That 3d model is nothing more than a simple model helping me to visualise the ship, and very likely it will never be finished. I suck at 3D But
I'll post it here anyway, to give a rough idea of the ship.
As to the design itself, it's very roughly based on the Winston Carter shuttle, with a max crew of about 10-12, and roughly 60m long.
Only slight problem is with the names. If they're named after Shakespeare characters (or Sol system moons), there's bound to be some conflict with possible Miranda-class ships...
Posted by Styrofoaman (Member # 706) on :
Intresting. But what good is such a small survey ship? There's hardly any room for labs.
Posted by Harry (Member # 265) on :
My idea is that this ship is actually more like a "scientific transport". It is a homebase for scientists on short-term away missions.. I think a range of about 1 sector and a mission-time of a few months should be enough to keep scientists busy.
These survey vessels would be based on Starbases, research colonies, or perhaps even on (very large?) starships.
Posted by AndrewR (Member # 44) on :
The 3d model looks like the Conestoga.
Posted by Aban Rune (Member # 226) on :
I was thinking slightly Raven-esque.
Posted by Reverend (Member # 335) on :
Interesting design. The first thing I would do would be to have the central hull rounded instead of square, then perhaps add some transitory structures between the fore and aft sections, like blisters or something. Maybe add a dorsal mounted deflector, FJ style, shape the nose section so it doesn't look like the front of a van, draw some landing gear and perhaps a ventral cargo bay door?
Damn, this is such an interesting concept. I'm so tempted to draw my own take on it.
Posted by Reverend (Member # 335) on :
Sorry mate, couldn't resist. Posted by Sarvek (Member # 910) on :
Harry, you have a very interesting design and an original.
Reverend, great job on the enhancements. Posted by AndrewR (Member # 44) on :
The 'cockpit' could be something like the Holodeck Ship's.
Posted by Masao (Member # 232) on :
Something that bugs me a bit is the mismatch in the curvatures of the three sections. The rear is completely rounded, the is rectangular with rounded corners, and the cockpit is very angular.
Posted by AndrewR (Member # 44) on :
Rev - looks great but now it's even more reminiscent of the conestoga
Andrew
Posted by japol (Member # 1149) on :
I was thinking the same thing.
Posted by Reverend (Member # 335) on :
Well given that Harry is roughly basing this on the Winston Carter yacht and considering the similarity between that design and the Conestoga, it is hardly surprising.
I agree with Masao though Harry, the mid hull and nose sections need to be more rounded.
[ January 07, 2004, 10:44 AM: Message edited by: Reverend ]
Posted by Harry (Member # 265) on :
I have made the shapes a bit more uniform (a very TAS-ish ellipsoid shape). I've also added landing 'skis'. I tried retractable legs like you did, Rev, but they take up a bit too much internal space, IMHO.
Posted by Harry (Member # 265) on :
Oh, and since the Conestoga is a lot older and presumable a LOT bigger, there's no connection whatsoever.
Posted by Harry (Member # 265) on :
And just to show how those little outlines help (I don't know how you ever came up with that, Masao, but it's a really nice trick).
I've adjusted the legs (they now go straight up).
BTW, any suggestions for a classname would be appreciated
Posted by Masao (Member # 232) on :
I'm not sure where I picked up the outlines from. I think they might have come from Ships of the Star Fleet or the TNG Tech Manual. They are especially useful when doing B/W schematics, which is how I started out.
Posted by Reverend (Member # 335) on :
I also thank you, since I nicked that trick too.
As for the class name, when I was drawing up my take Cousteau-Class seamed to make the most sense. If that doesn't strike you well then I would suggest something to do with famous explorers, Captain Cook, Columbus, Cortez...or their ships, I suppose (none spring to mind though).
Posted by MinutiaeMan (Member # 444) on :
Columbus had the Nina, Pinta, and Santa Maria, Cook had the Endeavour.
Posted by Harry (Member # 265) on :
![[Smile]](smile.gif)
But 
![[Wink]](wink.gif)
