Alien Blue Spaceship Build (w/ final photos)

[CosmicQuest]

I like your lighting set-up! Good stuff Carl.

 

[Carlb]

I like your lighting set-up! Good stuff Carl.

Thanks very much Russ.

 

[Carlb]

Short update this time….the concept art again….

In between the two half-saucer sections is a narrow strip of lights paired together.
I built a support structure for a blue 12v LED strip for the entire length.

Stuck down the LED strip and soldered two power feed wires.

I then attached secondary supports along the entire length for extra gluing area and alignment.
Also added some light blocking...

I made matched pair holes in .02” (.5mm) styrene, painted them black, and assembled everything together.
Test fire of LEDs. I'll do more light blocking around the LED's later on.

LED section temporarily inserted in between saucer halves for a test fit.
In the future, I’ll decide if any additional enhancements are necessary.

Till next time….

 

[joberg]

Oh...lights

 

[yuumi2891103]

Let there be light!
Nice effect. I like it!

 

[CosmicQuest]

I am always amazed at the skill you all have in your model constructions!

 

[Carlb]

Thank you very much joberg, katsu and Russ.

 

[Carlb]

At the bow, on either side of the nose are what appear to be either guns, or propulsion engines.
I settled for guns, so I started to mimic the concept art with oval shaped chambers.

More detail added….maintenance pits.

More detail added….

I added two solid brass rods to the primary nose section, passing all the way through the body to provide supports
for the next sections.

Built these trays to hold the guns and their hardware in place.

In place for a test.

I built two LED strip holders for to illuminate this piece on both sides.

Hard to reach when installed so I pre-painted them, and a test fire of LEDs.

Till next time….

 

[joberg]

Great workmanship

 

[Carlb]

Thanks Jo!

 

[Carlb]

Flushing out the gun trays with additional details, LED’s and resistors.

For 12 volts DC carried from the central power distribution, I provided a wire “trench” underneath the trays.

Just about finished with this assembly, but leaving some pieces unglued to paint.

Finally painting individual sub assemblies a slate grey. Then will be dry-brushing the raised edges with a lighter gray.

Till next time….almost there.

 

[joberg]

Love those gun trays

 

[Carlb]

Thank you Jo!

 

[yuumi2891103]

Nice detailing!

 

[Carlb]

Thank you Katsu.

 

[Carlb]

A short update….
Finally, a bit of assembly of the front wings and nose.

I cannot proceed until I can get this thing up in the air. I built a simple support stand of wood and CPVC pipe.

24 AWG wiring underneath to the 12 volt DC input jack.

With the support stand built, I went ahead and attached the gun trays.

Flipped upside down and installed two large pipes concealing 12 volt power wiring for the gun lighting.

Till next time….the final photos

 

[stevielewis]

 

[joberg]

Gee...that's a beast when all assembled

 

[Carlb]

Thanks stevielewis.

Joberg- Actually, it's now 25" (635mm) long x 13" (339mm) wide.

 

[yuumi2891103]

Very nice, very very nice!