HMSLS "Improbable"

[Fitz]

I have begun work on a digital imaginary VSF steam-powered land-ship for 3d-printing in 15mm scale — this is the model for which I created the Gatling guns I mentioned in another thread.

I haven't done any preparatory drawings for this thing, and I'm just making it up as I go along, which is proving to be both easier and harder than working from plans. Easier, because I don't have to worry too much about dimensions, except to cater to 3d-printing limitations, and harder, because I have only the vaguest idea of how it will end up looking, so I have to sort out how all the parts inter-relate as I go along. I also have only the sketchiest idea of how steam-engines actually work, so I'll be faking it A LOT.

Progress is being made. I have the front wheels and forward gunner's position, the beginnings of a boiler, and a lateral Gatling position, but I still need a bridge and stoker's platform. Also, everything is just floating in the air at the moment, so I shall have to build some nice wrought-iron buttressing and what-have-you.

I suspect this thing is going to cost an arm and a leg to print.

[Fitz]

We have a pilot-house, and the side-sponsons are complete except for their support structures.

I think the pilot-house is going to need a lot of gauges and pipes — just have to leave enough room in there for the actual pilot, and probably a co-pilot as well.

I just realized that I have no idea just how the crew are supposed to get to their positions.....

[The_Beast]

Many possibilities: a Tobsen gasbag as taxi. There's a gangplank in the 'barn.' etc.

Are you concerned the 'balconies' and tall boiler might make it look very top-heavy and unstable?

Doug

[Fitz]

Are you concerned the 'balconies' and tall boiler might make it look very top-heavy and unstable?

Not concerned in the least

I'm not really trying to design a workable fighting machine here, just something that appeals to me visually. I'd like it to be minimally believable, but I don't really care too much about the realities of steam-engine design as long as it looks like it might have worked.

[DLIinVSF]

As you say it's your design. Purely from a looks standard, the rails on the "gun deck" just seem a bit much to me. But jolly talented of you either way. 

[The_Beast]

As you say it's your design. Purely from a looks standard, the rails on the "gun deck" just seem a bit much to me. But jolly talented of you either way. 

Just enough, actually. They're there to keep the gatlings from swinging too far and cut the fore gun or boiler. 

Doug

[Fitz]

Just enough, actually. They're there to keep the gatlings from swinging too far and cut the fore gun or boiler. 

Well, yes, that was my thinking. I originally just put a single post at each blocking-point, but I thought they looked a bit odd, so expanded them to little railings.

[Fitz]

Progress has been slow, but I think I now know more or less what's going to be going on down the back.

I've added the drive-belt and its flywheel, and next up will be the stoker's station and coal bins, and the rear gunner's cupola. Having the flywheel where it is meant that I had to extend the rear blocking-rails a bit on the lateral gunners' positions.

I'm not quite sure yet how I'm going to attach the flywheel — I've got to allow for the pistons that would actually turn the thing.

[Ray Rivers]

Fascinating and creative work!

Do you think you'll be able to squeeze the crew into their positions?

[Fitz]

Finished. At last.

It's available from my Shapeways shop at http://shpws.me/M6H1 — but as expected, it's going to be frighteningly expensive to get printed. Oh well.

[Fitz]

Fascinating and creative work!

Do you think you'll be able to squeeze the crew into their positions?

Thanks

There shouldn't be any problem getting 15mm figures in there, though I've scaled everything to 15mm true (i.e. no bases). It's possible (maybe) that it could be used with 20mm figures, but I wouldn't count on it.

[Fitz]

I added a full crew of 15mm mannequins. There's plenty of room for them, and it looks to me like it would probably work quite happily with 20mm or possibly even 25mm figures (though they would certainly have to crouch a bit down at the stokers' positions). 28mm figures would certainly be much too large though.

[Fitz]

No doubt everyone will be getting heartily sick of it by now, but I made a crew of toy soldiers and wanted to see what it would look like bearing down on one in all its iron-clad glory.

[von Lucky]

A thing of beauty, nonetheless. Thanks for creating and sharing the progress.

[beefcake]

Well that is just amazing. I'd like to Se more creations!