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Blackadder's Scratchbuilt Thunderhawk


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Thanks for the reply,

 

Tripping the Lights Fantastic:
 
This is coming out 'way better than I expected. It's amazing how much light these little diodes generate.
 
The image below shows three stages of construction with the finished light assembly in the foreground. I used Testors' Clear Parts Cement to glue the LED to the ceiling panel and I just dropped the lens blister over the foreground LED to show what I have in mind once all the LEDs are installed
 
http://i.imgur.com/bVbGO1Zl.jpg
 
Below is a close up of the LED and the lens blister.
 
http://i.imgur.com/YPrr1sql.jpg
 
Once the panel is completed the raised rim around the lens blister will be painted to give a purpose to the structure that is a buttress frame member and to give protection for the lens in the cargo hold.
Trial Bay Lighting:

 

Awright before anyone points it out, I know the ceiling is hanging down on the left side....

 

This is just a trial to determine of the lighting is adequate which it is and then some. The camera lens picks up a lot more light than is apparent in person and the lenses defuse the harshness of the LEDs just about right.

 


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

 

Close up of the ceiling shows 14 LEDs is sufficient to illuminate the entire bay

 


http://i.imgur.com/0ux5OhCl.jpg

 

My entry gewgaws which I thought too 'busy' actually look plain and uninspired in the cold light.

 


http://i.imgur.com/EPY036Fl.jpg

 

I need to perk them up quite a bit plus the walls further back in the bay now that it is illuminated.

 


http://i.imgur.com/75oqQQ9l.jpg

So I just spent the last couple days going through this entire thread and I must say. You sir are a God of scratch building among mere mortals not only was this thread incredibly inspirational but I learned quite a bit that I hope to apply to my own projects. Your attention to detail is amazing you've got the awesomeness cranked up way past 11 on this one.
My New Photo Studio:

 

Is too small for the Thunderhawk! I converted my closet in the den to a paint booth / photo studio and the first thing I use it for is too big to fit. Gaaah!

 


http://i.imgur.com/y5A36Bbl.jpg

 

Well it's not really a problem as I can just extend the table but I gotta start making smaller models. Not likely.

 


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

 

So the real reason for the post is an update on the interior cargo lighting before I disassemble the model for the rest of the lighting installation.

 


http://i.imgur.com/r4YkTAGl.jpg

 

I sorely need more interior detail

 


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

 

and a vehicle

 


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

 

Next up Cockpit Lighting.

  • 2 weeks later...

Thanks for the reply,

 

How Not To Build a Thunderhawk:
 
Or at least How Not To Make the Same Mistakes I Did :D
 
Below is my solution to mount the craft on a pedestal base using 1/2 inch rods to provide relatively innocuous levity.  ;)
 
http://i.imgur.com/qupV6A4l.jpg
 
The problem being I have to do all this work inside out without damaging the already finished exterior. It pays to plan ahead.....
 
http://i.imgur.com/TMdsvZfl.jpg
 
After drilling an oversized hole I glued in a sleeve to receive the transparent rod. As an added refinement I plan now to finish the upper gallery with Lighting and Space Marines ready to deploy; all this accomplished in the  inside out manner previously mentioned. Heh, heh, heh! (He laughs maniacally.......)
 
The rest of the images probably need no explanation as it just duplicates forward the work described above.
 
http://i.imgur.com/GOslGZ4l.jpg
 
http://i.imgur.com/7XEbumjl.jpg
 
http://i.imgur.com/3e6O9ndl.jpg
 
However there is one more surprise in store for followers of these interminable thread addenda Heh,heh.heh!
Cure For a Rainy Day:

 

OMG every thing is coming up Roses. Purists may baulk at a Thunderhawk Transport carrying a Landraider but I've wanted this every since I first laid eyes on a T'hawk. The shape of the fwd cargo compartment fairly screams for that configuration. Since my T'hawk is so much larger than the basic FW version it can easily fit a Landraider in the notch space between the wings.

 


http://i.imgur.com/4ltc13Wl.jpg

 

Finally the center of balance for the model is right where the transparent rod pierces the Landraider forward turret so everything is falling into place with a minimum of alteration to the APC just a 1/2 inch hole aft of the bulkhead. Tada! 

 

Martini Time; Skoal!

  • 2 weeks later...

Considering the size and its abilities- it looks like the flyer can simultanously carry TWO LAND RAIDERS- I think it'll be easier to claim your flyer is a "Thunderbird", the "missing link" between the development of the venerable Stormbird and that of the Thunderhawk.

Best Laid Plans:

 

Oft time Gang aft agley"......... Brought My T'hawk to a show last week and on returning home in the wee hours put it on a shelf for a couple of days.

 

I finally got around to getting the interior of the cargo compartment sorted out and began the retro fitting of the inner walls when I discovered one of the Ball turrets missing????? well for the past couple of days I've torn my workshop apart and traced all my steps repeatedly to no avail, it's just gone so, biting the bullet, I resigned myself to making another one using the remaining one for a guide;

 


http://i.imgur.com/eB8R5ZRl.jpg

 

What infernal luck.... and I was going to glue the turret mounts in place too just this past week. 

You Can't Go Home Again:

 

Well for what it's worth I've tried to duplicate my work of last year but the inspiration seems sorely lacking. Whilst this is a reasonable facsimile it cannot match the caliber of the original. 

 


http://i.imgur.com/QlH2QZ4l.jpg

 

I'm about to apply the finishing detail but this is at best a tawdry effort. 

 

I still hold out hope for finding the original.

  • 3 weeks later...

I somehow missed all the work on the interior and the flying base - impressive engineering! It takes guts to drill into such a beautiful model - not to mention something you've built part for part.

 

I'm looking forward to see it all come together!

Thanks for the replies, we'll see of your praises are justified with this next set.

First Assembly:
The New Ball Turret mounted in place with the interior walls . Rear cargo bay bulkhead does not fit well at all. Ceiling locking panel functions well. In all for a first assembly I am quite pleased.
http://i.imgur.com/GTsTeMWl.jpg
Exterior port side view of Ball Turret (original)looks okay but interior ceiling is pushing down on canard wing root so it has dihedral. Needs to be adjusted.
http://i.imgur.com/a1mMAUOl.jpg
Starboard side (new) ball turret functions well but is not of the same quality as the original .
http://i.imgur.com/BGdVgIGl.jpg
Closeup reveals crudeness of work. My heart wasn't into making this replacement for the missing ball turret, I still hold out hopes of finding it.
http://i.imgur.com/hG6kcWMl.jpg
The original ball turret is so much better.
http://i.imgur.com/59MPZrJl.jpg
Hey I can take a selfie with this camera, I don't know what I did to do this but in view of the image I'm not likely to do it again. biggrin.png..... The Blackadder is looking old.
http://i.imgur.com/1iFpeLHl.jpg
Showing where the rework lies.
http://i.imgur.com/x3EsfvSl.jpg
Likewise on the right side and the Interior walls look too bare.
http://i.imgur.com/o2SbPsql.jpg
Exterior bottom view
http://i.imgur.com/XQLvGpzl.jpg
Hope I didn't damage your computer with the selfie. Ha!

Beautiful... how will you secure the land raider, in universe so to speak. Will you use arms ala the thunderhawk transporter?

Sorry for the delayed response I missed your question somehow,

 

I plan to duplicate the the T'hawk Transporter arms as much as practical but use rare earth magnets under the styrene to make attach points on bot the hull and the Landraider That way it can be quickly detached. Once I start building the arms I'll document the details.

  • 3 weeks later...

Hey I can take a selfie with this camera, I don't know what I did to do this but in view of the image I'm not likely to do it again. biggrin.png..... The Blackadder is looking old.

You don't look old. You look like the 'senior' mechanic at the auto-shop who can literally fix a car while blind folded. No seriously, I lost $50 in a bet on it. He was able to do a full oil change on my car in under 45 minutes while blind folded. Watched 'em the entire time.

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