Star Wars Longbeam Cruiser (Type A)

“[…] the Republic's workhorses: Longbeams. Versatile vessels, each able to perform duties in combat, search and rescue, transport, and anything else their crews might require.” [Charles Soule: Star Wars Light of the Jedi, Chapter Four]

It has moving, print-in-place turrets, assembles without glue, and comes with an articulated stand.

You can print either the uncolored version (same color for the entire ship) or the colored version (uses white, red, and black filament). Note that the colored version has thicker wings to accommodate the red markings.

I can not give an accurate scale for this model because I do not know how long the Longbeam is in-universe. You could reasonably put it anywhere between 50m and 200m, meaning this model is between 1:220 and 1:870. The small version is at 1:2000 scale, assuming this ship is 150m long.

Longbeam Types

You can distinguish at least two distinct types of Longbeams. I call this one the type A or type Aurek. The other major variant is the type B or Besh, and I've already made a model of it.

To clarify, there is no canon source which states that these are different types of Longbeams. It is something I made up to explain the inconsistencies.

Uncolored

Parts: “longbeam-type a full”, “longbeam-type a body”, “longbeam-type a bow”

I recommend printing the ship in two parts, “longbeam-type a bow” and “longbeam-type a body”. Alternatively, “longbeam-type a full” has the complete model.

Printed at 0.15mm layer height. Requires supports.

Colored

You can print the turrets as part of the bow or separately. Printed separately, the barrels are less fragile and you can use a filament change to have the top and underside black.

If you want to print it separately, replace “longbeam-type a colored bow” with “longbeam-type a colored bow no turret”.

Otherwise, don't print “longbeam-type a turret”.

Printing

Assembly

Insert “longbeam-type a back stripe” into “longbeam-type a colored body” on both sides.

Insert “longbeam-type a engine strut” into “longbeam-type a colored body” on both sides. Push the red end into the gap in the engine, then push the two struts down over the body, bending them slightly.

Place “longbeam-type a bridge” into “longbeam-type a colored bow”.

Slide “longbeam-type a bow stripe” into “longbeam-type a colored bow” on both sides. Make sure that each stripe is on the right side. The tip at the front of the stripe should be slightly longer at the underside.

Put “longbeam-type a wing markings” onto “longbeam-type a colored bow” on both sides.

Place “longbeam-type a colored bow” on “longbeam-type a colored body”.

Stand

Parts: "longbeam-stand arm", "longbeam-stand base"

Printed at 0.2mm layer height. No supports required. Base has two filament changes.

Small Version

Parts: “longbeam-type a small”

Printed at 0.1mm layer height. Requires supports on buildplate. Raft recommended.

For Light and Life.

UPDATE [2024-02-01] Added colored version

UPDATE [2024-02-05] Made stand arm easier to print, added separate turret

UPDATE [2024-02-23] Added small version

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