Star Trek Model Help

stargazer

New Member
Hi guys,

I would like to make a star trek model from scratch. However, I don't know where to start. Any suggestions?
 
Your best bet for a scratch build is either the defiant or the TOS enterprise. They're the simplest and have the most references. How are you planning to build? Materials, manufacturing methods and tools available?
 
Your best bet for a scratch build is either the defiant or the TOS enterprise. They're the simplest and have the most references. How are you planning to build? Materials, manufacturing methods and tools available?
captainreynolds, I am new to modeling and I don't really know what materials or tools to use.
 
I've never done a scratch build myself, but I know it is quite an involved process.
My reasoning for myself if I were to do so, would be to build a commercial kit of the ship you are most interested in to become familiar with it's design, paint scheme, etc.
This way you will acquire some basic tools, skills, more intimate knowledge of the chosen modeling subject before jumping into a scratch build.
 
Welcome aboard!

If you're insistent about scratchbuilding it, the TOS shuttle would certainly be doable. Off the top of my head, the Tholian ship shouldn't be too hard, and the original Romulan Bird of Prey would be a possibility. You might also look at the old Daedalus class starship.

Another idea to consider would be kitbashing - taking an existing kit and using the parts to make something new. The original Enterprise, refit, and Enterprise-D are all very customizable. (And a number of ships from the TV shows were made that exact way, from mass produced kits.)
 
I've become a fan of building with Styrene, if you can find a supplier of this in large sheets it's quite affordable and comes in various thicknesses. Also lots of strips of various shapes and sizes. Model kits are made of styrene so you could kitbash parts onto the styrene using the same glue (I use methyline chloride).
I just got into scratch building a couple years ago and have been adding what I've learned and done in my blog:
Gattaca Models and Props: YT-1000 Part 1 Shaping the YT-1000
 
If you're new to modelling I wouldn't have suggested scratch building yet; my recommendation would be to buy a couple of kits and get the hang of it all before diving straight in the deep end. However if you really do feel you want to scratch build, then experiment with cheap materials such as a cardboard and old odds and ends.
I'm not a Star Trek modeller so that's as much as I can suggest.
GOod luck!
 
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