"Traveller System's Defense Boat?" Topic

I know some of the small Traveller ships and boats were made in metal, but would like to know if they ever produced a System's Defense Boat?

I don't recall seeing those in miniature.

Pretty sure that I had a pair of them many many years ago…

Just checked here:
link

Yes, the SDB was released by RAFM. Probably quite hard to find these days!

And, alas, don't think it ever got put in the Silent Death line the way a few others did.

I thought Ad Astra had done one, but I'm not seeing it on their site.

Sorry.

Doug

Edit: You know, the design was pretty simple; seems like there should be something to proxy. I'll cogitate…

Thanks, Stuff of Legends!

Hmm Ad Astra site doesn't inspire confidence with "at the printers September 2010" some of the products!

I wonder if Marc Miller would allow someone to do Traveller classic ships on Shapeways.

Good to see they did produce one.

If anyone has one of these being neglected in a storage container, or back of a sock drawer, I'd be interested in purchasing it.

E-mail me at:

Calidreamer3 AT hotmail D0T com

I wonder if Marc Miller would allow someone to do Traveller classic ships on Shapeways.

Permission to use IP is irrelevant on Shapeways. Just look at all the Trek and SW knockoffs.

Yes, but permission makes it easier to keep on the site.

I used to have four, but sold them all three years ago.

Here's a few possibilities for proxies. I don't know about sizes, but the look was vaguely similar/Traveller-like.

brigademodels.co.uk/Spaceships/PacFed/SFS-740.html

thewarstore.com/product51917.html

You know, the design was pretty simple;

I mean, look at it. Small shuttle nose, straight body, couple of 'large derriere' engines slapped on the sides.

There's GOT to be parts to be used. (Said by he who's not found said.)

Doug

@billclo

The Firestorm ones are the closest. Size is fairly close too.

The only problem is that the Traveller designs are quite iconic and a proxy just isn't as satisfying.

At $11.50 USD for the six, at Miniatures Market, those might look even better. ;->=

Not perfect, still might work for the main section; I hadn't looked at them like that. Now to cogitate for BA engines.

While I continue to seek closer fits.

Doug

Edit: Actually, looks a bit like 2001's Moonbus, though the nose isn't as long.

Edit deux: Running through the Brigade Models line, I'm not close, but something like the Am Rep Proudlock suggests there should be something that could chop down to an SDB.

Here is one of the iconic images of the SDB
link

I would think that there would be many different designs for a SDB, not just one throughout the Imperium. I haven't played Traveller since the '80s, so I haven't kept up, nor do I remember all of it anymore. :)

Just find something about the right size that you like the looks of, and go for it.

Most of the Traveller designs were supposed to be rather ubiquitous. And, the SDB was the Swiss-army-knife; could hide in dense asteroid groups, planetary oceans, just below the surface of gas giants.

I should think there'd be alternatives, as well, but nothing sez Traaveller like that.

Doug

I'm pretty sure you can contact Brock@RAFM.com and ask for a recast. If they have the molds, their policy is to recast for an individual order.

OR at least, that was their policy.

Regards,
Keith F.

Honestly, I'd look at Iron Wind Metals' Battletech DropShip models. The Triumph looks pretty close to the picture, but basically any aerodyne DropShip could work.

Maybe you mean the Vengeance?

Whatever you intended, this is not a bad start, either.

Doug

This one, from IWM's Battletech line would also look decent:

Available at:
ironwindmetals.com/store/product_info.php?cPath=16_44_248&products_id=8476

While it looks good, not pointed-brick enough for Trav SDB. ;->=

Doug

What about this one? Graft something on the side for engines if you insist…but it's got the blocky pointed look. :)

I have a couple, that I painted up to use as freighters, but they could possibly fit the SDB role. Pics of mine:

Available here:

ironwindmetals.com/store/product_info.php?cPath=16_31_241&products_id=3367

Billco's suggestion of an Inazuma with paniers is damn impressive, but wanted to say I picked up a pack of Vegeance, and three snips of sprue cutter later, I think it has possibilities.

I've started to shave and scribe, but wanted to share the first pass:

link

Also, started further conversation on LAF, in case someone there has an idea.

Doug

Serendipity led me to Magister Militum, and Chariot Miniatures. Mostly known for 15mm historicals, I gather, there are a few spaceships, including some asteroid 'ships' that would work for me as outposts.

However, on topic, there's a shuttle (UIO 03) that could do as a small SDB:

Doug