by Robert Morgan

This is the Timeslip Galactica model, made into the Battlestar Columbia. The model went together well. There were a few rough spots, but overall this is the prettiest resin model I've seen, and the casting was quite nice despite being such a detailed subject. The model went together quite easily with no real problems. Slow curing gel superglue was used for joining the major components. Some on the SSM message board commented that a heavier duty adhesive like two part epoxy would be better, but the superglue worked fine - just be sure to throughly coat the contact points and give the parts plenty of time to dry. I gave the major assemblies a day apiece to cure, and there have been absolutely no problems.

1/700 Imperial Japanese Navy guns from Fujimi were added along the centerlines, dorsal and ventral, within the chin cutouts, and along the landing bays. I tried to figure out the most logical locations for main battery turrets, the prerequisite being good fields of fire; ships don't need turrets literally everywhere if the ones they have can fire in many directions. The intent was to show some visible armament, but not make the ship into an overarmed Death Star. I view battlestars as possessing layered weapons systems, from laser turrets to Vipers to anti-ship missiles, which are represented by the photoetched grills atop the center section; they're actually chaff and flare dispensers from an unused 1/48th aircraft PE fret. I added a lot of photoetched details, mainly cockpit pieces from PE sets in the spares bin.

Basically, if a large flat raised area was unadorned then it probably got something added on or near it to supply some visual interest. The head ventral section came in for special treatment to give it a more plated or armored look. Various plastic vents, grilles, and domes were also added. Where some details were damaged they were repaired, replaced with greeblies or plated over with photoetch or plastic sheet. The base color is Testors Acryl Light Grey, while the red highlights are Floquil Coast Guard Red enamel. Various Acryl black washes were used to bring out details. The red circle atop the dorsal dome is from the JT Graphics battlestar decal set as I ruined the Timeslip decal. I didn't paint the red highlights on the front of the landing bays simply because I thought it looked better plain.

I do intend to buy another one of these models to become the Solaria. The detail is wonderful, and the fit was quite nice for a subject as complex as this.

Image: Detail under the bow

Image: Close-up amidships

Image: Starboard bow

Image: Top/rear

Image: Underneath