Blackadders Warlord WIP

[Blackadder]

Ha, we're still here! Silly Mayans.................

Sorry, I shouldn't have fooled around.

Everyone is fixating on 'straw' as in 'broke the camels back' a metaphor.

But back to the fillet/ribbon............

In the image below the arrow #1 is pointing to an area that I wanted closed at all times regardless of the position of the head.

http://i.imgur.com/G3sW0.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/G3sW0l.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/SeeVw.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/SeeVwl.jpg

I first considered a roundel of plastic but there was no place for it and the hinge axle.

A flap of plastic would not seal properly so I combined the two and came up with this curved ribbon anchored at each side of the neck.

#1 is represented in the same area in the image below:

http://i.imgur.com/oLLy1.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/oLLy1l.jpg

#2 is the fillet ribbon which I looped 35 mm from the hinge axle.

#3 refers to two pins that apply pressure to the ribbon which slides on the pins keeping the gap closed as the head turns side to side.

[Blackadder]

Below is the rough appearance of the flight station blast doors. I was going to make them to slide open but it smacks of gimmickry.

http://i.imgur.com/onx53.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/onx53l.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/SkJ00.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/SkJ00l.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/riyku.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/riykul.jpg

Opinions?

[Blackadder]

Despite the dubious practical value of the head machinations to move side to side and up and down by which I mean that a simple turret mounted video camera could accomplish the same with a lot less technology one cannot dismiss the distinct psychological effect on the enemy in the focus of that unfeeling stare as the great visage ponderously turns in your direction to transfix you in its soulless gaze.


http://i.imgur.com/oYlEp.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/oYlEpl.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/4VdsY.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/4VdsYl.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/sxhLr.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/sxhLrl.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/8l6mc.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/8l6mcl.jpg

The magnets are all in place to secure the neck in the up and locked position and hold the helmet in place. Not a bad amount of work for the morning 'fore Christmas.

[Blackadder]

Yeah I know it looks like I am posting the same pictures but I am trying to convince myself that the nose and cheek armour fits okay.

First I have to prime the bits beneath and then glue on the face armour so it has to be right the first shot.

http://i.imgur.com/Wz1Ri.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/Wz1Ril.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/vXFg3.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/vXFg3l.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/xhlHd.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/xhlHdl.jpg

I figure if I see it in a photo it will show me where the discrepancies lie. Totally discount that the armour is slightly askew; rubber bands only can accomplish just so much and no more.

Plus I gotta go out to dinner, another waste of precious model building time.

Don't they know theres a war on!

[Blackadder]

The following observation is from a fan on another forum. Not being a football aficionado I wasn't aware of this similarity:



It looks like an angry viking or dwarf with a mustache... I ponder if that was the original artists representation?

For reference, see the Minnesota Vikings logo.


I checked that out and I've never seen that logo before (not a football fan); the resemblance is uncanny.

http://i.imgur.com/xhlHdl.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/BNxJWl.jpg

[Blackadder]

Its getting more and more difficult to take these assembled images. The parts keep falling off and out of place but I can't glue any of them on as yet as they need further detailing and of course painting.

Below you see the overall effect of the model with the scale 28 MM figure in the foreground at its feet and a Lucius Baneblade for comparison:

http://i.imgur.com/PSCYY.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/PSCYYl.jpg

Here you see a grunt's eye view of the behemoth:

http://i.imgur.com/GU3lz.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/GU3lzl.jpg

and here you see you have attracted it's attention:

http://i.imgur.com/7R6am.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/7R6aml.jpg

[Blackadder]

Just to few more images to round out the week.

Top view:

http://i.imgur.com/8fQCV.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/8fQCVl.jpg

------------------------------------------------

Legs sprawled in the classic Reaver stance:

http://i.imgur.com/j19PZ.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/j19PZl.jpg

I love this pose, it seems to say, "Go ahead, make my day."

What's Latin for, "Dirty Harry?"

-----------------------------------------------------------------

Looking up; well because the hip bolts loosened:

http://i.imgur.com/u25WM.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/u25WMl.jpg

No time to tighten them as I have another Holiday commitment................

I hate this week.

[Blackadder]

The Weapon Spaced armour was the initial subject for the new year thus far. I wasn't too satisfied with the gauntlet armour as it appears on the DS model. It seemed too short front to back and made the guns look barrel heavy There is a add on counterweight plate that Mr Smith added and I shall add it as well but I also elongated the from tan rear bevel and increased the overall length of the armour 19.5 MM.

http://i.imgur.com/wZ8uf.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/wZ8ufl.jpg

My issue with the entire 40K

[Godless Zealot]

It's coming along superbly!

[Brakkart]

I am in awe of your modelling skills, such a fantastic project. Do you have a paint scheme in mind for this brute yet?

[Blackadder]

No but I do have a name:

So it's official (Subject to change of course) The Warlord's name will be, ''Luteus Vexant''

[Blackadder]

Today we're going to tackle the manufacture of removable panels.

Misguided as I am I am under the delusion that interior detail will be a plus for this construct.

The problem is how to access viewing of said detail.

The answer is rare earth magnets. I bought mine at Harbor Freight; 10 magnets 5/16" dia. X 5/64" thick for about a buck and change per package

The first order of instruction is "DON"T SWALLOW THESE MAGNETS!" I am given to understand that they will stick together in your small intestine and cause blockage that could result in having to be surgically removed.

That obvious caution rendered, the problem is how to glue these to the frame of your compartment so as to take full advantage of their marvelous properties.

I came up with this method:

I cut thin sections from Evergreen 3/8" square box beam extrusion and glued them after squaring the cut to a piece of 0.020 scrap sheet styrene.

http://i.imgur.com/i8oXJ.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/i8oXJl.jpg

I the incapsulated a magnet into the recess and sanded the rim down to almost flush with the magnet face.

I then glued a scrap of 0.010 sheet styrene to the rim, allowed to dry, sanded off the excess and had a magnet ready to be incorporated into the opening.

http://i.imgur.com/rLW0L.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/rLW0Ll.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/tQ95V.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/tQ95Vl.jpg

I used eight magnets instead of magnets and washers to close off the front chest panel on my titan as I wanted a tight seam.

http://i.imgur.com/DruL1.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/DruL1l.jpg

I used variations on this to affix the neck in the vertical and up position and to secure the helmet to the cockpit.



--
E. Blackadder

[Blackadder]

I spent the better part of today tightening the joints and installing the magnets. The whole thing weighs in at 10 pounds (4.5 Kg) and stands 26 inches (66.04 CM) tall in this pose.

http://i.imgur.com/7EIva.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/7EIval.jpg


http://i.imgur.com/pPhod.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/pPhodl.jpg


http://i.imgur.com/Lhs85.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/Lhs85l.jpg


http://i.imgur.com/Za2nF.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/Za2nFl.jpg

The thigh guards are now magnetized but need centering strips to keep them square. The head in the up position is held in place with a single magnet pair and the helmet is held in place with two double magnet pairs

The face shield I believe will get magnets to hold it on which should make painting easier.

Whew I can't believe it's standing on its own and not crushing the feet mechanisms.

Dumb luck strikes again.

[Fizzybubela]

Dumb luck always works! It's the best kind of luck!

[Blackadder]

Yeah, the next step is to beef up those piteously thin hips!

Thanks for the reply................

[Blackadder]

To demonstrate the frequent fallibility of the Blackadder yesterday evening I spent the better part of two hours making brackets to hold the steering cylinders for the hips (Multitasking for I was watching a movie as well) Not surprisingly I was not satisfied with the result so I slept on the problem.This morning in what I can only describe as a eureka moment the mechanism jelled in my mind and I made a quick sketch.

Now it is off to the craft shop for beads and fine threaded screws.


http://i.imgur.com/hNvRP.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/hNvRPl.jpg
Note to self; I have to be more careful as to what appears in the background.

The sketch:

http://i.imgur.com/uXJr7.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/uXJr7l.jpg

Note to budding scratch builders; the diameter of the tubing..........this may or may not be too small. I see in a lot of scratch models that hydraulic cylinders are fabricated of too small a diameter tubing giving a too delicate or flimsy appearance.

steering cylinders on a construct of this magnitude should be massive for not only do they have to move the apparatus but they must also be able to absorb the shock of the step. A cylinder too small will burst or at the very least blow it's seals with great frequency. Make the cylinders heavy to be believable in fantasy engineering where the cost is not a consideration.

[imperialpower]

Just in case you have not heard it enough your Titan is looking awesome and once the hip area is beefed up a bit I hope you get it painted up soon after, although from the look of your work you seem like an avid perfectionist so I imagine there is a lot more to go before any paint touches the model.

[Blackadder]

Returning from the craft store I found 'Michael's was running a sale on plastic beads in spherical bearing stainless steel colouring no less except for the 10 MM size, so now I have a goodly supply for some time to come for about 6 bucks............ sadly women use these only to decorate their necks, poor dears; you can't tell me they didn't come up the short end on creativity..........

http://i.imgur.com/rqLZb.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/rqLZbl.jpg

[Blackadder]

This is the first try to make a ball and rotator cup that will allow the hips to flex when the legs are moved.

You will note that the piston has free 360° rotation within the confines of the cup which should give me the range of motion I need. I have to make ten of these for each leg so by the time I am done this one will have to be replaced as I am hoping to refine the mechanism and apperance.

Yeah you're right that's a Space Marine shoulder armour bitz:

http://i.imgur.com/4zYpY.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/4zYpYl.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/SZ36e.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/SZ36el.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/YLwwS.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/YLwwSl.jpg

[Fizzybubela]

I'm looking forward to how your ball and rotator cup works out. :)

[Blackadder]

I'm looking forward to how your ball and rotator cup works out. :)

It's been tried before with mixed results. Evolution/The Creator has attempted a viable solution but there are complications. So were the Black-Adder to fail he would be in good company............. (There are no emoticons for omnipotence...........)

Whoops, missing the obligatory smiley :D

[Blackadder]

Here I departed from the prototype by adding steering hydraulics noticeably missing from the original. And the Epic model as well I might add........

With a lot of effort I managed to approximate my sketch, the four images below depict the movement of the hip rotor showing it in the forward walking, rearward walking deflection, rearward splayed and forward splayed positions.

Shown mounted are the right rear steering cylinders, two of the eight hydraulic servos needed for steering showing the piston travel range.

http://i.imgur.com/ROAPY.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/ROAPYl.jpg


http://i.imgur.com/0WVNq.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/0WVNql.jpg


http://i.imgur.com/awzKW.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/awzKWl.jpg


http://i.imgur.com/wGXkW.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/wGXkWl.jpg

Now I'm not so sure that I like the SM shoulder armour rod ends and may remount them to a large disk..................

Or leave them off entirely...............

Madness!

[Blackadder]

I'm not at all pleased with the size or the mounting plus the employment of these devices will necessitate further modification of the original design (Shield Armour) as they provide prime targets that would immobilize the titan were they to be damaged. I am in the process of rethinking the whole steering apparatus which while essential to a "real world" construct must also be of a size and application commensurate with a construct of this proportion and vulnerability. I.E. they need to be shielded..............

Just more reenforcement that the Blackadder is a likely candidate for the disorient express. Were I to not over-think this project it might be finished by now..............

Whom I kidding I never would have been satisfied with less.......... Back up the cookie wagon.......

[KrewL RaiN]

Don't let your thoughts turn to Chaos! Gotta to make sure Slannesh doesn't bring out the perfectionist (oh how I hate my inner perfectionist, never lets me get things done sometimes). Sometimes, the best ideas and solutions to problems just pop out of thin air when you least expect it. Yet when your so involved in a piece of work you have been pouring your soul into, it's not hard to start nit picking, since you want it to be perfect.

While you may see flaws, others are floored by the scale of this project and your godly skills with plasticard! It's going to turn out awesome in the end, don't doubt yourself! I have a friend who isn't into 40K but loves giant robots. I showed him this thread, and he's extremely impressed/inspired at this project too. He hopes to take on a project of this scale someday.

Hrmm... could make shielding that shows those leg hydraulics yet will still provide some type of defence. Giant robots are not my area of specialty, but these darned random ideas are flying out of my head lol!

[Blackadder]

I have to be careful in what I write because readers actually believe I am despondent when I am really only writing to amuse. The Blackadder is too superficial to be distressed in how this model is turning out. almost all of the fun of building is the adventure of innovation and design. That's what I get my jollies from not the actual model.

That said now down to business...............

Blackadder here and I hope this is coherent enough as I am celebrating with my daily double Martini ''Dirty Harry'' AKA ''Luteus Vexant'' is standing on his own and sporting his new steering cylinders, almost double the size (diameter) of my initial effort. I know a lot of subscribers were pleased with the SM shoulder armour but it just didn't look strong enough to steer an 50 meter tall biped (actually 45M). My new version ties the actuators into the hip with a 1.5 meter (scale) thick mount disc that not only provide a more robust attachment point but also provides a thicker hip base which is a personal criticism of mine and other subscribers. An added benefit is that the whole hip is tied together with 1/4/ 20 bolts (sorry no metric equivalent, blame my provincial education). I love the new mount system as it allows "Luteus'' to stand on his own without adult supervision.

We're on the home stretch now with this construct as everything is holding together swimmingly. I need only to add the chest and greave armour, build the interior and design a viable LED light system to get him ready for painting........................

Hey!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! that's a lot of work still left to do!

http://i.imgur.com/bZGcXb4.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/bZGcXb4l.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/rM4A00Z.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/rM4A00Zl.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/rOYutEl.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/rOYutEll.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/9yzzyKi.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/9yzzyKil.jpg

BTW there are a few interesting details on the main armament shielding. I picked this up on close examination of the few images I have of the original and is a testament to the artistic beauty of Dave Smith's creation. If you look at the side armour on the cannon you see at the aft end a rather home made addition to the aft end of the shield. This is obviously an ''in the field'' (so to speak) addition that protected an area not foreseen by the engineers. This harkens back to my own personal experience where we added protection in areas that were not provide by the original designers. Kudos to Mr Smith.

[KrewL RaiN]

The giant string of ..............'s always look sad lol The KrewL misinterprets a lot :<

[Blackadder]

Okay here's the deal; as the steering cylinders are designed they scale about 0.5 meters piston diameter. If you are an average sized male, thats about the diameter of your waist. That's a huge hydraulic actuator! Whether this is adequate for legs 23 meters long is subject to conjecture but anything bigger will just look clumsy so they will just have to suffice. Below is the breakdown of the construction of the steering cylinders and I still have to install the leg splaying cylinders.

I hope these images clear up the workings of the assembly. If not ask for clarification...........

http://i.imgur.com/6ow9pMw.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/6ow9pMwl.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/INvQuBS.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/INvQuBSl.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/wrbESAY.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/wrbESAYl.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/UEDyOnM.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/UEDyOnMl.jpg

Click in the link above the image for a larger photo..........

Sorry about the gross boo boo image I tend to ignore such insignificant dermal penetrations............

[Blackadder]

I found these in the cosmetic aisle in my local food market (No I don't use these product (In the conventional sense at least) but there are some exciting patrons in that area.) any-who I found these and thought they might make flexible conduits for my titan so I bought a pack and brought them home to experiment............

http://i.imgur.com/dxTjWYi.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/dxTjWYil.jpg

Hair elastic bungees go figure...............

http://i.imgur.com/5wZhSDH.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/5wZhSDHl.jpg

WIP

http://i.imgur.com/6GFiqEZ.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/6GFiqEZl.jpg

Here is where the conduit will be situated

Bottom line they make great conduit and look for them on my Warlord...............

[Blackadder]

It's surprising the amount of skepticism I am encountering on other forum. Concern about the paint cracking, the fabric not accepting the paint, too stiff. It should be known by now that I test my suggestions before I recommend them; I don't want to mislead any of my readers.

BTW the can of flat black spray paint is a bargain, a buck a can at Wallmart for the basic white, gray, and black primer flats with the good 'old style spray' nozzle and extremely fast drying. I used to use Krylon primer but they switched to a terrible nozzle that applies too much paint and everywhere but where its needed. Fine of you are painting a barn door but awful for a hobbyist.

Its a pity because it was the best primer paint on the market............. But this Walmart stuff is just as good.

http://www.dakkadakka.com/s/i/at/at2/2013/1/27/b1c21afcb53d1172fe51cc97e14c0852_6825.jpg

[gwensdad]

Is that brand safe for plastic? I've seen brands melt plasticard before.

[Blackadder]

It hasn't melted anything I've applied it to but then again I spray on a couple of extremely thin basecoat layers as I would were I applying it with an airbrush. Thats why I don't like the new style nozzles. They dispense too much paint.

[Blackadder]

Maybe I am deluding myself in thinking these hair bands came out d-mned good and make as good a flexible conduit as I've seen.

The one hanging from the cylinder is left disconnected for clarity of how the plug in mounting is made. There is a straight pin inserted through the center of the hair band to hold the 90° bend (After the pin is threaded through the band I cut the point off for safety.) and the end of the hair band is glued into the 5/32 white tube with Testors thick plastic cement.

http://i.imgur.com/VbSll8C.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/VbSll8Cl.jpg

[Blackadder]

One thing this project has taught me is that designing your work before executing the hard copy is essential. Fortunately there were very few rebuild modifications necessary but it could easily gone the other way necessitating grievous overhaul of major components.

as it is I miscalculated on the lack of hydraulic actuators required to operate the legs so once they were installed; five per leg is how I see it for a reasonable set of actuators............ I had to revamp the eye-candy shock-absorbers to make them fit and still retain a modicum of the original configuration. I still have to resolve the inner thigh snubbers but I think I have a solution for those.

When last we viewed Chrysagon he had received his conduits to the upper thigh area and was awaiting the sprawled legged actuators so necessary for that "Waddaya want d-mn you?" stance so cool in the Reaver milieu.

Now I have the hydraulic shock absorbers in place and the inner thigh area is coming out sufficiently cluttered to give the impression of massive mechanizations. and take away from the fact that the actual upper legs are thinner than they appear. A source of critique for the last few pages.

We'll see how this work is received once everyone has recovered from the Super-bowl fever.

http://i.imgur.com/AAkTVvh.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/AAkTVvhl.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/a39XjVe.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/a39XjVel.jpg
It will be interesting how my departure from the original is received regarding the actuators but I honestly cannot conceive how I could have used less and still had this titan ambulatory........

http://i.imgur.com/0uB0bbE.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/0uB0bbEl.jpg
These cylinders cannot be anything other than shock absorbers the way they are fastened. The ones on the inner shank dwindle down to a ridiculous diameter but that can be rectified at a later date.

http://i.imgur.com/K08EaUr.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/K08EaUrl.jpg
The overall look sans greaves is striking and to cover all that work is painful but fortunately the greaves are removable so the work can be viewed.

[Fizzybubela]

Looking good! :D

[SotonShades]

That is seriously starting to come together mate. Still very much looking forward to how it turns out. The Inner Shank does look a little ridiculous, but looking forward to seeing how you'll fix it.

[Blackadder]

All the joint caps are magnetized for ease of access to the joint screws to change the pose. The upper thigh armour is affixed with magnets as well
The inner greave is held in place with the battery compartment drawer but I may add magnets to this area as well when I finish the greave detail in point of fact I had planned on doing that today..............

http://i.imgur.com/m3b5IlT.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/m3b5IlTl.jpg
Theres still a lot of detailing to add................ yeeeeshhhhh!

http://i.imgur.com/FyPjtuW.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/FyPjtuWl.jpg
Note the ankle cap suspended from the wrench..........

http://i.imgur.com/e7JAT39.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/e7JAT39l.jpg
Note the battery compartment on the rear of the greave..........

[Blackadder]

Well it appears my greaves are a tad taller and narrower than I intended. I always had two reservations about M. Smith's noble effort, one that the head was just a trifle too big and two, that the greaves were too square looking. I am satisfied with the head but I won't know about the greaves until they are finished. Right now they look too tall and narrow.

http://i.imgur.com/gaPHbVl.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/gaPHbVll.jpg


Why does this pose remind me of ''Saturday Night Fever?''
http://i.imgur.com/klPGeJD.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/klPGeJDl.jpg

[Rift Knight]

Well it appears my greaves are a tad taller and narrower than I intended. I always had two reservations about M. Smith's noble effort, one that the head was just a trifle too big and two, that the greaves were too square looking. I am satisfied with the head but I won't know about the greaves until they are finished. Right now they look too tall and narrow.

http://i.imgur.com/gaPHbVl.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/gaPHbVll.jpg


Why does this pose remind me of ''Saturday Night Fever?''
http://i.imgur.com/klPGeJD.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/klPGeJDl.jpg




Bell Bottoms

[Blackadder]

No, it's because it's the classic SNF pose...........

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_QwjCPMSgKDg/TSOhAMQY6GI/AAAAAAAAAC8/UNByKyxZ1DY/s1600/Saturday%2BNight%2BFever.jpg

Featuring John "I'd rather be a quack than a duckie!" Travolta

[Blackadder]

I really shouldn't go off on these creative tangents and stick with the original design. The DS greaves were too wide in my perception but damn if they didn't look better than my narrower version.

So in one of my frequent all nighters I repaired the greaves to a compromise width and shortened the surface armour 11.0 mm top and bottom each to shorten the greave I also squared up the outer edge to bring it more into conformation with the prototype............ Sorry to have doubted your artistic genius Mr. Smith,

One day I will learn.

http://i.imgur.com/QOGIpXo.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/QOGIpXol.jpg

We'll have to see if these modifications are extreme enough.........

http://i.imgur.com/FuxLYWm.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/FuxLYWml.jpg

Note the wiring for the parallel circuit to the Leman Russ search lights

http://i.imgur.com/0gtSefa.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/0gtSefal.jpg

Note on the top inner surface of the flying greave the gusset that obscures the faux pas. fortunately it only adds more detail and character to the design.

[Blackadder]

Built the hinged greave extensions to protect the ankle mechanism yesterday. There is a lot more detail on the greaves than is perceived in a casual glance. layers upon layers of truncated armour which is seriously depleting my 0.25 mm sheet stock.

http://i.imgur.com/odQZedS.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/odQZedSl.jpg
Note the tow rings that for whatever purpose are included in the original. Without wheels or dollies under the feet, I fail to see of what use they could be.?

http://i.imgur.com/qBWjY7m.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/qBWjY7ml.jpg

[Brakkart]

Note the tow rings that for whatever purpose are included in the original. Without wheels or dollies under the feet, I fail to see of what use they could be.?

That's easy enough, they aren't designed to have something tow the Titan, they are there so something can be chained to the Titan and by taking a back step the Titan can drag it. Pretty quick and easy way to shift a super heavy tank if it got stuck, and very little else would be capable of moving one of them.

[Blackadder]

I hadn't thought of that............

The following is meant to be humorous......................... I'm too shallow to be pessimistic.

Okay, I've reached a point in my life that I don't expect the Universe to work period.

There is no Santa Claus, Sorry kiddies it's true............

The SS system will collapse the day before I get on it..........

There'll be immortality discovered the day I am just too old to have it work..........

"The Big Rip" will commence as soon as I win the Lottery...........

Thats just how things happen and I accept it............

So when things like this happen I start looking over my shoulder for that asteroid.

I have no plan for this titan, everything is pretty much 'off the cuff.' I haven't given a minute's thought to the leg, ankle, step mechanism, 'what have you' since about June of last year.

So I gathers some bitz crap together and start making the heel actuator and hell! Everything is falling into place, I can't do anything wrong.......... The bracket is just the right width, there are two channels 2.0 mm wide running up the back of the bracket, there is sufficient clearance for the quadrant sprocket and there is a bitz that can act as the lower attach point! And it all works!

http://i.imgur.com/RVshtBE.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/RVshtBEl.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/b8PJ3Oc.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/b8PJ3Ocl.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/Ff0eB8j.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/Ff0eB8jl.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/ZgQx2j9.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/ZgQx2j9l.jpg

What the frack gives?

and has that under water landslide just happened in the Canaries!

[Blackadder]

and has that under water landslide just happened in the Canaries!

http://www.interestingeverything.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/tsunami.gif

[windspear]

In fairness, the mechanicum might not know what they do either? Perhaps part of the STC design that was redundant from a former iteration. Kinda like the human appendix. Seems like a very 40k-ey explanation to me :P


The human appendix appears to have the function of providing a reservoir of commensal bacteria available to repopulate the gut after bouts of illness with pathogenic bacteria.
Persons who have had their appendix removed "prophylactically" lose a year of life expectancy.

[Blackadder]

Gad where did you dredge this post from I had to go back 7 months to find it. But I would like to weigh in on it............. This is only my opinion, I've never seen in writing in any medical treatise but the appendix is most pronounced in animals that process cellulose; woodchucks, beavers and the like. Back when the human species had the inner tree bark as part of its diet the appendix helped break down the tough fibered plant material. Once that became less of a diet staple the need for the appendix became lessened and so it atrophied. I had my appendix remove many years ago and cannot digest any of the tough encased vegetables; corn, peas, peppers etc...........

I would suspect chimps, gorillas and Homo Giganticus (yetis, sasquatch for example) still have large appendixes.

[Dlatrex]

I have no plan for this titan, everything is pretty much 'off the cuff.' I haven't given a minute's thought to the leg, ankle, step mechanism, 'what have you' since about June of last year.

So I gathers some bitz crap together and start making the heel actuator and hell! Everything is falling into place, I can't do anything wrong.......... The bracket is just the right width, there are two channels 2.0 mm wide running up the back of the bracket, there is sufficient clearance for the quadrant sprocket and there is a bitz that can act as the lower attach point! And it all works!

Wow. Well *someone* is certainly looking out for you. Few ever experience such serendipity, and it is awesome that we get to be the beneficiaries as well: enjoy it!

[Skipphag da Devoura]

That is so freaking awesome!!!!

[Nuzbad ug Urdgunz]

Getting the face of the torso at the right angle took some doing. I started at what I thought was the proper angle of 10° but it was way too much. After much trial and error I arrive at this which seems correct I shouldn't think it was completely vertical as in some Warlords I've seen but too much angle would over balance it front heavy besides not aesthetically pleasing.

http://i.imgur.com/Na6G3.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/Na6G3l.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/SIftB.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/SIftBl.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/SHf2m.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/SHf2ml.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/9y3T7.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/9y3T7l.jpg

I wonder how much macho aesthetics is incorporated in real military hardware I mean you don't see any assault rubber duckies do you?

When I was an active Marine and we used the hard rubber simulators for M-16s (like for swim qualifications and occasionally for Hand-to-hand practice) we universally referred to them as "rubber duckys"

[Ruiner61]

I am in awe sir. Your dedication to the craft is incredible. Cannot wait to see the finished product.

[Blackadder]

And so back to business. The greaves are a massive undertaking, much more than I gave thought each having the size and complexity of a superheavy tank and none of the symmetry.

The layer armour is time and material consuming far beyond what I thought would be the case and I am still struggling with an acceptable solution. I have already resigned myself that I shall have to rebuild the thigh armour............

http://i.imgur.com/oMSevhM.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/oMSevhMl.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/luFR9LY.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/luFR9LYl.jpg

[Blackadder]

I hope this looks better when it's painted. Heres a new use for camouflage; it hides discrepancies :D

http://i.imgur.com/WSHLbyj.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/WSHLbyjl.jpg

I spent a lot of time finishing up the greave detail and lengthening and widening the thigh armour.

BTW

I've gotta stop surfing the web I just found another project that really piqued my interest. Not that I'll be starting this anytime in the near or distant future but how awesome would a Chaos Decimator Warlord titan be!

https://p.twimg.com/Any3NqiCEAE4BOA.jpg

Although of a comparable size to the current Warlord. I didn't build this just upstage it with a larger opponent.

[SotonShades]

"A true Master will see only mistakes where others see naught but perfection."
-: Sotonshades, 15/02/2013

Those greaves look great mate. I'm sure a layer of paint will bring out the detail even more, banishing anything that so much as looks like a hint of a mistake.

I said the Decimator looked like the Chaos Titan in the Siege of the Emperor's Palace Diorama they used to have at GW when it first came out. Cannot wait to see what you manage to make of it! (though finish the thunderhawk first... I'd hate to see such a promising project dissappear just because of other awesome ideas lol)

[Blackadder]

I fell in lust with the Decimator from the minute I saw it; it's the best model FW has produced in a long while (IMHO) It's just that it is an order of magnitude too small. I can't wait to start on it.

Of course I still have the Warlord to finish which will take priority and that d-mned Thunderhawk which should be finished as the deviant art rendition is so perfect.

I just want to see the Decimator Titan and the Lucius Warlord head to head with close combat weapons on a diorama base so bad I can taste it! Gooorrrr!

[Blackadder]

Today I started on the last major component of the exterior, the Turbo Laser secondary armament.

I made these an 1.25 inch (≈ 29 MM) longer than the FW standard lasers for the Warhound but the same diameter which seems like a pretty good estimate.

I started with evergreen 0.5 inch (≈ 12.6 MM) tube and wrapped 0.020 inch (≈ 0.25 MM) sheet styrene (foreground) around the tube feathering the initial start lip smooth and gluing as I wrapped and clamped the outer edge. This is the best way I have found to increase the diameter of styrene tubing within reason of course. You wouldn't do this to say, double the radius but that method will be left for another demonstration.

Once I have the wrap dry (I called it a late night after I glued these last evening) and woke this morning to the seams completely dried (beginning to sound like a tweet!) I sanded the outer end to feather the edge which gave me the 4 barrels shown below.

http://i.imgur.com/1VfDCf2.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/1VfDCf2l.jpg

[Blackadder]

These gun barrels are relatively easy compared to the mega bolter and plasma cannon. I suspect the flame thrower would also be simple to build. I wrapped another strip around the front end of the barrel sanded the seam to a feathered edge, matched the barrels because there is a millimeter discrepancy in length, too little to be concerned with as the guns pairs will be a foot apart.

http://i.imgur.com/j3NsX11.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/j3NsX11l.jpg

The seams won't show because the connection joints between the barrels will hide them.

Applied the barrel quartering strips and the end detail to the secondary muzzle and the barrel base.

Next comes the final detailing............

[Blackadder]

To quote the Far Side; God making snakes, "That was easy!"

http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2734/4120785430_37be851774.jpg

Once the basic measurements were established and the barrels bulked up bases and collars were installed the small detail went on quickly. I started gluing on the linear strips last night and finished the various gun sights this morning. About an hour ago I secured the Lasers to the drum turrets and they are drying so I figured it was time for a picture or two.

http://i.imgur.com/ZBXlOhQ.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/ZBXlOhQl.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/lzPGpyI.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/lzPGpyIl.jpg

In all I guess the twin lasers took about 6 hours over the weekend to build. I didn't think it necessary to do a step by step on the fine detail.

[Blackadder]

http://i.imgur.com/B7bPMIk.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/B7bPMIkl.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/zLa56Vh.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/zLa56Vhl.jpg

[KrewL RaiN]

Dat pewpew :O

[Fizzybubela]

Awesome! :D

[SotonShades]

They look spot on mate (as if we'd expect anything less by now...)

[Blackadder]

Paint, yes it's been a long time coming but finally I have applied a bit of paint to the old girl. I'm about ready to glue the face armour on permanently so before I do I primed the area covered by the armour and the back side of the armour itself.

I'm pretty sure all the head detail is done. I finished up last night while I watched old ''Untouchable'' reruns.

http://i.imgur.com/texvPCL.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/texvPCLl.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/d0qOuA8.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/d0qOuA8l.jpg

[Blackadder]

So face armour glued on, fine detail finished; except for conduit and decals and of course the finish painting.

http://i.imgur.com/OoZb9W8.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/OoZb9W8l.jpg


I'm talking about the head only; still a lot of detailing on the body and legs to go................

[miteyheroes]

Gosh this is impressive!

[Blackadder]

You're going to have to look close to see the differences between the last posted image and the current one.

I added a lot of secondary armour to the side of the carapace and the front of the carapace and under the hood.

All the little pieces bordering the the carapace skirt and chest plate are installed.

The secondary tertiary and quaternary armour plates are installed on the side panels to the chest plate.


http://i.imgur.com/j7XXtD6.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/j7XXtD6l.jpg

A lot of work but not much change in overall appearance.

[Blackadder]

A busy weekend getting all the laminated armour on the chest and front of the carapace. Still a few bits to add but the overall effect of the slabs of plating gives a weighty look to an otherwise bland facade.

Note the diagonal strips on either side of the chest and head radiating out from center. These obviously were part of the original frontal escarpment installed when the Titan was first constructed.

Although further additions over the millennia supplemented these reinforcing stringers the buttress-like carapace bracing was left in place being an integral part of the original structure.

Initially armour was added with a nod to aesthetic appeal but more recent supplemental additions gave way to having a more haphazard and utilitarian appearance.

Wiring, conduit, and components were added where ever they would fit without consideration to the Majesty of the 'Builders' original concept for they, 'the Builders' were of a different time and almost, nay decidedly a race apart from the current custodians of the God Machine.

http://i.imgur.com/6cF2r7D.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/6cF2r7Dl.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/01ZIJk6.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/01ZIJk6l.jpg

Note the test of colour to the interior of the void generator housing. A lovely Pistachio matte green for base coat. The Tesla coils will be emitting residual sparks in the mode of a Jacob's Ladder when finished.

http://i.imgur.com/bcYQHmO.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/bcYQHmOl.jpg

Such goes through your mind while this monster takes shape before you...................

Time to take a ride in 'the cookie wagon' Blackadder!

[Frost451]

You never cease to amaze with the level of detail. This is truely the best looking most detailed scratch built titan ever! Now, get to painting.

[Blackadder]

Truth is I love to detail. I consider it the icing on the cake; especially anachronistic machinery. Having worked for years in various mechanical venues I have seen a lot of home made applications to machines and vehicles. Some beautiful, some functional, and some downright detrimental to the operation of the machine. I try to apply that look to my models.

[heretic marine]

DANG!!! that's awesome, best one I have seen in a long while.

[Blackadder]

Thanks,

Mind the styrene dust. Took a break from scratching to surf the web while waiting for glue to dry. The flash image came out rather well although the desk is encumbered with it's nightly debris.

http://i.imgur.com/htlxw9f.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/htlxw9fl.jpg

I'm in uncharted territory with the carapace side panels but from what I can gleam there are vertical reinforcements that just didn't look right so I changed them to match the diagonal seams of the side armour. Much better............

[Blackadder]

Started on the cockpit interior today for a change of pace. This is largely experimental as I have no idea of the direction I'll be taking but a good beginning will be the pilot and copilot /Sensori who seem in a position of guiding the warlord even though they aren't I'm given to understand.

I plan to make this a plug-in unit so it will be removable for painting and modification if needs be. I also want to install fiber optic instrument lighting in the future but just getting the general layout is the objective at the moment.

http://i.imgur.com/HI9iBB3.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/HI9iBB3l.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/qk6BlhW.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/qk6BlhWl.jpg

The seating looks rather crude as I just knocked them together for a general size.

I hope to refine them later.

[Blackadder]

It's been quite some time since I demonstrated the removable Command deck so I'll begin by showing the recess with the Command deck removed.

Of course the model is upside down for clarity and to give a good view of the slot the Command deck fit into.

The asymmetry between the left and rig side is not apparent in the first photo but the last the show the cutout for the gantry door vestibule. A little modification I had to make so the rear door to nowhere lined up with the Command deck.

http://i.imgur.com/hcjjk0r.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/hcjjk0rl.jpg

Below is the Command deck itself right side up and the model in the background is still upside down with a good shot at the vestibule on the left side.

Is that clear?

http://i.imgur.com/U83G212.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/U83G212l.jpg

A shot of the Command deck half inserted inverted into the hull recess both components are now upside down for clarity..............is that clear?

http://i.imgur.com/ZjFfFWZ.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/ZjFfFWZl.jpg

And another shot from a lower angle of both components prior to assembling and installing the blast door that isolates the cockpit. Not shown as yet as the paint isn't dry.

http://i.imgur.com/QcfQASX.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/QcfQASXl.jpg

[Blackadder]

Forgot to take these images. Command deck fully inserted showing access to the connecting tunnel to the Flight deck and cockpit. The two naves on either side of the tunnel were going to be sanitary facilities but I was apprised do to bio-engineering of the crew there is no necessity for necessaries.

Some sort of bag I suppose.............

http://i.imgur.com/lezcj6x.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/lezcj6xl.jpg

And the frame of the blast door component fits just right. Whew!

http://i.imgur.com/vf6gmn4.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/vf6gmn4l.jpg

[Blackadder]

Referring back a dozen pages or so concern was expressed as to where the pocket doors would slide when they were opened. That problem appears to have been resolved although if I decide to re-install the WC's, they will be out of service when the pocket doors are opened.

Access denied!:
http://i.imgur.com/4ILPn3F.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/4ILPn3Fl.jpg

The pocket doors closed:
http://i.imgur.com/RCBSBCQ.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/RCBSBCQl.jpg

[Blackadder]

High-tech futuristic door and frame I need 3 of these for the Command deck alone. I should have picked an simpler door assembly.

http://i.imgur.com/HsUP3xb.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/HsUP3xbl.jpg

I've just about reached my limit of patience in rendering detail. I'm a bit out of practice working this fine.

Here is a good point to show how I cut fine detail pieces not that I am as proficient as some who work with styrene but this works for me.

You will note that the door detail is still attached to the sheet (Which is upside down BTW the top of the door is at the bottom of the image). This gives you more of an area to hold onto while you are cutting the detail. After the lines are cut and the holes are final filed then I separate the piece from the sheet.

This is one of the few times I use a #11 Xacto tip for cutting, I usually use it to pick up tiny objects such as rivets to place them on the work.

I cut out any holes first which saves you from tearing the plastic trying to cut close to an edge. For some reason cutting the hole after you have done you straight slices causes the blade to wander.....

I'm trying something new cutting on cork board which seems to work rather well, I usually cut on an old wood butchers block board.

You can see at the top of the image the sketched in door detail for a slightly smaller door. That will be the door to the vestibule leading to the rear exterior door on the back of the Titan.

http://i.imgur.com/itDg7rn.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/itDg7rnl.jpg

After you have rough cut the holes with the knife, dress the edges and rounded corners with jeweler's files and or diamond needle files and yes that is an steel emery nail board; an indispensable trimming tool.

http://i.imgur.com/34WlNwE.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/34WlNwEl.jpg

[Blackadder]

Sorry to waste your time but I am trying to come up with a viable amniotic tank to immerse my Princep in and I have come up with this taken from Antenocitis Workshop.

These dedicated to 28 mm accessories look beautiful but are out of my price range to make this Titan viable plus they do not fulfill the requirements I deem necessary for my construct.

Never the less the ideas seem viable.

The amniotic Tank:

http://i.imgur.com/OsFD90q.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/OsFD90ql.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/Sgh1zBs.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/Sgh1zBsl.jpg

Thus far...................

[miteyheroes]

Shiney!

[Blackadder]

I seem to have reached my limit attempting usable door frames for the side doors. I suppose I shall just go for the chiclet style wall panels so prevalent in SF venues. The door frames I coveted were much too fine in detail to render in a workable fashion.

The flash image reveals crudeness in the frame opening that I hope to remedy with the modified door trim.

http://i.imgur.com/OnRflIG.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/OnRflIGl.jpg

[Blackadder]

Well that's about it for this builder, I've devoted enough time to this door assembly not that I've put in a lot of time to this but enough already, unless I have a major epiphany the door is done as is............. Yeesh! :D

http://i.imgur.com/dM5BUtv.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/dM5BUtvl.jpg


http://i.imgur.com/uuorZWA.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/uuorZWAl.jpg

DANGER! DANGER Will Robbinson!!!!!!!!!! Ha!

[Blackadder]

The catwalks installed under the carapace in a rough and tumble fashion awaiting a touch of refinement and hand rails. Note that the command deck is not slid all the way into the slot so the rough front ends of the catwalks are exposed.

These catwalks will adjoin the front walks out to the main guns for servicing with appropriate ladder assemblies to the gun stanchions down to the guns themselves.

The left side walk with access to the Command deck vestibule..........
http://i.imgur.com/CqKxAzF.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/CqKxAzFl.jpg

The right side walk...............
http://i.imgur.com/ji7Pr5F.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/ji7Pr5Fl.jpg

[SotonShades]

Amazing as always! I love how much you care about these little details, despite the fact 99% of people who will ever see this model would never notice them. Can't wait to see the ladder assemblies and the like.


You are probably sick of me saying things like that by now lol.

[Blackadder]

Not at all, I'm just playing right now..................... All the hard work is accomplished and now I have to "Make it real" to my estimation. The more detail I can install the more the viability of such a construct become to me. Doors that actually lead somewhere, piping and conduit that are more than just eye candy, these bring the god machine into reality for me instead of just a huge plastic toy plunked in the middle of a gameboard............

Whoops! well it is Saturday afternoon and this may be my Martini talking..............;)

[Blackadder]

So far almost all the interior is "plug in" modular so painting and view interior detail shouldn't be a problem.

http://i.imgur.com/wq9eDG1.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/wq9eDG1l.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/UjIubeP.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/UjIubePl.jpg

The only thing that bothers me is this is beginning to look like the promenade deck on the Titanic and there's not enough space for the deck chairs..........

http://www.mapsphotos.net/p%20photo/landscape/main/P1186.jpg

[Blackadder]

God's Blud marry if'n it hasn't been many a fortnight since I hung this abomination together in one piece. What strikes me the most is the numerous areas not yet adorn with detail on the exterior.

I've been working on the interior for at least two weeks and yesterday I started on the engineering level............... Since there are many interlocking pieces to the lowest deck I had to be sure the whole of the construct could be assembled.

On the plus side it can but on the minus side the leg joints and waist joints barely support the weight. I was sure that would be the case and have allowed for the 2.5 kilos the upper body weight.

The 1/4 inch hip bolts still need to be 'Loctited' once the final hip assembly is made but for now I'm afraid 'Dirty Harry' must stand splayed legged.

The straight on overall front view; the first wholly assembled image since before I built the Turbolazers.........

http://i.imgur.com/GVZUDEl.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/GVZUDEll.jpg

A very precarious infantryman's eye view of the God Machine............

http://i.imgur.com/57dvZNi.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/57dvZNil.jpg

A shot of the side armour fully installed but still a lot of detail needs to be added to the side of the carapace..........

http://i.imgur.com/OeIMqrX.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/OeIMqrXl.jpg

The upper waist rotation plate and the bottom of the pelvis block are totally devoid of detail; Fa!

http://i.imgur.com/6Hx4Dmk.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/6Hx4Dmkl.jpg

In all I am quite pleased with the results after almost exactly a years work but I would hazard a minimum of six more months to completion.

[Blackadder]

It's anyones guess what these triangular components are from a safety crib side rail to a cooling grid for airconditioning. I ran out of images for this area on the DS Warlord so I am referencing the SM game Warlord Titan

Anyway here is the inner panel of the chest armour and the upper engineering viewing window panel in the closed position.
http://i.imgur.com/0PPQ9so.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/0PPQ9sol.jpg

And here we have it in the open position to permit viewing of the interior detail. This whole central hull of the Titan is very strong but it looks like a house of cards.

http://i.imgur.com/P9KImjf.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/P9KImjfl.jpg

here we have the left side view with the Command deck gallery slid into place.

http://i.imgur.com/JHeVVwx.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/JHeVVwxl.jpg

and lastly the overall quarter view showing the reworked rear door frame just to demonstrate the fallibility of the Blackadder and a flash image of the same area above.

http://i.imgur.com/X1UrX8n.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/X1UrX8nl.jpg

[Blackadder]

Just thought I'd let you in on the ground floor of building the catwalks. I received a lot of commentary regarding my choice of floor material for my catwalks so I have revised my nomenclature to redefine the existing 'catwalks' to 'galleries' and add gen-u-wine(sic) catwalks employing expanded metal mesh (Thanks to all for the suggestion.) of course I'm not actually going to buy said expanded metal mesh but raid the kitchen of the long suffering Ms. Blackadder and cut up her splatter shield to supplement my recycle stock. Never fear I shall replace her splatter shield with an apropos Mother's Day gift (''thereby killing two birds with one stone'' i.e. gift and building material)

The ever resourceful,

Blackadder

http://i.imgur.com/hnRUg9P.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/hnRUg9Pl.jpg

anyway here is the beginning of the plug in catwalk module(s)

Watch the agony columns for updates on my pending separation...............

[Blackadder]

You know, I post on a lot of different forums, and just a few days ago I started posting on a German forum and it got me to thinking what the country of origin is of various forum I post on. What country of origin is belloflostsouls?

The two long strips will be attached to the catwalk proper and the U shaped channel top left will clip onto the carapace inner frame for ease of removal as this delicate construct will need constant repair.I will most probably remove it when the Titan is gaming.

http://i.imgur.com/9XM6JW6.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/9XM6JW6l.jpg

[lomaxxdurang]

BOLS is based in the good Ol' USA in San Antonio

[Blackadder]

I thought as much but in Texas, good to know. Thanks, I was just curious..............

[Blackadder]

The catwalk without railing installed is hooked in place and reveals it is too wide and will have to be cut down width-wise about 5mm before the railing is installed.
http://i.imgur.com/ccft6Ig.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/ccft6Igl.jpg

[Dlatrex]

Blackadder, I've already complimented you for your attention to detail, but this is really something else. At the rate you're going I'll expect this thing to walk itself onto the table top!!! This still remains my favorite large-scale modeling project to watch come to life, and it really pushes the boundaries of the word miniature. This really is one for the ages.

[Blackadder]

Ever since I built the carapace I wanted to install some sort of maintenance platform. During my stint as an aircraft mechanic working on the 747 and other jumbo jets I was enthralled by the cryptic passageways and built in ladders and galleries not generally seen or accessible to the general public especially the 747. Even the 727 had a internal ladder up into the vertical stabilizer. The only hidden area I didn't care for was the tail empennage of the DC8 which contained the waste tank and invariably leaked making it quite the disagreeable task repairing the tail position light...........especially in the Summer!

[Blackadder]

Cat walks railing installed and the left side catwalk on cutting board showing the hook channel that holds it to the inner carapace frame and yet be removable because they are just too delicate to withstand the 'Dogs of War'.

http://i.imgur.com/hzz9QY9.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/hzz9QY9l.jpg

Note how far I had to move the gun stanchion inboard from its original proposed position. I have to put some sort of hatch there to cover the hole.

[Blackadder]

I have been thinking about how I am going to make a sensible engineering department out of the two story area beneath the command deck and fit a viable fusion reactor deck in the cramped space above the command deck when suddenly this morning an epiphany!!!!!

The lower space will be the reactor room and the upper space will be engineering.

Egad! How simple and it totally makes sense that the extremely heavy reactor would be in the lowest level of the torso and the mechanic dedicated area where the high maintenance equipment is. Access to the armament and legs through the carapace, easy access to the critical Void shield generators and the huge cooling fans and vents at the rear of the reactor room exhausting outboard behind the lower deck..................

http://i.imgur.com/ShkeR.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/ShkeRl.jpg

Simple right? so why did it take me a year to realize it?

[Blackadder]

Reactor on line.................
http://i.imgur.com/uSycaBz.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/uSycaBzl.jpg

There's my Cherenkov radiation.............
http://i.imgur.com/tkbVAJH.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/tkbVAJHl.jpg

[Brakkart]

Heh maybe it's just me, but I'm looking at your reactor there (nice job btw) and half expecting an octagonal bank of weird instruments arranged around it and for it to make a TARDIS-like noise.

Ohh and looking up the thread, you mentioned the amniotic tank for the princeps. The one you have there looks rather small, as the ones in the novels Helsreach and Titanicus have the Princeps able to move about quite a bit in them, have you considered using one of these:

http://www.forgeworld.co.uk/Warhammer-40000/Warhammer_40,000_Terrain/ZONE_MORTALIS_CONTAINMENT_TANKS.html

Slice the two clear halves off the back plate there and put them back to back against each other, attach pipes/wires to it and suspend the Princeps inside in goop/water effect stuff, then add your lighting.

[Blackadder]

Heh maybe it's just me, but I'm looking at your reactor there (nice job btw) and half expecting an octagonal bank of weird instruments arranged around it and for it to make a TARDIS-like noise.

Ohh and looking up the thread, you mentioned the amniotic tank for the princeps. The one you have there looks rather small, as the ones in the novels Helsreach and Titanicus have the Princeps able to move about quite a bit in them, have you considered using one of these:

http://www.forgeworld.co.uk/Warhammer-40000/Warhammer_40,000_Terrain/ZONE_MORTALIS_CONTAINMENT_TANKS.html

Slice the two clear halves off the back plate there and put them back to back against each other, attach pipes/wires to it and suspend the Princeps inside in goop/water effect stuff, then add your lighting.

My thoughts on the amniotic tank are that there is as much room in mine as in a stall shower (I wasn't aware FW produced one). I believe my tank preserves a modicum of dignity to the Princep instead of having him/her on display like a Betta in a bowl. Besides I am given to understand that Princeps in tanks are abbreviated and where's he gonna go anyway? :D The lighting was just a trial run I need to add a diffusing material and attenuate the LED glow a bit because right now it looks like a runaway reactor.

BTW thanks for the FW link, it may make me rebuild my tank to a more 40K-like aspect.

[Blackadder]

The reactor level is coming along quickly. I should have realized this sooner instead of butting my head against an nonviable engineering room design. Well at least I didn't have to tear anything out

The diagonal reinforcement knees and the room header in the background seems to belong in this setting.
http://i.imgur.com/s6LkwPM.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/s6LkwPMl.jpg

Note how much of the room walls can be removed,
http://i.imgur.com/ddswF02.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/ddswF02l.jpg

There is plenty of free space for painting and lighting installation.

[BigGrim]

Dude. Love the work you're doing on this.

Saw this site today and almost immediately thought of you.

http://zinge.co.uk/index.php?route=common/home

UK based but have interesting stuff like flexible resin pipes and red and yellow modelling LEDs.

http://zinge.co.uk/index.php?route=product/category&path=57

Further more, transparent light diffusers for your various internal lights.

http://zinge.co.uk/index.php?route=product/product&path=18_98&product_id=243

Thought such as that might interest you!

Cheers,
Grim

[Blackadder]

Wow, thanks for the links I'll have to explore that site. What I really need is an LED chaser circuit diagram and component list for 7 to 9 Leds.

I was on such a roll last evening I forgot to take pictures until this morning. I felt the reactor needed a walkway and possibly a handrail ladder to the top so this might or mightn't work but what the hell I indulged myself. The walkway around the reactor will have a break in it for a ladder to descend to the reactor room floor and another ladder to the summit of the dome. For whatever purpose I cannot as yet fathom but it would be fun to have...............

The stanchions with out the rail in installed:
http://i.imgur.com/CASGBJ7.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/CASGBJ7l.jpg

And the walkway in place:
http://i.imgur.com/4X5lbyB.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/4X5lbyBl.jpg

[Blackadder]

The circular railing:

http://i.imgur.com/kB8WP6q.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/kB8WP6ql.jpg

[Blackadder]

Atomic powered spacecraft have the problem of cooling the primary source. I suspect that a 'Fast Reactor' would be necessary because of it's efficiency in nuclear fuel and the compactness of a vehicle borne unit. Liquid Sodium as a coolant has a much higher temperature that water but it is extremely corrosive. I would say that running the return sodium external to the vessel would not drop the temperature of the coolant significantly, a vacuum being an excellent insulator. The heat exchanger would do more to transfer heat to the secondary fluid source. I suspect the large cooling fans on the rear of the titan back pack are used to cool both these fluids and I shall have to simulate ducting to that pack.

Meanwhile:

http://i.imgur.com/df5TR7e.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/df5TR7el.jpg

[Blackadder]

The speed in which this is taking shape is very gratifying. It is too bad I didn't realize the error of not putting the reactor on the right level.

http://i.imgur.com/gSftxbX.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/gSftxbXl.jpg

[gcsmith]

This looks really impressive. I really must do some scratch build when I start rebuilding my Tau next month.

[Blackadder]

It strikes me that I am not utilizing the two story reactor deck to it's full advantage. Heres the reactor stuck at the bottom of this huge area like a duck in a bag so I'm going to put it up on a platform with legs under it plus there will be room for all sorts of nifty piping and whatnot............

and I get to make more perforated steel beams.

Holy holey metal Batman!

http://i.imgur.com/0WaTXoL.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/0WaTXoLl.jpg

[Blackadder]

Oh yes, a smile crosses the Blackadder's countenance, this is how it should look. I have to admit I was nonplussed at what to do with the interior for a while but it all seems to be going together rather well.

I had a cunning plan. if I may say so myself.....

http://i.imgur.com/3oYqVzS.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/3oYqVzSl.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/sXMZx8W.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/sXMZx8Wl.jpg

Now I just have to extend the ladder.

[Frost451]

Black, this looks better then the forgeworld titans! The rails around the reactor look frigging awesome.

[Blackadder]

Thanks, I did get some critiques about putting rails around the dome for fear it would hide the reactor but they have been allayed.

[Blackadder]

I spent a lot of time in the past few days preparing to build the huge steam turbines for the new Engineering Deck. In the meantime I began the piping to and from the reactor. I believe the best approach is to run the piping up the back of the reactor room to the back pack and from there to the steam turbines on the top level. Not the most optimum design but you can imagine the primary to secondary circulating system heat-exchanger in the back pack from there to the turbine then to the condensor and back to the reactor.

The only thing worthy of note here is the spherical 'shutoff valve' and 'hand wheel':
http://i.imgur.com/Y8KavaO.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/Y8KavaOl.jpg

Note the coupling flanges:
http://i.imgur.com/pvQk7JP.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/pvQk7JPl.jpg

[Blackadder]

I'm luv'n it............. This room keeps getting more and more cluttered. Thanks to suggestion I have made more support girders and walkways (I was gonna do that anyway but I appreciate the support. Considering I haven't even added the 'bitz' and personnel the Reactor room is sufficiently cluttered 'n don't forget I still have to add the electrical conduit, more ducting, piping and lighting.

Note the side panels open for ease of viewing.
http://i.imgur.com/Y7DnF9I.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/Y7DnF9Il.jpg

And the flash reveals the left side walkway leading to the core inspection access.

http://i.imgur.com/spgknQn.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/spgknQnl.jpg

Ah the well deserved Martini; Life is good..........

The hedonistic Blackadder

[Dimitrios]

This beast has far surpassed a model and has thrust itself into the realms of art! Your skill, imagination and wordsmithing are second to non on this project! Thanks for sharing your work and I genuinely look forward to more progress.

[Blackadder]

Tread Design

Finished detailing the feet and toes this morning except for three 19mm x 4mm aquila I have yet to scrounge from my son's seemingly bottomless bitz hoard.

I hope he has a few still stashed away.

I started on the tread and decided to use a bas relief Adeptus Mechanicus emblem on the center of the foot pad similar to the Reaver cog and gear pattern below

http://i.imgur.com/LpFxBeN.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/LpFxBeNl.jpg


but mine will have the 'Borg' style skull and accouterments. I was thinking of Aquila with folded wings for the toes as I did for the Warhound distal phalanges

http://i.imgur.com/xBRDkWy.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/xBRDkWyl.jpg

Getting the proper spacing for the gear cogs was a pain having to resort to the formula to divide a circle into 24 segments to make the gear. Still looks rather crude as my compass is wearing out.


http://i.imgur.com/ySXHSl4.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/ySXHSl4l.jpg

I sometimes find being an obsessive compulsive debilitating.............

[Blackadder]

Tread Adeptus Mechanicus Emblem

It's going to take some doing to translate this into a tread design :?:

http://i.imgur.com/L1J0yw4.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/L1J0yw4l.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/S1DGBM6.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/S1DGBM6l.jpg

[Blackadder]

I don't know how I get pigeonholed into these side projects, it seems a lot of trouble to go to for something that will be rarely seen but I had fixated that I would do a A.M. emblem on the sole of the feet along with all the other tread designs so I lose a few days what of it.

http://i.imgur.com/xuPkyt4.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/xuPkyt4l.jpg

Anyway it's a good project for a stepped presentation and someone may benefit from my particular form of obsessiveness.

[Brakkart]

Well I admire your form of obsessiveness, wish I had a touch more of that. I love the idea of the A.M symbol on the underside of the Titan's feet, so that when it walks it stamps the A.M. symbol into the ground as sort of "Our god stood here!" It just seems the sort of thing the A.M would be arrogant enough to do.

When this thing is done and painted you have to take a tonne of pics of it and send them in to White Dwarf Daily, as it'll blow their minds!

[Blackadder]

Do they really acknowledge scratchbuilts?

Totenkopf Monocle

Since my supply of tubes only go up to 12.75 MM (1/2 inch) I needed to fabricate a 14.0 MM ring to duplicate the monocle on the A.M. right side. Searching through my scrap bin I found a discarded marker that would serve as a plug. Begin by drawing the strip plastic between your thumbnail and index finger while applying pressure. This will impart a curve to the strip and make it easier to wrap around the plug. Taper the end and hold it while wrapping one full turn. Put a drop of thin set plastic cement on the overlap and draw the ring tight for the first wrap. Be sure your wrap is aligned properly. I needed two wraps for the monocle rim so while it is drying I typed this reply.

http://i.imgur.com/yqkksKk.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/yqkksKkl.jpg

You can see a finished ring and a armour right section in the above image. Finding the right diameter plug was the hardest part of this procedure.

[Blackadder]

Totenkopf Neufassung

This is difficult to tutor as I cannot demonstrate that which is innate with me. but if you look closely at the objects in the images you may see a few co-ordinate lines that I use as reference points. These lines give me a ballpark position of where the various points of the (skull) in this case are in relation to edges, centerlines, peripheral borders.

http://i.imgur.com/r53ra7J.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/r53ra7Jl.jpg

[Blackadder]

Diagonal Toes Tread

This morning, can't believe it's Saturday already, I began the diagonal toe treads. These I had envisioned as duplicating the tread on the Lucius Warhound:

http://i.imgur.com/xBRDkWy.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/xBRDkWyl.jpg


and may still do so but for now a more basic tread design will suffice.

http://i.imgur.com/1Hnc1Lc.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/1Hnc1Lcl.jpg

By leaving the center of each strip unglued I can modify the center delta pattern at a later date.

[Blackadder]

With respect to the above reply; I ruefully state the following:

Bland and Uninspired!

Well this is rather disappointing. The feet with a homogeneous coat of primer look rather bland and uninspired. I am confronted with the alternatives either to add copious amounts of fiddly rivets and superfluous bits or busy the construction up with camouflage in the manner of Mr Smith.

http://i.imgur.com/XFOPRR5.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/XFOPRR5l.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/umWc66r.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/umWc66rl.jpg

Even the tread looks boring!
http://i.imgur.com/Ahl6n32.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/Ahl6n32l.jpg

[Blackadder]

Good for the sole

A little humility is good for the soul. In a weak moment I felt a bit depressed how plain the prime coat made the feet considering all the detail installed but it was pointed out that a little highlighting and inking will heighten the contrast. I'm still thinking that camouflage will dramatically augment the features of the model but plugging on never the less I added a Michelin tread pattern to the front and rear toes:

http://i.imgur.com/E1rVsBK.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/E1rVsBKl.jpg

and stuck on the A.M. emblem temporarily for a relative view.

I was in a quandary whether to make the A.M. symbol mirrored as some suggested to leave a reflected spoor (Track way):

http://i.imgur.com/xkPqF3z.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/xkPqF3zl.jpg

but since GW/FW are not in accord as to whether the tech side is on right or left why not both! Therefor the tread of the left foot will mirror the tread of the right foot and it's either half right or half wrong:

http://i.imgur.com/DOX3G0o.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/DOX3G0ol.jpg

Compromise is also good for the soul.

[Blackadder]

I had to post this. It's one of my all time favorite trailers from a scene that never made it to the movie it advertised.............

Go figure!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4_oiHWXLIFI

IT's........................

[Blackadder]

Skull Bas Relief

Here's a neat little problem when working on a project of limited depth; try to obtain that illusion in 0.5 MM..............

A bit of a ''follow along'' image:

http://i.imgur.com/4aWuxGD.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/4aWuxGDl.jpg

The foot pad with a more forgiving light although the image is slightly blurred:

http://i.imgur.com/5VgIOlH.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/5VgIOlHl.jpg

The tread design on the toes complete:

http://i.imgur.com/6J8rT2R.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/6J8rT2Rl.jpg


And the Death's Head wallpaper for reference:

http://i.imgur.com/MXTCv1J.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/MXTCv1Jl.jpg

[Blackadder]

More Skull-duggery

The logo that is most detailed............
http://i.imgur.com/dJ51h5D.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/dJ51h5Dl.jpg

The mirror is less further along:
http://i.imgur.com/JGdrw5W.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/JGdrw5Wl.jpg

The thickness is at this moment 1,5 MM/0.060 inch Needs to be less:
http://i.imgur.com/Va0sU3A.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/Va0sU3Al.jpg

Close up reveals some fine cleanup is necessary:
http://i.imgur.com/MB7KmBS.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/MB7KmBSl.jpg

[Blackadder]

Tools of the trade

Aside from the obvious Xacto knife, nail files, needle files, etc........... the most necessary tool to make these reliefs was my cordless Dremel. I rarely use this tool but it's indispensable in a project such as this.

I have a good assortment of cutting files including some dental drills my dentist gave me; they were too worn out for dental work.

In all these foot treads took about a week; time well spent I believe and will complete the detail on the feet to my satisfaction.

http://i.imgur.com/codPBAZ.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/codPBAZl.jpg

Now on to detailing of the lower legs.

[phil035]

wow Just started on the forum here and if this is the sort of quality I see first then whats the rest like. Can't wait to see the finished thing when you finally get that far

[Blackadder]

Welcome to the forum..........

Advantages of screwing your Model


Not what you're thinking,

Below you can see the advantages of my construction technique. Many months ago I installed a bit of detail on the lower legs promising to return later in the construction to add the final appurtenances. By using screws and threading the adjacent styrene not only does it afford me an movable joint but allows me to disassemble the sub components to add further refinements. Were everything glued into a solid immovable mass this would be much more difficult and therefor modification nigh improbable.

Now at my leisure and a fresh outlook on what is needed to be done I can approach the lower legs (In this case) as a separate modeling project.

http://i.imgur.com/m2EAMbB.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/m2EAMbBl.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/ZFneRv1.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/ZFneRv1l.jpg


This is I feel a major clue to my building results.

[Blackadder]

Donut Holes


Years ago a popular donut retailer came up with an idea to profit from selling waste. In the manufacture of cut donuts the 'hole' was scrap. Hey! sez a bright young proto-executive, why not fry the holes and market them? Hence the "munchkin" was born.

Employing that logic why not use the scrap styrene for interesting cryptic detail?

http://i.imgur.com/oCdoHu2.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/oCdoHu2l.jpg

Hence the styrene donut shape was born and I use it through out my Warlord as interesting esoteric bitz.

A few minutes with my portable drill and a piece of scrap 1,5 mm styrene and I have quite a few little tidbits to add to the leg assembly.

http://i.imgur.com/o2Pg65s.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/o2Pg65sl.jpg

[Blackadder]

Harder and Harder

It's getting harder and harder putting this thing back together as everything is hand made and fitted and my markings which identify the left leg components from the right leg components were obliterated by the paint.
http://i.imgur.com/w4gCFi5.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/w4gCFi5l.jpg

Aww poor baby Blackadder..............

Anyway the paint (primer) came out swimmingly and the extra detail is right in the ballpark in my estimation neither too much nor too little. Grey is certainly Luteus' colour, I had to make a Kmart run this morning to buy more primer. Great stuff only $1.59 a can and covers fantastic.
http://i.imgur.com/HBveRNA.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/HBveRNAl.jpg

I detailed the "lollypop" screw covers with extra races and rivets (White pieces foreground) so they are done except for paint:
http://i.imgur.com/brbxCif.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/brbxCifl.jpg

Tomorrow I start on enhancing the detail on the upper legs.

As the Rabbi said, "It won't be long now!"

[Blackadder]

The Glass is Half Empty

Actually completely empty and by no means is the Blackadder advocating imbibing demon Rum er Vodka but truth be known I cut and pasted both sets of over-sized flaming winged skulls under the influence of my daily triple Martini.

Note the focus!

http://i.imgur.com/1YCDVg2.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/1YCDVg2l.jpg

We're talking the white winged skulls at the top of the armour......
It will be interesting to see what these look like under the cold cruel light of dawn.

http://i.imgur.com/T0mxY0i.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/T0mxY0il.jpg

Anyhow the thigh guards are complete and ready for primer and may g-d have mercy on my soul.

--
E. Blackadder

[Fizzybubela]

The legs are looking pretty good now. :) What Legio is the Warlord going to be in?

[Blackadder]

I have no idea..........Independent?

Lower Legs Range of Motion

I thought to have these images posted before the majority of you depart for the weekend hiatus. Since the lower legs are primed and mounted in their respective final assembly I feel it's a good time to demonstrate the full range of motion capable by both legs. Each leg is positioned in their full extreme position the right leg in the full extended arc and the left leg in the full reflexive arc. Both legs are capable of these extremes and anything in between so I hope this forestalls anymore questions as to what static pose I will be attempting.

http://i.imgur.com/DjrBhKa.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/DjrBhKal.jpg

The greaves primed showing front and rear projections:

http://i.imgur.com/2D1vG7f.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/2D1vG7fl.jpg

Note the search light mount flaps are not installed until the lighting is completed.

I hope to have the upper leg sections final detailed, primed and assembled by the end of the weekend

[Fizzybubela]

I really like seeing the updates you have on this thread. :)

[Blackadder]

A.M. Logo for lollypop

Thank the Emperor for the CoD Manufactorum kit. There is a wealth of detail to be gleaned the latest of which are the tiny A.M. logos on the unseen bottom of floor panels trap doors.

Using my half inch Xacto chisel I surgically shaved the upper half-gear and skull intact sanded the back smooth and removed the flash.

I next fabricated a scratch lower half-gear and installed on the small lower screw cap.

http://i.imgur.com/xklJclJ.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/xklJclJl.jpg
sorry for the poor image quality, something wrong with the macro setting.........

BTW the upper legs are done and the paint is drying, whew busy day; images to follow.


--
E. Blackadder

[Blackadder]

Legs Again!

Well it took me 10 minutes to reassemble them but Luteus has legs again primed and ready for paint.

All the detail (on the legs) is done I might add Tech college ''T'''s to the greaves but upper and lower legs are done

Tomorrow I'll start on the waist which will be a challenge as I forgot how they are assembled. I'll have to refer to my posts for a crib.

The six images below may seem excessive but I wanted a 360° display of the work (Indulge me) and the little guy jumps from background to foreground as you scroll through them which is kind of neat.


http://i.imgur.com/Dbdt7b9.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/Dbdt7b9l.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/0GosQQm.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/0GosQQml.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/PDsSfOX.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/PDsSfOXl.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/5qr5XQz.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/5qr5XQzl.jpg

[Blackadder]

http://i.imgur.com/iM7GYiH.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/iM7GYiHl.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/iwpLgac.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/iwpLgacl.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/hlh8YFJ.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/hlh8YFJl.jpg


Err seven images.

[SotonShades]

My word those legs are looking incredible. And it has been a long time since I have said that about anyone. Too many friends who model will skew your perspective like that.

[Blackadder]

Send pictures of models, I'll be the judge of what is a good set of gams............. er; I assume they are wimmen right?



Waist Pelvic Block
The waist of this beastie is the single most strong area of construction yet it is diminutive in size and almost delicate in construction.

Attempting to maintain the scale proportions of the Warlord yet provide the monster with an adequate set of hips was a real challenge. I eschewed the single steering cylinder for what I deemed necessary (minimum) for a vehicle of this size adding eight more cylinders to the construction at some cost to my faithfulness to the FW DS design but it has to be viable to me don't ya see; if I don't think it will work, it won't work............

http://i.imgur.com/AV2FyRS.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/AV2FyRSl.jpg

Anyway I built the pelvis as I thought fit and the devil take the conventional wisdom.

http://i.imgur.com/4aJtCf0.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/4aJtCf0l.jpg

Seeing as how I expect my Warlord to achieve any pose required of it I built it according to my subliminal engineering intuition.
Now it's not svelte as say the ''Tacoma Narrows Bridge'' (Galloping Gertie)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j-zczJXSxnw

but then I haven't an engineering degree so I tend to overbuild.............
--
E. Blackadder

[SotonShades]

Looks fine to me, and I do have an engineering degree.

As an aside, how's these for a pair of pegs? Not the best photo of her, but I got bored of looking for one that wasn't mostly portrait stuff...

https://fbcdn-sphotos-e-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/407220_366526520024055_1356607099_n.jpg

[Blackadder]

The Hidden Components

Okay while I have this apart I should explain what the various locking devices I have installed to make this thing readily repairable.

On the image below you see the inner sleeve that mounts the hip screw to the hip axle. That inner sleeve contains a blind nut that the bolt holding the hip to the axle is installed. The blind nut is epoxied in place and I am hoping never breaks loose but if it does I need to get at it to repair so at the 3 and 9 o'clock positions I threaded locking setscrews that hold the sleeve in place half the thread being in the sleeve and half the thread in the outer mount ring.

http://i.imgur.com/MLl6Ziy.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/MLl6Ziyl.jpg

With any luck no one including myself need ever see this again.

In the image below the steering disk is press fit over the outer mount ring. The hip bolt passes through the leg and tightens into the inner sleeve locking the steering ring in place without the need for glue so that the steering cylinders can be repaired if needs be.

http://i.imgur.com/jNQY6pd.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/jNQY6pdl.jpg

Again I am hoping that none of this ever need be disassembled but better that it can than not.

The two following images show the front and back of the waist/pelvis. I have installed various icons and symbols that I hope are not at odds with the Titan/A.M. guild. I would appreciate any input regarding a conflicting error in the logos.

The Front:

http://i.imgur.com/reY0w5D.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/reY0w5Dl.jpg

and the rear:

http://i.imgur.com/PExe5ay.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/PExe5ayl.jpg

[Blackadder]

Titan Hunter Formation

The first time Luteus Vexant has stood in full stride without careful balancing (I still need to pack half a kilo of lead in the back for optimum stability) but the hip joints are solid and capable of supporting Luteus' 7 kilo bulk.

Here he is with a third of my Superheavy company in vanguard support. Sorry no infantry as yet.

http://i.imgur.com/hrg4Zev.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/hrg4Zevl.jpg

This image has been a long time coming...............

The Blackadder is pleased.

[Blackadder]

Lucie Errant

Conspicuously absent from the above assemblage was Lucie.

Removing her from her cabinet revealed she had lost a bit of stiffness in her joints over the winter so she is standing with the aid of a makeshift prop. So in this family portrait are two scratchbuilt Titans and two scratchbuilt Super-heavies.

http://i.imgur.com/vOWzxEY.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/vOWzxEYl.jpg

In the second image I repositioned Luteus' legs without adjusting the screws. A bad move; the void generator fell out of the housing and dislodged the aux tank on the Titan Hunter. No big deal but I didn't notice it when I took the picture.

Anyway the repositioning demonstrates the flexibilities of the appendages.

http://i.imgur.com/g4vvZQw.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/g4vvZQwl.jpg

BTW I forgot to mention, the two tanks in the foreground are the scratches.

[Dlatrex]

Love the family portrait!

[Blackadder]

Yeah he's got my eyes!

Just so ya don't think the Blackadder pissed the day away posting on the various forums I subscribe I did do some experimentation on the cockpit lighting. It looks as though I may need a light diffuser to obtain the particular form of malevolence I am reaching for. But for a first try very gratifying............

http://i.imgur.com/DL7JIQb.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/DL7JIQbl.jpg

[Brakkart]

Yeah that looks rather intimidating. Nice tank force you have there and that's just a third of it? Wow.

[Tyrendian]

vup, nice for a first try definitely! I don't know what exactly you have in mind, but I kinda feel a darker shade of red would work better there... curious what you go for!

[Blackadder]

I'm thinking a couple of layers of red celluloid, what you see here is just a naked red LED............

Ha, he sed "naked!"

[CraftWorld]

You have to be the King of scratchbuilding... Stunning work and what I lose most about it is that it's not rushed, attention to detail and time spent getting it right shines through in every facet of the construction.

[Blackadder]

Pure luck I assure you. Witness!

Inner Workings Update

Hi Blackadder here; I took a few day off to plan where I was going on this and decided to work a bit on the interior as I have run out of ideas on the exterior.

Fortunately this model is so big and complex that I can jump from one area to another and still keep fresh on inspiration resolving detail.

I went back to my CoD scrap and found vents and conduit, push buttons and panel and fantastic ducting that lend itself to the ultimate consummation of this model.

Serendipity reared its ugly head in the for of the chimneys of the Manufactorum model gave me ducting to the condensers of the reactor coolant; a fortuitous accident that worked better than if I planned it.

http://i.imgur.com/6HAP4pd.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/6HAP4pdl.jpg

Note the huge duct that exhausts (unfortunately over the view window). This leads to the condenser that cools the radioactive coolant for recycling through the reactor. ''PURE LUCK, NOT AT ALL PLANNED!''

http://i.imgur.com/jrhTdSX.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/jrhTdSXl.jpg

[Blackadder]

What a difference some gray makes

To paraphrase an old song.................

I started priming the interior and under the carapace and it really breaths some life into this construct; gray being a much more contrast bearing colour than white.......

We'll start with the interior construction of the reactor chamber (with the reactor removed for clarity you can see to the other side wall the various controls on the mezzanine level and the major ducting for the condenser grid that cools the radioactive coolant.

http://i.imgur.com/TF5XYQ9.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/TF5XYQ9l.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/597AsUi.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/597AsUil.jpg

In the image below I displayed the left side interior for clarity

http://i.imgur.com/m9ZNDnF.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/m9ZNDnFl.jpg

And the left side exterior so the following images make sense

http://i.imgur.com/9yRxZ23.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/9yRxZ23.jpg

[Blackadder]

Under the carapace

In continuation of the above post showing the right side exterior wall in place the interior ducting powered blower ducts air to the condenser grid much as the radiator works in your car. This cools the reactor coolant. A bit of license is taken as the duct doesn't actually connect to the radiator as the side panel is on a hinge that swings open for interior viewing because if this can't be seen all this work is wasted.


http://i.imgur.com/HWlYvg2.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/HWlYvg2l.jpg

The rest is just the same albeit with a coat of primer. The rear backpack now has a purpose; it is now the heat exchanger that transfers the superheated primary (and radioactive coolant energy to the secondary steam jacket which in turn drives the turbines (which will be in the top deck i.e. above the command deck )

http://i.imgur.com/eYnNOGB.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/eYnNOGBl.jpg

The backpack panel right now is just held in place by friction but ultimately will be secured with hidden screws..............

http://i.imgur.com/e81YIWR.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/e81YIWRl.jpg

[Blackadder]

Scrap Heap!

I was working on this last night and I happened to look at the edge of my desk and there were all the parts helter skelter in what looks to be a scrap pile.....

http://i.imgur.com/MTyoE4w.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/MTyoE4wl.jpg

And I thought to myself, ''A fine way to treat all that work!''

:D

[KrewL RaiN]

Don't let the Orks see that... it might go missing!

[SotonShades]

Don't let the Orks see that... it might go missing!

My Lootas and Meks are all ready planning an 'Invayshun'... Shhh

[CoteazRox]

I am flabbergasted by the effort you put into this and the truly amazing result!

Well done, sir.

[Blackadder]

I may be flattering myself into thinking that this thread is in part a reason for your registration 'CoteazRox'; welcome aboard sir...............

CoD Bitz


Once again after a bout with a computer virus, lawn mower, installing a door in my kitchen and adjacent mouldings I have taken up the cudgel of building Luteus Vexant........... strange how menial trivialities take precedence over that which is of true import.

I resume the task by supplementing my dwindling supply of prefabricated bitz to detail the areas of the carapace that seem too sparsely decorated.

The CoD kits I have been cannibalizing are still providing ample fodder for my demands because I prudently have conserved both front and back of each floor and wall panels by by splitting them in half through the thickness axis with a razor saw instead of just sanding off the reverse face of the panel thereby doubling my inventory of parts and saving myself thirty bucks for another Manufactorum.

http://i.imgur.com/l3Q1Pj9.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/l3Q1Pj9l.jpg

[Blackadder]

Catching a Mold Relief

I am trying a new method of casting
I intend to make a gantry for the Warlord diorama showing it parked alongside for service/repairs. This will make a huge model display stand.

I'm using 'Sculpey' mold material to make a few more A M skulls for the aft end of the main guns.

Since 'Sculpey' is heat hardened I am trying to cold mold 5 minute epoxy directly on the soft uncured clay relying on it's heat resistant properties to not lose detail as the resin heats and cures

Below you see the mold that only required seconds to make:

[Blackadder]

Catching a Mold Relief 2

At the risk of redundancy I include the mixing and applying the 5 minute epoxy to the soft clay. I refrigerated the clay to accelerate the cooling before drizzling the resin mixture into the mold.

the slow application of resin allows the air to be evacuated from the recesses as the resin slowly flows through the mold thereby eliminating air bubbles............... I hope:


http://i.imgur.com/wJNbsuh.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/wJNbsuhl.jpg

[Minibem]

Have just started reading this thread, I really should do some work but was captivated by the detail on this. It is amazing the amount of detail and thought that you have gone to in this. I do take my hat off to you sir! It is inspiring stuff!

I cannot wait to see the finished titan, with accompanying "family"

[Blackadder]

Hope you made it to work yesterday Minibem

Irons in the Fire

Granted I have 'way too many irons in the fires what with the Warlord, T'hawk, refurbishing my Superheavy Armour and now a display stand for Lucie but a full plate keeps you young to mix my metaphors.

The basic display stand for Lucie and the forward cowl for Luteus basic primed

http://i.imgur.com/i2Q7DMl.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/i2Q7DMll.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/snEfMnu.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/snEfMnul.jpg

What's with all the L's Blackadder?

[Wrath of Azkaellon]

All hail the Omnissiah that is Blackadder! Mentioned by several other posters but needs repeating stunning scratchbuild and the attention to detail is first rate. I'm rather late to the party but I will enjoy following this to its completion. :)

[Dimitrios]

Blackadder... You make everything look so deceptively easy... no mean feat...

Until my next dose...

[Blackadder]

Thanks, I'm curious if anyone is working along on this project since most of the construction is there?

Moulded Skulls

Well the moulded skulls can out not too shoddy good enough for the relatively hidden area under the carapace at the rear of the cannons. I sanded the left one a bit much but once painted I think it will pass. The Skulpey clay did a good job and will work fine for the terrain that I plan for the Warhound. I just wanted to see how well it would work for casting.

http://i.imgur.com/gwMF5pd.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/gwMF5pdl.jpg

[Blackadder]

Main Weapon Detail

I keep adding detail to these guns and the more I add the more empty space I find to clutter up so after these photos I'm applying a coat of primer and see where I stand.

http://i.imgur.com/IMaaEY3.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/IMaaEY3l.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/MFyFotd.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/MFyFotdl.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/nDiHNbG.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/nDiHNbGl.jpg


BTW I have added much more detail than the original so the camouflage does do something; it increases the illusion of detail.

[Blackadder]

The Relativity of Bland

Well paint doesn't seem to help much everything looks so so bland. It seems there should be more patches and panels, definitely more skulls and aquila perhaps a few banners and those badges with ribbons dangling from them 'What are they called the name escapes me.

Ah! 'Purity Seals' never mind..............

Anyway the secondary weapons are masked for priming and I'm pretty satisfied with them.

http://i.imgur.com/sZqUY2c.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/sZqUY2cl.jpg

[Blackadder]

Yet another request of my source of styrene on another forum so I am going to be up front and reveal my larder.

Over the course of a few years I have accumulated quite an inventory of styrene strips and sheets mainly by investing about twenty bucks a month into increasing my reservoir of material.

I won't lie to you on the face of it it is a tremendous outlay of cash for an inventory of this size and Evergreen won't spring for a display carousel for a noncommercial site even though I regularly extol their product.

http://www.evergreenscalemodels.com/

In addition I have researched wholesale distributors of styrene sheets which is by far the biggest single outlay of cash for material. I found a local one in an Industrial park that supplies my requirements.

Now that I have all the styrene I need I routinely spend about 20 bucks a month to keep my supply sufficiently abundant.

http://i.imgur.com/EQ6hqeb.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/EQ6hqebl.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/AncsaYm.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/AncsaYml.jpg

[Minibem]

love the look of the weapons Blackadder!

I just about managed to get my work done!

Can't wait to see the finished product!

[Blackadder]

A Mélange of Decor, Dispair, Decadence and Decay

Unfortunately using a flash washes out a good bit of detail especially the 0.010 inch/ 0.25 MM layered armour which hopefully washes will bring to the fore.

The new bitz is what I am debuting with this post and I am hoping that I have achieved the right degree of decoration, decadence and decay which permeates the desperate 40K future world much as western culture seems hellbent on the road to in the early 21st century.

In this first image I show the new side detail of the carapace which is a melange of DS's bitz work and my interpretation thereof which is somewhat less busy and I hope makes more sense from an (totally bogus) engineering standpoint

Most prominent are the numerous vents and exhaust fans that I deem necessary to cool the vast heat producing engines necessary to animate this behemoth:
http://i.imgur.com/yPDioBi.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/yPDioBil.jpg

This image shows the top of the carapace showing the four adjunct shield relays and the two shoulder field regulator receivers one on either side of the carapace munitions exhaust fan:
http://i.imgur.com/JpvrJ8r.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/JpvrJ8rl.jpg

Top rear view showing the four rear shield relays and the four make up air inlets for cooling the carapace and sweeping stray radiation from the ammo magazines:
http://i.imgur.com/U3Fm1Ty.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/U3Fm1Tyl.jpg

And an image sans flash to better show the new detail:
http://i.imgur.com/2X9UJET.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/2X9UJETl.jpg

Demonstrating that the Blackadder clearly needs to get a life or at the very least a better grip on reality...............

[Blackadder]

What seat is this?

I found this in my son's bitz box and I was wondering if anyone can identify what kit it came from?

http://i.imgur.com/uy8h4Uo.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/0C69InC.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/iMAJSGM.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/iMAJSGMl.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/IzHXLN5.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/IzHXLN5l.jpg

[Rev. Tiberius Jackhammer]

Some of the Forgeworld Titans come with an empty princeps chair, to allow for customs princeps. Maybe it's one of those?

[Phil751]

That looks awesome I don't know how you have the patience and continued motivation for such a big project.

[Alebelly_Cragfist]

About 25 years ago, a young lad playing a game of Adeptus Titanicus turned to his friend and said, "can you imagine how cool it would be to have a proper titan sized model?!"

You sir, have just made that (now not so young) lad's dream a reality. It's rare that you see such focus, determination, vision and skill combined in a forum post. *tips cap*

[Blackadder]

Jeez ya hadda wait 25 years to have yer dream realized. I'm sure glad I wasn't even aware of a Warlord Titan (This Warlord Titan) until DS posted in 2009.

Warlord and Thunderhawk Seats

First let me thank all that responded to my query as to the origin of the cockpit seat I posted.

It turns out that it is the ejector seat (empty) that is included with the FW Lightning and Thunderbolt.

http://i.imgur.com/GLtcLyd.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/GLtcLydl.jpg
Warlord and Thunderhawk Seats

Besides the twin seats I made for the Warlord previously I am going to make 6 slightly oversized versions of the Lightning and Thunderbolt ejector seats for my Thunderhawk. Oversized to accomidate the rather robust SM physique.

A lesson to all, don't let your ol'lady trash yer bitbox ya migjt jest need some o' that crap some day.

[Blackadder]

Windscreens Applied

I know it might not seem that big a deal to some but installing windscreens on the delicate frame was a time consuming and frustrating operation. I made the panes out of 1.0 mm (0.040 inch) thick clear styrene hand shaped and sanded to a precise fit.

Each panel was slightly different in shape and size than its mirror panel but none were more than 0.5 mm which made me extremely pleased.

I hope the camera catches these panels I left the dust on and backlit them so they are visible.

http://i.imgur.com/yFdhSqI.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/yFdhSqIl.jpg


http://i.imgur.com/kParXOz.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/kParXOzl.jpg


http://i.imgur.com/QEGYX7m.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/QEGYX7ml.jpg

[Blackadder]

BIT OFF TOPIC

This is a bit off topic but when I am not working and working on the Warlord I like to refurbish various things and this week a two handed long sword that I shall be using for cardiovascular exercise.

This beauty had a weak tang and the grip was quite wobbly so re-enforcement was necessary. Tomorrow will be the unveiling and if all goes well I'll have a two kilo 1.3 meter aerobic device.

http://i.imgur.com/sQPorNs.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/sQPorNsl.jpg

Fun and games is where it's at.

[Blackadder]

Small Arms Defense

I strikes me that a Warlord Titan is at the mercy of ill-disposed enemy ground personnel. However powerful the Void shields are can they stop sappers and suicide bombers?

What is needed are defense small arms weapons firing down from 30 meters in the air relatively immune to reciprocal fire.

Therefore I am adding a fighting platform to the chest shield with egress to the second level of the lower Engineering deck.

Funny how this all seems to work out; the CoD blast doors fit perfectly into the opening beneath the head with minor alterations plus it gives purpose to the chest plate and fills the empty space in the lower engineering level.

Purists may baulk at this modification so they are welcome to omit this from their Warlord Titans.

Below is the Chest plate in place soon to be pierced with bolter loopholes.

http://i.imgur.com/m4PSsRJ.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/m4PSsRJl.jpg


Cutting through the forward bulkhead for the blast door assembly.

http://i.imgur.com/kQK57a4.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/kQK57a4l.jpg


The exterior blast door in place

http://i.imgur.com/trx7k0g.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/trx7k0gl.jpg

[Blackadder]

Holographic Tactical Display

since I deemed this the overall Command Titan with a surfeit of nonessential personnel what better than to have a 3D display table in the center of the bridge.

http://i.imgur.com/p5qcHsU.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/p5qcHsUl.jpg

I was beside myself in what to put in the huge area behind the flight station when I got this idea. It was either this or throw a grange dance.

http://i.imgur.com/ZUKt2ny.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/ZUKt2nyl.jpg

I plan to use fiber optics of various colours to represent warring factions with Luteus Vexant and company in the center of the Holo-dome.

http://i.imgur.com/Im3iwww.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/Im3iwwwl.jpg

Whether this works or not will be an interesting experiment but so far all the components seem viable and better still fit nicely into the space available............

http://i.imgur.com/6b1QUmN.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/6b1QUmNl.jpg

Now I just have to figure out how to light it.............

[Kirsten]

looks absolutely amazing

[KrewL RaiN]

Oh fiber optics glowies incoming?! I hope it works, seeing what it looks like in my head is all whoooaaaa, awesome.

[lomaxxdurang]

Get one of the planetary empires sections and it will make a great base to work from.

[Blackadder]

Get one of the planetary empires sections and it will make a great base to work from.

looked up Planetary Empires and it looks like a good idea but I'm afraid the scale is wrong. I'm figuring the dome has a 15 klic radius which is small enough for a tactical display.

Thanks for the thought though I may run a river through the scene.

[gwensdad]

Have you thought of using epic-scale minis under the dome? Or would the scale be off for what's being observed?

[Blackadder]

Have you thought of using epic-scale minis under the dome? Or would the scale be off for what's being observed?

The scale of the dome I figure is about 10 miles = 1 inch so even a titan would be microscopic. I had figured to model tiny titans but they would be grievously out of scale to be visible.

[Blackadder]

Below is the primary reason this model probably never will be done.

Ever since I glued the "bra" on the asymmetry of the lower edge has bothered me. Probably no one would ever notice that the left lozenge shaped vent is a millimeter more visible than the one on the right side. I have to pare down the "bra" to conform to the left side starting with the surface armour.

Freud was right; Blackadder is certifiable.

http://i.imgur.com/aa2lSIl.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/aa2lSIll.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/GoU2qp4.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/GoU2qp4l.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/IDM5PTr.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/IDM5PTrl.jpg

[delkins42]

You're absolutely right though. If I saw that on the table the first thing I'd say is "dude... why is the face all messed up like that?" :p

You could also add something below the smaller vent like rivets/drains/etc so it looks different by design. It could even draw attention to the ridiculous amount of detail on that part of the model that might otherwise be overlooked by people staring slack-jawed at the inside of the cockpit or any of the other super fancy parts of the model

[Blackadder]

There now ya see, someone else noticed it as well.............

[Blackadder]

This is what I like, multiple ideas on fixes:

''Symmetry is boring mate. I've worked on several war machines and I can tell you none of them were symmetrical.
If it's really bothering you, you could cover it up with something? A large spotlight maybe or some sort of radar/auspex equipment?"

Fix #1, Let it go, the Universe is F'd up anyway and basically asymmetrical or try the current regime's fix for everything ignore, obfuscate and dazzle 'm with footwork i.e. tap dancing...........

--------------------------------------------
"Hmmm, thats not good. The real sad part is that its such a big thing to rebuild (as i guess the problem cant be fixed by just regluing).
Hope you find the mental strength to go on with this Project anyhow."
Fix #2, Scrap the whole project and take up knitting, something you are more temperamentally qualified to attempt...........

---------------------------------------------
Or:
"Everyone knows the left one hangs a little bit lower than the right one!!!"

Fix #3, Back to asymmetry and a bit of innuendo and an appeal to my obligation to complete this project...........

And my fix, shave off the offending excess. simple and direct.

http://i.imgur.com/GnA4kTf.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/GnA4kTfl.jpg

Of course fixing this revealed further inconsistencies and so the dementia continues....................

[Blackadder]

Reaver/Warlord Head comparison

A couple of pages back on this or another forum someone questioned whether the Warlord cockpit/head was big enough.

Well I happen to have a Reaver head on hand for comparison at the moment and it seems the Warlord head is sufficiently large.....


http://i.imgur.com/27zt2Np.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/27zt2Npl.jpg


http://i.imgur.com/AFHH4g9.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/AFHH4g9l.jpg

......much as the Blackadder's.

Yes I have a Reaver in my pocket. I'm experimenting on the feasibility of forming Lucius armour.

[Blackadder]

On The Whole Not Very Satisfying

Well the Warlord is primed and ready for painting and I was curious as to what it would look like on a battle board setting. I have to admit I am not overwhelmed by the view.

Granted the shading and highlighting will enhance the image and a few grunts and tanks for scale will help. Also a better camera angle should display it in a more intimidating stance but considering all the effort; meh...........

http://i.imgur.com/4L0QxcK.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/4L0QxcKl.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/DMZbI4Z.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/DMZbI4Zl.jpg

The above images show it in a straight on view and the image below showed the head looking down.

http://i.imgur.com/N4HmnE8.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/N4HmnE8l.jpg

BTW the board is 4 ft by 4 ft/ 1.25 meters by 1.25 meters

More images to follow................

[magickbk]

By itself, it is a little difficult to get a concept of just how huge it is. With some other models on the board, and terrain, I think it will appear as impressive as the scale of the project to build it. I think it looks awesome.

[Blackadder]

Thanks, but I was hoping for a new way to remove socks..........

Some More images Side and Rear

This is the first time on an actual playing field and I have no army to put the size in perspective. In these images I wanted to see what someone playing the game would perceive instead of dramatic low angle shots and birds eye views.

Anyway this first image demonstrates the flexibility of the legs and gives some idea of how the head can be repositioned.......

http://i.imgur.com/cWeItmL.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/cWeItmLl.jpg

This next shows the Turbolasers in elevated position:
http://i.imgur.com/2ZAgKv9.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/2ZAgKv9l.jpg

Showing the knees in the locked position; something I now can do as well............
http://i.imgur.com/xrgXzEs.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/xrgXzEsl.jpg


Finally legs only slightly splayed because of the craters:
http://i.imgur.com/UaCMZyq.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/UaCMZyql.jpg

[eldargal]

I think it is great, for my taste the front could be somewhat more ornate but it should look fantastic when it is painted.:) I really don't agree that it is 'meh'.

[Nurglitch]

If you want to make it look as impressive as it is, then I think you need to think about the pose. In some of the pictures it looks kind of knock-kneed, and the upper arms give it a very squirrely pose. Kind of late in the game, but it might be something to go for larger upper arms to give the Volcano Cannons a greater range of motion, and to pose the legs akimbo.

[SotonShades]

Mightily impressive. The problem is that at that distance, you can barely see the detail. I might be me, but it also looks slightly like the knees are bent insward slightly, which makes it look slightly like it is embarrassed to be there

[Tyrendian]

what irks me slightly (very slightly!) is how hugely wide the shin plates are, with those comparatively tiny spindly upper legs above them...

[Blackadder]

Yeah the shin plates (greaves) bothered me as well on the DS original and I made mine slightly smaller and less wide but I tried ''thinner and taller'' and it just doesn't work (see a few dozen posts back to see what I mean)

http://www.lounge.belloflostsouls.net/showthread.php?20271-Blackadders-Warlord-WIP/page29

You have to remember the greaves protect the feet mechanisms as well as the shins.

I'll post better images now that I have more time to pose the rest of the army.

[warpaladin285]

This is amazing! You truly are an inspiration to the wargaming community.

[Bigred]

Blackadder, I've painted up about 5-6 titans ove the years and I can say, don't worry - your Warlord is amongst the best in the world.

The odd thing about titans is they are so large and full of overall flat shapes that they really come alive in the painting.

A plain grey titan always kind of looks bland, but a fully painted titan, festooned with blazing heraldry, chevrons, stripes, and dripping with banners is just stunning.

And that begs the big questoin - do you paint these big boys yourself, or after so much work and time, go with top-shelf commission painters?

[Blackadder]

Whilst painting isn't exactly my bailiwick I cannot see trusting my work to someone else's ministrations besides I'm too megalomaniacal to share the credit with a professional.

You can never learn how to do something if you allow others do it for you. :D

[Blackadder]

Sorry to have been so long in responding but it's been a busy month for me getting the kids off to college and visiting my mum in Florida.

I also have been trying to design a Lucius retro-fit for a Mars Reaver which has monopolized a lot of my building time.

But I haven't forgotten this thread and am now acknowledging the above posted request. Unfortunately I have no Russes at hand and my son has none in presentable form and what he does have is 1500 KM away but I hope Baneblades and a Warhound will suffice plus there is a little guy in the foreground for a man sized comparison.

http://i.imgur.com/VHbayam.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/VHbayaml.jpg

The four models in the first image are the result of about 5 years of scratch building starting with the converted Armourcast Baneblade in the front right. This was my first attempt at working with styrene upgrading the model to conform to the Forge World style Baneblade You can still see the Armourcast treads which I left the same because at the time I deemed to too difficult to manufacture treads and bogie wheels.

The left foreground tank is a total scratch build except for some GW bitz and cast Baneblade treads and bogies. This was my second scratch build and my second favorite tank model.

Lucie the Warhound is my pride and joy and required almost two years to build. She is a total scratchbuild except for the two skulls on the cheeks and the rubber conduits on the neck. Also there are banners on the knee joints and when I remount it there will be a battle banner hanging from the waist.

Lucie is beginning to show a bit of wear and will need some refurbishing soon. She needs more lead weight in the rear to counterbalance the guns and the knee joints need new wooden dowels so she can maintain the poses. Right now she is standing on her own but in what I call her "Cute Puppy" pose.

I have yet to replace the Velcro attachment material with magnets; I hope to be doing that this coming Winter.

Of course the Warlord needs no introduction, I still haven't decided on a colour scheme for 'Luteus Vexant' but he will definitely not have a yellow head even if I choose 'War Griffins as the Chapter colours.

http://i.imgur.com/RDhWmf5.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/RDhWmf5l.jpg

This next photo show comparison between the Warhound and the Thunderhawk although they will probably not be used in the same game. Note Lucie's Battle Banner on the ground............... that needs to be reattached with chain links, glue does hold well .

More images to follow......................

[Blackadder]

In the following image a view of the top detail of the smaller models. I am particularly proud of the Baneblade's 'Demolisher' cannon which was built of dozens of separate parts and at that time taxed my scratch building abilities to the limit.

http://i.imgur.com/E2HIuQz.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/E2HIuQzl.jpg

Another thing that I was pleased with was the hand made nuts on the front bumpers. I look back at that effort and have to laugh at myself having learned so much since then.

Next we have a low angle view of the Warlord and I notice I still haven't mounted the search lights and flying greave panels. which I had plans to have working lights the wiring can be seen already installed. The white object near the left foot of the Warlord is the catwalk that fits under the carapace

http://i.imgur.com/lG0mmI9.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/lG0mmI9l.jpg

So many things to do still on this model and I have to redesign the Holo- Command deck display.

I hope to have more time this winter.

Here we have a better view of Lucie with her head turned in a quizzical pose demonstrating the flexibility of the neck joint which I hope to duplicate on the Reaver project with a more sophisticated mechanism.

http://i.imgur.com/XrqDqUE.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/XrqDqUEl.jpg

More to come..............

[Blackadder]

Could this be used as a Princep?

Once again I am forced to demonstrate my ignorance;

I have in my possession a figure hardwired into the fabric of a Reaver

Could this be a Princep or failing that would it serve as a Princep in a Warlord?

If so, THEN all things come to he who waits!

http://www.dakkadakka.com/s/i/at/at2/2013/9/19/3ff61300b5c2e5a344afdcc22a500bf0_6825.jpg

[SotonShades]

It's supposed to be a servitor, but from the descriptions in the fluff I'm sure it could serve equally well as a Princeps in an amniotic tank, especially if you were to build up some kind of tank around the fleshy bit :P

[Blackadder]

While I am at it painting the Tyranids I think it might be a good time to paint as well Luteus Vexant. I have found an interesting tutorial on painting and weathering machinery:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lAV8Ga5qUKE&list=TLhCjxRB6ohWt2Wji7I0BMlI02UyBW9QXz


but where he is painting a few square inches of model I shall be painting several square feet perhaps a square yard.


I also think he went a bit overboard at the end of the clip but that may have been all that beer thinner.


Anyway despite all protestations I have settled on the Dave Smith Camo for my colour scheme but to distinguish mine from his I shall designate my unit as 007. How many Warlord titans are in a company?


Also I found an interesting photoshop of a Titan assembly plant you may enjoy.
http://i.imgur.com/YYMVG9x.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/YYMVG9xl.jpg

I might manipulate Luteus into the scene.

[phil035]

Man blackadder Its a shame these take so ling too do. (on another note your thunderhawk seems wayyyyyy too big)

[lomaxxdurang]

While I am at it painting the Tyranids I think it might be a good time to paint as well Luteus Vexant. I have found an interesting tutorial on painting and weathering machinery:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lAV8Ga5qUKE&list=TLhCjxRB6ohWt2Wji7I0BMlI02UyBW9QXz


but where he is painting a few square inches of model I shall be painting several square feet perhaps a square yard.


I also think he went a bit overboard at the end of the clip but that may have been all that beer thinner.


Anyway despite all protestations I have settled on the Dave Smith Camo for my colour scheme but to distinguish mine from his I shall designate my unit as 007. How many Warlord titans are in a company?


Also I found an interesting photoshop of a Titan assembly plant you may enjoy.
http://i.imgur.com/YYMVG9x.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/YYMVG9xl.jpg

I might manipulate Luteus into the scene.


That's a scene from Pacific Rim.

[Blackadder]

So I've been informed but then what is this?

http://i.imgur.com/9hgCZ4A.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/9hgCZ4Al.jpg

[interrogator_chaplain]

Heresy?

[phil035]

a dam good photo shop of the first image who makes boats like that XD

[Blackadder]

So I've been informed but then what is this?

http://i.imgur.com/9hgCZ4A.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/9hgCZ4Al.jpg

A German Cruise ship factory:

http://www.meretmarine.com/fr/content/meyer-werft-le-paquebot-celebrity-solstice-sera-livre-en-avance

5838
http://www.meretmarine.com/objets/11600.jpg

[Dimitrios]

Blackadder, you never fail to inspire and amaze! Your titans are all amazing... In my humble opinion a perfect balance of subtle detail with out the over use of imperial iconography.

With regard to your question as to what a Princeps looks like, I have found the image below which perfectly illustrates the vision I have of a titan commander.

http://wh40kart.im/_images/b76b28867f387fa307ad699a34a7696c.jpg

[interrogator_chaplain]

If you want to go hardcore accurate to the fluff, then Warlord and Reaver Titan's have their Princeps hardwired into their Titans. Only Warhound Princeps aren't wired into their machines.

[SotonShades]

If you want to go hardcore accurate to the fluff, then Warlord and Reaver Titan's have their Princeps hardwired into their Titans. Only Warhound Princeps aren't wired into their machines.

Not quite. Different legios have a different approach, but the majority do simply because it makes the MUI link faster. Those that don't are far more reliant on the rest of the crew.

[jonsgot]

Great work, I'm amazed you keep doing these. I did a very quick 50 hour build Warhound and decide I didn't have the time to do any more. I hope Forge World make you an offer!

[Blackadder]

Is that 50 manhours or did you build it in the course of say a week? either way that is a short length of time to build a Warhound. I presume you mean including the painting......

Photo?

I can't believe the last time I posted was December on this thread or was it October. I can come to terms with metric system regarding measurement, temperature and volume/weight and am equally comfortable with either but I do have difficulty with Calenders. So is today 2/ 17/14 or 17/2/14 according to BoLS?

[jonsgot]

Is that 50 manhours or did you build it in the course of say a week? either way that is a short length of time to build a Warhound. I presume you mean including the painting......

Photo?

I can't believe the last time I posted was December on this thread or was it October. I can come to terms with metric system regarding measurement, temperature and volume/weight and am equally comfortable with either but I do have difficulty with Calenders. So is today 2/ 17/14 or 17/2/14 according to BoLS?


It took me 5 years if you count the 1st attempt that I ended up binning. Most of it was done over a 2 week period, with the threat of a battle against a Warlord, approaching. While i intended for it to be a master class Job it ended up being rushed to get finished. One day I may redo a big proportion of it but that day, will not be this day. When the courage of men has failed.:)


http://chaptermasters.com/warhound-lives-again/

Most recent photo.
painting was two hours with an air brush for the game. I'm still doing little bits on it every now and again though, but have lost track of the time now.

Bols is US dates Month-day-year. Of all the things that came with independence it's the one that make the least sense to me.

Have you decided on the colour for your Warlord yet?

[Blackadder]

Time For a Change:

On thing that has always bothered me about the Weapons of the Warlord is the mount stanchion.

While perfectly adequate to support the weight and moment of the arm it always looked a bit undersized for such a large weapon.

http://i.imgur.com/m86KKM4.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/m86KKM4l.jpg


http://i.imgur.com/erUw6qk.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/erUw6qkl.jpg

This modification will remedy the anomaly.

http://i.imgur.com/4B5Itt9.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/4B5Itt9l.jpg

After a search I have found the big brother of the 1/2 inch conduit sleeve I used on the initial arm; a one inch conduit adjustable connector that seems more in keeping with the size requirements the Warlord scale requires.

http://i.imgur.com/AB6TSqM.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/AB6TSqMl.jpg

Note the new sleeve has more than four times the mass of the previous arm and I think will be more in keeping with the mount one would assume proper for a Lucius Titan.

In the following days I shall be replacing the original sleeve with what I hope will improve the look of the shoulder mount.

[jonsgot]

Looks like an improvement on an already fantastic job.

[Blackadder]

Thanks,

Adeptus Mechanicus Altar:

I suddenly have an urge to work on the interior of the Warlord.

Last night I had an inspiration how to arrange the Tech-priest altar in the command deck area so we'll start with a refresher regarding the interior compartments of Luteus Vexant.

Access to the interior if you're taller than 28 MM is through the rear access panel which is held in place with 4 screws.

http://i.imgur.com/mjwWL8N.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/mjwWL8Nl.jpg

Removing the screws gains access to the Command deck and Cockpit.

http://i.imgur.com/oE0Yl3q.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/oE0Yl3ql.jpg

Below that is the Reactor room/Engineering.

http://i.imgur.com/KQWmGj6.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/KQWmGj6l.jpg

The Command deck has two levels, the upper Observation Gallery and directly above the Blast Doors will be the Adeptus Mechanicus Altar where the Tech-Priest performs his rituals:

http://i.imgur.com/vNUxfcj.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/vNUxfcjl.jpg

Now all I need is a good facsimile of an AD Altar........

[Blackadder]

Altar Alterations:

A question for those more knowledgeable than I about 40K Iconology

I'm pretty sure the A.D. emblem is correct but the Vampire caped skulls, what are they and are they correct on a Tech Priest Altar?

http://i.imgur.com/m2AKvaE.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/m2AKvaEl.jpg

Hell I'm just going to post all the pictures good and bad and you can sort them out......

http://i.imgur.com/xEDen1b.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/xEDen1bl.jpg

I'm finally putting some detail into the interior. It was much too stark and empty before.

http://i.imgur.com/cM6XOPk.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/cM6XOPkl.jpg

The Tech-Priest is just there temporary for scale.

http://i.imgur.com/Um1gc6q.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/Um1gc6ql.jpg

I need to work in the College Technical "T" on the wall under the arch and the Sardonic Skull on the other side.

- - - Updated - - -

Altar Alterations:

A question for those more knowledgeable than I about 40K Iconology

I'm pretty sure the A.D. emblem is correct but the Vampire caped skulls, what are they and are they correct on a Tech Priest Altar?

http://i.imgur.com/m2AKvaE.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/m2AKvaEl.jpg

Hell I'm just going to post all the pictures good and bad and you can sort them out......

http://i.imgur.com/xEDen1b.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/xEDen1bl.jpg

I'm finally putting some detail into the interior. It was much too stark and empty before.

http://i.imgur.com/cM6XOPk.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/cM6XOPkl.jpg

The Tech-Priest is just there temporary for scale.

http://i.imgur.com/Um1gc6q.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/Um1gc6ql.jpg

I need to work in the College Technical "T" on the wall under the arch and the Sardonic Skull on the other side.

[Blackadder]

More Icons:

lotsa conduit cables ducting to come but I needed reinforcement regarding use of proper icons. I won't make the mistake of the CoD backwards Adeptus Mechincus skull again.

For your edification two symbols for the side corridors under the Gothic arches:

http://i.imgur.com/8Aj1RRH.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/8Aj1RRHl.jpg

- - - Updated - - -

More Icons:

lotsa conduit cables ducting to come but I needed reinforcement regarding use of proper icons. I won't make the mistake of the CoD backwards Adeptus Mechincus skull again.

For your edification two symbols for the side corridors under the Gothic arches:

http://i.imgur.com/8Aj1RRH.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/8Aj1RRHl.jpg

[Blackadder]

Study in Blue Light:

Accomplished a bit of work this morning on the interior, railings and buttresses but the big plus to the work is the LED Blue /White lighting.

With all the work I put into the College Titanica and the Adeptus Mechanicus skull icon they can barely be seen in the corridor on either side of the Altar nave.

I should have included a figure for scale.

The right side:
http://i.imgur.com/QOJ97Iz.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/QOJ97Izl.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/WhqYiP8.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/WhqYiP8l.jpg

Next the Command deck fixtures.............

- - - Updated - - -

Study in Blue Light:

Accomplished a bit of work this morning on the interior, railings and buttresses but the big plus to the work is the LED Blue /White lighting.

With all the work I put into the College Titanica and the Adeptus Mechanicus skull icon they can barely be seen in the corridor on either side of the Altar nave.

I should have included a figure for scale.

The right side:
http://i.imgur.com/QOJ97Iz.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/QOJ97Izl.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/WhqYiP8.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/WhqYiP8l.jpg

Next the Command deck fixtures.............

[Mike Lawler]

Very nice.. I especially like the supports.
BTW: You did include a figure for scale.. he's on the topmost floor next to those arches from Cities of De...holy crap that things' big..

[ClaytonMan25]

that's really cool idea. Where do you get models like this?

[dwez]

that's really cool idea. Where do you get models like this?

Go here, (http://www.lounge.belloflostsouls.net/showthread.php?20271-Blackadders-Warlord-WIP)all your questions will be answered ;)

[Wolfshade]

that's really cool idea. Where do you get models like this?

It is "based" on a forge world titan, found at forgeworld.com though I think saying it was based on is a bit insensitive to the major overhaul Blackadder has done...

[StraightSilver]

Blackadder: Stop it, just stop it!! :) You're making me cry because I want one but know I will never be able to build one!! :)

Simply amazing work, the attention to detail is fantastic, but it's also just the design elements. Everything just "works".

My only question is - will you be able to get in and paint everything though?

The blue lighting looks lovely too.

- - - Updated - - -

Blackadder: Stop it, just stop it!! :) You're making me cry because I want one but know I will never be able to build one!! :)

Simply amazing work, the attention to detail is fantastic, but it's also just the design elements. Everything just "works".

My only question is - will you be able to get in and paint everything though?

The blue lighting looks lovely too.

[coffeetable]

I've never seen this thread, being sorta new to this forum... but my gawd man, that is freakin awesome. Some of the stuff you have done on that thing is just freakin amazing. It reminds me of that line in the Color of Money where Paul Newman says something like: If you are the best at something, rich can be arranged. You might be the best at scratch building stuff that I have ever seen. You should be doing that professionally for millionaire gamers or something and be set up in a fine as workshop in some palace of a gamer haven or something.

I went through every page of this thread... you should really consider taking all of your pics and building a tumblr or something so all of the pics can be viewed in succession. That is quite a journey that I would love to jam through rapid succession-like.

God bless you and your talents you magnificent *******!

- - - Updated - - -

I've never seen this thread, being sorta new to this forum... but my gawd man, that is freakin awesome. Some of the stuff you have done on that thing is just freakin amazing. It reminds me of that line in the Color of Money where Paul Newman says something like: If you are the best at something, rich can be arranged. You might be the best at scratch building stuff that I have ever seen. You should be doing that professionally for millionaire gamers or something and be set up in a fine as workshop in some palace of a gamer haven or something.

I went through every page of this thread... you should really consider taking all of your pics and building a tumblr or something so all of the pics can be viewed in succession. That is quite a journey that I would love to jam through rapid succession-like.

God bless you and your talents you magnificent *******!

[Blackadder]

Command Deck Front Bulkhead Redux:

I was never satisfied with the future tech look of the front bulkhead that was not in keeping with the battle weary slapdash Gothic interior of the 40K universe.

The main hull in my estimation is five decks high starting with the Void Generator housings not shown in the included images due to the fact that they must be removed for visual access of the lower decks.

Deck four is the upper Observation gallery and the Adeptus Mechanicus Altar recently updated now with 28 MM scale figure.

Deck three which I call the Command deck even though I have been advised that Titans do not require large spaces as they have a minimal crew.

http://i.imgur.com/iqNJDfL.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/iqNJDfLl.jpg

I rationalize Luteus Vexant is a tactical command vehicle that has a Command group of officers.

http://i.imgur.com/tXya71T.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/tXya71Tl.jpg

Below that is the Fusion Reactor, I have no idea what a functioning Fusion Reactor would look like but I imagine it would glow with Cherenkov radiation represented by to central component on deck five.
http://i.imgur.com/zB5mFRj.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/zB5mFRjl.jpg

To either side of the Reactor deck is the triangular shaped cooling grids and coolant recovery system that recirculates the reactor's sodium transfer medium.

I just read all the above replies (For some reason I am not being emailed notified of replies) and I don't know what to say; I posted this thread with the idea that it could be followed to replicate my work and circumvent the endless mistakes and revisions I have had to make in the past two years of intermittent building.

To address Mr. Silver's concern, all the interior components (The entire command deck slides out) are removable for painting and detailing as will be the Command deck consoles when I get around to fabricating them.

It's nice to see two new members posting on my thread, I'd like to think I might be responsible for them joining our little group. Welcome aboard.

Thanks for the replies.

[Blackadder]

The Void Generators:

The top deck houses the Void Generators of which there are four.

Since the rear ones cannot be seen unless the model is disassembled I saw no reason to make the two rear generators until I decided to make an interior. So I suppose I need to make two more.........

http://i.imgur.com/3qXGeSk.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/3qXGeSkl.jpg

The generator deck breaks down to five interlocking components are is accessible from either the upper gallery of the Command Deck or from the Hood. The interior of the housings are painted a nice bilious green which seems to glow for some reason.........

http://i.imgur.com/Yi1UTmc.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/Yi1UTmcl.jpg

The forward doors fold down on hinges for maintenance access and removal of the Void Generators...........

http://i.imgur.com/GkHcc5p.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/GkHcc5pl.jpg

The interior walls with roof attached lock in place to the rails on the center main hull ceiling............

http://i.imgur.com/EOD24YW.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/EOD24YWl.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/jCuvDjQ.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/jCuvDjQl.jpg

[Lord Tothe]

Badass mecha is badass.

[Richard Morris]

only my second comment on this forum. nice work i'm eternally jealous of your skill, having built a FW warhound titan and seeing lucie and the warlord coming together, i have no idea where even to begin on something of this scale. i also agree that a warlord titan does make a good alternative to a Leviathan Command vehicle (not that im suggesting you should make one ;).) as a forward command post. only one pick up point though, the door either side of the neck, blast doors, need something maybe a hatch combing and Dog type clamps to make a airtight seal to stop chemical weapons seeping in. i work on semi military type ships and we can seal up the main citadel for just such an occasion, i figure even the AM would of thought that up too.
anyway keep up the Excellent work.

http://www.forgeworld.co.uk/Warhammer-40000/Warhammer_40,000_Terrain/ZONE_MORTALIS_CONTAINMENT_TANKS.html
Found this while browsing FW website, thought this might help with the Princeps amniotic fluid tanks.

[Blackadder]

Actually I saw a great plan for a Leviathan vehicle but it will be a long time before I will be able to attempt anything new.

Conduit Collars:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

[Blackadder]

Shadowsword Interior:

Found these images in my copious archives showing the generators for the Volcano Cannon. I much regret not researching this before as the interior would go very well in the Warlord engine room. I at the time coveted with my tongue hanging out the Shadowsword interior which in retrospect, now that I have a bit of scratchbuilding under my belt, would be relatively easy to replicate.

http://i.imgur.com/7tnwGHJ.jpg?1

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

http://i.imgur.com/52V0Wk7.jpg

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

Watch for a major revamp of the Warlord interior coming soon.

I had completely omitted the Steam Turbine dynamos GAHHH!

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/4f/Modern_Steam_Turbine_Generator.jpg/1024px-Modern_Steam_Turbine_Generator.jpg

I like this one............

[Blackadder]

The Day The Earth Stood Still:

Well maybe not such a world shaking event but never the less something that I would say about 50% of the replies I get are queries when I'm going to paint the Warlord.

http://i.imgur.com/UsQnzAo.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/UsQnzAol.jpg

Well today's the day

http://i.imgur.com/yflJ1sb.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/yflJ1sbl.jpg

Another thing to note is the ankle mechanism is still intact with not a hint of failing either in structure and function so the fears of those that predicted the flexing ankles would fail are pretty much allayed.

http://i.imgur.com/s73wBoK.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/s73wBoKl.jpg

The difference between an engineer and yer average schlub is the schlub usually overbuilds........ I overbuild.

So 24 hours of paint drying and I'll be ready to start airbrushing.

BTW any painters out there I would appreciate suggestions......REALLY!

[MKordas]

I am no expert painter. That being said I have done my fair share of thinking I am. The only humble advice I can give with a painting project of this size is use paints straight out of the bottle, pot etc. to maintain consistency. In conjunction with that if you do end up color mixing document the "recipe" of your colors so you can replicate them. I have more than once smacked my forehead and called myself an idiot, then proceeded to repaint because I could never get a close enough match. Oh, and have fun. Your work is truly inspiring.

[.:coldfusion:.]

vallejo Model Air? it's pre thinned and will give a consistent colour... might need a lot tho, considering the size

- I am by no means good at painting my self, this is just what I would use....

[Blackadder]

Vallejo Model Air is the only way to go (In my limited experience)

Can Someone Help Me Find My Dog?

In the land of the blind the one eyed are kings. Well that philosophy won't do me any good 'cause my dog is blind too.

I spent the morning reviewing youtube mech painting and I have come to the conclusion that it seems no one has trod this path before.

So I went back to a few Jaro tutorials and decided to work off of the Forgefiend video.

His accent is a bit thick but I got AV German Grey and I have to assume it's Model Air

Yesterday I forego-ed his recommended acrylic black base coat because I don't have to spend 20 buck$ on tiny vials of black paint when I can paint the entire Warlord for a couple of dollars worth of generic spray can Flat Black.

Today I airbrushed German Grey center highlights on the toes and tread patterns and the Ad Mech lcon under the foot pad???? (What Was I Thinking!!!!)

http://i.imgur.com/VIplvOj.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/VIplvOjl.jpg

Okay so the effect I'm going for is that originally this titan was a steely grey-blue and over the millennia the original factory paint and clear coat has worn, burned and rusted off so all that's left is a hint of former colour showing through the accumulated grime, leaking oil and rust. It won't be a Dave Smith camouflage so much as an Earl Scheib $19.95 special (Ask your fathers).

[Blackadder]

Department of the Interior:

More like the Department of Redundancy Department because I had already done this once but I was never satisfied with the Holo-dome display, first it was too large and the ground looked fake and uninspired so a new attempt was in order and I just returned from my daily 10K walk brimming with new ideas for the cockpit interior as well.

The new dome is neater and more compact.

First I repaired the head and added the flex conduit, I plan to paint the mechanical sections later today probably black metallic and bronze highlights

http://i.imgur.com/Npp5rqC.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/Npp5rqCl.jpg

Next the interior cockpit forward console (Lower left foreground will be upgraded with wiring and conduit. and be ready to be installed with the twin Moderati pilots seated.

I wonder what people that have lives do with their time?

[Blackadder]

The Alien Scene from MP's 'Life of Brian:'

http://cdn-media.hollywood.com/images/l/dbe266f47798407eb6cd74e7516daaaec061bf3b.jpg

Every time I look at this cockpit I am minded of the aliens in that movie.

http://i.imgur.com/ZIESlJD.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/ZIESlJDl.jpg

The Princep cubical fits well behind the Moderati

http://i.imgur.com/G9mMOZc.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/G9mMOZcl.jpg

I like this view.

http://i.imgur.com/zbC3bfy.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/zbC3bfyl.jpg

[Blackadder]

Princeps Are Lifers Anyway:

When I was in the service we called career soldiers 'Lifers.' It's not too much of a stretch to make the leap to a 20 year man becoming a permanent fixture in a machine especially if there are the bonuses of virtual 'ahem' amenities.

That's why I have no qualms with using a truncated Princep. This wiry bilateral amputee is wedded to the machine god and tied in for the duration. The virtual R&R may be sufficient compensation to commit to such a sacrifice and of course there is free medical.

http://i.imgur.com/ned4seG.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/ned4seGl.jpg


http://i.imgur.com/QH3GN6j.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/QH3GN6jl.jpg

Anyway it's an interesting deviation.

[miteyheroes]

Very cool!

[Blackadder]

Thanks for the reply.

Cockpit Layout:

Yes I know, I should let a pro painter do this detail. (Thought I'd get this in before anyone else says it........)

So the Princep and the Moderati seem to fit well into the cockpit There is even room for a Tech Priest attendant should I choose to go that route. I like the 40K clutter better than the sterile military look so now that I have the occupants I can start adding the conduits, screens and cryptic paraphernalia one usually sees in 40K vehicles.

http://i.imgur.com/ZbqeBbp.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/ZbqeBbpl.jpg

I like that the cockpit is confined rather than the wide open empty spaces that is seen in most 40K interiors. Having seen most jet cockpits there is usually no room for the amenities and just for the pilots to get in and out of their seats requires a bit of body english gymnastics especially for the older overweight pilots.

http://i.imgur.com/u89pL0G.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/u89pL0Gl.jpg

This cockpit in fact is rather spacious right now so there's plenty of room for all those esoteric goodies so beloved by the GW/FW gang.

http://i.imgur.com/LlWDHIF.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/LlWDHIFl.jpg

[Blackadder]

Blackadder Bass Ackwards:

You would think that as often as I have shot myself in the foot I would learn from my mistakes but I continually do the same stupid thing namely building a tiny space and then build something inside that tiny space.

Today the dashboard. I have always had it in mind to have a wraparound forward dashboard but instead of building the head around the interior detail I opted, and mind you I did this fully aware of what I intended to do, to build the outside and then build the interior detail.

http://i.imgur.com/jLWbbhP.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/jLWbbhPl.jpg

Anyway the dashboard fits rather well considering and I hope I remember to finish the lighted control panels before they are glued in permanently!

Not too happy with the black metallic paint on the back of the chairs.

http://i.imgur.com/PSL5UDj.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/PSL5UDjl.jpg

These Sentinel pilots don't make half-bad Moderati.

http://i.imgur.com/UBRj48e.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/UBRj48el.jpg

[Blackadder]

Then and Now:

Back when I was young, i.e. before computers; I had this idea of getting images of instruments and pasting them inside of model planes for realistic cockpit displays so perusing catalogs and magazines I came up with a few usable images etc...

Well long story short they were too big, or too small, too dark, too light and ultimately I gave up the idea.

But this morning in the course of mebbe half an hour I searched, photoshopped and printed superb instruments for the Warlord cockpit.

What an amazing age we are privileged to live in.


http://i.imgur.com/dr8Putx.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/dr8Putxl.jpg

[bloodangel 83]

Nice work so far on the entire build. I cannot wait to see your cockpit finished with the instrument panels done. Keep up the great work.

[Blackadder]

Thanks,

Paper or Plastic:

The paper gauges seem to work okay; definitely better than I can paint them I was going to light them from behind but I don't think that will be necessary besides the lighting will augment the discrepancies. We don't need that.

Once the glue is dried I'll trim the gauges better, right now they seem a bit crude.

http://i.imgur.com/QlPje8I.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/QlPje8Il.jpg


http://i.imgur.com/CFDTtDt.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/CFDTtDtl.jpg


http://i.imgur.com/Q2LF8Ik.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/Q2LF8Ikl.jpg

[bloodangel 83]

The cockpit is coming to life. Nice work.

[Blackadder]

Thanks for the reply.............

Thank God For CoD:

I've never actually built a CoD module but over the course of couple of years I have cannibalized three Manufactorums and I still have enough parts to build at least two and a half. Clearly GW should offer the sculpted bitz instead of the cubical partitions but I'm not complaining.

Right now I am decorating the walls of the cockpit with machiney looking bitz that serve no function other than to clutter up the bare walls.


I figure this thing is like a Christmas tree, and you can't have too many ornaments on a Christmas tree.

http://i.imgur.com/8eOjfjw.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/8eOjfjwl.jpg

Until the branches snap.

http://i.imgur.com/l6EpKa4.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/l6EpKa4l.jpg

[Blackadder]

How It Was Done:

I received a few posts inquiring how I did the paper appliques.

It's a pity I did not refine the technique I should have practiced more before applying it to my best model. but the process remains viable even though the initial results were crude. Were I to do it over I would have used thinner paper.

Although the procedure seems complicate when read it really requires but a few seconds to implement in actual fact.

I use a mixture of about 50/50 Testors model cement (the toxic stuff in the red tube) and Ambroid ProWeld but any thin plastic solvent cement will do. The solvent thins the Testors so the glue permeates the paper ostensibly turning the paper to plastic. A small drop spread evenly over the plastic surface is all that is needed then apply the paper and press in place with your finger until the glue sets the heat of your finger speeds the drying of the glue and forces the liquid into the paper fibers; about half a minute is more than enough time. The paper readily takes the shape of the plastic lens and that's it.

Once the applique is fully dry trim off the excess with a razor blade or Xacto knife and apply a finish coat of solvent to further penetrate the paper.and seal the edge.

I finished the lens applique with a light coat of acrylic varnish.

Hint on working with extremely tiny bits of paper and plastic such as rivets.

Use your Xacto #11 tip

http://www.rccoh.com/IMG/tools/x-acto.11.blades.jpg

to impale the 'bit'; just a touch is required if the blade is quite new. That way it is easy to pick up and move tiny bits to the gluing site and apply exacting pressure to hold them in place until the glue sets.

[Blackadder]

More of the Same:

Jeez Blackadder enough already.

I'm sorry to post so many updates on virtually the same thing but I put a lot of effort into the cockpit and it would be a shame to not show the finished product.

Wait Blackadder you mean to say the interior will be Black?

Well no but as it stand right now perhaps so grey highlights scuffs on the walkways and probably painting the buttons.

Besides, 'Red October' had a black interior and that looked kinda cool. The beige US sub interior Meh, not so much.

So in true Burlesque fashion we'll take it down; cue the music......

http://www.soundboard.com/sb/Burlesque_Can_Can_Music

http://i.imgur.com/XGtTNCQ.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/XGtTNCQl.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/MQwsQHm.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/MQwsQHml.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/ihG8bMi.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/ihG8bMil.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/52SQfsK.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/52SQfsKl.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/BoGrZrc.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/BoGrZrcl.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/xk13cZG.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/xk13cZGl.jpg