1/350 Enterprise-A build -- WIP

GeneralFROSTY

I think while I wait on my other supplies and the lighting kit, I am going to treat the Garden as it's own little kit and really take my time to make it look great. Sure, you won't see ALL the detail once it is installed, but I will know it's there...and it will be a TON of fun to do it - which is the whole purpose of a model kit anyway!

TK4611

Agreed - the Botanical Garden, the shuttlebay and the Officer's Lounge are all little mini-projects which can be a lot of fun in themselves.
If you don't mind me making a suggestion, I printed out some (very scaled down) scenic mountain pictures for the side walls of the arboretum which, in my mind, would be an early version of the TNG Holodeck. I cut them to fit and they really add a lot to the realism of the environment.

GeneralFROSTY

Let me take a look at them - they sound good.
I wish I could find some of that model trail grass shrubbery stuff in smaller amounts. When I buy that tub of the green particles I'm going to have a crap-ton left that I don't have anything else to use for...but who knows.

TK4611

YOu know, you really don't need that stuff...
This is going to sound weird, but take a walk out to your yard/patio/driveway and get down on your hands and knees. You will find all kinds of small twigs and interesting looking things which can be used instead of that huge bag of shrubbery supplies.
For small bushes, you can use bits of wool pile from your carpet (dipped in watered down green paint of course) and you can even glue these to small twigs to create trees.
You can be as inventive, creative and alternative as you want because;
1 - There is no 'canon' for the arboretum.
2 - It makes sense that there would be 'alien' plants in the garden as well (Vulcan, Andorian, Klingon (*joke*) - just about anything you can think of).
3 - Finally, you're not going to see most of it anyway!
Good luck!

TridCloudwalker

^^^ Very very good points. ^^^^

GeneralFROSTY

Just started ordering supplies....
I want to get the photo-etch upgrade kit, but there are two really good versions and would rather not have to buy both....we will see.
I also want to add an entrenceway into the arbetorium - the walls just get the cloud decals but would rather one wall have a doorway. Any thoughts on this - pics, suggestions? I was thinking about cutting one custom out of styrene.

TridCloudwalker

The cloud decals go on the sides of the roof. I know the PNT photoetch kit comes with arboretum walls, but the ParaGrafix set does not. I know a lot of people just used some ribbed styrene with door shapes cut into them. Once it's in there, the walls are pretty hard to see anyway.

I absolutely cannot decide on which PE set to get either. I think I will end up ordering both. The PNT set was made by the kit's designer and has some REALLY nice additions. The PG set has the cool forced perspective rec room interior, and some other really cool odds and ends the other doesn't, but lacks a couple important pieces. It's too painful a decision for me to make, so I won't.

GeneralFROSTY

I'm in the same boat - but I saw that the guy who was posting those video builds (the one with the runway lights) bought BOTH of the PE kits, which, if you really like what both have to offer, seems to be a necessary purchase....
I just spent $90 over at Micromark.com just to start me off, and also made some putty purchases at avesstudio.com
I am stopping by my art store today to look at some paints and other odds n ends.
It's still going to be a few weeks before I start this, but I think taking my time to gather everything I need is absolutely crucial to starting off right.
Thanks for your help!
-Jimmy

TridCloudwalker

And let me know if you want to hit that hobby store by my house. I can meet up with you.

GeneralFROSTY

I'm off today - I will hit you up...

TK4611

The deal breaker for me with the Paragrafix PE set over the PNT was the deflector ring.
I agree that the arboretum walls are nice, but you really can't see too much of it when they are installed anyway. It's the same with the cargo containers. I also liked the forced perspective rec room and windows which comes with the Paragrafix set.

TridCloudwalker

Was out of town. Only now got your message. Sorry.

GeneralFROSTY

I'm going to need a shortlist of sandpapers I will need.
I purchased a variety pack online, but was also looking at the sanding sticks - which may come in handy with this kit, I'm not entirely sure what I will need but I DO want everything handy just in case.
Stopped by AC Moore today and picked up a bag of the fine grass and shrubs for the garden - I know I only needed such a tiny amount, but I could always hold on to it to share with anyone else who may want it for thier kit.
I also picked up a pair of fine-tip tweezers which I can already see will come in handy.
I am going to read through the Starship Modeler forums and find some good research material on sanding and techniques - any helpful links would be appreciated.

GeneralFROSTY

I'm still awaiting my new airbrush to arrive, and I still need to shop for paints....BUT I took the model and all my new supplies up to the shop today and layed everything out and decided it was OK to start working on the arboretum area. I realized I forgot to bring some fullers earth for the pathway, but realized there was sawdust EVERYWHERE that was fine grained enough that I could use.
I used twigs for the tree trunks, cut out all the molded in trees with my Dremmel. I think I am only going to put in the trees that have holes and not replace the trees I cut out - I don't want it to look like a forrest. Next week I am going to add some accents and paint the walls.
Here is where I am at....not much, but it is a start:

TridCloudwalker

Nice start!

Smiling Demon

Looking good!
I have this kit, pre-Aztec decals, and I have taken it out of the box several times. Then I put it back into the box thinking that I am not ready for this. Intimidated? Yes, most definitely!!!
One day I will get started on it.

Can't wait to see your progress!

Lear60man

Im right behind you Frosty. I have a couple weeks to sit in my hotel at the end of the month so I picked up this kit today to kill time. Question for those who have built this kit....do the aztec decals come out ok or is it better to paint the details?

GeneralFROSTY

I've been losing sleep over this VERY issue.
I was always intimidated by this kit because of all the masking that would be involved...until the new version was released with the decals. Though nice, a part of me feels it's cheating and it would look better with the painted on method...my concern is that the graphics on the decals look too 'bold' and wont have that contrasting 'shimmering/flat' effect once the final clearcoat is put on.
With the mask/paint method, some panels are flat, the others are gloss - which gives a nice effect (like we see on screen) when light hits the surface.
I hate decals to death, but once I saw just how COMPLICATED the actual designs were for the whole ship, I knew I would have to be a more experienced modeler to attempt a quality mask/paint job...so I feel forced into using the decals...
Ahhh well, I have more time to simmer that....
Tommorrow I'm back in the shop to finish up the arboretum and do some tests on a scrap model kit.
I really can't move forward until I get my airbrush and paint supply in the next few weeks....the key is NOT to rush it. The fun is building it....NOT completing it in a timely manner.

TK4611

I hear you and I understand.
The sheer size of this kit is daunting and complex and it can be difficult to know what steps to take and in what direction.
So here's a hint; Build her in your mind. See those pieces going together in your imagination, plan it out in your head and the task becomes a lot less daunting and considerably more enjoyable.
You have already taken those first steps and have done so very well from the pictures you have posted. Now is the time to (if you will excuse the pun) 'Boldly go'.
Of course, a lot of the trepidation is due to wanting to build a close, if not exact replica of what you see on the screen, and that's something to be proud of. But you need to get used to the fact that what you have on your workbench or in that big box will never be a 100% duplicate of the filmed model because of the lighting tricks and the sheer size of the filming model used by ILM.
I don't have the kit which came with decals, but I bought the aftermarket decal set from Acreation and I will take my time applying them to the kit when I finally get around to it.
I don't think that she will shimmer as she does in the movies, but then this is my Enterprise and, if nothing else, I can be proud of the fact that I did the best I could.

Lear60man

I was reading the directions today and they say that if you paint it in the pearl white, "the decals are designed to let the pearlescent effect show through." Well see If it looks crappy, i'll order the aztec stencils and pull the decals. Or I might use the decals to make stencils and use half decals and half stencils in a checkerboard pattern. Have to wait and see.

GeneralFROSTY

I still have time to think it over...I would prefer the look of painted aztecs, but I may have to settle for the decals, pending future tests. I plan on ordering extra decal sheets from Acreation models and experiement with them using different paint/finishing on the spare hull piece that comes with the kit.
Here is the work I got done today - Arboretum pretty much finished - still undecided what I am going to do about the walls, and I added thin slices of twigs for the benches after the photos were taken.
Kitty litter for the rocks, Laquer and a hint of blue dye for the water.
I also did a dry fit of the model to get an idea of my construction strategy.
You will also see pictured a kit I found in my closet that I am practicing some techniques on....puttying to start with....
Let me know what you think...

Sunshine Dust

[QUOTE=GeneralFROSTY;1228033]I still have time to think it over...I would prefer the look of painted aztecs, but I may have to settle for the decals, pending future tests. I plan on ordering extra decal sheets from Acreation models and experiement with them using different paint/finishing on the spare hull piece that comes with the kit.
Here is the work I got done today - Arboretum pretty much finished - still undecided what I am going to do about the walls, and I added thin slices of twigs for the benches after the photos were taken.
Kitty litter for the rocks, Laquer and a hint of blue dye for the water.
I also did a dry fit of the model to get an idea of my construction strategy.
You will also see pictured a kit I found in my closet that I am practicing some techniques on....puttying to start with....



It's looking pretty good babe. Seems like you have a pretty good start. You are worrying for nothing. You will do this model and it will look fabulous!

TK4611

Looking good.
Have you thought about adding a bit of colour in terms of small flower shrubberies around the paths? A bit of red or white or purple here and there can really make what is already a good effort really pop.

GeneralFROSTY

Yeah, I have thought of that - but I did not do my paint shopping yet AND I did a test fit inside the hull and realized that most of that detail I put into it is hardly noticeable...but your idea is in tune with what I am trying to do and while I decide what I am going to do about the walls I will explore some options for adding some flower colors...

clancampbell

Yeah, that's what i was saying. It's a shame that all that work will go unseen. We'd almost be better off with window boxes!

Rich