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BEHIND THE BUILD: Minecraft Pickaxe-based Star-fighter


            I have had this idea for several years (before I even knew about Minecraft); however, I could never build it without having a turntable piece. Thanks to getting set 42097 (Compact Crawler Crane), I now 
can.

Dimensions

Length: 19 inches
Width (wings in): 14 inches
Width (wings out): 17.5 inches
Width of body (not counting "battery or shield generators": 3 inches 
Height of body: About 3 inches




Link:



Design

            I typically start out by visualizing what it is I will be creating. This helps create a sense of scale for me and helps me to picture what I need to do throughout the building process, planning for what comes next. I originally had intended for a bomb function to be implemented, but with how the landing gear and the boarding ramp were positioned it was impossible. I would like to revisit this design at some future point, though, and try to put it in.

            Having purchased four driving rings and eight red clutch gears with 16-teeth each, I was able to create a multi-directional gearbox. A gear on top of the ship has a ratchet-like function (identical in principle to that of the Compact Crawler Crane). This means it can only be rotated in one direction. The levers towards the rear of the ship (two on either side), control not only which function to be used but which direction to move in.

            The cockpit has wide windows and a steep canopy, giving it an aggressive look.




The actuator gear (the gear that controls the gearbox) is located just in front of the rear gun. Again, it is on a ratchet and can only be moved in one direction.





Both front and rear guns can be angled up or down and have gears with friction pins at base of turntables.




Sliding the right-side and bottom selector activates the "hyperdrive" switch.





The switch rotates from a forward position to a backward position. To reset it, simply switch the red lever towards the front and turn the actuator gear on top. This will cause the lever to rotate back towards the front.




Here is a look at the ratchet and the actuator gear.


A look at the rear engine and wing assembly. A axle connecting the engine to the small 12-tooth black gear activates the wing function.



The wings are retractable, making this ship take up less surface area when landing.




Shifting the left-side top latch will allow the entire wing assembly to rotate in either direction.


The lower switch controls the landing gear.




The landing gear motion is direction downward slowly through this worm gear.


A view of the underside of the ship. Where the 12-tooth tan gear is located is actually where the motion is directed downward to. Then, the motion is transferred linearly through the axles.




Landing ramp is able to be lowered via right-side top switch.




Below are the ship's "batteries" and shield generators.




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