Hi, New Guy's FM Falcon

[mktodd]

Hi, I'm a long time reader, but this is my first post to this forum. I took advantage of the new members sign up period and thought I'd introduce myself with a couple of examples of my recent work. I've already posted these to the Starship Modeller forum and I got some good feedback. I'd love to hear what you guys think. :thumbsdown :thumbsup ?

This is my Fine molds Falcon. I finally finished the wiring last week and I'm pretty pleased with the look. There are a couple of issues that I intend to address soon, the gaps in the piping being the main one.

The cockpit back wall is a backlit tarnsparency of a cockpit graphic I knocked up, the console, 3PO's eyes, red running lights and small lower mandible lights are fiber optics.

The engine uses Falcon Designs clear engine piece recasts (Thanks Alex, they look great) with some EL tape running behind them. I lightly sprayed the thrusters with a mist of silver so that when the lights are off it's so dark in there they look solid, not clear.

There are Leds in the gunwells and headlights. The gunwell walls have decals I made of the interior based on screenshots and reference, not that you can see much of the gunwell interior in the pics, they look better in person.

Here are the running lights.

The Blast Damage I added

I carved out the overhang between the mandibles and the hull plates, the notches on the rims and insets. I trimmed the plates back from the outer edge entirely in three spots to match the shooting miniature.

http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g54/mktodd/FM%20FALCON/IMG_2414.jpg[/img


I didn't "correct" the madible angle as I didn't feel it was worth the effort and risk. To me, it's not that big a deal. I did add some more detail to a few spots and might go back later and add some
more to the Upper Jaw box sides and front, a la Quarz' [url="http://12-parsecs.blogspot.com/"]http://12-parsecs.blogspot.com/[/url] but for now, I'm going to give it a break as I've been working on this since the kit came out and I'm in danger of ruining it if I do too much. When I saw Quarz' piece on accurizing the docking port plating I kicked myself because I should've done the same, but I'd already carved the damage, assembled and painted the pieces.

I might revisit them later, maybe if I can get hold of a extra set as they are held on with magnets (and fiber optics, but that doesn't matter) The screw covers and the side "Gearbox" pieces are also held on with magnets so I can get in to replace the four 9v batteries when they die. I have two circuits inside, one for the engine EL strip and another for the LED's. The switch for both is the Dish. Everythings turned on by twisting it.

I think this kit is probably the best mass produced kit I have ever seen or had the pleasure to build. Every other kit manufacturer should take a leaf out of FineMolds book. The detail and engineering is amazing. I know it's lacking in a few places, but the quality far outshines any deficiencies, most of which can be adressed easily.

I hope you like it

[url="http://s53.photobucket.com/albums/g54/mktodd/FM%20FALCON/"]http://s53.photobucket.com/albums/g54/mktodd/FM%20FALCON/[/url]


Here is my Slave 1

[img]http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g54/mktodd/FM%20Slave-1/IMG_2485.jpg

This is the album...

http://s53.photobucket.com/albums/g54/mktodd/FM%20Slave-1/

it's based on the Jango Fett one and I didn't go to a lot of effort to correct the differences. I should've waited for the Boba version obviously...


So, there you have it. I look forward to hearing what you think...

Thanks

Toddski

 

[Hand Solo]

And probably one of the best first posts one is likely to read.

That really IS a fantastic buildup. Love the lightsheet cockpit and engine backlight.

...and all the little floods and spotlights you incorporated.

Paint job and weathering? First rate.

Most excellent...

 

[Ewok]

WOW...this is awesome. Absolutely fantastic paintjob. Really love the details you put in. Looks like a bunch of work but the result is worth every minute you've spent. Congrats :thumbsup

by the way.....what are those references you had in the background? Looks like a poster of some kind. The top shot of the falcon looks great and crispy sharp on this one. What is it?

 

[mktodd]

<div class='quotetop'>(Ewok @ Jun 29 2006, 11:42 AM) [snapback]1270863[/snapback]</div>

WOW...this is awesome. Absolutely fantastic paintjob. Really love the details you put in. Looks like a bunch of work but the result is worth every minute you've spent. Congrats :thumbsup

by the way.....what are those references you had in the background? Looks like a poster of some kind. The top shot of the falcon looks great and crispy sharp on this one. What is it?
[/b]

It's a mosaic I put together of reference photos from Maths Halstensen's site.
http://www.halstensen.com/

The photo's were really good and helped A LOT in the painting of this model. It did take a long time but as you say, it was worth it.

Thanks, I'm glad you like it....

 

[IndyMike]

Amazing. You put the rest of us new posters (with no props to show) to shame.

Is this kit still available?

 

[JP05]

Outstanding work .........

I love the Slave 1 WOW...

 

[HAL9000]

You see. That's what we need round these parts - more show than blow.

WOW.
:eek :eek :eek :eek

 

[Lupus Yonderboy]

What an introduction.
Mind-bogglind work mate, welcome.
I particularly like 3P0's eyes and the "dish-switch" solution

 

[Jeeves]

Gaaah.
stunning, stunning, stunning.

You lit 3po's eyes...you are nuts.

thanks for posting.


-RAj

 

[mktodd]

<div class='quotetop'>(Jeeves @ Jun 29 2006, 12:24 PM) [snapback]1270892[/snapback]</div>

Gaaah.
stunning, stunning, stunning.

You lit 3po's eyes...you are nuts.

thanks for posting.


-RAj
[/b]

My Wife would readily agree, I am indeed nuts. But Happy.

Glad you like all like them, it makes the many hours spent going crosseyed and losing sleep worth it...

 

[PHArchivist]

Saw this on the other forum... VERY nice work. And welcome...

 

[binkleywalker]

Good Lord.

All posts like this do is make me wish i had kept my receipt so i could just return mine.

That is fantastic.

What an inspiration.

Brian

And the third picture down, the 'window' in the jaw where there is a light, the right corner of that 'window' that isn't the chess table in there, is it?

 

[mktodd]

<div class='quotetop'>(binkleywalker @ Jun 29 2006, 07:03 PM) [snapback]1271138[/snapback]</div>

Good Lord.

All posts like this do is make me wish i had kept my receipt so i could just return mine.

That is fantastic.

What an inspiration.

Brian

And the third picture down, the 'window' in the jaw where there is a light, the right corner of that 'window' that isn't the chess table in there, is it?
[/b]

In a moment of clarity, I decided NOT to do the interior. It was a close call, though. I'd never have finished it, mind, but I was tempted.

 

[Kuhn Global]

HandSolo called me about this...


GREAT job Toddski.

 

[PHArchivist]

Is your cockpit permanently attached, or removable to access lighting?

 

[mktodd]

<div class='quotetop'>(PHArchivist @ Jun 30 2006, 11:05 AM) [snapback]1271584[/snapback]</div>

Is your cockpit permanently attached, or removable to access lighting?
[/b]

It's removable. It's attached using the kits mounting points, which are pretty tight and hold it on well. I might add some magnets but it might be overkill, it's a pretty good hold

<div class='quotetop'>(Lupus Yonderboy @ Jun 29 2006, 12:23 PM) [snapback]1270890[/snapback]</div>

What an introduction.
Mind-bogglind work mate, welcome.
I particularly like 3P0's eyes and the "dish-switch" solution
[/b]

The Dish Switch worked out pretty well, it's a good way to get one switch to do both jobs. If you turn it so far it switches on the lights, turn it some more the engines come on. 3PO's eyes were fiddly. It was tricky to drill them out and run the fiber optics through the floor and seat without snapping.. The Console lights were easier as the cable run was less convoluted. For the back wall, I used two high output LEDS set a little way back with a .01 sheet of evergreen styrene inbetween as a diffuser.

 

[Hand Solo]

<div class='quotetop'></div>

It's removable. It's attached using the kits mounting points, which are pretty tight and hold it on well. I might add some magnets but it might be overkill, it's a pretty good hold...[/b]

Ah so. This explains the visible seams. I get it now.

I didn't have the heart to 'criticize' your work on this, because I sure the hell don't think I could do any better, but the seams did show and I was wondering.

I'm not wondering any more.

 

[STEVE THE SWEDE]

Holy crap, now that's just awesome. Got to be two of the best models I've ever seen around here. I just don't know which one I love the most, Falcon or Slave.? Incredible. :cheers

Do you mind if I ask you a question, I've always thought those "El sheet" engines looked really fake. Always to dim and no where near the look of the flourcent tubes used on the real falcon models. Yours however looks very nice and bright, almost dead on the look of the new CG falcon blasting out of docking bay 94. So, is it just the pics or is your El sheet just as bright in real life?

Cheers,

Steve.

 

[mktodd]

<div class='quotetop'>(STEVE THE SWEDE @ Jun 30 2006, 02:00 PM) [snapback]1271718[/snapback]</div>

Holy crap, now that's just awesome. Got to be two of the best models I've ever seen around here. I just don't know which one I love the most, Falcon or Slave.? Incredible. :cheers

Do you mind if I ask you a question, I've always thought those "El sheet" engines looked really fake. Always to dim and no where near the look of the flourcent tubes used on the real falcon models. Yours however looks very nice and bright, almost dead on the look of the new CG falcon blasting out of docking bay 94. So, is it just the pics or is your El sheet just as bright in real life?

Cheers,

Steve.
[/b]

Wow. Thanks, you're too kind..

The EL strip I used, a computer case lighting mod, is pretty bright. It's not as blazingly bright as I'd like, but it's not bad. Like you said, it looks as bright as the escape from Mos Eisley, not as bright as full power on the run from Ties on Bespin.



<div class='quotetop'>(Hand Solo @ Jun 30 2006, 12:09 PM) [snapback]1271653[/snapback]</div>

<div class='quotetop'>

It's removable. It's attached using the kits mounting points, which are pretty tight and hold it on well. I might add some magnets but it might be overkill, it's a pretty good hold...[/b]

Ah so. This explains the visible seams. I get it now.

I didn't have the heart to 'criticize' your work on this, because I sure the hell don't think I could do any better, but the seams did show and I was wondering.

I'm not wondering any more.
[/b][/quote]


Now you've gone and done it. :cry I'll have to see if I can do anything about this now. Not that it looks bad in person. I knew I shouldn't have posted..

T

 

[Hand Solo]

^ It doesn't look bad. And if you have to keep that section removeable I certainly understand.

Hard to conceal joins in an area like that if you periodically have to access it. The only reasons the joins stand out is because of the closeups and quality of your photography AND the attention to detail paid the rest of the ship.

You've got a technical reason for leaving the joins as is. It's no big. It's the only 'crit' I could ever have really made, and it's not even a valid crit at all.

Carry on. :thumbsup