Moebius BSG75

[Jasonb13]

Hi all...

I plan to make the Moebious BattleStar Galactica this summer as a gift for a mate of mine. I'm pretty much a newbie to modelling ( it will probably be my 7th or 8th build ) so while I'd love to do it well, I need to be aware of my skill set as well.

Anyhow, it seems to me I have a few options. Firstly is make the kit out of the box. Secondly is look at some of the Aztec Deluxe Panel/Rib decals. Thirdly is look at the Paragrafix PE set. And fourtly, look at both the decals AND the PE!

I've never used PE, but I don't mind starting somewhere. I've seen it said that 'experienced' decallers only should use the Aztec Decals for this kit. So what I'm trying to figure out is should I go OOB or should I make the extra effort? How hard are the extra decals to put on? How hard is the PE? Can you do both ( extra decals and PE ) or is it one or the other?

All advice appreciated, thanks!

J.

[picard]

Hi Jasonb,

Depending on your bugdet, I would go with a base colour, a dark wash and then Aztec decal set which in my humble opion, is truly brilliant

I used a base of aluminum then then a very dark wash using the now famous shoe polish method and then grey and metallic highlights, then applied the aztec's.

The scale is so small on this baby,I think the PE gets lost from my point of veiw, saying that, I have just applied seven decals to a 1/350th shuttle so what do I know?

Get some lights in there as well. a brilliant kit and a joy to build enjoy.

Cheers

[Jasonb13]

Hey there...

Thanks for the advice! Could you point me to the 'now famous shoe polish method'? How did you find the Aztec, is it basically decals pretty much covering the whole model? Did you need to use Micro-Sol or something like that, any hairy moments? Thanks!

Jason.

[picard]

Hi Jasonb,

The detail Aztec set is from Acreation Models found at Cultman TV hobby store, they also have their own great website, and I think you will find the video link on the Starship Modelers forum in their discussion forum by subject, under " my first lighted Galactica" but the vid is also on youtube under the same subject.

Strongly recomend having at Bruce's Domain for the best advice at build articles.

I have not mastered the art of direct links yet I'm afraid, thank god for Google

Hope that helps

Cheers

Cheers

[Jasonb13]

Excellent! Thanks for all that advice, I've found lots of stuff on Bruce's Domain that should get me on the right road...

J.

[Jasonb13]

Of course, now that I've looked at a few build threads, pictures and videos, I'm very tempted to do the PE, the Decals and maybe even some lights ( though that might be a bridge too far! ). It's hard to associate 'how cool it could be' with 'how awkward it will be' in my head!

J.

[Paulbo]

Hey Jason,

While I definitely don't want to steer you away from any of my products ...

I DON'T suggest you pick up the hull insert PE set as your first experience with PE.

The standard PE Set is fine for novices. I'd suggest checking out my two video instructions for some help getting started.

Rob's decals definitely help make this kit look fantastic.

Cheers,

Paul

P.S. Wow, I really have to get off my butt and scale my avatar for this forum.

Edited March 27, 2011 by Paulbo

[Acreation Models]

There are two sets of decals you can use, Armor only which just has the plating on the armor panels, but not between the ribs. The Deluxe is the set with decals for the between the ribs sections and is for the more intermediate modeler. I recommend you use the Armor only set. There aren't any complicated sections to place in it so you should be fine with them.

[Jasonb13]

Thanks for the two replies!

I didn't even know about the Hull Insert PE set, but thanks for the friendly warning. I was only really looking at the standard PE set anyhow, don't want anything that I'll make a mess of!

I was however looking at the Deluxe Decals, but as I said, was worried about how hard they might be. Are the ribs sections decals between each individual rib, or a larger decal that sits over ( and takes the shape off ) the ribs? The armour only one looks like it's probably the way to go for me though. This might be an obvious question then, but if I don't use the Rib decals, and don't use the Hull Insert PE, what do those two sections look like then? Will they look very plain compared to the armour decals sections?

Thanks for the videos links, will spend some time watching them now!

J.

Edited March 27, 2011 by Jasonb13

[Paulbo]

I can't speak to the between the ribs decals, but my understanding is that the hull insert portion of the decals will work with or without my PE set. You just need to fill the nasty seam between the hull and the inserts themselves before you use the decals. (And do the base color painting, of course.)

[Jasonb13]

Sorry for continuing the stupid questions, I just want to make sure I have this right.

So there are basically two sets of PE. One does the guns / girders in pods and the names. The other does the area where the pods would sit into if they were 'docked' ( if that makes sense )?

And there are two sets of Decals. One does the Armour sections only, while the other also does between the ribs. There are also decals that also do the same area where the pods would sit into if they were 'docked'. Does this set of decals for that 'docked' section come with both sets, or only with the deluxe set that includes the ribs decals?

Thanks!

J.