Blackadder Attempts to build an Imperial Warmonger Titan

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**CommissarKhaine**

You know, if you build them big enough, you could hide lego hydraulics in there...

**The_Blackadder**

Hair of the Dog:

I've raised quite a few hackles with my last post especially on FB where I pointed out the inadequacies of some renderings of 40K machina.

Part of the charm of many Forge World vehicles is the anachronistic technologies; battle tanks that look like they would be at home on a WWI battle field. Treaded tanks that compete with a-grav skimmers. hulking great bipedal automata that stretch the limit of credulity.

Apparently I have crossed the line by attempting to rationalize the designs to make them appear functional in the real world.

Don't get me wrong, I love the FW genre for the charm of the components but

Need I remind you that the game can be played with coloured shoe boxes, blocks of wood and chess pieces if realism isn't necessary. No one needs to spend a couple of weeks salary on a highly stylized ten kilo chunk of resin to field a Titan.

That said I offer my version of the leg actuator system.

As some have pointed out, the shock strut of the landing gear is a closed passive hydraulic system relying on compressed air and hydraulic fluid to provide a metered cushion for landing. Forge World provides no source of hydraulic pressure in any of their models and it is the cross section area of the cylinder that determines how adequately the mechanism protects the mechanical vitals of the machine. Land a 747 with a collapsed strut and you are likely to incur structural damage necessitating a very detailed inspection not to mention numerous lawsuits from irate passengers with suddenly occurring compressed vertebra.

https://i.imgur.com/lA1lGWu.jpg

My shock struts will provide indication that the situation exists and allowances have been made for the problem plus they will serve as a function by locking the knee in any configuration other than a straight legged stance.

https://i.imgur.com/fOKNgVE.jpg

All without compromising too much the overall appearance of the model.

**CommissarKhaine**

I always love the logic behind your decisions. And in all fairness, I think you made a very good point about the hydraulics.

**JohnnyHell**

Seconded. I love that you put thought into the why as well as the how you build things.

Most GW stuff is hilariously designed and would all fail all kinds of physics tests. Not to mention a “pistol” is the size of a large real world carbine - with that as a basis I don’t understand why people would expend their energies defending stylistic, deliberately distorted designs by someone else. Each to their own. Keep making the awesome!

**Briancj**

Whiners gotta whine. It is why I don't engage the "public" forums, anymore. Too many gate-keepers.

**Haighus**

Oh, I think larger pistons is a good idea

It will look more visually balanced for a start.

**Dr H**

I salute your decision to aim for realism in your designs.

It's what I do for all my models.

Keep up the good work. Looks great.

**gnome_idea_what**

Looks good. I don’t really see a problem with the approach you’re taking, it seems practical and should still look good.

**The_Blackadder**

Yeah, I should stick with Dakka²; none other need apply. Thanks for the replies and the encouragement.

Now we'll real put your faith in my decisions to the test when I lay this down upon you all.

I've decided to cut the second and third tiers down about 2 inches (5 CM) Gasp!

Here's Johnny:

The legs looked too long and gangly

https://i.imgur.com/sGYBtVc.jpg

It took a lot of nerve and we'll see the wisdom or folly of this decision but right now it seems the right thing to do.

https://i.imgur.com/kbt3AiE.jpg

I went through these evolutions with my warlord until I got it right (To my eye anyway) lengthening and shortening the upper and lower legs about three times in total each.

**CommissarKhaine**

Brave indeed

. Still, the ability to adapt halfway through makes the process more interesting, and if your warlord is anything to go by, will result in a very good looking model.

**JohnnyHell**

Looks pretty good to these eyes!

**Cruentus**

Fantastic! So much great stuff continues to happen in this thread, and I personally love the thought process you share as you build.

Following your threads always gives me the push I need to make my way through my FW knights and titans, which, by comparison, are like duplos.

**Theophony**

When you hear Blackadder has decided to .....make adjustments

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**Briancj**

Much like baseball players, Imperial Titans have to occasionally 'adjust' things in their crotchial regions.

**Guildenstern**

Love your work, nothing wrong with using RL physics/engineering to make it as complete as possible. It's your model, do what works for you! Plus it looks great which is a huge bonus for us ^_^

**The_Blackadder**

Thanks for all the replies

The New Helsreach Chapter 11

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UqUSHhWErdY

Has revealed a heretofore unknown area of detail under the greave skirt ( Yeah I know what I've said.)

https://i.imgur.com/mi7Tgk1.jpg

Anyway I knew there were actuators there but I fought the temptation to make the toes movable as the effort I put into movable toes on my Warlord was pretty much for nothing. I rarely pose it with the toes flexed.

Another tidbit of detail is the corner spires have pointy bits on both ends.

**The_Blackadder**

Details Details:

The Devil is in the details. Since I found out last week courtesy of HelsReach 11 that the corner spires are pointy on both ends; Egad!!!!! I've come up with a way (I think) to make the legs pose-able to a degree. The image in my last post shows internal cylinders that while I know they had to be there. None the less; it is nice to have verification.

https://i.imgur.com/0ZezakH.jpg

I've also worked on the Upper leg housing and made the foot pad ankle gimbal system a reality that I believe will be strong enough to support the 10 kilos of mass this model will ultimately have.

https://i.imgur.com/dI41YB6.jpg

It took a bit of scrambling to make up for that deficit............

https://i.imgur.com/GYfmdur.jpg

Right now I am just toying with the components to see what can be done.... I may have to scrap the idea of the internal mop handle for a more utilitarian center column.

https://i.imgur.com/HTPFpjl.jpg

Which would be a pity but I'm not exactly wedded to the idea; one of the benefits of designing on the fly.

**Babouin**

I had the same idea when i saw the Titan in Helsreach, I will follow your topic with interest, it looks really good for now, can't wait for the beast to be finished ! Good luck with it

Babouin

**Briancj**

This is so much fun to watch. Thank you, again, for sharing your progress!

**Dynas**

Can you not run a piece of PVC the same size as the mop handle down the middle where the Mop Stick was? I like the aesthetic of the ridges on the mop handle piece.

**The_Blackadder**

Dynas wrote:
Can you not run a piece of PVC the same size as the mop handle down the middle where the Mop Stick was? I like the aesthetic of the ridges on the mop handle piece.

See, this is why I should post more images than is necessary.

https://i.imgur.com/hjXLsoR.jpg

I used a wood dowel for the center post and wrapped the dowel with 0.020 inch sheet styrene so I can glue styrene pieces to the center column. The mop handle is just there for eye candy. The recesses in the handle coincide nicely with the toilet tissue spools that will serve as actuators. None of these components will serve any practical function.

**The_Blackadder**

Zounds!

I hate to toot my own horn but this actually worked out as a surprise to even me.

https://i.imgur.com/GutkRnb.jpg

The above view is of the internal structure where I hope to be able to house twenty to forty troop harnesses and still have room for the stabilizing cylinders

https://i.imgur.com/Iaisvly.jpg

The view above is of the rear disembarkment doors which I feel are much more practical that front mounted doors as it give the troops the ability to form up before confronting their adversaries. Not in the best Imperial tradition I know but definitely saner.

https://i.imgur.com/1JzNvHK.jpg

The friction gimbel works as designed and I am hoping with the 20 odd pounds of Emperor Titan they will provide the requisite stability. The stabilizers may offer assistance there.

https://i.imgur.com/LS5xiMs.jpg

Front clearance also seems adequate when assuming the classic combat pose.

https://i.imgur.com/VIXWH91.jpg

and with the second and third tiers in place we begin to see the entire leg become a reality.

Finally the interior structure that will house the troops.

https://i.imgur.com/n1EB95i.jpg

This structure will slide out of the greave to reveal the inner transport chamber and the mechanical walking devices/components. I'm going to be hard pressed finding room for all that needs to be here and still have room for activation.

**JohnnyHell**

This is crazy good. Amazing work!

**The_Blackadder**

First Time Assembled:

I worked yesterday evening into the early morning hours to assemble the working joints of both legs albeit with temporary diameter screws 6-32 until I found out if the design is viable.

And it WAS!

https://i.imgur.com/fXNC3DN.jpg

In the basic pose, legs straight, the inner side toes had just the right amount of clearance between the greaves at the most minimum width adjustment of the pelvic block.

I had made allowances for up to an inch per leg but it wasn't needed. If the model could actually walk, the inner toes would clear each other with each step.

https://i.imgur.com/NTpVqrQ.jpg

Next I adjusted the pose with one foot forward as if stepping out. The adjustment was made gingerly as all the friction axles aren't in place yet so the knee joints and hip sockets are rather stiff in appearance,

The dual axle hip sockets worked as planned, allowing the legs to be placed one behind the other as would be necessary if this contraption could walk as a true biped instead of a baby's rocking waddle which would look comical on a battlefield.

https://i.imgur.com/s8E7T0S.jpg

Again the limited range of motion due to the small temporary hardware limited the viability of the pose. With the right diameter hardware the poses will have a more fluid appearance.

Finally the spraddle legged Classic Titan Pose.

https://i.imgur.com/FbjPGwI.jpg

Again made viable by the dual axle hip joints is thankfully a reality......

https://i.imgur.com/F6p0kQx.jpg

In the Immortal words of Dr Strangelove; "Mien Fuhrer! I CAN WALK!"

MARTINI TIME!

**Haighus**

That is looking damn impressive. The ability to abduct the hip joints is seriously impressive engineering. Is there any rotation along the leg? Ah! The feet are on a ball joint, that would hypothetically permit rotation. (I mention rotation because without it a walker cannot change direction... I know you are aiming for the realism factor

)

Overall it looks fantastic.

**JohnnyHell**

You utter genius. Gobsmacked!

**The_Blackadder**

Haighus wrote:
That is looking damn impressive. The ability to abduct the hip joints is seriously impressive engineering. Is there any rotation along the leg? Ah! The feet are on a ball joint, that would hypothetically permit rotation.

Overall it looks fantastic.

Shame on me; it never dawned on me tha that the foot could be rotated....... but that would necessitate the greave would have to rotate as well........

Damn!

**Haighus**

The_Blackadder wrote:
Haighus wrote:
That is looking damn impressive. The ability to abduct the hip joints is seriously impressive engineering. Is there any rotation along the leg? Ah! The feet are on a ball joint, that would hypothetically permit rotation.

Overall it looks fantastic.

Shame on me; it never dawned on me tha that the foot could be rotated....... but that would necessitate the greave would have to rotate as well........

Damn!

Based on the way your greaves are built, there is some play for the foot to be rotated without impinging on the greave. As only a small amount of rotation would be needed for the titan to change direction (and these things are hardly going to be expected to change direction suddenly) I don't think rotating greaves would be necessary. Any greater manouevrebility could be obtained using lateral shuffling if necessary, as the hip abduction and adduction allows for that. The titan would generally be striding straight ahead, so I doubt it would make much aesthetic difference to have the greaves match the foot rotation.

In other words, the only potential modification needed for foot rotation would be actuators allowing a small degree of rotation at the ankles?

Automatically Appended Next Post:
This is if you want rotation of course!

It is really optional for the look of the thing. The range of movement is already more than most such models get!

**master of ordinance**

This is uhh.... Impressive (and mad)
Keep going good sir!

**CommissarKhaine**

Impressive indeed.. Loving it!.