Return to the BUILD

“Fit two more deck panels to the lower saucer section, and them wire them up to see the windows glow.“

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: All of the non-electrical parts in this stage are plastic.

Magazine – Issue 18

• Assembly Instructions: Building the Model
• Episode Guide 4.7: Reunion
• Episode Guide 4.8: Future Imperfect
• Episode Guide 4.9: Final Mission
• Episode Guide 4.10: The Loss
• Episode Guide 4.11: Data’s Day
• Episode Guide 4.12: The Wounded

Build

Assembling Deck Panel L2-07

Step A

Carefully remove seven (7) Clear Windows and ten (10) Dark Windows from their sprues and fit them into the back of Deck Panel L2-07, as shown.

Reminder: The longer ‘lip’ of each Window (arrows below) should face the wider end of the panel:

While not shown here, I still recommend using pieces of black electrical tape or aluminum tape to seal in the Dark Windows to prevent light leak:

Fit Reflector Panel L2-07-A onto the back of Deck Panel L2-07 covering the windows as shown, then secure the Panel into place with one (1) BP screw at this location.

I found that temporarily using a small piece of masking tape at the other end helps keep these windows from dislodging out of place:

Connecting the Lights

Step B

Retrieve your Saucer assembly from Stage 65 and place it upside down on a soft surface. Connect the plugs of the two Deck Panel Lights to these sockets marked ‘A’ on Saucer PCB 2:

Route the two LEDs of the first Deck Panel Lights cable out through this opening in the Lower Skeleton:

Route the LEDs of the second Deck Panel Lights cable out through this two openings of the Lower Skeleton.

The LED on the green/yellow wires will be needed in this stage and the LED on the red/black wires will be fitted in a later stage. Just for visibility purposes, I have removed the color from this picture to highlight the wires we are working with:

With your Deck Panel L2-07 assembly upside down, slide the two LEDs of the first Deck Panel Lights cable into the matching notches of the Reflector Panel L2-07-A as shown.

Be sure these LEDs are fully inserted and catch on the small pin inside each notch. You can lift the Reflector away from the Panel, if needed:

Finish securing the Reflector Panel L2-07-A to the Deck Panel with two (2) BP screws.

This should now hold the two LEDs in place:

Fitting the Deck Panels

Step C

Fit this Deck Panel L2-07 to the Lower Skeleton Frames, aligning it to the adjoining center panels as shown.

To make a bit more room for this LED wiring, I gently bent their leads down and underneath the panel:

Next, slide this Deck Panel under the edge of the nearby panel:

There is a locating pin on the side of this Deck Panel that should be pressed fully into this alignment hole (arrow below). If needed, you can loosely install one (1) FM screw to hold this panel into place:

Now, fit the single LED (green/yellow) of the first Deck Panel Lights into this matching notch of the Reflector Panel, as shown:

I have mentioned it before, but you can always use a small piece of thin clear tape across the top of this LED to help hold it in place:

Retrieve your Deck Panel L1-07 assembly from the previous stage. Fit this Panel to the Lower Skeleton, sliding the wider outer lip of this Panel under the first Deck Panel.

I first slid the lower lip of this Deck Panel L1-07 under the upper edge of the Deck Panel L2-07 we just installed (yellow arrow), then slightly angled Panel L1-07 so its two tabs could slide under the panel to the right (red arrows), as shown:

Align the mounting tabs of this Deck Panel L1-07 and Deck Panel L2-07 to the Lower Skeleton holes and secure them into place with three (3) FM screws.

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

If desired, slide the Saucer Switch to the ‘ON’ position to test these new lights.

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

Assembling Deck Panel L2-07

I processed this Deck Panel in the same way as I have been with my Model Remodel:

• The windows were replaced with Solarez Thin-Hard UV resin
• The ‘dark’ windows were painted black according to my Window Pattern Guide
• I removed the silver paint from the Reflector Panel in 70% Isopropyl Alcohol and lightly airbrushed it with white paint to diffuse light

When installing these panels, I again used adhesive putty and aluminum tape to seal any light leaks. Here is the result of our Model Remodel changes in this stage:

Thoughts

Another set of Deck Panels, but on the opposite side of the lower front saucer! We have done this before, so nothing new to report. Keep the unused Nacelle Bracket Starboard Side Inner Panel nearby as it will be attached in the next stage.

Next Up

Stage 68 – Deck Panel L3-09, Outer Frame L4-08, Escape Pod Covers, Reflector, Starboard Nacelle Bracket Outer Panel, Phaser Array