Giving this kit a chance since I’ve read so much good stuff about it. I started out by gluing all the flappy landing gear in place and filling those in. Pretty straight forward there.
The major mod I did was fix the angle of the bridge. As built, the bridge is parallel to the trench, it should be parallel to the superstructure. I removed the sliver in the picture below. This angles the bridge down just right.
Next, I opened this area up so the front of the neck could drop down a bit. Keep in mind that this brings the bridge a bit closer to the superstructure, but it still looks good.
Looks much better so far!
For this build, I’m only lighting the main engines. I’ll keep the tedious fiber optic work for the larger Zvezda kit that’s coming my way. So with that, I have the engines wired with 5mm white LEDs.
Stand is also mocked up. The wood base is just temporary for now. I still have to decide what to do with it.
All in all pretty happy with this kit. It’s growing on me and will tide me over until the Big Z arrives!
As far as the paint goes, I’m thinking grey primer followed by Tamiya fine white primer. Maybe a dark grey wash to finish it off.
Engine lighting test. Ditched the included electronics and replaced with 5mm white LEDs. This is as far as I’ll go on this. Saving the fiber optic work for the Big Z.
Hey Robiwon, That looks great! I saw on YouTube where someone disomething similar, but you took it to the next level. Love the rewiring work! Looks awesome!
Thanks guys. This kit has been out for a few months. It sells for around $30. I got mine on Amazon when it was on sale for $14.99! At that price I couldn’t pass it up. It is a nice kit, if somewhat simplified. But, were modelers right?
Ive decided that after seeing Rogue 1 I will do fibers in this one. I have a few more mods I want to do, like adding the three flaps to each engine bell. I’m still debating on wether or not to raise the trench height.
Yes, very much looking forward to the Big Z’s arrival. Shouldn’t be too long now.
Well, I cant do fibers on this after all. I forgot when I did the neck mods I glued that all together. I can’t access the inside to run fibers. Oh well.
But, moving along. Added ANH/R1 style baffles to the engines.
I must admitt, when I first saw this kit I did not think much of it. I thought it would be another of Revell’s soft detail play toy/models, but it is looking really nice. Actually surprised at the hull detail. And you are doing a standout job on this kit!
Thanks. Those were my thoughts as well. After seeing some videos and reviews I figured I’d give it a shot. I’m really liking this kit. It needs some work, but it’s fun work!
Since I stood the antenna up I needed to add some detail to the hole it left behind. I just used some styrene chips and stretched sprue to spruce it up a bit.
Oh, and just a quick comparison between the F-Toys, Armada, and the Revell SD!
And love the lower shot, the different scales give a neat forced perspective look.
Looking forward on how you paint these since they’re all the same grey. I’m guessing you’re going to do some sort of pre-shading thing to give the impression of great size???
Yes, my plan is to shoot it with a light grey, probably Tamiya Primer. I’ll put some masking tape masks down for the panles. I’ll then shoot it with Tamiya White primer and remove the masks. Then I’ll shoot it again with a light coat of Tamiya white primer burying the grey. I may follow that up with a light grey oil wash.
The problemm with doing a wash on this is that the panel lines are so deep anything much darker than the base color will make it look like its made out of bricks.
Laid down some Duplicolor primer the other day. Started the masking this morning. Once that is done I’ll shoot it with flat white and remove the masks. Once that is dry I’ll shoot it again with flat white to blend the grey panels in.
