Build review of AMT/ERTLS USS Enterprise D 1/1400 scale: Flashy lights and Electronics.

Build review of my next project, the glorious Enterprise D!
Covering current work in progress for the build to accurize the kit.
Sorry for the waffling in this video, I'll try to do better next time :-)
Aside from the usual kit building element I'll be introducing for the first time the use of Arduino to have this kit all singing and dancing and I'm learning Arduino for the first time.
Useful links for beginners to study Arduino:
KZbin channel: OstrichLongneck - playlist video series 'Arduino for starships'
Phaser array sketch code for experimenting: Virtualight/Jennifer Petkus (Simulating phaser fire with neopixels):
virtualight.com/?p=1927
Reference images of the six foot studio scale model: myenterprised.com/the-six-foo...

[@mistakeman]

I love that you're going all-in on this build. The multi-mode blinker scheme is a great idea! Thanks for sharing with us.

[@thekitcave2654]

Thanks 🙏🏻 I need to reign myself in a bit otherwise I’ll end up with multicoloured lights flashing in time to music like a disco 😂 But that’s the beauty of Arduino, you can program anything and everything. I’m considering even having the white internal lighting connected to simulate power on/off with sound effect as well as everything else.

[@James-rn7dx]

Thanks for the name drop! Sorry I made you do more research and complicated the build! 😂 Whenever I build an Enterprise-D I always base it on the 6' model and if I went through all the work, you are doing her and then realized the lights were wrong I think it would drive me crazy which is why I wanted to point it out, plus I didn't realize they flashed in Picard. Great idea giving it all the option for all the modes. Really enjoying the build.

[@thekitcave2654]

No apologies needed, thank you for pointing it out 👍 I’m glad you did as now I can add even more lighting and sound affects with the Arduino Mega to really go the whole hog on her 👍👍😁😁👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@glomelino]

Loving the build! I think it's a good choice to incorporate all of the lighting modes because yeah, why the hell not! I know you decided on the Arduino Mega already but for complex future lighting projects you might consider linking the Arduino to a PWM controller like Adafruit's TLC5947 or TLC5911. It would give you effectively limitless lighting control. I'm building a Galor class cruiser with the 5947 currently and am really impressed with it. Just a couple quirks with using it that I'd be happy to guide you through.

[@thekitcave2654]

Thank you 🙏🏻 Yeah why not have all lighting modes, make it a ‘USS Multiprise’ 😅 Thank for the recommendations of the controller boards, didn’t know there were any for extensions, but that’s down to my current limit of learning Arduino for first time with this build. I’ll definitely be looking at those for future builds 👍

[@ThoonderG]

I'm currently going through a similar process as I'm researching & planning for my build as well. Be careful with using Picard as a reference because 1. The stardrive and nacelles is from the USS Syracuse, so that could be an in-universe explanation for the differences and 2. it's a CG model. In any case, thank you for making these videos and bringing us along for the ride!

[@thekitcave2654]

Thank you 🙏🏻 Good luck with your build, hope it goes well. Please share progress updates as you go along 👍 I know that there is a lot of differences with lighting due to different models being used throughout and although basing exterior look on the ‘Generations’ six footer, I figured why not make that most of the controller board. It will still be accurate to ‘Generations’ screen version - but with a little added extra to pay homage to the ‘Big D’ in all her glorious iterations ☺️

[@ptaylor5014]

Wow you really are going to town on this build, i can't wait to see how you progress with it, i have no idea about Arduino boards and how to program them!

[@thekitcave2654]

Thank you 🙏🏻 I figured ‘what the hell?’ The availability is there, use it. I had no knowledge of Arduino or programming prior to this build and have learned it (and still learning it) as I go along. Ostrich Longnecks playlist series was/is really helpful to learn from. Suffice to say future builds are going have Arduino incorporated also.

[@eclipse74569]

Be sure that the end of the Nacelles have two sets of lighting, one white for the cruise mode, and then green and red for escort!

[@thekitcave2654]

Thanks for the heads up 👍 Just re-watched all scenes again - have also noticed that in ‘escort’ mode the bridge light doesn’t flash and only two of the saucer white ‘pendant lights’ (the ones by/on the neck) flash, not all four with the same two only illuminated in ‘battle mode’. Good job I’ve got the Arduino Mega coming, going to need all those extra I/o pins at this rate! Lol 😂

[@eclipse74569]

@@thekitcave2654 yeah, this is definitely an educational bit lol! I’m just gonna stick with the Next Gen/Generations cruise configuration for mine.

[@thekitcave2654]

The classic ‘cruise’ configuration is good for TNG & Generations as a standalone configuration. I just like making more work myself and complexity 😂

[@nathanwilkins3039]

I have to rebuild my 1:1400 Enterprise D. My cat knocked it over and in the process when it hit the floor, the piece(this was the 2010 clear kit) I put in the engineering hull that held the stand in place broke off. It would of been to much work ripping the model back open, since the clear plastic is brittle. I wish season 3 of Picard did stuck with Generations and the series. They weren't red or green and the red and green navs didn't flash. Even when the ship was in battle in the tv series, the lights didn't change. Everyone has a different view. I just prefer the classic.

[@thekitcave2654]

Sorry to hear your Ent D for got destroyed by your cat, always a disheartening feeling when that happens. I do agree with the sentiment of different interpretations. Just watched more vids of Generations and tv series and have seen even more variants of flashy lights from scene to scene/episode to episode etc. I’m just trying to reach a happy medium to incorporate the best of all three (Tv, Gen & Picard) into this build. But the thought did occur to me that I may be over complicating the flashy lights aspect……..

[@nathanwilkins3039]

@@thekitcave2654 It's your model. at the end of the day. Honestly, the different rates are going to be a debate for years to come. Some people like it, some don't. I still want to rebuild mine as the Generations version plus also a series version. I still have to get the paint masks from Motion Picture Miniatures. I do appreciate your attention to accuracy and detail. I'm the same way and that's how I want my Enterprise's to look. Look forward to your future build videos.

[@thekitcave2654]

@@nathanwilkins3039 Thank you, I just need to be careful that I don’t go overboard and turn it into a glorified disco ball! 😂 I think rather than doing one iteration, I’m inadvertently incorporating elements of all versions into one. A ‘multiprise’ if you will. Good luck with your builds, please share progress with them. Always interesting to see how others approach their builds and share hints and tips.

[@nathanwilkins3039]

@@thekitcave2654 Thanks. I had a friend of mine say I should get a youtube channel and do a build. Perhaps a slideshow if I did. I'll think about it haha.