Polar Lights Enterprise Refit Building Guide?

There are extensive threads about accurizing and painting over at scifimodeler, but it's one of those occasions where it might be too much of a good thing. ;)
 
judgedredd said:
hi thanks i was hoping for some shots of how people fix there kits to the support rod. also a good painting color guide :) i am slowly working myself upto building this baby i ordered a great electronics kit for it cost a small fortune but hopefully worth it :) from these guys.
http://www.trekmodeler.com/services/lighting_kit_refit1/lighting_kit_refit1.htm
Click to expand...

It is worth it. It is literally a drop in and seal up. As far as paint guides, Tony Napolitano does one of the best aztec paint schemes out there.

http://enterprisecreations.com/currentbuild.html
http://enterprisecreations.com/Aztec.html
http://s23.photobucket.com/albums/b391/Raist3001/?


Scott
 
PHArchivist said:
This model is just so damn intimidating...
Click to expand...


***** truer words were NEVER spoken!!!! This model is one of those you have to start and grind on it til it is done. Now that I said that, I should use my own advice.

Greg
 
Jades Dark Heart said:
***** truer words were NEVER spoken!!!! This model is one of those you have to start and grind on it til it is done. Now that I said that, I should use my own advice.

Greg
Click to expand...

Its the lighting, and the Aztec. Both are fairly high on the difficulty scale (for non-pros, anyway). And both define the model. Without the lighting or the Aztec pattern, the model looses MAJOR "essence".

I know I'm preaching to the choir. But any dweeb can slap it together and spray it white. But to do it justice, it has to have a very complex lighting system, and one of the most deceivingly difficult paint jobs in the hobby.

Or maybe I'm just a wus! ;)
 
I did one a while back. That said, I need to take it apart and rebuild it. The paint job is "decent" not good and certainly not great but it works (for now).

The ship Definitely loses something without the lights, I know, mine is unlit (for now).

HPIM2808.jpg

Actually, I kind of prefer the paint apps on my self-destruct version of the old ertl model although even that isn't quite as good as I want.
Self_destruct15.jpg
 
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PHArchivist said:
This model is just so damn intimidating...
Click to expand...

Boy you got that right. I actually sold mine and the NX-01 because I really, really want to light them but just didn't have the guts since I don't know electronics at all.

But now with this electronic kit, the new company going to re-release the Big-E (and now a very strong rumor of the TOS E!!!), I probably will try to give it a shot again.

And if you consider the MR E at $1K a pop (and no way to get to the electronics or get them fixed) then $300 isn't so bad.
 
PHArchivist said:
Its the lighting, and the Aztec. Both are fairly high on the difficulty scale (for non-pros, anyway). And both define the model. Without the lighting or the Aztec pattern, the model looses MAJOR "essence".

I know I'm preaching to the choir. But any dweeb can slap it together and spray it white. But to do it justice, it has to have a very complex lighting system, and one of the most deceivingly difficult paint jobs in the hobby.

Or maybe I'm just a wus! ;)
Click to expand...

:lol

Then you and me both! I've been building models for 30 years and that aztec pattern makes me nervous. I've read the various starshipmodeler threads covering various ways to do it, but I might just do it by hand (yes I know, lifetime project! :p) since everything I've read seems to make cut sheets, sticky backing, etc. just as hard.
 
Lord Abaddon said:
:lol
Then you and me both! I've been building models for 30 years and that aztec pattern makes me nervous.
Click to expand...

So you started building when you were two as well!? ;)

Lord Abaddon said:
And if you consider the MR E at $1K a pop (and no way to get to the electronics or get them fixed) then $300 isn't so bad.
Click to expand...

That's a great point, Mike. Not only is the MR a cool grand, but so would a commisioned build up. Makes the $300 quite a bit more palatable!
 
PHArchivist said:
So you started building when you were two as well!? ;)
Click to expand...

Ah dammit! Make me feel old you young whipper-snapper! :lol

I'll never forget my first model, it was the old Monogram USS Missouri. I didn't do too badly either. The other was a race car with skull head, one of the funky machines, but I can't find it on eBay, but I'm sure they came out with it again. It glowed and was great to do!

PHArchivist said:
That's a great point, Mike. Not only is the MR a cool grand, but so would a commisioned build up. Makes the $300 quite a bit more palatable!
Click to expand...

Exactly! I've been looking at commissioned build sites and wow! I'm in the wrong line of work! The problem is I can't sell my models. I had to sell many about a year ago and it hurt! Hopefully they went into good hands who had fun with them.

Btw...d_jedi1 very nice build! The explosion marks on the Ertl piece are well done too. :)
 
Thanks, eventually I'll tear her down and add lights. Been planning what I want to do and how for a while. Guess I should have thought about that before I built her lol.
I'll probably (read definitely) be doing my NX-01 first to get a feel for the lighting. She needs a re-paint anyway (even more than the refit does).

When I built the ertl one as the self-destruct version, I thought I had it right... and then the christies auction pics came out.. I wanted to re-do it. Actually I'm still adding bits in there from time to time.
 
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