Request for comments: First time modeler - USS Voyager

[forvak]

Hello!

My name's Derek and I'm new to therfc and to model making as a whole. I considered starting a model of Voyager about six years ago but didn't have the time, resources, space, or OCD to do a proper job of it. The idea has come back and I think I can do justice to it. I'll be working part time from May till August so I'll have some time to devote to the project. I'm hoping to do both Voyager and Jules Verne's Nautilus as they were the two most inspirational crafts as I was growing up.

So onto the questions. I'm trying to pick which kit to use. The leading contenders are the Revell rerelease (04801) or a Monogram kit, the Limited Edition or regular. I haven't seen a good comparison of the LE and the regular kit, if anyone has experience that would be appreciated.

Revell ~$30
Monogram LE or normal ~$100

The Bandai kit seems to be the gold standard for accuracy in a kit, is that true? If only it weren't $450+.

I'll definitely be doing a lighting setup for it, probably a custom design. I'm a recently graduated electrical engineer so I think I can do something special.

I'll get the ParaGrafix Photoetch set, and probably the JT Graphics Decals. I saw window graphics but I'm not really sold on them, we'll see when I get everything in my hands.
ParaGrafix™ Modeling Systems - USS Voyager Photoetch Set
Federation Models - JT Graphics

I love the overall look of this build other than lighting and particularly the landing legs. I wasn't able to find them at Federations Models, does anyone know where to get them?
USS Voyager

Can anyone comment on the colors given here? I've never airbrushed before so I'll be practicing on a few misc kit pieces. Any advice on hardware would be welcome and I'll post back about what I end up getting. Currently I'm thinking of a large tank which I'd fill at a gas station to get started with, a water trap, and a bottle fed single action internal mixing airbrush. If I can find all that.
Starship Modeler: Voyager Paint Scheme Reference


Comments, critiques, and everything else is most welcome. I have a feeling I'm going to enjoy this project and the chance to talk to lots of interesting people. Cheers for now.

 

[metal wood]

Hello!




The Bandai kit seems to be the gold standard for accuracy in a kit, is that true? If only it weren't $450+.

.

those kits are super nice, but alas the price is a killer. i am interested in the do-it yourself electronics set up you are planing on. look forward to this build, have fun and good luck!:cheers

 

[Southern OR]

A good place to start would be my thread and the two listed at the start. Mine's still a wip, but we pretty much covered everything your asking.

 

[forvak]

Hi Southern. I've read through your build as well as Ruddigger and Jimpeachey's. Truth told you three are the reason I'm making the jump. I'll be watching yours and Jim's closely since I'm pretty sure I'll use the Revell kit. Any comments on it that haven't gone into your thread?

I did find the landing legs half way down this page. I don't know if I'm going to use them or not, but the ship above did look quite nice landed.
Federation Models - Federation Models

Turns out I'm going to be getting a compressor so that's nice. I saw one of the three builds mention which airbrush they're using, can't seem to find the exact post at the moment. Still haven't decided how nice of one to get, something basic but decent quality.

Rewen's album of movie prop photos is definitely going to be handy at least for painting. I don't know how far I'm comfortable going accurizing the model physically.

Metal Wood, I haven't done too much thinking yet about the electrical design. I need to look over the various builds and kits available, seem how many different flashing, pulsing, and otherwise variable lights there are as well as how many lighting zones. There will be a microcontroller managing those and each zone will be independently dimable. I'm not sure what interface I'll use, but probably serial data lines running along with power. I just looked through the episode "The Void" and it doesn't look like many lights are active.

 

[Southern OR]

I'm drilling out all the windows on my Revell kit so I won't be updating for a long time. I think Jimpeachey didn't do all of them and he says he used that build as a test run but it looks good in mu opinion. The first run Monogram kit doesn't have good windows on the top portion of the saucer, is missing a open shuttle bay, and the decals are lack luster. I think all of the Revell/Monogram kits are missing 4 escape pods so it depends on how accurate you want to go. The 2009 rerelease by Revell is a pretty good kit (that's the one I'm lighting). I need to get better paint since my shuttles are all way to dark (light grey looks more like gun metal).

The landing gear and brass etchings will need an appropriate acrylate to bond them. For my lighting I'm just using pre-colored-pre-wired 3mm LEDs @ 9v wired in a ladder that will just have on/off mode. I'm contemplating fiber optics for the navigation lights. For the windows you'll need a micro drill bit set and needle files (and the standard hobby xacto knife).

As for the Bandai kit, from what I've seen the price just keeps climbing on them and they're 1:850 rather then 1:677. Yes they come with everything needed and are pre painted, but the stock lights are normal bulbs, not LEDs. The nice thing about Voyager is that it doesn't have a lot of complex lights or floods and I think only 2 lights even flash on it.

 

[forvak]

I just picked up a pack of ten 0.8mm drill bits for my rotary tool. I don't have the flex shaft attachment, but maybe that's in the cards as well. The Commando needle file set mentioned in another thread is definitely on the purchase list as well. I'm going to do all the windows and fill them with dental acrylic like Steve Neill does. I think its a great effect and a clean, clever way of doing it. Good luck on all of yours, I hope they aren't too much of a pain.

I tried picking up the Revell model today, but the local store here is out so I'll have to try again later in the week. I'm visiting the UK so the model is a good ten dollars cheaper and no shipping. Everything else is getting sent home to California so I can start when I get back.

For airbrushes I've mostly settled but aren't sure to go Paasche VL or Iwata HP-BCS, but I'm guessing the Iwata since I love Japanese tooling. Of course that means a dozen or so accessories and cleaning bits... this rabbit hole is going to take a while to get to the bottom of!

I've noticed some hesitancy from other people on the forum about posting links to stores and specific products so I'm not sure if its appropriate for me to be listing all the things I'm thinking of. I may move the actual list to my website and just link there.

I'm feeling fine now about passing up the Bandai kit. I like that the Revell is larger. Also I'll probably spend just as much or maybe a little more all told, but most of it will be in tools and supplies that can carry onto the next project. Not to mention the experience gained.

 

[mikman42]

The new Revell kits windows on the upper saucer can be a little soft and not totally mirror accurate left to right

 

[jimpeachey]

Forvak, how are you getting on with this? I love the voyager build so would be good to see how you are getting on. If i can help in any way having just finished it then give me a shout, ill help out where i can.

As an aside i dont think i could justify the amount they want for the Bandai kit, i dont care how 'accurate' they say it is. The kit is smaller and already painted from what i can see so wheres the fun in that. I'm not sure there is much difference between the Revell or monogram kit but i really enjoyed doing the Revell one and will probably do it again in the future sometime.

 

[forvak]

Hmm, Thought I replied yesterday...

I bought the model and picked up an Iwata HP-C+ for a great deal on ebay last week. I've been living in Glasgow for the past three months and will be headed home in the next few days. I've been putting together shopping lists of basic supplies. Still trying to figure out basic things like what glue to use, but I think the best thing at this point is to go to a modeling store next week. Should have the compressor, regulator, hoses, etc sorted for the airbrush though so I can start practicing.

 

[Southern OR]

Yeah, I'm using the first run kit for practice too. Wish my house hadn't become a hostel since everyone I know within driving distance have decided to drop by over the past month.