Warp Nacelles! Part 1

So the replacement parts for the warp nacelles/impulse drive are not here yet.... so I go ahead and start making the openings on the parts as if I were never going to receive the replacements.

If I were to use the original parts, I will fill the openings with epoxy (glue gun) and shine blue/red LEDS behind it. Kinda like what I did with my previous work.

(R4-D5 with epoxy filled "lens")

Paint Job! Primary Hulls

I chose a basic 4-colour scheme to represent the shades seen in most reference pictures.

The Aztec patterns are painted with darker grey shades compare to the lighter grey primary hull. I used a shade of yellow that similar to the traffic lines seen on roads for some of engine panels and random grills. Finally, black for the deeper groves.

To do this, the first thing I did is a primary black coat on the backside of the pieces to block out stray lights that might come through when I light the interior. Then I used a darker shade of primer (dark grey) on the outside coat. I then used masking tape to tape down the Aztec panels and traced the lines and cut out with a hobby knife. It was a long and tedious process but the results speaks for themselves.

Once done, I did a spot yellow spray on where I wanted the yellow panels to be. Again, I tape them down and cut out with a knife. I did the same for the black panels too.

Finally, I used a lighter grey paint to cover the whole thing. Then it's an waiting game for the paint to dry and let the peeling begin!

At this point, I only have these two primary pieces painted. Takes a few days to just get one of these sides done.... I think I'm at week 3 right now. So any updates from here forward would be in real time....

Design of Project

I plan to make this model with proper spray paint job, with lighting systems in the warp/impulse engines. I also want to add proper window lights in the main bridge and also beacon/flashing lights.

(Impulse Engine: Red Strips. Warp Engine: Blue Grills)

The impulse engines (red lights) are to include a 555 timer that flickers very fast at probably 20-30 times per second. I have the circuit for this built at this point, but I will wait till later posts to give the proper instructions on how to do so. (I know it's not suppose to flicker, but it's just so boring seeing it red). Here's a video of the Raider in action, I believe it's from Star Trek Legacy the game (yet to play myself).

Looks fun!!!!
Anyways, a little side tracked....


The impulse/warp engines require either clearing the plastic parts in order for lights to shine through... or if you like to take short cuts, there is an online store that cast clear resin parts as replacements. I've ordered mine, but hasn't arrived yet.... so I'm doing the old fashion way in the mean time.... (I've only done these two at this point).

(tip: use micro drills to drill series of holes first before cutting with hobby knife)

$25 USD + Shipping from http://dlmparts.com/moreparts.html

Here are some fan made projects, with or without lighting systems.

http://msfm.seryan.com/stephen_l/maquisraider.htm

http://fuzznoggincreations.com/marquis.htm

Instructions!

So I appologize for not taking pictures earlier, as I did not intend to make a blog entry about my progress... but I will fill in the gaps to the best of my abilities.


Here's the instructions that came with the kit.

The Maquis Raider!

This is a hobby model blog about the making of the Maquis Raider with extensive step by step painting, weathering, lighting of the Monogram Maquis Raider Kit.

The blog starts now!!!!

First entry:

So I decided to pull out my Maquis Raider that was bought as a 3 kit deal on eBay. Cost of model kit $15-20. The Maquis Raider is modeled by monogram.

This ship are seen years before and during Star Trek: The Next Generation as well as Star Trek: Deep Space Nine and Star Trek: Voyager Episodes.

(as seen in the first episode of Star Trek Voyager series)

While this vessel is best know to be used by a group know as 'The Maquis', the design in reality is an older Federation design. In the first war fought between the Federation and the Cardassians, the Federation had a huge technological edge but they had went away from smaller vessels and in many cases just did not have the vessels needed to carry out missions that they required. Because of this, the Federation raced a design into production as fast as possible based on a small short range cargo and courier vessel. This was to allow much faster construction and also made repairs easier. Theses vessels served during the war and when the war was over, the leader of the Federation decided that they could decommission these vessels. Some did remain in service as couriers and some were put into reserve yards. The remained were either scrapped or sold to outside interests. The pioneers on the Federation border next to the Cardassians managed to acquire some of the vessels sold. After the Federation gave up many of the planets that these colonists lived on, the colonists formed a group called the Maquis and rearmed many of these vessels. Even though the ships were rebuild ships from the previous wars and of a civilian design, they did quite well and salvages the forces that the Cardassians were willing to use against them. It was not until the Cardassians joined the Dominion that the Maquis was wiped out. It is rumored that a small number of vessels survived and joined the Federation in fighting the Dominion. During the Dominion War, many of the Corvettes sitting in Reserve Yards were recommissioned and did surprisingly well. With the end of the War, it is likely that these vessels will soon decommission and the raining vessels in courier service will be replaced by Runabouts.

Stats:
Speed: Driving on the Ground: Not Possible (Maquis Raider can land on the ground).
Sublight: Has a special sublight engine that allows the ship to travel up to 60 percent of the speed of light.
Atmospheric Propulsion: Maximum cruise speed is Mach 8
Maximum Range: Effectively Unlimited by drive system but only has supplies for Raider's crew for six months.

Statistical Data:
Length: 196.85 feet (60 meters)
Height: 47.90 feet (14.6 meters)
Width: 216.54 feet (66 meters)
Mass: 661.39 Tons (600 metric tons)
Power System: Advanced Micro Fusion with 10 year life span.
Cargo: Small Storage Space 40x20x20 feet (12.2x6.1x6.1 meters).
Market Cost: 350 million credits to construct originally. Stripped Versions were sold for about 220 million credits. All weapons were salvaged for Maquis Raiders and the refit costs around 120 million credits for materials.

WEAPON SYSTEMS:
Two (2) Heavy Phaser Cannon Mounts: Corvettes primary energy weapon system. Weapons are mounted on the Corvettes Wings.
Mini-Photon Torpedo Launchers (2): The launchers are mounted on the sides of the vessel. The launcher can carry 24 mini-photon torpedoes each for 48 total.