Elite Plastic Model Ship Kits

[Zeeman]

It's been done with an Anaconda. It's impressive!
http://imgur.com/gallery/GUMQX

And instructions!!! Well frack me gently, I need to buy that guy a beer. Then figure out how to order all those parts...

edit - wait... it stops at what looks like half way... NNNOOO!!!!!

There is always the SRV that might her released, if it gets enough support *hint*

https://ideas.lego.com/projects/134382

There's also a cobra and a Courier to vote for

I've voted for all of those... I really hope they make it. I'd buy those ahead of the Star Wars stuff for sure!
Z...

 

[Zeeman]

There is no way that bloke is married....

Based on the current negotiations underway in our household for the Lego UCS Millennium Falcon (I keep insisting a glass coffee table would be ideal, she disagrees...), I'd have to agree. Possibly "happily divorced"...

Z...

 

[fsdraconis]

I am sorry to hear you feel this way. They do make good molds but they are far from being 'great'. They would also set such a price that it would be completely unrealistic. There are a LOT of manufacturers out there working with plastic and do an amazing job in detail and price. It just comes down to the engineering of the molds and the style of mold they work with. But the franchise believes in only ever raising the price for everything they make. Which means the models will only ever get more expensive until they disband the product. I just personally can not support Citadel.

As an amateur, part time war-gamer, I can honestly say that I've never seen the quality in a plastic model anywhere like I see in Warhammer models. They are quality parts and fit miraculously! If I had my choice, the makers of Warhammer would be comissioned to do all the ED models, they would be a little more expensive (like Warhammer models are), and I'd pay happily...

 

[ZiggyGG]

It's been done with an Anaconda. It's impressive!
http://imgur.com/gallery/GUMQX

Anyone knows what Lego sets to buy for this exactly?
And is it true the instruction is not compete?

 

[Zeeman]

It's not quite that bad, but if you're genuinely curious I made the calculations for sizes a while ago. The Anaconda, Beluga, Corvette and Cutter would make for amazing eye catching displays as game shows.

Spoiler

Min-fig Scale:

Ship	Width (cm)	Height (cm)	Length (cm)	Box Volume (cm3)
Scarab SRV	9	6	11	527
Imperial Fighter	33	5	14	2338
F63 Condor	24	6	30	4053
Taipan Fighter	38	6	31	6703
Sidewinder mk I	48	12	33	18895
Eagle	66	16	69	72199
Imperial Eagle	77	16	69	84354
Imperial Courier	61	16	94	89878
Viper mk III	53	19	66	67498
Diamondback Scout	54	27	87	127920
Viper mk IV	55	19	66	70510
Adder	64	21	70	95573
Hauler	58	23	64	85519
Cobra mk III	98	18	60	103374
	Width (m)	Height (m)	Length (m)	Box Volume (m3)
Diamondback Explorer	0.61	0.3	1	0.18
Cobra mk IV	1.07	0.19	0.73	0.15
Vulture	0.77	0.27	0.96	0.2
Type 6	0.6	0.33	1.08	0.22
Fer de Lance	1.15	0.34	1.64	0.64
Keelback	0.9	0.33	1.1	0.33
Asp Explorer	1.14	0.44	1.26	0.63
Asp Scout	1.32	0.38	1.22	0.61
Python	1.29	0.4	1.95	1.01
Federal Dropship	1.16	0.48	1.64	0.92
Federal Assault Ship	1.1	0.51	1.64	0.91
Federal Gunship	1.18	0.5	1.68	0.99
Imperial Clipper	2.3	0.55	2.37	3.01
Type 7	1.25	0.56	1.81	1.28
Orca	1.13	0.5	2.9	1.65
Anaconda	1.37	0.69	3.39	3.2
Imperial Cutter	2.47	0.74	4.28	7.84
Type 9	2.56	0.74	2.61	4.93
Federal Corvette	1.94	0.63	3.73	4.54
Beluga Liner	2.92	1.01	4.65	13.74
Imperial Capital Ship	10.6	10.4	42.31	4664.38
Federal Capital Ship	17.91	6.67	45.33	5413.14

What height did you use for the minifig as the starting point? 1.8m? Good to know my guestimate for the size of the Asp was close. It's bigger than the UCS Falcon, and I'm not entirely sure how I'd go about even preparing blueprint for it! I've seen the online Lego builder thing, though I think I'd be more comfortable using a tablet version, need to see if Apple or Google have one for their tabs in the store...

Z...

 

[Zeeman]

Hello! I'm new and this is my first post! I was in search of a game like this, and after 12 hours I am nothing short of amazed. I love operating vehicles (airline captain by day), and love space and exploration. I play more Minecraft with my kids than I'd prefer, and feel like this is similar in that you can relax. I'm not interested in intense games that are all about battle and require fast and precise control manipulation. This game is the perfect amount. I do have some gaming background (video and other), and would be very interested in some ship models for my mantle! Ideally, a warhammer quality level type plastic would be my preference, but I'd be happy with anything, including a printable file for a nice cardstock model. Ill be keeping a close eye on these advancements. I'm looking forward to a fun future with Elite! ~ Josh

SQ or UA, by chance?

Z...

 

[axenic]

@ZeeMan :
The following instructions are here : http://imgur.com/a/7MDGe http://imgur.com/a/BFuCm

BTW, all you need for the parts in this set : 7965 Star Wars Millennium Falcon.
I found one in perfect condition for about 80€ on ebay.

With the leftovers pieces, I even managed to build two fighters docking bay, 2 mini sidi to put in (FD, please, I want to store a golden Sidi in my 'conda), a mini srv, and reeinforce the internal on the 'conda.

 

[Zeede]

As an amateur, part time war-gamer, I can honestly say that I've never seen the quality in a plastic model anywhere like I see in Warhammer models. They are quality parts and fit miraculously! If I had my choice, the makers of Warhammer would be comissioned to do all the ED models, they would be a little more expensive (like Warhammer models are), and I'd pay happily...

Oh geez, the last thing we need is Games Workshop making Elite: Dangerous models.

Privateer Press (who make Warmachine) and Spartan Games (Dystopian Wars) make equal or better quality models for a fraction of the rip-off prices GW charges.

They also don't make a habit of suing the crap out of fans who are trying to run enthusiast websites about their products.

 

[Novaenergy2]

There was one website that I found that had them, but they have since been deleted from the website. Something called Yegi which linked to Thingiverse, but like I said, they were deleted from Thingiverse.

Edit: Just realized I tried to reply to a year old comment

 

[Lucius-Darcia]

It's been done with an Anaconda. It's impressive!
http://imgur.com/gallery/GUMQX

Wow that's awesome!

 

[bashprompt]

Too my knowledge they sold the 3d mesh once for backers but to a Price that was beyond good and bad but just mad.
Don't know what happend what happend that. Eighter no one bought that or they never delivered or they idea was scraped?

There is a guy that seems to have extracted the data from the game because he showed an youtube Video with various ships at scale and a planet Station in the unreal engine. He could walk around and he offered the scene as download.

I wanted to check into his file once and see if I can extract the data from his extraction so I could use it in blender and maybe print me a 3d model. But I never did.
I don't understand FDs politics here. Why not offering the models for free or to a payable price so everyone that loves ed could print or render his or her ship?

well they have to know..but it is a big missed oportunity to maake evryone happy and some Money along side for sure.
The Outcome now will be more like everyone will pirate it somewhen somehow through and no one will be happy at all.

The police came by today. They are going to arrest you for the murder of the English language, I suggest getting a good lawyer.

 

[C4R1TON]

Ok, so I'm glad I did a search on this. I can appreciate the Lego versions, but I grew up building model airplanes and this IMO, should be a no brainer. To be able to build plastic model kits of these ships would be amazing. I would love to build and detail copies of the ships I fly...and the SRV. Come on, make this happen.

 

[Darth Ender]

did mine after the first guy posted instructions on the lego conda built from the millenium falcon set like a year or two ago.

You'll see the sandstone 3d printed smaller version next to it I managed to grab before euclid 3d shuttered.

Definitely missing out compared to the competition. No Man's Sky has an official model which i have. Star Citizen has an official model, which i have. No official model from elite though

 

[C4R1TON]

https://i.imgur.com/8kf3Z5d.jpgdid mine after the first guy posted instructions on the lego conda built from the millenium falcon set like a year or two ago.

You'll see the sandstone 3d printed smaller version next to it I managed to grab before euclid 3d shuttered.

Definitely missing out compared to the competition. No Man's Sky has an official model which i have. Star Citizen has an official model, which i have. No official model from elite though

I don't get it. The only thing I can think of is the financial aspect of it. I understand building plastic models isn't as popular as it was when I was growing up. Those interested in models would probably be middle aged or or more. It probably wouldn't be profitable enough I guess. Production vs. profit. Same principle of model trains, they now are extremely expensive in the hundreds because of just a niche group still interested in them. Look for a model train in say Walmart...good luck. You have to head to a hobby shop that specializes in them. So that's the only thing I can think of. I hope one day they completely prove me wrong. FDEV, I dare ya

 

[Spacecat]

3d printers are relatively inexpensive nowadays, or you could try to find a place that does it for you, then you can just paint and finish it to your liking.

 

[C4R1TON]

True, but not the same as putting one together piece by piece, painting and detailing each piece. No fun in just painting a solid 3d printing of the ships, but i get it...its better than nothing. Thanks for the idea o7

 

[BigF]

To be fair to 3d printing, any of the ships built at a decent scale would be only properly possible if made from several parts that would need to be stuck together.

I build resin kits, they can be considered the forerunners of 3d printed kits, filling a few bits down and super glueing parts together is all part of it. The more parts the more detail.

Ironnically 3d printing has helped the resin kit industry making otherwise hard to construct parts easy to build the required masters for.

Im sure if FDev released at least the Sidewinder 3d model as a test to one of the many Indie Garage companies they would step up, for a trial, and likely be supprised.

 

[Father Cool]

3d printers are relatively inexpensive nowadays, or you could try to find a place that does it for you, then you can just paint and finish it to your liking.

The 'cheap' 3d printers are no good for the this. The detail resolution and surface finish are appauling. However there are 3d print services such as shapeways and imaterialise that can produce exquisite level of detail but at a cost. The best way would be to 3D print masters and take moulds for resin casting.

To be fair to 3d printing, any of the ships built at a decent scale would be only properly possible if made from several parts that would need to be stuck together.

I build resin kits, they can be considered the forerunners of 3d printed kits, filling a few bits down and super glueing parts together is all part of it. The more parts the more detail.

Ironnically 3d printing has helped the resin kit industry making otherwise hard to construct parts easy to build the required masters for.

Im sure if FDev released at least the Sidewinder 3d model as a test to one of the many Indie Garage companies they would step up, for a trial, and likely be supprised.

I offered this as an option for FD together with a proper injection moulded option (I applied for a licence to produce them) I was rejected due to not having a sample for them to view (somewhat chicken and egg) and secondly they would not allow me to use a crowd fund approach to pay for the production costs. Ironic I thought given Elite was born from crowd funding.

I still have a plan to produce a model if only to see what can be done.

I am also looking as
T the metal art type etched folded kits as well.

 

[BigF]

I offered this as an option for FD together with a proper injection moulded option (I applied for a licence to produce them) I was rejected due to not having a sample for them to view (somewhat chicken and egg) and secondly they would not allow me to use a crowd fund approach to pay for the production costs. Ironic I thought given Elite was born from crowd funding..

Thats both idiotic and comedic.
Come on FD one thing that crowd funding would prove how popular this is. Which would then provide the reasearch to say if its really a viable thing to "Officially" do.

Ive been involved in unofficial products of a particular spaceship based Animie, and the worst that has ever happened is a few cease and desist orders. Which were circumnavigated by changing the name of the product and few details. They were such a limited run that the IP owners didnt take it further.

Hasbro Takara have now largely embraced the third party Transformers makers to the point that the third party garage industry is not going away and if anything improves things for Hasbro Takara and their official products both sales and upping the quality of their bulds, as the T P builders are often far superior to Hasbro and Takara.

I'm not saying we need to take that approach though, but it proves that theres a potential for it all.

 

[Stinja]

The only thing I can think of is the financial aspect of it. I understand building plastic models isn't as popular as it was when I was growing up. Those interested in models would probably be middle aged or or more. It probably wouldn't be profitable enough I guess. Production vs. profit.

Not everything has to be about profit though. Some companies have loss-leader items to get people interested in their other products.
And it doesn't even need to be a monetary loss, break-even or a small profit to retain fan enthusiasm has intangible benefits beyond straight up profit.

It's like EA recently canning the single-player Star Wars game, iirc the reason was because it wouldn't make enough profit. Not no profit, but not "enough". Which is terribly disappointing, as it would seem making a good game is not sufficient reason.

So back to Frontier and ship models (plastic kits, 3D, lego, whatever), I find it disappointing that something for the fans, even if it's not "profitable", is not sufficient reason to engage on the topic with us.