I've had a good amount of not only time, but inclination to do some modeling work the last week. Got maybe 12 hours in and devoted that specfically to three different projects, working one as another's glue/putty dried. Well, one more is pretty darned close to completion: U.S.S. Raan. Yeah, I used a Non-Smoothy for the nacelles and primary hull. However, I just didn't feel like sanding all that area. Plus, after at least two coats of primer and three or so coats of main hull color, that hull plating isn't nearly as noticable. Deal with it.
Only thing which really concerns me at this point is the shuttlebay. Since the model sports an open bay, I'm going to have to figure out a way to mask the inside so as not to get overspray in there. Of particular concern is the hangar deck itself. Will likely have to be very careful w/some masking material of some sort. Any suggestions?
As always, constructive criticism and comments welcome. Posted by Shik (Member # 343) on :
Fill it with a wad of cotton. Or just don't have an open bay.
Posted by CaptainMike20X6 (Member # 709) on :
You magnificent bastard. I've never been able to find pics of a credible looking Belknap model. ever.
i'll try transribing the Denebian, in exchange let me use pics of your model someday..
Posted by Griffworks (Member # 1014) on :
Absolutely you may use pics of the model. And you don't even have to do anything for decals. I'm always willing to share stuff like this as long as it's not-for-profit type stuff.
Prolly be a month before I have this one complete, tho. Need to try to place the order for custom decals with JT Graphics. I'd approached him a couple months back, but he was busy getting ready for WonderFest, so asked me to get w/him about it later.
Anyhow, hopefully in a month. I don't have the best rep for finishing models, tho. Especially not w/myself! Posted by Reverend (Member # 335) on :
Nicely constructed model. Horrible design though.
Why don't you just use the normal (closed) shuttle bay door piece from the Connie kit and just temporarily fix it in place? That should block any stray paint.
Posted by Griffworks (Member # 1014) on :
Yeah, that was a pretty obvious one, wasn't it? Staring me right in the eye, as it were. Too simple for my brain, I guess. Had to have someone else point it out to me right after I posted the update to the page. Talk about feeling stoo-pid!
Oh, well....
I didn't want to go with just stuffing some cotton balls or paper up there, was I want to show a semi-rounded deck like we get in ST:V's hangar bay scenes. I might foul it all up and not be able to get the effect I want, but I'm going to give it a try.
Thanks for the suggestions, fellas. I appreciate them.
Posted by SoundEffect (Member # 926) on :
Hey, Jeff, wicked model...I'd like to see it finished. About covering the open shuttlebay, what about a large wad of non-stick gum? It shouldn't affect the paint at all and should provide a good barrier from overspray.
Posted by Triton (Member # 1043) on :
I concur with Captain Mike, a very good model of the Belknap class. I too cannot wait to see it when its finished.
By the way, who or what is a Raan? Is it the last name of a hero of the Federation?
Posted by Topher (Member # 71) on :
I want to buy this model from you, or contract you to make another... But alas, my girlfriend would probably smack me for wasting money... Posted by Saltah'na (Member # 33) on :
That's the spirit, Topher. Remember, it's HER money, not yours. Whatever you get from work, family, etc, goes to HER benefit, not yours. Posted by Jason Abbadon (Member # 882) on :
Ahhh..... the Belknap: I hate this design. Hate it.
I LIKE the secondary hull but can't stand the nacelle pylons steming from the secondary hull's bottom.
I always suspected the design was made after the nacelles broke off someone's ERTL kit. (you can't say you never thought of it!)
That being said, I can honestly say that your execution is absolutly top-notch. The open shuttlebay looks amazing and the shuttlebay doors look better than any other model of the Connie Refit I've ever seen.
Hell-of-a-job there, Jeff.
....now if you'd just finish the ten other ships that are half done and langusing on your workbench of horrors....(sigh) Posted by Woodside Kid (Member # 699) on :
I don't mean to be the fly in the ointment, Jeff (especially since doing something like that model is beyond my skills), but the dorsal looks a little bit...off, somehow. Maybe it's the angle of the photos, but the shape of the aft part of the dorsal doesn't look quite right to me. At least, it doesn't seem to match the shape of the blueprints I've seen. (Specifically, I'm talking about the Inboard Cutaway foldout at the back of SOTSF.) Again, it may just be the way the model was photographed.
Still, it's a damn impressive piece of work. As I said, something like that is beyond my skills at model building; I've had a Stargazer vacuform sitting in my closet for years because I've been too chicken to tackle it. Posted by Kazeite (Member # 970) on :
Excellent work. I just adore that armor pattern on nacelles
(And I can just picture large band of Griffies ten years from now, arguing over starhip designs seen in background )
Posted by Triton (Member # 1043) on :
OK, the name U.S.S. Raan NCC-2519 comes from Ships of the Star Fleet Volume 1, it's a Belknap-class strike cruiser.
Sorry, never saw this book, but I would very much like to get it. Anyone know where I could order a copy? New Eye Studio doesn't seem to carry it.
Was this the book that got the cease and desist request from the Paramount legal department or was it a similar Treknology book?
Posted by CaptainMike20X6 (Member # 709) on :
two of my three copies of volume one were bought on ebay
Posted by Matrix (Member # 376) on :
Barnes and Noble carries it in most of their stores.
I actually like the Belknap class, not the Raan type, but the USS Belknap with the Connie refit type of Nacelles (I think they are called LN-64).
I tried to make a Belknap years ago, just never could figure out who to make the secondary hull. I though of heating it then squishing it among other ideas.
Posted by Griffworks (Member # 1014) on :
Again, appreciate all the kind words, fellas!
quote:Originally posted by Triton: By the way, who or what is a Raan? Is it the last name of a hero of the Federation?
I have no clue. Ships of the StarFleet, Volume One doesn't list where the names come from. Might be a star? Possibly a hero of the Federation, as you observe? I dunno....
quote:Originally posted by Topher: I want to buy this model from you, or contract you to make another... But alas, my girlfriend would probably smack me for wasting money...
Heh... I don't do that anymore, anyhow. The three times I did it, I undercharged, so came out working for less than minimum wage, after taking out for the kit and supplies. Plus, I hate having to be stuck with a deadline. Now, only if the fundage is what I consider worth my time away from building my own models - which is preciously rare! - and spending time with my family will I do it. So far, nobody's actually agreed to my price, so I must be doing something right....
quote:Originally posted by Jason Abbadon: Ahhh..... the Belknap: I hate this design. Hate it.
Don't give in to your hate. It will be your undoing....
quote:....now if you'd just finish the ten other ships that are half done and langusing on your workbench of horrors....(sigh)
I like to think it's a matter of Quality over Quantity. I could have fairly easily put out ten 1/537 scale ships in the last 5 months. However, they'd likely look like crap and I'd likely be unhappy with them in the long run, knowing I could have done better. That's why I'm revamping several of my older ships, giving them new paint jobs and decals.
There's also the fact that I have very little shelf space at the present to consider. If I had some more storage space, I could pretty easily put up another wall shelf, as well as another book shelf and I'd be set. However, I don't. So, I'm taking my time w/new builds and revisiting some older models.
quote:Originally posted by Woodside Kid: I don't mean to be the fly in the ointment, Jeff (especially since doing something like that model is beyond my skills), but the dorsal looks a little bit...off, somehow. Maybe it's the angle of the photos, but the shape of the aft part of the dorsal doesn't look quite right to me. At least, it doesn't seem to match the shape of the blueprints I've seen. (Specifically, I'm talking about the Inboard Cutaway foldout at the back of SOTSF.) Again, it may just be the way the model was photographed.
Still, it's a damn impressive piece of work. As I said, something like that is beyond my skills at model building; I've had a Stargazer vacuform sitting in my closet for years because I've been too chicken to tackle it.
Thanks. Those SFSM vac-kits are actually pretty easy, not nearly as daunting as you're making them out! I've built one of the Constellation class and have another under construction as well and one of their "Survey" ships (Oberth). You've just got to reinforce the interior. Shoot me an email and ask specific questions, if you want: Griffyards at aol dot com.
quote:Originally posted by Kazeite: Excellent work. I just adore that armor pattern on nacelles
(And I can just picture large band of Griffies ten years from now, arguing over starhip designs seen in background )
"Griffies"?!?
quote:Originally posted by Triton: Sorry, never saw this book, but I would very much like to get it. Anyone know where I could order a copy? New Eye Studio doesn't seem to carry it.
Aside from eBay, as Cap'n Mike already mentioned, try any used book stores in your area, as well as SciFi & Fantasy Cons, Star Trek Cons and you might also try Intergalactic Trading. They don't have it in stock right now, but I've seen it there before. They do have "Starship Design" in-stock, tho. I highly recommend that one, too, in case you don't already have it. Sadly, Barnes & Noble doesn't list it on their site....
quote:Was this the book that got the cease and desist request from the Paramount legal department or was it a similar Treknology book?
As Aridas Sofia and Todd Guenther have told it, they've not received any C & D from Paramount.
quote:Originally posted by Matrix: Barnes and Noble carries it in most of their stores.
I actually like the Belknap class, not the Raan type, but the USS Belknap with the Connie refit type of Nacelles (I think they are called LN-64).
I tried to make a Belknap years ago, just never could figure out who to make the secondary hull. I though of heating it then squishing it among other ideas.
The best way to make something like this is to carve it from some medium such as balsa wood or foamcore. Once you've got the shape you want, you seal it and then go to work on your details. I'm pretty certain that the master for this secondary hull was done in some sort of wood, but can't be sure. If you try to heat and then "squish" the plastic of an ERTL Refit secondary hull, you'll likely be unhappy with the results.
Posted by Jason Abbadon (Member # 882) on :
Y'know, Jeff...I really would LOVE taht ship of yours if the nacelle pylons ran straight across the dorsal of the secondary hull (it would just make so much more sense too!). I believe there is a version that has the pylons that way, but it's been a looong time since I had that particular book.
...and you'd have more models completed if you'd just keep them darn cats out of your model room. Posted by Kazeite (Member # 970) on :
quote:Originally posted by Griffworks: "Griffies"?!?
Griffies Fanatics of your work. As in 'trekkies' Posted by CaptainMike20X6 (Member # 709) on :
quote:Originally posted by Jason Abbadon: Y'know, Jeff...I really would LOVE taht ship of yours if the nacelle pylons ran straight across the dorsal of the secondary hull (it would just make so much more sense too!). I believe there is a version that has the pylons that way, but it's been a looong time since I had that particular book.
Balson-class command cruiser.
Posted by Griffworks (Member # 1014) on :
quote:Originally posted by Jason Abbadon: Y'know, Jeff...I really would LOVE taht ship of yours if the nacelle pylons ran straight across the dorsal of the secondary hull (it would just make so much more sense too!). I believe there is a version that has the pylons that way, but it's been a looong time since I had that particular book.
The ship that Cap'n Mike mentions as the Balson class command cruiser can be seen here as being from the "Federation Starship Recognition Chart". I've also seen it in another fan produced work - "Line Officers Requirements" book?
quote:...and you'd have more models completed if you'd just keep them darn cats out of your model room.
Yeah, well... They keep my kids supplied with hours of endless "play" and stay away from my models now, for the most part. I guess it's payback for my models that Casper destroyed and I ain't about to stop the kids from havin' their fun....
quote:Originally posted by Kazeite:
quote:Originally posted by Griffworks: "Griffies"?!?
Griffies Fanatics of your work. As in 'trekkies'
Now there's sumthin' to give you nightmares about! Fanatics that are named after you! Posted by Jason Abbadon (Member # 882) on :
Actually I like the Bekknap's secondary hull with the Balson's nacelle configuration.
Posted by Shik (Member # 343) on :
quote:Originally posted by Jason Abbadon: Actually I like the Bekknap's secondary hull with the Balson's nacelle configuration.
Yes, but you're a retard, & thus your opinion is safely & harmlessly rendered null & void.
Posted by TheWoozle (Member # 929) on :
Are you going to have a ST:V type shuttle parked in the hanger?
Posted by Reverend (Member # 335) on :
quote:Originally posted by Shik:
quote:Originally posted by Jason Abbadon: Actually I like the Bekknap's secondary hull with the Balson's nacelle configuration.
Yes, but you're a retard, & thus your opinion is safely & harmlessly rendered null & void.
Said the pot to the kettle.
Posted by Shik (Member # 343) on :
Oh nononono. Do NOT assume that I was in fact elevating myself above anyone else. It was a simple statement of fact with no comparative value imparted. Besides, I adore Belknap...although I still grumble about Decatur.
So ha.
Posted by Griffworks (Member # 1014) on :
quote:Originally posted by Jason Abbadon: Actually I like the Bekknap's secondary hull with the Balson's nacelle configuration.
Wouldn't work. Belknap's secondary hull is too small for the Balson style pylons. To get the nacelles into that configuration, you'd have the pylons coming out of the top of the hangar bay!
quote:Originally posted by TheWoozle: Are you going to have a ST:V type shuttle parked in the hanger?
Haven't decided if it's going to be an ST:V or TMP shuttle, actually. Hell, I might just cram both in there! Posted by Fleet-Admiral Michael T. Colorge (Member # 144) on :
I assume that your ship is in the same scale as the Enterprise-A kit in 1:537 scale. I'm just wondering because if it is, then that means you might buy the shuttles that Federation Models sells. I want to know how good of a quality they are before I buy the 1:1400 scale aux crafts.
Posted by Griffworks (Member # 1014) on :
The only thing I'm aware of that they sell in the way of 1/537 scale auxiliary craft is the DS9 Runabout. That's 24th century, and latter in that century, at that. The Belknap class is a late 23rd/early 24th century ship, so the Runabout wouldn't work. I do have a number of the no longer produced Thomas Models TMP and ST:V shuttlecraft. Is there another 1/537 scale auxiliar ship that's sold thru FedMods besides the Runabout?
The Federation Models 1/1400 scale Delta Flyer and "Speedboat" shuttlecraft are pretty nice. I've not yet built mine up, but plan to eventually.
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