Escort flyer hull design - help me decide!

[Dewbakuk]

Okay, after a few builds previously that I had to change on the go too often, I decided to plan out designs in Sketchup before starting. Doesn't always work but if you keep the lines simple then it can save a lot of heart ache. For example it was invaluable in working out the construction of the complicated walls in my labyrinth but not much use in the canal barge build as it couldn't handle the graduated curves.

On this occasion it was great as I totally reworked the sizes on this 'build' several times which would have made me abandon the whole thing long ago if I'd been actually making it.

However I'm struggling to decide on the design. Here are the two options:

[Dewbakuk]

And another to show it's function.




Imagine the big hole in the middle having fan blades rotating in it. It'll also get some braces and a tail but they didn't need to be put on for this (and angled tubes are a pain to make, at least for my limited knowledge of the software). The top box in the middle is for the pilot and the one at the front, well guess what the multiple tubes are

[former user]

looks good so far
I personally like the first one with the sharp edges.
if it is to be an escort, it should have some stabilyzing fins or something around the central body.
I guess the tail then would be opposite to the gun mount?

what is it escorting?
what does it defend against?
how about a mast that runs through the hub?

[OSHIROmodels]

Go for the first one mate, it's a bit more aerodynamic than the others.

You could have a lot of fun with the rigging on this one, a central mast like what former user suggests, a long fin at the back and a couple of smaller ones at the sides and rig then all together. It'd be a bitch to handle but look superb 

Also, if you can, try and get hold of a copy of Rhino. We use it at work and it seem to be the best technical graphics program out there at the moment.

You could also put a small motor in the central section and attach the blades to it  You know, one of those small helicopter toys...

cheers

James

*edit for bad spelling*

[Dewbakuk]

Yeah, my preference is probably for the first one. The second was the first I made and it's based on giving the contra-rotating fans enough space to rotate and function (and then making it thinner anyway as it was too high for it's length/width).... but the other one looks cooler

I guess the tail then would be opposite to the gun mount?

Indeed, essentially it's a VSF Helicopter.

what is it escorting?
what does it defend against?

It's a recon/escort flyer for my Californian 'Collegium of New Science' force (which is itself just an excuse to turn my cowboys and Deadlands Steamtech into an army ) which has recently sent an expedition to the newly risen Atlantis. They're intended for rapid (relatively short ranged) redeployment to protect supply lines* and recon missions over unknown territory. They're equipped with heavy machine gun type weapons, their intended targets are expected to be natives and large wild animals, not enemy armour.**


* I've just had a great idea for a moving Railhead to make my supply lines

** Which doesn't mean optional weaponry won't be made available at a later date...

[Dewbakuk]

Sorry, for some reason I'm having trouble with posts once they become a certain size, the area I'm typing in doesn't show in the window.

how about a mast that runs through the hub?

Probbaly not for the bottom at least as it would prevent landing in unprepared spots, which is kind of the point.

For the tail I was thinking a propellor rather than vanes, I want a proper rugged feel to these. Which would also negate the need for proper rigging. I may change my mind on some bits later though.

Also, if you can, try and get hold of a copy of Rhino. We use it at work and it seem to be the best technical graphics program out there at the moment.

I assume it's a 3d CAD program? I use AutoCAD 08 for my garden plans but the 3d functions are rather complex. Sketchup is fairly intuitive if a little limited, I suspect the CAD system would be okay if I had a month or so to immerse myself in it. What's Rhino like to use?

You could also put a small motor in the central section and attach the blades to it

I would love to, but putting in the gearing to slow the motors down enough to look right would take up more space than the build

[Thunderchicken]

I'm liking this idea. I prefer the first one.

[OSHIROmodels]

Rhino is a 3D CAD program and much better than Autocad, it's more user friendly and you can do a whole lot more with it. You can also import from Autocad into Rhino no problem and visa versa.

cheers

James

[Tom Reed]

i agree with everyon else. Go with the first design.

[former user]

I asked about the role of the flyer because in this case the armament should be pointed mainly downwards.
And I agree, for a VSF helicopter the lower mast is a bit in the way.
I somehow had the idea of a floating thing...

[Red Orc]

Are these the flyers you were planning on buzzing the Atlantean settlement with? Nice. I do like the first design (and former user, your elaborations are awesome, if a bit impractacle!). I'm almost wishing I'd said the weather was good enough to fly.

I want to see it built now... really, looks great.

[Dewbakuk]

Thanks James, I've sourced a copy to have a play with.

I asked about the role of the flyer because in this case the armament should be pointed mainly downwards.

That's a fair point, the gun will be on a swivel mount but I may mount the ship tilted forward on it's flying stand too to represent it's movement (hopefully).

Are these the flyers you were planning on buzzing the Atlantean settlement with?

They are indeed. They'll get their chance :p


Okay, overwhelming opinion is for the sloped sides so that's what I'll do. To hell with realism 

[Thunderchicken]

To hell with realism 

Abso-bloody-lutely! 

[former user]

(and former user, your elaborations are awesome, if a bit impractacle!).

right. like a steam driven helicopter   

seriously, I borrowed from my actual concept of building a sailing airship with a downward mast, an anchor on "top", that can fold down to land.
If I may be so cheeky as to post it (pardón Dewbakuk)

[Dewbakuk]

If I may be so cheeky as to post it (pardón Dewbakuk)

No problem, I'm fine with seeing interesting designs and pics