USS Enterprise Build

[SCIGS30]

I started on this build a couple of weeks ago. It is a straight forward build but does take some time because of filling the seams. I sprayed on coat of gray primer and one coat of flat white. I will finish next week once the rain stops. I coated all the wood with 3 coats of balsa sealer. I am going with white as the overall color and not the light gray.

 

[SCIGS30]

 

[CharlaineC]

good god man its beautiful now lets see the build photos. as for the filling the seams how did you do that. as i can never get it right.

 

[Gillard]

i've had one of these kits sitting in my build pile for years now - must get around to building it.
For some reason i can't see any of the photos you have posted??

 

[Peartree]

I can see them, make sure your firewall isn't blocking Photobucket.

 

[Micromeister]

Scigs:
Does your Enterprise have one or two pod retaining hooks?
Mine only came with one and it proved to be a desaster on her first flight
About midway through the motor burn the pod crimped just at the single hook connection point sending the model into a very kewl, but erratic spiral flight path then sort of floating horizontally toward the ground until the ejection charge burned thur the crimped pod damaging the model giving it a "Return of Kahn" sort of look
Still have her hanging in the basement as a reminder to ask folks who build this model to be sure to look for 2-point pod retention

Hope this helps with yours

 

[user 13]

Micro,

Thats a shame, looks like it met the doomsday machine!

SCIGS,

Beautiful job on the big E! you did a very nice fill job on the seams.

 

[Pantherjon]

Beautiful job Scigs! I have 2 of those kits in my 'Kit Room' along with another Klingon cruiser..Another 'one of these days' project!..LMBO!

 

[SCIGS30]

I had a bunch of pictures during the build process, but they were erased off my camera before I could download them. The seams were not that bad. For the fuselage: After I glued it together I applied masking tape to both sides of the seam exposing just the seam. I then applied plastic model putty and let this dry overnight. Next day I dry sanded the seam. I then hit the seam with gray primer and sanded until there was no more seam. As far as the pod and plywood braces: I just used slow drying CA, you know the real thick stuff. I was able to apply this and wipe it away before it dried. This made for a nice fillet. The Saucer? There is an over hang of the top portion. That did not look right to me so I sanded most of that off then applied a lot of plastic model putty to even out the top from the bottom. At first before I sanded and applied the putty it looked like this IIII Top side view,
III Bottom
So you could clearly see the over hang from the top. After the putty I hit that with gray primer and sanded smooth.
Micro: I have one retainer, hope that works.

 

[Fred22]

Man that that thing is gorgeous
Cheers
fred

 

[DexterLB]

Coooooool
this is AWESOME!!!

 

[SCIGS30]

I have all the painting done except for some Copper paint on the sharp dowel up front. I used Testors spray can paint for most of the colors. I will put the decals on when I get back on Tuesday and the small pieces you see get glued over some of the decals.

 

[HemiLess]

A very nice build, brings back memories of my Enterprise from the 80's. Well on to eBay to start bidding on an Enterprise.

 

[SCIGS30]

Well it is still raining so today I applied the decals to the Enterprise. The decals went on nice and easy, just had to be careful with lining things up. All and all this is a great kit. Estes did a nice job designing this rocket. I am not a big Star Trek fan so I apologize if the details are wrong on the model......I went off the box and directions. I am glad I went with the white, I think it looks the part. My Klingon Ship will be a light Testors Gray. The pod and rocket together weigh in at 3.9 oz. That is without the pod being painted. I may forgo painting the pod since the weight is were it should be and the balance point is right on. I can't wait to take here out flying. Now on to finishing the Klingon Ship.

 

[SCIGS30]

 

[Fred22]

Man thats awesome
Cheers
fred

 

[Pantherjon]

More then awesome! THAT, is museum display grade workmanship!

Sweet!

One MINOR detail..The bottom of the saucer section, shouldn't those 'bumps' be like the 'clearance' markers on top(red and green)?

 

[SCIGS30]

More then awesome! THAT, is museum display grade workmanship!

Sweet!

One MINOR detail..The bottom of the saucer section, shouldn't those 'bumps' be like the 'clearance' markers on top(red and green)?

I almost painted them like the top, then I read the directions and it said to leave white.

 

[BB-ROCK]

very nice.