Starfighters (aka X-Wing) Project : 4/2 asteroids finished

[Silent Invader]

Inspired by the X-Wing musings of Elk101 and Olicana, I've only gone and bought some X-Wing models.

Actually, I've often fancied a small scale vehicle oriented project and space offers the advantage of building some craggy asteroid base terrain.  I'm not actually a Star Wars enthusiast and don't fancy the X-Wings Miniature Game as is, so I'm drafting my own rules for a counter/card free table.

Anyways, the first couple of models arrived and given the sweeping turns offered by the movement templates, I want to be able to angle them in flight.

I contemplated magnets and then it suddenly occurred to me ....







I've only mocked this up for the mo, as a few holes need a bit of drilling out etc but it seems to work. The linkages are actually an arm and a hand from a LEGO mini figure.

I'll actually be painting the stands black so have ordered black arms/hands.

I have a couple of bigger fighters arriving next week so will be able to test if this still works with more weight.

[pocoloco]

Nice idea! 

Keen to read your rules once you get to them

[Elbows]

It'd be nice to get some of those flexible steel braided cords...small and preferably black (dislike clear mounts).  I can't describe the material I'm talking about, but something like this?





Kind of flexible steel cable you find on small things like bed-reading lamps, etc.  Would accomplish the same thing a bit easier?

[Silent Invader]

Nice idea but size/weight would probably be a problem. These things are really tiny. The rods are only a couple of mm thick.

[Elbows]

Yeah, that's why I was wondering if that style cable is even available in tiny diameters.  My guess is not so much...maybe something to consider for larger ships though. 

[Vanvlak]

The Lego arm is a nice idea*. I'd paint it up grey and a bit worn - and perhaps add a bit of scrap to it - to make it look like debris in space.

*Seriously - I'm teaching a unit on Innovation and Design at Uni, and am thinking of using this as an example!

[Silent Invader]

Thanks  

Debris in space is a good idea. Has also made me wonder about gluing on some crumbled cork to look like its own personal mini asteroid.

I'll hold off on that though until the black arms and hands arrive and I can see what they look like. Last night though, I did paint the stand black, using Vallejo primer. Before doing that I cut off the nub that connects to the ship and fitted 2mm dia Neo magnets to either side. The paint serves a dual purpose as it provides a non-slip surface that stops the ships from rotating on the magnets when at the most jauntiest of angles.

[Mason]

That is a pretty damn clever idea there, mate.
 

And: Welcome to the Dark Side....

[Constable Bertrand]

Ooh that's a smart little addition Steve!

[Silent Invader]

That is a pretty damn clever idea there, mate.
 

And: Welcome to the Dark Side....

 

Not a big project, basically just 6 ships and a set of acrylic templates .... I'll probably add another 8 ships idc......(as implied by Matt's cartoon!  )...

It's not Star Wars (or even X-wing) btw, so my fleets won't make any sense!!!

Fleet 1
E Wing
A Wing
Z95 Headhunter

Fleet 2
Kihraxz
TIE Advanced
M3A Interceptor

[The_Beast]

Has also made me wonder about gluing on some crumbled cork to look like its own personal mini asteroid.

Of course, you could put it on at a right angle, and leave it loose to the crosspiece. You can then spin it to look like a tumbling rock... 

Okay, I'm lucky I find me so funny, as no one else will. 

Doug

[Silent Invader]

Of course, you could put it on at a right angle, and leave it loose to the crosspiece. You can then spin it to look like a tumbling rock... 

Okay, I'm lucky I find me so funny, as no one else will. 

Doug

I laughed!

I spent some time today looking at scratchbuilds and there's great and realistic work out there: I was particularly taken with LEDs illuminating motors and a ship's bridge you could see into with crew inside.

[Commander Roj]

The Lego arm is a nice idea*. I'd paint it up grey and a bit worn - and perhaps add a bit of scrap to it - to make it look like debris in space.

*Seriously - I'm teaching a unit on Innovation and Design at Uni, and am thinking of using this as an example!

The arm is a brilliant idea, although I didn't know you could buy them separately. Where do you get them? I have bought the clear cylindrical "peg" pieces and radar dishes to mount grav tanks, submarines and 1:600 aircraft though.

[Commander Roj]

I laughed!

I spent some time today looking at scratchbuilds and there's great and realistic work out there: I was particularly taken with LEDs illuminating motors and a ship's bridge you could see into with crew inside.

"...mistakes were definitely made!"

[Silent Invader]

Regarding the Lego bits, there are breakers on eBay who sell them. A Baggie of 10 pairs of black arms arrived today and the hands should be here on Monday, then I'll be able to do the final test and assembly.