TOS AMT/ERTL 18 inch Enterprise Custom Build

[Chrisisall]

Thanks, just make sure you have a lot of time, patience, and also a good electronics lighting kit doesn't hurt.:lol

This (the Enterprise) is my favourite spaceship design of all time. You have done her such supreme justice that I can't fully & successfully put into words the extreme and exquisite emotional resonance evoked by your absolutely lovingly detailed work.
-or-
TOTALLY COOL, DUDE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I will
will will WILL
do one nearly as good!

:lol

 

[spacerone]

Chrisisall thanks! I look forward to seeing your progress on your ship. I know you can build it. The Enterprise is hailing, we need more starships!:lol

 

[saarno]

Great job on your 18" AMT Enterprise build! Just looked at your thread. I've been working on one myself and am curious as to how you drilled out the rectangular windows so cleanly? I have ultra fine drill bits - perfect for the round windows used with a Dremel. Thinking of drilling pilot holes and then manually filing out the rectangles.

 

[DrMcoy]

sweet build.

thanks for posting pics.

 

[trekriffic]

That turned out very nice! Cudos to you for putting in all the effort to make a splendid version of this iconic ship!

 

[TruBlood]

Awesome build! I am just starting on mine. I hope it looks half that good when finished.

 

[JMChladek]

Great job on your 18" AMT Enterprise build! Just looked at your thread. I've been working on one myself and am curious as to how you drilled out the rectangular windows so cleanly? I have ultra fine drill bits - perfect for the round windows used with a Dremel. Thinking of drilling pilot holes and then manually filing out the rectangles.

In my experience, that is the best way to do it. Or after marking the window borders with a pen so you can see them, drill out the corners of the windows (don't go to the edge) and drill more holes along the edge if the window is a long rectangle, then remove the center material and file into the proper shape right up the edges. With small square and rectangular needle files, the process can be tedious, but the results usually end up looking good in the end.

 

[trekriffic]

In my experience, that is the best way to do it. Or after marking the window borders with a pen so you can see them, drill out the corners of the windows (don't go to the edge) and drill more holes along the edge if the window is a long rectangle, then remove the center material and file into the proper shape right up the edges. With small square and rectangular needle files, the process can be tedious, but the results usually end up looking good in the end.

Exactly the process I used when I did my 18". Tedious as you say but I can't think of a better method.

 

[Ray22]

You never get tired of seeing a Enterprise build beautiful job.

 

[Vidar 710]

I used the 18" kit to build the Copernicus from Star Trek Phase II. If I had remembered that I had a stack of 22" cuta-a-ways in storage, it would have been a different project.
I felt compelled to fix the inaccuracies in the kit before emplimenting the saucer and nacels to the Copernicus project.
GT Graphics makes the most accurate parts for this kit anywhere and was nice enough to donate some of his products for this build. Thnx again Jeff!

1. Saucer profile - ERTL edge is too virticle, needs more angle
2. Saucer contour - remove the hard edge, fill 3 divits, and remove planetary dome bases lip
3. Bridge and B deck profile

1a. Here styreen is laminated to the side of the lower saucer to build a base to correct the angle.
Copernicus :: Laminated Styreen picture by Tracy_Mann - Photobucket
1b. Results
Copernicus :: Profile corrected picture by Tracy_Mann - Photobucket
2a. Filled the bottom saucer with cheap resin to give strength and support before grinding out the correct bottom profile - resin
Copernicus :: Re-Enforcement picture by Tracy_Mann - Photobucket
2b. Using a dremel w/ drum sander to grind out the hard edge, then smoth with varing grits of sand paper to work down to the proper profile.
Copernicus :: Filler picture by Tracy_Mann - Photobucket
and finished... NO LIP
Copernicus :: Corrected saucer picture by Tracy_Mann - Photobucket
3a. Fixing the bridge and B deck. removed cutting horizontaly, not down into the saucer.
Copernicus :: Saucer and Plug picture by Tracy_Mann - Photobucket
3b. Styreen plug
Copernicus :: Top on picture by Tracy_Mann - Photobucket
3c. Referance for correct B deck profile directly from Custom Replica's 5 1/2' Enterprise
- Copernicus :: A/B Deck Comparison picture by Tracy_Mann - Photobucket
- B deck filled with resin to allow gringing to shape
Copernicus :: Before picture by Tracy_Mann - Photobucket
Results - Copernicus :: After picture by Tracy_Mann - Photobucket
3d. Fully corrected with new bridge
Copernicus :: A/B bridge complete picture by Tracy_Mann - Photobucket
Mold and cast new master.
Copernicus :: Bridge A/B deck ready for rubber picture by Tracy_Mann - Photobucket
Copernicus finished with corrected Enteprise sections and JT Graphics parts a decals.
Copernicus :: 8Completed1.jpg picture by Tracy_Mann - Photobucket

Tracy

 

[saarno]

Needle files work like a charm on the rectangular windows. Also using a Dremel reamer bit to open up the window opening more and reducing the amount of filing needed. Looks nasty at first until the corners take shape. Most of the ones I've done so far extend just outside the window border, but when smoothed out and held against a worklight for backlighting, they look great!

 

[trekriffic]

On my 18 incher I wanted the lit windows to look lit even when the power was off so I covered the clear resin with white decal film. The resin wasn't all that transparent anyway after I got done sanding the outside; more translucent. The decal film gave the windows a nice even glow when lit.

 

[crowe t]

I finished my ship. Here are some photo's of the ship, let me know what you think. I did a little photoshop to them, one of them shows part of the stand and one without. Click on the last photo and you will see a short video of the ship with the lights working. The light kit really brings the ship to life.

Click on this last photo to see the short video of the ship.

spacerone,

This is very nicely done! I like the lighted end caps.

 

[spacerone]

spacerone,

This is very nicely done! I like the lighted end caps.

Thanks!

I may build another one soon. But not sure if it should be another AMT 18 inch or the AMT 22 inch cutaway Or both.