Got some giant balls, what to do with them?

[Ben2]

I picked up some rather large balls earlier.

2 of then are 12cm, 1 is 10cm, 6 are 6cm, 3 are 4cm and 2 are egg shaped and 6cm.

The question is what to do with them?

I was going to get this ebay item and use the smaller balls to make asteroid fields.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/120-POLYSTYRENE-BALLS-9MM-40MM-ART-CRAFT-MODELLING-/160589878525?pt=UK_Crafts_Children_s_Crafts_EH&hash=item2563e714fd#ht_1414wt_727

I was going to give my asteroid fields a sizable base which would represent the asteroid field, and then have a number of asteroids at different levels to show the field.

Going by the terrain section in the ACTA rulebook I'd use the bigger balls (all over 3" in diameter but under 10") as Earth like worlds. The 60mm balls could then be lifeless rocks and a variety of moons.

I was wondering about using the eggs as comets, with tails coming out behind them, but was wondering how to make the tails.

I've got nothing but free time at the moment as I'm signed off work and waiting to get a brain scan, so looking for things to occupy my time.

Are there any good sites for colour pictures of space objects? I don't want all the moons I do to just be the same, I want some interesting variety so it looks attractive on the tabletop.

Also can anyone recommend somewhere to get a sphere 12" in diameter that is robust and will take paint well? And of course I'd need to base it.

 

[The Big D]

Are there any good sites for colour pictures of space objects? I don't want all the moons I do to just be the same, I want some interesting variety so it looks attractive on the tabletop.

Try http://solarsystem.nasa.gov/planets/profile.cfm?Object=Jupiter&Display=Sats

Real moons are hard to see so these are probably the best you will get!

Also can anyone recommend somewhere to get a sphere 12" in diameter that is robust and will take paint well? And of course I'd need to base it.

http://www.modelshop.co.uk/product/Polystyrene_2-part_sphere_300mm_SB91025
http://www.modelshop.co.uk/product/Hemisphere_polystyrene_300mm_SD80019

These are good, I use them myself. Best bet is use a hemisphere for blocking LOS, but have a flat version under it so you can lift it off and fly over it without it 'moving' from it's original position.

Geoff

 

[McKinstry]

Model railroad shops and web sites offer plaster cloth, cheese cloth impregnated with plaster of paris. Wrapping the wetted cloth around those balls will give you a better paintable surface and the opportunity, while wet, to create bias relief land features.

 

[The Big D]

Model railroad shops and web sites offer plaster cloth, cheese cloth impregnated with plaster of paris. Wrapping the wetted cloth around those balls will give you a better paintable surface and the opportunity, while wet, to create bias relief land features.

Like this!
http://www.modelshop.co.uk/product/Plaster_bandage_100_x_5m_Pk5_CP00000

I use these guys quite a bit for supplies. They deliver, which is good. But If you get a chance to visit them in London I give you a warning. DO NOT TAKE YOUR CREDIT CARD WITH YOU. I did on my first visit and left about £300 lighter! They are an architectural model shop with everything you could imagine.

Geoff