Return to the BUILD

“Install four more lights in the saucer section before starting to construct the main body of the battle section.“

NOTE: I will be presenting TWO different paths to build this Enterprise D partwork model. This is because after Stage 58, I completely tore my own model down and started on my Model Remodel journey. However, I have access to a second Enterprise D partwork that is being built in stock form, so I can show both methods here.

• The normal BUILD section below will show the ‘stock’ way of installing the parts with any tips and tricks I find along the way.
• The new MODEL REMODEL section will describe the changes I made during this stage including any painting, lighting, electronics, wiring, etc.

Contents

Parts

Materials: The Battle Section Upper Bracket and Bracket Support Rods are metal and the other non-electronic parts are plastic.

Build

Preparing the Ventral Lights

Step A

Retrieve your saucer assembly and turn it upside down on a soft surface. Connect the plug of the Power Connector cable (without any LEDs) to the socket marked ‘IN1’ on Saucer PCB 1:

Route the other end of the Power Connector cable around/under Saucer PCB 2 and up through the center of the saucer, as shown:

Gently bend the leads of each Ventral LED perpendicular away from the LED itself, as shown:

Fitting the Starboard Ventral Lights

Step B

Connect the plug of a Ventral LED cable to this socket marked ‘B’ on Saucer PCB 2.

As I have mentioned before, all sockets marked ‘B’  on the Saucer PCBs are the same so this cable can be plugged into any of them as needed. However, this is the socket shown in the instructions:

Route the LED of this cable through the Lower Skeleton frames and fit it into this notch near the center of Lower Skeleton 4, as shown:

Fit a Left LED Bracket over this LED as shown, and secure it into place with one (1) AM screw.

This is your friendly reminder to try using 3-in-One Oil on all screws going into metal:

In the same way, connect the plug of another Ventral LED cable to this socket marked ‘B’ on Saucer PCB 2:

Route the LED of this cable through the Lower Skeleton frames and fit it into this notch near the rear of Lower Skeleton 4, as shown:

Fit the other Left LED Bracket over this LED as shown, and secure it into place with one (1) more AM screw:

Fitting the Port Ventral Lights

Step C

Connect the plug of a third Ventral LED cable to this socket marked ‘B’ on Saucer PCB 2:

Route the LED of this cable through the Lower Skeleton frames and fit it into this notch near the rear of Lower Skeleton 5, as shown:

Fit a Right LED Bracket over this LED as shown, and secure it into place with one (1) AM screw:

Finally, connect the plug of the fourth and final Ventral LED cable to this socket marked ‘B’ on Saucer PCB 2:

Route the LED of this cable through the Lower Skeleton frames, fit it into this notch near the center of Lower Skeleton 5, fit a Right LED Bracket over this LED as shown, and secure it into place with one (1) AM screw:

Slide the Saucer Power Switch to the ‘ON’ position to test these new lights:

Starting on the Battle Section Upper Bracket

Step D

Fit the two keyed Bracket Support Rods into these matching holes of the Battle Section Upper Bracket:

Secure these Bracket Support Rods into place from the other side with two (2) BM screws, one for each rod:

Retrieve your Battle Section PCB from the previous stage and fit it to this location inside the Battle Section Upper Bracket, aligning the socket positions and screw holes as shown:

Secure the Battle Section PCB into place with four (4) FM screws.

Do not over-tighten these screws as this can damage the PCB. We have to remove this PCB at a later stage to attach a panel, so just snug is fine for now:

That step ends this stage of the stock build. Below you will find the details on what I changed in this stage as part of my Model Remodel.

Model Remodel

Preparing/Fitting the Ventral Lights

As I replaced all of my stock lighting with a central system, I did not use the lighting parts in this stage at all.

Thoughts

While we have begun the process to light our lower Deck Panels, I am more excited to see the first part of our lower Engineering/Stardrive Hull!

Next Up

Stage 63 – Deck Panel L1-05, Escape Pod Cover/Bracket, Windows/Reflectors, Bracket Support Rod