Model of an aged-gray space freighter displayed on a sandy diorama with a small ground vehicle Humorous cartoon of a space freighter slowing down near a planet, with a speech bubble

I know, but... In space, we can't hear you brake! A collection of illustrations of space cargo ships that served as inspiration for the project Inspired by the paintings of sci-fi artists from the 1970s through the 1990s, notably Chris FOSS...

Preliminary sketches of a space freighter, with a reference photo, pencil, and ruler on the table Build a spaceship that doesn't look like a hair dryer or... anything... The challenge was on. Images from 1970s illustrators and a few sketches helped us form an initial idea. First of all, we need blueprints. At least a cross-section and a rear view to determine the placement of the engines...

Technical drawings and blue foam cutouts of a space freighter under construction Three cutouts made from thick plastic card will serve as templates for the entire project...

Top view of a space freighter model under construction, showing thrusters and a blue internal structure

Wooden rods will serve as the "backbone" to hold the plastic walls in place.

Model of a space freighter under construction from a blueprint, with a transparent frame and detailed parts on the workbench

The first pieces are arranged and glued in place...

Space freighter under construction, with the assembled fuselage painted gray against a light background A space for an airlock has been cut out; the piece on the right will fit into it...

Model of a space freighter under construction, with a metallic fuselage featuring portholes, resting on a work surface The shape of the "nose" and the cockpit has been finalized...

...As well as the general shapes...

Engine nozzles from a space freighter currently being assembled, with the exhaust grilles detached The main reactors are made from chemical anchors. The protective covers are cappuccino pods with the filters removed. The side nozzles are 1/6-scale Formula 1 wheel rims...

Model of a blue space freighter, rear view, showing its multiple propulsion nozzles Another view...

Model of a space freighter under construction, featuring a yellow central structure and threaded support rods The vessel will be placed above the ground with its hatch open. Jacks will hold it aloft. Threaded rods secured to brackets with screws, washers, and nuts will form a solid base...

More views...

Rear view of a space freighter model showing the detailed thrusters and propulsion engines Addition of additional engines (B-52 parts)...

Model of a space freighter under construction, featuring an orange frame, metal antennas, and gray details A view from below. Manufacturing the thrust reactor housing...

Four model engine nozzles from the space freighter, lined up against an orange background These are borrowed from Star Wars...

Detailed nozzle assembly and engines at the rear of the space freighter model Setup. Large-scale motorcycle parts will complete the display...

Model of a space freighter, viewed from the rear, showing the numerous propulsion nozzles and the transparent fuselage We're continuing to add details to the rear facade...

Model of a space freighter showing the propulsion nozzles and the weathered orange fuselage The thrust reactors in position...

Design

Front view of a space freighter model showing its four circular engines and side nozzles

Model of a space freighter, viewed from the rear, showing its numerous propulsion nozzles on the workbench Two views of the rear facade, which is taking shape...

Model of a space freighter under construction on a workbench, with nozzles, details, and scattered parts Let's continue detailing the aircraft around the perimeter...

Model of a space freighter under construction on a workbench, with parts and nozzles Close-up of the hull of a space freighter model showing various panels and glued components

That's the concept behind the models from the first Star Wars movies.

The main body is made from wood and plastic, and then detailed using dozens of parts from various model kits...

Model of a space freighter, viewed in profile, with a hull featuring detailed panels and thruster nozzles A view of all the glued-together pieces...

Model of a space freighter under construction on the workbench, featuring interior details and cardboard structures

Detailed model of a space freighter with cargo compartments and thrusters The main assembly is complete... Note that the craft is 70 cm long...

Detailed model of a space freighter, viewed from below, featuring a copper-colored hull and numerous mechanical components Close-up of the space freighter model showing the textured hull and its multicolored panels More views...

Model of a space freighter with a transparent canopy, thrusters, and mechanical details, mounted on a stand Detailed model of a space freighter, viewed from below, mounted on stands against a light-colored background

The removable
wedge

Orange interior of the space freighter model with a wheel mechanism and an assembled green frame The spacecraft's removable ramp lowers equipment to the ground using its retractable jacks. It is made of plastic...

Top view of a space freighter model featuring a cargo deck, vehicles, and detailed miniature craft It is also illustrated with various parts...

Top view of a space freighter model showing the detailed deck and the green platform Model of a space freighter under construction, showing the open upper deck and its interior details Front view of a space freighter model with an open cargo hold and detailed orange interior fittings We're adding wiring around the perimeter...

Interior detail of a space freighter model featuring scratch-built decks, wiring, and equipment Details...

A silver space freighter model under construction, with the detailed hull and engine section resting on the workbench A view of the hold laid out on the ground...

Top view of a space freighter model with a transparent canopy and a painted hull currently under construction The smooth surfaces and edges are sanded...

Paint Primer

A white space freighter model under construction, resting on a table, with portholes and hull details Initial primer coats and successive sanding sessions...

Model of a space freighter currently under construction, with a detailed upper hull raised above the base View from below...

Model of a space freighter, viewed from the rear, showing its multiple nozzles and detailed thrusters Rear view...

Side view of a white space freighter model showing its thrusters and rear details More sanding of the hull...

Model of a space freighter currently being assembled, mounted on a wooden stand Model of a space freighter on stands, showing the underside—which is filled with mechanical structures—and the base Light gray space freighter model with an open access ramp and interior details under construction Gray space freighter model under construction, featuring surface details and thruster nozzles, resting on a workbench The keel has been primed...

Adding parts to the top of the cylinders...

Top view of a space freighter model with articulated arms and painted mechanical details ...and a close-up of the wedge...

Top view of a space freighter model showing the open cargo hold and interior mechanical details Paint the inside of the hold with matte black spray paint...

Accessories

Model of a space freighter being assembled, featuring a crane, a red seat, and a nozzle A farm tractor converted into a research vehicle, stored in the lower hold below ground level...

Aoshima Road Ranger 1/48 scale model kit featuring a futuristic vehicle with figures A 1/48-scale Roadranger from Aoshima will serve as the exploration vehicle...

Gray model of a futuristic open-top six-wheeled vehicle with an antenna and a detailed cockpit It is painted with Humbrol 147 oil paint...

Model of a futuristic khaki-green six-wheeled vehicle with an antenna and red seats Dry brush using beige 168 and white 34...

Model of an armored space vehicle with figures in an open cockpit on a rail platform A finish made from Terre d'Ombre has been applied. Jet pilots will serve as the crew...

Finishes

Detailed model of a space freighter on a light-colored background for a model-building tutorial Re-sanding the hull and filling the gaps...

A detailed model of a space freighter against a dark background during a step in the tutorial Front view...

Rear view of the space freighter model showing the detailed thrusters and engines ...and back...

Close-up of the white hull of a space freighter model with exposed mechanisms

Gray space freighter model on stands above a detailed diorama featuring a shuttle Model of a gray space freighter under construction, detailed oval hull as seen from above Finishing and detailing the top of the hull...

Painting

A gray space freighter model currently being assembled, placed on a cardboard base Hobby Color acrylic primers: gray FS 36 231 & FS 36 375. Dry brush with Humbrol gray 127–147 + white 34...

Model of a green space freighter with a white vehicle on a ramp and a spaceship in the background The lower part of the keel is sprayed with a coat of green paint...

Model of a white and green space freighter with two detailed panels placed next to it Juices made with Humbrol matte black and chocolate 98...

Top view of a space freighter model with its loading ramp extended, resting on a workbench Then dry brush in lighter shades...

Model of a space freighter under construction, showing the detailed upper deck and the gray hull ...and painting the various elements...

Interior detail of the space freighter model showing grating-covered decks, wiring, and weathered piping Details...

The Setting

A piece of wood-textured cardboard with a pencil sketch of the space freighter's silhouette The base is a wooden panel measuring 82 cm by 41 cm. Holes have been drilled for the threaded support rods...

Model of an open-top space freighter with a loading ramp and a miniature armored vehicle The wedge serves as a guide for marking...

Glass jars filled with powder and sifted sand, with a small red strainer We're preparing powders and sand of various textures for the set, which will be a sandy floor...

Model of a space freighter set on a desert landscape diorama with a gangway and figures Next, prepare a fairly runny plaster mixture, add wood glue, and after spreading it out, sprinkle the mixture with the sieve and the various textures. Then spray the entire surface with very runny white glue...

Model of a space freighter on a diorama with a loading ramp and a ground vehicle A view of the finished floor...

Detailed gray space freighter model displayed on a sandy diorama with a small ground vehicle The ship, in turn, is painted with a mixture of umber and sienna, applied with a fine brush to the recesses and details...

Model of a gray space freighter with rear engines and a small vehicle on a base Rear view of the space freighter model showing the numerous propulsion nozzles and mechanical details

Model of a gray space freighter displayed on a diorama with a ground vehicle and a platform

Logos

Model of a gray space freighter with orange markings displayed on a sandy diorama After trying out various designs, a logo was chosen for the top of the hull...

Lettering cut out of a transparent grid-patterned film using a scalpel and a metal ruler

We use airbrush masking film to create the stencils...

Gray hull of the Urania II space freighter with stencil and adhesive masking tape prior to painting This very thin film adheres easily without peeling off the paint...

Close-up of the gray fuselage of the space freighter model bearing the inscription "Urania II" The result: a light white that won't be too "blinding"...

Paper masks and stencils secured with tape to the space freighter model before painting Same process for the second logo...

Model of a space freighter with red markings and a detailed white hull, viewed from above

Removing acrylic red...

Close-up of a model of a gray space freighter with orange markings, a number, and a pin-up decal We finish it off with orange spray paint in specks and some added striping and pin-up decals...

Model of an aged-gray space freighter displayed on a sandy diorama with a small ground vehicle The model is finished...

Model of a gray space freighter on a base, overlooking a detailed landing platform Some changes will be made, including: the reddish color of the floor, which is being repainted with acrylic paint...

Model of a six-wheeled space freighter with a fuel tank, crane, and accessories placed next to it ...The "Roadranger" is being phased out in favor of another, more suitable vehicle...