Kraken 3 WiP

[Weirdo]

For the past way too long, I've been slowly converting a Kraken-XR mini into a Kraken 3. Major work is finally done, but there's still a lot to do mostly on the arms.

What would you suggest? Ignore the missile holes for now, I already know there's plenty of work there, as well as adding some bracing to the 'joint' in the launchers.

Do you think the shoulders merely need thickening, or should I add strengthening struts, or both?

[Luciora]

I've always wondered the art source where people got the arch configuration of the launchers from.  It looks awkward to me.

On topic though, yes, the shoulders should be much thicker and bracing would be a nice touch to represent the ammo feeds for the launchers.

Would look more logical than the chain feed the launchers currently look like to support.

[Weirdo]

I've always wondered the art source where people got the arch configuration of the launchers from.  It looks awkward to me.

Some years back, Plog made this unofficial(sadly) art for the mech, and its popularity ever since is largely universal.


*looks at the signature*
Cheeeeesus, that mech is old enough to vote! :o

[Luciora]

Aha no wonder.  I guess that's one way of fighting in the shade.

Thanks!

[Force of Nature]

Hey Weirdo, since I built the first Kraken III from Plogs art waaaaaay back in 2002, I would suggest working on the launchers and the bracings first as they are THE focal point of the design.

Then beef up the shoulders as you mentioned, both for aesthetics and for attaching the arms to a bigger surface area.

I would show you my WIP pictures of my Kraken III, but sadly my hard drive crashed three months ago.

So envious of the Kraken XR miniature you started from as it has a beefier torso and legs.

Back then, I had to use two Kraken torso's and invert them in order to make the torso beefier. The legs I got from one of the reaper CAV mechs as the originals were way too thin. The launchers i also got from two of the Reaper CAV mechs. I forget offhand which ones.

[Weirdo]

Yeah, fiddling with the launchers is my next step, followed by cleaning up the torso. (My removal of the -XR's laser was pretty messy, those panel lines are a total loss at my skill level.)

One thing I've decided is that I'm NOT going to drill out extra missile tubes to match the stats, at least not in the arm launchers. Drilling out all those holes would be a huge pain, there's no way I'd be able to make them consistent across all eight racks, and I don't think there's actually room for five more tubes on those pieces anyway. If anyone asks, I'll just say the Kraken uses technologies derived from the Atlas's fast-firing launcher. They're not *as* fast, but they can manage an average of fifteen missiles per ten tubes per ten seconds.

[Weirdo]

And here's the finished (unpainted) mini!

[Force of Nature]

Looks great Weirdo!

Can't wait to see it painted.

[worktroll]

What are you painting it up in?

[Weirdo]

As with the rest of my second-line stuff, probably Jade Falcon Kappa Galaxy.

[Chinless]

One thing I've decided is that I'm NOT going to drill out extra missile tubes to match the stats, at least not in the arm launchers. Drilling out all those holes would be a huge pain, there's no way I'd be able to make them consistent across all eight racks, and I don't think there's actually room for five more tubes on those pieces anyway.

Just a thought Wierdo, could you maybe cheat a little with the launcher holes? Maybe use pieces of plasticard as 'fronts' for the launchers. You can maybe drill holes through multiple fronts at once so they'll appear consistent.

Chris

[Luciora]

Looks great!  I had the same issue with removing the chest laser port as well and the scribe lines too.

[Colt Ward]

Just a thought Wierdo, could you maybe cheat a little with the launcher holes? Maybe use pieces of plasticard as 'fronts' for the launchers. You can maybe drill holes through multiple fronts at once so they'll appear consistent.

Chris

Or see about getting a 3D printed 'missile tip' cover.