Scratchbuilding simple Nacelles - step by step

[RogueWolf]

At Burke's request, I'm gonna document a Nacelle scratchbuild!

First task: pick a nacelle design you wish to create. This first build should be chosen as one of the more simple designs, like that of the Norway or Saber classes as these nacelles are mostly boxy in shape and easier to work with.

I will be re-doing the same nacelles from my Concept Holo Ship thread (https://www.allscaletrek.com/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=1547) in a smaller format. I also will attempt to give them a more 'rounded' appearance - kinda like the Ent-D nacelles. Here is a pic of the ship with the nacelle's I'll be attempting:


Second task: Sheet stryeen!

More details later tonight.

[RogueWolf]

OK, like I said, pick a design. Then sketch it out on some styrene, it doesn't have to be perfect, you'll fine tune it with trimming and sanding later.


Then cut out your design.


Use a sanding stick to sand round your edges if your design so requires;


OK, now we have our basic nacelle shape. Now we need more! I cut eight in all. next I cut out the warp grills and bussard notches;


So it looks like this:


Repeat this three more times so you have 4 cut outs, and 4 backdrops;


Now it's time to start the sandwich! Glue the 'cut out' on top of one of the full 'back drops'. Repeat so they look like this;

[RogueWolf]

Now, I wanted my nacelles with a slight bulge in the center so that from front on, the nacelle will have a curve to it. I don't want a flat profile like my first attempt. So I've cut a thick strip of styrene to act as the 'spine' of my nacelle. I glued this to the inside of the nacelle, not the 'cut out' side.

Once the glue is dry, I can use the 'spine' to provide support while I gently bend the upper and lower portions of the nacelle to form a ")" shape.


Once the glue is dry, I'll get back to the build, take more pics and update the thread!

[Bellerophon]

Ssshh! Don't tell them it's easy! They'll all be doing it!

[Moongrim]

Thank you Roguewolf, I really appreciate your demonstrations.

[RogueWolf]

You're welcome! I'll try to finish this up tonight.

[RogueWolf]

OK, back at the bench tonight, so we last left off talking about creating the curve in the nacelles, I used a pair of pliers to grab the nacelle half and then to gently push the portion on either side of the internal "spine" down slightly as illustrated here:


repeat on both sides, then you have the end results like this:


Then I just glued both sides together. Next, I cut some small strips - these are to further define the nacelle housing, you can see the first one along the bottom of the nacelle. I did this all the way around except for the bussards and warp grills:


I had to to use a clamp to hold the strip along the rear due to the curves:




From front on, you can see the curve of the nacelle - this is what I was going for!!!


And finally, a shot with my first attempt from my Holo Ship build - the inspiration to start over and do it right!

[Del]

This second attempt really looks nice. The compound shapes give them character and add to the realism.

[RogueWolf]

Just wait till she is properly sanded and detailed!

[SingleMind]

Hu I have built a few thinks using this layering technic. But never thought of bending it after words. How much pressure do u put on it and does it spring back at all?