Tagdot's French Weapons Satellite

[tagdot]

(original post: 21 Jan 2008 05:59 pm)

I began George's Weapons Satellite a few day ago by first removing some minimal flash and removing a flattened edge located at the "stern?" of the satellite. I found one relatively small vacancy in the casting that was remedied without too much problem.

I also attached the supports for the upper deck and puttyed the seams afterwards giving a white priming coat to the work that I had done.

I will be priming the whole satellite now before proceeding further.

Overall I found the kit to be very well cast with minimal flashing. There was a small amount of "fixing" a problem area but that proceeded very smoothly. I did find some minute air bubbles in a section of the upper deck that will need addressing before the primer but again this is hardly a problem area.

Until I figure out how to load images on this site, here is a direct link to my flicker images.

flickr.com/photos/22776701@N02/

Tagdot

[lunadude]

(original post: Mon Jan 21, 2008 6:19 pm )

Welcome.

I look forward to your progress.

[Model Man]

(original post: 22 Jan 2008 07:15 pm)

So there are just two basic pieces to the kit? Plus antennae I would guess... Looks nice and utterly simple for a super fast build! I look forward to some detail pix!

I'm almost ready to order mine. ... Looks like for my next paycheck... I also might cave in and get my name on R.C.'s Star Destroyer list. His latest pix are awe-inspiring! randycooper.blogspot.com/

[tagdot]

(original post: Wed Jan 23, 2008 7:02 pm)

Added the "wings" or perhaps "solar panels" to the upper deck and also added the small miscellaneous pieces, 12 in all, that added more detail to the satellite. I also attached the support rods to the main body.

I decided to review as many photos as I have access to, to ensure that I don't need to add any more detail to the kit prior to priming. It's shaping up pretty nicely as it is thus far and any detail that I may add could either add or subtract to the overall look of the kit

I plan on using acrylics when I paint the kit and will be masking off any panels that will be given a coat of 3-5% gray. When the paint is dry I haven't decided whether to give it a final coat of semi-gloss finish or a coat of "Future" wax. I am open to suggestions/opinions.

Here is the link to the latest 2 photos, #6 and 7.

flickr.com/photos/22776701@N02/2214810833/sizes/m/


flickr.com/photos/22776701@N02/2215602976/sizes/m/

[tagdot]

(original post: Sat Jan 26, 2008 3:52 am)

Today I added the antenna supplied with the kit as brass tubing and two gauges of wire. Also, by consulting the various photographs that are around, I saw a definite rectangular attachment to the end of the antenna that protrudes from the upper satellite deck, (see photo eight).

I also took the liberty of balancing out these pair of antenna by attaching a rectangular piece to the opposite antenna. I'm not sure what the purpose of these might be but By careful examination, I found the rectangle to be somewhat channeled.

This channeled attachment also is found on the antenna extending from the body of the satellite, (see photo nine).

I started to added additional detail and found myself also altering existing detail on the kit as seen in photo ten. With very few reference photographs
of the movie's satellites, I am trying to be careful in my interpretation of absent detail, and because of the lack of quality images, I can see where George himself may not have wanted to "guess" on the satellite's smaller details.

Again, the link to my photos is:
flickr.com/photos/22776701@N02/sets/72157603796489732/

I would like to make a request for any reference material relating to the French satellite that would help me with the detail work. There may be other photographs out there that are clearer than the ones that I am using.

[Timeslip]

(original post: 26 Jan 2008 09:22 pm)

Wow, your satellite build is looking great! You can see why I did not include those antenna parts in the kit. THEY ARE TINY! You are right about the surface details. There was not much info at the time and I did not want to just throw greeblies here and there. Keep the great progress shots coming.
George

[tagdot]

(original post: Wed Jan 30, 2008 1:44 am)

Today I painted both main sections of the satellite and attached the two together, see photos 11 and 12. I have also been experimenting with grey percentages to enhance certain panels and engraved lines so that they add interest and not be too conspicuous.

I will be spending the next few days finishing the paint job. I also have to add the beam emitters and exhaust ports after they receive their paint job. I also will be giving a coat of Future to the satellite. That way if any micro-meteorites strike it the hard wax shine will protect the paint job.


I plan to mount the satellite on an acrylic rod that will be attached to a 1" thick Lucite block 4" square. One edge is going to be beveled so that it can accommodate a label that I am designing in photoshop.

[tagdot]

(original post: Tue Feb 05, 2008 2:15 am)

The satellite is finally finished. I have it drying on its stand.

I decided after carefully looking at reference photos, to paint the satellite overall a very light grey colour and then enhance various panels with lighter and darker shades of grey. I think that the colour scheme worked well and when highlighted from a direct light source, it appears as "white."

I also added and detailed the main thrusters and the beam emitters. I probably could have finished the model sooner but wanted to take my time and enjoy the build.

I will have photos up soon after everything has fully dried.

As a final thought, I decided not to give the model a coat of Future. I like the matte finish that the acrylic paints provided. If I decide to do anything, I might give it a coat of a matte sealer later on but if the satellite isn't handeled too much, that probably won't be necessary.

I want to thank George at Timeslip for producing a great rendering of the French Weapons Satellite and I can hardly wait to see what he will produce next from the 2001 arsenel of spacecraft. I just wish I had gotten my Discovery when he still had it available.

[lunadude]

(original post: 05 Feb 2008 12:41 pm)

So, you have achieved the checkered flag, at the finish line.

I can't wait to see the photos.

[tagdot]

(original post: Tue Feb 05, 2008 1:43 pm)

I have loaded the final photos of the satellite.

flickr.com/photos/22776701@N02/sets/72157603796489732/


flickr.com/photos/22776701@N02/2244898034/sizes/m/in/set-72157603796489732/

One note to make. If you see any "distortion" in the photo it is due to using a mild wide-angle lens.

The last photo I tried to imitate the lighting direction used in the film but did not want to include the lighting source...although I was using the same type of source, a light bulb and reflector as used in the movie.

Hope you enjoy.

[Model Man]

(original post: 05 Feb 2008 04:26 pm)

Photo 17 is very sweet! There are a couple others where I can discern the gray paneling you did. Very nice effort!

And a name tag for the base too! Nice touch! Where did you get the plexiglass for it all? -Perspex for those living in the rest of the world

Two weeks was a fast build. But there wasn't a significant amount of complexity or modifying needed it looks like.

Nice job!

[tagdot]

(original post: Tue Feb 05, 2008 6:33 pm)

Thanks for the compliments.

The kit did not need a lot of work. Some cleanup and a minor repair job. I added some detail, particularly in the antenna and a small amount on one of the panels. I figure that if more reference material becomes available in regards to the satellite detailing, I can make the necessary changes.

The Plexiglass is from a company here in San Diego called Ridout Plastics on Ruffin Rd. They have a lot of scrap material from previous cuts. That is where I found the base. They then cut a 1/2 bevel to accommodate the label that I made in Photoshop.

[McTodd]

(original post: 12 Feb 2008 05:43 pm)

Sweeeeeet!

[spaceranger01]

(original post: 23 Apr 2008 11:43 pm)

Great job, I got mine a couple of weeks ago, I have to ask how did you do that really cool base, did you cut it yourself if so can you share some secrets in how.
Thanks

[tagdot]

(original post: Thu Apr 24, 2008 12:04 am)

The base is 1" clear Lucite that I bought from a plastics company here in San Diego called Ridout Plastics.

www.ridoutplastics.com/acplas.html

I then had them mill a 3/8" bevel on one of the long edges which I added a piece of graphics that I made in Photoshop. The missile is mounted on a solid Lucite rod, 3/8" in diameter that was inserted into the missile slightly and inserted into a hole that I drill pressed into the base. I used Super Glue to hold everything in place.

The missile is somewhat hefty so it is a good idea to find the center of gravity on it so that your rod doesn't have a tendency to bend under the missiles weight.

Thank you for the compliment.

Tagdot

[Model Man]

I'm glad I checked back in here Tagdot. I'm so close to finishing but have gotten somewhat lost int he paint job. I also still have to glue the fiddly bits on.

I previously said along the lines of 'doesn't look like a lot of alteration..' For a simple kit, there are a few curve balls in the mix.

Any recent beauty shots to add to your photo collection?