Posted March 27, 20177 yr I picked up a Phantom II set (75170) a couple of weeks ago for my 7 yr old son. I was immediately impressed with the figures adding key pieces to our collection, but the shuttle was severely lacking. Like usual, there was no room in the fuselage for any figures. Even the pilot barely fits...wth! So I gave it a go and chose to fix the issues. I wanted to start with a fresh piece so I could take my time and avoid my son asking for his toy every five minutes. Did some looking and found a shuttle, by itself, for $7.00. Grabbed it and got started the minute it arrived. The main idea was to add cargo and passenger room while connecting the rear of the hull with the cockpit, creating a walk through of sorts. I also wanted to maintain the exterior dimensions so we didn't lose the ability to dock with the Ghost. I wanted to keep the build simple and provide strength since it would still be played with. Like most ships, and sets for that matter, this shuttle was over-engineered. I can understand why, but it really was overkill for this application. Original set... Interior structure for top fin...
March 27, 20177 yr Author After the upgrade, the set is stronger, and the cockpit no longer wobbles since it is connected with bricks and plates rather than technic pins. I was even able to give the pilot a more comfortable chair :) Both shuttles... I'll make up a list of pieces needed for others to do this upgrade. Will gladly take any advice on improvements as well. Enjoy! Edited March 28, 20177 yr by sspilot
March 29, 20177 yr Please make the list of pieces - I'm interested in trying this upgrade. Very clever!
March 29, 20177 yr Author 9 hours ago, QwikBricks said: Please make the list of pieces - I'm interested in trying this upgrade. Very clever! Already working on it now. i'll try and take some better progress photos also so that it helps it along.
March 29, 20177 yr I agree, this is a really good MOD the seats look much better, have you done the first Phantom as well?
March 29, 20177 yr Seeing how simple and effective these mods are makes me wonder why LEGO never designs their sets like this in the first place. Good work! Can't wait to try it for myself.
March 29, 20177 yr Author 17 minutes ago, Tariq j said: I agree, this is a really good MOD the seats look much better, have you done the first Phantom as well? Thank you so much, glad this is useful to more than just me. I haven't done anything with the first phantom yet sadly. I'd like to, but it looks that it would nearly require a complete redesign rather than just a simple upgrade like the II. Eventually I'd like to take on building a minifig sized Ghost which would accept a larger Phantom, but I'm not that brave yet. lol 15 minutes ago, ChristopherLee said: Seeing how simple and effective these mods are makes me wonder why LEGO never designs their sets like this in the first place. Good work! Can't wait to try it for myself. I want to say playability, but some of the sets are unnecessarily over-structured. I'll be making the list when I am not as busy at work and get those pictures up for you guys.
March 29, 20177 yr Excellent mods! I think the storage compartment seats look great but by putting a grill you can't actually sit a figure.
March 29, 20177 yr Author 36 minutes ago, Forresto said: Excellent mods! I think the storage compartment seats look great but by putting a grill you can't actually sit a figure. Thank you! Yes, I have noticed that about the seats. I wanted to maintain the fold up capability, and a regular 1x2 plate left them sticking out a bit. I am still looking for other options for this issue or changing the seat construction entirely for a smaller option if anyone has any ideas.
March 29, 20177 yr @sspilot maybe you could just leave the grille off so that you can seat a minifigure on the back two studs.
March 29, 20177 yr Author 2 hours ago, VaderFan2187 said: @sspilot maybe you could just leave the grille off so that you can seat a minifigure on the back two studs. I can do that and the figure can sit with the upper legs on the studs, but it didn't look exactly right. It is probably more accurate though and if I don't find another way of mounting the seats, I'll likely just do that. 1 hour ago, benderisgreat said: Great mod! Hope you will publish more pics and instructions soon. Really appreciate it! I am hoping to do the same mods to the shuttle I have left on Friday. I can do the pics and list then.
March 29, 20177 yr Looks like I have a reason other than Thrawn to pick this set up now. Awesome mod!
March 30, 20177 yr Author 5 hours ago, Cottin said: Looks like I have a reason other than Thrawn to pick this set up now. Awesome mod! Thank you!
March 31, 20177 yr Author Anyone waiting on a parts list, I haven't forgotten. I'm very tied up at work so progress has been a little slow. I should have it done early next week though. Appreciate the comments and look forward to seeing others interpretations.
April 17, 20177 yr Author On 4/4/2017 at 8:20 AM, Veynom said: Nice enhancements to the shuttle. I will soon post something similar. Good job. Thank you! And look forward to your version. Will be updating with additional parts list and build up photos in the morning. Thanks for being patient guys!
April 18, 20177 yr Author 3 hours ago, legofives said: This customization makes me want this set. Appreciate it! Having a little trouble getting my pics to load on FLICKR, but here's the added parts list I promised. Keep in mind that I used the parts I had spare, feel free to replace with whatever color you have or want to use instead. 4-1x1 Plate White 2-2x4 Plate White 1-1x2 Plate White 2-1x3 Plate White 2-1x6 Plate White 1-1x2 Plate Door Rail. White 1-1x2 Plate Mod. W/Clip Horizontal on side Dk Gray 1-1x2 Plate Mod. w/Handle on End (Closed Ends) Dk Gray 1-2x6 Plate Dk Gray 1-1x2 Plate DK Gray 1-1x4 Plate Gray 3-1x2 Plate Mod. w/Handle on Side (Closed Ends) Gray 3-1x2 Plate Mod. w/dual Clip Horizontal on side Gray 1-2x2 PlateMod. w/Pin Hole Bottom Yellow 1-4x1 Slope Curved Dk Gray 1-1x2 Brick Yellow Edited April 18, 20177 yr by sspilot
April 27, 20177 yr Author Finally, here are the pictures I promised. If anyone has any questions or would like any specific pictures, please let me know. NOTE: Black round plates are not needed. I used them solely to take the picture of the assembly NOTE: Black round single plates are replaced with white 2x4 plate and white 1x1 plate
April 27, 20177 yr Author NOTE: I used a tank 1x2 plate on my floor for lack of a white one. Walls of the rear cargo area build back up similar to original with the exception of the 1x2 plates with handle (seat unit). I can take more detail pics of this process if needed. Rear upper section goes back together in pieces. NOTE: I used a dual pin hole 2x2 plate here for lack of a single pin. NOTE: Any color 1x2 brick can be used here since it will not be seen. NOTE: The violet slope was the only one I had as well. Final Product Untitled by Steve Chavez, on Flickr
April 27, 20177 yr Simple and ingenious, I like it. The only thing still bothering me is the "seat" for Chopper. He is riding more or less on top of the ship instead of inside a slot. I probably would at least leave out the jumpers and round plate, so he sits a little deeper - but thats just me.
April 27, 20177 yr Author 2 hours ago, Moff Muffins said: Simple and ingenious, I like it. The only thing still bothering me is the "seat" for Chopper. He is riding more or less on top of the ship instead of inside a slot. I probably would at least leave out the jumpers and round plate, so he sits a little deeper - but thats just me. Really appreciate it! That was bothering me as well. I took out the 1x2 plates under his feet so he would sit a little deeper. The issue with going any further with it is that it takes away the headroom from the figures inside. Really considering a complete teardown and redesign to get closer to the original. Biggest hold up is being able to recreate the rounded flowing lines
May 6, 20177 yr On 4/18/2017 at 0:00 PM, sspilot said: Appreciate it! Having a little trouble getting my pics to load on FLICKR, but here's the added parts list I promised. Keep in mind that I used the parts I had spare, feel free to replace with whatever color you have or want to use instead. 4-1x1 Plate White 2-2x4 Plate White 1-1x2 Plate White 2-1x3 Plate White 2-1x6 Plate White 1-1x2 Plate Door Rail. White 1-1x2 Plate Mod. W/Clip Horizontal on side Dk Gray 1-1x2 Plate Mod. w/Handle on End (Closed Ends) Dk Gray 1-2x6 Plate Dk Gray 1-1x2 Plate DK Gray 1-1x4 Plate Gray 3-1x2 Plate Mod. w/Handle on Side (Closed Ends) Gray 3-1x2 Plate Mod. w/dual Clip Horizontal on side Gray 1-2x2 PlateMod. w/Pin Hole Bottom Yellow 1-4x1 Slope Curved Dk Gray 1-1x2 Brick Yellow Is this the complete parts list? Your mod looks amazing, I want to try it!
May 6, 20177 yr Hey I've made this modification one or two weeks ago and I decided to tweak it a little bit for my own pleasure, thanks a lot for the instructions, here are the pictures: Spoiler I've added ball joint attachment for the front landing gear which is one of my favorite change for some reason: I've removed the spring shooters in order to put some thrusters in the back: The roof can also be detached easily: Bonus picture, it can be docked with DarthTwoShedsJackson's Ghost MOC:
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