Scratch Build: Star Wars Cockpit 'Rebel Edition'

[PL1]

Overall I like it....but that last pic......is the cab growing a pair of coconuts?  What are those supposed to be?   

They might e something like the "engines" on the back of the S.T.U.N. Runner cab.



Might be a good idea to replace the blue "backglass" with the top two engines of a 4-engine design.


Scott

[yotsuya]

I noticed the concept doesn't show the cup holders, probably just an oversight.

Hrmmm I wonder how many cupholders the 2014 Rebel Family Wagon has?

You can bet your sweet Aunt Bibpie there was at least one in Red 6's whip.

Naw, Porkins couldn't hide a cup in there. Be serious.

Now Bantha Jerky, on the other hand...

[dandro]

oversized cardboard tubes and make the engines glow with LEDS. Cut them so they notch into the cabinet and not just attached.

[Maximus]

They are bofadeez nuts.

I've been chewing this design over and decided that I need to treat the structure as though it were a full size rebel ship that may have taken part in rebel campaign at some point, instead of trying to make it some distorted scale version of a ship we already know. To do this I need to look at the Star Wars design language and try and capture that 'look' that says this is a Star Wars Rebel ship as soon as you look at it. Putting the R2 unit on top will go a long way to solidifying that impression, but still, the shape needs to look like it exists in it's own right, as a tiny, one-man vessel.

Some examples of Rebel ships that seem to follow the correct styling

[Maximus]

For the surfaces of the cabinet I think that I will create a pattern for the paneling on the exterior of the ship and then route those slots about 1/8" deep into the surface of the cabinet. Then I'll have a matching pattern and detail on a full size vinyl wrap that will cover the whole surface. This way I can get true three dimensional depth to the sides and paneling while retaining the ability to do all of my art, details, burn marks and shading in Photoshop instead of trying to recreate them by hand. I'm a true child of the computer age in the fact that I can scratch render a photo-realistic image in Photoshop but I can't paint with a brush to save my life, a sign of the times indeed.

[PL1]

For the surfaces of the cabinet I think that I will create a pattern for the paneling on the exterior of the ship and then route those slots about 1/8" deep into the surface of the cabinet. Then I'll have a matching pattern and detail on a full size vinyl wrap that will cover the whole surface.

Thinking about using screen spline to divide the panels?

It should allow you to to cut and secure the vinyl into the 1/8" slot with less distortion than trying to use a heat gun to stretch vinyl along a long straight seam.

You might even be able to do some slightly recessed or raised panels this way.


Scott

[Barry Barcrest]

Some examples of Rebel ships that seem to follow the correct styling

Think you posted most of the ones that were precursors to the Empires ships.

[kahlid74]

Looks like a fun project.  Building the cab for my POD was a lot of fun so you should be thoroughly enjoying it!

As an aside, look to the guy who built the vulture pod for how you can glorify wood:  http://simhq.com/forum/ubbthreads.php/topics/3151112/all/Mechwarrior_Cockpit.html

[Maximus]

look to the guy who built the vulture pod for how you can glorify wood:  http://simhq.com/forum/ubbthreads.php/topics/3151112/all/Mechwarrior_Cockpit.html

Now that's my idea of a quality build! Holy crap the craftsmanship is astounding, definitely the type of level I want to take this to.

[Maximus]

Thanks kahlid that thead is solid gold, he is using a lot of the same techniques I've been looking at including the v-cutting of the exterior panels

[Typefighter01]

I've been chewing this design over and decided that I need to treat the structure as though it were a full size rebel ship that may have taken part in rebel campaign at some point, instead of trying to make it some distorted scale version of a ship we already know.

I can just feel all the blaster rifles aiming at me as I write this, but, as a casual fan of Star Wars and not a fanatical lover, like some, I find your original idea of a "Rebelized Edition" of the Star Wars Cockpit more interesting to the masses than designing a cab with artwork and ship design that only a select few might recoginize (I know we don't build for the masses, we build for ourselves and hope the masses like it, however...). To build the cockpit in such a way as to have actual arcade colletors themselves say "Did Atari actually make a "Rebel Edition"? Is that some prototype?" Instead of "I can tell it's Star Wars related because of R2, but past that, I don't remember seeing that in any of the films. Is that Jar Jars car?" I know based on all your builds, you push creativity to the ragged edge, I just hope in the search for building something unique or different, you don't create a cab only appreciated by a select few. I think your first sketch was bang on, and basing the cab off the original cockpit we all know and love is just a cool idea. No matter what, I know it will look the nuts...good luck, I will be watching. To everyone else...FIRE AWAY !!!

[UFO]

Wow... all this is awsome! Can't wait to see how this one goes...

[PL1]

I can just feel all the blaster rifles aiming at me as I write this

Meesa thinks me knows why the peopleses aiming theysa blasters at yousa.

Is that Jar Jars car?

     


Scott

[Maximus]

@Typefighter. I think you may have misinterpreted what I meant. I fully intend to try and keep as much of the original cab shape as possible and treat THAT shape as though it were a ship itself.

[yotsuya]

I can just feel all the blaster rifles aiming at me as I write this,

I would like to think that everyone here feels free to post their thoughts, even though it might go against the apparent grain. If anything, I think this makes us a better site and a better source of real, critical suggestions when it comes to a project.

[ids]

... don't create a cab only appreciated by a select few... the original cockpit we all know and love...

It could be argued that the original we all know is love is known only to a small subset of the general population.  I can't imagine anyone I know recognizing an original for what it is.  Wish I had time etc to do an original myself, but I'm all in favour of building whatever pleases you.

[Gin]

Have to agree with everyone else.... this concept looks awesome!  Can't wait to see the finished product 

Also, I really hope that R2D2 will be projecting the game play on a wall near you.... Help me Obi-Maximus.... you are my only hope 

[Termin8tor]

looking forward to see what you come up with....the concept looks amazing. 

[Typefighter01]

@Typefighter. I think you may have misinterpreted what I meant. I fully intend to try and keep as much of the original cab shape as possible and treat THAT shape as though it were a ship itself.

Great, I was just thinking when you first posted the sketch how cool it would be to have your "Rebel Edition" side by side with the original and I was afraid your new direction might stray from this basic shape.

I can just feel all the blaster rifles aiming at me as I write this,

I would like to think that everyone here feels free to post their thoughts, even though it might go against the apparent grain. If anything, I think this makes us a better site and a better source of real, critical suggestions when it comes to a project.

I wrote this more as joke, however, many a guest to Maximi's builds with a critizism or opinion have been told to leave Griff alone and let him do his own thing so I was trying to soften any blows I might incur. Also, considering the subject matter, Star Wars is a religion to some and I was fearfull of an attack  .

... don't create a cab only appreciated by a select few... the original cockpit we all know and love...

It could be argued that the original we all know is love is known only to a small subset of the general population.  I can't imagine anyone I know recognizing an original for what it is.  Wish I had time etc to do an original myself, but I'm all in favour of building whatever pleases you.

Probably the only statement I disagree with. The Star Wars cockpit is one of the few arcade cabs that I can actually see my friends and family recognizing. Not sure how rare it is (pretty sure it is rare now) or was, but growing up I saw this cab many times and short of Ms PacMan or Donkey Kong, in a line up of 50 different cabs, I am sure my friends and family could pick it out. There is no real answer to this one, we can only guess on how recognizable it is (I think for fun I will send my mom a pic and ask her to guess, if my mom guesses right, I win, trust me, if my mom knows what it is then most anyone will).

Again, I know it will be great, the hard part now is waiting for Griff to finish it.

[BadMouth]

You should totally build a speeder bike to go with this. 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Used-The-Fast-and-the-Furious-Super-Bikes-Arcade-Machine-bike-seat-/330952280455?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4d0e4b0987

[Le Chuck]

You should totally build a speeder bike to go with this. 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Used-The-Fast-and-the-Furious-Super-Bikes-Arcade-Machine-bike-seat-/330952280455?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4d0e4b0987

 

[Maximus]

I love Star Trek, especially all the spells and Cylons.

[jdbailey1206]

You should totally build a speeder bike to go with this. 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Used-The-Fast-and-the-Furious-Super-Bikes-Arcade-Machine-bike-seat-/330952280455?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4d0e4b0987

 

     

[emphatic]

I love Star Trek, especially all the spells and Cylons.

[kahlid74]

look to the guy who built the vulture pod for how you can glorify wood:  http://simhq.com/forum/ubbthreads.php/topics/3151112/all/Mechwarrior_Cockpit.html

Now that's my idea of a quality build! Holy crap the craftsmanship is astounding, definitely the type of level I want to take this to.

The guy is a really cool guy too, he's still on the SimPit forums so if you ever have questions, hit him up.  The pod was awesome, but when I saw his custom made joystick that was built from Popsicle sticks and putty and at the end looked like plastic I got goosebumps.  The dude also has his own shop, which is super rad.

[ChadTower]

It could be argued that the original we all know is love is known only to a small subset of the general population.

It could also be noted that the original is about as comfortable as sitting in old bleachers.  If you're over 6', you're eating your knees, and your ass hurts because the seat is short and has no padding.  I love me some Star Wars cockpits but let's not pretend the original is awesome to actually sit in.

I wish you a lot of luck finding yourself a good 25" Amplifone.  Honestly.  That's going to be a ---smurfette---.

I have always wanted to build a totally different SW cockpit.  One that has greatly upgraded sound and is actually comfortable to sit in. 

[griffindodd]

Yep hopefully I can add some comfort tweaks

As for the amplifone I am going to have to build one from scratch, I'm souring local ads, CL and big swapmeets for the tube from a Zenith B2500W TV, I have everything else I need to build the unit, but until I find one of those tubes I'm a little dead in the water.

If everyone reading this could keep an eye out for me in their area I'd certainly appreciate it.

[ChadTower]

As for the amplifone I am going to have to build one from scratch, I'm souring local ads, CL and big swapmeets for the tube from a Zenith B2500W TV, I have everything else I need to build the unit, but until I find one of those tubes I'm a little dead in the water.

If everyone reading this could keep an eye out for me in their area I'd certainly appreciate it.

You might want to contact Gary Vincent at ACAM (Funspot) in NH.  They have a 'donor tube' in their cockpit.  I know it's not the Amp tube but don't know what it is.  It doesn't align perfectly but does look decent and is 25".  My son and I played that for hours during the ACAM tourney this year.

And check out the donor list here if that's not where you got the info you already have.

[dandro]

Yep hopefully I can add some comfort tweaks

As for the amplifone I am going to have to build one from scratch, I'm souring local ads, CL and big swapmeets for the tube from a Zenith B2500W TV, I have everything else I need to build the unit, but until I find one of those tubes I'm a little dead in the water.

If everyone reading this could keep an eye out for me in their area I'd certainly appreciate it.

sent ya a PM.

[BadMouth]

Yep hopefully I can add some comfort tweaks

Getting closer....

[Le Chuck]

Yep hopefully I can add some comfort tweaks

As for the amplifone I am going to have to build one from scratch, I'm souring local ads, CL and big swapmeets for the tube from a Zenith B2500W TV, I have everything else I need to build the unit, but until I find one of those tubes I'm a little dead in the water.

If everyone reading this could keep an eye out for me in their area I'd certainly appreciate it.

Wrong account Joel?

[jdbailey1206]

...As for the amplifone I am going to have to build one from scratch...

It might be a little too much to take on but it would be nice to see you do a separate post to show how one would create a Amplifone monitor.

[Maximus]

Yeah what the fupp happened there? Having an identity crisis.

[ChadTower]

...As for the amplifone I am going to have to build one from scratch...

It might be a little too much to take on but it would be nice to see you do a separate post to show how one would create a Amplifone monitor.

It means he bought existing parts for everything except the CRT and is looking for a CRT compatible enough to use.

[griffindodd]

It means he bought existing parts for everything except the CRT and is looking for a CRT compatible enough to use.

Yup pretty much. If I do build the monitor I'll make a separate thread for it.

[Maximus]

Yup pretty much. If I do build the monitor I'll make a separate thread for it.

Garrrr who am I 

One of my browsers was still logged into the old account lol.

[jdbailey1206]

I gathered what he was trying to accomplish Chad.    

Looks like the tv was produced in '85.  My older friend is working on a time machine built into a car.  Once he's got it ready I'll go back to '85 and grab you a tv.  I just hope I don't run into problems trying to get back.   

On a serious note, Maximus (or whomever you are at the present time) have you seen this?  I would assume that is where you got the idea in the first place.  I'm gonna stop at my Habitat for Humanity store (it's a thrift shop for all household items) on my way home.  They tend to carry older items like tv's along with light fixtures, sinks, etc.  Just a quick question.  Is there any other possible tv you would need to make your monitor or is the Zenith the only one?

[Maximus]

The B2500W is the only Zenith model I know of guaranteed to have that tube in it. Of course they made many many more 25" models but hard to know what tube they have in them without pulling the back, it's a bit of a treasure hunt.

[yotsuya]

Don't reply to yourself, Griff!!! If you cross the streams, you could rip a hole in the fabric of space/time!!!

[thefox]

I think I've died and gone to nerdy heaven.

Subscribed. May the force be with you.