Short sitrep: While catching up on several older projects I have started to write the instructions for the Hover Mobile. While looking at the model closely RB and I came to the conclusion that this is a fair weather vehicle. It has neither a windshield nor a roof protecting the crew from rain and sandstorms. So I was wondering how a slightly improved (bad-weather-proof) version would look like. This is what I came up with:
The railing prevents a direct connection between the two covers, so they are separate. Everything could be wrapped up like a tent. The front cover could be stored in the trunk and could have self-spanning and self-smoothing scifi hitech plastic windows. Considering that there are flexible screens which can be folded and rolled up without issues even today this could actually work. Moreover, this modification would bring the model awfully close to the SolarCar from "Logan's Run".
A few months have passed since the last update and there is a reason for that. As you may remember, Chris test-built all versions and found no issues. I was prepared to complete the building instructions but then put this project on hold for the time being to finish the F550 ambulance. In the meantime Chris tested some additional configurations and tinkered a bit with the hover drive. He added several components which were not supposed to be added. He even continued with the engines and energy cells to increase the power output to display the model in a "levitating state". Preliminary efforts can be seen on his YT channel. However, around Xmas a big man with a white beard appeared and slipped over the boxes Chris had already prepared for his moving adventure. The man got away unscathed, fortunately, but some "reindeer sled hovering dust" spilled over the model which caused it to jump straight up to the ceiling. Chris tried to get it down but to no avail. That nixed ANY chance of taking additional pictures for the instructions. So the project was stuck somewhere in the middle. During the holidays Chris was pretty sad because the model was still circling around the Xmas tree at break-neck speed and stared at the screenshots we took earlier in the build process. Then he noticed something weird: A small box with vents which seemed to be mounted to the left side of the blue version only. He immediately contacted me and caused a minor mental breakdown because I had not noticed that thing before. We both agreed that the project was not complete without that additional piece. After finishing the ambulance Chris was able to take the model down again with an electric fly swatter and finally packed it away for the move. Now it was my turn to get this box-thing done.
Well then.
The screenshot on the left shows this strange thing. The picture on the right shows what I think it might have been:
Unfortunately there are no additional views available, so the exact configuration is still a mystery. As a start, I copied the angles of the vehicle to prevent the box from looking like a foreign body.
Then I thought this thing must have had a purpose, so I added some kind of conduit leading inside the cockpit:
The plan is to add a texture mimicking several tube-like connectors to this piece. Stay tuned!
I have to say tha the solution for the additional component for the blue hover vehicle is interesting. I like it, and I think that it will work.
I am looking forward to trying my hand at building it.