1/144 Enterprise Refit Research and Discussion

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FLM Concepts

Well-Known Member
New member here!

I've wanted a studio-scale Enterprise Refit for as long as I can remember, but tonight I decided that I want it to be 1/144 scale. I'm posting here in the General Models as I know that's the exact scale of the ILM model, but considering the size, if a moderator thinks that this would be better in the Studio-Scale forum, I have no problem if it's moved.

I just think that creating it in scale with other, commercially-available model kits would be really neat.

I hope others don't think this would be cheating, but my husband and I recently acquired a 4x8 CNC router, and we're also building a vacuforming machine (not for this project), and I think I can finally make my Enterprise Refit (No bloody A) a reality.

I'm in the research phase right now. After I get the measurements I need (like what the consensus is on length, width, and height are), I'll begin modeling a high-poly model in 3d, break it apart appropriately, take it into my CAM software, and build it on my machine out of foam. I'll make fiberglass molds of the foam model so that I can create a final fiberglass ship with aluminum armatures.

Sometime after this one is complete I'll build a true, studio-scale Refit as this one will only be a little over six feet long, but at least I'll have the 3d model to work from then, as well.

So...are the TMP Blueprints generally considered to have the most accurate measurements? Not the plans themselves, but the dimensions listed? I would think that Rick Sternbach would know the dimensions of the ship.

I'd love to do interiors for the windows, too, but the Recreation Deck presents a bit of a problem.
 
1/187?!? What kind of scale is that for the Vulcan shuttle?

Looks like I'll need to do that in 1/144, too, as well as a travel pod and work bee/train.

So, are the dimensions given in the TMP Blueprints generally considered accurate? :)
 
I have some pretty detailed b&w images from right after filming of TMP, as well as some color images from after ST:VI, but I'd really like to know if anyone has high-rez images from the Christies auction.
 
Look at modelermagic.com in the reference section, you should find more there


*****edited site address :) ***********
 
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I guess you mean ModelerMagic.com?

Found it! :D

What a treasure trove! Thank you so much!

I guess I have reference images taken care of. Now I just need to know the full-scale measurements of the starship. ;)

[EDIT] I guess the consensus is 305 Meters. Is there a decimal in there anywhere?

[EDIT2] 304.8m. Got it.

[EDIT3] So the overall length of my model will be approximately 83.333in. Nearly studio-scale, but I like that it will be in scale with other, commercially available models (though no Trek models).
 
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Wow. That's an amazing build!

I never did like the hangar bay for the A, though. For mine, I'm not sure if I'll do just the hangar bay with the inner doors closed or the full cargo hold.

I'm thinking of getting a custom bit for the edges of the Primary Hull so that it's perfect. I'm also considering adding some details to the shield grid as seen in Mr Scott's Guide to the Enterprise. I need to find my copy, though. We'll see.
 
Exactly how long is the ILM studio model, anyway? I've heard eight feet and I've heard nine feet.

This one will come out just under seven feet long.

On to the modeling phase! Be patient; this will take a while with all my other obligations.
 
I love your ambition and can't wait to see it in progress. Where do you plan to build it and put this huge model when you're done? I would never have the space for something like this.
 
To be honest, we DON'T have room for it, but I'll MAKE room. :lol:

I'll build it in our shop (garage).

Half of our house is used for storage, anyway, so I'll clear some room, either in our dining room (which we don't use) or in our basement (which is a mess right now because that's where my husband builds all of his props and he doesn't know what cleaning up after himself is).

I may do a flat cutout acrylic version of this with v-grooved lines to see for myself just how big this beast will be. That may make for a decent base plate for the finished model, too.

What do people think of the idea of cleaning the model up at little to be a bit more realistic? Things like instead of just uneven grooves around the saucer section making them even and rounded and adding wire to the shield grid, like in Mr Scott's Guide?

The original filming model is one of the most impressive miniatures I've ever seen (in pictures), but it still has its imperfections.
 
Just a small nit to pick: the refit model was made by Magicam, ILM was not involved with Trek until TWOK.
 
That's right! I remember now...ILM complained about the model when they received it!

I'm sorry, this is horribly embarrassing. :$
 
No reply. :(

Anyway, I'm putting this project on hold as I've been adding up the costs of what it would take to make this, and I just don't have the money right now.

I'm going to start with another project which won't cost as much, but I think will still be very cool, and as far as I know, hasn't been done yet. :)

More to come (in a new thread)!

This project is a certainty for me, but it will need to wait a while as I gather the resources needed. My dreams are bigger than my bank account. ;)
 
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