Jump to content

EAGLE Rebuild.


HL-10

Recommended Posts

I've been asked to refurbish (rebuild!!!) a 44" Eagle transporter for the new National Film & Sci-Fi Museum which has just opened in Milton Keynes - https://nationalfilmandscifimuseum.com/

 

Its a replica, not screen used, but it has generally been built to the same standard as the screen used models.

The Eagle is in a bit of a state, having been dropped.

Also, the brass spine & cages have been glued together and not soldered.

 

Here's what I've been given-

 

Eagle-2-1.jpg

 

Eagle-2-2.jpg

 

As you can see, the spine is coming apart at the joints-

Eagle2-3.jpg

  • Like 13
Link to comment
Share on other sites

I dipped the spine in paint stripper.

This removed the paint, and dissolved the epoxy resin used to hold it all together.

I now have a collection of brass tubing of various lengths!

 

Eagle-2-12.jpg

 

As gluing rather than soldering the frame together made it a lot weaker, the original builder made an aluminium frame to help support the weight of the Eagle.

To fit this they left out some brass to make room so I'll have to get some brass to fill the gaps.

 

  • Like 6
Link to comment
Share on other sites

8 hours ago, Corsairfoxfouruncle said:

You soldered it for strength this time Im guessing ? 

Yes, precisely that.

the model is very heavy so the frame needs to be strong to support all that weight. 

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Thanks for all your comments everyone, greatly appreciated! :)

I have finally completed the rebuild.

As it was a job of rebuilding the spine, the respraying it the cages & walkways it didn't take as long as i thought.

The modular design of the Eagle makes it easy to break down, then rebuild.

 

The finished Eagle:

Eagle-2-13.jpg

 

Alongside the Round 2 44" & 12" Eagles for comparison:

EAGLES3.jpg

  • Like 19
  • Thanks 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 1 year later...
On 10/09/2021 at 19:37, Pete in Lincs said:

It looks like it will take some time. I'll hang around and watch, it should be interesting. Good luck.

Me too,

 

Gonna be epic🤘🏻🤘🏻🤘🏻

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 2 weeks later...

Wow how did I miss this first time round?

 

Impressive bit of reconstruction but I was shocked that they original builder used epoxy resin rather than solder the spine, I mean you know how heavy these things are!!!

 

Lovely job!

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
×
×
  • Create New...