Moebius Viper MK2-Solaria-Finished 4/8

[Quaralane]

Okay, started work today on the Moebius Mk2 Viper that I may, or may not, take to Wonderfest this year.

First off, let me say that this kit, is superbly engineered.
Only have a couple of gripes with it, the largest being that the instructions NEED larger pics.
I would also like to point out that there are NO landing gear wells in this model. The gear mounts to tabs in the fuselage.
You want gear wells, you'll need to scratchbuild them.
Other small niggle is that the "closed" bay doors don't have the door lines scribed in them. Easy fix, but....

All right, now to my own build.
The whole album can be found here:
http://s432.photobucket.com/albums/qq45/quaralane/Galactica/Viper-Mk2/Moebius-1-32-Pulsar/

We start with a small schematic I adapted from an original by "Canis D" to illustrate how the Solaria's MK2 Vipers looked.
http://s432.photobucket.com/albums/qq45/quaralane/Galactica/Viper-Mk2/Moebius-1-32-Pulsar/moe-viper-mk2-pulsar-00.jpg

Box art:
http://s432.photobucket.com/albums/qq45/quaralane/Galactica/Viper-Mk2/Moebius-1-32-Pulsar/moe-viper-mk2-pulsar-01.jpg
http://s432.photobucket.com/albums/qq45/quaralane/Galactica/Viper-Mk2/Moebius-1-32-Pulsar/moe-viper-mk2-pulsar-02.jpg

Shots of the various sprues and instruction packet
http://s432.photobucket.com/albums/qq45/quaralane/Galactica/Viper-Mk2/Moebius-1-32-Pulsar/moe-viper-mk2-pulsar-03.jpg
http://s432.photobucket.com/albums/qq45/quaralane/Galactica/Viper-Mk2/Moebius-1-32-Pulsar/moe-viper-mk2-pulsar-04.jpg
http://s432.photobucket.com/albums/qq45/quaralane/Galactica/Viper-Mk2/Moebius-1-32-Pulsar/moe-viper-mk2-pulsar-05.jpg
http://s432.photobucket.com/albums/qq45/quaralane/Galactica/Viper-Mk2/Moebius-1-32-Pulsar/moe-viper-mk2-pulsar-06.jpg
http://s432.photobucket.com/albums/qq45/quaralane/Galactica/Viper-Mk2/Moebius-1-32-Pulsar/moe-viper-mk2-pulsar-07.jpg
http://s432.photobucket.com/albums/qq45/quaralane/Galactica/Viper-Mk2/Moebius-1-32-Pulsar/moe-viper-mk2-pulsar-08.jpg
http://s432.photobucket.com/albums/qq45/quaralane/Galactica/Viper-Mk2/Moebius-1-32-Pulsar/moe-viper-mk2-pulsar-09.jpg
http://s432.photobucket.com/albums/qq45/quaralane/Galactica/Viper-Mk2/Moebius-1-32-Pulsar/moe-viper-mk2-pulsar-10.jpg

Okay, now we start actual work on the model.
As I'm planning on travelling with this, I decided to build her with gear up and use the stand.
To this end, I've scribed the door seams into the door pieces.
(Note: took two tries to get the seam right on the front door. It only has one seam now, I promise)
http://s432.photobucket.com/albums/qq45/quaralane/Galactica/Viper-Mk2/Moebius-1-32-Pulsar/moe-viper-mk2-pulsar-11.jpg
Then I cemented the gear doors in place.
http://s432.photobucket.com/albums/qq45/quaralane/Galactica/Viper-Mk2/Moebius-1-32-Pulsar/moe-viper-mk2-pulsar-12.jpg

Cockpit work.
Painted the cockpit in a base of steel, then gave it a black wash, and a drybrush in silver before adding a few of the decals.
As dark as the cockpit was, I only opted to use the major decals and paint black spots in for the rest.
Sadly, I discovered that, after doing the paint and sealing, I had the side plates in BACKWARDS, resulting in my having to tear them off and re-glue them correctly
http://s432.photobucket.com/albums/qq45/quaralane/Galactica/Viper-Mk2/Moebius-1-32-Pulsar/moe-viper-mk2-pulsar-13.jpg
http://s432.photobucket.com/albums/qq45/quaralane/Galactica/Viper-Mk2/Moebius-1-32-Pulsar/moe-viper-mk2-pulsar-14.jpg
http://s432.photobucket.com/albums/qq45/quaralane/Galactica/Viper-Mk2/Moebius-1-32-Pulsar/moe-viper-mk2-pulsar-15.jpg

Cockpit inside the fuselage halves. Seam didn't look too bad.
http://s432.photobucket.com/albums/qq45/quaralane/Galactica/Viper-Mk2/Moebius-1-32-Pulsar/moe-viper-mk2-pulsar-16.jpg
Bottom plate in place.
http://s432.photobucket.com/albums/qq45/quaralane/Galactica/Viper-Mk2/Moebius-1-32-Pulsar/moe-viper-mk2-pulsar-17.jpg

Engine pieces get a base coat of steel from rattlecan before I give them a black wash.
http://s432.photobucket.com/albums/qq45/quaralane/Galactica/Viper-Mk2/Moebius-1-32-Pulsar/moe-viper-mk2-pulsar-18.jpg

Main body after first coat of primer.
I'll install the engines after I get most of the details painted.
http://s432.photobucket.com/albums/qq45/quaralane/Galactica/Viper-Mk2/Moebius-1-32-Pulsar/moe-viper-mk2-pulsar-19.jpg

Basic work to correct the seams that looked a LOT worse in primer than they had in base plastic.
http://s432.photobucket.com/albums/qq45/quaralane/Galactica/Viper-Mk2/Moebius-1-32-Pulsar/moe-viper-mk2-pulsar-20.jpg

While waiting for the wind to die down outside to try for another coat of primer, I printed up the custom markings I'll be using for her.
Luckily, the ones I did for the 1/72 version enlarged almost perfectly.
On the sheet, you can also make out some of the extra markings I'll be using for the other two of these I have in queue
http://s432.photobucket.com/albums/qq45/quaralane/Galactica/Viper-Mk2/Moebius-1-32-Pulsar/moe-viper-mk2-pulsar-21.jpg

 

[nimrod77]

Re: Moebius Viper MK2-Solaria-WIP 4/2

That looks very nice I have one of these on the way so it's good to see one being built.
Cheers!

 

[Junkie]

Re: Moebius Viper MK2-Solaria-WIP 4/2

Cool. Nice buildup. That looks large, what scale is it?

 

[Quaralane]

Re: Moebius Viper MK2-Solaria-WIP 4/2

Thanks, Nimrod.
With the next two the "sprue" shots won't be there.
Kit goes together REALLY well, but make sure to test fit things before committing to glue.

Scott, thanks.
She's 1/32 scale to go with the old Revell Vipers.

 

[Grendels]

Re: Moebius Viper MK2-Solaria-WIP 4/2

I have been thinking about getting one, but my build pile is a little too big. Keep up the work, it will help me decide if I should get one.

 

[Elm City Hobbies]

Re: Moebius Viper MK2-Solaria-WIP 4/2

You are one of the lucky few to get one, as apparently part of the shipment was/is held up in US Customs (seems the customs officer is a BSG fan, or at least that is the story), and shops aren't getting the numbers they ordered.

I had 15 on pre-order, with 8 already sold, and I was cut back to 8 kits because my supplier only got half of their shipment (or at least that is what I am told anyway).

Sucks....as it just means I will have to wait for the 2nd batch to get my own!! E :'(

Looks nice!!

As far as scale, it is 1/32, and matches the scale of the Revell Viper. Next out of the gate for Moebius in the BSG world is Galactica, and rumors of a Cylon Raider, and possibly a Mk.VII Viper and/or a Raptor in 2011

 

[Quaralane]

Re: Moebius Viper MK2-Solaria-WIP 4/2

Word from Moebius was the dreaded "random full inspection."
I had 3 on pre-order from CultTVman. Got them all, fortunately

 

[Quaralane]

Re: Moebius Viper MK2-Solaria-WIP 4/3

All right, here we go with the latest update on the build.

Last night, I dremelled out the ports for the RCS thrusters using a small grinding ball.
http://s432.photobucket.com/albums/qq45/quaralane/Galactica/Viper-Mk2/Moebius-1-32-Pulsar/moe-viper-mk2-pulsar-22.jpg
http://s432.photobucket.com/albums/qq45/quaralane/Galactica/Viper-Mk2/Moebius-1-32-Pulsar/moe-viper-mk2-pulsar-23.jpg

After getting a new coat of primer on her, I started masking off the red stripes with the intentions of airbrushing them.
http://s432.photobucket.com/albums/qq45/quaralane/Galactica/Viper-Mk2/Moebius-1-32-Pulsar/moe-viper-mk2-pulsar-24.jpg

Sadly, my airbrush decided not to cooperate. Wound up using a rattlecan for the red, then hand brushing the yellow/gold
http://s432.photobucket.com/albums/qq45/quaralane/Galactica/Viper-Mk2/Moebius-1-32-Pulsar/moe-viper-mk2-pulsar-25.jpg

Finished up basic assembly, then painted in the detail areas on the engines and fuselage with steel.
Added a black wash to those areas, as well as to the intakes.
http://s432.photobucket.com/albums/qq45/quaralane/Galactica/Viper-Mk2/Moebius-1-32-Pulsar/moe-viper-mk2-pulsar-26.jpg
http://s432.photobucket.com/albums/qq45/quaralane/Galactica/Viper-Mk2/Moebius-1-32-Pulsar/moe-viper-mk2-pulsar-27.jpg

With luck, and decent weather, I should be able to get a sealer coat down and start decalling.

 

[nimrod77]

Re: Moebius Viper MK2-Solaria-WIP 4/3

Nice!
Too bad your AB packed it in. I got myself a badger a couple of years ago and it is the best thing ever once I came to grips with it.
The yellow certainly makes it stand out! What decals come with the kit? Are you going to make a stand for it?

 

[Quaralane]

Re: Moebius Viper MK2-Solaria-WIP 4/3

Thanks. The yellow was specifically done to set the Solaria's squads apart from Galactica's.
Going to use the kit stand.

As to the decals, it comes with the standard red striping for Galactica, as well as markings for either Apollo or Starbuck.

 

[Quaralane]

Re: Moebius Viper MK2-Solaria-WIP 4/5

Now we have tonight's update.
First up, the base.
I took the kit base, then hit it with a coat of semi-gloss to remove some of the transparency.
Then I printed up the insignias for both the Solaria and the Sunswords squadron and glued them to the base.
http://s432.photobucket.com/albums/qq45/quaralane/Galactica/Viper-Mk2/Moebius-1-32-Pulsar/moe-viper-mk2-pulsar-28.jpg

After giving the ship a coat of sealer, I went for the decals tonight.
I used a combination of the kit decals and custom markings.
On a side note, I made the sad discovery that the "painted stripes" markings that came with my kit are translucent, and didn't show up on my stripes
Due to the translucency issue, I wound up cutting the bird emblems out of the stripe decals to use instead.

I also went in and, with a very fine brush and semi-steady hand, painted the framing on the canopy.
http://s432.photobucket.com/albums/qq45/quaralane/Galactica/Viper-Mk2/Moebius-1-32-Pulsar/moe-viper-mk2-pulsar-29.jpg
http://s432.photobucket.com/albums/qq45/quaralane/Galactica/Viper-Mk2/Moebius-1-32-Pulsar/moe-viper-mk2-pulsar-30.jpg
http://s432.photobucket.com/albums/qq45/quaralane/Galactica/Viper-Mk2/Moebius-1-32-Pulsar/moe-viper-mk2-pulsar-31.jpg
Now, she needs to be sealed, weathered, and have the final details and pilot done

 

[Grendels]

Re: Moebius Viper MK2-Solaria-WIP 4/5

It is coming along very nicely. ;D

 

[Quaralane]

Re: Moebius Viper MK2-Solaria-WIP 4/5

Thanks, Grendels.

 

[Grendels]

Re: Moebius Viper MK2-Solaria-WIP 4/5

Your very welcome. Thank you for convincing me to spend yet more money on a model, I just placed my order for one.

 

[Junkie]

Re: Moebius Viper MK2-Solaria-WIP 4/5

You're doing a great job.

 

[Quaralane]

Re: Moebius Viper MK2-Solaria-WIP 4/5

Thanks, Scott.
And Grendels? Glad I could help you decide on another one.

 

[Quaralane]

Re: Moebius Viper MK2-Solaria-WIP 4/5

As of tonight, she's done.

Tuesday after work, I started in on the pilot while I waited for the coat of semi-gloss to dry on the Viper herself. I also worked on the replacement pilot figure for my Mk7E from Timeslip at the same time
Hand primered in grey.
http://s432.photobucket.com/albums/qq45/quaralane/Galactica/Viper-Mk2/Moebius-1-32-Pulsar/moe-viper-mk2-pulsar-32.jpg
Basecoat of olive drab. Then I picked out the other details on the helmet in brass.
http://s432.photobucket.com/albums/qq45/quaralane/Galactica/Viper-Mk2/Moebius-1-32-Pulsar/moe-viper-mk2-pulsar-33.jpg
Both figures get a black wash over all.
http://s432.photobucket.com/albums/qq45/quaralane/Galactica/Viper-Mk2/Moebius-1-32-Pulsar/moe-viper-mk2-pulsar-34.jpg
Drybrushed the figures with gold, then picked out the black bits with a fine brush.
http://s432.photobucket.com/albums/qq45/quaralane/Galactica/Viper-Mk2/Moebius-1-32-Pulsar/moe-viper-mk2-pulsar-35.jpg

And, now that the coat of semi-gloss was dry, I was ready to weather the ship.
Oh, wait, no I wasn't....
In looking at the ZOIC orthos over at shipschematics.net, I found that I'd forgotten the RCS thrusters in the tops of the main can housings.
Okay. I drilled those out with my dremel last night and then set to work tonight on weathering the bird.
For most of it, I used a post-it-note as a temporary mask while I drybrushed with black.
http://s432.photobucket.com/albums/qq45/quaralane/Galactica/Viper-Mk2/Moebius-1-32-Pulsar/moe-viper-mk2-pulsar-36.jpg

And now, the finished pics:
I tried to keep my weathering to more of a medium level this time, rather than drowning the ship in a black wash.
http://s432.photobucket.com/albums/qq45/quaralane/Galactica/Viper-Mk2/Moebius-1-32-Pulsar/moe-viper-mk2-pulsar-37.jpg
http://s432.photobucket.com/albums/qq45/quaralane/Galactica/Viper-Mk2/Moebius-1-32-Pulsar/moe-viper-mk2-pulsar-38.jpg
http://s432.photobucket.com/albums/qq45/quaralane/Galactica/Viper-Mk2/Moebius-1-32-Pulsar/moe-viper-mk2-pulsar-39.jpg
http://s432.photobucket.com/albums/qq45/quaralane/Galactica/Viper-Mk2/Moebius-1-32-Pulsar/moe-viper-mk2-pulsar-40.jpg
http://s432.photobucket.com/albums/qq45/quaralane/Galactica/Viper-Mk2/Moebius-1-32-Pulsar/moe-viper-mk2-pulsar-41.jpg
http://s432.photobucket.com/albums/qq45/quaralane/Galactica/Viper-Mk2/Moebius-1-32-Pulsar/moe-viper-mk2-pulsar-42.jpg
http://s432.photobucket.com/albums/qq45/quaralane/Galactica/Viper-Mk2/Moebius-1-32-Pulsar/moe-viper-mk2-pulsar-43.jpg
http://s432.photobucket.com/albums/qq45/quaralane/Galactica/Viper-Mk2/Moebius-1-32-Pulsar/moe-viper-mk2-pulsar-44.jpg

I don;t know if she's an award winner, but I like how she turned out

 

[dbhs]

The color scheme is very striking and well executed. Looks great !

 

[Quaralane]

Thanks, dbhs.
Glad you like her

 

[Junkie]

That turned out great. I think you did a fantastic job! Definitely will look great in the gallery on the new site!