Helian Frigate

[mangozac]

Aaaand just to contradict myself I'm back to tell you that the prows will be separate

I realised that the Assault Frigate variant has a split prow so there won't be any suitable spot to put a gate. A separate prow is also less likely to have mould slip issues so I think is overall going to look better.

Don't fret - these parts are so small and light that I guarantee you won't need to pin them

Vaaish also cast his vote on the turrets - he says either separate pieces or have them all facing forward (no variations). We'll see what I end up doing - in either case I won't be attaching turrets until one of the very last steps...

[horizon]

Regarding the fiddly bits of such small turrets, I have no issue with them being fixed and facing forward. (Or build in magnets and make metal turerts so we can turn them as we wish.  )

So a separate prow it'll be. Just make sure the connections can be easily lined up, and I'm sure that'll happen.

[mangozac]

So a separate prow it'll be. Just make sure the connections can be easily lined up, and I'm sure that'll happen.

Did I ever send you any of my Zeus escorts, Roy? There are no locating features on the prows for them and I've not had any complaints about difficulty lining up. Due to the orientation when casting it's difficult to do the mating recess for a locating nub to slot into.

[horizon]

No, Zeus escorts are still on my 'to order' list. I see your point.

[mangozac]

Ahh ok I'll send you some when I return that part you recently sent me

[mangozac]

I've had a heap of real life stuff going on lately that has been diverting my attention from hobby stuff. I've lately managed to get some more progress done on the Helian Frigate though:



There's not a real lot to talk about. The prow has been separated from the hull (to facilitate casting). Detailing is progressing slowly. The prow is mostly done and just needs a coat of primer before I can add the final small details. Next job is to start detailing the underside.

For those who aren't aware the Battlegroup Helios site is up at http://www.battlegrouphelios.com/, but the actual site content won't go live until we have our first products ready to go. Vaaish has done an amazing job on the site and you're in for a real visual treat!

[mangozac]

Progress continues! I've been doing more detailing and completed much of the bottom of the ship. I'm ready to do the final pass of detailing but before that I had to hit it with some primer to check for smoothness in a few spots. It's mostly good, I'll just have to run around with some Milliput to clean up a few areas.



The next step is to do all of the deck detail inset into the "intake" areas. I've been putting that off because it's going to be really fiddly and there's a lot of it to do...
Oh well, no pain no gain!

Oh and rather than make a second post I might as well share this here too (it is related):


This is the set of production master parts, taken from the first moulds of the 3D prints. I'll use these to make multiple new sets of moulds which will in turn be used for mass production of the Dreadnought and Firedrake kits. Everything else is lined up ready to launch the new kits as soon as I've built up some stock. Soon, I promise!

[Pix]

  Magnifique !!!!!!

[horizon]

 

Look good! Even without detailing.

[mangozac]

Thanks guys! Yeah it really is coming together now

[fracas]

Great stuffs!

[Zorcon]

Great looking!

[Rolz]

Your stuff looks pretty nice. Have you come up with some custom rules for it or what?

[mangozac]

Your stuff looks pretty nice. Have you come up with some custom rules for it or what?

Thanks! No we don't have any custom rules at this stage. The intention is for people to just use their favourite space combat rule set and use these ships as proxies for existing ship classes

[Malika]

Just found this on Facebook:

Hi BGH fans! From Zac's workbench we're excited to share a final sneak peak of the Helian Frigate master model prior to final priming and then moulding. If all goes to plan they will be available for order from the Battlegroup Helios website in early February. Next up we will begin work on the Assault Frigate variant.