ADU Locust Dropship

[Tim_AZ]

The last of my parts showed up yesterday so I was finally able to put this together. This was my first LDD to LEGO build and was a significant learning experience. The biggest lesson learned for future builds is build it right in LDD. The model is unnecessarily fragile because I didn’t pay enough attention to interlocking structures. Regardless I am quite pleased with the final product. It blends in nicely with the rest of my ADU vehicles and will have a place on my shelf for a long time. I only wish I had the capability to take better pictures as these really don’t do it justice.

Here is a link to the LDD prototype thread for anyone who is interested: LDD Prototype

[Vindicare]

That. Is. Awesome. Wow, that thing is huge! It looks very official. I really like the build, it looks very swooshable and sturdy. The nose/cockpit area looks cool. Do those different colored missiles mean anything?

[Tim_AZ]

Thanks. In my imagination they are two types of missile, either radar or heat seeking or something along those lines. You never know what you’ll run into on a combat drop!

[Nightshroud99]

Sweet, I love dropships. You've done an excellent job on this one.

[Lothos]

Wow, made me think of aliens, awesome ship man.

[friedchikenfairy]

Wow. This is truly amazing, I really wish this was a real set. I love the chunky military aesthetic it has . I think you got too carried away with the missiles, in a good way . It just adds to overall aesthetic. The fact that the bottom of the cockpit also has a windshield just makes so much more awesome. However, the area on the top behind the cockpit is a little bit too flat in my opinion. I would like some interior shots though . Good job!

[ETAV8R]

Rad!

Looks great in real life. Where are the fragile areas? Could you take some pics of the gear up and down?

I could definitely see this as part of the second wave of AC where the ADU has to battle the aliens on their home turf.

Ever consider sharing the LDD file?

Edited June 20, 2012 by ETAV8R

[Ash]

Really nice. Makes me wish there were more ADU sets as I really liked them, the aliens not so much.

[Legonardo]

Very nice! I love the shaping of it!

keep bricking!

~Legonardo~

[vynsane]

Looks great!

It's funny, the cockpit could easily fit into my modular spacecraft standard if it were built with technic brick 'hardpoints'...

[Solscud007]

Love it. Any plans to make the APC like in aliens?

[Hrw-Amen]

That is good, the ADU really need some more flying shipd rather than just ground based stuff. How many ADU troopers can you fit into the cargo area?

[Faefrost]

That is amazing. I love it. If you get the chance I would love to see some clearer shots of the cockpit. That lower bottom canopy is just awesome.

Now all you need is a nice little light APC or jeep rolling out of the ramp

[Si-MOCs]

Wow.

This looks GREAT.

The LDD was nice, but something about being actually built out of bricks makes me go

[Tim_AZ]

Thanks everyone for the comments and compliments. This was a fun project and has motivated me to keep expanding my ADU forces. I’ve tried to answer everyone’s questions below.

Rad!

Looks great in real life. Where are the fragile areas? Could you take some pics of the gear up and down?

I could definitely see this as part of the second wave of AC where the ADU has to battle the aliens on their home turf.

Ever consider sharing the LDD file?

The side pods where the main gear is stowed is extremely fragile. This is my fault as I was messing around with their location didn’t do a better job of integrating them. They are only attached at the front middle and rear and it isn’t enough. I’ll give posting the LDD file some thought. Here is a quick shot of the gear retracted.

Love it. Any plans to make the APC like in aliens?

The ship isn’t large enough to accommodate something like that. Besides, I already have an APC for my troops.

That is good, the ADU really need some more flying shipd rather than just ground based stuff. How many ADU troopers can you fit into the cargo area?

It will hold at least 12 when completely stripped out. I’m working on some sort of modular payload system so it can be switched out depending on the mission but it is still in the idea stage.

That is amazing. I love it. If you get the chance I would love to see some clearer shots of the cockpit. That lower bottom canopy is just awesome.

Now all you need is a nice little light APC or jeep rolling out of the ramp

Here's a shot of the cockpit from above. The pilot is in the rear while the gunner sits up front. There's not much to see on the bottom. I just threw some details in there because I was forced to use a transparent piece.

Finally here's a shot with my MAGS and an ADU trooper to give a sense of scale. Unfortunately the cargo bay is one tile too low to allow the MAGS to fit without removing the turret. Poor planning on my part.

[ETAV8R]

Those follow up pics are fantastic. Such a great design. Would longer gear allow for the little buggy to get up without removing the turret or is it the height of the turret not fitting inside the ship itself? Although making the gear longer would take away from the very cool look of the ship when the gear are extended.

Extending the length of the ship itself would allow even more cargo, say more troops or two small vehicles.

p.s.

From an aviator, switch the red and green translucent pieces on the sides.

Red=port/left side

Green=right/starboard side

Edited June 21, 2012 by ETAV8R

[Scorpion]

Nice! Now all it needs is

;)

Excellent design, as I said in your previous thread!

[ETAV8R]

I was just comparing the LDD and the brickbuilt versions. Any reason you decided not to go with the yellow on top of the canopy as it was seen in the LDD version?

[Tim_AZ]

I was just comparing the LDD and the brickbuilt versions. Any reason you decided not to go with the yellow on top of the canopy as it was seen in the LDD version?

Since I was forced to use the darker blue due to parts availability, I wanted to spread its use out so it wasn’t all confined to the rear of the ship. Eventually I’ll replace those flat plates with something more interesting. In answer to your other question, the cargo area isn’t tall enough inside to accommodate the small vehicle.