Federation Commander

Starting to work on prepping the Gorns, how do I handle the engines (DN, BC etc) molded to the fuselage? They don't have the smaller nacelles like the cover art of the box illustrates. Is that extra flashing or is it supposed to be that way? Do I need to get out the grinder?

Thanks

Monty

My understanding is that they are cast that way to increase the structural integrity of the miniature. Grinding there would probably counter-productive. Try painting the metal between the hull and the nacelle proper with Space Black or "shadow."

Over decades of ship production, the Gorns steadily reduce the size of the fins, as this resulted in better strength. They did this as better warp field insulation made it possible to move the engines in tighter, so it's good the way it is but you can do the black thing if you want.

Thanks. That makes sense. I'm looking forward to seeing the artwork.

Someday, someone will ask "What happened to the promised Gorn artwork?" and I'll point out that I never promised such artwork, or even hinted that such artwork would be done.

Remember that sculptors and artists are ARTISTS and we have to more or less put up with the fact that each artist and each sculptor are going to do their "take" on a ship, and that the "take" of two or three or five different artists may not match exactly.

I'll note that when I first saw the 'new Gorn' miniatures, I didn't like the extra support at all. Once painted, they look a lot better. A friend managed to pick up an older style Gorn, and I do like the look a bit more, but again, once painted even the new version looks quite nice.

I wasn't trying to goad you guys into more work. It seems if this evolution-in-design was 'blessed' as canon in the SFB universe, artwork on *possible* future modules like Gorn Attack (again, not setting expectations) might reflect that. If and when an artistic enterprising individual takes it upon themselves to express the new design in their own interpretations, I look forward to seeing them in action.

Steve Cole wrote:Over decades of ship production, the Gorns steadily reduce the size of the fins, as this resulted in better strength. They did this as better warp field insulation made it possible to move the engines in tighter, so it's good the way it is but you can do the black thing if you want.

I like that. They moved the engines of the BC closer in two directions, as the ones upgraded from CLs kept the fins rising from the tubular hull, and I guess new-construction BCs (and DNs!) adapted the warp equations so they wouldn't have to keep remembering to run the big power conduits through when they got to construction of the aft bubble.

I've submitted a photo of my minis with "the black thing" to the painting reference topic.