Blackadder's Imperator Titan Build

Blackadder

Well-Known Member
When my son as a preteen first brought home some 40K tanks to build I had the same impression. Everything about the vehicles had an anachronistic flavor to them and the hand held weapons; guns, swords, knives, clubs, were all too big, too long, too cumbersome to have any root in reality. The aircraft had all the aerodynamic qualities of cinder blocks and the titans were totally unworkable as combat vehicles in that even if they could walk at all which is highly doubtful they would be far too slow and easy to topple plus they would be far too shaky a gun platform with each step to be effective in the real world.

So suspend belief; we live in a science fiction age where sailing ships can dive underwater and resurface, can shoot at each other from opposite sides of a maelstrom. People can run on the separate blocks of a disintegrating bridge Hellboy and Legolas and duel with beams of light. They can move through space at many times the speed of light with no accounting for time dilation. Any of the space opera epics. Overcome the time paradox of being in two places at the same time without an infinite number of Marty McFly's being produced almost immediately as at the end of BTTF.

So once we accept all this, a suspension of disbelief is necessary, is mandatory, to enjoy the crap with which the media and games abound and just marvel at the fantasy artistry of an alternative universe. Besides I think Forgeworld Baneblades just look cool.
 

Blackadder

Well-Known Member
Look Ma, No Clamps!

So finally after a week's work since I got the idea to use a defusing panel for the deck of the superstructure I'm able to demonstrate the 3D aspect of the chest area.

https://i.imgur.com/mdqKL3z.jpg
mdqKL3zl.jpg


Utilizing the waffle design recesses the hanging structures plug right in, require no gluing and so are readily removable for transporting and storing.

https://i.imgur.com/rTI9dZF.jpg
rTI9dZFl.jpg


I wish I could say I planned it that way but no, the idea just came to me in a fit of desperate inspiration.

https://i.imgur.com/ToyB8cd.jpg
ToyB8cdl.jpg


Another unplanned bit of luck, the corbel's outrigger buttresses were spaced just about perfect to span the corners of the deck almost as if it were designed that way. :Whew:

https://i.imgur.com/16u5G9V.jpg
16u5G9Vl.jpg


https://i.imgur.com/VJgTk1n.jpg
VJgTk1nl.jpg


https://i.imgur.com/djaoAjx.jpg
djaoAjxl.jpg


So with this accomplished and the front overhang somewhat justified I can begin the command compartments and design the main weapon arms this weekend.

It is getting to be too much of a hassle posting images on this forum. The old system worked much better and didn't need upgrading. Is there an estimated time when this will be repaired? What can we as subscribers do to expedite the process?
 

Rhaven Blaack

!!!THE MAN BEHIND THE CURTAIN!!!
Staff member
Administrator
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This project is coming along beautifully!

The way that this forum is set up, you should be able to upload photos directly from your computer, camera, or smart phone to the forum without the use of a third party hosting site. The problem with using third party hosting sites is that the site could go down, the site could start charging for their services, or the member could close down their account. In any case, if any of those things happen, there is a strong likely chance that those photos will be lost, rendering the thread useless.
 

Blackadder

Well-Known Member
The Corner Turrets:

I've become quite adept at handling the very brittle diffuser panel material. When I first began it seemed almost impossible to cut without mishap but now I have a feel for how much stress the individual cell walls can take. Of the original eight square feet of the panel I have about two sq ft left. I am going today to buy another sheet.

These (styrene compatible) panels, custom cut by me, to the various shapes required will figure prominently in my builds from now on as an easy way to add bulk without a lot of weight and material plus the square design makes for very accurate construction.

Now regarding the image below; these will be the internal bracing for the turrets. The first order of business is to cut and sand them to uniform size.

IMG_1058.JPG

Having cut out the turret frames last night, after sleeping on the problem, today I'll be adding skin to them for strength and preparing the connecting strips to flesh out the turret octagonal walls.

IMG_1059.JPG

Hopefully more images today...............
 

Blackadder

Well-Known Member
Corner Turrets:

Once again I am relying on my eye to proportion these components as the drawing I am working from is too vague and in perspective to measure accurately.

IMG_1060.JPG

Note also my octogons' are sides are still not equal in width. I intend to correct this with subsequent layers of 0.030 inch styrene.

IMG_1061.JPG

My work area and basic tools here show nothing special is needed to make these models. There are tools that facilitate the manufacture; drills and belt sanders &etc but mostly I work with hand tools in front of the computer screen while I watch/listen to the news.

IMG_1062.JPG

Note the paint vial used as a spacer, It appears captured for the time being but only until seven sides are built. Then it will be removed. The reason for this will become apparent as the turret framework progresses.............
 
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Blackadder

Well-Known Member
A Front Row Seat:

At what very likely be one of my failures. When I thought this up it seemed very simple.

https://i.imgur.com/3eVFIDy.jpg
3eVFIDyl.jpg


But the reality may be more difficult.

I'm trying to make a simple eight sided cone with strips all in one piece converging on the apex of the cone and being symmetrical all at once.

A worthy experiment but I'm afraid doomed to failure.....

https://i.imgur.com/zPAEMyU.jpg
zPAEMyUl.jpg


And you're here to watch Ha!
 

Blackadder

Well-Known Member
Well D-mn me it worked.

and no one is more surprised that I am.

While somewhat crude the shape and size is right and when all the embellishments are added it will be just about right. I am quite happy with the result.

https://i.imgur.com/TmxF3BW.jpg
TmxF3BWl.jpg


One thing that will have to be done is lower the bottom edge until it is even with the under deck cove molding.

https://i.imgur.com/2XsMkQA.jpg
2XsMkQAl.jpg


Now I just have to make 3 more.
 

Blackadder

Well-Known Member
Thanks for the replies,

Trammel Point Tool

One of these days I have to invest in a trammel point tool and today was today. Sometimes you need to draw an arc such as today where I needed a 8.1 inch radius arc. You can make an impromptu tool with a strip of styrene and two sharp pencils but the tool is so much quicker.

anyway:

IMG_1080.JPG

I need two truncated cones of the bottom of my turrets and the mouth wash cups are ideal for a 3D template to manufacture these.

IMG_1081.JPG

I'm using 0.020 (thousands) inch styrene so its a bit stiff to form into a cone shape so its best to draw the arc segment over the sharp edge of a table applying pressure with your palm to impart a curve to the arc sheet.

IMG_1082[1].JPG

Alternately you can wrap the arced pieces tightly and leave for a while secured wit rubber bands to impart an curve.
 
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Blackadder

Well-Known Member
Just an interim update of the weekend progress. I've decided to detail the corner turrets to practice the viability of my ambitious project.

IMG_1088.JPG

I was of two minds in how to finish the turret rooves, layered shingle vs the ubiquitous skulls and eagle and banners or CoD bitz. I opted for a layered plate armour effect you see; why, because it's cheaper, cooler and harder to do and I'm batsh!t crazy.
 

Blackadder

Well-Known Member

Blackadder

Well-Known Member
A New Way To Do It:

This puts me in mind of a poem from my youth:

There was a young lady from Norway
Who hung by her heels in a doorway
She call to her lover
Come quickly my dear
I think I've discovered one more way.

IMG_1098.JPG

These lighting panels will revolutionize build large scale models. Right now I am building the gate house structure bastions of which there will be two with the Gate/Portcullis between.

IMG_1097.JPG

To think these ready made panels have been available for decades and I've only just discovered them now.
 

Blackadder

Well-Known Member
Garderobe:

It took the better part of a week to build these turrets. I must be slowing down in my dotage.

IMG_1099.JPG

The shingles, try as I might ,still look too crude and the turrets look for all the world like two privy chambers on the corners of the bastion.

IMG_1100.JPG
 

Blackadder

Well-Known Member
Main Armament Support Arms:

Everything about this model is outsized. I am not use to working with such huge dimensions. My work area is too small. It gobbles up material at a tremendous rate. Tubes of glue are expended at an alarming rate. I remember when Testors glue was a dime a tube. Now it is $2.50 and these laminate panels take a lot of gluing even though I am saving money using the honeycomb material.


IMG_1118.JPG

The two rounded ends are the main gun mounts. The cross arm is crudely shaped at present until the front skin is applied.

Everything will be laminated to save weight or the model would be incredibly top-heavy. This arm when completed will be about two inches thick (52 MM). so we're talking five layers of these. I'll need to make another plastic run for 0.040 inch (1,0 MM) sheeting.

Each one of the squares is a half an inch (13 MM)so you can get an idea of the dimensions I'm working with.
 

Blackadder

Well-Known Member
Main Gun Mount Yoke:

Today I finally finished the rough laminate build of the Gun Mount Yoke. This was a major production, tedious in the extreme and the amount of glue required was staggering. Two full tubes of Testors cement dribbled on each and every spine and cross piece with six sheets of 0.030 inch 0,075 MM styrene between the honeycomb sheets. Everyone in the house was high on the fumes with the exception of me strangely enough.

IMG_1119.JPG

The Layers look rather crude now but I dressed the upper mount edge and plotted my Inner edge line culminating in a freehand yoke arch which seems satisfactory.

IMG_1120.JPG

Fortunately I have a built in French Curves in my mind's eye so I don't have to resort to using them. One of these days I'll have to learn how to use them. Ha!
IMG_1121.JPG

Anyway a half hour or so on the belt sander and the job is done. Not too shoddy if I do say so; I'll have to finish sand by hand but I'm about ready to start detailing the yoke.

IMG_1122.JPG
 

zathros

*****SENIOR ADMINISTRATOR*****
Staff member
Administrator
Moderator
O.K., I have run out of words. Seeing that structural support, and understanding how strong such a piece is boggles the mind. The underpinnings of this feat of accomplishment will result in something so spectacular, unless you have see these build pictures, the workmanship will be unfathomable to most who see it. Expect a lot of phrases that begin with "Holy _ _ _ _!!!. :) :bowdown:
 

Blackadder

Well-Known Member
Wow, thanks for the glowing replies

Weight May Be a Problem:

The component I am building is loosely based on a 'Warren Truss' bridge.

gRsN5KT.jpg


albeit 'enclosed' with the trusses displayed on the exterior for interesting detail. Not being an engineer I don't know the actual nomenclature of the structure. It is 23 inches (59 CM) long between the penciled in guide lines labeled 'Beam' Excluding the roughed in ends.

This component as of right now masses 1.18 pounds (.505 kilo)

IMG_1139.JPG

Naturally the model does not need such a massive structure but a "real Life" Emperor the span would need to support the Cathedral-like superstructure and the suspended wing arms which I believe would in some configurations be firing projectiles hence a nod must be given to recoil and mass/arm/moment.

Many of the Emperor/ Battle Titans I have seen do not allow for real life weight and look to spindly especially in the legs and gun support mounts. Regardless on how you configure the details you must make your model believable in that the structure has to withstand the stresses of massive steel/ceramic/ adamantine what-have-you structures. Also a bit of grace must be adopted for aesthetics when possible.
 
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