[TC7] Enforcers - Death Falcon

[MacKaiwer]

And a little video of transformation...

As you can see everything is mechanical and everything is controlled by 6 pins http://brickset.com/parts/4107742, 4 pins for wings and 2 pins for motor. I just tried to keep it very simple. Maybe not the smoothest or fanciest transformation but it'll do for me just fine

[syclone]

I really like the model and it's transformation onto a helicopter , but why Jim said me when I had a question about that pins?:

Removing parts isn't allowed, so please try to fix it.

(this might seem like nitpicking, but I feel you have time to change it)

[MacKaiwer]

I really like the model and it's transformation onto a helicopter , but why Jim said me when I had a question about that pins?:

But I am not removing any parts, just loosen those pins halfway out and then pushin pins back in... Not one part is removed from structure, they are all the time in their places just moving back and forth. If that's not allowed then I had a misunderstanding with rules.

[MacKaiwer]

I demonstrate purpose and function of those locking pins by pictures (they remain on their places all the time, just moving one stud for locking and one stud for unlocking, back and forth):

Locked wing (velocity plane):

Unlocked wing (helicopter):

Locked motor (velocity plane):

Unlocked motor (helicopter):

Locked motor (helicopter):

Unlocked motor (velocity plane):

Unlocking (helicopter) wing (velocity plane):

Locking wing (helicopter):

Guiding pin for the tail (stays always at same spot):

There they are, always ready to lock/unlock, never pulled all the way out. I think this is legal by the rules of contest but maybe someone could confirm that? Jim?

Edited August 4, 2015 by MacKaiwer

[D3K]

I don't think you need to worry about the legality of your transformation mechanics. Granted, they are simple in execution, but as far as I can understand, they are within the rules.

Edited August 4, 2015 by D3K

[BusterHaus]

I am using the same pins in my entry. Since nothing is being removed, I'm pretty sure we're within the rules.

[Chade]

As you can see everything is mechanical and everything is controlled by 6 pins http://brickset.com/parts/4107742, 4 pins for wings and 2 pins for motor. I just tried to keep it very simple. Maybe not the smoothest or fanciest transformation but it'll do for me just fine

Nice transformation! I never thought about using the pins like that. You didn't show the weaponry though . Really good build if I didn't say so already.

From reading through the TC7 discussion thread, it's only if you remove parts when there's a problem. You should be fine.

[Seasider]

I'm using the unclipping and reclipping from pins as part of my transformation.

I read the rule to be that as long as structure doesn't become fully detached and a separate part in your hand it meets the rules

[MacKaiwer]

Nice transformation! I never thought about using the pins like that. You didn't show the weaponry though . Really good build if I didn't say so already.

Thanks a lot Yes simple methods for simple man I thought when I builded that Weaponry reveal mechanism is nothing fancy, just manually open door to show missiles and four barrel gun...

Video:

[MacKaiwer]

Okay, some outdoor shots with stickers because I didn't have enough of them for the entry... I shot them at a small local waste water treatment plant

Velocity plane aka Normal Mode:

Attack helicopter aka Battle Mode:

Weapons close up:

Half helicopter aka takeoff/landing mode:

Now I just must make final video and then entry...

[Milan]

Nice! Can the propeller work fine (not scraping the floor) when it is in the plane mode?

[MacKaiwer]

Nice! Can the propeller work fine (not scraping the floor) when it is in the plane mode?

No, it can't, therefore there is that half helicopter mode for takeoffs and landing. I could use shorter axles in propeller but they don't look so cool and they'll be little short for the over all scale and dimensions. And yet still there's no landing gears (wheels) so it could not takeoff in plane mode anyway. It just takes off and lands on it's belly and transforms in the air, first to plane and when needed to attack helicopter.

[Milan]

How about some extendible or retractable blades? Then they can be short in plane mode and long in Heli mode.

[MacKaiwer]

How about some extendible or retractable blades? Then they can be short in plane mode and long in Heli mode.

You mean something like this...

Helicopter mode:

Velocity plane mode:

That's not bad idea... Now the blades are 4 stud shorter than before when they are in full length but when retracted they have clearance to work even on the table at velocity plane mode. If this is the solution which I will keep I must take all new pictures and maybe do new transformation video too... Decisions, decisions...

[Milan]

Well, I like it more now, as it is more functional, works in both modes, and it has one more transformation.

The model is great as is, so whatever you chose, it will look good.

[MacKaiwer]

Well, I like it more now, as it is more functional, works in both modes, and it has one more transformation.

The model is great as is, so whatever you chose, it will look good.

Thanks Milan I thought about it and I am also thinking that those retractable blades are cool new feature and give a new level of playability to this machine, so I am gonna add them in my contestant I already shot a new transformation video and will shoot new pictures but I'm not sure will they be indoor or outdoor photos... It depends of few things like weather and do I have time to take outdoor photos etc. But your tip was nice and improvements are never a bad thing Thanks again

[Chade]

I like the retractable blades, are they the same length extended as the original blades? They look a bit shorter (it might be the photo).

[Milan]

He can make it even double extendible fo really long blades.

[MacKaiwer]

Chade, you are right, they are little bit shorter than original ones but I like them more now, so they are my choice.

[MacKaiwer]

I made a countermeasure flare system but I am not sure if I should add it to my entry... And if I would add it, I have only tomorrow (Thursday) time to do that because I am not home at the weekend... But here it is...

Little mechanical doors where to deploy flares:

Manually operating mechanism to deploy flares. There are handles (grey ones both side at the weapon bay) which are moving in rails (just pushing back with finger) and deploying flares:

And finally countermeasure flares are deployed from the back of helicopter to avoid bandit missiles:

Now what you think about it? Is it worth to add it to my contestant or not?

[Chade]

It all depends on how much time you have. The changes are good, but they are not a 'must have' for the model. Personally I think it's fine without the changes. Redoing photos and video can be a bit of a pain as well.

Edited August 13, 2015 by Chade

[MacKaiwer]

Absolutely true Chade and it seems that I have no time to do any changes at all to my entry because my plans for the weekend changed quite a bit. So it stays as it is right now.