Bandai 1/72 PG Millennium Falcon (also the Revell Germany rebox)
- Thread starter Jaitea
- Start date
Re: Bandai 1/72 Millennium Falcon
I filed off the front of the set cockpit and replaced it with something that resembles the ANH front console. Not as detailed as 3D printing could make it, but I don't think it looks out of place.
![20171221_224641[22391] (2).jpg](https://therpf-f28a.kxcdn.com/forums/data/attachments/442/442287-fabd04947c78d4b2503c8223ffea9aa1.jpg "20171221_224641[22391] (2).jpg")
I'm also almost done with my modifications. I added magnets to the rear engine deck so that it never falls off, made a studio model cockpit interior that can be swapped out with the set interior, did lots of dremeling to add the damage Bandai left off, and added custom mounting. I will say that (in my opinion) a single rod holding up the falcon looks a lot better than the stand Bandai provides . . . and it's way sturdier! The base is courtesy the AMT Enterprise
![20171221_231550[22392].jpg](https://therpf-f28a.kxcdn.com/forums/data/attachments/442/442288-72f5740a9d7de5bd5f1c19424445517a.jpg "20171221_231550[22392].jpg")
I filed off the front of the set cockpit and replaced it with something that resembles the ANH front console. Not as detailed as 3D printing could make it, but I don't think it looks out of place.
I'm also almost done with my modifications. I added magnets to the rear engine deck so that it never falls off, made a studio model cockpit interior that can be swapped out with the set interior, did lots of dremeling to add the damage Bandai left off, and added custom mounting. I will say that (in my opinion) a single rod holding up the falcon looks a lot better than the stand Bandai provides . . . and it's way sturdier! The base is courtesy the AMT Enterprise
Re: Bandai 1/72 Millennium Falcon
I have.
https://www.therpf.com/showthread.php?t=262348&page=50&p=4318334#post4318334
https://www.therpf.com/showthread.php?t=262348&page=50&p=4318885#post4318885
https://www.therpf.com/showthread.php?t=262348&page=58&p=4326815#post4326815
How bright it can get depends on the type and amount of LED. There are brighter LEDs than the ones I used, but in my opinion, making it too bright starts to kill the sense of scale.
The hue of the light also plays a role. That is why I used filters.
I have.
https://www.therpf.com/showthread.php?t=262348&page=50&p=4318334#post4318334
https://www.therpf.com/showthread.php?t=262348&page=50&p=4318885#post4318885
https://www.therpf.com/showthread.php?t=262348&page=58&p=4326815#post4326815
How bright it can get depends on the type and amount of LED. There are brighter LEDs than the ones I used, but in my opinion, making it too bright starts to kill the sense of scale.
The hue of the light also plays a role. That is why I used filters.
Hunk a Junk
Sr Member
Re: Bandai 1/72 Millennium Falcon
That's a terrific mod, Lab. I wonder how brighter it would've been had you also replaced the kit's LEDs so they're shooting directly through the diffuser.
That's a terrific mod, Lab. I wonder how brighter it would've been had you also replaced the kit's LEDs so they're shooting directly through the diffuser.
bwize
Sr Member
Re: Bandai 1/72 Millennium Falcon
That's a spectacular job on the paint and weathering!
That's a spectacular job on the paint and weathering!
Re: Bandai 1/72 Millennium Falcon
Do I hear, "project run?"
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Do I hear, "project run?"
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
Hunk a Junk
Sr Member
Re: Bandai 1/72 Millennium Falcon
Okay, so I think I'm closer to finding my studio model lighting solution. Here's what I'm going for:
I went to the home improvement store (Menards) and found a 18x24 sheet of glossy white translucent acrylic for $14. I cut a strip roughly the right width and length for the Falcon's engine on my band saw and then used a heat gun and a kitchen pot close to the same circumference to slowly bend the acrylic around the pot.
This is a test strip, so I wasn't too careful to make the bend perfectly consistent. The acrylic is thick enough that I decided to see how it would look with two rows of strip tape LEDs behind it. I installed the Bandai defuser into the model and taped the LED strips directly onto it. With the new acrylic strip in place, there's about a 1/4"-1/2" gap between the LEDs and the strip.
So this is what I ended up with...
In real life, it's not quite as bright as the pictures show and I'd like it to be slightly brighter, but I think I'm close. The individual LED points blend together fairly well, giving a pretty even engine glow. I think on or off, this should give me to a look that's pretty close to the 5-footer.
Okay, so I think I'm closer to finding my studio model lighting solution. Here's what I'm going for:
I went to the home improvement store (Menards) and found a 18x24 sheet of glossy white translucent acrylic for $14. I cut a strip roughly the right width and length for the Falcon's engine on my band saw and then used a heat gun and a kitchen pot close to the same circumference to slowly bend the acrylic around the pot.
This is a test strip, so I wasn't too careful to make the bend perfectly consistent. The acrylic is thick enough that I decided to see how it would look with two rows of strip tape LEDs behind it. I installed the Bandai defuser into the model and taped the LED strips directly onto it. With the new acrylic strip in place, there's about a 1/4"-1/2" gap between the LEDs and the strip.
So this is what I ended up with...
In real life, it's not quite as bright as the pictures show and I'd like it to be slightly brighter, but I think I'm close. The individual LED points blend together fairly well, giving a pretty even engine glow. I think on or off, this should give me to a look that's pretty close to the 5-footer.
Re: Bandai 1/72 Millennium Falcon
Me too. And, interesting. I was afraid that it would sell out right away and I'd have to pay 2x on eBay when I finally decided to do it...
Maybe the rapidly expanding bubble the world seems to have been riding on the surface of for so long has finally taken a pause?
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This is $325 on Amazon today, for anyone that hasn't got one yet. Really wishing I had had a little patience on this and saved some money
Me too. And, interesting. I was afraid that it would sell out right away and I'd have to pay 2x on eBay when I finally decided to do it...
Maybe the rapidly expanding bubble the world seems to have been riding on the surface of for so long has finally taken a pause?
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
Re: Bandai 1/72 Millennium Falcon
Looks terrific! The classic white glow looks far groovier than the usual grid.
Looks terrific! The classic white glow looks far groovier than the usual grid.
Neverendingmods
New Member
Jaitea
Master Member
Re: Bandai 1/72 Millennium Falcon
Here's that same frame from the Team Negative One 35mm scan
J
Beautiful work mate.....it really does look gorgeous
Here's that same frame from the Team Negative One 35mm scan
J
Attachments
Hunk a Junk
Sr Member
Re: Bandai 1/72 Millennium Falcon
Mine did that too! I noticed it a few days after I connected the pieces. I've been kicking myself ever since thinking I didn't push it far enough. Unfortunately, I ran some thin cement in there so it's that way for good. I'm not losing sleep over it, but yeah, annoying.
Mine did that too! I noticed it a few days after I connected the pieces. I've been kicking myself ever since thinking I didn't push it far enough. Unfortunately, I ran some thin cement in there so it's that way for good. I'm not losing sleep over it, but yeah, annoying.
Toadmeister
Sr Member
Re: Bandai 1/72 Millennium Falcon
Working on my gun bays. I painted them a light grey, than painted various panels red and black. I hit the decals spares box and kibashed all sorts of stencils mostly from old aircraft kits. Did a few buttons and switches with colored pencils; silver, red, yelllow.
Pretty happy with the results. Once the window is installed you can't make out many details inside however. I thought about using the framed windows only but don't want these gun bays exposed.
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Working on my gun bays. I painted them a light grey, than painted various panels red and black. I hit the decals spares box and kibashed all sorts of stencils mostly from old aircraft kits. Did a few buttons and switches with colored pencils; silver, red, yelllow.
Pretty happy with the results. Once the window is installed you can't make out many details inside however. I thought about using the framed windows only but don't want these gun bays exposed.
Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk
Hunk a Junk
Sr Member
Re: Bandai 1/72 Millennium Falcon
It shouldn't cause a problem joining the saucers. I'm nervous about that stage too, but more so about any potential gaps between the mandibles and the saucer.
- - - Updated - - -
Looks good! The trouble with the gunbays is that it's so hard to see them once the kit is assembled.
It shouldn't cause a problem joining the saucers. I'm nervous about that stage too, but more so about any potential gaps between the mandibles and the saucer.
- - - Updated - - -
Looks good! The trouble with the gunbays is that it's so hard to see them once the kit is assembled.
Toadmeister
Sr Member
Re: Bandai 1/72 Millennium Falcon
I didn't have any major trouble getting the saucer halves together. Take your time, wiggle them into place.
There should be a small gap between the mandibles and saucer halves.
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I didn't have any major trouble getting the saucer halves together. Take your time, wiggle them into place.
There should be a small gap between the mandibles and saucer halves.
Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk
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