Sophos's ships

[sophos]

Hi! This is my first model a Taiidan missle destroyer:




And some experiement before I got some color ink:

[yessmasster]

WOW. That's very well done! Congratz on your first time!

[GreatDane]

Hi there sophos!

That's a neat missile destroyer you've got there! Your first build?! (well, apart from the kushan mothership...) It's blemish-free as far as I can see. Good job!
I still have to build one, wich one did you build? It looks awesome! Taiidan destroyers don't tend to be build easily, as can be viewed from Jacob's post in 'My first paper model' thread. The Taiidan destroyer was my first HW paper model, and it posed some challenges for me. (HW2 models can be even worse, don't ask...)
Anyway, welcome to this forum!
Although it's mainly HW oriented, other sci-fi movie/game models are presented here as well.
You've started out well, getting curious about your next build...

Keep up the good work, and enjoy your visits here! ;D

[sophos]

I printed out yessmaster's .pdo from hwmodels.ovh.org/models.html on semi-gloss photo paper, then I used x-acto knives, some cardboard from food boxes and elmer's glue.

Best way I found to glue was to use a q-tip for an even layer, then smash it inside a book for a few minutes. The best way I found to make the cardboard peices was to rub a piece of artists charcoal on the back of a piece along the edges and creases, then pound the peice onto cardboard with a block of wood leaving behind an outline.

The hardest part was actually the 4 front wings because of all the hidden valley folds.

[sophos]

Bentusi Trade Ship:





protip: DO NOT use expanding foam. The foam shrinks after a couple days, making the model collapse and you can't do anything about it.

[yessmasster]

Yay! The Trade Ship looks soooooooo sweet!!!!!!!! You got some talents, m8, it's noe an easy ship by any means

[gmod9freak]

HOLLY (and i am fully aware of the posability of ban for this) nuts DUDE!!!!

[Raven]

You made a PERFECT Tradeship! You are my friggen hero!

[Auris]

Whow! Nice and acurate build. Want to see more from you.

[leng46uk]

May 10, 2008 1:30:27 GMT -5 sophos said:

protip: DO NOT use expanding foam. The foam shrinks after a couple days, making the model collapse and you can't do anything about it.

Sounds bad... i wonder if it happens with all types of foam?

TonyG sounds upbeat about the technique in his post in the modelling tips section;

ehacetfl.proboards21.com/index.cgi?board=tips&action=display&thread=578

The type of foam that i have been thinking of is for diy insulation, it sets to a firm "merangue" surface, orange colour. I would have not imagined that it would shrink much at all.

Surely there must be useable foams that do not shinrk?

[Salutations all, PS site rocks way into the night. Cheers.]

[sophos]

leng46uk: I used insulating foam which i just found somewhere in Home Depot, maybe there is something better. However, after about a year the foam seems to have shrunk back down and the model looks even better now and is pretty solid. I wouldn't do it again unless the model was something stronger than just photo paper and cardboard.

Guess it's been almost 2 years since I did some models. been busy, but I might do another one.

I started working on a hiigaraan hw2 carrier which turns out to be quite intricate.
I had the idea I wanted all of the static lights to light up like it does in the game when you look at a ship's shadowed side. I found the best way to do that is to use black electrical tape around the lights on the inside, then cover the black tape with white reflective paper, and somehow place a white led inside the model. The trickiest part is putting the tape in position. I put the ship cutout facedown on a transparent surface over a lightsource and cut the tape into tiny pieces.
Should be pretty amazing if I finish it.

ps woops I guess I lost my photobucket account. I'll fix it later.