Hi All!

just thought I would add a couple of pictures of the Entrerprise next to my PL D-7 Klingon that I completed last summer. Thanks for taking a look!

Tom

Here are my pictures of the completed Enterprise. I have to say I'm pretty happy with the result, and I hope the person I built it for enjoys it. Thanks everyone for looking, and for all of your kind words and support.

And here's a couple with the lights on.

Thanks a lot Banshee!! I used Aves apoxy sculpt for all of my filling. With a little elbow grease it sands very smooth without any shrinkage.

That looks great.  What were you using for the filler?

I remember some kits had a yellowish semi-clear nacelle cap, I still havve at least one laing around here somewhere. 

You're right, the kit back then suffered from a bad case of nacelle drooop.  I think they tried to correct it once by making a slot or something the pylon end would slide through but it didn't help much. 

I never  understood why they put those deep impressions or the rings into the lower saucer.

Thanks a lot for the compliment Gamera! I know it's just a fear of the unknown with the LED's There will be a another Enterprise for sure, and I will take more time and do that one right. Here is the box, and this is the last edition long box kits, and this has the placements for bulbs as well. I may even light the nacelles on this one.

She looks pretty darn good! Looking forward to the other photos. 

BTW: I couldn't agree with Jim more, I melted big chunks out of the secondary hull and nacelles in the same kit back thirty years ago with grain-of-wheat bulbs. LEDs are waaaaaaaayyyyyyyyy better, smaller, much longer lasting, and they generate very little heat. They're actually pretty easy to work with too, basically the same as the regular lights. 

Here is my first picture after assembly and putting on the decals. I have a little touch up to do then I will post some more. I hope you like it!

Thanks guys I'm glad you like it!

Actually this is the first edition of the small box kit which used some of the original tooling before the 1975 retool. There are the holes for bulbs in the saucer but, other features like the lighting kit and the battery tray in the lower secondary hull were long gone. This version had done away with those awful retainer tabs from the original versions so, I'm hoping I won't have the drooping problem. I do plan to epoxy them on just in case.

Thanks for the info on the LED's Arronax! I used some bulbs that I had lying around the house for another project. Unfortunately it's too late now to go back and make changes. I have a 1/350 in the closet waiting for me to get started. I definitely will want to light that with LED's and will greatly appreciate any advice.

I should have this one done by next weekend, and hope to have some pictures up then!

Tom

Yes, indeedy, an early version of this kit did come with a lighting kit - 4 grain of wheat bulbs to light the nacelles and top and bottom saucer domes.  

A word of caution, Tom.  BEWARE OF NACELLE DROOP!  This particular kit was notorious for drooping nacelles.  No matter how you glued the nacelles in place, they always seem to droop to the rear.   It may be too late now but steel/brass rod for reinforcement may prevent the problem.  I would certainly use a good epoxy cement and brace the nacelles in their correct position while the cement cures (48 hours?).

And a suggestion.  Experiment with LEDs.  Many packages of LEDs come with the correct resistors making them easy to use.  LEDs burn cool and use less battery power while the incandescent grain of wheat lights burn hot (and can melt plastic if left on) and deplete your battery faster.

Cool, I don't think I've seen the 1st ed kit except for photos on the web. Didn't one of these come with a lighting kit?

Looks good so far. Looking forward to seeing her with her nacelles on.