AMT Round 2 Klingon Bird of Prey Build Part 1

Build log of Round 2's re-issue of the AMT Klingon Bird of Prey.


Doctor Faust's Painting Clinic

[ThePaintingClinic]

It's all about making the model as accurate as possible. Kit makers don't always get everything right. Also they don't super detail everything because the model would then end up costing hundreds of dollars. So they make a cheap, simple kit for those that want it just out of box, and then those that want it super accurate can go by aftermarket parts. Makes both parties happy.

[MarcFraley]

This will be another fun build to follow! I love the scratch built guns; they look 100% better than the plastic molded guns. The lighting should be no problem for you; you may have to scratch build some light boxes to isolate the photon tube from the rest of the interior lighting. Don's Light and Magic makes a pulsating LED light array specifically for the engine on this kit as well. This will be an amazing diorama!

[subroner]

I just picked this kit up today and would also want to light it. Never seen it before your video, have no clue how to start so glad I found really neat stuff. Jeff

[ThePaintingClinic]

@fraley1701 Thanks. Found them including photos of how the landing bay doors should actually look!

[ThePaintingClinic]

@edd217 It's K&S brass rod. Any decent hobby shop should carry it. Foil works better than chrome paint, but the paint is easier to apply.

[ThePaintingClinic]

@ModelManTom I did think about trying to melt a bunch of fibers into the correct shape, but I don't know if they would shine light evenly across a melted blob.

[ThePaintingClinic]

It's the same kit as the old one, just with improvements.

[ThePaintingClinic]

@ModelManTom I found some photos of the original model and the landing ramp actually did face forward! Guess they changed it in post.

[ThePaintingClinic]

@fraley1701 One things included in this kit are new and incredibly detailed painting instructions with a guide as to where to paint the three different shades of green.

[MarcFraley]

Okay, this build got me motivated to revisit the studio scale model. Kuhn Global's Web site, Modelers, Miniatures, and Magic, has some pretty good reference photo's. There was a lot of simulated corrosion on the studio scale model. I will be very interested in seeing your approach to duplicating this look. In a lot of areas, it looks as if the original paint has flaked off, exposing severe rust beneath.

[MarcFraley]

...also noted several shades of green used on the studio scale model...zinc chromate seems to be a dominate color.

[Ty]

Good luck my friend. This should look great!

[ModelManTom]

I tried melting fiber for the cutaway Falcon, thinking as you it would be one melty blob light, but no. It remains just a bunch of tightly packed points of light.

Looking at the torpedo tube part, I see the problem...

ok. I think it can be done with paint, but I'd probably have to make a video of what I'm thinking. but well and tightly masked painting shoul get you where you need to be.

[ThePaintingClinic]

@ModelManTom The main problem I see is how to light the outer ring and still see all those individual squares. I'm hoping masking and thick paint will work.

[ThePaintingClinic]

@SMConsortium 1/2500 would be two inches long. This is 1/350th.

[ravenslament]

Hello could you also advise me on all sizes off the tubes used and especially the oval tube part, looking at it could be 7mm perhaps.
Would loved to have seen a more indulgent look vidio at how you built the guns they look fantastic.

[ThePaintingClinic]

@selbst32 Let me know if you come across any 1/350th pointy ears.

[kargandarr]

I think that I saw someone use glue as a filler for the windows in some of their starship models a few years ago.

[selbst]

you went all OCD on the guns, so I want to see little people coming down the ramp lol looking forward to this series good luck :)

[evilwarcow]

I have a 1995 Generations version of this model. Sad thing is, the decal sheet is ruined as when I got it, it was pulled out of a partly flooded garage and it was sitting in a stack on the floor with it being the one on the bottom. Because of this, I have been at a standstill with it. I don't know if or how I can get a replacement of them or not. I tried contacting the manufacture of it and even offered to pay for it after truthfully explaining things to them. But I was declined from them and I have not been able to find anyone or any seller who would sell them to me.