[SoNE Freebuild] Testing the RZ-2b prototype

[Bob De Quatre]

"As a rebel pilot, I was asked to test a new prototype. The engineers of Incom and the Mon Calamari decided to improve the RZ-1 A-wing by increasing its speed and maneuverability. They developped a new frame, easier to maintain and repair, but also a lot lighter. To me, the main problem of the A-wing is the visibility range, but the RZ-2b allow to see enemy ships almost on 360°! The weaponry system didn't change, except for the concussion missiles launcher that were removed, but the techs told me they could attach a launcher under the wings if needed."

I really wanted to build this starfigther, based on a design I did a few month ago. The cockpit setup was something I wanted to try! I used it in a few designs, it's compact and looks good. So I bought the cockpit parts, and build it with the bricks I already had... and pillaged both the Zenith and the Whitefang

I'd like to keep this one built, but I'll need to find 1x2x3 dark red slopes, or a new color like dark blue...

[Mutant Orc]

Wow, that cockpit design works brilliantly! I really like the whole thing, but the cockpit itself I find the best! Not only are the windscreens clever but there is loads of detail packed into it as well! I really like the use of the piece with the emblem in the seat!

[TWP]

Nice ship! Good you're building something in real life now.

[Dapper-D2]

Another masterpiece. That is one sweet looking ship.

[Csacsa234]

It's beautiful, it's good to see that you have built it in real bricks, I just can't describe it correctly, it's a masterpiece, congratulations!

[Nom Carver]

Wow! in my opinion that is how jedy star fighters should look like, that is amazing! I also noticed the use of that combination of windscreens on other mocs of yours, on the fighter scale, this is the one I liked the most from your original vehicles.

[Bob De Quatre]

Thanks a lot

Wow! in my opinion that is how jedy star fighters should look like, that is amazing! I also noticed the use of that combination of windscreens on other mocs of yours, on the fighter scale, this is the one I liked the most from your original vehicles.

I've used this combination a few times yes. The first time was in a Alien Conquest set, then on the RZ-2 first concept, and on a mech concept (that I reworked in a Ice Planet set that I need to post):

[LegoFjotten]

Great work Bob! That cockpit is lovely!

The top down view on your Flickr is excellent too, and all in real bricks!

[Bob De Quatre]

Great work Bob! That cockpit is lovely!

The top down view on your Flickr is excellent too, and all in real bricks!

Thanks LegoFjotten

Forgot to post that picture... I really messed up this thread, had to edit it 3 times... BTW if a mod could change the title to "[soNE Freebuild"...

[Lobot]

Great work Bob, it's a beautiful design I've fixed the title for you, and....

[markus1984]

REBEL SCUM!!!!

:laugh:

No, only a little joke.

Really great work Bob. So many details on and in the ship!

And i love the cockpit, looks very cozy and your build technique is absolut stunning!

Hope it remains a prototype .

markus

[Bob De Quatre]

Great work Bob, it's a beautiful design I've fixed the title for you, and....

Thanks Lobot. And thanks for the blogging and the title change

REBEL SCUM!!!!

:laugh:

No, only a little joke.

Really great work Bob. So many details on and in the ship!

And i love the cockpit, looks very cozy and your build technique is absolut stunning!

Hope it remains a prototype .

markus

We'll overpower you, imperial slugs!!

And thanks Markus

[Only Sinner]

Beautiful fighter, Bob. It looks incredible from every angle, and I especially like the asymetric detail placed inconspicuously throughout.

[Scott-S6]

All I can say is that it's a good job you haven't posted the LDD... (I'm already resisting asking if I can get the LDD for the Whistling Owl)

Fantastic work again Bob!

Edited June 1, 2014 by Scott-S6

[MstrOfPppts]

So you can build in real LEGO after all And what a nice creations you make! I'm a big fan of the SNOT brickbuilt wings on such little fighters. The design is very cool though a little non OT?

[Bob De Quatre]

Beautiful fighter, Bob. It looks incredible from every angle, and I especially like the asymetric detail placed inconspicuously throughout.

Thanks

All I can say is that it's a good job you haven't posted the LDD... (I'm already resisting asking if I can get the LDD for the Whistling Owl)

Fantastic work again Bob!

Well I posted the LDD file of the first concept back in March [here], but I'll soon post the file for this one when I'll have the time to do it.

So you can build in real LEGO after all And what a nice creations you make! I'm a big fan of the SNOT brickbuilt wings on such little fighters. The design is very cool though a little non OT?

Yeah, I'm not allergic to ABS

I agree it looks non-OT... That's why I tried to reuse the exact same laser than the A-wing. What I tried to do is applying to the A-wing what Kuat Drive did for going from the Delta-7 to the Eta-2.

And I wanted to use that cockpit! Would you prefer I posted it in the Sci-Fi forum? (BTW I did post something in the Sci-Fi forum)

[BEAVeR]

These LDD builds and renders are getting more and more realistic these days, but this is really photorealistic! Amazing how you even got the reflection in the cockpit right with that very elaborate sky sphere, although why not use something more spacy? The only thing that gives it away is the name of its builder, who has an ABS allerg... wait, you do not? Well, holy dewback, congratulations then on this amazing real life model! Did you even use LDD for design this time?

But that aside, once again you amaze me with your captivating model. The cockpit combination is brilliant, and stands really out against all the flat and angled surfaces you used. And what's beneath it is brilliant as well, man I love that seat and those controls. I like all the little details there and on the rest of your model. It's amazing how those small and simple details on the wing make it exceptionally interesting and stylish! And as always, those little touches of assymetry show some real dedication and thought. For me, those always add to the realism, because it would be a bit unnecessary to have each piece of equipment twice. The way the wing thickens in certain strategic places is interesting as well, and gives the model distinctive mass. And those flaps on the wings are really, really great. I would have liked to see some more though, for instance to make the angle of the big perpendicular red wingtips a bit less steep. And this has never happened to me before, but actually I think I like the underside most! That landing gear is genious, and the exposed antistuds somehow make for great and realistic detailing! And you even have flick fire missiles in there (but for the right reason ;) ) and those big red dishes are gorgeous. They make me wish you had replaced the grey ones on the top with these as well, in order to encapsulate the guns very nicely.

So yes, a great model with a great shape and great detailling, as usual. This proves you can do it even without wacky curves. I still have a few suggestions, as always (well, not always, as I recall some of your perfect models...). I think the cockpit comes a little bit too high, disrupting the flow of the ship a bit. This is to give the pilot a better view, I guess, but it would have been nice to have it more tucked away in the body (better protected from enemy fire by the way). And since the A-wings are notorious for being hard to pilot, maybe this would've been the time to put an astromech in, although I wouldn't put it in the wing to avoid too much resemblance to the eta jedi starfighters. It would be a pitty though to loose those details in the back, so what I'm saying here doesn't make much sense... well, if even I begin to notice, I'll round up with saying once again that you once again made an amazing ship and showed you're the master of interesting shapes, coloring and details!

[Bob De Quatre]

Thanks BEAVeR

Did you even use LDD for design this time?

That's a design I posted in march, but I reworked it due to the parts I had available, as I didn't wanted to pillage too much the Zenith

those big red dishes are gorgeous. They make me wish you had replaced the grey ones on the top with these as well, in order to encapsulate the guns very nicely.

I tried, but it looked weird, it broke the lines too much, and it made impossible to use the same weapons as on the A-wing.

And since the A-wings are notorious for being hard to pilot, maybe this would've been the time to put an astromech in, although I wouldn't put it in the wing to avoid too much resemblance to the eta jedi starfighters. It would be a pitty though to loose those details in the back

I also tried that! But if I put an astromech in there, it would be a complete one. So I needed a body longer by 3 or 4 studs and maybe larger since a r2 unit is 4 studs wide. Else I could have put it just behind the cockpit, but I needed some space to put the navigation systems, life support, and some other things

This proves you can do it even without wacky curves.

Well... that's why I also built and posted the Whitefang, to compensate for the lack of curves

you're the master of interesting shapes, coloring and details!

Claiming that title wouldn't be fair, there are people around here that are far more skilled than me in those fields

[MKJoshA]

I know just about everything good that can and should be said about this build has been said, but I just have to say it again, this is amazing! I love that you show your skill in both LDD and real bricks.

[Bob De Quatre]

I know just about everything good that can and should be said about this build has been said, but I just have to say it again, this is amazing! I love that you show your skill in both LDD and real bricks.

Thanks MKJoshA! Even if all have been said, it's always nice to receive a kind comment

I've made a render of the Blue Leader version... Since I need to give back to the Zenith the bricks I borrowed, I wanted to order dark blue bricks... But a few aren't available, and I just couldn't replace them

Incom RZ-2b Prototype by BobDeQuatre, on Flickr

[Bob De Quatre]

"Terrible news! The imperial troops attacked our facility and get their hands on one of the prototypes!... It seems the imperial engineer modified the prototype with the help of a pilot named BEAVeR, creating an advanced version. Thanks god they still didn't put those ugly side panels on it."

[BEAVeR]

Holy bantha, GREAT news this is! I don't know how you did it, but you managed to keep the best of your original model, while adding in the modifications I always wanted to see. The cockpit is in a better position now, and still it has the full field of view, which keeps the reason for the existing of this prototype valid. The addition of the astromech is very welcome, and that system to get it in there without loosing details is just ingenious! It might even be the first time you build play features into your amazing models . In fact, you even managed to squeeze in more details, making it a very, very succeded and Star Warsy ship. I'm in awe... and you even added the red dishes without loosing the A-wing cannon look.

The more I look at it, the more I appreciate it. All those new details keep popping up, and not one isn't fitting. I have nothing to add... nothing but the fact that it is still a bit strange that the incom logo appears underneath an Imperial fighter... Now the only thing it needs is some black paint, some wafels and a printed windscreen, and tada, the latest addition to the Imperial fleet is there. Imperial engineers are truely craftsmen... Since this has become an Imperial freebuild, the points should be awarded accoringly .

But for now, all the credit goes to you and your amazing skills (mainly because, with your new powahs, I should be very friendly with you - congratulations by the way, and this build shows you will do just fine). I hope to see the story continue!

[Bob De Quatre]

Holy bantha, GREAT news this is! I don't know how you did it, but you managed to keep the best of your original model, while adding in the modifications I always wanted to see. The cockpit is in a better position now, and still it has the full field of view, which keeps the reason for the existing of this prototype valid. The addition of the astromech is very welcome, and that system to get it in there without loosing details is just ingenious! It might even be the first time you build play features into your amazing models . In fact, you even managed to squeeze in more details, making it a very, very succeded and Star Warsy ship. I'm in awe... and you even added the red dishes without loosing the A-wing cannon look.

You always provide so good comments and feedback, so I wanted to rebuild the RZ-2 with all the remarks you've made, to thanks you for the time you spend write walls of text

The more I look at it, the more I appreciate it. All those new details keep popping up, and not one isn't fitting. I have nothing to add... nothing but the fact that it is still a bit strange that the incom logo appears underneath an Imperial fighter... Now the only thing it needs is some black paint, some wafels and a printed windscreen, and tada, the latest addition to the Imperial fleet is there. Imperial engineers are truely craftsmen...

I corrected the logo. At first I wanted to make it looks like someone tried to erase it, and put an imperial crest on top of it, but that didn't worked, and then I forgot to change it

If I could I would have build it in black/grey, but I don't have the parts

Since this has become an Imperial freebuild, the points should be awarded accoringly .

I'm sure Lobot will agree...

[Bob De Quatre]

Yesterday my almost 4 years old nephew played with the RZ-2c "BEAVeR edtion", and it didn't pass the strength test... Very bad design mister BEAVeR !!

No in fact it did quite well, the main problem being the front cockpit hinges that are so hard they pop out. He liked the R2 unit an keep putting it in and out.. And I think he moved every single one flap on the wings

On a side note, I also showed him the Whitefang and he was really impressed. And I was impressed because with the small reinforcement it doesn't crumble anymore at the slightest touch

[Shadows of Nar Eurbrikka]

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