1/48 Star Wars Stage Echo Base Hangar Diorama

Thanks for the words of encouragement.:) It is kind of quick and dirty, but I am liking how it is coming out, when you take a step back :$

Are you planning on any more sound stage diorama's? Seems like a new and interesting take on diorama modelling.
I currently don't, no. However, I have thought about not making the Hangar add-on's permanent, as it is the same sound stage that the Asteroid Cave and Landing Platform 327 where filmed. It could be a three-in-one diorama...?

The Int. Main Hangar Deck blueprints scales the full sized Falcon at around 87'-10" total length. But since there is no actual dimension, that number is loose. It could just as easily be around 85'-6". But like most contractors, they don't always build things exactly as laid out in the plans.

Here is a quick scale chart of the lengths that I have found online For the MPC and MR Falcons. If we assume they are 1/48 scale, then their full sized lengths would be as follows:

Full size Length_________1/48" Scale Length:

128'-0"________________ 2'-8" (32") - 1/32 Master Replica SS Model
114'-0"________________ 2'-4 1/2" (28.5") - "Official" LFL Length
93'-9"_________________ 1'-11 7/16" (23.4375") - 1/48 Scale
87'-10"________________ 1'-10" (22") - Int. Main Hanger Blueprints
85'-6"_________________ 1'-9 3/8" (21.375") Full Scale Falcon Set
80'-0"_________________ 1'-8" (20") - 1:1 Falcon via: Star Wars Ep. IV IMDb Trivia
74'-0"_________________ 1'-6 1/2" (18.5") - 1/58 MPC Millennium Falcon Model
72'-0"_________________ 1'-6" (18") - 1/72 Fine Molds Millennium Falcon Model
60'-0"_________________ 1'-3" (15")
 
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if you're doing details that are full-scale accurate and not studio model accurate, have you seen the plans from Rinzler's Star Wars: the Blueprints book? There's a sheet in there of the full-scale falcon's exterior greebles (and lighting positions) for the underside. I'm not sure if they have the topside in the book. You can see that they have the top plans in one of the preview videos they did for the book, they shuffle through some other plans and you can spot it, but it doesn't appear in the table of contents, unfortunately.

Either way, it might be worthwhile to build your own falcon, rather than trying to adapt a replica kit. Primarily because the full-scale falcon's greebles are about a 3rd less detailed than any of the studio models, and almost all differently sized and located. Just my two cents.
 
I have not seen a large enough image from the new SW Blueprints book, no. I would love to pick one up as it would help a lot in this build (or see post #2). Thanks for the comments

Got the front attached. Sound stage is starting to take shape. Still trying to figure out how I am going to do the bay doors. I was thinking of using a U-channel for the top and bottom runners for the doors the slide back and forth in.
 

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Layout of the right wall. This wall will be able to slide in and out to allow for better views. The sound stage of the diorama is nearing an end as far as construction. Paint, filler, and details will be last.

I ended up using the H-beam modded to U-Channel for the bay doors to slide open and shut.
 

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I beleive those photos where taken on a different sound stage. In the Making of Empire book, it states Lucas was in London May 6 thru May 13, then he flew back to the States. Filming on the Hangar set begun May 22. So I don't think he ever made it to the set.

I set the right wall in its place to get a feel on how it fits and will look when completed.
 

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Couple more pictures of the sound stage with all four wall up. I will need to make another order into Plastruct to finish laying out the steel.

I added some braces to the back side to help with keeping the wall vertical and for a little extra strength in connecting the wall to the floor.
 

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Managed to get some progress on the the Hangar itself.

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Anyone have any suggestions on where I can find items that I can dress the walls with? Hoses, junction boxes, etc.
 
I'll be the first to admit that I didn't expect this project to even begin, let alone progress this far. And I'm happy to eat my words!! This is going to be awesome.

Hoses = I have seen build threads by several users who are using guitar and bass strings to be used as hoses, and they are very convincing!
 
Thanks for the tips on the hoses. I'll have to try some out and see how they look and bend around the "Ice" columns.

Cut out the front entrance to the Hangar. I think I am going to be making the Shield Doors out of styrene
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Here is my first "laser cut ice" test for the walls. What do you think? I realize the white background doesn't help...:facepalm
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Few more angles
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Finally cut out the slots, that I can only assume are for camera angles, that I had forgot to cut out the first time around.
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I think the laser cut parts are going to be cool, with stuff like this
you cant tell until you get a bunch of them in place. Once you do
it will talk to you a bit and you will know if you like it or not.:thumbsup
 
Thanks for the comments guys :)

I got the front face of the X-Wing bays cut (currently being supported as it's not attached to anything yet)

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