Author Topic: L 143 "The Black Raider"  (Read 8218 times)

Offline Brian da Basher

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L 143 "The Black Raider"
« on: August 01, 2012, 07:56:15 AM »
In late 1915, the Imperial German Army phased out its famous pickelhaube spiked helmet.



It was the moment the Allies were waiting for. Production was ramped up significantly at the Branston Pickle Works.



With nothing on hand to counter the onslaught of British pickle production, the Germans needed an answer and fast.

Fortunately, a new Zeppelin, the L 143 was being built under the greatest secrecy at Count von Zeppelin's Gerschtinkenschkunkenwerke. Could the new airship meet the Allied pickle threat?





Only time would tell.

Continued...

Brian da Basher
« Last Edit: August 01, 2012, 08:22:18 AM by Brian da Basher »

Offline Brian da Basher

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Re: L 143 "The Black Raider"
« Reply #1 on: August 01, 2012, 08:01:33 AM »
Fueled and loaded with bombs under the greatest secrecy, the L 143 took off from the Gerschtinkenschkunkenwerke on the night of January 11th, 1916, headed directly for the Branston Pickle Works.









Silently, the L 143 approached the Branston Pickle Works at high altitude. Since the night was moonless, the attack was carried off successfully and the Branston Pickle Works was heavily damaged. However, the British were not ones to give up and quickly repaired the pickle arsenal of democracy.

Continued...

Brian da Basher
« Last Edit: August 01, 2012, 08:54:01 AM by Brian da Basher »

Offline Cliffy B

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Re: L 143 "The Black Raider"
« Reply #2 on: August 01, 2012, 08:05:03 AM »
 ;D

He's at it again!
"Radials growl, inlines purr, jets blow!"  -Anonymous

"Helos don't fly.  They vibrate so violently that the ground rejects them."  -Tom Clancy

"If all else fails, call in an air strike."  -Anonymous

Offline Brian da Basher

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Re: L 143 "The Black Raider"
« Reply #3 on: August 01, 2012, 08:08:30 AM »
Within a month of the attack, the Germans were facing yet another pickle onslaught on the western front. Once again, the L 143 was forced to take to the night skies.





However, this night was brightly lit by a full moon and the British were ready for the "Black Raider". Home Defence Sopwith Scouts took to the air and one piloted by R.F.C. Flight Right-tenant Ombrine "Briney" Gherkin found the L 143 and attacked.





While the L 143 boasted defensive armament on top of the envelope and in the gondola, it wasn't enough. "Briney" Gherkin's shots were true and caused the great black airship to slowly deflate. The "Black Raider" was forced to land near the marshes of Kosher Dell. Fortunately, no lives were lost, but the threat to British pickle production was over.

Brian da Basher

Offline Brian da Basher

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Re: L 143 "The Black Raider"
« Reply #4 on: August 01, 2012, 08:13:53 AM »
The basis of this model is the 1/350 Hobbyboss Han class chinese sub. I turned it upside down and added a gondola made from an old bomb and engine nacelles scratched from sprue. The props were made from leftover struts which were also used to attach the engines to the airship. The decals were from spares and the model was brush-painted by hand.





I had a blast building this since I really wanted to make another airship. I hope you enjoyed the story of the L 143 "Black Raider".

Brian da Basher
« Last Edit: August 01, 2012, 08:49:58 AM by Brian da Basher »

Offline taiidantomcat

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Re: L 143 "The Black Raider"
« Reply #5 on: August 01, 2012, 08:19:57 AM »
Very nice!! I like that you kept the "dive planes" as wings
"They know you can do anything, So the question is, what don't you do?"

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Offline ysi_maniac

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Re: L 143 "The Black Raider"
« Reply #6 on: August 01, 2012, 11:38:13 AM »
You never disappoints me! :-* :-* :-* :-* :icon_alabanza:

Offline ChernayaAkula

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Re: L 143 "The Black Raider"
« Reply #7 on: August 01, 2012, 12:12:22 PM »
This is awesome!

Gerschtinkenschkunkenwerke.  ;D

Very nice!! I like that you kept the "dive planes" as wings

And, befitting their time, as biplanes, no less!  :icon_beer:
Cheers,
Moritz

"The appropriate response to reality is to go insane!"

Offline GTX_Admin

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Re: L 143 "The Black Raider"
« Reply #8 on: August 01, 2012, 04:27:49 PM »
 :)
All hail the God of Frustration!!!

You can't outrun Death forever.
But you can make the Bastard work for it.

Offline Frank3k

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Re: L 143 "The Black Raider"
« Reply #9 on: August 02, 2012, 06:50:12 AM »
I love the biplane wings!

The gondola has a 1930's retro look. Like something Norman Bel Geddes would design:



Or the Lautner house, here in Lost Angles:


Re: L 143 "The Black Raider"
« Reply #10 on: August 02, 2012, 07:59:34 PM »
I really do enjoy your Zeps!

Offline ed s

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Re: L 143 "The Black Raider"
« Reply #11 on: August 03, 2012, 08:32:45 AM »
Another brilliant model.

Well done, Brian.

Ed

Offline TimJ

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Re: L 143 "The Black Raider"
« Reply #12 on: August 15, 2012, 07:09:04 AM »
Great build and the story was fun too.  ;D

Offline Cliffy B

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Re: L 143 "The Black Raider"
« Reply #13 on: August 16, 2012, 10:17:43 AM »
I think you've found a new calling Brian.  Keep the airships coming man  8)
"Radials growl, inlines purr, jets blow!"  -Anonymous

"Helos don't fly.  They vibrate so violently that the ground rejects them."  -Tom Clancy

"If all else fails, call in an air strike."  -Anonymous

Offline Doom!

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Re: L 143 "The Black Raider"
« Reply #14 on: August 16, 2012, 11:18:19 PM »
BDB, I love the fact that you can consistently knock out great builds and stories to match!
Doom!
Jeff G.