This will be my first (of probably three or four) contributions to the ‘iModeler at the Movies’ Group Build.
My childhood was defined, punctuated by, and comforted by this seminal TV show. My early years were not ideal, and being shunted from various locations and caregivers made me seek out my own family. I found that family in Kirk, Spock, and McCoy. My wedding cake was a three dimensional ‘Enterprise’ in 1992 (still married) and my second son’s middle name is DeForest (named after McCoy). Clearly, that surrogate family stayed with me and guided me. In a strange coincidence my one daughter was born on the 17th January; 1701, the registry of the Enterprise. This who know me here are aware of my deep feelings for that other Enterprise, CV6.
Rob Anderson @robertandy started a similar build two years ago (whatever happened to that, Rob?) as have one or two other iModelers (who don’t seem to be treading the boards anymore). This will be a ‘legacy build’ - my plan is to finish this by Christmas and present her as a gift to my first born, Connor, who knows exactly how much this ship means to me.
I’ve started the painting and definitely going for a more military and gritty feel about the ‘look’ of the 1701. Most people paint these ships in white but the ‘reality’ is that the original models were closer to battleship grey. There are so few parts to this that it’s quite the opposite of the normal procedure where it takes an age to get any real traction. This thing is building itself, and with one colour it’s all very ‘dead ahead, warp factor four’.
Also, I’ve purchased some really nice LED lights and fibre optics to light her up, so spent some time painting the insides black and taping the interior to try and prevent light bleed.
Progress was going very well until I had one of my obligatory disasters at the weekend and I’m now waiting for parts for my airbrush.
So, this one has a definite deadline and will, for sure, not be three or four hundred posts long. No ‘five year mission’...
Live long, and prosper.
