Type 320 Nubian Courier

[TheChronicOne]

Slick!

[strobez]

Ok... now I want a 3D printer...

I'm keeping a close eye on this one. Great work so far!

[jalles]

Well, apparently this thing isn't going to build it's self so I'm going to have to start working on it again.

Here are the engines before the chopping begins.



Engines chopped up with the inch and a quarter PVC pipe extension that was turned on a lathe.



Here it is taped together with the extension.



Vacu-fomed top and bottom.  I'm not happy with the top, but after about eleven attempts only one turned out workable.  All had a pinch/fold right under where the windscreen will be.  I just got some more material so I think I'll try again.  My father gave me an idea that might help get a good pull.



Here's the cockpit, just some sheet styrene cut and glued together.  I don't think I'll add much detail, but there will be some crack pilots and some seats.



Finally, here's the pieces roughly placed together.



Now I have to fill every darn panel line and start gluing some stuff together.

[PR19_Kit]

Well, apparently this thing isn't going to build it's self so I'm going to have to start working on it again.

It's really bad, isn't it? You put all that care and attention into manufacturing the bits and then they just can't be bothered to assemble themselves. 

That looks positively MAGNIFICENT! And it's not even glued yet! 

[strobez]

Just when I'd just about forgotten about this build... it comes screaming out of the shadows to gobble you up.  My guess is the sykotic's Dragonfly is in the pole position... but this one and Dizzy's TIE juggernaut (is that it's name, or just what I call it?) are going to feast on the rest.

I love the look, and vacuu-forming the main fuselage is a skill set I need to get my hands on. Wicked!

[jalles]

Thanks for the kind words guys!

It's really bad, isn't it? You put all that care and attention into manufacturing the bits and then they just can't be bothered to assemble themselves. 

I know, it's like I have to do all the work!

My guess is the sykotic's Dragonfly is in the pole position...

I have to agree with you there, that is a true work of art.  I'm happy to be in such company.

[TheChronicOne]

Sexy... man.... I love the look of it. 

[jalles]

Some more progress.

I've recontoured the engine shock cones to look more like a Naboo ship.



Much sanding, filling and priming finally got a pretty good wing section.  It looks like some sore of Luft 46 America bomber.





Finally, the cockpit is finally done.  I didn't have any good cockpit crew, so these WWII figures will have to do. Now I have to build up the courage to glue it in.



It's hard to see, but I made a custom decal for the instrument panel. I found some Millennium Falcon cockpit images online and spliced parts together to fit the spot I had.





I finally got a good pull on the vacu-form and now have a much clearer part.  I just needed to put the buck on a small pedestal.



I'm still trying to decide if I want to go landing gear down or up.  I'd like to do down, but I'm not sure if I have the time.

[sykotik]

I love where your at with this build. I have really grown to like the Nubian designs and this really does look like it belongs in that universe. You've beautifully captured the smooth flow their craft seem to have and the mere fact you vacu-formed your own canopy piece is well worth acknowledging and you have my total respect for that. I have often looked into the art of vacu-forming and I reckon I could do it, but I am too lazy to build my own vac-box and too cheap to buy one (the reality is, I don't do enough scratch building to warrant getting one)
I bought an SR-71 with the intention of turning it into a Nubian cruiser of some kind, but I think I maybe a bit to ambitious for that just yet. Maybe one day
Anywho, I am really loving this and am looking forward to your next update. It's the best use of 707 wings I have seen next to them actually being used for their intended purpose 

I'm going o edit this because I didn't see the last line about choosing gear up or down. IMO - gear up (in flight) will always win out over landing gear. I always think aircraft and so on look so much nicer with no gangling legs hanging off the bottom

[zenrat]

Fantastic.

If you thought you were not going to finish you could build it wheels up with the gear doors glued in with white glue and then after i've rigged the voting ( ) and taken the choccies ( ) you could pop them out and add the legs at your leisure.

[Old Wombat]

The pilots & cockpit look great!

[jalles]

Hey Guys,

Thanks again for the encouragement!

I have often looked into the art of vacu-forming and I reckon I could do it, but I am too lazy to build my own vac-box and too cheap to buy one.

Yeah, I went the easy route and bought a pre-built vac-box (I'm lazy too).  It's kind of like the saying about "If you have a hammer, everything looks like a nail", now that I have a vacu-former it seems like the solution to all of my problems.  Yeah, I think you'd get it pretty quick.  It' easy, as opposed to resin casting that looks difficult to me ...
 

I bought an SR-71 with the intention of turning it into a Nubian cruiser of some kind, but I think I maybe a bit to ambitious for that just yet. Maybe one day

That would be sweet, I'd love to see something like that!

In regards to the gear, I was thinking I might try to make them removable so I get the best of both worlds, although that will probably take more time.

[nighthunter]

Will this courier have defensive weapons?

[jalles]

Will this courier have defensive weapons?

Right now I'm thinking no. It didn't seem like the Naboo diplomatic ships were ever armed.  That being said, in my fictional history this ship is now owned by a transporter who may smuggle goods from time to time.  But I'm thinking my smuggler gets by using stealth and discreetness vs. blasting his way out of predicaments. There may be a few "additions" but I'd think they'd be hidden until needed and I'll depict them stowed.  Then again I'll probably change my mind... 

[jalles]

I've done a lot but haven't documented it as well as I would have liked.

Here it is with the center section glued in and holes cut out for the landing gear bays.  The bays are built up using sheet styrene and were inserted in the openings.  I had hoped to attach the landing gear with magnets but didn't provide enough clearance so I may attach them to pads that can be inserted and removed.



Here it is much PSRing later.  I'm not sure if I'm done, but it's pretty close.  Once it has the real paint job I don't think the few areas that aren't quite perfect will be noticeable.