Priming the Frigate

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Finally, I got around to finishing the build of the Nebulon-B Frigate-headache. Luckily, after getting the primary pieces reattached, the details have fallen together easily. I haven't had many issues, except a few parts cracking. But again, I just keep adding layers and layers of detail, mostly styrene strips. On a nice day, I primed it using Tamiya's Fine Grey Primer, a lacquer. And this folks, is why priming is so important. I had a lot of cracks and splits that I had not previously seen. I also noticed several places where glue had collected and needed to be removed. Also, the thrusters look really bad, so I'll add that to the list of things to fix.

Completed & mounted
Closeup of “fixes”
Fins needed repairing
Thrusters still look bad
Starboard side repairs

A Nebulon-class Headache

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So, my latest project is a rebuild of Nicholas Sagan's Nebulon-B Frigate. It's 1/500 scale and 3D printed from his design. Honestly, it's absolutely beautiful. He captured all of the detail beautifully, and the 3D print looks phenomenal.

However, it suffered a mishap in shipping or something. Anyway, another person wants to buy it and Nicholas commissioned me to fix it. And holy-hell does it need fixing. Apart from it being, well...apart, there's a lot of damage to the armor plates on either side of the main hull. Nicholas reprinted one side, but the port side is really bad. I'm having to kit-bash a kit-bash to rebuild it. What's worse, is that the 3D-print is very brittle. So, every time I try to add something on, something else breaks. It's quite the headache.

But, I'm trying to add as much structural support as I can. Wherever possible, I'm adding 1mm styrene strips behind pieces that I'm adding on. I'm also using 2-part epoxy glue more than CA superglue. Epoxy is generally stronger, but it also has a little flex in it. So, when I ship it, hopefully nothing will snap off again.

I’m on a Podcast

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So a short while ago, I was asked to be on What the Force?, which is a Star Wars podcast discussing all kinds of things from lore to theories on the future films to me talking about painting plastic. At first I couldn't believe it. You mean, you want to talk about plastic things for half an hour. Cool!

But when I did the interview, I had a lot of fun. It was interesting to describe scale-modeling to someone who wasn't familiar with it, and I enjoyed just reminiscing about old projects. So, if you have a chance, give it listen. If you have more time, please listen to the other podcasts because I really like the variety of topics and the casual feeling you get when listening.

Thank you again to What the Force? for having me on, and cheers!

What the Force? link to my podcast

What the Force? Facebook page

Bandai Rogue One vehicles

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Just finished the 2 other vehicles from Bandai's Rogue One set: the U-wing and TIE Striker, both in 1/144 scale. I think the U-wing came out great. I painted a lot of the panels differently and used a great decal set for the dark blue markings. Then I weathered the heck out of it. I probably could have gone further, but I was ready to be done.

Finished Diorama

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Well, here's the unveiling. I was molding a hand...my hand, for use in a diorama. I wanted to make the fallen Jedi statue on Jedha, or at least the hand. I used a water hose attachment as the lightsaber, and molded everything in Play-Doh. Then I cast it in a type of plaster. I have more info on the official Jedha Statue page.

Anyway, I hope you guys enjoy. Any questions or feedback, don't hesitate to email or comment.

Getting back into it – Bandai Rogue One

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It's been a long time since I really got a joy out of painting, weathering, and finishing a model. So, I've recently been jumping back in with the Bandai Rogue One set, the one with the U-wing, TIE Striker, and Imperial Combat Assault Tanks in 1/144 scale. Currently, I've actually finished the TIE Striker. Many thanks go out to Dannon Marsh, who makes some excellent masks for the TIE Striker.

For the U-wing, I'm using Nicholas Sagan's multi-pack of U-wing decals. They need to be cut as close to the marking as possible, but they go on excellently with Mr. Mark Setter and Softer. The Combat Assault Tanks (unpictured) are in the early paint stages.

Now, there's something else I'm working on, which I hope to finish this week. I don't want to spoil it. However, it uses Play-Doh, Durham's Water Putty, and a watering hose attachment. Can you guess what it might be?