We had started the current delivery with the previous issue. It had been a little short for myself and my co-pilot (my eight-year-old daughter, Ember) but I had already snuck a look at part fifty-three and knew that this one needed to be done in isolation. Ember and I have been constructing the Millennium Falcon by Fanhome for over a year now, having just passed the halfway point. It has been an enjoyable learning experience for both of us. Wanting more after the last installment, I was eager to sit back down with this ever-growing build.
While I had already had a look at the magazine, I hadn’t really paid much attention, just enough to know there was a lot. Going through it now, I noticed it was back to the original format, no painting guides. While Ember and I are waiting until the starship is complete before painting, I do like reading the different techniques. When the weather improves, Ember and I have a few projects to practice using our newly acquired airbrush and I want to try some of the techniques. That’s not to say there aren’t some interesting reads. There is a section on the droid tri-fighters as well as the second part about escape pods (which is going to quite possibly be one of our painting projects for the summer).
Looking at the actual work we would be doing, there were three distinct parts. While I like having a huge single focus for an issue to really get stuck into, Ember much prefers the short, numerous parts to focus on. This would be perfect for her. First, we would be expanding the top frame that we started a few installments previously. Ember loves this part and has become very proficient with the skills required.
The next part is assembling a jig for the frame. I’ve been dreading this for a while as space has become a bit of an issue in the small study where I do my hobby. Where could I possibly fit another jig? The first one I attached to wood so we could move it easily and it has proved to be a lifesaver for the project. As much as I wanted to pretend that we didn’t need the jig, I knew that was far from the truth. In the issue it does say that you ‘can’ mount it on wood. This time I’m holding off on getting some more wood. Firstly, I just don’t have the room. Secondly, I’m hoping we won’t be having to spend too long with the hull on the jig, I’m hoping it’ll be fitted to the rest of the ship fairly quickly. Having the bottom attached to wood is necessary, I don’t know if it is here. The worst that can happen is that I change my mind, get some wood and must pull a Mary Poppins in my study!
Finally, we will be having to assemble another recess. These can sometimes be a bit of a headache with all the small parts. Ember doesn’t like to glue such small pieces. In fairness, I don’t know how comfortable I feel with her using super glue on parts that I struggle to not get glue on my own fingers, let alone hers! That said, she enjoys identifying the parts, clipping the pieces and filing them down. All in all, there’s a lot that we need to do but thankfully no preparation that needs doing beforehand. This feels a lot bulkier an issue than the last one, which is all for the better.
With everything checked and ready, we could drive straight into this installment. No-one told me how frustrating eight-year-olds can be. So far through this project, Ember has been raring to go. Clearly old age is starting to have an effect! She was rather moody when we started, although very quickly assembled the parts for the upper frame. What was lovely was through the course of following a step-by-step instruction, which needed little input from me, she was soon out of her mood.
Straight after the expansion of the upper frame, Ember took charge and assembled the jig in no time. It was only three parts which meant it was very easy to get the right pieces into the right place. This was very different to how I remembered the lower jig, which saw Ember and me spending a fair amount of time trying to match everything up. Thankfully, the jig at the moment fits alongside the current one. I don’t think we’ll be able to do that for long as it expands.
Then it was onto creating the recess. Ember was very happy to be able to clip, file and leave me to the gluing. It started so well and then came part three. A tiny part that is a pain to fit because of part one. What is perhaps even more frustrating is there was no need for it to be that way. If you haven’t done this installment yet, fit part three before part one, you can thank me afterwards. While I was getting rather annoyed at my station, Ember had run off on her own. Clipping and filing the pieces, placing them in order and even telling me to get a move on. Her confidence was remarkable. What was rather relaxing was that I wasn’t worried she’d do anything wrong. I could see that she had got this; she knew what she was doing. After part three, the rest of the build went without a hitch.
More hull, a jig started, and a recess completed. That’s a lot of things done in a single installment. This felt like a meaty issue and one that we both really enjoyed. I could tell that Ember had enjoyed her independence while I had been faffing with a certain part. In future issues, I think I may have to pull back a little and allow her a bit more freedom. The development of her skills has been nothing short of astounding. This project really has been incredible and we’re only just over halfway. A fantastic issue with lots to do but still leaving both Ember and I wanting more. Onto issue fifty-four!
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