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UPDATE: My new Polar Lights 1/350 Refit

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  • Member since
    November 2004
  • From: Fukuoka Japan / Brisbane AUS.
Posted by Chris_in_Japan on Sunday, May 28, 2006 8:33 PM
Thanks Steve..

Well as I mentioned earlier. I decided with the bright colours for one reason, and one reason only.. I wanted my Enterprise to look like the day it was shipped out from space dock..

I know we see it in the movie being shipped out, but this is my take on it.. I also believe in the duck egg colours being canon, but for me, the lighter shades done with duck egg blues was my thinking of how she would look after prolongued exposure to space.. My colours were deliberately chosen brighter, to give her the brand new look!

Anyways, it is a rather slow build for me this one, as I am usually a speed builder, and do alot in a day when I have the time. But I conciously decided to take my time with this one, and so have been slow getting anything done.. I have also decided to build the atrium and landing bay outside of her, as when I did it on my first refit, you simple didnt see much.. this way, all the extras will be seen as a reference..

Chris


On the bench:

                          1/48 RAAF 3 Sqn F/A-18B

                          1/150 /1/160 N Scale Japanese Rail diorama.

  • Member since
    December 2004
  • From: Stockton,Ca
Posted by Hippy-Ed on Sunday, May 28, 2006 11:32 PM
I've seen the dark colors on this (grays) but, with your color scheme it looks much more "vibrant" in my honest opinion. You are doing this refit justice Chris
If you lose your sense of humor, you've lost everything
  • Member since
    November 2004
  • From: Fukuoka Japan / Brisbane AUS.
Posted by Chris_in_Japan on Monday, May 29, 2006 8:16 AM
A little update...

Dryfitting a few parts..




Chris

On the bench:

                          1/48 RAAF 3 Sqn F/A-18B

                          1/150 /1/160 N Scale Japanese Rail diorama.

  • Member since
    December 2004
  • From: Stockton,Ca
Posted by Hippy-Ed on Monday, May 29, 2006 11:05 AM
Alright Chris, looks like your still pluggin' away at thisBig Smile [:D] Maybe your daughter's sitting there watching & offering her own opinions on this one?Wink [;)]
If you lose your sense of humor, you've lost everything
  • Member since
    November 2004
  • From: Fukuoka Japan / Brisbane AUS.
Posted by Chris_in_Japan on Monday, May 29, 2006 5:04 PM
Yeah, slowly as we go.. But I really like the look of the deflector on this one.. Back to work today, so today will be a none event also..

Chris

On the bench:

                          1/48 RAAF 3 Sqn F/A-18B

                          1/150 /1/160 N Scale Japanese Rail diorama.

  • Member since
    December 2004
  • From: Stockton,Ca
Posted by Hippy-Ed on Monday, May 29, 2006 5:10 PM
Yup, That deflector Dish looks good Chris. I'm sure it took some practice to get it looking so good.
If you lose your sense of humor, you've lost everything
  • Member since
    November 2004
  • From: Fukuoka Japan / Brisbane AUS.
Posted by Chris_in_Japan on Thursday, June 1, 2006 1:28 AM
Hey, I just realised that I have passed 1000 posts.. Yay!

God I am a dork!. he he he

Chris

On the bench:

                          1/48 RAAF 3 Sqn F/A-18B

                          1/150 /1/160 N Scale Japanese Rail diorama.

  • Member since
    November 2004
  • From: Fukuoka Japan / Brisbane AUS.
Posted by Chris_in_Japan on Thursday, June 1, 2006 4:03 AM
Ok, so its been about a week since any real progress..

So since then, I have finally finished the panelling and aztec on the whole secondary hull.. Alot of cutting and measuring, and I am happy with the way it turned out.. Here are a few pics...

First one is of the aztec completed at the back.. I have only dry fitted the neck and nacelle on to give you some depth..



Other way around.. Please forgive the fingers...



Last one is the tummy.. and that makes it done...



Next I will be adding the back end and shuttle bay doors, The atrium window's, and the main windows for the hull... And then I will start the decal process..

After that, it will be the neck, and nacelles, and the the saucer will be left for very last!

Chris

On the bench:

                          1/48 RAAF 3 Sqn F/A-18B

                          1/150 /1/160 N Scale Japanese Rail diorama.

  • Member since
    December 2004
  • From: Stockton,Ca
Posted by Hippy-Ed on Thursday, June 1, 2006 4:17 AM
 Chris_in_Japan wrote:
Hey, I just realised that I have passed 1000 posts.. Yay!

God I am a dork!. he he he

Chris


Dunce [D)] can't find the "dork" smilie. Oh well, this'll just have to doDunce [D)]  Smile,Wink, & Grin [swg]Laugh [(-D]Make a Toast [#toast] Yer catcjin' up fast ChrisWink [;)]

Those pics look real goodThumbs Up [tup] especially the tummy. Man, you are doing it justice!
If you lose your sense of humor, you've lost everything
  • Member since
    November 2004
  • From: Fukuoka Japan / Brisbane AUS.
Posted by Chris_in_Japan on Thursday, June 1, 2006 4:29 AM
Thanks Ed.. I was hoping that there wasnt a dork smiley.. So thank god on that one!..

Thanks again for the comments.. People are going to start to think that we are lovers with the amount of time we appear on each other's threads..Tongue [:P]

Cheers, Chris



On the bench:

                          1/48 RAAF 3 Sqn F/A-18B

                          1/150 /1/160 N Scale Japanese Rail diorama.

  • Member since
    December 2004
  • From: Stockton,Ca
Posted by Hippy-Ed on Thursday, June 1, 2006 4:32 AM
 Chris_in_Japan wrote:
Thanks Ed.. I was hoping that there wasnt a dork smiley.. So thank god on that one!..

Thanks again for the comments.. People are going to start to think that we are lovers with the amount of time we appear on each other's threads..Tongue [:P]

Cheers, Chris






Well Chris, There is the "Don't ask... Don't tell" clause in effect so, Deny Everything!!Wink [;)]
If you lose your sense of humor, you've lost everything
  • Member since
    November 2005
Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, June 1, 2006 6:56 AM
It's looking great Chris and don't worry about satisfying tastes. The "Bishops of Canon" can always drool over studio photos Laugh [(-D]  Your artistic flair compliments the build making it a unique piece.  Take your time and you'll have one heck of a Starship.

Jack
  • Member since
    November 2004
  • From: Fukuoka Japan / Brisbane AUS.
Posted by Chris_in_Japan on Thursday, June 1, 2006 8:56 AM
Thanks mate... Taking my time is definately what is happenning.. Actually, I am enjoying not doing too much, if you know what I mean.. Sometimes I zone myself so far into a model with research and all, and then I build it, and after its complete, I think. What just happened?

With this one, when I do something to it, I put it up on the mantle, where I will constantly be able to look at it.. Scrutinise over it for a few minutes, walk away come back and repeat..

I am finding that by not rushing, and thinking of it as a job, I am actually enjoying the thought process without worrying about anyone elses wants or desires.. Its the way I want it to look!

Chris

On the bench:

                          1/48 RAAF 3 Sqn F/A-18B

                          1/150 /1/160 N Scale Japanese Rail diorama.

  • Member since
    November 2004
  • From: Fukuoka Japan / Brisbane AUS.
Posted by Chris_in_Japan on Friday, June 2, 2006 3:18 AM
Secondary hull is completed and ready for decalling and dull coat...

New update tonight or tomorrow..

Chris

On the bench:

                          1/48 RAAF 3 Sqn F/A-18B

                          1/150 /1/160 N Scale Japanese Rail diorama.

  • Member since
    November 2004
  • From: Fukuoka Japan / Brisbane AUS.
Posted by Chris_in_Japan on Friday, June 2, 2006 7:52 AM
Update time..

The secondary hull is all but complete. I was abit hasty in my last post.. All the windows are in, and I have finished with the decals.. All thats left now is to paint the phaser banks yellow, and then add the back end and shuttle bay doors.. Oh and I have to paint the chrome strip around the second front ring of the deflector...







Chris

On the bench:

                          1/48 RAAF 3 Sqn F/A-18B

                          1/150 /1/160 N Scale Japanese Rail diorama.

  • Member since
    December 2004
  • From: Stockton,Ca
Posted by Hippy-Ed on Friday, June 2, 2006 6:16 PM
Lookin' sharp there Chris!! Looking at the books to the 11 O' clock position gives a fair assessment on it's size. Where ya gonna store this Beast?
If you lose your sense of humor, you've lost everything
  • Member since
    November 2004
  • From: Fukuoka Japan / Brisbane AUS.
Posted by Chris_in_Japan on Friday, June 2, 2006 7:44 PM
Well, I was thinking to put him there, but the problem is the width of the saucer, and then once the nacelles are on, you are limited to displaying at an angle.. So if not there, she will go in our entry where you take your shoes off. (In Japan all houses have a special entry for taking shoes off).

Here is a picture of our entry with the first Refit that I built and sold last summer, just to give you an idea of what I am talking about.. Didnt have my new camera in those days....





Chris

On the bench:

                          1/48 RAAF 3 Sqn F/A-18B

                          1/150 /1/160 N Scale Japanese Rail diorama.

  • Member since
    December 2004
  • From: Stockton,Ca
Posted by Hippy-Ed on Friday, June 2, 2006 8:07 PM
Oh yeah, I remember having to take my shoes off whenever I visited my Japanese g.f. yrs. agoBlush [:I]
I see the NX in there behind the reit. What size is that? I also see the 1701 back there too. (PL 1/1000? I got one of them too)Looks like a good spot to display the refit. That cabinet looks just the right size for it too.

If you lose your sense of humor, you've lost everything
  • Member since
    November 2004
  • From: Fukuoka Japan / Brisbane AUS.
Posted by Chris_in_Japan on Friday, June 2, 2006 11:14 PM
Ed, the NX and E-E under the big girl are the Bandai offerings.. I got all of them but the Voyager.. The Bandai Ent-A sits on top of my monitor..

Just took another pic, as I just gave her a dull coat.. It really has broughht the blue down a bit, although the glare in the room is making it hard to see..



Chris

On the bench:

                          1/48 RAAF 3 Sqn F/A-18B

                          1/150 /1/160 N Scale Japanese Rail diorama.

  • Member since
    November 2005
Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, June 3, 2006 6:40 AM

Hey Chris,

From over here in Taiwan, she is looking great. The flat coat did help a lot.

One question, if you are in Japan, what the heck is a US$20 doing on your shelf?

OK one more question, Did you do the aztec on your own or did you buy a template? I am still considering oout my TOS is why I ask.

My LHS has 2 more of these Ertl kits. I may go pick them both up so that I can play with some ideas. I may even do one as a Declaration class, but this will take some scratchbuilding. (Sorry to butt into this thread with this)

  • Member since
    November 2004
  • From: Fukuoka Japan / Brisbane AUS.
Posted by Chris_in_Japan on Saturday, June 3, 2006 7:17 AM
Hi Spelunko..

Well, for the $20 question.. I sometimes sell kits overseas.. And so because most of the people that I deal with are in America, I usually deal in US Dollers.. I didnt realise I had left that money on the cabinet like that..

As for the aztec, for the saucer, I made up my own template. If you go back in this thread you should see my picture of my home made aztec.. As for the rest of the ship, I do everything myself.. I dont like buying extra's when I do a project.. I like all of my kits to be built in house, and from my own creation..

Good luck on your projects..

Chris

On the bench:

                          1/48 RAAF 3 Sqn F/A-18B

                          1/150 /1/160 N Scale Japanese Rail diorama.

  • Member since
    December 2004
  • From: Stockton,Ca
Posted by Hippy-Ed on Sunday, June 4, 2006 10:33 AM
 Chris_in_Japan wrote:


Well, for the $20 question.. I sometimes sell kits overseas.. And so because most of the people that I deal with are in America, I usually deal in US Dollers.. I didnt realise I had left that money on the cabinet like that..

Chris


Tsk Tsk Chris... leaving money laying about like thatAshamed [*^_^*]Sign - Oops [#oops] and it Dollars Not dollersSmile,Wink, & Grin [swg]

The refit's comin' along nicely tho broThumbs Up [tup]Thumbs Up [tup] that dullcoat sure makes it stand out ina subtle way
If you lose your sense of humor, you've lost everything
  • Member since
    November 2004
  • From: Fukuoka Japan / Brisbane AUS.
Posted by Chris_in_Japan on Sunday, June 4, 2006 5:45 PM
Well if we are going to get picky now Ed..  Instead of.... "it Dollars Not dollers"...

Shouldnt it be... "it's" dollars, not dollers...???

Big Smile [:D]

Cheers Chris

On the bench:

                          1/48 RAAF 3 Sqn F/A-18B

                          1/150 /1/160 N Scale Japanese Rail diorama.

  • Member since
    December 2004
  • From: Stockton,Ca
Posted by Hippy-Ed on Sunday, June 4, 2006 6:16 PM
 Chris_in_Japan wrote:
Well if we are going to get picky now Ed..  Instead of.... "it Dollars Not dollers"...

Shouldnt it be... "it's" dollars, not dollers...???

Big Smile [:D]

Cheers Chris


Whistling [:-^] LoL...Taped Shut [XX]
If you lose your sense of humor, you've lost everything
  • Member since
    November 2004
  • From: Fukuoka Japan / Brisbane AUS.
Posted by Chris_in_Japan on Friday, June 9, 2006 8:02 AM
Well, have to be honest here.. I have been very very lazy the last week or so.. But the fact that I have started another 3 kits in that time doesnt help the process much.. When I said that I wanted to take my time with the this new PL Refit, I didnt think it would be this bad?

In the last week, I have just let her sit there and I started work on my two AMT Tie Fighter and Tie Interceptor kits.. They could probably wait as, I have the AMT Reliant and Refit already started.. But no.. I the smart one, needed to start on them... D****head.....

Anyways, another project that has taken some time is the Supergirl Figure for my daughter.. T&his is a Japanese released model of the Motion Picture Supergirl, but with the assistance of my daughter loving the new Superman. The colours have been darkened to match the red of his suit, and although not finished, my wife insisted in resculpting the face to resemble what she thinks our daughter will look like when mature.. So this supergirl will be half Japanese, and with brown hair!..

I will however say that I did actually finish the back end of the PL refit, and I have placed in the windows of the horticultural section on the secondary hull..




Next picture is of Supergirl.. The flash makes the blue a little bright in this pic.. And the head hasnt been finished as of yet.. With the wife's re sculpting....


Blury, but the blue and red are a little better.. Notice the blood red.. The wife and daughter said she had to be like the new Superman...


Lastly, the next picture is for the mighty Australian Socceroos in the Football World Cup.. My shrine to them here in Japan.. Aussie flag with the Home and Away Jerseys!


Chris

On the bench:

                          1/48 RAAF 3 Sqn F/A-18B

                          1/150 /1/160 N Scale Japanese Rail diorama.

  • Member since
    December 2004
  • From: Stockton,Ca
Posted by Hippy-Ed on Friday, June 9, 2006 10:09 AM
Chris, so what if you're taking your time on the refitShock [:O] quality time with your daughter is #1 prioirtyApprove [^]
So, no apologies needed on thatBig Smile [:D] enjoy your time with her since she'll grow up too fast if ya don'tSad [:(]
I'm pleased to see the wifey has also taken an active role in this lil' venture. Yeah!! [yeah] I see this as Time well
Spent & this Supergirl will be a special piece to your daughter...


If you lose your sense of humor, you've lost everything
  • Member since
    November 2005
Posted by Anonymous on Friday, June 9, 2006 7:22 PM

Mmmmmm......Supergirl!!!! 

 

Seriously, its coming along nicely. Great to get the kids involved.

  • Member since
    December 2004
  • From: Stockton,Ca
Posted by Hippy-Ed on Saturday, June 10, 2006 2:52 PM
 StevenQ wrote:

Mmmmmm......Supergirl!!!! 

 

Seriously, its coming along nicely. Great to get the kids involved.




Ok Steven, ya kin quit yer droolin' nowWink [;)]
If you lose your sense of humor, you've lost everything
  • Member since
    November 2005
Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, June 10, 2006 6:40 PM
Sorry, better clean off the keyboard!! Big Smile [:D]
  • Member since
    November 2004
  • From: Fukuoka Japan / Brisbane AUS.
Posted by Chris_in_Japan on Saturday, June 10, 2006 7:27 PM
He he he, thanks for the comments guys.. It has been fun playing with my daughter.. She is a real tom boy when it comes to these sorts of things.. One minute she has to get dressed up in an all pink pretty dress and she is a princess when we go out.. But then when she gets home, she wants to watch Spider-man for the 300th time, and she isnt even 4 yet..

Then when I found Supergirl for her, she wanted to be like Supergirl, and so now we have been doing this model together.. Well actually, I have been doing it, she just tells me how she wants it..

Chris

On the bench:

                          1/48 RAAF 3 Sqn F/A-18B

                          1/150 /1/160 N Scale Japanese Rail diorama.

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