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Andres Vorstal
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Registered: 02-2006
Posts: 164
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KDY Corona transport - COMPLETED
A few days ago the KDY Corona was mentioned in passing, and now I can't get that unsuccessful trash-hauler out of my head. I dug up my working notes from the time I used it in a game, but my deckplan sketches are long gone. Truth be told that is for the best, as they were awful. I'm posting some of my thoughts about this neglected ship here in the hopes that someone more able to translate thoughts into art can do them justice...
First off let me say that I think this ship should not necessarily be planned with ease of use and/or logic as high priorities. It failed on the market for a reason (or several). This design should be one of compromises... Between style and substance, security and Imperial regs, accomodations for humans versus non-humans, etc...
I figure KDY's Imperial backing would lead to a design based on human proportions and probably not comfortable for large aliens, aliens with non-humanoid body types, or droids. The ****pit I envisioned would be nearly impossible for a Wookie or other such large being to fit into (more on that in a moment). Envision an NFL lineman in an early '80's Honda Civic.
I always thought the angled lines in the outline should indicate a rising wing or flying buttress type setup, rising to a raised bridge station/cocpit above a central fuselage. Access to the (cramped) flight deck would be through the "wings." The turreted Laser Cannon would mount slightly aft and above the cocpit, with very rudimentary controls and targeting systems (accounting for the lack of a fire control bonus in the stats). As mentioned in the discussion of somebody's custom yacht (I apologize for forgetting whose) it was pointed out that this would restrict visibility when landing. I agree and I think the Corona would be forced to rely heavily on instuments during landing, which would explain some of its "unpopularity" (not sure if that's a word...) with pilots.
The engineering sections would be in the aft section, and the center section under the flight deck. These should be accessible to humans and some smaller droids easily, but large aliens or odd shaped droids would find them cramped and difficult to work in.
The crew/passenger quarters would be in the curved sections at the sides, and would most likely be rather spartan. The flight deck access ladders would connect here through each "wing." I believe ladders through a cramped space would be suitable for humans, but inconvenient or downright impossible for large aliens or droids (I know I'm beating that horse to death, but like I said: it failed for a reason and I think this was it).
The one thing I think KDY would have done right on this beast would be to put the cargo areas up front. A rather large loding hatch/ramp arrangement would probably fit in the bow, andf that way the cargo is stored in the widest portion of the ship.
As far as the overall look of the ship I would suspect it is a case of Style over Substance. The curvy silhouette suggests they tried to make it curvy and sporty looking at the expense of efficient space utilisation and such. Kind of like an economy car with ground effects and a big dorky spoiler if you follow my reasoning.
Well, that's just my two cents (OK, more like 75 or so), but I thought it run it up the flagpole and see who salutes. If I can find or recreate my old sketches I'll try to get them up here if any of you want to see them. Thanks for tolerating my rambling.
Last edited by Lucas P, 7/2/2006, 9:43 am
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Ask not for whom the yo-yo rolls... The yo-yo rolls for thee...
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3/13/2006, 11:17 pm
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Kayle Skolaris
Banned user
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Registered: 10-2005
Posts: 868
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Re: KDY Corona transport
Yeah, I've been looking at the Corona silhouette ever since Frank mentioned it to me the other day. The cargo hold is definitely up front.
I think there might've been a 'bridge tower' rising above the level of the rest of the ship that accounts for what looks like angled passage ways connecting the oval cut-outs. I think those angled sections are completely above the cut-outs. I'm thinking the habitation section should go in the central core of the ship with all the machinery going on the outer edge of the cut-outs and the engines, of course, being at the extreme aft of the ship.
Why do the cut-outs exist at all? I have no clue. We can fluff-text the reason fairly easily, though. Perhaps early in the design stages this was meant to be a Yacht, but once the external look was settled on, it was accidentally sent to the freighter division and whichever design team got the job to make it work decided it would be a fun challenge. When the design failed in the marketplace, they were all fired and went off to form their own independent company.
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I genuinely believe Uwe Boll could've done a better job with the prequels.
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3/15/2006, 12:00 am
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Andres Vorstal
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Registered: 02-2006
Posts: 164
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Re: KDY Corona transport
Do you figure the angled sections would curve down and connect (like the "dorky spoiler" analogy), or stay above the curved sections (like diving planes on a submarine conning tower)?
I'm kinda leaning toward the spoiler image myself, but the more I think about it, the more I like your idea of engineering components in the curves and crew space in the center. Of course, the wings can still curve down whether they are access tubes, or just a dorky spoiler...
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Ask not for whom the yo-yo rolls... The yo-yo rolls for thee...
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3/15/2006, 1:44 pm
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Kayle Skolaris
Banned user
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Registered: 10-2005
Posts: 868
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Re: KDY Corona transport
Why not make the angled sections legitimate parts of the bridge tower? Put communication gear on one side, and sensory gear on the other. Or maybe that's where the 'shield domes' go. 
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I genuinely believe Uwe Boll could've done a better job with the prequels.
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3/15/2006, 2:21 pm
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Andres Vorstal
Global user
Registered: 02-2006
Posts: 164
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Re: KDY Corona transport
I like that idea, but I still think we have to be careful not to make too much sense on this ship or there won't be any good reason for it to fail. I wonder if the guys who designed the AMC Pacer thought that way...
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Ask not for whom the yo-yo rolls... The yo-yo rolls for thee...
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3/15/2006, 2:42 pm
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Andres Vorstal
Global user
Registered: 02-2006
Posts: 164
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Re: KDY Corona transport
For those of you who don't have Pirates and Privateers and have been wondering what we're talking about, here is the silhouette in question:
http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f279/Jimmyray73/corona.jpg
If youn can find a copy of this book, I highly reccomend it for both GMs and players. The silhouette images in that book alone will keep discussion on here going for years I think.
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Ask not for whom the yo-yo rolls... The yo-yo rolls for thee...
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3/15/2006, 3:03 pm
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Kayle Skolaris
Banned user
Global user
Registered: 10-2005
Posts: 868
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Re: KDY Corona transport
I'm pretty sure the design failed due to over-pricing and under-powering. 80 metric tons of lift capacity isn't that hot for a ship that retails for 105,000 credits new. The hull is kinda on the weak side as well.
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I genuinely believe Uwe Boll could've done a better job with the prequels.
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3/15/2006, 3:06 pm
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FVBonura
Banned user
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Registered: 10-2005
Location: Central PA
Posts: 1754
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Re: KDY Corona transport
Wow the Andromeda shines a lot of light on this ship. The Corona looks like a 3 deck ship for sure.
Grell keep playing. This is good.
When did Andromeda first season come out?
"Pirates and Privateers" came out in 1997, and now I am wondering if one influences the other.
No matter what we come up with, this ship will be very artistic looking. Perhaps that is why KDY failed in this endeavor. Modern art does not a good freighter make.
Keep going guys, think wierd, think Andromeda, and you are on target.
Do you need me to do a symmetry test on the silouette, and a clean-up?
--- Frank V Bonura - SWDA Founder - http://deckplans.00sf.com “For thou hast girded me with strength unto the battle: thou hast subdued under me those that rose up against me. ” - Psalm 18:39 |
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3/16/2006, 12:17 pm
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Kayle Skolaris
Banned user
Global user
Registered: 10-2005
Posts: 868
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Re: KDY Corona transport
Frank, could you do a symmetry test, please? I tried several times and just couldn't figure it out.
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I genuinely believe Uwe Boll could've done a better job with the prequels.
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3/16/2006, 12:25 pm
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