<p>
I used common craft glass paint on the clear pieces to get the
necessary yellow windscreen (this has been done before... originally by
Zachmoe, I think.) It's simply painted on with a cheap brush and later
peels off harmlessly like plastic wrap.
</p>
<p>
The studs forward technique makes the side nacelles perfectly sturdy:
no drooping whatsoever. I was worried about the 'neck' though, as I
didn't have anyway of running technic beams through the middle or
tacking tiles along the outside to keep the stack from cracking up.
Fortunately, the maximum supportable length was about what I wanted
visually. (This is probably one of the biggest models I've made that is
still one-hand-swooshable.)
</p>
<p>
I originally developed landing gear that were more delicate and
jack-knifed into position; they actually supported the weight but I
scrapped them for the current beefier version containing only one hinge
each.
</p>
<p>
True classic fans will note the small, light gray doors on the sides of
the aft section: a nod to the Galaxy Explorer... and indeed, these
originals survived with me from that very set 30 years ago.
</p>