Star Wars 1/144 scale Millennium Falcon [WIP - Weathering Effects on the Upper Hull, Cockpit, Forward Mandibles & Laser Turret]

Key to weathering the Millennium Falcon at 1/144 scale is not to overdo it. Because there is already so much going on in terms of detail on the Upper Hull and its accompanying sections such as the Cockpit, Forward Mandibles and Laser Turret, an over-weathered effort would've resulted in a dark mess masking over said details. This issue is compounded by the 'smallish' scale I had to work with. So throughout the weathering process I had to maintain a fine balance of just enough effects to show off a battered old junk but not too much that the paint/details underneath became obscured.

Millennium Falcon Work-in-Progress: Weathering effects on the Upper Hull, Cockpit, Laser Turret, & Forward Mandibles

Both the Cockpit and Forward Mandibles had been completed much earlier i.e. nearly four years ago, and together with the recently finished Upper Hull and Laser Turret formed the main topside pieces that required the application of weathering effects. Because I had used water decals for the colored armor panels instead of painting them, I decided to use what I believe to be fairly benign weathering products to avoid damaging the decals. This came in the form of Tamiya Weathering Master sets, namely certain hues from Set A (i.e. Sand & Mud); Set B (Soot & Rust) and Set C (Orange Rust). 

Cockpit (above) and all other parts of the Millennium Falcon were weathered with Tamiya Weathering Master

As with all parts of the Falcon, subtlety was key when applying weathering effects on the Cockpit section

In order to seal in the weathering effects and prevent them from easily rubbing off from the surface, I sprayed on a light clear coat of a premium top coat product in my arsenal. A fairly new addition to Mr.Hobby's product line, the lacquer-based Mr.Super Smooth Clear spray contains fluorine which the company claims can decrease the dreaded whitening phenomenon. In addition, this high grade flat coat spray also produces an extremely smooth top coat layer that reduces scratching between moving parts. Although this top coat is lacquer-based, it doesn't affect the water decals in any way, at least in the way that I applied the protective layer, which is to spray it on in a series of light coats.    

Forward Mandibles (Topside) of the Millennium Falcon

Weathering was focused around the circular Maintenance Access Bays ...

... as well as on the frontmost area of each Forward Mandible 

Forward Mandibles (Underside) of the Millennium Falcon

Weathering on the underside of the Mandibles was less pronounced compared with the topside

Weathering on the underside also focused around the access bays and frontmost area of each Mandible

From the previous post came the recently completed Upper Laser Turret. I didn't quite like the end result of my attempted weathering on this piece but was too lazy to change it. That and the fact that I have already sprayed on the protective top coat onto the piece before it occurred to me that I could've done much better. Oh well. Hopefully it will blend in inconspicuously with the rest of the Upper Hull.

Millennium Falcon Upper Laser Turret: a flat topcoat was applied over weathering effects to seal them in   

Then it was on to the Upper Hull section. Special care was taken to be extra subtle when weathering the rear section containing the Heat Exhaust Vents. Of all the surfaces on the Millennium Falcon, this was the one area most prone to over-weathering in the scale modelling community. Meanwhile, in my version of weathering effects, the Falcon's Upper Hull contains more mud, dirt and soot effects versus the desert sand effects on the Lower Hull. In my opinion there's no right or wrong to this choice of effects. It's just a matter of personal preference, and I find this combination most pleasing.

Millennium Falcon Upper Hull: fully painted, decaled, panel lined, weathered and protected with a clear topcoat

Unpainted area above has four protruding studs onto which the Cockpit will be eventually fixed securely  

Weathering effects need to be the most subtle towards the rear section of the Millennium Falcon

Upper Hull contains more mud, dirt and soot effects versus the desert sand effects on the Lower Hull

If weathering effects are overdone on the rear section containing the Heat Exhaust Vents, a black mess will ensue

Rust effects were also included, especially near openings where the exposed innards will eventually be placed

Main weathering effects on the Upper Hull comprise dark brown mud-like and black soot-like colors

Circular socket seen above is where the Radar Dish will eventually be attached

Bulk of the work on the Bandai Star Wars 1/144 scale Millennium Falcon is now complete. Apart from some miscellaneous parts for the Upper Hull and the base, this iconic ship will be finished soon enough. In the words of the late Aryton Senna, one of the greatest F1 drivers of all time ... I have no idols. I admire work, dedication and competence. Assuming competence comes after work and dedication, here's a small toast to my fellow scale modelers and miniature painters stuck at home during this global viral pandemic ... may your hard work and dedicated practice of the hobby result in the painted model/miniature of your dreams. And with that I bid you not adieu but au revoir.