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Post by trynda1701 on Jul 5, 2012 11:26:16 GMT -7
Ok, prompted by kinshi's thread about kitbashing ADB minis for FASA Trek, I'm going to post pics and possible sources again for minis to play STSTCS games. With ebay prices are going thru the roof for the original minis these days, we need stand ins, so here are my thoughts and recommendations. Lots of pics and thoughts to follow. Stay tuned!
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Post by trynda1701 on Jul 5, 2012 11:52:16 GMT -7
Ok, first up, Starfleet vessels. Obviously, in the TOS/Movies timeframe, our minis have to have recognizable saucers and nacelles for Starfleet vessels. But although we may have to trawl eBay for original FASA minis or the similarly scaled Micromachines, we still have currently available miniatures, as I will show in the following posts. Here's our first example... ADB Constitution Class and Citadel (FASA) Enterprise ClassADB currently has two scales of minis now available. We want the SL2400 range (1/3788 scale), which is close in scale to the original FASA minis (1/3900 scale). The new SL2500 minis are larger (1/3125 scale), although I suppose you could use the smaller frigates in the newer scale with FASA minis. I don't have any of the new ones (can't afford it at present). In the picture above, the ADB Constitution mini for Federation Commander/SFB is used as it is more substantial that the FASA mini. The Enterprise class is the chunkier Citadel casting, but I don't mind, as although you lose some of the detail inboard on the nacelles, the struts don't bend like sphagetti as on the FASA version!
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kinshi
Lieutenant Junior Grade
Posts: 95
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Post by kinshi on Jul 5, 2012 17:22:10 GMT -7
sweeet! thank you! /waits with bated breath... (btw I am not too picky on scale differences, i just want to get close to the FASA looks)
so yes, also keeping my eyes out for more Micro Machines
Oh..and on that note....how about HeroClix minis? They seem like they are now a viable source for kitbash fodder.
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Post by trynda1701 on Jul 5, 2012 17:25:53 GMT -7
Bear with me on this, kinshi. I can't bloody well find my TOS Micromachines at the moment. As for the 'Heroclix', that of course is a current source as well (as of July 2012), although I haven't seen any in person. Stay tuned, i will get back to this. Mark
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Post by kaisernathan1701 on Jul 5, 2012 21:55:39 GMT -7
The Heroclix ones are ok i think
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Post by Jim Lewis on Jul 6, 2012 8:30:39 GMT -7
Good thread subject! I don't have any of the Micromachines or Heroclix ships. I'm interested in seeing how they compare too.
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Post by kaisernathan1701 on Jul 6, 2012 11:53:53 GMT -7
There all over Ebay and Heroclix has Nova and Prometheus class ships and Klingon Ent Era Raptor but some reson no NX class Enterprise.
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Post by trynda1701 on Jul 19, 2012 17:56:37 GMT -7
Here's a comparison shot between an ADB SL2200 and a Citadel version of the FASA mini... ADB SL2200 Constitution Class and Citadel (FASA) Constitution ClassHere's how close the two minis are in scale. As we have said before, the ADB mini is 1/3788 scale, and the Citadel one is 1/3900 scale. The details might be done slightly differently, but you can mix and match these no problem. Now some comparison shots between ADB/FASA and Micromachines minis... ADB SL2200 Constitution Class and Micromachines Constitution ClassIf you don't know, the Micromachines minis are made of a fairly rigid plastic, which will deform if stored incorrectly. But if you take care, these minis can be used with ease in your STSTCS games. So here's the FASA mini compared to the Micromachines one. This photo makes the Micromachine mini look a bit bigger than the SL2200 one, but it's about 2mm longer at most! Citadel (FASA) Enterprise Class and Micromachines Enterprise NCC-1701-AThe movie Enterprise Micromachines mini is a bit bigger than the FASA one, in length about 1cm longer and maybe 3mm wider at the saucer? But again, if you not too fussy, I think you can safely game with these two in the same squadron. Citadel (FASA) Reliant Class and Micromachines Reliant Here's the Reliant comparison, and it's a lot closer this time. The saucer looks a couple of millimeters wider, but the length is spot on. If you can put up with the weird blue paint scheme (a notorious Micromachines thing), this is easily used. If you decide to try and paint them, a few thin coats to try and cover the blue is required, as if you go for one or two thicker coats, you can obscure the details on the Micromachines mini. As of today (July 2012), as we know it can be hard to get hold of the FASA minis, and you may be luckier and get hold of the more recent Micromachines ones. I got hold of most of my Micromachines when they were available. But I stocked up on a few singles about two years ago when I found someone doing them on eBay at about between three and five GBP each. If you trawl eBay, you might find either singles at similar prices, or maybe small lots which can be bargains as well. But be warned, I've also seen them going at silly money too! Mark
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Post by trynda1701 on Jul 19, 2012 18:03:02 GMT -7
More Starfleet vessels from ADB! I'm cheating here on these two and copying and modifying my post from kinshi's thread about kitbashing ADB minis into FASA ones! ADB SL2200 New Light Cruiser and Burke Class FrigateThese two models are the original sculpts made in lead. They have been retconned in the Star Fleet Universe into having more normal sized warp nacelles on the NCL, and cylindical but still short nacelles on the Burke FF. By the way, in the SFU, the frigate classes for all the Empires are usually smaller than destroyers, and are the smallest 'front line' vessels. They are not like FASA frigates, which in Starfleets case are mostly cruiser sized vessels with Marine compliments onboard! The new SL2400 New Light Cruiser minis are what I would substitute for the Loknar class, as it's essentially the same layout (two nacelles above and behind a saucer primary hull, but with smaller pylon struts. It's more substantial than the FASA Loknar mini, which had skinny nacelles on even skinnier struts, and its a pain to keep together. There is not enough metal on the struts to even try to pin it. As you can see I have the old mini with the small nacelles, but it is what I would play today in place of a Loknar. The SL2200 frigate mini with the old rectangular nacelles makes a good Ranger class stand in, although it now has cylindrical nacelles. You may get lucky and get the old SL2200 cheap on eBay. Mark
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Post by kaisernathan1701 on Jul 19, 2012 19:47:42 GMT -7
Cool Mini's there
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Post by trynda1701 on Jul 20, 2012 10:19:30 GMT -7
More Starfleet FASA and Micromachines comparisons... FASA Excelsior NX-2000 and Micromachines USS Excelsior NCC-2000Here's a picture that shows probably the biggest mismatch between the FASA mini and the corresponding Micromachines one. The FASA Excelsior is about 3.1cm longer, and about 1.2cm wider! It is especially noticable in having what looks like a much larger saucer primary hull. But as the Excelsior class is so distinctive, even with the smaller size, you won't mistake what it is. The registry number on the Micromachines helps as well of course! As there were only supposed to be four built as of about FASA Stardate 2/25, all you would really need would be one Excelsior mini. If you get can hold of some more Micromachines ones though, you can of course kitbash them into other classes using the new Excelsior style components. Micromachines USS Enterprise-B NCC-1701-B and USS Excelsior NCC-2000Micromachines also produced the Excelsior 'refit' as the USS Enterprise-B with all the extra gubbings and greebles that model entails! A bit more realistic paint job from Micromachines on this mini, I think you will agree! Citadel (FASA) Enterprise Class and Micromachines USS Excelsior NCC-2000This is just a comparison between the FASA Enterprise Class and the Micromachines Excelsior to show you how they look next to each other. I think we can get away with this without being too picky, eh? Mark
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Post by JAFisher44 on Jul 20, 2012 15:57:27 GMT -7
HERESY!!! That excelsior should be half again as long as that enterprise.
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Post by trynda1701 on Jul 20, 2012 15:58:50 GMT -7
HERESY!!! That excelsior should be half again as long as that enterprise. Now now, it's a substitute! lol
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Post by kaisernathan1701 on Jul 20, 2012 16:07:16 GMT -7
That Excelsior Fasa is painted very good
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Post by trynda1701 on Jul 20, 2012 16:29:54 GMT -7
Another couple of FASA to Micromachines comparisons... Citadel (FASA) Enterprise Class and Micromachines Constellation Class USS StargazerIf you can get past the garish yellow paintjob on the Constellation mini, it's just about perfect in scale with the FASA mini. If I remember correctly, the mini in Picard's Ready Room is this color (!) unlike the actual filming model. For some reason, Micromachines went with the yellow scheme! Go figure! You can use this mini in STSTCS games as the Constellation Class is being introduced at about the same time as the Excelsior Class. It's also a source of kitbash parts if you want. Citadel (FASA) Reliant Class and Micromachines USS SaratogaAlthough this Miranda (nee Reliant) variant is from DS9, it's essentially a Reliant without a rollbar weapons pod, and again just about perfect in scale with the Citadel one. So if you can't get either a FASA Reliant or a Micromachines one, this is still one to look out for. Mark
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Post by kaisernathan1701 on Jul 20, 2012 16:35:56 GMT -7
Cool minis
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Post by trynda1701 on Jul 20, 2012 16:45:17 GMT -7
That Excelsior Fasa is painted very good Cool minis Thank ye kindly! Lots more to come, when I get time to take more photos. As I've dug out more minis this time, unlike on the old forum, I plan to show more for the Federation, then the Klingons and Romulans, Then onto the Orions, Gorn and even the Tholians! (swede will be happy!) There may even be some merchants in the mix somewhere. Stay tuned! Mark
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Post by trynda1701 on Jul 20, 2012 17:27:59 GMT -7
Some more pics of FASA miniatures, just for the hell of it... FASA Larson Class and Baker Class destroyersHere's a couple of FASA miniatures for your enjoyment, the Larson Class destroyer USS Adolphus (NCC-4385) and Baker Class destroyer USS Cooper (NCC-4791)Always liked these two minis. The Larson was a nice modification of the original Saladin Class destroyer from the Franz Joseph Star Fleet Technical Manual, and despite the size problem of the Baker mini that Brad has addressed on the database pages for STSTCS, it's still a cool design. FASA Loknar Class Frigate and Andor Class Missile CruiserAnother two cool FASA designs, although the Loknar mini is very difficult to keep intact due to the thin nacelle struts. The Andor mini is one of the crispest minis that FASA produced, however. FASA Remora Class Escort and Gagarin Class ScoutThe Remora might be an unusual design, with those weird angular side pods, but it is still another nicely produced mini. The Gagarin is another nice little mini, even if it is just Bird of Prey fodder in a certain movie! Citadel (FASA) Chandley Class FrigateOne of the most powerful Federation designs in the game, and a fan favorite. The design looks very odd when you see the schematics, especially in profile, and yet it somehow looks cool in person, even with those wide nacelle struts, which look too much of a target! I still like it, however. This is the Citadel version, I believe, which is slightly 'chunckier' than the FASA version, but at least the struts don't bend! One of my earliest paint jobs, so a little bolder colour scheme than some of my later minis. EDIT: Citadel (FASA) Reliant Class and Enterprise Class CruisersAnother two minis representing the USS Renown, NCC-1870, and of course the Enterprise, NCC-1701! Mark
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Post by kaisernathan1701 on Jul 20, 2012 18:22:35 GMT -7
I always like the Baker I sometimes wonder howd it look with a Roll Bar like the Miranda or Endurance class has
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Post by trynda1701 on Jul 20, 2012 18:30:11 GMT -7
A FASA miniature and a simple 'kitbash'... FASA Northampton Class frigate and FASA Wilkerson Class destroyer kitbashIf you've got enough spare miniatures (I know, a problem this thread is trying to address!) you can kitbash with FASA parts. First of all here on the left we have a Northampton Class frigate. The Wilkerson is a simple kitbash of a FASA Northampton primary hull and two FASA Remora escort nacelles. Close enough to represent the Wilkerson class I think. Voila! Mark
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Post by trynda1701 on Aug 12, 2012 15:09:50 GMT -7
Some more Federation pictures for you. Citadel (FASA) Enterprise Class and Irregular Miniatures DYE6 Gorshkov Class BattlecruiserAnother source of Starfleet miniatures. The Gorshkov can be bought as is, or as code DYE7 with a third nacelle which goes on the flat back of the secondary hull. A bit cruder than the FASA models, but still more than usuable. Here I have the Gorshkov painted to represent the Belknap class Strike Cruiser USS Belknap, NCC-2501 from the 80's tech manuals! Citadel (FASA) Reliant Class and Irregular Miniatures DYE3 Oberon Class Destroyer Here we have the Citadel Reliant painted up as the USS Renown, NCC 1870. I have painted and named the Oberon mini as a Kiev class frigate, USS Riga, NCC 410 (name and NCC number made up by me). The Irregular minis can be found here in the 6mm catalogue.... www.irregularminiatures.co.uk/indexes/6mmindex.htmScroll down the menu on the left of the page to "Science Fiction and Space Ships", click on the link, and then down to "New Spaceship Range".
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Post by trynda1701 on Oct 29, 2012 15:52:07 GMT -7
HERESY!!! That excelsior should be half again as long as that enterprise. Now now, it's a substitute! lol Ok Joshua, here's the comparison shot to show people the correct size of the Excelsior! On the left, the Citadel Enterprise class, then the FASA Excelsior, and finally the undersized Micromachines Excelsior.
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Post by trynda1701 on Oct 29, 2012 18:46:26 GMT -7
Some more Irregular Miniatures and ADB comparisons. Irregular Miniatures DYE10 Kitakami Class "Tug"Three piece mini, which does nicely as the Derf Class Tender from FASA if you wish! Or you could also use it as a stand in for the Loknar Class if you can't get hold of any FASA Loknar or ADB NCL minis. Citadel (FASA) Enterprise Class with DYE10 Kitakami Class "Tug"And here's a comparison shot of the Kitakami with the Enterprise Class. ADB SL2200 Burke Class, Irregular DYE1 Imperial Corvette (Police Ship) Sheriff Class and ADB Province Class Old Light CruiserAgain we see the Burke Class which you could use as the FASA Ranger Class scout. The Sheriff and Province Classes could be Four Years War era designs if you so choose. Even with the Province not having the usual circular primary hull, the nacelles give it the 'Federation look'. The Sheriff class could also either be a 'transitional' design between the Daedalus Class and modern saucer primary hull designs, or just a smaller Federation design, perhaps a 'Police' ship as the Irregular code says. Note that the new SL2400 edition of the Province class mini has larger nacelles mated to the rear hull, which some people might prefer. Again, as of October 2012, the SL2400 versions of the Burke and Province minis are currently available from ADB, but as usual you would have to try and find the SL2200 versions of them on eBay.
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Post by trynda1701 on Oct 29, 2012 18:56:34 GMT -7
A couple more simple kitbashes for you. Here we see two quick kitbashes using a Citadel (FASA) Reliant and a Micromachines Constellation Class. Simply cut the lower two nacelles off the Constellation, and glue them to the top of the Reliant primary hull! I then added a small piece of plasticard to the bottom of the modified Constellation's nacelle strut to represent a sensor pod or torpedo module. Here I constructed a simple plasticard mini of a Federation ship. Its next to a ADB Constitution Class for size comparison. I was basing the design on the original layout of the Reliant class before they constructed it from the plans that were signed off 'upside down', but I made it a TOS design. The circular bridge dome has unfortunately came of this.
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Post by trynda1701 on Oct 29, 2012 19:48:39 GMT -7
FASA R-1 Outpost (Regula 1) and Micromachines Earth Spacedock StarbaseHere's a couple of space stations you can use in your STSTCS games. The R-1 in FASA has a few variants that are armed in the series (the Informant, Invictus and Terminus subclasses). The Terminus penal station variant also has armed shuttles and Scorpio corvettes assigned to defend it. The Earth Spacedock is supposedly unarmed, but Brad has a created a couple of armed variants that could be Starbase orbital stations in TOS-TUC movie era scenarios. This makes sense as later in TNG we see quite a few Starbases have this design station, or a similar but larger design. You could also use this mini as a stand-in for the FASA Alamo Defense Outpost. I went and added a few painted windows on this pre-painted mini to give it scale!
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