UCS A-wing Upgrade / Modifications

[lowlead]

On 6/24/2020 at 8:35 PM, lenzie said:

Was anyone else slightly disappointed with the UCS A-wing?

Yes.  More than slightly. 

On 6/24/2020 at 8:35 PM, lenzie said:

...but (in my opinion) flawed with a few issues.  In particular the loose/wobbly engines, large stickers and flimsy looking tail fins...

3 strikes there, so I decided to pass on this one.  I really like your mods on the fins - big improvement.  Other than the overall chunky look of this model, I'm disappointed in those white wedge slopes up front.  It looks like the designer abandoned the innovative angled construction and phoned in the rest toward the nose.  To be fair, I realize the designers are required to adhere to a certain 'sturdiness' standard, etc...but the lines of the forward fuselage are ruined by what seems (to me, at least) a shortcut. 

I've also been recently spoiled by custom MOCs, so that makes it easier to pass on a set that needs modifications right out of the box

[lenzie]

7 hours ago, lowlead said:

Yes.  More than slightly. 

3 strikes there, so I decided to pass on this one.  I really like your mods on the fins - big improvement.  Other than the overall chunky look of this model, I'm disappointed in those white wedge slopes up front.  It looks like the designer abandoned the innovative angled construction and phoned in the rest toward the nose.  To be fair, I realize the designers are required to adhere to a certain 'sturdiness' standard, etc...but the lines of the forward fuselage are ruined by what seems (to me, at least) a shortcut. 

I've also been recently spoiled by custom MOCs, so that makes it easier to pass on a set that needs modifications right out of the box

I absolutely understand what you mean lowhead!  I also much prefer building detailed and complex well designed custom MOC's these days versus standard Lego sets!  I still do like the UCS models though, but can't help but tinker with them to fix glaring issues like with the A-wing engines & tail fins/stabilisers.

9 hours ago, Dragunov2 said:

No, the complete new part, why doesn't it fit properly on the base (as shown on your pic)?

Hi again - everything looks as it should per your photo!  I can't see what the issue is.  Perhaps if you are still concerned or stuck just send me a message here on Eurobricks and I'll see if I can help you further.

[Dragunov2]

Just waiting for my last bricks to finish your mod

[lenzie]

4 hours ago, Dragunov2 said:

Just waiting for my last bricks to finish your mod

That sounds good!  Post up a photo of your modified model when you are done! 

[Dragunov2]

First engine done, tomorrow stabilisation system and maybe right engine.

What did u use as glue for those 1x4 part to hide the technic beam?

Thanks!

[lenzie]

Just now, Dragunov2 said:

First engine done, tomorrow stabilisation system and maybe right engine.

What did u use as glue for those 1x4 part to hide the technic beam?

Thanks!

Hi there!

That sounds good!  I actually did not use glue (although sometimes I do) - I used very small amounts of Blue Tac.  That way there's no mess and I don't runt he risk of possibly stuffing up my work or parts if the glue runs.  

https://www.officeworks.com.au/shop/officeworks/p/bostik-blu-tack-removable-adhesive-75g-bo060968

You may have a similar product in your country.  It's the stuff you would use to stick posters up on a wall.

[Dragunov2]

FINISHED!!!

Edited February 1, 2021 by Dragunov2

[lenzie]

THAT LOOKS AWESOME! : )

(You've just got the 4x1 double curved slope parts in Dark Bluish Grey at the engines to go.)

+ Your 2x3 white printed parts with the grey swatches on them look clean and neat - mine were mis-printed badly!

Thanks for posting this up!

[Aeroeza]

Looks great! Out of curiosity, how many studs back exactly for the stand's placement is necessary for the model's centre of balance?

[lenzie]

6 hours ago, Aeroeza said:

Looks great! Out of curiosity, how many studs back exactly for the stand's placement is necessary for the model's centre of balance?

I'm using one of the WickedBrick clear acrylic stands for my modified model.  The stand has a flat 4x4 top plate which is sitting 1 stud back with reference to/from the centre of the hole that the standard Lego stand seats into.

Dragunov2 may be able to comment on what he did with his modified model using the standard Lego stand.

[Dragunov2]

Here it's placed on original stand and used original hole in the ship. 

Yeah I lost those Grey parts it seems, I don't find them here anymore 😁

Edited February 2, 2021 by Dragunov2

[Aeroeza]

Thanks for the clues guys. I'm keen to apply aspects of this MOD. I'm no fan of stickers so it will be fun to take advantage of your hard work! 

[lenzie]

Because my original video was terrible! ...I made on update type video on these mods (still using some of the footage from the original video).  It may be of interest to anyone who's still interested in modifying their A-wing with these changes.

Cheers, Simon!

[Sine qua non]

That’s awesome. Looking forward to this fix once my son gets his for his birthday soon. Great work. 

[LDigital]

Great mod.  Your channel is really good too. I always look forward to new content.  Keep it going! 

[lenzie]

18 hours ago, LDigital said:

Great mod.  Your channel is really good too. I always look forward to new content.  Keep it going! 

Thanks LDitial, I really appreciate that.  I'm certainly working on hard it, and I have several videos planned over the next few weeks that I think will do well. Like building & showcasing JB70's modified Bugatti Chiron and a 'Custom vs Lego' video on the recent Probe Droid.

19 hours ago, Sine qua non said:

That’s awesome. Looking forward to this fix once my son gets his for his birthday soon. Great work. 

Sounds good, I hope you and your son enjoy modifying your set!