Star Trek USS Centaur studio scale

[Section 31]

The tank tracks appear to be 'panzer iii/iv track link type 7'

I don't know which exact parts were used on the studio model, only that they're 1/35 scale. I found it hard to get accurate parts, as many are the early ones with the hollow central guide prong. Mine are supposed to be later ones with the solid central guide prong, but mine lack the prong groves as seen on the real life version.

If you Google 'panzer iii/iv track link type 7' an article pops up with the real life tracks. It's my best guess and I don't know which kit parts were originally used.

 

[Little Angel]

Great. Thanks!

I have lots of ideas on how to repurpose the grooves, and even the central manufacturing circles, into something interesting.

I may be able to work with what I have, but I'll look to see if I can get better reference.

A

 

[Little Angel]

It certainly gives it a sense of scale and mass when you see it as a block of cast iron:

 

[stevielewis]

I have some individual tracks yet that I used on my two Centaur builds. I'll try to get some pics taken of them from all sides.

 

[Little Angel]

Awesome. Thank you. I started modelling the actual tread link, but realized I’d fallen down a rabbit hole of too-much-detail that I didn’t need and was not present in the kit part or greeble. Reference of the plastic part would greatly appreciated!

 

[BolianAdmiral]

A good friend pointed me to this thread. Some extremely impressive work being done here! Kudos to all involved.

 

[stevielewis]

Thank you. Glad we can be of assistance for you.

 

[stevielewis]

I finally got some time to take photos of the Panzer III/IV tank tracks I used on my two Centaur builds. They are the best I can do using my cell phone. If I can find the cords for my camera, I'll be able to take better photos and download them to my computer. Right now my SD card reader is not working, thus using my cell phone. Anyway, here are the photos:

I hope these work out for you Adam.

 

[Little Angel]

Awesome! Thank you!

I've started modelling ... but with your images, I can refine it even more:

Gyazo

 

[Little Angel]

Looking forward...

If anyone has the time...

... would be an image of the bridge either by itself or before the shuttle bay is attached.

I'm sure I can find images of a miranda bridge online, but when I get the calipers out, the shuttle bay cowling does get in the way.

 

[stevielewis]

Would a Enterprise Refit bridge work for you? I thought I had a Reliant bridge left over from other builds, but I can't find it. Let me know.

 

[Little Angel]

@stevielewis I don't suppose it would hurt!

No rush, as I'm still moving slowly... but when planning the next phase, it did occur to me that this would be an extra challenge.

 

[Little Angel]

FWIW: I found this the other day:

Greebles: How Tiny Details Make a Huge Star Wars Universe

Did you know the engine panels on the back of the Millennium Falcon were shovels from a bulldozer?

www.denofgeek.com

 

[stevielewis]

I understand. The article is fantastic! Thanks for sharing. I'll keep looking for the Reliant bridge piece in the mean time.

 

[Little Angel]

That article mentions how using pre-made greebles saves time..

The ridiculous amount of time I'm spending trying to make these greebles accurate is actually nuts!

(But then they also say that in the article... Pick a random kit piece and the next thing you know people need to meticulously match it... oh well...)

And I hate this greeble!

Most of the underside of the dish was done in a hurry to meet Gary Hutzel's needs for shooting.

After I make one version of the ship as accurate as possible, I'm probably going to go back and "fix" some of these greebles and try to make them feel a little less stuck on at random.

A

 

[stevielewis]

I always though that that particular greeble you are working on was in homage to the markings on the underside of the original Enterprise NCC-1701, or that it represented the "landing gear" for the main hull.

 

[Little Angel]

Heh - thanks for the vote of confidence!

The entire undercarriage was rushed and not very well thought through and most of the detailed pieces just feel "stuck on".

"Fixing" them will be a thing for a later date.

Right now I *am* going to concentrate on the most accuracy I can.

I did embellish some details that were too small to see, such as the circles on the tank treads, but that was as much as an experiment in using the software as it was a necessity:

The "rings" themselves are probably just errors or artefacts from the molding process.

 

[stevielewis]

You are correct in that they are "errors" as in those circles are known as "ejector pin" marks. They happen when the polystyrene molded product is separated from the castings. (I probably said that wrong and anyone who wants to correct me, please do.) I would leave those flat surfaces empty and not bother with trying to make something of those circles.

 

[Starchwreck]

I've pretty much finished up my Centaur model! Thanks to all who posted the pics and parts lists! They were invaluable. I tried to match the look of the studio model. I still need to get the M2 Bradley piece and another Reliant bridge back for the bridge, but I can add them later. I also will get around to filling the nacelle gaps which I forgot about one of these days.

 

[Little Angel]

I've pretty much finished up my Centaur model! Thanks to all who posted the pics and parts lists! They were invaluable. I tried to match the look of the studio model. I still need to get the M2 Bradley piece and another Reliant bridge back for the bridge, but I can add them later. I also will get around to filling the nacelle gaps which I forgot about one of these days.

Wow! That's absolutely fantastic!

I had to go into my study to make sure mine was still there!

Amazing attention to detail.

Well done!