Large-scale Federation Spacedock - now studio-scale !!!

Eric Ardros

So, since I moved in with the gf about a month ago, during my off hours at home I've been conjuring up yet more ideas for future projects and drawing more blueprints. Not like I don't have enough in mind to do already, lol.

Anyway, after rummaging through some of my prop stuff a few weeks ago I rediscovered the 6" Spacedock model I'd bought on eBay back in 2006, which reminded me of my plans to do up a larger scale build for myself.

With all things scratch-built, of course I first had to draft a decent blueprint to work from, and here's what I came up with (based my blueprint on a scanned copy I came across online):

Federation Spacedock -- Pic 01

After all is said and done (whenever that'll be, as I'm still not in a financially feasible position to buy all the prop-building supplies I need), this beauty will measure in at just under 18" (1 1/2 feet) tall, not including the top and bottom antennae arrays. And it'll be about 15" at its widest point.

Definately more imposing and impressive than 6", that's for sure, lol. Also allows more detail to be put into it, which I like.

I don't know what scale that would be exactly, but as someone mentioned some time ago about the one he planned on building measuring between 3 1/2 to 4 feet being 1:2500 scale, given that mine is roughly half the size of that I guess that would put this one at about 1:5000 scale.

And as I wanted to add an extra touch to mine when I get around to building it, I also drew up the interior of the top section:

Federation Spacedock -- Pic 02

Of course, I traced the outline of the overall blueprint to do this one, so everything is proportionate. Took me more than a few hours pouring over whatever reference pics I could find online to get the inside looking just right, lol.

I figured the easiest way to do up this build would be to procure some formed styrofoam cylinders and balls of varying thicknesses to make up the basic shape of the model, and then cover everything with a thin layer of sheet styrene to allow detailing. That way, I'd only have to fabricate the top section (still thinking about how to do that).

The problem is, with this model at its current size, none of the styrofoam I've come across has been the correct size for any of the individual sub-assemblies. They were either too big, or too small, and I want to avoid having to shave them down in size for fear that I won't manage to keep the pieces round as they should be.

So, I'm debating whether or not to simply up-size the model a bit in order to use what's readily available. Maybe resize it to make it in scale with the Micro Machine starships.

Either way, I'm hopeful I'll be able to get started on this project sometime soon, given that some of my other planned projects (TNG Medkit, DS9 Runabout Subspace Transceiver) have sorta fallen flat for the time being considering the higher material costs involved for those. May be a while though, given the focus I'm putting into my studio-scale TOS Shuttlecraft at the moment.

PHArchivist

Please do this. No one else has...

Firefoxm31

well that's not entirely true...Kevin Pouge made one back in the 80's. I have the masters to it but haven't molded it. With Cityscape would make it around 18" tall or so. There were molds made of it earlier but those went to another modeler. I think I have some pics of the parts or molds here, I'll look around for them.

Will

GKvfx

I applaud you for doing this, but I think your plan has a fatal flaw. Actually, two.

First - avoid styrofoam materials. I mean to get a nice smooth finish your gonna cover styrofoam with strips of styrene and sand smooth? That sounds like a lot of unnecessary work, especially given the straightforward nature of the basic shape. You have to use some form of acrylic or plastic. Structurally it will be a lot more sound and it will be easier to get the basic shape done, leaving you more time to concentrate on the detail.

Second - Don't lock yourself into a set height and try to get domes to match. Try and figure out what all the various measurements are as ratios to each other - ie: the overall height is 4x the diameter of the large half sphere at the bottom of the spacedock entrance. That way, once you find a half dome that is close, you can adjust the overall length.

There are a couple of good shots of the spacedock in the original ILM "Art of Special Effects" book.

good luck,

Gene

Eric Ardros

Oh, really? I wasn't aware someone had already done up a large-scale Space Dock model. The things you learn, heh.

That's part of the reason why I decided I wanted to build one myself. The other part being, well... this thing would just look awesome in a larger scale, lol. Let's not forget the detailed interior, too. How kewl would that be?

Actually, that is exactly how I was planning on doing it, lol. Was going to apply a thin styrene skin to the base foam pieces and detail that surface.

Where should I go to procure such acrylic or plastic components? A plastic manufacturer/supplier? If so, I know of one in town I can easily get to.

And thanks for the tip on determining the ratios of the different components. I hadn't thought of looking at it like that before.

That should actually make it a little easier for me to find properly-sized parts. Thanks again, Gene.

GKvfx

The time you save using plastic hemispheres will be well worth the additional cost. Those hemispheres can be found at a lot of places that sell acrylic sheet and other plastics. Here in LA, there's a place called Kit Kraft that sells all sorts of hemispheres. I don't know if they are online. Also, a hemisphere can come from anywhere. Go to a pet store and look for a Habitrail.

Charles Adams, who goes by the name Star-Art here has put out a book that you will find invaluable. It deals with all the blueprinting type stuff you need to know for sratchbuilding. It's called "The Model Design & Blueprinting Handbook". Highly recommended.

Gene

Firefoxm31

I found my pics but no scanner so will have to take a pic of a pic lol

Eric Ardros

Thanks for the additional info there, Gene. I'll probably just stop by the plastic manufacturer I'd alluded to earlier. That'd be the easiest way to get what I need, and I'm on friendly terms with the guys there.

As for that blueprinting book you mentioned, I'll do a search online and see where I can find it (maybe eBay, even?). Sounds just like what I need to help me out with these blueprints.

Whatever works, lol. If you could post those pics (in one way or another), it would be much appreciated, dude.

foj3000

You can get the book here:
Starship Modeler Store: Model Design & Blueprinting Handbook (2nd Ed)

GeneralFROSTY

I was thinking of building a large section of the interior wall with the doors in scale with the 1/350 Refit from Polar Lights....I want to take a photo ala 'stealing the Enterprise'

MooCriket

I'd love to see this one completed

Eric Ardros

Ha-ha! That'd be kewl, dude

You and me both, lol.

Money's a little tight right at the moment, so I've put what I can toward getting supplies for the studio-scale TOS Shuttlecraft I'm also planning on building (working on the blueprints right now; can be seen in another thread here).

This will definitely be the next one to do on my list, once I'm done with the shuttlecraft.

Do you guys think there'd be enough interest in this as a kit, if I were somehow able to go that route?

PHArchivist

Stop talking - start building!

Eric Ardros

I realize it's been over a week since I posted any updates here, and the reason for that is, well... there aren't any. Sorry.

Since all the paperwork (blueprints) I'd planned on doing up for this is already done I'll head out to procure the base materials I need to get it started.

I'll have plenty of time in the coming week(s) to devote to the actual build, as I just got word I lost my job.

Not the best way to get myself the spare time I need to actually work on this project, but hopefully I'll be able to both finish the build quickly and find myself another job soon.

Just wanted to give everyone interested in this a quick update on where things stand.

Eric Ardros

Well, as I'm already venturing into the realm of studio-scale models with the introduction of my studio-scale TOS Shuttlecraft, since this is my planned next large-scale project I decided I might as well go all out with this one and make it studio scale too:

Federation Spacedock -- Pic 03

I went to Staples Business Depot earlier this week and had them enlarge my original draft to a height of four feet. I didn't realize just how big the filming model was until I brought it home and hung it on the wall in my prop room, next to my initial 18" version, lol.

As I'm still knee-deep in my Shuttlecraft scratch-build, I won't be starting on this one anytime soon, but it should be a lot of fun once I do

DaddyfromNaboo

Bump for insaneness!

JoslinFX

Hi there, dont mean to burst your bubble, but your blue print is incorrect, the main top section slant is to steep, do not use Technical manuals as reference. + the mid section is proportionally wrong.

I know this cause i spent a years researching the original miniature, cause all technical manuals and comercial blue prints were all blatently incorrect, in terms of proportion and angles.

There are side profile pics of the orginal shooting miniature on the net, which show this, plus having a keen eye for angles will show this on sceen shots from the films. I have a correctly proportioned studio scale blue print, for which i intend to build some time, "As a Kit" :]

ralphee

Ouch, bitten by the four laws of crapping

Lee

Aztek Dummy

I'll add a 5th law, if you don't mind

Master all the above, and can't deliver your kit in less than 2 months, your kit may as well be crap

feek61

^
Well, that leaves me out of everything since my projects routinely take years, lol.

Monster Dave

I think this could be a really unique project. That space dock has been used in various seried from STIII to TNG - and is very recognizable! It might be really neat to do this as an "opening" piece; one that is literally cut down the middle and opens from one side to see the interior, the ships, the decks, etc...

Whatever you do, you've got my vote that it'll be neat. Most importantly, don't let anyone tell you that you're doing it wrong. Just do it however you invision it and have fun with a neat project!

Eric Ardros

Wow, talk about a necro-bump, lol. Haven't been to this thread in over a year

@JoslinFX: No need to worry about bursting my bubble, dude. After I printed it out and brought it home, following further research I came to the realization there were some aspects of my blueprint that are a little "off".

The top slant was the most obvious one to be fixed (which I was already working on correcting), but based on what ref pics I was able to acquire online I think the mid-section is pretty close. Of course, it's been some time since I've really taken a look at this, lol.

The truth hurts, lol. I'm not kidding myself into thinking I won't hit most of those steps (the master will at least not be sub-standard), as right now I've got zero experience in molding/casting.

Good thing I didn't give myself a specific deadline for doing this one then, lol. I've still got so many other projects from before this that need to be done first, though

You and me both, Will! I've got to stop coming up with so many kewl build ideas and get to actually finishing all the ones I've come up with.

Thanks, Dave! Your idea for a "cut-away" display piece is kewl, but for myself I'd like to keep it screen-accurate. Might try to have the spacedock doors open like the original model, but that's about it. Real life and other matters permitting, hopefully I'll be able to get to this one before I'm old and grey