by Joseph C. Brown

In a number of Babylon 5 episodes of one of these science ships, the IPX Icarus, is shown as the unlucky crew that woke up the Shadows, and set in motion the events of the Shadow War. A number of these ships belong to various research and scientific organizations, and can be seen prowling the various corners of space near the Younger Races and the Interstellar Alliance.

The model depicts the good vessel Wanderer, a free lance exploration ship that a number of Earth Alliance vets bought surplus after the Drak war finished. Often accused of violation of other races mining rights and claimed territories, they have managed to stay out of legal trouble and jail….. so far.

Construction

I cut up blocks of foam, and then whittled and carved and sanded them into the different hull shapes. More foam was cut for the outboard wing engine pods, and then thick sheet styrene was used to make the various small wings that are everywhere on this vessel.

After a number of futile attempts at making nozzles for the engine pods, I finally made one decent master and sent it off to Ravenstar Studios for molding and casting, and he did a great job on those. The main aft engine nozzles of a Monogram Starfury were used as, well, main aft engines, and the flap-like tines were also taken from the kit. Two sections of pvc tubing were set in the upper aft part of the foam as the bodies of those rear engines; thankfully the pod mounted nozzles only have their exhausts showing. I covered the foam over the entire ship with a thick layer of epoxy putty, giving it a very hard shell. That was the very first time I had tried that, and while it worked, I have found a better way to do this involving talcum powder, set height spacers, a flat surface and a rolling pin.

Painting was done in a deliberately haphazard fashion, making for a welcome change. I experimented with using an old laundry mesh bag to create a mottled skin effect. While nice and understated, it was drowned almost completely out by my flash. I have got to improve my picture taking soon!

Image: Top/rear view

Image: Left/front

Image: Right/rear