The following image shows a very early development project from me. Please tell me how it looks like for you. (Ship type) and what do you expect from it to proceed in the further develpment process.
Nah just kidding mate, it's a good model. It's blocky, with more block overlay, so it does look rheinlandish, an the front part is similar to RHBS ones. It'd be a nice model for Rheinland Heavy Lifter or Armored Transport perhaps.
Oh and, can you give us a shot of the engines, if you made em already.
What it could be: It could be a Rheinland passenger ship, a proper ship for hauling the everyman, or it could be a Rheinland utility ship, since after all utility ships are the only ship class that hasn't been added on since vanilla.
Serriously, there are three utility ships in the game: Heavy Lifter, Repair Ship and the CSV. Some expansion on this would be nice.
Still needs a lot of work in terms of detail. My first suggestion would be to always look at reference when building for an existing ship line, examine how they look and try to replicate their details in a unique way. You've already got a solid base down, which is good, now you just need to add those defining attributes to make in Rhienlandish. I'd suggest loading up the Humpback in Milkshape and taking a good look at it.
My instant first impressions are indeed Rhinelandic, and very 'utility.'
So in other words its not a combat ship its a mover or a freighter or an armored transport.
Good thought though, I especially like the impression of 'plating over plating.'
Okay, thanks for your hints. Here is my more developed model. But PLEASE forgive me the horrible textures. I never did that before, so it looks really crappy:
The engines are from the RAT and the top thingy from the Humpback.
huh. reminds me of a mammoth walker from tiberian sun (only without the legs) more than a ship for freelancer, really. while its got the -very- basic characteristics of a rheinland ship, it really needs work. for example, wheres the bridge? windows? docking area? turret placements? etc.
also, instead of going for smaller engines all over the back, why not stick to the way all Rheinland caps are- bigassed engine with big flames? if you wish to deviate, perhaps go with 2 medium sized engines..?