illithid00 Posted January 15, 2009 Share Posted January 15, 2009 (edited) Well ARCers, I've started on my first total scratchbuild. While collecting references for the Executor Super Star Destroyer and reading through the Star Wars Wookieepedia wiki, I got an idea. What would an upgraded successor to the Imperial Star Destroyer look like? I envisioned a ship with more rounded edges, with more "powerful" looking engines, turbolaser mounts on both upper and lower surfaces, and a revised superstructure. It will resemble a Star Destroyer, but with a definitely-unique look to it, I hope. So far, I've drawn out some blueprints for the main hull and started cutting plastic. I cut the upper hull surfaces and one of the interior skeleton formers out of sheet styrene (not sure what thickness since the sheet wasn't marked when I bought it). I want to get the main hull together quickly, so I can get started on the detailing and designing/building the superstructure. Enough of this chatter, on to the good part: PICS! One side of the upper hull and the one interior former I've got done: The two sides of the upper hull taped together for a mock-up: The upper hull sides taped with the interior former taped in place: Another shot of the hull mock-up: As always, comments, critique and suggestions are very welcome and encouraged. Thanks for looking! Cheers, Chris Edited March 12, 2009 by illithid00 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Andre Posted January 15, 2009 Share Posted January 15, 2009 Looking good so far! It should definately add a nice twist to the Star Destroyer line. Cheers, Andre Quote Link to post Share on other sites
illithid00 Posted January 17, 2009 Author Share Posted January 17, 2009 (edited) Thanks Andre! Progress! I cut out the bottom hull plates, including cutouts for the hangar bay: And added some detail plating: I also started work on the hull skeleton to help keep the hull rigid and unwarped; I had to make a cutout for the hangar bay on that piece too: And here's all the parts together in one shot, including the half-built hangar bay: Thanks for looking! Critique/comments are appreciated and welcome! Cheers EDIT: Sorry about the crappy pics. I need a better camera and more experience with taking pics. Edited January 17, 2009 by illithid00 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
The Rat Posted January 17, 2009 Share Posted January 17, 2009 EDIT: Sorry about the crappy pics. I need a better camera and more experience with taking pics. The effect looks like simple camera shake. Try a tripod, even a cheap table-top miniature one will help. A beanbag or something similar could also be of use, nestle the camera down on it, set the self-timer to prevent hand movement, and let 'er rip! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
illithid00 Posted January 19, 2009 Author Share Posted January 19, 2009 Well ARCers, after another hour or two hard at work, I've got another update. I spent some time on the hangar bay, figuring that if I can get that assembled and finished, it'll give me some incentive to finish the rest of the ship. It's not done, but I've added some details from styrene strip and sheet, along with some spare sprue from a Monogram 1/48 P-61 kit. There's still plenty of work to do, but it's getting close. Pics of the hangar bay: Pic of a protrusion I added on the starboard lower hull plate: And a final pic, of all that I got done tonight: The effect looks like simple camera shake. Try a tripod, even a cheap table-top miniature one will help. A beanbag or something similar could also be of use, nestle the camera down on it, set the self-timer to prevent hand movement, and let 'er rip! Thanks for the advice. I did what I could to steady the camera this time, and the pics turned out a bit better. I'm going to invest in a tripod as soon as I can. As always, thanks for looking! Comment and critique are appreciated! Cheers, Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Aigore Posted January 19, 2009 Share Posted January 19, 2009 Looking great!!! Areally nifty looking hangar bay! Any thoughts yet on how the bridge structure will look? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
illithid00 Posted January 19, 2009 Author Share Posted January 19, 2009 Looking great!!! Areally nifty looking hangar bay!Any thoughts yet on how the bridge structure will look? Thanks! I'll probably build a more rounded version of the original Imperial Star Destroyer bridge. I'm thinking of using marbles or something for the shield generator domes, but we'll see. I do like the predatory look of the forward-swept ISD superstructure, so I want to incorporate that if I can. I do know that this thing will have around 12-16 quad-turbolaser stations. I think I may have to dabble in molding and casting for that though. Building those would get really repetitive after a while. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Aigore Posted January 19, 2009 Share Posted January 19, 2009 Thanks! I'll probably build a more rounded version of the original Imperial Star Destroyer bridge. I'm thinking of using marbles or something for the shield generator domes, but we'll see. I do like the predatory look of the forward-swept ISD superstructure, so I want to incorporate that if I can.I do know that this thing will have around 12-16 quad-turbolaser stations. I think I may have to dabble in molding and casting for that though. Building those would get really repetitive after a while. Why not slaughter a battleship kit? might end up cheaper..... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
illithid00 Posted January 19, 2009 Author Share Posted January 19, 2009 Why not slaughter a battleship kit? might end up cheaper..... Good point. Maybe I'll run down to the LHS this week and pick up a cheapo battleship to scrounge parts from. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
sotoolslinger Posted January 20, 2009 Share Posted January 20, 2009 WOW ! that is some great scratchin right there. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
illithid00 Posted February 19, 2009 Author Share Posted February 19, 2009 (edited) Greetings ARCers! I've been a bit busy with my MiG-31 whif, so I haven't been working on this as much as I should be. I've been doing a lot of scribing on one half of the lower fuselage and I'm working on building up part of the superstructure. Tonight I used some masking tape to partly assemble the parts I've got temporarily. Pics: You can just barely see some of the scribing I've done. It's not totally sanded down after the scribing, but it'll be done soon enough. Thanks for looking! Comments/Critique are greatly appreciated! EDIT: I'm tentatively calling this the Virulence-class, but the name isn't finalized just yet. Edited February 19, 2009 by illithid00 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Aigore Posted February 19, 2009 Share Posted February 19, 2009 Is it a cracked egg shell look you´re going for? Nice to see some progress on this baby at last ;) Cheers Chris! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
GreyGhost Posted February 19, 2009 Share Posted February 19, 2009 Looking really nice ! It has a more 'organic' feel so far ... Gregg Quote Link to post Share on other sites
TaiidanTomcat Posted February 21, 2009 Share Posted February 21, 2009 Awesome!! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
illithid00 Posted March 12, 2009 Author Share Posted March 12, 2009 Thanks guys! I really appreciate it. I haven't been working on the Virulence as much as I'd like, but I do have some progress. I've decided to scrap the ventral hangar bay. I wasn't happy with how it turned out, and after working on the ship concept a bit, I decided to drop the requirement for a hangar bay. The Virulence-class will instead be designed entirely for orbital bombardment and taking out enemy capital ships. It's got an ion cannon mounted in the bow for punching through shields and destroying ships, and a heavily armored reactor where an Imperial-class Star Destroyer would have a docking bay. Two shots of the superstructure mocked up on the hull. Underside of the hull, showing the scribing on the starboard side. The protrusion on the upper hull just aft of the bow-mounted ion cannon. Forward shot, showing the bow-mounted ion cannon. The bridge, built from styrene strip/sheet and an exhaust stack off the Tamiya 1/350 USS New Jersey. Thanks for looking! Comments/critique always appreciated! Cheers, Chris Quote Link to post Share on other sites
wakko807 Posted March 13, 2009 Share Posted March 13, 2009 Good progress Chris keep it up! :) Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Aigore Posted March 15, 2009 Share Posted March 15, 2009 Simply a magnificient build really!!! Very nice to see some progress Keep it up Chris! Cheers! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Jinxter13 Posted March 24, 2009 Share Posted March 24, 2009 (edited) :( Ayup.......folks he's has finally succumbed to the dark side. He's even building ships for them . This is going to be fun to watch....let us know when you start the Death Star so we can get stocked up on and popcorn; Loooookeeng great!!. Edited March 24, 2009 by Angels49 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
PetarB Posted March 26, 2009 Share Posted March 26, 2009 Wow, great scratchbuild. Really looking forwards to this one. Nicely done! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
illithid00 Posted March 26, 2009 Author Share Posted March 26, 2009 Thanks guys! I really appreciate it! I've got another quick update with a few pics. I've been doing some major greeblie-fying lately. So far I've used parts from a 1/48 Monogram F-106, 1/48 Monogram F-18, 1/72 Revell-Monogram SR-71, 1/72 Academy F-18, 1/350 Tamiya USS New Jersey, and tons of sheet styrene. I've got some thoughts on a backstory that I'll be posting soon. The more I work on this, the more the whole concept I've got for it changes. On to the pics! The superstructure and the two blue/white parts are just taped on, not glued yet. I've still got to finish the upper hull scribing before I glue very much on. Thanks for looking! Comments/critique are appreciated! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
AnthonyWan Posted March 27, 2009 Share Posted March 27, 2009 Looks great man. I wanna see you skin that with sheet styrene armor though That intricate pattern u drew a couple updates ago looks awesome...B) Quote Link to post Share on other sites
illithid00 Posted March 29, 2009 Author Share Posted March 29, 2009 Thanks AWan! I'm in the middle of scribing all the upper hull right now. I'll probably get as intricate with it as I can. Symmetry, on the other hand, might be a problem, though. It's already made of sheet styrene, so I don't know about skinning it again. I'm running out of sheet. I'm still not sure how I'll paint it. I'm thinking basic Star Destroyer white/gray, maybe with the Empire logo on one side of the hull. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Aigore Posted March 29, 2009 Share Posted March 29, 2009 It´s turning out to be a great looking thing :P I think it´s so cool!!! ;) Quote Link to post Share on other sites
illithid00 Posted April 15, 2009 Author Share Posted April 15, 2009 Thanks Janne! UPDATE TIME! I haven't been working on the Virulence very much recently; I've had a bit of modeler's block going on. I have managed to get some work done on the bridge and main engine, though. So far, the engine is built from part of a Coca-Cola bottle, with some sheet styrene and a prop hub from the Mono 1/48 P-61. After trying about 10 different bridge configurations with everything I've got in my spares box, I finally settled on this. Most of it is built from parts of the Tamiya 1/350 USS New Jersey superstructure, with some sheet styrene details added in. It's not totally finished, but it's close. Thanks for looking! Comments/critique are definitely appreciated! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
MarkW Posted April 16, 2009 Share Posted April 16, 2009 To my eye, there is a somewhat odd juxtaposition of curvatures and chunky. The original hull layout had almost Babylon 5-ish organic curves, but now harsh edged, chunky greeblies...I'm just not quite seeing how it all pulls together. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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