Trans-Atmospheric Tactical Multi-Role Lander

[AeroplaneDriver]

Well fellas, for this weeks project I took the plunge into kitbashing/scratchbuilding for the first time.  After whifing with the odd bit of plastic cutting and paint/decals.  This weekend I decided WTF and started cutting.

I like a little Sci-Fi every now and then, so the obvious first chioce for a scratchbuild was a future ship, since I figured any faux pas would be easier to fix that way.  I came up with a pretty elaborate backstory including the history of human Mars settlements and where the need for a military presence came from, and I'll post it with the finished articel in a day or two, but for tonight's in-progress piccies lets just say that the ship depicted is a Boeing-BAE Systems TAL-18(M) (Tactical Assault Lander 18-Mars), known as the Talon II.  

This craft is normally based at one of the allied settlements on Mars, but has an exo-atmospheric capability and normally returns to one of the Mars Orbital Platforms for major service.  It's orbital capability allows for rapid deployment anywhere on mars.  The Talon is powered in spaceflight by two Westinghouse NI-218C-2 nuclear ion engines in nacelles under the wings.  For atmospheric flight is uses two Rolls-Royce MRB-699A methane turbines which operate in a similar manner to earth-based turbine engines except that the fuel (methane) is compressed from the martian atmosphere and O2 carried onboard is injected for combustion, in effect operating oposite to an terrestrial jet engine.  The two methane jets are fed by intakes under the rear fuselage, with jet nozzles on the rear of the fuselage.

Standard weaponry consists of two GE M99 50mm Electromagnetic Rail Guns mounted midwing, a single Teledyne model 728 chemical Oxygen-Iodine laser cannon in the nose with reactant for up to 25 shots.  Due to martian atmospheric characteristics the laser is primarilly for spaceborne engagements.  Additionally theTalon can carry a wide range of missiles, wtih HE, fusion, or matter/anti-matter anihilation warheads.

The crew of two are seated under twin canopies.  their seats can be lowered electrically so the crews  can board through either the docking airlock, boarding ramp, or the small hatch below the cockpit on the left fuselage.  The main hold can carry up to 18 combat troops, though a load of 10-12 is more common.  A tactical asault vehicle can be carried under the fuselge just forward of the boarding ramp, allowing the troops onboard to enter the vehicle after landing without exposure to enemy forces.

If no tactical vehicle is carried the talon can carry either a mobile laboratory or a emergency medical module for medevac duties.  The medevac module includes an full emergency medical suite and can transport up to 12 casualties.

This example of the Talon II is in a metal primer fininsh to show imperfections requiring attention prior to final Mars two-tone red camoflage.  It also awaits fitting of the internal components of the left Ion drive and the jet nozzles for the gas turbines.

When painted it will sit on landing skids and be armed with 8 SPAM (Standoff Projectiles-Advanced Multipurpose) missiles.

I guess thats more backstory than I intended for tonight, but you get the picture.  When it's camouflaged and armed I'll write a bit more on its history.


I'll also post some pics from the build a bit later.

[AeroplaneDriver]

Oops.. the pic didnt post for some reason...lets try again...

[AeroplaneDriver]

...and another...

[Tophe]

I love your model dear  so different from what we are used to
Though, there should be an explanation for air intakes: as there is no oxygen O2 on Mars, just Carbon-Dioxide CO2 atmosphere, air is not providing combustion (of either fuel, hydrogen etc) and you must bring liquid oxygen (like on the Space Shuttle) or equivalent chemical (like on the Me 163B). That is the same for extra-atmosphere ability...
So let you tell us the actual story (even secret  shht, we will not reveal it ). Top secret missions to invade the Earth starting from Mars? SSW1: Solar System War I?

[rallymodeller]

Oh man, is that ever SWEET!      

[NARSES2]

Almost looks like a casting the finish is that good

Terrific mate

[Ian the Kiwi Herder]

Looks great to me too. I'm happy just spotting the kits that sacrificed themselves for the finished model !

I'm sure Toad & Ollie will like it too, but will suggest that it needs a set of Maples just to make it perfect     (Hi guys )

I H-G

[lancer]

Oh man! Is that ever gorgeous looking. Great snippet of back story. What insignia/markings do the Martian forces sport?? Can't wait to see the 2 tone red finiish!!

[AeroplaneDriver]

I love your model dear  so different from what we are used to
Though, there should be an explanation for air intakes: as there is no oxygen O2 on Mars, just Carbon-Dioxide CO2 atmosphere, air is not providing combustion (of either fuel, hydrogen etc) and you must bring liquid oxygen (like on the Space Shuttle) or equivalent chemical (like on the Me 163B). That is the same for extra-atmosphere ability...
So let you tell us the actual story (even secret  shht, we will not reveal it ). Top secret missions to invade the Earth starting from Mars? SSW1: Solar System War I?

Ahh, but you see, by 2119 terrafoming had changed the composition of the Martian atmosphere.  While it will be 2200 before it is breathable by humans, by 2110 there is abundant methane in the environment.  The methane is released from the martian soil as the temperatures rise across the planet.  The temperature rise is brought about by "greenhouse gas" processors set up around the planet.   The intakes under the fuselage suck in the methan and compress it then burn it in an almost-normal gas turbine where O2 is injected, instead of fuel (the methane is the fuel)  The intakes on the wing-mounted engines are for the particles found in space (interplanetary space isn't a pure vacuum) which are charged and accelerated in the nucelar ion engine.    

[AeroplaneDriver]

I love your model dear   so different from what we are used to
Though, there should be an explanation for air intakes: as there is no oxygen O2 on Mars, just Carbon-Dioxide CO2 atmosphere, air is not providing combustion (of either fuel, hydrogen etc) and you must bring liquid oxygen (like on the Space Shuttle) or equivalent chemical (like on the Me 163B). That is the same for extra-atmosphere ability...
So let you tell us the actual story (even secret   shht, we will not reveal it ). Top secret missions to invade the Earth starting from Mars? SSW1: Solar System War I?

Ahh, but you see, by 2119 terrafoming had changed the composition of the Martian atmosphere.  While it will be 2200 before it is breathable by humans, by 2110 there is abundant methane in the environment.  The methane is released from the martian soil as the temperatures rise across the planet.  The temperature rise is brought about by "greenhouse gas" processors set up around the planet.   The intakes under the fuselage suck in the methan and compress it then burn it in an almost-normal gas turbine where O2 is injected, instead of fuel (the methane is the fuel)  The intakes on the wing-mounted engines are for the particles found in space (interplanetary space isn't a pure vacuum) which are charged and accelerated in the nucelar ion engine.  

Oops, misspelled "nuclear".  Now I sound like George Bush!

[Tophe]

The intakes under the fuselage suck in the methan and compress it then burn it in an almost-normal gas turbine where O2 is injected, instead of fuel (the methane is the fuel)  The intakes on the wing-mounted engines are for the particles found in space (interplanetary space isn't a pure vacuum) which are charged and accelerated in the nucelar ion engine. 

Great explanation! Not only a surprising machine shape, but inventions in the whole process... double what-if! Congratulations : you are close to the very top  (according to our values, I mean - while you may get double punishment from JMNs )
Let me play your nice game: after this flying bird, you will make a submarine, swimming in an ocean of fuel, and burning it, with tanks of liquid oxygen. Great: it would work also . Just... visibility may be poor, under the surface...  

[Ollie]

Very nice project buddy.

Where's the mothership at?

 

[The Rat]

Congratulations, you've managed three difficult tasks:

i) You've bashed together a real beauty,

ii) Combined it with an interesting story,

iii) You've been able to cobble together a scenario in which Westinghouse engines actually work!

 

[Patrick H]

Great Story, wondefull model so far, mission (almost) accomplished  ^_^



Patrick

[nev]

Wow, that thing looks really cool    I recognise the upper fuselage as F-15...



I take it this is gunna be all beaten up and weathered with red dust?  Will look really, really cool  B)  Especially in a little diorama with little space marines boarding/exiting