So I’m building this for a guy and he still not sure what color the outside is supposed to be, anyone out there have a suggestion for the main hull color? I’ve found so far Tamiya XF-12 or FS 35622 (duck egg blue). Any help would be great.
John
No better place for Trek stuff.
John,
I’ve been putting together a 1/650 scale Enterprise TOS model for the “Hollywood GB” and have been doing some research into colors for the TOS Enterprise (I guess that’s what you’re looking for).
Now the Polar Lights 1/350 scale model box recommends XF-12, or IJN Grey, although it says to lighten it somewhat. If you have an airbrush, you can try that.
Right out of the can, I think this color is closest to the original color of the Enterprise, though I’m kinda iffy on that.
http://www.myperfectcolor.com/en/color/75830_Walmart-96321-Concrete
I intend to do another “accurized” version of the old AMT model, so this is the color I will be ordering for that project.
(As a side note, I do have the 1/350 scale version but I’m not ready to tackle that one yet!)
I’ve also been looking online for any original photos of the filming model that were taken back when the model was new and relatively untouched, even though the model went through revisions even as the show was being filmed back in the 60s. A few minor differences in the Polar Lights model and the first season filming model (after the revisions from the pilot and 2nd pilot) are the reason I’ve been looking.
First, these are probably the best close-up shots I’ve seen of the actual filming model as it sits in the Smithsonian right now, though colors are not quite clear as the model was shot with flash and through the plexiglass, but for detail they are great.
http://www.mjtsc.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/
For photos of the model during filming, you can try this site.
http://www.startrekpropauthority.com/2008/05/uss-enterprise-original-series-11-foot.html
Lots of interesting photos here.
Not sure if this will be of any use to you, but it’s awfully good information for ST modelers.
Gary
PS> And maybe this one. Forgot about it.
Do not use the Smithsonian pics, the restoration is a travesty and nothing like the appearance in the series.
The Smithsonian pictures shown here are probably the most accurate. They represent the model as it was in 1990 before the 2nd and 3rd restorations (and when the model was hanging in the main hall).
http://www.mjtsc.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/1701.htm
Gary
Which model are you doing? The original show 1701 or the motion picture 1701 ?
Each is a different color.
If it’ 1701-A ship then I used Golden fluid acrylic Iridescent Pearl {fine}
It gave me the perfect pearly finish just like in the movie. In later films that’s dulled down for photography reasons.
If it’s the TOS 1701 the colors on the Polar Lights box are great.
here’s a picture of the color chart
