Scratchbuilt 32" Millennium Falcon

Hi all,
I could've sworn I had posted this here before, but it didn't come up when I did a search. Anyway, Firstsonofsolo has been by my place a couple of times, and he said I should post this. :)

Over the years I couldn't tell you how many of the old AMT/ERTL Falcons I built, improving my skills with each one, trying new paint techniques, etc., but as I got older, I slowly came to realize that little kit had many shortcomings. Mostly in the detail department. As more reference of the ILM studio models became available, I got more dissatisfied with the A/E Falcon. Those of you familiar with the kit know its issues, I'm sure. The "soft" molded-on detail, the too-high sidewalls and proportionally narrow cockpit tube, things like that.
With the internet came a slew of reference for sci-fi models, and for the Falcon I came across a site by Tim Ketzer, showing how he scratchbuilt his own version of the 32" ILM model. I was totally blown away by his model! I had done some small mods to models before, and had read about scratchbuilding, but I just stared at the pics/build logs on Mr. Ketzer's site for hours at a time. I began to wonder if I could do something like that. . . after all, I was a grownup by this point. ;)
I was living near Norfolk, VA at the time the very first Magic of Myth exhibition took place in Washington, D.C. and I took a 3 hour ride up there with my wife to check it out. I believe this was around 1997, and they had so much amazing stuff on display! But the high point of the exhibit (for me) was the original 5 foot ILM Falcon!! It was under a tremendous glass case. . . and it was sexy. :lol I took close to 70 pictures just of the Falcon that day.
A couple of months went by and I decided I'd test my scratchbuilding skills. I used the photos I took in D.C., plus whatever else I could find on the net, and built one of the "endcaps" of the Falcon's docking arms. I used some .020" and .010" sheet styrene, and a lot of trial and error.
I thought it came out pretty well, so I continued with the other one. Then I built the upper gun disc, and taking a giant leap, decided to do the whole ship. I used the techniques that Mr. Ketzer described; taking 2 big sheets to make the basic body shape, then attaching curved ribs for the curved hull section, then gluing down more "pizza slices" of styrene to form the curve. It was then a long, slow process to do all the detailing.
Sheesh, enough rambling. . . here are some pics. Here's a shot with my 1:1 scale hand to show the size of the Falcon.


http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b2...N/IMG_4291.jpg


I always liked the 5 foot ILM model more than the 32 inch, so I decided to incorporate the detailing of the 5 footer into my 32 inch model. That meant a lot more scratchbuilding than kitbashing. I tried to get as close as I could to the details.


http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b2...N/IMG_4534.jpg



http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b2...N/IMG_4532.jpg


Here's a couple of high profile shots.


http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b2...N/IMG_4536.jpg



http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b2...N/IMG_4538.jpg


This shot shows that "endcap" I mentioned above. It was the very first section completed on the Falcon.


http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b2...N/IMG_4539.jpg


The Falcon was painted overall with a Rustoleum color called White Pine. I think it's part of the Decorator line. It was broken up by painting different panels with several gray/rusty shades, then further weathered using powdered pastels. Not sure if all the color variation comes thru in these pics, but some of the tones are very subtle.
Here's the forward port quarter, showing the sensor dish and those big blaster hits.


http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b2...N/IMG_4540.jpg


The blaster damage was planned out early in my build. I added some extra sheet styrene inside the hull, then when I got the section completed, carved out the pits with a Dremel bit. The edges of the thinner hull plates were nicked and twisted up with an X-acto blade. The weathering is all done with pastels. Heavy in the center, and fading outward.


http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b2...N/IMG_4280.jpg


Other hull damage was done using the same techniques. Carve, then weather.


http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b2...N/IMG_4541.jpg



http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b2...N/IMG_4561.jpg


I used some small kit parts in different places, but I'd say 80 to 90% of the detail is scratchbuilt. On the engine deck, I used more kitbashing than on any other section.


http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b2...N/IMG_4558.jpg



http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b2...N/IMG_4547.jpg


All of the dark streaks all over the hull were added using pastels as well. I just used a fine brush and swiped it down/outward a couple of times till they looked dark enough.


http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b2...N/IMG_4545.jpg



http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b2...N/IMG_4555.jpg


Here's some closer shots of the upper cannon. Almost every bit of this is scratchbuilt, with the exception of the small round bit on the gun's sideplate (that was a small-scale wheel) and the barrel tips (parts from a Tamiya 1/20 racecar.)


http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b2...N/IMG_4523.jpg



http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b2...N/IMG_4525.jpg


The small markings you can see all over the hull were done with dry transfers. I had a couple of sheets of plain black lettering, and got some sheets made for "pine derby" racers, then cut them up to match the full-size Falcon as closely as I could.

Since the model is so large, I wanted to add some visual interest to any interior areas that would be seen. For the cockpit, after completing the shell/control console, I designed some graphics based on the full size shooting set. I printed these onto good quality paper, then used a permanent glue strip to glue them onto the styrene cockpit walls. I did the same for the control console. To give them some dimension, I glued some small greeblies directly to the paper graphics.


http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b2...N/IMG_4552.jpg



http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b2...N/IMG_4553.jpg


I built an interior for the upper turret as well using the same technique. The gunner's chair is a combination of scratching/bashing.


http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b2...N/IMG_4287.jpg



http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b2...N/IMG_4288.jpg


So there she is! My representation of the 'Fastest hunk o' junk in the galaxy. . .'
Working off and on, it took me 6 or 7 years to complete, and has been all around the world with me. I'm in the US Air Force, and began the build shortly after I moved from Virginia to north Texas. I then got orders to Spangdahlem AB in Germany, and continued working on the Falcon while I was there. After Germany, I came to Tucson, AZ and finished the build and did the paint job here.
It's a pretty unique model. It's comparable in size to Master Replicas' studio scale Falcon, but it has the detail of the 5-footer. I don't think there's anyone else [crazy enough] who's built one like this. :lol
Sheesh, didn't realize this post had gotten so long. Hope you enjoyed the pics, and thanks for taking a look! http://cs.finescale.com/emoticons/ic...e_thumbsup.gif

Eric

Dude...that is CRAZY man.....you should be proud of that!!

WOW...just WOW!!

Holy Moly...:suprise That's one incredible job right there. Speechless.

DAZ

Are you kidding me!
That is so lame... give it to me and I shall dispose of it for you... (JK) ;)

Man that is the dogs dangles... :drool
The attention on the details etc... makes my 24" seem... well lame!

:thumbup

:supriseHoly smokes! I'm speechless. What an awesome piece! Museum Material.:cheers

Superjedi, this 32" is... well... INCREDIBLE! A lot of trials no? But, wow, this Falcon is the best! (I haven't seen all, but I think so) ;)

wow, increible job, puts my MR falcon to shame, I thought your painting skills were crazy good, your model building is to a new level:suprise

Dude, that's remarkable!

Finally! Thanks for posting this beauty!! Guys the pictures do not do this model justice at all. Up close it is quite easily the best scratchbuilt model I have ever and probably will ever see! The subtle color differences on the panels to the weathering to the fine tubular bending everything is gorgeous!!!

that's..

yeah

pinch me!

Yeh not bad I guess......... :lol Eric thats incredible!!!!!! :thumbsup

So.....

You decided to post some old pics of the ILM Falcon from the MoM exhibit huh? Hm... I guess the're nice:doh
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Holy freightcarriers Batman! I'm totally stupified!

Eric, I remember you replying to a scratch build thread saying something like "I know I'd never have the patience to scratch my own bucket"..... you... you... YOU....scratchbuilder you!
DUDE! This piece of art makes any scratch bucket seem like a walk in the park!

This is INCREDIBLE!:suprise:suprise:suprise

The detail of every tube and panel, the cockpit, the endcaps, the paintjob, the blaster damage, the weathering.... only a very, very, VERY skillful person could have made this.
I am put in my place :thumbup
* somewhere very low, at the bottom of some cardboard bucket junkyard *

Magnificant.... amazing...no.... fantastic.....uhm...wonderous.... er.... I cannot describe this. This is just incredible!



Congratulations on finishing this MASTERPIECE! :cheers

Peter8)
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http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y20...animated01.gif

"With great power comes great responsibility"

Hey, thanks guys. :) This was certainly the most ambitious thing I've ever built, and I'm really happy with the way it turned out. I just recently commissioned an acrylic display case from a local plastic place and it really came out nice! So finally, it's protected from dust and adds a "finished" look to the model.

Antman, I sort of remember saying something like that. . . :o I guess I just took the lazy way out where my helmet is concerned. :lol

WOW!!! nothing else to say!

Buys 36 inch Hasbro Falcon. :lol :p Outstanding Falcon man, absoutly awsome!!!!

:suprise

Holy shnikies. That is awesome beyond comprehension.

I just can't get my head around how you did that. All those tiny pieces of styrene sheets and tubing? I would go insane.

Quote:

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Here's a shot with my 1:1 scale hand to show the size of the Falcon.

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Do you have a 1:32 hand you use to make models? :lol

um.... WANT!!!!!

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Originally Posted by runJEDIrun

um.... WANT!!!!!

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Yeah I tried to walk out the door with it a few times but didn't get very far.........


You guys should also see some of the things he has done to his MR blasters!

That is incredible!

What a piece of junk!!!

Can you build me a full scale Slave 1?

Absolutely brilliant!!!!!

Eric - that is the best mate. I want a Millenium Falcon (full size)

Holy moses, that's gorgeous! I'm absolutely amaaaaaaazed!

WOW! - that is simply amazing. Your skills never cease to amaze me.

Great work... The little details... The paintjob... Would you gamble that great Falcon in a Sabacc Game? :lol

Wow, that is pretty darn awesome! I could never do that and am always impressed by those who can!

echoing all others' sentiments.....WOW, just WOW:suprise

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:suprise :suprise :suprise :suprise :suprise :suprise :suprise





:thumbup




Thanks, thats an amazing model !!!

Just HAD to look again today!:drool

This is too much!:wacko I still can't get over the fact how magnificent this MASTERPIECE looks! :suprise

I'm blown away!
P..e...t....e.......r


(if it ever takes up too much space in your house, just send it to me; I can store it for you, plenty of space in my home)
;)
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http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y20...animated01.gif

"With great power comes great responsibility"

That has to be the best bit of scratchbuilding I've ever seen. :suprise :suprise :suprise The amount of stuff that catches your eye as you look at the exterior is incredible and I nearly peed my pants when I saw what you'd done in the cockpit and gun turret. A build time of six or seven years you say?......Hmmmm!
You are now officially classed as INSANE.......But in the nicest possible way of course. :thumbup

GOOD FREAKING NIGHT:suprise

Nicly done:thumbsup

Thanks again everyone. Even my wife, who is definitely not a sci-fi fan, thinks the Falcon is pretty cool. :)

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Originally Posted by SinisterFett

......Hmmmm!
You are now officially classed as INSANE.......But in the nicest possible way of course. :thumbup

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Oh believe me, you're not telling me anything I don't already know. :lol :cheers

wow.

words. cant, find them. i dont think they exist for this amount of awesome. So I made one up for you. that thing is fanfrigginspifftacular

Yeah, I can't add much to what's already been said, but dayum! :cheers Very very nice work man.

Awesome .. man . .just awesome!

Eric, your a nut man. you got mad skills brother. .....simply amazing.

Congrats on a great job you've done on that Millennium Falcon Eric!

Fantastic Eric!!!!!!!!!!!!

Eric!

Those are some amazing details.

Sniff on my friend!

Absolutely amazing!!!!!