Vir Inter Astrum

[bbzwbbzw]

Hey everyone,
I'm trying to create my own little sci-fi universe based in the early 24th century detailing the space craft of man among the stars. After having my original work being part of the 2300ad universe, I've decided to base this stuff in a separate setting in order to allow more creative freedom. I want to go for a soft hard science setting that will have many parallels to the Cold War era. As i work on this (I've got a lot of stuff on the bench) I plan to expand out from just spaceships to ground vehicles, maps, uniforms and so forth. So, here are the first 2 installments, I'm going to try to add contents on a weekly basis. Hope you all like, and as always C+C is welcomed and encouraged!

[B.J.]

Great work! Those faux-3D perspective shots are amazing - I'm not sure I'd be able to get all the lines going the right way myself. I like the orange paint job on the "Revenue Cutter".

[bbzwbbzw]

Thanks B.J., it's actually easier than you might think. Here's the next one, yes I like bright colored ships!

[Talos]

These are looking great, bbzw! Really making me itch to get back to work on my stuff.

I love that cutter design, and that fighter looks neat too. The faux-3d images are perfect! Keep up the great work.

[Major Diarrhia]

having a 'hatch back' pod i n place

You have a space between 'i' and 'n' rather than it being 'in'. Also, consider this, "However, should the OMEK'S have to function in the system defense role, the 'hatch back' pod can be replaced with a pod of missile cells. Something like that.

I really like the Cutter's colors and that it has a modular system. Two more guns on the underside would be interesting for the improved version of the ship.

I like that fighter, it's really clean and has good lines.

The miner reminds me of Homeword.

Here's something to consider for you next fighter.
http://www.lockheedmartin.com/data/assets/5708.jpg
Look carefully at the central portion, see how just after the canopy it gets wider, then as the wings extend it gets narrower, then wider again as the wings come in again? That's a trick to get around aerodynamic drag that I haven't noticed in your fighters. It makes sense from the point of view of the fighters primarly being for space combat, even the multi-role fighters. But it's worth considering it for a fighter that is really trying to get it all right, or is primarily air with a secondary ability for space.

[bbzwbbzw]

Thanks for noticing the error M.D., it's fixed. I like what you are saying about thecurves on the JSF and will incorporate it in a future design. Right now I'm working on a flying wing bomber, so I don't think it will be in that one.

[B.J.]

That Miner is really interesting, and the back-story sounds a lot like the way fishing vessels work, like the ones shown in "Most Dangerous Catch".

MD, I think what you're trying to describe is the "area rule" applied to some aircraft designs. However, I don't think the JSF followed that as well as some aircraft, seeing as how the bulge behind the canopy is there for the lift fan in the STOVL version, which shares the same structure for all versions.

[bbzwbbzw]

It's funny you should mention that B.J., as "Deadliest Catch" was my inspiration for it. I'm really trying to balance out military and civilian ships 50/50 for this project, but it's tough coming up with unique ideas for the civilian stuff.

[B.J.]

"Deadliest Catch"! Knew I didn't have the name right!

[bbzwbbzw]

This is the last one that was on the bench so to speak, so it will be a couple days til the next update.