"Traveller-esque Ships for 15mm scale?" Topic

So, if you are a fan of Traveller, and/or Traveller-esque rules, e.g. Striker, Tommorow's War, FAD, Fubar, Gruntz, etc., what types of ship/shuttle models do you use for getting on and off planet?

The latest Dropship discussions brought this to mind for me.

Some of the more obvious ones are the:

1. little shuttle from Firefly (the Empress', or Princess' shuttle, if I recall correctly);
2. the Cylon-esque looking design from Khurasan;
3. the Star Trek Enterprise Shuttle, produced by Johnny Lightning;
4. a Space 1999 Eagle;
5. other?

So, just curious to see if any of you have come up with any other ideas for the other category, and if so, what?

Perhaps a scratch-built Traveller Scoutship, FreeTrader, Shuttle, Lifeboat, or Pinnace?

Would love to hear various ideas, and/or see some pics of your spacecraft that are capable of landing on a planet's surface.

Scratch-building a Scoutship, FreeTrader, or other vessel seems like it would be possible, with a little time, and effort.

Anyone have any building plans, instructions, or pics to share?

Khurasan's got a very suitable tramp freighter/cargo shuttle/dropship model:

I have this one as a long time "in progress" (which means I haven't finished it yet)…

And this…

Both are cheap Star Wars toys that I've done some minimal conversion or repainting on. More pics on my blog somewhere…
link

Been meaning to work up a Gig (ala the Gazelle Close Escort) in 15mm. Not much internal space, so it only needs to be an external model.

There's a very nice example on the latest post on Dropship Horizon
dropshiphorizon.blogspot.com.au

That Inara shuttle is a fantastic-looking little ship:

link

auction

link

I got mine a while back. Unfortunately, I now realize I have no use for it, so it's sitting in a box somewhere, together with an awesome set of the GZG "Firefly" crew:

link

link

Dan

I have made an attempt at a Scout ship. Inside isn't finished, though as you can see niether is the outside.

15mm GZG NAC Marine having a look over it for scale.

I'm in the process of building this out of a Batman Tumbler vehicle. As you can see by the date, it's a long WIP.

-Eli

WJAL21, that's awesome! I was considering commissioning something like that, but much smaller, to serve as a scout or a tender for games, something that could put a few men onto a planet's surface.

Some great suggestions, and photos everyone.

Thanks for sharing.

Just thought of another one, e.g. the Star Wars Action Fleet Tyderium Shuttle. Looks to me to be about right for 15mm scale.

Wow, that's a very nice looking Scoutship WJAL21.

How long is it, and what materials have you used for construction?

It looks rather large, e.g. perhaps about 2 feet long, or so.

Having an interior would be just icing on the cake!

WJAL – that's super cool!

Some great models here. Really excellent.

I was thinking of F-toys Imperial Shuttle as well.

WJAL21, that's awesome! I was considering commissioning something like that, but much smaller, to serve as a scout or a tender for games, something that could put a few men onto a planet's surface.

Yes… we need more of your spaceships!

WJAL21, outstanding. You really captured the Traveller scout ship IMHO!‌

Leland R. Erickson

WJAL21:
Must echo the above sentiments. You hit the Traveller scout ship from the illustrations beautifully! And there is an inside?! How cool is that! Is there a possibility of a tutorial?

@khurasanminiatures: Oh please Jon, commission away!

+1 on the IISS ship. Looks straight out of the books!

@Khurasan: I'd buy one or two, specifically to use as a military dropship. I'll have to put it down in the queue, though. Got a DPLS or three that I've promised to buy first, that I'm going to order with a couple Caiman APCs, exterminators, and space demons.

@WALJ21: dang, that's biiiig. Very cool. I don't suppose you made plans that you'd be willing to share?

@Eli: brilliant idea, I may need to 'borrow' it!

A note on the Batmobile toys. The vehicles can be found in many sizes and degrees of accurate proportioning.

The model I used is the shell of a cheap RC version that has compressed the overall dimensions to be a bit more compact. There are larger, more accurately proportioned versions designed for the action figures and even a fold-out playset version that might do well for making larger vessels.

I have also seen some of the diecast versions of the same vehicle used as fast attack vehicles in 15mm.

-Eli

@WJAL21: That ship is brilliant. More details/photos, please!

The model is built from foamed pvc. (Check out Antenocitis Workshop for that.) The inner structure is made from 3mm version and is really just the bulkheads. Outer skin is 2mm.

The internals are not the same as the standard Traveller version, but if you have ever studied them then you know they would be hard to make work.

My sketches are on many sheets of graph paper, but if I get a chance to scan them I will try to post them.

Thanks for the info, WJAL21 :-)
For anyone who might be looking for a similar construction material in North America, you can visit any Dollartree or Dollarama and buy a sheet or ten of their "Readi-board" foamboard.
It is quite different from the foamboard you see in Walmart, etc. The paper backing peels off without effort, leaving you with a very light ~4.5mm foam sheet. It's extremely popular for in the RC airplane community for scratchbuilding. I have a case of 50 sitting next to my RC workbench, which is next to my minis workbench ;-)

Thanks for the info WJAL21, and SpleenRippa.

I really appreciate it, and imagine others do as well.

What is the advantage of using the "Readi-board" over the regular foam core board, other than the fact that you can peel the paper off?

Perhaps being able to glue the styrene, or other plastic sheeting to the outside better, if using that, than gluing onto a paper surface?

What glue do you recommend using with the Readi-board, to Readi-board bonds, and/or when gluing to styrene sheeting?

Is it more or less rigid than plain old, paper-backed, foam core sheeting?

The advantage of the paper backed material is that you can draw nice panel line detailing on it, if desired, which would be good, if you don't want to fool with styrene.

Of course, I imagine the latter would make the models considerably more durable.

Not sure about the readi-board, but the foamed-PVC takes superglue. It is very strong and rigid. I built a smallish dropship out of the same stuff and its strong enough for me to stand on. Using a biro it is possible to draw panel lines on the foamed PVC.

And if you want to see more pics
link

Wow, that's great!

Thanks for sharing your drawings, and build pics.

I love all of the detailed shots of your build process.

Yea, I was looking at the scout as well, and some of the dimensions mentioned on-line for the ship, and they definitely don't work, unless the crew are very short, since the front half of the ship will be too tapered, in many plans.

Deepening the hull helps considerably with that issue.

I've run across one design, where they just flattened the bottom on the central portion of the vessel too. That works as well.

I'd like to do a full interior on a model, but am concerned with the small rooms and corridors, that the walls will be too high and narrow to really be able to move figs around in them, so may need to re-evaluate that.

A possible workaround is to reduce the wall heights a bit, and/or just ignore the interior totally, and use those old flat poster printouts for playing skirmish games in the interior of a ship. The latter would be considerably easier, but just isn't as satisfying from a minis standpoint.

Rather late to the thread, but in Canada (at least) foamed PVC is known as Sintra. You should be able to pick up some sheets at a sign-making shop. It's not as light as the foam inside foamcore, and considerably more robust.

I actually got a fairly large supply for free just asking for offcuts.

WJAL21 – I was equally impressed by your SDB and dropship scratchbuilds too. Very nice all round.

To get back to the original post – I have a Revell Maquis Fighter in my "things to do" pile – pictures of the dryfitted hull with some Perry 28mm Napoleonics and GZG 15mm figure for scale:

link

It would need some landing feet added (unless you just used a flight stand) to make it work.

Someone mentioned Action Fleet, so here's the action fleet Falcon and the Imperial Shuttle.

Though there were losses. The adjustment handle of my Tripod died to bring you these images. :(

So anyone have any idea how to get a broken bolt out of a threaded hole without destroying the threading?

Anyone interested in Traveller scout ships could do worse than look up the Florian and Suleiman versions of the design created by 3D artist Wayne Peters (aka "Scarecrow" or "Scarecrovv") 5 or so years ago. Both were designed as more realistic takes on the vessel to account for the discrepancies between the original deckplans and the available volume of the hull. Both were done with fairly substantial interiors, certainly in the case of the Florian. Unfortunately my Google fu is weak this morning and I haven't been able to find more than a handful of exterior images still available on the net.

WJAL21 – amazing work on the more traditional scout! Look forward to seeing it finished.

Psyckosama I see you using Manowar's "Sign of the Hammer" Glyph as a banner icon!

;-D

Actually, if you look closely you'll see that they also have little signs of the hammer on the shoulder pads of the infantry….

Hi,
It's my 1st post on this board and hopefully not last, coz i love 15mm miniatures (but still making first steps in it).

Anyway yesterday my order from Daemonscape arrived with 28mm GZG56 Dropship and I must say it's looks great!

Khurasan Defence Force Heavy Infantry Combat Vehicle fits perfectly.
Hatch under cockpit looks like made fo 15mm units, and cockpit bay size looks like made for 15mm pilots.
If anyone interested I can make some photos.

Soon package from Scotia Grendel package should arrive and I'll see how Corvus VTOL looks in 15mm.

@danyboy

Pics when you get the chance, please.

OT I know, but does anyone know how GZG57 and GZG67 from Daemonscape scale next to 15mm? Looks like they might just about fit – I remember them always seeming a bit small for 25mm.

<EDIT> Never mind – seems Moqawama had the same thought and started a new thread.

Don't forget the Terminator Salvation toy also:

I was a little hurry and forgot to mount wheels on Aliens APC ;)
With wheels and top cannon mounted APC fits not so perfectly.
Here is album with partially assembled dropship with APC in cargo bay
My plan is to mount APC cannon on magnets in two possible variants (transport and attack mode) so it will fit in cargo bay.
To fit APC with top cannon mounted I have to park it front toward cockpit. I still can close the door. You can see it on my pictures. Or you can cut 2-3mm from cargobay ceiling.

I like this dropship because it looks heavy, ready to entry into the atmosphere.

Unfortunately model will require some work, because some parts don't fit to good together.

And one important thing – cargo bay dimensions ~120x58x40mm.

So Psyckosama, what you're saying is that many Bolt-thans died to bring us this information…

So Psyckosama, what you're saying is that many Bolt-thans died to bring us this information…

Grooooann.

I've also got a Terminator Salvation toy that I've converted to a transport for 15mm. I'll post a few pictures soon.

What are the full dimensions of the Daemonscape ship?

This looks too cool:

link

link

Dan

Have you seen my multi-story ship? It's built mainly out of foamcore. I went with a more pulpy-1960s feel than the more modern steel and grit look.

Galley

Medical Bay

More on my blog: link

Wow, all very cool.

WarrenAbox
That looks great! I have had thoughts of doing something similar, so how has it work for you as gaming goes,

CC
Those are great photos! We both should build something along the lines of that scout ship, I've got that carrier that I post awhile back but having something with rooms and hallways would be far better.

Mako11
You could make something along the lines of is;

more here plus the plans;

mil-net.net/hercules.cfm

Hope this helps :D

WJAL21
I'm all over that like a rat to cheese! :D

@War Monkey: It ain't bad for wargaming. A little tight for squad based games, but for skirmishes with 5-8 figures each it works great. The open sides and terrain pieces that are evocative rather than realistic leave plenty of open space for maneuver.

The only real problem we found is that there's no clear line of sight through the hole in the third floor. There is for the miniatures, but when the players try to check line of sight, it's blocked by the upper floors and walls. Not a real big deal, but something to consider.

WarrenAbox
Thanks for the advice, will keep that in mind, I could just skip making the hole and just have it as a full deck.

Anyone else has pictures of their ship projects? I know myself for one would love to see them if you do! :D

Thanks for the inspiring pictures.

Wayne Peters work is here:
crowstuff.co.uk/index.htm
You can find pictures of his Type-S, air/raft, and other work there.

I converted some kind of flying craft built to hold a single 4" G.I. Joe figure into a vessel suitable for 25mm figures. It's about a foot long; I usually call it a 40-dton pinnace or 50-dton cutter in Traveller terms. It's in the upper left of this picture:

link

I also turned a small shampoo bottle (maybe 12 oz) into a 30-dton ship's boat.

I have a Star Wars A-Wing fighter that I'm going to convert to another pinnace or cutter. It looks like this:

tinyurl.com/n95ccaj

Conversion is as simple as a paint job that covers all but small slice of the clear canopy.