| |
|
|
 |
|
The
alien fighter from ID-4 was an inspired compromise between a new design and the old "flying saucers" of the 50's and 60's.
The Lindberg kit was very simple. The kit seemed to be aimed at kids or first time model
makers, for it only consisted of 14 parts total, including the 4 part stand. Molded in
gray plastic with a smoked clear cockpit window, you could put it together in about 2 hours and even unpainted it looked like the ship from the
movie. Too bad more model companies wouldn't do the same.
|
| |
|
|
 |
|
The kit had fit
problems, so careful work to align the parts was a must. The 2- piece
main body had large gaps around the bottom join but was easy to fill and sand due to the way the 2 parts joined. The worst problem (the seam where the top "fin" attached) was happily taken care of by the glue I used, SC-94. I used a bit more than I normally would and after pressing the part on, plastic that had been
dissolved made a sort of weld seam that swelled out. I held it for a few
seconds, let it go and as the part sprung back slightly, the weld was pulled back into the joint
and...perfection, no seam, no sanding !!
|
| |
|
|
 |
|
Now came the real work, painting. All colors were
Testors/Model Master paint. I used 5 different grays, 3 for coloring different
panels, one to dry brush the detail on the skin, and a dark gray for the "repaired" panels
on the bottom hull.
|
| |
|
|
 |
|
Gold was used on the exposed organic veins that run between the panels, then
Gloss Gray wash was used to tone it down a bit. Silver was used on the exposed section under the top fin and
Light Gray was used on the missile launcher.
Now came the fun part. All those repair panels...they had to have yellow/black warning
stripes, as did the base top edges! I almost went cross-eyed!
All together it looks good. A little extra detail work and it could be just like the film version.
Now, for a city destroyer and the mother ship...
|
| |
|
|
|
Photos
by Stephen L.
|
|
|
|
