Hard Light Productions Forums
Off-Topic Discussion => General Discussion => Topic started by: deep_eyes on October 10, 2005, 01:48:46 pm
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If you had the ability to design a space ship, for the sake of argument, had unlimited funding, technologies etc., artificial gravity or not, even simulated, warship or not, what would you design it like?
Like how would it look, what would be its function, dimensions, purpose, engine/reactor type, anything that could possibly be used to make a space ship using current technology but with one given advantage: the ability to build it in space is easier "now" so u can cart up as much materials as u could to build it (like they do in star trek or something)....
im curious because i have been wondering if we wanted as a species to do this, what are the possibilities of it happening between now and 40 years from now? how would be go about it.
yes it is ok to bend the fundamental rules of "funding" and whatnot just to get a point across.
pics and or designs welcomed!
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Heres what I think a Naval Carrier should look now (on the sea or in space, doesnt matter):
(http://www.steelfalcon.com/Macross/Images/uraga.gif)
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Mine would probably resemble the Discovery from 2001. Cetrifuge habitat module, just because rotating habitats are totally awesome. Long "spine" structure that carries all the fuel, then a bigass fusion reactor at the end.
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A bit like an Italian bistro with rockets on the ends.
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(http://img410.imageshack.us/img410/3459/spaceballsship5gp.jpg)
...duh.
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My ship would be infinitely long, so you wouldn't have to fly around, you could just walk down the corridor to get anywhere. Oh, and it would have those doors that go: 'SHHSHHT'
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I don't really care about its shape, looks and features, as long as it's fitted with an Infinite Improbability Drive. :D
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For a ship of exploration of our solar system, I chose the following.
It would be powered by a series of fusion reactors, sustained by an impulse drive system (no, its not just Star Trek). It uses a massive magnetic field with the poles lined up to the nose and rear of the ship, which would be of a linear configuration. It would magnetically attract polaraized space gases, which is mostly hydrogen, and pull them in the front of the magnetic field. Some of these gases become fusion materials to sustain the reactor. The rest is accellerated down a long tube, by magnetic forces. They are also bombarded by high-energy radiation, which is given off by the fusion reactors, and that can't be used for conventional power. This bombardment excites the gases, which are then joined by nucleonic helium (containing no electrons at all), which is the fused exhaust from the reactor, already excited. They are all then spit out the back at high speed, resulting in significant thrust. Furthermore, the magnegic field serves to protect the ship and crew from solar flares and other particle showers, that could be dangerous. It also gains energy from these solar storms, surfing on the shockwave somewhat.
Gravity would be maintained by a series of cyllinders near the front of the ship. The rotational systems would be maintained by magnetic repulsion to reduce drag. These cyllinders would be in decreasing diameter so they could all occupy the same space, each rotating at a different speeds, faster for those cyllinders closer to the center. Some of those closer to the center would contain hydroponics labs to both grow food, and to clean and re-oxigenate the air. The center of this, would be stationary and thus a 0-g section of the ship. It would also be heavily shielded to act as a refuge for the crew, should the magnetic field fail.
The main engine exhaust would be some distance back, but the reactors that power them are partway down the length of the ship, both far from the crew, and from the exhaust. There would also be a series of backup chemical engines both to suppement thrust, and to take over when the impulse engine is not suitable to use.
There would also be a series of docking ports at the rear of the crew compartment, where craft could be mounted, both for exploration of planets with or without atmospheres. All craft would be refuleable and fully reuseable. A ship of this type could travel to virtually any planet in the inner solar system in a matter of months.
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Mine would definitely be an upgraded Whitestar or something that looks like it. That ship is the best thing I've ever seen.
Dragonclaw: :yes2: :D :yes:
Clave: :lol:
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Originally posted by General Freak
I don't really care about its shape, looks and features, as long as it's fitted with an Infinite Improbability Drive. :D
Pff. What you want, mate, is a stardrive powered by bistromathematics; lightning speed and none of that mucking about with improbability.
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But...the safety record for the bistro-engine is too good. :(
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GTD Orion.
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SD Demon
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Originally posted by General Freak
But...the safety record for the bistro-engine is too good. :(
Well, whilst there's not the immeasurable pleasure of having the bridge turn into, say, a small bedsit in Skegness replete with tea-and-frilly-cosy, you do get an absolute top notch spagbol and from Alpha Centauri to Sqormsqullous Zeta in 2 1/2 minutes.
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Originally posted by DragonClaw
(http://img410.imageshack.us/img410/3459/spaceballsship5gp.jpg)
...duh.
lmao the thread is officially poooed lol...!
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Originally posted by deep_eyes
lmao the thread is officially poooed lol...!
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Originally posted by deep_eyes
lmao the thread is officially poooed lol...!
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The answer to all my ship needs:
(http://img432.imageshack.us/img432/2388/fs2open36720051010182156294ls.th.jpg) (http://img432.imageshack.us/my.php?image=fs2open36720051010182156294ls.jpg)
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(http://www.trekmania.net/the_fleet/utopia/fleet/prometheus5.jpg)
Edit: I'd settle for the Advanced Galaxy. :p
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An Erinyes.
Seriously. Those things kick ass.
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Oooh, I should post one of my designs up here...:D
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Most likely a dumbed down version of the Vindication, using more primitive technology than it would normally have:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v107/anandraj/Vindication5.jpg)
Propulsion technology: Probably multiple fusion engines, powering an ion drive that allowed it to get fast enough between here and Mars. They would also power a magentic field/shielding system that allowed for protectiong against the sun's radiation and any solar flares.
Crew capacity would have be at least ~300 crew and several hundred colonists + equipment. However, in any initial runs, it will most likely consist of fewer colonists and more equipment.
Hull plates would have to consist of lead sheets, to stop radiation from harming the crew, while anti-gravity is generated artificially.
Their isn't much atmosphere in mars, so taking use of aerodynamics won't matter too much, but the design won't exactly ignore it either. The catamarans at the back will be re-enforced, capable of holding the entire wieght of the rear section of the ship in hte mars gravity, allowing for easy deployment and movement of goods from the rear.
Given infinite resources and the technology to build it though, I'd rather build this fleet:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v107/anandraj/Fleetlaunch1.jpg)
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...Atlantis :D
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Atlantis with a full load of ZPMs :p
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Originally posted by Ace
Atlantis with a full load of ZPMs :p
Nah, ZPM's are too clunky. Just give me one of those Vacuum Reactors from 'Trinity', and a few orbital Defence Satellites to take with me, and i'll be set...:nod:
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You're referring to the reactor that exploded and wiped out 3/4ths of a star system, right? The one that doesn't work? :p
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A shadow battlecrab, cuz they look scarey and can scream in the minds of people.:devil:
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Plus orbital defense satellites seem to be teh ****. No shields = Wraithbait.
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Originally posted by Ace
You're referring to the reactor that exploded and wiped out 3/4ths of a star system, right? The one that doesn't work? :p
It worked fine! Sure, in the end it blew up 5/6ths of a Solar System... but... well, come to think of it, Atlantis may be a little big for my tastes anyway...
...At the end of the day, I'll be happy with a good ol' Firefly
(http://img442.imageshack.us/img442/5872/firefly3mp.jpg)
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Originally posted by Clave
My ship would be infinitely long, so you wouldn't have to fly around, you could just walk down the corridor to get anywhere. Oh, and it would have those doors that go: 'SHHSHHT'
(http://img410.imageshack.us/img410/3459/spaceballsship5gp.jpg)
*Pant! Pant! ..uhh..*
"Mr. President, what took you so long?"
*Pant* "This ship its too big.. If I walked I wouldn't have made it before the end of the picture!"
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A shadow battlecrab, cuz they look scarey and can scream in the minds of people.
But.....you would never get out of it again.........
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[color=66ff00]The number of you that want warships is terrifying, particularly if you're talking about forwarding humanity.
Borrowing from existing designs, I'd build an Excelsior class ship, they're still the most beautiful ship in Startrek IMHO.
[/color]
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Originally posted by Maeglamor
[color=66ff00]The number of you that want warships is terrifying, particularly if you're talking about forwarding humanity.
Borrowing from existing designs, I'd build an Excelsior class ship, they're still the most beautiful ship in Startrek IMHO.
[/color]
huh....warships come after we've expanded and colonized elsewhere in the system. All I want is a warship-coverted-colony ship. That way, if we do end up colonizing and discover something bad, at least we have a shot at making it go boom :p ;) :nervous:
Not that it matters anyway.....the vindication doesn't hold any weapons....its just harmless....:nervous: ....ignore it....
till you blow up that is.
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The number of you that want warships is terrifying, particularly if you're talking about forwarding humanity.
Borrowing from existing designs, I'd build an Excelsior class ship, they're still the most beautiful ship in Startrek IMHO.
It's not that I want a Whitestar for the fact that its a warship. Its just aesthetically pleasing.
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What about the White Shar?
It was an April Fools 'addition' to the B5 tabletop game.
It's basically a Sharlin built with the semi-Vorlon technology used in the White Star.
Now that's the ship for me...
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I'm gonna have to go with
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v109/Carltheshivan/a712b37d.jpg)
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probobly the achillies (ST noncannon) or an omega class from B5
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It would be coated with ham and guacamole.
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A Peregrine Class Dispatch Frigate :D (My own Design, will get pics up soonish)
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If I had to chose..from ST ships I would pick the Galaxy Refit.. has all the grace of the original galaxy + the insane firpower that would send the heart of any klingon captain pumpin'.
from non ST ships... depends.. You said size is no limit?
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Originally posted by Carl
I'm gonna have to go with
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v109/Carltheshivan/a712b37d.jpg)
If you made that, and I'm sure you did, I hate you...
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The Death Star, but I would fill in that stupid trench with all sorts of guns and... WHY IS THERE EVEN A TRENCH THERE?
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Where else would you put the trench?
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Maybe I would put it on the rebel base. :hopping:
Stupid rebels, always spoiling my plans. and theri little dog to.
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I'd go with the Death Star also.... AND a guy with couple of trash can lids to put over that exhaust port whenever any pesky fighters came by!
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(http://membres.lycos.fr/silvermo/images/halo/screen023.jpg)
Damn cool ship.
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Where do I know that ship from?
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[color=66ff00]Halo IIRC, Pillar of Autumn?
I still think it's a second rate Sulaco.
[/color]
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Halo
(shockeroony).
It's actually a pretty good interpretation of an otherwise generic design (big box with bits out). The one thing is that there's a lack of visible weaponry, which means you kind of lose the sense of impressiveness (that sort of decreasing sized design gives a good sense of scale, viewed from that angle).
Halycon class, innit?
EDIT;
Yeah, it's nowhere near the quality of the Sulaco. Defo inspired by (as was the Pelican dropship) Aliens. It's quite strange how the Halo (human) stuff is both distinctive and pretty generic at the same time; I've never decided if it's a good trait or not.
EDIT2;
Sulaco
(http://www.fantastic-plastic.com/SULACO%20MAIN.jpg)
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(http://talk.xboxsolution.com/gallery/data/602/medium/1H2-Installation_04_1280.jpg)
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Originally posted by aldo_14
Halo
(shockeroony).
It's actually a pretty good interpretation of an otherwise generic design (big box with bits out). The one thing is that there's a lack of visible weaponry, which means you kind of lose the sense of impressiveness (that sort of decreasing sized design gives a good sense of scale, viewed from that angle).
Halycon class, innit?
EDIT;
Yeah, it's nowhere near the quality of the Sulaco. Defo inspired by (as was the Pelican dropship) Aliens. It's quite strange how the Halo (human) stuff is both distinctive and pretty generic at the same time; I've never decided if it's a good trait or not.
EDIT2;
Sulaco
(http://www.fantastic-plastic.com/SULACO%20MAIN.jpg)
Yeah Halycon. I was going to use the In Amber Clad (visible weaponry on this one [Halo 2]) but there is a huge lack of pics of it on the net.
I love the Sulaco. But other than texture style the design itself is still unique. The Pelican is a cooler (IMHO) interpretation of the Aliens dropship, and the marines from the first game are no different from Aliens marines (Sarge in Halo = Sarge in Alien). They change in Halo 2 though.
EDIT: This is the best pic I can find of the In Amber Clad...
(http://www.brickshelf.com/gallery/totalimmortal182/Halo/Enamberclad/p1010044.jpg)
You really get a sense of scale for this thing in the game as the first level has it docked on Cairo station and you can see it out the windows, plus it does a flyby of you after jumping into High Charity
EDIT 2: I still think the Pelican in particular kicks arse.
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I'd note, though, it's pretty damn impossible to make a dropship uncool. Paint it pink with blacmange stripes, and it'd still by principle kick arse.
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On seccond thought... I would build 7 fortress worlds that when activated would destroy most life in the universe. Then leave a semi sentient robot in control. And put some unstoppable paricitical organisms in a place were anybody could let them out.
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The AI has to be insane and enigmatic as well.
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[q]EDIT: This is the best pic I can find of the In Amber Clad...[/q]
Hmm. Not sure on that one myself.
I think some of the Covvie ships were pretty neat, nice organic shapes, but I only remember the odd bit of concept art.
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Originally posted by aldo_14
Hmm. Not sure on that one myself.
[color=66ff00]Yeah, it's got flying brick syndrome.
[/color]
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The In Amber Clad is not nearly as cool as the Halycon class design as it is much boxier. However, what was really impressive is how well you got the sense of scale for that thing, you could tell it was massive.
Yeah, the covie ships were awesome, unfortunately you don't see enough of them.
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Originally posted by Deepblue
The AI has to be insane and enigmatic as well.
It will be.
But wait, there is more!
Ill build small defencive robots that cant stop the parasites, and big ones that can pick up tanks and only have sheilds in the front. After that Ill make bridges in random places and really big doors.
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"What is the tensile strangth of light anyway?"
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I dont know...
Deepblue, if you even think of crashing your ship into my ring and... :wtf: Thats what your thinking now isnt it?
THAT'S IT!
Just for that, as soon as I build them Im turning the key!
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This, except I'd put a normal Bathroom in it.:p
(http://www.geocities.com/alpha_quadrant_project/conceptpics/Vas_Super_Carrier.jpg)
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Yeah, it's got flying brick syndrome.
I have a feeling that this may be a syndrome common to actual spacecraft of the future.
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Found a much better PoA pic:
(http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/c/c7/Pillar_of_autumn.jpg)
:D
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Deimos. Best ship in the world. Simply beautifull.
^ That goes for the Hecate also. I'd make 3 ships. Hehe. Ares fighter as the third.
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Please. There can be only one:
(http://www.computerandvideogames.com/screenshots_library/dir_15/vortal_pic_7600.jpg)
And you know, I'd use it for Good and Right and Justice. As a space pirate looking avenge my father.
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Äà, Ëåéòåíàíò Òîâàðèùà Áëàêäîóâ!
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The tachyon WAS the best ship in that game, corvette was just sluggish, and had only one docking port...
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What the..
Seems my transilator is acting up again. Would someone like to transilate that for me?
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Ugh...now that's one ugly ship Aldo. I never knew a patcom could look so fugly! :wtf:
I still prefer the Dreadnought Class Corvette to that thing. :/ Hell, I'd like one of those big cruisers they got! Now that would kick arse.
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There's a good shot of the In Amber Clad in the cutscene where the Prophet of Regret's ship jumps from earth in the atmo.
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Yeah, but I don't have that cutscene on me. :D
Still like the PoA infinitely better...
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Oh for pity's sake! I would have thought that DeepBlue would have spelled it correctly; the Pillar of Autumn is a Halcyon-class Cruiser! Pronounced 'Hal - see - on', likely referring to the genus of Kingfisher of the same name. It's a small error to call it 'Halycon', but to have 5 seperate people all misspell one of the coolest ship names ever is just plain annoying (i'm not a Halo fan, but seriously, how can you not love 'Halcyon')...:doubt:
Also, is it just me, or does the Sulaco suffer the same ailment of the Big C; a distinct likeness to a big-ass gun...:nervous:
And WeatherOp...that Vassy Supercarrier looks like a giant phallus! *runs*
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Originally posted by Fearless Leader
I dont know...
Deepblue, if you even think of crashing your ship into my ring and... :wtf: Thats what your thinking now isnt it?
THAT'S IT!
Just for that, as soon as I build them Im turning the key!
Frankly, the less we see or hear of your ring from now on the better.
You filthy boy.
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Originally posted by Mefustae
And WeatherOp...that Vassy Supercarrier looks like a giant phallus! *runs*
How dare you mock my ship.:p
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Dodgy, low poly, untextured peregrine model (I'm working on a high poly one ATM but this gives a basic idea).
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*considers digging out 5%-finished untextured unlit GTVD Revenant model*
*thinks better of it*
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Originally posted by Mefustae
Oh for pity's sake! I would have thought that DeepBlue would have spelled it correctly; the Pillar of Autumn is a Halcyon-class Cruiser! Pronounced 'Hal - see - on', likely referring to the genus of Kingfisher of the same name. It's a small error to call it 'Halycon', but to have 5 seperate people all misspell one of the coolest ship names ever is just plain annoying (i'm not a Halo fan, but seriously, how can you not love 'Halcyon')...:doubt:
Also, is it just me, or does the Sulaco suffer the same ailment of the Big C; a distinct likeness to a big-ass gun...:nervous:
And WeatherOp...that Vassy Supercarrier looks like a giant phallus! *runs*
*is ashamed*
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Dont push me I'll do it. Im crazy, I dont know what Im capable of!
I already made the key
*holds up car key and waits for rings to be built*
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Originally posted by aldo_14
Frankly, the less we see or hear of your ring from now on the better.
You filthy boy.
Goddammit aldo, I was drinking Sierra Mist when I read that. I almost had to get myself a new pair of pants.
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I'm thinking the old-school Enterprise. That is, NCC-1701, not the NX-01. Lack of imagination? Probably. Complete and total awesome choice? Definitely.
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the NCC-1701 was beautiful.
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Originally posted by Singh
Ugh...now that's one ugly ship Aldo. I never knew a patcom could look so fugly! :wtf:
I still prefer the Dreadnought Class Corvette to that thing. :/ Hell, I'd like one of those big cruisers they got! Now that would kick arse.
Uh, I posted the Advanced Patcom.
I like the old Dreadnaught class, but the AdPat was just so nimble and so ridiculously over-armed for its size. And T-Fighters. T-FIGHTERS MAN! (although I later replaced them with quadpacks, because, you know, you can never have enough dumbfires).
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hey Mik, remember that ship i designed that uwas modeling but never finished? i think that woulda rocked.
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(http://server3.uploadit.org/files/Ulala321-valk.jpg)
Not a very good picture, but the best I could find. I always liked the look of this ship. :nervous: ;)
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Originally posted by Ghost
I'm thinking the old-school Enterprise. That is, NCC-1701, not the NX-01. Lack of imagination? Probably. Complete and total awesome choice? Definitely.
x2 :nod:
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Originally posted by Ulala
(http://server3.uploadit.org/files/Ulala321-valk.jpg)
Not a very good picture, but the best I could find. I always liked the look of this ship. :nervous: ;)
*Puts on "It's my Turn to Fly" by Lit. :p*
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(http://www.roadsquadron.com/Reference/ANH/Xwing/97XW2YWYavin_BY02.jpg)
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(http://well-of-souls.com/homeworld/hws/hw2/p_dread04.gif)
Progenitor Dreadnaught, mmmmm...
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sajuk>dread
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In power, not in cool factor.
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this?
(http://www.mahq.net/mecha/macross/dyrl/macross-attack.jpg)
or this?
(http://www.mahq.net/mecha/macross/dyrl/macross-cruise.jpg)
orrr....
(http://www3.telus.net/public/akamyot/galactica.jpg)
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Bring Sajuuk to bear!
(http://well-of-souls.com/homeworld/hws/hw2/p_sajuuk02.gif)
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I've always been partial to the Roger Young from Starship Troopers myself.
http://www.propstore.com/images/products/142/sstroopers-youngstarship5.jpg
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im not gonna lie i like the roger young too.
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A Talon-class dropship that's not made for planet-side landings. :D
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Skaal-Tel all the way. Just look at that power!
(http://img448.imageshack.us/img448/2485/shota0288ef.th.jpg) (http://img448.imageshack.us/my.php?image=shota0288ef.jpg)
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Whenever the Homeworld conversion gets finished for FS, its gonna be SICK!!:warp:
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what about the FS conversion for Homeworld? :p
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It'd either be a slightly altered version (need FTL drive!) of the PSNS Truth from my Gundam Wing fanfiction, or a fully tricked-out Enyo from EVE.
Honorable mention must be made to both the GTD Soyakaze and the GTVD Unity as my FS homes away from home.
I've often tried to model Truth, but never succeeded to my satisfaction.
Truth is massive. I've never assigned it a specfic size in the story, beyond "many kilometers". Mentally I've always envisioned it as between ten and twenty. For appearance, think somebody cut off the superstructure on a Star Destroyer and left just the wedge-shaped part. Also eliminate the docking bays.
Truth's main battery consists of 36 90cm railgun triple turrets, capable of propelling projectile weighing close to fifty tons at a significant fraction of the speed of light. Secondary batteries consist of 60 twin 15.2cm railgun mounts and 90 singly turreted 10.5cm railguns. For anti-aerospace and point defense, Truth has no less then 240 quad-mounted 40mm Mark III beam cannon, each tied into it's own Mark 34 Fire Control System, and backed up by an array of 60 VLS light missile launchers.
As if all this were not enough, Truth can also deploy no less then four complete space mobile suit wings from its MS bays. This breaks down to 24 squadrons of 18 SMS each, for a grand total of 432 suits, either upgraded Tauri or Serpents. It can deploy half this force within 45 seconds thanks to their being stored in special quick-launch tubes. (Think BSG, but much shorter.)
Truth's armor plate is Gundanium, five meters thick on the first exterior layer, and Truth is triple-hulled. As might be expected, the ship is not capable of impressive acceleration.
Despite all this, the Truth is not invincible. In the end, in the story, it succumbs to massed firepower from the Savo, Surigao, Dogger Bank, Calabria, and Empress Augusta, battlecruisers all. But until then, it was the most dangerous thing going, practically indestrucible by any conventional or even non-conventional means.
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Originally posted by WMCoolmon
*Puts on "It's my Turn to Fly" by Lit. :p*
:yes: :yes: :yes:
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Originally posted by WMCoolmon
[edit] Whoa, haven't double posted in awhile... weird. [/edit]