Aha, I know what I'm doing now :-) (photos 22nd Oct)

[OSHIROmodels]

A docking station for nefs on Mars 

Now to design the bloody thing 

cheers

James

[gamer Mac]

Sounds like a great idea James
With your building skill it should be brilliant
Can’t wait to see how you get on.
This is going to be an amazing competition.
Don’t set the bar to high though, give the rest of us a chance

[OSHIROmodels]

Don’t set the bar to high though, give the rest of us a chance 

I've got to finish it first, along with the 1001 other projects on the go 

Looking forward to see all the entries, there's going to be some really insprirational stuff out there   

cheers

James

[OSHIROmodels]

Right then. Came up with this, the real one will probably be smaller but along the same lines and I reckon I'll start it tomrrow  



Any c+c is welcome.

The docking platforms need some work and additional parts adding (don't know what yet though)

cheers

James

[Calimero]

What are the scale it will be design for? 28mm? If so, it like an ambitious project.
Anyhow it look like a very interesting terrain piece. 

[Hammers]

It looks a lot like the plans for my Pathan fort. Are you all going to steal my ideas?

A very nice sketch and ambitious project. Good luck.

[Hawkeye]

Excellent sketch - can't wait to see it built! What sort of materials are you going to use?

[artshiraz]

Greetings

oh my. That looks like a lot of fun. Will be huge though. Where will you store the whole thing when it is finished? ;-) *g*

Now, for the boarding ramp. You might perhaps consider placing a low handrail on both sides (as it has a certain height and there *are* winds on Mars.
What "function" will have the Minaret? Will it be pure ornamental, or spiritual? Or will this be the "tower"? Then you'd need windows. Big huge windows, a mix of stout English and and ornamental oriental.

The cannons (sketch lower left). What about trying to build some kind of ramp with adjustable height? Some important wheels on the sides with whom the cannoneer crew (is there such a word?) can lower or heighten the cannon and such provide some sort of air cover ?!

Anyway, that is a brilliant idea you've got there. I will follow this with interest. Thank you much

happy building
Jo

[OSHIROmodels]

Hi chaps, thanks for the positive comments   

Scale is for 28mm to go with the rest of the VSF stuff I've got. Materials will be mounting card and foamboard for the walls and main construction and then there will be certain amounts of balsa and other bits and bobs for the rest. It's going to be a case of 'Lets build and see.

@ Hammers - Only if your Pathans have got Neffs 

@ artshiraz - I'm not thinking about storage for the moment  The boarding ramp will have safty chains on the edge and also some sort of guard hut at the end to assist with boarders etc, there will also be some sort of docking mechanism but I haven't a clue as to what yet. The cannon need some work and I'm going to get the Osprey book on ACW emplacements, there should be enough there to get what I want. The mineret is partly there for asthetic reasons, I'm also thinking of it being a sort of watchtower and it will therefore be taller than the main tower

There is no guarantee that this will get done, but the intention is there  Construction starts today 

cheers

James

[Vanvlak]

EEP!
Grand!
Jimbibbly, here's an idea - don't store it, live in it, it'll probably be big enough!

[Captain Blood]

Bloody Hell - didn't someone say 'don't set the bar too high'?!! 

Alright James, we give in - you've won 

[Dewbakuk]

Here you go, I shall be gracious and share a VSF airship docking inspiration pic.

[OSHIROmodels]

Here you go, I shall be gracious and share a VSF airship docking inspiration pic.

That's glorious   

Loads of stuff there to inspire  Thanks for posting 

cheers

James

[fastolfrus]

Should the Minaret also double as a lighthouse ?

A clock on the tower might give a bit more of a Victorian feel too - like a train station (although only if the station has a commercial background rather than purely military)

Might the docking ramp be extendable ? or moveable (drawbridge perhaps) ?

Should there be some defences to deter people scaling the walls ? perhaps small wall hatches to drop grenades through ?

[Thunderchicken]

Jimbib, if you pull this one off it's going to be a mighty impressive piece of work. I'm afraid I cant offer you any advice other than dont forget the rivets Good to see you've got the ubiquitous loading crane in there.

This is going to be a great excuse for a game!

Good luck with the building and the competition .