I’ve documented several of my LEGO Millennium Falcon MOCs and mods here (Last Jedi update), here (Force Awakens), here (Midi-Scale display), and here (7190 remodel). This time, I completely overhauled 75257 with a 4-person cockpit, detailed engine compartment, more round hallways, landing gear details, and a SNOT lower mandible slope with opening for center landing gear. There are more details to be found in the photos below.
Exterior
I added greebling, blast marks, and other details to make the Falcon appear as close to the cinematic model as I could giving the low fidelity and resolution of LEGO at this scale.
Interior
I wanted to include as much detail as possible–including detail hidden from view, like in the AMT/ERTL Cutaway Model of the Falcon. I made use of pipes–especially in the engine comparment–thinking of Han Solo’s repairs to the Falcon during the escape from Hoth in The Empire Strikes Back (1980). The pull-out gunner’s turret has an targeting computer display.
Landing Gear
I wanted the landing gear to look as accurate as possible in this small scale while also providing ample support for this heavier model.
Display Stand
Also, I built an upward sloping display stand for the Falcon shown below. It’s shape combined with gravity locks the Falcon’s landing gear in place so that it can’t move in the display stand. It has a lot of Technic reinforcement due to the weight of the Falcon, which is more than the stock 75257 set.
Yet Another Remodel
A few months later, I took another stab at the Falcon’s interior with an intention of making the rear passage way more circular and making the engine compartment less busy but with thought out detailing. I stripped down the interior and began again. True revision in practice (i.e., throw out your first draft and begin again).
Next Steps
I disassembled this Falcon before Y and I moved to our new apartment in 2022. Since then, I’ve rebuilt 75105 (The Force Awakens) and 75257 (Rise of Skywalker) using the assembly instructions. They sit on either side of my desk at home. I have plans to build a larger Falcon of my own design that fits between the size of these playable sets and the much larger 75192 and 10179 sets. It will have a 2-stud side wall to give it a sleeker look than the chunky playable models. I’ll provide updates when this new build gets underway!
