The last three instalments of the Millennium Falcon build had been rather different. Ember – my seven-year-old daughter – and I had not been able to do a lot due to the need of it needing painting at some point in the future. It did not really bother my daughter too much, but I was there thinking we’d gone through three issues and not done much of anything. However, it suddenly made me think that I needed to start thinking about painting.
After visiting the Archive X studio last year and getting some of the paints to use for Star Wars: Shatterpoint, I knew I wanted to paint the Millennium Falcon with the correct paints that ILM had used when they had created their studio scale model. I had convinced myself that I could do this with a brush, I mean, it’s what I always used. As the scale of the ship has become more and more obvious, more and more real, I realized that if I was going to do this justice, to have it as a centrepiece that my daughter and I could treasure, I would need an airbrush.
Now it’s easy to say get an airbrush, but I knew there were many pitfalls. I also knew that Ember and I would need time practicing before working on the Falcon model itself, whenever that would be. On Facebook, there is an incredible group called ‘Airbrush for Beginners. Advice from Pros.’ The patience this group shows with newbies is incredible and they were able to guide me on products as well as videos to help me get started. With this knowledge I started to look around at what to buy. Thankfully on Marketplace, someone local was selling some brushes and a compressor for a mere £75, a great price just to get started. It had an Iwata Neo brush that was recommended by lots of members of the Facebook group, as well as some not very good brushes. The latter I was actually grateful for as I knew I could happily give these to Ember (and myself) to try things out with, mess things up, and not worry that we’d just destroyed an expensive brush. The compressor needs an air tank but for the price I paid, I’m rather happy with it. Again, from members in the group, a lot of them use this exact one so I’m not going to worry too much about it just yet.
When I brought the set home and turned it on, Ember was beside herself. To say giddy with excitement would be an understatement. This was something she wanted to learn with me. We got a piece of paper and started practicing one night after school. I didn’t think she was going to let me take the brush off her. Every moment she adored, getting a feel for the brush, for the air flow, to the effects we were producing on the paper. After the videos we watched, we practiced trying to do dots and lines, I was actually surprised how quickly Ember and myself picked it up. It’s a start – and a good start – I feel, one that we will continue as the issues progress. By the time we need to start painting the Falcon, hopefully we’ll be ready. It turned what were three slightly disappointing issues, into an adventure of discovery and learning. One that I’m only too happy to bring my daughter along with me.
With the airbrush journey started, we could get back to the issues and hopefully something more than just waiting for the painting part! Looking through instalment thirty-five, I gave a huge sigh of relief to find that we would be working on the bottom frames again. A quick flip through issue thirty-six, also confirmed that this continued with this part too. These two could definitely be completed together. What I also liked, was that the plating wasn’t quite the same as what Ember and I had been doing the last few issues. It used the same principles, but we were constructing it independently of the frame – at least for now. I had no worries; this should be what Ember enjoys doing the most. I found it curious that we weren’t attaching the finished frame to the overall model that we had in either issue but perhaps the next delivery of issues would make it obvious why that wasn’t the case.
The plating that comes with part thirty-six is immense. When I opened it, even Ember went ‘wow’ when she saw the size of it. It’s the biggest plating piece we have had so far, the same length as the magazine and it does really show you the sort of size you are building to. Of course, my next thought was, errrr… we’re going to have to paint that soon! Looking through the magazines themselves, I love how there is such a mix of Clone Wars and original trilogy. Ember and I are still making our way through the Clone Wars and this ready material is perfect for her. The articles on concussion missiles and the docking facilities of the Falcon keep me entertained.
With everything relatively straightforward, it was time for the construction. As expected, Ember was in her element. Finding out the screws and then attaching them to the frame. It is a fairly quick build, starting with the radial rib. One problem we did encounter was attaching the two- and four-hole connectors. When first attaching them, to try and line up the holes and have Ember screw everything into place – there just wasn’t enough room. So, it was one part I had to take over. By the time I had attached them to one frame, Ember was then able to attach the remaining screws a lot easier. Part thirty-five is assembling the outer area of the frame…
Thirty-six was finishing the inner frame. Again, there was the tricky area of a two-hole connector, but after this it was smooth sailing. This issue was an obvious extension of the previous one, so obvious that I’m glad I hadn’t packed everything away to then have to get it out for this. Once complete it looks like the rest of the frame and fits into the empty slot on the jig. At this stage, we don’t attach it, although I can’t wait until we can! Seeing how it differs from its opposite counterpart, I’m now realising that the ramp will need to go here, which might explain why it hasn’t been attached to the rest of the frame straight away.
All in all, these were the two parts that Ember and I needed. Getting back to basics, doing what we enjoyed doing and in a good chunky way. It felt like we had worked on two issues, whereas the last three felt like no work at all. That’s it for this delivery, which seems to be over far too soon. Now I know we will be revisiting the pieces in this delivery for painting, so I appreciate there is going to be a lot more to do. If you’re not repainting the project, this delivery will have probably felt a lot more fulfilling. For me, I’m wanting that bit more, but I understand that this is going to come further down the construction. The fact that I now own an airbrush, that my daughter and I are learning how to operate it, is something rather special that has started because of this project. That skill that we can learn together and use for years to come can’t be underestimated. Hopefully the next delivery brings more pieces to assemble. We might have the airbrush, but I don’t think we’re quite ready for the painting… yet!
