I recently entered a challenge build with a friend where we have to build whatever kit the other gives you. He always builds 1/700 warships so I gave him a 1/35 tank. I build tanks and planes so he gave me a 1/32 Colonial Viper from Mobius. I have never built a sci-fi kit so this should be fun. Advice and warnings for this build will be appreciated and does anyone know if FSM ever published any build articles or workbench reviews on this kit? Thanks in advance, stay safe out there.
Pressing the “turbo” button on the control stick gives a boost in speed. [:D]
There should also be a reverse thrust button somewhere on the stick as well. Useful when those pesky Cylons tailgate!
All kidding aside, the kit should be a straightforward build.
Can’t say as to FSM, but there are reviews available on both Cybermodeler and ModelingMadness that might be helpful.
Good luck with your build! [Y]
I would also recommend a Google search for the exact subject you’re wanting info on. I have found peoples’ WIP build logs on various forums to be quite useful for seeing pros, cons, pitfalls, etc. Much more useful than most on-line articles, IMHO, since they’re going to be written by average Joe model builders like you and me, as opposed to semi-professional builders/writers who are doing it essentially as a work assignment. Different perspectives I think.
Starship Modeler is the place to go for all your science fiction modeling needs. Here is a link to the Viper: http://www.starshipmodeler.com/other/jk_viper2.htm
another link to the preview: http://www.starshipmodeler.com/other/pre_moeviper.htm
And their “other” sci-fi vehicles page: http://www.starshipmodeler.com/other/otrintro.htm
https://jonbius.com/?s=Colonial+viper
this site is excellent on how to properly build this kit.
The seam line down the front of the nose cone can be a pain to get rid of. I’ve seen a lot of nicely painted builds that have a glaring seam line down the front. What I did to get rid of mine was of course a lot of sanding, but ultimately in the end what saved me was Alclad Microfiller primer. Filled in the seamline nicely and just needed some light sanding to get rid of it.
Also the front vent intake. If you want it colored steel and don’t want to have to worry about trying to handbrush the intake, paint your desired color first. mask it off. Cut the mask the fit the part. then insert the masked off vent cover before you glue the two halves of the fuselage together. You can remove the mask with some tweezers once your model is all done.
Thanks for the help. Found a couple helpfu vids.