Blacktron Black Widow Design Finalized!

.Been a while since I created this design. I had planned to make building instructions for it right away. But the original design had too many flaws. Recently I got inspired to perfect it.

For the last couple of weeks, I've been working hard on finalizing the design work on my Blacktron Black Widow. It may not seem like a lot has changed, but a lot has changed. I cleared up all the minor and major design mistakes and annoyances that bugged me about this build.

Some of the bigger improvements are:

• A lot more space for RC modules. The prototype relied on a custom Lipo battery solution, which I found undesirable because most people are not comfortable with custom electrics. Currently, several 3rd party solutions should fit, though the recommended setup is a Buwizz 3.0;

• Access to the battery compartment has improved immensely, so swapping the battery will be much easier.

• The design is a lot sturdier than the prototype;

I will now be working on making building instructions. Hopefully, that should be done within a couple of weeks. But in my experience, this process always takes longer than planned. I'll do my best.

Blacktron Cyclops WIP

These are the first couple of pictures of my current project. It is still a work in progress. But I think it's far enough along to give you an impression. This is a pretty big tank that includeds a fully functional turret ring and fast clip-based ammo reloading.

Btw, all my vehicles are fully remote controllable with a gamepad by using either Buwizz or Sbrick. Also, all my vehicles are fully functional, including: shooting and full turret motion.

What do you think?

LEGO Blacktron Black Widow MLRS Preview and Update

Hello LEGO friends,

Just to give you a little update. Besides this Blacktron Black Widow MLSR tank, of which you can see a video below. I have actually finished another tank, a big one :). But I am severely behind on making videos.
I have also finished making building instructions for my Blacktron Goliath tank. You can find more info about the design and how to buy it here: http://kelkschiz.blogspot.com/2019/04/building-instructions-done.html
I am in the process of making building instructions for this Blacktron Black Widow MLSR tank. For more info about that please keep an eye on my social media:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Kelkschiz/
Flickr: https://www.flickr.com/photos/33425520@N07/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Kelkschiz
And of course on Youtube.

And please don't forget, sharing is caring.


The Blacktron Black Widow is an MLRS (Multiple Launch Rocket System) similar to the current day TOS-1 and M270. And let's not forget the iconic WW2 Katyusha launcher. The MOC is power by custom LiPo battery packs and controlled through two Sbricks. It has two L motors for drive and three M motors for: shooting, rotation, and elevation/door opening. The firing mechanism is something I had seen on Zack Macasaet's channel and then modified for use in this MOC. I really like how it is able to quickly shoot a massive amount of projectiles.

"LEGO® is a trademark of the LEGO Group of companies which do not sponsor, authorize or endorse this video".

Copyright © 2018 by Franciscus van der Maat, all rights reserved.

Building instructions done!

It has taken some doing but I'm happy to announce that the instructions for my Blacktron Goliath LEGO tank are finally done and available for purchase (see bottom for details). 

The Blacktron Goliath is a fully functional RC LEGO tank. Its functions include:

• skid-steering drive;
• independent torsion-bar suspension;
• turret rotation and elevation;
• automatic shooting mechanism with a 5-shot autoloading magazine.
• please be aware that the current version doesn't shoot through the barrel, but instead through a small hole just to the left of the barrel. 

The instructions are step-by-step. I've tried to make them as much like official LEGO instructions. These are some sample shots: 

In case you are curious about the parts I used I've created a PDF that you can download here: https://drive.google.com/open?id=11ejJsA_fxPoeiu9tRcbNq0OD_7Hnwbgv. The part that is not included is the Buwizz brick, which you can buy here: https://buwizz.com/store/.

          I've tried to only use readily available LEGO parts, but in two instances that was not possible, namely with the wheels (6595) and the turntable (48452cx1). In my opinion, part 6595 is uniquely well suited to work with big LEGO treads (part 57518). Of course, there are alternatives, but 6595 is clearly the best. And that's why I included it in the build. The turntable is rare because, although TLG used the part for many years, there generally was only one per set. Both items are still available on Bricklink, but depending on where you live, might be hard to get. I hope this will not inconveniece you too much. Generally however, you will find that building the Goliath in its Blacktron livery is cheaper and easier than building the gray version.
          This MOC is designed to be powered and controlled with a Buwizz. However, an Sbrick with some 3rd party lipos will also work well. This MOC was not designed to use the regular LEGO Power Functions receiver and battery box.   

If you want to build this creation for yourself then you can purchase the building instructions by transferring €25 to my Paypal account: paypal.me/FvanderMaat. In the comment section of the paypal payment please note your email address, and that the payment is for the Blacktron Goliath building instructions. I will then send a download link to that email address. If you have any questions, you can email me through the email address on my Youtube channel (Kelkschiz) or DM me on twitter (@kelkschiz) or just reply to this topic.

Thanks in advance for your patronage, it means a lot. 

LEGO RC Blacktron Goliath Update

This is an improved version of the Blacktron Goliath. It may not look it, apart from the recoloring, but this design has been rebuild several times. Especially the inner mechanics have been completely overhauled to make them run smoother, and to make the tank more practical. This rebuilding process can be seen as the final step before making building instructions. Because I am planning to make building instruction, I am less forgiving of imperfections. A lot of time has gone into this step. But its mechanisms inside are a lot more reliable now. Of course I've also tweaked its appearance here and there. Still a bit of a work in progress: there are still some things I am not 100% happy with. I will be making some more videos of this tank in the future and i've started making building instructions.

You can find more info about this thank in my previous blog post and on my Youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/Kelkschiz (more videos upcoming).

LEGO RC Blacktron Goliath Heavy Tank in Action

This is the first video of my latest tank. So far I am pretty happy with it. I have the feeling that I am getting ever closer to the goal I set out for myself a couple of years ago. Namely, making a perfectly functioning remote controlled LEGO tank. At the moment I am busy with making some final improvements after which I am planning to make building instructions for the tank. 

One of the improvements with this tank is a new remote control scheme. At the center of this scheme sits the BrickController app programmed by Imurvai. This app enables controlling Sbricks, Buwizz bricks and even PF IR with a bluetooth gamepad! The gamepad provides physical feedback that is absent in the other apps and this physical feedback improves controllability immeasurably. For more information check out this Eurobricks forum thread: https://www.eurobricks.com/forum/index.php?/forums/topic/120823-wip-control-sbrick-and-buwizz-with-android-game-controller/

Some specifications of this tank:

The MOC is powered by 2 XL motors for drive and 2 M motors for rotation, elevation and shooting. A single Buwizz for remote control and power.

Functions:

- Working torsion-bar suspension

- Shooting;

- Driving;

- Turret rotation;

- Gun elevation;

Some pictures:

Here you can see it in action:

Blacktron Blackbird & Wasp

After getting reinvested into the LEGO Blacktron theme with the Scouttrax, Trooptrax and Liberator, it was a given that I also had to build a Blacktron spaceship, Spaceship, SPACESHIP!!! I wanted something big like a command ship but not so big that I would have to spend a small fortune of Bricklink. So I opted for a frigate class ship.

This is the Blacktron Blackbird a Blacktron C3 (command, control and communications) frigate. Designed to act as a forward HQ for an AO (area of operations). As most ships in the Blacktron fleet, it is fast, heavily armed and cool looking as hell. It has two modes of operation. It's standard cruise mode in which the ship is one long sleek craft. And then it has a battle mode in which the front cockpit detaches and acts as a multipurpose fighter/bomber. The fighter is called the Wasp it has a variable-sweep wing which can be completely folded backwards. When the fighter detaches the main ship is controlled from a secondary cockpit slightly farther back.

It is not difficult to see where the inspiration for this build came from, I think. It had two main sources of inspiration the first obvious being the Lockheed SR-71. The second is a bit more obscure but I hope fan of the Star Trek universe will still notice it.

Have to say I had a lot of fun making this build and also making some of the images. All my other MOCs since my dark age rely heavily on LEGO Technic, all of them are remote controlled. This is quite the opposite. Hardly any technic involved here. Nor any complex mechanisms so I was able to fully enjoy the design process, which was a lot smoother than normal. Still planning to expand my Blacktron forces further.

BT4EVER!!