Customer build 1/350 NX-01

[fraley1701]

Doug Drexler and I talk during the day through Skpye and it was a real kick to bug him about his design.

More tomorrow.

Steve

Doug seems like a really nice guy. I have never met him in person, but he is always willing to chat via Facebook or on his blog; The Drex Files. To be honest, I was not originally a fan of the NX-01, as I thought it looked too advanced to be a pre-TOS starship. However, I understand the rational behind the design and it did grow on me after a time. Steve, watching your build here, and the others you have made are truly inspiring! I may have to build one of these after all...

Thanks for sharing,

Marc

 

[SteveNeill]

Marc I'm right there with you. 100%.

Well I’ve used up a lot of parts, got them all painted and installed on the hull and engineering section.

Got every last window in and most of the ship painted. I went to my LHS today and as it turns out my friend Dave who runs the place had a bunch of fiber optics he just gave me. This is the thicker stuff and I will use it for some of the missing hull lights. The lights will be brighter I was using 3 1.2 rechargeable batteries to do which aren’t 4.5 volts which the system is rated for.

One thing I don’t like about a lot of the kits I’ve seen built of this model is the lighting. Too bright, over light, and those bridge lights with the 3 mm LEDS are just wrong. If you look at Doug’s pictures

NX-01 Enterprise Class «

You’ll see they are tiny. I also plan to add some to the hanger bay doors on the hull. Be sure to click on the images for larger pictures.

I drilled out an ultra bright LED today and inserted and fiber optic. It was really very bright. It may not cast light too much on the hull but it won’t have that unsightly look of those over done 3mm bulbs.

More tomorrow,

Steve

Video: YouTube - Light test 2 on The NX-01

 

[Jedi Dade]

It looks great so far. If I might suggest and improvemnet before you go too far... The color of the LEDs for the windows is a white/blue color. This color is GREAT for the engines, impulse etc. but IMHO looks funky when its on the windows. An LED that is mimicking an incandescent kinda white/amber is a better choice. Again just my opinion... and definitely not taking away from your build which is inspiring me to start my own... I've had this kit in mt stash for a pretty long time this thread is bumping it higher in the build order for sure. Your many almost step fot step build pics is awesome!

Jedi Dade

 

[SteveNeill]

Jedi these are the lights that came with this pre-made lighting kit from the customer. Funny thing is the window lights are all white. Not blue but there is leakage from some of them that are blue still inside the hull. I'm hoping that's the source. None of the lights are mounted correctly as of yet.

Thanks though for your input. I see what you mean clearly. Building this model has made me a fan of this ship. I'd like to build one myself. Plus Doug lives close by and I could get him to sign it!

Steve

 

[brandomack]

She looks stellar, Steve!

I'll be pulling mine out of mothballs once the "C" is complete and shipped.


Thanks for inspiration!

-Brandon

 

[SteveNeill]

Brandon thanks!

Where can I find one of these? I looked on Ebay. 250 - 300 bucks?

Steve

 

[FuseNova]

You mean an NX-01? They've been going for $80-150 on the bay recently. Might try WTB - someone offered me one at a great price here but I had already made the purchase (for only $50!).

 

[Nicksdad]

Steve,
What is your overall impression of the nx-01 light kit for the money.

 

[SteveNeill]

I think it's a good deal really and I just added some additional lights to it without any problem.

Steve

 

[Rothgar]

Steve,
I have to say, I've learned so much from your posts these last few months. Thank you very much for being so free with your work!

 

[Nicksdad]

I think it's a good deal really and I just added some additional lights to it without any problem.

Steve

I'm glad you liked it. When I was designing the prototype for that light kit I was trying to give the most bang for the buck.

 

[SteveNeill]

Steve,
I have to say, I've learned so much from your posts these last few months. Thank you very much for being so free with your work!

You are so welcome. Glad to help!

Steve

 

[SteveNeill]

I'm glad you liked it. When I was designing the prototype for that light kit I was trying to give the most bang for the buck.

I think you did great and it saves one tons of work. The boards are nice and tidy. Rotators are very cool. I added about 8 more lights without and trouble just spliced them in.

I plan to buy one for my NX that Doug Drexler was so kind to send me as a gift.

Steve

 

[SteveNeill]

I managed to get all the lights in the saucer section and secondary hull today. I added 8 lights to the lighting kit to light all the lighted areas on the actual show model. I also added fiber optics to light up the saucer rear hanger bays and the saucer bays.

The 3 bridge lights and the nose light were all added using fiber optics and a super bright LED.

And yes these light are a bit blue. More so on this camera of mine then in person. They are mostly white and listed as white as I picked a few more up today along with a 4.5 volt wall adaptor.

Tomorrow I can move on to the nacelles. Soon I’ll have the whole model in one piece and can move on to the seaming and Aztec decals.

Be sure and watch the video which goes into more detail on the lighting.

More tomorrow,

Steve

YouTube - SneillFX NX Report 3

 

[FuseNova]

Very nice work on the lights. I've never used fiber optics before but it looks easier than I thought - and with a lot of advantages!

 

[space rat]

Absolutely Gorgeous! Can hardly wait to see her finished.

 

[KUROK]

I'm enjoying the photos!

 

[Picard102]

Might just be the exposure, but it seems like the registry flood light doesn't shine a lot of light into the area it's intended too? Rather it's shining up and away from the hull.

 

[SteveNeill]

Only way do that is o put a big ugly 3mm non scale ultra bright in at position. Remember it's a CG effect that's hard to recreate in the real world.

Thanks guys.

Steve

 

[Nicksdad]

I think you did great and it saves one tons of work. The boards are nice and tidy. Rotators are very cool. I added about 8 more lights without and trouble just spliced them in.

I plan to buy one for my NX that Doug Drexler was so kind to send me as a gift.

Steve

Don't buy a kit. PM me your address and I'll mail you a kit.