Building the Miranda-class USS Sagan NCC-11934

A tribute to Carl Sagan, using the Polar Lights 1/1000 scale Star Trek USS Reliant model kit.
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00:00 Intro
00:52 Unboxing
04:37 To wash or not to wash
07:39 Construction
17:21 Painting
22:30 Decals
26:49 Using Micro Sol
35:17 USS Sagan registry
40:47 Detail painting
43:39 Complete
#StarTrek #CarlSagan #ScaleModel

[@modelchili]

USS Reliant 1/1000 model kit: amzn.to/3wO69EU Polar Lights - Star Trek Aztec Decal Set: amzn.to/3Gsa0fq Micro Sol Setting Solution: amzn.to/3LPmTBb

[@nuky8810]

what kind of camera do you use?

[@wraith20072007]

Nice to have Carl Sagans' Birth date as part of the Registry.

[@modelchili]

I felt it was a fitting tribute.

[@oculusangelicus8978]

I always wash my model kits to make sure they are grease free, so that I don't have an area or spots where the paint doesn't want to stick. It happened to me once, and after that I always washed my models. Sometimes I use a kitchen scrubbing solution with a very fine grit inside to remove the gloss off of the plastic when I'm looking to do an extremely detailed paint job for model contests, like for a car that you want to put a paint job on that is award winning, it's much easier than sanding and does just as good a job plus it cleans and degreases all at the same time a hand scrubbing brush is also a must when doing this.

[@TheGar1968]

Had the privilege of attended the Sagan lectures at Glasgow University nearly 40 years ago. He was an amazing man. Still remember it well.

[@modelchili]

I've been to see Neil deGrasse Tyson, but sadly Carl Sagan never came to NZ while our lives overlapped.

[@victoriasmith8229]

I love how this one came together. It's a beautiful tribute to Carl Sagan, very nice. 👍🙂

[@modelchili]

Thanks Vaughan!

[@JDsHouseofHobbies]

Carl Sagan was a hero of mine when I was younger. I still have my copy of Cosmos.

[@lepterfirefall]

You make applying the decals look so easy...

[@krim7]

You are very good at this! The model came out great!

[@modelchili]

Thank you!

[@99goat99]

1934, the year of Carl Sagan's birth, contained in the registry number of the ship. I love it. He was a hero of mine, I met him once and had an amazing conversation with him.

[@michaelfarrell8811]

I love the Miranda class starship almost tempted to buy another reliant, great vid as usual

[@modelchili]

Thanks!

[@drumjedi5301]

Your patience and attention to detail are ridiculous. Great stuff, man.

[@modelchili]

Cheers mate!

[@genemckeel1432]

Enjoy your videos very much. A fine modeler indeed.💯

[@modelchili]

Thank you!

[@chopper2429]

month/day/year. Thank you for doing it properly!

[@modelchili]

Well Sagan was American, thought it'd make sense to use his format. Also the Starfleet number sequence makes more sense starting with 1, rather than 9!

[@christinabishop2533]

while you were talking about the number of letters, i actually thought the name mississippi just a few seconds before you mentioned it and i hadn't even seen the episode yet. just thought you would get a good chuckle at that.

[@modelchili]

Heh, it was actually worse than I thought, because when I said that I didn't realise you automatically lose two S's for the USS part!

[@johnhoffmann2311]

Very nice work.I do enjoy watching other modelers build a kit, always can learn a trick or two,no matter how long you have been doing it yourself.I've been doing them over 50 years but can always learn something new.Thank you for sharing!!!

[@portland-182]

Great job. Looks bigger than it actually is.

[@modelchili]

Cheers! Yeah one of the things about Trek models is they don't usually require a pin wash or weathering, and I find that without those, a model can look bigger than it is.

[@chevilla7010]

Another great build from you Sam. I'm well chilled out now.

[@modelchili]

Glad you like it!

[@lknanml]

Carl Sagan Jacque Cousteau David Attenborough. Three people who had a significant effect on my life. Nice build!

[@modelchili]

Thank you!

[@lordshmee]

Beautiful tribute! I love Carl and you did an excellent job with the model. Wish I had the patients. Cheers!

[@benre]

what a beauty!

[@modelchili]

Thank you!

[@scalestuff1066]

Great work on this kit one of my mates has asked me to build this kit for them so this video has been helpful thank you

[@modelchili]

Glad I could help!

[@davepomerleau7250]

Looks great!

[@modelchili]

Thanks!

[@CenturioGaius]

Yes, a new one! I love your video's. So nice to watch, so relaxing

[@modelchili]

Glad you like them!

[@phate8883]

Great video! Plus thank you for showing and explaining about the Clear and Flat coat sprays you use in your builds, and also about how the Micro Sol works with decals. Im new to model building and have watched a few vids here on YT, but they often mention these things but dont show or go into detail about them been applied.

[@modelchili]

Thank you! I'm glad it's helpful, I just wish I could show more of me spraying cans, but I have to do it outside so the recording is a bit difficult.

[@williamd1732]

Great job on this one. I also agree how it looks so much better without the cross bar. Well done! 👍

[@mccmi613]

Great Moves! Keep it up!

[@paulmazierski5945]

Very nice indeed!

[@modelchili]

Thank you!

[@kyleashley]

Im glad you don't have lots of music playing over your work, music is fine, but model building is an audio experience too. Its nice to hear the tools of Starship construction ! Carl Sagan is a hero, im still watching Cosmos originals ! ..a good Viking lander home made doco i saw recently on tube has lots of his early footage.

[@modelchili]

Thank you, I appreciate the feedback!

[@snookhammer]

Yay! New Chili Vid!!!

[@modelchili]

Here I am!

[@petermerz2704]

Nicely done! Thanks for sharing. Happy days and model on! 😎🇨🇦

[@modelchili]

Thanks, you too!

[@brianmorrison4330]

Amazing work ..

[@modelchili]

Thanks!

[@manuelmelchizedek4309]

Looks awesome

[@modelchili]

Thanks!

[@hailstormrising1634]

YES! Not too long ago I re-watched the other ship builds even got myself a nx class polaris lights model. Do not have anything I need to actually do anything decent with it currently but I have it. Awesome work bud!

[@modelchili]

Thank you!

[@brienwhite4936]

Good video. Thank you.

[@99goat99]

Beautiful. I am reminded of the SIMPSONS moment where Homer is trying to build a brick backyard barbeque, and after reviewing the instructions with images of the completed brick barbeque, says "WHY DOESN'T MINE LOOK LIKE THAT?!?" That would be me if I tried what you just did. So I tip my hat to you sir.

[@davidbadurneto5565]

Love ir vídeos. Please don't stop making them

[@modelchili]

No plans to stop any time soon!

[@bdouglas3751]

Thanks Chili. This was a great video. I really like your approach - its so relaxing and intimate.

[@modelchili]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@Phaser1x]

Wonderful video. Thank you.

[@modelchili]

Thanks for watching!

[@tehpw7574]

46:00 So the Miranda-class *does* have phaser emitters placed aft... beautiful job.

[@johnblack9885]

I used Model Air Insignia White for my basecoat. Also when gluing bare ABS plastic I like to use Plastruct Plasticweld for a strong permanent bond. I’ll use Tamiya thin cement for small parts.

[@HobbyModeller]

Beautiful build. It's really great 😄👍. And thanks for the tip about the glossy clear coat on the decals.

[@modelchili]

Cheers, hope it helps!

[@tintobrass532]

Brilliant build, I love your videos mate. Haven’t made model kits for donkeys years, but you’ve inspired me to start-up again. All the best from Brighton, UK

[@modelchili]

Great to hear! Cheers 😀

[@MicrobyteAlan]

Nicely done 👍

[@modelchili]

Thanks!

[@GaddisGaming]

Thank you for the SAGAN

[@modelchili]

Praise the SAGAN

[@scottlomas5509]

Your decal work is fantastic ☺️

[@modelchili]

Thanks!

[@seanmccarthy7591]

Yay! Very nice! I'm sure he would approve as you warp away from that pale blue dot.

[@modelchili]

Thank you!

[@YdnarLah37]

That was a great build. You made me want to go out and get one now.

[@modelchili]

Tell them I sent you! 😂

[@C.Brown5150]

Very nice work.. 👍 Respectful dedication to a fantastic individual.. May he R.I.P. 🙏

[@modelchili]

Well said 🖖

[@danbryanfitness]

Just built this as the reliant. Totally agree the polar lights snap fits are not the best. I had a fair bit of trouble with the enterprise too. The nacelles would get jammed before fully closing the space between them. Nice job though

[@averagemodeler]

Excellent job. So he is beautiful!

[@modelchili]

Thanks!

[@Ecto_Eric]

Wonderful job 👏👏

[@modelchili]

Thank you! 😊

[@stevenewman1393]

🖖😎👍Very cool and very nicely well done and executed in every detail way shape and form indeed, A great looking model very spectaculary well done and very nicely looking for sure a job very greatly well done indeed!,👌.

[@spaceace1006]

The Miranda Class design is really cool! But it looks a bit incomplete without the "roll bar"

[@Rick_Cleland]

Very nice. 👌🏻

[@modelchili]

Thanks a lot 😊

[@PinkThorn242]

I think it's a shame Polar Lights don't seem to have done letter / number sheets like this for any of their other Star Trek kits.

[@modelchili]

Yeah it would be nice to have some generic registries for certain scales.

[@MegaDave1962]

Looking nice, though I cringed when you pulled the tape! Glad paint stayed 👍

[@zakgour9786]

nice very very nice this is very relaxing

[@modelchili]

Thanks ☺

[@ZombieBowling]

Your Miranda variant looks awesome, and is well named. May she n'ere cease exploring the COSMOS.

[@modelchili]

Thank you!

[@dlthomson5287]

Another good job. It looked like this kit went together far better than some other Polar Lights kits and the Aztec decals looked not as overwhelming. If you would like to add to your 1/350 scale Star Trek kits I suggest trying the USS Grissom from Polar lights? It's a pretty decent kit and the fit is the same. Look forward to your next video.

[@modelchili]

Thank you! Yes, I have the Grissom in my stash. I'm not sure if I should start it now or wait for the aztec set that's supposed to be coming out for it.

[@dlthomson5287]

@@modelchili Maybe wait for the aztec set. I'd be interested seeing what you think of the build.

[@mackjsm7105]

Wow.. that looks like a VERY old mold..

[@rfarrr2817]

Instant subscribe

[@modelchili]

Welcome!

[@tingley428]

Miranda class has always bugged me since it doesn't have a deflector.. but then most alien ships didn't either Beautiful job, love the name too!

[@tehpw7574]

I think those two protrusions on either side of the raised section of primary hull are supposed to be the combined effect for a navigation deflector...

[@RowdyBrian17]

Beautiful build. I've been wondering though, what happened to that Shelby Cobra model kit you were being sent? Really enjoyed that build series

[@modelchili]

Cheers! Well I'm not sure what's happening. They sent out a shipment for me late last year but it got stuck in British customs for a while and they said they were going to look into it, but I never heard back. 😕

[@johnblack9885]

Do you apply a clearcoat between decal layers? For example did you spray a clearcoat after applying the aztec decals and after the phaser banks before applying your registry? Do you apply a clearcoat to your decal sheets first to prevent them from breaking up when they come off the backing sheet? I use to spray my decal sheets first with Testors decal bonder before they discontinued it.

[@modelchili]

No I applied the registry straight onto the aztecs. I've never sprayed decal sheets before, I usually find most modern kits have pretty strong decals out of the box.

[@kyleSD70MAC]

Am not really into Star Trek, but this turned out awesome, and may definitely have to get this with next paycheck! USS Tyson, like astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson. NCC-10558.

[@modelchili]

That's really cool, I never expected this to appeal to non-trekkies! Yeah that sounds like a great idea. 😁

[@leegibson5469]

I never understood why they do not build the ships with multiple warp cores. I mean they look like they are pretty good size but the Next Gen one looks like its about 6 foot across. I would stack 5 or 6 in my ship. Take out some living quarters to make room. Didnt Kirk always ask Scotty for more power? Not enough power has been half the episodes I have ever seen.

[@modelchili]

Voyager had two warp cores according to the schematics, but a few episodes acted like they only had one, so who knows.

[@markallinson4935]

Love your content. Interesting use of different glues... does that mean that if you don't put extra thin along the seam joins that they could open up over time; temperature warping etc?

[@modelchili]

Thanks! I use the extra thin mostly to avoid glue mistakes, like when you accidentally get it all over your fingers! The normal cement is fine for bonding parts, but it's hard to put just the right amount on for smaller parts.

[@Ronpur]

Now I need to get another kit to build one like this. One question, why do you just glue the locating pins and not the seams? I always sand the seams and gluing them makes them keeps them cleaner in my experience.

[@colonelklink53]

This is a bummer. This is the next kit I was going to build and I can't find the Aztec decals anywhere. They're all sold out . Hopefully they aren't discontinued.

[@Salty_Balls]

Yay, finally! I nagged at you several times over the last couple years. 😂. Great timing. I have 2 of these myself I'm working on. The first one I'm painting straight USAAF 71.296 over some black like you did. I did an Enterprise awhile back in that scheme and this one is to match. The other one I got an Aztec mask set for. I'm just having trouble getting my two tones of hull color picked out. I'd like it to be an off white, like the white grey, and for it to basically resemble the Eaglemoss XL colors. Any thoughts Sam?

[@modelchili]

White and White Grey it's the best choice I think. I use the White Grey a lot for both Trek and Star Wars ships, it's a really nice colour.

[@johnblack9885]

Did you do coats of TS-13 in between decal layers? For example after laying down the aztecs did you spray a coat of TS-13 then phasers and RCS then another layer of TS-13 then registry decals? Just wondering if it is safe to overlay and microsol decals directly on top of already set decals or safer to seal each layer first.

[@modelchili]

No I just applied the registry and other decals straight over the aztecs. I find that the microsol for the top layer of decals also helps a bit extra to settle the aztecs underneath, so it all works out.

[@DrewsModels]

Great build! I really enjoyed watching your video. I am a Star Trek fan but have yet to build an ST model. These Polar Lights and Moebius kits look nice. Quick question: when using Vallejo primer, how long do you let it cure before painting/taping over it? Take care! Drew

[@modelchili]

Cheers! With Vallejo primer I usually just wait until it's no longer tacky to the touch. How long that takes depends a lot on the temperature and environment etc.

[@joesSONICBOOM]

Great build mate and it is great to see you again. Just wondering have you built a model tank, if not could you do a build of either the early or late Tiger 1 models by Airfix? Reason is that some of the other review model builders that I have seen have not been exactly helpful to say if these kits are good or not.

[@modelchili]

Cheers! Yes I've built a few tanks, I did a Tiger II not long ago, but don't have any Airfix tanks unfortunately.

[@atim142]

love the vids hate that its so hard to find the decals in nz

[@modelchili]

Thanks! I usually get all these kits and accessories from Amazon. The shipping isn't too bad and doesn't take long to get here.

[@kwaktak]

I like how you modified it by omitting the roll bar. I like how the Miranda class is presented as being "modular" like that, and would really like to see it presented with the roll bar on the bottom and nacelles on the top as it was supposed to have been originally before Gene Roddenberry mistakenly approved concepts that were presented to him upside down. Also, to you knowledge has anyone every done similar modifications to a Constitution kit? I know there are renders out there of a TOS era Yorktown with the nacelle pylons being below the plane of the saucer like the Galaxy, but I'm curious to see some real "kitbashing" using parts from Miranda or Excelsior builds to retrofit a Constitution to being less "vanilla." I've always wondered what one would look like with nacelles and pylons of the Excelsior or the elongated saucer of the Miranda instead of just the traditional round?

[@jasonaich8071]

Lovely tribute to Sagan! When you cracked open the light blue paint for detailing, I was waiting for you to paint the bridge dome with it (i.e. add a Pale Blue Dot!) 😉 Do you use acrylics or enamels, particularly for your detail painting? Great video and nice build!

[@modelchili]

Thanks! Ahh a pale blue dot would have been a great idea! I wish I had thought of that. I've always used acrylics for painting, I just find them easier to work with and clean up.

[@Dragon_Werks]

Excellent work! Tell me, would you be willing to part with that unused Reliant roll bar? I'm planning on doing a serious custom project with a Miranda-class ship.

[@jo1iet]

KHAAAAAAAN

[@markbelsom3174]

Excellent build. My last 1/1000 Miranda class is the USS Lantree, something different. I also intend on making the original Reliant design with with warp nacelles on the top ant torpedoes on the bottom. Also the Aztec looks looks a bit different to the old set?

[@modelchili]

Sounds great! Not sure what the old set looked like so can't tell. 🤔

[@shakestheclone1995]

We are made of Star Stuff.

[@jakemonster001]

Would it be easier to just paint the phaser banks?

[@GrandMoffJames]

What compressor do you use? It’s so quiet

[@JustJay1281]

Had the relient model when I was a teen... one of my friends sat on it and broke off one the pylons.

[@stevethefishdotnet]

My Enterprise C kit was so absolutely filthy with mold release agent I could see it. I'll have to wash it for sure. Do you think you'd ever have the courage to light up one of these 1:1000 scale Star Trek kits? I'm not sure if I could do it. Maybe if I did, it would only be the warp nacelles etc and bypass the strobes and such.

[@fangfyre3800]

Great build but isn't a Miranda Class without the rollbar considered a Saratoga Class?

[@modelchili]

Thanks! I haven't heard this before. I think the Saratoga was classed as a Miranda. The only subtype I know of is the Bozeman, which was Soyuz class.

[@Sdreed0733]

Another awesome video! Please keep making Srar TREK model videos. I have learned so much from watching your videos. Any chance on you doing the Round 2 1/1000 Discovery Enterprise?

[@modelchili]

Thank you! Yep, I actually ordered the 1/1000 Discovery Enterprise as soon as I saw Strange New Worlds, so keep an eye out for that! 😁

[@DilophoMS]

Needs some LEDs.

[@averagemodeler]

Oops she is beautiful

[@michaelnolan6054]

The registry number is a little high, but nice job otherwise.

[@the300poundleprechaun9]

O the horror- the registry number is a little high.

[@grayscale42]

It's Carl Sagan's birth date. November 9th 1934.

[@modelchili]

Do you mean the number, or the placement?

[@robertjensen1438]

Just a comment for the algorithm

[@victoriasmith8229]

Algorithm.. 😁

[@modelchili]

S C I E N C E

[@antagonist99]

So really dumb question - you took pains to cut out the Reliant's registry number from the nacelle decals, but you didn't think to do the same with the large registry number for "NCC -" and "U.S.S."? You could've saved yourself a lot of fiddling there, and gotten a baseline for spacing right on the hull without having to cross-check from images.

[@modelchili]

A couple of reasons: 1) The name and number being different affects the overall length, and that would make the curve slightly different. I just decided to start from scratch instead of being stuck with the Reliant's spacing. And 2) The kit decals had a very slight tone difference in the blacks, which I didn't point out in the video. The nacelle decals were small enough to get away with it, but the larger ones might have shown up the difference.

[@antagonist99]

@@modelchili ah, I see.

[@Drachenhannes]

Uh not sure about the name? With a Miranda class i'd obviously go with USS Redshirt.

[@iangreen4572]

Shouldn't it be the USS Carl Sagan? I thought if a ship is named after a person they use the full name. There is an Intrepid class USS Sagan ( Voyager ) and also a Sagan class, the USS Stargazer.

[@modelchili]

That's quite a modern American thing to do, for example the USS Nimitz only used his surname but since then they've gone for full names. The Trek way is to usually use just one name, USS Grissom for example.

[@randymiller1330]

Miranda class does look much better with the rollbar / torpedo pod and mega phasers than without the rollbar...it just looks naked....lol

[@stevemartin4088]

An interesting build, made uninteresting by a rambling mumbled narration

[@muursnorthwestamexem8581]

Amt or polar lights kits which one is better on plastic quality

[@modelchili]

They're the same company now, so the plastic feels the same. Some of the older AMT kits show their age in the castings, so there is that to consider.

[@muursnorthwestamexem8581]

@@modelchili could the inner liners be set with resin or plaster to keep them more sturdy

[@muursnorthwestamexem8581]

@@modelchili like I never had a kit so I wanted to know if it felt cheap you know what I mean