Jases Battlestar Galactica

[Richard_2001]

Phil,

Thanks!!

It is always a pleasure to be able to supply obscure info, for me, the research is the best part of the entire project. It gives me supreme satisfaction to be able to work out something that no one has noticed before although sometimes it takes a lot of failures before it falls into place Don't be too discouraged by setbacks, it will all work out in the end and I bet even you will be amazed at what you accomplish when you are done.

I know I have amazed myself many times so far, I never thought in the late 90's that I could figure out 1/10th of the filming miniature as I have or meet so many interesting and genuinely pleasant people along the way. Treasure the friends you make, they are the reason to make the journey. I hope that someday we can all meet up, drink beer and swap lots of build stories over a long weekend.

Richard

[Wombat]

Hey Richard,

You are more than welcome there mate,i do appreciate your openness with sharing what you have discovered on your own journey there so far.Making new friends through this build makes it that much more pleasurable really.Already i've had that experience with not only the group we have here but also some others also.There are a lot of people i've come to meet through this hobby already and it's a really big part of enjoying what we do.I was a little discouraged at the latest little set back but now i'm over it and looking forward to correcting this small issue,then pressing on once again with this awesome build.The end result will be worth it all in the end and thats all i gotta remember really.It'd be great to meet not only you but all of the G builders we have here in person some day.Hell we'd have a few tales we could all tell i'm sure!

Cheers once again there mate!!

[JAWS]

Thanks Phil & thanks Richard. Im good not pissed at all. All decisions are ultimately mine & could not get pissed at one of you guys for helping out. Like I said Id rather have a little more than a little less. I can work it back but building it out further would just be really F&^%T! Alls good in studioscale hood boys.

[Battlestar1563]

jason,
The G is looking great! I've been out of the build for about a month but, I'm back at it. I need to post pics..soon. later ROn

[JAWS]

Hey Ron. Glad to have you back mate. As you can see me & the fury one hit a small obsticle again though looks like we've got it under control quickly. Hurry up with those pictures! I love pictures!

[darkimmitator]

Jase I think there is supposed to be a piece of tee strip in between the centurion track links and the 257 roco ! This strip also helps keep the track links running straight up and down .I just measured my engine box and it is 14 and 1/4 inches without the engine plate ,and everything seems to fit on O.K.

[JAWS]

Ken isn't that 362mm? I saw tstrip & gap too. I laid all my parts out using the Centurion tracks for distancing between the 215's & the 257's & moved the Quad gun tractor seat back towards the end where it should be. Im very happy with my 355mm. I will add a photo this afternoon.

[JAWS]

Ok so its nearly my weekend. Heres some pictures of where Im at. Ive lined up all the parts as they should be(I think) & Im about 3mm under what would be good I think? To have about 1-2mm after the Centurion track should be about on the money so Ive decided to use my 10mm extension strips on their sides rather than flat. This will give me my 3mm & also give me a 10mm spread to but my back plate upto I actually think this will work real good. I also plan to use the new Lid & make it more like the original with how the lid is on the studio model. I think this plan will work quite well really????

[Richard_2001]

Jason,

I think that is an excellent idea! It will give you the needed extension and serve as a structural buttress for your battered backplate as well as being very cost effective at the same time.

Nice!

The spacing looks pretty good to me!

Richard

[Wombat]

Nice one Jase!!

I've been looking at all your pictures and that looks like it fit's very well there now.I'll probbly do the same with my pieces once i get em now,i changed them to 6mm which would have give me and overall length of 351mm.But yours which must be 248mm looks pretty damn good to me!!

Good stuff there mate!!

[LastBattlestar]

Guess what? My deck lid and engine plate are 356mm long. Jim Creveling's plans were pretty damn good when they were done back in 97-98, huh?

Nice work lads, get over this little hurdle and you're back in business. I've been doing a crapload of work on my old bucket and she's really coming alive. Plenty of new pics at RI. It's a project filled with frustration fellas, but damn it's rewarding seeing a Battlestar taking shape!

Mike

[JAWS]

Richard, again thanks mate.
Phil, everything works out in the end. With the pieces that fit on the end of the box which i have no idea what the hell theyve done there other than the obvious Centurion tracks it probably is 350-351.
Mike, yeah he got it pretty close for the little information that was available to you guys back then.
Im pretty happy with this result actually & thinkl its going to work real well.
Phil Im cutting my backplate to sit the new lid in like the studio model.

[Wombat]

Ah,just sent you mail dude and i like the idea of cutting your new backplate so it's like the original.This way it'll look spot on from the top and back views now.Very much like the original!You know,i'd probably go even further now perhaps,re think those side extension pieces,make em 2mm wider again and have your new backplate cut from 3mm.If i wasn't this far along with my backplate,more so the port's,i'd be doing just that myself.

Mike,not bad dude.For an old schooler who had FA to work with when starting out,you really have got not only the engine section but the whole build extremely close dimensionally.You gotta be happy about that and it's good seeing life in the project again.Tax time is approaching and if like me i'd like to add some more stuff towards the build.Thats th eplan at this stage,but we both know things don't always go ta plan.

[JAWS]

Phil,

I might actually emove the styrene I added to the trench & side walls to get that affect.

[Wombat]

OK,i'm a little lost on what that has to do with making your backplate outa 3mm acrylic,which would require the extensions to be 2mm fatter than the 3mm edges you are planning on using now.You really should think about it,as this is the time to do it mate!

[JAWS]

Um... Im lost....

[Wombat]

I always said,it was like the blind leading the blind. LOL

OK,you are gonna get a new bacplate cut out and i reckon,instead of having it cut in the thicker material like the current one you could have it cut from 3mm instead.This will obviously mean that using your 10mm piece extensions you are going to use on the edges now will make it a little short again overall if you did that,so would require making the extensions 5mm to make up for a 3mm thick backplate.Pretty easy and now is the time to do it if it's the way you want to go.Of course,you'd have to make your engine port's again though also as you made em with the 5mm backplate in mind.

[JAWS]

AHHHHGHHHHHH!!!!! IM going crazy....... Ok no seriously Ive just modified the laser cut files to the measurements we altered for the side walls & slopes. I have also added or removed the 3mm lid section for the lid to sit in. Im pretty happy with my little engineering achievement on the computer. Ive been in training with Adobe Illustrator & can now make laser cut files! OOOhh the endless possabilities! But for now the Battlestar. When I get my plate cut(which won't be anytime soon as Im broke) I wont have to cut file or screw around which may cause breakage...
Phil I have sent you the file in PDF to see what I did.

[JAWS]

Ok its been a good d ay & Im happy with what Ive done. Firstly PPE! Please every one remeber to where your PPE when working. Sanding, glueing whatever! Wear it.
   
Well I had these acrylics Laser Cut for my extensin & afetr starting on it something was telling me this aint going to be good enough for me so I stopped & came up with another idea
       
I decided to trace my engine plate on my 3mm styrene sheet & cut an extension. The idea was to make like a 'Gasget' It just seemed so right so ahead I went. I gotta say it was pretty damn hard cuttin the centre piece out the 3mm styrene but I was determined & nothin was going going to stop me So got it cut slapped a heap of glue over it & fitted it. I then stood the box up so it was sitting on it & left it with all the weight pushing down. I then sanded it(outside) & filled in the few small gaps. Gave it another quick sand & she's pretty damn good I think. Ive achieved 3 things with this. Ive extended my box as needed. Ive created a brace to support & secure my engine plate & Ive created a brce for the engine lid to sit on which I think was needed I gotta say I am stoked with this achievement today.
       
       
       
       
Ive now finally started on detailing or setting out the detail parts for the ports & hope to have most of them done in the next 2 weeks hopefully. Ive definately got plenty to keep me occupied for a while just with the ports. Hopefully I can get a new engine plate cut soon as Ive modified the files to give me exactly what I need. Inbetween everything I have taught myself Adobe Illustrator to make 'Vector' files for Laser Cutting.
       
Remember the PPE Team
   

[JAWS]

Ok 1 more update for today. The test fit.... I rekon ive even got just enough room to be almost on the money Once Ive got the new engine plate that will sit the new lid(which is not the one in the photo) Ithink the end result will be better than it would have before. I can really desstress now Will probably even get a good night sleep.

[Richard_2001]

Jason,

That is looking good! I was going to suggest you use your old backplate as a gasket and extension but this worked out better I think.

The spacing of the 257's and Centurion tracks looks good with the thinner backplate it should come out very close to perfect.

Richard

[darkimmitator]

Looks awesome Jase !!! Just a quick note .The centurion links are not linked together ,they just stack on top of each other ,and there should only be 8 of them .Once stacked they will still fill the same area instead of 9 links .Good on ya for overcoming the measurement issue .Well done man !!!!

[Wombat]

I think you need to slow down,i'm seeing nothing but dust here! LOL

Damn Jase,that is a good days progress there mate,i like what you did with the gasket there,that was a great idea man!
I'll still go with the acrylic here,keeping the materials tha same there,but i'm still going the 6mm which will give me 351mm overall.I'm still working that i got about 350mm when i layed them part's out that night,so in my book i'll be a mm long or by Richards book more like 1.5mm i guess.But what you have there looks pretty damn good mate,so i'm scratchin my head a little as that is only 348mm,which is about the same under as i'm over compared to that 349.5.

Are you planning on doing your new backplate in 3mm?If so then you're ports will need to take into accout the thinner material whiach will make them a tad short with what you've built up.As for them port's,they are some fun for sure,but i'm sure you'll do a great job with them,you're off to a great start already!Just don't go putting mine to shame now,the same level is fine but no betta ya hear me! LOL

BTW,the PDF you sent looks great dude,another thing you can add to your bag of tricks now mate.That is impressive what you did and will look great once you've had it cut.Hopefully soon dude!

[LastBattlestar]

Damn, you guys are going to have heart attacks when trying to get the head right! Nah, you're going to do just fine after all this practice on the ass end. Relax and build, relax and build...

Good call on the PPE Jase. Over recent months I've been having issues with styrene dust after a lot of sanding over a weekend. I'll wake up the next day, runny nose and sneezing like a maniac for an hour or so. I do wear dust masks, but sometimes forget. That crap gets everywhere. Nikki has to cover up her art bench to stop powdered Galactica getting all over her drawings.

We're hoping to buy a house so I can have a model shop to white powder up!

Mike

[star-art]

Looking good there. I should point out though the mask in your pic is just a dust mask. Wear something like this whenever you are sanding. BUT, this will do you no good at all when you are gluing.

The glues needed to weld acrylic and attach styrene to acrylic are highly toxic. If you use WeldOn solvents, they require an AIR-SUPPLIED RESPIRATOR. This is heavy-duty professional-grade gear as these chemicals are for professional use only. And, there is a very good reason as they can cause brain damage.

If you continue gluing without proper protection, you may not be able to recall your own name in a few months.

What was I saying? . . . LOL

Seriously, though, use the proper gear or try to avoid solvent glues altogether. You can always use CA as it is not really that toxic. But, if you use WeldOn, get a proper professional respirator, glue outdoors only, and have air flowing across your bench to carry the fumes away. Hope that helps!

[JAWS]

Thanks everyone your words are very graciously appreciated.
Richard, thanks mate your input has been just invaluable.
Ken your input is also greatly appreciated.The tracks were just linked together for storage & was an easy way to have em lined up.
I have nearly all the good Pappas pictures & others printed up in a folder now so i don't have to run between the computer & the shop for reference.
Phil buddy these numbers are sending me crazy but its good to see the light at the end of another tunnel. Phil maybe you should get a whole engine plate cut so it all fits snug. The main thing that stopped me from useing the acrylic was how it all fitted using the pieces that were cut. I can modify the backplate & take out the guts just leaving an outer rim like what i did with the styrene? Its up to you bud. There is little chance my ports are going to be better than yours. Your work is impecible & you work fast. I just have too many things going on around me with work, kids, dogs & learning new stuff inbetween to constantly stay on track. as for leaving you for dust, no chance their either buddy. your like Brocky at Bathurst once you get goin!
Charles also thanks for dropping in & checking on us. we really appreciate your time & input. the mask Im useing now is also a vapour/mist mask. Its not totally whats needed as you say but is better than a standard dust mask. All you guys out there that aren't useing or using low grade PPE better get with it. theres too many threads of people with illnesses from enjoying their hobbies. unfortunately most of what we use in this hobby is actually very harmful. I will be purchaseing more PPE very soon & now do all my sanding & sprayin & glueing outside or with my garage door open with a fan going. Well team thanks again & hopefully an update this evening.

[star-art]

I've been keeping up and I enjoy reading the updates. Though, I have been so busy working on projects for other people I haven't had any time for fun stuff myself. I'm actually starting a new G build this week and it will last for the next 6 months. I'm building a body structure shell for someone so all the issues regarding safety precautions are foremost on my mind right now.

I designed a custom ventilation booth that looks sort of like a large spray booth. It is large enough for me to assemble whole sections of the ship inside the booth with just the front open. The top is clear acrylic to let the light in. Two bilge fans (12V) operate in the back to pull air through and send the fumes through hoses to the outside. With a setup like this, you really have to take precautions against igniting the fumes. So, DON'T use a regular fan!

I have all the parts, now I need to build the thing so I can get started! When you do this hours a day for weeks on end, you really have to think of stuff like this. . .

---

PS At a minimum, get yourself a 3M CHEMICAL RESPIRATOR with an ORGANIC VAPOR cartridge. Remember, this will NOT protect you from WeldOn solvents. But, it is far better than nothing, and it works pretty well for paints, thinners, and other stuff. As long as you can't smell the fumes while you're working (i.e. have a fan carrying the vapors away) you should be OK.

[dbhs]

Jase,

This is really coming along. Your gasket idea is a great solution to the problem and will be invisble when complete.

[bwayne64]

Who is that masked man, Looking good Jase. Hope you got your health issues sorted out. You're right about PPE. I've had that drilled into my head with my time in the Military and the companies I've worked for. It only takes one second to lose an eye. Only a few seconds breathing some toxic stuff, to be impaired forever. Maybe that's what's wrong with me, I had my exacto roll off the bench once, and looked down to see it sticking in my thigh, ouch ! LOL. I mean if I was trying to do it, I couldn't have done it. The G is looking sweet man, cheers,

Joe

[JAWS]

Ok I haven't been lasy & not doing anything. Just doing more work than posting as it takes up time. So the extension is done & looks pretty good.
   
My Reference folder that all builders need to have. Going backwards & forwards to the computer just doesn't work...
   
So Ive started on the detailing for the ports. The plateing for the roof & floor is drawn up & cut all at once. I want to do complete sections at the same time then move on gradually bit by bit. No point doing a bit here & a bit there.
   
   
   
Port ceiling & floor lined up with Heller 1/700 railing
   
   
The ports have been puttied up & ready for parts. probably not nessecary but couldn't help myself.
   
   
First of the parts going on port #1
   
Lining the port wall up to see how we're going in the engine plate
   
   
Checking for accuracy from the ref.
   
Parts all laid out on #1. I fitted T Strip to the ledge edgeing though have have just discovered its actually L Angle Strip Im going to have to pull it off & put L in there instead.....
   
   
   
Another test fit to make sure we're going the right way before finishing the rest that Ive already got started & just awaiting the parts in the mail...as usual
   
   
Heres the modified engine plate that sits the engine lid in as on the original. Im really happy I did that modification
   
So when the kits arive in the mail I can finish the parts detailing on these suckers. Im just working on the plating for the angled sides at the moment & can honestly say that reaffly fkn sucks!

[JAWS]

Another thing Ive corrected is the straight edge side port plating. I had it angled as thats how it looked from the picture because of the angle of the photo. Its actually a straight line that runs parrallel vertically & horizontally even with all the plating in the ports. So now I just have to rip off all the T Strip I put on the ledges & replace with L Strip......

[JAWS]

So here can you see where Ive put the T Strip in the ridges. I have to remove this & replace with the T Strip I picked up when I was picking the kids up rom school Very convenient supplier that one. Here are all the port parts laid out with what detailing I could get done during the week whilst waiting for Leopolds & a 155mm Howitzer. You can also see Ive started to lay out the plating that goes in the angled ports. What a nightmare. Phil did a fantastic job on his, My ports look a little messy right now & can't waite for the primer to cover it up. I just ried to put some angle in the corners with putty for the C Strip to sit firmly on so it doesn't come off later Anyway we're getting there slowly but surely & thats good enough for me.

[Richard_2001]

Jason,

Great progress there buddy! It is looking good to me, after you primer coat and paint it, you wont see much of it when the engines are lit anyway.

nice update!

Richard

[JAWS]

Thanks Richard. Ive removed the T Strip from the parts ready for the L Strip. Unfortuantely I grabbed the ABS L Strip rather than the Fineline. Gotta say removing parts is not fun but luckilly the stanley blade slid right under & the parts popped off intact. Another small step backwards but I'll much happier knowing its right.

[Wombat]

Man thats a fantastic bit of progress up there.It's all looking good to me and,don't stress about how it's looking now,the primer really will tie it all together dude.Mine were the same and i wasn't sure how bad they were gonna look after the primer if ya remember.so keep at it,you have these pieces nearly done.Changing the Tee to the angle was something i wasn't that fussed about once i noticed it but it shoiuldn't be too hard a fix up there with yours.
These are gonna look sweet mate,ya gotta love the look of em already on the backplate!

[JAWS]

Thanks guys. Phil I gotta say yeah mun! Seeing these bits on the back plate gives you the picture & a lil bit of happiness too. Its going to be a huge relief & an impressive site. Already you can see theyre going to look tuff. Couldn't help myself with the alteration from T Strip to the L Strip. Wish I had have grabbed the right one at the shop. I'll get some today. I think Ive got at least $5 left........ Its all pretty much laid out & ready for the parts once the L Strip is on. Just the plateing & chips which will be another challenge. Really love what you did with yours. Theres alot of work that goes into these basdard ports but the end result is definately going to be worth it.

[darkimmitator]

Looking good Jase .Must feel real good to be at the stage of actually being able to glue on the greeblies ! I envy you and Phil for being at this stage . I truly can't wait to get there !!

[JAWS]

Thanks Ken but as you can see small details sort of matter to me. The T Strip looked good but wasn't right so Ive set about fixing it. I'll be much happier once thats done, the Leopold & Italeri 155mm cannon parts are in. I can then just get the port plating sorted & move on to the next sections until i get my new engine plate cut. I then plan to do the Trench then the Bottom, Sides & finally Top. All going as planned. Your actually way ahead of me buddy.

[JAWS]

Well good & not so good news. Leopolds arrived today so thers most of the parts for the engine ports. Thats good. Not so good is for some reason I ordered completely the wrong 155mm Howitzer. It wasn't even Italeri? WTF.... Anyway its a nice kit & will just make it on the side for some stress relief. Can anyone show me what the right kit is for the 155mm Howitzer parts that go on the port ridges come from please?. Will this one have the parts?

  155mm howitzer.jpg (Size: 15.41 KB / Downloads: 57)
Another good thing is I actually did grab the last of the Fineline L Strip & not the ABS so can use what I got to fix the earlier error. At any rate most of these ports are gettin finished this weekend.

[JAWS]

Quick update just for anyone going to build these ports. The L Strip angle to use will be the 0.8mm Fineline Styrene Angle. I used 1.2mm which is just too big which is obviously seen in the below pictures.... Another small set back but it has to be right
   
   
Still got some Leopolds to cut up so thats a plus
   

[LastBattlestar]

Jase, does the instruction sheet look like this?



http://resinilluminati.com/showthread.php?t=9372

Mike

[star-art]

The kit in the pic looks like the right one. It's the modern re-issue. The kit was first made by Peerless Max, then Airfix, then Italeri and also Testors/Italeri (note the Testors and Italeri logos on that box). I actually found a vintage version that had a cast metal barrel!

[LastBattlestar]

The main axle assembly is the big chunky part directly on top centre of the exhausts also. Parts 48A and 51A are used under the neck next to the motorbike fuel tanks, the two smaller chassis arms on the bottom of the coffin....it's a value-for-money kit.

Mike

[JAWS]

Isn't this kit used in the engine ports on the ledges? The part in the red box?

[Wombat]

Jase,that looks to be the correct kit mate.It's like Charles mentioned,the same kit just re released.The one you have is the Testors/Italeri kit and the part you are looking for that goes in them ports is part 50A in those instructions Mike posted.

I had some help with that over at RI myself when i was asking what they were.

You got plenty of detailing ya can do now with that stash dude!

[JAWS]

I can't see the instructions Mike posted.... I haven't got that kit its just one I found on e-bay last night. I will have to get it. It was damn cheap too! Like $10 bucks! Are ther 4 of those pieces in it or do i need more than 1?

[Wombat]

Thats strange,it was there before that picture.

Anyway,the one kit will have the four part's needed for the ports Jase.I watched a few of these also and they seemed to go for around the $20-$25 mark the ones i was looking at.It's a good kit to have there are other things also used other than those Mike mentioned also.

[JAWS]

Sweet. Thanks boys. I guess all I need now is the Heller Admiral Hipper for the turrets. I cut up all the Leopolds last night for the required parts. Just the plating to go now really. Its just so relieving to see this part getting closer to a completed section. Am starting to look at the end plate & whats required to build it.

[JAWS]

Quick update. So tired my heads spinning. Got most of the verticle port walls done. Just have the 155mm Howitzer parts to go & their done. Am working on the angled walls now with the plating which should prove to be a challenge also.
Have also cut all the engine plate pieces other than 6 which are coming

Task Force la seine - coming
Nitto hanomag 250/3(engine mount plate) - not found
Bandai 1/24 King Tiger(engine mount plate) - not found
Hasegawa Yamato - coming
Lindberg LSD - coming

Am now organising files to have new engine plate, body, arms & landing bays cut this week.

[Richard_2001]

Jason,

Looks good from what I can see, you are flying along too now just like Phil. Gonna be some nice looking replicas from the 2 of you for sure.

Nice work!

Richard