Tamiya Big-E - USS Enterprise 1/350

The 300 DPI Art:

Nice artwork A.M., one day I will learn how to make my own decals, but I have not tried so far because I am not good with computers. Do you use a special program for your designs? Jockster.

Hi guys.

I'm terrible sorry if I don't answer some posts.

To do this "art" I just search web using google e do a little art using Paint Shop Pro 4.12, a very old version that I still use. You can try it for 30 days. Just search google for it.

VF-214, Blacklions

Still oversized, but is to easy to fix it.

Final art 300 DPI

Thanks A.M., I will have a try soon when I have a spare 5mins, your decals look great. I am still stripping back my second hand Enterprise, I need to update my post soon!

Next, the Fighting Redcocks attack squadron.

Once more, a little oversized.

The art, 300 DPI.

More decal art.

The VA-94 MIght Shrikes:

Good size but need a stronger art:

The art:

VA-96 Green Lizards:

Good size but no art, just numbers:

I'm really sorry guys. A lot of things to do and some problems to solve. We are almost done with the airwing.

wow, this is an excellent build of the big-e!   :D

since I am also going to build this kit in near future,

I am very interested to know how to make your own decal.

can you tell me how?

where do you get the decal paper?

and you only have to print it by ink jet printer?

that's it?

Hi, you can buy proper decal paper for ink jet or laser printers.

The Wallbangers

thanks for the reply.

are there some brands that you can recommend?

haha, when I saw Enterprise I was looking for Counsler Troy.  Im such a dork.  Nice work so far. =]

Amazing work dude, especialy with the elevator :-)

I've got a little question, how did you cut off the elevator from the fly deck ?

This one : imageshack.us/.../img2847x.th.jpg

Hi, no, I do not use any special brand yet.Bye.

I used a model microsaw, very thin.

Hi griZouw, when I took out the 4th elevator on mine, I repeatedly scribed the outline groove with a sewing needle, light pressure! Took about 10 mins but the point never strayed from the line.

Nice neat cut!

Jockster.

VS-37 Sawbucks:

So, this is it.

I used Paint Shop Pro 4.12 (freeware), A4 paper, full page and mantaining aspect ratio.

Nice!

Nice documentation on the actual building of the BigE! I can't wait to see it finished and ready to set sail! I bought mine here in the Philippines this March as a graduation gift to myself. I've been visiting the local Tamiya dealer for the past 8 years just to check on this ship. Well, since I bought it, I just spray-painted the waterline and I think it was a mistake to be on a rush back then. This would be my 2nd build since my 1/700 CVN70 Carl Vinson mediocre build more than 4 years ago. I have read a lot of things since March and I think it is too much for a newbie like me to build this one. With the things you've done, I think it will take me a couple of years before really starting to build mine. I have read this thread since Christmas Eve and I find this fascinating! I hope to see more until you finish this! Great job!

Printing decal sheet is very simple. I used Paint Shop Pro 4.12 and a color laser printer.

I designed decals over an A4 template but decal paper is Letter format. But, no problems.

Note that there is no white color. There is white decal paper to print, but not white color to print.

I forgot to say: protect the decals with a Future coat as soon as you print it or it will scratch.

Painting the two F-14 airwings, six planes each:

Than, coat with Future:

Next, cut the decal to the minimal surface:

Voila, that was good:

Decals became very thin. Don't use decal solver:

Prototype, too dark grey:

Jorge if your doing the E in her early 1980's timeframe I do believe all the aircraft were grey on the top and sides and the underside was white with white control surfaces on the wing and white under the horizontal stabilizers. The overall grey scheme wasn't adopted till shortly before operation Desert shield/Desert Storm I believe sometime around 1987 or 1989 and you should be using light Gull Grey for the overall grey aircraft not Sky Grey what you have sort of looks close to Primer Grey.

A.M.Jorge

I forgot to say: protect the decals with a Future coat as soon as you print it or it will scratch.

Painting the two F-14 airwings, six planes each:

Than, coat with Future:

Next, cut the decal to the minimal surface:

Voila, that was good:

Decals became very thin. Don't use decal solver:

Prototype, too dark grey:

Hi, thank you for the detailed post and updates on your build.

Your post is helping me a lot with my build of the USS Enterprise and I have used it as a reference several time. I was also inspired to document and include my build and it is available here

Your build is looking great.

great work sir.

A.M.,

Did you ever finish and mount the air wing?

Bill

Believe me, I understand!  Between teaching high school and college, planning lessons, grading papers, four young grandsons, my wife, etc., I am lucky if I can complete one or two real models per year! Most of my building lately has been with my grandsons, and like young kids, they want it built fast so that they can play with what we've built. Hopefully, they will enjoy this wonderful hobby as they get older.

Anyway, your Enterprise is so memorable that I had to look it up again after not seeing it in over a year.

Bill

After dusting off my box and getting motivated I am just about ready to start the build again.  I am however having reservations after reading your thread, in particular the deck painting and masking, I am trying to get my head around this E-normous task.   A.M.Jorge  nice build by the way.

Post your pics.