More Details For a Star Trek Model

In response to a query on a FaceBook Page:

Ray Vaughn  > Star Trek 1:350 and large scale sci-fi modeling community 

 02/03/2019 8:55 pm

HI GUYS, IM ADDING NUMBER DECALS ON THE DAMAGE REPAIR PANELS. THEY WERE ON THE MINIATURE. 4 DIGIT NUMBERS... DON'T KNOW WHAT THEY ARE FOR...

Jeffrey Griffin In ‘Verse explanation: Numbers are likely plate identifiers from the dockyards prior to painting of the hull. Or they’re plate numbers from the in-field repairs?

Ray Vaughn Awesome!! I never thought about it like that.

Michael A Eastman Gene Roddenberry approached the design of the Enterprise from the standpoint of a military background and specifications. The panels would have anywhere from two to four digits on its edges in order to match the numbers next to it for proper placement. Look closely to aircraft panels. Many have them. The X-15 and test aircraft had them. I co-wrote an article with Tim Lindsey on the Star Trek Models in Crazed Plastic. This was a publication that our group, the Gateway International Plastic Model Society (IPMS) in St.Louis MO, put out on a regular basis. This was back in 1987. Gosh, 32 years ago! As for the damage depicted on the original model, I gave a description on how it was attained. You've done a wonderful job in re-creating it.

Ray Vaughn OH WOW!!!! THIS GREAT!!! THANK YOU SO MUCH, AND THANK YOU FOR THIS INFO. THIS IS SO COOL!!!! I REALLY WISH I HAD A JOB WITH I.LM. BACK IN THE 80'S...

Michael A Eastman In these FB Pages you never know who is out there with the information that you're looking for. It never hurts to ask. Really, it is a great job on the model. The drawings that I did for that publication were all done in freehand. To see more of the Star Trek details you can check out the Drawings and Sketches Page.

Star Trek References

Before there were the resources of the internet, there were conventions and clubs. I would scour several in my area to bring home information that I would use for my references in model building in Star Trek (and other kits). I had purchased #1 of the StarFleet Assembly Manual in 1977 and #2 in 1980 with a blueprint as well. Never could find #3 until 2004 when the collected works came out with decals (thanks Paul M. Newitt). Mine is #007/100. In between I had picked up the Japanese Super-Visual collection from 1981. Then later the Bunkasha Publications of the later Star Trek Series published from 1995 to 1999. Just some of the earlier references that I have used.

1977	1980
2004, the collected works came out with decals (thanks Paul M. Newitt). Mine is #007/100.	1981, Super Visual Mook, a three volume set dealing with Star Trek as the main theme. Set me back $100.00 at the time. Who knows what it is worth today?
1995, Special Compendium for the movies and series, $50.00	1997, Special Compendium for the movies and series, $50.00
1999, Special Compendium for Mechanics and Vehicles, $50.00

My A-12 Model Website

This is a website that I did over ten years ago using a program called JAlbum 6.3.2 then modified the html code manually.  You then had to use a ftp program to upload it to your alotted space.  JAlbum is now at version 13.7 and going strong.  Since then, there have been a few more model kits generated and I will update the site in the near future to include them.  Two links are now dead: A-12 Avenger II - best site and Collectaire have gone by the wayside.  I haven't seen any activity to the site in the last few years, the A-12 becoming a footnote in history.

To check out the site you can go to A-12 Models.  Leave a comment on what you think: good/bad?

X-15 Model Collection

Those that love to model the X-15 you might like to know the types of kits out there. I have a few, and always looking to fill my collection. For now the Special Hobby 1/32 scale kits have my attention, and now looking for add-on such as pilots. Please excuse the quality of the images, taken with an old cell phone.

First up, the Airmodel 1/72 Vacuform kit. A very basic kit.	And to go with it a 1/72 adapter from Frank-Modellbau, all you need would be a B-52 to modify.
Then there is a resin 1/48 kit of the Delta Winged X-15. Still looking for who made it though, it has an entirely wrong engine.	Another resin 1/48 kit is by E.C.P. Phenix from France that has white metal parts as well. Not cheap.
I also have the normal injection kits like Monogram's 1/72 for the Young Astronaut, always a good starter kit and one to add detail to.	Or the original box for the Older Astronaut?
For those that are running out of room, a rare UPC HO scale.	Or the equally rare Starfix kit from Israel? in 1/125 scale with test boom.
Many remember of course the Revell in the odd 1/64 scale Limited Production X-15.	But then came along the Special Hobby 1/48 kits with better detail (more cost but fits with my Gemini and Mercury kits).
Special Hobby also had the white version with the dummy scramjet as well.	For the older collectible there is also the Aurora 1/50? scale also with a test boom.