Scale: 1/32
This is one of several support vessels that service the Earth – Mars supply routes. Her primary role is to transport much needed personnel and material to the fledgling Martian colonies. The Phoenix makes use of technology developed for the Discovery XD-1, (which was originally designed to explore the Martian moons but was re-directed to the Jovian system under “mysterious” circumstances in 2002).
Unlike her larger cousin, the Phoenix is a “no frills” cargo hauler and has little capacity to store food and life support material for a prolonged inter-planetary voyage. However, the cargo module can be configured to carry up to 20 “passengers” in hibernation. The main decks are arranged perpendicular to the lines of thrust so that the 2 man crew can work under positive gravity while the ship is accelerating and decelerating. Normal operation calls for the crew to also enter hibernation while the ship is in “coast” mode, after which the flight is monitored by the onboard HAL series computer. This allows maximum use of capacity for cargo. Having no landing capabilities or service pods, the Phoenix must rendezvous with one of the orbiting space stations to load/unload and refuel.
The Phoenix is not a sleek passenger liner or exploration vessel, but a rugged work-horse. Having no “beauty panels” or other un-necessary luxuries to add to her mass, she can devote the maximum amount of internal space to cargo. She has many redundant systems and emergency contingency procedures such as module separation and independent boosters that help to ensure the safe arrival of personnel and material.
The Model
The model of the Phoenix is depicted as she would be configured to carry the maximum of 20 hibernation modules, thus there is no cargo style door, only a airlock hatch and docking ring. The model is slightly weathered as she might be from repeated use and proximity to other ships or facilities.
This is an idea that I have had brewing in my head for several years. I had in my possession some castings of parts from a 11 ft long (1/32 scale) Discovery that I had made patterns for a few years back and always wanted to depict “unseen” ships that could have existed in the movie universe of the “2001” and “2010”. It made sense to me that other spacecraft would make use of technology developed for other programs just as they do today.
I used this opportunity to change some things about the original Discovery model just to satisfy my own taste. For instance, there are 4 “vernier” thrusters in the engine bell instead of 3 (I like symmetry), and the reaction control and braking thrusters are more prominent and better positioned.
This piece is constructed from a wood/metal armature with resin and plastic detail parts added. It was painted overall flat white and weathered with pastels. I tried to keep other colors and decals to a minimum in order to stay true to the "feel" of the "2001" filming miniatures.
I tried to use as many kit parts from “2001” model kits as possible to kit bash for the external detail. Other model parts are from kits that have been known to be used in some other classic sci-fi effects models. The reactor and engine housing are almost entirely from parts I had made for the 11 ft Discovery with a few from the Aries 1-B thrown in. The spine, connecting collar and antenna dish are all from the Discovery as well.
I spent about 45 days off and on building this model,…thank goodness the contest deadline was extended. Since time was short, I did not incorporate any studio mounting points or lights as originally intended. An interior cockpit was not completed in time either and will have to come later.
Image: Command module
Image: Command module, starboard side
Image: Closeup
Image: Communications module
Image: Drive module
Image: Engine detail
Image: Drive module
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