[MOC] [Instructions] Nssis-Class Clawcraft

[Tom_Brick]

Update 2: Black version now available

I've added a second MOC to my Rebrickable page here: https://rebrickable.com/mocs/MOC-76368/thomin/nssis-class-clawcraft-black/#details
However, I've only done that in order to have both inventories up there. Both MOCs contain the instructions for both the black and the white version. 

 

Update 1: Instructions are now available

Thanks everyone for your kind words. I have now implemented the small changes I talked about, created the new instruction file and uploaded everything to Rebrickable here:

https://rebrickable.com/mocs/MOC-76042/thomin/nssis-class-clawcraft/#details

Dimensions: w 20.4 cm x l 45 cm x h 20.8 cm (with the stand, the height goes up to 25.4 cm)

The stand is not necessary, the construction is solid enough.
Here are some new pictures:

 

 

Original post below:
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Today, I finished my test build. I did find some flaws in my initial design plans.

• The stand wasn't strong enough to carry the weight of the ship due to the long lever coming from attaching it to the rear of the ship. That was an easy fix though. I added a simple support that goes right under the centre of the cockpit. No more lever. 
  The stand is still a bit wobbly, so even though there are now zero stability issues, it subjectively feels as if there might be. I think I will live with that though. I prefer the stand to be sleek and wobbly to being fat and sturdy.
  I will however play around some more with it a little bit, mainly in order to simplify it a little bit and possibly making it a bit smaller.
• I made an embarrassing mistake when designing the attachment points for the wings/claws where the distances between the bricks modified wasn't right. Again an easy fix, unfortunately, I didn't have enough white pieces to fix it, so I temporarily used light bluish grey which is why on the photos, you'll see grey stripes on the wings where they shouldn't be.

Other than that, I'm really happy with the outcome so far, but there's also some things I may want to look at again: 

• It's way more sturdy than I would have thought. In fact, you don't even need the stand, the ship can just be placed on its wings without problem, despite the angle which isn't ideal for that kind of thing. It's almost a play set...only holding it by the tail might be a bad idea...other than that it's as solid as anything.
• The clawcraft has a functional hatch through witch you can access the cockpit and easily put in a pilot.
• This time around, I put in a lot more detail into the cockpit than I usually do...though I might simplify that again as you really can't see it once it's finished,
• I'm not sure about the length of the tail yet. Online you see different renderings, most of which have a shorter, fatter tail whereas others have a long, slim tail. The problem is in my case that the tail simultaneously functions as a rail for the stand, to make it easy to slide in the liftarms that hold the ship, If I make the tail fatter, I'd need to completely rethink & rework the stand, which given the front-heavy nature of this model might not be easy.
• In the rendering above, you'll see that I used the lightsaber-hilts with hand guards for the four laser cannons. I eventually settled for the regular lightsaber-hilt for cost reasons. Those other ones are crazy expensive and I'd need four of them

Next up, I'll play around a bit more. Once I'm happy, I'll update the instructions and put them on Rebrickable.

Edited May 10, 2021 by Tom_Brick
Instructions now ready

[MAVERICK26]

Shoot! If only I had the space for this! It looks beautiful - isn't this the Chiss "TIE Octopus"?

[Mandalorianknight]

Amazing! We need more Chiss vehicles in lego, and this is a great design. You did a good job giving it an alien, almost organic feel with how you made the curved wings, it looks just like the legends ship.

[Tom_Brick]

12 hours ago, MAVERICK26 said:

Shoot! If only I had the space for this! It looks beautiful - isn't this the Chiss "TIE Octopus"?

You can always squeeze in another shelf somewhere 

Seriously though, thanks for the compliment. I have to admit I never heard of a TIE Octopus. The Clawcraft was according to Star Wars Legends the product of a cooperation between Empire and Chiss Ascendancy.

 

12 hours ago, Mandalorianknight said:

Amazing! We need more Chiss vehicles in lego, and this is a great design. You did a good job giving it an alien, almost organic feel with how you made the curved wings, it looks just like the legends ship.

Thanks, I agree that we need more Chiss stuff (hence this ship ) unfortunately, their tech really isn't well described. At least I haven't been successful yet tracking down designs of their ships outside of some large battle cruisers. The Clawcraft is the big exception, though that one isn't pure Chiss.

Edited May 6, 2021 by Tom_Brick

[Tom_Brick]

After seeing the ship in real life, I tried shortening the tail by 4 studs which works better IMHO. I also used ingots along the whole tail in order to not have the hard 90° edges. Now I'll slightly update the stand, then I can finalise the instructions.

 

[jimmynick]

Oooh this build is a looker! Been a while since I've seen any Chiss craft. Thanks for sharing!

[Tom_Brick]

Instructions are now ready. I've updated the original post.

[Tom_Brick]

I've added a black version. Original post has been updated.