Blackadder's Lucius Pattern Reaver

[The_Blackadder]

Ventilator Unit 2

The major hull components assembled without gluing showing the well thought out FW engineering. Ya gotta give these guys credit.

http://i.imgur.com/6GuNLUw.jpg

Note the wire wrapped tubing in the foreground. That will be changed to styrene rods.

http://i.imgur.com/pfhRR7m.jpg

 

[The_Blackadder]

Central Ventilator Continues:

This is not a very popular thread judging by the number of hits it has received. This goes along with my personal opinion of the Reaver Titan in general; that it is not that popular of a model and that were FW to have produced a Warlord instead it would have been better received.

In spite of this I shall persevere in this endeavor to the bitter end.

Work continues on the Central Ventilator console with the securing the spiral conduit to the base construction. Unfortunately I have exhausted my local hobby stores of material; "Jeez Blackadder what are you doing with all that plasticard?" is the usual query. To which I say, "You don't check your incoming emails do You?"

http://i.imgur.com/NWfJR1j.jpg

Not much to say about the images posted all should be self-explanatory Although I welcome any questions.

http://i.imgur.com/bjlwrGx

http://i.imgur.com/BqC3eqc.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/jTgzqoO.jpg

 

[The_Blackadder]

Gamera Lookalike:

I finally realized why my animus toward the Reaver model well one of the reasons.

Anyway my instincts regarding the head were correct the Mars head won't work with the Lucius Design.

http://i.imgur.com/3Mi8Ixo.jpg

Top view not much better.

http://i.imgur.com/m0KUTLG.jpg

Too much like a certain turtle with a flatus problem.

http://i.imgur.com/JUzx2CA.jpg

 

[The_Blackadder]

The Integral Generators:

The generators are ostensibly one plug in unit now and all that is left is to apply the skin to the housings. Then the detail goes on.

http://i.imgur.com/dPfvcj6.jpg

The clothespins won't be necessary once the generators are weighted.

http://i.imgur.com/eZefzJN.jpg

The inner lining is just about ready for the interior detail.

http://i.imgur.com/Jv92cWi.jpg

There is room for about a pound of weight in each housing.

http://i.imgur.com/07Caocg.jpg

 

[The_Blackadder]

Plug in Void Generator Assembly:

Rather than attempt to build a flimsy structure directly on the resin hull I figured building an entire Void Generator substructure that would just plug into the existing hull locking in place with magnets and/or tabs. This very durable alternative I believe is a a simpler way to attack the problem.

Here we see a side by side comparison of the FW housing compared to my rendering (Not detailed as yet) Note the rear hull ceiling spacing.


http://i.imgur.com/OHwOEw5.jpg

There are symmetry flaws in the FW model that must be compensated for; the right side being 1,0 to 1,5 mm different from the left...........

Here we see the Assembly poised to be placed on the hull recess:

http://i.imgur.com/RqW8xb6.jpg

And the assembly in place interlocking with the resin hull and abutting the rear of the hull carapace:

http://i.imgur.com/Mw7KgFD.jpg

 

[The_Blackadder]

The Under Carapace Inlets:

Time to add some detail, the under carapace inlets would be nicely represented by Evergreen Clapboard siding something I wish I knew was available when I built Lucie but everything is a learning experience and profiting from your mistakes is the best you can do....

The spacing of the clapboard is 0.050 inch and on the resin model its 0.060 so close enough I'm not going to lose sleep over a quarter of a millimeter. What does irk me is the manufactured spacing of the clapboard varies and care must be taken to get the size right and not rely on the number of boards. See the above reference about learning by your mistakes................

http://i.imgur.com/MuNII0P.jpg

The framing appears a bit cumbersome until the 4.0 MM thick carapace armour is completed.

http://i.imgur.com/8caYz91.jpg

Note how the lower frame of the vent locks behind the resin hull pertrubance the same as the FW model. This will help hold the assembly in position once the model is completed.

http://i.imgur.com/9vL7hwh.jpg

 

[The_Blackadder]

The Shoulder Carapace:

Time to consider the shoulder mounted APOC missile system..........

Fortunately the weapon arm mounts seem as if they were custom made for this modification I assure you such was not the case. Pure and simple serendipity is at work here.

First I reinforced the main carapace with lateral stringers to re-enforce the shoulder carapace substructure. In the foreground are the bases for the rotating APOC missile batteries. These will be retractable when not required to give a clean line to the Reaver carapace.

http://i.imgur.com/DCMkaZd.jpg

This side view with the gun mounts applied shows the size, length and width of the shoulder carapace underside structure...........

http://i.imgur.com/JIK9xbi.jpg

Front view with the APOC missile bases glued in place. (The internal thin ring on the left side is a shim. I made the hole too big on the first attempt.)

http://i.imgur.com/qWLkmJL.jpg

Showing the Mars shoulder armour relative to the size of the Lucius armour and the amount of space I can afford to work my APOC batteries and still keep the Reaver proportions; Lots of room for the retractable missiles.

http://i.imgur.com/Sae5seD.jpg

 

[The_Blackadder]

Horse Before the Cart This Time:

My usual method of building is regrettably to build from the outside in so I find myself working it extremely cramped quarters retro fitting interior items into already built hulls etc.

This time I am playing it smart (Er Smarter) and building the interior item first

In the image below you see the components of my APOC Rocket Battery redesign.

In the foreground center note the turntable (Upside down in this image) and the center pivot. The turntable will house the retracting scissor assembly and the I hope elevation piston (Yet to be designed). The rocket tubes 8 on each side as opposed to 10 on the APOC pod on the Mars Reaver:

http://i.imgur.com/PNmDHoI.jpg

Next the Turntable in place on the Arms shoulder:

http://i.imgur.com/rbmfzTv.jpg

And the Rocket Calliope in the stowed position, yes the rockets will stow lateral to the vehicle axis to save space and allow for deployment and retraction.

http://i.imgur.com/gLxteGW.jpg

 

[The_Blackadder]

APOC Rocket Battery:

The retract mechanism shown in partial assembly mode because once assembled the parts will not be easily seen:

http://i.imgur.com/MJ2c8Ty.jpg

Side view: incidentally I left the tubes long so it is easier to see that the alignment is square as a deflection of a degree or two is more apparent at the end of a 12 inch long tube than a 6 millimeter long tube. Don'cha love how I keep mixing my system of measurements?

http://i.imgur.com/SPIyAHo.jpg

Partially retracted, it seems this may work after all:

http://i.imgur.com/U96Oj7w.jpg

Tubes in fully retracted mode. I need only cement the front hinge/cylinder in place.

http://i.imgur.com/Gr74WLN.jpg

After the basic monkey motion is completed a little 40K decoration will be in order

 

[The_Blackadder]

Extension/Elevation Mechanism in Place:

Well the elevation piston and retractable rocket module works pretty good. The overall look need to be made more massive right now its just the 'bones'

In the image below the array is stowed sideways, I maybe be able to stow it fore and aft instead I'll have to see once I have the carapace framed out. The sideways stowing serves the purpose of allowing the launcher to be replenished with rockets by the auto-loader situated in the carapace.

http://i.imgur.com/J9dnh1G.jpg

The next image shouldbe elevated but the turntable rotates to the firing position

http://i.imgur.com/sCQF3oJ.jpg

The next shows the launcher in position for line of sight targets.

http://i.imgur.com/hngTACN.jpg

And elevated for Ballistic and Surface to Air launchings.

http://i.imgur.com/ZcBkZO7.jpg

That should just about cover it.

 

[The_Blackadder]

Fitting Out In Triplicate:

Quite possibly the last update this weekend but hopefully I'll have the rocket turrets finished this weekend.

The image below shows the three remaining batteries in various stages of completion:

http://i.imgur.com/klYkhqI.jpg

and I hope when they are skinned out they will look something like the Rocket pod on the FW Rocket Tank someone so graciously provided and that I was unaware of (Honestly) as seen below

 

[The_Blackadder]

Reaver Shoulder Carapace:

Coincidentally I am working on the Reaver shoulders as I prepare for shoulder surgery this coming Friday. My big concern is to not make the appendages too much like the Warhound shoulders but still maintain a Lucius appeal.

http://i.imgur.com/lCesYTR.jpg

I cut down the battery of the APOC rocket array to six tubes wide and will attempt to add instead four lower and four upper tubes to the array which I think will be more business like.

http://i.imgur.com/uUehAsb.jpg

The whole assemblies will be sheathed in armour as with the Praetor Armoured Assault Launcher.
PRAETOR

 

[The_Blackadder]

How NOT to Design a Reaver:

This is starting to be fun. Since I started this project all I had was a vague idea of how I wanted it to look. So far I haven't made too many mistakes and had to rebuild virtually nothing. Now we are getting down to the nitty-gritty and fleshing out the carapace.

http://i.imgur.com/1tH5qek.jpg

Right now I am exploring the fascia panel angle.

http://i.imgur.com/WM6AI9z.jpg

I know that I am posting a lot of small steps but this is how I work and by plugging away bit by bit eventually before you realize it you have a Titan..........


The thing that bugs me is that now I am on a roll and in two days I'll have my right arm in a sling............ostensibly immovable for up to six weeks.

 

[The_Blackadder]

Modular Armour:

I am trying a new method of building on this project because the armour must be interchangeable with the Mars armour. All the pieces must interlock virtually seamlessly but still must be removable so as I work I continually disassemble the module components to maintain that flexibility.

http://i.imgur.com/UN1jr22.jpg

The angles on the carapace skirt are more important than the size of the pieces of styrene used so I am continually adding over-sized pieces that will be trimmed later after the structure has sufficient structural integrity.

http://i.imgur.com/sNG9LYV.jpg

I have to add about 0.5 KG/1.0 LBs to each of the void generator housings; into the box framed recesses so that area cannot be skinned as yet but I do need the angles so the rear skirt intersects properly with the housings.

http://i.imgur.com/g3gyS2v.jpg

 

[The_Blackadder]

A Last Flurry of Building:

It seems I'm in a panic to complete all my projects in the past few days as ridiculous as that sounds but closer I get to the deadline the faster I am working.

Now that the glue is dried the hull carapace components are readily removable. All the resin pieces are held in place by the styrene frame and everything fits nice and close. I have to duplicate all this on the other Reaver hull but that will take place next week I hope.

Here is the complete hull armour removed. It is held in place on the resin hull with a single styrene spring tab. By triggering the tab the armour comes off in one piece.

http://i.imgur.com/hdxAKTE.jpg

At the very top center of the image below you can see the tab; the rectangular opening above the tab fits around the resin vent frame above the neck. This tab will be hidden from view when the head is attached and accessible when the head is removed.

This underside view shows the front and back armour sections interlocked together:

http://i.imgur.com/6LPos1h.jpg

This last image shows the front and rear armour separated. Although the armour is just single sheets of styrene at the moment the shape is maintained even without the resin substructure. This will give me a solid base to add the internal armour skin. The armour when finished will be about 5 millimeters thick but hollow between the internal and external sheets.

http://i.imgur.com/PeEwbto.jpg

 

[The_Blackadder]

Well Good news, my arm is out of the sling and and my PT says I am regaining the use of my arm better than can be expected. I actually started assembling a Hive Tyrant today and was able to cut n' file the metal pieces for a close fit so perhaps in a week or so I can start cutting Plasticard. It won't be for another 2 to 3 weeks that I'll be able to drive. This was the worst time ever to buy a '14 Challenger



It's been sitting in the garage since the day I bought it. I had 10 miles on it the day of the operation.

It sits in pristine newness awaiting me in my garage. HA!

(I had to add that last bit because someone on another forum took it that I destroyed the car (And my arm) after driving only ten miles....)

 

[The_Blackadder]

Reaver Rocket Pod 2.0

He's back, finally after a seemingly interminable hiatus I have finally got enough movement back in my shoulder to actually cut plastic again......(Jeez Blackadder what a wuss!) The biggest problem was the immobilizing sling that kept my upper arm clamped across my chest. that came off last week and it took me a week just to get my motor skills back. Enough about me..........

One of the things I thought about doing was a total revamp of the Reaver Apoc Rocket pods I can't believe I was satisfied with such a tawdry effort. Some of the work may be salvageable but the "Magic Flute" look must go. Below is imaged the beginning of new rocket array middle row which I will use to build on for a more militaristic retractable pod assembly.

Reaver Rocket Pod 2.0
http://i.imgur.com/RVxExcY.jpg

Ah, I love the smell of toluene and oil of mustard in the morning.................

E. Blackadder

 

[The_Blackadder]

I contacted DISCARD the Department of Idiotic Silly Cutesy Acronyms and Redundancy Department for a suitable DOD long winded acronym for my rotating rocket pod and this is what they came up with..............the:

Self-Loading, Automated, Computerized, Kinematic, Ballistic, Line of sight, Auto-Detect & Direct, Elevating & Rotating Missile Platform.

It is now known officially as the:

SLACKBLADDER MP

This? This is what has you up at 3 in the morning Blackadder? You have really got to get a life!

 

[The_Blackadder]

Apoc (Slackbladder) Missile System:

There are a few questions where I am going with this? Simply put the concept was established but I had yet to worked out the details.

Almost from the beginning I disliked the "Pan's Pipes" whimpiness of the flat array but laziness amoungst other considerations lulled me into complacency hence the self-deprecating "Slackbladder" admonition.

Last week saw me shake loose my torpor and I embarked on a more military looking rocket launch system.

http://i.imgur.com/rHUBuNp.jpg

I also had it in mind that the Reaver concept that I had (in my mind) looked too much like just an over-sized Warhound; I had to change that similarity.

http://i.imgur.com/HwnQeeb.jpg

So here we have the beginning of a more compact, more powerful looking rocket pod system.

 

[The_Blackadder]

Apoc Rocket Pod Redux:

For those who complain I take too many images of the same thing heres more of the same.

That's what I'm talk'n 'bout; this is more what I had in mind when I first conceived of mounting the rocket array in the shoulders. A compact lethal self-loading system.....I still have to work out the self loading and rethink the elevation cylinders.

Anyway below are the makings of four arrays with the possibility of two more mounted on the centerline carapace for a total of three on each Reaver provided there is space for the center array to fit.

When finished the Reaver will have a broad shoulder look with Trapezoidal ridges where the pods and the reloading system are situated.

No, I'm not actually going to make the reloading system but I will insure there is adequate space were one to be installed.

http://i.imgur.com/en4CrDL.jpg

You tend to lose sight of the scale of this thing as when I was cutting the chambers for the rockets they seem rather small but thinking about the size I realized these rockets are close to a meter in circumference.

http://i.imgur.com/jTJkSuA.jpg

That's a fair sized rocket.

http://i.imgur.com/QxeIei5.jpg

 

[The_Blackadder]

Apoc Missile Array 2.0:

Final images for today show the carapace pods in their approximate stowed and firing positions.

Granted at the moment they appear too high but relative to the Mars carapace and shoulder armour they are slightly lower that the Mars equipment.

Significant progress has been made today since I have also worked out the extending and stowing cylinders.

http://i.imgur.com/Mz0XzAk.jpg

The front view shows the height above the left shoulder in the stowed position bearing in mind that all the hood and carapace components visible in this image are the underside skin not the top surface.

http://i.imgur.com/RCKD5uM.jpg

My big concern at the moment is will the extending actuators lift the array high enough to clear the carapace during line of sight missile deployment.

Martini time!

 

[The_Blackadder]

Apoc Rocket Pods Two or Three?

Its the weekend again,
Tempus fugit
Before I realized it I had crafted an update not realizing that everyone will be away or otherwise occupied in short too busy to respond to my plebeian thread. But forge ahead I must now the the die is cast.

I have succeeded in making the four bare bones rocket pods and situated them on the carapace for review and I think that three may be necessary after all. just for the sake of maximizing fire power and aesthetic appeal

http://i.imgur.com/nCfnjKT.jpg

Anyone around during the weekly hiatus may want to weigh in on the path to go?
http://i.imgur.com/iZchJgA.jpg

This last post shows the left pod in the stowed position which appeals to my sense of balance. the center pod will not be retractable but will rotate as do the wing pods. an ominous triple threat to be sure.

http://i.imgur.com/DRCou2Q.jpg

 

[The_Blackadder]

Here we see the evolution of this rocket firing system From the original FW design to the latest version granted my concept art(?) leaves much to be desired but I don't want to waste a lot of time on preproduction drawings as I tend to get too involved with the imagined finished product picture to the exclusion of the actual building; witness my preconstruction drawings of my Jaeger Titan Hunter which took weeks to produce.

http://i.imgur.com/l0jFIkx.jpg

No, better to do quick sketches and better put the time to cutting plastic.

http://i.imgur.com/LJx5cTw.jpg

Anyway here are the drawings as it stands at the moment:

With the first picture being the original epic Reaver titan and my original rocket array thoughts on the array showing a non rotating forward firing fixed battery on either side of the main carapace but still having the capability of ballistic launching.

http://i.imgur.com/TmZkLQr.jpg

The most recent incarnation is the center battery being capable of forward firing the top two rows of rockets (9) fixed forward-line of sight in the stowed condition but also being able to firing all three rows of missiles in a ballistic trajectory.

http://i.imgur.com/vFXxign.jpg

The two wing rocket pods stowed until the situation warrants their deployment whereupon they elevate, have the capability to rotate 360° as required, and fire in a ballistic trajectory; in all a grand total 39 missiles 8 of which can also be fired line of sight. Whew!

 

[The_Blackadder]

A Tale of Six Apoc Pods:

No much to show for the weekends work but there a six basic Apoc launchers now

http://i.imgur.com/GiLyXdt.jpg

and all six have the lower angled skirt armour installed.

http://i.imgur.com/T7ALi4D.jpg

For what its worth I did watch Pacific Rim this weekend, there's a couple of hours I won't get back.....................

 

[The_Blackadder]

Apoc Pod Prototype:

Now that the basic missile array is complete its time to add the armour and detail.

I chose 2,0 MM for the thickness of the plating but used 1,0 MM styrene for the sides as 1,0 MM easier to work with. I used 2,0 MM styrene for the top plate as all that need be done is dressing the edges at about 60°. As usual there is a lot more detail on even such a simple construct than that which meets the casual glance. This is the true beauty of any FW model and the lack of which leaves the average scratch build bland in comparison regardless how many skulls and aquilae be it festooned.

In the image below I try to capture that detail and still have the ability to have the pod rotate when finished. The recess on the underside (left) will house the elevating and rotating mechanism.

The component at the right show the layered 1,0 MM side armour which the 2,0 MM top panel in the background.

http://i.imgur.com/65blUsJ.jpg

This image below shows the front end view of the pod which may need added thickness to the armour; I haven't decided as yet.

The small gray nurdle seated on the yet to be attached top panel is one of the original FW rocket nose cones supplied with the Mars APOC rocket pod to demonstrate that my Lucius rocket arrays are sufficiently robust to launch comparable sized missiles.

http://i.imgur.com/CDNXqBq.jpg

The top panel in place and I'm thinking another half millimeter of styrene thickness is in order.
http://i.imgur.com/9d0iVMU.jpg

Finally the side view showing the over extended front overhang that will be beveled about 43° undercut above the rocket nose cones and the greatly over extended rear of the pod because I haven't yet decided how long the pod needs to be................
http://i.imgur.com/eyZeVc5.jpg

in relation to the yet to be detailed carapace.

A reference shot of the FW rocket array:

To show where I am heading.