Thanks Snoopy. The bulk of the panels are .040 styrene and for the rounded areas I went thinner and heat formed it to shape before attaching. Laminated parts do want to feather on the edge when sanding or filing but don’t worry about that you can go back over the edges with super glue and then sand to the final shape. I’ll let the laminated parts dry for about 24 hours before working them to shape, this seem to help some.
You could still jump into this build with a smaller project. Thats why I’m building a Tholian web spinner. Its small and has simple lines and should be easy to wrap up by Dec. There are some realy cool shuttles. And if you need some help along the way my door is open. In fact I’m certain most of the members on this build would be glad to offer suggestions. If not I look forward to working with you on the next GB.
Matt that fighter is looking flat out great. Your next project looks very promising as well. I’ll go ahead and add your project pic to the project gallery in the original group build post. What scale is the Tholian vessel going to be?
As to scale maybe you can help me. I went straight off the schematic in the photo and that came to 10" from nose to web emiter. Not a bad size for a display. I’m going to light it and have a cool idea for the base.
Hey I just found a cool effect. I’m sure it’s already come up somewhere but here it is. I wanted to create the deep iridescent blue on the windows. After painting the three window depressions gun metal I mixed blue artist ink into Future floor wax. Using an eye dropper I filled the depressions with this mix. It took three applications to keep the surface area to dry even with the window frame. After it had time to dry it looked exactly the way I wanted. Now off to all the panel weathering.
Thanks for the invite, of course Woody did the same. I just need to finish up a few project around the home then it is back to model building for the Fall and Winter. I would like to join in the next GB after this one is done. Does anyone have any ideas what that might be? These ships are looking fantastic. I can just picture all of them coming and going around DS-9 or even one of the other space stations. The view is wonderful.
Will the painting is going slow but sure. I have most of the top side weathered and will be moving on to the bottom. Usually by now I would have put a model away for awhile but this one has been a real joy to build. Here is an update on the topside.
And some top side detail.
Now off to work on the bottom.[:D]
Thanks Dan. No I didn’t end up lighting this one[] maybe next time. What I do for non lighted kits is spray Testors Metalizer Aluminum and after thats dry I spray on a clear ink (blue, red, green ect) It seems to catch the light and refract it back out through the ink. This work especially will with camera flash as can be seen by the glowing crystal effect between the power conduits. The back of the impulse engines and top and bottom of the nacelles will have the same treatment.
] maybe next time. What I do for non lighted kits is spray Testors Metalizer Aluminum and after thats dry I spray on a clear ink (blue, red, green ect) It seems to catch the light and refract it back out through the ink. This work especially will with camera flash as can be seen by the glowing crystal effect between the power conduits. The back of the impulse engines and top and bottom of the nacelles will have the same treatment.