Stellar Probe, basic configuration.

[Smallworld]

I have been working away on this for a couple of evenings. I had the Stellar Probe toy when I was a kid and it was the best toy ever for me at the time. The maker used the front from their Viper model, so I have done the same. The whole rear section is new. I will be making a large centre section later on. This configuration was always my favorite, like a little Viper.

http://market.renderosity.com/mod/forumpro/media/folder_7/file_343263.jpg

[Smallworld]

Here is a rear view. The toy had a missile launcher thing in each wing tip pod. I'm assuming that that the intention was to have a weapon mounted here. I have used the guns from the standard Viper and mounted them in the intake bullet fairings.

http://market.renderosity.com/mod/forumpro/media/folder_7/file_343266.jpg

[Smallworld]

Here is a comparison shot with the Viper.

http://market.renderosity.com/mod/forumpro/media/folder_7/file_343267.jpg

[jjrakman]

That's cool. I always thought it would be neat if they ever did make a film to have one of these, or the Scarab somewhere in the background as kind of a nod to the folks who had these as toys as a kid. Neat stuff.

[Smallworld]

Here is a rear view of the two. Looking at the two with my engineers hat on I would think that the Viper has a lot more horsepower and would accelerate a lot quicker. The SP, with it smaller sustainer engines would probably be longer ranged. In this configuration it would probably be more nimble due to lower mass and smaller inertia. I could see this acting as a patrol fighter on longer missions, and as a general scout. I will be modelling the big centre module later for a different configuration. I still have to add some details too.

http://market.renderosity.com/mod/forumpro/media/folder_7/file_343268.jpg

[jjrakman]

It would be kind of cool if the payload module had hatches that could open, like the space shuttle. Heck, you could model the satellite that came with the toy too.

[Smallworld]

Cheers JJ. I never really liked the big cylinder stuck in the middle of the ship. It always kinda jarred with the rest of the shapes. I have been working on a mid section that is similar to th erear fuselage, and broken into three or four sections front to back. I hangs together much better as a model, looks much more "of a piece" that way. I have been musing about what this section could do. One version could be just a big fuel tank. Or maybe a "buddy" tanker that could top up Vipers in flight. Or a missile bay for strike missions. I may just model all three : )

[jjrakman]

I always figured since it came with a satellite that it was for launching payload of some kind. And that the word probe, hinted at some scientific purpose. It is kind of jarring as you say, which is why it's cool that it's a removable module.

[Smallworld]

Here is my take on the 'Probe with a mission pod. This one has three compartments along the spine that open to allow the deployment of mini surveillance probes.

http://market.renderosity.com/mod/forumpro/media/folder_7/file_343439.jpg

[Smallworld]

This one shows on of the mini sats being deployed. This is about all the time I have for this model, on to something else now. I very happy with how this worked out. I'll texture it at some stage, maybe do a movie some time.
Thanks for looking,

Brian.

http://market.renderosity.com/mod/forumpro/media/folder_7/file_343440.jpg