Building Models from Deckplans

[CarlP]

I was in a hobby store the other day, looking at the model of the Death Star, when it struck me: 'Hmmm. I've got deckplans for a scout ship that's a perfect sphere. It's nine squares in diameter, and this model is 9" in diameter. So a 1" grid would fit inside perfectly....'

So now I'm thinking about building a 3D model based on that Death Star kit. Which won't be done any time soon, I'm sure. But it made me think about other model projects I've considered. For example, I have the Star Wars Imperial Destroyer, and I was thinking about opening the top up and putting in an interior based on the Type-S scout. I thought of *that* after looking at the model kit and remembering the 25mm Type-S I made back in college, out of cardboard and white glue.

To continue on in this same vein, I saw an already built model of the V2 rocket from Estes. 33" tall. That's a good size. I wonder what the tonnage would be if I built it as a 25mm model, with full interior?

As I said earlier, I don't know when or if I'll do any of these projects. But the planning is fun. And it made me wonder, how many others out there have built actual models, either to use in a game (that's my intended purpose, hence the 25mm scale of them), or just to build the model?

Carl

 

[Scarecrow]

I've considered it. I've considered it a lot but I don't have the workspace or the storage space, sadly! =(

I'd probably start from scratch with an MDF base though so I could get exactly the shape and scale I wanted rather than retconning it into an existing model.

Crow

 

[Malenfant]

You might want to check out the ZAON forums (ZAON is another space-operaish scifi game in the works, which spans the entire galaxy and has obscenely good 3D graphics).

Anyway, some folks there have been building real models of the ships using the CGI models as a base. So you might get some practical tips from those. Specifically, take a look at these two threads:
http://www.zaon.org/showthread.php?t=1368
http://www.zaon.org/showthread.php?t=1661

 

[etherflyer]

Originally posted by CarlP:
And it made me wonder, how many others out there have built actual models, either to use in a game (that's my intended purpose, hence the 25mm scale of them), or just to build the model?

Carl

Paul Lesack and I did parts of a model of the Gnortz freighter, at least enough to use it for a diorama. Part of the problem of making a real 'to scale' model is that there wouldn't be much space for miniatures inside: their bases would keep hitting the walls.

 

[Andrew Boulton]

A 1/72 Seeker variant:

http://www.geocities.com/Area51/Dunes/8426/traveller/typej.html

 

[CarlP]

Well, I've taken another step towards madness. I was out shopping today, and boy did I shop! I bought the Estes V-2 kit, and a box of 1/48 scale flight crew and ground crew. I'm going to do the model up in 1/48 scale, and they will populate it nicely.

That wasn't enough, though. I also picked up the Death Star kit. I'm actually going to do that one first. I think it will be simpler and easier for me than the V-2 kit.

Then I ordered some ship fittings from Bluejacket Shipcrafters. Watertight doors and hatches, mostly.

And to top it all off, I'm sitting here watching "Destination Moon", to help me get into the mood for all of this! (As if I needed to be any more in the mood).

Not only do I have plenty to do for this vacation, I've got plenty to do for the next several vacations, too!

Hmmm. I should track down my digital camera and take pictures of the work in progress. If I'm going to do this, I might as well share what I'm doing.

 

[shanksow]

Originally posted by CarlP:
For example, I have the Star Wars Imperial Destroyer, and I was thinking about opening the top up and putting in an interior based on the Type-S scout. I thought of *that* after looking at the model kit and remembering the 25mm Type-S I made back in college, out of cardboard and white glue.

As I said earlier, I don't know when or if I'll do any of these projects. But the planning is fun. And it made me wonder, how many others out there have built actual models, either to use in a game (that's my intended purpose, hence the 25mm scale of them), or just to build the model?

Carl

Wow -

That brought back memories for me. I built a paper/cardboard/balsa scout in 25 mm scale (with interior!). And a System Defense Boat out of balsa in 15mm scale, back when I was in college! All of a sudden, I have this really, really strong urge to do what you guys are talking about now.

 

[GypsyComet]

Looking at the links above, I have to say the ZAON stuff is very nice looking, but their production times are more indicative of a feature film than an RPG. This may well be due to them actually trying to live up to their own hype. Nice dream.

That Type J model is quite nice, and gives a good indication of the true size of that hull. Of course, the vehicle bay doors need work, as they are not openable in their current configuration...

I took an early stab at models of the Type S and the SDB, using the published 7.5m per inch scale (as in Traders and Gunboats) as my base and working in folded paper. This kept my early starts fairly small and kept some of the larger ships within reach. Not sure If I still have any of those floating around, as they were pretty basic.

 

[Scarecrow]

The Zaon guys asked me to join them once but I politely declined knowing full well how fickle and unreliable I am.

The imagery they produce is quite stunning - sadly the game looks a bit of a mess. Certainly the character sheet is the stuff of obscene, Giegeresque nightmares.

Crow