Flare Sci-Fi Forums: Service Vehicle

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Posted by Harry (Member # 265) on :

A relatively quick job: JFR-05 "Mantis"

It's a small one-man Discovery-like servicing pod.

It was actually born out of my plan of designing a less Jetsons-like version of one of Matt Jefferies' original sketches for TOS:

Original Jefferies design

The updated version started out with more realistic arms, but I soon figured out that the controller would have be moved as well, and this Sphinx-like layout seemed the best option.

Note: All the thrusters etc. are hidden, TOS-style [Razz]

This one's finished. So don't start complaining about misaligned pixels [Wink]

Posted by MinutiaeMan (Member # 444) on :

A predecessor to the classic Work Bee. Nice! [Cool]

Posted by AndrewR (Member # 44) on :

There are a few other designs for a service vehicle in the Star Trek Sketch Book by Jeffries. I was WONDERING when someone here was going to get around to doing pictures/scans/commentary on this design. Shows they were thinking about such ships back then - or was this perhaps designs for Phase II?

Posted by Harry (Member # 265) on :

No, they are TOS sketches. In the TOS Sketchbook we have sketches of an "Equipment Delivery Vehicle" (a 'space-truck'), a "Personnel Carrier" (a proper TOS-style shuttle, and the only really 'in-style' design), a flat "Space Tug" (also usable as farming vehicle!) and this "Space Tug". They are interesting designs, but not really "Star Trek" or very rational designs. They do show that Jefferies wasn't a "space man" [Smile]

(Although it does look like he was a real "air man", since his space truck uses thrusters similar to the Harrier VSTOL aircraft)

Posted by Reverend (Member # 335) on :

Indeed, those old sketches look like something off the Jetsons.

As for this Mantis, I thing it'd earn it's name better if the manipulators were mounted under the cab and folded backwards, like it's namesake.

EDIT

Like this, but not so crap.

Oh and a joystick on the right arm of the chair would probably look good too.

[ April 24, 2004, 04:03 PM: Message edited by: Reverend ]

Posted by Harry (Member # 265) on :

Well, I also thought about Crab, but Crabs only remind me too much of www.rathergood.com.

Besides, Starfleet continuously uses Wasps in it's logos when it's cleary a Work*bee* [Razz]

UPDATE

Just a quicky before I go. The Space Truck updated. It's an inherently silly concept, but I tried to make it a precursor to this shuttle.

(the original Jefferies sketch is here)

Posted by Masao (Member # 232) on :

Harry, I think the ball joint at the base of the arm is a bit weak. I'd submerge it at least half way into a mounting base. Also, judging from a look into the cockpit, their isn't much space for a motor at the base to move the arm around.

Posted by Jason Abbadon (Member # 882) on :

The Mantis looks like it screws into alight socket!
I'd change the shape a little (away from the kightbulb look) and mabye give it docking clamps like the travelpod has (so the Mantis can attach to cargo sleds and such).

Posted by Harry (Member # 265) on :

UPDATE

The Mantis can now land in a shuttlebay, and some more details in the cabin.

Masao, the base of the arm is not a ball joint. The Mantis arms are inspired on this schematic of the ISS' Canadarm.

Posted by Captain Boh (Member # 1282) on :

Cool design [Smile]

Posted by Masao (Member # 232) on :

I was wondering, how does the pilot get in and out? I'm assuming the canopy is hinged somehow...

Posted by Jason Abbadon (Member # 882) on :

Does Starfleet make aftermarket parts to deck it out as a big smiley face? [Big Grin]

Posted by Harry (Member # 265) on :

quote:
Originally posted by Masao:
I was wondering, how does the pilot get in and out? I'm assuming the canopy is hinged somehow...

The same way they get in and out of a Workbee or a Sphinx [Smile]

Posted by Jason Abbadon (Member # 882) on :

Very carefully?

Posted by AndrewR (Member # 44) on :

I think the 'Truck' idea isn't stupid - to me it just looks like a TOS version of the work-bee pulling those cargo modules seen in ST:TMP - except there is only one module in the "Truck" design.

I think the Farm idea is VERY reminiscent of Luke Skywalker's speeder... maybe Lucas had access to these sketches!?!

I think the Farm idea is for a story where they end up on a planet and have to farm - sorta like children of time or paradise... they'd end up using 'high-tech' to do things in a low tech environ... That's what it looks like or is a sorta possibility - anyway.

VERY nice mantis design.

Harry the Utility vehicle - truck thingy would look more TOSish - without having the back part painted blue, and having that 'alphadyne' text over the back in a very un-TOS fashion.

Posted by Peregrinus (Member # 504) on :

Wouldn't it be sweet to have something new (post-Voyager/Nemesis) where Our Heroes (whoever they be) find a forgotten, lost, or whatever colony that's still using this old stuff for their haulage?

--Jonah