Basing the 'UNS Hopper'...

...that's been sitting on a shelf for almost 18 months. The Industria Mechanica 'Hopper' doesn't have an undercarriage so has to 'float' above it's base. Unfortunately a 'flying stand' is not included in the kit and although I was able to buy a separate display stand to mount the model from Michael at I.M. I wanted to display the 'Hopper' on some kind of base with the standing figure included with the model. I did consider screwing a clear acrylic rod centrally under the hull (which is hollow to allow for lighting the kit) but decided (a very recent 'Eureka! moment) to drill and pin the two solid engine pods which attach to the hull with very robust locating blocks. This seems to have done the trick although I haven't decided yet how best to disguise the pins locating the model to the base.
The base itself will be a quite simple 'docking' area with industrial plating for the floor with possibly a couple of hatches in the floor and some cabling and equipment to alleviate a little of the bareness.