1/350 Enterprise-A build -- WIP

GeneralFROSTY

I'm guessing you built the 1st issue of this kit? If so, you did all the panels with masking and paint - the reissue has all the decals which I will be taking full advantage of and wanted to know how this would affect persuing the lit-from-inside method you expertly achieved?
I guess I should be worrying more about doing the best I can with what I got, but it's artists like you that REALLY set the bar high for aspiring builders who want to tackle this kit.
Your continued support and advice is very much appreciated.
-Jimmy 2Step

TridCloudwalker

It was so long ago I read your buildup that I don't remember either. I know you masked off the inside while lightproofing it. And I vaguely seem to recall you or someone else using a very very thin coating of white primer on the outside, so that your pearls had something to stick to. And yes, you airbrushed black around the edges from the inside of the model to soften the edges of the "light beam."

GenFrosty, it'll be easier for you with using the decals, but you'll still need at least a light misting of white primer on the outside. I believe Tamiya sells a white primer, and you might be able to find some through MicroMark or similar hobby provider. Heck, even if it goes on kind of thick, you still wont have any trouble getting light to shine through it, so long as you're using LEDs.

GeneralFROSTY

Ahhhh....
Yeah, I was unsure if the application of the aztec decals AND a primer coat would effect the lighting.
So besides the primer coat, is there another white paint coat that goes on after it?
I'm assuming that while priming/painting, I have to spray the 'lit' areas more thinly than the rest of the model.
I don't want to bite off more than I can chew - I know that technique is for advanced modelers and I want to have more fun than stress while building this...

TridCloudwalker

Well, normally, I'd just suggest you cover the whole model in Tamiya Pearl White, but I honestly don't know if the light will still show through it or how it'll look with decals on it. You'd have to experiment on the spare secondary hull piece you get in the kit. You might just be better off with straight up white. Of course, you can always make a clear pearl topcoat using Future Floor Polish and fine pearl powdered pigment. (that's what I'll eventually be using on mine, specifically Pearl Ex by Rupert, Gibbon & Spider Inc. which I bought at A.C.Moore).

GeneralFROSTY

Sounds good - but considering the decals and that I do want to paint it, I am not going to lose any sleep over lighting the inside for the effect. I do plan on buying a light kit - I could experiment like you said and see what happens, but I have to shoot for the moon first before I shoot for the stars.

GeneralFROSTY

Got a notification today from the seller, I won't be getting my kit until next week :|
They forgot to mention it was out of stock when I ordered it, BUT they are going to offer me a discount on the shipping cost.
This works out to my advantage a little as I have more time to gather some supplies while I await the model to come in the mail.
I already have an exacto knife and some spare blades.
Can someone give me a detailed 'shopping' list of things I will need to start with.....paint colors/brands, specific glue - and where online or in stores I can find them.
In my town, I have a Lowes, Home Depot, AC Moore AND Michael's Art stores, but unfortunately NO hobby stores except for what little model stuff is available at my local Comic Book store.
Let me know what I should be buying.
FYI, for those who are members at the Starship Modeler forum, I am going to be double-teaming my posting efforts and posting the same messages over there too just to cover all my bases.
Thank you!

TridCloudwalker

You really need a good capillary action plastic weld glue. NO TESTERS brand! I generally use Plastruct brand, but there are quite a few to choose from. You won't be able to find it at any of the stores you listed, but there's a hobby shop about 30 - 45 minutes from you that carries a couple different types. And of course you can always order online. Check out Micromark.com.

TK4611

The Tamiya super-thin glue (with the green cap) is really good. Capillary action, fast and strong. You might also want to pick up some sprue cutters, various grit wet & dry sandpaper and some good putty (I use Milliput super-fine white). It will be a while before you seriously glue any big assemblies together on this kit as a lot of the work is in the preparation (especially if you are going to light it). As an extra hint, get some zip-lock bags for small parts which have a habit of detaching themselves from the sprues - especially the clear parts.

GeneralFROSTY

OK, so...
Glue (as specified above)
Sprue cutters
White putty
Wed/dry sandpaper (any tutorials on wet sandpaper usage - never done that before)

GeneralFROSTY

Just visited micromark.com
They appear to have it all.
Any help putting together a shopping list of items? The weld-type glue you mentioned with the applicator looks like what I'm after.
I have to take some more time to browse the site, but any recomendations on items would help me out...
Thanks for your help so far,
-Jimmy

GeneralFROSTY

Well...
'Big daddy' came in the mail today! It really is quite a shock when you see it in person. I was so excited when I opened the box, it made me have to use the bathroom!
I did a rough dry-fit to see what it all looked like - very impressive size. The details are all there.
I was concerned on how some of the pieces fit together - not as tight and neat as I had hoped. Looks like there will be more putty and sanding than I had anticipated.
I'm still very taken back by this thing - it is such a monster build that I cannot help but be intimidated.
While I try to make sense of all the parts and instructions, I am going to invest in an airbrush, the lighting kit, sprew cutters, plastic weld glue, decal finishing supplies, and all the paints listed in the instructions.
I'm not too certain I want the perlescent color though. I don't think the 'A' had that, did it? It looked pretty much flat white to me - anyone shed some light on that subject?
Anyway, It's going to be a few weeks before I even start doing ONE thing with this kit. I still have to order the lighting kit which is made to order.
I will keep this updated...
-Jimmy

TridCloudwalker

Yep, she had the pearl paint as A and still has it to this day, though I believe a coat of flat clear coat was put on to knock down the sheen. Also, I missed your phone call earlier today. I was at work with my arms full. Give me a yell later if you want.

Jediscum

Here's a very in-depth approach to this kit. Some of the techniques and such are pretty advanced but it gives you an idea of what is possible with this kit.
http://www.showcase.netins.net/web/m...ions/index.htm

Plus another:
http://enterprisecreations.com/currentbuild.html

Jediscum

And another:

http://www.ianlawrencemodels.com/wipplent.html

GeneralFROSTY

Thank you for those helpful links!
You will have to excuse me now...I have to pop some Asprin from the headache I got trying to soak in all that in-depth info!

TK4611

If you are planning on getting the Trekmodeler 'drop in' lightng kit for your model, it may be helpful to watch videos uploaded by Helipilot at http://www.youtube.com/user/helipilot27
It will at least give you some idea of what you are in for.
You are right though, she is a big ship and it's easy to be daunted by the sheer size and complexity of the parts and assembly.
My best advice to you is to dry-fit, dry-fit and then dry-fit again before gluing anything together.
Also, it IS possible to install the completed shuttlebay into the secondary hull if you remove most of the internal tabs - but that is way, way down the track...

Cheers,

Bruce

GeneralFROSTY

His videos were very helpful - thank you for the link.
I see he installed fiber optic running lights in his shuttlebay - I don't think that comes standard with the Trekmodeler lighting kit, anyone know where to get that?
I will be watching those videos again and again when it comes time to build mine....I'm excited and terrified. It's an interesting feeling.

TK4611

You're very welcome.
The running lights don't come with the TrekModeler kit, I think he either made or bought a circuit board for them seperately. To be honest, I don't know how he got another board in the secondary hull - it gets very cramped in there!

GeneralFROSTY

I'm going to do some investigating and try and find out what he bought and how he did it - because those running lights REALLY make the thing totally believable, just POP, you know?
I like his idea of making a quality build while not worrying about total accuracy for minor details - that's one less headache having to research and ammend so many things to the design - I may go for that approach.
I'm building the 'A' version, but will be using the Motion Picture docking bay supplied with the kit.
I'm shopping around right now for an airbrush (a GOOD one) and paints and misc. supplies.
Once I get the light kit in the mail, I can begin really planning the construction of this thing. I will most likely start with the Cargo Bay and Garden pieces...

TridCloudwalker

All you need to buy is a simple led chaser kit. They can usually be had for $3 - $8. I'll need to boot up my dead computer to find some good links for you, but off the top of my head I know allelectronics.com sells one.

TK4611

If you REALLY want to make this kit pop, there's also a few very good photoetch aftermarket sets available.

GeneralFROSTY

I'm looking into some of the aftermarket products that are available - including the photoetch sets, replacement decals (I don't like the bright blue decals provided - I want a more subtle blue like we see on-screen)
I got a notebook specifically to keep notes and to catalogue all the info I learn during this process.
I would like to shoot for the best possible, however I don't want to get too far ahead of my experience and funding options.
There are a few things I have to wait and buy before I can even start anytying on this.
I already ordered the light kit - prob. another few weeks before I get that.
Made a decision on a good air-brush, adhesive, misc. tools, (I still need some recommendations for sandpaper grits) and I am going to start compiling a list of paints I need.
I am going to start with the Botanical Gardens for warm-up, then move on to the shuttle bay before I start planning the construction of the other sub-assemblies.

TridCloudwalker

Here's a little trick for the Gardens. In just about every build I've seen, people have put down tiny gravel or something for the paths in the garden. If they were to scale, people would have to be hopping from boulder to boulder to get around. What I did was got 2 sticks of pastel chalk (one light brown, one a bit darker), and made a fine powder out of it with my x-acto knife. I brushed some thin glue down onto the path and sprinkled the powder on, let it dry, and blew off the excess. Looks like a perfect dirt path. Use two types of grey and it'll look like perfect scale gravel or concrete.

Or you could just paint the path. It would look just as good through the teeny windows. I just like the slight texture the pastel gives.

GeneralFROSTY

I know what you mean about the gravel. I may end up using some Kitty Litter rocks (tiny ones) to simulate some rocks in the grass here and there, but I am going to be using some Fuller's Earth powder for the actual pathway.
I have to put those model train 'greenery' stuff on my shopping list. Those I can find at my local AC Moore.

TK4611

Great minds... I did that too, in fact I did it for the grass as well which gave it more texture and depth than straight out painting.