1/2500 Enterprise C and E WIP

[Turbo]

You might have seen my "model newbie" thread a week or so ago.

I've acquired a Polar Lights Enterprise from a poster at Starship Modeler (yay!), but while I'm waiting for it to get here, I decided that I needed something a bit more disposable to practice on. My local hobby shop (which just reopened after moving; thank god for that) had the second 1/2500 Enterprise set available, so I picked it up.

After test fitting the ships together, I decided that the Enterprise-B was going to be an annoying little bugger, so I will do it after the other two ships. (I can see why so many people dislike the AMT/ERTL models, if the 1:1400 version of the E-B is as bad as this.) However, the Ent-E fit together decently well and the Ent-C fit together nearly perfectly!

Here's a couple beauty shots I did of the snapped-together Ent-C.

I've started construction on these two ships. The Ent-C's saucer was fairly straightforward, however, the lower saucer didn't come off the spur very well. I sanded it down, though I may still have to put a bit of putty there if the primer doesn't cover the spot.

The hull section was a bit tricker; I'm glad that I test fit the parts. It went together without too much trouble, however, there is a large seam between the deflector dish and the hull which I will have to putty. (I don't think it's visible in these pics.)

(I wish I'd taken a better picture of this stage; it was cool.)

I've also started the Ent-E, but I'm letting this stage sit for awhile before I go any further; it kept popping up and I had to pull it apart and add more cement.

I am currently debating whether or not to paint the entire saucer and hull separately on the Ent-C or to put the saucer and hull together and then paint. Opinions?

Whichever way I do end up doing it, I'm probably going to be using either sea gray or light gull gray, as I find the canon colors to be very ugly.

(Note: KTM, I'm still interested in your PL Enterprise as well.)

 

[KirkTrekModeler]

That's a nice start. My Ent B sucked as well, it was twisted all to hell. I just sent you a PM, OK on the PL, just let me get it together. Next time try finger, or toenail clippers, to remove the part from the sprue, especially on the small kits. The smaller it is, the easier it is to make it look poor, with very little effort. Keep on Trekkin! :thumbsup:

 

[Turbo]

One thing I wasn't expecting with the spray primer - it really shows you where the less-visible seams are. Looks like I'll have to putty a good bit of the seam between the two halves of the Ent-C saucer.

The Ent-E's seams are a lot more visible, especially on the deflector trench and the underside of the engineering hull.

 

[KirkTrekModeler]

Turbo said:
One thing I wasn't expecting with the spray primer - it really shows you where the less-visible seams are. Looks like I'll have to putty a good bit of the seam between the two halves of the Ent-C saucer.

The Ent-E's seams are a lot more visible, especially on the deflector trench and the underside of the engineering hull.

Try laying some cheap tape along the seems, before you putty, let the putty dry and remove the tape before you sand.

 

[Turbo]

(I have only posted a few images inline; the ones I really like.)

I've made progress on a couple fronts. All of the Ent-C's parts are being primed.

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a233/DiegoTehMexican/Models/ent-c-7.jpg

The Ent-E construction was more annoying than the Ent-C, as there were a couple parts (deflector trench, I'm looking at YOU) that just didn't fit right. I also ended up with a nice little gap in the ventral hull that is being puttied, though that's my fault as I didn't put enough pressure there when connecting the two halves of the secondary hull.

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a233/DiegoTehMexican/Models/ent-e-1.jpg
http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a233/DiegoTehMexican/Models/ent-e-2.jpg
http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a233/DiegoTehMexican/Models/ent-e-3.jpg
(Yes, I still like Sonic the Hedgehog, but mostly just the classic games. Sue me, I grew up on the Genesis. )
http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a233/DiegoTehMexican/Models/ent-e-4.jpg
http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a233/DiegoTehMexican/Models/ent-e-5.jpg
http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a233/DiegoTehMexican/Models/ent-e-6.jpg
(I was originally going to attach the nacelles to the the secondary hull of the Ent-C before priming them, and I'm using a testfit nacelle to hold up the Ent-E for a pose here. I decided against this in the end, though. More on the endcaps below.)
http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a233/DiegoTehMexican/Models/ent-e-7.jpg

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a233/DiegoTehMexican/Models/ent-e-9.jpg

Here's a commented version of the last picture:

I tried airbrushing the Ent-C nacelle caps, but it failed as I was using much too much thinner and the caps were so small that I just blew them away without painting them. I ended up just brush painting them, and next time I'll probably install them before painting them. (I also painted the Ent-E's bussard collectors, but I didn't do a great job of it, and they'll be primed over and redone.)

As for the putty, I hope I'm doing it right. Guess I'll find out!

I decided not to putty the line where the secondary hull meets the saucer; I feel like it gives the model a separation-capable look. (Even though it's definitely glued tight.)

I also had some issues getting the lower saucer off of the spur, and I had to putty over some damage there. Fortunately, it was on the flat part of the saucer.

 

[KirkTrekModeler]

OK, you've made a couple mistakes, but hey, that's all part of the process. You're doing a fine job for starting out and the big things is you're doing it, you're not talking about it, you're doing it. It takes time, but you're doing great. Keep on Trekkin!

 

[Albertese]

Super minor nit: it's traditonally called a "sprue" not a "spur." Otherwise, looking awesome! Keep it up!

 

[Cary L. Brown]

Turbo said:I tried airbrushing the Ent-C nacelle caps, but it failed as I was using much too much thinner and the caps were so small that I just blew them away without painting them. I ended up just brush painting them, and next time I'll probably install them before painting them. (I also painted the Ent-E's bussard collectors, but I didn't do a great job of it, and they'll be primed over and redone.)

Four words: "Low-tack Masking Tape."

Head to your local "arts and crafts" store (Up where I live, it's a store called "Michael's"). They should have something like this.

Put your parts on the masking tape before spraying them.

Also, realize that you don't want to really just soak the parts with paint... use very thin paint, and very low pressure, and just MIST the paint. It takes longer but it works better, IMHO.

Of course, you can go too thin and too low pressure and end up with the droplets of paint actually having dried before they land on the surface you're painting. (This is more common with flats than with glosses in my experience.) So there's some trial and error.

But when I airbrush I use very low pressure (a dual-action airbrush is CRITICAL for fine work... so that you control pressure by pushing down and paint flow by pulling back), and I just apply small amounts of paint in many, many layers. It takes a bit longer but the result is better.

As for putty... the same applies. I put a small amount on, using a little fine spatula (mine came from a dental supply house.. it's one of the ones they use in doing tooth fillings). I work it with a knife once dried, and then reapply if necessary. It typically takes three applications to get it to a point where I'm ready to start sanding (sanding is done wet, with fine-grit paper on a little metal "spatula" type device used as a sanding stick).

Very fine sandpaper, wet sanding, drying every so often to inspect... that's the way to putty.

Also realize, after the first coat of paint, your putty work will INEVITABLY prove defincient someplace... you can't see every flaw until you've painted, usually. So don't assume your first coat of paint will be the last one. Instead, PRIME (use a neutral gray color, I recommend). Then sand that layer, and putty on top of it if necessary... then prime again, sand again... always using VERY fine grade paper, wet (I recommend 1000 grit as an absolute max size... finer is better).

After two "prime" layers, I've usually made my seams totally invisible. Then I can start on the actual finish paint job. high-gloss, very thin, many layers, allow to dry between layers... much time involved. But the payoff is fantastic.

 

[KirkTrekModeler]

What he said, but for painting parts and holding them in place also consider low cost masking tape.

 

[Griffworks]

Great work so far. There's a learning curve with everything, which is part of why we build models. I've only built one of the E-E and E-C kits - w/the construction on a second E-E finished (back at home) - , but it looks like you've got a handle on the construction part. It's the painting the details that'll be a real pain.

Just so you know, you can get after market decals for both of those kits at both Federation Models, Starship Modelers Store and PNT Models.

BTW, you ought to sign up at The 2500 Scale Page Forums. There are quite a few folks over there who have built multiples of this one and can give further thoughts specifically related to these kits.

Regardless, I enjoy seeing the end results.

 

[KirkTrekModeler]

Or, you could always make your own, or get them free. Tell me Griffy, do you get a dime every time you put a plug in for another vendor? LOL.

I'll be in touch Turbo.

 

[Turbo]

Actually, I was already looking at the Ent-B decals over at Federation Models as well as the Ent-E decals. Not sure about the latter, though.

 

[Griffworks]

KirkTrekModeler said:
Or, you could always make your own, or get them free. Tell me Griffy, do you get a dime every time you put a plug in for another vendor? LOL.

Nope, just trying to help out a fellow modeler with some information, which is why I gave him several choices - so he could make an informed opinion on the subject. I have no clue why you would take issue with helping someone else. Aren't you all about "helping" other folks all the time?

Oh, and stop calling me "Griffy". It's one thing when you do so in private email to other folks, but when you do so publicy it's called TROLLING. I believe you got more than a little upset when I called you by other than your current username here not so long ago, so one might think that you'd extend the same courtesy.

But then again....

 

[KirkTrekModeler]

I hate to say this and I'm really not going to get into any type of contest with you, but you really have a lot of nerve trying to play nice guy after all of the problems you and your friends have caused me. I mean really come on man, Get a new mission.

Yes, I am all about helping my fellow modeler, for free and just to contribute to the community. I've learned so much from people like Fokkerpilot and Raist and sooooo many others.... I don't know where to begin.

I've felt for a long time that it was my responsibilty to give something back. Give, not take and keep on taking.

You don't want to be called Griffy? No problem. I can do that.

You know the only thing I've learned from you? How obsessed someone can be when they don't get their way.

Now, you Keep on Trekkin and have a nice day. :thumbsup:

Griffworks said:

KirkTrekModeler said:
Or, you could always make your own, or get them free. Tell me Griffy, do you get a dime every time you put a plug in for another vendor? LOL.

Nope, just trying to help out a fellow modeler with some information, which is why I gave him several choices - so he could make an informed opinion on the subject. I have no clue why you would take issue with helping someone else. Aren't you all about "helping" other folks all the time?

Oh, and stop calling me "Griffy". It's one thing when you do so in private email to other folks, but when you do so publicy it's called TROLLING. I believe you got more than a little upset when I called you by other than your current username here not so long ago, so one might think that you'd extend the same courtesy.

But then again....

 

[Griffworks]

Turbo said:
Actually, I was already looking at the Ent-B decals over at Federation Models as well as the Ent-E decals.

There's a great supplemental decal for the E-E out there from FIX Operations that, to my knowledge, is only available thru the Starship Modeler Store. Direct Link.

Not sure about the latter, though.

To which are you referring?

 

[KirkTrekModeler]

There are also free ones available and if you can't get them, I'll make them up for you, or give you what I have, so you don't have to spend your money.

 

[Ptrope]

KirkTrekModeler said:
I hate to say this and I'm really not going to get into any type of contest with you, but you really have a lot of nerve trying to play nice guy after all of the problems you and your friends have caused me. I mean really come on man, Get a new mission.

KirkTrekModeler: 1 warning for trolling (and certainly not helped by the attitude of your previous post).

How many times do I have to explain this, people? If you have a personal problem with another poster based upon what is posted here, notify the moderator! If it's based upon events that take place elsewhere, leave it off this board. Period!

I hate to suggest it, but will you people just put one another on "Ignore," so you don't even see each other's posts? This is way past old - it's annoying, to me and to probably a number of your fellow board members.

You don't have to be allowed on this board, folks - it's a privilege, not a right. Abuse it, and you lose it. In the meantime, whatever happens off this board stays off this board.

 

[fokkerpilot]

KirkTrekModeler said:

I've learned so much from people like Fokkerpilot and Raist and sooooo many others.... I don't know where to begin.

As a side not to all who view these threads, KTM has not had my approval for the use of either my screen name or business name in his personal diatribes with others. I apologize to the forum membership in advance for having to post this, but it must be made perfectly clear that there is no association in business or any learning curve to that effect.

Fokkerpilot

 

[mech]

Looking good so far Turbo. Keep it up, I look foward to seeing these finished.


Best
j

 

[Turbo]

Thanks, mech.

There probably won't be any updates until next week; I'm just putting the second coat of primer on the Ent-C tomorrow and still working on puttying the Ent-E. And I have family visiting this weekend, so that's out.