Exactly like that! LOL I'm more of the roadie guy... I'll get the scraps!
Hey W,
So here's what I'm looking at right now...
http://i778.photobucket.com/albums/... Scale Falcon Build 01/Issues_zps452arzpn.jpg
As you can see the lower side panels in the red circles will be angled too far toward the center and will more than likely not carry the weight of everything above it. Right now, only the door frame and main canopy arch (and the nuts and bolts) are keeping everything in place and preventing the panels from pushing outward. The further you go into the cockpit the more flex there is and the panels begin to sag down. The "cutoff point" (where I've decided to stop the build) is basically the nav chair platform. This is just below the front window leaving just a tiny bit of lower nose cone exposed - this wont be an issue as everything will bolt directly to the platform. My thought is that a skin frame can bolt directly to either the main platform or the nav chair platforms. BUT...
When I find the "mystery" outer diameter of the canopy arch - which does extend JUST past all the panels above, this will tell me whether or not the skin frame will or will not interfere with the lower panels. As it looks now on paper, everything should be OK... but with all the flexing and warping and good old fashioned gravity... I really have no idea what I'm going to find.
As you can see here... we did skin the cockpit down to the platform. We know the upper and side panels are clear of the future skin frame - note the canopy arch
http://i778.photobucket.com/albums/...sole Build061/20140525_211508_zps8e489e52.jpg
Hope that made sense. If you got it... could you explain it to me?
Exactly like that! LOL I'm more of the roadie guy... I'll get the scraps!
Hi Sofa,
I took a look at the set plans I have from the 76 version and it calls for a radius of 4'.0" from the center of the circle glass window -- for a second point of reference, these plans show the cockpit door having a total height of 6'.7" from the floor and a width of 2' 0.16" --
See elevation DD and CC on the previous plan I upload on page 260 or 259 -- (sorry it's on page 258)
Later
Oslm
Just a quick reply, whilst looking at the 'then and now' photos from a few pages back, in order to work out what can be done aesthetically and structurally to the lower panels on the front nose half I think the next step should be to create (or rough out) the front window. I'm thinking the front window could even be made as a seperate 'end cap' type of arrangement that's fitted last when re-building for events. By being seperate and fitted last like a slotted in piece it can be made with just enough give to allow for misalignment when setting up. Could the window section be reinforced to take some of the weight?
Either way, the window will help to visualise what can be done.
The "cutoff point" (where I've decided to stop the build) is basically the nav chair platform.
It's killer hot outside -kudos to you for making progress today.
I may have misunderstood but couldn't putting the nose cone on add the extra strength to support the rest? You were saying the further forward you get the more it sags, maybe if the nose cone was there it could be assembled ends first, then build up the sides connected at both ends.
I think mostly what I'm saying is I can't wait to see the nose cone attached to this thing
Since we're collecting silly ideas...
Hey Greg, nobody's perfect! Don't beat yourself up over this. Better to learn this now than on the real deal Full Scale Falcon build!!
Holy! Great find on the seats!!!
When I hung out with CL YEARS AND YEARS ago... And he told me about the FSF... My mind was blown.
Most people didn't believe it would ever be possible!
But here we are.
Really doesn't seem impossible anymore does it kids?
Great work Sofa!!!!!! (And everyone else that's worked on this)
GREAT find on the seats!!! As is they look more Lonestar and Barf than they do Solo and Chewie! LOL
Sofa! You've found the seatscool That's the bomb!