Star Trek DS9:- Operation Return Diorama - 'micro' build log

[Rhaven Blaack]

It looks like you are off to a good start on the Defiant.
I am looking forward to seeing how it will turn out.

As for the USS Bannockburn, I checked out your blog and took a look at the pictures. You did a GREAT JOB on it!!!
You should post the photos here (in its own thread, of course. ).
That was a GREAT TRIBUTE!!!

 

[Revell-Fan]

I totally second that!

 

[linweseregon]

@spaceagent-9 Just like Kirk in The Enterprise Incident

I joined the parts for the superstructure of the hull following Ninjatoes' instructions:-

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I then attached the shuttlebay and engines:-

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finishing with the upper deck containing the bridge. This gives me a USS Defiant measuring 18mm (<3/4") from tip to tail:-

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Now it's time for my Nemesis - the Excelsior class :grumpy:. When I built Wolf 359 this ship was a royal pain in the ass. And now I've got four of the damned things to build :arghh::bawling::banghead: . Oh well, here goes...
I'm using Clever Santoro's designs again, starting with the design for the USS Excelsior. I don't need to change any names or registries as they're illegible this small. I'm starting, as always, with the saucer:-

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[linweseregon]

@Rhaven Blaack @Revell-Fan Many thanks guys . I'll copy 'n' paste my Bannockburn post tomorrow - 03:30 is a bit late/early even for me

 

[spaceagent-9]

unbelievable!

 

[Rhaven Blaack]

You did a GREAT JOB on the USS Defiant. At only being 18mm long, It is AMAZING that you are able to make it look so good at that size.

I am looking forward to seeing the Bannockburn.

KEEP UP THE GREAT WORK!!!

 

[Revell-Fan]

This gives me a USS Defiant measuring 18mm (<3/4") from tip to tail:

Tough little ship!

 

[linweseregon]

The two saucers are built and I've cut some of the parts for the secondary hull:-

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I left a margin on the front underside for ease of attaching the shuttle bay.

 

[spaceagent-9]

WONDERFUL!

 

[linweseregon]

I connected the main secondary hull parts and cut some more random pieces:-

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[spaceagent-9]

fantastic!

 

[linweseregon]

I joined the primary and secondary hulls and that left me with the nacelles to cut, build and connect:-

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I used the edge of my steel ruler to shape the nacelle halves and a toothpick point to shape the upper ends. This gives me two MkI Excelsior class ships at a length of just over 2" (52mm):-

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[Rhaven Blaack]

The Excelsior looks GREAT!!!
Your skills (in building these micro machines) are GREATLY IMPROVING!!!
I am REALLY ENJOYING watching these build threads!

 

[spaceagent-9]

marvelous! 5 centimeters@@@@!!!!! and so clean looking!

 

[Revell-Fan]

My God, you are pulling the "Likes" out of my wallet faster than I can fill her up again..!

 

[linweseregon]

Many thanks guys
I made a start on the Mk.II's today, but I'm already pulling my hair out -lol. There are just too many pieces that are miniscule, and the saucer rings don't want to behave. I've still got parts left from the Mk.I so I'm going to try a mix 'n' match - the only real differences are the additional impulse engines and that weird bulge on the secondary hull. If my plan fails then I'm off to Utopia Planitia for a crash course in starship construction .

 

[spaceagent-9]

remarkable, hang in there, innovation is the mother of invention, and necessity, the father!

 

[linweseregon]

@spaceagent-9 I thought Frank Zappa was the mother of invention

I redid yesterday's saucer with a mix of parts from the Mk.I and Mk.II:-

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As the top of the saucer has a smaller diameter than the bottom, I stuck it onto a thick piece of card so that the rim could be angled properly. The photo shows the top part from the Mk.I, but I swapped this for the top from the Mk.II then connected all the rings, the two halves and the extra impulse engines. I then cut the rim and the parts for the sensor array and bridge superstructure:-

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I used the Mk.I impulse engine block as the Mk.II version was too fiddly to work with: one edge would've been <0.5mm wide.

 

[spaceagent-9]

great!

 

[Rhaven Blaack]

Looking good so far.