I started on my Constitution class ship... from the PL 1/1000 kit, Still uncertain as to which one it will be except that it is from the original series main timeline. In the end I hope to have this little bugger all jazzed up with lights, detail painting, and such. I may make some sort of diorama display for it with a black/space backdrop, etc.
Lighting Plans: Since I want this to be lit, I am weighing how to install "low cost" lighting, and currently painting the inside black to see if that "light-proofs" it. I am light-proofing the interior by applying layers of black paint. I have applied two coats to the interior areas where lights will be.
A trip to "Michael's Village Crafts" looking for fiber optics used in floral (sold out) turned up a decent alternative. I bought a wired set of 50 mini-light bulbs about that are about 1/16 inch or so diameter at most. I was worred about them being too hot and melting plactic, but they had some on Christmas displays and they were not at all hot. Each one lights fine to with 1, 2 or even 3 AA batteries.
Lighting th nacelles, bridge, and other clear plastic areas that would glow... During my tirp to Michael's I found hobby paint that is used for simulating glazed glass. One set is for giving a frosted look, which made my brain click with an idea... I could give the forward nacelle domes an orange glaze inside, and place a mini-bulb behind. I figured the frosted orange lining would diffuse the light to give the dome and overall glowing look. So, I bought it (comes with little containers of blue, green, orange, yellow, red, and white frost look). I spread some orange thickly on a sheet of clear plastic, and cut a mini-bulb from the lights strand. I lit the bulb with a AA battery, and voila! the bulb gave the orange frost a nice glowing look from the other side. The irregular globbing of the paint (I was sloppy) was impressive. If I apply the paint inside the dome, and purposely layer it with streaks, it will have that look like seen in so many old Enterprise images! My big challenge is running wires from the nacelles to the body, and ultimately the battery source. The nacelle arms are made from two solid "V" pieces that sandwich together. I will have to dig wire trenches in the surfaces that meet together so the wires will be hidden inside the model. I will get some picture of progress as these things get into the works.
The bridge is clear plastic, and I can glaze paint it blue-ish or white. A few different clear lamps I can paint red, green, etc.accordingly to get the look of the appropriate lights. The frosting makes the light look like it is originating from the material and not the true light bulb!
I may try to make lit windows, but am unsure how to make very small rectangular holes. If I can do this, I plan to make the window holes, fill them with translucent material, and use the mini-bulbs to back-light them.
I am considering possibly having the shuttle hangar open, and a dinky shuttle within, and all lit.
Big project plans for a small craft, and for someone that has done virtually no modelling in decades. But, I have needed a hobby for a long time, and am having fun just thinking of ideas.
~Aric Fisher
aric_001@hotmail.com