Applying battle damage to the USS Enterprise NCC-1701-C

Beating up the 1/1400 scale USS Enterprise NCC-1701-C from AMT/Round 2.
Watch the building and painting process here: • Building the USS Enter...
00:00 Intro
00:16 Placing decals
06:35 Spraying scorch marks
11:31 Appling light grey dusting
12:39 Cleaning up
14:33 Final details
15:00 Completion

[@modelchili]

Iwata HP-M1 Airbrush: amzn.to/368fXA4 Tamiya Sharp pointed side cutters: amzn.to/3pST76r As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

[@MeBeTheDB]

Back when ILM was doing WRATH OF KHAN ... I was fortunate to learn a couple of 'Phaser' tricks for weathering, blast damage by seeing the real deal Enterprise. They used SPARKLERS (like we in the US wave around on our July 4th Independence Day) ... and tap-tapped them onto the port side hits. Better than an airbrush when it comes to such stories. In any event, when futzing with burning magnesium -- please do be careful and make sure you're wearing gloves and eye protection. By the way, same kind of 'Sparkler' zaps on certain STAR WARS vehicles. Keep at it-! Dana

[@modelchili]

@@MeBeTheDB That's pretty cool. There is actually a photo of some of the crew sticking a firework under the Enterprise C model. 😂

[@Trains-With-Shane]

"Let's make sure history never forgets the name... Enterprise." - Jean-Luc Picard.

[@frakkinMatt812]

I would have never thought of dusting it. It was subtle but man, it made the difference. I am not ashamed to admit I learned something. Thanks for showing us how you create these.

[@modelchili]

My pleasure! Yeah sometimes it's the subtle techniques that make all the difference. The biggest problem is knowing when to stop!

[@Exar_Kun]

You’re one of the only people in the world that makes destruction look beautiful!

[@modelchili]

Heh thank you!

[@henrysanchez4810]

That came out incredible, that battle damage look is just right..👍

[@modelchili]

Thank you!

[@cb-gz1vl]

You can also get a nice effect if you light a stick match right next to the plastic to let the smoke flare off the plastic.

[@JeffMitchell-lv4zx]

When i saw the decals, i thought, "well thats gonna look awful". But you pulled it off! It looks great!

[@modelchili]

Thanks! Yeah sometimes you gotta believe in the final result, it can often look bad before it gets better.

[@fubarmodelyard1392]

Excellent job toning down the decals

[@modelchili]

Cheers!

[@simonreynolds1518]

Great model Sam, I must admit I was skeptical of the battle damage decals looking any good, but I'm happy to say I was very wrong, after you sprayed the scorching and smoke damage to the hull the Enterprise looks sweet.

[@modelchili]

Thank you! I do enjoy turning around something that initially looks bad, luckily I had a bit of experience with my battle-damaged Refit Enterprise.

[@kinleycalvert2915]

Same here. I thought they’d be too one dimensional and bright. But now I know how to do them right.

[@MeBeTheDB]

The problem for me is they (the decals) aren't dimensional enough -- so even though there's a ton of actually 3D panels on this or any Starship ... ... the decals are 2D. Nice idea ... but not the way it was when they filmed it. I'd suggest AT LEAST some 'build-up' AROUND each of the blast holes with some non-invasive putty, teensy to TBD indented rims or the like. That said, maybe strip it all down some day -- and start over, and take your time MAKING HOLES with a variety of tools and via 3D printing, meshes, etc., create some SUB-FLOORING that will hold up to scrutiny. This includes some various 'fires' raging below decks and what nots. If it takes time to do this -- so be it. As it will last long after we are gone and ultimately, a testament to your work. D.A. ps: Consider adding some washes to the panels as the NCC-1701-C would have been moving through its own detritus as she was being destroyed. Why this-? Because it is important to IMAGINE the scene and locations and space, given all the things going on. Cool-?

[@NealTK]

Wow. That was a great build. Your techniques taught me alot, even being a builder of 25+ years. You did an incredible job of tranforming a right out of dock ship into what we saw in "Yesterdays Enterprise" amazingly.

[@modelchili]

Thank you, glad you enjoyed it!

[@dorianjh]

Great build, this has inspired me to re-do my old 90s kit as the Yamaguchi.

[@modelchili]

Nice, hope it goes well!

[@dorianjh]

@@modelchili Thanks, I've been using this video as a guide for anyone interested in building it kzbin.info/www/bejne/a3bbgKKogN6Fodk. I'm glad round2 has just re-released the kit since I'm missing most of my Yamaguchi parts.

[@slighter]

This will certainly get popular once the newly-announced rerelease of that kit hits the shelves.

[@modelchili]

Oh nice, I didn't know that!

[@spankyotoole7793]

Excellent work! Thank you for taking us through the process and showing us what you used to do it.

[@modelchili]

Thanks for watching!

[@DEADPEDAL]

I found this kit at a local nerd store in two Ziploc bags, with instructions. It's an original kit from '98, decals included. Only the saucer is assembled, and the stand is missing. But for ten bucks, I couldn't NOT get it.

[@brandonb1681]

Looks pretty beat up which is what you wanted. I'm impressed that the decals work so well. 👍

[@modelchili]

Cheers!

[@BradDehnert]

The scorching/air brush really ties it all together in the end :) If it was just decals, I don't think it'd look too great, but you knocked it out of the park.

[@modelchili]

Cheers! I'm glad it turned out ok. 😀

[@Boyer316]

Absolutely fantastic, a wonderful job, the only thing I noticed is that after the Micro Sol softened the decals you could see the panel lines clearly but where the decals showed the exposed superstructure, there wouldn't be any panels left....

[@modelchili]

Thank you! Yeah this is true, also some of the decals cover the lifeboats which should eliminate the raised detail. I did think about it, but it's just one of those things where you think "eh, good enough" and carry on. 😄

[@nickbrough8335]

@@modelchili I don't think you had much choice. I thought the damage effect over the life boats was the worst part as the sub0hull plate would look very different from the rest of the ship.

[@canaan_perry]

It's like a Bob Ross painting. It all happens in the blending!

[@modelchili]

I really did beat the devil out of it!

[@lancebardock]

I just found one of these and I can’t wait to get started on it! Thanks for sharing your process, especially with the Azteking around the nacelles and neck

[@modelchili]

Nice, hope it helps!

[@HobbyModeller]

The best Enterprise C model I've ever seen. Thanks a lot for this. My greatest respect.

[@modelchili]

Thanks so much!

[@hankthepatriot3733]

Extremely satisfying video!

[@modelchili]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@davepomerleau7250]

Man I saw those decals and was like ahhhhhhhh, but you really made it look awesome!!!!

[@modelchili]

Thanks! I'm glad it turned out ok. 😁

[@hankthepatriot3733]

As much as I enjoyed the paintjob... but when those decals were shown in the 1st video... I was all like... DO IT!!!

[@kinleycalvert2915]

A real heartbreaker model to battle damage. But this turned out superb. Wow. I’d be proud to display on my shelf! Very nice and as always, love your video style.

[@themodelkitbase9649]

Beautiful work my fellow nzer! Love the dusted look you got out of that mist coat, just like the studio model and you sure made those decals look great! I’ve been trying to find this kit for ages!

[@TheGosling8]

That was fun! Looks great

[@modelchili]

Thanks for watching!

[@Ecto_Eric]

She looks awesome great job 👏

[@modelchili]

Cheers!

[@MrCougar214]

I'd love to see you do a clean lighted version. They redid this model in clear plastic so they are easy to find now.

[@johnblack9885]

Well done! Literally!

[@modelchili]

Thanks!

[@derrellreynolds6226]

Fantastic model sirrrrrrrrrr. Great job!

[@modelchili]

Many thanks!

[@MatthewStreets-sc1cv]

🙂 Awesome job on adding battle damage to the enterprise c. 🙂 Plus an awesome job for putting the model and the decals all together. 🙂 The poor old gal, has been too hell & back (and back to hell again).

[@TheReligiousCrap]

Needs some fires and plasma leaks!! That would be awesome!

[@Phaser1x]

We miss you friend.

[@modelchili]

I'm still here!

[@markbelsom3174]

Looks fantastic, and the battle damage decals look really effective. I too wish this kit was still available.

[@modelchili]

Thanks! Yeah Round 2 really need to repop this kit. 🙁

[@markbelsom3174]

@@modelchili I do hope the Enterprise C gets reissued.

[@modelmantstewart1292]

Really like it the decals give it a 3D look great job

[@modelchili]

Cheers! Yeah they give a surprising amount of depth.

[@thalastian_thundercleese]

Beautiful work as always!

[@modelchili]

Thank you!

[@joshuabrown1010]

I would like to see you do the USS Enterprise D and the USS Enterprise E someday

[@derloco2035]

Poor Enterprise C, she has really taken a beating. Great job with the model, she really resembles the look on the TNG episode. I second that it would be great seeing you doing a Klingon bre'rel class or a Romulan d'deridex class vessel :)

[@modelchili]

Cheers! Yeah I really want to get that Warbird done at some point.

[@arohk1579]

Very cool looking and great job :).

[@modelchili]

Thanks!

[@dlthomson5287]

You really did 'destroy' the Enterprise and the added touches with the airbrush for the scorch marks was a good touch. I'd like to see you do more battle damaged ships in future vids if and when you have the time. In fact watching the Enterprise build has started me thinking of re-doing some of the conversions of the original Enterprise.

[@StarlightingProjects]

Great video as usual! I don't have the desire or the nerves to beat up a Federation Starship but it was fun to live vicariously through your experience!! OTOH I have beat up an X-Wing Fighter using a magnifying glass and some charcoals (and IIRC there was beer involved ;-) )

[@modelchili]

Ha sounds fun!

[@1garryrippon]

Aw! I honestly thought you were gonna destroy it in last 20 seconds of the video!

[@modelchili]

🤣

[@Ouhscpa]

Impressive! Keep the vids coming, I learn a lot from you

[@modelchili]

Cheers!

[@nicholasmorsovillo2752]

Man during the Battle of Nerendra 3 the Ambassador Class U.S.S. Enterprise NCC-1701-C sure took one hell of a beating during the fight with the Romulans or as Geordi said in the episode 'Yesterday's Enterprise' 'It's pretty bad Commander it looks like they were in one hell of a Fight' and considering they were fighting 4 Romulan Warbirds at the time that should be no surprise.

[@nicholasmorsovillo2752]

You know it's funny that till the Picard Era of Star Trek where with ships like the Galaxy Class,Ambassador Class and Sovereign Class where we see where the ships thrusters are during the time of Kirk we never see where the thrusters are.

[@321ghi]

Such an awesome job mate!

[@modelchili]

Cheers!

[@DebzEagle]

It looks awesome, we could blow it up with some of those fireworks in the shed... but I wouldn't want to destroy it. ❤🧡💛💚💙💜

[@modelchili]

Yeah you'd love to destroy it. 😁

[@DebzEagle]

@@modelchili no, I'd cry 😢

[@johnboy384]

Looks really good.

[@modelchili]

Thanks!

[@UserAndiM]

Beautiful!!! 😍

[@modelchili]

Thank you!! 😊

[@Drachenhannes]

Still not the biggest fan of the battle damage decals but this turned out really nice. Hope to see a clean version one day. I'm still hoping to finish my 1000 scale one day.

[@modelchili]

Thanks!

[@Kingthin]

outstanding!!

[@modelchili]

Thank you kindly!

[@michaelduran8022]

I love it. I want to do the same but lighted up

[@patrickedm8540]

Amazing

[@dreamrestore213]

Looks good.... Better than brand new.... But If the hull paneling would be blown away with battle damage.... Wouldn't the decals look better flat, not sunk into the panel lines? Without micro-sol.

[@modelchili]

Thanks! Yeah the grid lines under the battle damage doesn't make much sense, but I just left it as is.

[@tristanlee8495]

Not gonna lie, kinda disappointed this wasn't just a 10 second clip of you throwing the ship at the ground.

[@modelchili]

I mean, if it gets views I'd be up for it. 😂

[@lawrencebrewer8769]

Wow

[@bobbyrice]

Honestly, I don't think there'd be anyone left alive on that ship with that kinda damage.

[@nickbrough8335]

From a distance the damage decals (plus scorching effect) actually look pretty good. However, I would guess the lack of 3D really shows up when you get close to the model, which ruins the effect.

[@michaelr8189]

Can't really say doing such a thing would upset me since they practically destroy the Enterprise at the end of each movie lol

[@SethAve]

Brilliant job as always. Can't decide if I like the pristine version or the battle torn version better. Also I have to ask, after binging damn near your entire channel; what happened to the the Agora Shelby Cobra builds?

[@Wild-Dad]

Great looking final result. Yes, it was a shame damaging up that nice “right out of the showroom” look but it was worth it. Now, just to suggest an even wilder idea. Why not take some really thin plastic pieces and add some torn up hull plating along some of the larger hits? Or is that model just too small a scale to try this on? Sort of like trying to replicate the collision of the two Star Destroyers from Rouge One using the small Bandai kits.

[@modelchili]

Yeah I did consider adding some 3D detail to the battle damage, either by sanding away layers using a Dremel or building up buckled hull plating, but as you suggest it's probably too small scale for that sort of detail. It might be more realistic, but wouldn't match how it looked on screen.

[@Wild-Dad]

@@modelchili - true - in that episode, all you really saw were blast marks, nothing that really showed the interior of the ship. They didn't have the budget for detailing hull destruction like in ST ll, lll or V.

[@schoondikah]

Can you Please do a klingon bird of prey i have one but afraid of starting it before your video’s you always have tips and tricks

[@modelchili]

I'd love to do one if I had one! I have a Romulan Warbird in the stash.

[@schoondikah]

@@modelchili well i sure say yes to that to thank you. do now i have to get me one of those to :)

[@barrydevlinred]

Do you have a link to some replacement decals mate because i built this model about 10 years ago and messed it up so these vids inspired me to redo it. Looks good but i cant find replacement decals

[@modelchili]

You could try contacting Round 2, they're the company behind these reprints.

[@3b0ny1]

Did Enterprise C have the ability to separate? I ask this because the pulse engine seems to be a part of the lower half of the ship

[@modelchili]

Yeah there's a red line separation marking on the neck, but the saucer section doesn't have any impulse drive. It wasn't a very well designed ship. From what I remember the studio model was built in a very short time, so they didn't add a lot of the smaller details.

[@Wild-Dad]

Just a really dumb question, but for the Valero air brush paints, do you thin them more when doing this kind of detailing or are they straight from the bottle?

[@modelchili]

I usually use them straight from the bottle, especially for main coats. For the scorching and dusting I thinned them down a bit.

[@Wild-Dad]

@@modelchili - I figured as much. I hope to break out my new airbrush in the spring and learn how to use it all over again - ie how much to mix paints to for airbrushing and to try the new airbrush dedicated paints (they didn't have them when I stopped using my old airbrush). I used to have a single action Badger but the last time I used that was close to 25 years ago. I don't think you can even buy compressed cans of air anymore. An airbrush and compressor came up on sale back in the fall so when it becomes warm again (May) I'll start practicing with it.

[@Wild-Dad]

If you are airbrushing all around the edges of the decals, wouldn’t that have hid any slivering that might have occurred?

[@modelchili]

Yeah a little bit, depends on the coverage which wasn't 100% in most places. The scorching was mostly transparent.

[@seppingtondestamina9398]

I've seen a few builds using the "battle damage" decals and they looked iffy/fake A.F. Your idea of airbrushing on some fire/smoke damage is simple but my God does it make all the difference! Methinks I'll need to source some of those decals for my old AMT C kit. Excellent work as always.

[@stltrekmodels.4157]

I am anxious to design this one in 1/200 scale. I have to do about 6 model designs in front of this project first so it most likely will be sometime next year. Now I am working on the Romulan Warbird from Balance of Terror: kzbin.info/www/bejne/pZWmn3ptlL6pgLM

[@victoriasmith8229]

Not good enough dammit, not good enough! 😉🤭

[@modelchili]

40 billion people have already died, this war's not supposed to be happening! You've got to send those people back to correct this. 😩

[@victoriasmith8229]

@@modelchili And what is the guarantee that even if they go back they will succeed? Every instinct is telling me this is wrong, it is dangerous, it is futile!

[@botz77]

Oh, I thought you were gonna actually blow it up. Slightly disappointed, but still great work.

[@stltrekmodels.4157]

WOW I really kind of hate that TNG in some ways made not only the filming models, but shuttles look more like toys then models. TOS era ships seemed like they were real space ships, This model looks more like a toy than a model. The Portholes look artificial and the seems like where the warp engine pylons clearly show the mold cracks and all. In one way this makes me happy as if I do get around to model designing this, I can make one that looks like a real ship.

[@richardbradley2335]

Not really destroying....just damaged a little.

[@modelchili]

Destroying her beautiful paint job.

[@richardbradley2335]

@@modelchili just a little !

[@CCFONESOL]

So, not real battle damage, just stickers... Cutting into the ship and making 3d damage would be better.

[@kmurphy739]

Should've weathered it instead as the decal damage looks poor n overdone, ship looks cartoonish.

[@modelchili]

Would be perfect for Lower Decks then. 😁