Blackadder's Lucius Pattern Reaver

[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

 

[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

 

[TrystanGST]

How many of these builds do you have going? Warlord, Thunderhawk, Reaver, Baneblade....
I have a hard time keeping focus one one mini!

 

[Meph]

Wehey! But at least he's planning to finsih 'm all.

Next up, a Leviathan, Capitol Imperialis, or a Squat Land Train? Hmm? Hmmm? Hint! Hint!

 

[Blackadder]

I subscribe to the 'Eureka Phenomenon'. While your conscious brain is occupied on one thing your subconscious subliminally works on another. Many times during a project the solution to something else that vexes you become clear; therefore like a juggler I keep a few balls in the air so I don't wear myself out focusing on just one. I find I work better and faster that way.

 

[Meph]

What's good for you is good for us.

 

[roninjr]

Wow, great idea... I got to learn how to "Juggle"!

 

[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....)

 

[wargamesculptor]

Glad to hear your on the mend Blackadder. Very nice car I wouldn't be able to resist driving that beauty !

 

[Meph]

That car is suspiciously clean of rivets and detailing. Since you're stuck at the house, grab yer plasticard and have at it!

 

[Blackadder]

At least no one has yet said, "Looks Great so far, what colour are you going to paint it?" Ha!

 

[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

 

[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!

 

[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.

 

[wargamesculptor]

Like the revisions to the slackbladder's (Apoc) definatly looks more in keeping with 40k imagery with cool blackadder ingenuity

 

[Blackadder]

Thanks, I can't believe what I was thinking about with the original design, must have been the pain pills...........

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

 

[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!

 

[Blackadder]

Apoc Rocket Pods Two or Three?

Its the weekend again, [h=1]Tempus fugit[/h]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

 

[Quiarcus]

Looking awesome Blackadder (as always). Do you have any plans to add cowls to them similar to the Praetor AAL or would that cause complications with the traversing mechanism? Either way these new pods are far superior to the old pan pipes o'doom!

 

[Blackadder]

Yeah they'll have cowls very much like the Praetor but I'll have to build the carapace and then pods at the same time so they'll fit together. Next I'll have to start on the leg armour.