1st try at a custom build. X-wing 1/6 cockpit section only

[IzzyMel]

Well, I not sure if I want to paint the inner cockpit or print pictures and cover them. I mean I still will add the greeblies to the cockpit (knobs and LED lights)
Xwing by i_melendez45, on Flickr
Xwing by i_melendez45, Flickr

Thought's opnions????

 

[Natedog]

Hmmm. It depends on the type of material you use for the dash I guess. If you use balsa wood and you use printed stickers then you'll have to worry about it bubbling. Printign on paper and gluing may work well. I'd recommend testing on a scrap piece to make sure it doesn't bubble. Painting would be extremely tedious given the amount of thin straight lines (lots of masking) not to mention the paint might bleed into the wood. I have no experience with painting balsa.

If you make it out of styrene which is smooth then stickers would work well. Possibly waterslide decals. its also easy enough to drill holes for LEDs and such and comes in super thing sheets that you can cut into the appropriate shapes then glue them to the surface giving it some depth. If you use paper or stickers perhaps a shot or two of some matte varnish would take the shine away and seal it at the same time. Again test it first

If you're using foam core then stickers would be your best bet, although I would not use foam core for the dash.

 

[IzzyMel]

Thanks Natedog for the advise. The innercockpit counsel and side panels are styrene. I might scribe the lines and paint them later. I am starting to work on the joystick. I'll post pics when I'm done with that part. ��

 

[IzzyMel]

It's snowing pretty good out there so it gives me some time to work on the X-wing. I added more detail to the hydrolic pistons for the canopy, painted some more detail in the rear vent, and built the joystick for the X-wing.

1st the joystick; I wanted to be able to move the joystick left, right, forward, and back. I had to build some movable joints.
Stick by i_melendez45, on Flickr
Stick by i_melendez45, on Flickr

I covered the bottom with the pleather and I trying figure out the placement for it.
Stick by i_melendez45, on Flickr

Next I cut out some styrene 3mm to try and make the control part of the joystick;
Stick by i_melendez45, on Flickr
More by i_melendez45, on Flickr
More by i_melendez45, on Flickr

Next I painted it to match it as best as I could to the movie pics;
Progress by i_melendez45, on Flickr
Progress by i_melendez45, on Flickr
Progress by i_melendez45, on Flickr

Then I added some detail to the Hydrolics;
More by i_melendez45, on Flickr
More by i_melendez45, on Flickr

Here is what it looks like so far together;
Progress by i_melendez45, on Flickr
Progress by i_melendez45, on Flickr

 

[IzzyMel]

Working on some details in the cockpit. tried to figure out how to make the Flex tube located on the right hand side of the cockpit. I used a small aluminum rod and some thin black tape and super glue to get the best look I could. It still needs some paint. but you get the gist;
Details by i_melendez45, on Flickr

Next I wanted to figure out how to make a Holoprojector eye for the right hand side. For the real prop they used the vickers light, the same as the R2 hp eye's. still some work and paint, but I think I have the right size. I used a plastic spacer and a plastic ball bearing that I had.
Details by i_melendez45, on Flickr
Details by i_melendez45, on Flickr

It's not glued into place. I just wanted to see how it would look;
Details by i_melendez45, on Flickr

 

[IzzyMel]

Not much to add but I was able to paint the Holo and Gray flex. I also cut out the glass plates on the inner cockpit. There are quite a few details that I didn't notice in the movie but are popping out in the movies stills that I have. Just trying to find as many angles as I can.

Holo:
Holo by i_melendez45, on Flickr

Gray flex; it's not fixed in place. I have to reposition it. Still needs more details (paint details)
Holo by i_melendez45, on Flickr

I'm not even shore what the next detail would be called but on the front of the inner cockpit there is 3 glass plates;
More details by i_melendez45, on Flickr
More details by i_melendez45, on Flickr More details by i_melendez45, on Flickr

 

[Natedog]

Lets call it a data module...

 

[IzzyMel]

Lets call it a data module...

Sounds good to me.

 

[IzzyMel]

For anyone who wants them, here are the two side panels and front top of the cockpit I created also attached the front counsel I got off the internet (made some changes, may make some more.- I'll upload this one later tonight. )

Top viewThere are two more Big LED/lights that are next to the Big Red LED location. I just haven't added them yet)
Pics for canopy by i_melendez45, on Flickr


Side Panels: (I have to work on the left panel some more to make it accurate)

Sidepanel by i_melendez45, on Flickr

 

[IzzyMel]

Did some work on the Data Module (glass piece). I redid it because the piece was too long and the two holes with the metal plugs weren't centered. I also did some work adding the metal piping on the back canopy vents. I took the rear canopy off so you can see it. Lastly I created the metal box on the left hand side.

IMG_20150305_112343 by i_melendez45, on Flickr

IMG_20150305_114229 by i_melendez45, on Flickr

IMG_20150305_135413 by i_melendez45, on Flickr

IMG_20150305_135437 by i_melendez45, on Flickr

I'm working the small the details on the cockpit until I can paint it when the weather gets better.

 

[IzzyMel]

Made some Greebles (I think that's what they are called) for the cockpit. Still have to paint them.

Greeblies by i_melendez45, on Flickr

I found this pic on Star wars 77 -83 twitter account: Awesome behind the scene pic of the X-wing cockpit. I've never seen it before:

BbT9dLUIgAA-nZD by i_melendez45, on Flickr

If anyone has pic's like these please let me know. It helps with the details I can't see in movie stills.

 

[Chakaman]

This is looking great. You are really going all out on it. Awesome build so far. The detail is amazing. Nicely done.

 

[IzzyMel]

This is looking great. You are really going all out on it. Awesome build so far. The detail is amazing. Nicely done.

Thanks. I can't wait for the weather to I improve so I can do some real painting. Can't complain too much about the weather in MD. Its not as bad as they have up there in Mass. ☺

 

[flying dutchman]

Awesome work!!

 

[IzzyMel]

Was able to prime the cockpit and side panels today. Weather was great:
Primed by i_melendez45, on Flickr
Primed2 by i_melendez45, on Flickr

also was able to paint the hydrolic pistons to match the X-wing in ANH;
IMG_20150308_170550 by i_melendez45, on Flickr
IMG_20150308_170529 by i_melendez45, on Flickr

I'm not happy with the black rope that I was using for hoses. Need to find something better. Any recommendations????

 

[IzzyMel]

Here is my attempt in making the hoses with wire and cables: yes they still need to be painted light grey but i think it will do. I still will have to do the other side. What do you guys think???
IMG_20150309_193008 by i_melendez45, on Flickr
Hose test by i_melendez45, on Flickr

 

[earthdog]

Very clever. Looks great but I'd be concerned about the paint cracking and peeling as these get moved around.

 

[Weezer]

Very clever. Looks great but I'd be concerned about the paint cracking and peeling as these get moved around.

Why would the hoses be moving around?

Give them a light scrub with fine sandpaper and a few light coats of primer with a light final coat of grey. These hoses are stationary so they won't be moving.

 

[IzzyMel]

Here is a pic of all 4 test hoses in place, again I still need to pain them;

Test both side hoses by i_melendez45, on Flickr

I also did some mods of the top view of the inner cockpit and side consoles pics. I think they are much more accurate. I will probably use these as my ref sheets to paint them;

top view cockpit by i_melendez45, on Flickr

Redo side Panel by i_melendez45, on Flickr

 

[IzzyMel]

After looking at how much detail is need in a paint job that I want to have in the cockpit, I decided to make these *.png files into decals. I'll have to order some decal paper and solution to give it a shot. :wink:

The right and left panel on the inside main cockpit area;

Inner side panel by i_melendez45, on Flickr

Right and left panels that lead up to the top of the front of the cockpit;

Midline panel by i_melendez45, on Flickr

I know I will have to make a few more mods for the decals because white doesn't print, also will have to change the grey to white because the cockpit panels are already grey and no need to print it when it is already grey.