OK, this is one of those Projects I’ve let it simmer for quite some time. I meant to pick it up after our Move to another place which I can say, is finally our very own Home. But that turbulence only settled last year. I have put the Project away and once in a while I did see it before it got hidden by other boxes.
This time, when I saw it again, I did not hesitate but pulled it out from the stacks of… heavy stuff.
Right now, there is nothing done for the time being, plus I need to find the Chrome Paints which I have collected over the years. So, this post is just a reminder to myself on what has been done, and what else is needed before I can go into Production Stage, apart from the Manual.
In Summary…
The design of the Razor Crest’s Lighting System was to fit into the two versions of the model; AMT and Revell-Germany. Both Manufacturers were given the same Data File and when they came to the market, the results were very different. Revell-Germany has crisp molding features and better cockpit details. AMT on the other hand, had very soft details but the main Blaster were better. But since this post is about lighting, I would say AMT was designed for that.
This is quite apparent when you take a look at the rear thrusters. The AMT version has the slots cut out and even includes a clear piece for the middle thrusters. But for Revell-Germany, although it has better details, alas, you’d need to cut out E. V. E. R. Y. slots. Then again, you can always get a 3D printed version from 308 Bits. OK… um, I can’t find his Shop ever since Shapeways went bye-bye. This link is the best I can do for now.
The Two Modes
The Lighting System has two modes; standby and flight. In each mode, the lighting effect is different. For the FLIGHT MODE, the two main engines would flicker to simulate hot gases coming out. The two red LEDs on the top and bottom of each of the engines would light up including the two red dimples (below the cockpit) in the front.
For the STANDBY MODE, the two Engines would not be constantly on but does some quick starting up every few seconds. If you have the copy of Revell-Germany’s Razor Crest, then you are about to take advantage of this mode. This is because this version has an interior, which builds up like a small tub. And then you insert it into the main fuselage, like a small tub into a bigger tub. Unfortunately, this method does not allow for conventional LED lighting because there is only a very small gap between the two tubs. It took a lot of trial and error (and my savings) to develop the solution. In addition, there are also other lights such as the ones on the pylons, the side walls and even in the landing gears.
The only constant in the two modes would be the cockpit lights.
