New design for Stiletto interceptor model?

[Destructavator]

OK, I've been using the Stiletto model as it is with test videos for a new intro and such, and there's some things about it that bother me a bit, making me think we could use a new model for it:

1 - If it was really built as it is depicted by the model, with those dimensions, I doubt it could fly like a jet:  How the hey could those little, tiny, itty-bitty wings that look more like fins provide enough lift for normal flight?

2 - It really does look a lot like a helicopter, just with the top rotors ripped off.  I'm wondering if whomever originally designed it started it out that way and then made a quick and dirty change to try to change it into a jet.

3 - Looking through the data source I found a Blender file, although it doesn't have the texture source components (they appear to be missing, not packed into the file), and it doesn't have a high-detail (high-poly) version very suitable for video cut-scenes.

4 - It has markings and logos on it that I don't recognize, and doesn't have any Phalanx logo on it.

5 - I tried to alter it to make a high-poly version with more detail, just for rendering video clips, and it didn't work too well because, again, I don't have all of the original source components of the texture/skin.

I would be willing to come up with a new model for the Stiletto if needed - In fact I do have a partially finished small fighter aircraft on my hard drive that is about the same depicted size, and it wouldn't be too hard to touch it up a bit and display it here.  I also of course have the complete source for all of its texture and such.

[Destructavator]

Would something along these lines (pics attached) work better, if small details were added and things were tweaked?

If not, I can always save this model for something else.

I remember some talk about replacing the Stiletto model anyways, a while back.

Edit:  The last pic shows the engines tilted, for vertical take-off/landing.  Also, although this is slightly larger and a little wider than the existing model, it's still much smaller than the Saracen and could probably be something that would still fit in a small hanger.

[H-Hour]

My concern with this model is that it looks a bit generic. Even though the stilleto might seem to defy physics a bit, it has a distinct look (as does the firebird and herakles) and I think that is it's winning element.

However, if you do make a new model, I think you should kick the poly count up a lot, even for the in-game version. The model in the images here could definitely use some extra polys around the engine and cockpit areas, and could use some smoother curves throughout.

I don't say this as criticism of the design style so much as a reminder that most of the artwork for the game is very old and poly tolerances have increased a lot, as far as I know.

[Mattn]

as i've said we need a new model for videos anyway. the model we have is the landed version in "parking position"

[Destructavator]

I agree that the proposed replacement I've come up with is a tad "generic" - However it isn't complete, and adding details and decals to really bring it out would be very easy.  By comparison, I can't do too much with the old, existing model because not all the source for all of the old one's details are available.

I don't mean to bash the old model when I say that, I don't like bumping existing artwork out like that, but I still feel that the old one should be replaced with something better.

That being said, should I go ahead and attempt to finish (add many details) to the proposed replacement I've come up with?  I could do so, then afterward we could all look at the more complete product and decide if it would make a worthy replacement.

I'd also like to add that making a crashed version of my proposed replacement (as listed in the needed models) would be very easy for me, while doing so for the old one would not.

[mor2]

My concern with this model is that it looks a bit generic. Even though the stilleto might seem to defy physics a bit, it has a distinct look (as does the firebird and herakles) and I think that is it's winning element.

not in the least, its just tiltjet, there are many planes with similar designs some as far as the 60's, the question is what kind of aircraft do we need, i assume that our hidden base doesnt have a landing strip to mark it, so the stiletto vtol looks perfect.
personally i am still in love with this stiletto like design. but if  if you more interested in stol or dont like the stiletto compact "choppery" look you can go check the Harrier or the latest f35 design. (just dont forger to throw away that huge gun battery at the front)

as for the the newly proposed design, at this stage it doest says vtol to me but high altitude stealth bomber.

However, if you do make a new model, I think you should kick the poly count up a lot, even for the in-game version. The model in the images here could definitely use some extra polys around the engine and cockpit areas, and could use some smoother curves throughout.

i agree, if possible than few additional lines makes all the difference in the world.

[Destructavator]

not in the least, its just tiltjet, there are many planes with similar designs some as far as the 60's, the question is what kind of aircraft do we need, i assume that our hidden base doesnt have a landing strip to mark it, so the stiletto vtol looks perfect.
personally i am still in love with this stiletto like design. but if  if you more interested in stol or dont like the stiletto compact "choppery" look you can go check the Harrier or the latest f35 design. (just dont forger to throw away that huge gun battery at the front)

as for the the newly proposed design, at this stage it doest says vtol to me but high altitude stealth bomber.

i agree, if possible than few additional lines makes all the difference in the world.

It sounds like you know more about aircraft than I do - Although I strongly agree with your point about the big question being "What kind of aircraft do we need?"

From what I've gathered in all the time I've been with this project, I know this much:

- It should be capable of taking off and landing either vertically or somehow without a runway.

- It needs to be capable of getting up to rather high speeds and high altitude (for Earth-based technology) to catch up to UFOs (until something better can be researched in the game).

- It needs to be something that would look appropriate some 70 to 80 years in the future, but still look realistic (as opposed to the soft sci-fi "fantasy-ish" stuff, we certainly don't want that for this game).

- It needs to be something that looks like a small jet at a glance to a newcomer who hasn't played the game before, and *not* make a new player think it is supposed to be a helicopter of some kind, or otherwise confuse such a person, while keeping in mind that such a newcomer probably won't be an aircraft expert.

If I can know exactly what to aim for (for a design), I can probably model it, and add details.

[Crystan]

So we need something like the good old CNC Orca we all know and love?

[H-Hour]

If I could get this thing textured up, would it be a good replacement for the stilleto or not?

[Hertzila]

IMO the fuselage design looks fine (I think that if we want to have a plane as agile as the Stiletto is written up to be, it'll look some bit like a helicopter+VTOL hybrid on steroids) but I'd say we should remove the circular "wings" in the middle and replace them with more traditional ones (unless I'm misunderstanding what they are) for some lift and the two weapon slots.

On the amount of lift surface it has, I think it will end up staying airborne by power alone, though the wings will be good for turning.

[Destructavator]

Yes!  Something like that would work much better IMO than the old one, if a detailed texture was added.

One point of clarification:  The Stiletto is supposed to have three weapon slots, as it also has the light one in the front nose area in addition to the ones on the wings (unless things have changed, I've been out for a bit again).

I actually have been trying to change the old model into something new, but the old .Blender file (from an old version) is incomplete and seems broken when I try to import it.  Same goes for the exported MD2s.

I'll also say that I've been working slowly on the HUD for the new intro video.

I'll also need a cockpit interior for whatever Stiletto model we'll be using - If no one else builds it I guess I will, but the whole model for the Stiletto really needs to be decided on first.

[Crystan]

as it also has the light one in the front nose area

Yes its the most essential slot - Minigun fun *brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrdddd*

[Hertzila]

One point of clarification:  The Stiletto is supposed to have three weapon slots, as it also has the light one in the front nose area in addition to the ones on the wings (unless things have changed, I've been out for a bit again).

I mentioned only the two wing slots because I commented that those circular wing thingies most probably couldn't house them, so the things should be replaced with more traditional wings (that would provide some lift too!) or the slots should be put in a different position (looking at the model, though, I don't think they would fit anywhere else).

The nose needs a bit work too to make room and remove the built-in weapons but the work for that doesn't look like much.

Yes its the most essential slot - Minigun fun *brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrdddd*

If you want actual gatling good (and more dakka), you put a SHIVA into each one of the slots   .

[Destructavator]

@H-Hour: Any progress on the new Stiletto model?  I've gotten partway done with a model for a high-detail pilot to go inside the cockpit, for video cut-scenes.

I still need to add things to the model, and of course then texture it.

[H-Hour]

Model looks very good, nice work!

Origin is going to take a stab at unwrapping the new stiletto model and then I will try and texture it. I think he'll also do something about those wings.