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My Polar Lights NX-01 Project
Introduction
My Dad got me a copy of Polar Light's NX-01 Enterprise model as a Christmas present. Last summer, I finally got around to building it. This is the first model I have built in about 6 years, and I wanted to do it right. In the show, the NX-01 sports an intricate "Aztec" pattern on the ship's surface, representing the many different alloys that comprise her hull. I wanted to capture a similar effect on my model, so I headed over to Cult TV Man's hobby shop and invested in a set of "Aztec Dummy" paint masks to help the process along. Since the Polar Lights model is 1/350th scale, it is quite impressive in side. On top of that, all the windows were molded in clear plastic. These two facts pretty much demands that the model be lit, so I set about doing that too. Using some wiring diagrams I found online, a bunch of overpriced components from Radio Shack, and a little trial and error, I managed to do just that. All told, this model consumed about 25 LED's. Below are a collection of pictures and a couple of videos showing the finished project. Overall, I am very happy with the way this model came out, and I am looking forward to putting the experience I gained on this model to work on Polar Light's Refit Enterprise.
This picture is an in-progress shot during the painting. You can see I have just pulled off one of the self-adhesive masks. This model is the first one I have ever air-brushed. I am happy with the result, although in retrospect I think I got too impatient and laid the paint on too thick!
Here are the finished Aztec schemes, top and bottom. This scheme is actually a simplfication of the tecture used on the CG model made for the TV show. I used two colors in my Aztec scheme, where as the TV version actually has 4(!) different colors.
Beauty shot with her all lit up. I really like how this picture came out (click here for a larger version)! Overall, I'm pretty happy with the lighting effects, and about the only thing I might have done differently is to try and replicate the self-illumination seen on the ship during the show. I ultimately decided to drop this feature for simplicity.
This view shows the lighting effects from behind. The NX-01 has these odd dual-impulse engines that actually glow blue, not red as in most other Federation starships. Also, you can see the spot in the rear where the power cable connect to the model.
Here is the front view with normal illumination. On the right is a clear shot of the custom base that I made for this model. The included plastic base is rather flimsy and, in a word, crummy. So, I made my own out of some scrap oak that was laying around. It actually holds the model pretty securely, and it doesn't look half bad, either :). Click here for a large version of the picture on the left.
Here is one final shot just to give you an idea of the impressive size of this model. At two feet long, it is quite a handful!
Videos
For your downloading pleasure, I have also included a video, so that you can see all the blinkies in action.
Conclusion
Overall, I really enjoyed building this model. It is a number of firsts for me; first model I've ever lit, first model I've ever painted with an airbrush, and the first model in years. I had a great time building it, and learned a lot too. I can hardly wait to get started on my next project!
Andy Rucker