Author Topic: Union Pacific "Big Boy" 2199 - 1/144 (Read 14342 times)

Antonio Sobral · « **on:** February 23, 2016, 04:06:40 PM »

It is the Year of the Lord of 2199.

Union Pacific, the largest transport conglomerate of the Galaxy has some difficulties making the goods to arrive on time
in the most remote places of the Universe. Even Enterprise's WARP 10 is enough to satisfy the most demanding customers.

To solve this problem they seek help from the famous Squeak Labs, which tackle the situation by mounting
a neo-dynamic tandem with a set of Advanced Spinning Streamers, creating a craft that navigates
through the edges of black holes to give quasi-instantaneous jumps in space. Simple thing, to be fair.

Given the size of the ship and its fairly phallic shape, it became globally known as "Big Boy," and this is the story of the first prototype.

It all started with a Revell kit (which began its life as Monogram, now that you mention it) ...

with lots of black parts...

of which many will not be needed...

These are the ones that matter:

Let the works begin

Now joining the halves...

And here it is:

Closing some holes...

And that´s all for now.

Thanks for watching!

Acree · « **Reply #1 on:** February 23, 2016, 04:12:55 PM »

This is going to be good!

LemonJello · « **Reply #2 on:** February 23, 2016, 09:03:12 PM »

I am intrigued. Please proceed, good sir.

Jacques Deguerre · « **Reply #3 on:** February 24, 2016, 03:01:55 AM »

A starship from a steam locomotive.... I'm looking forward to seeing this come together although I'm getting a bit of a "Galaxy Express 999" vibe at the moment.

Jeffry Fontaine · « **Reply #4 on:** February 24, 2016, 05:14:23 AM »

Even better would be to see a pair of these coupled to the TOS USS Enterprise NCC-1701 :)

Buzzbomb · « **Reply #5 on:** February 24, 2016, 06:38:45 AM »

Rubbing my hands together here.
Really looking forward to this.

The design from Snowpiercer was interesting

Dr. YoKai · « **Reply #6 on:** February 24, 2016, 06:51:05 AM »

Its a grand concept, alright. Already taking notes here.

Kerick · « **Reply #7 on:** February 24, 2016, 09:34:11 AM »

This really looks like fun! I can't wait to see more.
I saw the real "Big Boy" roar through the town where I live. What a sight! The thing is so heavy UP has to be careful what track they run it on so it doesn't damage the track.

ysi_maniac · « **Reply #8 on:** February 25, 2016, 09:02:10 AM »

Very promissing project!!!! :)

Antonio Sobral · « **Reply #9 on:** February 25, 2016, 04:17:17 PM »

Thank you, guys!

A few more "nurnies" and an acrylic base later, Big Boy is pretty much completed:

It's really hard to see some of the details and joints with all this black plastic, so the next step will be a coat of primer to reveal the flaws.

Thanks for watching!

Kerick · « **Reply #10 on:** February 26, 2016, 01:52:32 AM »

Ah, when will I learn to keep things as simple and clever as this!
Awesome!
Will there be a series of cargo containers to pull behind it?

Madhatter · « **Reply #11 on:** February 26, 2016, 07:38:26 AM »

I like it. As usual, another masterpiece rolls off your work bench
Can I make a suggestion though: how about adding a couple of thruster engines below the cab area with interconnecting pipe work for detail? As it is now, I can't see how it would propel itself through space

It's a great concept and something I wish I'd thought of - but I'm just not that imaginative

As is mentioned above, having it haul some space freight would be great - although I can see issues in trying to display such a scene.

ysi_maniac · « **Reply #12 on:** February 26, 2016, 11:42:22 AM »

Quote from: Madhatter on February 26, 2016, 07:38:26 AM

... I can't see how it would propel itself through space ...

It is a common knowledge that it would fly better with its own wheels, rods and cranks.

$:-\$

Love this concept :)

taiidantomcat · « **Reply #13 on:** February 26, 2016, 12:41:35 PM »

Very cool!! I would have never thought of this, but it could really work. :) :)

GTX_Admin · « **Reply #14 on:** February 27, 2016, 02:32:57 AM »

Quote from: Madhatter on February 26, 2016, 07:38:26 AM

Can I make a suggestion though: how about adding a couple of thruster engines below the cab area with interconnecting pipe work for detail? As it is now, I can't see how it would propel itself through space

Dare I say that "a craft that navigates through the edges of black holes to give quasi-instantaneous jumps in space" doesn't need anything so old-fashioned as thrusters...

Madhatter · « **Reply #15 on:** February 27, 2016, 05:00:09 AM »

I may have missed that point

Still, I believe it would need some kind of thrusters, even if only for docking, stopping and manoeuvring.

Antonio Sobral · « **Reply #16 on:** February 28, 2016, 12:09:53 AM »

Hi guys

Thanks for the comments and feedback!

At first I had a similar idea of adding a pair of external thrusters.
So I stole the engines from an A-10 Warthog kit and tried them in different places and configurations.
But I came to the conclusion that I would prefer the monolithic and streamlined profile of just one body with no external "protruberancies".
I think it keeps a little better the spirit of the original "big boy" design.

And here it is, after some initial primer (Tamiya sky color) followed by some more additional bits

Now is time to choose the final color, which is never an easy task :)

Thanks for watching!

Steve Blazo · « **Reply #17 on:** February 28, 2016, 01:32:26 AM »

That is so cool !!

GTX_Admin · « **Reply #18 on:** February 28, 2016, 04:29:39 AM »

Quote from: Steve Blazo on February 28, 2016, 01:32:26 AM

That is so cool !!

Yep

Camthalion · « **Reply #19 on:** February 28, 2016, 05:50:56 AM »

Looks Cool. Nice work

Kerick · « **Reply #20 on:** February 28, 2016, 10:00:46 AM »

Love it! Looks great. I'm sure the finished color will be cool.
You could go all Chris Foss on it......
http://www.chrisfossart.com/

Old Wombat · « **Reply #21 on:** February 28, 2016, 11:20:56 PM »

Me?

I'd go a dark monochrome with contrasting light/light-metallic highlights.

Buzzbomb · « **Reply #22 on:** February 29, 2016, 05:52:51 AM »

Now that is just too cool.

Antonio Sobral · « **Reply #23 on:** March 03, 2016, 04:47:33 PM »

Hi guys

Painting has finally begun.

First trial with the Uschi metallic powders followed by some post-shading with tamiya translucent orange.

Well, honestly I did not like it that much.

Back to the drawing board (painting booth in this case)... :)

Logan Hartke · « **Reply #24 on:** March 03, 2016, 10:57:39 PM »

I imagine these pictures will inspire a fair number of the forum's spaceship builders.

Cheers,

Logan


"From the Sea" Amphibious GB

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Author Topic: Union Pacific "Big Boy" 2199 - 1/144 (Read 14342 times)