This is the second of two custom builds, the first being the USS Ripley. This model will be of the USS Nimitz. It is based on a Mirand class ship with a major addition of the large port & starboard secondary hulls as well as Soyuz class components. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The kit used to start with was the Polar Lights 1:1000 USS Reliant snap-together kit. Although the snap-together kits are for ages 10 to adult, these are well engineered and fun kits to work with, with lots of customizing potential.

First thing to do was strengthen the center of the hull so it would not flex too much while adding parts and sanding, etc. Welding an 1/8th” rod up through the center before the halves were joined did the trick.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The next big issue is creating the L&R secondary hulls. Working things out with card stock is the easiest way to do that. This method also help prove or disprove if a drawing will work as well in 3D as it does in 2D.  Card stock works best because it holds it shape well when you need to simulate bends and folds.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Once the shapes were approved, the Soyuz secondary hull needed to be added. This goes on first so it can be filled, primed & shaded without having to work around the hull ‘bulges’.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Now the ‘bulges’ can be created. 

With scribe lines laid out I start adding the walls and supports. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

All of these bosses were need because the tops of the ‘bulges’ were going to made out of bent sheet styrene. That would put everything under a lot os stress until the glue dried. The sheet was formed & glued into position, just like the card stock. You can see all of the additional bracing that was done to ensure the walls would hold their shapes.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

All walls added.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Now its time for those really ‘wonky- looking’ pylons. Don’t know why they are so long and so far from the hull, but they need to be duplicated so……

The front and side views of the design are what guided me for the over all shapes. It was a matter of measuring angles over distances to get walls to meet at the proper angles.

Bow view of the pylons;

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As with the other sheet stock walls, I added bracing to help strengthen everything.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pylons cut at proper angle and lengths.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Now the lower section of the pylons can be created. These will connect to the engines.

More after-market & and custom parts have been added the the underside of the saucer. New pylons for the sensor turrets have been added as well. You can also see the bow cut-out for the forward torpedo tubes.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Quick mock-up of the engine pylons;

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pylons scribed and mounted…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The large hull ‘bulges’ are scribed next.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The bottoms are detailed and then scribed.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Some patch & prime work;

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

With engines attached…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hull white applied.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Time for decals, lots & lots of decals……….

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Now that all of the decals are in place, its time for weathering & battle damage. The client wanted the Nimitz to be as dirty & ready for rest as the USS Ripley. In addition too that, battle damage was added. Battle damage as seen in “the Search for Spock” was applied in a couple of areas.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Now berthed along side the Ripley….

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Nimitz has finished her tour!!