Issue 42

OK, so now we're going to  work on another one of the body panels, just like the one we did before. So, first thing's first, I paint the main part flat black and the individual pieces silver:

Next up, I do some dry-brushing on the main piece with silver paint to bring out the details:

Now it's time to install the parts. First, this bit goes in the side panel:

Now this pipe. Note I accidentally got this one "backwards", but it's still basically OK.

Now comes this bit:

And this flat chunk here...

The short pipe and cylinder...

These little guys...

A couple more pipes...

...and we're done. A little more "griming up" with black dry brush, and we've got a nice looking recessed panel, ready to go.

Issue 41

OK, a long one this time, but neat. We're building one of the turret stations.

First things first: I break out my Millennium Falcon Haynes Manual to follow along and check my details. Research is fun!

Then I paint all the little bits and pieces that come with it.

 Now it's time to assemble. First, the seat cushion goes onto the floor.

Next, the seat back gets added.

Now, the control yoke. I know it doesn't show in the picture, but the yoke is silver with black handles.

Unfortunately, I broke the back support getting it off, so here it is, being glued back together:

Next up, the targeting computer gets some detail paint:

...and while that's drying, on goes the yoke support.

The computer is next...

...and finally the pedals.

And now, a bonus question: why is this seat so much smaller than the ones in the cockpit? Seriously, you'd have to be like an ewok or something to squeeze into that sucker.

Anyway, the rotating platform is next. It goes under the floor.

Now the stickers go onto the two halves of the shell:

The LED light gets snugged in up at the top, like so:

The outer "crown" lines up with this nice tab thingie:

And viola. We're done.

(Actually, I'm using a black felt tip to cover up the white sticker lines. But other than that, yeah, done.)

So yeah, a fun one this time. Looks like lots of shell work coming up next, so see you then!

Issue 40

OK, kind of a milestone today. Let's get right into it, shall we?

Take the ramp assembly and attach 3 2x1 connectors on the right side in the places shown:

Now, take the bottom skeleton, and bolt the ramp to it using those connectors, thus:

Next, 4 screws in the center position (make sure the tip is tucked under the center ring as usual):

3 more screws along the left side, and hey presto!

That's it, the bottom skeleton is complete! *Achievement Unlocked*

That's a pretty major chunk of the ship done, actually, and we're also 2/5 of the way through the project.

Next up, gun turrets!

Issue 39

OK, so first off apologies for the long delay between last entry and this. This was primarily due to my Issue 38 not including the 4 tiny little pins that are used to put the hydraulic rams together. Fortunately, they do send replacements. Unfortunately, it seems to take a bit of a while. Anyway, they showed up tonight, and so I'm back in the saddle.

So. Speaking of tiny little pins, you want to make a flat surface with sticky-side-up tape to hold the pins on, like so:

Note that the "flat head" is on the tape. Now, we take a hydraulic ram (note which way up it is by the shape of the bit on the end) and get ready to attach it. I have pix of the assembly of these, but they're way back when I first attempted this sucker. Honestly it's very simple...

Ease the ram down onto the pin, thus:

Then take one of the 4 ram bases on the tree in 38, and push it down onto the pin, until it's flush. Do this for all four, and you should have this:

Now would be a good time to paint these if you're going for weathering.

Now, it's time to put everything together. Get your ramp skeleton and body part:

Attach the body part to the skeleton, and screw it down:

Next, take the hinge off of  the same tree from 38.

Now, very carefully take one of the pins that came with the motor in 39 (there should be one and a spare)...

...and ease it in to the motor and hinge, putting them together.

Next, put some glue on the pin on that hinge, and lower it through the assembly to fasten to that bit in the middle of the ramp. Once it's secured, bolt down the motor in the places provided.

Once that's done, it's time to add the hydraulic rams. Start with the left outer one (the key is the hydraulic stuff sticks out in front and the pins we installed face inward). Glue the base and screw down the base, like so:

Now, outer right:

...and the two inner.

...and there we have it.

OK, so it's nice to be off and going again. Hopefully updates will be more common again :)