Trek Daedalus class starship scratch build

feek61

Started on a new project today (although I have been gathering parts and doing the plans for a while). I started on a Daedalus class starship from Star Trek. Those who know me know that this will take . . . a while for me to do, lol. The Galileo shuttlecraft took a couple of years; I think this will be quicker. I am planning on doing a fully lighted version but that may change. I have determined that the model that GJ built used a 1/144 Revell space shuttle (the SRBs) for the engines which I have. They are an exact match. Anyway, here is the beginning of the Daedalus:





Will post progress photos when I make progress, lol.

feek61

A little progress made today. These are just test fits but you get the idea (what ship is this anyway?)

MooCriket

Look's like your off to a great start. Is it the Olympic?
http://www.voyager.cz/lode/images/ships.jpg

CaptHowdy

Looking good, nice to see ST ships other then Enterprise ( in any Class)
Especially nice to see the old Daedalus class vessel. I do think the Olympic class was based on it.

yt

Very cool.

Hathaway

Awesome so far.

JP Modelworks

Looking great!!!

TOSPHASER

hey Will...looks great! what did you use for the front sphear???

feek61

Hey Bruce good to hear from you! For the front sphere I used 2 - 4.24" hemispheres from Plastruct. Hopefully I will get a chance to work on it a little this weekend.

TOSPHASER

thanks Will can't wait to see more.....love your work buddy!

feek61

Have not had much time to devote to this project but have done a little. Filing out the windows sucked! lol. The top of the dome is just sitting on there. Eventually there will be lights and all manner of mind boggling effects (if it all works out!!)

MooCriket

You can't rush perfection Just keep chipping away at it. Looking good, btw

SteveNeill

I like it!!

Steve

feek61

Got the basic shape of the secondary hull done but still have to add all of the raised ridge lines. Oh, and I primed it white, lol. This is my typical build speed . . . . about two years to complete a project.

SteveNeill

I think it's so cool. Always wanted to do one. Great job!

Steve

feek61

Was able to get the windows and ribbing done on the secondary hull. So far so good!!

TheWhiteGrail

Awsome, you should make it the Essex, the ship mentioned in TNG: Power Play.

Great job!!

Bondo Fett

What are you using as the secondary hull in this picture?

feek61

The secondary hull is the external fuel tank from the 1/144 Revell space shuttle model (the engines are the solid rocket boosters from the same model) with the front cut-off (it's turned around backwards). As you can see (from the above photo) I have sanded off all of the surface detail and added the ribbing to be accurate to the GJ version. I kind of liked the retro looking rounded front but since it was not correct I made a cone shroud for the front. I actually used an iPhone app called "model kit" to calculate the cone and it was perfect first try. The external tank part probably was not what was used on the original for the secondary hull but it was the exact correct diameter so that is why I used it. Here is a better picture of it below. Just curious, why were you asking?

feek61

I am using photos of the Essex as one of my primary reference sources but probably going to make it the Daedalus. I did give this much thought and at one time or another was going to go with the Archon (Return of the Archons), Valiant (Taste of Armageddon), Horizon (Piece of the Action) or the Essex. I may use "nose-art" of a man with wings (Daedalus from the myth) on the secondary hull kind of like the bombers of WWII. Might look hokey but I'm going print it with the decals and see what it looks like. I'm also faced with an issue of the correct registry number. So far I have internet sources saying NCC-129, NCC-150 and NCC-170 for the Daedalus. Since there is really nothing official I will probably go with NCC-129 since that registry number is on some of Doug Drexler's artwork from one of the Ships of the Line calenders.

morrris99

THIS IS AWESOME!! But, since you are using the 1/144 boosters from the shuttle kit, and that's what was used on the original, shouldn't this be a "studio scale" model? Ha ha, I don't really care what category this is in. I just love looking at this and waiting for your updates. Did you print your own decals?

feek61

Thanks! Never thought about the SS thread, lol. Yes I am doing the decals myself. They are a work in progress for now: just when I have a few mins. to put into them. They have changed considerably since those that I printed as a test (seen in the background of some of the photos). I'm slow but consistent!!!!

SteveNeill

Looking great my friend.

Steve

feek61

Thank you Steve. Your speed on your Enterprise build has motivated me to move at least a little quicker, lol. It always amazes me how on this design it looks like the front is drooping. In photos of the original and on mine it does appear that way. I used a very thick brass tube and there is no way it is not straight; it's just an optical illusion. Interesting how your eye can play tricks with you.

brandomack

I've gotta say, I'm really diggin' this build.

i attempted to scratchbuild an "under construction" daedalus last year, but i think my scale was all wrong,

so once I'm done my NX, i'm doubling the size so i can light it.

any chance you can link to plastruct where you purchased the hemispheres?

thanks,

keep up the great work, you're inspiring me!