Scratchbuilding 33 inch Enterprise

[trekman1017]

For many years I have been aptempting to build a large sacle model of the USS ENTERPRISE from the origional Star Trek series. After much reshearch and many trials and errors (many more shure to come) I have reached a point where I can begin to build a replica of the 33 inch Enterprise used as one of the three filming models through the Original Series. I have been inspired by Shaw, who has built a 2/3 scale model of the ship and detailed it elsewhere on this forum.

http://www.therpf.com/f11/two-thirds-scale-33-inch-tos-enterprise-78202/#post1102253

Pictures to come if I find a way to successfully upload them.

 

[trekman1017]

The plugs are made of foam core board ,filled with light weight Spackle, and sanded to shape. Plastic is then vacuumed over the plug. As this is my first attempt my first pull (the B/C deck structure) requires a lot of putty and sanding.

 

[trekman1017]

Progress. Now to fill the gaps with light weight Spackling

 

[vaderman1701]

Great start. One word of caution about using the foam core and spackle as the vacuform plug. Foam core and the spackle will allow air through the plug and could draw the plastic too much. You may want to consider putting a coat of bondo on the top and a sheet of plastic on the bottom.

We learned hard way.

Scott

 

[Shaw]

Looks like you are off to a great start. :thumbsup

I had considered doing my second attempt at one-to-one scale with the original model, but when I couldn't find a place to easily lay my plans out flat, I decided to hold off on a larger model for a while.

Best of luck with your build!

 

[trekman1017]

Thanks vaderman that explains the wrinkles on my B/C deck. It will save filling and sanding time in the future. I am having trouble finding a sheet of plastic big enough for the 15 inch saucer.

 

[imaginager]

HIGH-IMPACT STYRENE - (HIGH IMPACT STYRENE) Sheet - Order Online

 

[trekman1017]

Thank you

 

[trekman1017]

To show the differences from the 33 inch and 11 foot I overlapped the best available diagrams of the two. The 33 inch is red and the 11 foot is black.

 

[Shaw]

I am going to be updating the 33 inch plans in the coming months... incorporating notes I made during the building process of my two attempts. Nothing major, but version 2.0 of the plans will hopefully be much better.

If you are working from my plans, have you printed them out yet? And if so, from what source?

While the JPEG version from Star Trek LCARS Blueprint Database (which can be found here) are convenient for looking at them, I'd think that the PDF version would be more helpful if you wanted to get full size prints from some place like Kinko's.

You can get the PDF version here...

Click to download (PDF, 2.7 MB)​

The plans were drawn at 24" x 36", and this PDF should print out properly at that size (giving a good one-to-one scale reference to the original model).

 

[trekman1017]

I have not figured out how to print them at full size, but I have been printing small sections from the LCARS database source. What changes do you plan to make?

 

[Shaw]

Not a ton from a model building point of view... I rushed the back view of the secondary hull (first mistake I noticed when I started my first attempt) which should be ignored. I've been debating window placement (specially on the dorsal), and have far better reference images for that type of thing than I had back in 2007.

Otherwise, the main thing I've wanted to do is expand the plans to include the pilot configuration and a more fully detailed version of Jefferies' original plans for the models. That plus an extensive history of the model would make the plans pretty complete (and would expand it from 4 sheets to 10 or 11 sheets).

What I'm not sure I'm going to include is a list of the flaws/scars on the model. Generally the types of things that could be used to authenticate the original model if it turns up.


But like I said... Kinko's was where I went to get them printed up. The best thing to do is find some place reasonably priced. If you are anything like me, then you'll be drawing on and cutting up the plans during the building. So getting replacements might be necessary.

 

[trekman1017]

Could you send me all of your reference pictures? they would be a great help to me.

 

[vaderman1701]

How is you progress on this?

 

[trekman1017]

Still sculpting the saucer, pictures soon.

 

[trekman1017]

Almost done sculpting the saucer. Here it is with a DVD for size comparison.

 

[Shaw]

Could you send me all of your reference pictures? they would be a great help to me.

All? No... I'm not the proper owner of some of them.

Many (maybe even most)... sure. I'll have to go through them to figure out which are sharable, so it won't be right away.

 

[trekman1017]

Progress has been slow due to my studies but here I am as of now, still sculpting the saucer. I plan to start on the star drive section by Sunday. Shaw, how are those updated plans coming?

 

[Shaw]

Shaw, how are those updated plans coming?

Still just a collection of notes... I haven't had the time to do much Trek stuff since last September. :unsure

 

[crackerjazz]

Wildly anticipating those updates, Shaw. Your work on the 33-inch Methuselah model and that photo you posted triggered something in me that makes me want that model so badly.

We're cheering for you, Trekman. That comparison diagram you made explains why the 33-inch on the photo seems to have a case of kyphosis, however subtle, but strangely, enough for me to prefer it over the 11-foot - aside from an 11-foot model not being likely to get approval from head of security (wife).