| |
|
|
 |
|
This
is the classic Cylon Raider craft from the original Battlestar
Galactica series from the '70s. Specifically, this is the 30th
anniversary reissue with upgraded decals and some additional
parts, including some clear parts, to accurize the model and
more easily facilitate lighting the kit. The kit, including
custom lighting was completed in about 4 months.
This shot shows some of the custom lighting. There are 2 red
navigational lights at the front of the ship below the louvered
cockpit canopy.
|
| |
|
|
 |
|
The
bulk of the parts are still original issue and the model was
built overall straight out of the box. I decided I would light
this kit as it was fairly roomy inside for the electronics. I
had dabbled in lighting models twice previously, but as of this write-up,
neither of those models are complete, so this is the first
completed lit model I've built.
|
| |
|
|
 |
|
After
the lighting was installed and the ship fully built, the Raider
was primered using a standard Gray Primer spray paint. I had a
couple of colors in mind for the base coat, but once the primer
dried, the look was very nice and I decided to keep it. A
secondary gray color of Testers Battle Matte Gray was airbrushed
for the detail panels. The cockpit's louvered canopy was airbrushed
with Model Master's Euro-1 Gray.
Decals were provided for the kit including the pentagonal green
emblem on the wing tips, which were used, but I opted to mask
and airbrush the black stripe details on the top and bottom
wings rather than use the supplied decals.
|
| |
|
|
 |
|
The
model uses two super-bright clear LEDs scavenged from a couple
of dollar store keychain lights. The actual clear components in
the 30th Anniversary kit were discarded and instead I used a
piece of Plexiglas, heavily sanded on both sides to diffuse the
light and two light blue pieces of tinted plastic were used
between the LED and the sanded Plexi to give the engine a blue
colored light. These photos have had the background removed in
PhotoShop, but the lights have not been altered...they're what
you see when looking at the model.
|
| |
|
|
 |
|
The
way the lights were installed, there was very little light bleed
from the interior. I was prepared to paint the inside and
outside with coats of silver and flat black, but they ended up
not needed. The lights are controlled by a switch hidden beneath
the cockpit canopy.
|
| |
|
|
 |
|
The
model was purchased at a model show in March 2008 and was
constructed for another model show in June 2008. The Cylon
Raider took Gold in the Science Fiction/Fantasy category at the
CAMS 2008 Show/Contest.
|
| |
|
|
| Click
here to see the Cylon Raider Lighting Demo Article |
| |
|
|
|
Photos
by Stephen L.
|
|
|
