Nomad
From the 1967 STAR TREK episode "The Changeling"
After delivering a full-sized reproduction of Nomad for an art gallery display in 2017, the show organizer asked me if I could create a smaller, more colorful one as a potential follow-up. Eventually, we agreed on a half-scale (1:2) version.
I had already produced a full set of blueprints and files for laser cutting, so I started by scaling them down to half the size. Simplifying and re-engineering all of the parts to be made from thinner materials took about 150 hours to complete.
Ultimately, due to the fragility of the finished model and my fear that the shipping company would damage it, I decided not to ship it and ended up keeping it for myself.
Concept & Planning
I knew that I'd have to build every piece from scratch, but recreating them in a smaller scale was more of a challenge, in some ways, than making the full-sized Nomad pieces!
Design & Engineering
I made the conical shapes by stacking several laser-cut MDF shapes or "layers", applying auto body filler, then sanding them smooth. The flat panels were all relatively simple to cut.
Fabrication
Because of the smaller size, I molded many of the parts in silicone and cast them in resin. This provided stronger, lighter parts as-well-as the option of producing duplicates, if needed.
Construction 3
Like the full size Nomad I had previously built, all of the components stack onto a central tube for alignment, stability and to allow for wiring.
Finishing Touches
I cast most of the details in-place on the Shoulder Plate to reduce the possibility of anything detatching and to make the plate more rigid and stable.
Electronics
Electronics for this Nomad were created by Jose Cajigas and Byron Salisbury. They were far superior to the electronics in the 1:1 version and include voice samples with light and sound FX. This makes the finished piece really stand out!
The Base
For the display base I designed a box with a top that looks like a transporter pad and sides that approximate transporter controls. The front has a small TV screen-like appearance with the piece's title. The back has a speaker grill and a plate with the piece's number etched into it.
Painting
The curator wanted this Nomad to be "more colorful", so I chose Krylon Purple Metallic Shimmer for the Head and Body Panels, Design Master Platinum 232 to replace the grey, and Design Master Super Silver for the details.
Final Thoughts
*Click Photo for Video*
Due to additional processes involved in making the molds, the length of time it took to build the half-scale Nomad was around 800 hours; surprisingly a little longer than the full-sized one took me.