Series Enterprise (rebuild)

[Shaw]

This is my progress on rebuilding/upgrading my 2010 study model of the Enterprise. The goal is to bring this model as close as possible to looking like my 2019 studio scale replica (at two-thirds scale). Like my rebuild of my 2009 study model, some aspects of the model's original form are going to be unchanged... but this should be less of an issue with this model as it was originally close enough to what I was aiming for that I was willing to follow it with the studio scale model rather than another study model.

This project has proceeded much faster than the previous rebuild because I had made many of the replacement parts at the same time as those used on that previous model. And the decal graphics for this model are even easier as they are essentially just the graphics from my studio scale replica scaled down. The main hold up with the decals is getting the decal paper and going out to get them printed.

The model as shown below is mostly painted. There are a handful of details that need to be added, followed by weathering the model (again, to match the weathering on my studio scale replica).

Here is how the model looks today...

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Oh, and to answer the question as to why I'd need two models of essentially the same Enterprise... this one is approximately 1/500th scale, which matches the scale of most of my other models. If I ever build another large model, it'd most likely be a studio scale Klingon Battle Cruiser (though I really don't have the room for such a model currently).

 

[Bernard Guignard]

Great work Shaw.

 

[Professor Moriarty]

So just to be clear, your subject is the 33” Enterprise miniature, correct? It certainly looks like that’s what you’re going for, judging by various details (e.g., the flattened curvature of the upper and lower primary hull, the bilateral symmetry of the secondary hull, no clamshell doors in the vicinity of the hangar deck, etc.). And it definitely looks delightfully accurate!

Looking forward to your next update.

 

[StarCruiser]

Yep, that's the "3 footer"...

 

[Shaw]

Thanks a ton for the encouragement guys!

Yes, it is based on the 33 inch model... I'm attempting to match the original as it looked in early 1969. This is slightly different from my studio scale replica which was meant to replicate how the original looked in December 1968 (during the filming of Requiem for Methuselah). The biggest difference is this one is missing an intercooler... which should help me tell them apart when looking at images of them. In person it is pretty easy, one is 33.75 inches long and the other (this one) is 22.5 inches long.

Also I'll be leaving off the chrome mounting part on the bottom. I was able to find a vintage 1960s part for the studio scale model, but a two-thirds scale alternative for this model is more effort than I'm willing to put into it.

My wife thinks we'll get the decal paper by Wednesday, so I hope to have some new images by the end of the weekend.

I really hope this model turns out as nice as my pilot rebuild. It seemed like all I could see in that model for the last 15 years was its flaws, but now it no longer feels like a compromise. This model had fewer flaws, but they stood out when in the same room as my studio scale replica... and even unfinished it now feels much closer to looking like that model.

 

[Shaw]

I haven't made much progress because I've been fighting a migraine for the last few days.

But I thought you guys might find this interesting, a comparison between my 2010 model and the original in 1979...

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While not a perfect match, I think it at least shows why I thought I had gained enough insight into the design that I was willing to make the next model studio scale.

The other interesting thing of note is that both models are 15 years old in those pictures. I'm making mostly cosmetic changes to my model, the alignment of the model hasn't been an issue over its lifetime. By comparison, the original had suffered a number of falls and poor repairs by this point in its life.

 

[publiusr]

The nacelle whisperer…

I just knew you’d be dead on.

 

[Shaw]

I've finally started in on the decals, here is a quick shot of the top of the primary hull...

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It's a little progress.

 

[JJohnson]

That model looks really nice! That's a great job!

If I had the skill I'd do a somewhat Franz Josef-style with deflector grid, and phaser banks from TMP atop and on bottom of the saucer (only 2 front phasers seemed really underpowered) on a model, but my current project is to have a local tailor create a custom uniform for me.

 

[Shaw]

Thanks!

A bit more progress...

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[publiusr]

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In “Requiem’” I seem to remember the nacelles being long.

The bottom image has them just a tad shorter and the connection a bit farther back.

Could that just be perspective/artifact, or do we have a Ship of Theseus deal where those are replacements for the originals?

You are best known for your scholarly research on the 1/650-ish AMT Enterprise from the original series—-having done nice orthos.

As it turns out—the AMT build photo on boxes…doesn’t really exist:

The 1968 Issue of the AMT Model Enterprise Kit is Back but in a “New” Box

Round 2 has issued yet another version of AMT’s beloved classic 18-inch Enterprise plastic model kit. Even though the model kit itself is the same as what Round 2 first issued in 2016 for the 50th …

liftoffworks.com

Lastly—do these decals look a tad different from memory?

https://propstoreauction.com/lot-details/index/catalog/386/lot/126427?url=%2Fauctions%2Fcatalog%2Fid%2F386%3Fpage%3D14

 

[Shaw]

That screen shot was from a video made using AI to fill in the step between a set of images... I figured that caused some distortion. The original model today matches up with my studio scale replica (other than the sagging nacelles). And this two-thirds replica is looking more like my studio scale replica now


I'll make sure to have my wife's computer around the next time I'm online, my system is too old to read the links.


Meanwhile... updates.

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