07-26-2011, 04:14 AM
I'm juggling two major builds so I'm going back and forth between them. I've been busy working on another head section build that can be seen here. This is the most complicated part of the entire ship and takes a lot of time and effort to complete.
The engine section, however, is a close second in terms of complexity. While the outer shape appears far more simple, on the inside this structure includes a removable lid, built-in ventilation system, and high-tech lighting. In addition, to make the detailing process easier, the rear thruster openings are built as a removable module. All this complicates the design quite a bit.
I got started on the engine section for this build over the weekend and this is the progress so far. Before getting too far along, I wanted to pre-install the vintage KoolShade vents on the sides. This stuff is a bit of a pain to work with. It's very tricky to cut, it likes to unravel like loose threads on a garment after it's cut, and there's really no satisfactory way of attaching it to anything.
The only option in this circumstance is to use drops of CA glue to secure it in place. Unfortunately, that cannot be done without making a bit of a mess. Also, for some reason, when the CA cures it turns white! I don't know why, but it must be a reaction with the finish on the KoolShade.
The only way I could get this to work was to touch up the KoolShade with flat black paint after it was glued in. While this does not look absolutely perfect, I have to remember this entire area will be hidden in deep shadow and visible only if you were to shine a flashlight into the engine trench. Also, parts will be covering these vents and some paint may get in there as well during finishing. So, in the end it will look just fine.
BTW, the vent as it appears here is not exactly like the original. Back then, they put KoolShade on the inside of the engine box to block light from getting through the holes in the sides. They cut giant pieces that covered the entire side panels on the inside. This simply is not practical today since vintage KoolShade is so hard to find and it now costs $50 per sq ft.
My replica engine section does not have working vents in the sides anyway. Rather, it draws air through the waist vent and out the thruster openings. Thus, the side vents were not needed. But, in the interest of making it look as authentic as possible, I created "dummy vents" in the side panels. These will be visible when you look into the engine trenches to appear very much like the original.
My side panels are made from two layers of 1/8 black acrylic laminated together. I cut holes in the outer layer but not the inner layer. This creates the impression of a vent. To complete the illusion, I installed KoolShade in each opening.
Like I said, it's not a 100% match to the original. Once it's trimmed out, however, it really looks the part.
The engine section, however, is a close second in terms of complexity. While the outer shape appears far more simple, on the inside this structure includes a removable lid, built-in ventilation system, and high-tech lighting. In addition, to make the detailing process easier, the rear thruster openings are built as a removable module. All this complicates the design quite a bit.
I got started on the engine section for this build over the weekend and this is the progress so far. Before getting too far along, I wanted to pre-install the vintage KoolShade vents on the sides. This stuff is a bit of a pain to work with. It's very tricky to cut, it likes to unravel like loose threads on a garment after it's cut, and there's really no satisfactory way of attaching it to anything.
The only option in this circumstance is to use drops of CA glue to secure it in place. Unfortunately, that cannot be done without making a bit of a mess. Also, for some reason, when the CA cures it turns white! I don't know why, but it must be a reaction with the finish on the KoolShade.
The only way I could get this to work was to touch up the KoolShade with flat black paint after it was glued in. While this does not look absolutely perfect, I have to remember this entire area will be hidden in deep shadow and visible only if you were to shine a flashlight into the engine trench. Also, parts will be covering these vents and some paint may get in there as well during finishing. So, in the end it will look just fine.
BTW, the vent as it appears here is not exactly like the original. Back then, they put KoolShade on the inside of the engine box to block light from getting through the holes in the sides. They cut giant pieces that covered the entire side panels on the inside. This simply is not practical today since vintage KoolShade is so hard to find and it now costs $50 per sq ft.
My replica engine section does not have working vents in the sides anyway. Rather, it draws air through the waist vent and out the thruster openings. Thus, the side vents were not needed. But, in the interest of making it look as authentic as possible, I created "dummy vents" in the side panels. These will be visible when you look into the engine trenches to appear very much like the original.
My side panels are made from two layers of 1/8 black acrylic laminated together. I cut holes in the outer layer but not the inner layer. This creates the impression of a vent. To complete the illusion, I installed KoolShade in each opening.
Like I said, it's not a 100% match to the original. Once it's trimmed out, however, it really looks the part.
Charles Adams | www.StarshipBuilder.com | Follow me on Facebook
Author, MODEL DESIGN & BLUEPRINTING HANDBOOK, Volume 1 SECOND EDITION NOW AVAILABLE
Author, MODEL DESIGN & BLUEPRINTING HANDBOOK, Volume 1 SECOND EDITION NOW AVAILABLE