LNG Carrier Ship Moc -- Suggestions?

[ShrikeArghast]

Hey all,

I’m going to be embarking on a new MOC (and my first in a long time) based on an LNG Carrier (photo attached). Lately, I don’t really go in for big, ‘true’ minifig scale projects, and this one will instead be based on one of the stock, floating hulls. Will it be dramatically out of proportion for the minifigs sailing it? Of course. Will I really care provided I add enough detail to make it look interesting? Not in the slightest. I’ve always loved the cargo ships Lego has released by going this route.

My primary hangup in getting started is the issue of the LNG tanks themselves. As you can see, these huge, bulbous structures are spherical, with the upper half of the globe protruding above the hull. I would like to locate 3 of these (obviously quite reduced in scale size) on the forward deck. My problem, however, is what the heck to use.

I understand that the first inclination of many builders would be simply to build up small domes just using standard bricks (and, in fact, there’s a big LNG Lego carrier on Google images that uses this approach), but I just can’t bring myself to do that. When these smooth-sided objects are the defining feature of these ships, I refuse to turn them into a pixilated hell.

Thus, what should I use to achieve the look? I’ll be frank: I’m actually at such a loss as to what pieces to use that I’ve considered casting my own plastic domes and painting them. A cop-out? Yes. Could it produce a nice look? Quite possibly. Still, I’d prefer not to do that. Any and all suggestions are welcome.

[Man with a hat]

Nice challenge.

I think you could use the domes form the Star Wars planet series. I think 9678 Twin-pod Cloud Car & Bespin fits the colours best.

Looking forward to see it used as part of an LNG ship.

[ShrikeArghast]

Nice challenge.

I think you could use the domes form the Star Wars planet series. I think 9678 Twin-pod Cloud Car & Bespin fits the colours best.

Looking forward to see it used as part of an LNG ship.

Great suggestion! Thank you! Do you have any idea how wide those are? I had entertained using http://www.bricklink...D=169&colorID=2 even though they aren't true domes. But they're only 8 bricks wide at their widest point, and most standard Lego hulls (outside the huge blue one) are 12 width. I'm worried the ones I linked would not be imposing enough. *Edit* Nevermind -- they are apparently 11 x 11. That should be perfect. The coloration on them is a little weird, but I figure after a few years at sea, those LNG domes aren't going to look perfect anymore. Now I just have to acquire enough tan odds and ends to construct all the piping and railings :P. Edited January 20, 2014 by ShrikeArghast

[Doom2099]

That's good luck that those are available in tan. It wouldn't look the same in trans colors!

[eurotrash]

...and don't forget you can remove the printing from those spheres by using Brasso.

[ShrikeArghast]

...and don't forget you can remove the printing from those spheres by using Brasso.

Thanks! Do you scrub them with it to remove it? Or how is it best done?

[eurotrash]

I haven't tried it, but there's been a couple of threads in these forums about removing printing with Brasso.

Check this one out.

http://www.eurobricks.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=79119&hl=brasso

Oh, and good luck and keep us posted.

[ShrikeArghast]

So, my half globes arrived in the mail yesterday and, as I knew they would be, they are a darker shade of tan than most tan lego (as it happens, standard tan pieces are a wonderful match for the color that these things are painted on most IRL ships -- dark tan not so much). I could simply go the two shade route (as there are not enough odds and ends in the dark tan shade to create all the detail parts)... or I could attempt to dye the pieces after removing the paint. Does anyone have an opinion on either option? I have read elsewhere that car dyes will penetrate the plastic and are capable of lightening. I do not have any desire to outright paint the parts, as I have had rotten luck with painting legos and find it to be a sloppy solution. However, I'd love someone experienced in this arena to chip in, as I have never dyed anything, and would rather not waste money on a fruitless pursuit, as the dyes are apparently quite expensive.

Edited January 25, 2014 by ShrikeArghast

[MaineBrickFan]

So, my half globes arrived in the mail yesterday and, as I knew they would be, they are a darker shade of tan than most tan lego (as it happens, standard tan pieces are a wonderful match for the color that these things are painted on most IRL ships -- dark tan not so much). I could simply go the two shade route (as there are not enough odds and ends in the dark tan shade to create all the detail parts)... or I could attempt to dye the pieces after removing the paint. Does anyone have an opinion on either option? I have read elsewhere that car dyes will penetrate the plastic and are capable of lightening. I do not have any desire to outright paint the parts, as I have had rotten luck with painting legos and find it to be a sloppy solution. However, I'd love someone experienced in this arena to chip in, as I have never dyed anything, and would rather not waste money on a fruitless pursuit, as the dyes are apparently quite expensive.

You know, another option if you want a pure, unmodified LEGO solution might be to build larger versions of a half-Lowell Sphere in light tan.

http://rebrick.lego.com/en-US/bookmark/lowell-sphere-instructions/hx793v

[ShrikeArghast]

You know, another option if you want a pure, unmodified LEGO solution might be to build larger versions of a half-Lowell Sphere in light tan.

http://rebrick.lego....ructions/hx793v

I really like the half globes. They're slightly the wrong color, and if people think dyeing is a bad plan, I'll just use them as-is. Functionally, they will work, and I even have a good notion of how to mask the nubs that protrude from the edges. I just want to know if anyone has had much success with dying something like this.