First Love.

Like many model builders, Sean Sides started building models around age 8. He built many jet airplanes. At 15, Sean discovered the art of super-detailing.

"I added additional things like brake lines in landing gear bays, antenna, and cutting out and reinstalling flaps and slats. In the early 90's, my interests changed to Sci Fi models from Star Trek, Star Wars and Battlestar Galactica. Those models had soft details, and afforded a lot of room for extra details," he explained.

In 1997, Sean decided to scratchbuild a 1:6 scale bridge station replica of Mr. Spock's Science Station from TOS.

"It was a very interesting challenge, combining construction, detailing and electronics into one model. The results were great, and I began to seek out similar challenges."

I discovered the "garage kit" industry around 1999. From that point on, most all my model building has been resin kits," he said, and then went on to building the more challenging models such as the Captian Cardboard's "2001 Pod Kit." He scratchbuilt most of the interior and internal lighting. About that time, he was lucky enough to get an opportunity to build a studio miniature for the filming of a sci-fi TV pilot called "Orbital-Braodcast 1."

Sci-Fi artist Andrew Probert (Star Trek TNG, Battlestar Galactica) had designed the ship along with the shows creator. Sean recollected that, "We collaborated for a couple weeks on how big it would be based on the limited budget. After about 6 months, I finished the model, and brought it out to Hollywood to be filmed. I was also asked to design all the console displays for the sets. Although the show never got picked up, it was a pleasure being involved in the project."


Afterword, Sean went back to building and detailing more resin kits, which by now, were incredibly accurate in design and detail. In 2003, the 66" USS Enterprise model became available through Jim Key at Custom Replicas.

"I couldn't pass up the opportunity," he said, "to build such a large model with the level of accuracy that it had. I spent about 2 1/2 years working on and off again on this amazing model. The entire construction is chronicled on my website."
The end result is spectacular. With the lighted windows, blinking lights and spinning engine Nacelles, you'd swear you were looking at the original film-miniature. Sean added that "this was probably the most rewarding model I've ever worked on, and will always be the favorite model of my collection."

Sean's latest project is a recreation of the original Battlestar Galactica. "It is my intention to have a level of accuracy near that of the orignial miniature." That project began earlier this year, and quite a bit of progress has been made. The frame and most of the body are complete, and all the small details and 'greeblies' are being applied starting at the rear (engine) and working forward. We hope to see some updates on Sean's website in the next couple months.

Sean lives in Conifer, Colorado in the mountains above Denver. His wife Christine supports his hobby and is a talented artist/painter. Sean's full time job is IT Director of Quality at Great-West Healthcare. He also serves in the Colorado Air National Guard as a multimedia specialist doing graphics, photo and video support for the F-16 unit.

Sean, it is a pleasure to spotlight you on Starship Scratcher. Hats' off to you, and keep up the inspiring work! Visit Sean's site for more pictures of his work.