Tabio Posted January 3, 2011 Share Posted January 3, 2011 (edited) Hello folks, I've set out on my journey to build the Enterprise, my 29 year old self hopefully fulfilling the dreams of my 5 year old self where lego just couldn't do the job back then! So I've started this weekend with the arboretum, making some tree aramtures from fuse wire doubled up several times, put into a drill chuck and twisted then unravelled at the top into branches, then covering in tamiya diorama texture paint soil. Some train layout bush material is glued onto the tops for the foliage. The lighter trees are a more basic trunk with just a wire but otherwise the same. These replaced the kit trees, some fir like ones are moulded onto the floor and were removed with my dremel type gadget. Tamiya soil was again used on the garden parts, then painted over the top with citadle greens and greys for rockery looking parts. Water was painted with citadel blue, then tamiya clear blue and tamiya clear. Pathways were painted with citadel foundation dheneb stone. The walls I imagined would look nice sky blue in such a space although no pictures seem to exist. Finally the outside of the part was painted black to keep the light from shining through as this model will be lit. I think that's the easy part done, it's going to get a bit tricky I bet, so I thought I'd do a work in progress from the start which I haven't done before- perhaps it will motivate me to see it through when I'm tempted to hide it away and forget about it for a bit! I think I could be a while on this one.... Thanks for looking, Andy on top of a small Tamiya pot! Edited January 3, 2011 by Tabio Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Obi-Jiff Kenobi Posted January 4, 2011 Share Posted January 4, 2011 Nice start! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Madmonk Posted January 4, 2011 Share Posted January 4, 2011 Lovely start, I take it that this part sits somewhere within the Enterprise, in which case this will be big! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thx6667 Posted January 4, 2011 Share Posted January 4, 2011 Good grief, that's a modelling project in itself! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob C Posted January 4, 2011 Share Posted January 4, 2011 I can't tell if you're insane or a genius. Perhaps an insane genius. I will be watching this with interest so now you've started you can't let us down! What kind of dimensions are we looking at here for the hull length? Cheers, Rob. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrvr6 Posted January 4, 2011 Share Posted January 4, 2011 cool cloaking device youve really nailed it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tabio Posted January 4, 2011 Author Share Posted January 4, 2011 (edited) Hello, here is an idea of the scale for those who were wondering, it's a 1/72 Spit between the nacelles, a quick measure up and it looks 34" long to me. Oh, my... Edited January 4, 2011 by Tabio Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chadders Posted January 4, 2011 Share Posted January 4, 2011 Got on of these myself. Scared the bejesus out of me when I saw the size!! So much so I've pre ordered the 1:350th original series Enterprise that's due out to keep it company!!! Mark Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smiffy Posted January 5, 2011 Share Posted January 5, 2011 Nice start. Looks very good. I've got a couple of the original issue ones in the stash (did have 3, but sold 1 on e-bay last year ). Is yours the later one, with the Aztec decals?. I'm planning to light mine all up as well, so I'll be taking notes here (not sure what I'm gonna do to replace that naff stand though). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thx6667 Posted January 5, 2011 Share Posted January 5, 2011 I could kick myself that I didn't pick one up when I saw it a show for £15! That was the pre-atzec decal release though. Have to say the miniature work of the Enterprise in ST:TMP remains stunning, you almost feel they did film a full-size ship. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Obi-Jiff Kenobi Posted January 5, 2011 Share Posted January 5, 2011 Have to say the miniature work of the Enterprise in ST:TMP remains stunning, you almost feel they did film a full-size ship. Agreed. To me, it's the only effects work that really seems to convey the vastness of an interstellar starship. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tabio Posted January 5, 2011 Author Share Posted January 5, 2011 Nice start.Looks very good. I've got a couple of the original issue ones in the stash (did have 3, but sold 1 on e-bay last year ). Is yours the later one, with the Aztec decals?. I'm planning to light mine all up as well, so I'll be taking notes here (not sure what I'm gonna do to replace that naff stand though). I've got the earlier one, bought it from on here actually. After doing the 1/1200 one with the decals all over it, I'm glad to be painting it! I've got some masks by Aztec Dummy. I've got an idea for the stand but will get it sorted in my head before I tell all! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smiffy Posted January 5, 2011 Share Posted January 5, 2011 I've got the earlier one, bought it from on here actually. After doing the 1/1200 one with the decals all over it, I'm glad to be painting it! I've got some masks by Aztec Dummy. I've got an idea for the stand but will get it sorted in my head before I tell all! Yeah, I think I prefer the idea of painting it using masks rather than all that decalling. Look forward to seeing your stand solution, as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Laidlaw Posted January 5, 2011 Share Posted January 5, 2011 Have to say the miniature work of the Enterprise in ST:TMP remains stunning, you almost feel they did film a full-size ship. I'm sure most with an interest have already seen this site, written by the guy who did the actual painting, but I find it fascinating: Paul Olsen Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cimmerian Posted January 5, 2011 Share Posted January 5, 2011 (edited) Indeed - there has been many sometimes heated discussions about the TMP enterprise paint scheme. Head over to hobbytalk - there are some good threads going there about it. Also - this chap's scratchbuild is very good: http://galaxyphoto.com/ent_g_imag/ent_aztec_web/index.htm Oh, and nice arboretum Tablo! Looking forward to this one! Edited January 5, 2011 by Cimmerian Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrvr6 Posted January 5, 2011 Share Posted January 5, 2011 how does it compare size wise with a ww2 bs? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thx6667 Posted January 5, 2011 Share Posted January 5, 2011 I'm sure most with an interest have already seen this site, written by the guy who did the actual painting, but I find it fascinating:Paul Olsen Good one, thanks for that! I think the difference between the Enterprise stuff in ST: TMP and the ST 2009 reboot is that with the former you get the feeling you're looking at a real ship, with the latter you're looking at a very clever visual effect. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Laidlaw Posted January 6, 2011 Share Posted January 6, 2011 Good one, thanks for that!I think the difference between the Enterprise stuff in ST: TMP and the ST 2009 reboot is that with the former you get the feeling you're looking at a real ship, with the latter you're looking at a very clever visual effect. No probs - it's inspiring (at least for me ). The original was physically built, over a considerable length of time, by true artists, whereas the latter was built (virtually, not that that matters) over a much sorter timescale, by people who are most likely not artists. This doesn't mean they're not talented, but does mean they're less likely to do those little things that make an image seem real. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BWP Posted January 6, 2011 Share Posted January 6, 2011 The original was physically built, over a considerable length of time, by true artists, whereas the latter was built (virtually, not that that matters) over a much sorter timescale, by people who are most likely not artists. This doesn't mean they're not talented, but does mean they're less likely to do those little things that make an image seem real. I'm sorry, but that's plain nonsense. The difference between people who build models using plastic, wood, paint etc. and people who build models on a computer is that they are using different tools. The degree of artistic ability required in either case is the same, although in both cases technical abilities are probably required to a greater degree.. The existence of a computer running a CGI program does not substitute for "skill" any more than a paintbrush or a craft knife does. It's not the tool, it's the person using the tool who determines what the end product looks like. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Laidlaw Posted January 6, 2011 Share Posted January 6, 2011 (edited) I'm sorry, but that's plain nonsense. The difference between people who build models using plastic, wood, paint etc. and people who build models on a computer is that they are using different tools. The degree of artistic ability required in either case is the same, although in both cases technical abilities are probably required to a greater degree..The existence of a computer running a CGI program does not substitute for "skill" any more than a paintbrush or a craft knife does. It's not the tool, it's the person using the tool who determines what the end product looks like. Thanks for your input Bruce, but if you carefully read what I said, you'll find we're in complete agreement with what you wrote in your second paragraph, even though it contradicts your first paragraph. My point, if you'd cared to read it, was that the people who did the work on the movie Enterprise were artists first and foremost, not that those who utilise CGI were less talented. Oh, and it's nice to meet you, despite the "nonsense" comment. Great start. Edited January 6, 2011 by John Laidlaw Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thx6667 Posted January 6, 2011 Share Posted January 6, 2011 I'm sorry, but that's plain nonsense. The difference between people who build models using plastic, wood, paint etc. and people who build models on a computer is that they are using different tools. The degree of artistic ability required in either case is the same, although in both cases technical abilities are probably required to a greater degree..The existence of a computer running a CGI program does not substitute for "skill" any more than a paintbrush or a craft knife does. It's not the tool, it's the person using the tool who determines what the end product looks like. I think you'll find that John wasn't decrying any lack of actual technical skill or ability - CGI modelling requires huge amounts of skill not to mention talent - but more that the original 3D modellers working on ST: TMP had more of a feel for what would make the models seem real, which went from the paintwork and lighting on the model, to the types of lenses used. The CGI in ST2009 is excellent, its ILM for the most part and they tend to employ the best of the best, but the devil is in the details, its like looking at two well made model kits, but one of them has that extra something that lifts it beyond the norm. The miniature work in ST:TMP is exceptional, it truly was a labour of love for the crews working it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tabio Posted January 6, 2011 Author Share Posted January 6, 2011 A big box of LED's, resistors etc. turned up today. That's going to light up my model, apparently! I have some holes and grooves to cut... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smiffy Posted January 6, 2011 Share Posted January 6, 2011 A big box of LED's, resistors etc. turned up today. That's going to light up my model, apparently! I have some holes and grooves to cut... DIY job, ehh?. I'm not clever enough for that, so got one of DMLs Federation flasher sets instead. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tabio Posted January 6, 2011 Author Share Posted January 6, 2011 DIY job, ehh?.I'm not clever enough for that, so got one of DMLs Federation flasher sets instead. Noooooo, I'm not that clever either, it's Trekmodeller's DIY kit, just solder it all up yourself. That was enough money but the pre-built one was much more. Had to be done though! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smiffy Posted January 6, 2011 Share Posted January 6, 2011 Does that have the Torpedo firing function or am I thinking of a different set?. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now