Yeah being able to swivel 180 degrees would be ideal, but being mounted so close to the body that's not going to be doable. Upon further thought they definitely need to be able to be both pointed forward and to do that I need a somewhat symmetrical design. Originally I wanted to mount the drum feed on the side, which would mean that it would be too bulky to mount next to the body without building two as mirror images.
So I came up with this:
(Ignore the boring rear end shape - it will be suitably styled when I make the part)
While not properly symmetrical, the vertical silhouette is close enough (which is important to ensure that the one part will fit on both sides of the torso). I've had to make a compromise and use a ball joint for mounting (which I was trying to avoid), but it's not too bad.
Thoughts?
Oh yeah I can make that....