Vidar 710
Well-Known Member
The graphic for the top of the saucer.
First experiment was scaling the Round 2 graphic to 222%. The fit wasn't too bad, requiring a few tweaks, but I hated it. The R2 decal depicted the later re-paint of the graphic. The NX version had subtle differences.
So, I've decided to paint a scaled master myself using my references as a guide.
First thing I needed was a template based of my superstructure master to ensure a good fit of the decal.
The shape was transferred over to a piece of sheet styrene after priming it with flat white. Due to the graphic detail differences, the NX version was a tad wider than the re-paint.
The NX Excelsior had a 16-degree grid pattern on the top. (15 degree has always been the bottom grid pattern).
Here, I've lightly penciled in the 16-degree radii due to these details aligning with the grid pattern at the forward section of the graphic.
This is a shot of the Melbourne sporting the new impulse domes and bridge, but still featured the NX graphic at this time. You can determine the 16-degree radii due to no 90-degree radii port and starboard. The big difference in the NX graphic is the dual pin striping at the base of the superstructure, and the slightly darker blue boarder on the outer edge of the entire graphic.
The tan will be shot first, then masked off. Before shooting the blue, the guide maskings will be removed to reveal the dual pinstriping seen here.
Masking complete, you can see the light pencil scribbles to denote the tan partitions to be shot first.
More to come as I shoot this. Tan first, then blue, followed by a very light tan stenciling of random paneling over the entire graphic as seen in the reference above.
When finished, I will scan this into my PC where I can do some touch ups where needed. Then it can be laser printed onto white decal paper.
Tracy
First experiment was scaling the Round 2 graphic to 222%. The fit wasn't too bad, requiring a few tweaks, but I hated it. The R2 decal depicted the later re-paint of the graphic. The NX version had subtle differences.
So, I've decided to paint a scaled master myself using my references as a guide.
First thing I needed was a template based of my superstructure master to ensure a good fit of the decal.
The shape was transferred over to a piece of sheet styrene after priming it with flat white. Due to the graphic detail differences, the NX version was a tad wider than the re-paint.
The NX Excelsior had a 16-degree grid pattern on the top. (15 degree has always been the bottom grid pattern).
Here, I've lightly penciled in the 16-degree radii due to these details aligning with the grid pattern at the forward section of the graphic.
This is a shot of the Melbourne sporting the new impulse domes and bridge, but still featured the NX graphic at this time. You can determine the 16-degree radii due to no 90-degree radii port and starboard. The big difference in the NX graphic is the dual pin striping at the base of the superstructure, and the slightly darker blue boarder on the outer edge of the entire graphic.
The tan will be shot first, then masked off. Before shooting the blue, the guide maskings will be removed to reveal the dual pinstriping seen here.
Masking complete, you can see the light pencil scribbles to denote the tan partitions to be shot first.
More to come as I shoot this. Tan first, then blue, followed by a very light tan stenciling of random paneling over the entire graphic as seen in the reference above.
When finished, I will scan this into my PC where I can do some touch ups where needed. Then it can be laser printed onto white decal paper.
Tracy
