It’s been a while since I posted about this model. I’ve been busy with life and writing my next novel. Also, we’ve been using these models on the back covers of the paperback versions of the Star Saga novels. You should be able to buy these books next month at most online venues.
The Head
I decided to focus on the head for a bit so I could finish installing the fiber optics for it. Detailing the back and bottom happened first and now I’m moving on to the sides. The top of the head was detailed also. Below are a series of pics that show the head’s progress in the past month.
Back and bottom of the head as I detailed it with whatever was on hand.
This is the other side of the back of the head. Liberal use of computer components is evident, including CDROM cover plate, keys and other scraps of plastic.
This is the bow details coming together. Tank parts dominating here.
Back lighting my portholes after drilling them out. Not as even as I had hoped, but I learned a trick from Bill in the comments that I’m going to try for the other side. Use masking tape to form a guide to drill along.
These are the details on the bottom of the head.
Really happy with how the top of the head is turning out. Can’t wait to see it painted up so the details blend in.
The Body
This week I took a break from the head and worked on the engines and framework of the body a bit. I used the PVC pipe again for the star drives and then only the outboard ones. There is a center engine, but I planned to not show much of it, so I left the space hollow for electronics and such.
Above is the PVC pipes literally bolted to the frame box with screws.
This is on the work bench where she stands now. I used the corrugated plastic face of old server computers to hold the engines together and provide internal strength.
The yellow wires are intended for the lights that will be in the engines. They are not connected to anything yet.
This is the under belly of the model where I used some basswood strips to brace the engines to the main frame and take some of the stress off the plastic bulkhead. All of this will be covered with plastic soon.
That’s it for now.
That’s a smart way of looikng at the world.