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Post by lightning on Oct 22, 2017 2:29:56 GMT -9
When I found out that the next Star Wars movie in 2018 will be the Han Solo movie, I thought that it will be a good time to aim for finishing the Millenium Falcon then. So for this years release, I decided to make the First Order AAL from SW VII. After the U-Wing I guess, we all need an Imperial troop transport on the gaming table I did some quick 3D sketches to get a feel of the geometry. The rear engine section I had to guess pretty much as I did not find a lot of detailed references. I think this will be quite a challenge to build. For the gaming table I want to build it in landing positions, so something like this. After lots of feedback on other sites and also going through the relevant parts in the DVD frame by frame, I found some more and very helpful frames which led me to this. The engine tubes originally are rounded but I think for ease of assembly I will go this route. I will test the rounded version when I start building prototypes. If it's not a complete mess to build I might change it then.
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Post by Papercraft Warrior on Oct 22, 2017 6:41:01 GMT -9
Looking nice.
Are we talking 'bout 25/28/30/32/35mm scale, or some smaller for "greater" games?
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Post by lightning on Oct 22, 2017 7:41:33 GMT -9
Looking nice. Are we talking 'bout 25/28/30/32/35mm scale, or some smaller for "greater" games? Like the U-Wing I plan to do a "big" 25-30mm version and a small 15mm version.
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Post by lightning on Oct 23, 2017 22:21:24 GMT -9
Wasn't so happy with the free style interpretations I found on the web so I re-collected images from the movie and made a little reference sheet ... old school cut and paste!
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Post by lightning on Nov 5, 2017 4:54:41 GMT -9
First view of my first attempt of unfolding the geometry. It just the main hull so far, but I want to get that right, before I add all the other stuff. Not sure if I will keep the rounded edges on the top. Sure looks cool but might be a real mess assembling and probably something for advanced to pro paper modellers (unlike me!). I think I will bevel these edges for ease of assembly (esp with the small version). The underside
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Post by Vermin King on Nov 5, 2017 5:08:46 GMT -9
Very nice. Welcome back from the trip. Have you built any of AirDave's Koolwheelz? Some of those have rounded 'edges', and how he illustrates those seems to work. The Man from UNCLE car has that and several of the others. I think beveling would be better for the average builder, though
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Post by lightning on Nov 5, 2017 5:53:01 GMT -9
Very nice. Welcome back from the trip. Have you built any of AirDave's Koolwheelz? Some of those have rounded 'edges', and how he illustrates those seems to work. The Man from UNCLE car has that and several of the others. I think beveling would be better for the average builder, though Great idea. Will do that. Better to learn from the pros!
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Post by lightning on Nov 14, 2017 6:16:33 GMT -9
After receiving some more research material I updated my geometry to better reflect the original. You probably will not notice the changes, but at least I know the geometry is no much closer to the original :-) So here I have started building another prototype. I am working on the smaller (15mm figures) version now. It will be easy to enlarge later. This is the upper hull upside down with some ribs. And this are the first structures put on the top. Next will be the side structures with the engines. Looking forward to that challenge!
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Post by lightning on Nov 22, 2017 5:38:40 GMT -9
Now I have more time for this project :-) So here are a couple of WIP pics. Redone the main hull one last time (I hope ) to accomodate the landing gear boxes better. Also decoupled the belly so that I can assemble the hull more controlled. ) And here I have started with the sides. For the 15mm version they are quite small but manageable. I am trying my best to make the unfold so one can mess up as little as possible.
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Post by Vermin King on Nov 22, 2017 6:40:32 GMT -9
Access to the inside comes in handy, especially when you are attaching smaller assemblies to the outside. Looking good
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Post by lightning on Nov 23, 2017 23:25:59 GMT -9
The large of the two engine tubes. One in 30mm scale and the other for 15mm scale. The smaller requires a little bit more fidgeting that I am used to :-) I have cut one side along the rings and one side longitudinal. I have a feeling that the rings will work better (also texture wise). On to the smaller engine!
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Post by lightning on Nov 29, 2017 1:08:07 GMT -9
Completed the finalizing parts stage ... Made some 15mm Stormtroopers :-) Add some former parts to make the rear engine tubes more sturdy and align better. Comparison of the AAL to last years U-Wing (15mm)
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Post by lightning on Dec 2, 2017 5:58:58 GMT -9
For the larger version I need to convert some parts into split assembly as they will not fit onto a single page. So here I tested how the split parts work out. Once I was happy with that I went on to texturing. Using the 3D model and making renders of each side without the details I painstakingly recreated the patterns. Also added a little dirt for used look and voila ... this is how far I got! Here is a detail view of the front and back panel (will probably not be very visible once assembled) but still made it as close as I could.
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Post by lightning on Dec 8, 2017 11:58:22 GMT -9
Latest WIP ... just a couple more parts missing. The whole gunners hatch assembly and then the landing gear. After that I will have to think about some internal rib structure to make the hull a little more sturdy.
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Post by cowboyleland on Dec 9, 2017 7:46:42 GMT -9
Somehow I missed the Dec 2nd post, which means yesterday's big shot filling my screen was even more impressive. I actually said "wow" out loud. Henceforth the shorthand for this will be: WOWOL. It really looks great lightning!
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Post by lightning on Dec 10, 2017 8:20:35 GMT -9
Thanks and I love the WOWOL :-)
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Post by lightning on Dec 15, 2017 10:44:29 GMT -9
After getting everything more or less finalized I have started the final build. Finished the main hull and the side structures today. This is a view of the rear engine section ... both sides now :-)
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Post by Vermin King on Dec 15, 2017 10:50:30 GMT -9
Unbelievably beautiful, sir
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Post by lightning on Dec 23, 2017 10:30:08 GMT -9
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Post by lightning on Dec 23, 2017 22:27:11 GMT -9
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Post by marzman on Dec 24, 2017 13:03:27 GMT -9
Wow, you made it onto Mauther's site as well! Congratulations! Beautiful model, kudos to you
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Post by lightning on Dec 26, 2017 8:49:23 GMT -9
Thanks! Don't forget to make build pics if you build it!!! :-)
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Post by aleks on Dec 27, 2017 0:49:35 GMT -9
Thank you for your Xmas gift, it is really appreciated!
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Post by Vermin King on Jan 10, 2018 8:57:04 GMT -9
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Post by lightning on Jan 10, 2018 22:05:25 GMT -9
Thanks, great find!
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