7965 Millennium 500+ Tiles and 2 Lights Later

[piaknowguy]

Editted - Five of the latest version pics posted below. (Grey 1X1 tiles)

http://youtu.be/kMkGljeLiUI


A longer loading ramp, taller and additional landing gear, thicker mandibles with lights, a tidier under-belly, a tiled interior, and some obvious aesthetic changes were made to Lego's latest Falcon. The tan 2X2 version can be viewed using the link posted above. The lighted version can be seen further down.

[DocBlock]

This is a good looking set.

I like a lot of the modifications you made and it looks a lot more usable and fit to the movie in size compared to the figures. I'm not a big fan to the extensive use of the smooth pieces, but I like the studded look to models.

[Bellicose]

I like all the tiling! Personally I might remove the occasional tile as the Falcon was a hodgepodge of parts and panels, but this is your creation so ultimately it's up to you. I really like how you cleaned up the technic beams on the underside.

As a project I'd like to take this same kit (7965) and add the fifth landing gear leg, have a proper longer and less steep boarding ramp w/ actuators, and try to make the underside at least match the top. I'd also like to put the spring-loaded missile launchers in the tunnel between the mandibles.

[Solo]

It's definitely an improvement, but I still find the base model disappointing enough to think this effort is somewhat wasted. Have you upgraded the interior as well?

[piaknowguy]

Hey, thanks for the input guys!

@Bellicose and DocBlock

I could go either way with the tiling. I also like the studded look but had some tiles that I found useful. I also find that the model looks way better viewing it in real time as opposed to capturing a still image. The light playing off the top is not static and therefore much more interesting.

@Bellicose

This kit does have it's limitations. (as well as my selection of bricks) I was able to add 2 stud lengths to the ramp, which doesn't sound like much, but does make quite a difference. I loved your idea for the fifth landing gear leg, so I took the liberty of adding it, as you can see by the images below. Thank-you!!







@Solo

Thanks for your comment. I know it cliche but . . . when handed a lemon, make lemonade. You are right in the sense that this is no 10179 kit (which I could never buy, or my wife would kill me! =) ), however, it was a fun kit to build and modify. I haven't yet modified the interior and, as it sits on a desk, am not sure that I will.

Cheers!

[piaknowguy]

Ramp and front landing gear leg design improvements -

[DocBlock]

Ooh I like the new ramp.

[piaknowguy]

Thanks! The 'mod' is completed! Here are some final pics!

















Cheers!

[piaknowguy]

http://youtu.be/kMkGljeLiUI

This is my finished mod.
I would greatly appreciate your comments, positive or negative.

Hope you enjoy it!
Cheers!

[buriedbybricks]

I've merged the topics piaknowguy, for obvious reasons.

[piaknowguy]

I was hoping not to bury the video link in this post, as many who had already viewed this particular thread would probably miss it. That was my reasoning for posting it as a separate topic. However, I do moderate in another forum and understand that you are just doing a bit of house-cleaning. No problem . . . You were right, of course. I should have just changed the original post title in the first place.

Cheers!

[piaknowguy]

A switch to grey 1X1 tiles. See the top post.

[DocBlock]

Much improved. I'm still not a huge fan of the tiled look, but at least the grey blends in better than the tan did.

Good job.

[piaknowguy]

Thanks, DocBlock!

Here is the Falcon's new home.

[SDIronClaw]

Very nice SNOT work, it really sets the model off. Well done!

[piaknowguy]

Hey, Thanks SDIronClaw!

I wish Lego would have included the tiles in the original kit. Price may have been a deciding factor.

Cheers!

[DocBlock]

Nice little display. Looks like good use of some out of the way space in your music studio.

It looks like you do some video sound track work there.

[Mister Ed]

That is really impressive. The only small suggestion I would make would be maybe mix up the tiling, use some 1x1, some 1x2 (in both orientations) some 2x2, maybe even the odd cheese slope, to combat the regular patterning that seems slightly at odds (to me, anyway) with the Falcon's "hunk o' junk" nature.
It might work even better if you could mix old and new light grey elements, but maybe that would just look weird.

[piaknowguy]

Thanks, again! I must be obsessed with this kit! Here it is with some added lights in the mandibles.