Ninja_Bait's Build Blog

[ninja_bait]

In which Ninja_Bait posts works in progress. Feel free to backseat build. Hopefully you guys can give me some good ideas and I can return the favor with some inspiration.

I have several major projects in the pipeline right now, including remakes of the following two ships:

This will be a light destroyer in my Red Navy, roughly 125 studs long.


Making a slightly smaller version of this as an escort frigate in the Blue Navy, shooting for ~75 studs long.

[AnnoyedZebra]

these look cool, whats your process for sourcing parts?

[Quantumsurfer]

I am filled with envy.

[ninja_bait]

I am filled with envy.

Just how I want you to feel.

these look cool, whats your process for sourcing parts?

Nothing special - buying sets that I think are cool, inheriting collections from friends, Bricklinking when I need something specific.

I started work on the Imperial escort frigate North Wind II. Recently I placed a big order on Bricklink for stuff, including the large vent greebles that I'm using here, the turrets, the half-cones for the nose, and the blue technic beams. I'm optimistic that my collection will cover the rest of the ship. The first thing I did was build the box for the front section:


I built some intense gun batteries into the nose of the ship. The frigate's primary role will be to engage and soften large targets at a long range. The whole front compartment is just a box for two big hot guns.


This is the start of the frame for the rear half of the ship. The construction will be similar to that used on the Artemis, a box frame with walls hung from the top.


This is where missiles go. You can also see progress on the nose here.


Did plates on the underside, too. It's going to be nice and greebly down there.


Started to block out the bridge here to get a sense of proportion. I also added the tile numbers. It's looking real spaceshippy now.

[Omega Prime]

Looks sexy as fuck so far, keep it up!

[ninja_bait]

Did some wall work. I thought a docking ring would be neat, but I haven't got this shape right yet.


The other side doesn't have a docking ring.


The frigate is a little too small for the squared off end that I used on the Artemis so I sketched out a new angled tail.

[AnnoyedZebra]

looks great

[ninja_bait]

Took time off from the frigate to turn my drunk-built robot into a mobile suit.

Doodles (more on Flickr):


WIP:


Mostly shape complete now:


Any mecha tips? My process so far has been to put it in a cool pose, discover that it doesn't stay up, and then fix it. Right now I need some help with the elbow joints - any part recommendations?

[Tzan]

When I doodle I use a stack of copier paper on a clip board so the lines don't get in my way.
I use copier paper for general notes too, since its right there already.

[ninja_bait]

When I doodle I use a stack of copier paper on a clip board so the lines don't get in my way.
I use copier paper for general notes too, since its right there already.

The yellow pads are free at my office and I don't feel bad about wasting sheets. For some reason, I don't like to waste copy paper. Also, the lines are nice for reference sometimes.

Spent time last night revisiting the Frigate. I installed the engine nozzles and faffed around with the walls and bridge areas. Valerian et Laureline were kind enough to help out with sizing things. It looks like most of the frigate's rear compartment will be 4 bricks high to get the right aesthetic so I'm fooling around with a Jefferies tube type interior (and didn't snap a pic, sorry).

[AnnoyedZebra]

I imagined those grey bits as engines tbh

would be an interesting and unique shape

[ninja_bait]

I imagined those grey bits as engines tbh

would be an interesting and unique shape

Which grey bits? Tell me more. Are you talking about turning the ship's design around 180°? That's... actually kind of interesting.

[Tzan]

Those are air intakes.
To take in the air, to make the engines run.
The air in space.

[ninja_bait]

what? No, they're https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rocket_engine_nozzle

[Tzan]

Is the pointy end the front or back?