Mutara Class Starship-New Contest Build

[Quaralane]

Okay, decided I'd go for one more build in this year's contest.
This time, I'll be taking the AMT 1/1000 Enterprise B kit and turning it into one of my own designs.
Basically, I took the uprated Excelsior design and laid her out more along the lines of the Sovereign class by taking out the neck and sweeping back the struts


Now, we start with the "official" entry pic.
If you look closely, you can still make out the shrink wrap on the Enterprise B kit


Then, we get the obligatory "sprue shot"


Now, we get into the actual construction progress pics.
First up, is the underside of the saucer, showing the nasty seam along the edge.


Secondary Hull work starts. Also some nasty seams, but manageable.
The piece of electrical tape there is acting as a temporary clamp for the Testors liquid cement


Deflector trench is in place. More seams to fill.
Also started work on the struts


Youtube link:
Mutara Class Starship-SMA Build-Part 1

 

[schweinhund227]

Wow! Man! A 4th one! You should stay off the coffee and chocolate coated coffee beans.....dude!

LOL. Jokes aside!

My hat to you, if you pull this off!

I feel like I'm stuck in Low gear! Cuz I can't find enough time in a day!

Keep them coming!

 

[Quaralane]

Thanks, Norm.
I just take what time I can, and I build to make myself happy.
Now, don't get me wrong, I have a couple of projects in the queue that will take weeks to finish.
I just figured this one wouldn't be one of those.

 

[Biskup]

This is going to be another interesting build. I'm looking forward for an update.
Cheers
Lukasz

 

[Grendels]

Nice concept! did you get those pylons from the E kit? Or are they from a 1701A kit?

 

[Quaralane]

Thanks, guys.

@Grendels,
The struts are from one of the two 1701-A kits that I used in the Mirror build.

 

[JohnSimmons]

Wow good stuff taking on another build! Ill be watching for sure.

 

[Solander]

One of my favorite starfleet's designs (Excelsior I mean, but Your taking out the neck and making it more sleek like the ent-E definitely looks pretty)! Will be watching this build closely!))

 

[noc5659]

this should be a nice build. i would say yes to aztec decals as they really will make it pop. there is so flat much surface detail on starfleet ships that its almost a must. when printing decals are you using special paper and do they apply the same as commercial ones?

 

[SLW45]

WOW Another great looking ship. Cant wait for next up date

 

[Quaralane]

Thanks guys, I hope she lives up to your expectations.

@noc5659,
I have clear decal paper that I use. Works just like the commercial decals once they've been printed and sealed

 

[TRM]

Yes sir!!!! #4 and counting!!! Off to a great start....will be folloing along! ;D

 

[Eastrock]

Now we got triplets!!! looking forward for another great build Quaralene!!!

 

[Quaralane]

Thanks, guys.
Should have another update up either tonight or tomorrow

 

[Bizarre]

hmmm... interesting!

 

[Quaralane]

Thanks, I think, Bizarre.

Okay, time for an update on the Mutara.
At this point, I have all of the major sub-assemblies built and have moved to seam work with Aves Apoxie Sculpt.

Saucer hull. Upper side looks pretty good.


Lower side had a NASTY seam running around the perimeter, but the impulse engines look all right.


Secondary Hull lower side had a couple of nastier seams to tangle with, largely due to the way AMT engineered the hull.


Upper side looks just fine with the aft shuttlebay in place.


And, while I hate the way they were engineered, the nacelles came together without too much nastiness.


Biggest change, besides dropping the neck, involves the new strut assembly.
I've trimmed and attached the struts from the 1/1000 1701 refit into place with superglue.
I've used aves to smoothout the transitions, and removed the attachment tabs from the upper ends of the struts.


Youtube link:
Mutara Class Starship-SMA Build-Part 2

 

[Grendels]

A nice little update!!

 

[Quaralane]

Thanks, Grendels.
Hope to have more up tonight.

 

[SLW45]

Oh man that is looking good and you are so quick!!!!

 

[Quaralane]

Helps that I started with a fairly simple kit, SLW45

And now, for tonight's update:
After getting some sanding done on the seams, I turned to starting major assembly.
I started by attaching the saucer to the secondary hull. Inside the neck joint are 5 dobs of Aves Apoxie Sculpt to strengthen the joint.
I still need to go in and do the filler under the old impulse engines.



I also attached the nacelles to the strut assembly with CA glue



Youtube link:
Mutara Class Starship-SMA Build-Part 3