I've recently completed a small YT-1300 conversion, where I moved the cockpit to the centre of the model. I really enjoyed doing this conversion so I decided to try to take on something a little more complicated.

Having looked through lots of wookiepedia pages I finally settled on the YT-1200 design as I preferred it having 2 rather than 3 engines and thought it would be pretty cool having an outer rim smuggler flying about his business in an well out of date ship, hopefully with a couple of upgrades.

I picked up a falcon model and after looking through a lot of google images I tried sketching some ideas for how I would carry out the conversion.

The plan is to take off the front, cut out the engine panel at the back, replace everything removed with plasticard and add panels and various other details.

As the YT-1200 is quite different to the YT-1300 this project may take slightly longer than the last I will post the work in progress in this thread.

First couple of photos of progress:

Managed to get more work done, I've cut off the back engine plate, it's surprising how well the kit stays together after removing large sections from it.

I've added a couple of plasticard columns under the turret to try to strengthen the structure.

I've added a piece of plasticard to fill the gap and will add the engines then fill the gaps with thin plasticard plates.

You so Ka-wazy...it scare my.

It's a lot more work than my last project, there are just a couple of things that will probably take some time to do but overall I don't think it should take too long to finish. Just trying to take my time with it to make sure it's done properly.

I don't think my style of converting helps, I tend to cut and see what happens then start to make adjustments, not the most organised way of doing things.

I'm going to try to pick up some plasticard tube today so I can get the engines done.

IT TAKES TIME, SKILL, AND LOVE TO GO HERE.

I just started three huge projects ma-self that will take months to do right.

Keep up the great work!

very curious how this build turns out!

Me too! I'll be watching for this one.

This is far more work that just swapping over to center console, good luck but it looks like you are off to a good start.

"I've made a few modifications." Hahahahaa!

Thanks for the feedback and interest, managed to get some more work done, doesn't look like ill be able to start on the engines today so I've started on the front end. I know it doesn't look very neat at the moment but this is just the base structure i will be gluing on thin plasticard for the panels on top.

I'm having trouble uploading photos at the moment but I will try to post more progress later

I've been using a picture from the wookiepedia page as a reference, I think the front is slightly larger than the reference but I'm happy with it.

Coming along nicely!

Fortunately I already had an old pile of AMT/ERTL Falcons to slice and dice for conversions, so I sent all of those to the chop shop and only bought 1 FFG one to use for an actual YT-1300.

I've managed to make a little progress on the YT-1200.

Started some detail on the front and I've also added a couple of panels to the back of the ship.

Managed a little more progress whilst waiting for my order of plastic tube to turn up.

Bravo

****! I love modification/repaint threads!!!!

That thing is starting to get down right sexy...

Wow... love the desing, never saw that YT before. good work!

Its a bit different to the YT-1300, I wasn't 100% if I liked the design when I first started this little project but I do like it more the more I add to it. I'm hoping to have the majority of the work done this weekend. I'm planning on another YT-1300 conversion for my 2 Outer Rim Smuggler list. I really enjoy playing the list so it nice to do something a bit different with the models, I'm also coming up with a bit of back story for the ships and crew. Will probably post a bit once I've finished the conversion work.

I'm not sure what exactly I'm going to do with the YT-1300 so if anyone has any ideas I'm open to suggestions, thinking something similar to my last one with the central cockpit, maybe have it at a higher position with a structure like the front of the YT-1200.

Hopefully my Asti add tube order will arrive so I can finally start work on the engines, not really looking forward to cutting 2 tubes trying to make them match.

Thanks to everyone for the kind comments, really helps with motivation!!

it's really looking sexy. are you doing the 1200 or the 1250? i like the 1250 myself

i'd buy you a couple of ships if you'd be willing to turn one of my falcons into a 1250 lol

it's really looking sexy. are you doing the 1200 or the 1250? i like the 1250 myself i'd buy you a couple of ships if you'd be willing to turn one of my falcons into a 1250 lol

I'm going for the 1200 with just 2 engines. I think I like the 1200 as it's an old obsolete model, in the shadow of the really cool 1300.

****! I love modification/repaint threads!!!!

I Second that!

It's looking great, look forward to seeing the final outcome.

You infidel!

...but I guess a cool conversion none the less....

Thanks again for the comments! I really appreciate custom threads as well, get a lot of inspiration from them and they provide something new and different to look at. It's awesome to see so many different projects, even though there have been a few custom yt-1300s on here there are a lot of different ideas for what to do.

I managed to get a bit of work done last night as my plasticard order turned up, I'm hoping to finish or just about finish the miniature today. I'm glad the engines have gone on, most of the structural work is done now, I just need to get on with the details:

Also my order next falcon order arrived so I now have 2 more to convert so I'm trying to find some new ideas. I'd like to convert a ship fit for an outer rim smuggler, probably goingt keep it as a yt-1300 but was thinking offline something a bit different. I was thinking of removing the right mandible(?) and replacing it with a section for the cockpit I'm just not sure what I would do with the section where the cockpit was. The other option is to mount the cockpit centrally again but maybe using slightly higher than my last conversion by having a mount similar to the front of the YT-1200 and having some sensors underneath. What do people think? I'm open to other suggestions.

Thanks again everyone!!

Managed to make a decent amount of progress today and have nearly finished.

I've started with the base coat and first wash. Not sure when I will have chance to finish painting but I don't think it will take long now:

As it was getting dark so there was no natural light I decided to give painting a rest and start work on my second outer rim smuggler. I made pretty quick progress with this conversion, not nearly as much work involved.

Hopefully will be able to finding painting both ships pretty soon. I just need to paint a couple more ships and I'll have my 100pts list finished. I'll then get to work on some background for the list as well as some custom cards. I'll not be making any special rules, just wanted to put some cards together with pictures of the actual ships.

This is some fine work.

Where are the weapons on your first ship by the way?

Would you mind posting some larger images of these?