WIP: The Timaeus

[gcanik]

I'm not going to finish this before the end of September but thought it would fit nicely into the month long theme of Underwater Actions.

So I started this WIP this summer after spending some time playing with my son and his Atlantis sets and wondering how did the Atlantis research scientist and divers get out to sea with there equipment. So I decided to build an ocean going research/tender ship. The initial design was based on the Kilo Moana, an oceangraphic research ship based out of Hawaii .My link A link of views of the Kilo Moana

My biggest concern in building this ship was in being able to transport some of the actual Atlantis submersible vehicles, so the entire design is built around the hangar bay to house these vehicles. Curretly the hangar can house the Seabed Strider (7977) and Wreck Raider (8057) plus some much smaller personal submersible vehicles. The idea for the double hull design was based on two factors, the Kilo Moana and the fact that I wanted cranes to be mounted on the ship to be able to retrieve and deploy the Atlantis submersibles in a semi sheltered area.

The overall color scheme stays faithful to the Altantis sets using red, lime, dark bluish gray, black and yellow. On each forward section of the bows are weapons to protect the ship against the Atlantis warriors. The starboard weapon system is a missile launcher based on the flick fire missiles on the Seabed Scavenger and the port weapon system is a combination harpoon guns and minigun. The search lights are based on the ones found on the Atlantis Exploration HQ. The one crane I have built is inspired by actual cranes found either on heavy lifting ships or dock areas.

Still to come: another crane

finished dinghy

towed sonar array for mapping the sea floor

interior of the top cabin superstructure to include an office and research area

a crew

a small mobile lifting crane to move out the smaller submersibles from the hangar

finish the exterior of the superstructure and deck plating

diving rack for helmets and flippers

and who know what else

Current Size: 73 studs long by 46 studs wide by 35 studs tall give or take

Oh and the name Timaeus comes from one of Plato's dialogues from 360 B.C. containing the earliest referrece to Atlantis.

The crane is strong and stable enough to lift the Atlantis submersibles

This picture doesn't do it justice but the mast/radar/antennae array is my favorite part

Comments and advice greatly appreciated.

Edited September 26, 2011 by gcanik

[Tanma]

Wow, this is massive. The Atlantis theme always lacked a surface base, a large issue considering that they won't have an infinite air source. The details are impressive, and a lot of details seemed to have been put into it. The only issue I have is that the white and blue pieces fly in the face the Atlantis color scheme, but you got to use the pieces you have.

[lightningtiger]

Fantastic idea 'gcanik', I like the design so far....don't forget to include a workshop and tools (even just a bench, tools from a tool wheel and a brick-built gas welding rig) for repairs to the diving vessel and other equipment.

I look forward to more updates......Brick On Dive On 'gcanik' !

[gcanik]

Wow, this is massive. The Atlantis theme always lacked a surface base, a large issue considering that they won't have an infinite air source. The details are impressive, and a lot of details seemed to have been put into it. The only issue I have is that the white and blue pieces fly in the face the Atlantis color scheme, but you got to use the pieces you have.

The blue are just place holder bricks until I order more from bricklink and the white I decided to use for the superstructure as most ocean going research vessels have white superstructures and i felt that red or dark bluish grey would be just to many similiar colors everywhere, could have used light bluish grey but I like the white better.

[CMP]

This is one problem I've always had with Aquazone-type themes: no floating vessels. I know it's deep sea, but it would be interesting to see something like this. I enjoy the double hull idea set around a hangar, I've never seen it before.

The blue are just place holder bricks until I order more from bricklink and the white I decided to use for the superstructure as most ocean going research vessels have white superstructures and i felt that red or dark bluish grey would be just to many similiar colors everywhere, could have used light bluish grey but I like the white better.

Yes, replacing the blue, and perhaps highlighting the white with lime, would add some color to it, and fit right into Atlantis.

[weltall1028]

Very nice, can't wait to see more pics.

[Tanma]

The blue are just place holder bricks until I order more from bricklink and the white I decided to use for the superstructure as most ocean going research vessels have white superstructures and i felt that red or dark bluish grey would be just to many similiar colors everywhere, could have used light bluish grey but I like the white better.

Makes sense, part limitation hurts even the best. Still, I can't help but feel that it could use more red and lime green.