This has been sat on my 'shelf' since April! I've only just gotten around to finishing it. APT-303mk3 Posted by Aban Rune (Member # 226) on :
Ohh.... yummy.
Might I suggest some kind of connection mechanism between the two cargo pods instead of just butting them together? They'd have to be connected in a way that would allow the connection to bend, I would think. Maybe some kind of ball and socket joint. Problem is, if those things really get moving and their thrusters can't keep them at station, any connection will be pretty much pointless. The momentum would shear it right apart.
Posted by MinutiaeMan (Member # 444) on :
Very nice! Just one question... do the impulse engines extend out enough to reach past the cargo pods when they're attached? Posted by Reverend (Member # 335) on :
From what I can discern from FJ's schematics those pods seam to have their own inbuilt 'top-to-tail' docking system. I would speculate that there is a set of powerful electro-magnets involved along with some mooring-beam emitters, submerged beneath the hull to keep things properly in line. As for the sheering forces you're probably right, but I imagine that so long as the tug doesn't make any sudden turns it should be ok.
quote:Very nice! Just one question... do the impulse engines extend out enough to reach past the cargo pods when they're attached?
Yes.
Posted by Aban Rune (Member # 226) on :
Then again I shall say "yummy".
Posted by Harry (Member # 265) on :
Very good!
What does that secondary arm do? Is it just for supporting the container?
Posted by Kazeite (Member # 970) on :
It plugs the sink-hole
So this pod is completely unmaned? Thats why there are no windows, right?
Posted by WizArtist (Member # 1095) on :
One of the things that got me about Trek was the absence of robots.....Obviously the Giskards are keeping us from seeing them.
Posted by Aban Rune (Member # 226) on :
One thing you might add is some form of docking or umbilical mechanism. While the ship may be unmanned, you'd still have to have a way for maintenance personnel and what not to get aboard for repairs, upgrades, etc.
Posted by Wraith (Member # 779) on :
Very nice
Posted by Reverend (Member # 335) on :
quote:What does that secondary arm do? Is it just for supporting the container?
Yeah, basically. I originally had it with just the one but it looked a little to unstable so I added the second one to perhaps act as a shock absorber and/or to function as a mooring clamp during docking.
quote:So this pod is completely unmaned? Thats why there are no windows, right?
Correct, although I'm sure there are some onboard facilities for maintenance crews and I'm sure there would be a small, cramped manual control room too.
quote:One thing you might add is some form of docking or umbilical mechanism. While the ship may be unmanned, you'd still have to have a way for maintenance personnel and what not to get aboard for repairs, upgrades, etc.
I'm sure that there would be the usual exterior maintenance access hatches and a maze of internal jefferies tubes, but an obvious umbilical is a little tricky with this design. For starters every angle is blocked by nacelles and docking arms. The only way in that I can think of is through the container's umbilicle connection in the docking 'cup'. That would mean either first gaining access to the container or the absence of said container.
Actually, one possibility just occurred to me; An engineering variant of the FJ container. Say about 1/3 the length of the standard version that has everything the Atlas needs for an engineering overhaul, Cargo holds full of spare parts, workshops, diagnostic computers, deuterium tanks, onboard shuttlebay, crew accommodation and of course a manual override bridge.
Posted by Jason Abbadon (Member # 882) on :
Mabye you could make a small, warp capable craft to dock on the ship's dorsal side and act as a control center for maintence teams (something like the J-Class freighter from Enterprise). That way you'd have maintence teams warping from drone to drone on a schedule, servicing their repairs, but really not interfering with their schedules.
Posted by Reverend (Member # 335) on :
I just couldn't resist the urge! Brunel-Class Tender Posted by Jason Abbadon (Member # 882) on :
Daaaaaamn.
Posted by Jason Abbadon (Member # 882) on :
At the risk of inflating your ego, I have to say that's just bueatiful. Really great work, man.
Now, some requests: can you show us the maintence tender on the drone? Are the three squares on the side escape pods? Will you make a forward view so I can see the shuttlebay? Pleeeeze? I'd love to make a model of it and I need some scale refrences.
Posted by Reverend (Member # 335) on :
quote:can you show us the maintence tender on the drone?
When it's finished I intend to do a sheet showing the Brunel attached to both the Atlas and the Ptolemy. Perhaps I'll even do a 'scene' of a ship being tended to.
quote:Are the three squares on the side escape pods?
Nope. Cargo bay doors.
quote:Will you make a forward view so I can see the shuttlebay? Pleeeeze?
No, because the shuttle bay is at the back, under the impulse engines.
quote:I'd love to make a model of it and I need some scale refrences.
It can't be that hard to work out, it's bacically a chopped down FJ container with a somewhat enhanced towpad and two pairs of manipulator arms stuck on. Anyway, I've done a rough crossection so that should help a little.
UPDATE
Done a little more work on the fore and aft views, still have the top view to finish though. Brunel mk2 Posted by Sarvek (Member # 910) on :
Reverend, you have a very interesting concept there. Great job. I like designs that make sense and are functional.
Cheers,
Sarvek
Posted by Jason Abbadon (Member # 882) on :
Thanks Rev: I just needed to know if the cylinder shape was the same size as the FJ container.
Though I still think of it as having a forward facing shuttlebay: I just dig that concept. Besides, it gives the "front" an distinctive feature.
Posted by Reverend (Member # 335) on :
Perhaps, but it would instantly be rendered useless once it plugs into the Atlas.
Posted by Jason Abbadon (Member # 882) on :
Unless it just attached to the Atlas' top (above the deflector or along the cargo container itself).
How do the cargo containers open anyhow?
Posted by Reverend (Member # 335) on :
I don't follow you. The way the Atlas works is my having the front portion of the container buried into it's docking 'cup', like so. Therefore any front facing shuttlebay would be useless, as I said. Also I want the Brunel to be able to latch on the the end of a train of cargo containers, again this would obstruct and forward facing shuttlebay, so all things considered and aft facing bay is more practical.
UPDATE
Expanded the interior cargo bays a little bit. Posted by Jason Abbadon (Member # 882) on :
I see now (said the blind man). Purdy cool.
I wonder if the tender design could be modified a bit for use on starships (like the Connie).
Posted by Harry (Member # 265) on :
quote:Originally posted by Jason Abbadon: How do the cargo containers open anyhow?
They don't. At least the original ones from the Tech Manual don't. They have two turbolift shafts leading into the neck of the Ptolemy, and a set of 6 transporters. Presumably, the cargo is beamed in.
Posted by Jason Abbadon (Member # 882) on :
Huh. I guess that's make for a greater structural integrity, but a vessel with no egress is a bit strange. What if they need to transport material that cant be beamed?
Posted by Reverend (Member # 335) on :
It's true that most of them don't appear to have exterior doors, however the FJ-MkIV Starliner does have three large cargo doors that directly access the cargo holds below H-Deck. Which is why I incorperated simmilar features into the Brunel.
Posted by Reverend (Member # 335) on :
Reverend, you have a very awesome and technical way of describing Starfleet starships and craft. You are a great technical illustrator. Keep up the great work.
What will you be designing next on the spacecraft line?
Posted by The Mighty Monkey of Mim (Member # 646) on :
Please please please please pleeeeeeeease finish the Constitution variants... Posted by Reverend (Member # 335) on :
Sorry Mim, that's taken a long-term back seat. I have orders to fill.
Posted by MinutiaeMan (Member # 444) on :
"Open the pod bay doors, HAL." Posted by kobosh (Member # 1221) on :
hi all i'm new to these boards.
i came across this design & i really dig it & being a amateur 3d "artist", i've decided to give it a whack!
this is what i've done so far. (1.5 hours of work)
what do you think?
kobosh
Posted by Reverend (Member # 335) on :
Not a bad start kobosh, keep it up! I've actually been considering dumping the lower arm altogether, I don't think it adds much to the stability of the hard-dock...I'll have to think about this more.
Posted by The Mighty Monkey of Mim (Member # 646) on :
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