BigBigDave
Active Member
That looks like some kind of plate from a Wankel-style rotary engine. This is obviously new, but:
1:1 Millennium Falcon Cockpit Replica - Group Build
- Thread starter SteveStarkiller
- Start date
Friendly flyer
Well-Known Member
It has a rimmed backplate that can be bolted onto a solid surface.
It has a lid that fastens with a central screw/shaft
With the lid open, it shows a snail-shell-like trough centred around the shaft, opening to the major outlet/inlet
It has one other major outlet/inlet, entering through the top of the lid rather than through the sides.
It has a smaller opening (to the top the way Sofaking has mounted it).
My guess is this is a pump. I think some sort of impeller have been spinning around the central axis, pumping fuel out the larger outlet (the one Sofaking has fastened the hoses on his version). One of the two remaining apertures must be an inlet, the other an opening for an electric wire. My guess is the one entering through top of the lid is the electric wire.
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BigBigDave
Active Member
Just to illustrate where my head is, this is a good, simple view of a vacuum pump, and I should clarify that this vacuum pump is "a pump driven by a vacuum" vs. the thing with the exact same name that creates a vacuum.:
And from Wavey's post t'other day:
And from Wavey's post t'other day:
I think based on the view on the right, that's the input on the lower left, the output on the upper right, and the vacuum on the upper left. The different sizes of the hoses means they're changing the velocity and pressure of the fluid. Anyway... I say all that just in the hopes ANY of that can jog someone's brain in the correct direction.
Friendly flyer
Well-Known Member
Googling "old vacuum fuel pump" and browsing pictures indicates you're in the right ballpark. No cigar yet, though.
Wavey
Sr Member
Excellent reasonings gentlemen.
'SPE Fuel Booster Pumps'. There's dozens of types and possibly a half dozen variations per type, so that's where the homework is at. Going by the amount of other set dressings in ANH and ESB that can be related to a single aircraft (though some parts are interchangable to some degree with other aircraft or display engines) the silver pump prop maybe from a Canberra's fuel system, feeding the Avon engine at start-up/take-off/landing, etc, but I don't have a part number for that one. The pump could also be used in other aircraft, such as Concorde - there's a lot to learn here lol.
The navcom pair are probably 'B.P.1 Mk2A' - for Bristols. Well, the Bristols is a good starting point, at least.
'SPE Fuel Booster Pumps'. There's dozens of types and possibly a half dozen variations per type, so that's where the homework is at. Going by the amount of other set dressings in ANH and ESB that can be related to a single aircraft (though some parts are interchangable to some degree with other aircraft or display engines) the silver pump prop maybe from a Canberra's fuel system, feeding the Avon engine at start-up/take-off/landing, etc, but I don't have a part number for that one. The pump could also be used in other aircraft, such as Concorde - there's a lot to learn here lol.
The navcom pair are probably 'B.P.1 Mk2A' - for Bristols. Well, the Bristols is a good starting point, at least.
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Wavey
Sr Member
Thinking about it, Vickers Varsity maybe a closer contender for this pair as that's where the cannon controls are probably from.
EDIT: Not Varsity.
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Hey Gang,
Time for an update! Lots going on this long Memorial Day weekend! First, a huge thank to all who served and paid the ultimate sacrifice. You have my utmost respect and admiration.
Let's start the update with another little cool project. I debated whether to start a new thread but since it is part of the same project it made sense just leave it here.
If you remember I've designed and laser cut a 1/4 scale version of the cockpit panels to see if doubling up the panels for both wiring and greeblies was solid approach for the next 1:1 scale cockpit. Well... I did a little bit more work. Enjoy!
Added these tabs to the back panel
I then cut a 28" diam test back wall for the panel(s) to mount
Standard paint can for scale
Getting carried away with this project I then cut scaled Ext Panel covers
Blank and the template
Risers
3 out of the 6 required for the cockpit
Basic shape
Door frame
Let's cut a few new practice greeblies from styrene...
We can do better!
So let's see if this LED concept works! The idea is that the back panel will hold the LED in place
The holes were just a tad too small - the file is the near perfect and identical diam as the 3mm LED
Slipped right into place!
Flush with the other side!
OK... now I'm excited! Let's make this thing!
Remember... this is 28" in diam! The panels are 8.75" long!
That's going to be a LOT of LEDs and Fiber Optics!
The two layers have tabs and inserts. They work with each other to support the frame and keep each panel in place - note the extension panel holes!
Back / Side View
Another
Yup... I've going to try to make the sliders... slide!
More door frames and door panel parts
The interior beauty shot! These are only the back panels.
After all that, I jumped over to the warehouse / shop and got back to work on the new platforms! Time to get these panels and platforms working with each other!
The exposed ply wood has been really bothering me! So everything is getting covered with either 1/8th inch MDF or the actual flooring material - coming soon!
Interior piece for the nav chair platform(s)
The walking surface will have a rubber mat similar to the EP VII version and the edges will have aluminum "L" molding to protect the edges
Covered the new nose platform - still twice as light as the previous version!
Once again, covered the exposed wood sides with MDF
Added more supports to the main body platform along with the 3/4" ply
The center walking area will also receive the rubber mat
All trimmed out and ready
Time for some casters! At this point, the humidity was getting bad! Yup... summer time in Alabama
Need to add one more to the very front
With the other platform gone, the shorter platform adds to the illusion that the nose is off the ground and in the air!
This is the main body platform but is also the basic size and depth of the cockpit entrance platform - I've decided against making most of the corridor as the the clock has begun to tick for our next show! This should give you an idea of the final size
Whew... More to Follow!
Time for an update! Lots going on this long Memorial Day weekend! First, a huge thank to all who served and paid the ultimate sacrifice. You have my utmost respect and admiration.
Let's start the update with another little cool project. I debated whether to start a new thread but since it is part of the same project it made sense just leave it here.
If you remember I've designed and laser cut a 1/4 scale version of the cockpit panels to see if doubling up the panels for both wiring and greeblies was solid approach for the next 1:1 scale cockpit. Well... I did a little bit more work. Enjoy!Added these tabs to the back panel
I then cut a 28" diam test back wall for the panel(s) to mount
Standard paint can for scale
Getting carried away with this project I then cut scaled Ext Panel covers
Blank and the template
Risers
3 out of the 6 required for the cockpit
Basic shape
Door frame
Let's cut a few new practice greeblies from styrene...
We can do better!
So let's see if this LED concept works! The idea is that the back panel will hold the LED in place
The holes were just a tad too small - the file is the near perfect and identical diam as the 3mm LED
Slipped right into place!
Flush with the other side!
OK... now I'm excited! Let's make this thing!
Remember... this is 28" in diam! The panels are 8.75" long!
That's going to be a LOT of LEDs and Fiber Optics!
The two layers have tabs and inserts. They work with each other to support the frame and keep each panel in place - note the extension panel holes!
Back / Side View
Another
Yup... I've going to try to make the sliders... slide!
More door frames and door panel parts
The interior beauty shot! These are only the back panels.
After all that, I jumped over to the warehouse / shop and got back to work on the new platforms! Time to get these panels and platforms working with each other!
The exposed ply wood has been really bothering me! So everything is getting covered with either 1/8th inch MDF or the actual flooring material - coming soon!
Interior piece for the nav chair platform(s)
The walking surface will have a rubber mat similar to the EP VII version and the edges will have aluminum "L" molding to protect the edges
Covered the new nose platform - still twice as light as the previous version!
Once again, covered the exposed wood sides with MDF
Added more supports to the main body platform along with the 3/4" ply
The center walking area will also receive the rubber mat
All trimmed out and ready
Time for some casters! At this point, the humidity was getting bad! Yup... summer time in Alabama
Need to add one more to the very front
With the other platform gone, the shorter platform adds to the illusion that the nose is off the ground and in the air!
This is the main body platform but is also the basic size and depth of the cockpit entrance platform - I've decided against making most of the corridor as the the clock has begun to tick for our next show! This should give you an idea of the final size
Whew... More to Follow!
Ahhhh, what a wonderful update!
Love the small-scale cockpit, looks like you had a fun and productive weekend.
Love the small-scale cockpit, looks like you had a fun and productive weekend.
Friendly flyer
Well-Known Member
Oh, are those dark panels formica or thin through-coloured MDF?
Lt Washburn
Sr Member
Sofa, I have to admit, when you first started talking about the mini cockpit, I was silently going, "Nooooooooo! He's going to get distracted and progress will stall on the big one!". Because that's what happens with me on hobbies. But then you post an update and I see how cool it looks as a well-thought out kit and that you still did major work on the big one at the same time, so I was relieved and excited. Really looking forward to seeing more of the cockpit back together and any work you do on the corridor.
Hi Gang,
An Early Morning Update!
Work continues on the 1/4 Scale Test Model - designed a base to hold the great beast. This will more than likely change over the course of time
I cut a cover panel for each side
This hides the horizontal beams edges giving a nice clean surface
This is the interior platform frame where the nav chairs mount
I cut the cockpit entrance wall
The 3 separate pieces put together for visual reference
I then laser cut the trim pieces for the entrance... all that's missing is a million greeblies!
I also did some test cuts for the door... this is another work in progress
This is how the interior platform looks - I'm designing it so assembly is simple and straight forward!
More work continued at the warehouse - both Falcon and arranging the warehouse. I adhered the two nav chair MDF cover pieces (the exposed wood was really bugging me)
I then began to add the casters to the larger main platform - lots of reinforcing had to be added
Still have another 7-10 casters to add...
More to Follow!
An Early Morning Update!
Work continues on the 1/4 Scale Test Model - designed a base to hold the great beast. This will more than likely change over the course of time
I cut a cover panel for each side
This hides the horizontal beams edges giving a nice clean surface
This is the interior platform frame where the nav chairs mount
I cut the cockpit entrance wall
The 3 separate pieces put together for visual reference
I then laser cut the trim pieces for the entrance... all that's missing is a million greeblies!
I also did some test cuts for the door... this is another work in progress
This is how the interior platform looks - I'm designing it so assembly is simple and straight forward!
More work continued at the warehouse - both Falcon and arranging the warehouse. I adhered the two nav chair MDF cover pieces (the exposed wood was really bugging me)
I then began to add the casters to the larger main platform - lots of reinforcing had to be added
Still have another 7-10 casters to add...
More to Follow!
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Roughneckone
Sr Member
Awesome work on the Mini-Me Falcon parts SK :thumbsup, and of course with the added advantage that you can iron out any problems in the 1/1 parts without wasting much material!
Roughneckone:cool
Roughneckone:cool
Hey SB,
It was a good weekend! The 1/4 has been a nice distraction (which we all need from time to time). Should be a great summer of activity!
- - - Updated - - -
Hi 68,
Thanks so much! Very kind words indeed. I really appreciate the support.
- - - Updated - - -
Hey FF,
I can't remember exactly what those are made of but it's not Formica. It's a 1/8th inch "plastic" we used for the interior nose panels - smooth on one side and textured on the other. I'm replacing them with 1/8th MDF and then all the interior nose panels below the shelf will be covered with rubber matting.
Hey Jo,
Thank you, my friend! I'm having lots of fun with it. As I mentioned a few times it really started as nothing more than a test and then just snowballed into this! I'm about to design the nose and then of course... the center console. I'm also working with fellow RPFer and Full Scale Falcon member, Izzy, to scale up the seats, and other misc cockpit items, he used for his amazing 1/6th build.
The platform is SO MUCH lighter now since I went away from the 2x4s. In its current configuration I can lift and move by myself. The previous version required at least 3 people to lift and move. It was a nightmare!
As we all know, having our own projects, still lots to do...
Hey Lt W,
The 1/4 scale serves two purposes. The first, and most important, is the prep for Cockpit Ver 2. All the main panels you see (minus structure) were all done at the original 1:1 scale. Many of the holes may have to be rescaled depending on what LEDs or switches we use. But the basic layout is finished along with all the greeblie scales and placement. The best part is that all the panels will fit into the laser cutter making things MUCH easier. I no longer have to drill the holes by hand!
The second reason for the 1/4 scale is the much needed "distraction" from the monotony. I've been working on this project over 4 years. As much as I love it, I DEF need something to recharge the engines. Even though it's essentially the exact same thing, it's a smaller scale and allows me to have some fun along with exploring new ideas and paths forward for the next cockpit.
A Kit: Yes, I am giving serious thought to creating and making a kit available for those interested. Total cut time is well into 20+ hours (minus recuts) and I haven't designed the nose or center console yet. I would plan on making a very easy/straight forward kit and will engrave the part names and attachment points. Again, still thinking it through. If I get a request of 10-20 kits, I might do it. BUT, I'm still working the basic design. I'm hoping to get to the nose this week and then tackle the console after that. Not to mention all the little greeblies...
Not to worry... the clock is ticking for our next show so I wont let the 1/4 scale change the focus too much!
Also, if I have time... I want to build a few more 1/4 scale parts of the MF to include maybe the radar, landing gear or maybe the loading ramp with docking ring? - - - Updated - - -
Hey R,
Thanks so much! That is exactly right. The 1/4 scale allows me to explore new ideas, paths forward and solve any potential issues that might come up when Ver 2 starts! Plus it's just fun!
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Loosebruce704
Member
Looking at the baby cockpit I can't help but think it reminds me of one of those kits that come attached to magazines and your buy 1 bit each week.......Now how many of us here spend good money to have our own version .
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