Projekt: Polish a turd - 1/537 USS Enterprise Refit by AMT (Modified)

[krieg.17]

Matt I was going to try the kit supplied base. Did you?

[MattA]

Thanks, Billski!

Krieg, I tried the kit's base, and the ship wanted to pitch forward.  It just didn't work out.  I'm going to use one of Wolf359's bases.  I'm not sure if I'm going to finish this one or have him build me a new one yet, but we'll figure it out.

I'm glad you all like it!  I'm actually surprised as to how nice it's turning out!

[krieg.17]

How did you allow for that gigantic square hole in the hull?

[MattA]

How did you allow for that gigantic square hole in the hull?

I epoxied in a 5/8" copper tube.  It fits in the square hole pretty nicely.  I just have some mild filling to do around it. I think it's gonna work!

[fumblethumbs]

Well Matt, seeing your ship all lit up is giving me the itch!! 

It's really looking great! 

[MattA]

Well Matt, seeing your ship all lit up is giving me the itch!! 

It's really looking great! 

DO EEEET!!!

[crowe-t]

Matt, Really nice work!  I can't imagine how long it took to sand down the inaccurate panelling. 

BTW, where did you get the aztec paint masks?

Mike.

[AnythingSciFi]

Your turd polishing is paying off!!
That is a very good looking model! The lights are fantastic as well as the aztecs!
Never thought this kit could look so good!!!

[MattA]

Well, this thread has been on quite the hiatus!

As it turns out, I had put this kit down for several reasons.  The first of which was my paint work was just not turning out the way I wanted.  Between having to fill the aztec grids in and having to put the paint on thick, the model was starting to look very ameteurish.  The real problem came when I tried to attach the nacelles.  I thought I could soften up the plastic and get the nacelles evened out, but they're tipped in too far.  When I went to correct the problem, it just opened up more problems.

In essence... this project is DEAD. 

BUT!  Like all good things, it can't stay dead!  I've just ordered another kit on ebay (Star Trek IV version), and I'm going to start this one over.  I'm going to steal some of my correction parts and lighting from the first kit and build up the second one properly.  We'll see if we can make this thing work after all. 

I think part of the problem was trying to fill in the 'aztec' pattern.  It's so much work to get it right that it sucks the fun right out of it.  I think I'm actually going to leave it.  It was suggested to me to use some high build primer to reduce  them some, and I think that might be a wise move.  I'm also not going to paint the aztecs on this one.  I thought it would be neat to do so, but it was turning out to be kinda painful to get the paintwork to come out right.  I'll be using the free aztec decals on starshipmodeler to get the pattern on there.

We'll get the thread updating when it arrives!

[Armandodlc]

Dude, you are a glutton for punishment, but I have to admire your persistence, in a perverse, masochistic kind of way...

[MattA]

Dude, you are a glutton for punishment, but I have to admire your persistence, in a perverse, masochistic kind of way...

Yes.  I enjoy pain.  Bring on the plastic!

One thing I noticed about the kit I just won, it's from the 20th anniversary of Star Trek (1986).  That's going on 29 years ago!  I was 11 or 12 when this kit was first sold, and it's still shrink wrapped!  That's pretty darned neat!

[Armandodlc]

Yea...there is something historic about that

[3rdplacetrekkie]

so sorry to hear about your loss! I'll take the old hulk off your hands if ya don't want her. maybe I can trade ya something that will help with your next go around! Again, bummed! I was enjoying this thread!

[MattA]

so sorry to hear about your loss! I'll take the old hulk off your hands if ya don't want her. maybe I can trade ya something that will help with your next go around! Again, bummed! I was enjoying this thread!

Once I've got the new one built up, I'll make you a good deal on the rest.  I still have to pop it open to get the electronics out of it, and I'm sure that won't be pretty... 

[3rdplacetrekkie]

so sorry to hear about your loss! I'll take the old hulk off your hands if ya don't want her. maybe I can trade ya something that will help with your next go around! Again, bummed! I was enjoying this thread!

Once I've got the new one built up, I'll make you a good deal on the rest.  I still have to pop it open to get the electronics out of it, and I'm sure that won't be pretty... 

I'm sure it won't! putting it in the freezer for a bit helps with popping it apart sometimes