USS Entperise |
| By Greg Kirkman |
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For many years, now, I've wanted to build the original Starship Enterprise in each of its three confirgurations--first pilot ('The Cage'), second pilot ('Where No Man has Gone Before'), and production. Polar Lights/Round2's 1/1000 scale kit seemed the perfect opportunity to do that. I'd done several builds of it (labeled as Constitution and Lexington) previously as a warm-up. Well, back in the fall, I began work on my first pilot model. The goals of this three-step project are to practice on the pilot models in order to perfect my technique for the final, production model, and also to work with other fans and solve some of the mysteries of the model--such as exactly what details changed between versions. We've had an ongoing thread at Starship Modeler to this effect, and have made a number of interesting discoveries (such as the existence of a red pinstripe around the bridge and tiny faux formation lights on the saucer of the first pilot model--both or which were applied to my model) The result may just be the most accurate 'Cage' Enterprise ever built, in terms of detailing. I even went so far as to match the weathering patterns on the hull down to specific streaks of green, rust, and gray. The basecoat is Testors' Flat Gull Gray, applied with a rattlecan. The detail parts are Dark Ghost Gray. The deflector dish and rings are Copper mixed with Rust. The front nacelle endcaps are a mix of Dark Red and Rust. The weathering was done with pastel chalks--green, rusty brown, gray, and black. It was built up layer by layer, with subtle blending and streaking, and a slight misting of the base color. The base is a simple custom job--brass rods and a cheapie wooden plaque. And, as an homage to the famous zoom-in opening shot in the pilot episode, I left the upper bridge dome clear, and inserted a tiny JT Graphics bridge interior decal beneath it. This build provided some great experience, and a lot of fun discussion with people who love TREK and the hobby. I'm amazed at how well it turned out, given my relative lack of experience! |
