Cutaway USS Enterprise (orig. ser.) being built closed up.

I haven't built that one yet but have seen some around the web that turned out pretty nice. You'll have to put up some prgress pics for us.

Matt

That kit is on my wish list. Please share some pics of your build.

I have one of those kits, that I would trade for something on my want list. Contact me at lengesath@cox.net, if interested. I am in Florida.
Larry Engesath

QUOTE: Originally posted by Woody That kit is on my wish list. Please share some pics of your build.

I'll post some progress pics pretty soon.

Dave

I am curious as to why anyone would build it closed up when you can get a kit that is already closed up. Any way I would enjoy seeing some pics. Not trying to criticize, sorry if it sounded that way.

Scott

Snoopy, the interior detail for the Cutaway Enterprise is really substandard. Also it is nice to have a display model that is significantly larger than all the other Enterprise kits out there. Cutaway is about 1/500 scale, standard AMT kit was about 1/650 and Polar Lights is 1/1000.

Dave

Very true, Dave...

I haven't built that one up myself, nor do I have it in my collection, but the few "solid" build-ups I've seen of that particular 1701 kit are indeed very well done. You should be very pleased with the end result, dude .

Despite the "substandard" interior details, you might want to keep the small bridge detail in there, as I think that adds a nice touch to the finished piece overall, being able to see a tiny bridge setting under the dome of the Enterprise .

As for suggestions or comments on how to finish it up, well... aside from saying "putty in those seams, and sand them smoother than a baby's bottom", I don't really know of what else to tell ya, dude .

BTW, regarding the exterior details on that kit, did they put those damn -- and let me point out, inaccurate -- grid lines on the saucer section? When I built up my 1/650 scale 1701 kit I sanded those right off, and let me tell you, I think it looks better all around just because of it .

QUOTE: Checking to see if anyone has done this kit the same way, just looking for suggestions, comments etc.

Yes I've attempted that kit closed up. I had/am having trouble smoothing the seam on the saucer section. I've tried Tamiya, squadron, and bondo, putties. I still have not been able to get rid of all the seam. I've taken a break from that one to think about this, and have decided to try some strips of styrene rod to put into the seams. I've done this before with big seems. At least after you sand it down it does not shrink. Good luck!
Matt

Eric Ardros,

The Cutaway Enterprise has NO grid lines on the saucer section

Dave

That's good to hear... would've been a disappointment to know they'd continued with those inaccurate details on thier later 1701 kits...

The best advice I can give you is as others have stated above.The saucer is a big pain in the ass,when you have the edges of the saucer in line,the raised area under the bridge is slightly not in line,however if you take the considerable extra time sanding and reshaping you will have a gem of a kit,If I had to do it over again I would order after market parts from Cult TVs' mans web-site as this would save you lots of time.

I've never dealt with him myself, nor have I bought any of his after-market parts, but from I hear his pieces are very well done...

Hey,Eric don't you sleep,dude?kind of late to be posting on the forum! I can relate I believe sleep is a waste of time.I checked your web-site.Those are by far some of the highest quality props I have seen,and I've seen alot.I always wanted to be a propmaker or sfx make-up artist,but instead I played metal guitar chasing the dream,now at 41,wish I would have went to Hollywood!

i've done the kit in the closed configuration. you can view it at the starshipmodeler.com site by doing asearch for the 2003ipms/usa nationals. http://www.spacemodelmania.com/models/ipms2k3/sp_ipms_Ent.jpgone reason for closing up this kit is it is a much nicer scale for one and certain areas of the model such as the forward portin of the engineering section is a little better thought out in terms of actually constructing the model.there will be plenty of sanding and filling and i suggest using ca and curing it with baking soda to accomplish that. work small areas at a time and sand the area immediately.if you wait too long to sand the ca will dry like concrete.i suggest an after market deflector dish as the one in the kit is very inaccurate. alignment of the nacelles and the saucer caused a significant amount of stress. there are many sticking points so as you reach them ask for suggestions and i'll gladly try to explain how i handled them.

i've seen no further responses since my post and i was just wondering if anything i said was helpful or just ramblings from a mad man?

jimmyd30,

I clicked on the link and nothing came up. I'd love to see it if you can bring it back.
Thanks for the advice but I don't think I'm going to finish this Cutaway.

I got my saucer section almost complete, but alas it does not line up well. I would have to do some pretty serious surgery to make it look seamless, and even then it wouldn't look right.

Polar Lights here I come,

Dave