The Expanse belter breaching pod, a beginners attempt

[TheMurph]

I've decided to have a go at making one of the improvised belter breaching pods from the expanse!
Still pretty new to model making so any advice or tips would be greatly appreciated! Especially with how to go about making the 4 thruster things on each corner!

All made from styrene so far.

The art I'm roughly going off and the thruster things I'm struggling to come up with a simple but good looking way:

I'm also trying to work out the best way to put the fedex decal on behind the tank and it's frame, maybe stick the tank on after the decal?

Any ideas let me know!

 

[modelerdave]

This looks great already! I really wish someone like Bandai would make kits from this show... *sigh*

I would definitely put the decal on first. Build the tank and it's frame separately, paint and finish it, and then just stick it on and weather to match the rest.

The thrusters look like cylinders rather than cones, if the two on the top forward section are any indication. I can't really see the side thrusters in their housings. But you may just want to use brass tubing cut to length for those.

 

[joberg]

Looking at your build, you've used half-rounds instead of trapeze like struts for the sides. Usually, the lettering is painted, not only on the flat surface of the pod, but also on the side of those struts. Yes, I know from experience it's a PITA in terms of painting all of those details on a small surface. As for the thrusters, you'll have to scratch build the housing. I can't see the details of the thrusters from your pic...sorry.

 

[TheMurph]

This looks great already! I really wish someone like Bandai would make kits from this show... *sigh*

I would definitely put the decal on first. Build the tank and it's frame separately, paint and finish it, and then just stick it on and weather to match the rest.

The thrusters look like cylinders rather than cones, if the two on the top forward section are any indication. I can't really see the side thrusters in their housings. But you may just want to use brass tubing cut to length for those.

Indeed! For a popular sci-fi series there seems to be a distinct lack of kits...

Nice one I'll give that a go then! Worst case I'll just have to re do it!

 

[TheMurph]

Looking at your build, you've used half-rounds instead of trapeze like struts for the sides. Usually, the lettering is painted, not only on the flat surface of the pod, but also on the side of those struts. Yes, I know from experience it's a PITA in terms of painting all of those details on a small surface. As for the thrusters, you'll have to scratch build the housing. I can't see the details of the thrusters from your pic...sorry.

Looking at the pictures yeah they do look like half rounds, they're actually 3mm styrene strip I've stuck on and spent far to much time sanding the bevels on them, wish I had just bought the strip in the end but live and learn!

How would you go about painting it? Lots of masking and stencils and why would you do that over a decal? I wouldn't say They're big enough to have any conformance issues. Just out of interest

 

[momarineprepper]

I realize it's been a while since this was posted yet I wanted to say "thank you" for sharing, I'm planning to do something similar or give my hand at trying to do so and 3D printing it. Looks great, would love to see your finished results!

 

[krizalid]

That sounds like an awesome project! For the thrusters, maybe you could try using small bits of tubing or cut plastic strips to make them look more detailed, then add some paint to give them a worn, industrial look. You could also use something like old pen caps or small bottle caps for the main body of the thrusters.

 

[Pixelworks]

Just did a quick google picture search, there is not a lot of reference material out there. Being that you will need to create 4 identical copies, personally, I would 3d print the thrusters. The forms are fairly simple, even with my rudimentary skills, designing a stl. model should not take more than an hour. I have never done it before, but if you have access to a 3D printer (or want to print it at an online shop like Shapeways), I can build something up for you on tinkercad.com and make the design public.

 

[Pixelworks]

Something like this:

In case anyone in the future is looking for the same, I have made this design publicly available at Tinkercad.com.

 

[Rogviler]

OP hasn't logged in in 2 years... I wonder if this project got finished though

 

[publiusr]

Perhaps of use here:

Submarine rescue specialists practise lifesaving capabilities in cold water

Personnel from the UK and nine other Nato partners gather in Norway for the sub rescue training package on Exercise Dynamic Monarch.

www.forcesnews.com