[TC24] Plunder Runner

[Thirdwigg]

I try to help my children understand that people are not fully bad or fully good, so the idea of theme around good police and bad robbers is a little hard for me, but I have wanted to build a spacecraft for a while. Like the Motorcycle Contest a couple of years ago (!) this one is a little out of my comfort zone, so I thought it would be good to participate. Also, space is a foundational LEGO theme, so I didn't want to miss out. Late winter/early spring is a little intense in the Thirdwigg household, so we'll see what I can complete. It does mean I'm keeping the build small and manual.

I recently got set 40580, so Blacktron I is on my mind (and if I'm being honest, it's been on my mind almost non-stop since 1990), so this would be my design theme. Plus the all black with a little bit of yellow works well with a technic collection. Also, this means I have a transparent windscreen, which in my mind, and a requirement for a LEGO space ship. The Plunder Runner will be a small, fast, craft with a storage compartment for cargo, loot, or space police officers who are not quite above reproach. Call it the space robber side if you like, but I like to think it's not the space police side. 

I built a little draft to get the shape and proportions. Two HOG gears on the top would be for the landing gear and the Pod lift mechanism.

After playing with some of the mechanisms and landing gear placement, the size would need to increase a little. Draft two is not much, but much more black.

It was about this point, I figured out I needed to finalize the Pod size and shape. Studio was the best place to try some ideas. I think these will be final. The trick with Blacktron I is to have less yellow than you want, so we'll see if this is too much later in the build. Cargo Pod is on the left, and Cage Pod is on the right. Both open on the top.

Like I said, it's a little busy in Thirdwiggville, so we'll see if this gets done on time....

 

[Thirdwigg]

A little update. I was able to complete draft 2, which has the landing gear working, the rear pod lift working, and a reasonable structure for the wings. The canopy might be a little too small, but I'll keep going and see what I think a little later.

[HydroWorld Outlook]

This is some excellent progress, and I can't wait to see the finished product. What's its propulsion system? Are there any other mechanical functions planned?

[Thirdwigg]

Thanks @HydroWorld Outlook, and I hope I am able to finish in time.

I'm not sure about the propulsion system yet, as it depends on how the pods get placed. I'll get there.

Nope, no other mechanical functions other than the landing gear and the pod lift are planned.

[Thirdwigg]

OK, all done. In the theme of Blacktron 1, this fast little ship can carry a light cargo load, and get away from the space police quickly. 

Features:

• Opening Cockpit
• Working Landing Gear
• Pod Storage Arms
• Opening Pods (Cage/Cargo)

Video is coming shortly....

I'm glad I was able to finish this little project. 

[Thirdwigg]

Alright, a short little video has been added. There are two simple functions for this small little craft.

 

[Thirdwigg]

Friends, my build process got a little messed up this spring. Sorry for the delay, but I have finally posted free instructions for the Plunder Runner at Rebrickable. I hope some of you are able to enjoy this little build.

[astyanax]

Wasn't really following the contest topics, but I just saw this on RB main page and it caught my eye immediately! Lovely stuff! I have a soft spot for the old Blacktron, still have my Battrax from 1987. I may have to 'borrow' its canopy to build your ship (it's the only trans-yellow I have here)... 

[Thirdwigg]

Thanks @astyanax, and I'm glad you like it. Yeah, stuff in trans-yellow is hard to come by. I hope you are able to build this, and let me know how it looks with the Battrax canopy.