The next part of the VSS that will be extremely critical to get right -- as it will become a center point for photos -- is the engine room. In the previous version of the VSS this section was horizontal where the two large engine thrusters were side-to-side. In this version the thrusters are going to be vertical. The reason is partly for eye candy (me thinking this will give the new VSS a more space-ship appearance.) The second reason is the previous layout got very tight around the thrusters and ideally I wanted more spacing all around the engines. Having more spacing would help with photos and give a better impression how massive the VSS actually is. The tight areas were difficult for a figure to fit, so that limited photography in those areas. But this new vertical layout should alleviate that issue. In fact the issue now is there's a bit too much spacing that I now have to pad those areas. Not a problem, really. I'll just add more equipment.

Attaching the engine room extension to the main body of the VSS is done with a small linkage. I don't currently have an idea how I'll design the front of this VSS, but I have a gut feeling this linkage is going to get used again. The front of this VSS might be another vertical piece. Would the front be some sort of main gun or some Star Trek inspired "Ten-Forward" observation lounge, I don't know. Both sound intriguing to do.

Building this VSS is somewhat like building a modern day skyscraper where the superstructure is built first, then floors and walls are added. This approach does offer a number of advantages for a diorama system over a traditional approach. These days companies that produce a diorama system take the view that the market is about toys, and although it is, those who are purchasing the diorama system are adults and adults do approach handing toys and things like models differently than a child does. The level of realism can be increased. The toy-ish approach to a diorama system is simply to supply tiles for a floor and wall. The thought is one side of the diorama will remain open for accessibility. At DioWarriors we experimented with many different approaches and it was decided that since our audience are adults, the method if "play" an adult does is mostly to display a figure in a pose and admire the overall diorama. Much like how a cell of a comic book is, where in each cell depict a different scene, an adult will typically pose a figure in a scene and leave it at that, When the adult returns, typically he or she alters the pose and objects, changing the scene and again leaves it at that. Admires the scene from a distance.

So, with this in mind, building the superstructure like a skyscraper will enable the VSS to be a 360 degree diorama. Meaning that in every angle, at every point of view, the figures posed within the VSS will be completed enclosed by the VSS. To access the figures and props various hatches will open enabling access. But this also means that when the hatches are closed there will be no way to see what's going on inside the VSS unless through a window or if there are cameras mounted/hidden inside the VSS itself. Certainly another challenge to overcome.

Before Getting Started
This is actually the fourth time I started VSS 002. Unlike the previous versions which were based on the original VSS kit using MDF wood, this version will not be based on the MDF wood, but instead will be relying heavily on 3D Printing materials (PLA, PVB, ASA, and other such plastics) and foam board. This is actually a disadvantage for me since following the original VSS kit using MDF wood made it easy to build around and on that wood. The VSS dimension and shape was already defined and all anyone had to do was add to it. This time, though, I'll have to design everything.

Fortunately I did recreate models of the original VSS so that I could design props for it. However, I will not be using those models for this version other than basic width, length, height measurements. 

The first thing I needed to do was establish a basic width and height. The original kit had a height a little more than 6 inches. A modern 1:18 scale figure is around 100mm tall. Before dismantling my old VSS, I had settled on a height of 300mm. This would enable up to two levels on one deck with enough headroom at each level to appear realistic. So for this new version the goal also became 300mm tall for the interior.

Also, what gave me a challenge with the previous incarnation of VSS 002 was that it was going to be very long. Nearly 12' long. The MDF kit was around 4' long, and since 002 was going to be twice as long, that would've made it 8'. Then there was the engine room extension and engine thrusters -- all together a little more than 11' at the longest deck. Then there was the issue about the front of the ship as I had not given that part much thought.

This time around, though, VSS 002 is going to be constructed in a modular way. There will be segments. Length will be achieved by adding segments. The advantage here is that I can focus on assembling a segment before adding to the VSS. I can then make the VSS as long or as short as I need. Disassembly would also be easy as construction would require screwing the segments instead of using glue. The advantage here is parts can easily be replaced or upgraded by simply unscrewing that part.

So the design started. I started up SolidWorks and began by taking the interior dimension for the width of the original VSS. Then I designed a frame that would be that interior width. Interior height is 300mm. For added strength and keeping the segments a bit more rigid, stainless steel straws are going to be used. To cover the large open areas, the default material will be foamboard sandwiched between styrene sheets. These are all materials that should be easy to find nearly anywhere. To assemble it all, various screws -- Allen screws (aka socket / stem bolt / torque screws) -- will be used. Each segment will be built using a 3D printed frame (DioWarriors has invested in printers large enough to print these frames). The foamboard and styrene sheets would be laser cut. I will attempt to leave the stainless steel straws as is as I really don't want to have to trim them using a Dremel.

The VSS (Venomous Sea Serpent) is still a fantastic, self-contained diorama project by Victor Garcia. Before the DioWarriors Store closed I was designing my own VSS based on the original kit, but instead of an ocean going aircraft carrier, my VSS would become a spacecraft -- a space carrier for Cobra (GI Joe universe). VSS 002 (my VSS) would've been twice as long and at least twice as tall as the original kit. Unfortunately DioWarriors had to close down quickly and move to the other side of the world and the bulk of the carrier would not be able to make the trip. So VSS 002 was dismantled.

It's been one week since my arrival in Thailand. Firstly there's a struggle going on with jet lag, and then I caught a cold (probably caught something on the flight), it's been a challenge to get DioWarriors back on it's feet. But I've been in the mood and have now turned my thoughts to restarting the VSS project. I figure this would also be a good opportunity to document this new take on the project. Stay tuned to this blog for more updates.