Finally I have completed my version of an Imperial Corvette. This is certainly not a scratchbuild but a minor modification of an existing model (Revell's Republic Star Destroyer). It has the classic wedge shape of the Imperial Star Destroyer. All I have done is add a large bridge structure, add larger weapons and a lighting system. The weapons are either gun turrets or missile launchers and are mounted with magnets to allow rotation. Blue LEDs are used in the main engines with fibre optic tubing for the smaller ports. There is a red LED in the bridge to give it a "red alert" feel. Certainly the first model I have done with lighting but I think it turned out fine.

Still thinking of a name, possibly a Vanguard class Corvette. Something like a Vigil but with better command facilities.

Looks great, but give us a close up of the bridge!

Seriously though, looks great. I am not totally sold on the imperial markings, but overall it looks really, really good:). Now time for some rules!

My one issue, and I've seen a lot of these conversions from the Republic Cruiser, is the launch bays that couldn't really fit a ship. I would have probably cut them out, filled in with plasticard and grebbled over them.

But it does look darn cool. Very tempted to pick up one of these kits at some time and have a play with it.

My one issue, and I've seen a lot of these conversions from the Republic Cruiser, is the launch bays that couldn't really fit a ship. I would have probably cut them out, filled in with plasticard and grebbled over them.

But it does look darn cool. Very tempted to pick up one of these kits at some time and have a play with it.

or just paint them glass-like and call them windows - with a great view of the stars and whatever current battle you are in.

My one issue, and I've seen a lot of these conversions from the Republic Cruiser, is the launch bays that couldn't really fit a ship. I would have probably cut them out, filled in with plasticard and grebbled over them.

But it does look darn cool. Very tempted to pick up one of these kits at some time and have a play with it.

They don't have to be viper launch tubes. They could be blast doors for docking or shutters for windows, as suggested by Asgo. I cut the doors off one of mine and put in glass.

Mel's turrets look great on this shark. The bridge reminds me of cylons. Thanks for sharing.

What about rules?

How did you fix the post to the model?

Could you also share more about your lighting?

Nice job DB!

I just got one of these kits for the same reason! I am also very interested about the rules you are using!

Cool stuff, like it, good job with the leds.

Wiring diagram would also be pretty handy, along with what ever rules you have devised. Like many I have plans on adding this beast. Where did you get the main guns and missile launchers from?

Wiring diagram would also be pretty handy, along with what ever rules you have devised. Like many I have plans on adding this beast. Where did you get the main guns and missile launchers from?

From the picture, looks like 4 AA batteries in series, providing 6V power. 4 Blue LEDs, 5mm (3.2V, unless they're run in reverse polarity, then 5V) judging from the picture of the rear, wired in parallel (not enough voltage to wire even two in series), and then a 60? strand fiber optics wired in parallel with the LEDs providing the smaller lights. Oh, and a switch. I don't see any resistors, though one could be hiding in there with all of the wire splits. The system should work fine without any, but it should reduce the longetivity of the LEDs without it. Or so I've been told. I have no clue what the time frame of the reduction is though... does it take it from 10000 hours down to 5000 hours? Or does it shorten it to 100 hours?

I am interested in the material used as a diffuser at the end of the LEDs though.

Thanks for the comments. I will try to cover some of the questions. My explanation for the launch bays are that they are "probe launch bays" as this vessel is designed for some independent work and investigation. The weapons were from Shapeways, Mel's Miniature Turbolaser turrets. Then I searched for some sort of missile system and picked the one I liked from another seller.

The post is just embedded into a cavity, it is not locked in place but can rotate freely. Not the best set up and could be improved.

I had help with the wiring up so cannot give too much detailed information. They are 5mm LEDs, there are resistors sheathed in heat shrink. The fibre optic cable was 2mm thick. There is a switch underneath.

A lot of experimentation was tried to get the diffusion effect. Sandpapering the LED can help abit. We also tried cotton wool which worked surprisingly well. In the end I made a sandwich of very thin mesh with a sheet of baking paper in between and was happy with the result. Personally I really like the Imperial markings as they add something to an otherwise grey model. I was going to go with a lighter colour but now think it looks fine and makes the logo stand out more.

Rules are "to be continued...."

Close up of Bridge by request: Exterior and Interior views. The window is painted red but in low light conditions the red LED does shine through the thin plasticard covering the viewing slot.

I think you did a nice job. I like Star Wars models with built-in lights.

Great Job! Where are the rules for this? I don't see the link

Close up of Bridge by request:

Today I learned: DB Draft is actually Arvel Crynyd.

Nice modification, I like the Imperial markings you added. This is a cool looking ship!

Looks great, wish I could do something like this.

I really like your ship. It looks sleek but not brutally imposing.

I wish the bridge was more detailed though. Is it not done?

The model is complete as shown. I thought about adding the "domes" associated with a Star Destroyer but personally I think it looks better without these. The bridge was fabricated with plasticard and just has some panel lines scribed, and just sits on top. To me at least it looks better than the twin bridge of the Venator and the size of it along with the size of the turrets make it seem like a smaller ship, more in scale with X-Wing ships. It will be interesting to design stats for it once we have more info on the Raider model.

I also have a DP20 for the Rebels I need to stat up too!

Very nice ship. Meaning no disrespect to FFG, I actually like yours a lot more than the new Raider. I'm a fan of the OT and your model adheres more to my idea of an Imp corvette from that time period than the new Raider.

May I ask, where did you acquire the turrets? To my eye, they are scaled perfectly for X-Wing and really 'sells' this model.

Dude, that is seriously cool!. Awesome job.

I just got one of these kits for the same reason! I am also very interested about the rules you are using!

WHERE are you finding kits?!? They seem to be unavailable in the USA for less than a mint via eBay, and Revell doesn't seem to be making any more of them.

Wonderful ship, DB! You've done a fantastic job. How big is the base?

Very nice. Now pictures in low light please.

The base is approximately 7" square (18cm). This was obviously done before the Epic base was revealed so I will likely make a new base to fit into this system of maneuver template.

Here are some low light pics:

Cool. If the red stripe on the bridge glows, then you'll be able to have it do double duty as a Cylon vessel.

Very nice, but I feel like the bridge lacks the detail found on the rest of the model.