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3DAvalon Aerospace
Borkless171
Posts: 0Member
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If you're looking for the Space Command stuff, it starts about halfway down this page
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If you follow me, you may have noticed a somewhat frustrating trend: I can't texture for crap. So, I chose a relatively simple subject, rockets. Modeling isn't terribly tricky, and UV unwrapping is a breeze. No I get to let the texture quality (or lack thereof) show though.
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This is the Banshee heavy-lift semi-expendable lift vehicle. (or, the first stage of one at least).Seven massive RP-1/LOX fueled Griffon engines give a full Banshee-stack a lift of upwards of 100 metric tonnes. Once each stage has done it's job, it returns to it's launch site and propulsivly lands on deployable legs. The stage itself is semi-pressure stabilized, allowing for easy ground handling without the bulk of a full-up isogrid style like the DeltaIV.
(An aerodynamic downrange return using a sling-wing configuration was examined, but the meager increases in payload mass were not worth the added hassle of hauling spent stages across the globe.)
A better look at the engine cluster. Each Griffon engine puts out slightly under 6mn, making it one of the most powerful engines in the world (after the F-1 and RD-170).
Another view of the engines, this time with the landing legs stowed. Each engine runs on a gas-generator cycle, and the regenerativly-cooled nozzle can gimbal five degrees for control.
A better view of the First-stage engine manifold, including some aerospace-engineer humor painted on one shroud.
The First-stage from above. The cap of the LOX tank is visible, however the RCS for post-separation turnaround and fueling interconnects are still to be modeled.
If you're looking for the Space Command stuff, it starts about halfway down this page
- - -
If you follow me, you may have noticed a somewhat frustrating trend: I can't texture for crap. So, I chose a relatively simple subject, rockets. Modeling isn't terribly tricky, and UV unwrapping is a breeze. No I get to let the texture quality (or lack thereof) show though.
- - -
This is the Banshee heavy-lift semi-expendable lift vehicle. (or, the first stage of one at least).Seven massive RP-1/LOX fueled Griffon engines give a full Banshee-stack a lift of upwards of 100 metric tonnes. Once each stage has done it's job, it returns to it's launch site and propulsivly lands on deployable legs. The stage itself is semi-pressure stabilized, allowing for easy ground handling without the bulk of a full-up isogrid style like the DeltaIV.
(An aerodynamic downrange return using a sling-wing configuration was examined, but the meager increases in payload mass were not worth the added hassle of hauling spent stages across the globe.)
A better look at the engine cluster. Each Griffon engine puts out slightly under 6mn, making it one of the most powerful engines in the world (after the F-1 and RD-170).
Another view of the engines, this time with the landing legs stowed. Each engine runs on a gas-generator cycle, and the regenerativly-cooled nozzle can gimbal five degrees for control.
A better view of the First-stage engine manifold, including some aerospace-engineer humor painted on one shroud.
The First-stage from above. The cap of the LOX tank is visible, however the RCS for post-separation turnaround and fueling interconnects are still to be modeled.
Post edited by Borkless on
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In a ham-handed attempt to re-model the Banshee first-stage, I got the mesh all tangled up. Since re-doing it would be tedious, and because the whole point of this exercise was learning how to texture, I scrapped the mesh and started a new one.
What is she? A frigate of the USAF Space Command. What is that? Apparently a branch of the Air Forces that Commands... in space. (can you tell how much time I spent working on the background lore?) Well, actually there's more too it from that. This Frigate is from a (holly fictional) 60's TV show set in the far-off year of 1999. Frigates like these patrol the system, on the lookout for Soviet marauders, Martian Pirates, and general alien nastiness. An Apollo CSM is included for scale reference.
A 3/4th view. Gemini-style radiator belts adorn her tapering hull, and twin banks of phased-array radars are mounted on the sides. They're not that obvious, but doors just above the "U.S. Air Force" signage reveal the missile carousel. Propellent RCS mounted around the cockpit give a significant about of maneuverability. (How much is "Significant"? as much as is needed for the plot!)
Her belly has a little less detail, other than the squadron patch emblazoned on her hull.
The Engine bank and primary fuel tank has four radially mounted reverse thruster packs. These engines lack the ISP of the mains, but have an enormous TWR, and are invaluable when you need to stop now.
The Main engines themselves are... sorta... Nuclear Thermal Rocket-ish. Clustering that many reactors that close together probably wouldn't be good for anything (not to mention irradiating anything alongside). So they're NOT NTRs, they just act like them on the show.
Also, a sneak preview of a part I'm still modeling, the frigate's chain-guns. They will be mounted in two twin-turrets, placed on the zenith and nadir of the waist. Why chainguns you ask? Partly because an electrically-operated gun is less likely to jam up in space.
But mostly because "Chaingun" is an inherently cool word. Chaingun! Chaingun! Chaingun!
- - - Thanks! Though to be honest, it's not that well thought out. I'm just pulling ideas out of my head as I go along. Thanks man! I was going for that kinda-cheesy but still cool feel. And the frigate is based on Andrasta, but in a roundabout way. I tried to build Andrasta in Kerbal Space Program but it didn't come out looking that similar. Later, I based this ship loosely off the KSP ship. Thanks! I like to think the vibe is due to actual realspace stuff happing now. (SpaceX and Grasshopper for the win!) Thanks! They're based of the LV-N NTR from Kerbal Space Program. But... they're not NTRs. That's, uh... Costuming. yeah, blame the costuming department.
I would first need to tighten up the Mesh, the break it into parts and write the CFGs for everything. Andrasta's not scaled to mate with any default KSP parts, so building a lunch vehicle to get her up would be more trouble that it's worth.
I textured up the chainguns and waist, and stated in on the turret modeling. The guns' textures are WIP at the moment, and the turret's still bare, but she's getting there.
Also, I'm not totally sold on the "UNITED STATES" lettering on the hull tapers. There's already plenty of lettering identifing this as a USAF ship, and the ribbing doesn't take text as well as I'd hoped.
I also did some messing about with ligthing to simulate an earth-orbit photo, with earthshine glancing off her belly. Must say, I'm rather pround of this one.
And finally, a sheet of orthos.
She's actually designed to be launched without any ordnance. The turret-rings double as universal accessory plugs. This allows her to swap out her loadout for whatever is needed. (cannons, additional comms gear, what have you.)
Also, in the universe of the fictional Space Command TV show, this plug-and-play reconfigureability lead to more toys to sell!
Extra points if you get to say "Magna Lock On!" in the TV show...
While the frigate still needs a touch more work, it's close enough to done that I started a new project. A Soviet ship!
Known to Western observers as the "Souyz 9K" this vehicle is not in itself a true spacecraft. Instead, it's a universal rocket-block, on which varying command module-mission modules stacks can be assembled. This not only allows for great flexibility of roles, it's good for selling merchandise. The USAF ships, being the "hero" ships, need to stay reasonably recognizable, so their reconfigure ability is limited. But for the bad guys, ships can be cobbled together in any order, saving work for the model-makers, while boosting toy sales!
- - - Thanks! I'm having way to much fun working on it. Ha ha, awesome. Didn't know there was such a show. Anyhoo, like I said above, the US ships are going to be pretty fixed in their appearance, for brand recognition. But the Russian ships have a lot more modularity to them. (This also fits with the real-world design ideals. Monolithic Skylab versus Modular MIR and semi-modular Salyut.) Thanks!
Did some quick texture on the Soyuz propulsion bock. They're not as polished as the textures on the Frigate, but since this ship is mostly a background baddie, they're good enough for now. The aft section with the engine rings needs more work, but other than that I'm pretty happy with this.
A quick size-comparison with the Frigate. (also showing the slightly tweaked waist textures on the Frigate)
Made a new part for the Soyuz Complex. The Zond Automated Combat Command Module. Doing double duty as a command and tactical module, the Zond packs four punishing DShK-K machine guns. each DShK-K is essentially a DShK HMG with a copper cooling jacket brazed around the barrel to circulate liquid amonina to cool the weapons in the vacuum of space.
Here, the Zond is stacked atop a Soyuz 9K Universal Propulsion Block to create the Firefly strike fighter. While the Firefly lacks the range of larger craft, or the tactical ability and strategic thinking of a manned fighter, it's simplicity, ruggedness, and cheapness make it a favorite amongst smugglers and pirates. (and, as an unmanned and rather whimpy ship, it fills the role of "cannon-fodder mook" on the show)
Notice the umbilical leading from the Zond to the 9k, allowing command interlink.
Finally, a quick Ortho I knocked together. Should probably spiff up the SPS engines on the 9K, but I think it's presentable enough for tonight's WIP dump.
Also, I considered texturing with photos, but all the photos of Progress that I can find are of the newer Progress-M which has thermal blankets over everything. Plus, I'm going for a slightly stylized look here.
The Gidra is placed behind the Zond command pod, revering the "CommandModule-OrbitalModule" order used in the real-world Soyuz. It does, however, mirror the Command Module-first design of the realworld militarized Soyuz.
The barrel-shaped module contains a carousel mounting 16 missiles, and can be loaded with "Air-to-Air" (ie, high agility), "Air-To-Ship"(ie, large warhead), or "Cruise"(ie high DeltaV) missiles. Simple rolling slats protect the missiles whilst the ship is not in combat. (And for show purposes, having a Flagon spread its doors is dramatic and looks cool.)
Here's a Flagon flying in formation with a Firefly. Because I can.
As a final note, I'm not certain I like the radiator on the Gidra. After all, the module's just a can 'o missiles. Here's a render without. Which do you like better?
- - - Thanks! I'm really enjoying this project. Nice to get stuff finished for once. Thanks! Getting nice textures was the whole point of this exercise.
The Kinzahl features the same quad DShK mounts as the Zond.
And finally, an ortho sheet of this... somewhat fugly little ship.
As for radiators on missile section - if you`ve got some electronics and motors inside - you require radiator. Maybe not that large, but smaller one will be a good detail. Same goes for habitable section.
Any way - great work. You really captured that "cold war" feeling. Another note - military stations and orbiters, were build under "Almaz" (diamond) codename. You may like to google the details, since 23mm cannon was actually tested in space.