Mutara Class Starship-New Contest Build

[Quaralane]

Thanks, guys.

@merseajohn,
I wish I could take credit for it, but I live in a condo. Our grounds crew did that.

 

[Quaralane]

After taking a small break to make a couple of key decisions on the build, I got back to work on the Mutara today.
Using files available for download from Starship Modeler, I printed up the majority of my aztec decals.
The only change I've made to the originals is colorizing some of the sections blue.



Link to the decal files at Starship Modeler:
http://www.starshipmodeler.com/tech/cz_mask.htm

Youtube link:
Mutara Class Starship-SMA Build-Part 6

 

[TRM]

Great work on the decals Q! Your rolling right along!!! ;D

 

[schweinhund227]

HUGE DECALS SHEET HOOT !!!

man... that's gonna be Sweet ! can't wait for the end results...

or a WIP half way thru.... take your time...thou.

sure help for that Aztek paint scheme... I wouldn't want to have to do it by hand !

Looking forward to your next update !

 

[Grendels]

Lots of decals! I have yet to do a model with that many decals, but I have plenty of them in the stash, keep us posted!

 

[Solander]

What I like in old AMT trek ships is that along with all their known issues (like for ex. recessed lines here and there and minor inaccuracies) they are anyway fittable with the free starshipmodeler's decals and it is definitely a big big plus.
Sure would never recommend anyone paint those. I didn't know about possibility of decaling the aztecs while my work with a 1/537 AMT's Ent-A, and had to cut masks by hand, apply them (and there were millions of them) and then spray in several coats in order to achieve different shades of panels. All in all I can describe it in 3 words: THAT WAS HELL)) I would never go that way again, nor recommend anyone doing that.
On the model: the progress is excellent! Love how the prime coat layed over black undercoat: it definetely gives him a nice touch of depth.
Can't wait to see the decals on, though understand its not a fast process applying em

 

[Quaralane]

@Grendels,
Last time I tackled a decal job like this, it was on the 1701-refit. This should be about as much work.

@Solander,
I'm glad for the decals, as well. Otherwise, I wouldn't be doing the aztecs on this.

Really small update for today.
Started applying the aztecs to the bottom of the secondary hull.


My "curling" nemesis is trying to rear its ugly head again. So, to be safe, I put another coat of decal film over the remaining aztecs
Youtube link:
Mutara Class Starship-SMA Build-Part 7

 

[Grendels]

Too bad your old decal nemesis is back.... Here is to it being vanquished in the rest of the build!!

 

[Quaralane]

Hope so, John. We'll see how tonight's session goes
--crosses fingers--

 

[schweinhund227]

what Decal solution are you using ??? and HOW hot is your decal water ??

Those large decals are not easy to play with.... that's for sure...
and are they only LASER PRINT decals ??? this could play against you !!!

Keep us posted !

Should be yielding a nice model, once all done !

 

[Quaralane]

Using micro-set and Micro-sol.
The water's room temperature.
Inkjet decals.

And I think I may not be letting them sit long enough after soaking.

 

[schweinhund227]

ok.. Inkjet decals...

HOW do you stabilize the inks ? are they not soluble in water... ?

last time I tried... they Ran and Bled on me ??? so I stop using them

is there a spray or liquid you put on them to prevent that... me ! I don't know

maybe your water should be a lot warmer than room temp ?

you should get your hands on that MR. Setter for Japanese decals...
it comes with a DULLING and Adhering agent !!! very cool stuff !

with it you can almost... put on decals on DULL paints.. or not so shinny paints
and you can't even tell !!! the Dulling agent is so good at preventing SILVERING !!!

anyway....

will be watching... that is so much decals... I never seen so much decals... on one ship !!!

very cool !


later !

Norm

OUT !

 

[Quaralane]

I use micro-scale liquid decal film to seal the decals, Norm.
And I think I have most of my issues under control for now.

Got some work done on her today after taking a break yesterday.
Started out by getting some more decal paper and getting the rest of my decals printed up.



Then, I turned my attention to actually getting the aztecs applied to the ship.
Added a couple more sets to the secondary hull.


And got some serious work on the lower saucer.


I think I've gotten most of my curling issues solved after my issues with the rim decals.

Youtube link:
Mutara Class Starship-SMA Build-Part 8

 

[Myke]

Those decals are a beast. They really make it stand out though. Glad you went with the Aztec. Great work!!

 

[Quaralane]

Thanks. May have to redo some of that rim, though

 

[Grendels]

Nice catch on that decal paper! I think my eyes would cross doing that many decals too!

 

[TRM]

Great bit of work here Q!! My eyes hurt just watching you mess with all those decals!!!! Keep it going buddy!! ;D

 

[13aceofspades13]

testers decal sheet, thats what i used on the Ace Of Spades P-51D Mustang.

 

[Quaralane]

Thanks, guys.
I may try to get more done on her this afternoon after I see a movie

 

[Quaralane]

Just a little more aztec work done today. Only about an hour worth of work.

Finished up the lower saucer aztecs, and started some more on the secondary hull


Also filled in more of the details on the bottom of the secondary hull and did work on the struts


Youtube link:
Mutara Class Starship-SMA Build-Part 9