5 Foot Falcon Replica - ANH

t2sides

Master Member

• Oct 9, 2017

• #1

Hello RPF'rs
Started this big fella about a year ago, but haven't done much over the summer as I moved homes. Now have a workshop setup, and picking back up on her. I'll try to share the progress as it continues, so a lot of these pics were taken before I've restarted. Should be a fun journey, and am just amazed at the work other Falcon builders/designers and research work that has been accomplished to help those of us that are attempting to build this big model. I'm doing a lot of 'free hand' construction to assemble this, and referencing the amazing blueprints Maruska and VFXsup64 have shared. Eagle1's build is looking just incredible, and it's so awesome to see/compare how we tackle building these.
I'll start here with the Mandibles, as they were the first part I constructed. I'm going mostly a full styrene/kit approach for Greeblies on this, and only casting parts when absolutely necessary.
Starting the Mandible


Filling in the Pits

Sidewall details

 

moffeaton

Master Member

RPF PREMIUM MEMBER

• Oct 9, 2017

• #2

SO nice to see this public unveiling!! You are forging ahead into uncharted waters, like a BOSS

 

t2sides

Master Member

• Oct 9, 2017

• #3

6" Dish construction and now in primer. I realized they 'routed' out the Plastruct dome for this, so I copied that approach, then cut out the rounded raised lip to make it flush on the two sides. Lined up to match as best possible to the Sealab/IX part. (I still have to clean up the filler nubs in the Saturn V cone.)
.

 

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eagle1

Master Member

RPF PREMIUM MEMBER

• Oct 10, 2017

• #4

Awesome to have your build here finally Sean & to keep me on pace haha. Yes, so many people to thank for making these builds doable, without them & all the knowledge that we have gathered, our builds will be pretty darn faithful to the filming miniature.
Your work Sean is as always so clean & sharp. Not to mention you work at a dizzying pace, I'm still in awe over this fact!.

Radar dish looks incredible!

Stu

 

t2sides

Master Member

• Oct 10, 2017

• #5

Thanks Jason and Stu!! Appreciate it!
Here's a few shots of the Docking Ring and Arms. (the camera distorts the angle of the ring, the angle is more pronounced in person)
I'm currently working on the top port arm and the underside ones.

 

B

bigpetr

Active Member

• Oct 10, 2017

• #6

Amazing work. I have a question for you, experienced and knowlegable modelers. I compared this bandai perfect grade Falcon drawings

http://bandai-hobby.net/sw/products_img/millenniumfalcon_72_markinglocation.pdf

with Maruska and VFXsup64 blueprints and 3d base model. There are just minor diferences except this one:



Bandai model should be based on structure light scan of original, if I rember correctly. Can it be trusted? What do you think? Witch one is more right?

 

eagle1

Master Member

RPF PREMIUM MEMBER

• Oct 10, 2017

• #7

Yes the Bandai Falcon is correct with the cockpit tube & cone diameter being 6'. Andre's plans had the 5 3/4" tube which was proven wrong quite a while back now & that measure came from my earlier workings out. So the correct diameter is indeed 6' & Bandai of course have it correct for the kit & that decal plan sheet.

Stu

 

Vidar 710

Well-Known Member

• Oct 10, 2017

• #8

Glad to see you up and running again Sean! Happy you’re settled in enough to open up shop. Awesome project! Don’t recall you telling me about this one. I’ll be watching. I’ll send this thread to Dan. Maybe he’ll become a member here. ;-)

Tracy

 

t2sides

Master Member

• Oct 10, 2017

• #9

Thanks BigPetr for the link! Great stuff and excellent reference by Bandai! They did a GREAT job on that thing! Looking forward to getting that kit.
Tracy, thanks!
So here's some more background on the project. These are the maintenance pits and the bottom platform under construction.

Rear Starboard Pit



Lower Port Under Pit (I've since fixed the truck frame to be vertical properly)


Between Mandibles



The Fwd Starboard Pit

Lower Starboard Pit


The Whole Gang!


Compare of underside pits:
My Model on Top, Studio Mini on bottom (There are some minor differences for lack of having some parts at the time, but overall I feel I got pretty closed)
Starboard Pit:

Port Pit


And the underside landing gear platform coming into shape
.

 

Last edited: Oct 10, 2017

star-art

Sr Member

• Oct 10, 2017

• #10

WOW Sean, so good to see you back here again! Fantastic work as always! And, all the more incredible given how unbelievably FAST you can build! It never ceases to amaze me! You continue running circles around the rest of us.

 

joberg

Legendary Member

• Oct 11, 2017

• #11

Amazing build! Pro-Job all the way:cool

 

Carnet

Sr Member

• Oct 11, 2017

• #12

One of my favorite things about these 5 footer build threads is seeing all of the nurnies that I recognize from my SS y-wing project! It's like, "Oh hey, there is one of those, and there is five of those!" It gives me hope that I may be able to tackle this beast someday!

 

SofaKing01

Master Member

RPF PREMIUM MEMBER

• Oct 11, 2017

• #13

WOW! Excellent job so far. Really looking forward to seeing more!

 

SteveStarkiller

Sr Member

• Oct 11, 2017

• #14

the stuff dreams are made of. Thanks for the all the great process images.

 

Jaitea

Master Member

• Oct 11, 2017

• #15

Wow, great images.......thank you for posting them.....great work

....I feel all inspired now

John

 

t2sides

Master Member

• Oct 11, 2017

• #16

Thanks much Guys!! Appreciate it!!
Getting close to real time now... Here's a few shots of the main hull approach I'm taking. I started with the 'hamburger patty', built around a 2" PVC pipe so a 2" steel muffler pipe can go in across for carrying, then I have a vertical pipe that has a metal rod on the top/bottom to work as a stop for the steel pipe, but allows me to mount it vertical up/upside down. The lighting is just a nice bright white LED light strip that will be accessible if needed. The "Buns" I did similar to the original. I had them custom formed/blown (it took 12 attempts to make 3 good hemispheres) I am currently bonding the two 'bun' spheres to the patty, should have pics this weekend. I'll then add a 'extension' strip that emulates perfectly the overlap of the sphere including the 'lip' shape. More details on that on next update.

Patty Taking shape



Blown domes


Dry fitting assemblies

 

t2sides

Master Member

• Oct 11, 2017

• #17

And the engine lights



I must point out, if it weren't for the COMMUNITY of awesome RPF'rs and good friends that have HELPED TREMENDOUSLY on tireless research and design, I NEVER could have even started building this. I fully intend to post a list of contributors to this project!! You guys are amazing and I want to THANK EVERYONE that has shared with me on this endeavor!! :thumbsup :cheers :cheers

 

Last edited: Oct 11, 2017

vectorzero

Sr Member

RPF PREMIUM MEMBER

• Oct 12, 2017

• #18

Absolutely brilliant work. I can never get over how big this thing is. Wish I had the space. (Notwithstanding the skills.)

 

3DImpact

Sr Member

RPF PREMIUM MEMBER

• Oct 12, 2017

• #19

Fantastic! Congrats on this - very nice work. Thanks for posting your progress pics and allowing the vicarious joy in a dream project...

Dan

 

kokkari

Sr Member

RPF PREMIUM MEMBER

• Oct 12, 2017

• #20

I am truly speechless! I wish I had this kind of skill!