KAFX Posted January 14, 2009 Posted January 14, 2009 Custom Republic Gunship This is my first attempt at a post on Eurobricks. I am a long-time lurker, and it is high time I posted some MOCs. I started on a quest two years ago to build an economic Republic Gunship. I gave the original as a present to my son when it came out, and there was no new Lego model on the horizon. I spent a lot of time on Bricklink looking for just the right parts and began to order components. My goals were minimize the piece count and cost, make the RGS lighter, make a more accurate-looking RGS and take more advantage of the empty space. Here are the results: I studied various sources such as the Incredible Cross-Sections and Episode II to get the appropriate side slopes, wing span and height. I used a single boat piece (http://www.bricklink.com/catalogItem.asp?P=30254) as the bottom of the RGS. It was hard to find, but helps achieve the piece count/weight goals. I used a wide arch for the forward section so a minifigure would fit comfortably. The troop section ends under the middle of the wing instead of extending too far back as in the Clone Wars RGS. Above the troop hold, I tried to free up the interior of the RGS for cargo or other purposes. It always seemed a shame to me to fill up all of that space. I paid particular attention to the cockpit. I wanted to make the cockpit functional with a pass-through to the lower compartment as described in Incredible Cross-Sections. The pilot sits on a 2x2 platform at the front, and can squeeze through a 2x3 opening below. There is a removable section at the front that can be used to place troops or supplies in the front section. At some point I may look at redesigning this to function like the Clone Wars RGS with a more elegant opening function. Another feature that absorbed my attention was an attempt to redesign the mass-drivers. Both Lego RGS used a 4x4 cylinder size. I attempted to reduce this using the Horizontal Cylinder 3 x 6 x 2 2/3 (http://www.bricklink.com/catalogItem.asp?P=30360). This was readily available in dark red and white, and allows for alternating coloring with the 3x2 cutouts. It sits lower to the wings and tighter to the body of the RGS as in the movies. The rear sports another turret and my non-decal version of the engines. A rear hatch closes near the mechanism for opening the side doors. The mechanism is similar to the new retail RGS. The hatch folds down to reveal another MOC in the form of a BARC speeder. The RGS needed something lighter and more accurate than the Turbo Tank version. The BARC speeder uses the custom pieces from the Turbo Tank model, but is designed to fit the RGS hatch and to be more appropriately scaled to minifigures. A final view of the RGS from overhead: I had enough parts to build four, and here are three complete RGS with some other MOCs: The JSF and Forward Command Center could occupy their own topics, so I will quit while I am ahead. Thanks to Arealight for the awesome custom helmets! Quote
-JD- Posted January 14, 2009 Posted January 14, 2009 (edited) That is one of the best try at a moc gunship I have seen. Keep it up! EDIT: Whoa! YOU HAVE THREE!!!!!!!! Edited January 14, 2009 by Jammiedodger714 Quote
KAFX Posted January 14, 2009 Author Posted January 14, 2009 Thank you. By using a few key pieces, I was able to make several while keeping the price low. I was glad to have the pieces on hand - with the economic crunch I used them as Christmas presents for my sons. Quote
-JD- Posted January 14, 2009 Posted January 14, 2009 Thank you. By using a few key pieces, I was able to make several while keeping the price low. I was glad to have the pieces on hand - with the economic crunch I used them as Christmas presents for my sons. Awwww. That is very nice of you! Did they like them? Quote
KAFX Posted January 14, 2009 Author Posted January 14, 2009 Awwww. That is very nice of you! Did they like them? They loved them. I need a full-time maintenance crew to keep them repaired. Quote
Fallenangel Posted January 14, 2009 Posted January 14, 2009 Awesomeness!! I love how the pilots can get out of the cockpits like that. and is that Ki-Adi-Mundi? On the other hand, I think the cockpits are a bit lacking in detail, although I thought that the cockpits were far away from the nose, closer to the top. Can anyone provide a reference photo? Quote
General Armendariz Posted January 15, 2009 Posted January 15, 2009 Wow that is the greatest gunship i've ever seen! Then when I thoght the impossible coudnt happen and it did! Three RGS's Amazin your good! :classic: Quote
Clonecommando007 Posted January 15, 2009 Posted January 15, 2009 Wow! Great design! I love the cockpits, where the figure can 'get out' of the bottom. The forward command center also looks very nice! Great job on all of those MOC's, and I envy you for your Kashyyyk troopers. Quote
SWMAN Posted January 15, 2009 Posted January 15, 2009 Very economical. It is definitely different than the official Lego one. I would try looking for stickers or other bricks to add some detail, as well as maybe the ball turrets. It is a good start, but personally I think it needs a bit more pizzaz. Also, great forward command. Quote
Commander 501 Posted January 15, 2009 Posted January 15, 2009 Wow, great job! Which piece did you use for the bottom of the commando area, it's quite a nice idea! Quote
Rayman Posted January 15, 2009 Posted January 15, 2009 That is perhaps the best BARC speeder MOC I have seen. You really have captured the shape of the real speed with the utmost accuracy. I would love to see a trooper on it though Quote
RepublicForces Posted January 15, 2009 Posted January 15, 2009 WOW, three of those RGSs, i want those to Quote
ditto Posted January 15, 2009 Posted January 15, 2009 this sir, has got to be one of the more refreshing mods of the RGS. it looks almost like the hasbro one without all the fluff. =) Quote
Bricklanta Posted January 15, 2009 Posted January 15, 2009 (edited) The gunships are very cool and you have 3! I also like the command center with all those troopers. Edited January 15, 2009 by BRICKLANTA Quote
KAFX Posted January 15, 2009 Author Posted January 15, 2009 Wow, great job!Which piece did you use for the bottom of the commando area, it's quite a nice idea! The Forward Command Center was built using two of these. They fit together nicely with some regular bricks to hold them together. For the flooring in the gap I used this. Quote
Bricklanta Posted January 15, 2009 Posted January 15, 2009 I really like your forward commmand center! Quote
prateek Posted January 16, 2009 Posted January 16, 2009 I need a full-time maintenance crew to keep them repaired. What about the economic crisis? Quote
Firespray Posted January 16, 2009 Posted January 16, 2009 Very nice, I'm actually interested in how you did your JSF there, that looks pretty good. Quote
Zepher Posted January 16, 2009 Posted January 16, 2009 Two things mak this awesome. The first is the size and accuratre detail. The second is that you had enough pieces for four. Make a battle scene, I beg you. That would be so cool. Quote
KAFX Posted January 16, 2009 Author Posted January 16, 2009 Very nice, I'm actually interested in how you did your JSF there, that looks pretty good. I will break the JSF down and get some photos for a follow-up topic. Quote
Skipper 24 Posted January 18, 2009 Posted January 18, 2009 That gunship was great and economically friendly . I especially liked your BARC speeder. Quote
DoctorDude234 Posted May 2, 2009 Posted May 2, 2009 WOW!! I'll take 1... Those are awesome. I seriously respect your building abilities. The only thing I don't like is how barebones the speeder is. But how in the world can you build 4 of those? Oh, and how much did one cost? Quote
CommanderFox Posted May 7, 2009 Posted May 7, 2009 WOW Your REALLY good and you obviously have a few custom Arealight helmets very nice Forward Command Center as well can I be your son for next christmas they are VERY VERY LUCKY they have a DAD like You!! CommanderFox Quote
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