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Like with Omega the project started with cathering images of the Hyperion cruiser from the web and measuring
and scaling the Hyperions dimensions so that it would fit the scale which I had choosed. The scale would be 1/1717 so
that the Hyperion could be compared with the Omega destroyer. This defined that the Hyperion model would be
60 cm long whereas Omegas lenght is 100 cm. This time I had also became wiser and did a little bit more work with the planning
and scale drawings. They still not look professional but are more detailed and more planned than in Omega project.
Finally I decided to name my project model as "Prometheus" after the (in)famous Hyperion cruiser which started the Mimbari
war.
Like in Omega project the most vital building material was balsa wood. Whereas "box shapes" were used in Omega,
the Hyperion structure required more solid, larger and rounder basic shape elements. These elements were carved
and sanded from large balsa bricks. Because my "material supplier" didn't have thick enough balsa, I had to glue 2 cm
thick balsa sheets together to form large enough bricks. To my suprise this worked very well and I managed
to form all basic structures without big problems.
The basic elements can be roughly devide to three categories. Bow section, tower section and aft section. All these sections
are formed from several separate balsa elements. As usual I started from the bow and proceeded section by section
to the aft. Smaller parts, like support beams and details were made mostly from the balsa, but cardboard was surprisingly
good and easy material to use also. Gun turrets were made from halved woodpearls and toothpicks were again a great help.
Used tools were hobby saw, hobby knife and sandpaper
The engines were made separately and like in Omega they proved to be a difficult task. Because Hyperion engines are more
comblicated than Omegas I couldn't make them from balsa. I am not familiar with vacuforming so I was really "in hard
place" with the engines. And then it brighten up. As I was in a local hardware store to find pieces to my model the answer
struct me. Light bulb chucks. They are not exact match to engines but suited me fine. So the three engines are a little bit
shaped light bulb chucks. The "grating" in the surface was made with cardboard.
The model was painted with brush and used colors were light gray, dark blue and two shades of dark gray. Again I decided
to drop the "paneling pattern" as my painting skills are what they are. Still I am quite satisfied about the painting. Decals
were made with photoshop and printed to ordinary printing paper. Decals were then cut with scissors and glued with ordinary
hobby glue. I was surprised how well that worked and how well the decals fused to the model. The base was ordered from the
same carpenter shop from where I get my Omegas base and it's shape is similar to it, although it is a little smaller scale.
Stands are made from brass tube and the stand supports from balsa.
Again I must say that I am most satisfied about the results of this project and the Hyperion model itself makes
a quite nice pair with the Omega model. Together they represent the space might of Earth Alliance. Both models were displayed
in the Kuopio Scale Model Show 2005 and I have planned to take them to Helsinki Model Expo 2006 also. Now which ship I would
add to my Earth Alliance fleet next? That is the question...
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