An organic tactical air defense element. It has everything to do with banjos. Who's pickin' a banjo here?
About this creation
Each standard Das Capitol Legion contains an organic tactical air defense element. The legions are currently fielding the SPARTAN MK I. SPARTAN provides a Capitol Legion Commander with reliable air defense which is as mobile as his legion itself. Despite significant drawbacks (maintenance, crew training costs, and lighter armor allotment) the DC High Command opted for a surface effect platform because of the benefits provided by its mobility. At the operational level, mobility for the ADA is crucial if it is to provide coverage for the mobile legions it is protecting. At the tactical level, high speed movement over difficult terrain increases the platforms survivability tremendously. Further, DC R&D has concluded after exhaustive analysis, that chicks dig surface effect platforms. In addition to its exceptional speed, SPARTAN is heavily armed. The turret supports four intermediate range ADA missiles, four 30mm auto cannon, 16 guided surface to surface missiles, and standard smoke projectors. Additionally, there are two auto grenade launchers mounted in the nose. The fire control system incorporates both SRAD and LRAD radar. SPARTAN carries one full reload and is self loading. The platforms speed, maneuverability and fire power come at great cost. SPARTAN is only armored like an APC, not an MBT. Later models may include C3, MLRS, Ambulance, and Tank Killer variants.
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Six shrouded intakes on top and six vectored thrust ports on the bottom. Primarily an ADA missile platform, SPARTANs four Intermediate range missiles are augmented by four 30mm auto cannon, and 16 copperhead type surface target guided missiles. Duel nose mounted auto grenade launchers provide for platform defense.
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Turret supported by gunners basket beneath. Basket anchored to pivot point on floor. Basket and turret rotate together. Basket holds seated gunner when buttoned up.
Armor is thin due to weight, but slope is very shallow for maximum ballistic defection. Armor is reinforced around leading edge of “wing” and the nose only. Nose and wing reinforcement allows SPARTAN to smash through vegetation and light urban structures when moving at optimal speed.
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Max operating altitude is 70 feet. Optimal operating altitude is 20 feet. Control and maneuverability diminish as altitude is increased. Surface effect is lost completely beyond 70 feet. Do not drive this platform off of a cliff. Do not attempt to stand or conduct normal operations of any kind when this platform is passing overhead. Goggles will be worn at all times when operating in proximity to this platform.
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How come every time I come around you steady bling bling?
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The gunner views an ammunition pod (A-pod) on the ground and must provide the drivers with vehicle positioning instructions via his helmet radio before commencing Tactical Reload Operations (TRO). The turret basket is partially visible through the empty ammunition pod bay. The reload is conducted by the gunner, so with the exception of the auto-grenade launchers, the platform is defenseless during TRO
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Once SPARTAN is positioned correctly, landing skids (present but not visible in this shot) are extended and the vehicle is “Parked”. The main rear hatch is opened and the yellow and black loading arms are extended. The vehicle commander has coordinated for the A-pod to be left in a plaza deep in the heart of a recently captured metropolitan objective. His hope is that the tall buildings with their dense metallic frames and concrete outer shells will afford his team some amount of cover and concealment during the TRO.
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The gunner operates the loading arms from the console in the side of the rear bay hatch.
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The gunner fastens the loading arms to the A-pod and then lifts the pod into the pod bay. This capability eliminates the need for a special loader vehicle. A-pods (or a Fuel-pods, ECM-pods, Generator-pods, Communications Relay-pods, Repair Part-pods or even a Basic Supply-pods) can all be left at various sights by a simple long bed truck. SPARTAN can load and employ the pods without any external support. Shoot, scoot, grab and go. Logistics on the fly.
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Completing the loading operation form a control panel on the ramp exposes the gunner but not without reason. He must clear the bay to make room for the pod, and must view the loading process form outside to ensure the bay is free form obstructions and that the pod itself is free of damage or foreign objects (ice, rocks, logs, booby traps).
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Lego makes cool controls. I use the green/red button peace for missile loaders and cardboard box compacters. This gunner used to operate a box compactor at a Montgomery Wards Store in San Diego. He immigrated to Das Capitol when Montgomery Wards went out of business.
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Gloves and goggles will be worn at all times when operating the pod loader (or the box compacter for that matter). Do not sleep on, next to, or near yellow and black striped surfaces. Sever injury or death could result.
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Hold the green button down and listen for it…Ka-chunk!
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The A-pod locked in place, the gunner returns to his station in the basket through the turret hatch. He will raise the back hatch from his basket.
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TRO complete. SPARTAN powers up, reports status to higher, and prepares to return to its primary engagement zone.
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Weapons rack, turret, and gunners basket. The rectangular device on the top is the Long Range Radar (LRAD). It spins atop the weapons rack, until it detects targets well beyond the range of the weapons. Once it acquires a target, it points the weapons at the target, and the round radar dish, the Short Range Radar (SRAD) begins to track. The four intermediate range missiles, the quad 30s, the 16 copperhead type missiles, and the smoke projectors are all visible on the weapons rack atop the turret.
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Turret and basket. The turret is a black metallic wedge with smoked Plexiglas periscope view ports. The gunner must be buttoned up and in the fire control station, (the basket) while operating either of the radar (to avoid severe radiation burns) or any of the missiles (in order to avoid being incinerated by the missile exhaust). It is not absolutely necessary, but highly advised that he operate the quad 30 from the basket at well (in order to keep his fillings from rattling out of his skull).
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The transparent Heads Up Display (HUD) allows the gunner to track multiple targets and to monitor the status of several crucial systems while still maintaining a high level of situational awareness within SPARTANs main cabin. This facilitates better communications amongst the vehicle crew members and consistently results in more combat efficient crews. One team one fight!
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The gunners seat folds wayyyy back, so he catch a few minutes of sweet sweet sleep. Of course, no Das Capitol gunner ever sleeps in the basket. It’s simply an observation about the properties of the seat. Goggles will be worn at all times when in the basket (so the drivers can’t tell when you’re sleeping).
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SPARTAN gunners like to describe themselves as Fire Control Officers (especially when talking to hot women form recreantly conquered territories). SPARTAN drivers like to describe SPARTAN gunners as Scope Dopes (especially when talking to anybody but SPARTAN gunners).
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The forward crew compartment contains two redundant drivers stations with periscopes like those in the turret, and a multispectral selective perspective round blue looky outty things. The targeting recitals for the left and right auto grenade launchers are the small black devices to the left and right of the corisponding driver stations.
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The drivers have to go elsewhere to sleep…No! They do not sleep on, next to, or near the black and yellow striped components of the pod loader! Are you on crack? Don’t you know! Sever injury or death could result! By the way, were are you dam goggles boy?
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The forward crew station as seen through the open pod bay and through the main vehicle cabin (have to take out the turret/basket assembly to get this shot). Somewhere in the scrap heap behind a weapons development lab deep in the subterranean bowls of Das Capitol, there’s a legless robot…crying pathetically. Praying to its digital deity for salvation. Well Sparky…Salvage is as close as you’ll ever come to Salvation! Now give me your skull! I need to make a frik’n tea pot!
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Comments
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I like it |
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June 10, 2013 |
Wow. 2004. Do you remember these years? This is fantastic. |
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I like it |
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Alex Storm August 23, 2012 |
An incredible vehicle mate, this is quite superb with all the details and interior additions. Only thing that buggers me is the disks on the sides, I think it would be a lot better if you made something like them that wasn't one whole piece. Easiest thing to compare this too would be the countless ships that although can be very good, end up using the prefab hull pieces. The larger Legos like that kinda take away from the overall image and I really enjoy seeing people design things to replace parts like that. Otherwise again, great creation I look forward to seeing more! |
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I like it |
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June 23, 2012 |
Look at all that palyability! Gosh, we;ve all come so far, haven't we? It's fun to look back and see how whimsical this hobby once was for us. Thanks Mike! ~Dave |
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I like it |
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June 23, 2012 |
Impressive work, it looks like just the man for the job! |
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I like it |
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May 17, 2012 |
A very unique hovercaft! And those are some serious weapons :-D Plenty of firepower to take on just about anything there. Seen head on the huge jets (white wheels) underneath look awesome - Looks like they would carry at least three times the hovercrafts own weight :-) |
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I made it |
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May 1, 2012 |
Quoting Dustin Esau
Viper 6, I thought my life would slow down a bit when I got back to Texas...That’s not quite how it worked out. My bricks are still in Kansas, and I have less time for Lego than ever! TRO does bring the platform to a standstill, but that’s true for almost every combat system. Ever watch how long it takes to reload the mags on an M-1? Or how long it takes to fuel one? No, when re-fueling, and re-arming, combat ops come to a halt. Fact is, most SCI-FI builders simply ignore the mundane battle field functions of fueling, arming, and repairing. I would estimate that TRO takes 3 to 4 minutes (when everything works correctly). I am thinking about a re-do on this model. Making it slightly longer and putting some more delta shape into the leading edges. I would like to build 4 or 5 so I could depict an amphibious operation. Maybe put in some troop carrier variants. No time soon though. Maybe next year. Good to hear from you again. Attack! |
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I like it |
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May 1, 2012 |
Mr. Ruthford it ahs been some time my friend. My E-Mail has over 800 read emails. Sorry if you have been trying to get ahold of me. Lets start this. I like the overall desgind of the craft. The color scheme is great. I like the yellow hazard colors near the ammo bay. The reloading concept is a great idea. What would you say the overall reload time is from start to finish? Is it suitable for in combat? It just seems too exposed. Being in a stationary situation kinda puts it out the as an easy target. I can see the mobility of the unit being really high but as soon as you reload that mobility is gone. I do like the idea though. I like the thrusters on the bottom, but... Well they just look like big wheels on their side. Maybe adding exhaust flames or reverseing them around and adding a chariot wheel with some detail? I do like the overall shape. It is very unique though. The guns and missile pods are amazing. Well Mike this is a great MOC.Here is my new E-Mail address DustinEsauUSMC@live.com |
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I like it |
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April 30, 2012 |
Wow i can't criticise this:) How you doingMr. Rutherford Long Time no here. I have improved much since last the comment on Alloy Strike you made. :) |
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I like it |
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~~Patrick~~ . April 26, 2012 |
Quoting Michael Rutherford
I hope you enjoy this MOC. I don't want you to tell me if you like it or not. That is not really the point of this site. I want you to live up to the group name and provide some "Constructive Criticism". I look forward to reading your recommendations. Attack!
http://www.mocpages.com/moc.php/6657
I would say something but, I believe Deus has said everything I think can be improved. Of course I only started Moccing about a year or more ago, so, I can't really judge it fairly.
Seen in the group "Constructive Critism" |
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Hmm, not much I can say in terms of criticism, but here was I can see that you might to consider doing something about.
On the underside I notice that only 4 of the 6 wheels have black coverings, I'd suggest do it for all 6 or not at all otherwise it looks kind of weird.
The yellow tiles on the outside I don't get their purpose, they seem distracting to me, I'd suggest switching them out for black or grey tiles instead, and is that a sticker near the front? Personally I'm not big into stickers but if that's your thing then go for it (I don't think it is, is it?).
Also, I think having more then one soldier with it would add to the realism of the look, because in all of the pics I only saw one (edit-I see two in the cockpit but you get my point).
Another thing, is that a 100% lego city background behind it? If it is I'm quite jealous of you, I wish I had the pieces for that.
Finally I think a big battle scene featuring this moc would complete the presentation of it and complete the "military" feel it shows.
Overall great design. Hope I helped. |
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I like it |
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April 24, 2012 |
The guy below me said the most but i think you should just have some better lighting |
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I made it |
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February 22, 2012 |
Quoting Brandon B.
WOW! Sci-fi meets modern combat. In one model! How many feet is the spartan MKI?
Mr. B. Spartan was about...uh...15 or 18 inches long. I'm not really sure, but I can tell you that is was very very heavy! It had a lot of brick in the nose, and the inside is a box shaped tube of bricks, so it was a big hunk of plastic. Thanks for the review. Attack! |
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I like it |
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February 21, 2012 |
WOW! Sci-fi meets modern combat. In one model! How many feet is the spartan MKI? |
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I like it |
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February 21, 2012 |
WOW! Sci-fi meets modern combat. In one model! How many feet is the spartan MKI? |
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I like it |
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August 3, 2011 |
Great bulky style. I really like your use of the castle wall corners as skirting. Very intimidating looking turret as well.
The ammo pick-up is a genius feature as well, has it's drawbacks, but you could certainly sustain a force for an extended period in a hot zone. |
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I like it |
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August 2, 2011 |
The Iron Reich, the mighty precursor to the Metal Legion. I wish that faction was still alive today, that would be so awesome. Great build! |
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I like it |
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June 5, 2011 |
Nice massive vehicle, sir, and thanks for your kind comment on my sub! For the dry dock, I'll try my best! ATTACK! =) |
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I like it |
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May 16, 2011 |
WOW! Why havn't I seen this before? I love how the Ammo pod detaches! This inspires me to build. |
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I like it |
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April 13, 2011 |
the armament looks like the marauder of sgt slaughter, being hover type, it s also futuristic, but, it remains realistic, and beleivable! to say i love the yel-blac warning parts, would be an understatement, as it s a quality of detail movie props have! a creation like this is worth a movie-cartoon made after! the demo of loading is pure candy, and adds tremendously to the realism you looked for, as for the scene-context, it s just plain super! i love this modern-planet-ape type architecture! a few props and figs would have been spectacular! anyway to do better? do a fire testing demo on elements of crime or rebellion! excellent work michael! and thanks for your comments!
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I like it |
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April 12, 2011 |
Can't help but think of Hammers Slammers by David Drake. |
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I like it |
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March 13, 2011 |
Great, it fits your bulk style perfectly! The angles are great and those round plates really complete it well. |
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I like it |
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January 31, 2011 |
Wow! Just like a military vehicle has to be: Compact, angular hull; claustrophobic interior; a bunch of deadly equipment.
I like those movable details like the hatch and the A-pod loading arms, too ... quite cool stuff.
Brilliant! |
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I like it |
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January 27, 2011 |
Well, your homepage asks for criticism, but I have so little to give on this. For some reason everything about this build just works perfectly to me... I love the turret, the big ducted fans, the forward hatch, the inside controls (nice use of those old-school minifigure legs. Genius!), the turret asembly... the only thing I don't particularly like is the middle of the underside; I think the patterning of light and dark grey could be a little better blocked and less cluttered. That's just a minor detail to me, though... it's not bad, it's just merely good when the rest of this is great. By the way: once again, thanks for your service. |
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I like it |
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September 4, 2010 |
This is another great piece of engineering! But I'm curious about the setting. It looks like a huge mega-city. Nice! |
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I like it |
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Nunoyo Bizznizz June 23, 2009 |
Beautiful work! |
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I like it |
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May 22, 2009 |
When will it be on stores? |
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I like it |
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March 26, 2009 |
Wow, this is awesome. Everything a lego, even the background. Nice job! :)LCG |
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I like it |
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February 14, 2009 |
Nice,in reply to your comment on my Irish Commandos weapons, I didn't actually post it,originally it was going to be posted but i wasn't to happy about it so i scuttled two of them and now one is sitting on my shelf gathering dust.But i've got at least 4 MOCs planned for Brickfair 09. I hope you bring something as awesome as camden towers for this year! |
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I like it |
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February 9, 2009 |
Very nice! I love the slight tilt on the lower engines, matched up with those vented circular tiles, a simple yet very effective design. Bravo sir! |
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I like it |
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January 28, 2009 |
That's a hefty MOC, very good! |
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I like it |
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August 28, 2008 |
This is great!Quit 1-bombin him.Micheal,you are a Lego GOD.Right up there with Saber Scorp.And so what if he talks too much?I'd rather have someone say too much than not enough. |
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I like it |
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May 28, 2008 |
Wow, this is really good! And don't worry about 1 bombers, i got me an AN gun! (Anti-n00b) - Callum |
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I like it |
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March 30, 2008 |
Awesome Moc,Mr.Rutherford,I don't know why it has this many one-bombs. |
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it is really bad in my opinoin. haha cant rate my creations.
your enemy
michael what ever your last name is |
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I like it |
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September 18, 2007 |
DAS KAPITOL KICKS YOU WITH DAS BOOT!!! |
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I like it |
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September 11, 2007 |
Very cool. |
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I like it |
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July 7, 2006 |
Awesome!!! |
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I like it |
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April 26, 2006 |
hey, Keith keeps saying that he's getting ideas from your ztuff. when are we ever going to see those odd little mechs he riped off from you? i want more of that city thing in the background. POST MORE MOCS!!!!! |
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I like it |
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February 15, 2005 |
Well, This is simply cool! Please continue posting your MOCs ! I only wish you'd edit your MOCs with Photoshop a little! Putting it into some kind of different background should do the thing. By the way the captions are just awesome! MOC is cool in all ways! Improve the photos, and it will be one of the best sites I've seen! |
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I like it |
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January 14, 2005 |
das capital,long live you my comrade!
from, the commissioner of economic growth
to - The commander of our proud legions |
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I like it |
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January 13, 2005 |
This hover tank is all kinds of schweetness! I wish I had the pieces to build something of this calibur. I was impressed at the step-by-step photos for the ammo pod loading. Nice! ~ Paul. |
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I like it |
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December 19, 2004 |
The only real complaint I have about this model is the photography. It just doesn't do it justice. Brilliant MOC in all aspects. If you still have it constructed, I'd recommend taking a new set of pics, and in more quantity. All but the first pic is overly dark: Try using different lighting conditions, and experimenting with flash. More detail shots would be nice. (What's the underside like?!) |
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I like it |
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December 19, 2004 |
Hey dude, nice MOC. I coudve left a post on lugnet, but well now I'm here, so why not... Yes I know Keith is abnormal, I've been around here for a while now, and I came to know about this long ago. I just got P.O'd when he started throwing his wieght around back in .space. I'm quite touchy when it comes to MOCPages. I didn't know he was HELPING you out... my bad. PS. I know youre new here, so if you want, you can copy/paste the lugnet thread URL (URL is the address of your page) into the box for 'lugnet thread' when you make your page, to include it on this page too. |
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I like it |
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December 19, 2004 |
very nice |
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I like it |
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December 19, 2004 |
If I didn't know any better, I'd say you were Keith in diguise. What you seek to gain by pulling the wool over our eyes, I know not.
Aside from the moc itself, which is 8 kinds of sweet, the backdrop you've plunked it down in is gorgeous. Your pics even have the comforting yellow hue that we've come to know and love in Goldman's pics.. Curious. . . |
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