NX-01 Enterprise

Modeling Subjects Science Fiction
1

After 125 days in construction, numerous bouts of near-insanity, and an overall feeling of satisfaction, I can report that my first exploration in the SciFi Genre - The NX-01 Enterprise - is complete and ready to leave Spacedock.

Let me start by giving a quick overview of my impressions of the Polar Lights kit.

The overall impression of this kit from the first day was one of awe. Everything about this kit was daunting to an armor modeler who had never dabbled in a SciFi subject. The finished model measures 25 inches long, 15 inches wide, and 5 inches tall (10 inches with the base).

The molding and sprue arrangements were good, but no more. This is not completely unexpected for a kit of this size. Several details are rather soft and some of the bigger parts had minor molding flaws. However, there were virtually no ejector pin marks and the seams were fairly easy to clean up.

Construction was straight forward with the instructions being very well presented and easy to follow (with one exception - more later). There is a very well published problem with a “twist” in the aft hull that is corrected by removing selected mounting pins during construction. I followed this correction and found that while the aft hull and engines are close, there is still a slight twist remaining that puts the engines a tad out of parallel. If this is a big concern for some, additional corrections would need to be made.

There are a ton of clear parts in this kit and if you choose to build yours with lights, it will make an awesome display. I elected to build mine as a representation of the CGI ship from a distance and therefore painted over some of the clear parts.

Painting was the hardest part of this build. I did all of my own masking to simulate the Aztec pattern from the ship. Although tedious, I’m happy with the way the overall look came out.

The decals - all 418 of them! - were only fair at best. There is a problem with the register being off and in a few cases, the decals do not match up to the contours of the model as needed. Additonally, there are 4 decals that must be applied BEHIND the aft thrusters of the ship. If you are going to use these decals, you must leave the aft thrusters off until nearly the end of the build…needless to say, I did not use them.

For a mere $50.00 (and only $25.00 at a 50% off sale), this model is worth every penny. Athough extremely time-consuming, I would definitely recommend this model to anyone who wishes to tackle it.

The finished model is massive and I unforetunately do not have a proper photography area to do it justice. However, here are a few pictures:

First an overhead view:

Then a front view:

Looking over the saucer to the bridge:

A profile of the saucer section:

A profile look at the engines and rear:

An overhead view of the aft hull and saucer:

That’s all for now, the NX-01 Enterprise:

Hope you all enjoy…

2

All I can say is WOW![bow][bow][bow]

Matt

3

For a first time Sci Fi build you did great. Love the paint job. I would really like to do this kit but Sci Fi or rocketry is a complete blank here in Poland. No Sci Fi models at all.BOO HOO.

4

Very cool thanks for the viewing…

5

That is beautiful! I hope the Sci-Fi bug has bitten you as I would love to see more of your awesome work in the Sci-Fi section. Great work.[8D]

6

Very cool! I still have a ways to go. Mine has lights and like you, I masked mine myself. Here’s a link to mine, I hope to get it done soon-
http://groups.msn.com/AURORAMODELS/polarlightsnx01.msnw

7

Thanks everyone,

I’m fairly happy with the way it turned out. There are still some problems with the build…primarily seams that aren’t quite right and some alignment issues. After filling up my bench for 4 months, it’s time to move on. I’m really looking forward to getting back to something with some dirt on it…I should say intentional dirt…but I’ll probably come back to the SciFi Genre periodically.

Thanks again…

8

Man I can’t beleive that paint job! Very nice. I am not going to even attempt that paint job. I don’t have an air brush but I do plan on tackling this kit at the next 50% off sale!lol i missed the one HL had last week![V]
Funny I started off building Sci fi then about a year or so ago the armor bug bit me and I have benn building armour. Now I coming back to my sci-fi ships!

9

Looks great Foster!

I just picked this kit up at HL’s 50% off sale last weekend and have to admit I am fairly intimidated.

Thanks for sharing the pics!

10

Yes. WOW…

The pics give off a gold look to the NX, which in my opinion gives it a real stately look to it… I love it…

Chris in Japan

11

Beautiful job. Anybody ready to do the NX-02 USS Columbia

12

impressive work Robert!![tup]

13

Awesome!!

14

Great job!! I have the kit myself and, am abit intimidated by it’s size but, I’m lookin’ foreward to the build!! Also, other PL Enterprise kits in 1/350 scale due to come out. LoL… need more SHELVES!!! Space… the never-ending story
Eddie

15

Dangnabbit now I’m going to have to repaint mine [banghead] thank god I didnt build it yet its too bad they dont have any Azteking masks for the NX-01. And what colors did you use.

BTW Testors Stoplight Red will also work for the nacell caps and if you want to light the nacells you do have to remove part of the bulkhead behind the nacell cap

16

Thanks for the continued kind words, everyone!

I’ve heard that there are masks available now as well as a lighting kit. Can’t remember who makes the masks, but if you check Starship Modeler, it should be easy to spot.

I used MM enamel Metalizers: Aluminum, Steel (with a touch of Titanium added), and Dark Anodized Gray, for the Aztec pattern…Titanium for the panel lines and two side panels…Brass for all the gold parts…Cobalt Blue Acrylic for all the blue bits.

Thanks again…

17

have you ever tried Titanium Gold from Tamiya i have and it is an excelent color and closely matches the brass you used.

18

Most impressive and you did a fantastic job on the Aztec pattern!

cheers

Mike

19

[#ditto] to all the praise heaped upon you!

That is one very impressive starship!


Here is a link to the painting templates mentioned:
[url]http://culttvman.net/nx-01_painting_masks.html[/url]
I keep meaning to buy a set for myself. But I keep putting it off.

There is absolutely no space in my apartment to build the NX-01. [:(]

Actually I am very grateful that my place isn't air-tight.
Pretty soon I won't have enough room in here for my stuff and the oxygen I need to stay alive!

-Leelan
20

This just in!

Someone is working on a decal set for the ENTERPRISE aztec pattern!
The decals will cover 95% of the model!

Can you imagine that decal job? [8-] [8-] [8-]

Here is the link:
http://home.comcast.net/~d.tomita/start.htm

He hopes to have it ready for WonderFest 2005.

-Leelan