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66" - 1/2 Scale USS ENTERPRISE - Replica Model
Page 5 - FINAL ASSEMBLY Construction History -

This page shows the work involved in completing this model. Work began on this section 7/20/2005.

PAGE 5 - NCC 1701 - USS Enterprise (Construction Diary and Pictures Page)

  • Page-1 Construction (Armature, kit parts, basic hull)
  • Page-2 Construction (Secondary hull and engines finished)
  • Page-3 Construction (Lower Primary Saucer)
  • Page-4 Construction (Upper Primary Saucer)
  • Enterprise Construction Home

    • PLEASE CLICK ALL IMAGES TO ENLARGE

    Below 9/26/2005 UPDATES

    [Enterprise.][Enterprise.]
    ABOVE: Mounting ship on 'rig' to level engines.

    [Enterprise.][Enterprise.]
    ABOVE: Leveling model, testing rig.

    [Enterprise.][Enterprise.]
    ABOVE: Getting epoxy in seams, bondo seams.

    [Enterprise.][Enterprise.]
    ABOVE: Lettering for base, supporting itself!

    End of this update.

    Below 9/21/2005 UPDATES

    [Enterprise.][Enterprise.]
    ABOVE: Linear Accelerator and 'boxes' added.

    [Enterprise.][Enterprise.]
    ABOVE: Neck seamed, rear view of Impulse deck.

    [Enterprise.][Enterprise.]
    ABOVE: The lighted beacon over hangar deck (not glued).

    [Enterprise.][Enterprise.]
    ABOVE: Side of Linear Accelerator, new nav 'light'.

    End of this update.

    Below 8/16/2005 UPDATES

    [Enterprise.][Enterprise.]
    ABOVE: Powered Down, closeup of weathering.

    [Enterprise.][Enterprise.]
    ABOVE: Streaks and grids matched to original miniature.

    [Enterprise.][Enterprise.]
    ABOVE: Powered on, weathering from top.

    [Enterprise.][Enterprise.]
    ABOVE: Another view, and grids on rear of saucer.

    [Enterprise.][Enterprise.]
    ABOVE: Some side views.

    [Enterprise.][Enterprise.]
    ABOVE: A couple looking head on.

    [Enterprise.][Enterprise.]
    ABOVE: And the last two.

    End of this update.

    Below 8/1/2005 UPDATES

    [Enterprise.][Enterprise.]
    ABOVE: Bondo'ng all around the saucer halves.

    [Enterprise.]
    ABOVE: Bondo'ng gap in neck.

    [Enterprise.][Enterprise.]
    ABOVE: Painting last of the underside details.

    [Enterprise.][Enterprise.]
    ABOVE: Access for maintenance of broken wires.

    [Enterprise.][Enterprise.]
    ABOVE: Primered and completed Planet.

    [Enterprise.][Enterprise.]
    ABOVE: Base ready for paint and basic paint coat.

    End of this update.

    Below 7/27/2005 UPDATES

    [Enterprise.][Enterprise.]
    ABOVE: First shots of all components together.

    [Enterprise.][Enterprise.]
    ABOVE: Classic shots (Still have to seam/putty)

    [Enterprise.][Enterprise.]
    ABOVE: Side comparisions w/ flash

    [Enterprise.][Enterprise.]
    ABOVE: Couple more with all lights on

    [Enterprise.][Enterprise.]
    ABOVE: Another set w/ and w/out flash

    [Enterprise.]
    ABOVE: Adjusting bridge piece

    End of this update.

    UPDATE: 09/21/2005

    Accomplished during this last period:

  • Finished impulse deck.
  • Built a 'rig' or 'jig' to stabilize the engines, and to get an even, level mount
  • Secured model to base with a 'hold down' strap for my snowmobile.
  • Glued the engines on with Epoxy.
  • Bondo'd the nacelle to struts seams.
  • Repainted the planet and base.
  • Painted the lettering for the base.

    NEXT! Finish painting engine seams, secure hangar door, finish base, and she should be done!

    UPDATE: 09/21/2005

    Accomplished during this last period:

  • Added the "linear accelerator" (had to putty, repaint saucer areas).
  • Added the gray and yellow boxes on either side of the Linear Accelerator.
  • Added the end 'nav lights' using model railroad lenses.
  • Repainted the Impulse Deck

    Note: Still have some minor cleanup to do where the impulse deck meets the saucer, that was a tricky area to get real smooth and clean. I also have to dull coat this whole area to make it all blend back in with the rest of the saucer.

    NEXT! Gluing the Engines on!

    UPDATE: 08/16/2005

    Accomplished during this last period:

  • Finalized the 'Weathering' on the upper saucer, finish paint work under neck and impulse deck.
  • Fixed Bridge, now secure and 'light tight'

    Next and hopefully last will be to put the engines in a jig, level them, glue them, then finish paint the engine mount area, secure the hangar doors, and we should be good to go!

    UPDATE: 08/01/2005 - The latest final assembly work involves the following.

  • Putty/sand/finish the saucer, where the top part met the bottom.
  • Putty/sand/finish the 'neck' area where the saucer meets the vertical section
  • Finish painting the lower graphic (the yellow/red circle), also had to redo the red square under the hangar, it was off center
  • Prime/sand/paint the base and the planet base (I will plan to redo the planet)
  • Fix broken wiring (see below for summary)

    Still to do - Fix Bridge (pins were pushed out when I put saucer on the armature, popped bridge up),Glue down engines, fix port engine drum rotation, putty/finish the engine mounts, repaint engine panel, secure hangar doors. - So, almost there. As to the Broken Wiring, The 'power jack' nut came off, so power no longer worked. I had to disassemble the front antenna shroud, remove both side circuit boards, and fix the jack. Turns out both wires broke off the jack when I tightened it back down. I had to find and remove those wires and put in two new ones. It all works again, after hours of rework. Uggh.

    UPDATE: 07/26/2005 - These are some pictures of the basic assemblies together. The Engines are NOT glued and aligned yet. Just couldn't wait to see how this thing would look. I still have to bondo and fill the saucer connection to the neck, the saucer top at edge all the way around, secure the engines and the hangar bay. It looks AWESOME with all the light on, flashing and engines spinning. Hope to finish up the putty seams over the coming weekend.

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    This page created and maintained by Sean W. Sides © 2005
    Site design, look and feel was duplicated from Starship Modeler. Many thanks to John Lester and Rob Caswell of Starship Modeler