3 Foot TOS Galactica

[robiwon]

Haven't posted here in a bit. Thought I would put this up, my latest project. It's the 37.5 inch resin Battlestar Galactica by Mike Salzo. Of course, being a Salzo kit, the castings are very high quality. This thing is a monster weighing in at about 15+ pounds. Lots more to do but plan to have it done and on display at Wonderfest. And yes, it will be lighted.



Yes, that's the Monogram kit in front!



The Bridge!

[ira]

Great Project!

[mightymax]

Now that is the size I was wishing that Moebius was going to bless us with when they announced a new Battlestar. I mean the VTBOS fans got a huge Seaview and FS-1!

That is a lot of resin and I hope I can see it in person

Max Bryant

[robiwon]

Thanks guys. Yeah, it's pretty big. The shipping weight on the box was just over 16 POUNDS! I plan to have this built and lighted and on display at Wonderfest in 2 months. I'm almost at the point to where I need to start running fiber and to start the wiring. I'm still searching for some hexagon material for the engines.

[DNA]

I'm still searching for some hexagon material for the engines.

Someone posted on page 9 & 10 of Mike's Big-G thread on the RPF a source for the hex material. Please let me know if you think that material looks right for this scale. Thanks!

[robiwon]

The hex material does look good, but it's very thick and blocks a lot of light looking from an angle. I think PE hex would be a much better solution. Or, hex printed on clear acetate. I'm looking at other options....

[brandonlowe2]

Yay! Another reason to look forward to wonderfest this year!

[DNA]

The hex material does look good, but it's very thick and blocks a lot of light looking from an angle. I think PE hex would be a much better solution. Or, hex printed on clear acetate. I'm looking at other options....

I see your point on the thickness. Will be following your build to see what you come up with and thanks for sharing!

[robiwon]

O.K. apparently the kit is supposed to come with a hex mesh for the engines. Mike had told me when my kit shipped that a few parts were absent and that I would receive them shortly.

I did receive a sample of a fabric mesh called Tulle. It's a hex material that was had from a HobbyLobby store. It looks good. I'll post a picture tonight if I have time. I plan on giving it a shot of flat black to stiffen it up. I'll compare it to what I get from Mike and report back.

Stay tuned....

Here's a few more pics for you.

[robiwon]

Here is tulle fabric I received from a member on SSM. I think it looks good in a pinch. I'll wait and see what Mike sends me. This definitely wont block light like that thick plastic mesh would.





A few coats of flat black to "fill in the gaps" and I think this stuff could work very well.

[DNA]

The fabric looks good, but please post the hex pattern from Mike. Thanks!

[robiwon]

As soon as I get it I will post it up.

[robiwon]

Small update. Got the braces done. Still waiting on fiber optic and my small package from Mike.

I grabbed the wrong size brass tubing yesterday, it was too small. I did have about 6 inches of 9/32 tubing, that did fit over the threads. My wife came up with the idea to use the 9/32 tube and make sleeves for the 1/4 tubing.

What I did was cut four one inch sections. I JB Welded one piece to one end of tubing in place. The second section will be just slid over the other end.



Here is the loose sleeve.



Slid over the head bolt, it will be JB Welded to the bolt.



The other end and sleeve. This will be JB Welded in place to the engine bolts, thus tying the front and back together strengthing the ships hull.



Both braces in place. Nice and solid!



The last step will be to pack the area that the braces run thru the bulkheads with epoxy putty, locking them in place.

[moonlightdrive21]

This is one of the best spaceship kits ever!

Thanks so much for sharing your process and pics. I look forward to future updates!

Dave

[robiwon]

Thanks. there may be some upgraded parts available for this. Some detail parts and maybe a new bridge. Now I have to decide if I want to wait on these 3D printed parts to become available or go ahead with the build.

[robiwon]

Started on the landing bays yesterday. I'm going to be scratch building the interiors. The RC kit would be great, but being strapped for cash with WF approching, well...

So the opening to the bay is very small, instead of spending a ton of time scratch building I'm taking a different approach. I am building four bulkheads. Each will be detailed with greeblies. What this does is it allows me to build only what can be seen in front of each bulkhead. I wont need to scratch a full detailed interior (walls, ceilings), stuff you can't see. But it will give the impression of being fully detailed.

I started with a cardboard mock up.



Then, used that as a template on sheet plastic.



Cut each out and added some photo etch detail.



Added some greeblies from a 1/700 battleship and some paint.



Test fit.



And the rest of the bulkheads under construction. Once these are done I'll detail the floors and make false walls.

[tay666]

Very cool solution.

I am really enjoying watching this come together.

[ebrackin]

That's a very impressive project! I am looking forward to this progress! Are you going to go full LED lighting and everything?

[robiwon]

Thanks guys. Yes, the model will be lit. I'll be using warm white LEDs and .5mm fiber optic for the windows. The engines will use blue LEDs for the mains and red for the small impulse engine. The entrance to the landing bays will have sequential runway lights as well.

[robiwon]

Small update. Got a bit more done. The going has been slow due to Darth Real Life. We have our grandson staying with us for a few weeks. He's going to Wonderfest with us!

Got the t-strip glued on the front caps. Strangely I only got enough from Mike to do four of the twelve strips needed. He supplied 1.2mm ABS strip. Thankfully, I had a whole pack of 1.2mm styrene t-strip. So all was good.



Got the caps glued in place.



And more greeblies glued around the hull.



And an over the top shot!