Lego Millennium Falcon - The Beginning

It all begins with a few cellophane bags and an instruction book. As with previous Lego sets that I’ve done, the project starts out humbly. I’ve got to construct the bones of the Falcon and then add flesh. I know from YouTube videos, that this thing is build stout. With over 7,500 pieces in play, this thing has to be able to hold up its own weight. So there are a lot of plastic beams down the spine and branching out.

Falcon Bones

Early in the process of constructing the skeleton of the Falcon. There are many, many structural pieces that make up the support system of the spacecraft.

I was kind of surprised that construction of the landing gear occurs early in the project. On retrospect it makes sense. The skeleton is constructed and supported, then you add on the details and goodies. The construction of six sets of landing gear (with a seventh to come later) could have become tedious, but I actually enjoyed building something that actually looked recognizable, instead of another support beam with the accompanying accoutrements. Once the landing gear was in place, I started to get more excited. Each turn of the page had the potential to be some iconic facet of the ship. Who knew one could derive so much pleasure out of snapping little plastic blocks together?