Federation Runabout USS Rio Grande

[Centurion3RTR]

Here we go then, thought it was time for me to start on a build. This is the lucky winner, and before some of you say "but you need to finish USS Voyager!". I know, but i need to learn the lighting effects so i don't make a mess of Voyager, plus with the Runabout being 1/72 scale i can learn to root everything around the model that has plenty of room inside.

Right, what have i done. I've made a start on the impulse engines, sanded the backs down so i can insert some clear plastic, then drilled out the rest of the white plastic and cleaned it up. I have started to scratch build the interior but no photos yet as it's just the superstructure for now.

Oh, and the reason i've gone for the Rio Grande is because it's the only runabout thats not been destroyed by the Jem'Hadar or the Cardassian's.

Have fun, John

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[Adrian "Marvel" Reynolds]

I'm watching this closely, will you be making your own lighting rig?

Adrian

 

[Centurion3RTR]

Yes Adrian, me own thanks to some RC aircraft stuff lol. The RC aircraft nav lights i got off e-bay for £5 so they will come in handy lol.

Have fun, John

 

[Alan 45]

Now I will be watching this , I'm hoping to get some of these at the Telford show so this will be good to see how it looks finished

 

[Adrian "Marvel" Reynolds]

Now I will be watching this , I'm hoping to get some of these at the Telford show so this will be good to see how it looks finished

I'll ask my friend to look up his loft for you Alan, a long time ago we did a few model shows and mainly sold Star Trek model as we got them for trade prices, most of what we didn't sell ended up in his mom's loft, I've had a couple of Enterprises and a Klingon bird of Prey from the stash up there

Adrian

 

[Alan 45]

I'll ask my friend to look up his loft for you Alan, a long time ago we did a few model shows and mainly sold Star Trek model as we got them for trade prices, most of what we didn't sell ended up in his mom's loft, I've had a couple of Enterprises and a Klingon bird of Prey from the stash up there Adrian

That's very decent of you Adrian thank you

 

[Centurion3RTR]

Had a pop into Maplin today and got something that i really needed, a new soldering iron. I think i have enough LED's, when i was looking on e-bay i thought it said "£5 for a reel, 300 led's". Oh no, it was 5 meters for £3 so i ordered 1 in blue and 2 in white so i ended up with enough for a good few builds.

Have fun, John

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[papa 695]

Nice to see you posting again John and I will be watching with interest on this one

 

[Adrian "Marvel" Reynolds]

Had a pop into Maplin today and got something that i really needed, a new soldering iron. I think i have enough LED's, when i was looking on e-bay i thought it said "£5 for a reel, 300 led's". Oh no, it was 5 meters for £3 so i ordered 1 in blue and 2 in white so i ended up with enough for a good few builds.Have fun, John

Same iron I have, when I went in it was buy the solder get the iron free!!! Whom I to argue

Adrian

 

[Centurion3RTR]

Same iron I have, when I went in it was buy the solder get the iron free!!! Whom I to argue Adrian

Can't fault that Adrian, nice one.

 

[dubster72]

Nice one John, I'll be watching for tips so I don't muck up my Enterprise!

 

[Arronax]

Are you aware that Federation Models stocks an interior kit for the Runabout? Go to the link and just do a search for Runabout. Made by Alliance, sells for $75. I've seen it and it's really nice. Of course, it was released a year after I scratchbuilt an interior. Let me know if you're looking for panel decal art.

Jim

 

[Centurion3RTR]

Thanks Jim, but i fancy scratch building the interior plus i've made a start too lol. As for panel detail i have a good few Star Trek technical manuals and one is Deep Space Nine technical manual, so i should be okay (famous last words). But if i fall foul i'll give you a shout, and again thanks, much appreciated.

As for the build, it's a little slow because "Poppy" is at that "i'm into everything" stage. But it's fun, and i'll have some photos later as i've done some work on the impulse engines.

Have fun, John

 

[Centurion3RTR]

Hi all, the clear styrene sheet turned up today so the impulse engines are nearly finished. But i'm going to leave the front and back off until it's fully built, that way i can fit the mesh and clear styrene without masking up hehe. Inside the impulse engines i've partitioned the inlets and outlets for the different colour led's, and painted some light blocking. All i need to do now is to run wires ready for the warp engines.

Started cleaning up the fuselage but looks like it'll need some work for what i have installed for it.

Have fun, John

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[Alan 45]

Coming along nicely john, I always like the Danube class runabout , will you be scratch building the external weapons bay as well ?

 

[Centurion3RTR]

Coming along nicely john, I always like the Danube class runabout , will you be scratch building the external weapons bay as well ?

Thing is Alan mate, the Rio Grande didn't have the mission-specific pod in many of the tv shows. But if you have a look at the starships schematics it's on the runabout, plus, if it's in the box then it's going to get built. And it's in the box hehehe.

Have fun, John

 

[Alan 45]

Thing is Alan mate, the Rio Grande didn't have the mission-specific pod in many of the tv shows. But if you have a look at the starships schematics it's on the runabout, plus, if it's in the box then it's going to get built. And it's in the box hehehe.Have fun, John

Nice one if I'm right I think reo grand was one if not the only runabout to survive it's time at DS9 :D

 

[Centurion3RTR]

Nice one if I'm right I think reo grand was one if not the only runabout to survive it's time at DS9 :D

And thats why i'm building the Rio Grande matey, plus in the Star Trek universe she has a lot of history.

Have fun, John

 

[Arronax]

I had the same idea about building the Runabout interior. They actually announced the interior kit the next year after I entered my model at Wonderfest (Louisville, Kentucky, USA) although it took three years to appear!

My interior was scratchbuilt entirely from sheet styrene and sprue. The decals were printed on a color laser (which I had access to at work) but they're still translucent.

The lighting is simple and connects to two brass tubes that plug into the base and can, therefore, be easily removed from the base.

The completed Runabout (the Thames, by the way, since I am English) was part of a Shuttle Museum display I built using 1/72nd scale shuttles from Federation Models. The last photo shows the display - the Space Shuttle image on the floor is also to scale.

One last thing that you've probably already found out is that the model has a TARDIS factor. The scale on the inside is smaller that the outside. Put simply, a 1/72nd scale figure can't stand up once you've put in a floor and ceiling.

Jim

 

[Centurion3RTR]

Just popped on to let you all know i havn't forgot about this build, but work has slowed down somewhat. I've tried three times to make a part and the muppit called "Poppy" has wipped off with it lol.

Imagine this thing running faster than me with a warp engine in it's mouth and you'll get the picture.

I'll be back at it as soon as i can get five minutes...........

Have fun, John