Round 2 TOS Enterprise model build!

[Bryancd]

It's time! Time to start the long road to building this bad boy. As some of you may recall, a few years ago I chronicled by build of the Polar Lights refit Enterprise model in this thread:

http://www.treksinscifi.com/forum/index.php?topic=6538.msg72115#msg72115

Now I have the 1:350 scale TOS model to go with her. This is going to be a much easier build as the decal and paint work is much more simple for this kit. So today a worked on the bridge, which has a Klingon Cruiser on the main view screen (the kit also has a Balok and a Romulan Bird of Prey decal you can use) and the hanger deck and a little Galileo 7! The bridge is going to be only seen from directly above so I just painted it enough to look correct from that angle. I did put in the bridge monitor decals but you can't see them at all. These parts are tiny, the bridge is maybe 1 1/2" across.

[Rico]

Cool - a little mini-bridge inside the upper dome.  Neat!

[Bryancd]

Yeah it has a clear dome so you can look in. Although I am working in the hanger bay, I'm not sure if I will ever look at it, I prefer the look with the doors closed.

[jedijeff]

Wow, that looks like a lot of details there and not a lot of space. Must have taken a steady hand.

[ChrisMC]

Looking forward to see how this turns out!

[Bryancd]

OK, moving forward a bit. I found a good color for the hull, it's just grey primer spray paint! Nice flat finish and light grey color. What's very cool about the kit is that they provide you with three different options for the windows, clear, opaque white, or opaque black. Clear would be for a lighted kit but I have no lighting skills and I thought I would opt for the opaque white. But when I tried that is really gets' kind of lost and the windows lacked any definition. So I tried the opaque black and was much happier with the look. I glued in the bridge in the not stage accurate off set but the visually more appealing center facing command charm and helm lay out. If you want off my bridge you have to jump over Uhara. :)

[ChrisMC]

Looks awesome! Yeah, that is a nice color for the hull. I just read a thread on a guy's build of the Ent Refit with all the lighting and wiring and that looks tough.

[Bryancd]

Looks awesome! Yeah, that is a nice color for the hull. I just read a thread on a guy's build of the Ent Refit with all the lighting and wiring and that looks tough.

Yeah, like real tough. My 1/350 refit was just a straight up build with the aztecing decals and paint work.

[ChrisMC]

Wow, Bryan, awesome work, WE SPEAK YOUR NAME.

[jedijeff]

Looks good so far. Looks like a lot of details to take into consideration. A little jealous that my Modelling skill shave a way to go before I can take on something like this, so will definitely be following your experience to gauge when I can tackle something like this.

[Bromptonboy]

Wow, I would love a project like this. 

[Bryancd]

Had some time to work on the upper saucer section this afternoon. Just some opaque parts and painted navigation lights...and the anti-matter accelerator thingy on the back by the impulse deck. :) Still really liking how this grey primer gives some texture as well as shading to the paint finish. It's just a rattle can of Rustoleum automotive primer.

[Rico]

Looking good Bryan.  That color does look pretty close to my Big E from MR.

[Bryancd]

Yeah, where MR got it so right is that little bit of green in the ghost grey. And of course the weathering and famous "rust" line. Also now I realize I need to paint that part on the back a darker grey! :) What's so much fun about building these kits is that I barely have to look at the directions, I know all the parts and where they go!

[Rico]

Actually in person the MR Enterprise has this sort of weird blue-green gray look to the paint job.  It's very subtle but I've always liked it.  There are a ton of other pics out there better than my old one's but here's a link to some other shots of my MR Big E.

http://www.treksinscifi.com/collection/thumbnails.php?album=27

P.S.  The thing holding me back from building my big refit kit is the fact I'm planning on lighting it too.  Kind of planning things out right now.