Designing a better generic flying base

[mangozac]

Well after discovering the ridiculous price GW are charging for flying stands these days I decided that I would make my own (see the accompanied rant on . I will use my lathe to turn up a 25mm disc for the base and use some 2mm diameter brass rod for the stem. I figured it would be handy to incorporate some bearing marks into the base but what do you think:
- Bearing marks protruding or depressed?
- Bearing marks for each fire arc, plus 12 o'clock, 9 o'clock and 3 o'clock?

Anything else that might be nice to include? I was thinking it might be cool to do a variant with tiny asteroids and such embedded into the base?

I do remember that a guy by the name of russ_c over on Port Maw was doing a project like this, but the port is gone so I can't access it...

[Vaaish]

Protruding would probably work best. Easier to paint raised markings than sunken ones most of the time. You should probably have lines marking out the firing arcs and a mark in the middle of the forward arc to note the ships heading in case it needs to be taken off the stand. Russ's bases also had a depression for a SO chit he had created.

I would probably just keep the bases simple though. no asteroids or the like. Easier to paint and use.

[mangozac]

Yeah I'm not too worried about the SO chits. I thought about adding a dice tray but I'd rather not for now anyway.

They can be cast in black so no painting is even required (other than the bearing marks if desired). You're right about the raised marks being easier to paint though. They're also easier on the mould!

Here's a pic I quickly whipped up:

Which bearing mark style is preferred?

[Vaaish]

I think the bottom one is best, but I would probably change the heading pip to a triangle just to make it a tad more idiot proof

[mangozac]

Done!

I'll laminate some styrene tonight and turn it up.

[Munkey Joe]

Sexy..... My Orks might need some of these...

[mangozac]

Thanks MJ. If all goes to plan we'll be able to facilitate as many of these as you like

I didn't get a chance to turn up the base tonight as I got sidetracked working on my lathe attachment, but I have laminated some styrene sheet in preparation

[mangozac]

OK based on feedback from the Specialist Games forum, and the fact that the base size is actually 32mm, not 25 (like Paulson told me via IM! Lucky I measured it myself!) I've made some more refinements:



Note the added name plate. I think it looks alright actually - even though I don't like the idea of putting names on Escorts there's no reason the squadron name can't be written on there. I was thinking of adding a border around the name plate, but I think maximum surface area for writing on is more important...

I figure three options for the name plate:
- All bases come with it
- Bases can be bought with or without it
- Bases can only be bought without it and they are an optional add on part at extra expense

What do you think?

[Vaaish]

I think it looks a tad cluttered with the nameplate. Seems it would be better to do it as a more vertical raised bit on the base kind of like if you extruded a right triangle to form a solid object. That would let people either pant the name directly on it or paste a bit of paper over it.

[mangozac]

I think you're right - have the nameplate as a separate piece which sits up at an angle.

[paulson games]

Wouldn't a better title for the thread be: designing a better generic flying base that's in no way associated with a bunch of uptight clowns

[mangozac]

You would be correct. Changed

[Grimnar42]

Couple of points I assume you will do the bigger size base as well that suit Battleships and Barges but also Landspeeders ork deff kopters and so on giving you a much bigger potential market.

There is a guy on Ebay selling Aluminum turned aircraft grade replacement stalks that look pretty good have you seen them

I have always superglued a small jewellers screw together clasp into the model and top of the stalk so I can un-screw the base for transport still had the problem of the stalk breaking but it wasnt such a hassle because didnt have to drill out the broken end out of the model

[mangozac]

[mangozac]

So I finally got around to machining up the base - I had to first make a new accessory for my lathe to do so! This is made from 4mm thick of laminated styrene discs, turned to the appropriate size, filled with Tamiya putty, sanded and then primed. Next I need to pick up some 2mm diameter brass rod to test out the stem and add the bearing marks. The nameplate will be a separate piece.