Starship Modeler - The complete information source for modelers who build sci-fi, fantasy and real space subjects


Colony Ship Arcadia/Deuce-Zero-One

By B.P. Taylor

The original concept: Employing a "live-off-the-land" approach to space travel, the colony ship Arcadia utilizes small asteroids or cometary nuclei to derive fuel and water for its centuries-long journey to nearby star systems.   Once captured, massive clamps at the rear of the craft hold the asteroid (or comet) firmly in its grasp, whereupon a network of heaters, pumps and piping would extract water from its interior, which would then be broken down onboard for use as fuel.

Though it was based on this 'serious' idea, I thought it would be interesting to steer the design toward a more 'retro' look and as it was also difficult to ignore the humor inherent in my original design, I intentionally sculpted the asteroid with a slight taper.   Additionally, when it came time to paint the asteroid, I opted for a more brownish pallet as opposed to a scientifically accurate gray color, hence the name I chose for my build-up - - Deuce-Zero-One.   It's probably a good thing that I didn't go with Deuce-One-Zero - - not sure how John (onezero) would have felt about that. Flattered perhaps? (Ummmm ... sure. -Ed.)

As for the model itself, the kit (which I am also producing) is made up of 23 pieces and was quickly assembled with CA and epoxy.   After a coat of automotive primer, painting was accomplished with custom mixes of Chromabase paints and weathering was a combination of airbrushed tints, Testors CreatFx acrylic washes and Tamiya powders.   To simulate portholes on the ship, I used .020 fiber optic strands (about 140 in all) which were lit with a single white 10mm LED (from Radio Shack) mounted in a hollowed-out cavity in the asteroid.

This was a fun project and a chance to interject some humor into my modeling, even if it is of the juvenile scatological variety.

Image: Composite

Image: Composite

Image: Composite

Image: Composite

Image: Parts

Image: The Claw

Image: Primered

Image: Primered Lower Left

Image: Primered Nose

Image: Primered Rear Left

Image: Right

Starship Modeler Home | Site Map | Gallery Main Page | Feedback

This page made possible by Starship Modeler™ - copyright © 2014.