Major Walt Posted January 29, 2016 Share Posted January 29, 2016 Friends I started this build back in 2006 or 2007, its been so long, I can't remember. I originally posted it in the Sci Fi section, but there appeared to be little interest in that forum, probably because it's not what many would consider science fiction. Here is the link: http://www.arcforums.com/forums/air/index.php?showtopic=241075&st=0&p=2295184&hl=lifting%20body&fromsearch=1entry2295184 Basically, this is a lifting body spacecraft of my own design. It was based on a concept of the HL-42. It looks nothing like the '42 because I wanted something a little more streamlined. I did use a bit of artistic license in the design, but more than anything else I wanted something based on aerodynamics and science rather than fantasy. It's a plank on frame styrene construction. Once the pieces are finished they will be cast in plaster to make vacuform plugs. I'll include an interior in this vehicle. Even if you don't like the subject matter, I would still like to share the techniques that I used in building it, as well as the techniques in assembling a vacuform model and building interiors from scratch. The ship has progressed since I posted the pics -- so there will be more to come. I plan to start actively working on it again closer to summer time when I will have more bandwidth to do it. So let me know if there is some interest out there and I will post more pics. Thanks Walt Quote Link to post Share on other sites
jminer Posted January 29, 2016 Share Posted January 29, 2016 Sure, if it's an in-progress build, post it up. Justin Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Major Walt Posted February 3, 2016 Author Share Posted February 3, 2016 (edited) Please see the post below... Edited February 3, 2016 by Major Walt Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Major Walt Posted February 3, 2016 Author Share Posted February 3, 2016 (edited) Here are some pictures of the craft and where the build currently stands. I have taped the major components together for a test fit. For some reason, i'm unable to directly post the image(s), so I will post a link until I find a workaround. Hope that you like what you see. Pics It's a work in progress.... Edited February 3, 2016 by Major Walt Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Major Walt Posted February 3, 2016 Author Share Posted February 3, 2016 (edited) Here's a side view of the craft. Basically this is a styrene skeleton constructed with a spine and bulkhead formers attached at various intervals, giving it the basic shape. You can see that the rear part of the fuselage was skinned. I used .030 styrene strip to do this, similar to the way you'd skin a wooden ship model. Edited February 3, 2016 by Major Walt Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Major Walt Posted February 3, 2016 Author Share Posted February 3, 2016 This is a view from the rear. The design of the fins has changed since this pic was taken, as has the thruster nozzle. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Major Walt Posted February 3, 2016 Author Share Posted February 3, 2016 This shot is of the fully skinned model, all completed except for the nose. The nose was sculpted with MagicSculpt over a styrene frame. This was probably the toughest part of the project, believe it or not. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Major Walt Posted February 3, 2016 Author Share Posted February 3, 2016 This is where it stands now. I built the model in sections, the reason being that if I screwed up (and I have), I would not have to rebuild the entire model over again. I taped the components together to check the fit, which needs a bit of fine tuning. The fins were propped in place by whatever was on the table. I was pretty happy with the primer, as it gave the model a smooth finish. The next step is to cast each piece in plaster of paris, then use those pieces as vacuform plugs. Then the real headache begins, as I hate vacuform kits. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
crackerjazz Posted February 3, 2016 Share Posted February 3, 2016 This is amazing, Major Walt! I've been wanting to build an HL-10 this way (Someday - when I've mustered up enough courage). Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Major Walt Posted February 3, 2016 Author Share Posted February 3, 2016 This is amazing, Major Walt! I've been wanting to build an HL-10 this way (Someday - when I've mustered up enough courage). Thank you, my friend! Much appreciated! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Drifterdon Posted February 4, 2016 Share Posted February 4, 2016 This is really cool. Reminds me of the ship Crichton flew in the Farscape series. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Major Walt Posted February 4, 2016 Author Share Posted February 4, 2016 Thanks Drifterdon! Much appreciated. It's the same type of craft as Creighton flew--what a show that was! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Major Walt Posted February 4, 2016 Author Share Posted February 4, 2016 Here is how the interior would look. I found this on up-ship.com. This is the closest I could find to what I am building. The pilot would sit up front, with passengers and crew to the rear. I'm still trying to figure out where to put the access hatch. I want to put it in the nose, but that would make egress/ingress rather difficult. Putting it in the rear would make more sense, but this would require the ship having a strap on booster or throw away engine configuration in the rear. Having the hatch on the bottom is another option. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
yardbird78 Posted February 16, 2016 Share Posted February 16, 2016 Lots of work on a very interesting and unusual project. I like it a lot. Darwin Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Major Walt Posted February 16, 2016 Author Share Posted February 16, 2016 Thanks for the kind words my friend. This has been tough, but it's my passion. Hope to get going again on this in a few months. Walt Quote Link to post Share on other sites
striker8241 Posted March 1, 2016 Share Posted March 1, 2016 This shot is of the fully skinned model, all completed except for the nose. The nose was sculpted with MagicSculpt over a styrene frame. This was probably the toughest part of the project, believe it or not. Very nice work, Maj, and a tremendous amount of dedication. I can't believe you're now going to make a vacuum form and essentially build another model? - man, you are dedicated! Looking forward to seeing the end product! :thumbsup2:/> Cheers, Russ PS: For your hatch location, how about half way up between the two ribs on the left side just forward of the tail section? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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