Build review of AMT/ERTLS USS Enterprise D 1/1400 scale: Lights and Sound!

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]

Massively impressive work on prototyping that circuit and programming all those features! That is no small feat. You're going to have a model fit for filming by the time it's done. We'll done, and thanks for sharing!

[@thekitcave2654]

Thank you, appreciate the kind words. It’s been an educational process doing the coding. I’m glad to have got it finalised which will make it easier for this build going towards and future ones 😁

[@smacks999]

It's been at least a month and I still haven't gotten my Enterprise Refit (1/537) coding the way I want. I'm learning as well, but you have got it together with sure tenacity and stubbornness. Kudos. I'll need to run through the other build videos to see how you mounted the news.

[@thekitcave2654]

Keep at it, it is frustrating at times coding and figuring out what’s not working and why, but chip away, read articles on Arduino forums and what not, and you’ll get there. Have you watched the Arduino playlist series over on OstrichLongneck channel? He has links to download code for the Refit that he freely shares. Might be worth a look. Links to his KZbin channel are always in my video descriptions for people to access.

[@michaelhobbyshop]

It's coming along nicely

[@thekitcave2654]

Thank you 🙏🏻

[@ptaylor5014]

Nice to see you back, wonder'd where you had gone, I haven't done much on my build over the last month as i have been ill with a bad chest infection, 1st time in my life too and always been healthy, i have made a start back on the model a few days ago but now a month behind schedule, i look forward to your next video and progress 👍👍

[@thekitcave2654]

Thank you 🙏🏻 It’s surprising how long it takes to code, test, de-bug programs. Sorry to hear you’ve been unwell, chest infections are not fun, had two myself over last two years. Good to hear you’re on the mend though and back on your build. Hope it’s going well 👍

[@tintobrass532]

Nice video mate, I get this kit off eBay a couple of days ago, Shrink-wrapped and only £80. These kits command stupid money nowadays due to scarcity; you can end up paying £150-£200 sometimes. All the best

[@thekitcave2654]

Thank you 🙏🏻 Yeah, I’ve seen them rocket up price recently. Some of the clear editions are ridiculous money also, just glad I bought mine for £40, but that was about ten years ago 😂

[@davidjames1389]

That lighting kit would be awesome if you could produce it! Or at the very least provide a very specific step by step on how to do the phaser and other effects, so people don't have to go through the same trial and error you did.

[@JamesLeMosy]

Agreed! I'd definitely be interested in buying the lighting kit, knowing all the obsessive work you've put into making it accurate as possible!

[@thekitcave2654]

I will be looking into either producing the controller board/after market kit if I can keep the costs relatively low for everyone (myself included) or I have already thought about going the route of in depth, precise step by step tutorial. The electronic components are straight forward enough, it was the coding that needed figuring out.

[@thekitcave2654]

I’m looking into how to produce the controller boards as one custom printed board and working out cost factors. As mentioned I’d ideally like it to as low cost to everyone as possible.

[@davidjames1389]

​@@thekitcave2654 Is this something that could be adapted to the larger Helios kit as well? Or would the longer light strip require new programming?

[@thekitcave2654]

No new programming needed, the only ‘setting’ that would need changing in the Arduino sketch, would be to assign the number of LEDs in the strip as they’ll be more of them, assuming you’re referring to phaser firing program element, and that is a simple thing to do. I’ve got my number for top and and bottom phaser’s set to 84 & 60 respectively. Thus could be 100, 120, 150 etc.

[@jamesgarrison7397]

If you could make a voice and sound effect kit for the 1/350 TOS Enterprise, I’d be very interested in that!

[@thekitcave2654]

I’m still looking into options for light and sound effect kits but also toying with the idea of a step-by-step ‘how to series’ for people to produce their own kits, as that way people can keep their options open and tailor to want they want, how they want it and not be limited by a produced kit.

[@ptaylor5014]

Hey hope you are ok, haven't seen any new videos for a while now, how are you getting on with the model?

[@thekitcave2654]

Bless you, thank you for the message. Unfortunately progress stopped since my last post. Had started working on the lower saucer section rim windows, then stopped. My wife’s disease has taken priority last couple of months due to deterioration, however I am planning on getting a good few hours on it this weekend to continue progress with it.

[@ptaylor5014]

@@thekitcave2654 Sorry to hear this and i pray for her 🙏, hope things ease for you so you can get into the model building again, god bless ❤, i have just finally finished my build and posted on KZbin, kzbin.info/www/bejne/gqHSdHqFqb6aaKc