Blackadder's Scratchbuilt Thunderhawk

[Blackadder]

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

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


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


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


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


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

[Blackadder]

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

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

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


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


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

[Blackadder]

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


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


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


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

Frustrating! HA!

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

[Blackadder]

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


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


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

[Blackadder]

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


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


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


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


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


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

[PetarB]

Progress is fantastic on this styrene beast. Always a very good idea to get some real world references. That last pic with the orange engine is just dumbfounding!

[Blackadder]

You know, when I see something like this and I think what we really can accomplish with the right leader I really believe that Mr. Gingrich is the right man for the job. To the moon again or bust!

[Tronzor]

While I may not agree with you in terms of politics, I can't help but marvel at what is possible for human beings to do. The reason I'm alive is because of technology, no debating that. The progress is amazing Adder, the detail on each piece of this creation puts you in a league of your own. Keep up the good work.

[Dimension]

you sir, are quite crazy.

You have my deepest respect. What you are doing here is nothing short of astounding.

[Blackadder]

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


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



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

[misterjustin]

Very cool idea!

[Blackadder]

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

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

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

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


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


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


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


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

[Blackadder]

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

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


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

[Blackadder]

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

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

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

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

The black tape keeps peeling off.


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


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


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

VCR?

[Vaaish]

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

That you still have a VCR should be indicator enough

Excellent work on the engines though. I think I'd go mad trying.

[Tronzor]

I own a Canon T2I and they're amazing cameras. Macro mode is the one that looks like a flower on the wheel. It's not bad, but you can achieve better results with the programmable settings, if you can be bothered to learn how to use them

If you're interested, I know of a few guides that have helped me a bit.

This is really starting to come together and it is looking very impressive. Keep up the great work, your fans demand it!

[Blackadder]

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

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

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


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


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

Confession is good for the soul.

[Blackadder]

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

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

In all not a bad amount of work.

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


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


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

[Blackadder]

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

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


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

[Blackadder]

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

This photo is in the latest issue of WD.



Can anyone post a larger image?

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

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


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


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


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

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

Could I get them on © infringements? XD

[40k1Gamern]

Well, when it comes to the Rumours about a Thunderhawk Gunship Plastic Kit, it could be that it will happen. Unsure though, but GW staff said themselves during the time Apocalypse was released that it is not unlikely that the Thunderhawk Gunship will be released as plastic model kit in the future.
The Apocalypse rules might get an update as well, in maybe not too long time. So a Thunderhawk Plastic release is not unthinkable.

[Blackadder]

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

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


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


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

[PetarB]

Awesome work! Next time you do some photography, be sure to pop a couple of figures next to it or on top of it, just for scale fun.

[Blackadder]

Good idea, I keep forgetting to do that................

[Ruzdreg]

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

This photo is in the latest issue of WD.

It may just be the way the picture was taken, but it looks like that Thunderhawk lacks a cockpit interior. That would certainly mean it is not a Forge World one, and I don't think it's one of GW's ancient metal ones either. As, from what I remember, it didn't look that good. Also, some time ago (3 years ago now?) one of GW's project lists was revealed which included a plastic kit Thunderhawk.
So, yeah - I think we will finally see their own plastic kit Thunderhawk.


Regardless, your scratch built models look as good as GW's / FW's own models, anyway. I didn't even suspect that Warhound titan you posted in a comparison shot with your Warlord titan was anything other than the FW one, till I saw your thread about it. I'm actually really looking forward to seeing that Warlord finished, as I've never seen a modeled one before. (I've also never seen a Knight titan, either, or even know anything about it.)

Simply put - your models are amazing!

[Blackadder]

No it's definitely not a metal version; it doesn't have rounded wing tips also that huge Aquila is missing from the side. Also the Volcano cannon is different from the FW version..........

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

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



RETRACTABLE NOSE LANDING GEAR

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

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

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



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



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



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



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

[Blackadder]

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

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



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


This may actually work!

[Blackadder]

The Retractable Nose Gear Cylinder Shock Strut Mechanism

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

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

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

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


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


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


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

[Hammerguard]

As happy as I am that you've came back to this project (and I genuinely am), I hope that it won't distract you too much from the Warlord...

[Blackadder]

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

Nose Gear Retract Cylinder

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

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

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

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

[Blackadder]

Nose Gear Installed Temporary

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

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

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


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

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


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

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


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

[Blackadder]

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


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


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

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


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

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


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

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

[Blackadder]

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


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


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

[Blackadder]

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

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


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

[Blackadder]

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

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

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


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



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



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

[Blackadder]

Revamp of the retract mechanism

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

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

I took a few days off to lick my wounds.

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

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

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


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


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

[40k1Gamern]

When I sit here looking at the wings on your Thunderhawk creation it actually reminds me a bit of the X-Wing Fighter.