Thanks! I wish I had the time to do this that I used to. Even with all the learning things for the first time it would be done already.
When I was a kid I'd put the TV on in the background and do this type of thing for hours on end without even thinking about it. Now I have a wife, kids, jobs... I'm lucky if I get an hour or two a week!
Just got a PM asking me how this was going. Sadly it's taken a back seat to a few other things in my life but it's not forgotten! Got the fiber in and I'm just about ready to glue her up and paint. Just need the time!
Had a nice chat with jedifyfe last night and it reminded me that although I've made loads of progress I haven't updated this thread!
I haven't been able to spend much time on this and most of the time spent has been figuring out which order to do things but I'm happy to say that she's assembled and light blocked!
I have a couple unsightly seam lines to fill and then I'm ready for paint.
On another note I almost had a disaster with the fiber going to the "headlights" on the wings. It's thick stuff and the lights for one of the wings snapped!!!
Luckily I was able to salvage and poke the remaining ends into the back of the shrink tubing and it lights up fine. Not *quite* as bright as the other wing but the type of thing that you wouldn't notice unless I told you.
Man, I wish I waited to light mine...
Beautiful job!
Alright, so while the putty dries and I prep for paint I'm starting to think about the next model, the USS Reliant.
I have the original AMT release. What are my options for upgrades? I don't want to go too overboard but if I can accurize this to an extent without too much extra trouble I'd like to.
Definitely going to want lights as well.
Well, this is shaping up to be an awesome thread! Like you, I am just venturing into lighting for the first time and I am caught between excitement and trepidation!!! Both models are looking really sweet, Bud!
I knew I was friends with you for a reason!!!
The reliant is my favourite Starfleet ship, so I am really looking forward to seeing this come together!!!
A couple pics of the putty work at the head and the engine.
This was actually a little while ago and I've already started painting. Any ideas on colours for the dark green and lighter green panels? I've searched build blogs all over the web and nobody seems to mention what brands/colours they used!
I'll be heading to the local hobby shop tomorrow night, hopefully I find something that kind of looks right...
I will say too that although my putty work is pretty dang good I'm glad I'm starting with the BOP. Any slight imperfections I don't worry about fixing as this thing will be covered in rust when I'm done.
Looks great! Don't have any specific advice on paint brands/colors, but back when I used to do this stuff regularly, I would just go to the hobby store with a few reference pictures and try to match the colors myself. Usually the instructions have suggested paint colors that you can start with, too. But you probably already knew that. I mainly just wanted to say that it's looking great so far!
Thank you!drknotter said:
Ya, I think that's what I'll end up doing. The instructions have such great suggestions like "green" and "grey".
You asked about the Reliant.
There is a PE set for it part of which is a cutting template to properly place some of the windows.
I think there is also a replacement resin back end.
There are a few different after marked decal sheets including assorted names and full Aztec.
Aztec Dummy makes masking sheets for it as well.
Steve Neill is working on it.
I have all 4 of the models you have and was just doing some work on the Bop cutting out the windows.
i used a pin vise with a small bit and drilled both ends of each window then used an exacto (back edge) to scribe all the way through then went in with the cutting edge to widen and clean up the edges.
I have about half the windows done and the slots around the disruptor launch tube done so far.
The one thing I have noticed in all the lit builds I have looked at is no one added the side lights just in front of the wings.
Thanks! I've done some research and I think I'm going to go with the PE, the saucer thickening kit, and decals for aztecs. Trooper sent me a link to a place that does circuit boards months back so I'll have to search through my PMs and see if I can find the Miranda class one again.division 6 said:
Follow his blog religiously! He didn't mention the brands of his kits though which is why I was asking.Steve Neill is working on it.
He's a wealth of info and his videos are great to watch for anyone aspiring to make higher end models!
I started to drill out one window and it looked so lousy I decided not to light them.I have all 4 of the models you have and was just doing some work on the Bop cutting out the windows.
i used a pin vise with a small bit and drilled both ends of each window then used an exacto (back edge) to scribe all the way through then went in with the cutting edge to widen and clean up the edges.
I have about half the windows done and the slots around the disruptor launch tube done so far.I need better & smaller bits. Where do you get yours?
Also, I'm lighting the torpedo tube and not the slots around it. I attribute that to insufficient research on my part although I looked at tonnes of pictures it ever dawned on me that the clear part wasn't the one that needed lighting...
Something I didn't notice until too late sadly.The one thing I have noticed in all the lit builds I have looked at is no one added the side lights just in front of the wings.
In the reference pics I looked at they looked like windows to me and I decided I wasn't doing windows. Then I found out that they're proper lights and kicked myself because it would have been easy to get some fiber in there.
Oh well! Live and learn, that's what this is all about! Mistakes I won't make on the next model.
Michael great thread was nice reading the beginning and seeing you come back to it. Look forward to seeing the final product !! Good job on the work.
The thought I had on the windows was that if I couldn't cut the slits then just cut out the whole square area, fill with clear then mask and paint so the center bar was there.
Looking forward to seeing what you do with the other models.
BTW the officers lounge in the 350 refit is wrong on the back side of the wall.
It should be cut from the wall and rotated 180 degrees then the visible part worked to look like the other room in the Kirk Spock scene.
The floor plan in Mr Scott's Guide to the Enterprise is correct accept on the filming model the wall is open on the room on the port side.
The difference between a pro and a novice!division 6 said:
I have to get myself some of the dental acrylic that Steve uses. I'll be needing it on the Reliant.
Thanks! I'll keep that in mind!Looking forward to seeing what you do with the other models.
BTW the officers lounge in the 350 refit is wrong on the back side of the wall.
It should be cut from the wall and rotated 180 degrees then the visible part worked to look like the other room in the Kirk Spock scene.
The floor plan in Mr Scott's Guide to the Enterprise is correct accept on the filming model the wall is open on the room on the port side.
I over engineer myself into a corner and never finish anything.
I need to find some dental acrylic as well.
Go figure, I picked up some paints last night and the perfect "dark" colour for panels is Tamiya "Green"Michael Bergeron said:
Ya, I think that's what I'll end up doing. The instructions have such great suggestions like "green" and "grey".
TrekWorks demonstrated an interesting technique for windows here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rVFmSMCPduM
Just don't follow his saucer window placement because he screwed it up
I'll have to give that a try! Thank you! If it's as easy as it seems windows should be a breeze.robn1 said:
TrekWorks demonstrated an interesting technique for windows here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rVFmSMCPduM
Just don't follow his saucer window placement because he screwed it up
I'll be using the PE window placement templates on mine, hopefully no mistakes!
Any painting tips for making the BOP look rusty?
I'm going to be giving it a rust wash (clear made from Future and Testors rust paint) but I was thinking maybe some drybrushing with the rust would add to the feel? Any advice would be appreciated.
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