pengbuzz
Sr Member
Some time ago,I finally returned to an old favorite of mine: the original 1/650 AMT old of the TOS Enterprise. My first one was a model kit that someone else had built that they sold for 5 bucks at a tag sale back when I was a kid in the 80's (I know...rawr. I is dinosaur!)
Since that time (as well as a bajillion models of it later), I finally decided to revisit this kit with accurate references (for the first time!). So here we go:
Correction of B/C decks:
![101_0261 - Copy.JPG 101_0261 - Copy.JPG](https://therpf-f28a.kxcdn.com/forums/data/attachments/1244/1244978-890b55944cbab318cc7f85f40b44db0c.jpg)
![101_0262 - Copy.JPG 101_0262 - Copy.JPG](https://therpf-f28a.kxcdn.com/forums/data/attachments/1244/1244979-0d0fa570953aba1afd8d4fe05b21098b.jpg)
![101_0266 - Copy.JPG 101_0266 - Copy.JPG](https://therpf-f28a.kxcdn.com/forums/data/attachments/1244/1244980-d3c8d3bec1a9538f966fc98e9e578d02.jpg)
"Smash-molding" a new planetary sensor dome and dome base for the lower saucer section:
![101_0269 - Copy.JPG 101_0269 - Copy.JPG](https://therpf-f28a.kxcdn.com/forums/data/attachments/1244/1244981-102205099595ea2536611eeb1b19d719.jpg)
![101_0270 - Copy.JPG 101_0270 - Copy.JPG](https://therpf-f28a.kxcdn.com/forums/data/attachments/1244/1244982-f077e5969a6b67b20df35e6668df460e.jpg)
![101_0273 - Copy.JPG 101_0273 - Copy.JPG](https://therpf-f28a.kxcdn.com/forums/data/attachments/1244/1244983-e3945c37e6ca58eb91711d7e5a2c0ca8.jpg)
![101_0275 - Copy.JPG 101_0275 - Copy.JPG](https://therpf-f28a.kxcdn.com/forums/data/attachments/1244/1244984-bdd55ae1c8474261b412d5bfc402880c.jpg)
A new Main Bridge dome (my reference is in the back on the screen in the first pic):
![101_0277 - Copy.JPG 101_0277 - Copy.JPG](https://therpf-f28a.kxcdn.com/forums/data/attachments/1244/1244985-45f263f3fcef37feab3d4f2be2994414.jpg)
![101_0278 - Copy.JPG 101_0278 - Copy.JPG](https://therpf-f28a.kxcdn.com/forums/data/attachments/1244/1244986-1b1eeaecfe816b77ecfb3b6ff239ec68.jpg)
![101_0280 - Copy.JPG 101_0280 - Copy.JPG](https://therpf-f28a.kxcdn.com/forums/data/attachments/1244/1244987-fec7a37e99a150232f11405972db5020.jpg)
Redid the 3 blocks under the Bussard collector (old piece was wayyyyy too short and inaccurate!)
![101_0281 - Copy.JPG 101_0281 - Copy.JPG](https://therpf-f28a.kxcdn.com/forums/data/attachments/1244/1244988-cd8f3b788c127094b8975ea6ee8fbf91.jpg)
Removed, realigned and remounted warp engine pylons to the nacelles. I scrapped the old pylons (they were far too flimsy) and using the old pylons, fabricated a new set from solid styrene plate:
![101_0287 - Copy.JPG 101_0287 - Copy.JPG](https://therpf-f28a.kxcdn.com/forums/data/attachments/1244/1244989-d6898a0a011daa772b2170dadfad9626.jpg)
![101_0289 - Copy.JPG 101_0289 - Copy.JPG](https://therpf-f28a.kxcdn.com/forums/data/attachments/1244/1244990-1832d54eb67cc857ab89eaaf9c0678b4.jpg)
Since the secondary hull had a rather nasty habit of cracking, splitting and generally falling apart, I reinforced the living daylights out of it with some very heavy styrene plate, Devcon Plastic Welder, and judiciously applied model cement. the heaviest reinforcement was at the internal mounting block for the warp pylon tabs: this essentially became a solid block of styrene after the plastic and adhesives were added. I also added tabs to provide more gluing surface and to lock the halves together, as well as heavy reinforcement against "crush pressure" above the mounting post at the bottom:
![101_0302 - Copy.JPG 101_0302 - Copy.JPG](https://therpf-f28a.kxcdn.com/forums/data/attachments/1244/1244991-cb4235a18be3146f1fb9f63f2d1ecccd.jpg)
![101_0305 - Copy.JPG 101_0305 - Copy.JPG](https://therpf-f28a.kxcdn.com/forums/data/attachments/1244/1244992-4529c37899ec63938dbfddb287f3e52e.jpg)
![101_0307 - Copy.JPG 101_0307 - Copy.JPG](https://therpf-f28a.kxcdn.com/forums/data/attachments/1244/1244993-da924c032a062e738b2dea8f3886d861.jpg)
Warp nacelles test fitted; slight variances, but not enough to dissuade me. New pylons are mounted in the correct position on the nacelles; the old position was incorrect (compared to official blueprints). Also, secondary hull now sealed up:
![101_0314 - Copy.JPG 101_0314 - Copy.JPG](https://therpf-f28a.kxcdn.com/forums/data/attachments/1244/1244994-ece311c2ebd6acf19eb36c4ad8090512.jpg)
![101_0315 - Copy.JPG 101_0315 - Copy.JPG](https://therpf-f28a.kxcdn.com/forums/data/attachments/1244/1244995-3395ece79a22fc8fad5772965a394995.jpg)
![101_0316 - Copy.JPG 101_0316 - Copy.JPG](https://therpf-f28a.kxcdn.com/forums/data/attachments/1244/1244996-88ffc96b50823ca8326a4a33dcbfb0d9.jpg)
Final assembly and start of painting:
![101_0317 - Copy.JPG 101_0317 - Copy.JPG](https://therpf-f28a.kxcdn.com/forums/data/attachments/1244/1244997-704f5ceec880c84cea3f8d3fd416d8f1.jpg)
![101_0320 - Copy.JPG 101_0320 - Copy.JPG](https://therpf-f28a.kxcdn.com/forums/data/attachments/1244/1244998-845ec5d63d5dacb06f7e97d38efda140.jpg)
Decalling and weathering:
![101_0366 - Copy.JPG 101_0366 - Copy.JPG](https://therpf-f28a.kxcdn.com/forums/data/attachments/1244/1244999-c38fb74a7d7cc1843dbf52df324d13f5.jpg)
![101_0367.JPG 101_0367.JPG](https://therpf-f28a.kxcdn.com/forums/data/attachments/1245/1245013-3c152c7ba785d7689bb50e8046a9285a.jpg)
![101_0368.JPG 101_0368.JPG](https://therpf-f28a.kxcdn.com/forums/data/attachments/1245/1245000-6681d9887a8e6f11e31fb8af19361a34.jpg)
![101_0372.JPG 101_0372.JPG](https://therpf-f28a.kxcdn.com/forums/data/attachments/1245/1245001-ee9f52cc4776deb63229294257f77437.jpg)
Final shots on stand with my scratchbuild of the Cassini space probe:
![101_0392.JPG 101_0392.JPG](https://therpf-f28a.kxcdn.com/forums/data/attachments/1245/1245002-0736d9fdd7dba141b053d58f75cf32ce.jpg)
![101_0393.JPG 101_0393.JPG](https://therpf-f28a.kxcdn.com/forums/data/attachments/1245/1245003-c312cf323b16a52c071f4530308e4a6d.jpg)
![101_0394.JPG 101_0394.JPG](https://therpf-f28a.kxcdn.com/forums/data/attachments/1245/1245004-3e42bc89988263d8e29b374565bb04bc.jpg)
![101_0395.JPG 101_0395.JPG](https://therpf-f28a.kxcdn.com/forums/data/attachments/1245/1245005-9706e59d7b9c63b416809f5cedf90a35.jpg)
![101_0396.JPG 101_0396.JPG](https://therpf-f28a.kxcdn.com/forums/data/attachments/1245/1245006-8249f236d7dd8998040d81c78cb2b93e.jpg)
Cassini:
![101_0397.JPG 101_0397.JPG](https://therpf-f28a.kxcdn.com/forums/data/attachments/1245/1245007-0b555e60eeb58fa9f0673f3632bb4c65.jpg)
![101_0398.JPG 101_0398.JPG](https://therpf-f28a.kxcdn.com/forums/data/attachments/1245/1245008-4215b25307c9830815c412999de7cfdf.jpg)
![101_0399.JPG 101_0399.JPG](https://therpf-f28a.kxcdn.com/forums/data/attachments/1245/1245009-a68ff17e9e303965c5a8380ed1ef171b.jpg)
A few extra details: 1) I added a post extending from the inside of the bridge dome down through the bottom of the planetary sensor for support and to prevent the hollow saucer from compression damage (the end of the post is actually just outside the ship, as the small "nipple" on the planetary sensor!); 2) I removed the old Bussard domes and smash molded a new pair out of plexiglass, which I then sanded and painted translucent orange, and added an inner piece to replicate the Bussard blades (I replicated the same effect I got from my 1/1000 TOS E build!); 3) I added an upper and lower set of navigation lights and hangar bay dome, all molded from plexiglass using an old paint brush handle:
![101_0400.JPG 101_0400.JPG](https://therpf-f28a.kxcdn.com/forums/data/attachments/1245/1245010-e7d6d97caf1ea7f7ada5583df5ca8d1e.jpg)
![101_0401.JPG 101_0401.JPG](https://therpf-f28a.kxcdn.com/forums/data/attachments/1245/1245011-2062a61a94aa05cafa984e03eb308f4a.jpg)
Comparison to my 1/1000 build:
![101_0403.JPG 101_0403.JPG](https://therpf-f28a.kxcdn.com/forums/data/attachments/1245/1245012-ad82e28bd0aecef0f40238174783725b.jpg)
Thanks for looking, folks! See you again soon!
Since that time (as well as a bajillion models of it later), I finally decided to revisit this kit with accurate references (for the first time!). So here we go:
Correction of B/C decks:
![101_0261 - Copy.JPG 101_0261 - Copy.JPG](https://therpf-f28a.kxcdn.com/forums/data/attachments/1244/1244978-890b55944cbab318cc7f85f40b44db0c.jpg)
![101_0262 - Copy.JPG 101_0262 - Copy.JPG](https://therpf-f28a.kxcdn.com/forums/data/attachments/1244/1244979-0d0fa570953aba1afd8d4fe05b21098b.jpg)
![101_0266 - Copy.JPG 101_0266 - Copy.JPG](https://therpf-f28a.kxcdn.com/forums/data/attachments/1244/1244980-d3c8d3bec1a9538f966fc98e9e578d02.jpg)
"Smash-molding" a new planetary sensor dome and dome base for the lower saucer section:
![101_0269 - Copy.JPG 101_0269 - Copy.JPG](https://therpf-f28a.kxcdn.com/forums/data/attachments/1244/1244981-102205099595ea2536611eeb1b19d719.jpg)
![101_0270 - Copy.JPG 101_0270 - Copy.JPG](https://therpf-f28a.kxcdn.com/forums/data/attachments/1244/1244982-f077e5969a6b67b20df35e6668df460e.jpg)
![101_0273 - Copy.JPG 101_0273 - Copy.JPG](https://therpf-f28a.kxcdn.com/forums/data/attachments/1244/1244983-e3945c37e6ca58eb91711d7e5a2c0ca8.jpg)
![101_0275 - Copy.JPG 101_0275 - Copy.JPG](https://therpf-f28a.kxcdn.com/forums/data/attachments/1244/1244984-bdd55ae1c8474261b412d5bfc402880c.jpg)
A new Main Bridge dome (my reference is in the back on the screen in the first pic):
![101_0277 - Copy.JPG 101_0277 - Copy.JPG](https://therpf-f28a.kxcdn.com/forums/data/attachments/1244/1244985-45f263f3fcef37feab3d4f2be2994414.jpg)
![101_0278 - Copy.JPG 101_0278 - Copy.JPG](https://therpf-f28a.kxcdn.com/forums/data/attachments/1244/1244986-1b1eeaecfe816b77ecfb3b6ff239ec68.jpg)
![101_0280 - Copy.JPG 101_0280 - Copy.JPG](https://therpf-f28a.kxcdn.com/forums/data/attachments/1244/1244987-fec7a37e99a150232f11405972db5020.jpg)
Redid the 3 blocks under the Bussard collector (old piece was wayyyyy too short and inaccurate!)
![101_0281 - Copy.JPG 101_0281 - Copy.JPG](https://therpf-f28a.kxcdn.com/forums/data/attachments/1244/1244988-cd8f3b788c127094b8975ea6ee8fbf91.jpg)
Removed, realigned and remounted warp engine pylons to the nacelles. I scrapped the old pylons (they were far too flimsy) and using the old pylons, fabricated a new set from solid styrene plate:
![101_0287 - Copy.JPG 101_0287 - Copy.JPG](https://therpf-f28a.kxcdn.com/forums/data/attachments/1244/1244989-d6898a0a011daa772b2170dadfad9626.jpg)
![101_0289 - Copy.JPG 101_0289 - Copy.JPG](https://therpf-f28a.kxcdn.com/forums/data/attachments/1244/1244990-1832d54eb67cc857ab89eaaf9c0678b4.jpg)
Since the secondary hull had a rather nasty habit of cracking, splitting and generally falling apart, I reinforced the living daylights out of it with some very heavy styrene plate, Devcon Plastic Welder, and judiciously applied model cement. the heaviest reinforcement was at the internal mounting block for the warp pylon tabs: this essentially became a solid block of styrene after the plastic and adhesives were added. I also added tabs to provide more gluing surface and to lock the halves together, as well as heavy reinforcement against "crush pressure" above the mounting post at the bottom:
![101_0302 - Copy.JPG 101_0302 - Copy.JPG](https://therpf-f28a.kxcdn.com/forums/data/attachments/1244/1244991-cb4235a18be3146f1fb9f63f2d1ecccd.jpg)
![101_0305 - Copy.JPG 101_0305 - Copy.JPG](https://therpf-f28a.kxcdn.com/forums/data/attachments/1244/1244992-4529c37899ec63938dbfddb287f3e52e.jpg)
![101_0307 - Copy.JPG 101_0307 - Copy.JPG](https://therpf-f28a.kxcdn.com/forums/data/attachments/1244/1244993-da924c032a062e738b2dea8f3886d861.jpg)
Warp nacelles test fitted; slight variances, but not enough to dissuade me. New pylons are mounted in the correct position on the nacelles; the old position was incorrect (compared to official blueprints). Also, secondary hull now sealed up:
![101_0314 - Copy.JPG 101_0314 - Copy.JPG](https://therpf-f28a.kxcdn.com/forums/data/attachments/1244/1244994-ece311c2ebd6acf19eb36c4ad8090512.jpg)
![101_0315 - Copy.JPG 101_0315 - Copy.JPG](https://therpf-f28a.kxcdn.com/forums/data/attachments/1244/1244995-3395ece79a22fc8fad5772965a394995.jpg)
![101_0316 - Copy.JPG 101_0316 - Copy.JPG](https://therpf-f28a.kxcdn.com/forums/data/attachments/1244/1244996-88ffc96b50823ca8326a4a33dcbfb0d9.jpg)
Final assembly and start of painting:
![101_0317 - Copy.JPG 101_0317 - Copy.JPG](https://therpf-f28a.kxcdn.com/forums/data/attachments/1244/1244997-704f5ceec880c84cea3f8d3fd416d8f1.jpg)
![101_0320 - Copy.JPG 101_0320 - Copy.JPG](https://therpf-f28a.kxcdn.com/forums/data/attachments/1244/1244998-845ec5d63d5dacb06f7e97d38efda140.jpg)
Decalling and weathering:
![101_0366 - Copy.JPG 101_0366 - Copy.JPG](https://therpf-f28a.kxcdn.com/forums/data/attachments/1244/1244999-c38fb74a7d7cc1843dbf52df324d13f5.jpg)
![101_0367.JPG 101_0367.JPG](https://therpf-f28a.kxcdn.com/forums/data/attachments/1245/1245013-3c152c7ba785d7689bb50e8046a9285a.jpg)
![101_0368.JPG 101_0368.JPG](https://therpf-f28a.kxcdn.com/forums/data/attachments/1245/1245000-6681d9887a8e6f11e31fb8af19361a34.jpg)
![101_0372.JPG 101_0372.JPG](https://therpf-f28a.kxcdn.com/forums/data/attachments/1245/1245001-ee9f52cc4776deb63229294257f77437.jpg)
Final shots on stand with my scratchbuild of the Cassini space probe:
![101_0392.JPG 101_0392.JPG](https://therpf-f28a.kxcdn.com/forums/data/attachments/1245/1245002-0736d9fdd7dba141b053d58f75cf32ce.jpg)
![101_0393.JPG 101_0393.JPG](https://therpf-f28a.kxcdn.com/forums/data/attachments/1245/1245003-c312cf323b16a52c071f4530308e4a6d.jpg)
![101_0394.JPG 101_0394.JPG](https://therpf-f28a.kxcdn.com/forums/data/attachments/1245/1245004-3e42bc89988263d8e29b374565bb04bc.jpg)
![101_0395.JPG 101_0395.JPG](https://therpf-f28a.kxcdn.com/forums/data/attachments/1245/1245005-9706e59d7b9c63b416809f5cedf90a35.jpg)
![101_0396.JPG 101_0396.JPG](https://therpf-f28a.kxcdn.com/forums/data/attachments/1245/1245006-8249f236d7dd8998040d81c78cb2b93e.jpg)
Cassini:
![101_0397.JPG 101_0397.JPG](https://therpf-f28a.kxcdn.com/forums/data/attachments/1245/1245007-0b555e60eeb58fa9f0673f3632bb4c65.jpg)
![101_0398.JPG 101_0398.JPG](https://therpf-f28a.kxcdn.com/forums/data/attachments/1245/1245008-4215b25307c9830815c412999de7cfdf.jpg)
![101_0399.JPG 101_0399.JPG](https://therpf-f28a.kxcdn.com/forums/data/attachments/1245/1245009-a68ff17e9e303965c5a8380ed1ef171b.jpg)
A few extra details: 1) I added a post extending from the inside of the bridge dome down through the bottom of the planetary sensor for support and to prevent the hollow saucer from compression damage (the end of the post is actually just outside the ship, as the small "nipple" on the planetary sensor!); 2) I removed the old Bussard domes and smash molded a new pair out of plexiglass, which I then sanded and painted translucent orange, and added an inner piece to replicate the Bussard blades (I replicated the same effect I got from my 1/1000 TOS E build!); 3) I added an upper and lower set of navigation lights and hangar bay dome, all molded from plexiglass using an old paint brush handle:
![101_0400.JPG 101_0400.JPG](https://therpf-f28a.kxcdn.com/forums/data/attachments/1245/1245010-e7d6d97caf1ea7f7ada5583df5ca8d1e.jpg)
![101_0401.JPG 101_0401.JPG](https://therpf-f28a.kxcdn.com/forums/data/attachments/1245/1245011-2062a61a94aa05cafa984e03eb308f4a.jpg)
Comparison to my 1/1000 build:
![101_0403.JPG 101_0403.JPG](https://therpf-f28a.kxcdn.com/forums/data/attachments/1245/1245012-ad82e28bd0aecef0f40238174783725b.jpg)
Thanks for looking, folks! See you again soon!
Last edited: