Building Polar Lights' Star Trek Enterprise NX-01

Polarize the hull plating! Here's my tiny 1/1000 scale NX-01 Enterprise by Polar Lights, complete with aztec decals by Acreation Models.
Visit my blog for photos of my builds and completed models: / modelchili
You can also follow and message me on Twitter: / modelchili

[@RP752000]

GORGEOUS MODEL!!! The only gripe is that the decals don't really pop out in this video. It probably is more visible in person, but I think the model's paint job is so well done that it creates a shine diminish the decals colors.

[@modelchili]

Thank you!

[@arohk1579]

Not sure why people don't like this ship, personally I think it's cool and fits perfect with the Team time line.

[@modelchili]

Yeah it's one of my favourite Enterprises for sure.

[@erics1453]

Excellent video, I would have liked to see you applying the all decals, that must have been very challenging.

[@OldManTheseDays]

That looks amazing. The custom decals make a huge difference- it's really amazing.

[@modelchili]

Thank you! Yeah it was a good investment.

[@victoriasmith8229]

Loved the video, very informative with some good tips. The Aztec panel decals look great, nice and subtle. They blend in well with the gunmetal hull paint, which looks pretty accurate. Neat little model!

[@modelchili]

Thanks Vaughan. :)

[@liamthecollector]

I never was a big fan of the nx-01 but i REALLY like your model. Really nice work !

[@modelchili]

Thank you!

[@newsoft75]

Excellent build! Makes me wanna bring out my 1/1000 NCC-1701 Refit and have a go at it. Those aztec decals performed flawlessly.

[@modelchili]

Thanks! Yeah I highly recommend these aztecs to anyone thinking of building this or other Trek ships. Acreation Models do aztecs for other kits also.

[@FunctorialFun]

So good! Love to see another Star Trek build at some point.

[@modelchili]

Thank you! Yes there'll definitely be more in the future. :)

[@johnbockelie3899]

This is my favorite version of this ship. It looks like a prelude to the constitution class.

[@NotAlrightSpider]

Damn! This is awesome. You’re really making me wanna get back into this hobby. I think I’m going to be doing this one next month.

[@modelchili]

Thank you! So happy to inspire others. 😁

[@MichaudDaniel]

You did a perfect job it's awesome.

[@modelchili]

Thanks :)

[@DougPalumbo]

My favorite ship and Star Trek show. Most ‘realistic’. Beautiful model!

[@modelchili]

Thank you!

[@johnblack9885]

That looks really good. I didn’t care for Enterprise but the NX-01 reminds me of the U.S.S. Loknar from the FASA Star Trek RPG from the early 80’s. It seems to have inspired it and the Akira class.

[@modelchili]

Thanks!

[@anselford3753]

I need to get a few of these NX models.

[@genemckeel1432]

A superb modeler indeed. 👌🏻💯

[@modelchili]

Thank you!

[@Drachenhannes]

Hi there. I wanted to thank you. Because of this video i am about to finish my first ever model kit. It seemed less dauntintg i learned to live with tiny errors and mostly i felt like i could follow the ideas. So instead of quitting frustrated or throwing it in the trash i am quite happy with the result this time around. I built the NX02 Columbia. The next project will be the NX01 Enterprise. I would like to ask for some advise for it if that's okay. I settled on Tamiya enamel colors and am really happy so far with the results. However as you said you had a mixture of copper and gun metal. That might be a problem. Because if i try to airbrush XF-6 Copper it just clots and almost ruins the airbrush. This specific color really is not made for airbrushing. For the Columbia that was no Problem. X-13 Metallic blue did the job perfectly. But sadly Tamiya has no Metallic red as of yet. Do you think a clear red would get the job done? Or maybe mixing a bit of clear red into a metallic brown? (For some reason tamiya created a metallic brown before they did red) Kind of at a loss on how to mix the color.

[@modelchili]

Thanks for your reply, it's always awesome and humbling to hear that my videos can inspire others to try out the hobby! As for your question, that's a tricky one as I haven't really had much experience with mixing those colours. The Vallejo metallics also tend to clog up my airbrush pretty easily so I usually just muddle through it. You could try a tiny bit of non-metallic rusty brown colour, that might be easier to mix with the gun metal.

[@dadtype2339]

Looks really, nice, sorry im late to the party I'm building this same kit, but im doing mine with lights, your panneling is very nice most ive seen that do Aztec it looks odd, i plan to skip on mine as i really dont think you'd see them at that scale. And i know what you are talkibg about a decal shattering it happens when they are cold and cheap lol idk but i have had older sets just shatter in warm water. Cheers!

[@JDsHouseofHobbies]

I have a 1/1000 scale AMT USS Excelsior that I'm going to get Aztec decals for. Should be nice.

[@modelchili]

Oh yeah I've seen those, they look great.

[@Alex_U]

great work! decals are excellent! so this stand is a part of the kit or bought separately?

[@modelchili]

Thanks! The stand comes with the kit. You can also buy them separately, they're called "Universal Dome Base".

[@thefalloutshelter7799]

nice build Gary

[@modelchili]

Cheers :)

[@drewwhite8549]

nice job....looks fantastic....

[@modelchili]

Thanks!

[@the-primered-thumb]

hi mate, crackin build, the paint and aztec decals look stunning, love this enterprise, just screams borg ish to me, happy modelling dude, respect, Tim the primered thumb 😆 👍

[@modelchili]

Thanks Tim! Yeah this is definitely one of my favourite Enterprises.

[@milkcookies7753]

Very good , well done

[@recombatant]

Very nice!

[@modelchili]

Thanks!

[@Sdreed0733]

What paint colors were used for the smaller details?

[@simi_ziggy]

Nice build! I'm fairly new to this, so forgive me if this is a dumb question. I really like the "lighting" of the windows - could you provide me with a link or the specs of the brush you used to accomplish this? It really adds a nice effect without actually lighting the kit. Thanks for the vid and any insight you might provide.

[@modelchili]

Thank you! I don't have that brush any more unfortunately, but I'm pretty sure it was a size 0 brush that I just bought from my local arts and crafts store. Anything thin and pointy enough should do the trick. The paint was Vallejo Model Air White, but any acrylic white paint will do the job. The brightness of the white is helped by the silver coat underneath, if I was painting over black or grey the windows probably wouldn't look as good. Hope that helps!

[@christopherwhitford831]

Chris Siemback t

[@RailfanJason]

Gtanted, I don't know anything about the internal workings of this refit Enterprise, but shouldn't they have removed the deflector dish from the front of the saucer since there is now a much larger one in the traditional spot in front of the secondary hull? Fill the space in with quarters or storage or whatever. That said, this is a beautiful model, great job.

[@modelchili]

I suppose it could always be used as a backup deflector. The Enterprise D and Voyager had secondary deflectors in their saucers too.

[@devensega]

I didn't even know Aztec decals were a thing. I'm going have to dive into some trek kits now :)

[@modelchili]

Yeah it's certainly a step up from the days when you had to do them by hand!

[@Drachenhannes]

Quick question. After putting down the aztec decals, did you apply a second layer of gloss coat? or did you apply the name, stripes and whatnot directly on top of the other aztec decals?

[@modelchili]

With multiple layers of decals I just put them straight over each other without any clear coats in between. I make sure to leave enough time for the decals to fully set after the Microsol layer so any further coats of water and decals don't mess them up. I wouldn't apply Microset over dried decals though, that stuff is strong and might break down the decals!

[@FireStriker_]

Do you remember what Blue and Red Paints you used for the clear parts

[@modelchili]

Tamiya Transparent Red and Blue, acrylic paints.

[@philcurran2313]

Would you mind telling me what the clear bue is that you sprayed the engine with. Thank you

[@modelchili]

Tamiya Acrylic Clear Blue. Also used Clear Red for the bussard collectors.

[@philcurran2313]

Thank you

[@retumbocze5239]

Wau.. So nice art.. I love this type of Enterprise. Please, where can I buy it? Many many Thanks for a Link.

[@modelchili]

Thanks! Try amazon. :)

[@retumbocze5239]

@@modelchili ok

[@teammadcow]

What glue are you using in that small bottle for the different parts?

[@modelchili]

The green one? That's Tamiya Extra Thin.

[@teammadcow]

thank you

[@dadtype2339]

I loved the show AND opening song, lol i must have been the only one. Oh well, lol

[@atim142]

Where do you get your models from ?

[@modelchili]

Local model shops and Amazon mostly.

[@gaets04]

You achieved a well build. I too had issues with ACREATION and I had sent a letter to the company stating that their decals fade away too fast while in water and also break apart. They even discolor when applying to a build. I totally don't recommend them. Otherwise your build came out awesome.

[@modelchili]

Thank you!

[@NostalgiaBrit]

I legit. thought this was going to be a model of the NX-01 Refit 😂

[@SeansModelBuilds]

It can be; it has parts for that. I will build mine as that.

[@robertjensen1438]

Just a comment for the algorithm

[@pandaphil]

Polar Lights has a reputation for providing bad decals like that. So I always make a point of clear coating mine whenever I build one of their kits.

[@albertchapman6972]

Polar Lights is the old Aurora Plastic Company. I never had a problem with any of their kits.

[@remconet]

Disappointed you didn't do the whole ship.

[@wolfchacer0139]

Acreation models decals react horribly with most clear coats and those decals are made with a dot matrix printer (Or so they appear). Horrible quality, polar lights still has their Aztec decals available through many sites including AMT who owns them now. Now to get AMT to release the 1/1000 Enterprise refit 1701 Aztec decals, they have the ability to remake them and those are getting harder to find.