TAS made real....

[Warped9]

I am now recalling something I saw about forty years ago at the Toronto Boat Show. They had a very large pool to demonstrate various radio control scale model boats. One of them was a rather large scale Seaview. And they could make it cruise, turn, submerge and resurface with ease. It was amazing to watch it in action.

Man, how did I forget that?

 

[publiusr]

I’ve seen that with trek models too.

 

[trynda1701]

I am now recalling something I saw about forty years ago at the Toronto Boat Show. They had a very large pool to demonstrate various radio control scale model boats. One of them was a rather large scale Seaview. And they could make it cruise, turn, submerge and resurface with ease. It was amazing to watch it in action.

Man, how did I forget that?

I’ve seen that with trek models too.

Yeah, I think I've seen a TOS Enterprise do that.

Wonder if there has been any other models do that? Klingon D-7? Thunderbird 4? Stingray!

 

[Warped9]

The thing with the aquashuttle is that TOS’ resources could produce a decent miniature and even an interior set, but a full size exterior mockup would have been really costly. That actually allows for some creative freedom.

In the case of TOS’ established shuttlecraft they needed to be able to construct a full size mockup that could resemble the miniature. Thats likely why they went with a design without complex curves. But if you can avoid using a full size exterior then the miniature could be as complex as desired. I offer the Klingon battle cruiser as a prime example of an excellently done filming miniature with lots of complex shapes to it.

Ironically the TAS aquashuttle isn’t a complex shape if a full size exterior had ever been needed to be constructed. As is it’s actually simpler in form than the Galileo type shuttlecraft.

I’ve always found it amusingly odd that TOS’ full size shuttlecraft mockup was so well executed compared to what they managed on TNG where their full size exterior shuttlecraft bore little resemblance to their filming miniature. And then they had those truly ridiculous looking shuttlepods. Granted things got better later.

 

[Warped9]

Looking at the aquashuttle as drawn it seems the idea was that the “wings” of the vehicle perhaps served as pontoons much like those on a seaplane. They’re also probably the ballast tanks for the craft to submerge. What the propulsion system might be is anyone’s guess although a water jet system could be likely.

The nacelles simply look to be a visual cue that this is supposed to be a Starfleet vehicle. I can’t see a rationale for a craft of this type needing to be FTL capable. As such you don’t need the nacelles for this to be a strictly orbit-to-surface craft.

 

[Atolm]

You know if you are interested, I did do my own take on the Aqua-shuttle. Let me know if you would like me to post it, as I do not wish to hijack this awesome thread.

 

[Warped9]

^^ All ideas are welcome. You never know where you’ll find inspiration.

 

[Atolm]

^^ All ideas are welcome. You never know where you’ll find inspiration.

Okay, here you go sir:

Direct Link:
https://i.postimg.cc/JhR4fMcM/Federation-Aqua-Shuttle-MKIII-00.jpg

 

[137th Gebirg]

Damn that’s sexy!

I can honestly say I would never have thought such a thing about the aquashuttle!

 

[Warped9]

Very interesting. I have also been thinking of pushing the cockpit further forward.

 

[publiusr]

The nacelle supports look to double as hydrofoils so as to ride above the chop.

 

[aridas sofia]

When you look at this thing, it’s just an attempt at a futuristic catamaran. Like this:

https://i.pinimg.com/originals/70/b3/19/70b3190c2c6b40c6a30e2a4dcc916663.jpg

And when you look at Thomas Kellogg’s original shuttlecraft design, particularly shorn of any nacelle as it is, its subtle evoking of the Avanti gives it a bit of a catamaran form. The lower half of his design might be a place to start.

And then you have to decide, does it need a “full time” nacelle? Or could the nacelles be an option added on when needed? Without nacelles, its catamaran character would be even clearer.

 

[FormerLurker]

The nacelle supports look to double as hydrofoils so as to ride above the chop.

In Atolm's drawing, there is a cross-piece that is labeled as a hydrofoil.

 

[Redfern]

Since you went in a very "off model" (that's NOT meant as a "bad word" in this instance) and personal direction with the Bonaventure, have you considered making the aqua shuttle instead, a dedicated submersible, one that is flown to the planet's surface by a some sort of "drop ship"? That way, you can contemplate two new designs.

 

[Warped9]

The TAS’ version of the aquashuttle makes a measure of more sense as a catamaran, but that makes it even weirder.

A boat, a submarine and a spacecraft—WTF!

 

[Warped9]

What I did with the aquashuttle last time I tackled it. It's a little stubby s I was trying to make it more compact.

 

[Albertese]

I remember that version! I always thought it reminded me of the rebel's snowspeeder from The Empire Strikes Back!

--Alex

 

[Maurice]

I think it would look sexier with the more boat shaped cabin, which would help counteract the stubbiness.

 

[Colonel Midnight]

You could throw in some design influences from the LCS Independence variant/sub-class... I’ve heard it referred to (jokingly) as a ‘Klingon battlecruiser off our port quarter’,etc., on a few ship trials while in the Gulf of Mexico, lol.

Cheers,
-CM-

 

[scifieric]

Very, very pretty!