Resin Kit Review: Resin Modeler 1::2500 Challenger Class (Non-Cannon)

NOTE:  You can click on most pictures to get a larger view of them.

In this review, I want to take a good close look at Resin Modeller's 1:2500 scale Contender Class.

 

Resin Modeller's Recommended Paint Scheme

This is one of those more unique starships that are harder to find information on.  From the reading I have done, it is called a Challenger Class (Non-Cannon) ship although Adam at Resin Modeller has it listed as a Contender.  Since it's a non-canon ship, there is no real answer, however, since they list it on Memory Beta as a Challenger Class (Non-Cannon), I will stay with that classification to help alleviate my confusion.  The ship is a predecessor to the Constellation and serves as a deep space explorer.

The Resin Modeller kit comes in 5 pieces and includes some decals for customization.  The finished model measures in at 11cm.  I interviewed Adam, who owns and operates Resin Modeler about this kit.  When I asked him how long it took him to design it, he said that it only took about a day or two as he was simply making a conversion kit for his Constellation Class kit that he was building at that same time.  The kit was based off the ship that he saw in the comic books.

I probably should have followed up with how long it took to do the Constellation since that build was an integral part of this kit, but live and learn.

If you are interested in reading more about this model right from the source, or wanting to purchase it, feel free to go HERE.

 

 

 

 

DeepSpace Pat's Paint Scheme

NOTE: The eye hook is NOT part of the kit.  I added that because a majority of my models are hung up on a book shelf to conserve space.

The warp nacelles assembly was the only part the required a bit of cleanup as far as the excess resin went.  Everything else was fairly clean with maybe a small resin ball here or there that was easily dealt with using the tip of my exacto knife.

 

Painting and assembly were pretty much a breeze.  The only tricky painting was the recessed hanger doors and the "T" like details on the bottom of the saucer.  She was such an easy kit though that I believe I had her done in a day.  I think the thing that took the longest with building her was waiting on the paint to dry.

Conclusion

As far as kits go, this one is a top notch one in my book.  It is well designed and would make a great first time project for the beginner modeler and beginner resin kit builder.  If you are a first timer, just be sure to review the helpful hints section I included down below so that you do not run into any snags.

As always, I hope you found this article useful and informative.  If you have any questions, comments or suggestions, please feel free to comment below.

So for now, "Live long and prosper!!!"



Additional Links To Photos Of My Collection:

The Model
Work In Progress Pictures

Helpful Hint Articles

Washing     Warped Parts     Gluing     Filling The Gaps     Making Stands     Decals 

NOTE: If you are new to my reviews, then please read on.  This section talks about the garage kit maker that made this kit as well as a little about why I'm writing this review.  If you are one of my regular readers, then feel free to skip the rest of this article as it is a word for word repeat of stuff from previous articles.

Kit Maker Information

Adam who owns and operates Resin Modeller does most of his business through his website.  He will also occasionally sell his kits through eBay, however, it is always recommended to go to his website for orders.  Although he does not maintain a FaceBook page for his business, he does post his work in progress stuff over at the All Scale Trek forums.

R.M.'s Website: CLICK HERE

R.M.'s eBay Seller Profile: CLICK HERE

A majority of all of Adam's kits are produced via 3D design software and then professionally 3D printed.  He then uses these as his masters in the mold making process.  In my opinion, this produces a very crisp model.

In my dealings with Adam, I find him to be a very nice guy to chat with.  He will usually answer inquiries within a day or two of being emailed.  Like most garage kit makers, he has a regular day job, and the kit building business is his way of funding his love of building models.  He has shared that he has found a lack of 1:1400 scale ships and since that is his preferred size to build in, he just makes the ships he wants for his collection.  

DISCLAIMER SECTION

I consider myself an intermediate model maker.  I'm pretty good with assembling kits these days  and OK on the painting side of things.  I ultimately end up with ships that look good enough to me to display in my collection.  I've found that there are all sorts of neat ships out there that no one has made a pre-built or pre-painted model of, so, in an effort to expand my ship collection I've turned to building them myself, either by kitbashing or purchasing ready made resin model kits.

There are several smaller garage kit makers out there that produce some very good kits.  I've actually developed a good relationship with a couple of them and volunteered some of my time to write up reviews about the kits I've purchased from them.  I have already warned them that I intend to be pretty objective, not pull any punches, and these reviews are going to be written from the point of view of an intermediate model builder.  If this means that I warn away a first time builder from a particular kit, then they will need to be OK with that approach.

Lastly, due to the nature of resin casting, not every kit is going to be the same.  Excess resin and air pockets are a part of the game when you get into this sort of model building.  The kit that I got and built may be slightly different than your kit as far as minor quality issues.  I will still point out flaws with my kit as those flaws could lead into a lesson of some sort for either you the reader or the kit maker themselves.