Designing the "Mother Ship"...

In my recent new-to-the-blogging-world web surfing I ran across Thomas Vree's blog Exploriment. I have to say I was instantly inspired by his ideas and craftsmanship (especially his OuchPouch first aid kit). Vree's utilitarian design, aptly named Escape Pod , seemed to bridge a gap between my ideal, all-purpose pack and the lack of commerical designs and funds for that matter. It got my creative juices flowing. I had been unable to find something that truly suited all my needs, yet remained customizable to my constantly changing whims. So many hours, and plenty of graph paper sketchs later, I finally have...well I have an idea of what I want to create anyway. It's all theoretical at this point.
Full Disclosure: I have to give Thomas Vree full props for his design and inspiration. Very ingenuitive!


So what is this Mother Ship you ask? Well Dictionary.com defines it as a vessel or craft that services others operating far from a home port or center. Precisely what I am looking for! I want a "vessel" I can customize on a daily basis if I see fit. Something that can be useful taking the bus around town, or trekking into the bush for a night. A pack I can keep a capable first aid kit and my EDC tools available. So what I have designed, in all it's two dimensional glory, is thus.

Mother Ship will be a 6"x 8" x 16" tall rectangular pack made of coyote tan 1000 denier pack cloth covered in PALS webbing. Everything will ideally be coyote tan. The top flap is designed to be a water resistant, slightly over-sized lid used to keep the pack relatively rainless and also facilitate the carrying of a jacket or other such load under it. It will be attached via two side release buckles. I also like the idea of lining the MS with a sil-nylon stuff sack (lets just say it rains a lot in the NW). I am planning on putting a map pocket on the bottom side of the flap as well. Plus you could place elastic shock cord where ever you want on the MS.


The dimensions of the pack are based on the desire to mount the Condor Rip-Away EMT Pouch on the front or sides, as well as being able to mount one or two USGI style 1 quart nalgene canteens, with my canteen cup and stove kit on the sides. Looking into using the GSA Approved Modular Canteen Cover available at canteenshop.com. That way I can use the pouches with or without a canteen in them. Another bonus for customization! I'm also looking for a pouch that will hold a Trangia alcohol stove, assuming it won't fit in the side pocket of the canteen pouch. I could probably just sew one for a lot less money. The back of the pack will be a sleeve. Allowing me to slide a flexible plastic card into it for rigidity or using a space blanket or such for padding. I would also be able to hid the pack straps inside of it if the packs needs to be neat and tidy. 


I have ideas of being able to attach a 2" hip belt to the pack to enable me to add pouches there as well. A lot of ultra light backpack manufactures have started to shift the weight off your back, allowing you to carry some of it up front. Giving you easier access to items like your sunglasses, compass, and headlamp, while allowing a more natural posture. Also very similar to the ALICE Style Load Carrying System. Which I have thought about cannibalizing an "H" harness for my shoulder straps. If only they had them in coyote tan. 


So that about summarizes where I stand on the project. I am in the process of finding and pricing the materials I will need. Amazon has been a pretty good help. I'm going to need a good supply of light weight coyote tan 1" webbing. Still doing some calculations on that. I hope my sewing machine is up to it. Also looking for some tan buckles. Other than that I can find most of it at Fabric Depot here in Portland.