Blackadder's Lucius Pattern Reaver Conversion Kit

[GodEmperorOfMankind]

I like the way you think

[Blackadder]

Thanks, on rereading what I wrote I find my syntax was too convoluted.

 

APOC Rocket Battery:

 

The retract mechanism shown in partial assembly mode because once assembled the parts will not be easily seen:

 

http://i.imgur.com/MJ2c8Ty.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/MJ2c8Tyl.jpg 

 

Side view: incidentally I left the tubes long so it is easier to see that the alignment is square as a deflection of a degree or two is more apparent at the end of a 12 inch long tube than a 6 millimeter long tube. Don'cha love how I keep mixing my system of measurements?

 

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

http://i.imgur.com/SPIyAHol.jpg 

 

Partially retracted, it seems this may work after all:

 

http://i.imgur.com/U96Oj7w.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/U96Oj7wl.jpg 

 

Tubes in fully retracted mode. I need only cement the front hinge/cylinder in place.

 

http://i.imgur.com/Gr74WLN.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/Gr74WLNl.jpg 

 

After the basic monkey motion is completed a little 40K decoration will be in order

[GodEmperorOfMankind]

Can't wait to see it in place :)

[Blackadder]

In Place sort of............

 

Extension/Elevation Mechanism in Place:

 

Well the elevation piston and retractable rocket module works pretty good. The overall look need to be made more massive right now its just the 'bones'

 

In the image below the array is stowed sideways, I maybe be able to stow it fore and aft instead I'll have to see once I have the carapace framed out. The sideways stowing serves the purpose of allowing the launcher to be replenished with rockets by the auto-loader situated in the carapace. 

http://i.imgur.com/J9dnh1G.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/J9dnh1Gl.jpg

 

The next image shouldbe elevated but the turntable rotates to the firing position

 

http://i.imgur.com/sCQF3oJ.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/sCQF3oJl.jpg 

 

The next shows the launcher in position for line of sight targets.

 

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

http://i.imgur.com/hngTACNl.jpg 

 

And elevated for Ballistic and Surface to Air launchings.

 

http://i.imgur.com/ZcBkZO7.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/ZcBkZO7l.jpg

 

That should just about cover it. 

[WarSpirit]

I simply love that missile launcher. 

[Blackadder]

Fitting Out In Triplicate:

 

Quite possibly the last update this weekend but hopefully I'll have the rocket turrets finished this weekend.

 

The image below shows the three remaining batteries in various stages of completion:

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

http://i.imgur.com/klYkhqIl.jpg 

 

 and I hope when they are skinned out they will look something like the Rocket pod on the FW Rocket Tank someone so graciously provided and that I was unaware of (Honestly) as seen below

 

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

 

[GodEmperorOfMankind]

Haha, just seen these updates. Simply brilliant! and a +1 for finding out about the Praetor, I LOVE that model and if you can get the missile racks looking like that it'll be simply awesome!!!!!!

[Blackadder]

Yeah I think a couple of camel humps on the shoulders will add a bit pf panache, (Can you say 'Bactrian'?) anyway it won't hurt to try. The pod should be easy enough to replicate. To me it looks like something that would fit a Lucius Reaver.

[Olis]

Stirling work as always, Blackadder, I will be watching with interest. :tu:

[Blackadder]

Thanks,

 

Reaver Shoulder Carapace:

 

Coincidentally I am working on the Reaver shoulders as I prepare for shoulder surgery this coming Friday. My big concern is to not make the appendages too much like the Warhound shoulders but still maintain a Lucius appeal.

 

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

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

 

I cut down the battery of the APOC rocket array to six tubes wide and will attempt to add instead four lower and four upper tubes to the array which I think will be more business like.

 

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

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

 

The whole assemblies will be sheathed in armour as with the Praetor Armoured Assault Launcher.

[Blackadder]

Well Good news, my arm is out of the sling and and my PT says I am regaining the use of my arm better than can be expected. I actually started assembling a Hive Tyrant today and was able to cut n' file the metal pieces for a close fit so perhaps in a week or so I can start cutting Plasticard. It won't be for another 2 to 3 weeks that I'll be able to drive. This was the worst time ever to buy a '14 Challenger

 

http://www.mopar.com/assets/images/dodge/lineup/14-Challenger-UCb.png

 

It's been sitting in the garage since the day I bought it. I had 10 miles on it the day of the operation.

 

It sits in pristine newness awaiting me in my garage. HA!

 

(I had to add that last bit because someone on another forum took it that I destroyed the car (And my arm) after driving only ten miles....)

[Biohazard]

This is looking fantastic, my own Warhound kitbash is based heavily on Lucius pattern and I reckon you're going to more than do this conversion justice. After seeing your Warlord I can't wait to see this kit completed.

 

Also have to add that sucks majorly about having a nice new garage ornament. Hopefully you'll be back to driving soon.

[Blackadder]

Thanks,

 

Yeah I started driving this past Wednesday...............

 

Reaver Rocket Pod 2.0

 

He's back, finally after a seemingly interminable hiatus I have finally got enough movement back in my shoulder to actually cut plastic again......(Jeez Blackadder what a wuss!) The biggest problem was the immobilizing sling that kept my upper arm clamped across my chest. that came off last week and it took me a week just to get my motor skills back. Enough about me..........

 

One of the things I thought about doing was a total revamp of the Reaver Apoc Rocket pods I can't believe I was satisfied with such a tawdry effort. Some of the work may be salvageable but the "Magic Flute" look must go. Below is imaged the beginning of new rocket array middle row which I will use to build on for a more militaristic retractable pod assembly.

 

Reaver Rocket Pod 2.0

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

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

 

Ah, I love the smell of toluene and oil of mustard in the morning.................

 

E. Blackadder

[Studio Silvernale]

Glad to hear you are recovering well =D

[Blackadder]

Recovered? There is no cure for what ails me............

I contacted DISCARD the Department of Idiotic Silly Cutesy Acronyms and Redundancy Department for a suitable DOD long winded acronym for my rotating rocket pod and this is what they came up with..............the:

Self-Loading, Automated, Computerized, Kinematic, Ballistic, Line of sight, Auto-Detect & Direct, Elevating & Rotating Missile Platform.

It is now known officially as the:

SLACKBLADDER MP

This? This is what has you up at 3 in the morning Blackadder? You have really got to get a life!

[death given form]

I had a good, hearty laugh at that last post. I don't think I've yet commented in one of your threads, but I must say your skills as a scratch-builder are beyond exceptional.

 

Question: do you plan to have the rocket pod completely hidden in the upper carapace when completed, visible only when deployed, ala the Praetor? I'm curious, how will you have the side pods retract? Will they be forward or side-facing when hidden? I don't imagine the middle one being a problem, but I'm curious to see what you create for the sides.

 

Glad to hear you're at least recovering enough to work on the Lucius. Did your giant (I forget which pattern) Titan ever get any paint?

[Blackadder]

I still haven't given any thought to a center rocket pod but the side rocket pods will have to face outboard and to the side to stow. This for the auto reloading feature from the magazine under the carapace and two because I think it would look cool.

 

When stowed they will protrude about a quarter inch above the carapace that should give the Reaver a ridge side to side and a distinctively different look from the Lucius Warhound.

 

And no, before anyone asks I will not be representing the auto-reload mechanism.

[Blackadder]

Apoc (Slackbladder) Missile System:

 

There are a few questions where I am going with this? Simply put the concept was established but I had yet to worked out the details.

 

Almost from the beginning I disliked the "Pan's Pipes" whimpiness of the flat array but laziness amoungst other considerations lulled me into complacency hence the self-deprecating "Slackbladder" admonition.

 

Last week saw me shake loose my torpor and I embarked on a more military looking rocket launch system.

 

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

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

 

I also had it in mind that the Reaver concept that I had (in my mind) looked too much like just an over-sized Warhound; I had to change that similarity.

 

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

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

 

So here we have the beginning of a more compact, more powerful looking rocket pod system.

[Studio Silvernale]

SLACKBLADDER totally sounds like British slang for "one too many pints of Guinness".

[Blackadder]

'Slackbladder' was one of the appellations Blackadder's nemesis Lord Flashheart applied to him in the series.

 

I have no idea how that applied to ordnance.:shrug:

[Lord_Mephistopheles]

'Slackbladder' was one of the appellations Blackadder's nemesis Lord Flashheart applied to him in the series.

 

I have no idea how that applied to ordnance.:shrug:

 

Not wanting to hijack a thread, but for reference:

 

[Blackadder]

I just don't understand the popularity of this series?

 

Thanks for the link.

[Studio Silvernale]

I don't get it either...

[Blackadder]

Apoc Rocket Pod Redux:

 

For those who complain I take too many images of the same thing heres more of the same.

 

That's what I'm talk'n 'bout; this is more what I had in mind when I first conceived of mounting the rocket array in the shoulders. A compact lethal self-loading system.....I still have to work out the self loading and rethink the elevation cylinders.

 

Anyway below are the makings of four arrays with the possibility of two more mounted on the centerline carapace for a total of three on each Reaver provided there is space for the center array to fit.

 

When finished the Reaver will have a broad shoulder look with Trapezoidal ridges where the pods and the reloading system are situated.

 

No, I'm not actually going to make the reloading system but I will insure there is adequate space were one to be installed.

 

http://i.imgur.com/en4CrDL.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/en4CrDLl.jpg

 

You tend to lose sight of the scale of this thing as when I was cutting the chambers for the rockets they seem rather small but thinking about the size I realized these rockets are close to a meter in circumference.

 

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

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

 

That's a fair sized rocket.

 

http://i.imgur.com/QxeIei5.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/QxeIei5l.jpg

[Blackadder]

Apoc Missile Array 2.0:

 

Final images for today show the carapace pods in their approximate stowed and firing positions.

 

Granted at the moment they appear too high but relative to the Mars carapace and shoulder armour they are slightly lower that the Mars equipment.

 

Significant progress has been made today since I have also worked out the extending and stowing cylinders.

 

http://i.imgur.com/Mz0XzAk.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/Mz0XzAkl.jpg

 

The front view shows the height above the left shoulder in the stowed position bearing in mind that all the hood and carapace components visible in this image are the underside skin not the top surface.

 

http://i.imgur.com/RCKD5uM.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/RCKD5uMl.jpg

 

My big concern at the moment is will the extending actuators lift the array high enough to clear the carapace during line of sight missile deployment.

 

Martini time!