NCC-1701 color

QUOTE: Originally posted by Jorg Sacul http://culttvman.net/starfleet_assembly_manuals.html An excellent book, I can't recommend it highly enough for the obsessive TREKhead. I bought an autographed copy (shows you my obsession level!)

I also picked one up through a link from StarshipModeler.com. The book is great and also goes into detail on how to fix some of the problems with the Polar Lights 1701 kit.

There is also a lengthy article about what color the original Enterprise was, and includes a listing by manufacturer of various paints (Tamiya, Testors MM, etc) that can be used to replicate the original coloring. It was listed as a concrete gray with a little green thrown in, so that description is not too far off.

About the coloring on the TOS Klingon D-7, that is a point of argument that the book also covers. I did mine in a two-tone of Testors Flat Gray and a Flat Gray/O.D. Green mixture. The upper sides are all flat gray, while the undersides are all the flat gray/o.d. green mixture. Apparently the original was a two-tone, but someone at Paramount painted it all gray before the filming model was turned over to the Smithsonian for the exhibition.

Thanks for the link! I thought that sounded familiar, I had those books in high school, in the late 70's! Bought them out of Starlog magazine!
Lee

http://culttvman.net/starfleet_assembly_manuals.html

An excellent book, I can't recommend it highly enough for the obsessive TREKhead. I bought an autographed copy (shows you my obsession level!)

by the way, I'm not affilliated with the site or its owner. I just love to pass on great info!

George

I just finished it tonight so it's a little late. I'm happy with the light gray. Does anybody know what color the Klingon cruisers were (TOS). I have one of those on the way.

George, what is the booklet you are talking abpout?
Lee

On the back of the compiled/revamped/reissue of Paul Newitt's booklets in digest form from CultTVMan press is a PMS 'color chip' of the original Enterprise color. It is much darker than you'd think, a concrete grey with a hint of green to it. (my description). Both the 11 foot and 3 foot studio models were painted this color, so to drop it to scale with the Ertl or Polar Lights kits, you might want to add an imperceptible amount of white. The reason the ship looked all those differing colors was two-fold. Partly because studio lighting and blue-screen affect, and partly because of the type of film used. It is enough to drive a monk to madness!

For one version I've made, I decided to go for a true TV appearance. I did it in camo gray, dusted it with silver, and then toothbrush-spattered it with a mix of both all over to simulate the grain and distortion of the filming process. It only looks "right" in person, in photos it looks dead white, if not a little dirtyish. It's ok for a shelf-warmer, I guess. :)

There are all kinds of sites on the internet with plans and illustrations-- but the best I've seen for brass tack detail of the studio model is the IDIC Page. Utilizing that, combined with the Newitt book, you will have a better representation of the 11-foot studio model in her heyday than even what resides in the Smithsonian today.

Oh, and if anyone ever wonders... the hull lettering DOES have a thin mustard/gold outline. I've held the actual unmounted replacement decals in my hand, and by gum, they have it. Should you try to replicate that on your model? Well, in actual size, it was 1/16 of an inch in width around the saucer top NCC-1701 letters, so if you have a laser printer than can make outlines 1/117 of an inch wide... DO IT!

Have fun building it, regardless of what path you choose. It is YOUR project.

George

I used MM Light Gray. Looks pretty good to me I guess.

well I created a Gray color using Tamiya Chrome Silver and white and it looks like a close match to the TOS paint job on the Enterprise.

Thanks, I tried that and no good, guess I will have to try thinner.

try rubbing alcohol that usually softens up tape adhesive for me

I went with Testors MM gloss light ghost gray, It looks to dark to me but I will wait until I apply the flat clear coat. I think I should have added some white to lighten it up.

I don't want to hijack this thread but I have run into a problem with mine, I used micromask on the nacelle bussard caps and on the upper and lower sensor domes. after I applyed the last coat of paint I removed the mask but either some of the paint made it below the mask, or some of the mask will not come off. I tried to remove it with tape but no good. I put the mask on very thick so I don't see how any paint could have made it under. Any Ideas?

Thanks

Mark

QUOTE: Originally posted by J-Hulk Throughout years of watching TOS, I just always assumed it was white, or at most, a very, very light gray. I still like white, though!

I swear at times it looked like a very light powder blue, and that was MY favorite!
Paul

The Original Series.

what does TOS mean?

your question is one that has plagued the human race since the beginning of time...well actually since the late 60's after the first enterprise kit was released.everyone and i mean everyone will have a different answer for you.you must decide if you want it to look like what you see on the tv or what someone else sees,or what the model actually looks like today following 2 makeovers, or what it looked like when it was delivered to desilu to begin filming, or any of the countless other variations.myself i use modelmasters light gray( the cool-95 versus the warm-92)for pretty much any federation vehicle i assemble.i then weather it to simulate any version i desire.read the following article as it will discuss the dilemma you are encountering.www.culttvman.com/what_color_is_the_classic_ente.html

Throughout years of watching TOS, I just always assumed it was white, or at most, a very, very light gray.
I still like white, though!

Hmm...I thought that Light Ghost Gray was a little too dark. I ended up adding quite a bit of white to lighten it.

'Course, I haven't seen a TOS episode in years...

Dan

I am going with the recommended scheme in the kit. Looks right to me.

sounds good

I would have to say model masters camoflauge grey. In my opinion it looks like the exact color of the oringinal

That question came up not too long ago. Here is the thread. http://www.finescale.com/fsm/community/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=18731