papasmurf
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Posts posted by papasmurf
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Simon, thx for the compliment.
Mark, saw your Fledermaus....that's cool looking. I was actually thinking of painting the nose section(forward of the cockpit white) and a white stripe on each of the tail booms (aft of the cargo section.) I'm planning on using the P-47 nose art decals included in an earlier journal issue, since I don't build aircraft.
Your quite welcome, thanks for posting this!
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Papasmurf, I've been watching some of your builds for a while now and someday I'll be able to match some of your stuff. Thanks for the comments.
The work you posted on this project looks very promising, so much detailed scratch-built stuff, keep at it!
Nice to hear, you keep up with my humble efforts, thanks for that, much appreciated!
The more you build, the more experience you gather, it's just a matter of time, lots of patience, and a bit of determination.
"Never give up, never surrender!"
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Two that haven't been mentioned yet.
Soldier and Dark Star.
My number three would have to be one of the early B&W Dr Who and the Daleks movies.
Loved "Soldier", and "Dark Star", John Carpenters first feature film, is a cult classic!
And, I have many fond memories of those BW "Dr. Who" episodes, excellent choices! And welcome to IPMS hotel26!
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Nice work Dude, keep it coming!
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Looking pretty good there! Please post final shots, before it goes to show!
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Very nicely done!!
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Looks great
What's next up for you?
Dave
Thanks Dave, the rare TVC15, "Spinner" kit, from Japan, from the film "Blade Runner" is next up. Lighted and fully detailed, should be an interesting project! It's a 1/16th scale kit, typical "garage kit" casting quality, roughly 12 inches in length.
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The Jupiter 2 project is finally completed! Now attached to the "Air Force Tarmac" display base, the "Yellow" Landing ring seen in many episodes, "stock footage" as it's known, burnt crispy from the Fusion Core's heat! The Panel Line details are very "stylized", not canon, but kinda' interesting, breaks up the monotony of the Steel color.
It's just another variation, to the over 30, J2's, I've built, over the last decade. I do try and give each client, a slightly different version, with it's own unique details.
Some final shots posted here, please visit the site to see more, and 3 video clips posted on the bottom of the Video Gallery page!
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OK, almost done! Just the Base/Diorama to go, and it's wrapped up! A few images below! The Kit Factory website has film clips of the lighting effects, in the Video Gallery.
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Cool! I've never seen the 50's-era War of the Worlds movie. Maybe someday I'll find it to rent or something.
Your kiddin'.................
You never saw the original WOTW!!
Duuuuude, get it, even today, it's a fantastic film!! :lol:
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COOL! Interesting configuration Dude, keep the updates coming!
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I haven't tackled the NX yet, but it looks like a mix of Pewter tones, and a variety of other metallics in that spectrum, not precise I know, but many internet sites can provide more details, time to start doing the "homework" on that.
On the A, I used Aztek Dummies masking set, plus a lot of Tamiya masking tape. Again, so many colors, it's another color scheme you need to investigate by hunting the internet. I used Tamiya Pearl white for the base color, and a variety of blues for the Hull detailing colors. For the Panel design colors, I used Reefer White, and very light applications gave it a nice look.
There are several Trek sites which give a lot of information on the colors, Starship Modeler's, forum and Hobby Talk, should have dozens of suggestions, as well as Googling, "Enterprise A color scheme".
These are both projects that require you to gather information, reference images, and to choose the best method that you are comfortable with, in implementing what you have learned.
Some IPMS members have built this kit as well, perhaps they have a concise list to share!
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Here's the "official" definition of "Aztec", and do note, that although many builders term it "Aztek", it's actually correctly written as "Aztec", as the tribe was, hence known for it's unusual stone work, and mysterious demise.
"What does the word Aztec mean? The word "Aztec" means "someone who comes from Aztlán", an unknown location north of Mexico. The Aztec also referred to themselves as the Mehika or Meshika or Mexica, the origin of the name "Mexico"."
Interesting stuff!
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Very cool stuff.
Thanks for showing the underside wiring. I'm starting to learn a thing or two about the basic technique.
No problem, I kind of kept it "under my belt" for a few years, but I am getting long in the tooth lately, time to pass on a bit of knowledge, to others, now.
I can't keep this up forever. My eyes aren't what they used to be, and I wear magnification eye wear all the time.
I decided to reveal more "stuff" this year, as my techniques are no secret, just the way I use present technology is simply "my way". I didn't invent it, far from it, I just "apply" it a certain way, that seems to yield interesting results.
I have another 10, maybe 15, good years of production time and ability left, and then it will be up to the next generation to take it "up a notch".
So although I'm not going to give up all my best tricks, I am starting to try and show what is possible, and get all those techno types more interested in the hobby. Hope it works out.
Thanks for the praise Beer, much appreciated!
BTW, I love BEER!!
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I haven't taken the time to read all of the reply posts, but in short it's a nice way of showing different sheens to the hull surface (whether due to differences in material or finishing) - if it were all one color, it would be a little boring on the big screen. I think, however, that the idea of the Aztek pattern has come to be all encompassing of all of the color variations on the hulls of Star Trek ships when originally, it just referred to the perceived difference in sheen of different panels on the ships.
If you look at the new R2 1/350 Enterprise, they tout coming with 4 sheets of Aztek decals (which are beautiful, by the way - worth half the price of the kit alone), though those sheets also include the light blue color highlights that go in different areas of the ship - those in my mind aren't technically part of the Aztek pattern, though I'm sure some will disagree.
Quite right, the Aztec "Plating," is usually an undertone marking, and rather a light color, some grays, pinkish hues, and light blues in there too.
There are also "decorative" stripes, that enhance the beauty of the Ship, so it's not all "Hull Plating" or "Deflector Grids". I didn't meant to oversimplify it, merely explain the origins of the term.
"Aztecing", is the culmination of all that, in a very vibrant pattern, that is quite interesting, and pure "eye candy".
I think that covers it.
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That's what I kinda figured, that it was an art department's attempt to just break up the monotony. Since there's no 'official' reason, we can invent a whole history of it. The thought occurred to me as I'm writing this that maybe there was a mention of it in one of the trips to the past made by one Enterprise crew or another. Remember in ST IV at the plastics factory Mr. Scott was showing the owner/manager about transparent aluminum ("ahh, a keyboard, how quaint"), and the question was raised about showing him the technology, with the answer being, "How do we know he didn't invent the thing?". What if.... Let's say during Georgie LaForgey's trip back in 'First Contact' he happened to make an offhanded comment about it, or even an intentional mentional. He did, after all, inentionally go back to help Zephram(sp?) Cochran with the warp drive. One paradox can just as easily beget another(movie paradodoxes (paradoxem?) are such fun!). "You can't do that, how do we explain it?!" Hahahahahaha, watch me! The sad part about the whole Aztec concept though, is that even with no official explanation, and any history we care to create, apparently there is an 'official' pattern for each ship, and if you want to please the rivet counters it had better be right.
Oh Boy!! You said a mouthfuf there, yes, I too have had to deal with the "Trek Nazis"!! Different patterns for every ship, colors must be accurate, don't you dare add a "greeble" there!!!
My good friend, Jack Brunner, of Fuzznoggin Creations, called them by the Historical group, "The Bishops of Canon", hence the term, "it's not Canon". These guys were some sort of Religious purists, and you had "really unpleasant" things happen to you, if you messed up. :(
Sort of like the "Spanish Inquisition" types, "Put the old Woman in the Comfy Chair!" :lol:
That's a big PIA, in the model building biz!
We try to make it "just right", but most people don't know, that it's kind of hard to duplicate CG, with an airbrush!
Again, a very good point, and quite relevant to the discussion. :P
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A few new images of the Jupiter 2 on my Workbench right now, as you can see, it's quite evolved since last time. Should have it completed within a couple of weeks, still some Hull work, a bit of electrical here and there, and the Display Base too.
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Is there a point and purpose behind the aztec markings on the ships? Surely it can't be camo of any kind.
Hi guys, I believe I have a more detailed answer to this question, it's something "Papa" has looked into in the past.
First off, the term "Aztec" or "Aztecing" comes from the method by which the Aztecs, and the Mayans as well, except their style was different, of decorating their buildings with certain tile formations. Ceramics of many colors, were applied to exteriors, interiors, and all over the place, usually bright colorful pastel colors like teal, blue, light blue, pink, rose, turquoise, and such. Their jewelry was also expressive in this way, so that's the history of the term. Even their buildings were made of blocks cut in those odd, straight angled shapes, and to this day, we don't have the ability to match their tolerances and accuracy, interesting isn't it?
Second, not only were these markings added to the exterior of Federation Star Ships to make them "pretty", or to have more "visual impact", the Engineering of constructing a huge Vessel requires special construction techniques. In the 23rd, or is it 24th, Century, before the current films time-line, they are assembled in space, at a "Space Yard". The Aztec patterns on the Hull, reflect the engineering structural designs, of the many "plates" that make up the entire structure. Look at a current Navy Aircraft Carrier, see all those rectangular Plates, welded together, to make up an entire Hull? Same deal.
But as Space craft are going to require difference tolerances and structural integrity, and it being the "future", when we have discovered things like "Trititanium" alloys, and all sorts of new "welding" techniques, you have to keep an open mind. And, who knows what alien sciences, led us to the exact shapes seen on the Hulls of those magnificent Ships? We know it's the Art Dept at the Studio, but use your imagination.
So in very simple terms, the "Aztec" patterns, are the "Legos", that snap together, to make up the entire Ship. Their just not rectangular.
We cool? Good!
Great question by the way, 10 points on that!!
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I have kits from Star Trek (kits from all except TOS), all the StarWars movies, just getting started with Warhammer(gotta find one of those Valkyries!), one each from Aliens and Independence Day, so to call one of them a favorite would be a misnomer, but Starwars stands in the lead with Warhammer a close second. I like Trek, I grew up with it from the very beginning, but the ships are too clean and smooth, too "pretty". With only a couple exceptions (Voyager in one episode and Enterprise 'B') none had any battle damage, scars, dirt, nothin' that I remember. Again with only a couple exceptions, all the ships from StarWars were beat to hell, or at least heavily weathered and scarred from space debris, or whatever. They just seem more realistic. It's like putting a Nimitz class carrier next to a cruise ship. The Robotech kits from Revell I'm not even remotely familiar with. What and when were they?
Oh I agree with Ships looking like they've been, "around the block once or twice", much more realistic! My favorite versions of any project I get to build, is when the client chooses, "Weathered, heavily weathered".
Of course, it's a "personal" choice, many modelers like a "Showroom Clean" look, but I'm with you on that! Dirt, scars, fuel leaks, battle damage, repaired Hull Plating, lovely stuff!!
Good post Michael658, and welcome to IPMS!!
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I too enjoy the Warhammer 40k armor. I received the Imperial Guard Valkyrie for Father's Day. It's quater-way built, just need to detail paint the cargo/troop bay and cockpit before I do the final assembly. Comes with 2 door gunners and several weapons options.
Mike, it was nice seeing your Sentinel in FSM's May issue.
Nice looking kit there Pyrman! Kinda' reminds me of the "Aliens" Dropship, but with a more conventional configuration, like an Apache attack Helicopter "look" to it, sweet!
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My favorite subject has been and always will be Star Trek. I do like the Macross and Robotech lines though.
Cool! I do like the Robotech's and Macross kits too! So precise, and everything fits! Superb kits, nice choices!!
The old AMT kits for ST are fine, they just re-released them all, as well!
Some newer ones by Polar Lights, the 1:350th sizes, are pretty darn good too!
Welcome to IPMS se5022!
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I'm hoping beyond hope that the new Enterprise will be released in kit form (and the lights and sound toy that's out right now doesn't count...)
I saw that at Wally Mart, not a lot of detail, pretty dull looking in my book. I agree Mike, doesn't count, strictly for the little kiddies.
Even considered airbrushing it, into some sort of decent replica, but like you, I'm waiting on a decent, big scale kit.
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RC2 has announced that they are working on a kit of the new Enterprise..
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MMMMM....the thought of a 28.5 inch model version of the new Enterprise sounds awesome!!!
Thanks for that info Eric!
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Check out this site! They are working on mass-producing the new Enterprise, in a lighted prop reproduction display form. Looks pretty nice to me, and I had heard the Master Replicas lost their Star Trek licensing rights. This must be the new guys who got it!
Fun stuff to do on there as well, check out the "Artists Gallery" of wild conceptual styles of Enterprise's. That was a lot of fun to play with!
Link is : http://www.quantummechanix.com/Enterprise_Project.html
They have a few goodies I wouldn't mind having, but I have no room until I sell off some of my stuff first!
WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE SCI-FI FILM OF ALL TIME?
in Space, Sci-Fi & Fantasy
Posted
Add "2001", "Blade Runner" and "Alien", and you've pretty much got my top 5!
Although, those tend to vary from day to day.............