Model Shipyard

[ninjabear]

Building a ship---actually, I'm almost finished.

Question: if I start with a pair of skil level 2 model kits, but build them into one ship, does that make it a skill level four?

Ship not quite ready to leave the yard, but I'm hoping to have photos to post soon.

Earthdate 5-10-06:

Finished my hybred model ship! I call her the Dragonwraith (there is, of course, a backstory to that) and you can see photos of this dreadnought on my profile.

[ninjabear]

Station Commander's log:

Our routine six-month supply ship had just departed when a Cardassian ship came to test our defenses. Seeing we had none, they attacked, but we managed to send out a distress call.

Our supply ship, the U.S.S. Draken, came to our defense; we towed what remained of the two combatants back to our repair and resupply base.

Starfleet showed no interest in our captured Galor-class ship. Command was also quick to write off the old Excelsior-class Draken as salvage. Since many of my best engineers have served under Chief O'Brien on DS9, integrating Cardassian and Federation technology was not a major hurdle. So to augment station defenses, I've ordered the two hulks rebuilt into one ship.

To honor those of the Draken's crew lost in our defense, I have named our hybred dreadnaught the Dragonwraith.

End Log entry.


(Boy can I tell a story or what?)

[ninjabear]

So when it comes to building model ships it's just Captain Picard, Chief O'Brien and me?
I rarely bother with the bottles (though that would make dusting them a bit easier).
Actually I tend to build something, giggle at my handiwork awhile, then give it as a gift (oh yeah, I hate dusting the dag-nabbed thangs, I do).
However I have a few screwy ideas for my collection of runabout kits; the classic Federation 75 ft. motoryacht.

[ninjabear]

Oops!

I can't believe I forgot to list the NX-01 in my poll options; to those of you who believe Captain Archer's Enterprise is the coolest of all, I apologize and invite you to register your opinion with a post reply.

[ninjabear]

It takes seven and a half hours, two buses, one train and $7.50 in exact change to visit my favorite hobby shop, so I don't get there as often as I like but they are my "go-to" source.

I need a few odds and ends for an upcoming project, so last Friday I decided to make the trip. I got off the T at Dormont Junction, walked up the hill, across the street and...stared into an empty storefront. Big white letters on the window spelled out, "Thanks for the memories."

Well there goes my reason to live---and by chance, here comes a speedy city bus! I'll just take one last look and then it's goodbye cruel---oh, it also says something about a new location and a website address. Perhaps there's hope yet (though every time I've tried to have Hope, she's brought up a knee).

It always makes me sad to see a hobby shop close its doors, but this was the best of the best. You don't go there to buy potatoes or shoelaces; you go to a hobby shop to make a figment of your imagination real to the touch.

I used to stop just inside the door, to breathe in the magic of the place. Take two steps forward, turn right, down the ramp into the second section of the shop, hang a left and there you are, surrounded by every model ship, plane, spacecraft---too much to list, and that was just one section of the store (don't get me started on the great customer service, I might cry).

It was a place to feed your imagination and creativity. I used to hang out there for hours---hell I took dates there---but now it's just empty space.

Damn.

[cooky37]

It's been years since I made a Model. I always wanted to make that 3-in-1 ship from Voyager. I actualy got Extra Credit for a Galaxy Class model.
lets see: there was Constitution Class, Enterprise class, DS9, Galaxy Class, as wall as Seaquest and Tim Burtons Batmobile. My favorite model shop/ role play shop closed was one reason. I found two more hobby shops but they were more RR an RC Do you think CGI hurts model making? I never saw any B5 models

[ninjabear]

The production company (perhaps even the producer), someone thought selling ship kits was beneath them---hell they even did an episode with a short-lived B5 gift shop (and I ask you, what kind of sick S. O. B. throws a teddy bear out an airlock?).

In the end---too late to do much good for the show's image---they did offer a few kits. I gots me a Starfury; it's in the closet with the rest of my air/sea/space museum.

Another local hobby shop is closing soon; I fear model building will become a lost art. Model building teaches patience, attention to detail and a light touch (all the things the ladies prefer) so no, I don't blame CGI.

I blame playstation.

[ninjabear]

I have made a number of posts on the subject of the amateur Trek videos out there, and how well done they are; if any of you are reading these forums, I offer my services as a model builder.
I have a nearly complete fleet of kits, my 'shipyard' is at your disposal; but there is one other thing.

Although it is currently featured in a role playing by e-mail simulation called ussmystic.com, I cheerfully offer my latest creation, the Dragonwraith, to a dedicated Trekker's home video production (you can see a picture of it on my profile).

[lucifer666 (deleted)]

Okay bud you now have 8 votes ......... I voted the Galaxy Class as I loved the Bridge of the old TNG Enterprise ...If I ever was granted a wish to command a Starship It would be that one without a shadow of a doubt!!!

[ninjabear]

Yeah, everything but cupholders---or did I miss something?

[ninjabear]

Nearly 600 views, 8 votes; well I never did know when to quit...

Okay to help those of you who might cast a vote, allow me to introduce the candidates:
Sovereign class---as seen in the movies First Contact, Insurrection and Nemesis.
Galaxy class: The Next-Gen series.
Ambassador class: seen in the Next-Gen episode, "Yesterday's Enterprise".
Excelsior class: seen at the beginning of the film, Generations.
Enterprise class: The real star of the first six films.
No A, B, C, D, or E: the Classic Trek Enterprise.

Yeah, I know I forgot Archer's NX-01, but there's no fixing it now; make a post and tell me why that is yo-baaaad, chariot...

[scryer41]

I chose Sovereign class because it is the most sleek looking Starship I've ever seen in Star Trek. It's lines are poetic and viewing it is just breath taking. When I first saw it, I knew it was THE STARSHIP that should have been used for The Next Generation in the first place.

The second choice is Excelsior class. This ship was the logical progress from the Classic design to the that of the Sovereign Class. Though not as sleek looking as the Sovereign Class Starship, the Excelsior's own design was regal and reminded me of a graceful swan as it moved through space.

My third choice would be Constition Class and it's refits in the films. How can you not love a ship that looks like that! Any other class of vessel not mentioned are not worth being mentioned in my opin!

[ninjabear]

I agree, the Sovereign-class is truly impressive; it's #2 on my list. Advanced, but somhow lacking the "luxury car" feel that even Matt Jeffries hated about the Galaxy-class.
What always amuses me is that the Enterprise-D was goofy looking and disproportionate, yet when the same components are reconfigured into Nebula-class (the Sutherland, Data's first real command) it looks damn cool.
My favorite though, will always be the first of the movie Enterprises; Kirk was right when he told Alice 471 "She is a beautiful lady and we love her." That slow fly-around in the travel pod, with that magnificent music---I still can't believe Alien won the Oscar for best special effects that year.
btw:Does the NX-01 (Archer's Enterprise) remind anyone of what I believe is the Steamrunner-class?

[scryer41]

Did anyone feel like a great lose was had when the refitted Enterprise went down in Search For Spock? To me, that was worse than seeing Spock die. I knew it was the end of the original starship and a tear came down my check as I watched it die in a blaze of glory.

[ninjabear]

Broke my heart too---but I was pleasantly surprised at the end of The Voyage Home when there, tucked in behind the Excelsior, is a spankin' new Enterprise.
I thought we'd have a new ship---like the upgrade from Galaxy to Sovereign class between Generations and First Contact. I hate to admit it but as sad as I was to see what remained of Kirk's ship burn in the atmosphere, I rather enjoyed seeing that goofy looking Galaxy-class blown to bits---they should've turned the saucer section into a Starbase, a Sandals resort, or at least a Sheraton Hotel.