Beyond The Sprues
Current and Finished Projects => Physical Models => Scifi and Fantasy => Topic started by: Frank3k on November 12, 2015, 10:01:32 AM
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I've been fascinated by pulp magazine artwork from the 1930s-1950s and have saved many with the intention of making 3D models.
This is my second cover art to 3D - "The Flying Wing of Pluto":
(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/579/22334301203_749dcbd594_o.jpg)
"Although Pluto has no atmosphere, this plane can travel above the surface of the planet using an electro-magnetic force for propulsion."
Don't know what magazine this came from, but the story is on page 238. I really hope they serve hot beverages on that flight!
On to the model. I bought a Silhouette Cameo (http://www.silhouetteamerica.com/) cutter, with the intention of using it to cut both paper and plastic (which it does well). Other hobbyists have used this cutter to good effect, so I slipped in a sheet of 0.020" (about 0.5mm) styrene, loaded up the wing shapes in the very nice graphics program that comes with the cutter and started cutting.
I should have read the instructions first and experimented with paper, etc. so my results were less than great (I sliced right through the sticky carrier sheet - they're cheap though), but still far far better (and less exhausting) than cutting the shapes by hand.
I laminated the plastic to build up the wing and tail. More on that, later.
One of the issues with pulp cover art is that the artists are not making isometric projections or accurate engineering drawings; they're trying to make a buck. The result is that the drawings don't always translate well into 3D and this artwork is no exception.
I translated the cabin about as well as I could into Rhino3D and scaled it to what I guessed 1/350 would be. I just didn't like the results; it looked squat and odd. I lengthened the cabin a bit, then sent it to Shapeways:
(https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5807/22561747059_17287c75d5_o.jpg)
I laminated five of the cut shapes for the wing (to make a wing 0.1" thick) and other parts, added a thin strip to the edges, then rounded them off.
Here's are the laminated wing bits all together. The Silhouette can do much better and precise cuts than I did for this first try (I read the instructions and cut another test sheet that came out well). The curved leading edge was my "artistic" input. It looked better than a straight edge.
(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/782/22940492262_ec6f6bd3a8_o.jpg)
For the extension of the tail section over the wing, I used the tiny ship in the background for reference:
(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/759/22765892320_f5c2b9f6e5_o.jpg)
I still need to add some details to the wing, but the Cameo made the job much easier. It can cut up to 0.020" styrene and the parts just pop out of the sheet. Some people have cut 0.30" sheets, but I'll try to get some experience with the thinner materials first.
I may finish this this weekend, or make the wings at Shapeways.
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Looking good - I love your ideas here.
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Crackin' good stuff, Frank. Your work is always an inspiration. Will you be building the Tower/mining platform? as well?
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Crackin' good stuff, Frank. Your work is always an inspiration. Will you be building the Tower/mining platform? as well?
I've thought about it. I decided to print the wings and just got them back. The building looks buildable and 50's retrofuturistic.
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Go on Frank3k, I'm curious about the result!
Norbert
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I finally finished this. There are some details I missed (like the cured fin on top of the body) and there are some shape issues, but I think it looks OK overall.
(https://c7.staticflickr.com/8/7307/27358229910_2e3b4d7f3e_o.jpg)
I tried both white and blue for the cab body, but I think the aluminum (I used the new Vallejo metallics) looks best. Same with the black body band; it's probably in shadow on teh cover, but I like it in black.
Here's the top view:
(https://c3.staticflickr.com/8/7080/27358229290_0c2955ecb6_b.jpg)
And bottom. The reds aren't as vivid as the cover reds because I sprayed it over the aluminum base coat, which makes the red duller:
(https://c2.staticflickr.com/8/7305/27562379881_a608385e0b_b.jpg)
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:)
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Cool. Nice one
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I always really enjoy your Sci-Fi builds, Frank and this baby looks like another great addition to the fleet! Talk about a unique subject!
I really like your color choices as well even if they might be a little speculative.
Brian da Basher
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That's great. Whatever your reservations, I think it does full justice to the original. Well done. :)
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Beautiful interpretation Frank, I like it!!!