Akyazi- Workbee Stowage Bays

Workbee Stowage Bays

The Workbee Bays for the Akyazi were a lot of fun to build but took a lot of time. And after rendering these few shots, I knew how desperate I was for a new system to increase my CGI abilities. Now I have the system I wanted.

The fan reference book that inspired these projects specified a limited number of stowage bays as well as distinct types of bay for each specific sub-class of the Akyazi Class Perimeter Action ships. I could never decide which one I liked most; heck, I couldn’t decided which class I was most eager to build. So like the cherry picker I tend to be, I ended up blending my favorite elements from the 3 individual sub-classes. I decided to have at least two separate types of stowage bay and maybe a few more workbees than the standard perimeter ship’s limit. I rationalized that perhaps the mission details of this particular ship, The U.S.S. McCook, might demand a few extra maintnance and repair craft than normal.

The first of these bays are on the underside of the ship’s primary hull (ventral), towards the forward portion of the the ship. The workbee rests in a retractable claw-like mount which also serves as an umbilical connection for refueling and recharging. Airtight doors open under the claw mount, as extenders push it toward the open expanse of space. There the work bee is released to go about its bee business. I’m thinking the various job specific attachments are stored in nearby compartments and can be accessed by the workbee, or sent out to rendevous with a workbee by remote. I haven’t worked that part out yet.

Workbee Stowage- Ventral Port

Early test render showing workbee deployment

Newer Mac renders with Global Lighting employed, and a progression of images demonstrating deployment

Slightly different angle showing the depths of space

The Aft Workbee Stowage Bay…

is at the aft of the primary hull and stores 2 workbees at a time. Here they slide into bases that cradle them from below. The bases also lock the bee into place and serve as umbilicals for a workbee’s consumable needs. I placed a control console in here just as I did in the other bay, but unless you are wearing a space suit I wouldn’t recommend opening the garage doors.