3D modeling

I've been using Google Sketchup for about a year now, and I've started putting together some rough designs for foundation and steel framing.

I also found two excellent models of the Falcon in the 3D Warehouse, which is a part of Google Sketchup. I'm still in the process of measuring and determining how accurate they are. They're definitely useful for determining scale in reference to the foundation layout and other structures that will be near the site.

Mini-project: Navicomputer console

The second of two mini-projects will be the navicomputer console from the main hold area. I'm accumulating parts for the console, such as toggle switches and other controls and displays. I've captured quite a few frames from the films for reference.

Mini-project: Radar dish assembly

The first of two mini-projects will be the radar dish assembly. I already have a 10.5' aluminum c-band satellite dish as a framework for the radar dish, and can construct the base and frame from welded steel and plywood.

Exterior project components

I've identified these exterior project components:

Foundation footings
Landing gear
Sub-frame
Framework
Dish antenna
Guns
Ramp
Lighting
Skin and plating
Weatherproofing
Paint and weathering

Interior project components

I've identified these interior project components:

Cockpit
Main hold
Navicomputer
Djarik table
Hallways
Rings and pads
Deck plating
Quarters
Engine room
Gunner stations
Electrical

Each of these will likely have several sub-projects associated with them.

Site preparation

There is an existing logging road to the proposed Falcon building site which will need to be graded and graveled. I'll need to bring power and water to the site as well. The workshop building will also need power and water and septic. The workshop will need to be close enough so that moving components and materials back and forth is practical, but far enough away so as not to interfere with any sightlines.

Site selection

I own a secluded 88 acre tract of wooded land where I'll be building. A goal is to have the interior complete enough to be habitable as in a sort of guest house thing. You know, "hey come on over, you can stay in the Falcon..." I'll have a good-sized steel storage building nearby for an on-site shop. I ultimately plan to eventually build my dream house somewhere on this property, but that's a ways off. I'll start with a smaller dwelling that will end up being the pool house or another guest house. I'm rambling, but you get the idea.

I want a site on the property that is low enough so that the top of the Falcon can be seen easily. A flat area roughly 400' x 400' will need to be cleared. I already have one such site in mind.

Scaling

I've done quite a bit of research on the full-size sets, both interior and exterior, and there is little coordination between the two. For instance, the interior set of the cockpit is way larger than the dimensions of the separate exterior set part of the cockpit. For those interested, I was able to resurrect Robert Brown's "Ship of Riddles" site using the web archive wayback machine. That's where I first encountered the problem that existed between interior and exterior scales. This has been an tremendously helpful source of information for my full-scale building endeavours.

Project overview

(some of these posts are copied from the main project site)

I am planning on building the ultimate Star Wars model: a 1:1 scale Millennium Falcon with complete, correctly scaled interior. Construction methods to include a welded steel frame with marine plywood exterior skin that is weather-sealed, and a heated/cooled interior space with all the amenities that a smuggler's ship would have.

For detail parts fabrication throughout the ship (full scale greeblies, etc.) I'm currently building a 4'x8' CNC router table and a 2'x4' heavy duty vacuum-form machine.

Yes I have completely lost my mind, just like my friends say. Except for my Star Wars fan friends, who say "cool, can I help?". So, this will likely take me several years, but isn't the journey the reward after all?