My second Brick Link order for this thing came in yesterday. With all the new parts I managed to finish it.
This is the S-143 White Widow, the first Assyrian Spider Tank design.
The purpose of this vehicle is to be a mobile platform to deliver heavy weapons to the battlefield even over hostile or urban terrain.
Unlike normal tanks, this can lift itself over huge obstacles, or even be used to shield infantry units from aerial bombardment.
Now, let's take a look at its weapons.
The front of the tank can open up to reveal a missile rack.
It has 8 MKII Missiles, and two Light Laser Cannons mounted in here.
Then on the back is the large double-barrel Heavy Plasma Cannon turret. It can rotate 360° and change its pitch to shoot you no matter where you are in relation to the tank. (Except underneath of course.)
The middle dish is actually a hatch for the crew. The compartment can hold up to 4 minifigures, but the tank only needs a crew of 2. The pilot takes care of driving and the weapons in the front, the gunner mans the turret.
The tank can move its legs in a number of different ways. For example, I don't know why you would want it to sit down like this, but it can if you need it to.
It can also assume an ultra-low stance while still being able to drive thanks to the wheels on the ends of the feet.
In fact, it is so maneuverable...
That it can climb onto my Death Wall...
Prepare...
And Jump...
Back down safely on the other side. Problem Immortal Attackers?
Some construction notes...
- The wheels can fold under the feet to be stood on sideways, but it turns out this doesn't lend to good balance. I've found it is best to just keep them in the driving mode that you have seen in these pictures.
- The tank is too heavy for the joints in the legs. It can be balanced high or low, but sometimes it just wants to fall on the ground. If I had it to do over, I would make another pair of legs. The Technic joint method I used is very maneuverable but the tank is so heavy that it wants to push them around.
