Rear Fan: Light Ring Plus Frame
The clear acrylic light ring is attached to the already-assembled frame rings.
Rear Fan: Shell And Primer
Thin plastic strips are used to create the outer shell of the engine, and all exposed surfaces receive a coat of primer.
Rear Fan: Light Ring Wiring Test
The light ring is wired and tested before affixing it to the outer shell.
Rear Fan: Assembly And Shell Paint
The light ring/frame is added to the outer shell, which was taped off to receive strips of red and white paint.
Rear Fan: Additional Plating
Additional engine ring plating was created in order to cover up bright spots of leaking LED light. We see the additional plates go from diagram to cut, primed pieces.
Rear Fan: Plating And Center Cone
The additional plating is added to the shell, and a center cone is created out of clear acrylic triangles.
Rear Fan: Finishing Touches
In order to recreate that whitish-blue hue iconic to Star Wars ship engines, blue LEDs were added to a white LED case fan. With all the pieces painted and assembled, the engine is attached to the fan, completing the rear fan/engine assembly.
Defender 410: Top Panel
Requiring more than 120 individual cut-outs and controllable lighting, the top of the Defender 410 is perhaps the most complicated aspect of the build.
Top Panel: Cardbord Mock-Ups
Before any cutting began, a cardboard mock-up was used to get an idea of the overall structure.
Top Panel: Framing The Dome
Multiple acrylic pieces were used to create the frame of the top dome.