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“The network of skeletal supports will not be visible when your Enterprise-D is complete, but it is an essential part of your model’s structure, which begins to take shape here…“

Fun Fact: Stage 6 on the Paramount lot is where the filming sets of the Enterprise-D bridge and living quarters were built for the first season.

Contents

Parts

Materials: Everything in this stage is metal.

Build

Fitting the First Skeletal Support

Step A

Fit the Skeletal Support U4A to this location on the underside of the Upper Skeleton 4.

Skeletal Support U4A is the wider of the two supports supplied in this stage. Also, since I started using 3-in-One Oil on all screws going into metal, I have not been pre-threading them as much.

However, I do recommend using the oil AND pre-threading all the screw holes on these Skeletal Supports beforehand. Pre-threading just means driving the appropriate screws into the holes once or twice before we assemble anything. Since the iron screws are stronger than the zinc parts, this process cuts threads into the parts so we can assemble the skeleton with much less effort:

Step B

Secure the Skeletal Support U4A into place from the other side with (2) BM screws, as shown.

When working with the skeleton frames, be gentle. They are metal, but can bend easily and cause warping of your saucer section:

Fitting the Second Skeletal Support

Step C

In the same way, fit Skeletal Support U4B to this nearby location on the underside of the Upper Skeleton 4:

Secure Skeletal Support U4B into place from the other side with two (2) BM screws:

Thoughts

This was another quick issue. I am glad to see the interior frame of our Enterprise D is metal, and I feel this thing is going to be really heavy when we are done. I love it!

Next Up

Stage 7 – Skeletal Supports, Battle Section Rear Neck/Phaser Bank Left & Base