It's beginning to look like a Star Destroyer, I tell ya. I took a slew of pictures today, but in reality, there's only a couple that really matter. Basically I was taking them as I attached each of the quarter-panels. I did some organization of my work area that made it a LOT easier to crank them out (the way it should have been the first time.
There's a huge hole in the center, which is where the crew deck will go, but right now it affords me the ability to reach down into it and grab the keel and use that to haul it around. I've started wondering if that hinged bit isn't specifically to allow the top to flip open for that precise purpose. I look at the stand and realize that'd be an awkward place to hold it by (for moving it, etc.) and the panels are held on, literally by three magnets and 12 pegs apiece, so they're not exactly going to support the weight of the whole assembly. I guess I'll see as I move through the manual (I actually haven't skipped to the end to see anything like that, I'm being surprised as I go along).
Just so you know, that centerline gap is "the way it's supposed to be" (it's got it on the picture on the box)... It's Lego, kids, not a 100% scale model. I was getting worried til I actually checked the box and saw it had the same gap there that I had. :)
I actually (scarily enough) think I'm on track to have it done before the Sat. night game. Click below for pics...
A view from the rear, with the completed engine area, all shrouded by the hull plating:
Front shot - notice the arrays of blaster cannons on each side of where the crew decks will be.
