Star Wars DC15-X blaster rifle with folded stock from Revenge of the Sith

cults3d

Hi, still a noob 3D modeler here, this is my first blaster! The DC15 "experimental" (or DC15-X as I call it) from Revenge of the Sith! This is the folded stock version, I plan to do a whole line of DC15-X variants over time. Included is a slightly reinforced version for added strength when printing miniature. This blaster is essentially the receiver from the DC15s carbine with the barrel of the DC15a rifle. I even created some lore around the blaster for siths and giggles: ==================================================================== The DC15-X line of weapons were part of the project to replace the existing weapons of the Republic military towards the end of the Clone Wars as part of the "phase 3" upgrades. The intention was to combine the best elements of the existing DC15 line of blasters (the power and accuracy of the DC15a rifle, the compact size and fire rate of the DC15s carbine) with the modularity of the DC17m series weapons system. The result was hoped to be a singular weapons system for streamlined production and issue to all troopers. The DC15-X prototypes were issued in limited quantities towards the end of the Clone Wars for field testing (most notably a member of the 501st used one during the assault on the Jedi Temple during order 66) and they were for the most part a success. The weapons were very powerful and could fire both in semi automatic and auto burst modes. The rifle targeting sensor system that linked to the users HUD allowed for far more accuracy than a standard carbine both at long range as well as when hip firing at close-mid range. While the basic DC15-X prototypes lacked any sort of stock, versions that featured both folding and fixed stocks (among other attachments) were issued very soon after. The modularity of the internals allowed for "in the field" modifications that were just not possible with the standard DC15's and this versatility soon resulted in even more variants appearing in the hands of special clones, with feedback from the troopers leading to more refined and specialised experimental DC15-X's being produced. While the weapons were seen as a success they did have some drawbacks: The high power blaster bolts required more energy to produce but the magazine (power cell) capacity was only slightly more than a standard DC15s carbine, resulting in fewer shots per mag and more frequent reloads. Additionally, the non-standard modular internals were not just more complicated and expensive to manufacture, they were more prone to failing when exposed to sufficient shock. This resulted in the deaths of Clones whose weapons failed to fire: one after a fall from a gunship and the other after an explosion. The reliability of the more sturdy DC15a/s weapons was something that would have been addressed by final production were the project not ultimately scrapped. The X project was ended as a result of a combination of factors: The formation of the Empire at the end of the Clone Wars meant that the need for high power weapons geared towards front line war against armoured droids was no more, while the cost of production was considered just too much to justify. Additionally, the non-standard parts required specialised production facilities which would limit the overall production numbers for years even if sufficient investment was set up to expand production. The newly formed Empire needed cheaper, more standardised, mass producible designs that existing production facilities across the galaxy would be capable of replicating using more abundant materials, and so the E series was created, replacing the DC weapon lines entirely and eventually resulting in the infamous E-11 blaster rifle. While rare, the DC15 line "X" experimental prototypes that were in circulation became very popular among the remaining clone forces, especially ARC troopers, who continued to modify and refine the weapons over years. ==================================================================== Let me know how you get on printing this and other items I produced as I am unable to test print any of my files right now (having a baby in the room means I have to avoid the fumes that printer resin produces) so it will be a while before I get to print my own models. You will need to scale the model for your needs depending on if you are printing life size or miniature. I may update later with options for several popular scales. Please see my other models based on the under appreciated Phase 3 clone from the Force Unleashed.