AMT 50th Anniversary USS Enterprise Star Ship

I am trying to create panel lines without actually inscribing them. I want to give the illusion of them here. Not sure if this will work out but you will maybe gain from my experience here and not do this, we will see. I drew them on based on the technical drawings I can find, first I divided the saucer in four equal parts, then using a 3x3 post it note, I laid it one the corner of one line to the outer edge of the saucer and made a mark, that was equal between both quarter lines, then divided each of those 8ths into 3 equal sections. I drew the lines back to the center of the bridge area on top. I used a compass with a pencil and approximated the location of the rings.

I then used flat white to highlight each 'panel' to highlight them. Will cover in a light base coat of light grey next and hope the white and black show through a little to create the appearance of paneling.
 

Here you can see what I mean with the post it note, it is exactly half of the distance between the quarter panel lines, got lucky with this. I then divided the post it into 3 equal sections and added marks for the panels in between and got all 24 sections done this way 

I put the two saucer sections together and transferred the panel lines up the lip on the bottom saucer section and then drew the lines back to the center of the planetary sensor.

I completed the rings as before 

Using the drawings I found the panel lines for the secondary hull and nacelles and roughly sketched the panel lines there as well. 

Think it turned out pretty good. Maybe another light coat? This is a 50-50 of white and light grey by vallejo, this picture the paint is still wet so hard to see the final effect. 

Another view of the top saucer section, wet. 

Bottom saucer section, wet. As you can see I tried to engrave the planetary sensor rings but that didn't work out too well, luckily this is the bottom and this won't be seen unless you go looking for it. Will try to blend them in a bit more when it comes time to weather. 

Paint effect dried and gluing the two halves together so I can get the edge done, then a light coat throughout again. 

Lower hull section with base covering, ready for top coat tomorrow. 

Weathering and decals applied, wish the top dome was a better fit though. I added the navigation lights by cutting off the top of some old LEDs, worked great. Attached with super glue 

The lower hull almost complete, some touch ups and not too happy with how the nacelle details are currently, might do some updates on those before final clear coats.  

Lower section, smaller LEDs were used for the navigation lights. Taped off the grey triangles (landing gears as mentioned somewhere else?) Still needs some touch ups and final clear coats
 

Final product, came out a bit darker than I wanted, but happy with the final result. Not bad for my first kit in 20 years. On to the next kit. 

Final product, came out a bit darker than I wanted, but happy with the final result. Not bad for my first kit in 20 years. On to the next kit.