Building the Eaglemoss Enterprise-D partwork

[137th Gebirg]

One of Eaglemoss' biggest weaknesses was how windows have been handled. The smaller main-line series nearly always had the paint application mis-aligned with the physical indentations in the model where the windows are supposed to be.

But, yeah, if this larger-scale model reproduced the window configuration precisely to the original, then it should probably be ILM to blame for that than Eaglemoss. The Sternbach blueprints (IIRC based off the original filming miniature) may best explain why the windows are the way they are.

 

[cardinal biggles]

If those are crew quarters, they could be sectioned into different areas and someone might either have the lights off or the blinds drawn.

 

[137th Gebirg]

Oh yeah! I forgot they actually did that. Makes sense ships would have that, though.

 

[cardinal biggles]

I'm struggling to remember another time they did it, though; they usually seemed to sleep with the windows "open."

 

[137th Gebirg]

Well it is always night in space!

I want to say maybe "Generations", when they had the stark lighting from the Armagosa star. The scene with Picard reminiscing over his recently-burned family in that lighting was particularly striking. I'm probably mis-remembering, though. Can't recall another time they would have used the shades.

 

[cardinal biggles]

^It's hard to tell because of the filming angles used, but the windows are open.

 

[Turd Ferguson]

I've been toying with the idea of subscribing to one of the Eaglemoss editions, either the Enterprise-D, DeLorean or Ecto-1. The cost isn't an issue (lol) to me. I just wish you could get all the editions and issues at once so I could build the whole thing at one time instead of having a bunch of random screws and parts sitting around taking up space for 2+ years.

 

[slvrpltd]

hello all,

i'm also a builder (located in germany) who started this partwork. i did my own waterslide decals for the lifeboat hatches from 001 to 500 (though i have to revise and have them printed again as a uv print). however, i don't know how to apply them: where would be 001 be? where 002? where 003? and so on... do you have any meaningful placement that makes sense? i already tried to contact sternbach, okuda, drexler and probert. less surprisingly, they did not respond. so what do you guys think?

thank you for your advise.

 

[cardinal biggles]

hello all,

i'm also a builder (located in germany) who started this partwork. i did my own waterslide decals for the lifeboat hatches from 001 to 500 (though i have to revise and have them printed again as a uv print). however, i don't know how to apply them: where would be 001 be? where 002? where 003? and so on... do you have any meaningful placement that makes sense? i already tried to contact sternbach, okuda, drexler and probert. less surprisingly, they did not respond. so what do you guys think?

Going off the Enterprise-D blueprints that Rick Sternbach did after the series wrapped, it doesn't really matter. The lifeboat hatches seem to be numbered randomly, and in some cases repeat multiple times. Case in point, if you look at the hatches on Sheet 2 (the ventral surface plan view) in the area around the starboard saucer impulse engine, there's at least six hatches numbered "013." So, in my opinion, do it however makes you happy.

 

[slvrpltd]

The lifeboat hatches seem to be numbered randomly

that's exactly the reason why i asked for a meaningful way. i guess that the rick sternbach, mike okuda, doug drexler or andy probert could justify an order which would made sense.

 

[Leathco]

I've been toying with the idea of subscribing to one of the Eaglemoss editions, either the Enterprise-D, DeLorean or Ecto-1. The cost isn't an issue (lol) to me. I just wish you could get all the editions and issues at once so I could build the whole thing at one time instead of having a bunch of random screws and parts sitting around taking up space for 2+ years.

If you are interested, I'd recommend going ahead and getting the whichever one you want (although come on, you're on TrekBBS, you want the Enterprise!) just because every once in a while a part might get broken in the mail or in the warehouse and it's easier to get the replacements while they are doing the model instead of WAY after the fact. Honestly, if I had the cash I would be doing a few more of these. If they are still around, I am looking at the half scale R2-D2 and the half scare T-800 Terminator kits that I have seen World of Wayne do on YouTube, they look incredible! If those aren't around, I'll likely stick with the Eaglemoss Delorean or Ecto-1. First though, the Enterprise!

 

[F. King Daniel]

That doesn't mean it makes sense, the show has done quite a few illogical things that don't hold up to scrutiny. It's not a big deal but I can't help but notice the very narrow rooms.

That's where the single junior officers sleep.

 

[Takeru]

That's where the single junior officers sleep.

At least they get a window unlike Worf and Geordie (and Data but he wouldn't care either way), I never understood why they put them in the windowless boxes when they were a senior officers.

 

[Leathco]

At least they get a window unlike Worf and Geordie (and Data but he wouldn't care either way), I never understood why they put them in the windowless boxes when they were a senior officers.

I'd request an inner hull quarters. Imagine a disruptor strike to your quarters with the nice window. Even if it is transparent aluminum, I think I'd rather have multiple layers of duranium between me and that blast.

 

[Takeru]

I'd request an inner hull quarters. Imagine a disruptor strike to your quarters with the nice window. Even if it is transparent aluminum, I think I'd rather have multiple layers of duranium between me and that blast.

You would, Worf would probably request quarters in the line of fire.

 

[cardinal biggles]

I doubt Drexler would know; he wasn't involved with Next Gen until the third season, and then it was doing makeup; he didn't shift over to

At least they get a window unlike Worf and Geordie (and Data but he wouldn't care either way), I never understood why they put them in the windowless boxes when they were a senior officers.

The Sternbach blueprints put Data, Worf, and Geordi all having quarters on Deck 2, which has a grouping of windows that are basically skylights right over where that group of rooms are. So I'm guessing they had those windows, but because of ___insert budget-related excuse here___, we never saw them.

 

[publiusr]

Kinda reminds me of this
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dense_Pack

 

[Leathco]

Shipment 4 showed up today, so let's have a look.

Stages 11 through 14

The saucer frame is getting rather large. I was storing my parts in a box that some of the parts shipped in, but after this build the saucer frame is now too large to fit in that box. This is definitely going to be a "big boi" ship! Strangely, one section of the frame doesn't have the shiny finish the rest of the frame has, instead being more of a matte finish. I don't think it matters as none of the frame will be visible after the ship is complete, but thought I would point it out.

More work on the impulse section. When they say the model is packed with lights, they aren't joking. I'm curious (although also hesitant) to see how all these are going to plug into a power board and where that board will be located. I'm also really hoping for easy battery access and that there's not a bunch of disassembly that needs done if a battery needs changed.

This section is just missing the shuttlebay doors. Looks pretty good! The smaller lower windows were NOT individual pieces this time, but formed plastic sections that dropped in. While the guide doesn't tell you this, I have found (mostly from watching World of Wayne) that a tiny dot of super glue on the section that holds the LED in place is a huge help to drop them in and have them held in place as you mount the reflectors. I did mess up one section when running the lights and ran the same wire in a spot the guide tells you to run a new one, but if you use just a tiny drop you can pull the LED back off and than place it in the proper spot as I found when I fixed this error. A close look by the shuttlebay doors shows a section that looks like windows but with no coloring on the hull, just the same gray. I have seen other builders fill this in with a fine tip black marker. I am considering doing this on my model as well, but for now leaving it as is.

All lit up! Glad to finally see that impulse engine installed and lit. It appears the upper windows are a bit dimmer than the smaller lower ones, and if you are looking close you can tell by the brightness differences the area where the LEDs are fitted on the lower section. Likely not very noticeable once everything is fully assembled.

Just one final shot in a darkened room. The difference in lighting is more noticeable when the room is dark, not noticeable at all in a lit room. Impulse engine looks great! That's all for this shipment, see you in a few weeks with another update!

 

[yotsuya]

Beautiful model. I just wish they hadn't made it at such an oddball scale.

 

[publiusr]

The impulse is wide as it should be...