1/144th Prometheus scratch build

[The Nylon Gag]

Ello,

Well my friends, there comes a point in everybody's life when you just have to take on what will probably be a suicidal project, one that you will probably never ever finish but you still start it anyway, and who knows, along the way it might even be fun.



The Prometheus in 1/144th scale, 46" long and 32" wide, engines over 6" in diameter and over 13,1/2" tall, this is going to be fun.

I asked on a few modelling and fan sites for links to blueprints of this ship, but there is very little out there, no studio scale model was built so the only reference of the actual ship will be screen caps, it is not going to be an exact replica but my interpretation of the Prometheus from all the info i can get.

So, NO RIVET COUNTERS, please ;D Thankyouverymuchly

But, If anybody has anything they think might be useful, and i can use, please, don't be shy ;D

One source I did find thanks to a member on the RPF, thanks Matty Forman, is a guy call Russel Tawn, who built his own 3D computer model of the Prometheus with some video landing sequences and everything on UTub, which is excellent. I contacted Russel and asked if i could use his stuff for reference and he was very helpful and gave me his blessing, have a look at the excellent work on his site.
Thanks Russel for your help, it is much appreciated.

http://digitawn.co.uk


I have a basic starting point, internal structure,

I think i can make everything else, not sure how yet with some things but i'm sure a solutions will present themselves nearer the time.

I have been planning this for some time in my head, how i will handle certain things, i will need molding equipment and a vac table will be useful but later.

Got hold of some useful catalogs for more build supplies




My biggest worry is the lighting, there are a lot of lights on this puppy, strobes, flashers, running ligths, pin points, bar lights and also the cockpit, i also want to create a swirling engine effect with super bright LEDs but my electronic skills are pretty crappy so that might be challenging, i did contact Randy Neubertat at VoodooFX

http://www.voodoofx.com/index.html

and asked for his help and he was also very generous and said tell me what you need and we can figure something out but lack of cash is a real issue right now, i've had to prioritize what i'm buying

I just spent over $300 on some basic suppys to get me started, the light controller will feature later in the build, i did get some fiber optic cable and a few LEDs though but only a few basic pieces.

So, this is what we got so far:

A piece of 1/2" MDF board 2' X 4' the actual finish width is 0.438"


My stand,



Machined two recepticles for above stand, one for horizontal set up and one for verticle set up





Hole saws and a new arbour





Bondo









Epoxy resin and hardener









Pink foam







Tubes








four, 24" x 24" 1/8th" thick styrene sheet










Primer, Mmmmmmmmmmmmmm primer








Small LED set






And some Hardware






I will still be working on the MK2 but as a side project

I should have my first report in a couple of weeks time

So as always my friends

Stay tuned and get comfy

This might take a while

Gag

 

[Unreality]

Sweet!

I can promise you that watching this build will be more rewarding for me than watching the film.

 

[Klaus not Santa]

Wow, this is rerally a huge project - worth a Gag's time ;D
I look forward to your first reports and will watch this closely.
Good Luck Mate!

 

[texastony1946]

I am looking forward to this build. I will certainly follow this.

 

[JohnSimmons]

Eyes peeled for this one!

 

[nicholassagan]

This is going to be CRAZY awesome. If anyone can do this right, you can.

 

[Quaralane]

I know you'll knock this out of the park, Gag.
And I definitely won't be 'rivet counting.'

 

[Barsprojects]

That is one very cool, ambitious project, can't wait to see this take shape.

Looking at the Ben Procter site right now, one of the designers http://www.benprocter.com/prometheus.

And the guy you found who did the 3d model, he also gave the 3d model away to download for free. I don't have the Lightwave software (anyone here does?) but could perhaps convert the model so you could for instance move the model around in some VR software to view the model in 3d space and make your own snapshots of certain parts and views. Just an idea.

Barry

 

[Jaitea]

Great Gag....love this ship

You'll do a grand job of it I'm sure

J

 

[Grendels]

If anyone can do it, you can. I will be watching this one!

 

[LrdSatyr8]

Can't wait to see what you're gonna start on first! I'll be watching this one!

 

[torgg]

Like everyone else, I'll be watching!

 

[cobraleader]

Gag - after following your other projects, i don't think we will be disappointed ...

now, let me go get my pop corn and comfortable chair and sit back and watch you weave your magic.

 

[The Nylon Gag]

Well a jolly good evening to everyone

All the usual suspects along for the ride, your support and encouragement, means alot fellas so thanks

Now, your faith in me is a bit scary but anyhoo..........lets see what we can do

Thanks Bazza, i did see Bens stuff, very very nice indeed, useful reference but not the same as was used in the film but like i said in my first post, this will not be "Canon", i decided it will be "Water Pistol" at best ;D

I just want to say that i am an old school builder, i do not have access to a 3D printer or a lazer cutter (i have had offers) or any other fancy technology, i am an engineer, so i try to figure stuff out with the skill set i have at my disposal and my very meger budget to make this thing. I will be using everything i learned from the MK1 and MK2 builds with me on this one but most of what i will do is still a little 'trial and error', my scratchbuilding motto ;D. but i think it will work, famous last words.


I had divided the ship into shapes and planes and decided that my datum surface is the bottom section, not the drop down hangar but the roof of the hangar, that plane.

So i scaled up from the various printouts i had and came up with this,

Marked,




Cut and cleaned.





Then i considered the various bulkheads, the main one being attached to our datum plate/surface


Marked,






Cut and cleaned






Screwed









Cut and attached various side panels













Drilled some holes for the central pivot and internal cross braces and the mounting point was attached
















Added some foam between the two plates










Ready for gluing












Had a small re-think about my internal structure and decided to make some alterations

Marked out some redesigned bulkhead plates





Cut cleaned and dry fit with the neck tube in position





Cut a similar plate for the back end













dry fit







Screw both outer pieces together with base and bulkheads all in final position











Basic foam shaping





Big sucker, that is a 36" scale next to the ship







Added some fill in foam blocks





And started to sand the foam























And thats about 24 hours worth of work so far


Stay tuned

Gag

 

[LrdSatyr8]

Looking good so far... bet this this is gonna be heavy! Wish I had the tools you do!

 

[Quaralane]

Definitely coming together so far.

 

[nicholassagan]

Wow.

 

[Grendels]

Nice start!

 

[hook1169]

Man this is one of those builds that I will be watching intensely. I have always wanted to build a version of the Sulaco from Aliens. Around 1/700, but my skills are not ready for such an undertaking. Will be watching this closely.

 

[Bouq]

It reminds me the first steps of the MK1. Few tubes, wood and card and 300 pics later... an incredible ship.

Gag, you're totally crazy. Do not change!