Zafarelli's progress thread (first cast, only painting left)

[Zafarelli]

Bigger foot, leg more angled. Hydraulics tomorrow.

[Westfalia Chris]

Oh my God, it just popped into my mind when I saw the last one - BLUE THUNDER! That thing will be perfect to support my Street Violence SWAT figures!!!

[gamer Mac]

The one leg at the front looks a bit fragile. How about trying two legs at the front with one small one, at the back.
The craft looks front heavy so two bits of landing gear at the front would look right.
Have a look at Apache landing gear.
You already have the similar shape to an Apache where the landing gear is stowed.
There is a good picture half way down this page.
http://defencedebates.wordpress.com/category/people-and-techique/
Keep the skids though. I also preferred the first one you made with the curved front.
Keep up the good work. The detail is stunning.
Can't wait to see this finished.
The model does not fit in with any games I play (at the moment) but you now have me thinking what I could use it for

[former user]

The one leg at the front looks a bit fragile.

let him do the hydraulics first - there's plenty of opportunity to reinforce the leg with that

[Zafarelli]

gamer Mac, I had considered that, but I don't like the backward angle of the front legs, and the tail is higher than the Apache's. Anyway, the center of gravity is more or less exactly between the engines, so I think one front leg should be enough (and it is not really wide enough for two at the front ).

Here is the current front leg, curved foot and hydraulics added (the actual piston is a bit hard to see, it goes straight up from the knee)


The parts for the hind legs are already cut, but maybe I should start on the last body details, so I can mold body, tail and engines this weekend.

[vikotnik]

Looks quite right to me now!









Make it three.

[Westfalia Chris]

Awesome. I think I´ll need two, myself. 

[Silent Invader]

In following this thread I have been fascinated by the amount of thinking that goes into the 'real life workability' of the machine and its various components.  Wonderful. 

[Admiral Benbow]

Gorgeous model, Jens! I think I will need one ...
 

[Zafarelli]

Gorgeous model, Jens! I think I will need one ...
 

I'll trade your ship for two of them. Equipped with miniguns   

[Zafarelli]

Start of rear landing gear:


Side view with engines removed, just to get a sense of proportion. I like the backwards angle, looks slightly insectoid.


And a mock-up for the helicopter guys (minigun to follow):

[Westfalia Chris]

*Sob*

An absolute masterpiece. Good Sir, thou hast surpassed thyself.

[Dewbakuk]

Not sure about the rear legs. They look like they're for stability rather than support at that angle (I thought frog before insect ) which means that front leg is pretty much carrying all the weight!

I'd shorten them a bit and bring the angle in slightly (which would happen by shortening them). It should still retain the look you're after while making it look more stable. Currently it looks like it's being pushed onto it's nose

Damn you with your helicopter goodness, now I don't know which I want. I'm thinking I need a couple of these to face off against the Terminator Hunter Killers I picked up the other day.

[Svennn]

I see what Dean is saying about the rear legs but I think they look ok. Put me in mind of a pond skater type insect.
Certainly works in both guises and is a creation of beauty.

[gamer Mac]

That’s what was missing from the picture of the front leg
A picture of the whole thing
Brilliant
It all make sense to me now
I like the long back legs. It makes it look like the vehicle is about to leap into the air.