My TOS Viper Squadron project

I know I'm going slow on these, but if I work when inspired (as opposed to doing it just to do it) I find it comes out a whole lot better...

I just finished putting the 12 scratched greebles on the 6 exhausts, and the 48 pieces on the 12 guns.

SANY4869.jpg

SANY4874.jpg

SANY4871.jpg


When all solid, I'll putty some & sand/file to the proper finished shape(s).




...in memory of Kennyd...
 
Last edited:
1st filing assault on the guns:

SANY4887.jpg


2nd & final go at them will be easier & more subtle. I'm good at subtle.:lol
 
Can't wait to see the finshed pics of the squadron!

Too cool for school!!! :thumbsup
 
Looking forward to seeing these Vipers completed!!
If I go by the book, like Lt. Saavik, weeks could seem like months...

Never before have I put into play this number of simultaneous builds combined with an attempt at your level of detail, sir.
We shall see.
 
Last edited:
Bro'.....In my DREAMS!!! not in my sleep... I really love this ship....It's what the X-Wing should have/could have been...I build my stuff outta household crap. You are using precision parts and the results are ........well........L U S H...........
 
I really love this ship....It's what the X-Wing should have/could have been...
Precisely how I felt when I saw the 3hr Galactica TV movie for the first time. My heart raced!!
It's not that hard putting 200% into a thing that so fascinates you!
But you get that- I know!
 
Man these Vipers are going to be beautiful Chris. You must be insane to tackle so many at once though. A frackin' squadron! Holy smokes!
 
Last edited:
You must be insane to tackle so many at once though.
Yeah, tell me something I'm NOT telling myself, LOL!!!!

Scribing the panel lines is next- working out a block of 8 uninterrupted hours is difficult, once I start, I will not stop until all 6 are fully scribed. This is my least favourite part... but once I'm in the groove, all goes well.

Painting, weathering, simulating paint chips, suggesting panel replacements- that's where I have my most fun!:cool
 
First test scribing: Each batch of Vipers is different- the no cockpit ones made in America have a more solid polystyrene that is easier to scribe- these are the 30th anniversary ones with cockpits, made in China, and this polystyrene is a bit softer & more prone to 'flare' accumulating on the edges of the cut...
SANY5009.jpg

I scribe not with my scribing tool (not happy with the 'V' shape it cuts), but with an exacto knife with a broken tip- backwards. Straight edges with a metal ruler as a guide, curved surfaces with the Dynamo-tape-as-a-guide method.
This is the 'tinsel' produced after I cleaned up after initial scribing (using the same knife turned sideways & run through the scribed line *gently*):
SANY5010.jpg

Then I go through the lines with a cut edge of an emery board lightly to clean up the tiniest fragments...
SANY5011.jpg


This is a tedious process, but it ensures a clean panel line with no wonky flares on the edges. And I have to practice because every time I do these, months have passed since my last Viper(s) and I lose my comfort level with the technique.

Next- I scribe the lot of them.
 
Last edited:
Are you using the cockpits that came with the kit or are you upgrading those as well? Only reason I ask is I got a couple of vipers, the old ones with the mmi launch rail and cockpit interior upgrade sets with clear canopy and PE sets. They look pretty cool but I haven't seen them installed on a kit as yet. Anyone else used them?
 
Are you using the cockpits that came with the kit or are you upgrading those as well?
Yeah, I'm using them, but the faces on the pilots needs some small modifications- they come looking like Jolly, LOL. Little rhinoplasty here, little cheek sculpt there... Once the cockpit is sealed, the interior takes a back seat to the exterior.
 
Back
Top