To get all the above to work, the arse-end of the superstructure master needed to be corrected to the right shape and profile.
Here a paper template was made using a scaled image of the studio model to get the exact shape of the impulse exhaust region.
Sturdier styrene templates were fabricated to use as guides on where to add the sculpting material. You can also see here where the unwanted resin material is.
The exhaust had to be removed for a couple of reasons.
1. Easier to vacuum form the master.
2. Refined details on the top of the exhaust ports would be better scratch built.
This shows just how far off the Lunar Models shape really is with the sculpting material in place. The scribed line on the side of the master shows what needs to be removed.
After removing the unwanted resin material, the entire aft end is blended together.
A fresh coat of primer reveals the now corrected shape of the aft end of the superstructure. IT IS DONE and ready to be molded so a plaster buck for vacuum forming can be cast.
With the corrections made, the size-n-shape of the impulse engine exhaust port's footprint has been determined - as I said earlier, the exhaust ports will be scratch built from sheet styrene. The surface area's size-n-shape under the exhaust for the large blue graphics panels (as scene above) has also been determined.
Sorry for the delays. I'm flying the Boeing 777 now which means I'm away more than I'm home for the mean time.
Tracy