I’ve been building a few Lost Reich mechs released by Fat Dragon Games. This post will show the mod and some of the process I used to make 3d legs for the Skorpion model. The model itself I like but the flat 2d legs although quick to build were not really doing it for me, so I decided to see if I could design some 3d legs to go with the model.
I had a number of design constraints as it was an existing model:
- Retain the slip on and off cockpit design that Tom had built into the stock model
- Keep the footprint of the model the same
- Simple to build but strong (not sure I succeeded on this one)
- Lastly keep the leg look the same (angles etc).
So I went through a few design iterations using Trimble sketchup (Yep Google sold the program). I pretty much got the legs themselves right on the first try but I tried to simplify the hip section down and just ended up using up time for no real benefit and going back to my initial idea, its very true what they say about first drafts. A screen grab from sketchup of three versions:
Sketchup models: Top row unused drafts, bottom final version
Once I’d settled on a design I went through my usual flattening process using flattery in sketchup and then exported the svg file. Then I used the existing leg textures and textured the various shapes. I did have to create a few panels for the back of the legs and the underside of the hips. Next I created the Craftrobo/Cameo cutfile and did a full size test build:
First Test Build at Full 15mm Size
The legs themselves were quiet easy to build although a little repetitive as you need to build 4 of each part and then glue them together. I totally understand why Fat Dragon Games (FDG) released the stock model with flat legs as construction is much quicker, simpler and I would imagine much less intimidating for people who don’t normally build paper models but want to play Lost Reich:) . I posted a couple of pictures of the above up on the FDG forum and Tom gave the okay to share the file so I assemble some instructions and tided up the main file a little. As part of assembling the instructions I added a new way of identifying parts a bit like Lego instructions where the particular segment your working on is highlighted. I’ll probably add this method of identification to any instructions I do for new models in the future, plus I think it looks neat:
Instructions Highlight Examples: See Instructions below for others
The last little test I did was to build a half size version of the Skorpion with my leg design above. This was interesting to say the least but I managed to get one built, I did have to cut off a few glue tabs as they got to small and superglue was a must as holding the parts to wait for glue to set would have been difficult. You can see a side by side picture below of a full size Skorpion & half size Skorpion and one of the half size Skorpion on it’s own:
Z-Scale (1/210-ish )version and 15mm version
Z-Scale (1/210-ish )version: Easy to see the trouble I had edging the legs at that size, yep toothpick gun barrel
I’ll post more about the z-scale version when I’ve built a few more mechs up at that scale. I’ve uploaded all the files to the Fat Dragon Games forum (fan created models), so you’ll need to go there to download them. You will need a forum account to download the files:
Skorpion 3d Legs and Cut Files
Note One: to use the above properly you’ll need either the Skorpion Mk II or the Skorpion from the starter set:
Note Two: Not sure if anyone wants the blank leg geometry but here it is in a PDF ie no textures. Just to save headaches I’m releasing this piece into the public domain. If you use it I’d appreciate a mention but no obligation :).
Legs and Chassis (blank geometry)
Have fun with the legs and please use responsibly 🙂
Sirrob01 
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