18" TOS model. FINISHED W/Photos! See pg 3-end
This is the start of an old thread so the best stuff is towards the end. Pictures added 01-02-01 Thanks for looking
(the following was posted over a year ago so if you want to add to the suggestions, pleaes do but for the most part, most of the questions I asked, I have found solutions for thanks to the gyts on this site)
If you want the long question, keep reading, if not and you have a lead on clear nacelle parts for the 18" TOS model please let me know. I can't find any besides the bridge parts. I used polished transparent stone halves for both the bridge dome and the lower sensor. They look cool lit. PICTURES ON NEXT PAGE
As an X-mas gift for my Mom the fan, I bought three more 18" models off <a href=http://www.dpbolvw.net/click-1606754-2202639 target=_blank>eBay</a><img src=http://www.awltovhc.com/image-1606754-2202639 width=1 height=1 border=0> for practice. I think I got them for $10.00-20.00 shipped. I picked up electronics for lighting and sound effects, a base will be made with acrylic and wood and I even have mini-slides from the T.V. series to be backlit and go inside the ship so she can see the crew in a few of the windows.
I went to CultTVman's site first and to many more since. I have over a hundred ref. photos of all the models used for the show along with all the restorations done to each not to mention a few stills from the show. I was beyond confused as to how to make the model look anything like the TOS version (the one of many) I grew up on and she loved. I began to just cut and sand and drill (It's going to be lit well) I'm even watching Sci-fi channel and still learning about the look of the enterprise. For instance, I watched an episode tonight where the three lights that are centered in front of the saucer were shown, only the center of them was blinking white and the outer ones were black. I almost had a mental breakdown.
I soon figured as this was the first model I have ever put together, that I would need some practice. Like I said before, I picked up three more and have made each one just a little different. Some with tons of detail and others with just enough. One is looking just TOS enough to be her X-mas gift.
I'm now at the point where I need to paint them and finding the "Right" color is killing me. Nothing looks right. Even if I get that down, I then have to figure out how to mask off the windows/strobes/running lights and domes. Sure tape might do it or even a latex. But I'm not using fiber optics very much. The windows are a combination of clear glue and resins. Some will be pinstripe tape cut down to size.
Here's my question. I paint the parts, sand the joints, glue them together and then sand the seams. How long can I leave the masking on and which is best and why, before it messes with the surface of the places masked? I still need to weather them so it'll be on for a while while I de-seam the models.
DOn't tell me to get the 22" model. I have one but won't touch it till I get the basics down on these five. One will be done in a disco style with electronicsand glow-in-the-dark paint to match, lights flashing to the music and the like. I'll try to make it look TOS during the day but more funky when the lights go out.
This is the start of an old thread so the best stuff is towards the end. Pictures added 01-02-01 Thanks for looking
(the following was posted over a year ago so if you want to add to the suggestions, pleaes do but for the most part, most of the questions I asked, I have found solutions for thanks to the gyts on this site)
If you want the long question, keep reading, if not and you have a lead on clear nacelle parts for the 18" TOS model please let me know. I can't find any besides the bridge parts. I used polished transparent stone halves for both the bridge dome and the lower sensor. They look cool lit. PICTURES ON NEXT PAGE
As an X-mas gift for my Mom the fan, I bought three more 18" models off <a href=http://www.dpbolvw.net/click-1606754-2202639 target=_blank>eBay</a><img src=http://www.awltovhc.com/image-1606754-2202639 width=1 height=1 border=0> for practice. I think I got them for $10.00-20.00 shipped. I picked up electronics for lighting and sound effects, a base will be made with acrylic and wood and I even have mini-slides from the T.V. series to be backlit and go inside the ship so she can see the crew in a few of the windows.
I went to CultTVman's site first and to many more since. I have over a hundred ref. photos of all the models used for the show along with all the restorations done to each not to mention a few stills from the show. I was beyond confused as to how to make the model look anything like the TOS version (the one of many) I grew up on and she loved. I began to just cut and sand and drill (It's going to be lit well) I'm even watching Sci-fi channel and still learning about the look of the enterprise. For instance, I watched an episode tonight where the three lights that are centered in front of the saucer were shown, only the center of them was blinking white and the outer ones were black. I almost had a mental breakdown.
I soon figured as this was the first model I have ever put together, that I would need some practice. Like I said before, I picked up three more and have made each one just a little different. Some with tons of detail and others with just enough. One is looking just TOS enough to be her X-mas gift.
I'm now at the point where I need to paint them and finding the "Right" color is killing me. Nothing looks right. Even if I get that down, I then have to figure out how to mask off the windows/strobes/running lights and domes. Sure tape might do it or even a latex. But I'm not using fiber optics very much. The windows are a combination of clear glue and resins. Some will be pinstripe tape cut down to size.
Here's my question. I paint the parts, sand the joints, glue them together and then sand the seams. How long can I leave the masking on and which is best and why, before it messes with the surface of the places masked? I still need to weather them so it'll be on for a while while I de-seam the models.
DOn't tell me to get the 22" model. I have one but won't touch it till I get the basics down on these five. One will be done in a disco style with electronicsand glow-in-the-dark paint to match, lights flashing to the music and the like. I'll try to make it look TOS during the day but more funky when the lights go out.