The Star Destroyer Internal/Exterior
Support Structures Web Page
NOTE: The pictures on this web page only show the Star Destroyer model's internal support structure with a temporary matte board and paper covering on it. This temporary covering is only being used to show the model's overall shape and size and it will be removed when actual parts have been created.
This web page describes the construction of my Imperial Star Destroyer model's four internal and exterior support structures. These structures cost me 2,055 dollars, required 30 hours to construct and were delivered on July 27, 1999. They were built at a specialized metal shop in Longmont Colorado called Advanced Alloys. The majority of the mass of these structures is composed of welded and reinforced, one square inch hollow tubes of square shaped aircraft aluminum. These four structures can be configured in different ways to hold the model up so that it can be displayed for either public viewing or photographic or motion picture stage work. Each of the four combinations of these support structures allow the model to be photographed in one or more ways such that the supports themselves don't occlude the model in any way. This flexibility allows the Star Destroyer to be photographed in almost any conceivable way, and yet always look like it's just hanging unsupported in a star filled universe.
The Model's External Support Stand
The first of the support structures is the model's support stand. This is the only structure that actually touches the ground, and it's used to actually hold the model in the air. It's designed so that it can either connect directly to the model at two of its
three mount points, or indirectly to the model at all three mount points through the use of two separate extension arms. This model stand is a total of 48" long, 29" wide and 48" tall.
The Model's Internal Support Structure
The second support structure is the model's own internal support structure. This structure provides the model with its core structural support and it is composed of a rifle shaped piece of aluminum 3'10" long, 2.5" wide and 6" tall. All of the model's
wood support ribs, which run perpendicular to this support, are attached to this structure at one of four locations along its length. The model's internal support has a total of three mount points to connect it to the outside world.
Mount point 1 is located on the underside of the model, directly underneath the Solar Ionization Reactor Dome. This mount point is used whenever the model is in its display case. This mount point could also be used whenever the model needed to be
photographed from some combination of the top or back views. This mount point can be directly attached to the model stand.
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Mount point 2 is a very versatile mount point that's located on the back side of the model, directly behind the center engine. This mount point could be used whenever the model needs to be photographed from some combination of the top, bottom, front
or side views. This mount point can either be directly or indirectly accessed by the model stand depending on how the model needs to be photographed. If an extreme high or low angle shot needs to be taken of the model's top or bottom, then the model can be directly mounted to the model stand. In this case, the model will be sticking straight up in the air. If front, bottom, or side views need to be photographed, then the right angle extension arm can be mated to the model stand and then inserted into the back of the model. This allows the model to assume its normal horizontal viewing position.
Mount point 3 is located on the top of the model under a panel on the right-hand side of the upper building structure in front of the bridge. This mount point is used when the model needs to be photographed from some combination of the bottom, back or
left side views. This mount point can only be accessed by the model stand through the top extension arm. This U shaped arm is designed to "reach" into the top of the model from above and then connect vertically to the model stand.
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The Extension Arm Structures
In order to afford full photographic freedom of the model, it was necessary to design two additional "extension arms". These arms are used to connect the model's internal support structure to the external model stand in ways that these two structures cannot connect directly on their own. The two arms consist of one "right angle" arm as well
as a "U" arm.
The right angle arm is used to connect the horizontally positioned model with the model stand so that bottom, top, front and side views can all be potentially photographed at the same time in one continuous motion picture shot. This type of shot could not be done using the Solar Ionization Reactor mount point. This arm is 23" long, 1.5" wide and 14" tall.
The U arm is used to connect the horizontally positioned model to the model stand from above so that sweeping views of the bottom, left side and back of the model can potentially be obtained in one continuous shot. This type of shot cannot be obtained in any other way. This arm is 19" long, 1.5" wide and 19" tall.
Last Updated: August 15, 1999
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