Studio-scale TOS Shuttlecraft

[Eric Ardros]

Well, after posting this on another prop forum recently and seeing the response it got, I figured I'd also post it here for everyone to see. This is a large-scale model I've been wanting to scratch-build for a while now. I'd originally drawn up the following blueprint:

TOS Shuttlecraft

Which measures in at a whopping 18 3/4", but after some coaxing from a few folks I decided to scale it up a bit and began drafting a set of blueprints for the 22" studio-scale filming miniature (some of these are still WiP's):

Studio-scale TOS Shuttlecraft -- Pic 01

Studio-scale TOS Shuttlecraft -- Pic 02 (comparison to my original 18 3/4" blueprint)

Studio-scale TOS Shuttlecraft -- Pic 03

Studio-scale TOS Shuttlecraft -- Pic 04 (close-up of interior details)

Studio-scale TOS Shuttlecraft -- Pic 05

Studio-scale TOS Shuttelcraft -- Pic 06 (close-up of rear details)

Studio-scale TOS Shuttlecraft -- Pic 07

Studio-scale TOS Shuttlecraft -- Pic 08 (close-up of interior details)

I fully intend on doing up the interior, maybe even wire it for lighting (a first for me). I was thinking perhaps I can construct the body out of sheet styrene, both the internal frame and skin, and hopefully find PVC piping of the correct diameter for the nacelles.

 

[terryhimself]

What a great project! Please post photos as you make progress..

 

[MooCriket]

Awesome project, really looking forward to seeing it:thumbsup

 

[DaddyfromNaboo]

I simply love that design!

I changed the html tag for the first pic, but since they are a bit large, I left the other pics behind the links to imageshack, since imageshack rescales them for better viewing.

 

[feek61]

Eric, let me know if I can help . . . I have a little experience on this subject, lol.


http://www.therpf.com/f10/there-has-something-better-tos-shuttlecraft-build-37162/

 

[STARTREKTOS]

Good luck. This is gonna be sweet.

 

[Eric Ardros]

What a great project! Please post photos as you make progress..

Awesome project, really looking forward to seeing it:thumbsup

Don't worry fellas, once I'm done drafting my blueprints for this and move on to the actual build, I'll be sure to post lots of WiP pics for all to see

I simply love that design!

I changed the html tag for the first pic, but since they are a bit large, I left the other pics behind the links to imageshack, since imageshack rescales them for better viewing.

Me too! Granted, I grew up watching TNG, but there's just something about the TOS designs that's so captivating. Can't explain it, it just is, lol.

As my primary (and only) hosting site is ImageShack, and they always show my pics at full size (which, as you can see is rather big), I tend to just insert direct links rather than post large pics.

Thanks for changing the html tag for the first pic, though.

Eric, let me know if I can help . . . I have a little experience on this subject, lol.

http://www.therpf.com/f10/there-has-something-better-tos-shuttlecraft-build-37162/

Hey, buddy! Thanks for chiming in here. I do recall your own studio-scale build-up for this, and was thoroughly impressed with the end result. Don't be surprised if I do come a knockin' to pick your brain a bit, lol.

Good luck. This is gonna be sweet.

Thanks! And yes, I am hopeful this will be an awesome build once done. Though not much of my work has been shown around the forums here, anyone who knows me is aware of how much a stickler for accuracy and detail I am, lol. As such, I intend of applying that focus on this new project.

EDIT: Update-wise, I'm reworking the blueprints again (had to revise a few more details that weren't looking quite right to me). Hopefully I'll have the final draft(s) done soon, so I can begin collecting the materials needed to build this and get 'er done.

 

[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. Not on the physical build, anyway.

I'm now almost done what I expect will be my final set of blueprints, as accurate as I can get them, and once all that paperwork is 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.

 

[JFB64]

I know exactly how you feel Eric, I'm out of work ...again, so there's plenty of time to work on my scratch build but no money to buy raw materials. “ Oh cruel fate, why do you mock us so”?. Fortunately I have a good supply of plastic and wood already but I desperately need more RTV and urethane, which isn't cheap. This will be an interesting project to follow. Good luck with the build and good luck finding a job.

Joe

 

[Eric Ardros]

That's it exactly! But even with the job I had, it wasn't often I was able to afford buying the materials I need for my projects, so any sort of prop work has been slow :rolleyes

On the one hand though, I've managed to put a little money aside "just in case", so I'll use some of that to gather what I need to get this build going. I know some who have already taken an interest are getting just as ancy as I am to see this done, lol.

And thanks for the well wishes, Joe. If all goes well, I'll give myself just enough time off to get this build done, and then start a new job. That's the plan anyway.

 

[Shaw]

Well, after posting this on another prop forum recently and seeing the response it got, I figured I'd also post it here for everyone to see. This is a large-scale model I've been wanting to scratch-build for a while now. I'd originally drawn up the following blueprint:

Which measures in at a whopping 18 3/4", but after some coaxing from a few folks I decided to scale it up a bit and began drafting a set of blueprints for the 22" studio-scale filming miniature (some of these are still WiP's):

The plans you posted look like they are based on Allen Everhart's plans... was there a reason for using his plans as a starting point?

Don't get me wrong, I'm a huge fan of Everhart. He was an inspiration to me, and for the longest time his plans of the Enterprise were the best available to us. But all his work was limited by the access to data he had back then (70's and 80's). I'm sure that if he was still with us (he died on April 19, 1989 aboard the USS Iowa as I recall) he would have revised his original plans.

If I was going to start a project like this, I would start with the efforts of either Phil Broad or Raymond Lefebvre. Either of their work would make for a better foundation than Everhart's as they both have had much better access to data on both the miniature, the large set piece and the filming interior.

Anyways, this sounds like a great project. Even if you stick with Everhart's plans as a starting point, it should turn out beautiful.

Best of luck with it! :thumbsup

 

[Eric Ardros]

The plans you posted look like they are based on Allen Everhart's plans... was there a reason for using his plans as a starting point?

[...]

If I was going to start a project like this, I would start with the efforts of either Phil Broad or Raymond Lefebvre. Either of their work would make for a better foundation than Everhart's as they both have had much better access to data on both the miniature, the large set piece and the filming interior.

Anyways, this sounds like a great project. Even if you stick with Everhart's plans as a starting point, it should turn out beautiful.

Best of luck with it! :thumbsup

Well, I loosely used Everhart's plans (saw them somewhere online) as I thought he did a good job on getting the general shape and proportions correct.

Aside from the outer shape being based on his blueprint, everything else was redesigned by me, as I didn't like the rest of his. Getting that rear landing gear right was a bit of a pain, let me tell you, lol.

I don't think I came across any of Broad's or Lefebvre's work, but I'll do an online search and check theirs out.

Thanks for the info :cool

 

[Shaw]

Well, Phil Broad's site would be the best place to point you... but unfortunately his site seems to be down right now. Hopefully this is just temporary. :unsure

It also depends on which shuttlecraft you're wanting to model. Both Broad's and Lefebvre's work are closer to the original model, while Everhart's (and yours) seem to be leaning towards the full size set piece.

Personally, I don't think you could go wrong with either version. The shuttlecraft is cool in both incarnations. :thumbsup

 

[Eric Ardros]

As I'm leaning toward a sort of "hybrid" build -- the correct dimensions of the original filming miniature, but the correct details from the 3/4-size exterior mock-up -- then I guess it's a good thing I based the shape and proportions on Everhart's, lol.

I'm still looking at this build as representative of the 22" filming model, but as I'm a stickler for detail and accuracy, I want to fit in as many details as possible. Obviously, the 3/4-size exterior mock-up has more of that than the miniature.

Besides, when it comes to replica builds like this, I believe everyone is entitled to a little creative license. And I agree with you in that either version is good. If all goes as planned, I'll be incorporating the best of each into mine

 

[JFB64]

I agree with your “hybrid” approach to this build. It should be easy to incorporate the detail of the mock up into the 22” model. The most important thing, is to get the overall proportions right, IMHO. I don't remember there being much surface detail on the shuttle craft, but there is certainly enough for you to use “ a little creative license” and still keep within the spirit of the original. Here is something that I learned from my last build, if you are building a model for display it has to be “better” than a filming model. Again good luck with this and keep us posted.

Joe

 

[Eric Ardros]

Thanks, Joe!

I know some here have been kind of anxious to see this project get further along, so I am pleased to present the final side profile for the blueprints that will be used for the build:

Studio-scale Shuttlecraft -- Pic 09

I'm still working on drafting the dorsal (top) view:

Studio-scale Shuttlecraft -- Pic 10

And haven't even gotten around the ventral (bottom) view, but even so I couldn't help myself and started transferring some of the measurements to some sheet styrene I bought earlier today:

Studio-scale Shuttlecraft -- Pic 11

So far, I've only transferred the top half of the Shuttlecraft to the styrene for cutting, but will get to the bottom half shortly. Then, I'll start scribing/cutting out the various pieces for assembly.

I also went out and picked up some PVC piping for the nacelles, but unfortunately the outer diameter is larger than 1.5 inches. I thought it looked a little too thick when the sales associate showed it to me, but she assured me it was the correct diameter.

It's not much of an update, I know, but it's something. Given my job situation (and the time I've had to put in this week trying to find another one), I'm surprised I've been able to do this much with it, lol.

 

[MooCriket]

Very Cool!:cool

 

[JD1]

I also went out and picked up some PVC piping for the nacelles, but unfortunately the outer diameter is larger than 1.5 inches. I thought it looked a little too thick when the sales associate showed it to me, but she assured me it was the correct diameter.

If it's for plumbing, it's usually the internal diameter that's stated.

Plastruct have 1.5" external diameter ABS pipe. Search for TB-48.

 

[Eric Ardros]

Yeah, I realize that no, lol. I think I'm going to get the correct diameter tubing I need through Plastruct (came highly recommended by a friend).

 

[trekriffic]

You can get clear acrylic tubing in 1" outside diameter from a store like TAP Plastics. You can order online too. Here's a link to their ordering page. They even cut to length.
Clear Acrylic Tubes, Clear Plastic Tubes, Plastic Tubes: TAP Plastics