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I've been lurking in here (well, mostly the B&C thread) for ages. Seeing these pics of it all coming together is incredibly impressive. The attention to detail is staggering. If I have one nitpick it's that the upper legs look really skinny compared to the massive bulk of the torso and the armor on the lower legs, but both the BOLS Titan and the Epic model both have the same issue. Regardless of that, this is one of the best scratchbuilds I've ever seen. Well done, sir.

The following is how I broached the issue earlier this year. I have full trust in Mr Smith's artistic sensibilities my own bona fides concurring with his in this matter and backed up with actual bitz (See below)

The_Blackadder wrote:

As you may know I post on a lot of fora and the question/criticism I get most often is that the legs look too thin. When I was building Lucie that was the most frequent observation and I appreciated the kind intent to warn me of impending mistakes. It turns out that I kept increasing the cross section of Lucie's legs until I realized a reference namely the banners on the knee segment.

It turns out that Lucie's appendages are much more robust than the FW model and the latter looks anorexic vis-à-vis Lucie.

Now the same concern is being voiced regarding this model and I do appreciate the critique; I'm also a bit anxious about it so I 'shopped the DS leg from the back removing all the front armour and if anything the legs actually look thinner than my titan's. I couldn't remove the hydraulics.

http://i.imgur.com/Kgq0Z.jpg


There are a few inconsistencies as my ankle disc is thicker than his but I needed that to make the ankle flex. and I have one more dart in the zipper-like design running over the front and back of the upper leg but thats just a matter of artistic interpretation as there are only five or six on the epic model.

So to paraphrase the line of 'The Black Adder' in the Infanta's Beard episode, "So Percy, what you are telling me is something you've never seen is slightly less thick than something else you've never seen."

The incorrigible Blackadder

The_Blackadder wrote:This just in:

New information regarding the size of the legs:

The fine line of madness seems to be serving me in good stead. My son on return from college apprises me that there is a perfect Leman Russ component that will verify or refute the scale and width of the leg components.

He recognized right off that the ankle disc leveling device on the DS Warlord is actually the dozer blade actuator of the Leman Russ item 4 on the image below and that all I need do is apply it to the rear of the lower leg to determine if my eye was off or on regarding the width of the DS model.

http://i.imgur.com/dP8Gd.jpg


The images below vindicate my perception at least regarding the lower leg width as it appears that I cannot be off by more than the tiniest fraction of a millimeter,. whew!

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


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

I've been watching but now must contribute to the praise of this awesome build. Eager to see more.

[quote name='Blackadder' date='Jan 8 2013, 08:14 AM' post='2225942']
That brings to mind the Margret Thatcher address to Parliament:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DQ6TgaPJcR0...ayer_detailpage

She is so F-----g HOT!
GOOOORH!

Today we're going to tackle the manufacture of removable panels.

Misguided as I am I am under the delusion that interior detail will be a plus for this construct.

The problem is how to access viewing of said detail.

The answer is rare earth magnets. I bought mine at Harbor Freight; 10 magnets 5/16" dia. X 5/64" thick for about a buck and change per package

The first order of instruction is "DON"T SWALLOW THESE MAGNETS!" I am given to understand that they will stick together in your small intestine and cause blockage that could result in having to be surgically removed.

That obvious caution rendered, the problem is how to glue these to the frame of your compartment so as to take full advantage of their marvelous properties.

I came up with this method:

I cut thin sections from Evergreen 3/8" square box beam extrusion and glued them after squaring the cut to a piece of 0.020 scrap sheet styrene.

http://i.imgur.com/i8oXJ.jpg


I the incapsulated a magnet into the recess and sanded the rim down to almost flush with the magnet face.

I then glued a scrap of 0.010 sheet styrene to the rim, allowed to dry, sanded off the excess and had a magnet ready to be incorporated into the opening.

http://i.imgur.com/rLW0L.jpg


http://i.imgur.com/tQ95V.jpg


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


I used eight magnets instead of magnets and washers to close off the front chest panel on my titan as I wanted a tight seam.

http://i.imgur.com/DruL1.jpg


I used variations on this to affix the neck in the vertical and up position and to secure the helmet to the cockpit.



--
E. Blackadder

Dang that looks amazing!

One of these days when I venture into plasticard building I will have to go over this entire thread and actually read the specifics such as the measurements and angles of everything, until then I will just allow my eyes to glaze over all that technical writing and just stare in awe at the pretty pictures!

Keep it up!

Ah Prince Edward's Island one of the places on my "To Do" list before I quit this mortal coil.

Regarding scratching; be prepared to forgo your gaming for an obsessive alternative because building is much more satisfying than playing albeit a lot lonelier. Scratch-building is not a social interactive pursuit huddled in darkened rooms (Well actually a fairly well lit room as you need to see what you are doing.) but I find there is much satisfaction in building and sharing techniques many of which are inspired by necessity (keeps your brain sharper) why only today I conceived a way to make lozenge shaped components for my Plasma weapon............. a serendipitous revelation that I shall impart in the future. )

Thanks for the post.

EB

Ahh, Sir! You are forever an inspiration for my own work. I realize that you aren't limited by the size of panel you magnetized with your method.

I spent the better part of today tightening the joints and installing the magnets. The whole thing weighs in at 10 pounds (4.5 Kg) and stands 26 inches (66.04 CM) tall in this pose.

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



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



http://i.imgur.com/Lhs85.jpg



http://i.imgur.com/Za2nF.jpg


The thigh guards are now magnetized but need centering strips to keep them square. The head in the up position is held in place with a single magnet pair and the helmet is held in place with two double magnet pairs

The face shield I believe will get magnets to hold it on which should make painting easier.

Whew I can't believe it's standing on its own and not crushing the feet mechanisms.

Dumb luck strikes again.

This has come such a long way.
Keep up the good work, I look forward to seeing it finished. (even if it is a dirty imperial machine. )

Did I ever mention how much I seethe with hatred at how amazing this is?

No?

Well its true...


Looking absoloutely epic Black, but then I don't expect anything less

Yeah, the next step is to beef up those piteously thin hips!

Thanks for the reply................

Oh my goodness, that is looking perfect!! Seriously good job.

Also, you look pretty similar to your avatar

Wow.

 Valhalla130 wrote:
Wow.

I know I was amazed he looked so similar to his avatar aswell....

Needless to say the work you do is awe inspiring and we hate you a little bit mostly because your so talented....

Really, I don't think I look at all like my avatar?


..............Well mebbe the hairline.................


Automatically Appended Next Post:
Once again subliminal intellect has prevailed.

Segmented conduit............ look no further than your local artificial bait shop.................

Plastic worms...............

http://www.landbigfish.com/Xcite-Baits/Xcite-Baits-Raptor-Tail-Worm.cfm

Seriously impressive update Black. My jaw once again hit the floor.

Can't help thinking though that your chair is way too close to the tv - not good for your eyes you know.

As for your appearance, surely that was a servitor for the beast - I always imagine you to look like this...

The chair was moved so I could advantage the mirror.

The nostril fruit picking individual (successfully it appears I might add....) in the accompanying image is too supercilious to represent one as professedly humble as I but it might serve as an avatar.............thx.

Now to business:

To demonstrate the frequent fallibility of the Blackadder yesterday evening I spent the better part of two hours making brackets to hold the steering cylinders for the hips (Multitasking for I was watching a movie as well) Not surprisingly I was not satisfied with the result so I slept on the problem.This morning in what I can only describe as a eureka moment the mechanism jelled in my mind and I made a quick sketch.

Now it is off to the craft shop for beads and fine threaded screws.


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

Note to self; I have to be more careful as to what appears in the background.

The sketch:

http://i.imgur.com/uXJr7.jpg


Note to budding scratch builders; the diameter of the tubing..........this may or may not be too small. I see in a lot of scratch models that hydraulic cylinders are fabricated of too small a diameter tubing giving a too delicate or flimsy appearance.

steering cylinders on a construct of this magnitude should be massive for not only do they have to move the apparatus but they must also be able to absorb the shock of the step. A cylinder too small will burst or at the very least blow it's seals with great frequency. Make the cylinders heavy to be believable in fantasy engineering where the cost is not a consideration.


Returning from the craft store I found 'Michael's was running a sale on plastic beads in spherical bearing stainless steel colouring no less except for the 10 MM size, so now I have a goodly supply for some time to come for about 6 bucks............ sadly women use these only to decorate their necks, poor dears; you can't tell me they didn't come up the short end on creativity..........

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









Automatically Appended Next Post:
This is the first try to make a ball and rotator cup that will allow the hips to flex when the legs are moved.

You will note that the piston has free 360° rotation within the confines of the cup which should give me the range of motion I need. I have to make ten of these for each leg so by the time I am done this one will have to be replaced as I am hoping to refine the mechanism and apperance.

Yeah you're right that's a Space Marine shoulder armour bitz:

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


http://i.imgur.com/SZ36e.jpg


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

Truly incredible and beyond my ability to articulate how impressive it is to see your work in full form. All the extra work you've put in to make the parts independently pose-able has really paid off; majestic and imposing. Well done Black and as always I look forward to more.

Thanks,

Here I departed from the prototype by adding steering hydraulics noticeably missing from the original. And the Epic model as well I might add........

With a lot of effort I managed to approximate my sketch, the four images below depict the movement of the hip rotor showing it in the forward walking, rearward walking deflection, rearward splayed and forward splayed positions.

Shown mounted are the right rear steering cylinders, two of the eight hydraulic servos needed for steering showing the piston travel range.

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



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



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



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


Now I'm not so sure that I like the SM shoulder armour rod ends and may remount them to a large disk..................

Or leave them off entirely...............

Madness!

The SM Pad Rod ends look like they could use a rivet or two, then they would look more "right" I think.

Rivets not withstanding:

Yeah I feel the same way, I'm not at all pleased with the size or the mounting plus the employment of these devices will necessitate further modification of the original design (Shield Armour) as they provide prime targets that would immobilize the titan were they to be damaged. I am in the process of rethinking the whole steering apparatus which while essential to a "real world" construct must also be of a size and application commensurate with a construct of this proportion and vulnerability. I.E. they need to be shielded..............

Just more reenforcement that the Blackadder is a likely candidate for the disorient express. Were I to not over-think this project it might be finished by now..............

Whom I kidding I never would have been satisfied with less.......... Back up the cookie wagon.......

Blackadder here and I hope this is coherent enough as I am celebrating with my daily double Martini ''Dirty Harry'' AKA ''Luteus Vexant'' is standing on his own and sporting his new steering cylinders, almost double the size (diameter) of my initial effort. I know a lot of subscribers were pleased with the SM shoulder armour but it just didn't look strong enough to steer an 50 meter tall biped (actually 45M). My new version ties the actuators into the hip with a 1.5 meter (scale) thick mount disc that not only provide a more robust attachment point but also provides a thicker hip base which is a personal criticism of mine and other subscribers. An added benefit is that the whole hip is tied together with 1/4/ 20 bolts (sorry no metric equivalent, blame my provincial education). I love the new mount system as it allows "Luteus'' to stand on his own without adult supervision.

We're on the home stretch now with this construct as everything is holding together swimmingly. I need only to add the chest and greave armour, build the interior and design a viable LED light system to get him ready for painting........................

Hey!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! that's a lot of work still left to do!

http://i.imgur.com/bZGcXb4.jpg


http://i.imgur.com/rM4A00Z.jpg


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


http://i.imgur.com/9yzzyKi.jpg


BTW there are a few interesting details on the main armament shielding. I picked this up on close examination of the few images I have of the original and is a testament to the artistic beauty of Dave Smith's creation. If you look at the side armour on the cannon you see at the aft end a rather home made addition to the aft end of the shield. This is obviously an ''in the field'' (so to speak) addition that protected an area not foreseen by the engineers. This harkens back to my own personal experience where we added protection in areas that were not provide by the original designers. Kudos to Mr Smith.

I don't know, something about the hip doesn't look right. Those upper legs look kind of spindly too. I guess when you get the greaves on, that will fix it.

I trust you! You've done great so far, no reason to doubt you now.

Yeah would you believe I go the lower legs swapped! HA!

A lesson to the kiddies, "Drinking destroys brain cells!"

I'm sure this has been asked before, but I'll ask anyways. Have you decided on a paint scheme for it? Just going to copy the original?

Right now I am trying to reconcile a War Gryphon theme to match Lucie but I can't see this with a big yellow head but it would give authenticity to the root of the name Luteus which also defines as yellow.

Also I truly covet the DS camo which looks perfect as it is regardless of the ludicrous premise that you can effectively camouflage something like this.

The DS camo?

Sorry, when I began this thread I showed the Dave Smith Warlord in the initial post:

http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/0/300245.page

 The_Blackadder wrote:
Since my Warhound titan is ostensibly complete

http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/226296.page

I figure I'll have a go at the BOLS Warlord Titan so ably constructed by Dave Smith.

This is a seriously complex model and as I have little to go on except for the following images it will be even a more daunting task than Lucie.

To refresh your memory here are the images I have of the Dave Smith model:



And so it begins,

The Blackadder

Since then I've referred to it as the DS Titan.


Okay here's the deal; as the steering cylinders are designed they scale about 0.5 meters piston diameter. If you are an average sized male, thats about the diameter of your waist. That's a huge hydraulic actuator! Whether this is adequate for legs 23 meters long is subject to conjecture but anything bigger will just look clumsy so they will just have to suffice. Below is the breakdown of the construction of the steering cylinders and I still have to install the leg splaying cylinders.

I hope these images clear up the workings of the assembly. If not ask for clarification...........

http://i.imgur.com/6ow9pMw.jpg


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


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


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


http://i.imgur.com/euKrU7i.jpg


Click in the link above the image for a larger photo..........

Sorry about the gross boo boo image I tend to ignore such insignificant dermal penetrations............

Have you ever seen Dazzle Camo? A friend on Facebook suggested it to me a while ago, and if I can find a more skilled painter I might just do it to my warlord. But it was a set of patterns to break up the outline of a battleship or large vessel during the world war era.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dazzle_camouflage