Correcting the Lunar Models 41" Excelsior

[Vidar 710]

Here is the Superstructure master fully primed. The scratch made Impulse Crystal trench from a DQ Blizzard top and the 3D modeled dome are in place, along with the scratch-built bridge dome. The paper templates for the raised surface detail are also in place.

 

[Vidar 710]

The Superstructure is pretty much finished except for the two fins, and the impulse engine exhaust ports.

Here, I used Tamiya's 1mm x 1mm grid tape to fasion the raised and recessed details around the Impulse Crystal assembly.

A paper template is used to make the raised plating under the bridge and the spine that extends aft behine it in 2.5mm thick sheet styrene.

Cutting way the styrene from the part.

All the raised plating details in place on the Superstructure's Buck.

More to come, maybe on the Warp Nacelle pylons finally.

Tracy

 

[Jamesfett]

I'm not sure if this is amazing or cruel.

 

[edge10]

If I've said it before, I will say it again: At what point does it stop being the Lunar kit? Has all of it been redone at this point?

 

[Jamesfett]

If I've said it before, I will say it again: At what point does it stop being the Lunar kit? Has all of it been redone at this point?

I loved my Lunar Excelsior until now. Now it just looks wrong.

Cough,...kit, cough,...kit!!!!!!!!!!!!

I think such a talented individual must share his talent with the world, and make a bunch of money in the process.

No moderators we are not discussing run. Just me dreams.

 

[Vidar 710]

The only thing that has not been altered from the original LM kit is the warp nacelles. That's coming... soon.

After that, mold and start making the parts for the build.

Tracy

 

[Vidar 710]

Quick update, but small. The 3D printed fins arrived today.

 

[Fett_Ish]

Been watching you work on this from the start. Labor of love. Looking great!

 

[publiusr]

I could see that assembly being an escape craft all on its own.

 

[Vidar 710]

I took a break from modeling due to friends n family issues. I’ve been getting back into it slowly with smaller projects. Work on the secondary hull’s cargo bay have had some forward progress, and the Warp Nacelle pylons have been planned out in my head. Hope to pull her down off the shelf soon.

Tracy

 

[publiusr]

Looking forward to seeing more

 

[Starbase101]

Sub'd and love the work you're putting into this kit. It will be very inspiring when I get around to building my LM kit (someday).

 

[Vidar 710]

So, The Lunar Models saucer has another issue. The outer edge (with the window ports) is leaning at too much of an angle. It needs to be more to the vertical. Some preliminary work in progress correcting it.

Here you can see the difference in the angles.

The saucer's edge is sanded and stripped down so a new ring section can be cemented into place.

The new ring to correct the profile is cemented into place.

Then filled in at the inner radius at the base of the dome.

Side view of the new angle before the filler is applied.

The new ring is masked to protect it, then the Smooth-On filler dough is roughly applied.

Next the filler is smoothed into the hull with water dampened hands. One or two more layers are expected before putty, sanding, and re-priming is done.

More to come.

Tracy

 

[srspicer]

I have also been following this over the years. Glad too see you have not gone cold on the project!

 

[t2sides]

Brilliant rework Tracy!!! That's shaping up to be the right Shape now!!! Love these updates, this is going to be a TOP NOTCE Excelsior once you get her all together!!! Very Nice!
-Sean

 

[Pedro]

Man this is giving me flashbacks! Great work on this!

 

[Vidar 710]

The second layer of filler dough was applied, then sanded down. Here the first layer of putty has been roughed in...

Sanding done to level the new contour...

Next, the Red Micro filler is applied to fill in scratches and continue leveling the new surface.

Then sanded to its final shape.

BTW, all this work done with the master mounted on a Kitchen Lazy Suzan. ;-)

I took the liberty in adding the two recessed grid radius' in the ringed shelf to see how they would look. I don't think they'll pop during the vacuum forming process, but hey... they look cool being there.

I'm still deciding if scribing the grid pattern in the master would be futile. The plan has always been to scribe in all grid/panel lines on the vacuum formed parts for crisper detail.

Primer to go, and I'll FINALLY call correcting the saucer section (top and bottom halves) done!

Tracy

 

[Vidar 710]

Really happy with the results. Calling the saucer masters complete. Preliminary work has begun on the main cargo bay's digital modeling.

R

 

[edge10]

I think you need to change the title of this thread.

I can't imagine there is anything left of the original Lunar kit.

 

[modelerdave]

Please tell me you're going to make molds of this.