Impartial

[Siegfried]

"Impartial" was the third off the production line of the "Jury" medium fighter class. Jury fighters were designed as the general "anything" craft, and are used for numerous missions, ranging from escort to assault.

They were designed around the THNKR-2 combat system which comprises of two main sensor arrays, several smaller arrays and a utility bot, all controlled by a central AI integrated into the ship. The top array, while electronically steerable, can also rotate to enhance the data and/or reduce interference. The lower array is designed to cover the areas that the top array misses, and it is designed to also serve as a high-resolution mapping sensor. The utility bot is non-sentient and acts as the "hands" of the ship, enabling it self-maintain. The bot is generally seen by the crew to be the "brains" of the ship and, while it is discouraged by Defence Command, most have a name. The bot on Impartial is known as "Max".

Jury fighters have a single main fusion plant, with an smaller auxiliary as backup. Aside from electricity, the power from the plants are used to generate plasma that is used in the four thrust drives, the boost drive, and the six plasma cannons. The four thrust drives allow Jury fighters to decelerate almost as fast as they can accelerate and each also has a directional thruster for manoeuvring. The single boost drive is designed for long acceleration and is much more efficient and powerful than the thrust drives, but it requires around 60 seconds to come up to full power and the same to be shut down. Thus it is used for exiting from a planet and for normal transits, not combat.

While the Jury class was designed for space, they are capable of planetary operations. The landing area does need to be large however as they do not have the power to do a high-sink-rate landing. This is because they have no dedicated descent engines, instead the directional thrusters are used. The pilot needs to come in low, and simultaneously slow forward velocity while allowing the ship to descend. Generally it is encouraged for the THNKR-2 to be used. Take off is less of a problem as once the Jury is clear of the ground it can pitch and then use the main output of the thrust drives. Some pilots have been known to use this method to land, but after several crashes caused by engines melting this technique was banned. Jury fighters have no problem leaving the gravity well of most planets, but the average planet departure will require 25% of the onboard fuel. It is important to note that the auxiliary fusion plant does not generate sufficient power for planetary operations.

While the weapon systems of this class is designed to be effective to all targets, they are best used against similar sized or larger ships. This is because the plasma cannons have only 5 degrees of non-mechanical steering, and the turret can only rotate. (This is a limitation caused by the decision to prioritise the power of the cannon over its ability to be aimed.) Thus the technique of smaller and more manoeuvrable targets tends to rely on combining the cannon arcs and rotating the ship. There is a laser emitter forward, but this has been found to be too light for heavy targets, and too hard to aim for light targets. They are referred to throughout the fleet as the "Warning Shot" as this is seen by many as their only use.

At a casual glance the aiming limitation of the plasma cannons might seem to be a major flaw, but due to the THNKR-2 it is almost irrelevant. Jury fighters are quite capable of being piloted from a console inside the ship, or in some cases by THNKR-2. In combat the second is generally watching sensor data and processing target data, and forward station is crewed by the commander who picks what targets are the highest priority. The THNKR-2 is left to actually fire the cannons. The THNKR-2 guides the pilot to positions of optimum fire power by either indicating ideal positions on the HUD, exerting force on the control sticks, or even by overriding the commands of the pilot in times of urgency.

Jury fighters work well in groups as they have more than enough capacity to transmit full sensor and target data between ships and thus are excellent at combining firepower for maximum effect. One THNKR-2 can control up to four Jury fighters with no loss of capability. Most of the hull of the ship is armoured, with the majority being on the front, back and sides. For this reason when in formation Jury fighters tend to form up in vertical flights where practical, especially since the weapon and sensor arcs are mutually supportive this way. Under the armour is a network of cooling heat sinks, which are needed for atmospheric insertions as well as combat. In service it has been found that this is often not enough to radiate all waste heat in battle; many Jury fighters have been destroyed by simply overheating. The armour is capable of handing most light laser fire, and its ability to handle plasma depends more on cooling the area fast enough. Physical impacts like projectiles or missiles are not handled as well; protection from such weapons is best achieved by avoiding or eliminating the threat.

For a fighter of this size, the Jury is remarkably habitable. Due to its size it does not have gravity, but it does have sleeping, eating and sanitation facilities, as well as proving enough room for the crew to move around to a limited degree. However, there are no facilities for exercise other than using tension straps. For this reason it is not recommended to use a Jury for any mission that will require the ship to be space bound for ten days or more. The only way into the ship is via a airlock to the rear.

The 1000th and last Jury was completed over five years after the first and was known as the MK7 due to several major revisions made to rectify design limitations. For example, latter Jury fighters had provisions for missiles and had a more powerful fusion plant. Today 835 Jury Medium Fighters are still in service, with Impartial being the oldest. Like most military equipment, demands have been put on the Jury fighters beyond their intended functions. The lack of a D-Drive is seen by many as a major weakness of the class as their powerful sensors make them excellent picket ships. To combat this imitation they are often packed into a shuttle and then Dimensioned into a new area using the shuttles D-Drive. This has resulted in disaster several times when the shuttle was ambushed prior to being able to launch the fighters, so the practice is officially banned. It still is done by many however so Defence command has decided as a priority to attempt to retrofit the Jury fighters with a D-Drive. Recently Impartial was selected to be modified into the prototype for this, and it will be known as the MK8. It is hoped in this revised version to also rectify some of the other minor flaws in the design of this excellent fighter.

Notes

This was made using the Lego set 4402 and a few extras. It isn't quite finished yet, hence the reference to the MK8 version. I made this around 2 years ago when I had far less Lego but it still isn't how I want it as I miss a few parts. My main mods planned will be to the front of the cockpit area and the rear main engines. (I want to work in the new cement mixer drum..) Most of the rest I like. I am making, one ship at a time, two fleets, one that is for order, the other for freedom. (Neither are good or bad, but it does depend on your perspective.) This one is obviously for order. In case you haven't noticed, I have a smartypants way of naming my ships, in that I have the class name relating to the ship name. :-| I'm such a self-servicer. :-D

Feel free to give suggestions for improvements, but remember that it is designed for space so it is not supposed to be overlly streamlined. I feel the same way about landing gear too for the same reason! X-D Just the same, feel free to call it a flying brick! :-P Thanks for looking.

Brickshelf folder (When moderated.)

EDIT: I change the links to Flickr...

[Starwars4J]

You know I love this, right? *wub*

I love how you incorporate so many practical things in here! Air locks, explanations about the weapons systems, even flaws such as lack of gravity (I can lend you a few artificial gravity generators if you want 8-| ), even the propulsion and landing gear!

I know you said this was an old version, and while I can't wait to see the new one, I hope you don't mind a couple of suggestions for this next version? 8-|

First of all blue is a fantastic color that isn't used nearly enough in space MOCs! I do think, however, it could use with a bit more color blocking, that is some accent colors (even just black or white or grey) to break up some of the blue. Similar to how you have the weapons and thrusters in different colors, integrate them into the rest of the ship so it doesn't just look like you didn't have those pieces in blue :-D On the same note some of the red and yellow seem to just come out of nowhere, are they a part of the overall color scheme, or just something you threw in to break up all the blue? If they're just something to break up the blue, maybe stick to one, and incorporate it throughout?

Also, about the landing gear, maybe make it somewhat retractable? Leaving it on the outside makes it vulnerable in case it's hit...how will it land?

Also I know you don't love the whole "studless" or "SNOTed" style, it can appear too artificial or something (at least I think that's what you said), but maybe this could use from a couple more angles? For instance those large slopes on the front wings, they have those straight lines sticking out of their sides if you know what I mean. You could always try SNOTing on some tiled plates to angle correctly fix that if you want, or even add a few functional greebs!

BTW, what's the black thing on the bottom for?

I hope this didn't sound too harsh or anything, there's so much about this that I absolutely LOVE and can't wait to see a finished version come fresh off the assembly line :-$ There's so much that I love here, that's why I want to see it become even better!

[doug7172]

I love this thing. This is what I was trying to make when I built my Crappy Star fighter

[Dragonator]

Hey, this is awesome!

I love how you've done the hatches, they really look cool :-)

However, I wouldn't want to be the pilot when the THNKR-2 over-rides my commands, I would feel so helpless... 8-| :-)

Great design though, can't wait to see how you modify it with that cement mixer drum! *sweet* *y*

Thanks for sharing this!

[Bonaparte]

I like the shape and look of this Jury fighter.

Awesome how you made the front of the ship.

And I love interiors. The details you added (table, bed) give it the finishing touch.

I agree with the idea of SW4J for a retractable landing gear.

Blue is an unusual color for a ship like this but it seems to work here.

[Hinckley]

My turn my turn!!

I've seen this for quite some time and let me start by saying you know I love you. *wub* What I love almost as much are your port and starboard lights. I wish more Space MOCs would use this as it is a logical evolution from navy planes and boats to space fighters...it is a universal...

Now, I know you now and I know your building style and to be completely honest, you have clearly surpassed the level you were at when you first built this. I think it needs a return-not to the drawing board-but to the hangar for a nice sized update...

I agree with a lot of what was said already, but here are some points I thought I'd bring up, I mixed the positives and negatives together...

• I love the backstory on this and all the thought and detail that when into it's manufacturing
  
• I would like to see a more aerodynamic design-I know that this is supposed to be a more rugged fighter but even seeing more exposed mechanics would be cool as long as it looked a little more rounded...
  
• The hatch is very cool
  
• Are there four guns made from technic pin connectors or are they part of the array?
  
• The arrays are very logical but could blend into the design a little better, be a little more aesthetically cohesive...
  
• You certainly show what you mean by thrusters!! Nice...
  
• I would love to see a clear difference between the sensors and the plasma cannons...
  
• I know I'm gun crazy and I don't put this sort of thought in, but since you do, I am wondering if there is a realistic power source for the six plasma cannons. If they are where I think they are, I can't tell. I doubt this is coming off as harsh, but know that it is out of love and not cruelty that I scrutinize your fighter on this level. You are my space fighter mentor...
  
• Interior, airlock, cockpit, all of these rock! I love your attention to realism and detail.
  

Overall, I can't wait to see you re-visit this. I know your skill has surpassed this level and want to see you add your mind and creativity to a re-build. I will print out the photos of it and paste them to my wall, I swear I will... *sweet* *y* Nice creation, Sinner. Thanks for sharing as always. Looking forward to a lot more from you!!!

[Siegfried]

Thanks for all the kind words and the comments/ideas guys! *wub*

You know I love this, right? *wub*

Thanks!

I love how you incorporate so many practical things in here! Air locks, explanations about the weapons systems, even flaws such as lack of gravity (I can lend you a few artificial gravity..

generators if you want 8-| ), even the propulsion and landing gear!

Errr... no thanks! X-D IMHO artificial gravity has good reason to exist in movies and TV only! :-|

I know you said this was an old version, and while I can't wait to see the new one, I hope you don't mind a couple of suggestions for this next version? 8-|

Sorry for the confusion. This is exactly how it is right now. I took these photos today.

First of all blue is a fantastic color that isn't used nearly enough in space MOCs! I do think, however, it could use with a bit more color blocking, that is some accent colors (even just black or white or grey) to break up some of the blue. Similar to how you have the weapons and thrusters in different colors, integrate them into the rest of the ship so it doesn't just look like you didn't have those pieces in blue :-D

Yes, I agree. Impartial looks like something someone would make if they just bought a set with lots of blue in it! :-$ I still haven't got many grey engines and it shows! (I think I do have 4 now though....)

On the same note some of the red and yellow seem to just come out of nowhere, are they a part of the overall color scheme, or just something you threw in to break up all the blue?

In the airlock it was deliberate, in the cabin, I decided to use something other than blue. Not sure why I chose yellow and red, but I haven't changed this since I first made it. It all looks a bit tacky now. :-$

Also, about the landing gear, maybe make it somewhat retractable? Leaving it on the outside makes it vulnerable in case it's hit...how will it land?

Perhaps, but remember that this is designed to operate in zero gravity most of the time. Thus it doesn't need landing gear at all! The biggest reason why I gave it landing gear was because I didn't want it to rest on the lower cannon. I will give it some thought though, afterall it would also improve the cannon arcs!

Also I know you don't love the whole "studless" or "SNOTed" style, it can appear too artificial or something (at least I think that's what you said), but maybe this could use from a couple more angles? For instance those large slopes on the front wings, they have those straight lines sticking out of their sides if you know what I mean. You could always try SNOTing on some tiled plates to angle correctly fix that if you want, or even add a few functional greebs!

I don't recall saying that, but I could have.... 8-| I can see myself adding a depression down each side with greebles to break up the side, but I don't want to ruin the arc of the side cannons.... I agree those slopes don't work; I should either slope the whole thing, or remove them. I think I will remove them...

BTW, what's the black thing on the bottom for?

It's a "lower sensor array". I thought it looked cool at the time, but I'm not so sure now... :-$

I hope this didn't sound too harsh or anything, there's so much about this that I absolutely LOVE and can't wait to see a finished version come fresh off the assembly line :-$ There's so much that I love here, that's why I want to see it become even better!

Not at all. If I wasn't prepared for critism I wouldn't have posted it! Thanks very much for your ideas. I look forward to what you think of the Mk8 prototype!

I love this thing. This is what I was trying to make when I built my Crappy Star fighter

Well this wasn't too demanding piece wise. I think it has less than 1000 pieces. Give it another go! :-)

However, I wouldn't want to be the pilot when the THNKR-2 over-rides my commands, I would feel so helpless... 8-| :-)

Well that is how most modern fighters (and airliners) work today. However one time Airbus was demonstrating this and the plane was wrong...

And I love interiors. The details you added (table, bed) give it the finishing touch.

Thanks! I always feel sorry for mini-figs who are expected to stay in a cockpit all the time and be happy! :-P

I've seen this for quite some time and let me start by saying you know I love you. *wub* What I love almost as much are your port and starboard lights. I wish more Space MOCs would use this as it is a logical evolution from navy planes and boats to space fighters...it is a universal...

Gee thanks! :-$ I love you too...

Now, I know you now and I know your building style and to be completely honest, you have clearly surpassed the level you were at when you first built this. I think it needs a return-not to the drawing board-but to the hangar for a nice sized update...

I agree. Prior to taking these photos I did make a few minor changes, but it really needs more than a tweak...

I would like to see a more aerodynamic design-I know that this is supposed to be a more rugged fighter but even seeing more exposed mechanics would be cool as long as it looked a little more rounded...

There are a few parts that even I feel look too square, especially around the forward thrust drive.

Are there four guns made from technic pin connectors or are they part of the array?

There are six guns, two top, two side, two bottom made from technic pin connectors. The side ones have targeting arrays for ranging.

The arrays are very logical but could blend into the design a little better, be a little more aesthetically cohesive...

Well, you are speaking to the wrong person here; as an ex-Radar maintainer I love large arrays! X-D I used to work on this...

...but the side ranging arrays will probably be removed as I am sick of looking for them when I bump them off! :-P

I would love to see a clear difference between the sensors and the plasma cannons...

I know I'm gun crazy and I don't put this sort of thought in, but since you do, I am wondering if there is a realistic power source for the six plasma cannons.

Does this help? :-P

Overall, I can't wait to see you re-visit this. I know your skill has surpassed this level and want to see you add your mind and creativity to a re-build.

I hope you're right!

[Asuka]

I really like that detailed story and your fine approach to a realistic space fighter design! *y*

That utility bot, the clever interior and that blocky design

[Hinckley]

Thanks for the diagram! :-) I love the array and don't care for the cannnons... :-$

BTW, I think SW4J is crazy. I seem to remember you saying you liked SNOT and wanted to attempt to use it more, not...whatever he said :-P

[Corvus]

Thanks for the diagram! :-) I love the array and don't care for the cannnons... :-$

I feel the same. I love the impartial, it looks so functional, but the cannons do look a bit slapped on here.

BTW, I think SW4J is crazy.

Shh! He's not supposed to know that... 8-|

:-P

Excellent MOC, Sinner! I need to go now, be back soon, I misinterpreted the clock. :-$

[SirNadroj]

Superb! *y* I love the overall shape, too. Another thing is the colour! Blue ships catch my eye! ;-)

[iamded]

Nice job! Although I get the feeling I've seen this before, with the airlock mechanism...

Still, blue is a nice colour and the way it's all put together looks great.

~Peace

[LuxorV]

Great MOC, Sinner *y* .

I really like all those internal and external details, directional jets and airlock mechanism in particular.

The one thing I miss is a built-in ladder to get onboard when you do not have a base at hand (not everybody can have *yoda* who gives you one like he did for Luke on Degobah [i always wandered if it was stored in some cargo holder of the X-wing or was *yoda*'s own... 8-| ]).

LuxorV

[Joey Lock]

Awesome!

I absoloutly love this!

Im always into big spaceships that fight more than one person in, and I dont know why.

But I like the front of the ship, Its very well made.

[Lt. Col. Thok]

Sinner, I thoroughly enjoy your work. This is a fine ship. It is, however, a little blocky. 8.5/10.

[Siegfried]

I've been meaning to reply to this for over a week! :-$

But although I love that the front thrusters give this ship its specific and cool shape, I guess

that it could be a little more functional to use these beautiful directional thrusters to turn the

ship around, using the main thrusters for deceleration as well.... :-$ :-D

Well, that is actually one of my design philosophies! I think that it is acceptable for a transport or a larger ship combat ship to just re-orient and then use the main thrusters, but for a fighter that would mean you could lose a target at the same time. Afterall, Impartials cannons only rotate and thus the ship has to be roughly facing the enemy to be able target it. I could have used vectoring thusters, but I wanted to save that design for the other side. The main thrusters will be replaced in the "finished" version, and possibly the directional ones as well.

Thanks for the diagram! :-) I love the array and don't care for the cannnons... :-$

I don't mind them, but I still haven't thought of an equally small design to replace them...

BTW, I think SW4J is crazy. I seem to remember you saying you liked SNOT and wanted to attempt to use it more, not...whatever he said :-P

I'm not sure anymore... *wacko*

The one thing I miss is a built-in ladder to get onboard when you do not have a base at hand (not everybody can have *yoda* who gives you one like he did for Luke on Degobah [i always wandered if it was stored in some cargo holder of the X-wing or was *yoda*'s own... 8-| ]).

LuxorV

Remember that this is 95% a space fighter designed to dock in zero gravity so a ladder isn't really needed. However, I must admit that I was planing on adding a ramp in the back but had trouble fitting it in. :-$

As for Luke ladder, that is a mystery. I suspect it was in the bottom stowage area, and Yoda uses the force to put it back in there before he flies off! :-P More a mystery though is how X-Wings have incredible endurance and yet can out-maneuver most TIE fighters...

Sinner, I thoroughly enjoy your work. This is a fine ship. It is, however, a little blocky. 8.5/10.

:-D But it is supposed to be blocky!

Based on my own thoughts and peoples comments I have decided to make Impartial more blocky! At the moment it looks like it was made by someone who just got his first big curve pieces and decided to make a ship out of it.... :-$ The problem is that I have made the top curved, the bottom curverd that he front, but nothing else. This in hindsight was a mistake. By the time I have finished it will look like a flying brick! ;-)

Thanks everyone for your comments. *sweet*

[Lt. Col. Thok]

Grrrr. We dislike your blockiness and shall throw curved plates at you in hope that you can take a hint.

:-P

Your rebuild will be interesting to see, to say the least.