A Base for the Bird-of-Prey

A Base Based on a Better Base for the BOP to be Based On

On my last pos t regarding this BOP, I had it placed on a rotating display base programmed to rotate 15 degrees and then reverse. I revisited that situation and realized that having the BOP plugged in and mistakenly put the rotating display on 360 degrees would be catastrophic! The cable connected to the lighted BOP would entangle itself, and if that had happened, the Klingon Empire would be on my back for treason and sabotage!

So, I decided to make a static base for the AMT Klingon Bird-of-prey, So I bought one FloraCraft Green Foam Block 2 inch x 11.9 inch x 17.9 inch which can be found in the nearest Walmart, and I started designing it. I wanted a scene to resemble the crew relaxing after a long battle with the terrible Tribbles.

Let’s break down how I brought this Klingon diorama to life, especially focusing on:

Painting the base with acrylics

Converting 1/350 scale US Navy sailors into Klingons

Setting the scene of a post-battle relaxation moment with structures

1. Painting the Base (FloraCraft Foam Block)

Preparation

Plotting and planning: First, I drew out where I wanted the BOP and where the river should be next to it.

Seal the foam: Acrylic paint can eat into foam, so I first brushed on a layer of gesso to seal it. Any gesso will do. Then I let it dry completely. I had to apply layers with wet sanding in between to smooth it out and to fill in some tiny air pockets that the gesso didn’t cover.

Texture: I used textured modeling paste to add terrain features like rocks, craters, hills and rough soil. I also added some toothpicks to make small trees and bushes daubing globs of model paste on to them. To simulate small valleys, I just used my finger and pressed in some of the areas in the foam ensuring the gesso didn’t crack. and if it did, reapply gesso.

Painting Steps

Base coat: I used a dark color like burnt umber or black mixed with red as a primer. This gives depth.

Dry brushing: Then I layered on lighter tones like green, yellow, olive green, and cadmium red using dry brushing to bring out texture.

🛠️ 2. Converting 1/350 Scale US Navy Sailors into Klingons for the Base

This was a fun challenge! At 1/350 scale, details are tiny, but here’s how I Klingon-ified them:

Converting US Sailors into Klingons

Online, I found some 1:350 scale 3D printed US Navy Aircraft Handling Officers of Flight Deck #N03-197-68 in various positions to create a welcoming scene.

Heads: Using a fine-tipped paint brush I painted the tiny foreheads into the classic Klingon ridges in various tones of flesh. The paints I used were the Testors Model Masters enamels.

Uniforms: Painted the figures in light brown or flat tan for the pants, metallics for their tunics, and gloss black for belts and boots.

Painting Tips

Use a magnifying visor or jeweler’s loupe. If you don’t, you’ll strain your eyes and start losing pieces.

Highlight with a fine brush using lighter tones on raised areas.

Be very gentle while taking these figures out of their 3D printed blocks, they are very fragile. Arms and legs can be easily snapped off!

🖼️ 3. Scene: Klingons Relaxing After Battle (or Not) Around Structures

This is where my creativity opened up.

Klingons Out and About: Klingons were posted about the entrance of the ship to meet their compatriots that came down the ramp. Some working by the bloodwine refinery. Two are under the fuselage discussing quantum physics and how to keep Tragg from singing again.

Scenery: Around the foam, alien plants and actual pebbles from the local arts and craft shop were added about. The refinery was actually an airplane engine standing on its end. And the recharging plate from a top portion of a water filter canister. Painted in steel enamel and “rusted”.

Framing: I used pine wood all around to keep the foam base in place and carved out a tunnel in the foam from the “charging station” to the switch on one side of the wood base. In addition, a wire was lead through from the switch to the charging station so the BOP can be lit.

Another tragedy strikes the Klingon empire!

There seems to be some kind of tragedy when I build something. Check out this build and see! I noticed that one of the blinking lights was malfunctioning, so I had to open it up, dissect it like a birthday cake and found a loose connection between one of the LED’s and wire.