Tue, Mar 9, 2021 at 2:42 PM
David,
I used another 'quick' render for those missiles. But, yes, we could absolutely do something like that for the other model... just not so sure it would be the right look. But, hey, experimentation costs nothin', right!? We'll check that out down the road when the basic model-building is done and it is time to focus on the finish and lighting.
-Ignatz
Wed, Mar 10, 2021 at 7:09 AM
Ignatz,
Yeah, I'm getting ahead of myself, as usual. The missiles look very nice though. Somehow they have a futuristic/realistic/retro-future look, all at the same time. I'm really loving them!
Regarding the drones carried by the ship, do you think the ones stored on the fore ventral hull would have a low frame or clamping base of some kind, to lock them in place? The magnetic pads on the top would be more than enough to hold any drones stored there, but on the bottom, it might be nice to have something to keep them safely immobile. Just a thought.
-David
Wed, Mar 10, 2021 at 7:49 AM
David,
Already gave some thought to drone carrying. The ventral hull of the Cargo Hauler would have bases to not only secure the drones but also to allow them to draw power for recharge when not in use. This base would be exactly the same as those on the cargo containers - a standard sort of socket arrangement (still have to figure out size, shape, etc).
When doing duty up on the support pods there would not be any apparatus for charging, but the drones would only be there for the (relatively) short jump service when the hauler would be travelling on its own from location to location or else (at times) when in close orbit around a station awaiting servicing.
In either instance it would be a simple matter for a drone to drop down to a ventral socket for a quick recharge if really necessary. Don't know what would happen to a drone trying to change position by flying around the main vessel in jump space, so we'll just take as given that the rules forbid this sort of thing from being done for safety reasons.
- Ignatz