[BFG] Neptune Class Frigate

[Comrade-K-Rad]

With the GW ships quickly slipping away I figured it was as good a time as any to get to work on this project.  I started this yesterday with just the length of the square main section and have built it up over the last two nights.  I wanted this frigate to look a bit more compacted than the existing models, with all the usually spread out mass more focused.  It's a bit more squat looking that the lean and tall bridges on the GW models, though the hull is just about the same length.

I am still not sure of where I want to go with the prow on this one.  Probably end up with something around a 45 degree slant as opposed to the elongated Sword and Firestorm prows.  I may end up doing multiple prows so it can be a Sword or Firestorm fill in. Though I think I would rather make another ship entirely to have them stand out more.  In my own fleet I will probably use it as a Havoc, since they are available to Imperials in the 2010 FAQ document.

Next couple of nights I will spend detailing the hull and making the 'wing.'  Did not start with a sketch on this one, so I am just going with the flow.  I really hate taking pictures of styrene models, but using my iPhone they turned out better than they usually do with my regular camera.

[RaptorEvolved]

Great WIP there, can't wait to see what happens

[AndrewChristlieb]

Very cool, I like the 45 degree prow idea, something like a Cobra would be nice.

[connahr]

looks kind of like the frigates form halo at the moment

[fracas]

That looks really good

[Armiger84]

Love the design, you've definitely got a good middle ground feel going between the lean Sword hull and the blockier Falchion.

[Comrade-K-Rad]

Thanks everyone.  Probably do some more work tomorrow night.

connahr: Without the prow, you're right it looks like the snub nosed UNSC ships.

AndrewChristlieb: Yeah, I figure something around the form of a Cobra prow, scaled up and with the raised details like on the larger ships.

[Comrade-K-Rad]

I put another session into the Neptune, this time working on the wing part.  I'm happy with how each side came out but I think that it needs to be spaced away from the hull more than it is right now.  Gotta fill in some more space then add the weapons to the sides of the hull.  The pictures did not want to turn out as nicely today.





The reason this is all I have done is because I got sidetracked by this:



:/

Let me know what you guys think on the Neptune wings, should I make them further from the hull?  Should I make them even on each side?  That would make it easier to place weapons batteries at least.

[AndrewChristlieb]

They look good as-is.  nice Fort.

[Comrade-K-Rad]

Thanks on both counts.  I'll leave them in close.

[radu lykan]

thats a great start on the scratchbuild, looking forward to seeing it with a prow

[Comrade-K-Rad]

I got back into it today and put a bit more time into the Neptune. 

I started by roughing out the prow.  For me, this always starts with a plastic frame which I fill with milliput.  I had to replace my old milliput as one of the components started to cure and formed an awful crust making it very hard to work with.  I got the superfine instead of silver-grey this time and I really like it better.  Much easier to mix and shape with a sculpting knife.  Tomorrow I will be able to sand it down and add details.  I'm planning on a turret on the top and the standard details on the bottom.  Not sure what I am going to do for a figurehead yet. 

Next I added some macrocannons to the sides.  I think that three fits the side of this ship rather well and a fourth would only get blocked by the side antennas. The bottom seemed a bit bare to I put a triangular strip from the lower vox array up towards the prow.  I also added some more pieces closer to the back on the sides and then finished by adding the lines to the bottom fin.







Stay tuned, I will hopefully stay on top of this until it's done!

[Cneo]

Very nice ship!

[marell le fou]

Winges seem not very well posed, and they look awry. It's a stain on this nearly perfect realisation

[Comrade-K-Rad]

Cneo: Thanks!

marell le fou: Yes, they are a bit crooked in the pictures,  but it's not yet glued in place.  I think they just got a bit jostled when I set it down for the picture.