"HOW ABOUT An Ootheca, For An Insectoid Spaceship?" Topic

Would it make sense to make it look like a giant insect egg-case?

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I've been toying for quite a while with the idea of making an insectoid ship for my 15mm Rebel Minis Manth Aliens:

I would want it to be no wider than 9 inches and no longer than 12 inches. So I'm already looking at using 2 shallow oval bowls that might be made to fit together:

auction

The hard part is coming up with a way to add ridges and other bug-worthy textures to the outside of the plastic bowls. Should the texture look symmetrical or not?

And what do you suggest I use? Adhesive foam stickers? Hot glue patterns? Something else?

Thoughts?

Dan
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I seem to remember bowls shaped like those bug cases were popular for snacks on coffee tables back in the late '60s to '70s. Maybe start going to yard sales.

How about using a foam cutter and a chunk of foam.

Instead of being the ship itself, I'd be inclined to make the ootheca a troop section that attaches to the rear of your dropship cockroach-style. Each "egg" would be a drop pod blister that could detach for aerial drops. I imagine it would be a bit like the racks of a Star Wars MTT, but with protective skin/shell around the pods.
I wonder if brazil nuts get large enough that you could use the shells or cast them, because they certainly resemble some oothecae.

As for the ship, something a vaguely resembling a plump, wingless, heavily sclerotized cockroach might work (say hissing or oriental). Legs as landing gear are optional. The shape could even be as simple as a TNG Tin Man with chitinous armor if you wanted.

Dan have you thought about something like this?

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@Bashytubits: "How about using a foam cutter and a chunk of foam"

That might actually end up being the easiest option! Okay, maybe with the floor made out of MDF, for some strength and stability?

@Gokiburi, that TNG "Tin Man" ship is very tempting!

Dan
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Just wanted to say, in spite of an interesting idea, I've squished TOO many roaches that popped out that second piccie for me to even consider putting such a thing on the table.

More power to you, as always, Dan. ;->=

Doug

Doug

I don't think my wife would be too thrilled with that one particular design either. :)

Dan

In HQC the Sea and Air Hives are both of similar shapes to these

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Terry

Dan nature can supply all your needs.
Don't know if you are mobile or not yet my friend , so don't be offended … but a walk around the countryside will yield empty insect shells,seed pods etc which can easily be moulded , modified & cast to build whatever you need.

Or build out of green stuff.

Check out also my snake men vehicle post, should be helpful.
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Or look for dried flowers etc online, if you can't find anything … no one can 😉.
You're our online 'kool' things provider.🖒🖒🖒 😆😆

Z

Instead of the bowls idea, have you looked at the container that Tide PODS come in? It meets your specs and is close in shape.

For the ridges, I would be tempted to try tying something around it. You can find flat plastic strips at craft stores. They are thicker than string but narrower than ribbon. If you get that and lay it in a knot pattern called a common 3-strang cockscomb, you will get the pattern on that first image you posted.

Wakenney: "have you looked at the container that Tide PODS come in?"

No idea what those look like. I'll have to check it out.

Thanks

Dan

Check out the depiction of the insectoid aliens in these covers for Frederik Pohl's "Black Star Rising.

Who says that they all have to be the size of a human, right? :)

Dan
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Dan I found an old plastic lamp shade ( 60's or 70's ???) which I think would fit the bill.
It is made of thin plastic tube moulded next to each other into a semi sphere.
Something like this.

Unfotunately the plastic is brittle with age but perhaps you can find a newer one.

Obviously it has to be cut to size. Since it's plastic I think it can be moulded with a heat gun on a wooden rolling pin..just thinking how I would do it.

Z

Z

That looks fantastic! Too bad about it becoming brittle. I hope it can take the stress of the heat gun. Don't start it off on high. Go slowly.

I'll start looking for similar shades, now that I know there might be some candidates in that category. Thanks so much.

Dan
PS. I wish I could find a plastic one that looked like this:

Welcome Dan.
That last pic reminds me of lace weaving wooden bobbins.
Do you have a friend who does wood turning? Or find one who does them, online?

Pine would be a great choice of wood. Easily turned & polished. Just gloss varnish & it's ready for use. Or tint with ink wash then varnish.

It is a very easy shape to turn…I think you have a winner there 👍👍👍

Z

Here is a wasp nest that looks the part

I wish I could find a plastic one that looked like this:

Given that it's roughly egg(bird)-shape, you could take a leftover plastic Easter egg, and some are quite large, and either section, or just shade/paint the indentations.

Doug (whose low-effort suggestions STILL seem to be more work than of which he's capable)

I'm about to test Mod Podge on some mesh web ribbon material to stiffen it up and adhere it to corridor walls. I hope it will help me add an "organic" look to my project.

skybluepink.com/fibers.html

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After it stiffens up a bit, I will cut it into irregular sections and lay it down with more sealer.

I might add some cholla wood pieces here and there:

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Dan
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Okay, the shape was easy, a flat hollow "pear".

The hardest thing was settling on a size, but here it is:

Well, I made some cardboard templates, the largest of which is 10.5 inches long by 8.25 inches wide. The height will probably end up being something like 2.5 inches or so.

I'll be posting pics once I cut the first foam sheets.

Dan

And here's the link to my first stage in the building of the Ootheca husk ship:

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Dan