Designing/Building a model Spaceship. help

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    Model Spaceship
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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around constructing a model of a futuristic spaceship for a school project, with a focus on design, materials, and component representation. Participants share their experiences and suggestions related to model building, particularly in the context of science fiction themes like those seen in "Star Wars."

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant suggests starting with styrene plastic and using brass tubing for projections, along with various plastic debris for components.
  • Another participant recommends using styrene and clear PETG sheet for modeling, citing their effectiveness in forming and modeling.
  • There is mention of utilizing local electronics surplus stores to find small components that can enhance the model.
  • A participant expresses pride in their spaceship model, noting it was a rebuild after the first one disintegrated.
  • Some participants reflect on their aspirations in model building and express a sense of nostalgia regarding their past projects.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree on the use of styrene as a favorable material for model building, but there are differing opinions on specific techniques and components. The discussion includes both shared experiences and individual preferences, indicating a lack of consensus on the best approach.

Contextual Notes

Some participants reference specific materials and techniques without providing detailed explanations of their effectiveness or limitations. There is also a lack of follow-up from the original poster regarding the outcome of their project.

Mange
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For a school project, I may need to construct a model of a futuristic spaceship. This might be like something that you would see on "Star Wars". This model would have to open up to reveal the essential components needed for interstellar travel (i.e. engine, hyper drive, etc.)

How might i go about building this?:
- what materials should I use?
- what might the components look like?
- and so on...
 
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Mange said:
For a school project, I may need to construct a model of a futuristic spaceship.
I want to go to your school. :!)
Mange said:
This might be like something that you would see on "Star Wars". This model would have to open up to reveal the essential components needed for interstellar travel (i.e. engine, hyper drive, etc.)

How might i go about building this?:
- what materials should I use?
- what might the components look like?
- and so on...

I have a few spaceships kicking around. I start with a sheet of styrene plastic and build up from there.
For spindly projections, I use brass tubing from the hobby shop.
For components, I collect (or cannibalize) all sorts of plastic debris - toothpaste/shampoo caps. Also, kitbash old model car model kits.
Also, I frequent the local electronics surplus store. You can pick up handfuls of tiny fiddly components that look great stuck on.
Glue: styrene glue and 5-minute epoxy glue.

See attached pic. (BTW, all those panels tilt about 60 degrees in any direction on universal joints.)
 

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Thusly.
 

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well thank you so much sir
 
bubba3222 said:
Styrene is the best way to go along with maybe some clear PETG sheet. They are both great in forming and modeling. I use styrene a lot with various projects specifically my train layout. It's great for backgrounds and making models cars, stuff like that. Give this website that I found a try. I have bought stuff from them before and seemed to have a lot of materials for modeling that could help you. Good luck! http://bit.ly/oKIR89

Well, you're about a year and a half late, but...
 
DaveC426913 said:
Well, you're about a year and a half late, but...

Good thing, because otherwise I'd never have seen this way cool spaceship! :smile:
Pity the OP did not report back with his spaceship.

However, the parts seem to be improperly named...
I'd have expected a hyper-drive, quantum-teleporter, matter-converter, holo-simulator, ... :wink:
 
I like Serena said:
Good thing, because otherwise I'd never have seen this way cool spaceship! :smile:

Thanks.

I am rather proud of it. It's actually the second time I built it. The first one sort of disintegrated over time. So I rebuilt it. (That is no mean feat for someone who has difficulty completing a project the first time let alone the second.)

Alas, my career just did not go in that direction. Not sure why.
 
DaveC426913 said:
Alas, my career just did not go in that direction. Not sure why.

Neh, neither did mine.
 
I like Serena said:
Neh, neither did mine.

John Dykstra of Star Wars fame was my hero. I think I may have set my goal too high.

Say, is that a LEGO Escher staircase? Is it yours?
 
  • #10
DaveC426913 said:
John Dykstra of Star Wars fame was my hero. I think I may have set my goal too high.

Say, is that a LEGO Escher staircase? Is it yours?

Right the first time! :smile:
But no, I'm sorry to say that it's not mine.
 

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