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Life-Size Shuttlecraft Help

I guess DougKeenan watched the news the other day,however if you were to attach either a helium or hot air balloon to the shuttle it could raise it above the ground as a ride,just add either ducted fan engnes or lawn blowers to the nacelles for forward flight combined with a deltoid shaped balloon big enough to lift two persons,but then it might defeat the purpose of have a lawn decoration for halloween.

LOL

Signed

Buck Rogers
 
Caught a break in the weather, so I painted as much as I could outside today. Here is what the base coat looks like. The upper white areas you still see will be red and more details are still to be added.
Here's a question for you... can that foam sheathing be spray painted? I'm getting ready to start my Stargate, and I want to use some of that textured spray paint on it... but I don't want it to melt. :)

Im sure it could be as at least the brand I used has a thin plastic skin that gives the foam a non-porus surface. Or just go buy a small sheet of it for $5 as use it as a test piece.
Cool. :)

I bought the "Blue Stuff" that Lowe's had... it was around 7 bucks a sheet. I tested the paint on a sample... it seems ok on the actual foam, but the plastic "skin" didn't like it. :)
 
Here's a question for you... can that foam sheathing be spray painted? I'm getting ready to start my Stargate, and I want to use some of that textured spray paint on it... but I don't want it to melt. :)

Im sure it could be as at least the brand I used has a thin plastic skin that gives the foam a non-porus surface. Or just go buy a small sheet of it for $5 as use it as a test piece.
Cool. :)

I bought the "Blue Stuff" that Lowe's had... it was around 7 bucks a sheet. I tested the paint on a sample... it seems ok on the actual foam, but the plastic "skin" didn't like it. :)

See if there is an oil-based paint like Rustoleum that you can brush on as a primer and then spray over, or just use as your color. Oil-based will stick to anything and is what I used.
 
View as of today. It was pretty productive!

The shuttlecraft mine is based off of:
model.jpg


And what we have so far:
54.jpg

55.jpg


I would like to thanks Gary's Machine Shop for help with the steel barrels used for the nacelles. It wouldn't be a Galileo without them!
gary.jpg
 
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Nice! :bolian:

Are the nacelles attached at the moment or just sitting underneath the wings? And how are they/how will they be attached?
 
Nice! :bolian:

Are the nacelles attached at the moment or just sitting underneath the wings? And how are they/how will they be attached?

Thanks! They are attached using bigger versions of the "U" clips that allow the wings to pivot on the body, but just upsidedown.
 
This is looking really good! As you get closer to getting done, two things you may already be thinking about which would be very cool are: 1) adding some amount of recessed lighting, and 2) weathering to add realism. Abrams did this in the movie - rust, scratches, dark streaks, etc. Take a look at any of the close-ups when people are getting on and off the shuttles and you'll see they look perfectly functional but a little beat-up. Even the brand new Enterprise had some indications of use.
 
This is looking really good! As you get closer to getting done, two things you may already be thinking about which would be very cool are: 1) adding some amount of recessed lighting, and 2) weathering to add realism. Abrams did this in the movie - rust, scratches, dark streaks, etc. Take a look at any of the close-ups when people are getting on and off the shuttles and you'll see they look perfectly functional but a little beat-up. Even the brand new Enterprise had some indications of use.


Yup! I have a couple cans of black spray paint to add shading and marks, and I have a few different kinds of LED tap lights for lighting including strobes to use as running lights.

I am planning on cutting out the front window and side door. I've just been holding off on doing it because of weather.
 
I recommend some really big plastic bowls for the front of the nacelles. Get 'em in frosted translucent plastic and you can up the ante by putting some Christmas lights inside for a nifty lighting effect. :techman:
 
I recommend some really big plastic bowls for the front of the nacelles. Get 'em in frosted translucent plastic and you can up the ante by putting some Christmas lights inside for a nifty lighting effect. :techman:

I have my eye on a few punchbowls at the local party supply place. Since the barrels are 24" across, they might not be big enough though. I might have to use garbage can lids that are round and have them painted red without lights.
 
A list of things completed today!

1) Front and back of the warp engines.
2) Battle damage effects.
3) "Wing thickener" pieces.
4) Front window.
5) Side door.

Not too bad for the cold weather and darkness! The only thing left for the exterior is to paint the new doorway and stencil on the lettering, and to stick on the beacon lights.

Below is also a picture with me standing next to the shuttle so you can reference how big this thing really is. I'm 6'1" tall.

56.jpg

57.jpg

58.jpg

59.jpg

60.jpg

61.jpg

62.jpg

63.jpg

64.jpg

67.jpg

65.jpg

66.jpg
 
Now is this something that can hold up long term in the rain? Any more thoughts on what will become of it after Halloween? I think it would be awesome to have a santa statue posed next to it. Maybe have him inside with Xmas dear figures like pulling it. Have presents spilling out the back.
 
Now is this something that can hold up long term in the rain? Any more thoughts on what will become of it after Halloween? I think it would be awesome to have a santa statue posed next to it. Maybe have him inside with Xmas dear figures like pulling it. Have presents spilling out the back.
That's a great idea. :)
 
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