junk Pilot]

I thought about this the other day and today I finally got around to comparing the Hasbro Falcon to the 1/72 Fine Molds Falcon and now I am almost positive that Hasbro modeled their BMF after this stunning kit.

I took some photos of the docking rings from both and it's just too coincidental that the same details are on both including the notches on the undersides.

What do you think?

 

[crackerjazz]

Hi JunkPilot, great to hear you'll be starting your Hasbro mod, too! And wise decision not to do the 5-footer as it can get really frustrating. Are those photos comparisons of the 1/72 Finemolds and the Hasbro? How come they look the same size?

 

[Junk Pilot]

I'm holding the Fine Molds one closer to the camera.

 

[crackerjazz]

You got me JunkPilot

Hey, I found a good way to blow up photos to the size I want without guessing printer settings. I just crop the photo to my desired height (or width)....and print it in exact size. Didn't know Digital Image Suite had this.

The MPC/ERTL model has its good points and would be a good reference for greeblies and plating size/placement in the absence of good photos. The engine deck is totally unusable with its funny greeblies but the turrets and docking tunnels and some plating patterns look ok. Some correction needed but it serves as a great start.

So I scanned the MPC/ERTL turret part and blew it up to the exact size I need to serve as template/reference. Plating spacing of the MPC/ERTL looks gigantic when blown up I still cross-reference to the actual photos to correct some patterns but it speeds things up for me to have actual size templates.

 

[Junk Pilot]

Nice. The program I have (MS Picture It, Photo Standard 7) also has this feature.

BTW, I am now completely convinced Hasbro modeled the BMF from the FM's kit. Every detail is nearly identical. I've just taken some over heard shots of both and was going to "line" them up together just to see how far off the BMF is, size wise.

 

[crackerjazz]

Got my Falcon builders' tool today Looking forward to hull-plating this weekend.

 

[Junk Pilot]

Got my Falcon builders' tool today Looking forward to hull-plating this weekend.

I've never seen this before. What is it?

 

[crackerjazz]

Hi JunkPilot, it's a trammel. A big compass for drawing and cutting large circles (especially useful for drawing the falcon's hull patterns and cutting hull plates). Phil recommended it in his thread. I think it's those sliding pins that are called trammels - the ruler is replaceable. This is the cheapest one I could find off ebay and it's got all sorts of end pins - scriber, blade cutter and pencil tips.

TRAMMEL CIRCLE MARKER CUTTER SET NEW FREE | eBay

 

[Junk Pilot]

CJ. You're a bad influence.
I started to disect my BMF today and for anyone who has wondered what is inside this thing look at the attached pics.

Honestly, this thing is an engineering marvel. Now I don't know where to start and I certainly can't put the thing back together, even if I wanted to.

One interesting thing though. If anyone is building a 5ft Falcon they may want to consider getting the guns from the BMF because their size. Look at the comparisons.

 

[Junk Pilot]

Over in the Studio Scale forum I found an old thread measuring the length of the MR Falcon. Since the Hasbro BMF is almost Studio Scale I decided to do some measuring of the BMF so I could compare them to the MR Falcon

Here is the original thread from the Studio Scale forum:

http://www.therpf.com/f10/some-mr-falcon-pictures-measurements-you-guys-bottom-pics-added-48757/

and here are my photos.

Hasbro BMF pictures by dln1700 - Photobucket

It is surprising to know some of the measurements are almost identical. Overall I have found a difference of about 4-5% between the both of them which to me doesn't appear to be much at all and is still very workable since the BMF is only 1 inch shorter than SS.

 

[crackerjazz]

CJ. You're a bad influence....Now I don't know where to start and I certainly can't put the thing back together, even if I wanted to.

JunkPilot, that's exactly where I'm at, a year into it But if you're really decided on converting it - first things first - cut the cockpit and tunnel off and trim down the sidewalls. You'll see a difference right away, but be prepared for bigger work to come. Otherwise, there is still hope - cut nothing off and retrace your steps as long as all parts and screws are still there, and try your best at reassembling the thing. The innards do fit back in there you just have to hump it a little bit - I did the same thing early on until I got the itch again to finally dive into it. Takes a while to accept losing all functions of the toy.

 

[Junk Pilot]

Apologies if I have hijacked your thread, CJ. I will be measuring the sidewalls soon, minus about 3% to account for the 1" difference between the BMF and SS.

Anyway, the moment I took the first screw out it ceased to be a toy...forever.

 

[3d-builder]

Wow this is looking top notch........lots of love
in this project keep up the great work!:thumbsup

 

[crackerjazz]

Thanks 3D-builder!

Not at all, JunkPilot - feel free to post here. This is our thread. I've always wanted someone to build this thing along with and get encouragement from as my stop and go build is so slow doing it alone. Great photos and info by the way - brings back memories.

 

[Junk Pilot]

With my plan to convert the BMF into a replica 32in Falcon I've done some calculations (as well as having to re-learn my maths all over again) as far as getting the correct height of the sidewalls are concerned.

It is generally acccepted that the 32in Falcon mandible sidewalls are 1.0" (25.40mm).

The Hasbro BMF, with its oversized walls to accommodate the action figures, has a sidewall height of 1.373" (34.88mm). This is 0.373" (9.48mm) larger than SS.

I'll reduce the height of the mandibles to that of studio scale and see how things go and if it still doesn't look right I'll reduce it again. However, in keeping the mandibles at SS I'll need to check the saucer walls as they will be larger and I'll not touch these until I get the mandibles right first.

 

[ozzyguanche]

Ok!!!, now we got two nuts in the bucket.

Give it a shake!!! and I cant wait to see what happens. LOL

Fast becomming my all time fav thread.

Ozzy

PS: crackerjazz, I dont think people realise how close in shape and plating detail the AMT/MPC falcon realy is to the 5 foot. Its realy only the side walls and the engine deck, that are real crap. the access pits etc, are actualy close in detail as well.

 

[Junk Pilot]

Ok!!!, now we got two nuts in the bucket.

Give it a shake!!! and I cant wait to see what happens. LOL

Fast becomming my all time fav thread.

Ozzy

PS: crackerjazz, I dont think people realise how close in shape and plating detail the AMT/MPC falcon realy is to the 5 foot. Its realy only the side walls and the engine deck, that are real crap. the access pits etc, are actualy close in detail as well.

(sings) Come on Ozzy come one, if it wasn't for your AMT Falcon you'd be a nut in the bucket too.

Always room for one more.:lol