{"id":3317,"date":"2026-11-09T07:22:41","date_gmt":"2026-11-08T22:22:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/stevethefish.net\/stuff\/?p=3317"},"modified":"2026-11-09T07:22:41","modified_gmt":"2026-11-08T22:22:41","slug":"buck-rogers-starfighter-build-update","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/stevethefish.net\/stuff\/index.php\/2026\/11\/09\/buck-rogers-starfighter-build-update\/","title":{"rendered":"Buck Rogers Starfighter build update"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<figure data-wp-context=\"{&quot;imageId&quot;:&quot;6af1095759d86&quot;}\" data-wp-interactive=\"core\/image\" data-wp-key=\"6af1095759d86\" class=\"wp-block-image size-full wp-lightbox-container\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"507\" data-wp-class--hide=\"state.isContentHidden\" data-wp-class--show=\"state.isContentVisible\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\" data-wp-on--load=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on-window--resize=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" src=\"https:\/\/stevethefish.net\/stuff\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/buck-rogers-starfighter.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-3318\" srcset=\"https:\/\/stevethefish.net\/stuff\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/buck-rogers-starfighter.jpg 640w, https:\/\/stevethefish.net\/stuff\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/buck-rogers-starfighter-300x238.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><button\n\t\t\tclass=\"lightbox-trigger\"\n\t\t\ttype=\"button\"\n\t\t\taria-haspopup=\"dialog\"\n\t\t\taria-label=\"Enlarge\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-init=\"callbacks.initTriggerButton\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--right=\"state.imageButtonRight\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--top=\"state.imageButtonTop\"\n\t\t>\n\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"12\" height=\"12\" fill=\"none\" viewBox=\"0 0 12 12\">\n\t\t\t\t<path fill=\"#fff\" d=\"M2 0a2 2 0 0 0-2 2v2h1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 1 .5-.5h2V0H2Zm2 10.5H2a.5.5 0 0 1-.5-.5V8H0v2a2 2 0 0 0 2 2h2v-1.5ZM8 12v-1.5h2a.5.5 0 0 0 .5-.5V8H12v2a2 2 0 0 1-2 2H8Zm2-12a2 2 0 0 1 2 2v2h-1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 0-.5-.5H8V0h2Z\" \/>\n\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t<\/button><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Here&#8217;s the project I began this summer. This is the &#8217;80s reboxing of Monogram&#8217;s Buck Rogers Starfighter model kit from &#8217;79. For its age, the detail is pretty good! The only thing that sucks about it is the cockpit tub and a lack of a pilot figure. I&#8217;m going to light this kit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure data-wp-context=\"{&quot;imageId&quot;:&quot;6af109575a2ad&quot;}\" data-wp-interactive=\"core\/image\" data-wp-key=\"6af109575a2ad\" class=\"wp-block-image size-large wp-lightbox-container\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" data-wp-class--hide=\"state.isContentHidden\" data-wp-class--show=\"state.isContentVisible\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\" data-wp-on--load=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on-window--resize=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" src=\"https:\/\/stevethefish.net\/stuff\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/buckrogers-engine1-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-3320\" srcset=\"https:\/\/stevethefish.net\/stuff\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/buckrogers-engine1-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/stevethefish.net\/stuff\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/buckrogers-engine1-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/stevethefish.net\/stuff\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/buckrogers-engine1-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/stevethefish.net\/stuff\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/buckrogers-engine1-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/stevethefish.net\/stuff\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/buckrogers-engine1-1320x990.jpg 1320w, https:\/\/stevethefish.net\/stuff\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/buckrogers-engine1.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 767px) 89vw, (max-width: 1000px) 54vw, (max-width: 1071px) 543px, 580px\" \/><button\n\t\t\tclass=\"lightbox-trigger\"\n\t\t\ttype=\"button\"\n\t\t\taria-haspopup=\"dialog\"\n\t\t\taria-label=\"Enlarge\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-init=\"callbacks.initTriggerButton\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--right=\"state.imageButtonRight\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--top=\"state.imageButtonTop\"\n\t\t>\n\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"12\" height=\"12\" fill=\"none\" viewBox=\"0 0 12 12\">\n\t\t\t\t<path fill=\"#fff\" d=\"M2 0a2 2 0 0 0-2 2v2h1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 1 .5-.5h2V0H2Zm2 10.5H2a.5.5 0 0 1-.5-.5V8H0v2a2 2 0 0 0 2 2h2v-1.5ZM8 12v-1.5h2a.5.5 0 0 0 .5-.5V8H12v2a2 2 0 0 1-2 2H8Zm2-12a2 2 0 0 1 2 2v2h-1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 0-.5-.5H8V0h2Z\" \/>\n\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t<\/button><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>I used Oyumaru plastic clay to make molds of the engine insert discs and I cast them in clear UV resin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure data-wp-context=\"{&quot;imageId&quot;:&quot;6af109575a6cf&quot;}\" data-wp-interactive=\"core\/image\" data-wp-key=\"6af109575a6cf\" class=\"wp-block-image size-large wp-lightbox-container\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" data-wp-class--hide=\"state.isContentHidden\" data-wp-class--show=\"state.isContentVisible\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\" data-wp-on--load=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on-window--resize=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" src=\"https:\/\/stevethefish.net\/stuff\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/buckrogers-engine2-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-3321\" srcset=\"https:\/\/stevethefish.net\/stuff\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/buckrogers-engine2-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/stevethefish.net\/stuff\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/buckrogers-engine2-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/stevethefish.net\/stuff\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/buckrogers-engine2-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/stevethefish.net\/stuff\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/buckrogers-engine2-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/stevethefish.net\/stuff\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/buckrogers-engine2-1320x990.jpg 1320w, https:\/\/stevethefish.net\/stuff\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/buckrogers-engine2.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 767px) 89vw, (max-width: 1000px) 54vw, (max-width: 1071px) 543px, 580px\" \/><button\n\t\t\tclass=\"lightbox-trigger\"\n\t\t\ttype=\"button\"\n\t\t\taria-haspopup=\"dialog\"\n\t\t\taria-label=\"Enlarge\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-init=\"callbacks.initTriggerButton\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--right=\"state.imageButtonRight\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--top=\"state.imageButtonTop\"\n\t\t>\n\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"12\" height=\"12\" fill=\"none\" viewBox=\"0 0 12 12\">\n\t\t\t\t<path fill=\"#fff\" d=\"M2 0a2 2 0 0 0-2 2v2h1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 1 .5-.5h2V0H2Zm2 10.5H2a.5.5 0 0 1-.5-.5V8H0v2a2 2 0 0 0 2 2h2v-1.5ZM8 12v-1.5h2a.5.5 0 0 0 .5-.5V8H12v2a2 2 0 0 1-2 2H8Zm2-12a2 2 0 0 1 2 2v2h-1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 0-.5-.5H8V0h2Z\" \/>\n\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t<\/button><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Here is a test by just holding a flashlight to the back end. Next I sprayed the inside of the engines with Modelkasten&#8217;s Shade Black light blocking paint.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I had a guy I know on the Macross modeling forum 3D print a decent cockpit tub. I used my rotary tool to dig a hole out for lighting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure data-wp-context=\"{&quot;imageId&quot;:&quot;6af109575ab3c&quot;}\" data-wp-interactive=\"core\/image\" data-wp-key=\"6af109575ab3c\" class=\"wp-block-image size-large wp-lightbox-container\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" data-wp-class--hide=\"state.isContentHidden\" data-wp-class--show=\"state.isContentVisible\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\" data-wp-on--load=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on-window--resize=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" src=\"https:\/\/stevethefish.net\/stuff\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/buckrogers-cockpit1-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-3319\" srcset=\"https:\/\/stevethefish.net\/stuff\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/buckrogers-cockpit1-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/stevethefish.net\/stuff\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/buckrogers-cockpit1-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/stevethefish.net\/stuff\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/buckrogers-cockpit1-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/stevethefish.net\/stuff\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/buckrogers-cockpit1-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/stevethefish.net\/stuff\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/buckrogers-cockpit1-1320x990.jpg 1320w, https:\/\/stevethefish.net\/stuff\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/buckrogers-cockpit1.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 767px) 89vw, (max-width: 1000px) 54vw, (max-width: 1071px) 543px, 580px\" \/><button\n\t\t\tclass=\"lightbox-trigger\"\n\t\t\ttype=\"button\"\n\t\t\taria-haspopup=\"dialog\"\n\t\t\taria-label=\"Enlarge\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-init=\"callbacks.initTriggerButton\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--right=\"state.imageButtonRight\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--top=\"state.imageButtonTop\"\n\t\t>\n\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"12\" height=\"12\" fill=\"none\" viewBox=\"0 0 12 12\">\n\t\t\t\t<path fill=\"#fff\" d=\"M2 0a2 2 0 0 0-2 2v2h1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 1 .5-.5h2V0H2Zm2 10.5H2a.5.5 0 0 1-.5-.5V8H0v2a2 2 0 0 0 2 2h2v-1.5ZM8 12v-1.5h2a.5.5 0 0 0 .5-.5V8H12v2a2 2 0 0 1-2 2H8Zm2-12a2 2 0 0 1 2 2v2h-1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 0-.5-.5H8V0h2Z\" \/>\n\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t<\/button><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>This is just a clumsy mock-up, but I put a 3528 warm white SMD into the hole. I think when the time comes, I&#8217;ll cram some translucent white Oyumaru into the hole to create a light channel and diffuse the lights. As for the two side screens, I don&#8217; t think this is gonna cut it. I&#8217;ll probably have to add some smaller SMDs to light those.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure data-wp-context=\"{&quot;imageId&quot;:&quot;6af109575af43&quot;}\" data-wp-interactive=\"core\/image\" data-wp-key=\"6af109575af43\" class=\"wp-block-image size-large wp-lightbox-container\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" data-wp-class--hide=\"state.isContentHidden\" data-wp-class--show=\"state.isContentVisible\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\" data-wp-on--load=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on-window--resize=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" src=\"https:\/\/stevethefish.net\/stuff\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/buckrogers-cockpit2-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-3322\" srcset=\"https:\/\/stevethefish.net\/stuff\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/buckrogers-cockpit2-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/stevethefish.net\/stuff\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/buckrogers-cockpit2-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/stevethefish.net\/stuff\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/buckrogers-cockpit2-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/stevethefish.net\/stuff\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/buckrogers-cockpit2-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/stevethefish.net\/stuff\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/buckrogers-cockpit2-1320x990.jpg 1320w, https:\/\/stevethefish.net\/stuff\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/buckrogers-cockpit2.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 767px) 89vw, (max-width: 1000px) 54vw, (max-width: 1071px) 543px, 580px\" \/><button\n\t\t\tclass=\"lightbox-trigger\"\n\t\t\ttype=\"button\"\n\t\t\taria-haspopup=\"dialog\"\n\t\t\taria-label=\"Enlarge\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-init=\"callbacks.initTriggerButton\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--right=\"state.imageButtonRight\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--top=\"state.imageButtonTop\"\n\t\t>\n\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"12\" height=\"12\" fill=\"none\" viewBox=\"0 0 12 12\">\n\t\t\t\t<path fill=\"#fff\" d=\"M2 0a2 2 0 0 0-2 2v2h1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 1 .5-.5h2V0H2Zm2 10.5H2a.5.5 0 0 1-.5-.5V8H0v2a2 2 0 0 0 2 2h2v-1.5ZM8 12v-1.5h2a.5.5 0 0 0 .5-.5V8H12v2a2 2 0 0 1-2 2H8Zm2-12a2 2 0 0 1 2 2v2h-1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 0-.5-.5H8V0h2Z\" \/>\n\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t<\/button><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-1 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"737\" height=\"553\" data-id=\"3580\" src=\"https:\/\/stevethefish.net\/stuff\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/11\/starfighter-nose.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-3580\" srcset=\"https:\/\/stevethefish.net\/stuff\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/11\/starfighter-nose.jpg 737w, https:\/\/stevethefish.net\/stuff\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/11\/starfighter-nose-300x225.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 737px) 100vw, 737px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" data-id=\"3579\" src=\"https:\/\/stevethefish.net\/stuff\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/IMG_3588-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-3579\" srcset=\"https:\/\/stevethefish.net\/stuff\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/IMG_3588-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/stevethefish.net\/stuff\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/IMG_3588-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/stevethefish.net\/stuff\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/IMG_3588-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/stevethefish.net\/stuff\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/IMG_3588-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/stevethefish.net\/stuff\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/IMG_3588-1320x990.jpg 1320w, https:\/\/stevethefish.net\/stuff\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/IMG_3588.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 767px) 89vw, (max-width: 1000px) 54vw, (max-width: 1071px) 543px, 580px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>The module thingy on the front of the ship is not accurate. I cut it off and scraped it, then added a spare part from the old legacy Hasegawa F-15J model to represent how it&#8217;s supposed to look. Although looking at this up-close with a photograph, I see a lot of roughness that I cannot see with my 50 year old eyeballs. Looks like I will need to put my optivisors on and work on this some more.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Here&#8217;s the project I began this summer. This is the &#8217;80s reboxing of Monogram&#8217;s Buck Rogers Starfighter model kit from &#8217;79. For its age, the detail is pretty good! The only thing that sucks about it is the cockpit tub and a lack of a pilot figure. I&#8217;m going to light this kit. I used &hellip; <\/p>\n<p class=\"link-more\"><a href=\"https:\/\/stevethefish.net\/stuff\/index.php\/2026\/11\/09\/buck-rogers-starfighter-build-update\/\" class=\"more-link\">Continue reading<span class=\"screen-reader-text\"> &#8220;Buck Rogers Starfighter build update&#8221;<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[77,344],"class_list":["post-3317","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-modeling","tag-buck-rogers","tag-starfighter"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack-related-posts":[],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/stevethefish.net\/stuff\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3317","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/stevethefish.net\/stuff\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/stevethefish.net\/stuff\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/stevethefish.net\/stuff\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/stevethefish.net\/stuff\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3317"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/stevethefish.net\/stuff\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3317\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3581,"href":"https:\/\/stevethefish.net\/stuff\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3317\/revisions\/3581"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/stevethefish.net\/stuff\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3317"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/stevethefish.net\/stuff\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3317"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/stevethefish.net\/stuff\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3317"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}