Life-Size Shuttlecraft Help

[The Axeman]

Had some time this afternoon, so I've knocked up a more detailed and jazzed up version of your shuttle. I've slapped a couple of quick numbers on it just to stop it looking bare, but the finished item should have the proper red flashes and symbols, etc. I kept it as a small variable geometery agile shuttle with a rear door and single front window, using your original design as the basis for it all. I've got a busy weekend so probably no more updates till Tuesday,

 

[Potemkin_Prod]

This looks really good, and I've got to admit, I'm thinking of doing something similar except using the TWOK/TUC style engines for Potemkin. I was even on Craig's List this afternoon looking for jon boats to use as the base.

 

[Bradester]

Had some time this afternoon, so I've knocked up a more detailed and jazzed up version of your shuttle. I've slapped a couple of quick numbers on it just to stop it looking bare, but the finished item should have the proper red flashes and symbols, etc. I kept it as a small variable geometery agile shuttle with a rear door and single front window, using your original design as the basis for it all. I've got a busy weekend so probably no more updates till Tuesday,

See, how fun is this! I love the detail on the bottom. Is that thrusters or landing gear, or both?

 

[Potemkin_Prod]

I always considered them antigravs in TFF.

 

[Bradester]

This looks really good, and I've got to admit, I'm thinking of doing something similar except using the TWOK/TUC style engines for Potemkin. I was even on Craig's List this afternoon looking for jon boats to use as the base.

Do it! The neighborhood will love it! Just keep in mind if you do an interior, to keep the thing structurally safe all over before trying to get too fancy with design. Mine held 10-12 people at the same time easily with no sign of fatigue. And when you work out the budget, take into account how much metal brackets and fender washers cost, as those are the 2 items that blew the budget doors off mine.

Keep all edges round or foam (hence the steel barrels for warp engines because they were only $5 each and had a nice safe rounded lip) because kids are going to touch ANYTHING and EVERYTHING they possibly can, and the last thing you want is for an accident on the fun night.

 

[Potemkin_Prod]

Thanks for the tips!

The neighbors love the bridge set. All of them want to come over and sit in the captain's chair. I can just imagine what they'll do with the shuttlecraft in the backyard.

My wife pointed out a few things:

1) We'll need a trailer to tow it for filming.
2) Those wings have got to be secured properly.
3) We don't have a budget.

But #3 didn't stop us from the bridge set. I've got to get the ready room built next, and then I'm thinking shuttlecraft...

 

[Terengo]

God, I love Halloween! I wish I had an excuse to do something like this in my backyard.

 

[Bradester]

Hmmmm...you may want to ponder building it in modular pieces then if you are going to trailer it. Because that means you are going to be picking it up by hand to get it onto the trailer, so think of weight.

Unless you come up with a plan where you build it using the trailer as the floor and mount it permanently, depending on the trailer's design. Trailer wheels dont turn, so you could somehow hide the wheels with a body panel or engine I bet.

 

[Bradester]

God, I love Halloween! I wish I had an excuse to do something like this in my backyard.

You do. Halloween IS the excuse!

 

[Patrin-Zero]

A kid-scale shuttlecraft has been a serious contender for a backyard playhouse-playfort project for two young nephews. The TOS Galileo 7 has been a must-build with the plethora of available blueprints to work from.

 

[publiusr]

When playgrounds were fun
http://www.plaidstallions.com/playground/spacecruiser.html
http://www.flickr.com/photos/85752350@N00/4097412268/

http://blog.paxholley.net/2010/03/1...-were-more-awesome-than-playgrounds-of-today/
You might remember the space cruiser (Constellation) from an old PBS after school special about two groups of kids fighting over a junkyard playground

 

[The Axeman]

Actually I thought they were hover pad things as well, and they also double as something for it to sit on. I copied them off the Vulcan warp shuttle, where they appeared to function as magnetic clamps holding the shuttle to the warp sled.

Speaking as a Euro freak, I am struggling to make the connection between Halloween and building full scale movie sets in your garden. It's an old pagan festival co-opted as a harvest festival. Over here school kids make bats and witch hats and there's some horror on telly. That's about it.

 

[Albertese]

^^^
I guess they step it up here in America. Do kids not go "trick or treating" in Europe? Kids wander neighborhoods with bags attempting to coerce candy from their neighbors with adorable threats to "trick" if they don't get treats. (Usually an empty threat, but tricks involving eggs, toilet paper, or other petty vandalism do occasionally turn up.) In order to make a more memorable trick or treating experience sometimes people will build "haunted houses" with various physical effects to startle children and they all have a good time. Sometimes guys like our own Bradester do an unusual theme like Ghostbusters, Scooby Doo, or Star Trek. (Or, perhaps, Transformers...?). So that's the American connection...I guess.

I'm actually really curious to see what's going on with that decapitated head of Optimus Prime. This could be ... awesome!

--Alex

 

[The Axeman]

In Scotland kids used to go 'guising', kinda like disguising. They'd dress up and go around neighbours saying 'please help the guisers', and they'd maybe give them sweets or whatever. They used to be asked in to perform little kids songs or tell jokes or something for the goodies, a bit of entertainment work for it. It has sort of died out over the years, and was pretty much finished off when the media convinced every parent that everyone else wants to rape and kill their children. All the skinflints used to sit in the house with the lights out to avoid being doorstepped by begging kids.

 

[Potemkin_Prod]

One of our neighbors puts a 20 gal bucket of candy on the porch, and has a sign that asks "Please limit yourself to 3 pieces each." LOL Lazy, lazy, lazy. Most of the fun is watching what the little kids dress up like.

 

[Bradester]

^^^
I guess they step it up here in America. Do kids not go "trick or treating" in Europe? Kids wander neighborhoods with bags attempting to coerce candy from their neighbors with adorable threats to "trick" if they don't get treats. (Usually an empty threat, but tricks involving eggs, toilet paper, or other petty vandalism do occasionally turn up.) In order to make a more memorable trick or treating experience sometimes people will build "haunted houses" with various physical effects to startle children and they all have a good time. Sometimes guys like our own Bradester do an unusual theme like Ghostbusters, Scooby Doo, or Star Trek. (Or, perhaps, Transformers...?). So that's the American connection...I guess.

I'm actually really curious to see what's going on with that decapitated head of Optimus Prime. This could be ... awesome!

--Alex

Well then, a few updates for Prime. You live in Portland, you should venture to Newberg come Halloween.

Left hand being assembled:

Front half of upper body framework:

Size comparison. The frame is his shoulders to hip, and part of the head support (head is taller):

Finished left hand:

Skin being installed as of yesterday:

This is how tall a lower leg is. The upper angled piece is part of a thigh:

More soon if you want more updated!

 

[Potemkin_Prod]

Looks as though Scooby and the gang are on to you!

 

[Albertese]

Well then, a few updates for Prime. You live in Portland, you should venture to Newberg come Halloween.

I just might. That's awesome!

--Alex

 

[Bradester]

Got some more skin done today:

Chest, stomach and arm pieces installed:

Quick concept painting so you know what you are looking at above:

 

[Bradester]

Just to keep this a little more Trek, here is proof of the recycled shuttlecraft. This is the inside of Prime's chest: