This is exactly what I was looking for. Again, I caught myself within my own creative limitations... sighhhh....
I was stuck with the loft and the resulting need of vertical curves to create the 'body'. Thinking along 'topographic' iso lines is the solution to the puzzle.
The top can also be beveled.... an additional bonus for taking the right path. This time I will post a result very shortly. I think I got my workflow together for moi model 8).
Thanks again for the inspiration!
Lemo