"There's always a first time to explain a chemical burn to the ER doctor."
Second time, but who's counting??
I'd considered making hard rubber stamps in geometric shapes to replicate the 'aztec' pattern. (Is noun abuse illegal in the USA? Pretty sure legislation hasn't caught up here in more liberal Oz...)
Another thought - in another thread someone forwarded the idea of limited run wrecked ships, with decks showing through scars and holes in the ships' skins. Such damage could be displayed with decals, which demark the edges of said damage, with decks and internals showing through...
"The belief in the possibility of a short, decisive war appears to be one of the most ancient and dangerous of Klingon illusions."
The problem withthe hard rubber stamps is the compound complex shapes of the various hull sections. It'll be hard to get a hard rubber stamp to conform to all occurences.
The damage decals have been discussed before also.
My son usedto have a 1:1000 scale big "E" model. His decla sheet included said type of damage decals. They were irregular in shape and once applied appeared to be a jagged opening into hte ship, exposing the interior decks and the wiring.
I wouldn't have any interest in pre-"battle damaged" ships.
If I was going to have one, I'd prefer to make it myself, with Mr. Dremel and sheet brass for exposed decks.
Now, if ADB/Mongoose were to sell mis-cast ships (castings with big bubbles or underfilled areas, etc.) for super-cheap, that has real prospects. Unlike metal minis, you can't melt down and recycle the vast majority of casting resins They could get some sale money out of what would otherwise be waste.
That's why I never went any farther than discussing the possibility of decals.
If I want a damaged ship, out comes my little friend... Mr. Dremel.
That, some ultra fine wire and brass stock and I'm good.
Now, the miscast sales idea - Brillant!
I'd take several of those myself.
Especially if they were Hydrans
Commander, Battlegroup Murfreesboro
Department Head, ACTASF
Might be of interest, Mark Tutton of Starfighter Decals fame posted on the BBS:
"Just to let you know, Mongoose Publishing and Mark's Models & Toys have reached an agreement to include my artwork on some of the ships including the Sparrowhawk."
Well, I caught a wiff of Mark complaining that the Eagle on the WE cgi print was a copy of his decal design. Some IP wrangling probably took place in private, and I think that Mark's announcement means that some settlement was reached.
At least I hope so.
Personally, I wonder how much decals will be wanted given the level of details on the SL 2500's. Beyond basic ship identification marking, the use of decals for windows and the likes should be superflerious.
Ship ID/racial insignia should be more than enough for the 2500s.
I can't see how they'll not almost be required to release decals for them, the Federation ships in particular just don't look right without them and not everyone has the resources and/or the talent to make their own.
Much as I like Mark's work (I used his sets for my 2400s), I'm hoping Mongoose are able to produce their own or sell someone else's under licence. The postage and customs fees to import them almost double the price.
