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Introduction: THE ADVENTURE BEGINS
This Work In Progress (WIP) journal is to cronical the building of the Starship USS Enterprise NCC-1701A. This ship was first featured in
this configuration at the end of
the movie "Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home". The TOS original and refit Enterprise having been destroyed by Admiral Kirk's self destruct order. This ship was recommissioned (from USS Tia Ho) to the USS Enterprise NCC-1701A. Thus starting a tradition of always having a ship bear the name of "Enterprise" in Star Fleet from then on. James T. Kirk now reduced in rank assumes command.
In real life production of the Star Trek Movies this motion control miniature has never been destroyed but repainted and redressed many times for models in the movies. The original miniature at about
eight feet in length and costing about $500,000, was refinished and marked throughout its movie career. Finally retired from films, its last studio sponsoredpublic display in the 1992 Star Trek Exhibition at
the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum. The details paint and markings with the "E-A" exceptions will be the same as used with the original ST:TMP motion control model. Other miniatures in
various smaller sizes and special close up sections where also used in filming.
Over the last few months I have gathered up materials to make this project . This time
I will use a resin detail kit from Don's Light and Magic and Lightsheet as a lighting source in the Warp Engines. Many references mentioned as below will also be sited. The principle model used is an old smooth kit of the TMP Enterprise. They are rare but around and I was lucky enough to find one still in the wrapper at a bargain.
Let's Get Started:
part 1: upper primary hull/bridge and lower primary hull/ports
part 2: navigation sensor;impulse engine;dorsal conector; engineering hull
part 3: navigational deflector, warp nacelle struts, warp engines
part 4: opaquing the hulls/making transparent ports and lighting overview
part 5: power jack connection, nacelle lighting, secondary and dorsal lighting
part 6:
botanical garden and secondary assembly, primary hull lower sensor and bridge
part 7: final major assembly, and paint preperation
part 8: masking, final major assembly
part 9: paint information
part 10: painting the aztec pattern
part 11: final detail and decals
References:
General Plans: U.S.S. Constitution II Class
Classification: Class 1 Starship of the line
Type: Heavy Cruiser, Model: MK 1X-A B
Published By Pocket Books 1980
Copyright: David A Kimble
*Star Fleet Assembly Manual # 4, (Advanced detail and painting tips) Fanzine published by Paul M Newitt
*The Making of STII:TWOK By Allan Asherman * Pocket Books, 1980
*The Art of Star Trek:By Judith and Garfield Reeves-Stevens. Pocket Books 1995
*Star Trek: The Motion Picture, USS Enterprise Cutaway Poster
*Mr. Scott's Guide to the Enterprise, By Shane Johnson
TOOLS REQUIRED
*Drill, powered motor tool preferred with A selection of small bits
*Hole Reamers
*Pencil, Mechanical, small lead
* Scribing Tool
*Dremel Burrs, small
*Jewelers Files
SPECIAL MATERIALS
*Evergreen Plastics, scribed sheets and strips
*Fiber Optics, .40, .050 dia.
*Plexiglas 1/8 inch
*Clear casting resin, Envirotex, or Ultra Glo
KITS USED
Principle
Model: USS Enterprise, Star Trek the Motion Picture, Lesney AMT, Stock No.S97061
Scrap Parts model: USS Enterprise, Special Electronics Edition, ERTL/AMT No. 6957
Detail Custom Add-On Kit:
Don's Light and Magic: Star Ship Enterprise Movie Version.
Decals used to supplement markings:
Web Games
Grey Wolf
Thomas Models
DLM custom made graphics
LIGHTING SYSTEMS USED
*2 DLM /LED Flasher circuits. One
circuit slow speed for Nav Position Lights (R2 @ 200 ohm). One circuit at faster speed for Navigation Strobe Lights, (R2 @ 150 ohm)
*LEDs 2 yellow, 2 green, 2 red, 4 blue. micro-mini 2 t-1 Blue for Magnatomic Crystal
*Lamps: 2 large bayonet socket 6 volt, 4 grain of wheat.
*Light Sheet; 1 power pack with 2 5.5"x.5 Light Sheets,
(inside of Warp Engines) *POWER SUPPLY: 6volts @ 700ma.
Check CultTVman's Lighting Page to help you find some of the electronic material you will need fro this project.
Some good Web sites to visit to help you with paint and markings:
CultTVman's SF Modeling Page!
CultTVman - Modeling Star Trek section
The CONTINUUM
William McCullars' IDIC page
(References dtd. 8/21/97)
Contact Don
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