The Madhatter Posted November 21, 2011 Author Share Posted November 21, 2011 thanks for that - it's an interesting thread alright but I haven't used any future (not that I'm assuming it matters too much) Maybe I just need to let it dry longer. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
The Madhatter Posted November 23, 2011 Author Share Posted November 23, 2011 I found the other camera last night so I took some pictures of where I am up to right now. The camera is not shy about pointing out some areas that need a bit more attention and that will be dealt with soon enough. This is only the base coats with washing etc still to come. I just wanted to see what you think of the colour combinations. Are they ok or could you suggest a more appropriate color? thanks again for stopping by See you again soon MH Quote Link to post Share on other sites
The Madhatter Posted November 24, 2011 Author Share Posted November 24, 2011 I had the day off today, so I did some more work on it. I got the emblem painted on (although stills needs to be touched up here and there as you can see below) Its all ready now for the clear coat then wash. I have also done the wash on the super structure. The photos make it look terrible, but in the plastic (to me anyway) it looks pretty cool and it pops the details out nicely. I apologise for the bad quality of the pictures - its only a cruddy pick, point and shoot camera. Thanks guys Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Par429 Posted November 26, 2011 Share Posted November 26, 2011 Hey- I think the colors look great. Nice variation. I also think the superstructure looks terrific! Not sure what you're seeing in the photos, but if looks better in person, wow! Awesome job as always. Agreed, a few touch ups on the insignia, but that's not an easy surface to mask over. And reds and yellows are not the easiest colors to work with, since they don't cover very well. Awesome job, as always. I really enjoy stopping in here to see your progress. Keep at it, you're always there and it really looks great! Phil Quote Link to post Share on other sites
The Madhatter Posted November 27, 2011 Author Share Posted November 27, 2011 hey Phil - thanks for stopping in. I have tidied up the emblems as much as possible and am gearing up towards the first clear coat. I spent most of Friday installing the trenches and finishing off the wiring the engines so they will fit And I made these really simple light boxes for the FO's etc. On the inside I'll stick some aluminum foil and the outsides are painted flat lack. And I think I have achieved the perfect shade of aqua blue for the window LED's (no pics just yet - but it looked really good in test lighting) The end is finally in sight! Just a few more details to add to the hangar doors, light boxes for the super structure need finishing, still need to make/buy the stand & base and then it's putting it all together to form what will hopefully be a decent model! Thankyou to all for your continued interest MH Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Noumcea Posted December 1, 2011 Share Posted December 1, 2011 MH, Most excellent paint job. From the screen caps I have from the movie, the colours you are using right on the $$$. Did you have any problems fitting the trench pieces so that the top plate sits properly ? Still working on my engines. Trying to get the inside of the exhaust nozzles detailed. Don't know how you did it mate. Hope my build is half as good as yours. I would be mighty chuffed. Keep up the brilliant work mate. dave. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
The Madhatter Posted December 1, 2011 Author Share Posted December 1, 2011 gidday Dave - great to see you back here again! I have to confess - I just installed the trenches without fitting the top plate - so if anything goes wrong I only have myself to blame. However, from the previous times I played around with them I'm comfortable that it should fit OK. I sprayed the last coat of clear on the top plate last night and I'll start washing it over the weekend (if I can find some time that is) As for the detail on the inside of the engines, that took me the longest time to figure out how it was going to work, but I'm happy with the results. There is an insert available through Slipways you can buy and just drop it in - but to me, personally, that's cheating. I can do a drawing of how I did mine for you if you like and email it to you. I did that for another Aussie but he bought the inserts in the end - I think my way may have been a bit too much the hard way (so to speak) PM me your email address if you would like it - the same goes for anyone else out there who wants a copy. It's not really hard to do - but it does take some time! Thanks again Dave for stopping by Si Quote Link to post Share on other sites
blakeh1 Posted December 1, 2011 Share Posted December 1, 2011 Wow! it's really coming together now. I think the painting turned out really well. Pictures always are decieving to how it really looks, escpecially zoomed way in on something that small it has a way of magnifying things you wouldn't even notice in person. I think it really turned out top notch! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
The Madhatter Posted December 3, 2011 Author Share Posted December 3, 2011 thanks Blake! Yeah, a zoom lens isn't always that kind to a build sometimes (at least in my case :D) I've finished building the light boxes for the FO's and am in the midst of fitting them now - I'm currently on a 15 minute beer break! I will have the lower plate all fitted out tonight and I'll take some pics tomorrow once everything has dried and is in place. I've done a couple of tests already and am happy with how they look. I hope you all think the same Thanks for stopping by! Si Quote Link to post Share on other sites
The Madhatter Posted December 4, 2011 Author Share Posted December 4, 2011 hi again everyone OK, here's what I got done last night. Most of the main light boxes are now installed and I only have a couple more boxes to build for the side hangar bay walls which I'll do over the coming week. I'm going to do a full trench lighting test tonight and I will take some pictures for you all (pointless doing to now - it's day light) The top plate is now almost finished - just need to spray on a flat coat. I had thought of doing some battle damage but I'm not practiced enough to do that properly, so I'm going to pass as I don't want to ruin it completely See you all again tonight MH Quote Link to post Share on other sites
dylan Posted December 4, 2011 Share Posted December 4, 2011 holy smokes!!!! that is awesome Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Albert Moore Posted December 4, 2011 Share Posted December 4, 2011 Man oh man, this just keeps getting better with every update. This is some fantastic painting and finishing. Keep on keepin' on MH, Cheers, Alby Quote Link to post Share on other sites
The Madhatter Posted December 4, 2011 Author Share Posted December 4, 2011 (edited) thanks guys! OK, as promised - a full trench test lighting. I'm a bit s****y because the camera is playing funny buggers and I couldn't seem to get a focused picture, but these will give you an idea on what it's going to look like: The underneath docking bay: Lower plate: Top plate: There are more pictures on my photobucket account but they aren't good enough for the forums as far as I'm concerned Let me know what you think Edited December 4, 2011 by The Madhatter Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Noumcea Posted December 6, 2011 Share Posted December 6, 2011 Mate, All I can say is...AWESOME !!!! What did you use for the wash ? Cheers, Dave. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
The Madhatter Posted December 6, 2011 Author Share Posted December 6, 2011 Cheers mate! The wash was done using Tamiya's Panel Line Accenter - it's great stuff! Gone are the days of trying to get the right consistency and it's really simple to use as it has an applicator in the cap. Just touch it onto the surface and it runs really nicely into the grooves. Come in brown, Gray and black. I tried the gray but it was too much like the base colour so I went with the black. Listen to me - I sound like a walking advertisement for Tamiya but credit's due where credit's due bro - it's a really great product. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Tomo43 Posted December 7, 2011 Share Posted December 7, 2011 Hello MH It's been a while since I have made any comments but I have been watching intently, so I do apologise for the delay in congratulating you on such a magnificent build so far. There is an awful lot of spaghetti in there - I'm amazed you can navigate your way around! I am still dumbfounded by the sheer amount of effort you have spent on this project and I only wish I had that level of dedication and patience. I would have given up a long time ago I think It can't be to long now till the finish line? What will you do afterwards? I can't wait to see the finished project. Will you have it ready for next years Melbourne Expo? I intend to make the trip there and would dearly like to see it. Thanks again MH Thomas Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Noumcea Posted December 8, 2011 Share Posted December 8, 2011 Cheers mate! The wash was done using Tamiya's Panel Line Accenter - it's great stuff! Gone are the days of trying to get the right consistency and it's really simple to use as it has an applicator in the cap. Just touch it onto the surface and it runs really nicely into the grooves. Come in brown, Gray and black. I tried the gray but it was too much like the base colour so I went with the black. Listen to me - I sound like a walking advertisement for Tamiya but credit's due where credit's due bro - it's a really great product. Thanks for that Si, I personally prefer to use Tamiya whenever possible because I like the consistancy of their products. Shall place an order for a few bottles. Cheers, Dave. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
The Madhatter Posted December 8, 2011 Author Share Posted December 8, 2011 No worries Dave! Thomas - thankyou for for dropping in again! Yes - I do intend on having this finished soon and ready for Expo next year, so I really have to get a shuffle on. Make sure you come and say hi if you go! What will I be doing after this? I'll be taking a break from modelling for a couple of months but after that I'll probably start on any one of the following (haven't made up my mind yet): A 1/72 Hasegawa SU-33 with a few AM parts to it A super detailed, lit version of the Cordoba from the Crusher Joe Anime series The Trumpeter 1/32 SU 27 - complete with lit cockpit etc The 1/350 Tamiya Enterprise which I intend to build into a diorama (yet another first for me). Naturally, I will have a go at scratch building the internal hangar and I intend on lighting up the carrier deck which ought to be an interesting challenge as I've never seen anyone do a build of the Enterprise with the strip lights on the deck lit, so I'll have a crack at it. I know there is a serial theme going on in that list, but I swear man - once you have the lighting bug, it takes a hold of you and won't let you go.... This build has been the perfect practice in detailing and lighting for all of my future builds (gotta start somewhere!) so hopefully there will be an improvement on the upcoming quality of the details. See you again soon MH Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Emperor Posted December 19, 2011 Share Posted December 19, 2011 Hey MH, i just registered here to tell you how awesome your "upgrading" is! A vew days ago I started to build a Venator class star destroyer,too (also an old Revell kit I got from ebay 3 years ago). I was searching for some tricks and then I found this thread, really great work! I am working with styrene a lot but there is one speacial bit you used which I tried to get but never found. It is like a ladder, looks like made of metal. You used it on the engines. Please tell me where I can buy this. And onother thing: The bridge you build, with this triangel-shaped windows, did you build this "triangle-ladder" by your self or did you have stuff thant looked like that? I am looking forward to see your finished Venator :) best regards Emp Quote Link to post Share on other sites
The Madhatter Posted December 19, 2011 Author Share Posted December 19, 2011 Hi Emp Thankyou for your interest in this build - it's greatly appreciated OK, the ladders on the engines are exactly that - they're 1/700 photo etched ship ladders I bought for $15.00AU on eBay. Be careful though - I bought what I thought were 1/700 scale ladders from a seller in China and they turned out to be more like 1/1200 scale and so therefore absolutely useless for my needs. Make sure you get 1/700 - other scales don't seem to be right and there appears to be a inconsistent idea on what 1/700 scale is The triangular frames in the bridge windows and in the super structure are strips cut from a 1/12 scale P.E Motorcycle radiator grill that I bought from Acu-Stion in Japan. For a while there, they were available through Hobby Link Japan, but they are no longer there. I happened to buy mine directly from Acu-stion before I found out they were available from HLJ. The ordering process seems to be complicated, but it really isn't. Everyone I've spoken to about it seems put off by how full on the guy makes it sound, but really, you just email him the part# you want, wait for the Paypal invoice and pay - how easy is that? If you want to go down that route, let me know and I'll dig out the part # for you to make it easier to order. Hope to see your build here some day ;) Thanks again for looking Emp MH Quote Link to post Share on other sites
USMC Herc Posted December 26, 2011 Share Posted December 26, 2011 I just read all 11 pages of this in one sitting and all I can say is.......... OutFREAKINGstanding! You have created a piece of miniature art. I cannot wait to see this finished. Cheers & Semper Fi, Jason Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ChippyWho Posted December 26, 2011 Share Posted December 26, 2011 Somehow, 'upgrading' doesn't begin to cover it! A masterpiece in the making, and I'm definitely taking up golf. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
The Madhatter Posted January 1, 2012 Author Share Posted January 1, 2012 wow, thanks Jason - you must have more patience than me to sit through this whole thread in one sitting! :D Thankyou to you as well Chippy!! It's great to see you back here again ;) I'm still away until Wednesday, but when I get back, I'll be back at it full time and will be able to post an update again worth while by the end of next week. I'm hoping to get a large chunk of it - if not finish it - in the next couple of weeks as I'll be home on my own. I will definately be ready for Melbourne Expo this year (yes, I know I said that last year but back then, I had no idea on how much work was going to go into it!) Thanks for tuning in again everyone and have a happy and safe New Year Kind regards MH Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Noumcea Posted January 2, 2012 Share Posted January 2, 2012 Mate, I just sent you an email re your post on the RPF. Cheers, Dave. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
The Madhatter Posted January 6, 2012 Author Share Posted January 6, 2012 hi everyone Well, I've had 2 days to myself and another I've got another 2 weeks as well and things are progressing nicely. Here's where I am at present: The superstructure lighting has all be been finished and am in the process of getting it all together: The innards: The stand has also been attached and I'm trying to finish f the base now: The docking bay lights are all installed etc, but I wasn't happy with the color of the yellow LED: it looked more amber to me and not what I wanted, so I took a white LED and dipped it in some Tamiya clear yellow and got a much better result: Before: After: I've been test fitting the 2 plates and I know for sure that I'm going to need a couple of clamps! Well, the end is just around the corner I think; just a matter of tying up loose ends and then finish. Thanks for stopping by and I'll see you again soon MH Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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