Blackadder's Scratchbuilt Thunderhawk

[interrogator_chaplain]

Absolutely glorious, couldn't agree more! Let's get that sucker painted up! People aren't going to believe it's not Forge World.

And with the savings and man hours...

... man hours...

...

People aren't going to believe it's not Forge World!

[Blackadder]

Dawn of the Green Screen:

At the behest of one of my readers I have attempted to add a bit of sophistication to my images; namely a 'green screen' so he/they can add a proper background my otherwise tawdry efforts in photography.

[url]http://i.imgur.com/Sescs2b.jpg[/url]


I still haven't ironed out all the wrinkles (groan!) in the overall background but for a first effort it does the job.

[url]http://i.imgur.com/gzjynN3.jpg[/url]


To celebrate this new excursion into picture taking I'm resuming work on the Thunderhawk whilst taking an well earned break for work on the Reaver

[url]http://i.imgur.com/0Ki6P3y.jpg[/url]


Today I will address the spindle shank main landing gear to see if I can beef it up and make it retractable.

That and finish up the little bit of exterior detail left to do.

[Blackadder]

Volcano Cannon Elevation Boot

It's the little things you forget that bite you on the arse every time.

I built the Volcano Cannon and the housing quite some time ago and beefed up the trunnion yesterday, slipped the ole cannon onto the shaft and "Lo!" there's a ruddy great gap behind the cannon that has to be filled or the install will look like crap.

[url]http://i.imgur.com/rjIhz4c.jpg[/url]


Well I started making the cover/boot and glued it on and then thought, I should share this with my readers because it's a common enough problem and at least this will be my solution for what it's worth.

So I affixed a sheet of thin styrene to the breach of the cannon...............

[url]http://i.imgur.com/M2Qn12P.jpg[/url]


And slid the barrel onto the elevating plug.............

[url]http://i.imgur.com/sMdGCcp.jpg[/url]


So now when the cannon is raised the thin sheet of styrene disappears into the turret housing without an unsightly cloth boot.

[url]http://i.imgur.com/DRe9XcW.jpg[/url]


Now all needs be done is decorate the sheet and install slide tracks and curved races for the sheet to run on.

[Kirsten]

very impressive

[Blackadder]

thanks for the reply......

Boots and Struts

Not bad for a days work, thankfully it was too hot to work outside; no Spring this year.

Anyway the boot is roughed in just some rivet detail and some bits and panels for under the cannon to add.

[url]http://i.imgur.com/9NjUWWo.jpg[/url]


cannon in the stowed position shows the spine detail of the boot.

[url]http://i.imgur.com/EK9LQct.jpg[/url]



Eye Candy:

Moving on to the landing gear the new strut sleeves give sufficient bulk to the gear and the foot pad leveling cylinder adds enough complexity to stimulate the eye.

[url]http://i.imgur.com/p6eFBpm.jpg[/url]


The leveling cylinder also stabilizes the foot pad so it can't twist round in the strut sleeve and it provides enough friction to keep the foot pad secure when the model is lifted.

The landing gear still looks rather plain, it needs some hydraulic hoses sensor cables and strut reinforcements to perk it up

Likewise with the nose gear.....

[url]http://i.imgur.com/OWmqyxB.jpg[/url]

[interrogator_chaplain]

Barring your already finished, (RIGHT?) Warlord, this is the project of yours I love the most.

[Blackadder]

Barring your already finished, (RIGHT?) Warlord, this is the project of yours I love the most.

Actually I'm making some amendments to the Warlord; upgrading the interior with more detail and lighting and highlighting the exterior finish in powdered gold and blue pigments to bring it into the War Gryphon motif. Not as garishly painted as the Warhound and Lucius Reaver will be but something more stately in keeping with the Warlord's exalted station.

But thank you for the words of encouragement on this project, I hope to be applying the primer coat this week.

[Blackadder]

Just a Song Er (a few images )

before I start applying paint for this beasty so it can be seen the finishing details and yes I cheated and sprung for a few etched Aquilas. Of course I can make Aquilas but making this many, this size, and all the same size was just beyond even my patience; God I want this painted and out of the queue so badly, I'm so sick of this Thunderhawk project; damn near 6 years on the process.

So anyway the Profile:

[url]http://i.imgur.com/5VTQnB0.jpg[/url]


The Quarter View:

[url]http://i.imgur.com/DhMuuay.jpg[/url]


Front View:

[url]http://i.imgur.com/7a6zGLs.jpg[/url]



In attack position:
(Yeah the canards are not glue on due to painting considerations.)
[url]http://i.imgur.com/PNrQPCy.jpg[/url]


And a bird's eye view:

[url]http://i.imgur.com/jIrLvcY.jpg[/url]


And Damn I forgot a rear view................

[Kirkanos]

Just WOW.

[completeHook]

Permission to shout "Bravo" at an annoyingly loud volume, sir.