Build 1/350 Enterprise Refit from Polar Lights - Pt 1

This build series will follow my journey in building one of the most challenging kits of the hobby. With its lighting demands, fit issues, and of course that classic pearlesent Aztek paint job there is a lot to unpack.
PAINT MASKS - Aztek Dummy available from Cultvman.com
LIGHTING KIT - trekmodeller.com
WINDOWS - laserfirecreations.com
Photo Etch - Paragraphix.com
Additional 3D parts from Shapeways.com/1/350 refit

[@glennhann938]

Phil. I've been 100% percent disabled and have really bad uncontrollable shakes in arms,hands,etc. I've had this model in the stash for a while and afraid to open the box. Ok you convinced me to try, I'm skipping the lights and photo etch but will go to the hobby store and get the paints. What really convinced me was I realize I'm not going to be able to build a museum quality edition but I will build a version as best as I can and be proud of it. All my best.

[@sprueVerse]

Damn right! It’s about the journey my friend NOT the destination!! Don’t give it a second thought!

[@WorldofWayneUK]

Love the T-Shirt 😊❤

[@WhiteGloveModels]

Nice work Phil! I know what you mean about this kit being a bit intimidating, but your philosophy of it needing to be built and not sitting on the shelf is the real truth! 🙂 I'm sitting on the 1:350 TOS Enterprise from Polar Lights and it scares the hell out of me. I'll keep using the excuse that I'm waiting to get all the aftermarket parts/masks etc... before building it though. LOL I would love to get onto building it here soon though. Take care my friend and thank you for such a wonderful episode on this amazing kit! 🖖

[@vanee657]

An overwhelming situation Only gets worse unless you're honest about everything. You've got the right attitude and I'm excited to see it done!

[@LateNightModels]

I dove head first into this kit after not having built a model for probably 20 years! I decided to build my A the way it would be if you walked up to the studio model and turned it on. All of the raytheon lighting was accomplished with mirrors and a separate light source. So not the screen version, not the studio version, but somewhere in between. Looking forward to how yours turns out. 🍻 Cheers!

[@spacedock873]

Good luck with the build Phil! This is a rather notorious kit. If you have multiple examples of this kit I would suggest that you DON'T use your best saucer on the first one - treat this as a trial run and use the good stuff on the next one. I used Raytheon lighting in my recent Reliant build and it worked a treat so don't be scared of it (you just need high brightness LED's under the panel). Rather concerned about the after market clear resin parts - they tend to act as light pipes so are a pain to light block properly. Lou is the man to talk to about this build - I dread to think how many Enterprise kits he has made 😯 The lighting kit is really nice, but the price? Ouch! 😧 Looking forward to the next episode 👍😁

[@InterstellarModeler]

I love your videos Phil. Kudos for you for moving forward with this model. I have had this kit for years too. You had me laughing as you taunted me, trying to get me to take this model out LOL....but no dice this time LOL. Gonna watch you first.

[@sprueVerse]

Thanks! I’m pretty sure I need all the advice I can get! Cheers!

[@techforthedisabled9514]

Just subbed. I Lost my left arm in Iraq. So I can't build models. So I watched @WorldofWayneUK, and he mentioned you were building this kit. Star trek is my favorite.

[@sprueVerse]

Welcome! Thank you for your service and sacrifice! We will always be in your debt!

[@anthonywallace8534]

Hi Phil I have the enterprise in the loft been their for 15+ years and you have made me go and get it out to start the kit

[@ZenStudiosCO]

My favorite part about this hobby is that it’s your model to make how you want it and we’re all so supportive of that ideal. You may do something that another would do differently but I’ve never met a model builder that told me that I can’t make a model the way I want it

[@Joepacker]

Looks like you have some competition on this build as the great Boyd at Trekworks is also building this kit. No pressure.

[@sprueVerse]

He’s a rockstar!

[@Murphy007]

John Dykstra is coming in ! 😂 I’m kidding I don’t who but that would be very cool.

[@jamesjester2542]

I got 3 of these kits I bought over last 6 years they been sitting up on a shelf. I actually brought one down a few months ago. Then I get caught up in other kits I buy. Plus I been getting my lighting from Evan Designs. So I moving slow, but I am actually gonna build this one.I remember Don's Light and Magic. I bought a lot of stuff from him. Kept it away till I needed it. Still have a lot of his stuff.Unfortunately I can't print off pieces I'm left with the kit part. But I'll make the most of that. I'll be following this get pointers. I subbed you Phil looking forward to watching all of these.

[@sprueVerse]

Welcome!

[@Graftanker98]

Rewatching again, im in the middle of my build

[@MarkPoppinPringlesleaf]

Well looking forward to this journey your going to be taken us on Phil

[@petermerz2704]

You have more courage than me! I had a refit commissioned almost 2 years ago. Ken at Epyc Models did a fantastic job. Thanks for sharing. 😎🇨🇦

[@techforthedisabled9514]

Would love to see this model. I lost my left arm in Iraq and I am considering what you did. Could tell me please what you paid.

[@petermerz2704]

@@techforthedisabled9514 $650!

[@techforthedisabled9514]

@@petermerz2704 thank you sir

[@DronemanJoeRc]

I have my kit coming this week. its going to be a immense build for me and Im going to be watching all your videos. thanks bud!! sub and liked!!

[@messy8416]

Phil. Love the channel and what you do, can we get a list of all the addons you have for the star trek build please.

[@SteveWhite1970]

Ooo looking forward to this, Phil! I’ve got one of these as well and I’ve been putting it off for about a year for exactly the same reasons! It’s daunting, to say the least!

[@sprueVerse]

👍

[@SkyrayModels]

"All my hopes Phil"🙏

[@MartinFutter70]

The Mediocre Modeller Club! Love that comment from you Phil, I for one, very much belong to that! Always good to see you tackle and make your kits, so many people get all the aftermarket gubbins and they sit in the box for years without ever being used. Hopefully this will inspire me to build my old AMT/ERTL Reliant which has been in the stash for years! Plus, don't be pushed around by people saying that this was there, the other bit was like this, and the Enterprise never had that! Your model, your way... As for tackling this model and your lack of confidence surprised me a little, especially since you build R.Cooper kits, which are probably way more difficult than this! God speed Phil 😀

[@GPGPapercraftTX]

Secret to "big" drill holes: Sneak up on it in 3 or 4 stages. You will get a cleaner hole.

[@israelislaromero4079]

Phil you will do an awesome job for sure! Like a lot the extra parts! When you drill a “big” hole you better drill in steps… from the actual size to a size bigger and so on until you get the desired diameter! Take care and greetings from Belgium!

[@danharris5999]

Great to see another terrified modeler whose skills exceed mine take on this kit. . Also, I just received my A/B deck from HDA, and it's translucent. Those Shapeways parts look awesome. Especially the Arboretum. Will be getting that set for sure. Have you told Mrs. Sprueverse this kit's nickname is "The Widowmaker"?😁

[@sprueVerse]

LOL! I also noticed the A/B deck for HDAmodelworx is printed in clear! Doesn’t really make a whole lot of sense to me! Onward!👍

[@garywood1973]

Hi , new subscriber here from Australia , I've been watching your video on the 1/350 refit not bad , here's a hint go to Marshall Models here on you tube where you find in his videos that he has a "studio model enterprise " that has been re cast for him the saucer is as big as a coffee table , you will be surprised what he can teach you .

[@Jedidaddyo]

I just found this and you have to be like at least the tenth builder I've looked at doing this. I've picked up something from almost every one, including yours already in this first part. After over ... um, lots of years, I'm stepping back into modelbuilding again. I built a 1/537 refit back in '79 and did a good job at the time. I'm still in a gathering parts phase, though I've started modifications on the lounge and shuttle/cargo bay, and scrap-building ideas for other internals. It can be kind of intimidating looking at some of the other great builds out there. The main thing despite all the little setbacks, imperfections and tedious work in minutia, (and maybe a bit of cursing) is you still enjoy it all and have a great time.

[@wraith20072007]

For the RCS Thrusters you could have used a Yellow or Amber ( your choice ) 5mm LED, that would light top, bottom and sides all at once...thats what I did with mine and it lights up great. For drilling your new base, start with a smaller pilot hole and go a little larger a couple of times it'll help the larger bit drill more easier and accurate.

[@sprueVerse]

As I’m using the pre-wired bundle it was easier for me to attach the 3mm yellow to a fiber optic bundle. But I love your idea! Cheers!

[@wraith20072007]

@@sprueVerse No problem, I'm almost done with my 1:350 Refit and I know Lou is helping you out here and there but feel free to ask me any questions you might have I'd be more than happy to help out thats what we model builders do for each other...I wish you all the best in this build and may the model gods be with you :)

[@lyndonbrock8684]

Can't wait to see how you get on with her. I finally finished mine earlier this year after being in my possession for 10 years. Those nacelle seams were relentless. 🖖

[@jimplaysric]

Just subbed sir, I don't remember hearing Raytheon lighting being mentioned in any video I've watched before, I'm building the old AMT "K'Tinga", it could be used there as well, since there are floodlights on top of the wings kind of pointed toward where the Klingon insignia and script are on the upper hull.

[@jamesgarrison7397]

Awesome build! My second favorite Enterprise! Love it!

[@bobbova8708]

thank you for taking us along on this project! the different aftermarket photo etch and resin or printed parts are very detailed and very interesting to see. also the lighting packages are top notch especially the remote control. I built my refit back around 2008 or so and used the Aztek Dummy paint masks along with a scratch built lighting system.The range of and high quality aftermarket parts available for this are going to make things a little more less stressful but you are of a skill set that you will be ok- especially with the guru Lou Dalmaso being there if you do run into any obstacles. I am looking forward to see your build and realize that this could take a bit longer than some of the more run of the mill types of projects.

[@ScaleModelKitReview]

Great work so far Phil, I will be following for sure, I have the original 2005 release of this kit that I barely started years ago, but my busy work travel schedule kept me from building this. I do believe I have a couple more of the 2009 versions also. I hope to get started on this very soon, you are inspiring me to do so with this. The big plastic Space Clipper is also on the way to my stash.

[@jasonbaker4569]

Use a step drill to enlarge the hole. They are designed for sheet metal.

[@bbgg2007]

Agreed! That drill bit looked pretty scary, especially on thin metal like that :) If you have never tried one, I would highly suggest a stepped bit also. I literally will never use a drill bit again in modeling if a step bit will make the hole instead. The beauty of these bits is they will not grab and or rip thin material like a drill bit even on thin plastic if you go slow.

[@sprueVerse]

Makes sense! Thank you!

[@bbgg2007]

@@sprueVerse Also, thanks for this video series. I have this kit also and really want to get it out but it's been sitting in my closet along side my Bandai 1/72 Falcon, just to afraid to get them out :)

[@sprueVerse]

Go for it! Cheers! Phil

[@andrewdrabble8939]

This will be a great build series. I've got one of the early releases of this kit (and the 1:350 NX-01) and it is a big kit. Mine is still packed away for two reasons:- 1: I have no room to display her as she's big when built 2: Mine is in the rarer blue plastic

[@sprueVerse]

She’ll be a beauty when you have a chance to build her! Cheers! Phil

[@andrewdrabble8939]

@@sprueVerse I don't think I will ever build her tbh since she's in blue plastic instead of the usual white

[@aztekdummy]

Phil, Cass Swenson at Lake Monsters has taken over Don's old molds and masters and is re issuing the parts

[@WhiteGloveModels]

I was wondering about that Lou... Just today actually I ran across Lake Monster Parts and was curious about who they were. Looks like a lot of great stuff coming out now for a lot of these kits!

[@jamesdennis2004]

Oh i have made this kit last year i made the USS Enterprise-A. I hope you see were this is going im getting a second one. Im going to try to do the USS Enterprise refit. And im going to have the Aztec decals for it with the light kit and sound kit. For thos thing.

[@derrellreynolds6226]

Looking forward to seeing this build sirrrrrrr. Thank you for sharing. 👍

[@davidbassett4577]

Great video for part one of this build Phil … good luck with it .. and I’m sure you will make an amazing job of it .. look forward to the next episode from across the pond.

[@iancampbell8649]

Hey Phil.... an aswesome build mate.

[@johnatsf1564]

Im am motivated!

[@johnatsf1564]

LOVE IT!!!

[@robertjensen1438]

So this will just be a two parter.🤠

[@revodave]

iv made that kit it scard the hell out of me to

[@aaronvandoorn1276]

Am working On the smaller effect 1st I have 3 of these kids I have to do I figure work On the small 1 1st and then work my way up

[@mightywarrior5684]

I have this kit, and yes, it scares me. You could say, 'To boldly go.' Not so much.

[@mikeking2539]

I have the Old Ertl AMT(?) kit, part built, but can't find the instructions for it! Oh yoe the T-Shitr is rather cool lol

[@paulalanryder5397]

Phil ou can get some of Dom's parts from Lake Monster Details

[@philippealain-art]

It's really sad and not understandable that a kit at this price has so many flaws and that so many parts have to be replaced.

[@miketimpe8770]

Is there a URL for the Nebula One base? Much better looking than the one that comes in the kit.

[@sprueVerse]

Go to their Facebook page-nebula one aftermarket parts. It’s all there! Cheers! Phil

[@franksmodels29]

Try using a step drill bit.. maybe easier to use than the full sized bit..

[@mikeking2539]

Fit issues right out the box. grief charlie brown, what are we dealing with here?

[@richardstiltner2634]

I don't have that kit I have the AMT kit. But to do that one, I will need the room to display that one and my other models. I do not know if the template will work for my model or not. I'm going to have to ask Lou if it will or not.

[@XenoZero82]

Where did you find that pre wired kit? I am currently building this thing but im horrible with lighting

[@sprueVerse]

Trekmodeler.com

[@aaronvandoorn1276]

Where did you get the crystal from

[@sprueVerse]

You can find it on shapeways - search 1/350 refit and you will see it in the offered list!

[@aaronvandoorn1276]

Thank you and am Looking forward to your build

[@aaronvandoorn1276]

I found it thank you ill be ordering it soon