Subject:
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Re: New MOC: Moller M400 Skycar
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Newsgroups:
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lugnet.build
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Date:
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Fri, 28 Sep 2001 00:06:18 GMT
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Viewed:
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742 times
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In lugnet.build, John J. Ladasky, Jr. writes:
> First of all, I'm going to write what I always write when someone comes out
> with an MOC of an object I've been working on myself, to wit:
>
> GRRRR! Will I *ever* get to be the first with an MOC? Teach me to try to
> be a scientist, father to a rambunctious and demanding 5 year-old (but hey,
> he's a JrFOL), husband, and an AFOL all at the same time!
Keep on trying! I'd love to see your MOC. First isn't always better -
modifications to existing models are what makes LUGNET great - and I've
learned a lot from studying the designs of great "small space" model makers
such as Bram Lambrecht.
> My Skycar is half-finished, sitting on a shelf. It has been there for
> months.
I will have to confess that I only spent 3 hours "hands on" building my
model. Of course, I don't know how many hours I spent mulling over possible
designs in my head (my "virtual LCAD"). I never figured out in my mind how
to pull this off, but once I put my hands on some bricks, it all seemed to
come together. I'm thinking maybe that's the key to my own personal Lego
creativity
>
> Unlike Mark's excellent model, I've copped out a little on modeling the
> engines -- I'm just using the Lego turbofan parts
> <http://img.lugnet.com/ld/7/4868.gif>, which are about the right size for a
> minifig-scale Skycar. Attaching the Lego turbofans to the model presents
> its own interesting set of challenges...
Thanks for the complement! Did you try using two 1x1 "headlight" bricks in
the fuselage? I agree with some of the earlier posts that my engines could
be bigger, but they don't make 3 stud diameter cylinders. I think the part
you suggest would look really good. However, you might have to give up on
the vectored duct fans at the rear if you did this. Do they make these
turbofans in red?
> I have a retractable front wheel, like The Real Thing, but I haven't figured
> out how to enclose it. I am considering doing violence to existing Lego
> parts to make what I want. Stop me, stop me!
I'm begging you, Don't do it! IMO, if I ever crossed that line, there would
be no logical place to stop, and I might as well give up Lego and start
carving models out of balsa wood. The challenge of Lego is to use what they
give you, and the beauty of Lego is that there are so many different parts
to use - as long as you have the wherewithal to get them. I don't even use
stickers that are non-Lego, although I've been sorely tempted after seeing a
lot of the great Train MOC's....
My trick to retractable gear in a small space is to not bother to "reclose"
the fuselage so it is flush when closed. Check out my X-wing. From most
standard viewing angles, you can hardly tell that it's not 100% enclosed.
http://www.brickshelf.com/cgi-bin/gallery.cgi?f=2562
> > The front nacelles and nose consist of studs in three directions coming
> > together in one spot. The back nacelles and fuselage have studs in 4
> > directions and a 2-3-4-5 transformation all occuring in a small space with a
> > volume equivalent to 4 standard bricks.
>
> I would REALLY like to see shots which detail the internal construction. I
> promise not to look at them until I've finished my own Skycar. :^)
I took some shots, but they turned out yellow under my lights. I'll have to
wait for the weekend and take some pictures with natural sunlight. (or else
read the instructions on my digcam a little closer). I'll also show my trick
for retractable gear on the skycar.
> The air traffic control infrastructure that would be needed to support
> Skycars would be pretty formidable. Their gas mileage isn't great either
> (can they be modified to run on hydrogen???), and I understand that they're
> NOISY beasts. But if they ever become practical, they will totally change
> the way we live...
I read that they are 63 decibels on takeoff, and that they could be modified
to run on natural gas or hydrogen fuel cells. I'm hoping they become
practical, not only because it would be cool, but also because it would be a
contemporary example of the determined individual scientist/inventor making
a grand technological and social change (which is nearly impossible for an
individual to drive in today's complex development world). To think that all
of Detroit and the aerospace industry have laughed at him for 30+ years....
For better or worse, the Skycar would also make an ideal military vehicle
for "low intensity" conflicts such as the one the US is considering. This
may also spur funding and development, and although I don't think Moller
would (or should) take any more help in developing the skycar without his
100% control of it, he'd probably welcome funding to produce the skycar.
I hope he makes his dream a reality - it's a very inspirational story.
Mark Chan
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Message has 2 Replies:
 | | RE: New MOC: Moller M400 Skycar
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| (...) Woohoo! I'm famous! (...) Same with me. (...) Reclosing the fuselage is more than half the battle! That's one of the things I don't like about the Sopwith Camel...the bottom is hollow! (...) Hey, that's quieter than a lot of supercars (read (...) (23 years ago, 28-Sep-01, to lugnet.build)
| | | Re: New MOC: Moller M400 Skycar
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| (...) Ah, yes, thanks for jogging my memory. I should go check out Bram's stuff again. All those minifig-scale sports cars... [...] (...) Perhaps I'm artifically restricting myself, but I'm insisting on using a 4 X 4 top triple and a 4 X 4 bottom (...) (23 years ago, 28-Sep-01, to lugnet.build)
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Message is in Reply To:
| | Re: New MOC: Moller M400 Skycar
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| (...) appears to have been eaten by the Lugnet news server, so I'll try again. First of all, I'm going to write what I always write when someone comes out with an MOC of an object I've been working on myself, to wit: GRRRR! Will I *ever* get to be (...) (23 years ago, 27-Sep-01, to lugnet.build)
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