Making a practice 1/537 model for aztec painting in airbrush, getting ready for 1/350 build

[Tarekcryptor]

Here is what I have accomplished so far, I printed a new defector housing, Impulse Deck rear saucer which is a little big but that's bc my machine would have issues doing smaller. I printed a new bridge and accurately detailed the rim and base of bridge deck, Ive primed many pieces and have base paneling decals added in which I will go over with airbrush for the aztec pattern. I have everything done in matte flat finish so when I do the aztecing with airbrush it will pop. Im doing this practice build so I can work on my technique for I never aztec painted w airbrush before or airbrushed at all for that matter, so here will be my first attempt. Most pieces I have gotten to the point of electronics planning, mapping and placement so here are pics to show how far I am along. I got lucky because this is a 1986 U.S.S. Enterprise Refit 1/537 scale from Star Trek IV in which I got in pristine condition for only $26 I am not going completely all out but I hope I can get it to look cool enough. Im using UV resin from 3D resin printers to bind the pieces together which has solved my engines falling off curse this model has because it binds so well instantly w one hit of a uv light its immediately set and its also great from sealing cracks without putty bc no light can penetrate it and it fuses plastic pieces together like Ive never seen before. I also have been lining the inside with reflective metal plumbers tape instead of painting it black because it applies nicely fits everywhere and reflects the lights all the way around inside so less LEDS u need to use. Also if you want a section to stand out and light up like the spots you just have to cut that area out of the tape once its been applied. This is my first documented build even though Ive been a fine scale modeler for over 40 years. I hope you enjoy what you see so far and my progress. Here are the pics! Let me know what you think! Oh, I also printed a TWOK badge after scaling it up so it can be my new model base. Im using this model as a practice piece for airbrushing aztecs so I dont mess up my 1/350 build bc it will be the 4th one I've built. I got the new 2025 release coming finally and I want that one for once perfect to me so this is my guinea pig project.

 

[Tarekcryptor]

Got more done today I did the saucer lights and decaling basic decals only so I can do the advanced stuff in airbrush

 

[Analyzer]

Ah the old stunt stand in for the real model.

I have done that several times. Great excuse to build the smaller scales

Looking good

 

[Tarekcryptor]

Ah the old stunt stand in for the real model.

I have done that several times. Great excuse to build the smaller scales

Looking good

Thanks. I solved the pylon suppotrt issue by using UV resin and a UV light it binds so fast and fuses the plastic support sections together so that saved me having to resin the hell out of it as well so I used my 3D printer to modernize alot of flaws as well

 

[Tarekcryptor]

Got more done today, redid the torpedo lights and added basic aztec decals so I can pearl over top of them later, hooked up bridge flasher to the rest of the saucer lights, and finished basic decals on secondary hull. just6 have to basic paint the outer edges with duck egg blue on the engine nacelles and all the parts are ready for airbrushing!! My masking set is coming Tuesday, so Im trying to bet all pieces prepped by then.

 

[Tarekcryptor]

Got my paint masks which I was hesitant to get because I had planned on getting a Cricut to do them myself but with no luck at getting an affordable one currently I just sucked it up and bought the mask kit from aztek dummys and culttvman.com. After hours of cutting, trimming and posting to transfer tape I was able to apply a few finished pattens to the top saucer after much tedious placement and squidgy work with a few dental tools and xacto blade. Well worth it I hope. I want this paint job! I need the practice.

 

[Tarekcryptor]

I finished laying the masks today on the top of the saucer. It would have been nice to know they only include enough panels to do one side at a time which is really time consuming and rather a rip off. I am in the process of designing and printing my own line of masks for the oldies but goodies models as well as the new ones, Im just trying to find a decently priced vinyl cutter machine. At least I will sell both sides in one kit for everyone. That's too much work to have to rip up put back on tape and reapply on other side. Better to do them all fresh. After I laoid them all out I did a base coat of Pearl white. I will do my color tones in the coming days. Stay tuned...

 

[Tarekcryptor]

Today, I got my other airbrush from Amazon which is less expensive than the one I have and easier to handle and adjust so I primed it up with iridescent blue and began spraying 3 coats on alternating panels. I dont know if you can see if clearly because its freshly painted and drying in the pic but so far so good. It took 4 hours to do so after all were coated, I wrapped for today. Im doing green and violet tomorrow.

 

[Tarekcryptor]

This is the map I am using to paint my panels. I adjusted the vibrance, saturation and contrast so the panels are clearly visible. This shows what I REALLY have in store for me and what's ahead if I want to accomplish what I am aiming for. The masks are designed for a 2 tone, so we shall see about that when I do my 5-6 color tone lol. Ill prove that wrong. Ill probably have to brush the individual squares because they are tiny on the 537 but that's ok as long as I can do it.

 

[BajaTym]

I used my 3D printer to modernize alot of flaws as well

Nice painting! Looking good. I’d enjoy reading/seeing more about what you’ve done to modernize the flaws.

 

[Analyzer]

I like the effect. Looking forward to seeing it on your model

 

[Tarekcryptor]

Its a rough paint but the effect is there just needs some cleaning up. I peeled about 50% of the saucer today, once 100% is done ill start adding the other tones