Ban Dai Millennium Falcon 1:144 – build review

Full Review with Dave Coward

Just before we get started, here’s a quick look at how it all turned out…

Background

The Millennium Falcon, a YT-1300 Corellian light freighter, is primarily commanded by smuggler Han Solo and his Wookiee first mate, Chewbacca, and was previously owned by gambler/con-artist Lando Calrissian. Solo: A Star Wars Story depicts the ship as being co-piloted by, and later integrated with, Calrissian’s droid L3-37. Described as being one of the fastest vessels in the Star Wars canon, the Falcon looks worn-out but despite its humble origins and shabby exterior, the Millennium Falcon has played a critical role in some of the greatest victories of the Rebel Alliance and the New Republic.

This kit was first released by Bandai in 2015 and has been re-released 5 times with the latest being this release in 2022. These kits cover various version of the Falcon from the early version with the nose insert and circular antenna to the later version as reviewed here with the rectangular antenna. For a look at what’s in the box have a look at this in box review that was done by Geoff. I was given this this kit a couple of years ago and I made a start on it but I wanted to use a lighting kit and at the time I couldn’t source one so it went back into its box. Just before Christmas 2024 I was looking to finish one those Shelf of Doom’ project when I came across this kit and a quick internet search showed that the lighting kit I wanted was now available so it was quickly ordered and the project was back on the bench.

Aftermarket Extras:

Green Strawberry Millennium Falcon Grills
Tirydium Models Lighting Kit.

Construction…