Scratch-built airship

Photon · May 8, 2017

I started a new model recently. Its based on a drawing by artist Rob Turpin <https://thisnorthernboy.wordpress.com/>

I really like the design of this ship and I'm very excited to build it.I also like that its just a marker sketch and I can flesh out the details as I go. I contacted Rob and he is also excited to see how it turns out.

I found some 40mm styrene test tubes, so I'll be using that for the bubble canopy. Based on this, it follows that the final model will be about 300mm long.

I turned the base for the canopy on the lathe from a 2"polystyrene rod. I also made the bottom ring to be glued on and add some extra detail.

I cut a section out and fit in this gunpod from an airplane kit. The kit part was sanded to match the contour of the bubble. The gap was sculpted in with epoxy putty.

I vacuum-formed the front section out of .060" styrene over a form made from some urethane foam. The final thickness wound up being about half that.

The convoluted middle section was turned from the same 2" rod. There is still some more lathe work to be done before I cut it to length.

That's all for now. Thanks for tuning in.

Xolin · May 8, 2017

Re: Scratch-built psychedelic spaceship

That's really cool. Looking forward to see how it comes out

WarpeD · May 9, 2017

Re: Scratch-built psychedelic spaceship

Some people have the coolest tools.

Looks like a creative idea that could turn into a sharp looking build.

Photon · May 13, 2017

Re: Scratch-built psychedelic spaceship

I started to detail the cockpit. I wanted it to be an open framework suspended in the bubble, maybe giving the impression that it uses gyros to always stay level while the ship maneuvers. I dunno.

Here's some pics...

It’s mostly 1:72 scale tank parts. The chair is made from sheet styrene.

Xolin · May 15, 2017

Re: Scratch-built psychedelic spaceship

Lookin' good!

I like the idea of it looking like it uses gyros to keep it level - should be a nice touch.

Richard Baker · May 15, 2017

Re: Scratch-built psychedelic spaceship

I like this unusual design - it has a bit of a Moebius/Heavy Metal vibe to it.

Photon · May 21, 2017

Re: Scratch-built psychedelic spaceship

Thanks! I agree about the Moebius/ Heavy Metal vibe. I think that's what I like about it.

A quick update. I built a box out of sheet styrene to fill in the back of the vac-formed hull.

Probably a bit hard to see in the photos, but there is a 5 degree taper on the vac-formed hull to aid removing it from the mold. This has made fitting subsequent parts tricky.

Thanks for looking.

Photon · Jun 3, 2017

Re: Scratch-built psychedelic airship

Update:

As usual, heavy on pics, light on text...sorry dial-uppers

Starting to fill out the rear "engine" area.

I built an under-structure out of basic shapes that I'll detail with kit parts and styrene bits.

The 1" acrylic hemispheres are from Kit Kraft. Probably just rebranded EMA/Plastruct.

everythings just balancing there...no glue yet.

I'm pretty happy with how its taking shape. The rocket engine may just be a place holder. I'm undecided whether or not to keep it. At least its slightly less phallic than the original drawing.

Ok! Next up, some hull panels and greeblification.
Thanks for looking.

p.

joberg · Jun 4, 2017

Re: Scratch-built psychedelic airship

Really looking great:cool

Photon · Feb 19, 2018

Re: Scratch-built psychedelic airship

It's been a while. Here are a few updates.

Starting to detail the engine area.To add a little more interest, I thought it might be cool to vary the surface levels a bit more. I cut two square holes and fit a couple of small boxes.

I used a heat gun to bend some .080 plastic rod to form pipes and glued them in place.

Starting to add model bits. Not everything is glued yet --not sure about the stuff up top.

I also added some panels to the front hull & cut out two sections where some additional detail will go.

I built 2 shallow trays out of styrene to stuff with some model parts.

Thanks for any interest.

Photon · Aug 11, 2018

Re: Scratch-built psychedelic airship

Unsure of how to make some of the more organic forms, I started to consider 3D printing. After finding out that Polystyrene filament was readily available I decided to go for it. I bought a cheapo (sub-$200) printer kit and proceeded to improve it—mostly by stiffening the frame and replacing the laser cut acrylic parts with machined aluminum ones. I also upgraded the hot end with a higher quality one (E3D V6) and made some safety upgrades to the electronics

After fighting with print bed leveling for weeks, I made a removable mount that would allow attaching a dial indicator.

I’ve been able to print some parts that are quite usable. The styrene filament is really easy to work with. It sands beautifully and bonds readily with Tamiya cements.

joberg · Aug 11, 2018

Re: Scratch-built psychedelic airship

Very nicely done. Love the way you're installing your greeblies: some bare areas balanced with mucho nernies:thumbsup. Keep going, loving that build!!

Great_Bizarro · Aug 15, 2018

Re: Scratch-built psychedelic airship

Why does that make me think of Vaughn Bode's "Cheech Wizard" meets Heavy Metal magazine? Cool design cant wait to see it finished.

srspicer · Aug 17, 2018

Re: Scratch-built psychedelic airship

Well done so far!!

opcorn

Kiwimaddog · Aug 17, 2018

Re: Scratch-built psychedelic airship

Very interesting so far, keep it up:thumbsup

SmilingOtter · Aug 17, 2018

Re: Scratch-built psychedelic airship

I like it. Very Chris Foss-ish.

Photon · Oct 21, 2018

So it's been a while. There's a fair amount of ground to cover, so I'll let the pictures do the talking...

I haven't made a lot of progress on the cockpit, But I did find these awesome 'HO scale' astronauts!

The detail is a little soft, but I don't think I have much to complain about.

The rear portion of the ship needed some more detail, so I printed out a pile of styrene rings. I sanded the primer back to get a good glue bond.

Once they were glued in place, I blended the transition with epoxy putty

Detailing the two rudder-like things on the side.

Next Up are the smaller antenna-like paddles on the rear of the cab. These were made from some styrene tubes and rods and some
cut-down helicopter blades from an old Fujimi kit. The paddle ends are a bit bigger than the ones in the drawing because I wanted to
preserved some of the detail, but they look a bit bulky, so I may cut them down further.

I also built up some detail to suggest a motor of sorts that might control them.

More mechanical detail, this time for the rear of the craft. This was built up from some 1:35 scale kit parts.

Here it is in place with some primer. The tank-like bit was turned from a 1" styrene rod and topped with an acrylic hemisphere. If you
look close, you can see the junction where some filler is needed...

I've also been adding more details to the front of the cab and was able to get some primer down to see how things are working

Here the stalks are just temporarily stuck on.

Thanks for sticking around through such a picture heavy post.
Overall, I'm very pleased with how things are coming along. I really hope to get some paint on here soon and start weathering things.

mung · Oct 21, 2018

Great build, it's really capturing the spirit of the illustration.

Kolarson · Oct 21, 2018

Looking fantastic so far!

Soulinertia · Oct 21, 2018

Fun! Subd. :thumbsup

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