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 Rank: Super-Elite      Groups: Registered
Joined: 17/12/2013 Posts: 3,982 Points: 11,974 Location: NY, USA
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I am using 4 detail kits to enhance the MLEV.The first one is by Paragrafix and consists of photoetched exterior detail parts (A ladder and some grills) and replacement instrument panels for the interior which are necessary if you plan to light the panels. darbyvet attached the following image(s):
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Rank: Super-Elite Groups: Registered
Joined: 17/12/2013 Posts: 3,982 Points: 11,974 Location: NY, USA
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The second detail set is a bunch of resin parts that Randy Cooper sells.These consist of a couple of EVA suits, replacement hatch panels so you can make the hatches open and close, resin engines with clear inserts for lighting and some storage boxes which attach to the frame of the MLEV. Using the opening hatches means some surgery will be required on the kit parts, but it will allow you to slide the hatches open so you can see the interior detail better. darbyvet attached the following image(s):
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Rank: Super-Elite Groups: Registered
Joined: 17/12/2013 Posts: 3,982 Points: 11,974 Location: NY, USA
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The third detail set is a lighting kit from VOODOOFX. This is a box full of LEDS and some circuit boards.This is quite a complex set and none of the LEDS are prewired so it will be quite a bit of work to assemble. There are 2 boards to attach the LEds to.It comes with 2 different size resistors so you can decide whether you want bright or soft lighting.It also has an effects board that had a glowing effect for the main engines and strobe lights. The kit has virtually no instructions so I will need to plan out the lighting myself.I will be lighting the interior,the instrument panels,lights at all of the hatches,floodlights on the base,detail lights in the main body, glowing main engine lights,exterior lights on the fornt and back of the MLEv and 4 strobe lights. darbyvet attached the following image(s):
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Rank: Super-Elite Groups: Registered
Joined: 17/12/2013 Posts: 3,982 Points: 11,974 Location: NY, USA
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Finally I am adding a rotating beacon light.After Watching The Martian a few times I noticed there is a beacon on top of the HAB unit that Watney lives in.It makes sense to have a rotating light on top of the MLEV so the astronauts can see it if they get too far away or if there is a dust storm. I had Starling technologies makes a beacon for me.This consists of 3 SMD lights and a board that flashes them in sequence to make it look like a rotating light.I will be scratch building a base for this light and 3d printing a clear cover to enclose it darbyvet attached the following image(s):
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Rank: Super-Elite  Groups: Registered
Joined: 28/07/2014 Posts: 4,269 Points: 12,713 Location: Scotland
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Wow that`s alot of extras your adding Carl  is going to be some model when complete  regards Phil  COMING SOON =1/72 Italeri diorama`s Battle for the Reichstag and Stalingrad battle at the tractor factory 1/16 Trumpeter King Tiger with loads of extras ON THE GO= refurbishment of 1/25 Tamiya tiger 1 , amt Star trek kits and space 1999 models
So Much to Build,But What a Hobby!
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 Rank: Pro Groups: Joined: 24/08/2009 Posts: 48,827 Points: -13,348
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Looks to be a fantastic project Carl and one which I'm sure will result in a stunning model at the end of it. I'll be watching this with great interest. 
Kev 
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Really nice kit and all those extras, looking forward to following this. Mark
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Have a feeling I'm going to enjoy watching this one come together and all those extras is going to make this one look special...... look forward to seeing it all.... Regards Alan
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 Rank: Master  Groups: Registered
Joined: 07/07/2015 Posts: 1,292 Points: 3,928 Location: Allentown PA
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Looking good Carl. I still need to purchase all the extra bits
DeAgostini kit builds:
Millennium Falcon: 18% Complete
Shelby GT-500: 28% Complete
Thunderbird 2: 13.75% Complete
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Rank: Super-Elite Groups: Registered
Joined: 17/12/2013 Posts: 3,982 Points: 11,974 Location: NY, USA
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Metal Mech wrote:Looking good Carl. I still need to purchase all the extra bits let me know if you want the beacon because it is not a stock item from Starling technologies.It was reasonably priced.I will post a video of it working so you can see it in action.
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Rank: Super-Elite Groups: Registered
Joined: 17/12/2013 Posts: 3,982 Points: 11,974 Location: NY, USA
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SO I am planning the lighting.I figure I will need almost 60 LEds to light this kit.I will be wiring the LEds in parallel and using a 9V DC power supply since the amp drainage from all these LEDs would drain batteries very quickly. There is plenty of space under the cabin floor to place the boards and I will run the power supply through one of the feet.It looks like I can build the interior as a sub assembly and add the lights to it and then enclose it with the shell.That will make wiring much easier.
Carl
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Rank: Super-Elite Groups: Registered
Joined: 17/12/2013 Posts: 3,982 Points: 11,974 Location: NY, USA
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Here is a link to a video of the rotating beacon from Starling technologies.Once it is inside a clear dome I think it will look pretty convincing. https://youtu.be/rkRr7Ocr4Z4
Carl
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Rank: Pro  Groups: Registered
Joined: 29/01/2017 Posts: 177 Points: 546 Location: Corby, UK
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Really looking forward to watching this being built. Peter Completed - R2D2
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Rank: Super-Elite  Groups: Registered
Joined: 16/08/2010 Posts: 2,771 Points: 8,344 Location: Brighton
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Looks like some nice upgrades being added to this one. Look forward to seeing this one come together. Ian Current builds.Hachettes build the bismark,HMS Victory, HMS Hood.
Finished Builds Corel HMS Victory cross section.
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Guest (4)
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