Return to the BUILD

“Build up your lower saucer structure with another large skeleton piece and two more deck panel lights.“

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 Lower Skeleton 7 is metal and the other non-electrical parts are plastic in this stage.

Magazine – Issue 22

• Assembly Instructions: Building the Model
• Episode Guide 5.6: The Game
• Episode Guide 5.7: Unification I
• Episode Guide 5.8: Unification II
• Episode Guide 5.9: A Matter of Time

Build

Working with the Deck Panel Lights

Step A

Carefully bend the leads of the LED on each Deck Panel Light to be at 90° angles, as shown:

Retrieve your Saucer assembly and place it upside down on a soft surface. Fit the LED of one Deck Panel Light into this notch of Lower Skeleton 4, as shown:

Cover this LED with a LED Bracket, and secure it into place with one (1) AM screw.

We have done this process before. This also is your friendly reminder to try using 3-in-One Oil on all screws going into metal:

Connect the plug of this Deck Panel Light to a socket marked ‘B’ on Saucer PCB 2, as shown:

Installing Lower Skeleton 7

Step B

Fit the LED of the second Deck Panel Light to this matching location on the Lower Skeleton 7 (with the wires running down through the nearby opening), cover it with the other LED Bracket and secure it into place with one (1) AM screw, as shown:

Fit the Lower Skeleton 7 assembly into place at the rear starboard (right) side, aligning all of the mounting points.

The small screw eyelet at the outer edge of this Skeleton needs to slide under the matching eyelet of the neighboring Lower Skeleton (arrow below). At the same time, make sure the port Formation Light LED/wiring is safely located in the channel below these eyelets:

Be sure not to pinch or trap the wiring of any Deck Panel Lights between the Lower Skeleton and Upper Skeleton while fitting this Skeleton piece. These wires should run through the gap between the screw holes, as shown:

Begin securing this Lower Skeleton into place with one (1) AM screw at the outer corner.

I recommend only starting these screws for now. Once all of the screws for this Lower Skeleton are started, we will come back and tighten them. Be sure installing this screw does not impede the wiring of the Formation Light – it should still be able to move in the channel:

IMPORTANT: In Stage 94, a pair of JM screws are provided that should be used to replace these AM screws over the saucer side Formation Lights. The new JM screws have a countersunk head and will allow the Deck Panels above to fit better. I waited until that stage arrived and replaced the screw here:

Continue securing this Lower Skeleton into place along the outer row of screw holes with four (4) FM screws:

Finish securing this Lower Skeleton into place along the inner two rows of screw holes with eight (8) BM screws.

With all of the screws now started, go back and fully tighten each one. I tend to go around the edges first, then to the middle:

Lighting Up Lower Skeleton 7

Step C

Route the plug of the Deck Panel Light cable through the frame and connect it to a socket marked ‘B’ on Saucer PCB 2, as shown:

If desired, temporarily turn ON the saucer’s battery switch to test the new LEDs:

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

Installing Lower Skeleton 7

Without all the stock lighting to worry about, this Lower Skeleton fit like a champ. I only needed to be aware of protecting the Formation Light LED and replacing the AM screw with a JM one from the later stage:

Here is the result of our Model Remodel changes in this stage:

Thoughts

We have finally enclosed the wiring of a side Navigation/Formation LED. It is important that this wire is not trapped or damaged as it passes through the skeleton!

Next Up

Stage 84 – Deck Panel L2-03, Windows/Reflectors/Lights, Battle Section Middle Lights/Reflector Left