PaperModelers.com

Go Back   PaperModelers.com > Card Models > Model Builds > Alternate Dimensions

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 02-22-2018, 03:22 AM
dhanners's Avatar
dhanners dhanners is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Manchester, UK
Posts: 2,599
Total Downloaded: 1.59 GB
Rocinante build....

Here is my build of Michael Grosberg’s excellent Rocinante, the ship from the TV series “The Expanse.” I’ve just started watching the show, but I enjoy how they stick (pretty much) to the laws of physics.

Anyway, I’ll spare you the background on the ship and tell you about the model. Michael’s design is very good despite the ship’s complex shapes. The model goes together with relative ease. I found Michael’s instructions to be clear and concise, and his approach to the shapes makes sense.

I deviated from the kit pieces and instructions in a couple of areas. I added detail to the forward antennas (I'm guessing that's what they are...) and altered the kit parts. I printed an extra copy of some of the pages and cut out appliqué panels to glue to the model to provide some 3D relief. I also altered the upper airlock to better replicate photos and drawings I found online. (One note here: The various CGI renderings and other artwork online are often contradictory as to the ship’s details. I just went with what appeared in some of them….)

The model's “flaps” on bell for the Epstein Drive are attached to the bell, but in renderings I could find, they appear detached, so I cut them off and reattached them to the rectangular blocks that I guess are the actuator mechanisms.

One of the key features to the Rocinante are the six Point Defense Cannons (PDCs), Gatling Gun-type weapons that slide out from housings on the ship’s hull. I wanted to add them but i’m too lazy to scratchbuild all six, so I scratchbuilt the two midship PDCs. Again, renderings I found online were contradictory and/or lacked detail, so I used some “creative gizmology” and scratchbuilt them out of card. I also had to figure out what the PDC housings would look like inside, so I scratchbuilt those, too. The PDCs aren’t 100-percent accurate, but they look menacing and I was kind of surprised I could build the six-barreled weapons.

I'm not entirely done. Renderings of the Rocinante show it with various fittings that appear to be handholds on the ship's exterior. I need to add those, but I'm still mulling what to use.

The finished model is impressive in size, measuring 48cm long and with the midship PDCs deployed, 21cm wide. It was an enjoyable build and Michael did a great job designing a fairly complex model.
Attached Thumbnails
Rocinante build....-img_6472.jpg   Rocinante build....-img_6473.jpg   Rocinante build....-img_6474.jpg   Rocinante build....-img_6484.jpg   Rocinante build....-img_6486.jpg  


Last edited by dhanners; 02-22-2018 at 04:07 AM.
Reply With Quote
Google Adsense
  #2  
Old 02-22-2018, 03:46 AM
PGo PGo is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2018
Posts: 23
Total Downloaded: 11.99 MB
Great build! Would it be in ontradiction with forum's policies if I ask for a link to the kit? This one defintely goes to my basket of "wanna build"s.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 02-22-2018, 03:56 AM
dhanners's Avatar
dhanners dhanners is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Manchester, UK
Posts: 2,599
Total Downloaded: 1.59 GB
Quote:
Originally Posted by PGo View Post
Great build! Would it be in ontradiction with forum's policies if I ask for a link to the kit? This one defintely goes to my basket of "wanna build"s.
Here is Michael's original thread for the model, with links to the parts and instructions: Rocinante Released
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 02-22-2018, 08:06 AM
PhantomCruiser PhantomCruiser is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Tennessee
Posts: 357
Total Downloaded: 898.56 MB
Great build. Those PDCs are look fantastic!

I've just finished the drive module for mine. I'd considered cutting the thrust vector paddles but I may save that for the next time
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 02-26-2018, 04:22 AM
michaelgr michaelgr is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2017
Posts: 77
Total Downloaded: 1.71 MB
Great build, man! The improvements push it to the next level - Some of them are actually things I had planned but just couldn't build myself due to my limited skill at crafting. Like those antennas, I tried a more complicated arrangement first, but ended up with pieces stuck mostly to my fingertips, or to my tweezers... Luckily it's a model you can easily improve on if you have the talent.
Reply With Quote
Google Adsense
  #6  
Old 02-26-2018, 06:50 AM
rockpaperscissor's Avatar
rockpaperscissor rockpaperscissor is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: The thriving metropolis of Wappingers Falls, NY, USA
Posts: 4,539
Total Downloaded: 127.35 MB
Wow! That's a terrific build of a complicated model. Super job.
__________________
Regards, Don
I don't always build models, but when I do... I prefer paper. Keep your scissors sharp, my friends.
Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 10:15 AM.


Powered by vBulletin®
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.

Parts of this site powered by vBulletin Mods & Addons from DragonByte Technologies Ltd. (Details)
Copyright © 2007-2023, PaperModelers.com