Amen to that...I would love to have a scale collection, but to build and paint them? I don't have time for that.
1/2500 Enterprises
- Thread starter STR
- Start date
The thread title is "Enterprises" so it's probably about time I show more than just the E-E. Next up is the JJprise, which I've never completed an example of, so this is new for me. This is actually a resin kit, which is softer than styrene plastic, and prone to warping over time if not properly prepped. Which, in this case, involves drilling tiny little channels and inserting piano wire into them to use as reinforcement.
The thread title is "Enterprises" so it's probably about time I show more than just the E-E. Next up is the JJprise, which I've never completed an example of, so this is new for me. This is actually a resin kit, which is softer than styrene plastic, and prone to warping over time if not properly prepped. Which, in this case, involves drilling tiny little channels and inserting piano wire into them to use as reinforcement.
Now, the kit actually has straight pylons for just this reason, but that's no good for the final product. So after sliding the pins into the channels, I tape them into place.
At this point I glue the piece to the saucer/front engineering hull so I can eyeball the even-ness of the pylons with the saucer.
Next, I take a clothes steamer and use it to heat the pieces, so the resin becomes more pliable and is less likely to crack or shatter as I bend everything into the proper curved shape. This is the final result (as final as things get at this stage).
From the back...behold my well trimmed nails!
Along side the E-B, E-E, and TOSprise. You can also make out the E-D and the Defiant (which I may or may not catalog as there's not much to that model).
And yes, this model at 1/2500 scales out to about 1200ft long, roughly Excelsior-sized.. You wanna argue about that, I'll just point you to Ad Astra. Not gonna rehash that one. I'm building a collection, and that collection looks best as a unified whole with this size. Take the JJprise out, set it on its own (as it was always intended to be) and it can be 10 miles wide for all I care. If you disagree, build your own set and we'll compare notes.
Now, the kit actually has straight pylons for just this reason, but that's no good for the final product. So after sliding the pins into the channels, I tape them into place.
At this point I glue the piece to the saucer/front engineering hull so I can eyeball the even-ness of the pylons with the saucer.
Next, I take a clothes steamer and use it to heat the pieces, so the resin becomes more pliable and is less likely to crack or shatter as I bend everything into the proper curved shape. This is the final result (as final as things get at this stage).
From the back...behold my well trimmed nails!
Along side the E-B, E-E, and TOSprise. You can also make out the E-D and the Defiant (which I may or may not catalog as there's not much to that model).
And yes, this model at 1/2500 scales out to about 1200ft long, roughly Excelsior-sized.. You wanna argue about that, I'll just point you to Ad Astra. Not gonna rehash that one. I'm building a collection, and that collection looks best as a unified whole with this size. Take the JJprise out, set it on its own (as it was always intended to be) and it can be 10 miles wide for all I care. If you disagree, build your own set and we'll compare notes.
The thread title is "Enterprises" so it's probably about time I show more than just the E-E. Next up is the JJprise, which I've never completed an example of, so this is new for me. This is actually a resin kit, which is softer than styrene plastic, and prone to warping over time if not properly prepped. Which, in this case, involves drilling tiny little channels and inserting piano wire into them to use as reinforcement.
Now, the kit actually has straight pylons for just this reason, but that's no good for the final product. So after sliding the pins into the channels, I tape them into place.
At this point I glue the piece to the saucer/front engineering hull so I can eyeball the even-ness of the pylons with the saucer.
Next, I take a clothes steamer and use it to heat the pieces, so the resin becomes more pliable and is less likely to crack or shatter as I bend everything into the proper curved shape. This is the final result (as final as things get at this stage).
From the back...behold my well trimmed nails!
Along side the E-B, E-E, and TOSprise. You can also make out the E-D and the Defiant (which I may or may not catalog as there's not much to that model).
And yes, this model at 1/2500 scales out to about 1200ft long, roughly Excelsior-sized.. You wanna argue about that, I'll just point you to Ad Astra. Not gonna rehash that one. I'm building a collection, and that collection looks best as a unified whole with this size. Take the JJprise out, set it on its own (as it was always intended to be) and it can be 10 miles wide for all I care. If you disagree, build your own set and we'll compare notes.
