SCORPION SHIPYARDS beta test build of the Colonial Viper MK-I

[Rhaven Blaack]

As you all know, @Revell-Fan has recently finished working on the Colonial Viper MK-I. So, now it is my turn to conduct the beta test build. Yes, this is in 1:48 scale.

Upon the request of @Revell-Fan, I am including a pilot in it.



Here are the parts for the cockpit interior.


I started with the center console. The black circle is there just as a "spot" marker for a "possible" control or gauge.


THe console is assembled.


The joystick is added.


The console is put next to the seat for comparison.


The "square" is a "cushion" to raise the pilot (if needed).


I added the "cushion" ti show where it is placed.
(I did not laminate it more than the single layer, as I did not need to raise the pilot.)


The pilot sits well in the seat.

 

[Rhaven Blaack]

So, on to the cockpit interior.

Here are the parts for the tub.


I started off with attaching both sides at the same time, so that everything lines up properly.






The tub is complete!


I put the seat in.


The center console is in.



Now the pilot! As you can see, he sits quite well in the seat and the tub.





Please stay tuned to your local Colonial Broadcast Network for further updates as they come in.

 

[spaceagent-9]

Very nice figurine work! Looks pretty good. Are you going to offer it in resources?

 

[Rhaven Blaack]

Very nice figurine work! Looks pretty good. Are you going to offer it in resources?

This figure is based off of the figures that @Tirick has designed. That way you can use his figures to make an expanded diorama. Here is the link to the thread that shows me designing the pilot (and a few others: https://www.zealot.com/threads/repainting-tiricks-figurines.176900/
I am having @Revell-Fan go over the templates for the figures (as his time allows) to check for proper scale and accuracy. Once that is done, it will be put into PDF format and, yes, it will be available in the RESOURCE SECTION (along with the rest of Tirick's figures)

 

[Revell-Fan]

Great start, pal! Adding a pilot figure is always a good idea.

As all of you who have followed the build of the prototype know the template was heavily revised for more accuracy. The most changes were made to the lines of the nose. Furthermore, there are A LOT of optional parts like a striped version of the jet intakes, more drawn detail on the wings and finally a much better representation of the detail on the cannon mounts. So expect this build to look even better than mine!

RB has already upped the game with a special addition to the canopy. I won't tell you anything - just wait and see!

 

[Rhaven Blaack]

Here is a minor update.

Here are the parts for the fuselage.


The inside cone.




The parts for the nose.


The main part of the nose is assembled.

Here is the inset piece for the back part of the nose.


The inset is attached.




The inner cone is attached.


On to the back part of the fuselage and attaching the cockpit tub.

Please stay tuned to your local Colonial Broadcast Network for further updates as they come in.

 

[ASC Mclaren]

Looks great!

 

[Revell-Fan]

You did the pre-shaping right! This is one of the trickiest aspects of the build since there are no formers who could assist or guide you. This will change with the larger versions though.

 

[Rhaven Blaack]

You did the pre-shaping right! This is one of the trickiest aspects of the build since there are no formers who could assist or guide you. This will change with the larger versions though.

THank you sir! thumbsuprinks:

 

[Rhaven Blaack]

Here are parts for the back end of the fuselage.


The parts go together nicely.






The back piece is assembled.




I inserted the cockpit tub.




The front of the fuselage is attached.




Now on to the engine mount and engines.

Please stay tuned to your local Colonial Broadcast Network for further updates as they come in.

 

[Rhaven Blaack]

Here is the engine mount.


The engine mount went together well. However, you do need to take your time with it, to make certain that everything lines up well. If you do not roll the areas for the engines properly, you might have issues with attaching the sides.






Here is the backend "shelf".


The "shelf" is attached.


Here are the greebled parts for the back end.
(if you are ambitious enough, there is even more greebling potential.)


The greebles are attached.
(If you are wondering why I did not greeble them out further, this is ONLY a beta build. when I rebuild this, I will greeble it out fully!)






The fuselage is attached to the engine mount.


This part goes right in front of the cockpit.




Next comes the undercarriage.

Please stay tuned to your local Colonial Broadcast Network for further updates as they come in.

 

[Revell-Fan]

GREAT VIPER PROGRESS!

Part 27 has the correct thickness but parts 17 (the four equal tube thingies) are too flat. Another layer should do the trick.

 

[Rhaven Blaack]

parts 17 (the four equal tube thingies) are too flat. Another layer should do the trick.

I will remember that for the next build. However, with the next build, I may layer those parts out to show depth within the parts themselves.

 

[Rhaven Blaack]

Here is the undercarriage. As you can see I used the enhanced front section.
Remember, if you decide to use the enhanced front section, be certain to cut the holes for the landing gear.


Everything went together well.




The undercarriage is attached.


Please stay tuned to your local Colonial Broadcast Network for further updates as they come in.

 

[Rhaven Blaack]

OK. So, I was made aware of a few mistakes that I made, in my previous two posts. Especially one where I was the one who initially pushed for this step to be made, so that the model looks more screen accurate. So, I am making a public forum apology to @Revell-Fan for not following the directions properly. I am sorry!
It is because of issues like this, that instructions are important and should be followed properly.

Here are the corrections.

Starting with the undercarriage. This is what I was suppose to do in the first place.



I (VERY CAREFULLY) removed the front


Here are the parts for the front part of the undercarriage (parts 21) and parts for the back end of the engine mount (parts 17).


I assembled the the front part of the undercarriage (part 21


The front part of the undercarriage is attached.




Here are parts 17. Take your time with cutting them out.


Parts 17 are attached.




Please stay tuned to your local Colonial Broadcast Network for further updates as they come in.

 

[Revell-Fan]

Great fixes, pal! rinks:

And no need for apologies! I made the same mistake with the undercarriage and corrected it the same way. I thought it would be better to point these things out to you when it was still time for corrections. If you had continued things would have gotten more difficult (especially with the wings in place).

The next tricky steps are aligning the engine tube parts, wings and cannons. Pay close attention to the seam lines and the texture. The sub-assemblies mostly rely on the seam lines whereas the final marriage to the fuselage relies on the texture and the angle. I'm sorry for this but this is how the original was designed..!

Thank you very much for the pictures showing the left and right side. The lines look straight on the finished piece and the size and position of the new panels look pretty good. So the revision paid off.

 

[zathros]

Formers for the nose would be a good idea, even if they slid out before continuing assembly.

 

[Rhaven Blaack]

In the design thread LAUNCH WHEN READY, my very good friend @Revell-Fan mentioned that there is going to be a bit of a surprise when I conduct this beta test build. Well, there is indeed a bit of a surprise. It is a functioning cockpit canopy (meaning that you can open (with a screen accurate look) and close it).

Here are the parts for the functioning canopy.


Starting with the canopy itself.


This is a simple sheet of address labels


Thin sheet of clear plastic.


Attach the canopy part tot he address label.


Cut the windows out.
*NOTE* After you cut the canopy from the address label, you will want to prefold the canopy before you cut the windows! *NOTE*


Take the back of the address label and place the canopy part on the clear plastic.


Cut the canopy away from the plastic. Now you have a canopy with glass.


Now form the canopy and seal the seams.


This is the hinge and strut for the canopy. This will allow you to have the canopy open and have the same look as on screen.


Attach the canopy stem to the hinge of the canopy mount.


Attach the canopy strut.


These are the internal formers for the canopy mount.


Internal formers for the canopy mount are assembled.


The formers are inserted in the canopy mount.


The canopy assembly is finished.


The canopy is shown open and the strut holds it open.


The canopy is attached.


Because of a mistake that I made earlier with making the spacer under the cockpit tub a little too big, I had to increase the canopy by 5% in order to work properly and look right.


Please stay tuned to your local Colonial Broadcast Network for further updates as they come in.

 

[Revell-Fan]

In the design thread LAUNCH WHEN READY, my very good friend @Revell-Fan mentioned that there is going to be a bit of a surprise when I conduct this beta test build. Well, there is indeed a bit of a surprise. It is a functioning cockpit canopy (meaning that you can open (with a screen accurate look) and close it).

AND ALL KUDOS FOR THIS ADDITION GO TO @Rhaven Blaack !!! rinks: :Bravo: rinks:

 

[Rhaven Blaack]

It is time for another update. I have made the wings and cannons. Now, you are probably wondering why did I not make the engines first. That is a very good question. The answer is actually very simple. You will need the wings to help you with the set up the engines, and mount them properly.

So, I started with the tail. Here are the parts for the tail


The main part of the tail is assembled.


The panels are attached.





Here is an angled gauge that you will need for the proper placement of the cannons and engines.


Here are the parts for the main wings.


The main wing is assembled.




I marked the inside of the wing with L&R to determine which one is left and right.


Both wings are assembled.


Here are the parts for the cannons.


The cannons are assembled.


The cannon is attached to the wing. *NOTE* please pay close attention to the instructions on how to use the gauge to help you with proper placement of the cannons! *NOTE*


The tail and wings are finished.


Please stay tuned to your local Colonial Broadcast Network for further updates as they come in.