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Post by scarecrow on Aug 19, 2009 13:13:49 GMT -9
This, is the beginning of what looks like it's going to be a pretty fun project. A Space:1889 Aphid gunship paper model. I'm using Deitrich's plans from the original rulebook which don't match up but are close enough to work with. I'm building the model in Maya and I'll use a combination of Photoshop and Pepakura to manufacture the parts. I'm hoping to have the first one, complete with paper crew (of course) by the time Red Sands is released. I'll post updates here.  Crow |
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Post by djlittle on Aug 21, 2009 16:43:29 GMT -9
That is phenominal!!! I would DEFINITELY like to try to build this!!!
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Post by scarecrow on Aug 26, 2009 12:37:04 GMT -9
Well, I've made a start on the main deck. This will have two sides, the intention being that you glue them to each side of a sheet of 5mm foam board or some such for strength and rigidity. It should then provide a light, but pretty sturdy core for the model.  Provided Photobucket hasn't resized it, this is around actual print size (on my monitor atleast) and is around 28% of the working file. I'm working at 300 dpi - though the final may well be 200dpi to keep the file size down. I've been working on some new Space 1889 minis aswell, but I'll bung those in the other thread when they're done. Enjoy, Crow |
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Post by scarecrow on Aug 29, 2009 0:06:20 GMT -9
Here's the main deck started. I printed out both top and bottom pieces and glued them to a piece of 5mm foamboard. I've made 5mm skirt pieces with rivets visible on the 'nose. The rest will form the base of the hand rail but I don't want to put those on until the main deck features like the cabin and boiler etc are in place. The next task is to figure how to tackle the hull. It's too large to be done as one piece on a sheet of A4 and it needs to be pretty sturdy too. Hmmmm.... Crow  |
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Post by djlittle on Aug 29, 2009 5:29:07 GMT -9
That is going to be SWEET!  |
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Post by old squirmydad on Aug 29, 2009 9:16:26 GMT -9
The next task is to figure how to tackle the hull. It's too large to be done as one piece on a sheet of A4 and it needs to be pretty sturdy too. Hmmmm.... Crow I recommend three or four enclosed volumes for the hull. That way you have 'bulkheads' where the volumes connect to each other to add strength. Looking very good.  |
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Post by scarecrow on Aug 29, 2009 12:02:44 GMT -9
Funnily enough, that's exactly what I've done. I'm using foamcore to create a couple of simple 'ribs' too. It should be okay. I'll prototype it first to see.
I'm thinking maybe I'll print the pieces on to card as well, instead of paper.
Crow
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Post by scarecrow on Aug 31, 2009 0:27:08 GMT -9
Okie-dokie, then. Hull Protoype 01 - paper worked quite well but it feels as fragile as I suspected it might and wrinkles somewhat on the joins. The foamboard 'ribs' either end of the middle section provide pretty good support though. The whole structure could probably stand on it's 'stomach' without collapsing. I'm going to try a second prototype using cardstock which I suspect will prove a lot stronger as long as the thickness of the card doesn't throw the measurements out too badly. I'm not expecting it to. Crow  |
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Post by djlittle on Aug 31, 2009 13:16:01 GMT -9
Definitely card stock...
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Post by scarecrow on Aug 31, 2009 23:30:40 GMT -9
Definately... Okay, Prototype 2 - cardstock worked extremely well. It's a no-brainer, really. You can print to cardstock as easily as paper and it's much stronger. I might do the rest of the model in it now. In fact, I might do all my 'paper' projects in cardstock from now on. Anyway, here it is with some familiar faces for scale. Now I need to texture it, print it and build it for real. I also need to construct some sort of cradle for the model to sit on. Crow  |
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Post by stevelortz on Sept 1, 2009 17:12:30 GMT -9
I like it. I always wanted to do a Martian flier, as illustrated on the covers of the Ballentine Books John Carter novels. They would make some great opponents for your aphid!
Have fun!
Steve
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Post by djlittle on Sept 5, 2009 8:39:10 GMT -9
MUCH better. Hurry up and perfect this thing! I want to build one!  |
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Post by djlittle on Sept 5, 2009 8:43:00 GMT -9
I like it. I always wanted to do a Martian flier, as illustrated on the covers of the Ballentine Books John Carter novels. They would make some great opponents for your aphid! Have fun! Steve I would LOVE to see some John Carter minis!!! Hordes of Green men on Thoats charging! Or, running into a Great White Ape while exploring an ancient ruined city.. Or a battle between Yellow men and the Black Pirates... Lots of fun! |
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Post by scarecrow on Sept 5, 2009 13:06:57 GMT -9
Update! With the exception of the ventral compass housing, the hull is done:  Now for the top half. Can't wait. Crow |
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Post by old squirmydad on Sept 7, 2009 11:16:08 GMT -9
THAT'S REALLY GOOD LOOKING.  I'm really looking forward to this piece. |
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Post by scarecrow on Sept 10, 2009 0:44:18 GMT -9
Right then, the Cowling, Gear Box, Boiler and Cabin have prototyped up pretty well, though the bell thing on the boiler was maddeningly fiddley and I'm not convinced the cabin is constructed as well as it could be but I'll have another pass tonight. In the mean time here's some pics (that also show the 3-point stand):  And yes, the boiler is modelled after Skarloey from Thomas the Tank Engine - I just thought it looked more interesting than a plain old cylinder There may be a slight delay before the next update whilst I work briefly on some Selenite paper minis for next Tuesday's game. Crow |
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Post by jabbro on Sept 10, 2009 5:07:57 GMT -9
Wow, this looks nice, Crow. I wish I could do 3D design. This looks stellar. All of your stuff does, actually. |
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Post by djlittle on Sept 10, 2009 12:48:58 GMT -9
LOVE IT! ;D
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Post by stevelortz on Sept 10, 2009 19:26:50 GMT -9
though the bell thing on the boiler was maddeningly fiddley The "bell thing on the boiler" is called a "steam dome." You see a lot of 19th century locomotives with two domes on top of the boiler. One was the steam dome, where the steam was actually drawn off to go to the throttle valve, the pilot valves and the pistons, the other was the "sand dome," which held sand that could be released onto the track just ahead of the drivers (wheels driven by the connecting rods) to give extra traction. One of these days, I'll have to sit down and draw an interior view of your aphid's engineroom. Both my grand-dads were railroad men. Have fun! Steve |
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Post by scarecrow on Sept 11, 2009 8:02:19 GMT -9
The curious thing is the positioning of the funnel. It's directly behind the cabin. The thing is, the only logical place for the fire is in the cabin, which would put the funnel at the far end, away from the cabin - if I understand my steam engines correctly. Not to worry. Someone on another forum commented on the size of the doorway too but I feel that if I'm going to do this then I need to follow Deitrich's original design as closely as possible. If I start making changes then it's no longer an Aphid, it's just fan-fiction. Crow |
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Post by djlittle on Sept 14, 2009 14:12:15 GMT -9
Patiently waiting for this masterpiece....
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Post by stevelortz on Sept 14, 2009 19:03:33 GMT -9
The curious thing is the positioning of the funnel. It's directly behind the cabin. The thing is, the only logical place for the fire is in the cabin, which would put the funnel at the far end, away from the cabin - if I understand my steam engines correctly. If the fire side of the boiler makes a double pass to superheat the steam, the stack would be above the firebox. I don't think that was something that was commonly done in the Victorian period, but at least it's a plausible explanation for why the stack is where it is. Have fun! Steve |
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Post by scarecrow on Sept 27, 2009 12:39:27 GMT -9
A productive weekend. Having taken a break to make some Selenite paper minis, I've now textured up the Rear cowling and 'gear box'. I've also completed the ventral compass housing (not shown in the pics). Boiler next. Huzzah! I'm really looking forward to it. Crow  |
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Post by docryder on Sept 27, 2009 14:43:43 GMT -9
Great detailing!
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Post by jabbro on Sept 28, 2009 3:59:13 GMT -9
This thing looks more like a plastic model than a paper construction. Maybe it is all that foam board you are using for support. Very cool. |
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Post by djlittle on Sept 28, 2009 14:24:03 GMT -9
Once complete, I'll build one and print some of the minis to crew it with! Speaking of minis, how about some American, French, German, etc.. |
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Post by scarecrow on Oct 4, 2009 0:05:56 GMT -9
Boiler's on!  I'm not overly enamoured with the steam dome. It's quite fiddley and I think I can simplify it a little. Also, the large blank panel either side needs something that isn't more bloody rivets. I was thinking of a cast iron plaque stating that it was made in Birmingham or something. Anyways, I'll look to this and then on to the cabin. Nearly done! Crow |
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Post by vectorsigma on Oct 8, 2009 17:16:37 GMT -9
I like the 'blank' panels - they're begging me to paste a little flag there.
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Post by djlittle on Nov 2, 2009 14:40:43 GMT -9
Any news on this? It's been awhile.
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Post by scarecrow on Nov 4, 2009 1:59:57 GMT -9
Sorry. It's still on the go, I've had a couple of things come up that require my attention more urgently though.
Update soon, hopefully.
Crow
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