Model Advice

[Shikarnov]

Hi All,

In a few weeks, my wife will be leaving to visit her family. She'll be gone for two months. One of the ways I plan to kill some time is by building up the Polar Lights 1:350 USS Enterprise-A model kit.

Now, I haven't touched a model kit in over 20 years (an old AMT Enterprise-A with a droopy nacelle that eventually broke off), and could use some advice. Besides the model kit itself, what else should I be looking at buying? Are there particular tools that I'll need? Is there a better type/brand of glue, or paint?

I'm completely out of my element, so any information, tips, advice, etc would be most welcome.

Thanks in advance!

ZS

 

[Nimitz CO]

You are really in for a treat! the 1/350 Enterprise is a very well engineered model and is nicely detailed, some equipment that I would recommend would be a quality airbrush and using Testors Model Master paints. for the correct colors you could check out Andrew Probert's or Doug Drexler's websites. The one thing that I believe is an absolute MUST for this kit is Aztek Dummy's painting masks available here http://www.starshipmodeler.biz/shop/index.cfm?fuseaction=product.display&product_ID=879&ParentCat=53 or at any number of on-line stores. also if your looking for an authentic replica, you might want to consider chucking the included decal sheet and trying any of these http://www.starshipmodeler.biz/shop/index.cfm?fuseaction=category.display&category_ID=51 for your scale model of course. I hope that this helped you out a little bit. please keep us informed on your progress!

 

[Captain Robert April]

How detailed do you want to get with this puppy?

 

[Shikarnov]

You are really in for a treat! the 1/350 Enterprise is a very well engineered model and is nicely detailed, some equipment that I would recommend would be a quality airbrush and using Testors Model Master paints. for the correct colors you could check out Andrew Probert's or Doug Drexler's websites. The one thing that I believe is an absolute MUST for this kit is Aztek Dummy's painting masks available here http://www.starshipmodeler.biz/shop/index.cfm?fuseaction=product.display&product_ID=879&ParentCat=53 or at any number of on-line stores. also if your looking for an authentic replica, you might want to consider chucking the included decal sheet and trying any of these http://www.starshipmodeler.biz/shop/index.cfm?fuseaction=category.display&category_ID=51 for your scale model of course. I hope that this helped you out a little bit. please keep us informed on your progress!

Wow. Those sites are great. The painting mask looks like a fantastic help, but it's out of stock (total bummer!). I'll definitely pick up some 1701 (no bloody A, B, C, or D) decals.

How detailed do you want to get with this puppy?

I'd love to get as detailed as possible, but I fear I haven't the skill to match my vision.

 

[Albertese]

The real question is does your wife know about this plan? I know lots of wives that would not have a friendly smile in store for coming home after two months away to have the living room dominated by a 3 foot long starship!

Also, are you planning on lighting it? This model's scale just begs to be lit. OTOH if you're not familiar with lighting models, it might drag your project longer than the projected project length time of two months. I have one of these kits languishing in a storage unit but haven't built it yet cause I want to experiment with lights on something a bit less ambitious.

--Alex

 

[Nimitz CO]

You are really in for a treat! the 1/350 Enterprise is a very well engineered model and is nicely detailed, some equipment that I would recommend would be a quality airbrush and using Testors Model Master paints. for the correct colors you could check out Andrew Probert's or Doug Drexler's websites. The one thing that I believe is an absolute MUST for this kit is Aztek Dummy's painting masks available here http://www.starshipmodeler.biz/shop/index.cfm?fuseaction=product.display&product_ID=879&ParentCat=53 or at any number of on-line stores. also if your looking for an authentic replica, you might want to consider chucking the included decal sheet and trying any of these http://www.starshipmodeler.biz/shop/index.cfm?fuseaction=category.display&category_ID=51 for your scale model of course. I hope that this helped you out a little bit. please keep us informed on your progress!

Wow. Those sites are great. The painting mask looks like a fantastic help, but it's out of stock (total bummer!). I'll definitely pick up some 1701 (no bloody A, B, C, or D) decals.

How detailed do you want to get with this puppy?

I'd love to get as detailed as possible, but I fear I haven't the skill to match my vision.

Heres another site that carries the Aztek Dummy Vinal masks http://federationmodels.com/ just click on decals and then Aztek Dummy and your there. While your at it, explore the site a little they have some really cool stuff to make your model as accurate as possible to the screen version. If your looking to light this bad boy, check this company out http://www.voodoofx.com/fiberfx.htm they make a complete lighting package custom fit for the 1/350 Enterprise.

 

[Shikarnov]

The real question is does your wife know about this plan? I know lots of wives that would not have a friendly smile in store for coming home after two months away to have the living room dominated by a 3 foot long starship!

So true. So true, indeed.
Fortunately, for her, the ship will ultimately reside in my home office.

Also, are you planning on lighting it? This model's scale just begs to be lit. OTOH if you're not familiar with lighting models, it might drag your project longer than the projected project length time of two months. I have one of these kits languishing in a storage unit but haven't built it yet cause I want to experiment with lights on something a bit less ambitious.

--Alex

I'm not much for the electrical. While I think it'd be cool to have a ship that lights up, I'm just as likely to build a ship that burns slowly and eventually takes the whole house with it. I think I'll focus on the construction, painting, and decaling (an activity I particularly despised in my youth) this time around. Maybe I'll try being more intrepid next time.

(Speaking of my wife -- she does know about the plan. She said, if I could wait for her return, I should buy two kits and we can see who builds it more perfectly. I told her no, because I need something to keep me busy while she's gone. But the reality is that I don't want to risk losing on something as near and dear as the Enterprise.)

Heres another site that carries the Aztek Dummy Vinal masks http://federationmodels.com/ just click on decals and then Aztek Dummy and your there. While your at it, explore the site a little they have some really cool stuff to make your model as accurate as possible to the screen version. If your looking to light this bad boy, check this company out http://www.voodoofx.com/fiberfx.htm they make a complete lighting package custom fit for the 1/350 Enterprise.

Thanks! I'll check out those sites.

 

[Shikarnov]

Just ordered the Aztec masks, but I think $300 is a little steep for the electrical kit -- even if I was inclined to try it.

Earlier, Nimitz, you recommended that I get a quality airbrush. Aside from the tool in Photoshop, I've never worked with an airbrush, and so have no experience with which to judge quality. Do you have any specific recommendations? Also, to airbrushes take special paint, or will the recommended Testor Paints work just fine in an airbrush?

Thanks!

 

[Ziz]

Iwata is generally considered the top airbrush brand, but Paasche and Badger will suffice if you're on a budget. You can use any kind of paint but you need to thin it or it will clog the airbrush tip. Some guys even strain it thru a piece of stocking (ask your wife for one that has a run in it that she was throwing out) to strain out dried paint crumbs and undissolved pigment.

That being said, you get good with an airbrush the same way you get to Carnegie Hall - practice, man...practice.

 

[Forbin]

Definitely visit the following forums:
http://www.starshipmodeler.net/talk/index.php
http://www.hobbytalk.com/bbs1/forumdisplay.php?f=99

Ask, talk, look. Lots of folks there have built the kit, both forums have stickied threads with advice.

 

[Nimitz CO]

Iwata is generally considered the top airbrush brand, but Paasche and Badger will suffice if you're on a budget. You can use any kind of paint but you need to thin it or it will clog the airbrush tip. Some guys even strain it thru a piece of stocking (ask your wife for one that has a run in it that she was throwing out) to strain out dried paint crumbs and undissolved pigment.

That being said, you get good with an airbrush the same way you get to Carnegie Hall - practice, man...practice.

I could not agree with Ziz more!

 

[Shikarnov]

Update: The model just arrived yesterday, as did the Aztec patterns. Wow - I knew the model was big, but I don't think that knowledge prepared me at all for the size and weight of the box. Speaking of the box - the art on it is just beautiful. There's a big part of me that doesn't want to desecrate it by opening it up.

 

[Ar-Pharazon]

The only thing I would suggest, and it's a simple thing, is to use Plasti-Zap brand glue.

After you mentioned the saggy nacelle, it got me thinking about how strong this stuff is and how it could have prevented even that sort of thing.

Starting with a solid build is the way to go.

 

[Captain Robert April]

A good way to prepare yourself mentally for the sheer size of the thing is to test fit the major assemblies together with masking tape. This should give you a very clear mental picture of what's involved with building it for real, as well as getting a head start on where to put her when you're finished.

 

[Shikarnov]

The only thing I would suggest, and it's a simple thing, is to use Plasti-Zap brand glue.

After you mentioned the saggy nacelle, it got me thinking about how strong this stuff is and how it could have prevented even that sort of thing.

Starting with a solid build is the way to go.

I'll make sure to order that when my next check arrives Thanks for the tip.

A good way to prepare yourself mentally for the sheer size of the thing is to test fit the major assemblies together with masking tape. This should give you a very clear mental picture of what's involved with building it for real, as well as getting a head start on where to put her when you're finished.

I don't think there are really too many options. My wife has two cats, so I think I have to find a way to hang it from the ceiling in order for it to stay safe. I'm thinking about keeping it in the garage -- right next to my S10... That might be neat to fly (err, drive) into drydock and park next to the Enterprise.