STAGE 56

 Return to the BUILD


“Complete the look of your upper saucer section with phaser array parts and aft formation lights, then install a vital switch for your battle section.

 

Contents


Parts

Materials: The Nacelle Lower is metal and everything else is plastic.

Build


Fitting the Dorsal Phaser Arrays

Step A

Retrieve your saucer assembly. Fit the posts of Dorsal Phaser Array III (marked ‘U01’) into the groove at this right rear location, as shown:

While holding this array in place, secure it from below with three (3) CP screws:

Step B

In the same way, fit the posts of Dorsal Phaser Array IV (marked ‘U02’) and Dorsal Phaser Array V (marked ‘U03’) into the same groove next to the previous array, as shown:

While holding these arrays in place, secure Dorsal Phaser Array IV from below with four (4) CP screws:

In the same way, secure Dorsal Phaser Array V into place from below with three (3) more CP screws:

Moving to the other side of the saucer, fit Dorsal Phaser Array VI (marked ‘U06’) into the groove next to forward center array, as shown:

While holding this array in place, secure it from below with three (3) more CP screws:

Next, fit Dorsal Phaser Array VII (marked ‘U07’) and Dorsal Phaser Array VIII (marked ‘U08’) into the groove next to the previous array, as shown:

While holding these arrays in place, secure Dorsal Phaser Array VII (marked ‘U07’) from below with four (4) more CP screws:

Finally, secure Dorsal Phaser Array VIII (marked ‘U08’) into place from below with three (3) more CP screws:

From above, our saucer section should now look like this:

Fitting the Formation Lights

Step C

Push the Red Formation Light into the matching holes at the rear left-side (port) location of Deck Panel U3-01.

These Formation Lights have a tiny recess between the two posts – this means they have one correct way to be installed:

This recess needs to be aligned over the lower window of Deck Panel U3-01, as shown:

Similarly, push the Green Formation Light into the matching holes at this rear right-side (starboard) location of Deck Panel U3-01, as shown.

In the same way, the recess between the pins of the Green Formation Light needs to be placed over the window:

Adding the Battle Section Switch

Now that we have received the Nacelle Lower, I wanted to add a small amount of color to the windows/airlock details on the pylon mount. Using my Fine Point Black Sharpie on the windows and a Dark Grey Artistro Acrylic Paint Pen on the airlock recess, I ended up with this:

I feel it turned out pretty good. If you try this and make a mistake, you can gently wipe off any excess paint with 70% Isopropyl Alcohol:

Step D

Retrieve your Battery Box/Power Switch assembly from the previous stage. Fit this assembly into the rear of the Nacelle Lower, aligning the screw holes. Secure the Battery Box/Power Switch assembly into place with two (2) GM screws.

Before we mount this Battery Box/Power Switch assembly, I wanted to make the post of the switch less noticeable once installed. Therefore, I first sanded down the end of the switch post a bit so it would not stick out of the nacelle as much:

Then, I brushed a few light coats of Citadel Air Administratum Grey acrylic paint on end of the post, making sure not to get any paint inside the switch:

Once the paint was nice and dry, I fitted the Battery Box into the nacelle as per the instructions and secured it into place. This is also your friendly reminder to try using 3-in-One Oil on all screws going into metal:

Fit the switch of the Battery Box/Power Switch assembly into the nearby slot of the Nacelle Lower, with the bare pin of the switch towards the rear of the nacelle as shown:

Secure the switch to the Nacelle Lower using two (2) DM screws:

This switch is operated by sliding it back and forth. Sliding it towards the front of the nacelle is ON, while towards the rear is OFF.

Here you can see the results of my shortened and painted Power Switch:

Thoughts


This was one of the easier stages to complete, but adding the rest of the Phaser Arrays to the saucer really makes it come to life!

Next Up


Stage 57 – Lower Skeleton 4, Saucer PCB 3/Cable, Lock Bracket/Pin/Spring, Saucer Power Switch

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.