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Anyone still build models?

He's pointing out that the Defiant is scaled too big, which it is.

Being that we've never got an official size for the Defiant, I assume the kit makers simply scaled it small enough that looks "almost" the right size, while still big enough to light and detail appropriately.

It's still very small.
NQM5Z7R.jpeg

Oh ok I thought he meant the show, haha... Hey tough little ship
 
An interesting use of a Death Star model—and they call Daedalus little

I love the direction this is going

The unbreaker
 
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An interesting use of a Death Star model—and they call Daedalus little

I love the direction this is going
That's interesting. Seeing that attempt at a Daedalus reminded me that I've always kinda liked the Daedalus. If I ever get into 3D printing, or if I can find a place anywhere near me that does printing, I've always thought this particular version would be a fun build that would look great with lighting.
Eys9zgD.jpeg
ygHXZcp.jpeg
 
That's interesting. Seeing that attempt at a Daedalus reminded me that I've always kinda liked the Daedalus. If I ever get into 3D printing, or if I can find a place anywhere near me that does printing, I've always thought this particular version would be a fun build that would look great with lighting.
Eys9zgD.jpeg
ygHXZcp.jpeg


Neat
 
Something I was thinking about—
Some QR codes are quite elaborate, as you can see here:

I was thinking that Section 31 ships could have that in place of a typical Aztec pattern from version 10-25.
The Borg would have version 40.

A QR code surface pattern would lend enemy ships a soulless, impersonal look.

Photoetch from other projects may be useful as well;

I am often more enamored with 3D print support lattices than what they are meant to support.
 
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The many stages of painting the lower half of the Saucer. ....

First primer...
qbzV0Ia.jpeg


Followed by blackening for light blocking...
jdhjtkt.jpeg
GBERnaE.jpeg
E4CMIxq.jpeg


Followed by a reflective silver for light blocking...
qAGzFow.jpeg


Followed by specifically blackening areas where the plastic is thinner and light will absolutely come through....
gTXTCja.jpeg


Followed by finally getting the base coat on, which still looks a little blochy after 3 coats!?
xyca9hJ.jpeg


Thankfully it's mostly the light catching areas where the texture is a little off because of a cheap air brush and a lazy painter....

besides, it's the darker shade of silver that will be masked off for aztecing and mostly covered by the primary colour that's lighter and slightly bronze, so it should look fine in the end once I put a gloss coat of clear onto her.

Progess!!
 
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Was feeling a little unsure of my darker silver being enough of a contrasting colour compared to the lighter, slightly bronze colour I'm going with for the overall hull, so I did a little test. Surprisingly, I'm pretty happy with the results.
0UA9knJ.jpeg

The two pics of the end result are under different lighting conditions. I think once I get the whole hull covered, it'll really "pop."
 
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Was feeling a little unsure of my darker silver being enough of a contrasting colour compared to the lighter, slightly bronze colour I'm going with for the overall hull, so I did a little test. Surprisingly, I'm pretty happy with the results.
0UA9knJ.jpeg

The two pics of the end result are under different lighting conditions. I think once I get the whole hull covered, it'll really "pop."
That looks cool!
 
Was feeling a little unsure of my darker silver being enough of a contrasting colour compared to the lighter, slightly bronze colour I'm going with for the overall hull, so I did a little test. Surprisingly, I'm pretty happy with the results.
0UA9knJ.jpeg

The two pics of the end result are under different lighting conditions. I think once I get the whole hull covered, it'll really "pop."
That looks great! Thanks for the breakdown. Do you do anything to the masking tape to make it less sticky? The last time I tried doing some airbrushing and masking, the tape just pulled my paint clean off. It was very frustrating!
 
That looks great! Thanks for the breakdown. Do you do anything to the masking tape to make it less sticky? The last time I tried doing some airbrushing and masking, the tape just pulled my paint clean off. It was very frustrating!
I only use Tamiya tape. I've never once had it pull the paint. It certainly cost more than regular masking tape, but it's worth every penny. I also never put tape on any paint that hasn't cured for at least 24 hours. With the case of this kit, I'm also using vinyl masks.
 
The many stages of painting the lower half of the Saucer. ....

First primer...
qbzV0Ia.jpeg


Followed by blackening for light blocking...
jdhjtkt.jpeg
GBERnaE.jpeg
E4CMIxq.jpeg


Followed by a reflective silver for light blocking...
qAGzFow.jpeg


Followed by specifically blackening areas where the plastic is thinner and light will absolutely come through....
gTXTCja.jpeg


Followed by finally getting the base coat on, which still looks a little blochy after 3 coats!?
xyca9hJ.jpeg


Thankfully it's mostly the light catching areas where the texture is a little off because of a cheap air brush and a lazy painter....

besides, it's the darker shade of silver that will be masked off for aztecing and mostly covered by the primary colour that's lighter and slightly bronze, so it should look fine in the end once I put a gloss coat of clear onto her.

Progess!!

Definitely tell these are a labor of love.
 
Definitely tell these are a labor of love.
Yeah, it most cases. Definitely with the NX-01. I've always wanted a 1:350 scale NX-01, but being a 20 year old kit, they were priced very very high, and I couldn't bring myself to spend that kinda money. Luckily, last year Dennis sent me one that he had stashed away! I feel I owe it to both him and myself to do a good job.
 
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