The Travois has the capabilities of exchanging Cargo Containers when traveling, allowing the crew to supply outposts or pick up supplies dropped from orbit. The Martian atmosphere is rough on the vehicle so paint matching in the repair area is well, like the South Pacific during WWII, they make do for colors and materials.
The Martian Rovers are crew pets, named Spirit and Opportunity. They will, as with most dogs, come running if you rattle the biscuit box.
The Model
The model in 1/72 scale is a combination of kit bashing, spare parts box objects, and scratch built items. The lower hull of a 1/35 scale M1 Tank and a Star Trek Runabout Body make up the chassis of the Travois. The spare parts box donations where the radar dish, seats, air handling engines, the drivers panel and other items. Bought items include the dogs, the floodlights (which actually work as they came from marine section of the hobby store), and detailing items.
The scratch built items are:
- the Solar Panel Rack and panels
- the science stations
- the entire crew berth interior section and airlocks (the one shown in the picture is a typical arrangement)
- the Saddlebag Pods
- the working ramps (they open and close)
- tanks
- freight cranes
Also used were craft metals for the ramps and walk ways.
The finish is a combination of spray can and hand painting.
Image: Top off, showing interior
Image: Interior
Image: Driver's section airlock
Image: Aft section
Image: Driver's stations
Image: Forward section detailing
