1/2500 Enterprises
- Thread starter STR
- Start date
And with the flat coat we're done...
Also the tiny little Defiant. Had to get a 10*0 brush for the tiny details that needed painting. The whole model is maybe 1.5-2 inches across. The base color looks like a pretty neutral gray in the photo, but is actually fairly blue.
Also the tiny little Defiant. Had to get a 10*0 brush for the tiny details that needed painting. The whole model is maybe 1.5-2 inches across. The base color looks like a pretty neutral gray in the photo, but is actually fairly blue.
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All the stands are by Polar Lights.
https://starshipmodeler.biz/shop/index.cfm/product/8110_17/small-display-base---3-pack.html
https://www.amazon.com/B00OHMGP7Y/
They work for models up to Excelsior/E-B size (might be best to put some kind of weight in the base to lower the center of gravity for kits of that size). For the kits bigger than that I got Polar Light's medium dome stands. I had to sand down the size of the peg to fit into the hole in the model though.
https://starshipmodeler.biz/shop/index.cfm/product/2378_17/universal-dome-base.html
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00694NH0Q/
https://starshipmodeler.biz/shop/index.cfm/product/8110_17/small-display-base---3-pack.html
https://www.amazon.com/B00OHMGP7Y/
They work for models up to Excelsior/E-B size (might be best to put some kind of weight in the base to lower the center of gravity for kits of that size). For the kits bigger than that I got Polar Light's medium dome stands. I had to sand down the size of the peg to fit into the hole in the model though.
https://starshipmodeler.biz/shop/index.cfm/product/2378_17/universal-dome-base.html
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00694NH0Q/
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I found this interesting. You may not even have to have paint or decals:
https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=41853.msg1622927#msg1622927
State of the art has apparently advanced to the point where you can fairly accurately model decal application to irregular shapes. This technique was apparently presented at SIGGRAPH 2015:
https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=41853.msg1622927#msg1622927
State of the art has apparently advanced to the point where you can fairly accurately model decal application to irregular shapes. This technique was apparently presented at SIGGRAPH 2015:
Incredible collection you have started there STR! Your Enterprise-E looks great!
^^^ Thanks. I've been working on the 1701-B and 1701-A, but I should have some updates soon. Hopefully I can meet or exceed the bar I've already set.
Gotta be honest, I want this project done LONG before stuff like that becomes widely available. Though, if I get sidetracked for 5 years like last time, that might be the way to go. Anyway,
.
Gotta be honest, I want this project done LONG before stuff like that becomes widely available. Though, if I get sidetracked for 5 years like last time, that might be the way to go. Anyway,
.
The Cadet Series NCC-1701-B is generally regarded as one of the best of the original 1/2500 Enterprise models. Accurate and well-fitting. Probably only the C is better. Only problem is that it has huge raised gridlines along with huge depressed grid lines. Why they did both...I don't know. The former are always the first to go, patience and some sanding sticks take care of them. For the ambitious, the next step is filling in the remaining lines.
I tried Apoxie Sculpt (too thick) along with various putties (Testors and Squadron) which were equally terrible, before I found Perfect Plastic Putty online. Thins / cleans with water and sands so easily I only have to use fine grit sandpaper so there's no risk of sanding away detail.
first (deliberately thick) coat on the saucer. The 1701-A is actually the new mold from the Motion Picture 3-piece set. The fit on this kit is exemplary and, thankfully, has nothing to sand off.
Secondary hull sanded, assembled and puttied.
I tried Apoxie Sculpt (too thick) along with various putties (Testors and Squadron) which were equally terrible, before I found Perfect Plastic Putty online. Thins / cleans with water and sands so easily I only have to use fine grit sandpaper so there's no risk of sanding away detail.
first (deliberately thick) coat on the saucer. The 1701-A is actually the new mold from the Motion Picture 3-piece set. The fit on this kit is exemplary and, thankfully, has nothing to sand off.
Secondary hull sanded, assembled and puttied.
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I've never tried Apoxie Scuplt, and I too hate Testors putty, But it usually use Squadron Green cut with a little Testors Model Cement. And It always works nicely for my techniques, but I like what you've done with the Perfect Plastic Putty. I'll have to grab some of that and experiment.
--Alex
Yeah...I've done the squadron/cement combo. It did noting to soothe my hatred of their overrated putty. The resulting compound did eat away at my model, so it did have one effect.
PPP is amazing. Its not quite 1 and done, but it's close, and easy, and reversible. No seam is too small. You don't have to worry about your blob drying out before you're done (just add another drop of water and remix it in). I've even resurrected day old putty on my work surface and successfully applied it. It was a little chunky vat first, but smoothed out eventually.
It's like future: you'd have to try to screw it up to get bad results.
PPP is amazing. Its not quite 1 and done, but it's close, and easy, and reversible. No seam is too small. You don't have to worry about your blob drying out before you're done (just add another drop of water and remix it in). I've even resurrected day old putty on my work surface and successfully applied it. It was a little chunky vat first, but smoothed out eventually.
It's like future: you'd have to try to screw it up to get bad results.
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Tiny, tiny painting on Defiant nacelle fronts. Done freehand, because even if I wanted to, masking doesn't really get this small.
And installed...
Enterprise-B looking a bit less rough
NCC-1701-B saucer. The only real fit issue in the whole model is the impulse engines. All four are just so rough. I decided to simply fill in and smooth over the center pair. The outer pair aren't so easy any remain a work in progress.
And installed...
Enterprise-B looking a bit less rough
NCC-1701-B saucer. The only real fit issue in the whole model is the impulse engines. All four are just so rough. I decided to simply fill in and smooth over the center pair. The outer pair aren't so easy any remain a work in progress.
Think "Micro-machines" from the late 80's - early 90's and you'd be in the ballpark for anything below the Enterprise-C. The Enterprise D and E are approaching 8"-10" in size at this scale.
Tiny, tiny painting on Defiant nacelle fronts. Done freehand, because even if I wanted to, masking doesn't really get this small.
And installed...
Enterprise-B looking a bit less rough
NCC-1701-B saucer. The only real fit issue in the whole model is the impulse engines. All four are just so rough. I decided to simply fill in and smooth over the center pair. The outer pair aren't so easy any remain a work in progress.
I didn't realize the Enterprise looked that good in the Enterprise/Reliant/Klingon kit.... VERY VERY tempted now.
Yeah, it's an entirely new mold. I kinda put this project on hold because I couldn't find good 1701-A decals to fit. The old ones come close, but don't quite work.
Also, I had 2 kids in the meantime, so...
Might need to get those for my desk at home. 
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