Paragon's Type 9 Shuttlecraft

[Millenniumfalsehood]

Well, while I can't really work on the Gunstar at the moment because I can't take build photos (and who wants a build thread without build photos, right?), I did want to build something. So I was reading Ex Astris Scientia and checking out the Voyager inconsistencies, and all of the sudden it occurred to me that I loved the shape of the Type 9 shuttlecraft from that show. And I knew I had seen a paper model kit of it somewhere. So I looked for the model and, of course, it was one of the models that Paragon designed.

Let me say something: I have a love-hate relationship with Paragon's models. I am always impressed with how the look when they're finished; they always turn out so beautifully. But getting there always seems to be a struggle. There are few flaps, few instructions other than pictures of the kit (for the most part)... But it's always worth it in the end. And I think that this model kit is proof of that.

This is also a first for me: the entire model is edge-glued. Before now all the models were all or mostly glued together with flaps. But I decided to try edge-gluing the entire thing this time. I wasn't sure how strong edge-gluing was on large joints, like fuselage joints. But after I glued the upper fuselage parts of the shuttle and observed how strong the joint was when it dried fully, I was sold. This is a superior method for making compound curved joints. I also painted a couple of the parts, like the magnetic coils behind the bussard collectors. The parts in the kit have black lines around them, and I worked to get rid of all the black lines in the kit by trimming them off. There was no way around these, though. So I built them from blank card and painted them yellow.

Hope you like it!

[Sidewinder81777]

Nice job!!

[elliott]

That really looks good. I like it!

[Dyna-Soar]

Nicely done, sir.

[g00se]

Looks great! :-)

[Famous Dave]

Wow! That turned out GREAT. I like the layering, too. I love seeing the pictures of models I would like to build. It lights a fire under me to try. Great job and thanks for sharing.

[bgt01]

That is a really nice build. I've become converted to edge gluing where ever possible, especially with curvy Star Trek stuff. It really does look better. I also use a lot of scrap and sticker labels behind seams for joining, as well as and using thin coats of Super Glue behind seams once the edge glue sets for extra hold. Takes longer, but looks and holds better than tabs.

Looking forward to more of your builds and really liking the Gunstar.

[Millenniumfalsehood]

Thanks a lot, you guys! I've got three more shuttles from Paragon printed up in 1:150 scale. I'm thinking about making a small hangar deck to display them all on.

[spaceagent-9]

looks good! kind of like the Titan!

[Ekuth]

Beautiful work, Millenium.