ALL SCI-FI

[trekriffic]

[trekriffic]

[Bud Brewster]

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I can't built great models like you, Steve, but I do like to "build" modified photos and artwork with Paint.net, the wonderful app we've discussed that you could use with future "Sherman's Planet" creations.

For example, a few years ago I wondered what Dad would look like in a cowboy hat — so I found a painting of a cowboy and borrowed his hat!

Notice how I put a shadow across his upper face.


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Is there no man on Earth who has the wisdom and innocence of a child?
~ The Space Children (1958)

[trekriffic]

[Bud Brewster]

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Much obliged, pardner!
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Is there no man on Earth who has the wisdom and innocence of a child?
~ The Space Children (1958)

[trekriffic]

First wallpaper decals went on today...

Below are various tools/supplies I use for decal application.
Most are well used.

One new addition I made recently was the purchase of a coffee cup warmer and round metal bowl.

Warm water makes a big difference getting the water slide decal adhesive to release the film from the backing paper prior to sliding it into place on the model; reducing this process from an average 10-15 seconds using room temperature water to a mere 5 seconds or less.

Considering how many decals are involved this is a significant time savings.
Another item recently purchased is the long metal tray which I got mainly for longer aztec decals like the ones for the nacelles and along the sides of the secondary hull:


USS Enterprise E - Nemesis-WIP - Decaling Station by Steve J, on Flickr

The deflector trench looks great IIDSSM:


USS Enterprise E - Nemesis-WIP - Trench Decals by Steve J, on Flickr

Lower saucer decals require cutting out the opening for phaser strips using an exacto knife:


USS Enterprise E - Nemesis-WIP - Decal Trimming by Steve J, on Flickr

t’s easier to cut the phaser strip opening down the centerline for application on either side of the strip rather than try to position the fragile thin decal film around it:


USS Enterprise E - Nemesis-WIP - Decal Sectioning by Steve J, on Flickr

After attempting to place the wet decal I found out the opening needed to be lengthened as the phaser strip was too long, this was the result of my attempt to extend the slot using an exacto knife:


USS Enterprise E - Nemesis-WIP - Decal Mods on the Fly by Steve J, on Flickr

I wound up sealing the decal with liquid decal film prior to brushing over the decal with thinned enamel,paint to match the dark grey color of the decal:


USS Enterprise E - Nemesis-WIP - Decal Repair Using Enamel Paint by Steve J, on Flickr

The secret to working with these thin, fragile aztec decals is to cut them into smaller sections before application. Openings for the recessed windows on the lower saucer were particularly challengiing. Here I decided to cut the decal material framing the recesses into separate top and bottom pieces and apply them separately rather than as one piece. This also applied to the longer sections between the recesses:


USS Enterprise E - Nemesis-WIP - Decali Trimming and Sectioning by Steve J, on Flickr

Today I finished about half of the under saucer aztec decals:


USS Enterprise E - Nemesis-WIP - Lower Saucer Aztec Progress by Steve J, on Flickr

After positioning each section using MicroSol decal setting solution I waited 15 minutes to set before brushing them lightly with Solvaset. Unfortunately, a few of the decals were too short leaving gaps at their ends. I will probably fill in the gaps using a few shades of light grey enamel to paint the aztec pattern unless I can find some leftover unused aztec decals from prior builds in my decal remnants stash.

Sorry for some of the longer descriptions. I can get a bit wordy sometimes.

Next post I'll have pics of the mostly finished lower saucer aztec and the deflector dish with its grills.

Thanks for posting any comments.

[trekriffic]

OK. Time for an update...

This looks pretty good I think. The brightness is just right from what I can tell. Two Testors copper painted brass photo-etch grills nested to form the deflector dish. Glued on with Kristal Klear:


USS Enterprise E - Nemesis-WIP - Lower Saucer Aztec and Defector Dish by Steve J, on Flickr


USS Enterprise E - Nemesis-WIP - Deflector Dish Aglow by Steve J, on Flickr

Some of the aztec decals were too short, some were a little long. I was able to rob from Peter to pay Paul a few times but there are a few areas I will need to make up my own aztec “decal” to fill in the blanks. Also one stretch of light aztec decal on the upper side face of the phaser strip tore somehow and some decal is missing so I will paint a simple aztec pattern on some leftover clear decal sheet and patch the holes:


USS Enterprise E - Nemesis-WIP - Lower Saucer Aztec Touchups by Steve J, on Flickr

The aztec pattern on the decals is very light and not showing much contrast against my hull color soooooo . . . I am going to go back and add some darker grey spots using a fine tipped brush and a mix of light grey, white, and light sea grey enamel.

Here are a few I just painted on the existing decal:


USS Enterprise E - Nemesis-WIP - Lower Saucer Aztec Retouching by Steve J, on Flickr

Not a bad job IIDSSM. I used a 20/0 pointed brush to make these wing ding type shapes. After a few minutes I scraped the edges using a stubby exacto knife to sharpen and square up the corners. This is not an exact copy of the CGI image but I tried to follow the spacing of the panels with my brush and my own custom shapes. I also tried to mirror the aztec shapes and locations between the port and starboard sides. :


USS Enterprise E - Nemesis-WIP - Lower Saucer Aztec Retouch by Steve J, on Flickr

Next up is sorting out and attaching the upper nacelle warp grills . . .

[Bud Brewster]

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Impressionnante, Monsieur Steve!

When you finish this project please tell your lovely wife to set you up with a good therapist who can help you deal with the emotional stress of "model addiction".

David, please do NOT try to go it alone! You have family and friends to help you. And several cats.

Just take it one day at a time — and congratulate yourself each night before going to sleep by saying, "Today I didn't build anything. Glue might stick to me . . . but I'm not stuck with IT!"
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Is there no man on Earth who has the wisdom and innocence of a child?
~ The Space Children (1958)

[trekriffic]

[Bud Brewster]

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Well damn, I did it again.

David is Krel's name. I get confused sometimes trying to keep the real names of members like you (Steve), Krel (David), and Mike (Pow) straight. Sorry.

Gord Green is easy. He's Gordon.

Anyway, I corrected my initial error, Steve.

Fortunately I have a support group, too. It's call Typo-holics Anonymous, and we sit in a circle while we discuss our tragic inability to spot mistakes in our written work.

"Hello, I'm Bud . . . and I'm a typo-holic."

"Hi, Bud!"

We all wear name tags — but the names are often misspelled. It's kinda sad . . .
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Is there no man on Earth who has the wisdom and innocence of a child?
~ The Space Children (1958)

[Gord Green]

Yes Bud. I belong to it too....

But my name tag says "HELLO, I'M GOD "
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There comes a time, thief, when gold loses its lustre, and the gems cease to sparkle, and the throne room becomes a prison; and all that is left is a father's love for his child.

[Bud Brewster]

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You can't see me now, but I'm laughing my ass off!
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Is there no man on Earth who has the wisdom and innocence of a child?
~ The Space Children (1958)

[Gord Green]

You'd be surprised how many people come up to me and ask me to forgive them.....
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There comes a time, thief, when gold loses its lustre, and the gems cease to sparkle, and the throne room becomes a prison; and all that is left is a father's love for his child.

[Gord Green]

And the cookies and coffee.....
What the hell is a eucharist?
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There comes a time, thief, when gold loses its lustre, and the gems cease to sparkle, and the throne room becomes a prison; and all that is left is a father's love for his child.

[trekriffic]