MV-AC Heracles

[Berkut]

wasn't too sure how converting such a pretty cruise ship into a warship was gonna turn out, but you're pulling it off quite well, good work

could use some weaponry on the back, as well as some ciws

[Meph]

@al3d: Cheer for the feedback man, to be honest the longer I kept looking at it, the more I started feeling too that that big flight deck is a big no-no. Keep in mind that indeed nothing of shape and texture at this moment can be considered final. But your keen eye is always welcome thoughout this design process
I think I came up with an alternative for that big flight deck and how to launch the dropships and recover the fighters. A mate of mine suggested to definately make the surface area of the flight deck a lot smaller. In space, everything is 100% VTOL and the craft that are too damaged for a controlled landing could be intercepted by a sort of 'herding' drones that grapple the fighter near the ship and bring it in.

@S.W.Ninja: Indeed, with the Heracles, function should be definitely be higher importance than sheer looks. But of course I'm going to keep some sort of elegance to it to emphasize a little bit that this is not an Earth designed ship but a Martian design

@Dallidas: big yes on the metal girders! I want to make this ship look a bit like a military kitbash of a civilian vessel

@Freak: I agree, the keel needs some attention too I'm not sure about mirroring the brigde because at the keel of the middle section are gigantic cargo doors. But I do intend to beef up the radar systems (or D.R.A.T.S. Directional Range And Target System ) and put some weaponry to cover the keel.

@chrono: that's actually a great idea, one well worth checking out, I'm a bit afraid that the general height of that area isn't enougyh for a few launch tubes and maintain a beefy structure. I kinda had my eye set on two launch tubes above each other in the front. My inspiration came a bit from several GUNDAM or MACROSS anime's where there are booms extending beyong the shop to assist in the launch using some sort of electromagnetic catapult.

@Tovette: Cheers mate! It's what I'm going for

@Berkut: CIWS on engine pods; coming up!


I'll do some work on it tomorrow. But in the mean time I made some more renders while I was out today, just to get a feel of the shape.

[Lord Ravensburg]

I have been waiting along time for you to do this... looks like a good start... I have to echo Al's concern over the flight deck. Congrats on the Header as well.

[Ice-Dragon]

Great start on this one mate I have to agree with al3d on the flight deck.

Congrats on the Header

[Caeser4031]

Got an idea for you...just to try out...why dont you remove the flight deck, move the conning tower over that huge hole in the forward section, making it a much more aggressive design, and instead make the area where the conning tower sits now devoted to hangar equipment.

[Elowan]

I liked your liner well enough but I like this critter better.

[Meph]

Thanks guys!

@Caeser4031: As mentioned earlier, I don't want to change too much about the genral design I am going to break up the general outline by adding a large secondary sensor tower to the keel. The middle section doesn't really allow for much space for an internal hanger.
Here's a quickie redesign, the render took about twice as long as the change.

What's the verdict? Still too large and unwieldy?

[Freak]

I think that work better. It just need some arraments around it, to keep the returning fighter safe, as well as protecting the ship.

[Dallidas]

Its still too thick imo. It just looks like its a massive solid piece of steel sitting on the deck. I would bring up the outer bottom edges to give it a slight taper to make it feel less gigantic

[Tinukedaya]

Just a question: Is there enough space fot the Biggy door to slide in now? And if yes, then maybe you can really do the places without the "door slide" less thick. Would look better just as Dallidas said.