
Locust Paper Model by Wayne Peters

Based on the Locust light BattleMech from the Tabletop game Battletech, which in turn was stolen unashamely from the anime Crusher Joe.

Not sure about the scale but it's 15cm (6") tall when constructed.

You will need the free Pepakura viewer to open and print the PDO file.
It can be downloaded from here:

http://www.tamasoft.co.jp/pepakura-en/download/viewer.html

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NOTE!: The texture change option does not work for this model in Viewer Version 3 - you will need an older version, which you can find at the bottom of that page. - I tested the texture change successfully in version 1.02

This is a direct link:

http://www.tamasoft.co.jp/pepakura-en/download/pepakura_viewer_en_1.zip

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To view the instructions, you will also need Adobe's free PDF Reader available from here:

http://get.adobe.com/uk/reader/

Recommended tools:

High quality colour printer with A4 paper
Scalpel or craft knife.
Scissors
Cutting Mat
Steel Ruler
Craft Glue - Quality PVA with an applicator nozzle for fine work
Glue Stick (ie Pritt)
Needle Tweezers

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There are a number of alternative textures supplied in a variety of camo schemes and a variety of markings. I've also included a base grey texture which you can use as a base for creating your own. It'll require a litte bit of Photoshoppery but it should be doable. I haven't included the PSD because it's Mahoooosive! You can choose the alternate texture that you want quite easily in the Pepakura viewer - but you will need an older version - see above.

In the viewer (version 1 - see above), go to the top menu tab and select 3DModelWindow and then 'Set Texture'. From here you can browse to one of the alternate texture images supplied.

When constructing the model, if you find yourself at a loss as to where a part goes, or how it is constructed or oriented, you can activate the 'Corresponding Surfaces' button on the top shelf (hover over to find it). This will allow you to click on a piece in the development window and it will highlight the corresponding part on the 3D model and vice versa.

In making the model I used high-poly cylinders to ensure proper circles in the final model instead of faceted ones. Unfortunately this has resulted in some pieces having a great many very very fine tabs along their edge. In constructing the test prototype I found that on the whole there really is no need to cut them all out. Every third or fourth one was easily sufficient. More in some cases. 

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Alt parts
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The PDF labeled Locust_AltParts is a last minute bug fix.
Upon building the test prototype, I discovered firstly that the chin-mounted gun was far too fiddly and secondly that the pistons on the backs of the legs can be too short depending on the leg position.

So, the PDF provides an alternate gun that's a little easier to construct (parts ALT 1 and ALT 2) and also two sleeves (Parts ALT 3 and ALT 4) to fit over the leg pistons (parts 19). Do not glue these immediately so that they can be extended and retracted, allowing you to make the piece the correct length before gluing it in place. See the diagram in the instruction PDF for visual reference.

This is a bit of a patch-over but there is no way to fix this in the main PDO without completely starting from scratch.

I recommend printing or pasting certain parts on to card for added strength. The parts I recomend you reinforce are: 1,2,3,10,11,12,18,20,33,32 and 37 - essentially the main torso and leg parts. This will help the legs support the weight of the model and it also helps the main body hold all the various parts attached to it without buckling.

Best of luck

Wayne

Any comments, questions or oaths of undying fealty to House Marik, contact me at:

wayne_peters@hotmail.co.uk