The previous installment of the Millennium Falcon build had been a taxing one. First there were missing pieces, small pieces, fiddly bits, things that can’t be tested straight away… while it was enjoyable, I also felt like it slightly burnt my seven-year-old daughter (Ember) and I out a bit. We needed a slightly easier session so we could relax and enjoy the project properly.
Before I started to check through the issue, those of you who have been keeping up with our reviews will know that I have been giving myself homework in the form of learning how to airbrush. Each issue, Ember and I seem to be progressing in the right direction, eagerly – with perhaps some trepidation – when we can start working on the Falcon itself. However, to quote a different franchise: ‘Winter is Coming!’ Not really having the space to airbrush indoors, it is a strict outdoor activity. With the weather changing as it is, our practice time has been reduced. Snow, rain and plummeting temperatures are definitely not the best time to be trying to learn a new skill. So, for the time being this has had to be put on hold.
With not much else to do, it was time to dive into the magazine and figure out what we would be doing and if I would need to do any preparation work. On opening the construction pages, I felt myself give a sigh of relief: we would be fixing the hull plating of the ramp into place. While there was lots of screwing needing to be done, that was it. Simple, straightforward and one of Ember’s favorite things to do with this project. It was perfectly timed and just what we needed. I was tempted to see if we could do two issues but thought better of it. Doing this wouldn’t be too taxing; Ember has become very confident with getting the right screws, feeling when to stop and when the screw isn’t actually correctly lined up.
The magazine itself has a feature on General Grievous’ Starfighter, with references to both Revenge of the Sith and Clone Wars. Although this was interesting, it was the next article that I found fascinating: Combat techniques in dogfighting. There are lots of references to the tactics used in dogfights, all in the context of x-wings and TIE Fighters. As someone who has always loved this aspect of Star Wars this was a very enjoyable read.
But with nothing to set-up, except the screws and screwdriver, it was time to get on with the build. As predicted, Ember was able to take charge knowing exactly what to do. She had the confidence, and I could see from her face, and was grateful this was something she knew how to do. All was going well until we got to screwing in the turret ring, which was very close to the ramp that we had assembled the previous installment. When it came to the instructions, I was a bit perplexed when it mentioned four holes that needed screws. Looking carefully and moving the wires from the ramp, I realized that there were some behind the motor. Very easy to miss. Ember looked straight at me and told me I could do those!
We had done most of the build on the jig. It is fairly stable, and I can’t see it buckling. However, when I was trying to screw in the frame to the turret ring, I needed to remove the entire frame so my hand could support it. It made life much easier. Once the turret ring was attached, it was back to Ember finished the build.
It was a very short issue and there’s a part of me that feels like we could have probably done issue forty-one as well. Yet after issue thirty-nine, this was the perfect, simple issue to compete to give us a much more positive high. Not only did both of us need to be involved, but Ember could do her favorite bit of the build. Not only that, but the bottom frame is now complete. It’s easy to forget that we are now two-fifths of the way through construction and things are really starting to take shape. Ember was asking questions about size as it is so much easier for her to visualize. When I told her where on the wall it would be going once complete, and held the frame up as it was, her face lit up and she was like “Wow, that is going to be cool!” It most certainly is. For the penultimate issue of this delivery, it may have been small, but it was just the sort of thing we needed.
