Another 1/350 Re-fit 1701

[SteveNeill]

Finished this at the beginning of the year. I know these have been done but I took a different approach and thought I'd share.I used the etched set for many of the parts as they aided in lighting as they are metal and don't transfer light.

For the lighting I saved the 300 bucks and spent about 30 at All Electronics and made my own.

I painted all the interior flat black first. Then white. It took about 60 LEDs. A single 3 volt power supply and away we go.

I did use the Aztec decals. Although...I have little hair left on my head after doing so. Not for the unsteady hand or weak hearted. I used a combo of Micro Sol and the evil and powerful Solvaset. Worked like a charm.

I used the recommended paints and found them to be off. I am going back over some of them at a later date to correct the color. Over all I was happy with the way the kit was engineered and the fit.

Took about 2 months to build give or take a day in my spare time. Since I build models for a living I had a certain advantage but any seasoned modeler should be able to do the same IMHO.

Here's some pictures. Now back to the 66 inch TOS Enterprise.

Steve

YouTube - More on the Enterprise video of the nearly finished model.

 

[PHArchivist]

Stunning. Wanna build mine?

 

[SteveNeill]

Ah...I have to say this was a difficult time consuming model to build. It was the painting and decals more than anything else. Maybe easier now that I've done it once and know the procedure.

Thanks!

Steve

 

[xstoys]

That's just beautiful!

 

[yt]

Great work.

 

[SteveNeill]

Thanks guys.

Steve

 

[PHArchivist]

Ah...I have to say this was a difficult time consuming model to build. It was the painting and decals more than anything else. Maybe easier now that I've done it once and know the procedure.

Thanks!

Steve

I've got two copies of this kit sitting in boxes, (one with decals for aztecing, one without), and remain intimidated as hell.

Hearing this from an industry pro doesn't help my confidence!

 

[Robiwon]

I had one and sold it. I planned on lighting it too. But what happened was I over thought it, trying to add as many lights and blinkies as I could in my head. Figuring out how to do the raytheon spot light effects, etc. I got scared and sold it. Your build is nice clean and simple without being "over engineered". I like it a lot. I may have to buy another and follow your build.

 

[Wes R]

I wish i had these sites around in the 90s when i was trying to light and build kits. Its a beautiful build that's for sure. Almost makes me want to get back into kit building.

 

[SteveNeill]

Guys build it. You'll be glad you did. She's not as big as the 66 inch TOS 1701 I'm building now but big enough to escape that little model look. People melt when they come to my shop and see it. It takes a while sure. It's daunting really. But the parts fit great and a bunch of LEDs and a single 10 dollar power supply from:

LEDs | AllElectronics.com

1 AMP SWITCHING POWER SUPPLY w/ SELECTABLE OUTPUT | AllElectronics.com

and you're good to go. BTW the decals and Aztecs are very good. They are tough and can take a beating without falling apart. Once on load on the Micro Sol and walk away.

It's really a bargain for what you end up with. It just takes time to build.

Thanks for all the kind words,

Steve

 

[kca832]

I will have to get one of these now after seeing the 2 builds on these. I just started the NX-01 kit. Thanks for the info on the All Electric. Have to give them a look for the lighting on the one I'm doing.

 

[SteveNeill]

You bet glad to help!

Steve

 

[brandomack]

Beautiful Job Sir,

I never get tired of seeing this model built.

I have a few questions about the lighting, As I too am going to go it alone on my NX build

Did you wire in series or parallel?

if in parallel, how did you calculate what resistors and power supply to use? Ohms Law? or an online calc?

Mine will be running 2x 6 led flashlight boards for the bussard collectors
which each alone require 4.5V (3 AAA batteries)
In your opinion, would these need resistors?

and several others for nacelles, running lights, deflector array etc.
(all LED's will be white light)

Thank you very much.

 

[trekman1017]

where do you find the space to display all these starships?

 

[SteveNeill]

Beautiful Job Sir,

I never get tired of seeing this model built.

I have a few questions about the lighting, As I too am going to go it alone on my NX build

Did you wire in series or parallel?

if in parallel, how did you calculate what resistors and power supply to use? Ohms Law? or an online calc?

Mine will be running 2x 6 led flashlight boards for the bussard collectors
which each alone require 4.5V (3 AAA batteries)
In your opinion, would these need resistors?

and several others for nacelles, running lights, deflector array etc.
(all LED's will be white light)

Thank you very much.

Parallel. Power supply is 1000 Mah. No resistors as the current is just three volts. I didn't calculate it. Just my best guess. I forget what the LEDs I used draw in amps. Based on that I came to the conclusion of 1000 Mah would be plenty. It has been on constantly for almost a year now with no problems.

I wouldn't think it would need resistors but if you're worried about it they are cheap insurance. I plan to use resistors on the big TOS 66 inch model I'm building now.

Thanks for the kind words too. Please shows us your build!

Where do I find room? Well this model is only three feet and it fits well just about anywhere. The 66inch model? Now that will be interesting.

Steve