Sadly all the RS's are closed in my area. I did order 3 switches from them online. They will be here

next week. hopefully one of the 3 i ordered will look good.

And yah, that red is really red! I think it will look nice when I put the aluminum top coat on it.

Alright, looking good.

Over the past week (or so), I attached the nacelles, and painted more details on.

Nacelle attachment:

Then, after some more detail painting and weathering (but not too much, I hope):

Here's a 'flyby' view:

Before I start on decals, I tried to paint more colors on the ship to down-play the drabness. Also, in an attempt to limit the number of decals used, I painted on some windows:

That last shot, above, really helps illustrate the massive size of the "laboratory" windows on the secondary hull, doesn't it?

And finally, the blackwash brought out some of the detail on the 'Sensor node':

And that's all I've got for now.

Forthcoming: DECALS!

Keep up the great work, everyone!

Klik

Looks great Klik. Your in the homestretch now.

She's coming right along Klik- nice work on the Aztec patterning.

I found some time today to work on the beacon.

I traced out the indents, and made some masks from blue tape.

I then lightly sanded the body to even out the paint thickness.

Next another coat of primer, a light sanding, a tack cloth and then a coat of

aluminum.

This is just a dry fitting. I might need to do some clean up around the front, it's not as smooth as I

like.

I'm still waiting on the switches, Radio Shack sent them FedEx ground! They should show up in next week.

I think that's wicked cool Mach!

Thanks Rob. It's coming together slowly.

I was just looking at your build of the NX-01 refit and it hit me that the

addition of the secondary hull really improves the look of the ship. I always

thought the original design was lacking.

Hey cool Mach71- the aluminum paint looks perfect.  

Thanks.

I think I'm going to hit the body with a coat of matt clear to knock down the gloss and give more contrast with the chrome silver bezel. I think I want to leave the red gloss.

mach71

Thanks Rob. It's coming together slowly.

I was just looking at your build of the NX-01 refit and it hit me that the

addition of the secondary hull really improves the look of the ship. I always

thought the original design was lacking.

It's too bad it was canceled, Manny Coto was just getting the series on track. With the exception of the awful final episode the 4th season was pretty good. I would have liked to see his season 5 and the refit.

Really?!?! I had no idea she was getting a secondary hull like that- it does really make her look much better.

I dunno, loved the two part Mirror Universe story and the three parter with the Romulan holo-ship but frankly beyond that season four was like season 1-3, not terrible but not good either. In fact I don't even hardly remember much of the series. One of the few things I did love about the show was oddly enough the new Andorians, I love the movable antenna!

I was just happy they ended the silly temporal cold war and Xindi arch.

I also liked the the klingon arch explaining the smooth heads in TOS and the Dr Soong eugenics story.

My switches arrived today! I'll see how they fit/look tomorrow.

The switches look good. I just have to open up the hole a tiny bit.

The flashlight jury rig looks like it will work. I tested the new switch with

the flash light after ripping out the original flashlight switch.

I'm off to work. I'll break out the soldering iron this weekend.

Mach71: Looks cool, looking forward to seeing her all wired up.

Actually the Klingon story I did like. The one with the augments I just felt that they could have done a lot more with. And we've seen Brent Spiner as Data, Data's 'dad', Data's evil 'brother', and now Data's 'great, great grandpa'??? When they did that I think I hit Spiner overload...

I had to sand the front down. I thought the bezel would cover more. I re-primed and re-painted and let dry.

This morning I noticed a chip. Argh! Sanded and repainted. The paint did not cover evenly. :-(

Another coat. I think I'm ok now.

Sorry, no photos. I'll break out the soldering iron soon to finish the wiring then final assembly.  

Almost done.

I soldered the switch and the flashlight today.

Then glued the flashlight to the bezel/emmiter.

It's Very bright! I'm happy with how it lights.

Then glued everything together.

I still have some touch up to do, but construction is basically done.

I spent the morning in my back yard trying to signal the Enterprise!

Cool!!! Really neat!

Lets call this done.

I did the touch up paint today.

Mach'

I'm still not sure what that is, but which picture did you want on the wall?

Steve

Thanks Steve.

The 1st I guess.

It's the laser beacon from "The Squire of Gothos" episode

Oh yeah, now I remember.

Pic 1, you got it.

Steve

Love the beacon!

I'm back, with Decals!

I simply cut up the kit-supplied decals in the laziest way possible to get the registry number and name.

With a quick clear flat spray, I took "Final" photos on a fluffy black pillow (to simulate "Space"):

That is all I have for now. Let me know if you all want more pictures, and I'll do my best to get them for you. Feel free to pick whatever one for the front page.

I am very proud of this ship: it turned out well, and I put more effort into finishing this ship up right than I put into the Brattain. The only major difference (other than the nacelles) from the original Curry-type is that the secondary hull has a slight downward cant (to allow the torpedo launchers to fire over the forward hanger bay).

Comments welcome!

Klik

Nice build Klik.

I got the Lake up.

Great looking ship Kilk!

And it was an impressive build.

Klik: She came out fantastic! Love how the Aztec paneling worked out, there but subtle.

Mach71: The beacon looks perfect! Maybe you can signal the USS Lake to come beam you up!

Thanks,

Anyone have any progress to report?

I'm mulling doing another kit, not sure what yet,

Looks great Klik! Great subject and very Starfleet! Well done...

Hey Mach71, sorry for the lack of progress but I'm still stuck at about 50% on 'Bones'. It's been hot and I''ve been coming home from work, turning on the AC and taking a nap. On the weekends I've been working at finishing up a Wildcat and Hellcat that are both around 95%+ done.

Thanks guys!

I appreciate the comments. I spent so much time on getting the look of the ship "just right", so the final product makes me so happy. This was probably the most ambitious build I've ever done, so to hear it called "star fleet" is greatly appreciated ( cue sobbing sounds).

Thank you for the group build, it was fun to participate in. I'll lurk as long as the GB continues. Perhaps another kit?

Klik