Overlord's Dropship

[Overlord]

In the hope that this might finally get my Dune-esque Sci-Fi project going I intend to build an ornithopter. 

EDIT: This how now become a Dropship, but I will leave the initial thoughts here for completeness.

The problem is the potential design directions to go in.  I do rather like the Lynch movie depiction, even though its not entirely in keeping with the books, particularly in terms of the hardware.  The miniatures I have mostly take their inspiration from the film.  I also have the Akula Attreides 'thopter, which is close to the movie version.

Various concepts form a variety of sources:

Illustrated Dune (1978):




From Frank Herbert's Dune World by John Schoenherr:


Concept from Jodorowky's Dune:


Insect-like concepts:


Bird-like concepts:


Ultimately I'm still not sure quite which way to go.  Maybe I will just wing it........  

[OSHIROmodels]

Some lovely inspiration there Paul 

Looking forward to seeing what you do.

cheers

James

[Captain Blood]

Love Dune, and love this idea, Paul.

Good luck.

[Rich H]

Cool idea

[AKULA]

I really look forward to seeing your take on this

 

[Cherno]

I think overall, the Dune game by Cryos Interactive had the best design.

[Vanvlak]

I'm watching this with great interest - I discarded some of those images as being too complicated for me and chose a blockier design which is not very Dune-ish, so I'm looking forward to seeing what you produce. I hadn't seen the Jodorowski one, which IS rather nice - although so are most of the others too. We need to create an Ornithopter Construction Society and build every single one of them! 
 

[Andym]

Looking forward to this mate! I think Chernos one from the Dune game would probably be the most realistic and (maybe) easiest to do, but I do love this design....

[tomrommel1]

great inspiration

[Overlord]

A bit of a slow start for me.  Currently painting unrelated stuff, so need to finish that to give me the space to build.  Hopefully in the next couple of days. 

I have however been giving the build some thought.  My initial idea was to go for something fairly simple; a single seat (1 'arm' instead of 2) recce craft based on the Harkonnen 'thopter from the film.

Dodgy mock-up:

However its not very original and, compared to the other builds already underway, rather underwhelming.

Having re-read some of the original book for descriptions, 'thopters read as more bird-like in flight than the insectoid designs that I was initially tending towards, and whilst finishing off some Christmas chocs an idea occurred....



(Unpainted Sid the Sardaukar for scale)

The mock-up is a bit too bird-like currently, but I hope to make the model a bit more tech/sci-fi looking (especially the tail and wings) and more straight-lined.  Its larger than I was intending, but will represent a Harkonnen/Imperial style Assault 'Thopter.  Hence the forward facing ramp, so that the Sardaukar can run headlong into combat as soon as it touches down.  A Chinook style rear ramp just didn't seem right and this 'sit-up' design continues a bird of prey look that follows the avian theme.  I also became increasingly aware than it shares much with the dropship from Aliens, but that wasn't a conscious decision on my part.

The model will be in plastic card (and foamed PVC?) and bigger than anything I have built previously with this media. 

[AKULA]

I would have loved to see the "one armed" Harkonnen thopter, but your new idea is intriguing.

Looking forward to seeing the execution.

 

[Vanvlak]

I'd recommend you do both  -  one for the BSC and one later.
They're both rather cool.
And - chocs, mmm! 

[beefcake]

All good ideas begin with chocolate.
Nice mock up.

[Andym]

Knowing your skills, I'm sure which ever version you do, it'll look great when finished!

[Mason]

Knowing your skills, I'm sure which ever version you do, it'll look great when finished!

Wot he said.