24 replies to this topic

[dizzyduck]

DO NOT ASK ME ABOUT RANGES.
If you ask about ranges, you will be flogged.

I recently got my hands on a XXL Bazooka. I had heard about the awesome power of this blaster in other threads and in conversations on the IRC channel, but I had to see for myself. I was pleasantly surprised with the blaster's capabilities, but I wanted to go further than just singling it.

Here's what I came up with:


I put a PVC bushing over the original "barrel" (which actually houses the extension spring), and carved the missile holders out to fit a pair of CPVC-couplered Big Salvo tanks. The external tubing was pretty much unavoidable, since there is practically no open shell space in front of the priming crank.

Hector can explain it better:



I'll have a writeup posted shortly.

[dizzyduck]

This is going to be a long writeup, so it will probably stretch over a few replies.

Here's the stock XXL Bazooka:


And the internals:


The two spinning gizmos on the sides of the blaster are just for show, but here's a pic of the gear setup underneath them:


The first order of business was to add a bushing to the front of the blaster to accommodate 1/2" PVC. I removed the grate from off the top of the spring housing:



Now we need to add the bushing:





I glued the bushing in with a generous amount of epoxy, just to make absolutely certain that it doesn't fall out from the force generated by the recoil of the blaster.

Part 2 is coming up...

Edited by dizzyduck, 05 April 2009 - 12:09 AM.

[dizzyduck]

I had to further butcher my Hornet internals for their Blast Buttons.



Then I had to re-fit the Salvo tanks and do some bodywork to the XXL Bazooka's removable rocket holders to fit them inside.





The AirTech 2000 pump fit somewhat neatly into the back end of the blaster. I had to drill a couple holes in the shell to fit tubing through, making sure that none of it impeded the path of plunger shaft as it pushed outwards during priming.




Over the picture limit, continuing in part 3.

[dizzyduck]

The one snag I ran into was placing the blast buttons in a place where I could reach them comfortably and where the tubing would not interfere with the crank. I solved it by putting both buttons next to each other on the right side of the blaster (since I'm right-handed).



The screws had to be put in because I would find that my finger would cover the hole of the blast button when I pressed it down to fire the Salvo tanks. Now I can just push down on the screws without having to worry about misfiring the Salvo tanks. It's much more reliable that way.

Painting this monster took forever and a day: about twelve hours total from start to finish.


A few detail shots:





In terms of this beast being war-practical, I can't say for sure. This thing is massive and takes a while to prime (13 cranks for the Bazooka, 10 pumps for two Salvo shots). I can move around with it, but I am 6'4" tall and have arms like Stretch Armstrong. Smaller Nerfers might have more difficulty using it effectively.

Questions? Comments? Flames?

[Zorns Lemma]

Who needs war-practical when you have art?

Also, replace the shitty At2k pump with a BS pump and that should decrease pumping down.

[Draconis]

Zorn's Lemma, on Apr 4 2009, 09:44 PM, said:

Who needs war-practical when you have art?

Also, replace the shitty At2k pump with a BS pump and that should decrease pumping down.

Or use a big ass ball pump. Plenty capable of filling two BS tanks in no time.

Dizzy, that is simply awesome. Every time I see one of those XXLs, I regret not picking up the one I saw at Goodwill last year. *sigh* Not to mention regrets of no painting skills.

[gameplayer20859]

Great mod, and nice use of dead space in the body of the gun. And always, nice paint job and hector animations.


- Gplaya

[Soothsayer]

I literally almost got one of these for 10 bucks when I was like 16 at a flea marker, but my mom wouldn't dish out the money for it. I was so damn pissed then, and now after seeing this, I'm furious

[TantumBull]

I don't think there as ever been a better use of an ammo holder. Ever.

[pokemaster]

very nice dizzyduck you have cool combos looks like a very good primary

[Forsaken angel24]

I love this guy.
Good mod mate.

[Glint]

Wow, great job as usual dizzy. I especially love the paint job (once again).

But when is Widget gonna be back? Hector unnerves me...

Edited by Glint, 05 April 2009 - 06:47 PM.

[Firefox551]

Forsaken_angel24, on Apr 5 2009, 03:44 PM, said:

I love this guy.
Good mod mate.

That makes two, your mods are awsome Dizzy. Keep it up.

Off topic: You should also make a new panda character to explain you writeups.

[rork]

^Wtf? Walruses>Pandas. End of story. I love your work, dude. Every new writeup is like a wee present, shared through the magic of the internets...

[Salindin Naz]

Right on, dude, right on.

Salindin

[b00m13]

"What everyone else said" times two and a half!!

Hey, will you ever name one after yourself?

Maybe for the logo, draw a drake with swirl lines around it's head ^_~

Edited by b00m13, 08 April 2009 - 08:36 PM.

[Icespartan 1114]

Wow, Nerfer9 was telling me about how he gave this thing for your services...He wants me to tell you that he is amazed.....

[dizzyduck]

Just an update; I can't test the main blaster until I can assemble a brass breech for it. That might take a while, depending on when I can get my hands on some more brass. I also want to put a couple layers of clear topcoat sealer to further protect the paint.

b00m13, on Apr 8 2009, 05:43 PM, said:

Hey, will you ever name one after yourself?

"The Dizzy Duck" just doesn't sound nearly as intimidating as "Mauler", "Frostbite", or "Howler". If I ever were to name a blaster after my screen name, it would probably be "Vertigo".

[b00m13]

dizzyduck, on Apr 8 2009, 10:39 PM, said:

Just an update; I can't test the main blaster until I can assemble a brass breech for it. That might take a while, depending on when I can get my hands on some more brass. I also want to put a couple layers of clear topcoat sealer to further protect the paint.

b00m13, on Apr 8 2009, 05:43 PM, said:

Hey, will you ever name one after yourself?

"The Dizzy Duck" just doesn't sound nearly as intimidating as "Mauler", "Frostbite", or "Howler". If I ever were to name a blaster after my screen name, it would probably be "Vertigo".

You don't think "The Dizzy Duck" would strike fear into your enemies?

Heh, I don't know about anyone else, but when I hear of the name, I think of young badass JACKIE CHAN!!
Him, using the drunken kung fu style.

You could hold onto "The Dizzy Duck" with 1 hand, wobble towards your enemies.

Picture this:

Wobble to your left, then wobble to your right, and rotate your head like you're drunk.

Your opponents will walk in close, thinking they have an easy kill because you're all dizzy~

Then BANG BANG BANG BANG!!

*the sound 4 bodies thuds on the ground*

DD: don't underestimate the Dizzy Duck...

*blows on the gun's barrels*

*walks towards sunset*

Edited by b00m13, 08 April 2009 - 10:24 PM.

[Lt Stefan]

Nice job.

Where'd you get the check valves for this?

[dizzyduck]

US Plastics.

http://www.usplastic.com/catalog/

They're less expensive than McMaster-Carr's check valves but they haven't given me any issues so far. I also have them installed in Frostbite.

[Lt Stefan]

dizzyduck, on Apr 15 2009, 01:50 PM, said:

US Plastics.

http://www.usplastic.com/catalog/

They're less expensive than McMaster-Carr's check valves but they haven't given me any issues so far. I also have them installed in Frostbite.

Are they the mini check valves? Because I was searching them a little while ago and those are what I put on my buy list, specifically these.

[dizzyduck]

Yes, that's what I use.

[Lt Stefan]

Nice.

[dizzyduck]

Relevant information update.

I've been testing this blaster indoors with a 12" length of 9/16" brass nested in PVC for a barrel, and I must say this blaster has some awe-inspiring power. It is shooting with more velocity than my (unplugged) 4B. Even with my low-weight test stefans, shots from 40' were making significant dents in cardboard.

I think it's safe to presume that the main blaster would likely get over 100 feet in comprehensive range tests, both indoors and out. I'd give a conservative estimate of 120 feet. With more refinement to factors such as darts and barrel length, I wouldn't be surprised if it surpassed 130 or 140 feet. Possibly even 150. Again, it's speculation, but there is no doubting the power of the XXL Bazooka. It is clearly one of the hardest (and loudest!) firing springers out there.

The Salvo tanks did what one could reasonably expect from Salvo tanks.