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Falcon Maintenance Pits, Topside Only 1:144
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Product Description
The Falcon has a number of exposed maintenance access pits across its hull. Bandai's 1:144 model of the ship is modeled after TFA version, which adds a bunch of extra pipes and other details to most of these pits, compared to the OT spacecraft.
Oddly the two top rear (aft dorsal) trapezoidal pits are fine. They're pretty well the same as the OT ship. But I've made a bunch of replacements of the other pits, to take your TFA kit to an OT design!
This is a money-saver kit, consisting of the four round pits for the upper mandibles, and the octagonal pit near the cockpit. If you also want the six pits for the underside of the Falcon, I have a full set available as well. Note that this set is MORE FIDDLY TO INSTALL than the full set, because you have to cut down the Bandai plastic parts!
Five Foot Prototype
All of these components are based on the original five foot Falcon created in 1976 for the first movie. If you're used to the details of the 32" Falcon, such as the De Agostini product, these pits will look quite different.
My designs are based on photos taken of the surviving model, but unfortunately photo documentation is a bit incomplete. Because the model tends to be displayed in public on a low stand at the same angle, some views of the pits are rarely photographed. I've had to do my best based on the material I have, but there may be some deviations from the actual model. Also, since the TFA designs are different from the OT ones, some of the piping leading into the pits may not line up properly and you'll have to install new pipework.
Cleaning
Note that there are a number of components with significant overhangs and layering that will require careful cleaning to remove any support wax. Be very careful - the parts (especially the pipes) are thin, delicate, and easily broken!
Round pits
The four round pits for the mandibles are fairly easily installed - just glue them in place with epoxy or superglue. However, you'll have to do a lot of surgery to the Bandai-supplied lower pits, because of the way they're designed. You'll need to slice back the middle sections of the pits to get these parts to fit.
If that sounds like a lot of work, I'd buy my complete maintenance pit set instead. Because that won't require any changes to the mandible assemblies they're easier to install.
Octagon
The top front (fore dorsal) saucer, on the cockpit/starboard side, has an octagonal pit. I've made a replacement for it that should be closer to the real model, but it's hard to tell as photos of this pit are pretty bad for some reason. Technically the internal pit shape should be square with an octagonal opening formed in the hull plating, but I've made this pit round so it's easier to glue in place. It has an already angled set of walls. You will need to cut out all the octagonal support brackets on the interior of the Bandai saucer.
Sprues
By the way - I'm sorry for the sprues (joining sticks) linking the parts. This was done since Shapeways now adds a surcharge per part. Having the sprues lowers the cost to you.
Finally, please read the following if you're interested in this thing.
These accurizing parts are not a mass-market commercial product. I made them for my own use, and have put them here in case they're of interest to someone else. Possibly you, since you’re reading this.
These items are components for the serious model maker who wants to build a more accurate miniature. They require finishing. If you don't want to trim, file, and sand, then these aren't the parts you're looking for!
The parts are tiny, and easily broken. They push the limits of today's 3D printers. The detail in the digital previews is all there, but it won't always be visible at the miniscule sizes that this scale requires!
Oddly the two top rear (aft dorsal) trapezoidal pits are fine. They're pretty well the same as the OT ship. But I've made a bunch of replacements of the other pits, to take your TFA kit to an OT design!
This is a money-saver kit, consisting of the four round pits for the upper mandibles, and the octagonal pit near the cockpit. If you also want the six pits for the underside of the Falcon, I have a full set available as well. Note that this set is MORE FIDDLY TO INSTALL than the full set, because you have to cut down the Bandai plastic parts!
Five Foot Prototype
All of these components are based on the original five foot Falcon created in 1976 for the first movie. If you're used to the details of the 32" Falcon, such as the De Agostini product, these pits will look quite different.
My designs are based on photos taken of the surviving model, but unfortunately photo documentation is a bit incomplete. Because the model tends to be displayed in public on a low stand at the same angle, some views of the pits are rarely photographed. I've had to do my best based on the material I have, but there may be some deviations from the actual model. Also, since the TFA designs are different from the OT ones, some of the piping leading into the pits may not line up properly and you'll have to install new pipework.
Cleaning
Note that there are a number of components with significant overhangs and layering that will require careful cleaning to remove any support wax. Be very careful - the parts (especially the pipes) are thin, delicate, and easily broken!
Round pits
The four round pits for the mandibles are fairly easily installed - just glue them in place with epoxy or superglue. However, you'll have to do a lot of surgery to the Bandai-supplied lower pits, because of the way they're designed. You'll need to slice back the middle sections of the pits to get these parts to fit.
If that sounds like a lot of work, I'd buy my complete maintenance pit set instead. Because that won't require any changes to the mandible assemblies they're easier to install.
Octagon
The top front (fore dorsal) saucer, on the cockpit/starboard side, has an octagonal pit. I've made a replacement for it that should be closer to the real model, but it's hard to tell as photos of this pit are pretty bad for some reason. Technically the internal pit shape should be square with an octagonal opening formed in the hull plating, but I've made this pit round so it's easier to glue in place. It has an already angled set of walls. You will need to cut out all the octagonal support brackets on the interior of the Bandai saucer.
Sprues
By the way - I'm sorry for the sprues (joining sticks) linking the parts. This was done since Shapeways now adds a surcharge per part. Having the sprues lowers the cost to you.
Finally, please read the following if you're interested in this thing.
These accurizing parts are not a mass-market commercial product. I made them for my own use, and have put them here in case they're of interest to someone else. Possibly you, since you’re reading this.
These items are components for the serious model maker who wants to build a more accurate miniature. They require finishing. If you don't want to trim, file, and sand, then these aren't the parts you're looking for!
The parts are tiny, and easily broken. They push the limits of today's 3D printers. The detail in the digital previews is all there, but it won't always be visible at the miniscule sizes that this scale requires!
Details
What's in the box:
Millennium Falcon Top Maintenance Pits, 1 144
Dimensions:
Success Rate:
First To try.
What's this?
Rating:
Mature audiences only.
