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.