U.S.S. Endeavor, NCC-1716
- Thread starter Gregatron
- Start date
Alright, I made a decision. While the 28 radial saucer gridlines (TOS style) are more accurate, I’ve decided to give G-Cals another chance, and ordered a second set of the same 1/1000 Refit-style Aztecs (with the 16 radial lines), as well as a kitbash sheet with extra, random paneling to fill in any sparce areas.
As noted, the Aztec version of the 28-line decals simply looks too busy, with two little Aztec “men” per section of the grid, instead of just one, as on the TMP Refit.
Now, I could have gone with just the gridline decals themselves (with no hull paneling), or drawn them on, but, at the end of the day, I think this model needs those subtle Aztecs, for that “TOS 1.5” look. The overall design and color scheme of the model already skews more toward TOS, and so I think a good balance would be having hull plating and markings which skew toward TMP.
It’s a different look, for sure. That being said, it’s gotta be subtle. I’ll likely enhance the gridlines with pastel chalk weathering, and then mist the base hull color over everything to significantly tone down the contrast. Subtle is the key.
After my aborted first attempt, I now have a plan. Rather than quartering the saucer grids, I’ll cut them into smaller wedges (a la the Round 2 kits’ Aztec decals), and carefully assemble the grid a section at a time. I’ll also give the decals a few coats of liquid decal film, beforehand.
Fact of the matter is, drawing the grids on is tedious, although I do like the results I’ve gotten in the past. I’m also currently building an Enterprise for a friend, and will probably go the pencil route on that build, as I did on my own personal build (seen below).
As noted, the Aztec version of the 28-line decals simply looks too busy, with two little Aztec “men” per section of the grid, instead of just one, as on the TMP Refit.
Now, I could have gone with just the gridline decals themselves (with no hull paneling), or drawn them on, but, at the end of the day, I think this model needs those subtle Aztecs, for that “TOS 1.5” look. The overall design and color scheme of the model already skews more toward TOS, and so I think a good balance would be having hull plating and markings which skew toward TMP.
It’s a different look, for sure. That being said, it’s gotta be subtle. I’ll likely enhance the gridlines with pastel chalk weathering, and then mist the base hull color over everything to significantly tone down the contrast. Subtle is the key.
After my aborted first attempt, I now have a plan. Rather than quartering the saucer grids, I’ll cut them into smaller wedges (a la the Round 2 kits’ Aztec decals), and carefully assemble the grid a section at a time. I’ll also give the decals a few coats of liquid decal film, beforehand.
Fact of the matter is, drawing the grids on is tedious, although I do like the results I’ve gotten in the past. I’m also currently building an Enterprise for a friend, and will probably go the pencil route on that build, as I did on my own personal build (seen below).
Aztec decals arrived, albeit a bit late.
As it turns out, they’re much lighter in tone than the previous set. G-Cals offers Aztecs in light, medium, and dark, depending on how much contrast one is looking to show. The first batch must have been dark, and the new one light.
So, these new decals may not actually need a base color misting coat to blend them in. Or maybe a very light one, if any. I won’t know for sure until they’re applied.
As it turns out, they’re much lighter in tone than the previous set. G-Cals offers Aztecs in light, medium, and dark, depending on how much contrast one is looking to show. The first batch must have been dark, and the new one light.
So, these new decals may not actually need a base color misting coat to blend them in. Or maybe a very light one, if any. I won’t know for sure until they’re applied.
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