...but I can't decide if it looks better or worse. The single engine bell always bothered me - repainting the two panels in back as engines makes me believe it can actually go speed 3. It's less of a space whale....but is it more of a space egg?

Let's hear your thoughts, and don't hold back! I'm open to suggestions for further "improvement"!

EDIT: Only a prototype. Scroll to bottom to see final result.

Well... It's Unique

Suggestion, head down to your local model store and pick up those after-market Gundam thrusters and slap it at the back.

Sure, it is that.

I may try experimenting with different tail configurations - there was one with a flipped tail that was nifty. It may be that painting extra "engines" will be enough to satisfy my need for at least a nod to conventional physics.

I'll have to work on the engine glow next. What's best - darker Orange as base with lighter highlights, or the reverse?

The Gundam parts are a good idea. I'll have to see what I can source and see if it fits the "look" in my head. Are there examples of folks who have done this?

I've yet to see anyone putting Gunpla after market thrusters on but it's sure an interesting idea.

For the engine glow... I tried airbrushing white onto my Valkyria Chronicles 1/35 Edelweiss and it worked well. For ships this scale, I've not tried yet. For my repaint, I mixed my orange mixture and painted in on my NebB and CR90.

Anyway.....

Wanna try this colour combination?

I think it looks fairly cool, but I'd be tempted to take the snippery even further and the remove the pendulous bit from the belly, and the vestiges of the "tail" area.

Here's a rudimentary Photoshop. I dunno, it looks more balanced to me. But perhaps for others it would take the "egg" vibe even farther.

Looking at it now, I would remove the "pendulous bit from the belly" and reassemble it with the tail bits and some add on thrusters into a more mk1 style tail. But that is way off your trimed concept, so run with what you thump looks good.

Looking at it now, I would remove the "pendulous bit from the belly" and reassemble it with the tail bits and some add on thrusters into a more mk1 style tail. But that is way off your trimed concept, so run with what you thump looks good.

I think it looks fairly cool, but I'd be tempted to take the snippery even further and the remove the pendulous bit from the belly, and the vestiges of the "tail" area.

Here's a rudimentary Photoshop. I dunno, it looks more balanced to me. But perhaps for others it would take the "egg" vibe even farther.

I'm working on something along these ideas. Will post when it's done...thanks for the inspiration guys.

I've kept the engine fins but removed the dangly bits and moved the flight stand peg, as well as using a spare straight stand.

I'm just gonna keep everything on the RAF II intact and give it D-Day Allied plane colours and markings.

Looking at it now, I would remove the "pendulous bit from the belly" and reassemble it with the tail bits and some add on thrusters into a more mk1 style tail. But that is way off your trimed concept, so run with what you thump looks good.

I did exactly this; it's a major improvement.

All right everyone, here's my updated Assault Frigate. I felt the rear end needed a lot of work, so I re-mounted the tail but used its shape to bulk up the aft end of the Frigate. I threw on some thrusters from a Gunpla Builders Parts HD MS Marine 01 pack as suggested, and I'm very happy with the result. I was going to delete the beard, but I'm afraid it's going to just look like an oversized snub fighter. The beard helps prevent that, a bit. (Also, it seems difficult to remove the beard - what have you all been using to do that? X-acto? Saw? Brute force?

As always, I'd like to hear your comments and suggestions. Thanks!

Looks a load better, cheers for the heads up on Gundam. Means I don't need to break out the green stuff, although...

I was unconvinced until I saw the new thrusters.

It looks like it can actually move now...

Well done!

Looks good! The dangly bits come off cleanly with the tiniest application of brute force.

I really like the extra engines/thrusters. THAT looks like a ship that can move speed 3 for sure. I wouldn't call it a suggestion, but I would rip off (again) to two smaller fins you reattached at the top, I think it does better without them, but all the same, great conversion. Thanks for sharing friend.

I really like the extra engines/thrusters. THAT looks like a ship that can move speed 3 for sure. I wouldn't call it a suggestion, but I would rip off (again) to two smaller fins you reattached at the top, I think it does better without them, but all the same, great conversion. Thanks for sharing friend.

Ah, but then you would see the hack job I did attaching the thrusters to the rear end.

That looks so much better! Well done.

Want to try something similar, that single engine does my head in.