Thank you Mr Chladek for that write-up! See, now
that is the kind of thoughtful considered opinion we need!
I've done the fill-in thing on the AMT re-fit (though that was 20 odd years ago), and spent hours and hours filling and sanding down the entire ship to try and get back to the smoothie, so that is a frame of reference that is useful for putting things in perspective.
I freely admit that this whole thing may very well be a tempest in a teacup. But a great number of us are still having to gauge our reactions from pictures that don't tell the full story and opinions that vary from individual to individual. Some people don't mind, others do, so maybe we should each be cutting the other some slack.
ModelmanTom did take part of his review to describe the grid pattern and ultimately concluded, I quote: "Myself, I can't say I really like 'em. But it shouldn't be too difficult to get rid of them but it's definitely going to be an intense process of a lot of puttying." (Segment 3 beginning around 1:43)
He also goes on to wonder about Mr Surfacer or other methods for filling. He also returns to the grid to discuss more filling options and critical observations at the end of the video (where he corrects his observation that a number of the lines are misaligned). It's an interesting observation because he says it shouldn't be too difficult but that it will be an intensive process at the same time -- basically, it won't be hard but it will be -- lol
As far as Mr Small's write up, page 57 of Sci-Fi Fantasy Modeller, he has a whole paragraph describing how he didn't have enough time to work on filing in the grid on his Pilot version build-up so he enlisted the help of his daughter to start it--which is really cute. From that paragraph I quote:
"Anyway, filling the lines in ended up being a lot more difficult than one might imagine, as the putty tends to sand a bit easier than the surrounding plastic, leaving a mild depression anyway, so even filled in, they are still somewhat visible. More effort spent on this operation could achieve a more satisfactory result, but I was quickly running out of time."
As to what refinements were made to the grid post-Wonderfest that is a little confusing. Reports were made that refinements might happen or that the grid might even be removed if they couldn't get them nailed. I'm assuming that they did try further refinements.
All I'm saying is that it may be a pain in the butt for some and not-so-much for others. I think that the examples I have quoted provide perfect reasons why there is so much apprehension. In all the build ups I've done of the old AMT TOS Enterprise I can't say I ever had much difficulty with attaching or aligning the nacelles so frankly whenever people go on and on about the sagging rust bucket syndrome it leaves me rather nonplussed. Trouble for some not for others.
It's extremely silly but the best analogy I can think of is it's rather like really wanting a chocolate ice cream cone. Waiting, hoping, and dreaming for decades about a chocolate ice cream cone. Then
finally when you are handed one, after ages and ages of desire, you get it but they decided to put rainbow sprinkles on top because it's easier to assume that everybody will want them and if you don't you can just scrape them off. You're definitely grateful to
finally have one but it's still annoying that they put the sprinkles on top.
Anyway, I think I've worked all the grid line grumpiness out of my system and who knows maybe once I take a bite I'll find that I like the sprinkles
Cheers,
Dave
