1/24 N-Type Javelin Shuttlecraft

[aptivaboy]

Hey, just an FYI, DAZ Studio has a new plugin that will allow for really accurate 3D printing of figures. They're currently way too large and expensive, but I asked on the forums there and the company behind it all said that smaller figures (I asked specifically about 1/48 and 1/72 for Runabout and Trek shuttle projects) are in the future. Currently, you're looking at a pretty penny for a hyperrealistic hand painted figure, but unpainted, smaller versions are in the future. It may be something to keep in mind if you want to populate your shuttle with that Vulcan hottie, or that... You know.

https://www.daz3d.com/3d-print-details

[AdmiralBuck]

Originally Posted by aptivaboy

Hey, just an FYI, DAZ Studio has a new plugin that will allow for really accurate 3D printing of figures. They're currently way too large and expensive, but I asked on the forums there and the company behind it all said that smaller figures (I asked specifically about 1/48 and 1/72 for Runabout and Trek shuttle projects) are in the future. Currently, you're looking at a pretty penny for a hyperrealistic hand painted figure, but unpainted, smaller versions are in the future. It may be something to keep in mind if you want to populate your shuttle with that Vulcan hottie, or that... You know.

https://www.daz3d.com/3d-print-details

Thanks for the heads-up. 1/24 figures are in the works. I don't know about hyper-realistic 3D printed ones but hand made for sure.

[AdmiralBuck]

Styrene framework began to take shape over the weekend. My 3-view plans don't exactly line up so there's going to be a lot of guesswork while I nail down the complicated curves of the hull. .080 Plastic sheet is used here:

[Road Warrior]

Fantastic work Admiral.

[Griffworks]

Internal frame welding complete!

[Tiberious]

Commander on the inspection tour.

[AdmiralBuck]

Holiday bench time yielded good progress on the hull frame. More bulkheads and nose structure. Now beginning to lay out cockpit interior as a separate unit that can be built, lit and painted separately - then installed before closing up the hull.













Craft might be assigned to ENDURANCE:



Cockpit lighting test with red LED in overhead alcoves.

[SCI-FI]

I cannot even fathom how to translate the 2D drawings into cross-sections.
This is a specific failing of mine, and it's hard to make progress on any scratchbuild based on existing drawings.
Any advice on how you do this?
How often do you cut the cross-section frames and they turn out to be garbage?
Or worse, how often do you make frames and skin it and later found out you made a mistake?
This is a serious limit in my modeling skills. :O

[AdmiralBuck]

Originally Posted by SCI-FI

I cannot even fathom how to translate the 2D drawings into cross-sections.
This is a specific failing of mine, and it's hard to make progress on any scratchbuild based on existing drawings.
Any advice on how you do this?
How often do you cut the cross-section frames and they turn out to be garbage?
Or worse, how often do you make frames and skin it and later found out you made a mistake?
This is a serious limit in my modeling skills. :O

I think you can see in one of the above images that I've taped the side and top view to the bench, aligning them. Penciled lines drawn at intervals through both were made to indicate where I wanted to create a bulkhead. Using measurements from the center line or from the floorboard for each bulkhead gave me the specific points (width and height) in space to form each hexagonal frame along the hull shape. The front and rear views also helped but as I had not drawn them correctly, further complicated the procedure so I used them only as reference. These measurements were transferred to paper to create a template, cut out with scissors, checked and then traced onto sheet plastic and cut out.

The first frame piece was cut incorrectly and tossed.

As the frame begins to fill in, you can start to see the hull shape beginning to form as each frame transitions to the next. Any errors can be smoothed at this point or additional material added to the frame if too shallow - before skinning. Again, even after skinning, more body work can continue with fillers. I think the effort of sheet on rib formers is a quick way to stay true to the plans, if available. It's not for everyone as there are more accurate ways I'm sure of achieving a 3D representation. But, I enjoy the challenge.

[tsenecal]

Originally Posted by AdmiralBuck

I think the effort of sheet on rib formers is a quick way to stay true to the plans, if available. It's not for everyone as there are more accurate ways I'm sure of achieving a 3D representation. But, I enjoy the challenge.

actually, what you describe is a traditional modeling method for building model boat hulls, using drawings of the real boat, that has been used for centuries.

seems to work well for spacecraft as well

[AdmiralBuck]

More of the usual nonsense. I had to cut the nose off of the body so I could get my hands inside the cockpit. Also started the nose gear and well assembly.

[SCI-FI]

Absolutely love the "hooded control panel" designs-- reminds me of the transporter controls circa Star Trek II...

[Road Warrior]

Fantastic. I seemed to have missed your last update.

[SCI-FI]

Heck, even the seats look like a hybrid of TOS and TMP chairs....

[Apophis]

Looks okay i guess... nah just kidding looks amazing! great job!