The Imperial Shipyards
Imperial Creative Engineering => Models, Scratch Builds, and Miscellaneous => Topic started by: ServO on March 16, 2014, 03:14:19 PM
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Ok...
Back in late December, I got it in my head that I needed to try and convert one of my Millennium Falcon models into a YT-2000esque type ship...
It has been a long, and somewhat frustrating endeavour, but I am here today to show you my work.
Nobody has seen this project outside of my wife, and a few close friends...this is its first posting online for my peers to see and comment...bear with me...
I started with this snap-tite Millennium Falcon kit...I'm not sure who makes it...probably Revell...It's the current Falcon you can go buy right now at any reputable hobby shop...
(http://i1346.photobucket.com/albums/p689/Steelieboy1/YT-1900/20131230_181325_zps859696d6.jpg) (http://s1346.photobucket.com/user/Steelieboy1/media/YT-1900/20131230_181325_zps859696d6.jpg.html)
The kit had already been assembled, and was parked on a shelf for a couple of years at this point, but trust me...there is no shortage of Millennium Falcons in my collection, so it seemed like the ideal donor.
I attacked the hull with my Dremel, and got busy...
(http://i1346.photobucket.com/albums/p689/Steelieboy1/YT-1900/100_6146_zps5dee3720.jpg) (http://s1346.photobucket.com/user/Steelieboy1/media/YT-1900/100_6146_zps5dee3720.jpg.html)
(http://i1346.photobucket.com/albums/p689/Steelieboy1/YT-1900/100_6148_zpscd3da037.jpg) (http://s1346.photobucket.com/user/Steelieboy1/media/YT-1900/100_6148_zpscd3da037.jpg.html)
(http://i1346.photobucket.com/albums/p689/Steelieboy1/YT-1900/100_6141_zpse79ff757.jpg) (http://s1346.photobucket.com/user/Steelieboy1/media/YT-1900/100_6141_zpse79ff757.jpg.html)
(http://i1346.photobucket.com/albums/p689/Steelieboy1/YT-1900/100_6144_zpsaeeb0ce1.jpg) (http://s1346.photobucket.com/user/Steelieboy1/media/YT-1900/100_6144_zpsaeeb0ce1.jpg.html)
After everything was cut into basic components, I had some major cosmetic work to do...I needed to remove the cockpit tube, and re-work that area so that it was flush, and also remove the antenna, and figure out what to do with the leftover empty space...I decided it would look best if I gutted that area, and built a recessed access area like the others on the ship...
(http://i1346.photobucket.com/albums/p689/Steelieboy1/YT-1900/100_6152_zpsd0e7cafb.jpg) (http://s1346.photobucket.com/user/Steelieboy1/media/YT-1900/100_6152_zpsd0e7cafb.jpg.html)
(http://i1346.photobucket.com/albums/p689/Steelieboy1/YT-1900/100_6150_zps6c7550ea.jpg) (http://s1346.photobucket.com/user/Steelieboy1/media/YT-1900/100_6150_zps6c7550ea.jpg.html)
(http://i1346.photobucket.com/albums/p689/Steelieboy1/YT-1900/100_6153_zps5f9868ba.jpg) (http://s1346.photobucket.com/user/Steelieboy1/media/YT-1900/100_6153_zps5f9868ba.jpg.html)
(http://i1346.photobucket.com/albums/p689/Steelieboy1/YT-1900/20140109_040233_zpsda8f6463.jpg) (http://s1346.photobucket.com/user/Steelieboy1/media/YT-1900/20140109_040233_zpsda8f6463.jpg.html)
It was at this point that my wife had started to doubt my vision...
(http://i1346.photobucket.com/albums/p689/Steelieboy1/YT-1900/20140109_040220_zpsfef93642.jpg) (http://s1346.photobucket.com/user/Steelieboy1/media/YT-1900/20140109_040220_zpsfef93642.jpg.html)
I can see why...what a mess...
It became apparent to me that I would need to build a second access area on the opposite side to provide some sort of balance to the design...
I built a second access port, and started the daunting task of greebeling, and filling in some of the massive gaping holes...
(http://i1346.photobucket.com/albums/p689/Steelieboy1/YT-1900/20140118_111541_zps7af41608.jpg) (http://s1346.photobucket.com/user/Steelieboy1/media/YT-1900/20140118_111541_zps7af41608.jpg.html)
(http://i1346.photobucket.com/albums/p689/Steelieboy1/YT-1900/20140215_120929_zpse4fe299f.jpg) (http://s1346.photobucket.com/user/Steelieboy1/media/YT-1900/20140215_120929_zpse4fe299f.jpg.html)
(http://i1346.photobucket.com/albums/p689/Steelieboy1/YT-1900/20140215_120943_zpsf6ec4956.jpg) (http://s1346.photobucket.com/user/Steelieboy1/media/YT-1900/20140215_120943_zpsf6ec4956.jpg.html)
(http://i1346.photobucket.com/albums/p689/Steelieboy1/YT-1900/20140216_175809_zps00c883b0.jpg) (http://s1346.photobucket.com/user/Steelieboy1/media/YT-1900/20140216_175809_zps00c883b0.jpg.html)
(http://i1346.photobucket.com/albums/p689/Steelieboy1/YT-1900/20140216_175824_zpsae63399b.jpg) (http://s1346.photobucket.com/user/Steelieboy1/media/YT-1900/20140216_175824_zpsae63399b.jpg.html)
It's amazing what some spare model kit parts and some primer will do to inspire! Re-energized, I moved forward, and started hunting for a central cockpit tube...
I ended up using the central core from a roll of plastic bags at my local gas station. The employees there were kind enough to save a few of them for me so I would have spares if I messed up.
(http://i1346.photobucket.com/albums/p689/Steelieboy1/YT-1900/20140215_121015_zps73c358b9.jpg) (http://s1346.photobucket.com/user/Steelieboy1/media/YT-1900/20140215_121015_zps73c358b9.jpg.html)
Enter more greebiles...
(http://i1346.photobucket.com/albums/p689/Steelieboy1/YT-1900/20140223_210818_zps3ecedc4c.jpg) (http://s1346.photobucket.com/user/Steelieboy1/media/YT-1900/20140223_210818_zps3ecedc4c.jpg.html)
(http://i1346.photobucket.com/albums/p689/Steelieboy1/YT-1900/20140223_210755_zps76920fef.jpg) (http://s1346.photobucket.com/user/Steelieboy1/media/YT-1900/20140223_210755_zps76920fef.jpg.html)
(http://i1346.photobucket.com/albums/p689/Steelieboy1/YT-1900/20140223_211035_zps8c4460a2.jpg) (http://s1346.photobucket.com/user/Steelieboy1/media/YT-1900/20140223_211035_zps8c4460a2.jpg.html)
(http://i1346.photobucket.com/albums/p689/Steelieboy1/YT-1900/20140223_211111_zps5ffca938.jpg) (http://s1346.photobucket.com/user/Steelieboy1/media/YT-1900/20140223_211111_zps5ffca938.jpg.html)
It was taking shape! The end result was now apparent, and I couldn't wait to start each new step...
The whole ship got a coat of primer...
(http://i1346.photobucket.com/albums/p689/Steelieboy1/YT-1900/20140308_154451_zps7258c85f.jpg) (http://s1346.photobucket.com/user/Steelieboy1/media/YT-1900/20140308_154451_zps7258c85f.jpg.html)
Then a coat of flat black...
(http://i1346.photobucket.com/albums/p689/Steelieboy1/YT-1900/20140310_105412_zpsfc1f6799.jpg) (http://s1346.photobucket.com/user/Steelieboy1/media/YT-1900/20140310_105412_zpsfc1f6799.jpg.html)
Then a nice uneven coat of satin white...
(http://i1346.photobucket.com/albums/p689/Steelieboy1/YT-1900/20140310_113902_zps3d7385c5.jpg) (http://s1346.photobucket.com/user/Steelieboy1/media/YT-1900/20140310_113902_zps3d7385c5.jpg.html)
(http://i1346.photobucket.com/albums/p689/Steelieboy1/YT-1900/20140310_112953_zps7ef1d030.jpg) (http://s1346.photobucket.com/user/Steelieboy1/media/YT-1900/20140310_112953_zps7ef1d030.jpg.html)
Then the real fun began...
A nice generous wash of black acrylic paint...
(http://i1346.photobucket.com/albums/p689/Steelieboy1/YT-1900/20140311_202607_zpsa897d47c.jpg) (http://s1346.photobucket.com/user/Steelieboy1/media/YT-1900/20140311_202607_zpsa897d47c.jpg.html)
(http://i1346.photobucket.com/albums/p689/Steelieboy1/YT-1900/20140311_202646_zps4b79c2cf.jpg) (http://s1346.photobucket.com/user/Steelieboy1/media/YT-1900/20140311_202646_zps4b79c2cf.jpg.html)(http://i1346.photobucket.com/albums/p689/Steelieboy1/YT-1900/20140311_202658_zpsa42f5edd.jpg) (http://s1346.photobucket.com/user/Steelieboy1/media/YT-1900/20140311_202658_zpsa42f5edd.jpg.html)
(http://i1346.photobucket.com/albums/p689/Steelieboy1/YT-1900/20140311_210420_zps8e08d577.jpg) (http://s1346.photobucket.com/user/Steelieboy1/media/YT-1900/20140311_210420_zps8e08d577.jpg.html)
(http://i1346.photobucket.com/albums/p689/Steelieboy1/YT-1900/20140311_210433_zpsd7d6d0b2.jpg) (http://s1346.photobucket.com/user/Steelieboy1/media/YT-1900/20140311_210433_zpsd7d6d0b2.jpg.html)
(http://i1346.photobucket.com/albums/p689/Steelieboy1/YT-1900/20140311_210451_zps8cd517c6.jpg) (http://s1346.photobucket.com/user/Steelieboy1/media/YT-1900/20140311_210451_zps8cd517c6.jpg.html)
It helps give it that nice "lived in" look, yeah?
I added some corrosion...
(http://i1346.photobucket.com/albums/p689/Steelieboy1/YT-1900/20140313_213452_zps8a5bf68f.jpg) (http://s1346.photobucket.com/user/Steelieboy1/media/YT-1900/20140313_213452_zps8a5bf68f.jpg.html)
The engines proved to be a challenge...
I ended up taking the original blue piece of plastic from the kit, and covering it with a piece of 3M reflective tape...you know, from the hardware store.
After the tape was applied, I added strips from a window screen repair kit (also from the hardware store) to give it that "grid" look, and then applied bits of styrene to sort of flesh it out...
I painted the styrene bits black, and then gave them a silver dry-brush...I was very pleased with the results...
(http://i1346.photobucket.com/albums/p689/Steelieboy1/YT-1900/20140316_124901_zpsb27e2bd4.jpg) (http://s1346.photobucket.com/user/Steelieboy1/media/YT-1900/20140316_124901_zpsb27e2bd4.jpg.html)
(http://i1346.photobucket.com/albums/p689/Steelieboy1/YT-1900/20140316_125005_zpsb53dffb3.jpg) (http://s1346.photobucket.com/user/Steelieboy1/media/YT-1900/20140316_125005_zpsb53dffb3.jpg.html)
(http://i1346.photobucket.com/albums/p689/Steelieboy1/YT-1900/20140316_131645_zpse03fe7e4.jpg) (http://s1346.photobucket.com/user/Steelieboy1/media/YT-1900/20140316_131645_zpse03fe7e4.jpg.html)
(http://i1346.photobucket.com/albums/p689/Steelieboy1/YT-1900/20140316_131634_zps66a4b0d3.jpg) (http://s1346.photobucket.com/user/Steelieboy1/media/YT-1900/20140316_131634_zps66a4b0d3.jpg.html)
(http://i1346.photobucket.com/albums/p689/Steelieboy1/YT-1900/20140316_131829_zpsca0231d0.jpg) (http://s1346.photobucket.com/user/Steelieboy1/media/YT-1900/20140316_131829_zpsca0231d0.jpg.html)
As you can see, the effect is pretty dramatic, especially when using a flash...the effect is a bit more subtle when it's just sitting on a shelf, but you get the idea...
Ok, here we are then...a few months later, this project is at a point where I feel comfortable sharing my work...there's still some details to clean up, but meh...I'll get to those...
(http://i1346.photobucket.com/albums/p689/Steelieboy1/YT-1900/20140316_012756_zps87db2e77.jpg) (http://s1346.photobucket.com/user/Steelieboy1/media/YT-1900/20140316_012756_zps87db2e77.jpg.html)
(http://i1346.photobucket.com/albums/p689/Steelieboy1/YT-1900/20140316_000635_zpsd88a574d.jpg) (http://s1346.photobucket.com/user/Steelieboy1/media/YT-1900/20140316_000635_zpsd88a574d.jpg.html)
(http://i1346.photobucket.com/albums/p689/Steelieboy1/YT-1900/20140316_000709_zpsac2eb237.jpg) (http://s1346.photobucket.com/user/Steelieboy1/media/YT-1900/20140316_000709_zpsac2eb237.jpg.html)
(http://i1346.photobucket.com/albums/p689/Steelieboy1/YT-1900/20140316_013243_zps084154fa.jpg) (http://s1346.photobucket.com/user/Steelieboy1/media/YT-1900/20140316_013243_zps084154fa.jpg.html)
(http://i1346.photobucket.com/albums/p689/Steelieboy1/YT-1900/20140316_013223_zpsc1132444.jpg) (http://s1346.photobucket.com/user/Steelieboy1/media/YT-1900/20140316_013223_zpsc1132444.jpg.html)
Sorry for any crappy pics...I took all of these with my phone as I was working on it...
The only thing left to do is come up with a name for her...
Feel free to comment and critique...just be nice! This is my first time doing something this involved.
Cheers!
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Damn that is just brillant, I love the design and the paint apps just bring it over the top well done indeed.
Ron
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looks like the MF got excited.......
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Oh.
My.
Word.
That is incredible!! You should post that on the Starship Modeler F/B page and seriously consider sending it in to the Reader's Gallery at Finescale Modeler!! That thing looks like it is more engine compartment than cargo hold... I think if I were writing it up, it would be something like a long-range recon/patrol gunship, like Fett's Firespray or the Skipray blast-boat, a commercial venture utilizing existing off-the-shelf components for crew and repair-c rew familiarity. Very nice work!
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I have to confess, I'm unreasonably jealous of those plastic tube/core pieces, too. ;D
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This is a masterpiece!
Nicely done!
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Oh.
My.
Word.
That is incredible!! You should post that on the Starship Modeler F/B page and seriously consider sending it in to the Reader's Gallery at Finescale Modeler!! That thing looks like it is more engine compartment than cargo hold... I think if I were writing it up, it would be something like a long-range recon/patrol gunship, like Fett's Firespray or the Skipray blast-boat, a commercial venture utilizing existing off-the-shelf components for crew and repair-c rew familiarity. Very nice work!
Thanks!
I suppose I had imagined this ship working as a scout, or electronic surveillance platform...maybe as some sort of high value courrier as well...
Thank you for the compliments! It feels good to have this thing off the workbench.
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Damn that is juts brillant, I love the design and the paint apps just bring it over the top well done indeed.
Ron
Thank you!
looks like the MF got excited.......
That's nothing! You should have seen how excited I was when it was finished! LOL
This is a masterpiece!
Nicely done!
Thank you!
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Just seeing this and wow am I impressed. What a great new look for a YT! I am definitely gonna go share this all over the place today. You have gotta be pleased.
About the only thing I could see making this one better is some leds! Thanks for sharing.
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looks superb ! great job
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Awesome job!
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Dude, you have to be excited about this build. I sure am!
The reflective tape behind the screen wire was a great idea.
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Wow, that is one awesome conversion if I have ever seen one. Hat's off to you, sir!!
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This is off the charts awesome!!!!! I love how you showed the step by step process i cant imagine this was a easy project ! i am just simply going to say excellent job !!!
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Wow! She looks amazing! Thanks for showing us the whole process, I really enjoy that. Love the design and execution of this build!
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Thank you everyone for the kind words!
Yes indeed, this was a challenging project...looking back at the pictures of when I first started work on it, I remember cutting the 'Falcon hull up in to pieces, and thinking "Oh man, what did I just do???"
It is a bit strange to have my workbench clear...hopefully I will become inspired for my next project soon.
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Ok now someone go do this on a POTF Falcon...
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Ok now someone go do this on a POTF Falcon...
Heck, looking this good I would say the larger BMF Version would be cool. I did think that as soon as I scrolled down through this though. Wouldn't it make a great Hasbro Conversion too. This one was really popular yesterday that's for sure!
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Hey ServO take a garner at this yesterday when I posted it on our Facebook Page and shared it on a few other pages:
https://www.facebook.com/234428276594079/photos/a.234438239926416.50366.234428276594079/653264174710485/?type=1&theater
I can't believe folks thought this was trying to replace the Falcon and there are so many YT Mods out there it is ridiculous. There were a few tools, as there always are, but folks loved this. It has over 48,000 views!
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I saw that post on Facebook.... the level of immaturity of some of these folks is just embarrassing. You keep up this amazing work, man.
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Hahaha I wasn't trying to stir the hornets nest with this project, but dang! Some folks get really bent out of shape!
I don't take anything on the internet personally lol, so if even one other person out there likes it, I'm happy.
Sometimes the most fulfilling creative works are also the most controversial.
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I dont care for the EU design of it, but I sure can appreciate the work and skill that went into it!
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I've been playing at building models for 35 years. The level of skill, consistency of artistic vision, and AUDACITY involved in this is a combination I've never quite put together. But um ... I was digging through a bag of parts this morning and found what could only be pair of capitol-scale turbolasers. Perhaps I should take on a conversion one of these days...
Mega-kudos, again! I had to share that pic out on my Facebook as well.
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What? I don't even know what to say other than HOLY CRAP this is awesome. At first I was thinking this was the BMF that you used. Freekin amazing.
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I might could be persuaded to send him my BMF...! ;D
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I sent this in to the guys at Yakface's Realm Recap and they featured it on Episode 7:
Those guys love customizing too. Needless to say those guys loved it too.
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Wow! Thank you for putting this out there for them to see!
I'll have to admit I blushed a bit.
LOL
:o
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Wow, that looks fantastic! It's a great design and you've painted and weathered it perfectly.
That's a good use for a clunker of a kit.
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Good Lord... you've built a dang movie prop! This goes so far above and beyond what a 'toy' is.
I cannot wait to see more of your work. You have blown my doggonne mind.
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Thanks you guys!
My eyes are still drawn to this project when I'm sitting in my cave amongst my collection.
I primarily do Transformers customs, and then Star Wars customs and mods...after I finished this, I started to tackle a few Transformers projects that I had been neglecting...
Which is funny because while working on my Transformers, I sort of started another Star Wars ship mod...
I will be sure to post up here when it is finished!
On a side note...after much discussion, and research, I have decided to name this ship the "Nephilim".
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Like the name-choice and really like to hear you've another treat up your sleeve!
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Wow. I just stumbled on this thread. I was out of the country at the time. Amazing work from start to finish. I love the greeble work.
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Wow. I just stumbled on this thread. I was out of the country at the time. Amazing work from start to finish. I love the greeble work.
Thanks! The greebles were the most fun part next to the painting!