Captured Alien Attacker

All laid out.
UPDATE - the 4 base LEDs looked too weak so they each one was replaced with a string of 2 or 3 5050 SMD. Voltage remains the same. the two flickering blue are next. They will be wired in parallel as I want them to flicker at two different rates. The two top will likely be replaced with just one. 

 

Loom for the base ready. my first non-battery setup 

A twin LED SMB 5050 with a 100 ohm resistor and a triple with no resistor.  

My rubbish soldering is getting better. 4 x 9v 'spurs' in parallel all work. Started with solder paste on the led's and ended up with using the normal solder and flux. Learnt a lot about wire thickness, pre-tinning and not having the temperature too high... 

Completed the wiring loom. Four for the base, two blinking blues for the middle and one white for the top. Time to pack away the soldering iron and start painting.  

First coat of metalics on. Not sure about the copper.  

 

Drops of hot glue, on a baking parchment.... 

Fills the holes. the front of these have always been too plain for my liking.time to jazz it up a bit. 

Not happy with the base colour. 

Tried a few colours on the top. Cant decide. Top one has dried too blue and the one on the bottom left too green. To the left of the blue one is a bit darker. I may go with that then put a light wash on. 

Second coat of copper on. Still disappointed in the gunmetal 

Fibre in the top unit. 

Lights in. Ready for the top  

Base is nearing completion  

I wonder if this is what hair plugs look like from the back…? ?
Fibre optics glued in place with hot glue. Screen glued with hot glue to cover the gaps. Will cover with light block tape.  

Base is all ready. May stain it a bit - not sure.
The white squares light, giving an up light to the ship. 

Top clamped with the last dregs of epoxy. 

One side lit. 

Well - it lights. Plan to have these downlights reflecting off shiny bits. Chrome pens on order...! 

Major milestone. the blue lights flicker whilst the ones on the top are solid on. Run out of 5min epoxy so didn't close it up. 

Masking for the spray job. I wonder how it will come off? 

Topcoat done. Starting the peel of latex. Turns out it is a pain in the rear! 

Nearly ready to seal her up and mount her to the base. I had an issue with the right hand side flickering blue LEDs that had a loose connection, so am just burning in the LEDs to make sure I can close it up safely. 

The Molotov pen really makes the tubes shine on the top. Some old gold from Vallejo arount the top circle gives some good contrast. Last thing is to solder the wire at the front, stick it in the body and epoxy it together, although I may put the stand a bit further back, and dry brush a bit... 

Completed 

Completed 

Completed. Lessons Learnt - more light on the top bit. One LED and fibre optics not enough. Flickering blue LED for the top worked well.
 

Completed 

Completed