Blackadder's Attempt To Build a Lucius Patten Imperator Titan 'Invictus'

[Blackadder]

Thanks for the reply,

Sanding Blocks:


An indispensible item for making these models are my home made sanding blocks.


https://i.imgur.com/F2lZQyQ.jpg

I got this idea from an old Radio Control model aircraft builder who always designed and built his own balsa and fabric models. The blocks as he demonstrated worked wonders shaping the soft balsa. He made the blocks himself using aircraft rug tape to affix the sandpaper to the blocks. When I graduated to scratchbuilt wooden model ship building I continued the practice of making these blocks refining the size so I could get two blocks out of a single sheet of sandpaper. Since I no longer build wooden ship models I have no need for the finer grit paper so I'm recovering my old 180 and 220 grit blocks with coarse 60 and 80 grits. I use 3M aluminum oxide paper as it is sharper than sand paper. first wrapping the block with the double back tape and then applying the paper to the block.


Give it a try if you are seriously into model building. It's better than any commercial sanding block in my opinion.

 

[Blackadder]

OMG


Blackadder is fickle but Oh My God this is something I have to emulate. I just wish I knew who the artist is and if he has any other views of this machine. I was browsing tumbler for ideas and came across this no nonsense Emperor Titan that I am afraid makes mine look rather toylike. there is no other words for it.


https://i.imgur.com/07c2jX2.jpg

The massiveness of the outriggers on either side of the head, the overall solidness of the outriggers, thighs, and lower legs plus the realism of the superstructure and upper works is astounding.


In an attempt to enhance the detail I brightened the image and increased the contrast.


https://i.imgur.com/Aqhlq7m.jpg

This has given me a whole new way to proceed on this construction borrowing liberally from both authors. But look at those shoulders and those guns. Truly the Machine God has been brought to life.

 

[Meph]

Wow, indeed... that whole superstructure looks gargantuan and solid. You could easily adopt some design elements from that beast.

 

[Blackadder]

I've decided to make two versions with quick change interchangeable parts; an Emperor Invictus and a Warmonger (Shown above) with all that solid shoulder pads etc.....

Can't Get No......


Satisfaction.


On rethinking this project I find I was in error putting Cathedral parts in what ostensibly was the engineering area. We need some techie looking cryptic machinery instead of monastic facades


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

So out with the old and in with the new.


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

This may work out and it ties the overhead yoke to the chest plate structures neatly.


https://i.imgur.com/V3pMz2a.jpg

I may also have room for a maintenance catwalk (I do like catwalks)


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

This design will give me more creative options when I tie in the rear exhaust structures as well.

 

[Blackadder]

3D Analog Modeling:


I love this stuff. This grid material is so relatively cheap and so versatile that it is rapidly becoming my basic building platform.


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

Anyway I shall be using these angled constitutions for the 3 floors of engineering so I am considering gluing them in place.


https://i.imgur.com/Yo4AcLp.jpg

The positioning of these panels is just about perfect as if the Deus Mechanicus were guiding my hand.............


https://i.imgur.com/uohMq6H.jpg

I now can reconsider adding the spurious hydraulic cylinders after all; Omnissiah be praised.


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

Now I just have to rationalize it's purpose????

 

[Meph]

Inspired construction indeed! Well, justification... the pistons aid the servos, or function as dampeners? They could easily function as shock absorbers, and it makes sense, actually. When moving, those shoulders will slam down with every step. Having shock absorbers can take quite a bit of strain off of the servos.

 

[Blackadder]

Inspired construction indeed! Well, justification... the pistons aid the servos, or function as dampeners? They could easily function as shock absorbers, and it makes sense, actually. When moving those shoulders will slam down with every step. Having shock absorbers can take quite a bit of strain off of the servos.

Ha! Works for me.

 

[Blackadder]

Thanks for the replies.....


Back On Track:


Things are looking up now that I am back on track.


Below we se the first of eight trunnion mounts in place ready to receive the cylinders and piston rod ends with what I hope will be sufficiently robust to stand the torque to which they will be subjected (In the real world).
https://i.imgur.com/zpFncXW.jpg

Having worked around commercial aircraft for a good portion of my adult life one of the things I find in error about many of these Titan scrachbuilds is the lack of appreciating the forces imposed on the hydraulic actuators.....


https://i.imgur.com/egRe4Wo.jpg

The Boeing 747 in particular with it's four robust main landing gear filled me with awe on first seeing the tremendous machined components carved out of titanium ingots with their almost organic contours. The structures mimicking some antediluvian monster's skeleton.

 

[Blackadder]

Obsessive Compulsive Roll:


"You snooze you lose." as the saying goes. Last night while watching youtube and reading science articles I lost myself in autonomic reflex mode. Low and behold this morning I awoke to find my output was far greater than I thought.


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

Apparently I quadrupled my work in a night doing what would ostensibly 'by rote.' My mother was capable of this absentminded production as well. She could knit an afghan blanket whilst watching TV and be completely oblivious to the process.


Anyway the result seen here is a small portion of the entire Titan but eventually would have had to have been done and I'm glad it is but it's unnerving to have no memory of the process.


https://i.imgur.com/84E7pMe.jpg

Elves Maybe? Umpa-Lumpas?

 

[Meph]

So you're doing these complex assemblies by muscle memory now? That's a big level up, mate!
The next threshold would be constructing blindfolded then?

 

[Blackadder]

So you're doing these complex assemblies by muscle memory now? That's a big level up, mate!
The next threshold would be constructing blindfolded then?

Building them in my sleep would be a big step up.

 

[Coyotebreaks]

impressive stuff, its amazing work you are doing here. good stuff.

 

[Blackadder]

Weapons Mount Detail; Now It Can Be Explained:


Now that I have the Engineering levels side walls complete I can proceed with the yoke mounts with the hydraulic cylinder attach points.


https://i.imgur.com/uiO8LM0.jpg

I am missing something on the detail as it appears the attach points have a circular rack and pinion system that allows the weapons to rotate as the yoke arm is raised and lowered. This came to me last night as I studied the drawing for the umpteenth time where it all came clear and the hydraulic system while seemingly unnecessary does have a purpose.


https://i.imgur.com/oclY04e.jpg

Hidden beneath the deck above the yoke must have an second hinge point that allows it to be raised and lowered by the hydraulic cylinders. The necessity for which or what ever reason I cannot fathom but it does explain much of the detail in the 3D image.


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

Elevating and lowering the main weapons say a few meters cannot make that much difference when they are mounted 30 to 40 meters off the ground to my mind but the artist included it in his design and so shall I but I'll eschew the capacity of movement on my model.


It does make for some interesting detail and detail is what 'tis all about when you come down to it.

 

[Meph]

Here's the reason for those pistons.

 

[Blackadder]

Granted. Waste not a draught.

 

[Blackadder]

SARP Stabilized Advanced Remote Weapon Platform;


As we approach the main armament mount ( A bit earlier than I intended. It would be a good idea to make sure the the 'guns' clear the hip joints.) there has been some speculation as to the functionality of the yoke arm hydraulic system.


I did some research into 'SARP Stabilized Advanced Remote Weapon Platform' and found some interesting tidbits.


First of all the SARP appears to be a linear system i.e. in line with the gun barrel


Linear Elevation/Stabilization Drive:

so this eliminates the hydraulics as a gyroscopic stabilizer as the arm is perpendicular to the barrels besides raising the whole arm is much too massive an undertaking for something as sensitive as ground affect stablization. The hydraulics of that size could not respond quick enough.


Second there has been some criticism of the trunnion mount of the main gun. Accidentally or purposefully the author's (Joazzz) trunnion mount works well with the stabilizer system:

albeit sufficiently built up to Emperor Titan scale.
and so we're back to the intended purpose of the Hydraulic actuated arm.


I have really got to get a life.

 

[bullfrog]

I think constructing this in your sleep WOULD be the next logical step. Make us mere mortals who look at a piece of plasticard and it stuffs up quake in fear.

 

[Blackadder]

A week Of Detailing:


A week of detailing and while gratifying that so much was accomplished now that it is all back together it doesn't seem like all that much.


This first image shows the Yoke detail where the hydraulics will mount on the arm extenders.


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

Pretty much the same shot from a lower angle.


https://i.imgur.com/QJnu0Rn.jpg

A quarter view showing the front yoke arm detail that required so much time for the actual amount of dressing up required.


https://i.imgur.com/4tELqEZ.jpg

A 3/4 view of the left interior to show where the three maintenance/engineering decks will be and the reactor deck. I haven't worked that out yet.


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

Finally a right 3/4 view showing off the weapon arm rack gear to it's best advantage and the sloppiness of my mancave/workshop.


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

Time for a celebratory cognac and coffee.

 

[Blackadder]

Finally:


Now that the yoke is roughed out I can devote time to the interior levels of the engineering decks. A spot dear to my heart as I am a frustrated engineer or at least pretend to be on the internet.


Below is the slide out deck of the first engineering level cut and ready to insert into the lower hull.




https://i.imgur.com/ElZ4BTy.jpg

And that deck temporarily in place for adjustment.


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

I plan to have the Fusion Reactor on these levels as in my Warlord which will take up the lion's share of the space. There will be one sub deck, three engineering decks and an egress to the command bridge (head) plus the altar and various religious accoutrements to the Omnissiah.

 

[Sycotic]

Really enjoying watching this come together. I can only imagine how much of an engineering nightmare. I salute you.