A movie, memories, and a plastic Enterprise.

There is a new Star Trek movie about to be released and the movie website has a forum with posts about Enterprise models being re-released as well.   Presumably to take advantage of the interest the movie is going to generate.  Well, I used to build models when I was younger and I remember the simple enjoyment of building something, painting it up and then blowing it smithereens with firecrackers.   Not all of them mind you, but some met a quick and shape altering end.  With these fond memories foremost in my mind I started to check out the models being released and what was currently available.

Seeing one model in particular got the proverbial snowball rolling.  A 1/350 scale model of the Enterprise A refit (http://www.round2models.com/models/amt/starship-enterprise) by Polar Lights.

Polar Lights 1/350 Enterprise A Refit

If you are familiar with the Star Trek movies it is the one in Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan.    It’s a monster at 35″, but what a nice model when complete and especially when it is lit up (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Grpgm_ywEA).

I was smitten.  I really wanted to build it.  After much thinking about how best to proceed I decided I would botch it.  Doing a quick skills inventory I came to the conclusion that I didn’t have the skills to build or paint a 1/350 model.  So I bought a smaller one.

I bought an AMT 1/1400 Enterprise E (http://www.round2models.com/models/amt/enterprise-e) with the intention of using that as my practice mule.

AMT 1/1400 Enterprise E

After receiving the AMT model and more thinking, I came to the conclusion that I didn’t have the skills to build or paint a 1/1400 model.  So I bought a muscle car.

The next rung down the model food chain is a custom chopper model, but I didn’t think that had enough surface area to practice airbrushing.   It’s a nice model a 1970 Firebird.

The plan is to buy the paints I need for the Enterprise E and paint the Firebird with them.  Sort of an Enterprise E theme car, à la Orange County Choppers.

Hopefully building and painting the Firebird will be my maiden voyage so to speak and then I can move on to the Enterprise E proper, and eventually the 1/350 Enterprise A

For equipment, I’m starting pretty much from scratch except for an airbrush.  I inherited an old Badger 350 which I think is about 15-20 years old, but still seems to hold pressure correctly (no hissing when not engaged), I have a nice bench with built in light, and a comfortable stool.  That’s it.

The Forge

I’m going to have to restock my files, paints, tape, cement, etc again.  I’m actually looking forward to all of this!

My goal with the blog is to document how I went about learning the skill I need to build the 1/350 Enterprise.   I’m going to try and focus on just the information and techniques required for that model.   I don’t see the point in learning everything there is to know about airbrushing for example, before building the 1/350 Enterprise.

I’m also hoping that I can get some comments coming in as things progress as it would be nice to have some interaction with more experienced people but I’m not expecting to much of that.

I’m not expecting to be able to spend a lot of time in a given week on this project so, dear reader, whoever you might be expect delays.