Blackadder's Scratchbuilt Thunderhawk

[Blackadder]

The Blackadder has a new project and I am posting here from the inception rather than after it was completed as with Lucie.

This new project is a Thunderhawk the basic structure of which has been kicked around my basement for a few years; a discarded work my son attempted when I started my Warhound. In all fairness starting college may have been the cause of his waining interest in scratchbuilding.

Anyway I have taken up the gauntlet and am attempting to complete this model.

The hull is composed of 1/2 inch foam filled posterboard and the images below are of the basic hull as of a week ago.

The image uploader isn't working? It's not the size or the format? I'll try later.

http://i.imgur.com/Sq1gCl.jpg (http://imgur.com/Sq1gC)

http://i.imgur.com/HUgckl.jpg (http://imgur.com/HUgck)

http://i.imgur.com/jhMYKl.jpg (http://imgur.com/jhMYK)

http://i.imgur.com/LFHlZl.jpg (http://imgur.com/LFHlZ)

[Blackadder]

I came across these 3D images.

I don't know who this artist is but I want to have his baby (Well build his baby anyway.) He has actually made a Thunderhawk look not only attractive but downright viable.

Below are 3D renderings from this artist which while not 100% FW exact are a tremendous improvement on the original and will be my guide from now on.

http://i.imgur.com/WmLVUl.jpg (http://imgur.com/WmLVU)

http://i.imgur.com/hi48ql.jpg (http://imgur.com/hi48q)

http://i.imgur.com/a7BvUl.jpg (http://imgur.com/a7BvU)

http://i.imgur.com/dv7MXl.jpg (http://imgur.com/dv7MX)

[Blackadder]

More from the same artist:

http://i.imgur.com/ARGaPl.jpg (http://imgur.com/ARGaP)

http://i.imgur.com/c6O61l.jpg (http://imgur.com/c6O61)

http://i.imgur.com/YVoJvl.jpg (http://imgur.com/YVoJv)

http://i.imgur.com/VU9psl.jpg (http://imgur.com/VU9ps)

[Blackadder]

And yet more:

http://i.imgur.com/4XIzJl.jpg (http://imgur.com/4XIzJ)

Note that the last image is of the heretofore not seen belly of the beast.

http://i.imgur.com/sJhlyl.jpg (http://imgur.com/sJhly)

[SotonShades]

Good luck with it. If it's a fraction as good as your Warhound, I truely cannot wait to see the end result.

[Blackadder]

Me too. :D

[Blackadder]

I really want to replicate the 3D Thunderhawk posted above. It may be outsized but it looks more airworthy than any Thunderhawk rendering I've yet seen. I can't wait to get to the fine detail. The layered armour and the beveled edge on the fuselage really makes this thing come alive. I'm also opening up the cargo bay so it will have an interior as well.

http://i.imgur.com/r8Akml.jpg (http://imgur.com/r8Akm)

"One step forward two steps back," that's my motto.

[Blackadder]

Since this beastie will have a full interior of the cargo bay including the side hatches I have to be careful all is right dimension wise. I am taking meticulous care building the nose hatch/ramp.

http://i.imgur.com/dH7iul.jpg (http://imgur.com/dH7iu)

[Blackadder]

I've been real busy at work this week not much to show for it. Yesterday I started on the cargo bay interior. Getting smarter in my old age I'm building the interior first so I don't have to work inside out.

http://i.imgur.com/NlSxUl.jpg (http://imgur.com/NlSxU)

http://i.imgur.com/MLMmLl.jpg (http://imgur.com/MLMmL)

http://i.imgur.com/fy7Acl.jpg (http://imgur.com/fy7Ac)

[Blackadder]

I'm going to stick with the cargo bay cockpit and under the air brake flaps. That should be sufficient. I know there is a wealth of detail in the FW kit, (They should invest some of that energy in making their moulds stable.) but what I have seen in most of the resin kits I've rescued is that the hatches are glued shut, the doors are inoperable and if there is a panel that can be removed to veiw some internal component it is invariably cemented in place for eternity.

Not so with the Jumbo 'hawk; the interior is coming along nicely but is a chore. Sometimes I wonder why I start these things, they monopolize a lot of time plus I ran out of crucial styrene for the floor ribs and had to make a hobby shop run this morning. I thought I'd never find a use for this size strip but I ran out two strips short of finishing and had to buy more. Now I have more than when I started. (Poor baby Blackadder.)

Any way the floor is done and the side panels are clamped in place but I won't be gluing just yet because I still haven't figured out where the landing gear cylinder goes when the nose gear is retracted. Someone's in for a bit of a shock when that nose gear bursts thru the cargo compartment floor (All together now, "Poor engineering planning FW, nowheres near as well thought out as the Warhound. And where are the actuators for the forward cargo hatch/ramp?) All these problems will have to be addressed before the interior detail can be affixed

Here's the result of a mis-spent Saturday morning:

http://i.imgur.com/8IDONl.jpg (http://imgur.com/8IDON)

http://i.imgur.com/oiLVwl.jpg (http://imgur.com/oiLVw)

http://i.imgur.com/oiLVwl.jpg (http://imgur.com/oiLVw)

[Lemt]

Dammit, you made me drool.

[blueshift]

hmmm, guess i came in at an awkward time, eh Lemt? :D

OP: when you are done, rip it apart and mail it to me. then i will make resin copies of this and sell it as "SCI FI TRANSPORT THUNDER AWK SALE PRICE $15 FREE SHIPPING"

by the time we get a cease and desist from GW, everyone will already have it and then we can send the proceeds to japan or libya or some crap.

[Thornoo1]

These things are pretty fun to build. I'm not particularly patient and came up with this.

http://i118.photobucket.com/albums/o112/Thornoo1/IG%20project/IMG_0315.jpg

And I found this one here Linky (http://www.lounge.belloflostsouls.net/showthread.php?t=4327)

Yours looks like it will end up nicely as you're willing to put the time into it to get heaps of detail

[Blackadder]

Designing a viable landing gear was paramount on my mind for the past weekend until I saw this video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L7u8_r07-3s&feature=youtu.be

On further watching the video I see that both forward and back actuators pivot on both ends and double as hydraulic cylinders to extend the pad and shock struts (No small feat of engineering that!) but when the strut is full extended down the front and rear cylinders become shock struts and are able to compress and absorb the landing shock.

And very little room is taken up when fully retracted.

Below is my interpretation of the landing gear mechanism:

http://i.imgur.com/4tCy5l.jpg (http://imgur.com/4tCy5)

My solution to the landing gear dilemma:

http://i.imgur.com/vL2fcl.jpg (http://imgur.com/vL2fc)

This model should be much simpler than the Warhound. Not having to design positionable joints strong enough to take the movement but still be the proper size so as not to look ungainly was extremely difficult with Lucie and took a lot of time. I had to rebuild the joints a few times until they were satisfactory. This retractable landing gear problem was a much easier nut to crack once I saw the scissor mechanism displayed in the video. My problem was not thinking outside the box. A background in aircraft experience would not allow me to think of an dual oleo strut/hydraulic cylinder combination (I still question the feasibility of such an appliance?) but the manufacture should be child's play compared to Lucie's toe joints; I still have nightmares about those. #-o. I may use a spring mechanism and trigger lock to deploy the gear so they do not collapse when sitting on them and not have to be pried out of the wheel well each time they are to be lowered. I'm thinking ball point pen springs should be sufficient. Once I get the proportions right on this beastie it will be a simple matter of gluing on all the fabulous detail exhibited in those 3D drawings above.

[bloodangel 83]

Looks like your off to a great start. Cannot wait to see how this turns out with your Titan finished. Keep up the work and what color are you planing on painting this Thunderhawk? BA83

[Blackadder]

As you can see my vision of the Thunderhawk is slightly larger than the FW offering. My first impression of the Thunderhawk concept was that it be capable of carrying a Rhino. After all for what else would be the purpose of such a huge loading door? Imagine my disappointment when I found the FW Thunderhawk too diminutive to disgorge even so small a tank as a Rhino. I am still mulling over the necessity of hinging the forward side panels to allow more clearance; hell I probably shall in the end not being satisfied with compromising measures. Image the dramatic effect when your Thunderhawk glides to a touchdown, the ramp drops, the side doors open, and it vomits forth an APC.

http://i.imgur.com/wZcIsl.jpg (http://imgur.com/wZcIs)

http://i.imgur.com/LC6ytl.jpg (http://imgur.com/LC6yt)

Sweet!

[Blackadder]

Starting on the ramp because I need to install the hinge tube before I can apply the nose armour. Below is a practical demonstration of how to make ribbed flooring.

http://i.imgur.com/gnYASl.jpg (http://imgur.com/gnYAS)

http://i.imgur.com/ubVHDl.jpg (http://imgur.com/ubVHD)

http://i.imgur.com/YXl0ul.jpg (http://imgur.com/YXl0u)

[SotonShades]

Really like how it's coming along. Is the front door big enough for a Dreadnought to walk out of?

[Blackadder]

How tall is a dreadnought? The headroom in the cargo bay is 68 millimeters.

Part of the fun of scratchbuilding (If you have a penchant for masochism that is.) is inventing ways to replicate in stock styrene the intricacies of injection mould plastic kits etc. There were two ways to approach the manufacture of the object below. One was to attempt to cut the slots in a single piece of sheet plastic and glue it onto a backing. I rejected that straight out because the finished product regardless of the care exercised would be crude and amateurish. The second, the option I chose was to build the corrugations one slat at a time as demonstrated in the previous reply, score the perpendicular channels with a sharp utility knife, widen and deepen the score with a razor saw, and shave out the residue with a chisel bladed Exacto knife. This worked well for the wide center longitudinal reinforcement but how to make the narrow side reinforcements? Start as before with the score and the razor saw to accomplish the primary cut. Then taking your razor saw at a 45° angle carefully widen the score to the required width. If you have jewelers files you can dress the sides of the channels but in this case it was not necessary.

Now I'll see if I can repeat the process on the other side without screwing the damned thing up.

http://i.imgur.com/tdnTil.jpg (http://imgur.com/tdnTi)

Then taking your razor saw at a 45° angle carefully widen the score to the required width. If you have jewelers files you can dress the sides of the channels but in this case it was not necessary.

Pictured below are the only tools necessary to accomplish this exercise . Had I to do this over again I would have angled the side channels slightly out at the bottom to dispel the illusion that they converge.

http://i.imgur.com/ykj53l.jpg (http://imgur.com/ykj53)

[BrokenWing]

You sir are crazy.

In a good way.

[Lane]

My first impression of the Thunderhawk concept was that it be capable of carrying a Rhino. After all for what else would be the purpose of such a huge loading door?

IIRC the original description of the Thunderhawk had the Rhino carried under the rear section, not internal. The huge loading door allows Dreadnaughts or the 30 Marines packed nut-to-butt to exit quickly.

[Mystery.Shadow]

C'mon guys! Didn't you see that exquisite gem of an animatic masterpiece known as "Ultramarines" that clearly shows us the mammoth door is for loading (and unloading) a Landspeeder!

[MarneusCalgar]

Very nice!!

Hope to see it finished soon...

[Blackadder]

Considering it took the better part of a week just to make the loading ramp fruition will be a long time coming. In my defense my workload this week was extremely heavy and I could only devote a half hour in the morning to working on the ramp. Each slats had to be secure before the next could be applied or they would move when the spacer was run between them. I also managed to apply the outer skin (1 MM sheet styrene) to the forward hull. I finished up the ramp this morning and taped it into place. Everything is square and true so tomorrow I will start applying the forward armour. This will be the fun part when the model starts to look like something other than a long white shoebox. Right now I am sitting back sipping a well deserved Martini and reflecting on a satisfactory accomplishment.

http://i.imgur.com/3hxpjl.jpg (http://imgur.com/3hxpj)

http://i.imgur.com/tmSrxl.jpg (http://imgur.com/tmSrx)

My patience is holding strong and the worst of the build is behind me now it's just a matter of detail, the part I relish.

Regarding the capacity to carry a Rhino etc. From firsthand experience I know that military vehicles sometimes are needed to be employed in roles that for which they were not intended due to the exergy of battle. All hardware is expendable and secondary to the objective. If the capacity to carry outsized loads is there it will carry outsized loads! 'nuff said.

[Lane]

Part of the fun of scratchbuilding (If you have a penchant for masochism that is.) is inventing ways to replicate in stock styrene the intricacies of injection mould plastic kits etc. There were two ways to approach the manufacture of the object below. One was to attempt to cut the slots in a single piece of sheet plastic and glue it onto a backing.

Third option: http://hobbylinc.com/htm/evg/evg4526.htm
.040" is is about 1mm and IIRC the spacing is .040" gap then .040 rib.

[Blackadder]

Right now I'm gluing on the second layer of sheathing to strengthen the hull and provide a good base for the armour.

http://i.imgur.com/o4jBGl.jpg (http://imgur.com/o4jBG)

http://i.imgur.com/t4srJl.jpg (http://imgur.com/t4srJ)

http://i.imgur.com/4gTFKl.jpg (http://imgur.com/4gTFK)

Not really much to see for all the work involved but as a matter of interest the hull is square and true to the width of a sharpened pencil line in cross section and in length. Speaking of length I may have gone overboard in extending the aft hull I'll have to see after the forward armour is installed. I'm trying to avoid the blocky look of the FW model but right now I feel it may be a decimeter too long.

[bloodangel 83]

looks good so far. keep up the great work.

[Blackadder]

Whew, after a month of convalescing I'm back and finally feel like building models again. I don't recommend spending three weeks in a hospital.

Anyhow here is my first days labor on my long neglected project. I've decided to install the armour as I proceed back to the unfinished stern section. This is probably a mistake but I believe the hull is too long so once the armour in the front is done I'll be better able to trust my eye than actual measurements. As per usual I shall be doing this the hard way. No wonder I have ulcers.

http://i.imgur.com/srXdCl.jpg (http://imgur.com/srXdC)

I've laid out the coordinating lines on the hull and am fashioning the armour to fit. This is why it would be prohibitive to duplicate and sell copies of this model aside from copyright infringments

http://i.imgur.com/DfBukl.jpg (http://imgur.com/DfBuk)

Front view more of the same. The hull walls are approaching the proper thickness now.

http://i.imgur.com/DfBukl.jpg (http://imgur.com/DfBuk)

Side view of the nose armour which I calcuate to be 1.5 MM thick.

[recceboy]

Nice work, makes me want to start my own...:)

[Blackadder]

Whoops big errors, have to re-do the nose armour.

Strangely I had forgotten I made this enlarged image on my photo editor to plot coordinating intersections. The actual model superimposes rather well on the 3D image with the exception of the most recent work which will be rectified. It appears that 6.0 mm is the proper thickness for the front cargo door and the aligning recesses in the side armour. The image has a two pixel margin of error due to the fuzziness of the enlargement. I can live with that.

http://i.imgur.com/nqdIHl.jpg (http://imgur.com/nqdIH)

Rather poor in my estimation.

http://i.imgur.com/SvWMEl.jpg (http://imgur.com/SvWME)

This is the goal.

http://i.imgur.com/QGHdtl.jpg (http://imgur.com/QGHdt)

With coordination lines superimposed on model

http://i.imgur.com/r11Jcl.jpg (http://imgur.com/r11Jc)

With pencil lines adjusted on model; by god that is close enough for government work.

E. Blackadder

[bloodangel 83]

looking good on the thunderhawk. keep up the work and it will come together sooner then you think. hope your doing well and your back does not act up again

[Blackadder]

Corrected a few mistakes and then added some armour. This ugly beast is starting to grow on me. I can't wait to start on the wings and engines.

http://i.imgur.com/stRajl.jpg (http://imgur.com/stRaj)

The lateral line belt armour and the nose section seam in place. and a start on the second layer of upper hull armour.

http://i.imgur.com/gbpypl.jpg (http://imgur.com/gbpyp)

http://i.imgur.com/rzCrMl.jpg (http://imgur.com/rzCrM)

http://i.imgur.com/8Eg9Ql.jpg (http://imgur.com/8Eg9Q)
--
E. Blackadder

[Blackadder]

I was wondering how to do the intricate double layered top of the hull armour without a seam in the finished skin. Part of the beauty of the 3D rendering is that seamless broad expanse of armour with all the cutouts in the edge and compound angles and vent fan cutout, set. Cutting this piece out of 2.5 mm styrene would be very difficult to get perfectly straight cuts and 90° vertical edges.

http://i.imgur.com/a7BvUl.jpg (http://imgur.com/a7BvU)

My solution (if it works) is to make the substrate of 1.5 mm sheeting with 6.3 X 1.5 mm edging strips using all together 5 pieces and then after all is cut out in the substrate tracing the pattern onto the 1.0 mm single piece top armour plate. Then cutting out the square vent fan hatch in the 1.0 mm sheet and the edge cutouts will be easy. Then gluing the top and 1.5 mm substrate together and gluing the whole assembly to the top of the hull should give me the complex piece I want without the seams and knife nicked edges. (I hope)

http://i.imgur.com/9wO31l.jpg (http://imgur.com/9wO31)

You can see that this is a very involved section.

http://i.imgur.com/Olhacl.jpg (http://imgur.com/Olhac)

The pieces of required substrate to the right and one of the edge pieces tacked onto the underside of top layer.

http://i.imgur.com/kFUs5l.jpg (http://imgur.com/kFUs5)

Another view of the penciled in lines.

E. Blackadder

[Blackadder]

There is a lot of confusion as to what I am trying to achieve regarding the top armour plating.

It's hard to describe the procedure but suffice it to say here is the result.

http://i.imgur.com/MZypwl.jpg (http://imgur.com/MZypw)
The underside of the 1.0 mm top armour with the two 1.5 mm edge pieces installed and the three pieces of the base armour.

http://i.imgur.com/epiCwl.jpg (http://imgur.com/epiCw)
The topside of the 1.0 mm top armour showing the end of the edge pieces.

http://i.imgur.com/Nd5dml.jpg (http://imgur.com/Nd5dm)
The assembled top and base armour 2.5 mm thick with detail cutouts and edges dressed.

http://i.imgur.com/mz5H2l.jpg (http://imgur.com/mz5H2)
Top view of the armour assembly.

E. Blackadder

[Blackadder]

http://i.imgur.com/kNhPHl.jpg (http://imgur.com/kNhPH)
The moment of truth, does it fit?

http://i.imgur.com/bsNlkl.jpg (http://imgur.com/bsNlk)
Seems like a good fit but too much flash.

http://i.imgur.com/uapBYl.jpg (http://imgur.com/uapBY)
Less flash more detail.

http://i.imgur.com/TBKmVl.jpg (http://imgur.com/TBKmV)
The front edge needs trimming.

--
E. Blackadder

[Meph]

Phewww, nice work. That is starting to look real good with the paneling in place. Carry on. ^^

[Blackadder]

Not much to show for yesterday's work. The secondary layer of armour is attached, the cut outs on the side 90° corners have been dressed out with file and knife and sanded clean with fine sandpaper and file so the seams barely show. This is a downfall of many of the scratch built models I see, that the corners are not clean and crisp. No amount of greenstuff or filler will give that precise intersection and it is relatively easy to achieve with the proper knife and a good clean new 'single cut file'. I use a 'Nicholson' single cut with a coarse side and a fine side that also has one of the edges capable of cutting for a nice crisp interior 90° angle cut. Invest in a file card wire cleaner and clean your file regularly to keep the file teeth from clogging.

In all, the whole of the secondary armour is out of true by less than a quarter of a millimeter which is satisfactory to me and once it is rounded in the finally dressing that discrepancy will blend in I'm sure.

http://i.imgur.com/Oao6Bl.jpg (http://imgur.com/Oao6B)
The right side is the master side I do all the planning on. Always use the same side for sketching and fitting pieces and don't shift your on model plan lines from right to left sides if you can help it or you will build in discrepancies that will make your work look lopsided.

http://i.imgur.com/QbQqvl.jpg (http://imgur.com/QbQqv)
The left side pieces I cut using the right side pieces for a guide making allowances for penciled or scribed lines and dressing the two pieces to insure they precisely match one another. It's easier to do this before they are glued on than trying to correct them after they are installed.

http://i.imgur.com/LJ1lZl.jpg (http://imgur.com/LJ1lZ)
The front view appears satisfactorily symmetrical.

Now for the front cargo door.

--
E. Blackadder

[Blackadder]

This was harder than one would suspect, not just cutting out rectangles in 5 mm thick plastic but the angles are actually rhomboid shape in the front elevation and set at compound angles to boot.

http://i.imgur.com/NARCUl.jpg (http://imgur.com/NARCU)

Also the 'bonnet' cover plate is installed.

http://i.imgur.com/ULLl3l.jpg (http://imgur.com/ULLl3)

--
E. Blackadder

[Meph]

Gah, your fingers must hurt! But it's worth it though!

[SotonShades]

Good luck with the door. If it is anything like the rest, I'm sure it will look absolutely fantastic. Keep up the phenomonal work :)

[Blackadder]

I'm still trying to figure out why my fingers might hurt??????????? Elaborate please??????:confused:

[Blackadder]

In spite of my attempt to render this model as close to the 3D image I just can't bring myself to make the cargo door projection as thick as it appears on the 3D picture. I have to trust in the fact that these are prospective drawings and that my effort will bear a reasonable likeness when completed. Not much to show for the week. Heavy work load recently.

The cargo bay opening:
http://i.imgur.com/ljuYyl.jpg (http://imgur.com/ljuYy)

The door in place 6mm thick and it appears still not enough! Egad!
http://i.imgur.com/tm20Wl.jpg (http://imgur.com/tm20W)

The reinforcement stringers being applied as I type; 4mm X 2mm that should be enough by god:
http://i.imgur.com/KdGill.jpg (http://imgur.com/KdGil)

--
E. Blackadder

[DrLove42]

Looking as amazing as ever Mister Blackadder Sir

[Blackadder]

Please, my modesty! :D

A minute glimpse into a slow process. No time to work on this this weekend as yet. The 4mm X 2mm strips had to be hand cut as no precut styrene of this size is available the tiny2.5mm squares are likewise cut to order. More fun and games from the madness brought to you by:

The Blackadderhttp://i.imgur.com/DpwYrl.jpg (http://imgur.com/DpwYr)

[Meph]

That maw is looking good mate, the strios look ace.
Hmmm... the 'teeth' on the sides do look as if they might prevent the door from opening smoothly.

[Blackadder]

working on it, right now it's a tight fit. Thx

[Meph]

I've no doubt you will. ^^I know the finger hurt from working on my Stormraven, plasticard can be a harsh mistress. :D

[Blackadder]

Before I get too deep into the aft end of the hull I'd better show where I'm starting from. Since last seen I lopped off about 4 cm and added 0.5 mm sheeting to both sides where the wings mount. Also 0.5 mm to the bottom of the hull to provide a base to glue to.

I also added a top 2.0 mm sheet to the unfinished superstructure aft end as I am fairly certain that this is the length I shall go with.

http://i.imgur.com/lrtU4l.jpg (http://imgur.com/lrtU4)
The tail base is truncated and it appears I have the correct angle but I'll have to build it to be certain.

--
E. Blackadder

[Blackadder]

The rough cutout for the air brake panels interior detail.

http://i.imgur.com/ZRVgIl.jpg (http://imgur.com/ZRVgI)

http://i.imgur.com/7T2cFl.jpg (http://imgur.com/7T2cF)

[Meph]

Coming along nicely! :D

[Blackadder]

Buildup of the airbrake internal compartment:

http://i.imgur.com/Jmi2Nl.jpg (http://imgur.com/Jmi2N)
--
E. Blackadder

[Blackadder]

The compartment walls complete, I still haven't figured out the brake hinge my original idea of a plastic rod, then steel rod, have given way to a much more durable torque tube assembly which is probably how I shall go. Time enough for that when I get the empennage skinned.

http://i.imgur.com/PJxuAl.jpg (http://imgur.com/PJxuA)

--
E. Blackadder

[Blackadder]

Way back when I first started this project and was attempting to save what I could of the foam core I found that the faceted rear of the hull just didn't look right.

Try as I might there was something wrong and fortunately I scrapped the endeavor and started anew. It seems there is a bit of a jog in the hull aft of the airbrakes. Just a centimeter change with a filler angle which makes all the difference.

http://i.imgur.com/ZRVgIl.jpg (http://imgur.com/ZRVgI)

The shading of the 3D rendering is so subtle that I never noticed it. but I believe I am on the right track now.

In the image below you can see what I missed installed on the model and on the cutting board the opposite piece.

Now the facets should look reasonable better.

http://i.imgur.com/StaPJl.jpg (http://imgur.com/StaPJ)

E. Blackadder

[Blackadder]

Well the good news is that both sides match to within the thickness of a sharp pencil line. The bad news is if this tail section isn't right I'm out a lot of work. I'll be installing the rear 45° slab later as soon as the current glue dries a bit but it looks like I might get away with out having to sand the facets.

It's amazing that the 3D model was correct and all these angles appear to be necessary.

http://i.imgur.com/ZRVgIl.jpg (http://imgur.com/ZRVgI)

A word of thanks to my unknown benefactor.

http://i.imgur.com/qjWxGl.jpg (http://imgur.com/qjWxG)

E. Blackadder

[Blackadder]

You know some of us aspire to greatness even though we are not qualified and some of us have greatness thrust upon us although we are not qualified. I would rather seek my level of competence and not transcend it and enjoy the accolades of my peers.

Damn it worked and I am fit to burst with unbounded joy that this portion is done. I have been avoiding this for weeks because I knew the problems entailed but it seems to have come out okay. The tail faceted section works and less than a fraction of a mm off.

http://i.imgur.com/B4u5cl.jpg (http://imgur.com/B4u5c)

http://i.imgur.com/MhByMl.jpg (http://imgur.com/MhByM)

E. Blackadder

[bloodangel 83]

Looks good, keep up the great work. BA83

[Meph]

You're a busy little beaver, aren't you? :D Your speed puts my slug's pace with my Stormraven conversion to shame, it does. :D

[Blackadder]

Thanks, it amazes me how much I managed to accomplish this weekend but once I found where my mistake was in the tail it seemed to just fall together. A final sanding and I'll be ready for the second layer of 1.0 mm sheathing. After that the continuation lateral band of 7.0 mm x 2.5 mm to demarcate the upper from lower hull.

And I'm not getting notification of replies in my email.

[Meph]

Yeah, I haven't gotten any BOLS email notification in over half a year... my forum settings are good though. Must be something on the server side.

[pathwinder14]

That is Frikin Sweet. What do you plan to use for Rivets?

[Blackadder]

Thunderhawk Chapters, I have no idea. I was thinking beige and jungle green camo with pale blue tinted under belly What chapter would that be?

Or perhaps this scheme on a transport that zipped by my trench the other day:

http://i.imgur.com/5MAB3l.jpg (http://imgur.com/5MAB3)

At any rate DAMN this beastie is long,

http://i.imgur.com/rEspxl.jpg (http://imgur.com/rEspx)

26 inches without the exhaust nacelle of the middle engine or 66.04 cm for those of you who have not come to appreciate the utility of the Imperial measuring system. :D And I loped off a few CM because it looked too long to me.

[Blackadder]

That is Frikin Sweet. What do you plan to use for Rivets?

Various sized straight pin heads and styrene rods same as on Lucie:

http://i282.photobucket.com/albums/kk260/The_Blackadder/Rivetdetailfrontviewlowlight.jpg

http://www.lounge.belloflostsouls.net/showthread.php?t=6571

[Meph]

She's a long beastie indeed, goodlooking though. ^^

As for colour scheme, I like your idea to have a more contemporary colour scheme. What you're describing sound a lot like Russian aircraft camouflage. You can always incoorporate any chapter symbol, like the low visibity markings of the US airforce and such.

http://images.wikia.com/acecombat/images/9/97/Su-25_Frogfoot.jpg

[Blackadder]

Department of one step forward and two back. Discovered an error in my building of the air brake panel recess. Had to tear it out and redo it. Two days and I'm back to where I was two days ago. but the cavity looks a lot better and that's what counts.

The slightly insane Blackadder

http://i.imgur.com/3aHyRl.jpg (http://imgur.com/3aHyR)

Note that the recess is now lined with 0.10 x 0.250 inch strips and the inner wall echoes the outer shape of the superstructure. You don't? well no one else would have either and I just pissed away my time rebuilding that which no one would have noticed anyway.
--
E. Blackadder

[Blackadder]

Another peek into the skunk works. Out of this hodge podge of scribbles I hope to extract a semblance of order and replicate the internal plumbing.

http://i.imgur.com/fibPPl.jpg (http://imgur.com/fibPP)

http://i.imgur.com/raDsol.jpg (http://imgur.com/raDso)

I hope I have enough scrap tubing.
--
E. Blackadder

[Meph]

That does look good indeed. :D

[Blackadder]

The plumbing installed, a lot of pipes for such a small area. I suppose fuel lines and tubes for air conditioning and pressurization. Too high for lavatory waste pipes.

The right side:
http://i.imgur.com/jz7xhl.jpg (http://imgur.com/jz7xh)
And the left side:
http://i.imgur.com/eAvWrl.jpg (http://imgur.com/eAvWr)

E. Blackadder

[Blackadder]

Enough resting on my laurels; there's nothing difficult about this detailing.

The thin pipe is actually made from old plastic flower pot hangers. you know the kind that have the hook moulded into them. I saved a bunch of them years ago and I'm soon going to be running out.

I used styrene rods for the bending and bent them with a pair of needlenose pliers. The trick is for more leverage to bend the rod before you cut it. Then over bent the angle and flex it back to the angle you want. Styrene fatigues quickly and should hold it's bend when glued in place.

Here's a short tutorial on pipe fitting.

The simplest is to just cut rings in the next size larger of the Evergreen telescoping tubing. Slide the ring onto the smaller rod or tube and glue in place with ProWeld thin cement. No need for pictures of this process, But.......

sometimes you want a really thin sleeve on your tubing.

First file or sand the smaller dia. tube to a tapered end:
http://i.imgur.com/3A5gul.jpg (http://imgur.com/3A5gu)

Then with a thin pointed Xacto blade ream out the larger dia. tube:
http://i.imgur.com/QqVcal.jpg (http://imgur.com/QqVca)

to receive the previously tapered rod or tube:
http://i.imgur.com/tckqbl.jpg (http://imgur.com/tckqb)

Join the two tubes and cement and set aside to dry on a flat surface:
http://i.imgur.com/L6X5Gl.jpg (http://imgur.com/L6X5G)

Next; Really thin bands on the tubing.
--
E. Blackadder

[SotonShades]

My cap is doffed to you as always sir.

Again, excellent work. I always have trouble fitting those fiddly kind of details.

[Blackadder]

Cutting out the hull was the hard part, another step backwards but it had to be done. A 2 mm bulkhead to strengthen the casement and
to provide a secure mount for the hinge assembly. the cutting out the hinge recesses which gives me this result and no significant damage.

http://i.imgur.com/CzIAgl.jpg (http://imgur.com/CzIAg) http://i.imgur.com/cIdpXl.jpg (http://imgur.com/cIdpX)
--
E. Blackadder

[UrielVentris]

Sir I'm awed by your skill.

I've lurked your thread for long enough and I can say that you've had the best scratch builds I've seen online. Kudos to you!

What would you recommend to start scratch building vehicles. Would something such as a Rhino be easy to do, or would you have a (preferably space marine vehicle) suggestions to what to try first?

Also, where/what supplies do you use and where do you order them from?

[Blackadder]

Below is a composite image of the left side hinge showing the range of motion and the assembled components. Now all I have to do is reproduce it for the right side. I'll take pictures of the components seperately for the right side hinge; I didn't for the left because I wasn't sure the damned thing would work. :D
http://i.imgur.com/yPJ4Yl.jpg (http://imgur.com/yPJ4Y)
--
E. Blackadder

[Blackadder]

Sir I'm awed by your skill.

I've lurked your thread for long enough and I can say that you've had the best scratch builds I've seen online. Kudos to you!

What would you recommend to start scratch building vehicles. Would something such as a Rhino be easy to do, or would you have a (preferably space marine vehicle) suggestions to what to try first?

Also, where/what supplies do you use and where do you order them from?

I have a rule, "I never build anything small" (i.e. that I can afford.) The smallest vehicle I have ever built was the Titan Hunter (See below). That was my first completely scratchbuilt model. I don't know if I posted it on this forum. Before that I rebuilt an Armorcast Baneblade to look like a FW Baneblade but left the tread as is so it could be still recognized as an AC offering. Prior to that I bought really crappy Superheavy tanks on ebay and restored them sometimes fabricating missing parts. Lucie was the first scratchbuilt I did where I didn't use any 'bitz' except for the skulls on the cheeks which I regret because I could have sculpted skulls.

I used 'Evergreen', 'Plastruct' and 'Midwest' styrene which can be found at any local hobby supply and and basic modeling hand tools. I do have a Dremel, belt sander, electric drill and scrollsaw but I hardly ever use them, I haven't on this Thunderhawk so far.

What tools I need are these including the cutting board and not pictured a set of Xacto knives and a 12" steel ruler. Nothing special.

http://i.imgur.com/MVFO2l.jpg (http://imgur.com/MVFO2)

I would start by rebuilding some parts for a damaged model to see if you have a flair for scratchbuilding. Tanks are hard because you've got to make the treads and the bogie wheels, tedious repetitious work and I won't do it!

There is a set of templates for a Warhound available on the net. Using my Warhound thread as a guide and the templates as a scale for the structure why not give that a go. Don't go nuts and try to make the d---ed thing movable (I'm crazy and added a year of construction to Lucie so she can wiggle her toes, move her head and legs etc.)Just try a basic static model.

Just my advice for what it's worth and good luck,

Just noticed you specifically stated Space Marines. It seems a Drop pod might be relatively simple.

I just realized I never posted images of my Titan Hunter on this forum. Below is an image taken soon after she was completed. Please excuse the mediocre painting:

http://i.imgur.com/lcC5Yl.jpg (http://imgur.com/lcC5Y)

I'll post a WIP thread if anyone is interested.

EB

[Blackadder]

The hinge installed shown in the closed position:
http://i.imgur.com/rvapJl.jpg (http://imgur.com/rvapJ)

The hinge in the open position:
http://i.imgur.com/DSpoCl.jpg (http://imgur.com/DSpoC)

Sink me, it works!

I'll be finishing skinning the fuselage this weekend.

[xNickBaranx]

Your work is truly inspirational. I check this thread almost daily for updates. Keep up the great work!

[Wolf Brother Hellstrom]

absolutly superb modelling! im curios as to what are the materials you use and where you get them. i have been trying to scratch build a stompa but i just cant seem to find the right material to use.

[Blackadder]

absolutly superb modelling! im curios as to what are the materials you use and where you get them. i have been trying to scratch build a stompa but i just cant seem to find the right material to use.

Are you building a GW Stompa or winging it with your own design. Personally the Stompa looks like each is a one of a kind with I guess a basic body style so winging it is the way to go. That said how ever you decorate it with scrap panels is so much to your own taste you really can't go wrong.

I use 'Evergreen', 'Plastruct', and 'Midwest' Mfg'd styrene sheets and strips and whatever scrap I can find that is compatible with styrene. The cheap mini blind slats (made in China) that get thrown away regularly are an excellent source of 0.5 mm styrene along with all the associated hanging bar and the hexagonal adjusting rod.

IBM printer cartridges that your company throws out by the hundreds although black are high grade styrene and make great ready made hulls for tanks etc. My Titan Hunter has a hull made out of a printer cartridge. Lots of recyclable plastic can be used with standard plastic glue. I wouldn't recommend using foam filled poster board for so small an item as a stompa though.

HTH,

EB

[Blackadder]

Whoa! I just had an epiphany . After writing the above post I was taking a shower and this came to me, truly an Archimedes' eureka moment if you will.

Most garden supply and Lady's Craft stores have plastic flower pots cheap. Buy yourself a quart or quart and a half sized soft plastic pot, turn it over and presto one Stompa sized base structure to glue your scraps onto.

Hell I just might make one myself considering how easy it would be.

I still can't figure out why GW offered such an easy to scratch item as a kit?

[Emerald Rose Widow]

You have some amazing talent, this may be more work than any other thunderhawk you could ever buy, but damned if it isnt going to look awesome. This is just stunning show of what someone with a lot of time, creativity, and ingenuity can do. I aboslutely love it and can't wait to see more.

[Blackadder]

I wouldn't have thought that such a seemingly simple moving device could have consumed so much time but at last it is done except for the door panels. I managed to sheath the lower hull and around the brake openings on both sides; not too far behind my expectations for the weekend in spite of having to work a bit.

Rather pleased at the symmetry and the very close match of the left side and right side structures:
http://i.imgur.com/JvtJYl.jpg (http://imgur.com/JvtJY)

The open position, a tad larger than the 3D image but it's a moving part.
http://i.imgur.com/dUrZJl.jpg (http://imgur.com/dUrZJ)
--
E. Blackadder

[Wolf Brother Hellstrom]

i actually saw a interesting ork army on ebay a few weeks ago, and the guy had like 8 or 9 custom built stompas made from the bodies mr potato head toys!!! it inspired me to make my own plus to the fact of the 20lbs of orks bitz i have. good work, thanks for the info keep it up!!!

[Meph]

Impressive progress as usual mate. that thing is only getting more impressive. :D

[Blackadder]

I've been neglecting my public with some personal issues and dressing some of the top hamper that doesn't make for interesting updates. But now there is some progress on the underbelly where I am designing the landing pad wells.

First, the crude sketches:

http://i.imgur.com/4W3V4l.jpg

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

[Blackadder]

The wing root mount plate and engine mount tab outboard with one piece temporarily tacked in place to demo the approximate position. I think it's too far forward but that is the beauty of modular construction for once they are assembled I can place them where ever they appear correct.

http://i.imgur.com/U9zxol.jpg

[Sandrat]

Very nice work so far.

[SotonShades]

I do really enjoy watching as this thing grows :) Keep it up and keep up with the updates

[Blackadder]

Thanks for the replies.

The landing gear wells are coming along quite nicely. I've had a thought to build each wing separate from the hull and mount them with screws for easy disassembly for transport. This will be quite a large model and damage will occur if in one piece.

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

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

[Blackadder]

The gear well and landing pads scale = 13 ft X 7 ft per pad or 4 meters X 2 meters if you like. We now begin the excursion into attempting to build the retraction mechanism.

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

http://i.imgur.com/xOCGi

[Blackadder]

The gear well skin surface covered with the actual model for reference.

http://i.imgur.com/K4MPml.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/K4MPm.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/QQn5vl.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/QQn5v.jpg

Now in most of the images I have seen the gear is canted outboard. This will pose a problem as the centering strut ( That which keeps the gear aligned with the direction of flight/landing) will have to pivot as the gear raises or lowers. This posed no problem for FW as their gear doesn't move but it appears unique in my experience with aircraft unless the gear folds out from the centerline in the manner of say a Boeing 727. The problem is that the main strut descends vertically down so the centering 'down and locked strut' jams on deployment. A pretty pickle of a problem.

Also the 'Down and lock' strut has no where to go when the gear is retracted; Ha! What's up with that???? FW really dropped the ball on this; engineeringwise.

IMCO

--
E. Blackadder

Quit 'cher bellyach'n Blackadder and stop make'n excuses!

[Meph]

Here's a wild thought about countering dodgy GW engineering. How about putting some wheels on there then, instead of skids? ^^

[Sandrat]

What about steerable struts - something like the landing gear on a B52 or an Il-76?

[Jambo]

amazing job mate cant wait to see it finished

[Blackadder]

Here's a wild thought about countering dodgy GW engineering. How about putting some wheels on there then, instead of skids? ^^


What about steerable struts - something like the landing gear on a B52 or an Il-76?

Thanks for the input. Wheels are fine but T'hawks don't have wheels; they have landing pads although how they take off and land without vectoring exhaust engines is a mystery. and since they don't have wheels, what is the benefit of steerable pads unless the ship lands on snow?

I do not want to depart from the overall design but I do want a workable/logical version of the concept. This is the fun in modeling to me and why I almost put hydraulic lines to the walking cylinders/pistons on Lucie but it just looked too cluttered.

[Sandrat]

I was thinking skids, but steerable - I know the skids are supposed to draw up into the Thunderhawk and was thinking they should be pivitable

[Blackadder]

The resolution of the foot pad is pretty pitiful but this is what I gleaned from it.

http://i.imgur.com/xOrIUl.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/xOrIU.jpg


http://i.imgur.com/W2i3Ql.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/W2i3Q.jpg

[Gir]

Thanks for the input. Wheels are fine but T'hawks don't have wheels; they have landing pads although how they take off and land without vectoring exhaust engines is a mystery.

grav plates?

[SotonShades]

grav plates?

Makes sense. Only needs to be off it's skids long enough to gain speed before flying properly. That said, as a qualified aerospace engineer, the concept of a thunderhawk flying with engines that small (and yes I really do mean that small, given the shape of the wings and airframe) is fairly laughable to me :p Same could be said of almost all Imperial flyers. I still love 'em though :D

[Blackadder]

Makes sense. Only needs to be off it's skids long enough to gain speed before flying properly. That said, as a qualified aerospace engineer, the concept of a thunderhawk flying with engines that small (and yes I really do mean that small, given the shape of the wings and airframe) is fairly laughable to me :p Same could be said of almost all Imperial flyers. I still love 'em though

My thoughts exactly. When first confronted with the ungainly T'hawk I first noted the total lack of airfoil. I rationalized that by assuming the wings could generate a shaped shield that gave an aerodynamic surface to augment the laminar flow of air. The reason for this is twofold; first as a drop ship the heat produced by entry into the atmosphere is dissipated by the shield and it saves weight(?) :D The huge cargo door could double as an ablative shield creating a cooler boundary layer during atmospheric entry.:rolleyes:

Secondly ( I rationalized) large engines aren't needed as this is a space vehicle launched by a mother ship so the engines are only needed to sustain flight once in the atmosphere. I suppose there could be some kind of vector exhaust to lift the ship off and then move it forward at a greatly reduced speed compared to the entry although how it achieves escape velocity troubles me. :confused:

Or the whole damned thing could be disposable like the 'D' Day troop transport gliders of WWII. Or in lieu of that maybe something bigger picks it up for reuse.

[Gir]

My thoughts exactly. When first confronted with the ungainly T'hawk I first noted the total lack of airfoil. I rationalized that by assuming the wings could generate a shaped shield that gave an aerodynamic surface to augment the laminar flow of air. The reason for this is twofold; first as a drop ship the heat produced by entry into the atmosphere is dissipated by the shield and it saves weight(?) :D The huge cargo door could double as an ablative shield creating a cooler boundary layer during atmospheric entry.:rolleyes:

Secondly ( I rationalized) large engines aren't needed as this is a space vehicle launched by a mother ship so the engines are only needed to sustain flight once in the atmosphere. I suppose there could be some kind of vector exhaust to lift the ship off and then move it forward at a greatly reduced speed compared to the entry although how it achieves escape velocity troubles me. :confused:

Or the whole damned thing could be disposable like the 'D' Day troop transport gliders of WWII. Or in lieu of that maybe something bigger picks it up for reuse.

That, or it's a fictional vehicle for a toy soldier game based 39,000 years in the future.

[Slug]

That, or it's a fictional vehicle for a toy soldier game based 39,000 years in the future.

Don't be so silly, logical explanations can easily be found about how things work in such a realistic universe.

[Blackadder]

Well idle musing certainly can't do any harm, and realism is part and parcel to wargaming hardware otherwise we'd all be playing Harry Potter.

The gear temporarily installed in gear wells to check for clearance and operating space. There appears to be sufficient room and the struts remain within the hull instead of poking out through the wing root :D whew!

http://i.imgur.com/lWAZPl.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/lWAZP

http://i.imgur.com/03w7wl.jpg
(http://i.imgur.com/03w7w
--
E. Blackadder

[Blackadder]

Found some shots of the landing gear and bays of the FW resin kit:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/8476775@N05/2596192384

http://www.flickr.com/photos/8476775@N05/2596192018

Whoa those are some fantastic shots, much better than anything I have. Very much appreciated; I am in your debt.

Viewing these it very much reinforces what I have suspected all along; FW got the main gear retraction all wrong.

As the forward (angled) retract cylinder contracts it pivots the main strut forward. the landing pad with what I assume is a leveling cylinder collapses forward with the main strut intersecting with the hull well forward of the gear well opening instead of covering it forming a door as FW intends.

My main strut perforce will collapse vertically and the angled retract cylinder will be more of a stabilizing/centering device to keep the gear from swiveling.

The whole hydraulic/mechanical structure from an engineering standpoint is totally inadequate for a vehicle the size of the T'hawk but at least my interpretation will keep the external configuration intact with the gear retracted.

The forward strut is a different case and I may be able to adapt the FW design by placing the foot pad further aft on the shock strut the short strut/pad may intersect the hull where FW intended when retracted and cover the well.

The Blackadder, I'm not an engineer but I play one on the internet :D
--
E. Blackadder

[Meph]

Nice job on the landing gear mate! you play engineering well on the Interweb!

[Blackadder]

I'm trying to build the wings as light as possible because I want the upper wing appendages with the lascannons on the tips to be movable and not be a truss for the support of the lower main wing as in the FW model. FW really ought to research into drilling and tapping threads into resin and installing machine screws to hold the heavier pieces together. Crazy glue and even epoxy sometimes just isn't enough.

When I get to mounting the wings on the hull I'll do a tutorial on screwing.

Not what you're thinking,

Blackadder

Back when I was building Lucie I bought some gray ABS plastic box beam tubing manufactured by Plastruct. I don't recommend using this stuff but I've got to get rid of it.so I'm using it to frame the engine mounts and the wing core assembly. It's stronger than styrene but doesn't cement well with styrene glue unless you rough the surface up with sandpaper. Or you could use ABS cement which I believe is mainly acetone.

http://i.imgur.com/3ydfPl.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/3ydfP

http://i.imgur.com/TPmC6l.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/TPmC6

Before you get your 'nads in a knot the just installed beams will be cut very short; they're just left long for now to insure they are parallel. That is a building hint; it's easier to insure frames are parallel and true if they are long than short. The discrepancy in trueness is easier to detect with the longer length.

[SotonShades]

The discrepancy in trueness is easier to detect with the longer length.

Must... resist... urge... to...

That'swhatshesaid

Bugger :(

Still looking forward to seeing how the wings turn out, especially if you are having fun and games using the different kind of plastic.

[Blackadder]

Must... resist... urge... to...

That'swhatshesaid

Bugger :(

Still looking forward to seeing how the wings turn out, especially if you are having fun and games using the different kind of plastic.

I found that my Ambroid Pro weld had lost a good deal of it's potency. Purchased a new bottle and it melds the two plastics just fine. It's a good idea in any case to rough the plastic up with coarse sandpaper especially on structure components. You don't want cracks appearing years down the line because the frame has seperated.

[Blackadder]

We're starting at the ground floor building the wings so there shouldn't be any question later on how it was done. Now if I can just do it without a mistake.

http://i.imgur.com/ZDVp7l.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/ZDVp7

I calculated the wing outboard of the engine should extend 17.5 mm excluding the wing tip armament That seems a bit small to me but figures don't lie. We'll just have to see I can always make them bigger.

[bloodangel 83]

Your thunderhawk looks good. Keep up the great work. BA83

[Dastrike]

Enjoying reading over the progression, a lot of nice work. Attention to detail is amazing, can't wait for the final product.

[Blackadder]

THanks for the replies,

The wing core plates in 2.0 MM styrene cut out and ready for install.

http://i.imgur.com/3H6Ull.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/3H6Ul

http://i.imgur.com/NAmztl.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/NAmz

[Meph]

That looks good. it's cool to see the internal structure like that. So I presume you'll have a rather deep penetration into the hull for those wing roots? Perhaps some nifty slot to slide the wings in?

[Blackadder]

I'm afraid you gentlemen and mayhaps ladies perhaps have hitched your wagon to a falling star. I wasted a week on a futile bit of building that did not pan out. Going back to square one I have in a flurry of desperation managed to come up with a better way of doing the wings. This morning I started gluing the first wing together and the foreground piece is the second wing which I hope will be more facile to build now that I think I know what I am doing.

http://i.imgur.com/T15nGl.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/T15nG

http://i.imgur.com/FNTlEl.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/FNTlE

The extremely fallible Blackadder

[Gir]

http://www.flickr.com/photos/8476775@N05/2596192384

http://www.flickr.com/photos/8476775@N05/2596192018

Whoa those are some fantastic shots, much better than anything I have. Very much appreciated; I am in your debt.

Viewing these it very much reinforces what I have suspected all along; FW got the main gear retraction all wrong.

As the forward (angled) retract cylinder contracts it pivots the main strut forward. the landing pad with what I assume is a leveling cylinder collapses forward with the main strut intersecting with the hull well forward of the gear well opening instead of covering it forming a door as FW intends.

My main strut perforce will collapse vertically and the angled retract cylinder will be more of a stabilizing/centering device to keep the gear from swiveling.

The whole hydraulic/mechanical structure from an engineering standpoint is totally inadequate for a vehicle the size of the T'hawk but at least my interpretation will keep the external configuration intact with the gear retracted.

Actually, I just got a Forgeworld Thunderhawk and the whole rear landing gear fits perfectly if it was all to retract. You don't really get a perfect sense of size, length and depth in the photos.

Also, being that it's an aircraft made of fictional materials, there's no reason to believe that the gear couldn't hold up the whole aircraft.

[Blackadder]

Lost time is not a consideration as I learn greatly from my mistakes and passing that information on to my loyal readers is the raison d'être of this thread.

After much rebuilding and modification I seem to be on the right track regarding the wings. It is not too apparent in the photos but the leading edge of the wing tapers forward giving a nod to the necessity for an airfoil on a lifting surface. Of course the 'wing' (for lack of a better term) has all the aerodynamics of a truncated brick but that's the way the rendering looks.

http://i.imgur.com/Wg7sOl.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/Wg7sO

http://i.imgur.com/L08g7l.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/L08g7

Now I can proceed on the other wing.

[Meph]

Wow, respect for the meticulousness! And holy praise for adding some 'realistic' elements like a rounded leading edge, hallelujah! i said it before, I'll say it again; this thing is going to be a masterpiece when finished. :D

[Blackadder]

Sorry to disappoint but I didn't round the leading edge of the wings as I want this to look as close to an actual T'hawk as possible. The wings offer a flat panel to the onrushing air stream and the devil take the parasite drag. :D

The wings as I build them are difficult to assemble building as I did virtually inside out. There is a lot of guestimation as to where to put the internal substrate i.e. the internal panels, then there is the problem of gluing and clamping in place in the confined area (8MM) between the wing upper and lower panels. There has to be an easier way to accomplish this but I can't perceive it.

[Meph]

Oh, my bad, i misunderstood then. ^^
Construction-wise it seems pretty solid and the way you're working with the internal skeleton does seem the easiest and most logical way to *** some internal strength to the lot.

So you're looking for a way to easily fix the 'cutout' panels and the 'glued-on' panels if I'm correct? my gut says: make the top and bottom surfaces complete first so you've got full freedom to turn them around while working on them, same with the leading & trailing edges, and assemble them around your skeleton to create the box shape of the wing, which you ans till slide off.
If I understood correctly, you first make the box shape and then started adding plates and making cutouts?

[computertrucker]

Wow.. new to the forum what an amazing Project? Its all looking amazing... Any more updates up and coming in the near future?

[Blackadder]

I have put the project aside for various winterizing chores and the holidays and I need a respite from modeling anyway. but I shall be resuming it soon.

[Blackadder]

I've been trying to find all my posting forums as I lost the addresses when I got my new computer.

To bring this up to date here is the T'hawk as of today:

I couldn't sleep last night; I was wide awake at 1:50AM so I figured why not do a little work on the T'hawk until i get sleepy. Well here it is 9 hours later and I'm still working on the d--ned thing. H-ll I couldn't be paid for working this hard but the results are gratifying none the less. I just fastened on the wings (temporarily with a couple of screws so the wings have a bit of negative dihedral (Dihedral! We don't need no stinking dihedral! (especially negative)). I'm lucky today is Saturday or I'd be in a world of hurt sleepwise.

-http://i.imgur.com/CqaYEl.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/CqaYE.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/g2nDTl.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/g2nDT.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/uu8qMl.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/uu8qM.jpg

[SotonShades]

Wings are looking epic! Keep up the good, albeit sleep deprived, work! I know a few of my favourite models have come out of that state of mind... natural instinct takes over because my brain can't be bothered to make conscious decisions by that point. Did lose me a tournament recently though. Might have been the hallucinations though.

Either way, a little negative dihedral (also known as anhedrel) on a combat aircraft isn't the end of the world. Just look at the Harrier Jump Jet :)

[Porty1119]

That is some seriously high-quality work!! My hat goes off to you for some very good plasticard skills!! :cool:

[Blackadder]

Thanks for the replies:


Wings are looking epic! Keep up the good, albeit sleep deprived, work! I know a few of my favourite models have come out of that state of mind... natural instinct takes over because my brain can't be bothered to make conscious decisions by that point. Did lose me a tournament recently though. Might have been the hallucinations though.

Either way, a little negative dihedral (also known as anhedrel) on a combat aircraft isn't the end of the world. Just look at the Harrier Jump Jet :)

According to the 3D images I am following the T'hawk has no dihedral whatsoever.
Its just that the wings are temporarily affixed with a couple of screws that they droop a little but after all this time I needed to see this thing in one piece because my fervent fear in spite of repeated measuring was that the wings would be too short; they looked so small compared to the overall length of the model but as it turned out the model ATM is 660mm long and the wings without the tip stingers are 600mm tip to tip. very much in keeping with currently designed aircraft.

Whew!

[Blackadder]

As familiar as I am with current jet engines I'm stymied by the drum-like affairs surrounding the compressor housing and exhaust turbines on these engines. There are two above and two below and they seem to be vented with louvers fore and aft. My guess is they augment the intake air in the rarefied partial vacuum of orbital space but why they are needed on the rear as well is a mystery. After burner maybe?

Anywho here are the bits components of the basic engine rough cut and ready for final shaping and assembly.

http://i.imgur.com/7sKjol.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/7sKjo.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/oCskQl.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/oCskQ.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/AnHC8l.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/AnHC8.jpg

[Blackadder]

Taking the rough cut crescent pieces, I tacked them together with a couple of dots of ambroid and sanded them to the final shape. Then separating them more or less in the middle I reversed the two pieces to see how well they conform to their mirror inages. Then I compared the ends to the middle. Happily they matched up pretty good.

http://i.imgur.com/7yJuvl.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/7yJuv.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/vN1A4l.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/vN1A4.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/5h7Yhl.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/5h7Yh.jpg

[DrLove42]

As someone with a masters degree in aerospace engineering i think i can answer. Admittadly fw engineering rarely matches up with real engineering.

The closest reality is a bypass ratio. its an aorflow around the combjstion area that increases the efficiency of the engine. in modern jets the ratio is very small, but modern transport and civil aviation is a much larger ratio, up to 20 to 1.

[Blackadder]

As someone with a masters degree in aerospace engineering i think i can answer. Admittadly fw engineering rarely matches up with real engineering.

The closest reality is a bypass ratio. its an aorflow around the combjstion area that increases the efficiency of the engine. in modern jets the ratio is very small, but modern transport and civil aviation is a much larger ratio, up to 20 to 1.

You're talking about a bifurcate duct and admittedly commercial jet liners get up to 80 to 90% of their thrust from turbo fans but all of the fans I've experience with are round, unless there are two small fans one above and one below the intake. I fail to see how they can revolve but thanks for the reply; there is not much I enjoy more than a technical discourse 'septin' mebbe doing the nasty. ;)

[Blackadder]

The whatever it is cowling for the engine basic construction. The first two I made just for practice and are 23 mm long and the base flairs slightly. They will be abbreviated and used on the belly engine. The next set will be for the wing engines now that I have the specs down and will be 22 mm in length.

http://i.imgur.com/0OwBul.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/0OwBu.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/MGAFAl.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/MGAFA.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/bpVYul.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/bpVYu.jpg

Only eight more to do, I do so hate repetition!

[Blackadder]

Have a look at the prototype. This will be used on the middle engine below the hull and was practice to get the spacing down right.

I bought a sleeve of half round dowels when I was building Lucie and haven't had a use for them until now.

Never throw anything away is my credo,

http://i.imgur.com/knLJql.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/knLJq.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/INxSal.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/INxSa.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/qqz9Al.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/qqz9A.jpg

[SotonShades]

Looks pretty spot on to me

[Meph]

It's good to see you're still keeping this build going mate. Great details all around.

[Blackadder]

Well, back on track The drums (sic) are formed and slightly detailed there is still the intake vanes and the half round stringers on the sides but the overall effect is good.

http://i.imgur.com/nUhDal.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/nUhDa.jpg
The 11 halves matched in size

http://i.imgur.com/bk44dl.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/bk44d.jpg
dummyed up with cowls and exhausts

[bloodangel 83]

The Thunderhawk loos good keep the great work. BA83

[Blackadder]

I have to say the FW engine plumbing looks more authentic. The 3D model has symmetrical plumbing fore and aft and top and bottom; it looks like he took a shortcut and just mirrored the detail. Not a big deal but not how a real engine looks plus there is no fuel control, accessory gearbox, generators or CSD's (Constant speed drives for the generators) and there is no bleed air for the pressurization and air conditioning.

Close as I am to the plumbing I'm going to have to find the FW engines and particularly the bottom view.

I have an excellent top view see the 4th image below.

http://i.imgur.com/2psDpl.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/2psDp.jpg[

http://i.imgur.com/pPOwgl.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/pPOwg.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/e3JSjl.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/e3JSj.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/MUaA8l.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/MUaA8.jpg

[Blackadder]

I've decided to forget about the PVC and make the compressor section out of 0.40 mm sheet styrene I'll do this one to completion and see how it goes. So far every thing is lining up nicely.

http://i.imgur.com/lmh8al.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/lmh8a.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/V5conl.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/V5conl.jpg

[Blackadder]

The #3 engine basic framework is complete and as usual it has set a standard that I will be hard pressed to equal. Everything came together so perfect than I could believe with less than a quarter mm error between the top and bottom halves and that will be covered by the fairing inboard of the engine so it won't be seen anyway

Now all that needs be do is to attempt to reasonably duplicate this on the other side.

http://i.imgur.com/60V78l.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/60V78.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/OX5CPl.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/OX5CP.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/Ic8rGl.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/Ic8rG.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/4KqJSl.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/4KqJS.jpg

[Blackadder]

Okay, the basic three engines are done now that all needs be done is the final sanding of the mating surfaces where they intersect the wing root and fair them into the wing. An added bonus is that the engines increase the overall wingspan by about 2.5 cm which alleviates my concern that the wings look too short. :D

Note that the center engine is longer than the wing engines; this is also true on the 3D drawings to make the exhaust housing come out. Can't be helped and I don't think it will detract from the overall look as the bottom of the hull is rarely seen anyway. I'm not sure how it looks on the FW model but the extra length of this model that gives it that more airworthy appearance necessitates strefching the engine. Makes it hell for engine changes though as two variations of engines must be stocked instead of one.

Seriously Blackadder, You're concerned with logistics now; Get a life!

http://i.imgur.com/UTIk8l.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/UTIk8.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/esNfJl.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/esNfJ.jpg

[bloodangel 83]

Looks good keep up the great work on this beautiful bird. BA83

[Blackadder]

You gentle reader are about to reap the benefit of my stupidity. I went to great lengths to make the core housing of the engine as cylindrical as possible wasting hours in this fabrication. Recent images of the FW engine that have come into my possession have demonstrated to me that this effort while a worthwhile learning experience has been rendered superfluous. It seems there is another curved cowl sitting astride the core housing so I need to make another semi-cylinder of a lesser diameter and affix it to the core cylinder. What is left visible of the core cylinder could have been substituted with a nearly flat piece of stripping a centimeter wide.

http://i.imgur.com/8bkgNl.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/8bkgN.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/NkTcml.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/NkTcm.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/7UA5el.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/7UA5e.jpg

Frustrating! HA!

Take that smarty pants Blackadder........

[Blackadder]

I'm trying another method to affix the cowl to the engine core. This reminds me of my daughter's paper doll cutouts but we'll see how it works. meanwhile I'm going to get that heat gun.

http://i.imgur.com/tAhlel.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/tAhle.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/5sQjZl.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/5sQjZ.jpg

[Emerald Rose Widow]

its disturbing ho good you are at this.

[Blackadder]

Well here it's the weekend again and everyone with a life is out enjoying it. Meanwhile I went ahead and detailed up an engine to see what it would look like. There are a few changes from either of the two versions I'm working from and I really wanted to use some of the hex rod I have lying about. so I made it into the fuel injector defuser. It doesn't look too bad and certainly different from the FW tube defuser in the same area. Of course the needs to be a lot more tiny bits to make it look like a real engine but nowheres near as complex as the SR71 engine pictured below................. No that way madness lies.

http://i.imgur.com/uh8EMl.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/uh8EM.jpg
Outrageously complicated fuel control.

http://i.imgur.com/PQnQsl.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/PQnQs.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/2ymYdl.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/2ymYd.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/BfJ8Bl.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/BfJ8B.jpg

[Blackadder]

FYI, the engine pictured in the above post in action. A Pratt & Whitney J58. The SR71 Blackbird, that has got to be the most beautiful aircraft ever designed let alone built.

http://i.imgur.com/EtxJxl.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/EtxJx.jpg
Damn it's hard to believe that engine doesn't turn into a puddle of slag at that temperature!

[bloodangel 83]

Holy Cow, that engine exhaust should not be that hot and i work on the F100-PW220/229's and they get no way near that hot. The SR was a beautiful acft and so is yours Blackadder. Keep up the great work, and i agree that would be a lot of pluming to model onto the Thunderhawk engines. BA83

[SotonShades]

Yeh it should. At that point it'd be opperating at about 70% of the flow going around the core and acting as a ramjet. Similar to thye space shuttle rocket engines they used the fuel itself to insulate/cool the rear end of the engine so it didn't melt. I'm just trying to imagine the size of the compression tank(s) they would have needed to provide supersonic airflow to a static rig like that!

[SotonShades]

Oops, got carried away. Your engines are also looking great Blackadder. Can't wait to see them with the fan at the front and nozzle at the back :)

[pathwinder14]

Engines are looking good. How many lbs of thrust does that engine create (P&W J58)?

[Blackadder]

Engines are looking good. How many lbs of thrust does that engine create (P&W J58)?

The J-58 produced 32,000 lbf (142 kN) of thrust

[Blackadder]

Resting on my laurels for far too long but I have not too much to show. I've been working on the engine detail and before I mount them I'd like to try to give them a bit of fire i.e. high intensity LED's. This is my first effort so be kind I only just slapped this together a few minutes ago.

http://i.imgur.com/CWAV6l.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/CWAV6.jpg


http://i.imgur.com/LISXZl.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/LISXZ.jpg

[pathwinder14]

Nice. The black cloth is currently creating a backdrop for the light. It looks similar to the previous post with the ignited engine. What will you do to show the "ignited thrust" once they are mounted though? Or is the profile look the backdrpop creates just a coincedence?

[Blackadder]

Well I thought of using a Zippo lighter and compressed aerosol blown through each engine but I'd better be quick with the camera and I can only do it once.............. as the old joke goes.

Seriously I've used the black cloth for most of my recent pictures as the white styrene shows up so well against it and the exhaust was just a fortuitous coincidence.

[pathwinder14]

Oh ok. Cool. You know, once you have the lights installed and the model painted you could use some small wisps of cotton as exhaust (and they'd catch the light). :)

[DavidDraper]

I just joined BoLS, and this is the first thread I checked out. What an amazing project. Thanks for posting your progress!

David

[Blackadder]

Okay, a while back someone asked me what Chapter colours I was going to paint this beauty (possibly not on this forum)? Well I hadn't considered that far down the line but I did receive some suggestions (Again maybe not from this forum) and I have decided barring a humongous meteorite strike or some other world shattering event I shall be going with this scheme. It just appeals to me adding just the right amount of racial senile decay and a patine of war weary resignation to the inevitable and ultimate end.

Whew, that is a depressing scenario if I do say so myself.

On a more upbeat note; the engines are just about done and I'll be posting an update soon.

With credit to the "Lord Inquisitioner" for the following images.

http://i.imgur.com/Hk1Qrl.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/Hk1Qr.jpg
Now thats vomit green!

http://i.imgur.com/lH9Pgl.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/lH9Pg.jpg
I really like this 3D rendering

http://i.imgur.com/GAQYzl.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/GAQYz.jpg
I just hope my exhausts look this good

http://i.imgur.com/dR9oPl.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/dR9oP.jpg
And my landing gear function this well.

[Meph]

Oh, nice. That's a nice military scheme indeed.
Hang in there mate, you're almost there! :D

[SotonShades]

At the very very least you are a hell of a lot closer than I am with mine... mostly that is just a fantasy of one day getting round to thinking about making one or beginning to save up for FW! lol

[Blackadder]

Not much going on to this date I did some work on the lower portion of the engines and stated detailing the #3 engine upper half.

The biggest change is the following image which was the first taken with my new Rebel T3i Canon DSLR which Egad! is fully manual, I'm actually going to have to learn how to take pictures again. My old Kodak 290 (in the background) was having trouble extending the auto zoom lens (Getting it up as it were. ) so I guess it was time to retire it but this new camera will take some getting use to. I may have to read the manual though I did manage the image below right out of the box.

http://i.imgur.com/rja78l.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/rja78.jpg

[Meph]

Cool! manual shutter speed FTW (plus tripod)! that can correct most dreary lighting situations.

[Blackadder]

FTW, Aside from "F--- the what" there isn't any translation that lends meaning to the acronym.

Elucidate IYW?

Ha!

BTW I use a tripod.

Another BTW, You do know Meph that I am just re-hashing my Warhound thread on the 'Cool Mini' forum.

I like to display my wares on different forums to promulgate the craft and share techniques with budding scratch builders in hopes that I might glean a better way of accomplishing the rather more tedious tasks.

Don't get me wrong I do relish your input there.

[Meph]

lol, yeah, FTW, is one of the more 'loose' internet acronyms: For The Win!

IYW... hmm..; If You Wish?

Yeah, no worries, I see you thread pop up here and there. I do the same as the variety of input over different forums is always welcome. Just doing my part to keep the traffic up. ;)

Oh, and I just see I totally missed the real engine photo's, that SR71 engine is glowing like there's no tomorrow. And I concur, the SR71 sure is a pretty birdy, but in my eyes the SU-35S comes very, very close in terms of beauty. :D
Are you going to LED up the entire craft (nav lights etc) or just the engines?

In any case, all those lovely little engine- and plating details really ad to the look and feel of the models. 'Greebles' they are called in the 3D modeling world, don't know if the term is known/applied in the physical modeling arena.


But in any case:

OMG WTF? Cool Thunderhawk FTW BTW! Make me one too IYW? :D

[Blackadder]

Another bunch of blurry images but I figured out what I am doing wrong. I need to set the camera to Macro I just gotta find how to do that. Of course I could just read the damned manual but wheres the fun in that?

Yeah Blackadder you'll have the damned thing for 20 years and never find half of what it's capable of.

Gee I'd didn't know it could do that.

Waddaya expect from someone whose VCR flashes 12:00 all the time.

The black tape keeps peeling off.

http://i.imgur.com/OnLKyl.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/OnLKy.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/0jMp4l.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/0jMp4.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/W1Cj0l.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/W1Cj0.jpg

VCR?

[SotonShades]

The detailing on the upper engines looks fantastic mate. Not that the detail on the lower sides are any less well done, just so much less there, appropriately.

Are they permenantly affixed to the wings/fuselage now, or just placed for the pics?

[karlthepagan]

Amazing work. All the steps and explanations are inspiring.

[Blackadder]

Wow, ten days since I posted on this thread! Sorry I've been busy. For those of you that have been following my Warlord thread I have not forgotten this project but I did need to update the Warlord thread as well.

I ran into a snag on the engines which stymied me until I found a solution and strangely enough it was in my medicine cabinet namely the exhaust cones. While innovative the thread cones never satisfied me as a viable material. This morning while brushing my teeth infrequent as tha may be I noticed that my Shoprite mouthwash had the precise requirements for a plastic exhaust cone. So now I have a lifetime supply of cheap mouthwash (if I forgo opportunities for osculation) and three ready made exhaust cones as well

Of course you realize that the above tale is a complete prevarication; I've had this idea in my pocket for six months or more.

http://i.imgur.com/JRU0bl.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/JRU0b.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/dG9L6l.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/dG9L6.jpg

Confession is good for the soul.

[SotonShades]

There's a Warlord thread? Based on your work on this, I can't wait to see what you can do with a beast of that magnitude. Might even ecnourage me to finish detailing and painting mine. Or at least fix her.

[Blackadder]

There's a Warlord thread? Based on your work on this, I can't wait to see what you can do with a beast of that magnitude. Might even ecnourage me to finish detailing and painting mine. Or at least fix her.

Sorry I haven't actually posted my Warlord work on this forum. I'm basing my Warlord on Dave Smith's monumental work but had some problems with scale so rather than post inferior work I've held off until I have some verifiable plans...........starting that thread soon.

I am currently designing a Warlord based on the Dave Smith model

http://i.imgur.com/pyJUql.jpg (http://imgur.com/pyJUq)

but haven't actually started building yet.

[dulesjoe]

Sorry I haven't actually posted my Warlord work on this forum. I'm basing my Warlord on Dave Smith's monumental work but had some problems with scale so rather than post inferior work I've held off until I have some verifiable plans...........starting that thread soon.

I am currently designing a Warlord based on the Dave Smith model

http://i.imgur.com/pyJUql.jpg (http://imgur.com/pyJUq)

but haven't actually started building yet.


gosh...can't imagine the amount of plasticard needed for this one

[Redshirt]

I cant imagine a place to store it. ;)

[drake2.0]

I cant imagine a place to store it. ;)

yeah, i have issues finding space for my rhinos and landraider

[Typhonian]

Sorry I haven't actually posted my Warlord work on this forum. I'm basing my Warlord on Dave Smith's monumental work but had some problems with scale so rather than post inferior work I've held off until I have some verifiable plans...........starting that thread soon.

I am currently designing a Warlord based on the Dave Smith model

but haven't actually started building yet.

Talk about a huge project, good luck with that, eager to see the progress.

[Hammerhead]

Great work so far, the engines are looking fantastic.
Can't wait to see this finished!

[Blackadder]

Building the feet as I type this; I'm trying a new way of building and actually drawing the parts to scale and replicating them in plastic. You'd think that was easier but no, the pencil lines throw off the measurement by much as half a millimeter which is way beyond my acceptable tolerance. Images to come.

[Blackadder]

Sauced as I am to the gills on triple Martinis I am also assembling the toes of this beastie. hic! I can't wait to see how poorly this come out on the morrow. Who knows I might need that added disorientation to further this project.

BTW, never fear I haven't forgotten the Thunderhawk but I need a change of venue.

[Shadow Puppet]

I'm curious how you plan to do the turret on the Thunderhawk. So far I have been really impressed with the amount of detail in your scratch build. I look forward to seeing the completed project.

[NeoBiggs]

The amount of detail going into that Thunderhawk is impressive to say the least, can't wait to see the final product!

[gor'hoof]

Very kind sir more please.
Great job love all the pics and details.:D

[Blood Angel]

I WISH I had the time and patience to build something like this. Currently I'm taking the easy route and building a paper/foamcore T-hawk as uploaded by newobmij on the web. Check out his blog for a really easy to build pre printed in the color of your favorite chapter thunderhawk. He put the templates up at 4chan on the PO page (papercraft and origami) The more requests he gets and the more interest he has in his works, the happier he is and the more he puts out to the community, so everybody, go tell him how great they are and download the templates while you can. I'm hoping for a black Templar and Salamander one next.

[Blood Angel]

http://caprizantgrammarian.tumblr.com/post/13480792884/newobmij-papercraft-thunderhawk

[Blood Angel]

http://newobmij.tumblr.com/post/14137292006/more-paper-thunderhawks

[radegast6]

what you do is just unbeliveble!!

[St.Germaine]

Time to jump on the ditto bandwagon. This is a simply amazing project. Looking forward to seeing this move along.

[Meph]

Sooo... this birdy has not been forgotten I hope?

[Blackadder]

No definitely not forgotten but a breif respite to gather my thoughts and now to attack this with renewed vigor.

I overcame my malaise this weekend and took up the T'hawk again.

I extended the wing roots 13mm each to accommodate the larger diameter engines, cured the negative dihedral, cut out the notch to receive the lights and glued the wing engines in place.

In all not a bad amount of work.

http://i.imgur.com/30Wgy.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/30Wgyl.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/hkgm3.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/hkgm3l.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/O94R1.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/O94R1l.jpg

[Blackadder]

Man I am hot today, I popped this together with one hand and a Martini in the other. It's a good thing I don't have a third hand, I'm feelin' that good.

http://i.imgur.com/806Dc.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/806Dcl.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/d0W8a.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/d0W8al.jpg

[Jambo]

nice just keeps looking better everytime i see it

[Geachinator]

Wow this is an amazing project, can't wait to see what you do next :P

[Tzelanit]

That's quite impressive. Keep up the good work, as I can't wait to see more!

[SotonShades]

More glowyness please :) Glad to see she's not completely forgotten while you're building the Warlord. I can't really talk though; I've only got about 8 or 9 projects ongoing at the moment...

[Iifeelstrange]

ok thats awesome and im guessing 63,0000000000 times cheaperthan an actual one

[Blackadder]

There is a lot of speculation in the Яussian community about a release of a Plastic Thunderhawk.

This photo is in the latest issue of WD.

http://cs313121.vk.me/v313121329/a5/MBHgvzh4ta0.jpg

Can anyone post a larger image?

Anyway Eventually I shall have to resume building my over-sized T'hawk just to complete it as it is already in a fairly advanced state.

http://i.imgur.com/30Wgy.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/30Wgyl.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/hkgm3.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/hkgm3l.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/O94R1.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/O94R1l.jpg

and now I am about to be upstaged by GW but wait?

There are significant similarities between that GW T'hawk and mine.....

Could I get them on © infringements? XD

[Blackadder]

First we'll start with where I am on the overall T'hawk. It's been a year since I worked on this so it will take me a bit of time to come up to speed.

http://i.imgur.com/KiICIfS.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/KiICIfSl.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/uDhEYKI.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/uDhEYKIl.jpg

As I recall I was working on the retractable landing gear so that will be a good place to start.................

[SotonShades]

Yay! She's looking beautiful mate. Long way to go, but keep it up :)

[Dimitrios]

It'd be awesome if you do resurrect this project, if as you say to at least finish what you started.

[lomaxxdurang]

He isn't done hes just preoccupied with his Warlord.

[Blackadder]

After a concentrated search I found this image also from WD I believe which shows a very pristine looking model with extremely crisp lines ( no moulded in warping) a different volcano cannon than the FW production model, no Aquila on the cockpit which I believe was moulded in. Not that I am anxious for a plastic T'hawk which renders my project moot but there seem ample evidence for the suspicion that one is forthcoming.

http://i.imgur.com/XNkco1b.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/XNkco1bl.jpg


RETRACTABLE NOSE LANDING GEAR

Started on the nose gear retractable landing gear today. I want a fully movable gear that retracts and extends and there is a very limited space between the gear bay and the floor of the cargo bay. The big issue is the collapsible oleo strut which acts as a shock absorber when the aircraft lands. I lost a couple of hours sleep the past few nights coming up with a workable design.

We'll see how it works out.........................

http://i.imgur.com/DXEJoqL.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/DXEJoqLl.jpg


http://i.imgur.com/M6BLTGj.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/M6BLTGjl.jpg

[Blackadder]

Rest of the images...................

http://i.imgur.com/GZNXRuZ.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/GZNXRuZl.jpg


http://i.imgur.com/DdRGWVj.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/DdRGWVjl.jpg


http://i.imgur.com/7BE7gdz.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/7BE7gdzl.jpg

[Blackadder]

There you see I've come back to this refreshed with new ideas and a firmer grasp on modeling techniques and not afraid to go 'where' a year ago I would have feared to tread..............

http://i.imgur.com/568HB4O.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/568HB4Ol.jpg


http://i.imgur.com/5t0yd9m.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/5t0yd9ml.jpg

This may actually work!

[Blackadder]

The Retractable Nose Gear Cylinder Shock Strut Mechanism

Below is the system I came up with to allow the nose gear to retract and still compress when the weight of the model is on the extended foot plate.

This will allow the foot plate to extend forward to act as the nose gear bay door as in the original model but still be the landing foot pad when the gear is deployed.

The mechanism works but I still need to get the length right and I may need weaker springs. I'll have to see when the gear is installed in the model.

The components manufactured................
http://i.imgur.com/UHAqKgB.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/UHAqKgBl.jpg

the components partially assembled................
http://i.imgur.com/zAshg9i.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/zAshg9il.jpg

The shock strut in full extention.............
http://i.imgur.com/xUUvXWB.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/xUUvXWBl.jpg

Compressing the shock strut allows 1.5 cm of travel...........
http://i.imgur.com/X5sPaE5.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/X5sPaE5l.jpg

[Blackadder]

I got this idea in the middle of the night and wanted to implement it before I forgot about it. I've not forgot about the Warlord............. I just need a change of locus.

Nose Gear Retract Cylinder

The way I look at it is a good way to improve engineering skills is to push your limits.

The nose gear piston attach point is in place, now for the cylinder and trunnions............

http://i.imgur.com/gRY64zh.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/gRY64zhl.jpg[B]

Of course building toy fantasy aircraft may not be high on your priorities. :D

[alshrive]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=noSOFIJdfwM
sorry to do this but you said Trunnion and it instantly made me think of this, hopefully it will make you smile as you work!

[Blackadder]

A good try at imitating MPFC but seems a bit like the tobacconist sketch.............

Nose Gear Installed Temporary

The nose gear mount plate is temporarily taped in place to see what the gear extension looks like. The foot plate is just attached with loose fitting plastic bushings.........

In the side view below the gear strut is canted forward but it can be set to vertical, I still ambivalent about that, I should have taken a vertical image position.

http://i.imgur.com/qQafiEF.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/qQafiEFl.jpg

Dang! the bushing slipped out when I was setting the pose. There is too much gear well showing in the cargo bay. I'll have toshim up the exterior reinforcement plate.

http://i.imgur.com/WLkfaDw.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/WLkfaDwl.jpg

A quarter view just because it looked good to me. Note the negative dihedral to the wings. The attach bolts are loose...............

http://i.imgur.com/Qe0lnjC.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/Qe0lnjCl.jpg

Now that the gear is satisfactory I disassemble it to show the components.........

[Blackadder]

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]

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.

[Blackadder]

Taking the TDA's observation to heart I decided to incline the nose gear angle for a more streamline profile and less extreme angle for the nose cargo ramp. Now that I have established that area I can start on the retractable main gear.

http://i.imgur.com/5ziIiAJ.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/5ziIiAJl.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/dfd3sjh.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/dfd3sjhl.jpg

[gcsmith]

This looks tasty

[Blackadder]

This is one of the sections that I attribute my shelving the project for a year. I was satisfied with neither FW landing gear nor the 3D rendering.

The FW model didn't appear to be functional in that the gear would never fit into the well given the actuating cylinder and trunnion placement; the whole design just wasn't workable. Likewise the 3D model showed a ridiculously minuscule gear. Too small!

I managed to achieve a good compromise (IMHO) increasing the size of the landing pad by twice the area and changing where the gear is actually stowed. Unfortunately at the expense of internal storage area but hey it's a military vehicle so a gear cylinder in the living area isn't offensive to yer average crewman.


http://i.imgur.com/FeDZYQH.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/FeDZYQHl.jpg


http://i.imgur.com/wQGCxN5.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/wQGCxN5l.jpg


http://i.imgur.com/fNhFPLA.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/fNhFPLAl.jpg

[Blackadder]

Revamp of the retract mechanism

I've tried all ways to get these to operate and there's only so much crap you can cram into a specific space. I've eliminated the trunnion axis and the shock strut and still no go. I guess that's why the aeronautical engineers get the big bucks. although the L1011 and DC-10 were total fiascoes for the airline industry............

pictures to follow...............

I took a few days off to lick my wounds. :(

Now I believe I have come up with a solution...

BTW I consider having an actual plan of what I am attempting to do cheating. XD

http://i.imgur.com/GEzOXJW.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/GEzOXJWl.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/Ri23OTH.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/Ri23OTHl.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/kpDofFf.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/kpDofFfl.jpg

[Blackadder]

Thunderhawk Exhaust Cones

Normally I don't use bottle caps and such on my models because thats what they look like but I couldn't pass these up at least for a tryout.

http://i.imgur.com/otMVwKe.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/otMVwKel.jpg

The ribbing is perfect using every third segment for a stringer and dividing the cone into thirds along it's length worked out perfectly

http://i.imgur.com/FUAbBUe.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/FUAbBUel.jpg


Now where did the Blackadder find such perfect items you may ask? Well it's Shoprite brand Fruny Green Mouthwash bottle caps from the half gallon economy size and as an added bonus I now have a lifetime supply of the stuff.

http://i.imgur.com/jJHuO7i.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/jJHuO7li.jpg

[SotonShades]

I love bits shopping like that. Poundland and cheap hardware/toy stores are a great source of all sorts of odd shapes that somehow seem to just fit. Not often it works out as well as that though. They look great :)

[Blackadder]

Ha! "PoundLand" A British variety store just like our Dollar stores in the US filled with Chinese crapola that you can barely get home before it breaks. You have those too!

[Blackadder]

It's Starting to Grow on Me

When I first saw the Thunderhawk quite a few years ago I thought it was the most ridiculous looking transport vehicle ever conceived. but these new iterations have transformed the initial abomination into a hulking brute that actually seems almost airworthy.

Even the engines seem of a size adequate to propel said craft through the welkin.

http://i.imgur.com/nXaWZpd.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/nXaWZpdl.jpg

These exhaust cones have a lot to them besides being just a nozzle for it seems there is a setup for afterburners at least in the Inquisitor images.

http://i.imgur.com/MvyaKlg.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/MvyaKlgl.jpg

My big problem now is not being reminded how much they look like peach baskets.......

http://i.imgur.com/pKybQdQ.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/pKybQdQl.jpg

[Blackadder]

Afterburner Injector Housings

Below are the beginnings of the Afterburner Injector Housings.

I started with strips of sheet styrene about 15 inches long and wrapped around a cylinder of require diameter (in this case a toothpick dispenser) and wrapped around three times to give the housing the requisite thickness for a solid foundation.

http://i.imgur.com/bJwIjF5.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/bJwIjF5l.jpg

After the glue on the cylinder is dried I beveled the incerted edge and scored the inner surface of the exhaust nozzle to get a good glue bond and glued the housing into the exhaust cone.

Once dried the housings will be ready for detailing.

[Blackadder]

Fitting the Right Wing Engine Exhaust Cone

Anyone following my threads knows I rarely follow any preconceived plan of execution so when something works out this well I am flabbergasted.

The Fruny Green Mouthwash bottle caps worked out perfectly both in diameter and length (I always felt the exhaust cone in the background image and in the 3D rendering were too long to be aesthetically pleasing) but a little cutting with the Dremel rasp carved out a clean bed for the ejector housing base.

Here we see the wing separated into its 3 major components (Excepting the nose cowl) They are Wing Root and engine assembly, Wing and Exhaust cone:

http://i.imgur.com/mCbRHJZ.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/mCbRHJZl.jpg

And the assembled components dry fitted;

http://i.imgur.com/pgfxESu.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/pgfxESul.jpg

I never glue anything together until I'm 100% sure it works..........

[Blackadder]

Serendipity Rears its Ugly Head

Don't hate me because I'm lucky.

Back when I was building the engines in order to bulk up the adjacent wing surfaces I applied box beams to either side of the engines. I had forgotten about them so when I cut into the ends of the engine cowl I found these ready made receptacles for removable stringers attached to the exhaust cones.

http://i.imgur.com/6kchHzJ.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/6kchHzJl.jpg

A little care in aligning the plug in stringers and there are plug in exhaust components so access to the battery operated LED lighting.

By pressing on the lens of the flashlight activates the pushbutton switch at the base of the light allowing it to be turned on and off without removal.

http://i.imgur.com/2siqcih.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/2siqcihl.jpg

Now it only remains to colour the cones to glow superheated when the light is activated to simulate afterburners.

http://i.imgur.com/1VFha00.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/1VFha00l.jpg

[Dlatrex]

That's a pretty neat feature! Props for being brave enough to stick your finger in an exhaust vent. ;-)

[magickbk]

Nothing feels as good as when you discover you accidentally did something awesome that you didn't plan when you started the project. Are you going to put something in front of the lamp to dull or reflect the beam back into the cone? It looks a little bright straight-on, although that could just be the photo and not reality.

[Blackadder]

Nothing feels as good as when you discover you accidentally did something awesome that you didn't plan when you started the project. Are you going to put something in front of the lamp to dull or reflect the beam back into the cone? It looks a little bright straight-on, although that could just be the photo and not reality.

This is the effect I am going for

http://photorecon.net/wp-content/gallery/johnevans/j58-afterburner2-copy.jpg

How close I come remains to be seen...........

[Blackadder]

The Nose Cowling

Back (Egad!) so many years ago when my son first started this project I helped him out by shaping the nose cowls out of PVC pipe. I had no concept of the scale of a Thunderhawk but I figured on an aircraft of this size that a man could stand upright in the intake duct.

I used a table top belt sander to obtain a satisfactory rough shape and that is where I left the cowls assuming once the rest of the 'Hawk was well underway I could always polish them to a finished appearance.

Now 4 years later and I having inherited the project my son being away in college and no time for such things I take up the completion of the cowlings still as yet unpolished.

Below you see an assembled cowl and the three components that make it up

http://i.imgur.com/6Rk1knl.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/6Rk1knll.jpg

I plan to make the fans today.............

[Blackadder]

How Many Blades?

After viewing a number of intake fan assemblies of Thunderhawks I have decided on 16 blades; the reason being expediency.

Were I to go more and readily divide the fan by 4 the next logical number of blades would not be 20 but 24. 20 is out because of the necessity of dividing each quarter of the disk into five blades. Since the disk is only 25 mm in diameter the chances increase having different width blades regardless how sharp your pencil/ scribe may be. 24 blades though easier to calculate also increases the margin for error.

If memory serves an L1011 Rolls Royce engine has around 32 blades but those blades are close to a meter long (From the center of the hub) and that is a much larger aircraft than the Thunderhawk is purported to be.

[Blackadder]

Fan Manufacture an Easier Way for Larger Fans

16 blades seems the best for while easy to fit accurately on a disk it is busy enough to simulate an intake fan especially if the cuts are made on an angle to augment the illusion of a fan.

For that reason I have selected styrene 1,0 MM thick.

I began by dividing the disc into quarters:

http://i.imgur.com/0X8BhzN.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/0X8BhzNl.jpg

and then into 16 segments the ends of the blades coincidentally worked out to 5,0 mm wide.

I then glued a small hub to the center of the disc to act as a guide for the inner end of the cut (To prevent the blades from being cut off completely.):

http://i.imgur.com/NkfqUMw.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/NkfqUMwl.jpg

Employing my chisel blade I cut into each segment at approximately a 45° angle so the edges of the blades appear to overlap.

http://i.imgur.com/CruF7Ux.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/CruF7Uxl.jpg

After all the cuts were made I glued a small disc to the back of the fan to reinforce the axis point and with needle nose pliers twisted the blades to give a fan like appearance.

[Blackadder]

A Mélange of Ideas

There are so many different styles of nose cowls for this model most of them wrong but some good points to most as well.

I am picking and choosing that which takes my fancy from each.

The image below shows some interesting features and an out right wrong namely the fan too close to the front of the cowl.

http://i.imgur.com/cbp0I6R.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/cbp0I6Rl.jpg

What purpose the flaps are on the outer circumference of the cowl is unknown but they are an interesting feature and therefor included.

http://i.imgur.com/99f2s6f.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/99f2s6fl.jpg

[Blackadder]

The Model I Love to Hate

It's no secret I am not enamoured with the Thunderhawk but when I see this engine 10 inches /250 MM long I have to admit it's growing on me. The nose cowl is roughed in and mounted and the overall look is pure sex. I can't wait to start detailing these engines...............

http://i.imgur.com/4s6Rfiu.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/4s6Rfiul.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/Fv5oQ3T.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/Fv5oQ3Tl.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/kVTfSCH.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/kVTfSCHl.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/6ZDBR90.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/6ZDBR90l.jpg


I know my model is a bit larger than the FW original but out of curiosity what is the length of the FW wing engine nose and exhaust cowls included?

[primeministersinister]

You are so fast. And it all looks so detailed. Please keep it up.

[Blackadder]

The More I Watch the Avengers the More it Seems Absurd

Watched 'The Avengers' for the third time last night using it as a backdrop for the tedious snaking of the afterburner piping on the three exhaust cones.

Honestly I can't see how this movie got the critical acclaim it almost universally received.

Anyway I am very close to finishing that task; mebbe I'll watch the equally ludicrous Thor tonight and finish it up tonight.

http://i.imgur.com/dl3flKg.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/dl3flKgl.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/kevrXfL.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/kevrXfLl.jpg

[Blackadder]

The More I Watch the Avengers the More it Seems Absurd

Watched 'The Avengers' for the third time last night using it as a backdrop for the tedious snaking of the afterburner piping on the three exhaust cones.

Honestly I can't see how this movie got the critical acclaim it almost universally received.

Anyway I am very close to finishing that task; mebbe I'll watch the equally ludicrous Thor tonight and finish it up tonight.

http://i.imgur.com/dl3flKg.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/dl3flKgl.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/kevrXfL.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/kevrXfLl.jpg

The beauty of watching such a movie in the process of performing mindless endeavours is both tasks being equally boring the two activities cancel each other out and before I knew it was bedtime. HA!

[Blackadder]

Exhaust Mounted

Yeah everyone is tired of the same beaten horse but I wanted to see what the engines looked like attached to the fusilage.

http://i.imgur.com/5cUIYeH.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/5cUIYeHl.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/STrKyrr.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/STrKyrrl.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/brPibM6.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/brPibM6l.jpg

Not bad for gov'ment work.............

[Kirsten]

very nice indeed

[Dimitrios]

Your work never ceases to amaze! I'm not sure whether a thunderhawk has an engine on the central fuselage however and so it looks to me to be a little misplaced, but if the model does indeed have one mounted there then so be it. :)

With regard to the Avengers... I do know what you mean! There are holes in the plot line, certain sequences are purely coincidental however saying that it is still a good film... I think THAT is what makes it great... the fact that despite the issues it stills draws people in and its still has the feel of an EPIC combat time and again...

[Blackadder]

Oh its definitely misplace as the FW design makes a poor allowance for air intake but the T'hawk is a 3 engine vehicle with a centerline thruster.........

As for the Avengers, not enough Gwyneth Paltow and Nately Portman (only mentioned) and I think Ironman and the Hulk could have handled the threat by themselves. What was with Thor standing in a meadow for hours staring at his hammer? And Banner showing up on a cycle hours later instead of bounding to the LZ in minutes?

I'm glad netflix aired this stinker before I plunked do hard cash for a DVD.

The Fearful Symmetry

I forgot the front view and side view which displays the symmetry of this monster but truth be know regarding length and wingspan this vehicle is about the same size as the smallest passenger jets say a DC9-30 or a three holer B727 100 series.

http://www.aviastar.org/pictures/usa/mcdonnel_dc-9_1.gif

Even my version which would be designated a "stretch" is no bigger than a B727 200 series.

http://www.aviationexplorer.com/Various_Aircraft/Boeing_727_3_View_Schematic_Chart.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/Ky07wvp.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/Ky07wvpl.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/0sEAALF.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/0sEAALFl.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/7DDNhZx.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/7DDNhZxl.jpg

[Blackadder]

Rivets Gaah!

Rivets, the bane of scratch building but it has to be done so heres my relatively painless method of applying rivets.

I chose 0.035 inch/0,88 mm styrene rod for my cowl rivets and securing the rivets with Ambroid PROWELD thin liquid cement.

All the tools necessary are visible in the image below and I cannot stress too much to use a NEW # 11 blade in your 1/4 inch Xacto handle.

http://i.imgur.com/JqXhjpj.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/JqXhjpjl.jpg

After you have scribed a pencil line on the work Use your chisel blade to cut a supply of rivet disk (usually 10 or 15 pieces)

Using the tip of the # 11 blade pick up the rivet and while holding the ready rivet take your cement brush and put a dot of cement on the work piece and slightly press the rivet disk to the work holding it in place for a few seconds.

Continue procedure ad nauseam.

After the glue is dried use the steel emery board to dress the rivets to the required height.

[Dimitrios]

I appreciate this may not be your favourite project but it is a thing of beauty! I have always wanted a Thunderhawk and this is scratching that itch somewhat!!

You must have the patience of a saint to apply THAT many rivets... I wouldn't like to think how many there will be by the end :P

[Blackadder]

There are only 220 rivets on both nose cowls and the Thunderhawk is not anywhere near the rivet nightmare that Lucie was.

I estimated minimum a thousand rivets alone on the Warhound but I've never had time to count them:

http://www.lounge.belloflostsouls.net/showthread.php?6571-Blackadder-s-Scratchbuilt-Lucius-Pattern-Warhound/page6

Scroll down to post 52 on page 6 to see what I mean; compared to that the T'hawk is a cakewalk.


Sample of the toe detail:
http://i282.photobucket.com/albums/kk260/The_Blackadder/DCP_7535.jpg

http://i282.photobucket.com/albums/kk260/The_Blackadder/DCP_7536.jpg

http://i282.photobucket.com/albums/kk260/The_Blackadder/DCP_7537.jpg

http://i282.photobucket.com/albums/kk260/The_Blackadder/DCP_7538.jpg

[Blackadder]

Vertical Stabilizer At Last

A bit of departure from my usual building technique; I could conceive of no reason to make the tail as a separate modular assembly I probably won't be removing it for any reason and it is a simple assembly.

I'm starting from a light weight but sturdy framework slightly modifying where it attaches to the engine exhaust due to my taking what I consider the best ideas of the two 3D versions I am working from.

Although I intend to add a movable rudder (not present in the background wallpaper) and taper the control surface to the trailing edge. but the first order is to get the proportion correct.

http://i.imgur.com/jmisk1V.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/jmisk1Vl.jpg

[Blackadder]

Vertical Stabilizer Interior

This seems like a good way to build a rudder system. At any rate its rather strong and with the exo-armour should withstand regular usage.

The extra long rod is the rudder hinge axis and the cut out forward of the rod will house the counterweight hinge extensions.

http://i.imgur.com/7ivZ50x.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/7ivZ50xl.jpg

The rear angle looks good but the front appears to be more extreme

http://i.imgur.com/KKlcXA2.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/KKlcXA2l.jpg

[Blackadder]

Vertical Stabilizer Sheeted

I sheeted the vertical stabilizer with 0.030 inch styrene because I want to add an airfoil to the surface. The notches are cut out and framed and the rudder axis threaded through the bushings.

http://i.imgur.com/2Hrrb7t.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/2Hrrb7tl.jpg

Next I cut out the superfluous material I used for a trueness guide to insure the slots were parallel and would not bind when the rudder went through its travel extremes:

http://i.imgur.com/HlkrfxF.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/HlkrfxFl.jpg

The final step of the sheathing and dressing the slots for homogeneity and I was ready to build the rudder core

http://i.imgur.com/oR1XPKE.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/oR1XPKEl.jpg

[Blackadder]

The Rudder Core

The vertical stabilizer and the rudder are heavily armoured for some reason which predisposes the need for counterweights I suppose.

Therefor to make the rudder not appear too bulky requires a thin and strong internal structure.

I opted for a center 5/32 inch tube for the rudder axis with a 0.080 inch rod for the axle. This gave me a strong hinge point to build on. I reinforced the axis with a styrene "I" beam and affixed a 0.250 X 0.060 inch strip for the basic structure.

I then sheathed the ruder with 0.030 inch styrene for the < shape and overall rudder lateral length.

So the entire rudder core is only 5/32 inch thick and extremely strong for the base material.

I did pretty much the same for the leading edge counterweight extensions and clamped them so they all were on the same parallel to the rudder core.

http://i.imgur.com/UNBGVHe.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/UNBGVHel.jpg

[UrielVentris]

Sir, why don't you work for forge world? Your skill is amazing I'm sure they'd hire you!

[Blackadder]

The Rudder Fitting

So as you can see the rudder is very thin at this point and once the armour sheathing is installed there will be the core sandwiched between layers of external skin elimating weak glue joints in critical axle areas........ (I hope)

http://i.imgur.com/pZuXwBy.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/pZuXwByl.jpg

Once dried the rudder is mounted for fit and the tolerances are very tight through the extreme movement of the rudder travel.

http://i.imgur.com/lcnNb7f.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/lcnNb7fl.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/6d0Jroq.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/6d0Jroql.jpg

[Blackadder]

Thanks,

Armour Detail on Tail:

about half done on the vertical stabilizer detail. Things are starting to shape up. The rudder has about fifteen to twenty degrees of arc left stop to right stop so that should be adequate. I hope to be installing the rear vents and panels tomorrow.

http://i.imgur.com/O6bUR5C.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/O6bUR5Cl.jpg

In this above view you may be able to discern that the stabilizer tapers slightly towards the leading edge.

http://i.imgur.com/BHEUfQ1.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/BHEUfQ1l.jpg

[Blackadder]

Vertical Stabilizer Assembly

Is pretty much done. Rivets are outsized yeah I know it but they go with the clunky motif of the model.

In the foreground of the image below is the rudder assembly that shows the multiple layers of construction:

http://i.imgur.com/WJBeC0j.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/WJBeC0jl.jpg

Rudder mounted and at full right rudder position:

http://i.imgur.com/tQHJZiO.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/tQHJZiOl.jpg

[Blackadder]

The Interminable Thunderhawk Vents

Its not that I have forgotten the Thunderhawk but the tedium of making the vent grills is wearing me down and I needed the Reaver diversion to keep intact what little sanity is left to me.

http://i.imgur.com/REu0C7Z.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/REu0C7Zl.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/qU5rbLL.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/qU5rbLLl.jpg

Bibblebibblebibblebibblebibble.................... ....

[Blackadder]

Vents Finally Done

After a week of knee surgery convalescence I finally got my groove back and finished the vent slats. Not up to my usual standard but they are in a position that I can readily replace them if I get ambitious.

The main gun superstructure should go together quickly now that these labor intense objects are completed.

http://i.imgur.com/JcsFVWZ.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/JcsFVWZl.jpg

[Tornik]

This is madness. Wonderful, jaw-dropping, glorious madness. I could never accomplish anything like this. Subscribed.

[Blackadder]

Welcome aboard and thanks,

Superstructure Continues:

If there is a roundabout way to do things leave it to the Blackadder to pursue that course.

The superstructure seems a straightforward trapezoidal structure with nothing out of the ordinary to complicate building it until I decided the perpendicular sides should cant in a few degrees at the top and the three armour plates on either side likewise. This adds a taper to the structure's sides much as the columns curve slightly on the Parthenon to give a better illusion of straightness. Were the sides perfectly perpendicular they would appear to flair at the top.

I also changed the angle of the rear vent panel because my T'hawk is much longer than the original and therefore can be more streamline...... (? Really, Streamline?)

The overall effect is longer, lower and wider than the FW model and even the 3D rendering is slightly blockier.

I hope I don't come to regret these departures.........


http://i.imgur.com/aDLrvCg.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/aDLrvCgl.jpg


http://i.imgur.com/d9Ekz6j.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/d9Ekz6jl.jpg

[bloodangel 83]

Nice work so far. Keep it up and i'm following this build till u finish. Charlie

[Blackadder]

Thanks,

Simple Trunnion Mount for Cannon

For those of us with childish bents that have to have moving parts on their models a simple trunnion mount for the main cannon on the T'hawk.

Starting with a reinforced 7/16 tube with an 3/8 tube sleeve inserted for strength I bored a 3/16th diameter hole through the exact dead center of the tube to mount the barrel core.

http://i.imgur.com/DzsSh0s.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/DzsSh0sl.jpg

Using 2 x 6 mm scrap strips for the trunnion mounts in the superstructure clamped in place with clothes pins overnight gave me a strong base to mount the trunnions.

http://i.imgur.com/YXQQDKO.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/YXQQDKOl.jpg

With the barrel mount trunnions in place in the slot I'm ready to seal the forward end of the mount to capture the elevation assembly for a simple and effective cannon mount elevation system.

http://i.imgur.com/jfO9HW2.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/jfO9HW2l.jpg

[Blackadder]

Green Stuff, Certainly Not!

When I make a bad seam as I have just done I feel its important to demonstrate how I remedy the mistake.

http://i.imgur.com/FXw7EYx.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/FXw7EYxl.jpg

Now Green Stuff I understand is unreasonable costly and I have never purchased a tube and styrene is readily repairable; first I clean the bad seam so an inlay can be inserted:

http://i.imgur.com/rusfoJ5.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/rusfoJ5l.jpg

I then take a wisp of scrap styrene (Sorry for the blurred image) and slide it into the seam:

http://i.imgur.com/aq8pTx2.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/aq8pTx2l.jpg

Apply a drop of liquid styrene cement (I use Ambroid ProWeld Thin Cement) and allow to dry for a minute.

File off the excess and you're done:

http://i.imgur.com/yDlKDMa.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/yDlKDMal.jpg

[Blackadder]

Range Finder Component

I guess the rectangular box on top of the superstructure is some sort of range finder and since the ones included with the sponson mounted lascannons on the Landraider are physically too small I had to scratch a larger one.

Fortunately the Leman Russ fenders are approximately the size required so I used the smallest for the 'Finder.

http://i.imgur.com/diH9vs8.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/diH9vs8l.jpg

I used a Jerry can for the interior and a set of binoculars for the range lenses and am dressing the skin to simulate the surface of the item in the 3D image below

http://i.imgur.com/FXw7EYx.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/FXw7EYxl.jpg

[Blackadder]

The Risk of Too Much Coverage

The Main gun superstructure was surprisingly easy to build considering how much I put off building it......... Jeez Blackadder that main cannon looks awfully tiny?

Right now the above wing armour is sketched in which should give a bit of a boost to the verisimilitude of the project.

http://i.imgur.com/VWnMSIr.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/VWnMSIrl.jpg

[Blackadder]

Hull Armour

Heavier and Heavier, this model has slabs of simulated armour that causes serious doubt on the ability to actually remain in the air. Engines powerful as they may be eventually reach a point of diminishing returns. Slabs of armour 4 cm thick and covering 10's of square meters of coverage. That said the new armour surely looks cool.

http://i.imgur.com/ey73N3i.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/ey73N3il.jpg

I vacillate on liking this model to incredulity whether it has any chance of airworthiness

http://i.imgur.com/7LnDZqx.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/7LnDZqxl.jpg