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.

Planetary assaults have never been easy, until now. Introducing the Planetary Assault Platform by DioWarriors.

​The Planetary Assault Platform may be coming to the DioWarriors Store pretty soon. The current thought is to sell a limited run of them in the store for a very limited time. If we do this and it works well, we'll repeat this approach of doing limited runs for other projects until the store can fully return. But how to do this? As a pre-order?

What Is the Planetary Assault Platform?
This is part of the DioWarriors Conspiracy project -- a space theme.

The Planetary Assault Platform is designed for supporting ground troop deployment onto other worlds, moons, or planetoids. A favorite go-to system among Non-Terrestrial Officers (NTO) for planetary siege, the assault platform is one component of a swarm system. This segment -- the weapon platform -- is deployed from orbit. Once landed the system immediately begins sentinel operations.

Onboard A.I. systems monitor a perimeter for movement and technological sources and then assesses this data for threat assessment. If the target is a threat the system will engage. Since the platform is one segment of a multi-segment system, other platforms will have also been deployed within an area. Functioning in tandem with other segments -- as a swarm -- an entire region can be denied to an enemy. When no threats are detected the system goes into a hibernate mode.

The Planetary Assault Platform is designed to be deployed in a stand-alone configuration, completely autonomous, or as part of a swarm. Variants include a mobile version and a manned version for when an NTO needs to manually use a platform. Other segments in this multi-segment system includes a communication configuration which functions as a hub providing long distance telecommunication linking platforms deployed planet-side with an orbital satellite. Other segments provide logistical support which include autonomous or remote droids for maintenance and supply deliveries. There are various configurations including weapon configurations for missile, energy, and projectile, as well as configurations for defensive technologies -- specifically shield and interceptor drones.

All platform systems are compatible with established NTO technologies including passive and active battlefield systems. Components also conform to NTO mandates for Modular Survivability (version B) design. Thus the assault platforms share common power systems, e-cells, etc. Even the weapon systems can be disconnected and repurposed onto other NTO systems as long as those systems also conform to the modular survivability standards.

It's been a while since there's been activity on the DioWarriors store since last year's (2021) JoeFest. Some items did get damaged in the car on the drive back to Florida. Since then I took the opportunity to optimize many of the props. Here is a short run-down of what's going on.

The DioWarriors Conspiracy action figure line is moving forward, but at a slow pace. That is okay with us because firstly it is our first experience working with a professional design studio and we trust they know what they are doing and so we're not going to be breathing down their necks to rush things. At the same we, at DioWarriors, see a lot of potential with Conspiracy props and vehicles that we need to streamline. We have many prototype designs no one has ever seen that are ideal for the Conspiracy brand, but those designs are pending -- many are incomplete where I left them for later for one reason or another (other projects became more priority, lost the creative inspiration, etc.)

So throughout 2021 and up until now in 2022 I've been busy upgrading or redesigning all the props. The first notable change is the addition of 1:12 scale items. During JoeFest 2021 a number of folks stopped by our table to ask if DioWarriors planned to do anything with 1:12 scale. Well, DioWarriors does have plans and we are gearing up (excuse the pun) with props in this scale. I'll leave the details on what it takes to upscale a 1:18 prop to 1:12 in a future article as the process is actually interesting.

The second notable thing is the VSS -- my own personal VSS 002 project -- had gone back into design. It was always my intention to make the add-ons to the VSS easy to replace. But leading up to JoeFest 2021 I cut corners and made short cuts. I.e. I used glue a bit too often. Since part of my VSS got damaged, I wanted to replace the damaged parts, but the glued parts hindered my efforts. So now I had an opportunity to redesign the parts using screws for assembly. This has two benefits: it will be easier for the VSS customer to assemble/disassemble a DioWarriors VSS add-on; and also for future DioWarriors projects I now have a viable design to make large diorama structures -- bases and such. But, more about this later.

Lastly I've been returning to the old designs that were left pending. There are a lot of good things, lots of interesting props from consoles to generic machines, to even vehicles and mechs that I am now finishing. Some of these items will be used with the Conspiracy action figures, but as the DioWarriors items are designed to be brand neutral, they will integrate and work well with just about any action figure line out there. In the upcoming weeks I'll be posting more about the new items. Some of these are large, complicated vehicles -- such as mechs -- designed to be modular and customizable. Others are VSS-like space vessels, orbital platforms, drop-ship type things. I will be posting more information and screen captures as I work on them.

So, expect to see more activity from DioWarriors from here on out. There is a lot of things going on behind the scenes, and I can't wait to reveal some of these complicated vehicles in the works. Hope you all like them!
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