Federation Commander

After many years hiatus from SFB, I picked up Federation Commander and I am in love with it. I want to collect miniatures to play with as I think this enhances the feel of the game.
On this thread there is discussion of bubbles and miscasts and the completed models look lopsided.
I don't have any SFU models yet, I was going to start with 2500 line but maybe I should go with 2400? My experience with Mongoose hasn't been positive in the past.

http://theminiaturespage.com/boards/msg.mv?id=252844

Take a look at the minis shown in the photobucket link in my signature.
I was priveldged enough to have the opportunity to paint many of the proto-type Federation ships from the Starline 2500 line. Many of these photos are aslso shown on the ADB site, the Mongoose site, on ADB Facebook page,and in the ACTA: SF rulebook.

I found very few issues like the ones discussed in this review. My minis were fairly clean and relatively free of defects. I did need to file a miscast on the Battlecruiser and fill a divot on one of the Romulan KRs engine nacelle, But other than those tow defects, the only prep work required was the typical flasn / fill channel remaoval prior to priming.

Since then, I have received two Federation squadron boxes, Two Klingon sqaudron boxes, and two Romulan squadron boxes. As with hte prototypes, there are a relatively small number of defects that need repair, but nothing extreme. I had to file the dome on one of hte Federation ships back into shape where the fill channel left a lug.
One of the Klingon nacelles had a divot that required filling.
The biggest issue was with one of hte Romulan Condors. For what ever reason, it appeared as if the two halves of hte mold were not completely closed at one point and there was a large amount of flash to be removed. Obvisously this is an intermittent issue as I have two other Condors that are fine.

The resin used is a strong, light-weight, white resin. It's strong enough to resist sagging and light enough to prevent the eventually droop associated with some other manufacturers resin miniatures. With the light color, it covers very easily and it takes paint even better.

I hope this answers your question and alleviates some concerns. If you have further questions, feel free to ask away.

Scoutdad,

What are you using to fill the divots, are you using normal model putty, or is there another product you prefer?

What works best.

Bob

Thanks for the reply.

Depends on the size.
For really small ones, I use Testors contour putty.
For larger ones I use Squadron green putty.
If its in a crucial area (i.e., a noticable corner or a supporting piece), I use green stuff two-part epoxy.

Cool. I can get the Testors putty easily enough, not familiar with the Green Stuff products.

The squadron green putty is similarto Testors. It comes in a tube and is green. It has a little more strength than Testors.
The "green-stuff" is a two-part epoxy. Several companies sell it. It typically comes as a yellow ribbon and a blue ribbon. You cut as much of each as you need and then mix until it's a even green. It's great for sculpting, molding, any many other things.

"Green stuff" is the usual sculpting medium for figures as it hardens enough to make one-shot metal masters to make spin-casting moulds. Brown stuff is also a 2-part epoxy used by some folks - it has a different chemical make up and works better for sharp or "hard" edges.

jmt (who took notes at the Reaper Miniatures tour)

Hopefully with Mongoose adding a tool/mold maker and more production staff and equipment plus the seperating the production and shipping staff we will not see any more of the defects as the review posted. By to be honest my Fed CA nacelle look just like the one in the picture. I sanded and puttied it pretty good hoping the paint covers what left and then Tony and Will's Decals keep people from looking to close.

On other thing that I caught was I had to pick piece of the silicon mold out of my C8 Boom' s Detail. The casr was just fine but I am sure that the mold gave up the ghost on that cast.

Heh. Yeah, I was picking pieces of pink mold rubber out of crevices on my Klingons too. Glad I'm not paying to replace molds that wear out.

Three of my five ships had pink mold in them. More importantly, I am worried Mongoose was overly ambitious with its detailing. 5 of my 5 ships have significant to minor detail obscured by fill or voids. All took significant time to get into to shape for assembly.

I am hoping when my real orders arrives (the 5 fleet boxes), my luck is better.

Most of the ten Klingons in my two Sqaudron boxes also had bits of pink silicon mold in them.

Maybe that's teh true reason for the delay.
They have to keep making new molds.

Klingons with pink on them. Kahless would roll in his grave...

Wait til you see the all pink C8 with white cats painted on it.

Hello, Kitty...

That will be one for WebMom.