Blackadder's Scratchbuilt Thunderhawk

[interrogator_chaplain]

You can handle the incredulity, I'll handle the liking because this thing is boss.

[Blackadder]

Free Raised Letters for Your Models

I scraped these off the mouthwash caps when I built the T'hawk's exhaust cones.

Perfect raised letters (excuse the shaking of the camera in the photo); I cut these off with the chisel tool in the picture but a razor would do as well.

Of course you are limited to the common letters embossed on the caps of products and prescription drug containers but with judicious editing names etc can be worked out.......

http://i.imgur.com/HDHABhX.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/HDHABhXl.jpg

[Blackadder]

The Flying Turbo Laser Spar

The hull trunnion mounts are simple now that I have addressed myself to the fabrication. The only problem is that the wing as I have it situated is about 13 mm too far forward. A simple matter to correct but a good learning experience for me. Don't apply detail until all the basic structure is completed.

http://i.imgur.com/KzQSzEG.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/KzQSzEGl.jpg


http://i.imgur.com/UQCNriJ.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/UQCNriJl.jpg

The most amazing thing about this mistake is it brings the wing trailing edge back to the original projected position when I first laid out the model.

[Blackadder]

The Flying Laser Spar:

Now that the hinge points are established on the hull I can make an estimate on the placement of the Turbo Laser flying spar mount. This structure was added to the FW design to no doubt support the heavy moment of the wing as no amount of gluing could prevent the wings from falling off or drooping on the FW model. Even my wings lightly built as they are suffer from excessive tip droop with my temporary attach screws.

Anyway I guessed at the placement of the wings on the fusilage and for some reason doubted my placement and mounted them 13 mm further than my original guess. Now I have to reposition them further back the same 13 mm.

The Flying Spar core structure I guesstimated to be 145 mm long from hinge point to wing cradle the excess being cut off when the Lasers are manufactured. I placed the width at 35 mm which seems a judicious size to build on and 2.5 mm thick which gives me a nice slot to mount the Turbolasers.

http://i.imgur.com/ck138sv.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/ck138svl.jpg

All this will begin to make more sense once the spars are mounted on the hinge trunnion, least wise I hope as I am totally making this up as I proceed.......... :D

[Dimitrios]

I'm continually impressed and baffled by the complexity of this project! She really is a thing of beauty and I cannot imagine anyone else doing as fine a job of it as you!

You have again impressed me Mr Blackadder sir. Many thanks for sharing this with us :)

[Blackadder]

Thanks,

Flying Lascannon Strut:

Surprisingly the proportions appear okay and when the wing is positioned aft about a centimeter the strut should fall about mid camber (of course ''camber'' isn't something that concerned engineers in the far distant future but we won't go there.)

http://i.imgur.com/GfpJUvo.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/GfpJUvol.jpg

The tubing seems to provide enough friction to maintain the position in "Attack" and "Stowed" mode but I'll double sleeve the tubes just to provide for wear.

http://i.imgur.com/41URWSj.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/41URWSjl.jpg

[Blackadder]

TurboLaser Struts 1

My old drafting table has seen better days. Since the advent of digital drafting it has been employed as a styrene cutting board instead.

Right now it is a convenient place to image the T'hawk as the model has become too big to readily display on conventional furniture.

http://i.imgur.com/RoDb5QE.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/RoDb5QEl.jpg

Detailing the struts started with the root camber although "camber" is not the correct word to describe the bowing of the flight surface as it is symmetrical top and underside. Camber technically would refer to an asymmetry between top and bottom curves. Anyway I like the "camber" because it adds interest to otherwise boring flat surfaces with minimal effort.

http://i.imgur.com/oW9Sv3R.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/oW9Sv3Rl.jpg

The struts in the stowed position as in the conventional FW original take on a less dynamic demeanor (IMHO) now that I see them in the attack mode. Those of you with FW T'hawks might want to try this configuration for a change from the ordinary.

http://i.imgur.com/RJVMlvc.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/RJVMlvcl.jpg

[DXM]

Wow....nice build..... definitely going to follow build.
Love the details you've done

[Nurglitch]

Hey Blackadder: Question for you.

How would you go about punching 25mm circular holes in 1mm plasticard?

[Blackadder]

Hey Blackadder: Question for you.

How would you go about punching 25mm circular holes in 1mm plasticard?

I would use my compass which is a good one with a threaded wheel that spreads the legs:

4737

Instead of the graphite tip I have a second steel point that scribes a furrow in the sheet plastic. A couple of round passes scores the sheet deep enough that the hole can be snapped out. The beauty of this simple procedure is you have an intact disc for further use. The compass can be then used to make any number of adjacent holes of the same size as the wheel holds the dimension.

Another way is to use the compass to draw a graphite circle onto the styrene and score a shallow furrow on the inside of the line with an Xacto tip. Then divide the circle with your utility knife

4738

into segments like a pizza cutting through the sheet completely. Then it is a simple matter of pushing the segments through and they will snap off at the score lined on the circle circumference.

Lastly you can trace a coin or washer onto the plastic or as in the case of the Warlords feet I used a peanut butter jar lid for a really large circle. Then follow the above procedure to snap out the disc.

[Nurglitch]

Bless you Blackadder, you lovely man. So I looked into getting a compass and I found the compass cutter. Picking one up at my local art store, I discovered that a regular compass might have been just as good as I need to score the styrene with the back of the blade (a nice V bevel) rather than trying to cut with the edge. Plus, as you describe it: it can be used to punch holes in circular patterns.

[Chris*ta]

Hey Blackadder: Question for you.

How would you go about punching 25mm circular holes in 1mm plasticard?

I know that for scrapbooking they have hole punches with various fancy shapes -- I've seen them at my local art and craft store, I have wondered if they don't make circular punches in various sizes, but I've never looked.

Also, absolutely awesome Thunderhawk. Blackadder, you are insane in the best way possible :D

[Blackadder]

Small holes and discs are relatively easy to make certainly with a punch up to 0.250 inch but Nurglitch specifically asked about a one inch diameter hole and I presume larger. That requires a bit more effort.

I have many more ways to produce holes and discs of various sizes without resorting to expensive special tools. I try to stay away from specialty tools and come up with cheaper solutions with the basic tools at hand. One day I should make a tutorial.

Thanks for the replies.

[Blackadder]

Turbo Struts Continues:

Trying the struts out for fit everything seems in order to mount at least temporarily the Lasers so I can get an approximation where to put the tip saddles.

http://i.imgur.com/AIuz4Ot.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/AIuz4Otl.jpg

With the struts in the attack position this thing really give a thrilling aspect to the T'hawk concept.............. I'm starting to like this model.

http://i.imgur.com/dySV1XK.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/dySV1XKl.jpg

(Note to self; install stops to limit degree of travel for the struts.)

The obligatory little guy for scale comparison. This ship is huge.

http://i.imgur.com/8efdRtY.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/8efdRtYl.jpg

[UrielVentris]

Holy frak that things massive! Well done props to you sir!

[Blackadder]

Thanks,

Thunderhawk Gun Ship Ball Turret:

It seems my procrastination has paid off. By slacking the pace of progression I find I have an interesting appendage to incorporate into the hull. Whereas the forward cargo bay has two side egress doors I am considering replacing them with the new FW Ball Turret weapons. These should not be too difficult to fabricate from scratch and should make for an interesting amendment to this vehicle.

http://i.imgur.com/V1QLWdo.jpg

[interrogator_chaplain]

Alright, I have to take action and hopefully I will not be punished too harshly for my ritual of threadomancy, but this is my favourite post/project and I am dying to see an update Blackadder. Please, this project is incredible and deserves more attention!

[Blackadder]

Sorry for the neglect; I'm going to institute a new policy and devote a week to each of my projects so none fall too far behind. Thanks for the bump.

[interrogator_chaplain]

No, thank you for getting back to it.

[Blackadder]

ThunderHawk The Resurrection:

After a six month hiatus I have been shamed into bringing this project to the fore once again.

Starting where I left off with a few new ideas we'll begin with the flying Lascannon airfoils. It strikes me that the Thunderhawk is actually a biplane.

Nothing really to see as most of the work is only detail but I'll keep you abreast of the developments.

http://i.imgur.com/TESoKFb.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/TESoKFbl.jpg

Considering this model is made of styrene these foils are surprisingly heavy so the straps I am installing now will actually serve to supply friction to keep these wings in the attack position otherwise they would droop under their own weight.

http://i.imgur.com/WTMQTO9.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/WTMQTO9l.jpg

[interrogator_chaplain]

How heavy would you say the model is right now?

[Blackadder]

About 5-6 kilo............

What the F???

I guess it pays to procrastinate; I began with renewed vigor on this project obtaining inspiration from both the 3D rendering and the FW model so this effort will be a compilation of a few Thunderhawk versions including the Video game model.

http://i.imgur.com/7SpklaY.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/7SpklaYl.jpg

One thing that surprised me is the scale of the bitz that I know are on the FW model that look minuscule on this model.

Granted my version is not bound by cost and shipping weight and is not notoriously undersized as GW and FW models tend to be. MY T'hawk is 26 inches long whereas the FW version is 19.5 but I was so amazed at the discrepancy that I had to check the FW images to be sure I had the correct bit(z) :D

http://i.imgur.com/pQUXo1v.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/pQUXo1vl.jpg

[Blackadder]

Pause and Reflect:

Time to step back and see where we are proportion-wise.

Mounting the Flying Lascannons struts shows me I must extend the wing roots about 13 MM which will increase the wingspan about one inch. The Lascannon length is okay so that can be detailed today.

http://i.imgur.com/5s4DHqdl.jpg

The overall length of the T'hawk is 26 inches, 7 inches longer than the FW version and I am hard pressed to find a place to photograph the entire model.

http://i.imgur.com/k9Xxgjy.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/k9Xxgjyl.jpg

Likewise the front view; with the struts in the stowed position it looks very much like the 3D image.

http://i.imgur.com/nhIFBJ5.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/nhIFBJ5l.jpg

With the struts deployed it has a decidedly menacing appeal.

http://i.imgur.com/Ap7umoC.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/Ap7umoCl.jpg

This model is starting to grow on me; mebbe I should work on it more often.............

[interrogator_chaplain]

Man, words fail me with how truly I am impressed with your styrene skills.

[Blackadder]

Thanks,

A Couple of Building Hints:

I am frequently asked for building plans and templates and I ruefully have to answer there are none. I work strictly off of computer images I find on the 'net. For this model I have largely to thank an artist on 'Deviant Art' for these fabulous 3D imagings. Of course I do not copy his work strictly but also incorporate the best of the FW T'hawk, the T'hawk from the video game trailer and some original thoughts of my own especially when it comes to making movable parts.

http://i.imgur.com/uzMW7Oi.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/uzMW7Oil.jpg

The other tip is a bit more prosaic but at least I can feel better about being able to share information......

http://i.imgur.com/NwKolGN.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/NwKolGNl.jpg

I needed a spacer jig for the rings around the Laser Barrel so I fashioned this in less than a minute and had a rude but effective spacing tool 1,0 MM thick.

http://i.imgur.com/9OQySAw.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/9OQySAwl.jpg

[Blackadder]

Arcane Lascannons and Fist Sized Rivets:

Good, at least the rivets show in both these images, I'm trying a new method of making rivets; in this case the rivets are 0.035 inch styrene rod and shaved to about 0.010 thousandths thick ideally. I can install about six rivets per minute so the 128 rivets per strut (top and bottom) should only take about 20 minutes but actually because of the tedium took about an hour and a half.

http://i.imgur.com/MyjH3rP.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/MyjH3rPl.jpg

It strikes me that the rivets small as they are are in scale about the size of a fist which would look rather silly on an actual aircraft but my tired old eyes can't deal with anything smaller. I remember with Lucie I actually installed quite a few 0.020 thousandths rivets and at the time 35 thousandths rivets were a cakewalk.

http://i.imgur.com/y5yGZUs.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/y5yGZUsl.jpg

The other new feature in the images are the Lascannons which are quite the same as on the FW model Baneblade sponsons turrets but scaled up about ten fold. The increased size gives the futuristic weapon a toylike quality but perhaps some more detail will perk them up a tad....

[Blackadder]

Too Dumb To Walk and Chew Gum:

Well it's not often that a person can demonstrate his stupidity on an International scale but I've managed.

Anyone can present their work on a forum as flawless but not much is to be learned from that; it is also necessary to publicize your errors so new modelers won't be discourage if their efforts are not acceptable on first go.

All the while I've been building these struts the thought has continually crossed my mind I have to seal the crude ends of the camber. So blithely ignoring these subliminal messages I proceeded to add more and more detail until now the omission is so glaringly apparent that my conscious mind also perceives it.

So below to the right is the strut with the rude end end exposed and to the left is the end seamed with 0.010 strips that still need to be dressed:

http://i.imgur.com/v5w0ocG.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/v5w0ocGl.jpg

Good enough is not in my lexicon so I will bite the bullet and rectify the omission.

http://i.imgur.com/UzD03Af.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/UzD03Afl.jpg

Not being one to throw away an opportunity that can demonstrate my maxim, "Good enough is never good enough." I'll do the penance and seal the ends and sand away the surplus so the next time these sections are seen the mistake will be rectified.

http://i.imgur.com/6lD4PY6.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/6lD4PY6l.jpg

Besides, a touch of humility is good for the soul. :D

[interrogator_chaplain]

I'm not even sure what was wrong... but yay?

[Meph]

Champagne! (any excuse is good enough)

[Blackadder]

The Cockpit and Canopy:

I only have a few major components to go on this model; the cockpit and canopy, the horizontal stabilizer, the two canard wings, Volcano cannon, and cockpit interior.... whoops and the twin ball turrets, maybe not so few after all.

Below are the six walls and the floor of the cockpit ready for assembly.

http://i.imgur.com/LGg4pr0.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/LGg4pr0l.jpg

The cockpit recess and the 3D image in the background I am using for inspiration.

http://i.imgur.com/PnL1iP1.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/PnL1iP1l.jpg

The cockpit walls glued together with angle styrene and 6,3 MM strips used for corner reinforcement and gussets ready to slide into place.

http://i.imgur.com/6v81sHH.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/6v81sHHl.jpg

The cockpit walls and canopy will be a removable modular construction and the floor a separate unit for ease of dis-assembly for detailing and painting. the whole will plug in snugly without the need to be glued into place.

http://i.imgur.com/0pmBhx2.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/0pmBhx2l.jpg

With the cockpit walls established I am ready for the exterior bezel that moulds the canopy to the fuselage.

http://i.imgur.com/1Yj941i.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/1Yj941il.jpg

[Blackadder]

Cockpit Flange:

This is coming along so quickly it's hard to believe how much I begrudge devoting time to this model. I'd much prefer working on the Reaver project which I plan to pick up again tomorrow.

The cockpit rough work is just about completed and I am ready to start framing the canopy.

http://i.imgur.com/mVblXDh.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/mVblXDhl.jpg

It really paid off giving the time to make precision cuts etc because the plug in cockpit wall slide in well like they were made for it.

http://i.imgur.com/HU3q9fH.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/HU3q9fHl.jpg

I am a lazy fellow and I hate filing and sanding filler so making things fit properly in the first place pays dividends in the long run.

http://i.imgur.com/u3WVP9j.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/u3WVP9jl.jpg

The apron in front of the cockpit needed to be extended over the bonnet.

http://i.imgur.com/RaKm5NU.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/RaKm5NUl.jpg

and it still needs about another 3.0 MM extension so the windscreen will have the proper angle but it's enough for now.

http://i.imgur.com/LvDV57M.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/LvDV57Ml.jpg

[Blackadder]

Canopy:

Hard to believe such a simple structure would be so hard to duplicate.

I suppose I should have done a drawing to get the angles and proportions right instead of extrapolating from the screen in fact as I write this I'm thinking, "Why didn't I do a drawing????"

http://i.imgur.com/fd7UclF.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/fd7UclFl.jpg

Well we'll see where dead reckoning takes us and it is a reasonable facsimile so much the better otherwise, "Back to the drawing board."

http://i.imgur.com/Tp6kgMj.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/Tp6kgMjl.jpg

I took these images rather more for my benefit than any sense of beneficence because I need a 2 dimensional image to see what this construct looks like so far.

It's difficult to get proportions right on a 3D object when working from a 2D image. Yeah a drawing would have been better....

http://i.imgur.com/Z8U8bBH.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/Z8U8bBHl.jpg

Another problem is the next step because there is a certain amount of fudging when 3D art is presented. What looks correct on a flat projection does not translate always into an actual object. (At least in my experience.....)

http://i.imgur.com/M2mT22a.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/M2mT22al.jpg

The angled facets of the triangular side windows I have doubts about because I think the glass (perspex) will be bent to make the real object representation. something the artist needn't be concerned about.

[Blackadder]

Canopy Alteration:

I don't like either the FW canopy or the 3D version but I lean more toward the 3D version.

http://i.imgur.com/EFF5kSB.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/EFF5kSBl.jpg

It seems to me that the framework around the windows should be as narrow as possible but I mustn't let my prejudices alter the look of the T'hawk too much.

http://i.imgur.com/9ebv197.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/9ebv197l.jpg

Anyway the steps that I deem necessary to frame the canopy should make it clear how it was done

Or not.

[Blackadder]

When working with these tiny angles the utmost care must exercised to get everything as accurate as possible or the frame will look lopsided and sloppy.

I am going the provide an in depth account of my procedures (for better or worse) so as to provide a guide for those attempting similar work.


Limit of Visibility:

To cut the lower sill of the side windows requires a lot of pure guesswork. I have no tools that can measure the tiny compound angles required to reproduce the sill strip which in it's rectangular form is 1,0 X 2,5 MM/0.040 X 0.100 inches.

The strip on the right lower corner already shaped........

http://i.imgur.com/s5nEZni.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/s5nEZnil.jpg

I beveled the edge of the strip by drawing it's length across the blade of the 'Utility knife' at what my best guess is the correct angle. Then I pared back the rear edge of the window frame on the base piece to correspond to the adjusted width if the sill strip. that cut is almost perpendicular to the frame of the after cabin. I then cut a compound angle to accommodate both the front slope of the cockpit and the cant of the side window frame and glued in place. I repeated the procedure for the other side.

http://i.imgur.com/qWr7qjk.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/qWr7qjkl.jpg

After gluing both side sills in place I adjusted both the converging angles and the cant angles of the frame by eye as no tool is small enough to measure the angle.

http://i.imgur.com/c3RHQFw.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/c3RHQFwl.jpg

[Blackadder]

Reinforcing the Roof Frame:

Ostensibly I will be building the side and roof frame without support and from very thin material besides. To reinforce the joints I glued two scraps of quarter millimeter/ one one hundredths strip styrene as an internal gusset.

http://i.imgur.com/Sl4xBj7.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/Sl4xBj7l.jpg

This will give solid support for the roof frames until the canted side frames can be assembled.

http://i.imgur.com/9I9Z8C0.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/9I9Z8C0l.jpg

In addition the gussets will supply support once the construction is completed so the cabin will not have weak joints holding it together.

At least, that is the plan.

[interrogator_chaplain]

It looks like you may have little space to get the pilot windows in there.

[Blackadder]

Actually there's more than I need.

The Best of Intentions:

I started this tutorial with the best of intentions but I went too far too quickly and forgot to take interim images. Since I last posted I next cut and installed the two windscreen panels and roughed in the gusset supports for the angled roof frames.

http://i.imgur.com/vL9IJQt.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/vL9IJQtl.jpg

I installed the side window canted frame on the left side but left the right side window undone to show the underlying work.

First a few images showing the 3D model in relation to the foreground model. The copy while not perfect is satisfactory.

http://i.imgur.com/M79w4lP.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/M79w4lPl.jpg

The cockpit remains removable which makes it easy to work on otherwise I would have had to make the roof section separate and installed it in one piece which may or may not have been easier but perhaps the fit wouldn't have as good.

http://i.imgur.com/yBSOT2r.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/yBSOT2rl.jpg

The two front windscreens are measured in a ratio of 2 to 1 approximately. I'll see have that looks but I have the option of increasing the width toward the centerline which I believe would look better.

http://i.imgur.com/wbzBF8I.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/wbzBF8Il.jpg

The top view shows the modified moon roof with slightly longer front panes which give a more streamlined appearance to the canopy.

http://i.imgur.com/jyU1B58.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/jyU1B58l.jpg

Streamlined? Really BA?

[Blackadder]

Ready For Final Detail:

I put the final frame pieces on last night, gave every joint a thin brush of Ambroid ProWeld Plastic Welder and let dry.

This morning accomplished a basic sanding to meld the seams and the basic cockpit canopy is done.

http://i.imgur.com/mJobNNH.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/mJobNNHl.jpg

I have to add the detail still but that's for another day.

http://i.imgur.com/UADZHDa.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/UADZHDal.jpg

The front windscreen still seems like the panels should be bigger.

http://i.imgur.com/AMnmlwm.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/AMnmlwml.jpg

Everything else is satisfactory.

http://i.imgur.com/VjdrUWq.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/VjdrUWql.jpg

There is still the rear Cupola to make.

http://i.imgur.com/THcpbEv.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/THcpbEvl.jpg

Onward to the horizontal stabilizer..................

[DWest]

The front windscreen still seems like the panels should be bigger.
http://i.imgur.com/AMnmlwm.jpg

I know the original design doesn't feature such, but what about some kind of night-vision/sensor array on the panel between the front windscreens? At orbital reentry speeds I would expect trying to fly the Thunderhawk by eye would be a completely fruitless exercise anyway.

[Blackadder]

Thanks, that's a bit deeper than I can go into a hypothetical future construct; I'm just building a model.

But invested as I was in the commercial aircraft industry I seem to recall that the pilot required a clean windscreen before he(she) would accept an AC for flight. Not an unreasonable request in my estimation... :D

Shake Your Tail Feather:

Well I don't want the tail to shake but I do want it removable because during transport anything that sticks out is libel to damage. A slide in horizontal stabilizer seems the way to go.

I began by making the rails the stab (shortened for convenience) will ride on as it slides into place.

I used 0.080 X 0.100 inch / 2,0 MM X 2,5 MM strips for the rails giving the robustness to stand dozens of assemblies without undue wear.

http://i.imgur.com/062B6K5.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/062B6K5l.jpg

The tail horizontal plane measures 8.0 inches by 3.0 inches 202,0 MM by 75 MM by my calculations and the core is 1,0 MM/0.040 inch thick sheet styrene. I give these measurement so it can be compared to a FW model as I have no idea what the FW product relate-able size is.

http://i.imgur.com/iJqkpNd.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/iJqkpNdl.jpg

Another view of the rails that engage the vertical stab rails.

http://i.imgur.com/rq4X6NI.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/rq4X6NIl.jpg

The basic tail slid into place and secure. A simple solution to a vexing problem.

http://i.imgur.com/J67tvdT.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/J67tvdTl.jpg

[interrogator_chaplain]

Clever, this is going to look great after this part is done.

[Blackadder]

That Layered Look:

The first impulse is to cut the tail from thick styrene but it's better to use three layers for many reasons:

First it is nigh impossible to cut through 3,0 MM styrene with any degree of accuracy especially with hand held hobby tools. I try to limit my sheet material to 1,0 MM thick or less.

Second it's easier to modify your work should inspiration seize your labors as in my case where I have decided to add 'camber' to the stabilizer which will give it a more satisfying profile.

http://i.imgur.com/ToxFEEG.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/ToxFEEGl.jpg

Plus the construction will be stronger.

http://i.imgur.com/f9Um0XC.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/f9Um0XCl.jpg

[Blackadder]

Horizontal Stabilizer:

The basic airfoil for the horizontal stabilizer is roughed out and ready for the final sanding and detail
This is the front:

http://i.imgur.com/lC4DmWh.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/lC4DmWhl.jpg

The backward orientation of the 'stab' continually confused me and I had to keep reminding myself, "This is the front and this is the back." but it all went together pretty well.

This is the back:

http://i.imgur.com/19Aq3yI.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/19Aq3yIl.jpg

This is the bottom:

http://i.imgur.com/xZQDGLp.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/xZQDGLpl.jpg

And this is the top:

http://i.imgur.com/Z5L29ke.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/Z5L29kel.jpg

[Blackadder]

Time To Take Stock:

http://i.imgur.com/JjLof0a.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/JjLof0al.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/nzrqBfn.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/nzrqBfnl.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/X720kiz.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/X720kizl.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/9UFzJpz.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/9UFzJpzl.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/tOaIniR.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/tOaIniRl.jpg

All the charm of a brick.....

[interrogator_chaplain]

Freaking epic!

[Blackadder]

Thanks,

You Saw the T'Hawk Coming; Now She's Going.........

Just think with the information contained on this thread you too could be in possession of a true scale T'Hawk; all it takes is therapy sessions once a week and a notification to your local Constabulary of an unstable resident in the district.

Laser spars stowed:

http://i.imgur.com/BU8DK29.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/BU8DK29l.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/vkRp8ty.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/vkRp8tyl.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/nNoEIg2.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/nNoEIg2l.jpg

Did I ever mention that the exhaust cones are made from Shoprite brand Mouth Wash Caps...........

http://i.imgur.com/PxiKPZM.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/PxiKPZMl.jpg

BTW note the segmented end on the center engine exhaust. Where do you suppose such a ready made item comes from? As I sit back enjoying my well earned Martini I can only tell you a clue is in this post.

[Blackadder]

Ball turrets:

http://pics.drugstore.com/prodimg/506458/450.jpg

I'm out on a limb starting this with an image of table tennis balls but I am going to try to use these for a basis to model the turrets. I want mine to open the same as the FW original:

http://chaptermasters.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/IMG_5875.jpg

So we'll see together where this will lead.

The balls are 1.5 inches in diameter (39 MM). First does anyone know the diameter of the Raven Turret? Just curious is all because I think this is a good size for the T'hawk.........

[DWest]

BTW note the segmented end on the center engine exhaust. Where do you suppose such a ready made item comes from? As I sit back enjoying my well earned Martini I can only tell you a clue is in this post.
Would that be the ring that stays behind on a bottle after unscrewing the plastic twist-cap?

[Blackadder]

1,75 Liter Vodka Plastic bottle actually, I drink only vodka Martinis.

[Blackadder]

Well I had to play 'Dad' and help my daughter to move into haer new apartment today but before that a bit of work on the turret. I have confirmed by an unusually reliable source that the turret ball is slight ly more than 1.5 inches 38,0 MM

in daimeter precisely my estimation but nice to have verification.

Anyway wrapping the ball with 0.5 MM styrene gives me a gun race of 1.6 inches perfect for the Thunderhawk.

http://i.imgur.com/ocVvFab.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/ocVvFabl.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/QP1pjpW.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/QP1pjpWl.jpg

With the gum bands removed there appears a good start for this interesting modification.

http://i.imgur.com/iYZm1ka.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/iYZm1kal.jpg.

[Blackadder]

Ball Turrets Two:

Reinforced center axis installed, Rotation axle installed sides flattened to receive gun mount axles.

http://i.imgur.com/m4wxHTJ.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/m4wxHTJl.jpg

Not much more to say until the gun mount is built.

[Blackadder]

Conduit Collars:

You always have to be on the look out for interesting bits of scrap such as the subject of this post; conduit collars.

It would be pretty tedious to make collars to ring the penetration points where the large electrical conduits enter the housings; in this case the Reaver head jowls. Leaving these plain give an unfinished look to the area besides the more detail the better.

http://i.imgur.com/HyMYDR5.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/HyMYDR5l.jpg

Fortunately I have had this idea for quite a few years and have mentioned it before but it doesn't hurt to re-introduce it.

http://i.imgur.com/EYrG2lv.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/EYrG2lvl.jpg

When you cut large holes in styrene using wood hole augers you get these nicely shaped rings that are roundly beveled inside and out but usually get swept away with the refuse. These make dandy collars with a minimum of cleaning and sanding.

http://i.imgur.com/VayG0C3.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/VayG0C3l.jpg

The image above shows the collars glued in place before the final cleaning and I believe they add a nice touch to an ordinarily bland area.

I have used these extensively on most of my models even as just tchotchke decorations.

[Blackadder]

The Man Who Do Too Much:

Previously I demonstrated and suggested an easy way to add detail to projects by utilizing scrap discs left over from drilling holes in styrene. That offering apparently fell on fallow ground other than to generate not a few replies that I "mistakenly" :D posted either triplicates or on the wrong thread entirely; Ha! I just felt that the information applied equally to all my scratch projects.

That intentional ''blanket'' suggestion was a precursor to the current project where I am attempting to recreate the FW "Ball Turret" for my Thunderhawk.

Making the turret operable may have been a bit too ambitious at least for the way I conceptualized the assembly.

http://i.imgur.com/jTxQqXe.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/jTxQqXel.jpg

(BTW I am not aware whether the FW Ball Turret functions on all three operational (axēs) parameters?)

Anyway employing the scrap discs to supply two of the three axēs I needed now only address the rotational axle.
http://i.imgur.com/vowHL34.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/vowHL34l.jpg

I'm sorry to say I'm not at all pleased with the overall result which appears to me too cumbersome.

http://i.imgur.com/Vm344XV.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/Vm344XVl.jpg

Especially the straps that append the training axle to the targeting race.

[interrogator_chaplain]

I was wondering how you were going to sort this one out, should be interesting to see what you come up with when you finally have a solution you're pleased with.

[Blackadder]

The problem with the FW design (Which BTW I seriously doubt actually functions) if you look at the attached image, is the same as I am encountering; i.e. the view port (the rectangle window above the gun shield)is locked in place by the targeting ring.

8794

Even if the guns themselves are fastened to the training axis orb the view port remains static thereby limiting the view of the operator/gunner.

Were the guns trained at maximum elevation or declination the view port looks straight ahead and therefor of minimal utility in all but firing straight ahead; do you see the problem?

OF course I could be totally wrong but how FW managed to make the turret functional has escaped me thus far.

However I have the solution albeit it modified the look of the turret somewhat. Hence "The Man Who Do Too Much." Ha!

[Wolfshade]

Mabe the gunnery chair is actually set further back into the body and it swivels in the same way that they do on the millenium falcon?

Obviously, if they were just behind the guns then as they decrease angle of shooting, the person gets squished into the structure...

[Blackadder]

Ya mean like this?

8795

Obviously I can't be concerned with the creature comforts of hypothetical beings 38,000 years hence but I would like my turrets to make sense from a mechanical prospective. You see, there is that pesky view port...

The M. Falcon had remote firing cannon with the gunner targeting on a screen if I recall; quite archaic as I am sure a computer could much more effectively target/fire quicker than human reflexes. Unless of course the "Force" was with you.

[Wolfshade]

Yeah, that's the stuff. Though if it is a servitor that fires it, it could just have a head on the port window, just on the otherside and controlling mechanics slaved to its will?

[Blackadder]

Can't We All Just Get Along?

Well the whole premise is rather disheartening when you think about it; that in the far flung future there is no better way to resolve differences than to clobber one another much as so many Neanderthals.

Excepting of course for the Bugs, Greenies, Deviants and the Dark Fairies.

The Xenophobic,
Blackadder

[Blackadder]

Foam Core! The Bane Of My Existence:

Once again I have come to regret the folly of using foam core poster board for a quick and easy and inexpensive way to frame a model.

It's alright for some; rational people secure in their competence that they will not change that which is satisfactory. But for a neurotic like me who is dissatisfied with completion and goes to extraordinary lengths to forestall that eventuality foam is a bad way to go.

Here we see the first inroads into cutting a socket fo the future ball mount. The yellowed area is resin applied to foam board to secure the styrene skin to the poster board frame.

http://i.imgur.com/1WhabJW.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/1WhabJWl.jpg

So what time have I saved when I have now to build the cargo bay inside out now to install the ball turret module.

The left side with the ball temporary mounted in the cutout for scale.

http://i.imgur.com/ar6z0pJ.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/ar6z0pJl.jpg

There seems ample room for the entire module and a fairly uncluttered field of fire for this weapon with 'interrupters' installed to prevent shooting off the still to be fabricated canards and the wings and the engines.

http://i.imgur.com/ATnvi3L.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/ATnvi3Ll.jpg

A closeup of the accordion boot fabricate from a bendable soda straw for the recoil-less AA gun barrel.

http://i.imgur.com/VcXrXYY.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/VcXrXYYl.jpg

[Blackadder]

Not a Padded Cell:

Not yet anyway but working on it. I might just as well go for broke and install that cargo bay interior I've had in the back of my mind some time. Ever since I first saw these ball turrets.

http://i.imgur.com/ewQWvLj.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/ewQWvLjl.jpg

After gutting the foam from all but the ceiling of the forward bay and flight deck I find I have room to spare for all the goodies including the interior LEDs lighting.

I don't think I need go any further back into the structure because that would necessitate tearing out the wing roots and the landing gear housings and seriously compromise the entire structure of the aft superstructure; no that would be really bad.........

http://i.imgur.com/4pulBDL.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/4pulBDLl.jpg

Anyway the cargo bay and ball turrets have a lot to keep me occupied for quite some time.

http://i.imgur.com/N5NLR5i.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/N5NLR5il.jpg

This interior shoot shows the inner space looking forward to the cargo door opening.

[Wolfshade]

Those balls are looking good. :)

[Blackadder]

The Thunderhawk Has Balls:

Just a dry run to see how everything fits. I have to open up the bevel a bit but the overall look is pretty good. The size seem alright not too small and not too big.

http://i.imgur.com/xMPXppf.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/xMPXppfl.jpg

It's going to take some time to get use to how much the turret protrudes from the mount; once I enlarge the bevel I may recess the ball a few millimeters.

http://i.imgur.com/9ee05Vo.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/9ee05Vol.jpg

The next few images just display the range of movement of the turret:

http://i.imgur.com/uZu3lWD.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/uZu3lWDl.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/eQUkzfw.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/eQUkzfwl.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/u4cJTVj.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/u4cJTVjl.jpg

And these last show the bevel before I smooth the surface.

http://i.imgur.com/MuDxchG.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/MuDxchGl.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/q2itwZ1.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/q2itwZ1l.jpg

[Blackadder]

The Effort We Make:

I seem to be putting too much effort into a model I'm not all that enthused of working on but I have to keep reminding myself that I'm doing this for my son. Ha! He started this over seven years ago when he had just entered High School and this year he will be graduating College.

Anyway His kids might appreciate it.

Here is the T'hawk with Ball Turrets in place resting on it's nose gear

(Note the nose gear shock strut compressed with the gear deployed and the weight of the model resting on it.) I'm rather proud of that accomplishment. Actually, I'd forgotten I made that. :D

http://i.imgur.com/d0x5XIl.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/d0x5XIll.jpg

Here is the front view showing how much it protrudes from the side of the ship

http://i.imgur.com/slMcDxJ.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/slMcDxJl.jpg

The temporary aligning straps are visible in this image but once the gun barrels are completed they will not be necessary.

Below we see a bottom view with the retractable landing gear exposed in the stowed position and the protrusion of the Ball Turret from the side is acceptable.

http://i.imgur.com/efvrSm4.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/efvrSm4l.jpg

And again the retractable Landing gear this time in the deployed position with the landing pad (removed for clarity) in the foreground.

http://i.imgur.com/angCcgB.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/angCcgBl.jpg

Just for those readers inquiring about the landing gears.

[Cadian122]

Looking really - I wish I had the patience and time to scratch build what you're doing - unfortunately I'm too lazy and plump for the Forgeworld gear.

[primeministersinister]

amazing work/ I am really astounded by this.

[Blackadder]

Thanks for the reply,

An Engineering Tour de Farce:

Well I went blithefully ahead this week end whilst others were at play so the actual construction of the canard vanes went unrecorded.

Suffice it to say it was pretty much the same as the horizontal stabilizer albeit a tad smaller.

http://i.imgur.com/gqLmPOw.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/gqLmPOwl.jpg

My Canards and tail plane structure is larger than both the 3D rendering and the FW model in relative size to the fuselage as my model is a bit more robust than either.

http://i.imgur.com/pTdALDG.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/pTdALDGl.jpg

Once the Canard fixed guns are in place the extra length will be masked.

[Richard Morris]

long time no reply, loving the look of the ball turrets, FW should steal your idea and implement it on their own T-hawks, would look awesome.

[Blackadder]

The Ball Turret is FW's design but unless they stretch their T'hawk it won't fit in the aft of the cargo bay.

[interrogator_chaplain]

Brilliant work with the ball turrets. Those front stabilizers are looking good too!

[warpath2099]

I am new to the forums, but I must say that this build thread is absolutely amazing!!!!! Please keep up the outstanding work!!!

[Blackadder]

Sorry Warpath 2099 somehow I missed your reply and it appears you joined just to comment on this thread!

:blush:

Came The Dawning!

Let it not be said that Blackadder doesn't need a safe dropped on him.......

This morning I have come to the realization that, "All the major components for the Thunderhawk are built!!!!!"

Sooooo all that is left is the 'dessert'; the detail if you will.

Now The Blackadder loves to do detail and the more obscure the better so therefore I shall be starting on the underbelly first. (The interior and the wheel wells being already done.

http://i.imgur.com/55J1jMx.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/55J1jMxl.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/IC8sLnU.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/IC8sLnUl.jpg

The above images show the barren underbelly as I left it a year or so ago and whilst I am about it I also need to strengthen the wing mounting so they don't droop and incorporate the mount into the underbelly detail as well.

[Blackadder]

Simple Round Louvered Vents:

A simple way to make the round louvered vents shown below.....

http://i.imgur.com/0RBhXN6.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/BeUYTOF.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/BeUYTOFl.jpg

1. Glue thin rods or square stock to a piece of scrap thin sheeting. in this case I need 12 louvered vents 3/8 inch dia. and I used 0.025 inch rod for the grill.

2. I used thin ProWeld cement to adhere the rods to the 0.015 scrap sheet; when the glue began to gell I separated the rods with my finger nail to achieve consistent spacing.

3. Once I had sufficient louvers (In this case six.) I gave the assembly a final dose of cement to insure the rods will not come loose during the subsequent operations.

4. I then cut the proper sized squares of grill in this case 5/16 inch squares and glued them on to 5/16 inch tubing.

5. Once dried I rough trimmed the square grills to a vaguely round shape with the nail clippers shown and finished rounding the grill (Still attached to the 5/16th tubing.) with the sanding block shown.

6. After rounding the grill I separated the grill from the tube with the utility knife shown.

7. I cut a slim disk of 3/8 inch tube for the outer rim of the vent with the razor saw shown and sanded the rough edges with the sanding block. Shown again....

http://i.imgur.com/Bj6DJ7R.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/Bj6DJ7Rl.jpg

8. I glued the grill disk into the 3/8 inch tube housing and allowed to dry.

9. I glued the assembly to the precut fan panel for mounting on the underside of the T'hawk wing.

[Blackadder]

Louvers Continued:

After the glue has dried I sand down the rim to 2,0 MM and affix the vents to the underside of the wing roots.


http://i.imgur.com/BgwEFzk.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/BgwEFzkl.jpg

[Blackadder]

Never Ending Rivets:

I hate starting rivets because then rivets need to be applied everywhere. Unfortunately copious skull sized rivets are part and parcel endemic to 40K vehicles.

http://i.imgur.com/Us4Cid7.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/Us4Cid7l.jpg

Now huge protruding rivets cannot help the minimally aerodynamic properties of any aircraft but I suppose what's a little more parasite drag to the flying (sic) brick called the Thunderhawk.

http://i.imgur.com/SshVWu5.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/SshVWu5l.jpg

[Blackadder]

The Unlikely Weapon:

Once again I must acquiesce to convention and add the ungainly Volcano cannon to my model; after all what is a Thunderhawk without this unseemly appendage?

Starting with the largest diameter tubing I have 13 MM (Half inch) I found I was short 3 MM in diameter of the Shadow Sword cannon's 16,0 MM maximum diameter.

Grabbing a page from my previous work on my scratchbuilt Warhound's ankles (Actually the 'instep' but we won't quibble,) I applied split half in sleeves to the basic core tubing to flesh out the diameter to 16,0 MM.

http://i.imgur.com/T378TNu.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/T378TNul.jpg

To add interest to the overall barrel I opted to step the diameter toward the muzzle.

http://i.imgur.com/SYiSxZe.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/SYiSxZel.jpg

Naturally when sleeving the barrel there is produced a gap which I filled with inserts cut from scrap half inch tubing.

[interrogator_chaplain]

So you've gotten to this point and it's the cannon that's ungainly?

This thing has the aerodynamic properties of a brick held aloft by brute force and some well reinforced ailerons.

[Blackadder]

Ya noticed that did ya.......

Just an FYI:

A progress report more than anything.

I am frequently asked how the details are made for these models.

Plasticard comes in such a wealth of shapes and sizes that actual shaping is a rare event.

Breaking the subject down to basic components is the way to go in scratch building.

Here we have the basic gun barrel stepped down a bit more in my version than in the original about a quarter millimeter but it should n't be a problem.

Evergreen tubing has the marvelous property of snugly telescoping the various sizes. I'm not sure any other manufacturers have that capability.

http://i.imgur.com/TspW4aW.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/TspW4aWl.jpg

Here the muzzle is just about complete and the breech will have to be built up with a few layers of 0.020 inch sheet styrene.

Note the sheet styrene glued to the breech ready to be wrapped and glued to bulk up the breech end.

The barrel bands were attached in a similar fashion.

[Blackadder]

Exposing Myself:

Before I get too far along I figured I'd better explain the processes that got me to this point. Of course if it all doesn't work out I will be just setting myself up for an embarrassing volte-face.

Employing the telescoping ability of the 'Evergreen' tubing I made reasonable facsimiles of the complex muzzle components.

http://i.imgur.com/UsBUgv0.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/UsBUgv0l.jpg

Right now I am in the process of duplicating the flash suppressor housing if that is what it is; naturally true to form I opted to make it 'inside out' or 'from the outside in' depending on your perspective.

http://i.imgur.com/sg2itP8.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/sg2itP8l.jpg

Never the less, all so far seems to be going well.

[Blackadder]

Blackadder and the Lost Weekend:

In spite of unfortunate necessary commitments I still manages to cobble together a reasonable facsimile of a Volcano cannon although the photo image reveals some barely acceptable flaws that board on intolerable.

http://i.imgur.com/WwzSN64.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/WwzSN64l.jpg

I'm rather pleased at the muzzle which was quite unnecessarily a cause for trepidation but the breech detail doesn't quite make the grade being too bulky and crude.

I'm hoping the addition of the rest of the appurtenances will bring the breech together and not promulge* a rebuild.

http://i.imgur.com/07f0BzY.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/07f0BzYl.jpg

*I love it when I confound the 'Spell checker' Ha!

[interrogator_chaplain]

Easily as good as the plastic. (If we're not counting the never ending rivets.)

[Blackadder]

Thanks for the reply. Note the rivets are now installed...........

Fear of Flying:

I sometimes wonder when I embark on these projects what is my actual motivation.

Certainly I have great difficulty bringing each to completion. Granted Lucie is pretty much complete and the Warlord lacks only electronics and final painting.

The Tyranid army is going well, I have to practice more with my washes technique.

The Reaver project is stalled sadly because of lack of inspiration.

This Thunderhawk progress seems to be monopolizing all my work time this past week and I am greatly surprised and pleased with this my current work.

The Volcano Cannon has been a thorn in my side because I lacked the confidence to scratch build the fine detail.

http://i.imgur.com/6uqRMhK.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/6uqRMhKl.jpg

Well today for the first time I installed the completed cannon on its carriage mount and it fits the role satisfactorily.

Although appearing slightly smaller than the FW T'hawk's gun I think it suits the scale better overall. (It is in point of fact slightly longer than the FW cannon.)

http://i.imgur.com/ut86H4q.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/ut86H4ql.jpg

The trunnion mount affords a full range of elevation if that is actually necessary for a line of sight weapon.

http://i.imgur.com/MKxKfST.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/MKxKfSTl.jpg

This side view shows the scale of the Volcano cannon in relation to my outsized Thunderhawk that I measured today at 750 MM / 29 inches; ten inches longer than the FW original.

http://i.imgur.com/Raixekz.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/Raixekzl.jpg

[Blackadder]

Look Ma, No Dihedral:

Ever since I started this model the one thing that has vexed me was the droopy wings. Unfortunately I could have nipped the problem in the bud by installing a proper wing spar in the first place as does virtually every aircraft since the dawn of aviation and considering my background in aviation you would think I would have known better. Alas No!

So finally over the weekend I addressed the issue since all the delicate detail work is done and liable to costly damage from an errant drill bit or slip. Let it never be said that The Blackadder has not cornered the market on outright stupidity.

http://i.imgur.com/jCIeaQi.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/jCIeaQil.jpg

Anyway from the image above you can see everything went swimmingly and with only a few more grey hairs I now have installed a rugged wing spar that removes all the negative Dihedral from the model and ties the wings to the fusilage secure enough for active transport if needs be but also allows for disassembly should the occasion arise.

http://i.imgur.com/JIIwG5O.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/JIIwG5Ol.jpg

I have always maintained the the reason for the FW flying Lascannon struts were to support the wings from drooping on their T'hawk model because they also did not allow for the wing weight as well, so my stupidity is in good company.

http://i.imgur.com/fvWocZ5.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/fvWocZ5l.jpg

I need to install stops on my strut travel.

http://i.imgur.com/0tcGnuh.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/0tcGnuhl.jpg

Here we see the disassembled outer wings with the 1/4 inch aluminum rod installed to strengthen the wing structure. Drilling a twelve inch long contiguous hole through the wings and fuselage taxed all my limited abilities.

http://i.imgur.com/tQ4pkLs.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/tQ4pkLsl.jpg

I really need to straighten up my work room!

[interrogator_chaplain]

You're probably looking at this in a completely different manner than I am, but hell, you do a bit more of the detail work then get those ball turrets done, maybe a few plasticard rockets and this thing looks ready for the paint shop!

[Blackadder]

I admire your optimism.

Wingtips are a Drag:

Air spilling off the tip of a wing creates drag and lowers fuel economy so many modern aircraft have funny looking winglets on their tips to cut down on the wingtip vortices.

None are as strange looking as the constructions attached to the tips of the Thunderhawk. It seems the designers have gone out of their way to destroy anything vaguely resembling a lifting surface.

Below is my version of these tips liberally borrowing from half a dozen different 3D and Model designs.

http://i.imgur.com/m8hY7Jp.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/m8hY7Jpl.jpg

I made the tips detachable by installing six 3,0 MM magnets on each wingtip so the fragile stingers won't continually have to be replaced.

http://i.imgur.com/Gdo7dDg.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/Gdo7dDgl.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/1yLVDAz.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/1yLVDAzl.jpg

This pretty much spells finished to the wing detail although I may scribe lines to simulate flush panels if I feel the detail is too sparse.

http://i.imgur.com/jVQoRKw.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/jVQoRKwl.jpg

[dwez]

Should the stingers break would it not be prudent to replace them with brass rod? I know you've got an endless supply of plastic but wouldn't a bit of metal be more durable?

[Blackadder]

Sounds like a plan................

A Bit of a Recap:

Just a recap to bring the detailing up to present before I add the final necessary components namely the deploy-able air-brake panels to the aft fuselage.

All the other major detail is completed including the yet-to-be-installed landing gear and ball turrets; it's just a matter of attaching them during the priming episode. Yes I am that close to applying pigment to this work after four years of intermittent effort.

Below, the frontal view shown 'The Albatross' in unnatural light where she looks much cleaner than her aged yellowed styrene appears in person.

http://i.imgur.com/IQXL1ZI.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/IQXL1ZIl.jpg

There is still a bit of side details including the hull number and Aquila to be synthesized and installed.

Below, the rear quarter showing the air-brake panel interior visible and the wing spoiler cavities which is an interesting feature unprecedented in actual aircraft:

http://i.imgur.com/H5TxZNe.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/H5TxZNel.jpg

Note the size of this model dwarfs my 26 inch steel scale. She is actually longer than my Warlord is tall.

And the side view in pretty much flight configuration nose up attitude as the poorly designed L-1011 and DC-10 were wont to fly.

http://i.imgur.com/IgclCxl.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/IgclCxll.jpg

The fact that I now refer to her as 'she' signifies I have finally accepted her into my fold.

[interrogator_chaplain]

But the nose up configuration will make for excellent 'Hero' pictures when mounted to a base.

[Blackadder]

Thanks for the reply,

Air Brake Panels:

Cutting the slots in the air brake panels would be tedious except for one of the specialty items in the 'Evergreen' inventory.

http://i.imgur.com/xKIAf3e.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/xKIAf3el.jpg

To get the proper spacing of the six slots I used 'O' gauge boxcar siding available from 'Evergreen'.

http://i.imgur.com/qgm6onY.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/qgm6onYl.jpg

There it was a simple matter of scribing and punching out rectangular slots.

http://i.imgur.com/eUHG00d.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/eUHG00dl.jpg


After reinforcing the back side and angle of the panel I installed the right side panel this morning;

http://i.imgur.com/QIz5paz.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/QIz5pazl.jpg

the left side held in reserve until I photo'ed them for the blog.

[Blackadder]

111?

Well the airbrakes are installed and are deploy-able but they are so laughably small as to appear ridiculous. How deploying such small panel can have any perceptible effect on slowing this flying brick outhouse is ludicrous.

http://i.imgur.com/QbS9CIn.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/QbS9CInl.jpg

But they are on the original so they are on my model as well.

http://i.imgur.com/muE2Xti.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/muE2Xtil.jpg

The left side airbrake still needs to be adjusted.

http://i.imgur.com/wIQrLQj.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/wIQrLQjl.jpg

The right side airbrake works easily

http://i.imgur.com/kkN2khg.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/kkN2khgl.jpg

In case you were wondering about the title of this post 111 is the hull number of this craft.

Yeah if you think I chose this number because it was easiest to make you are probably right.

http://i.imgur.com/Az9rWVp.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/Az9rWVpl.jpg

Meanwhile the interminable detailing proceeds.

[Mike Lawler]

Mind-boggling as always! I did notice in the 3rd picture in post 333 (..odd coincidence) the wing-tip las-cannons do not look very straight.. they appear to have a strange curve to them. It might be the shape of the outer housing of them creating an illusion but I thought it was worth pointing out so you can look and make the determination for yourself.

[Blackadder]

The glue soften the tubing where I clamped it so now it is an official FW copy......

Thanks for the reply,

Way Too Much Effort:

I'm putting too much effort into a model I wasn't that enthused about in the first place.

But in for a penny as the saying goes.

There are some beautiful colour 3D renderings of T'hawks available and of all this is by far my favorite.

http://i.imgur.com/9V6NhiQ.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/9V6NhiQl.jpg

The rendering actually makes a T'hawk plausible and real.

http://i.imgur.com/ZreDRQV.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/ZreDRQVl.jpg

BTW this is the colour scheme I've decided on so anyone know what chapter is this please?
So since I am committed to finishing this model I may as well duplicate it the whole way and revamp the nose cowl/door.

http://i.imgur.com/278Y6Hz.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/278Y6Hzl.jpg

So since I am committed to finishing this model I may as well duplicate it the whole way and revamp the nose cowl/door.

The front end of the 3D looks so much more brutal than the FW design..... Brutal is good....

http://i.imgur.com/Hq9Njxc.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/Hq9Njxcl.jpg

This is an Lord Inquisitor insignia?

http://i.imgur.com/kGMvnUt.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/kGMvnUtl.jpg

These wings are a be-atch to make..............

http://i.imgur.com/lWN8GIP.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/lWN8GIPl.jpg

[40kGamer]

Beautiful work mate! I love the front design you settled on! I was dreading building a truescale Lucius pod as it felt like a lot of work but now I am suitably humbled and shamed by the scope of your project. :)

[Perry K]

As far as I can tell that color scheme in the nose only render doesn't belong to any particular chapter exclusively, though it may be a certain company of Dark Angels, Raptors or Salamanders who have been seconded to an Inquisition force.

In the second photo with the Land Raider it appears the vehicle colors are primarily Red, with grey accents. This could be any number of "red" chapters Such as the Blood Angels, Blood Ravens or Flesh Tearers.

[Levaticus]

I'm fairly certain the color scheme is just that of the Grey Knights that will be appearing in The Lord inquisitor. So standard Grey Knight scheme with a darker shade of red.

[Blackadder]

Cargo Door Take Two:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bxJXrrTqJfI

In the video above the convoluted door opening procedure is a amazing tour de force but infinitely impractical plus the mechanism prevents large pieces of equipment from egress or ingress. My solution employs the brutal beauty of this door in comparison to the rather bland FW door/ramp but offers a more practical solution without the incredible monkey motion plus I can still release the Rhino........

http://i.imgur.com/UHKGo3G.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/UHKGo3Gl.jpg

It necessitated cutting back the locking detents and modifying the upper locks.

http://i.imgur.com/Aj8hWsW.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/Aj8hWsWl.jpg

The opening is actually larger which will faciltate the embarking and debarking of the larger equipment from the caverness cargo bay.

http://i.imgur.com/gw1oMB3.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/gw1oMB3l.jpg

Finally a redundant image just because it came out so well with the prototype image in the background.

http://i.imgur.com/e4fUo8q.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/e4fUo8ql.jpg

[Blackadder]

That's What I'm Talk'n 'bout:

Yeah this looks a lot better to me. Granted it departs from the classic T'hawk look but considering the newest additions to the transport navy fleet it's about time for a T'hawk face lift.

http://i.imgur.com/Geaz295.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/Geaz295l.jpg

The old locking mechanism is still in play so it doesn't change the internal configuration and now I have space for the fold away cargo ramps for tracked and wheeled vehicles, the dentations should house the hinges nicely. A problem I could not resolve with the old style door.

http://i.imgur.com/QcI379p.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/QcI379pl.jpg

Of course with the one step forward resolved there is also a one step back. The forward door and nose cowl should act as an ablative heat shield for atmospheric entry, so how to justify the decorative cut outs on either side of the door. surely all those surface angles and pockets would serve to hold and intensify the heat of re-entry causing great strain on the door mechanism. Just saying so you know I am aware of the quandary

http://i.imgur.com/oBEllJ8.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/oBEllJ8l.jpg

H*ll, I just build the D*mned things; I haven't the vaguest what makes 'em go.

[Blackadder]

Shades of Past Work:

Last year in April I decided I wanted operating retractable landing gear on this beastie, the problem was Forge World did not allow room in their model for the gear in the stowed position; especially the nose gear which as designed by FW would have taken up a significant percentage of the forward cargo bay. My dilemma was compounded by the mechanically impossible retract cylinder mechanism represented on the FW model.

BTW I totally discounted the 3D rendering gear altogether. Besides being mechanically unsound the gear pads were way too small.

Below is the nose landing gear removed from the gear well shown in the completely collapsed condition. The shock strut (oleo strut) is completely compressed so it will fit into the well. I am in the process of adding the gear well detail at the moment. Where does the time go.............


http://i.imgur.com/SmISksz.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/SmISkszl.jpg

Here we see all the nose gear components including the foot pad and gear well reinforcement panels on the left. The lock pin forward of the foot pad, the gear well itself at the right rear. Forward of that is the shock strut and retract cylinder with their associate trunnion pins.

http://i.imgur.com/NsCl05l.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/NsCl05ll.jpg

Here is the assembled nose gear showing the shock strut in collapsed position and the exterior of the well showing the axle sleeves for the trunnion pins that lock the gear trunions in place but allow them to swivel.

http://i.imgur.com/8QcmyX2.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/8QcmyX2l.jpg

Front view of the nose gear assembled with the shock strut in full extension and the retract cylinder in full extension and foot pad attached.

http://i.imgur.com/IfYIiRg.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/IfYIiRgl.jpg

[Blackadder]

Mounting the Landing Gear:

The heretofore unmounted landing gears have been held on back burner until today. I have many pieces including the forward cargo bay interior that are ready to install so much of the work to be done is done just not installed.

http://i.imgur.com/a3s1YVL.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/a3s1YVLl.jpg

I have made so many modifications since the inception of this project it would have been prohibitive to disassemble and modify prematurely mounted parts.

http://i.imgur.com/MBE3p4m.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/MBE3p4ml.jpg

I shall continue to only tack some parts into place so the model can be disassembled for painting.

Looks like I'll be able to sling a LandRaider under the belly after all; that and a Rhino in the cargo bay will make this a formidable addition an army.....

G*D I cannot believe I am actually considering painting this finally.

[40kGamer]

Do you think the landing gear accept the weight of the model? Plasticard can be a bit brittle at times.

[Blackadder]

The Nose Gear Continues:

The following chronicles the manufacture of the nose gear:

I barely had room for the light module bitz on the foot pad although everything else fitted with room to spare. still have so detailing to do on th top surface of the landing pad and the tread on the underside. but I am winding down for today and considered it time for an update.
http://i.imgur.com/qatEePo.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/qatEePol.jpg

Still can't make up my mind whether to cant the gear forward or make it vertical.
http://i.imgur.com/k4tFtCO.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/k4tFtCOl.jpg

The detail inside the gear well is pretty much complete but I still need rivets etc on the reinforcing framework.

[interrogator_chaplain]

Cant it! CANT IT!

[Blackadder]

She's Got Leggs:

Okay the landing gear is installed, the nose gear at this time can retract but not the main gear. There seems no problem that even un-reinforced the spindly struts can support the massive weight of the model, 3 kilo of styrene.

http://i.imgur.com/aCVHZDR.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/aCVHZDRl.jpg

Now that I have length of the struts established I can go ahead and beef up the main struts and make them retractable. I also need to design torque links so the pads do not swivel.

http://i.imgur.com/c4wBfv2.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/c4wBfv2l.jpg

The front landing pad has a spring loaded strut extension which facilitates stowing so the pad can lock in when retracted.

http://i.imgur.com/qeEr64X.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/qeEr64Xl.jpg

Here we see the ground clearance allows for a belly hung LandRaider even though I have been apprised T'hawk transports do not carry LandRaiders.

http://i.imgur.com/DbzoHBX.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/DbzoHBXl.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/gRcuOxW.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/gRcuOxWl.jpg

The forward cargo maw can comfortably disgorge an 'slick' Rhino (Sorry, the only Rhino I have is a cripple Chaos model) with plenty of headroom and side room to spare.

http://i.imgur.com/wKxHFc5.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/wKxHFc5l.jpg

The ramp angle is a bit too extreme which will have to be remedied with fold-able ramp extension tracks.

http://i.imgur.com/QW7zeKz.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/QW7zeKzl.jpg

[interrogator_chaplain]

Thunderhawks can carry Land Raiders, but just not technically the Thunderhawk variant you have. But stuff 'em, call it a prototype/archaeotech relic and if they argue, call down a curse from the Omnissiah on them.

[Blackadder]

My contention is that necessity and innovation is rampant in front line conditions When I was in the military we did a lot of things not officially sanctioned and as long as it got the job done nobody complained. Of course things might be different now with equipment costing millions of dollars but I doubt it.

My version is capable of slinging a LandRaider and the design of the underside of the hull seems perfect to receive the large rhomboid shaped tank Its just that the FW version T'hawk is too undersized to take advantage that capability. My model dwarfs the LandRaider enough to make this possible. Whether I will actually hang a 'Raider underneath remains to be seen.

[Kirkanos]

Do you already have a system for holding the Land raider in place?

This is looking fantastic by the way!

[Blackadder]

Probably Waldo-like arms and magnets.........

Slimming Facets?

One of the features that really did it for me on the 3D model was the beveled edges of the forward fuselage. Somehow it relieved the boxlike appearance of the FW prototype and particularly on my over-sized model lent a slimming appearance to the overall model.

Not so with the rounding front heat shield; I still have to work on that.................

http://i.imgur.com/tttZ1WX.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/tttZ1WXl.jpg

I took a few of the same shot to show the relief of the facets of which I believe came out rather satisfactory.

http://i.imgur.com/vMkIioN.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/vMkIioNl.jpg

I know I'm gonna get some heat on my rendering of the Heat Shields from T'hawk purists.

http://i.imgur.com/mG4cwi8.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/mG4cwi8l.jpg

I just have to dress these curves............

http://i.imgur.com/yToRUwD.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/yToRUwDl.jpg

Egad! Curves on a T'hawk?

Blasphemy!

[bloodangel 83]

Nice work. Cannot wait to see you start painting this beast.

[Blackadder]

Thanksgiving Week:

Well I've received orders from the 'Top' aka Ms BA that I have to clean up my mess because company's coming and my room, "My Room!" looks a mess and she'll be ashamed if any one is brought in there Yada, yada, yada......... Of course I'll be bringing people in to look at my pastime pursuits so I'm complying.

First order is to get all the models in one piece because, I know what it looks like when in pieces but hardly anyone else would so I gathered all the Thunderhawk pieces from the various corners of the room and assembled them and waddaya know I think its time start painting.

First off sorry about the flash in the first image because it the only one that shows the ball turrets.

http://i.imgur.com/sbDssF2.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/sbDssF2l.jpg

The high level front view shows the various ages of the styrene because this model has taken an inordinate amount of time to produce and the older styrene has yellowed.

Note in the foreground the interior walls that when wired will finally be glued into place. I built those walls over four years ago; Gad!

http://i.imgur.com/dP9MYPz.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/dP9MYPzl.jpg

Still to be done is to beef up the main landing gear struts but that shouldn't affect painting. also note the various shades of greasy hand yellowing chronicling the various stages of building over the years.

http://i.imgur.com/WR52vfi.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/WR52vfil.jpg

This calls for another martini; Skoal!

[40kGamer]

Damn fine work mate! Very inspiring to see such amazing detail on complete scratch builds.

I completely understand the clean up your room for company directive. You'd think at our age we'd be past that sort of thing but such is life. :)

[interrogator_chaplain]

Absolutely glorious, couldn't agree more! Let's get that sucker painted up! People aren't going to believe it's not Forge World.

And with the savings and man hours...

... man hours...

...

People aren't going to believe it's not Forge World!

[Blackadder]

Dawn of the Green Screen:

At the behest of one of my readers I have attempted to add a bit of sophistication to my images; namely a 'green screen' so he/they can add a proper background my otherwise tawdry efforts in photography.

http://i.imgur.com/Sescs2b.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/Sescs2bl.jpg

I still haven't ironed out all the wrinkles (groan!) in the overall background but for a first effort it does the job.

http://i.imgur.com/gzjynN3.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/gzjynN3l.jpg

To celebrate this new excursion into picture taking I'm resuming work on the Thunderhawk whilst taking an well earned break for work on the Reaver

http://i.imgur.com/0Ki6P3y.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/0Ki6P3yl.jpg

Today I will address the spindle shank main landing gear to see if I can beef it up and make it retractable.

That and finish up the little bit of exterior detail left to do.

[Blackadder]

Volcano Cannon Elevation Boot

It's the little things you forget that bite you on the arse every time.

I built the Volcano Cannon and the housing quite some time ago and beefed up the trunnion yesterday, slipped the ole cannon onto the shaft and "Lo!" there's a ruddy great gap behind the cannon that has to be filled or the install will look like crap.

http://i.imgur.com/rjIhz4c.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/rjIhz4cl.jpg

Well I started making the cover/boot and glued it on and then thought, I should share this with my readers because it's a common enough problem and at least this will be my solution for what it's worth.

So I affixed a sheet of thin styrene to the breach of the cannon...............

http://i.imgur.com/M2Qn12P.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/M2Qn12Pl.jpg

And slid the barrel onto the elevating plug.............

http://i.imgur.com/sMdGCcp.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/sMdGCcpl.jpg

So now when the cannon is raised the thin sheet of styrene disappears into the turret housing without an unsightly cloth boot.

http://i.imgur.com/DRe9XcW.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/DRe9XcWl.jpg

Now all needs be done is decorate the sheet and install slide tracks and curved races for the sheet to run on.

[Kirsten]

very impressive

[Blackadder]

thanks for the reply......

Boots and Struts

Not bad for a days work, thankfully it was too hot to work outside; no Spring this year.

Anyway the boot is roughed in just some rivet detail and some bits and panels for under the cannon to add.

http://i.imgur.com/9NjUWWo.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/9NjUWWol.jpg

cannon in the stowed position shows the spine detail of the boot.

http://i.imgur.com/EK9LQct.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/EK9LQctl.jpg


Eye Candy:

Moving on to the landing gear the new strut sleeves give sufficient bulk to the gear and the foot pad leveling cylinder adds enough complexity to stimulate the eye.

http://i.imgur.com/p6eFBpm.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/p6eFBpml.jpg

The leveling cylinder also stabilizes the foot pad so it can't twist round in the strut sleeve and it provides enough friction to keep the foot pad secure when the model is lifted.

The landing gear still looks rather plain, it needs some hydraulic hoses sensor cables and strut reinforcements to perk it up

Likewise with the nose gear.....

http://i.imgur.com/OWmqyxB.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/OWmqyxBl.jpg

[interrogator_chaplain]

Barring your already finished, (RIGHT?) Warlord, this is the project of yours I love the most.

[Blackadder]

Barring your already finished, (RIGHT?) Warlord, this is the project of yours I love the most.

Actually I'm making some amendments to the Warlord; upgrading the interior with more detail and lighting and highlighting the exterior finish in powdered gold and blue pigments to bring it into the War Gryphon motif. Not as garishly painted as the Warhound and Lucius Reaver will be but something more stately in keeping with the Warlord's exalted station.

But thank you for the words of encouragement on this project, I hope to be applying the primer coat this week.

[Blackadder]

Just a Song Er (a few images )

before I start applying paint for this beasty so it can be seen the finishing details and yes I cheated and sprung for a few etched Aquilas. Of course I can make Aquilas but making this many, this size, and all the same size was just beyond even my patience; God I want this painted and out of the queue so badly, I'm so sick of this Thunderhawk project; damn near 6 years on the process.

So anyway the Profile:

http://i.imgur.com/5VTQnB0.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/5VTQnB0l.jpg

The Quarter View:

http://i.imgur.com/DhMuuay.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/DhMuuayl.jpg

Front View:

http://i.imgur.com/7a6zGLs.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/7a6zGLsl.jpg


In attack position:
(Yeah the canards are not glue on due to painting considerations.)
http://i.imgur.com/PNrQPCy.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/PNrQPCyl.jpg

And a bird's eye view:

http://i.imgur.com/jIrLvcY.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/jIrLvcYl.jpg

And Damn I forgot a rear view................

[Kirkanos]

Just WOW.

[completeHook]

Permission to shout "Bravo" at an annoyingly loud volume, sir.

[Blackadder]

Permission to shout "Bravo" at an annoyingly loud volume, sir.

Granted Lieutenant George......

[completeHook]

Bravo!

[Blackadder]

I'm drained...........

[Alaric]

Very well done. Excellent craftsmanship.

[Blackadder]

Thank you,

Thunderhawk Exploded View:

I was advised gently by a reader that the rear of the vehicle seemed lacking in detail so I poured over the images again and found easily over a hundred rivets and bits I had previously overlooked so it has held up the painting process until today..........

Bottom view of basic hull and components:

http://i.imgur.com/XsuOMZ4.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/XsuOMZ4l.jpg

The image above shows all the components removed for painting which simplifies the the process plus it makes the model more amendable should I decide to add modifications.

Note above that there is easy access to the forward cargo bay and that the interior walls have yet to be installed so I can wire in the lighting easily. The nose landing gear panel slides out for access to the interior and was such a tight fit I'd forgotten it was removable until this morning.

Side view of the basic hull and components:

http://i.imgur.com/66PXt7R.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/66PXt7Rl.jpg

All the components you see here are held in place with 4 deck screws, slide in pockets, a twelve inch long rig pin to keep the wings from drooping and lots of rare earth magnets. The whole model can be disassembled as you see it at anytime after the construction is completed.

[interrogator_chaplain]

Whoo! Painting time begin! Excitement!

[Blackadder]

I was asked what Chapter I was going with; I really like Grey Knights in this colour:

http://www.dakkadakka.com/s/i/at/at2/2012/2/13/e909f09c106a1ec2b4873d633def89c4_6825.jpg

http://thelordinquisitor.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/Thunderhawk_Landing_wip_featureimage.jpg

Can these be seen? I often wonder if my links are visible.....

Thunderhawk Landing Video (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L7u8_r07-3s)

[Kirsten]

can be seen yes, looks great

[Blackadder]

Cosmetics?

I'm going to try an experiment in colouring the Thunderhawk. I had satisfactory results coating my Warlord with dry pigment dust over flat black which gave an aged and weathered look instantly to the surface and the powder clung to the matte black finish so it does not come off on when handling.

To get the finish I want on the Thunderhawk I am going to utilize a similar approach. This time with dry mineral powder cosmetic make up over grey flat primer. I have ordered a cadmium yellow/green cosmetic from Amazon; $5.77 plus free shipping and have painted the hull a flat grey.

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51yEU9kqpBL.jpg

I'm hoping this technique will give me a thin weathered streaked and mottled appearance visible in the images I posted in the above article. If so it will open an avenue heretofore unexplored (at least by me) in model finishing.

[Blackadder]

Done and Yet Not Done:

So I painted the prime on the hull after stripping off all the removable parts and I keep finding detail I've missed probably because there was so much scribbling on the parts I confused it with hard detail. I added dozens on new bits of rivets and panels and trim to the hull and am now working on intensifying the detail on the wing/engine root; a project I had either forgotten or ignored but anyway this morning at 2:30 AM the way to accomplish this detail came to me and it is now 4:00 AM as I write and the preliminary pieces are glued into place ready for the finish of the modification when I reawaken later this morning at a more reasonable hour.

Pictures Later:

[Blackadder]

In Her Prime:

After six years in the making the Thunderhawk is finally in her prime. The end cap tensioners for the flying Laser struts are still drying and I hope the Cadmium pigment arrives tomorrow so with any luck I'll begin colouring her this week

http://i.imgur.com/zbksp2U.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/zbksp2Ul.jpg

It's been a long painstaking process to reach this point but the ship has finally grown on me and I perceive a certain charm to the ugly brute after all.

http://i.imgur.com/nF9P1YG.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/nF9P1YGl.jpg

The gun turrets still need a bit of work before painting and I may rebuild them; I haven't decided.

http://i.imgur.com/cf5diwP.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/cf5diwPl.jpg

And finally the rear view which is often neglected during my picture taking.......

http://i.imgur.com/XHrGvRZ.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/XHrGvRZl.jpg

[Blackadder]

Instant Silvering and Patina:

Anything that can save me time and give good results is aces in my book; here is a simple way to give a metallic luster to your bare metal surfaces...........

http://i.imgur.com/mrYkflk.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/mrYkflkl.jpg

This might not be up to standard for PRO painters but for a mere mortal such as me it yields adequate results and it's fast, did I mention it was fast? and it's economical; I probably won't be able to use all the aluminum powder I have; '3 ounces', in my lifetime.

http://i.imgur.com/MltxCOI.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/MltxCOIl.jpg

The entire engine and the wing root used just the powder that was stuck to the lid rim of the jar.

First I applied some really cheap flat black aerosol paint (Walmart generic $0.99 cents @ standard spray can)and let dry overnight.

Then with index finger I applied and rubbed in a bit of the powder and brushed it smooth and into the crevasses with a brush which took all of a minute or two to do the cowl and exhaust. and that's it; no drying time; you're finished.

A couple more minutes to do the engine body......

Then I took the pictures.

[Chris*ta]

It's looking fantastic.

I'm excited to see it painted up; Hopefully this won't take another six years :p

[SotonShades]

I have been away far too long. She is looking fantastic. A few design choices I might have made differently, but the results so far certainly speaks for itself! Those first painted bits especially look good; I can already see in my mind how it's going to come together!

I know it's been a long 6 years, but time very well spent!

[Blackadder]

I have been away far too long. She is looking fantastic. A few design choices I might have made differently, but the results so far certainly speaks for itself! Those first painted bits especially look good; I can already see in my mind how it's going to come together!

I know it's been a long 6 years, but time very well spent!

At the risk of setting my self up for a six year hiatus waiting for a response, "A few design choices I might have made differently" What would you have done differently???

Oh and I've not been working six years on this; it's been sitting on the shelf for six years virtually untouched.

Oh this is the T'hawk you're referring to, I thought is was the Landkreuzer.

[Cactus]

That is fantastic, you magnificent *******.

[Blackadder]

Thunderhawk Cockpit:

Time to resume the Thunderhawk; most of the exterior detail is finished so I'm beginning with the interior furnishings starting with the cockpit.

My cockpit will not be as extensive as the FW version as I didn't have images of the interior prior to building the hull so what will be represented is the area directly below the canopy

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

Hard to believe they pilot these things in full combat regalia

[Blackadder]

Balled Up Turret:

Likewise my first attempt at making a viable set of ball turrets turned out to be a disaster.

What I was seeking is a rotating ball turret as seen below

http://i.imgur.com/KXnF7Eq.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/KXnF7Eql.jpg

but with fully trainable guns and I believe the FW version doesn't have that capability.


http://i.imgur.com/jTxQqXe.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/jTxQqXel.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/vowHL34.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/vowHL34l.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/Vm344XV.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/Vm344XVl.jpg


http://i.imgur.com/d0x5XIl.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/d0x5XIll.jpg


http://i.imgur.com/slMcDxJ.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/slMcDxJl.jpg

[Blackadder]

This Time We're Serious:

Okay time to separate the men from the boys...... I've yet to find an easy way to replicate spheres but it seems I never learn to stop trying. This latest fiasco involved substituting a pingpong ball for nittygritty hard work and planning and as per usual it didn't work so back to square one. The saving grace of employing the P.P.ball is I did manage to get a viable scale for the ball turret which seems to be right for a vehicle of this size.

http://i.imgur.com/x0kMvQV.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/x0kMvQVl.jpg

To recap, what I am attempting to do is make a fully operational (as far as movement potential; Egad!) turret with guns that depress and elevate as a real ball turret would do so using the p.p.ball as a size guide I figure a centimeter would be correct for the swiveling elevation/depression cycle and the standard rim will suffice for the rotation.

This will hopefully be made clearer in the subsequent posts......... or fail utter-ably whichever the case may be.

It's all new ground to me, this one.

Oh, and BTW the new cockpit seats are to the background right; just saying............

[Lord Tothe]

Amazing work. I doubt I'll be making anything that elaborate any time soon. I'm just glad I chose Orks as my starting army so my mistakes in learning count as Orky construction standards.

[Blackadder]

Flogging a Dead Horse:

I'm forging ahead with the original ball turrets in spite of designing a set after the FW version so some of my work is original at least.

http://i.imgur.com/2SfjlVB.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/2SfjlVBl.jpg

I don't know if the FW turret guns are elevate-able but mine are so therein lies the difference in appearance.

[Blackadder]

Fuzzy Images

You wouldn't think I have a SOTArt Cannon digital SLR camera judging by these fuzzy images but I still prefer my 20 year old Kodak 290 for some reason.....

http://i.imgur.com/lxMF3kh.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/lxMF3khl.jpg

Anyway the ball turrets are proceeding apace shown here in different stages of completion.

http://i.imgur.com/b7Fgwg7.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/b7Fgwg7l.jpg

Any questions you have on what I am doing or how I am doing it I'll be glad to answer....

http://i.imgur.com/vrug9og.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/vrug9ogl.jpg

Hmmm, the above image doesn't bear close inspection; left gun sight is a bit cattywampus....

http://i.imgur.com/5FtnXci.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/5FtnXcil.jpg

[Morgrim]

Are these the set built around pingpong balls? If not, how did you make spheres of plasticard?

[Blackadder]

These are the ping pong balls.........

[Blackadder]

What Am I Missing?

For the life of me I cannot figure out how these guns can elevate. With the rectangular view port and mount plate it seems that the gun mount shield (Plate between the guns) when the guns are elevated will interfere with the viewport and vise versa. If the side hemispheres only rotate upward then the viewport is not looking where the guns aim plus the entry hatch miss aligns. Or alternately it's just another FW bollock-up in the design department and it just looks good and can't function.


http://i.imgur.com/KXnF7Eq.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/KXnF7Eql.jpg

Anyway here's mine with out detail as yet but fully functional at least regarding movement.

http://i.imgur.com/HayxArK.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/HayxArKl.jpg

Anyone who has this turret, can you post some images of what the turret looks like in the full elevated and full depressed configuration...

Thx.

[Mud Duck]

I think that your looking at it wrong BA. The whole ball rotates, think the ball turret on a B17, with the 'clamps' on the outside of the ball as the points of rotation (elevation). The clamps are then attached to another C shaped brace in side the ship that gives the mount side to side movement. I'm guess that the belly ball turret on the B17 was the inspiration and they kinda half-arsed the traverse. How the gunner gets into the turret that I'm not sure about, shoehorns and a lot of lube? :)

[Blackadder]

I think that your looking at it wrong BA. The whole ball rotates, think the ball turret on a B17, with the 'clamps' on the outside of the ball as the points of rotation (elevation). The clamps are then attached to another C shaped brace in side the ship that gives the mount side to side movement. I'm guess that the belly ball turret on the B17 was the inspiration and they kinda half-arsed the traverse. How the gunner gets into the turret that I'm not sure about, shoehorns and a lot of lube? :)

Thanks for the info, armed with that detailed insightful information and I finally found a decent image of the instructions parts sheet I managed to discern the FW method. It looks pretty flimsy and subject to a high rate of failure according to other replies I've received but it does allow for the full range of required movement. Whether I employ it or not requires I'm able to beef it up considerably.

[bloodangel 83]

I had to magnetized the ball turrets into the fire raptor on the up/down piece of resin to get the turrets to stay inside it.

[Mud Duck]

Glad to be of assistance.

[Blackadder]

Best I Can Do:

Try as I might this is the best range of elevation I can come up with using ping pong balls.

http://i.imgur.com/oHyIRWt.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/oHyIRWtl.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/6LhhtNS.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/6LhhtNSl.jpg

The front view is satisfactory so now for the detail:

http://i.imgur.com/VBchYxf.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/VBchYxfl.jpg

[Lord Tothe]

Suppose there were a way to make the ring in the bulkhead into a race to allow rotation on that axis? Would that improve articulation? I know it would be a LOT of work to change that now...

16804

[Blackadder]

Final Bits of Fluff:

Okay with these final bits of fluff the exterior of the T'hawk is just about done. I daresay there might just be a couple of negligible items such as Turbo laser strut cradles et cetera but nothing that would preclude my painting the exterior. This has been a good year for me as most of my long term projects have reached fruition.

http://i.imgur.com/HGgpiBl.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/HGgpiBll.jpg

I decided to keep the ping-pong ball turrets as they are and add the view port and paraphernalia to the elevation race plate. The upper end of the elevation is in need of restriction so the canard wings won't get shot off in the heat of battle.

Now all needs be done is the interior of the cockpit and installing the interior of the forward cargo bay.

No I haven't decided whether to add the auto-fire dual bolters on either side of the nose abaft the front cargo door.

[Blackadder]

Irrevocable Painted Primer Grey:

Before the fatal black paint

http://i.imgur.com/ACrlxv4.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/ACrlxv4l.jpg

with a rare rear view that will not be seen once installed.

[Phoenix Bondi]

Hi there blackadder, This is actually my first ever post on here, but have been following this labour of love with much eagerness. A scratch built Thunderhawk is my dread project for 2016 and i was wondering if you would kindly share sizes and best way to get started? for example how you knew what size to make the basic hull etc. Thank you for the inspiration and i really hope i can produce something to even 1/2 this quality, it sir is amazing

[Blackadder]

Hi there blackadder, This is actually my first ever post on here, but have been following this labour of love with much eagerness. A scratch built Thunderhawk is my dread project for 2016 and i was wondering if you would kindly share sizes and best way to get started? for example how you knew what size to make the basic hull etc. Thank you for the inspiration and i really hope i can produce something to even 1/2 this quality, it sir is amazing

I'll be glad to be of help and I just checked the first page of this thread and I see the 3D images are still in order so copying them to your computer shoud be a snap.

First I don't recommend starting with a foam core as I did; it just causes too much hassle with material compatibility plus I would have liked to include an interior in my 'hawk but the foam core makes that option unavailable without an incredible amount of trouble.

Instead I would start with a box beam for the basic hull as I have seen the original FW model has two decks; the wing mount lower deck and the second deck for troop transport. Measurements of my model to follow.........

[Phoenix Bondi]

thank you so much

[Blackadder]

I would make this deck first

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7MvhHVckMGY/TpH5Axc8oaI/AAAAAAAAAE4/3brnz9LipHU/s1600/IMG_2456.jpg

[Blackadder]

Some Dumb Disney Movie:

A pair of Wall-E esque homemade twin bolters round out the forward armament slated for the Thunderhawk.

http://i.imgur.com/DryLZcN.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/DryLZcNl.jpg

Now whether I actually cut the holes in the fuselage to accommodate these hefty trainable beauties remains to be seen.

http://i.imgur.com/Ax66nBm.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/Ax66nBml.jpg

I was scrounging around in my bitz box and came up with enough material to make my own version of the FW T'hawk bolter armament.

http://i.imgur.com/fAJ32IM.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/fAJ32IMl.jpg

The sighting unit above the bolter array reminded me of the cutesy robot in some dumb Disney movie

[bloodangel 83]

The auto cannons look great, and the WallE heavy boaters will look good on the nose.

[Blackadder]

Thanks for the reply,

The Cockpit Interior

Stage one in the development...........

http://i.imgur.com/LVfjOkG.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/LVfjOkGl.jpg

[Blackadder]

Servo Assist?

Having worked in the commercial aviation industry for a good portion of my adult life up to and including 747 jumbo jets I've yet to see control columns as robust as these on the Thunderhawk so my supposition is that the servo assists are actually in the control columns. Cumbersome but viable I suppose.

http://i.imgur.com/vDZeIvU.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/vDZeIvUl.jpg

I was hoping that the cockpit paraphenalia would disguise the fact that the pilots had no legs (being actually Rhino machinegunners) but no such luck.

http://i.imgur.com/nrm8cS8.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/nrm8cS8l.jpg

So I need a rational as to why they are lower extremity deficient.........

http://i.imgur.com/2PVM0zQ.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/2PVM0zQl.jpg

[Blackadder]

The Misery Compromise

After a futile attempt to garner a set of legs from my bitz box I settled on purchasing a landspeeder cockpit on ebay. What strikes me the most is the near miss I made regarding the scale of the cockpit accoutrements

http://i.imgur.com/PHXWcja.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/PHXWcjal.jpg

With very little adjustments at all it will be child's play to reassemble the cockpit with gen-u-wine FW artifacts; a source of great personal satisfaction to me.

http://i.imgur.com/UVyp8Hc.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/UVyp8Hcl.jpg

While I have the cockpit in pieces perhaps I'll indulge myself in a bit of pre-assembly painting....

http://i.imgur.com/BLflkqk.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/BLflkqkl.jpg

Whoops but first I'd better file down the sprue attachment residue :blush:

[Blackadder]

Department of Redundancy Department:

Enough Blackadder enough! Too many images of virtually the same thing but ahh; subtly not......

Micro variations that only I can perceive are happening and rather than a flurry of un recorded activity I'll bore you with incessant detailed updates. :D

http://i.imgur.com/DjW59Jh.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/DjW59Jhl.jpg

The new cockpit revamped from the old fits much better under the canopy and the figures will be seen better duplicating the FW version....

http://i.imgur.com/hpu304M.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/hpu304Ml.jpg

The straight on shot reveals the fit of the landspeeder crew is a dead on duplicate of the resin original.

http://i.imgur.com/Fahfwsg.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/Fahfwsgl.jpg

[Lord Tothe]

Do you have a display of some kind behind that front panel on the canopy?

[Blackadder]

Do you have a display of some kind behind that front panel on the canopy?

Good suggestion, I've yet to see an interior shot of the canopy; is there a display?

I know the instrumentation is minimal on the control panels; the area between the front windshield would be an ideal place for a view screen.

[Lord Tothe]

Good suggestion, I've yet to see an interior shot of the canopy; is there a display?

I know the instrumentation is minimal on the control panels; the area between the front windshield would be an ideal place for a view screen.

I don't know what the inside of the official model looks like, but the giant panel looks like it needs some kind of display screen or gauge cluster. I am really good at giving people ideas that require them to work more. It's my gift.

[Blackadder]

Rule of the Incredibly Small:

I seem to be going to a lot of trouble with an interior that no one will be able to appreciate fully but there is a bit of fun in testing my limits besides which I wasn't even aware that FW included all this detail in their cockpit before I began researching it.

http://i.imgur.com/EeS6h17.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/EeS6h17l.jpg

This first image overexposed as it is tries to give a hint of the just finished center and side consoles.

This next image show the detail better; I tried to replicate the FW center control panel to varying degrees of success.....

http://i.imgur.com/vRpZBHi.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/vRpZBHil.jpg

This next shot is more like itshowing the computer monitors and control buttons....

http://i.imgur.com/ojwFLpQ.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/ojwFLpQl.jpg

Over the shoulder view where I will be applying paper green cutouts for the cockpit displays.

http://i.imgur.com/1iZWvnQ.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/1iZWvnQl.jpg

Finally, a front end shot showing the beautifully details pilot seats that no one gets to see after the crew is glued in.

http://i.imgur.com/3lde8zD.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/3lde8zDl.jpg

I may just magnetize their little bottoms :D

[Blackadder]

First Try:

Today was my first attempt to paint heads and faces so after reviewed 'Buy Painted's' tutorial:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=erDncOZiihc

and discovering it's gonna cost a lot of money to get all these one shot paint vials I decided to mix my own out of the paint I had on hand.

http://i.imgur.com/l3jGDyE.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/l3jGDyEl.jpg

So I started with Vallejo Model Air 71.112 Sand for the flesh base.

and then applied a Violet wash made out of Game Color 'Royal Purple' 16 and 'Warlord Purple' 72014

The head in the cockpit is a practice head from my bitz box that is pretty beat up and had a coat of Testors Enamel.

http://i.imgur.com/Gu4hl5s.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/Gu4hl5sl.jpg

For ease of painting and to allow for the backrest detail to be seen I magnetized the upper torsos so the can be removed readily.

http://i.imgur.com/lzhOFiD.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/lzhOFiDl.jpg

The heads when finished will be mounted on wire and plugged into the neck recess.

[Kirsten]

good to see it coming together

[Blackadder]

The Futurama Head Museum:

"A life of quiet dignity;"

These in the first image aren't completed but perhaps shows the intermediate stage of the paint process.

http://i.imgur.com/nNX5joc.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/nNX5jocl.jpg

These in the image below are a bit further along.....

http://i.imgur.com/bOWxSS2.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/bOWxSS2l.jpg

[Blackadder]

Front Row Redux:

Try as I might I cannot get decent images of the front row, this is the best I can do...........

http://i.imgur.com/7StnvaW.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/7StnvaWl.jpg

The head in the middle has part of the skull exposed and the head on the far right; has most of the skull damged and covered with a partial metal prosthesis.


http://i.imgur.com/cMZ9tR5.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/cMZ9tR5l.jpg

[Blackadder]

Derelict Marines:

Probably everyone has them and on a whim I decided to try to salvage these abused figures so gathering the worst of them I managed to cobble together fifteen and of these I painted five flat black.

http://i.imgur.com/JXlhjDn.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/JXlhjDnl.jpg

I then gave them a light brushing of aluminum powder to see if it was worth pursuing the project further; it was.

These little guys have taken on a new lease on life and when I finish adding the arms and armament they will serve as the nucleus of my marine company.

http://i.imgur.com/KB3vOcI.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/KB3vOcIl.jpg

These ten others below needed a lot more work missing bases and jetpacks, heads and torsos but these to will get TLC and a brand new paint job to boot.

http://i.imgur.com/xx04EmA.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/xx04EmAl.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/aumMbJA.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/aumMbJAl.jpg

I can then start on the other hundred or so that are not in such bad condition.

[Blackadder]

Panorama:

I'm not lyin' to ya I hate painting, anything I can do to expedite the procedure I'll go for so when I arrived at this Technique if you can call it that I went for it and I share it with you take it or leave it.

http://i.imgur.com/OxiwARk.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/OxiwARkl.jpg

Basically it's spray paint every thing with 'El cheapo 0.99 ¢ a can Walmart flat black enamel and dry brush aluminum powder on it.

http://i.imgur.com/ISyIRmg.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/ISyIRmgl.jpg

In all it averages out to about five minutes effort per figure no lie; so the results aren't Pro painter quality but I could devote an hours labor per piece and not come upwith anything half as good.

http://i.imgur.com/D4i5j02.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/D4i5j02l.jpg

These figures are/were literally GARBAGE and anyone in their right mind would have tossed them so I had nothing to lose for the attempt.

http://i.imgur.com/aYy4PAe.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/aYy4PAel.jpg

Naturally I plan to augment the basic work with a bit of colour here and there; purity seals glowing eyes etc and of course paint the bases....

http://i.imgur.com/jTCmX83.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/jTCmX83l.jpg

but where else are you gonna get such an acceptable return for such a bit little effort; just FYI........take it or leave it.

[Blackadder]

Exercise in Green and Graphite:

I wanted my marines to be more in keeping with what I perceive to be a viable colour scheme for combat troops but still giving a nod to the garish propensities of the 40K genera; therefore I coloured my troops with OD green and graphite literally powdered graphite.

http://i.imgur.com/3KeQcNf.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/3KeQcNfl.jpg

After spray painting flat black 0.99 cent a can black flat primer I brushed in graphite pigment and achieved in my estimation a realistic military patine on both the armour and the weapons.

http://i.imgur.com/vjqe8IM.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/vjqe8IMl.jpg

Painting the shoulders and the gauntlets were the most time consuming part of this project so far but I still have the accent colours to add.

http://i.imgur.com/vxlBVHS.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/vxlBVHSl.jpg

[Morgrim]

How well does the paint stick over the graphite? Did you have to seal them before doing the armour?

[Blackadder]

Thanks, I intend to paint the bare heads flesh with either silver or graphite highlights but what I am looking for here is a quick way to colour a large army with an acceptable military motif; the beauty of this technique is until it is fixed you can wash it off with plain soap and water. So far handling the pieces has not removed any perceptible amount of the pigment powder although I would not recommend handling with damp fingers. Once I have finished to to my liking I'll apply a finish of some sort; I haven't reached that stage yet. Right now I am having fun experimenting. These pigments are intended to be suspended in a clear medium such as acrylic, oil or wax before application but all these would require a lot of painstaking labor. I'm looking for the lazy man's short cut.

Surprisingly the graphite and aluminum powders do not seem to stick readily to the acrylic green paint already on the figures although it does adhere tenaciously to the matte flat black spray on paint getting ingrained into the rough matte finish I suppose.

What is amazing is how far the material will go. I did my entire Warlord and all these army guys with silver (aluminum) with no appreciable diminution if the material in the container; likewise with the graphite.

I'll keep experimenting and post updates, my ultimate goal is to finish the Thunderhawk with this technique in case you are wondering why these soldiers are posted in the T'hawk log.

[Blackadder]

Errand of Mercy:

In my practicing to paint the Thunderhawk I experimented with the colours I've chosen on some derelict Dread's; two plastic and one metal which were sorely abused in their time. I found these in my son's junk box (their from his friends, he paints much better than these were plus someone converted the metal one to a Chaos...)

Anyhow after repairing and stripping the coarse paint-jobs I rebuilt the Dread's and painted the weapons and greaves OD green over flat black and then drybrushed on some graphite powder....

http://i.imgur.com/IFIMqpQ.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/IFIMqpQl.jpg

I then highlighted the bas relief insignia with Vallejo gold.

Now here's the beauty of using dry graphite highlighting; whilst painting on the gold there were occasions when I smudged some gold on areas I didn't want picked out in that colour; I simply pencil eradicated the indiscretion with a sharpened 2 HB pencil.

Plus the dry graphite highlights the detail wonderfully with an incredibly minimum of effort.

[Blackadder]

Cockpit Detailed:

Seems the depth of field is too fine for my camera; I can't seem to get a good image of the crew in the cockpit......

http://i.imgur.com/j1kxER2.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/j1kxER2l.jpg

No excuse for this next one, just a poor photographer....

The guy in the foreground is too ugly, anyway I like the guy with the broken nose in the right seat; puts me in mind of my old drill Sargent :D

http://i.imgur.com/kxXXCVO.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/kxXXCVOl.jpg

This image is a bit better it shows the steering yoke mechanism which is unlike any AC I ever worked on but I guess the genetically enhanced SM don't need fly by wire or hydraulic assist to steer a T'hawk ;)

http://i.imgur.com/chPhDqB.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/chPhDqBl.jpg

Much better image but the pudgy faced guy in the Capt'n seat seems a bit out of focus.

http://i.imgur.com/Nm32iex.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/Nm32iexl.jpg

Cockpit seat is a bit tilted in this side view before I install mounting magnets...

http://i.imgur.com/2c9ZO9H.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/2c9ZO9Hl.jpg

And finally the cockpit flight panel before I install the video flight displays (EICAS) engine-indicating and crew-alerting system (EICAS) is an integrated system used in modern aircraft to provide aircraft crew with aircraft engines and other systems instrumentation and crew annunciations.

http://i.imgur.com/t1tBZ4C.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/t1tBZ4Cl.jpg

Seems to be a distinct minimum of instrumentation

for a re-entry vehicle but I guess those plugs in the backs of their heads provide data directly to the brain synapses.

[Blackadder]

E.I.C.A.S. Instrumentation:

As mentioned above computer monitor instrumentation was 'state of the art' when I left the aircraft field replacing the 'mechanical ribbon' instrument found in older aircraft such as the Lockheed L1011 (Gad, what a POS!)

Anyway the FAA said that the monitor displays could be used as the primary instrumentation so long as there were a discrete component instrument as a secondary back up.

http://i.imgur.com/t1tBZ4C.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/t1tBZ4Cl.jpg

In the far flung future that craven conditional; isn't, er wasn't, er won't, er will not have been necessary.

Seen below I attempted to duplicate the EICAS displays with images I downloaded from google,

https://www.google.com/search?q=eicas+instrumentation&espv=2&biw=1536&bih=764&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjfj5PRyuPKAhWKOz4KHcajBLkQ_AUIBigB

printing them at greatly reduced sizes and cutting them out and pasting the instruments on the four blank displays.....

http://i.imgur.com/f2UWD6S.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/f2UWD6Sl.jpg

A simple yet effective way to duplicate vehicle gauge and annunciator panels.

[Blackadder]

Umpity Ump Cadians:

I've taken on the task to get all my ground troops up and operational meaning break them down hopefully at the glue seams (not always successfully I might add) scrap and clean off the glue seam residue and whatever paint can be removed I have come up with about fifty Space Marines and about eighty Cadians plus an untold number of Chaos Marines and assorted denizens. anyway the Marines are pretty much done and two days ago I started on the Cadians.

I practiced on some metal Cadians from the year one and needless to say the work was tedious but I managed to get them to come out halfway decent but I suck at picture taking so the images didn't come out too good;

http://i.imgur.com/l9XRRKt.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/l9XRRKtl.jpg

this being the best of a bad lot:

http://i.imgur.com/9hS0wU1.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/9hS0wU1l.jpg

So graduating to the plastic Cadian assault squad I came across this interesting discovery......

http://i.imgur.com/712KZVv.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/712KZVvl.jpg

I'm always on the lookout for anything to break the tedium of repetition and this I think will come in handy; note the brush on the center of the last image; you wouldn't think such a huge flat tipped brush would serve for fin detailed work but this is what I discovered mainly by accident. I got called away and this flat tipped brush hardened with Agrax Earthshade wash, Rather than soak the brush to soften it I figured that applying paint with the stiff brush would gradually soften until the hairs were flexible again. Imagine my surprise that the stiff edge was ideal for applying paint to seams where say the 'pants meet the boot top' or the 'sleeve meets the gun barrel.' When the tip of the brush softens that you cannot get a fine demarcated line just squeeze the excess paint off the brush between your fingers and let the paint dry to harden the bristles.

Has anyone ever heard of this trick before?

BTW None of the soldiers in these pictures are finished, I'm only about halfway through the process of detailing and washing.

[Blackadder]

VIPER ARV:

Gotta get a couple of these for my Cadian company:

http://www.antenocitisworkshop.com/news/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/Vipersfinished003.jpg

http://www.antenocitisworkshop.com/news/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/NRFfinished019.jpg

http://theminiaturespage.com/news/1490387090

[Blackadder]

Bovine Space Marines!

What next, Pigs in space? I was rummaging through the abandon materials I inherited and came across these humongous Space Marines standing half again taller than the usual SM grunt. On painting them I noticed decidedly bovine features.

http://i.imgur.com/QT3UDV3.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/QT3UDV3l.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/DNgGpoN.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/DNgGpoNl.jpg

The armour is quite elegant with compact jump packs but who thought cow faces would look good? What chapter are these; I can't find them with google.

[Haighus]

Er, those are Marines equipped with Indomitus pattern Terminator armour- the vents on the pack are just for the armour's power plant.
https://www.games-workshop.com/en-GB/Space-Marine-Terminator-Squad
Currently, Terminator armour is an option available to every Chapter, including Blood Angels, Space Wolves, Dark Angels and Grey Knights.

[Blackadder]

Thanks for the reply and the information.

Boring:

Yeah that's what my son says, all my painting motifs are boring but having been in the military there is very little garishness in current military attire; I can only assume what holds today will hold in the far flung future, at least in some chapters.

http://i.imgur.com/fdnOHIh.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/fdnOHIhl.jpg

All my Space Marines, Cadians, and heavy equipment will sport this green and graphite with gold trim sparsely applied which seems satisfactory to me.

The Lackluster Blackadder

[Blackadder]

Robed Space Marines:

This next entry is ten robed Space Marines.

Google doesn't help much and my first inclination is to paint the robes my mixture of green and burnish the armour with graphite powder....

http://i.imgur.com/8zTaFfw.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/8zTaFfwl.jpg

but I also have a notion to paint the robes crimson à la the Monty Python Inquisitioners.

http://i.imgur.com/5LokJ3x.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/5LokJ3xl.jpg

The pieces came with the jump packs seen here but the google images show regular jump packs In either case it would seem the exhausts and the robes to prove mutually exclusive.

http://i.imgur.com/RL8Vftb.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/RL8Vftbl.jpg

I thought instead to mount mechanical arms packs and convert them into a Space Marine faction of Tech Priests.

What if any is the presidence for this?

[Kirsten]

well they can be whatever you wish them to be. they certainly could be tech marines, there is nothing stopping that. tech marines usually have red armour, but red robes would work equally well

[Blackadder]

Thanks for the input,

No One Expects the Spanish Inquisition:

Yeah I've about worn that title out and truth be known I've about had it with reclaiming these various chapters and disciplines of troop figures but since I am on a roll I might as well stick it out until they are all completed and reasonably painted.

I embarked on this sub segment of my model building because I had nothing to put in my Thunderhawk or to display around my various Titans for scale purposes and since I shall not be actually playing any of these pieces many will be just scenery on the display platforms.

Anyway I left off with these robed SM which I thought to convert to Teck priests but instead I've decided to show them as the were originally intended.

Below are the completed figures with their base coats applied:

http://i.imgur.com/xoobRyj.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/xoobRyjl.jpg

I'm not pleased with the coil glow on the Phasers but we'll see how it looks with the wash applied; detailing is yet to be done on any of these figures.

http://i.imgur.com/87zQagW.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/87zQagWl.jpg

These figures will likely be displayed on my Warlord gantry so they won't need bases. Whether SM troops are reasonably deployed in Maintenance facilities is subject to speculation.

http://i.imgur.com/xXmoCCJ.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/xXmoCCJl.jpg

Another possible mistake is the outlandishly huge shoulder armour as I did not have the originals; I had to scrounge for enough to just to complete the set so the shoulders came from various different chapters which may be off putting to 40K purists but..........

Waddaya gonna do? :D

[Kirsten]

the shoulder pads are the right size, and look to me like a dark angel pad (which the robed bodies are) and some veteran pads, which can go on anything. the right most pad on the last picture with the skull and cog, is for a techmarine, so that works well. especially if they are going to surround a titan.

[Blackadder]

the shoulder pads are the right size, and look to me like a dark angel pad (which the robed bodies are) and some veteran pads, which can go on anything. the right most pad on the last picture with the skull and cog, is for a techmarine, so that works well. especially if they are going to surround a titan.

Wow thanks,

Seems like even if I'm wrong I can't make a mistake; Ha! I especially like the part about the titan verification as that is what they'll be doing, guarding the E.L.M.E.R. Gantry.

[Kirsten]

guards don't get much better than space marines

[Blackadder]

Forward Bolters

Well after much soul searching I finally conceded that front firing bolters are not redundant on Thunderhawk as the ball turrets sport turbolasers. So placement of the turret mounts is pretty much ordained by the 3D drawing as nestled up to the froward belt armour.

http://i.imgur.com/ZtpGwX3.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/ZtpGwX3l.jpg

Yeah Blackadder, you leave this thread hanging for months and you show up with one measly image.

[Blackadder]

Forward Bolters:

Since my Thunderhawk is outsized I have elected to use Landraider sponsons.

Cutting and placing these sponsons had best be left for the end of the detailing as they have to fit right in the proper position. I was lucky in that with virtually no planning on my part the sponson fit as if I HAD PLANNED IT ALL ALONG?

After drilling the corner holes I used an Xacto keyhole saw to cut between the corner holes.

http://i.imgur.com/YzZ9TrJ.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/YzZ9TrJl.jpg

I then pared the excess styrene to the penciled lines and filed the hole carefully for a snug fit of the sponson inner flange....

http://i.imgur.com/X1xZA6s.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/X1xZA6sl.jpg

The plugs fit snugly; better than I expected.

http://i.imgur.com/rkPaVjT.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/rkPaVjTl.jpg

[Lord Tothe]

Looking good. The Land Raider sponsons definitely add to the model. And on the bright side, your Thunderhawk actually looks like the vehicle is scaled to the number of models it's supposed to carry. GW seems to undersize vehicles, at least for the Space Marines.

[Blackadder]

Thanks, and I just had an inspiration to make these removable so I can replace them with other weapons or just leave the hull opening sealed with a plug door as in the 3D image.....

http://i.imgur.com/VosDIww.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/VosDIwwl.jpg

Ahhhh to be young and have a choice.

[Kirsten]

looking good

[Lord Tothe]

Thanks, and I just had an inspiration to make these removable so I can replace them with other weapons or just leave the hull opening sealed with a plug door as in the 3D image.....

http://i.imgur.com/VosDIww.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/VosDIwwl.jpg

Ahhhh to be young and have a choice.

Brilliant solution! Will you use magnets, or just a snug press fit?

[Blackadder]

Plug In Weapons:

At the risk of belaboring the obvious I offer my mechanism for quick change weapons. in the image below I have mounted my Bolter assembly with a sliding bolt lock assembly where you slide out the upper and lower bolts to remove the bolter mount. A simple yet effective solution.

http://i.imgur.com/87Fey7N.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/87Fey7Nl.jpg

Below is the unit removed with one bolt in place and the other removed.

http://i.imgur.com/GfwcBIL.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/GfwcBILl.jpg

Pardon the blurred images please...........

[Kirsten]

simple but effective, neatly done

[40kGamer]

Very nice option!

[Blackadder]

Thanks,

Forward Cargo Interior:

One of the first things (in my optimism) I built for this model was the interior lo these many years ago so yesterday I began adapting the floor and walls to fit the amended exterior.

http://i.imgur.com/nV9G0z8.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/nV9G0z8l.jpg

First I had to cut out the floor to accommodate the nose gear housing which worked out rather well as the front reinforcing stringers gave sufficient height to clear the majority of the housing.

http://i.imgur.com/dGpclmx.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/dGpclmxl.jpg

On further inspection of the interior it seems I have room for a few Space Marines on the upper level of the superstructure if the marines can stand and be suspended by a system of beams and hangers; wouldn't that be a rip

Of course I will have the interior lighting to show off the upper gallery.

[Blackadder]

Space Marine Transport Rail

I'm looking to add two rows side by side of Space marines to the interior of my T'hawk. I plan that they will be suspended standing upright from an overhead conveyor system as the most efficient system for transporting these soldiers seeing as they are virtually self-contained one man tanks. I seem to recall an image or sketch of such a device but cannot lay my hands on it. Does anyone have a copy or a source for this image?

Below is what I have so far found which while sufficient for my purposes aren't quite what I have in mind:

http://i.imgur.com/FDNN9TD.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/FDNN9TDl.jpg

I wish I had this image when I was building my T'hawk, it would have made my guesswork that much easier....

http://i.imgur.com/OVnjuyo.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/OVnjuyol.jpg

This image isn't actually 40K Space Marines but it does get the point across.

[Blackadder]

Cargo Ramp:

I've finally addressed the issue of the front cargo ramp. this is a problem that has vexed me from day one of this project; how to cram a functioning mechanism into the tiny space available without compromising the exterior aspect of the model......

http://i.imgur.com/zjEoCKR.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/zjEoCKRl.jpg

Above we see the model as she exists today with some of the exterior detail as yet to be installed.

And here is the open maw of the beast with my new hinge assembly installed; Whoohoo! it works!

http://i.imgur.com/STMLuiP.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/STMLuiPl.jpg

Now to show the mechanics of the rather simple device......

http://i.imgur.com/5r02hwx.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/5r02hwxl.jpg

The piano-style hinge is 3/32 evergreen tubing cut into three pieces with two 0.060 by 0.250 inch tongue straps welded to the tubing and reinforced with 0.020 gussets.

A brass wire provides the hinge pin.

The assembly slides out for ease of maintenance and repair as the device may be quite flimsy....

http://i.imgur.com/5r02hwx.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/5r02hwxl.jpg

With the ramp entirely removed the detail of the hinge points is readily seen.

http://i.imgur.com/usLHIG3.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/usLHIG3l.jpg

Also note the cargo floor can be slid forward to facilitate reassembly.

The underside of the floor showing the tongue receptacles.

http://i.imgur.com/AtOIFyH.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/AtOIFyHl.jpg

Finally the flexibility of the hinges

http://i.imgur.com/i8ChPiI.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/i8ChPiIl.jpg

[Morgrim]

I admire the precision engineering you can pull off with small fiddly bits of bendy plastic.

[Blackadder]

Thanks,

The Best Laid Plans

Of mice and men ofttimes go awry. I had intended for this transport to have the capability to disgorge a Rhino but it seems the interior panels have taken up too much clearance

http://i.imgur.com/8aJ8Wju.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/8aJ8Wjul.jpg

Not to worry I have an alternate plan (A cunning plan mayhaps Mr. B?)

http://i.imgur.com/vj7VHrx.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/vj7VHrxl.jpg

My initial intent was to have clam-shell doors à la C124 and assault ramp to accommodate the width of a slick Rhino but I put that aside until I had a good idea of the interior panels requirements. That project is still on the table.

[Blackadder]

Inside Out:

Or how not to build an interior.

My ambition has exceeded my good sense as when I started this project I gave little thought to so extravagant an interior. Now I am reaping the benefit of my lack of forethought.


http://i.imgur.com/YmvRf7b.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/YmvRf7bl.jpg

Fortunately I have ample panels to access the interior for modification and upgrade

BTW the image above shows the basic nascent Space Marine harness device to safe transport to the planet to be modularly installed into the upper gallery rectangular receptacles shown in the background. This would in fact be the whole length of the upper gallery but for my purposes just the front hanger will be seen.

See, I'm not completely crazy................

[Blackadder]

There Is No Joy In Mudville:

No, I've tried quite a few different pigments and airbrush combinations on various scrap and even on the T'hawk itself 'Horrors! ' and I have found nothing I like better than powdered Aluminum and powdered Graphite hand rubbed into Flat Black Primer so after much soul searching I'm committing to Gray Knights colour scheme and an all metal finish to my Hawk.

after about fifteen minutes of of application I feel I made the correct decision, nothing brings out the detail of this model like hand rubbed Aluminium. Note the flat black front and tail still yet to have the aluminum applied.........

http://i.imgur.com/zHWLfsR.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/zHWLfsRl.jpg

Of course there will be Gray Knights red accents and lots more colours

http://i.imgur.com/278Y6Hz.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/278Y6Hzl.jpg

But this is the look I am going for so the next time you see this it will be completely pewter hued.

[Kirsten]

looking amazing

[Blackadder]

Pewter Thunderhawk: (Grey Knights colours still to come.)

Oh Gawd, finally for the first time completely together after six years in the making, my very own scratchbuilt version of the Thunderhawk. At 26 inches long and fully articulated; weapons, wings, and landing gear; it's most gratifying to be able to present this effort.

http://i.imgur.com/Chw0wI8.jpg (http://imgur.com/Chw0wI8)

There are a few production glitches:

http://i.imgur.com/9NPkCHU.jpg (http://imgur.com/9NPkCHU)

All three gears need to be lock indexed to keep from swiveling.

http://i.imgur.com/VIw9YfI.jpg (http://imgur.com/VIw9YfI)

The rear shock struts need to be spring loaded to take the weight without collapsing.

http://i.imgur.com/r9jQpWw.jpg (http://imgur.com/r9jQpWw)

The rear floor of the forward cargo bay needs to be locked down.

http://i.imgur.com/rpFBX7l.jpg (http://imgur.com/rpFBX7l)

The interior is too sparsely furnished and needs to be finished, the rough poster board edges will never do.

http://i.imgur.com/TlqrFEr.jpg (http://imgur.com/TlqrFEr)

The ball turrets need mount brackets.

http://i.imgur.com/R5tFBqF.jpg (http://imgur.com/R5tFBqF)

and of course the interior lighting.

The loading ramp needs an extension to make the disembark angle less extreme...........

but all told a most gratifying moment to see this for the first time assembled in her full glory.

Martini time; Skoal!

[Wolfshade]

Amazing stuff :)

[Mud Duck]

Truly a beautiful thing!

[completeHook]

Fantastic work,

A contender for your magnificent octopus maybe?

[Blackadder]

Blackadder's Fun and Games

Perhaps I should stick to what I know but this was kind of fun:

http://i.imgur.com/3ho5SiV.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/3ho5SiVl.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/0nxv2lI.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/0nxv2lIl.jpg

[Lord Tothe]

I wondered how long it would be before that green backdrop would be replaced with CGI.

[Blackadder]

Ha!

Afterburners:

http://i.imgur.com/CfOefUp.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/CfOefUpl.jpg

Yeah, well yer just play'n round now Blackadder.

[Blackadder]

I've been busy of late tiling my bath but I had to express a thanks for all the replies. I'll be doing some painting (on the model) today and with hope a proper update later this week.

[Blackadder]

Lipstick On A Pig:

Ugly as a Warthog most definitely and I finally found my antique can of Krylon 'Rust' Primer this past week; now I can begin painting the detail.

http://i.imgur.com/ieicdiW.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/ieicdiWl.jpg

So with the masking tape removed it's a bit of a letdown

http://i.imgur.com/PbRwGBh.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/PbRwGBhl.jpg

I plan to activate my airbrush later this weekend and see what I can do to perk these images up.

http://i.imgur.com/24VkScj.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/24VkScjl.jpg

[Blackadder]

The Assault Door Lacks Panache:

It seems I've been too conservative embellishing the front door. Besides the ho-hum paint job the loading ramp is rather bleak so it's back to the drawing board to try to perk up this dismal effort; in point of fact the whole nose of this work is pretty bland.

http://i.imgur.com/mz1DS4K.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/mz1DS4Kl.jpg

Whom I kidding; I don't have a drawing board but instead....

Eureka! I've found it while contemplating my next iteration of the loading ramp I've just thought of how I can extend the ramp to make the egress more user friendly.

http://i.imgur.com/rCpQ0mj.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/rCpQ0mjl.jpg

And the paint erosion needs to be toned down a tad as well.

[Blackadder]

Assault Door Redux:

Oh yes much more business like. I had to fake the sensor units on the doors as the images I have are pretty vague

http://i.imgur.com/z3g96SS.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/z3g96SSl.jpg

and there is only one that I can discern on the left side of the nose.

http://i.imgur.com/FKT7rhZ.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/FKT7rhZl.jpg

The right one is a pure fabrication I put in just for artistic balance.

http://i.imgur.com/UhDAP3f.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/UhDAP3fl.jpg

More painting to come but I had to see how this would look before I continue.

[Kirsten]

looking good

[Blackadder]

Done!

http://i.imgur.com/SrSitmH.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/SrSitmHl.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/52YbS5j.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/52YbS5jl.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/bQVmzUW.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/bQVmzUWl.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/FMtF4C4.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/FMtF4C4l.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/xtXxPLr.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/xtXxPLrl.jpg

[Kirsten]

wow, that is very very impressive.

[Blackadder]

Surprisingly I did not get one thumbs down on my choice of colour scheme.

[Blackadder]

Basic Painting 101

http://i.imgur.com/swLBYoo.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/swLBYool.jpg

Years ago when I began this project in my naivete I thought the Thunderhawk was able to transport a Land Raider. I did not know the FW model was too small to have that capability. So my son and I based our model on the size of a Land Raider slung beneath the seeming cutout in the belly that ideally fit the tracked APC to the flying APC.

http://i.imgur.com/8iuvZwz.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/8iuvZwzl.jpg

Today I began painting the Land Beastie after a preliminary assembly used a light gray spray primer to paint the interior which was fast and easy (took about five minutes)

http://i.imgur.com/MqQk07e.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/MqQk07el.jpg

I heartly recommend doing your base coating with cheap spray paint as opposed to expensive GW Citadel paints as so many are wont to do. $0.99 cents a can at Walmart, fast drying and plus it provides a durable base coat for your more expensive detailing acrylics.

http://i.imgur.com/YMHcX3J.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/YMHcX3Jl.jpg

So here we have the Land Raider neatly tucked up under the the Thunderhawk albeit in it's slick mode as I used most of the armament on the Thunderhawk......whoops!

[Blackadder]

Yeah I know someone building a Land Raider is about as exciting as watching ice melt but I'll try to make it interesting.

After spray painting the interior gray I proceeded to apply a coat of black primer to the exterior of the hull.

http://i.imgur.com/CCzhHnP.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/CCzhHnPl.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/GEaYXHB.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/GEaYXHBl.jpg

I left as many parts as I could removable; I had no idea Land Raiders were so complex. Seems like they're built like a house of cards and the front loading door is a masterpiece of engineering, kudos to that. I'll have to keep that trick in mind for a future scratch project.

http://i.imgur.com/1Y68Vrn.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/1Y68Vrnl.jpg

After the paint dried I began applying the Grey Knights Aluminum Metallic powder.

http://i.imgur.com/oA4LMgu.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/oA4LMgul.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/1fN59uS.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/1fN59uSl.jpg

So you're telling me Blackadder that after all that we're gray again.....

[Morgrim]

You're making the weird bend on the bottom of a Thunderhawk look sensible, ye gads. :p

How are you applying the powder? With a brush or with a cloth?

[Blackadder]

You're making the weird bend on the bottom of a Thunderhawk look sensible, ye gads. :p

How are you applying the powder? With a brush or with a cloth?

Sometimes I use a rather stiff flat tip brush but I find it puts too much powder on the surface. Main it just touch my fingertip to the adhering to the jar lid and spread it on the surface with my finger. This has the added benefit of rubbing the powder into the flat paint plus the oils from my skin impart a nice patine to the finish. Once rubbed in the model can be handled without disturbing the powder and I have even taped over the finish and not removed the finish. The metal can be painted over if needs be as when I applied the red paint to the nose ramp.

[Blackadder]

Fifteen Minute Paint Job:

Sidetracked as I've been with the election primaries I've missed working on my Landraider so today I bit the bullet and painted er coloured up the whole tank less the armament which is still in the mail from Australia.

Granted I did have the whole tank primed with flat black but swear to Gawd it took fifteen to twenty minutes to paint er colour up this tank and no drying time. Of course there are pro-painters that can fault this tyro effort but you cannot beat the speed of the result.

So here's a few views you might find interesting:

http://i.imgur.com/o6c0MZU.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/o6c0MZUl.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/Zf19C0v.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/Zf19C0vl.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/aavguV7.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/aavguV7l.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/Xe74ERw.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/Xe74ERwl.jpg

Yeah that's copper powder I put on the track as an experiment. I've had the stuff lying about for years and decided to give it a go.

[Lord Tothe]

Copper powder looks pretty good, although this means you might need to add some of it to the T-Hawk now too.

My advice: Ditch politics and play games instead. You have far more power to control the outcome of your hobby life than you do to effect political outcomes.

[Blackadder]

Fifteen Minute Paint Job Part two:

BTW the shadows on the model are in the finish, it isn't the lighting and I still have to brush off the excess metal dust.

http://i.imgur.com/m5M1OnU.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/m5M1OnUl.jpg

Sorry for the shaky image I haven't mastered the art of the selfie.

http://i.imgur.com/3ua7Z3m.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/3ua7Z3ml.jpg

Or the two handed hover for that matter.....

http://i.imgur.com/dNivmeH.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/dNivmeHl.jpg

That's a little better....

http://i.imgur.com/ZUxyP6w.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/ZUxyP6wl.jpg

and blew it again........sorry

[Blackadder]

Fifteen Minute Paint Job Part Three:

Last night I masked of the entire tank and sprayed the front end with rust primer. The masking took the better part of an hour but the painting but a couple of minutes............

http://i.imgur.com/ygbyuSF.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/ygbyuSFl.jpg

Kyrlon Rust Primer is no longer made which is a pity because it provides a deep base for reds and oranges so when dry brushing on these colours the primer provides shadow.

http://i.imgur.com/tLt7SkI.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/tLt7SkIl.jpg

[Blackadder]

Phoenix Rising:

From ashes This little Rhino was painted red and forgotten. I primed it in black and rubbed in aluminum powder.

http://i.imgur.com/Hdn4dA1.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/Hdn4dA1l.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/OGcqvdl.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/OGcqvdll.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/RU671qU.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/RU671qUl.jpg

[Blackadder]

The Case of the Missing Stancheon Shield:

As if I didn't have enough to do I cannot find the Lascannon cover shield so after an exhaustive search I decided to build one......

http://i.imgur.com/xSyYRAO.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/xSyYRAOl.jpg

These photos reveal it's still a bit rough around the edges.

http://i.imgur.com/1WlIxmv.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/1WlIxmvl.jpg

[Blackadder]

Rhino Revisited:

Work has pretty much been stalled due to working on the new bath but I did manage to sneak in some painting when no one was looking.....

http://i.imgur.com/IjM58ca.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/IjM58cal.jpg

In the scrap box I found some Rhino accessories and a vintage four bogie GW Rhino which astounded me because of it's size and simplicity; we'll go into that at a later date.

Meanwhile the current Rhino is beginning to look pretty good (IMHO) and the ugly little cuss is growing on me.

http://i.imgur.com/lAzWWFJ.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/lAzWWFJl.jpg

Some day I'll get around to applying decals.

http://i.imgur.com/SrRITDi.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/SrRITDil.jpg

After I learn how to do it that is.

[Blackadder]

It's Beginning To Look a Lot Like Christmas:

I was in the mall the other day and wandered into a store I've not seen before called 'Big Lots' They had these marvelous seed type LED Christmas lights:

http://i.imgur.com/PRFimZr.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/PRFimZrl.jpg

Prewired and ready to be installed in your model project, in this case my never ending Thunderhawk Project:

http://i.imgur.com/kpd3JDc.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/kpd3JDcl.jpg

Striping down the fuselage and just jamming about half the bulbs into the forward cargo bay shows me they will provide sufficient light to illuminate the interior and taking so little space to be readily hidden behind the thin walls and ceiling of the bay

http://i.imgur.com/mbIGFHU.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/mbIGFHUl.jpg

Threading the lights though the hull will require a bit of effort but the savings of time manufacturing the circuit is worth the $5 cost of the string.

http://i.imgur.com/oyDEKjA.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/oyDEKjAl.jpg

They come in Cool White, (Shown) Warm White and Multicoloured .... I may buy the multicoloured string and splice colours in strategic areas of the model.

I can't wait to install some of these in my Warlord Titan.

[Blackadder]

Ceiling Panel and Lenses

last night it came to me how to employ these marvelous lights. I had hoped for more conventional LEDs' but the circuitry behind the ceiling panel was quite restricted if I was to have adequate clearance for a Slick Rhino in the cargo bay. These seed Leds were just the ticket but how to mount them???

I began with a sheet of 0.030 inch styrene cut to fit the ceiling... initially I posited 18 lights to illuminate the bay interior and drilled two rows of nine per side but I hit upon some scrap plastic interesting shapes in the form of dispossible contact lens containers. Slightly fogged thes container vials provide interesting shapes, just the thing for a set of 40K light fixtures plus they diffuse the light.......

http://i.imgur.com/1Au7mJT.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/1Au7mJTl.jpg

With the holes drilled for the sockets to mount the LEDs and a dry trial run I think these will work out nicely.

http://i.imgur.com/RnPExOp.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/RnPExOpl.jpg

[Morgrim]

I presume you are one of the hobbyists that hoard interestingly shaped things 'just in case', because that is a lot of contact lens containers to have lying about. I'm not sure clear on what you're planning to do with the LEDs but it looks like it will be very interesting.

[Blackadder]

I presume you are one of the hobbyists that hoard interestingly shaped things 'just in case', because that is a lot of contact lens containers to have lying about. I'm not sure clear on what you're planning to do with the LEDs but it looks like it will be very interesting.

Yeah you're right on both counts, I've bee saving up for years to build an all 'recyclable plastic' Emperor Titan, in point of fact I want to start it this Winter (my Winter not your's) it going to be on the order of 92 cm (36 inches) tall but not articulated as my previous Titans, too much work plus the plastic refuse probably won't stand up to the rigors of moving joints.

These Bausch & Lomb contact blisters, I've got hundreds, seem ideal for lenses for LEDs and other scratch items. This is the first time I've found a use for them and I'll probably use about thirty on the Thunderhawk alone.

Thanks for the reply.

[Blackadder]

Tripping the Lights Fantastic:

This is coming out 'way better than I expected. It's amazing how much light these little diodes generate.

The image below shows three stages of construction with the finished light assembly in the foreground. I used Testors' Clear Parts Cement to glue the LED to the ceiling panel and I just dropped the lens blister over the foreground LED to show what I have in mind once all the LEDs are installed

http://i.imgur.com/bVbGO1Z.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/bVbGO1Zl.jpg

Below is a close up of the LED and the lens blister.

http://i.imgur.com/YPrr1sq.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/YPrr1sql.jpg

Once the panel is completed the raised rim around the lens blister will be painted to give a purpose to the structure that is a buttress frame member and to give protection for the lens in the cargo hold.

[Blackadder]

Trial Bay Lighting:

Awright before anyone points it out, I know the ceiling is hanging down on the left side....

This is just a trial to determine of the lighting is adequate which it is and then some. The camera lens picks up a lot more light than is apparent in person and the lenses defuse the harshness of the LEDs just about right.

http://i.imgur.com/XkfhAgs.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/XkfhAgsl.jpg

Close up of the ceiling shows 14 LEDs is sufficient to illuminate the entire bay

http://i.imgur.com/0ux5OhC.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/0ux5OhCl.jpg

My entry gewgaws which I thought too 'busy' actually look plain and uninspired in the cold light.

http://i.imgur.com/EPY036F.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/EPY036Fl.jpg

I need to perk them up quite a bit plus the walls further back in the bay now that it is illuminated.

http://i.imgur.com/75oqQQ9.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/75oqQQ9l.jpg

[Blackadder]

My New Photo Studio:

Is too small for the Thunderhawk! I converted my closet in the den to a paint booth / photo studio and the first thing I use it for is too big to fit. Gaaah!

http://i.imgur.com/y5A36Bb.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/y5A36Bbl.jpg

Well it's not really a problem as I can just extend the table but I gotta start making smaller models. Not likely.

http://i.imgur.com/tboQoDQ.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/tboQoDQl.jpg

So the real reason for the post is an update on the interior cargo lighting before I disassemble the model for the rest of the lighting installation.

http://i.imgur.com/r4YkTAG.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/r4YkTAGl.jpg

I sorely need more interior detail

http://i.imgur.com/4AiRFpw.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/4AiRFpwl.jpg

and a vehicle

http://i.imgur.com/RMYUpkc.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/RMYUpkcl.jpg

Next up Cockpit Lighting.

[bloodangel 83]

Keep up the great work on this monster of a growing beast. Are you leaving the lights white or will you add some colour lights as well

[Blackadder]

Thanks for the reply,

How Not To Build a Thunderhawk:

Or at least How Not To Make the Same Mistakes I Did :D

Below is my solution to mount the craft on a pedestal base using 1/2 inch rods to provide relatively innocuous levity. ;)

http://i.imgur.com/qupV6A4.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/qupV6A4l.jpg

The problem being I have to do all this work inside out without damaging the already finished exterior. It pays to plan ahead.....

http://i.imgur.com/TMdsvZf.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/TMdsvZfl.jpg

After drilling an oversized hole I glued in a sleeve to receive the transparent rod. As an added refinement I plan now to finish the upper gallery with Lighting and Space Marines ready to deploy; all this accomplished in the inside out manner previously mentioned. Heh, heh, heh! (He laughs maniacally.......)

The rest of the images probably need no explanation as it just duplicates forward the work described above.

http://i.imgur.com/GOslGZ4.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/GOslGZ4l.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/7XEbumj.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/7XEbumjl.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/3e6O9nd.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/3e6O9ndl.jpg

However there is one more surprise in store for followers of these interminable thread addenda Heh,heh.heh!

[Psychosplodge]

Nice lighting. I'd have glued the doors shut so as not to have to think about the interior :D

[Blackadder]

Cure For a Rainy Day:

OMG every thing is coming up Roses. Purists may baulk at a Thunderhawk Transport carrying a Landraider but I've wanted this every since I first laid eyes on a T'hawk. The shape of the fwd cargo compartment fairly screams for that configuration. Since my T'hawk is so much larger than the basic FW version it can easily fit a Landraider in the notch space between the wings.

http://i.imgur.com/4ltc13W.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/4ltc13Wl.jpg

Finally the center of balance for the model is right where the transparent rod pierces the Landraider forward turret so everything is falling into place with a minimum of alteration to the APC just a 1/2 inch hole aft of the bulkhead. Tada!

Martini Time Skoal!

[Psychosplodge]

That looks brilliant. So is it bigger than the FW transporter version?

[Blackadder]

I've got no specs on a Transporter but my bird is about eight inches longer than the FW Thunderhawk and the wing span is a good six inches wider so it's safe to say it exceeds the Transporter by a few inches as well. I built the craft with the carrying capability as I wanted a true scale representative of the class. This is not without president in the aviation industry where the initial model of the aircraft is stretched and more powerful engines are developed witness the evolution of the B747 to a double deck configuration by extending the guppy to the tail and also increasing the length so by increasing the passenger carrying capability by almost double.

https://i.ytimg.com/vi/-bweBQDEBX8/maxresdefault.jpg

Best Laid Plans:

Oft time Gang aft agley"......... Brought My T'hawk to a show last week and on returning home in the wee hours put it on a shelf for a couple of days.

I finally got around to getting the interior of the cargo compartment sorted out and began the retro fitting of the inner walls when I discovered one of the Ball turrets missing????? well for the past couple of days I've torn my workshop apart and traced all my steps repeatedly to no avail, it's just gone so, biting the bullet, I resigned myself to making another one using the remaining one for a guide;

http://i.imgur.com/eB8R5ZR.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/eB8R5ZRl.jpg

What infernal luck.... and I was going to glue the turret mounts in place too just this past week.

[bloodangel 83]

Keep up the great work.

[Blackadder]

You Can't Go Home Again:

Well for what it's worth I've tried to duplicate my work of last year but the inspiration seems sorely lacking. Whilst this is a reasonable facsimile it cannot match the caliber of the original.

http://i.imgur.com/QlH2QZ4.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/QlH2QZ4l.jpg

I'm about to apply the finishing detail but this is at best a tawdry effort.

I still hold out hope for finding the original.

[Blackadder]

Ready to Paint...........

Finally

http://i.imgur.com/4TPmRON.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/4TPmRONl.jpg

[Blackadder]

First Assembly:

The New Ball Turret mounted in place with the interior walls . Rear cargo bay bulkhead does not fit well at all. Ceiling locking panel functions well. In all for a first assembly I am quite pleased.

http://i.imgur.com/GTsTeMW.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/GTsTeMWl.jpg


Exterior port side view of Ball Turret (original)looks okay but interior ceiling is pushing down on canard wing root so it has dihedral. Needs to be adjusted.

http://i.imgur.com/a1mMAUO.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/a1mMAUOl.jpg

Starboard side (new) ball turret functions well but is not of the same quality as the original .

http://i.imgur.com/BGdVgIG.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/BGdVgIGl.jpg


Closeup reveals crudeness of work. My heart wasn't into making this replacement for the missing ball turret, I still hold out hopes of finding it.

http://i.imgur.com/hG6kcWM.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/hG6kcWMl.jpg


The original ball turret is so much better.

http://i.imgur.com/59MPZrJ.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/59MPZrJl.jpg

Hey I can take a selfie with this camera, I don't know what I did to do this but in view of the image I'm not likely to do it again. :D..... The Blackadder is looking old.

http://i.imgur.com/1iFpeLH.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/1iFpeLHl.jpg

Showing where the rework lies.

http://i.imgur.com/x3EsfvS.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/x3EsfvSl.jpg

Likewise on the right side and the Interior walls look too bare.

http://i.imgur.com/o2SbPsq.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/o2SbPsql.jpg

Exterior bottom view

http://i.imgur.com/XQLvGpz.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/XQLvGpzl.jpg

Hope I didn't damage your computer with the selfie. Ha!