I mainly do military aircraft models, so I’m not familiar with the range of sci-fi models out there. I was recently inspired to build a nice sized millenium falcon model. Any recommendations on kits and where to get it?
thanks,
Scott
To the best of my knowledge, there are three reasonably (about a foot and a half long) sized injected molded kits of the Falcon. The classic AMT/Ertl kit and the new Revell kit both depict the Falcon as she appeared in Episode 4, better known as Star Wars. The Falcon had three sets of landing gear in that one. The much more expensive, harder to get, but very nice Fine Molds kit represents the Falcon as seen in The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi. Get the one that suits your wants and budget best.
Agreed. The FM kit is IMPRESSIVE. MOST IMPRESSIVE. with a price tag to suit and quite large.The AMT kit is available pretty much everywhere riht now. I built the cutaway version when it first came out…actually before it hit public shelves–and reviewed the buildup in Modelers’ Resource.
AMT’s kit is not quite accurate and over the years some upgrades have been made for it. Using modern LEDs or lightsheet inside for the hypdrive is a nice upgrade adn there is plenty of room back there . It LOOKS like a Correllian YT-1400 but it has some differences in detail from the MF. Frankly, unless you are a SW fanatic (like us!) a person would not see the differences. I scratchbuilt a new cockpit for mine and went ballistic shading, painting and detailing the interior.
Also, the Lego version is quite nice, and can be quite challening to build.
David
Thanks for the input guys. Oh, and for the record I am a SW fanatic [;)]. The FM kit is super expensive ($270) and I don’t think I will go that route. Maybe if I were a super modeller, and had confidence in my airbrush skills… I saw some resin kit upgrades for the AMT model, maybe it fixes some inaccuracies. I just know that a large millenium falcon would look great on my computer desk [:)].
Scott
i havent seen the resin upgrades but i think they would help to enhance the model. I saw one at the nats painted an odd shade of grey/tan. What color route will you go with your aluminum falcon…hmm…now theres an idea…lots of Metallizer aluminum!
David
Hmmm, what color? I haven’t thought that far ahead. Pricing the resin upgrade kits with the AMT model puts you in the realm of the Fine Molds kit. The 2 resin kit upgrades that I’ve seen add about $100 to the cost of the $89 Amt model. I’m not sure I want to spend that much with my current airbrush skills, or should I say “lack thereof.” [:)] If I can get confident enough in my builds, I don’t mind spending the $$. I mean, we are talking about an 18" millenium falcon! The cool factor is off the charts. Can you tell I grew up in the 80’s?
Scott
Scott !!! Wait a minute !!! 89$ AMT Falcon ??? Where in the world do you live ???
Cuz ! what ever version of the AMT Falcon are only going for 25$ Max ~~ in Canada or the U.S.A. 89$ sounds like a lot of money for a 30 year old kit !!!
I have One of the 2 AMT Falcons ! I managed to “Glue back together” the Top section of my “Cut Away” version and was in the process of trying to enhance it with Greebies… to try to compensate for the obvious lack in details…
But after buying …Most of the “after market” Kits for it : Photo Etch Grills, Resin Cockpits, All around Trench details, Landing Gear bays and even a Lighted Engine Acrylic Plug… I am now the owner of a 350$ AMT Falcon… wow… of course I did that over a period of a 2 years… so it didn’t Kill my bank account ! and then the Fine Molds MF came out … Dang !
Was it worth it… it should be ! If I ever get back to it !
The Fine Molds MF is a Superb kit ! and I am still waiting to start it… I to ! have trouble with my Air Brush Skills… and want to do the AMT kit as a Freighter first… and then move on… but THAT’S ME !!!
I will hone my skills on the AMT and even use it for experimentation… paint techniques, Battle damage, and even some scratch building…
After all it’s only a highly modified YT-1300 freighter…
You know your limits ! and you and only you know How far you want to push this build…
There is always those Pre Painted Revell kits… which are a bit pricey ! but you could always be used as a Starting point …
Here is a few shots of my AMT … Nothing Magic I’m Afraid !!! but where there is a Will there is Hope… Remember that… the AMT kits were the only game in town for over 30 years…
so… many many peoples have stept in your shoes… some have even decided to Scratch build the whole thing …
Sci fi has no limit… only your imagination … and the Thickness of your Wallet ! LOL
http://s170.photobucket.com/albums/u255/schweinhund227/Falcon/
After all those efforts… and now looking at the Fine Molds kit… I lost my energy to continue my AMT but… will get to it eventually ! I’m deep up to my neck with my Scout troopers… the Falcon or should I say the Falcons… will have to wait !!!
Good luck with your project !!!
See ya !
I would buy the AMT kit for $25 in a heartbeat! This is the only kit I can find: http://www.amazon.com/AMT-Star-Wars-Millennium-Falcon/dp/B0008109RU and unfortunately its $89. That is a nice clean build btw.
Scott
I could have sworn my hobby town had both falcon kits in (AMT/Revel) and they were both around $40. Check around some more, it could be worth waiting to buy for half what that one costs.
I like the old AMT kit. I have some photos on this forum check rysh4.