I've been working on the Zvezda SD, on and off for a couple of months.
After reviewing the stock parts, I decided on a few main modifications I'd tackle.
First off, lighting the superstructure.
I decided on using fiber optics.
Got to love the Dollar store, picked up a bunch of cheap fiber optic lamps.
I don't know how much (ft) of fiber I got, but the strands are generally around .50mm +/- .05 mm in diameter, and I can get approximately 10 inch long strands from the bundles. I figure there's probably 200 to 300 strands per bundle, on the low end that's at least 150 ft per bundle.
The double walled construction of the superstructure, really didn't make me want to use a handle drill or even a pin vice or my own fingers to drill a bit through both, too many broken bits waiting to happen.
So, I chain drilled the inner walls, out...
I used my Dremel drill press, with a variable speed rotary tool. I've bolted a Proxxon micro compound table to it, which makes drilling the flat outer superstructure windows super easy and accurate.
Here's a test shot of a superstucture panel lit...
Once all the superstructure panels are glued in place, the fibers are thread, and it slowly builds...
And builds...
Oh and on a side note, I fixed the angle of the bridge in relationships to the superstructure. I didn't want the bridge angled up, just looked wrong to me.
Need to fill in some small gaps though...
Decided I wanted to try to mold a negative of the hanger bays and cast a transparent one...
First mold/cast had too many bubbles for my liking...
So I made a new better mold. Casting has just cured...
More to come. I'm waiting on some 3D printed shield generators and new engine nozzles.
Feel free to comment, or question.
Sent from my SM-T560NU using Tapatalk
After reviewing the stock parts, I decided on a few main modifications I'd tackle.
First off, lighting the superstructure.
I decided on using fiber optics.
Got to love the Dollar store, picked up a bunch of cheap fiber optic lamps.
I don't know how much (ft) of fiber I got, but the strands are generally around .50mm +/- .05 mm in diameter, and I can get approximately 10 inch long strands from the bundles. I figure there's probably 200 to 300 strands per bundle, on the low end that's at least 150 ft per bundle.
The double walled construction of the superstructure, really didn't make me want to use a handle drill or even a pin vice or my own fingers to drill a bit through both, too many broken bits waiting to happen.
So, I chain drilled the inner walls, out...
I used my Dremel drill press, with a variable speed rotary tool. I've bolted a Proxxon micro compound table to it, which makes drilling the flat outer superstructure windows super easy and accurate.
Here's a test shot of a superstucture panel lit...
Once all the superstructure panels are glued in place, the fibers are thread, and it slowly builds...
And builds...
Oh and on a side note, I fixed the angle of the bridge in relationships to the superstructure. I didn't want the bridge angled up, just looked wrong to me.
Need to fill in some small gaps though...
Decided I wanted to try to mold a negative of the hanger bays and cast a transparent one...
First mold/cast had too many bubbles for my liking...
So I made a new better mold. Casting has just cured...
More to come. I'm waiting on some 3D printed shield generators and new engine nozzles.
Feel free to comment, or question.
Sent from my SM-T560NU using Tapatalk
