Gandolf,
The scale of the wings right now is perfect! For a bigger model I agree with your build strategy. The main wings set the scale and most everything else is built off of them. From building the test model wings, yes the dotted lines in the back make sense for rolling the back. The solid lines are great for figuring out where to put the tabs for assembly purposes. At least once the build was started it helped me out in how the curves went. I know most people on the site don't like tabs, but in this case (especially on the inside) I thought it was essential for construction. The engine assembly though is what sets how rounded the back will go. Once the round portions go in everything else about the back follows. The way the back around the engine is constructed right now is VERY strong. I have difficulty crushing it between two fingers. So the construction is sound.
I think that right now for design purposes there could be 3 design phases of this project. Phase one a rough pepkura (which you have already done), phase two - moderately detailed ship with few parts to give an overall feel and shape with printed surface textures to permit greebling by individual modelers later on, and phase 3 a full detailed Vorchan with all the bells and whistles (the "perfect" model). Phase 2 should focus on the basic parts of the ship as well as basic construction. I'm thinking something that maybe someone with a moderate skill can build. This could set up the construction for phase 3, once basic construction is known, then providing a very high detailed model is the next logical step.
Textures from the original pepakura extraction I believe are just fine. I'll probably cut and paste the textures for the wing that you've supplied and see what shakes loose. The look is roughly a bunch of purple plates welded together and slightly overlapped to give a construction finish. The coloration looks to be variations on purple to magenta to maybe a slight pink with gold for the insignia to gold orangish for the trim (just guessing) .
Body build - the area that closes the front of the wings with the wing turrets should probably be left open for the main center section to be inserted within. The nacelles to the left and right of the main body could be one piece with various surface textures and then joined to the main body. The pieces on the far right had side (in the picture you provided from above) could be split in half and mounted on the main body with the nacelles sliding in between those sections on both sides.
In constructing that front piece (or main plate) that closes off the front of the wing a main plate could be formed with the holes cut out, then the boxes could be attached to the back of the plate, and then the plate assembly is glued in place to the main wing. The turrets are added later to make sure that they are aligned right.
The main body would have the main rectangular portion joined to a smaller trapezoidal portion in front which is then connected to a small rectangular portion that is fitted within the front nose portion (which you've just finished designing) for reinforcement and added strength to the model. From that construction the pieces on the sides where the nacelles would be slid into would be added (can we call them the engine pods?). This would limit the amount of the main center section to be put into the model. Additional details can be added to the engine pods and the sides of the main body. The main body with the additional parts attached can be slid into the main wing through the main front plate. Once that is done the nacelles are connected to the model to join the main body to the main plate and to provide additional joining strength between the main wing and the main body.
Once all of that is done the upper and lower vertical stabilizers can be added, then the upper engine pods on either side of the upper wing are added as well as other details that need to be done.
This is just my perspective on what could be done. I don't think that 3 years need to be taken on phase 2. Just an opinion. Also, phase 2 might inspire others to get into the project. Phase 2 is not meant for perfection it's meant for conceptual design and inspiration.
One other note, in the show the only portion of the ship that actually shoots is the main turret on the main body. Don't know why that's what I saw. FYI.
Here's some links for videos of the Vorchan in action.
- This really shows the detail of the Vorchan. It's from season 5 of B5.
Here's a link for some inspirational music - Rush - Mission from the album Hold Your Fire
That's it for now. I really appreciate someone of your caliber on this project. Thanks for taking the time to work on this.
Sky Seeker
:tank: