Inache Posted February 13, 2011 Share Posted February 13, 2011 Seeing as I decided to not only clear my "To Build and Paint" box with vowing to do three LR's I've had sitting around, I also decided to take a whack at getting three Stormravens knocked out in anticipation of April. Thankfully the last few days have given me plenty of inspiration with all the rumors flying around. I decided when I first saw the SR that it needed to be longer, and most of it's faults would melt away. Amazingly enough, they did. http://i189.photobucket.com/albums/z317/Inache/DSC00610.jpg Since this is my first time working with plasticard, or in fact, converting any sort of vehicle, it's been slow and full of mistakes and set backs, but it's still plodding along http://i189.photobucket.com/albums/z317/Inache/DSC00611.jpg The model is amazing in how it fits together, and having the wings on, even if only dry-fitting, makes the model seem so much more awesome. http://i189.photobucket.com/albums/z317/Inache/DSC00612.jpg I'll probably attach the wings tonight if I can work up the energy to finish magnetizing the weapons and the hard points on the wings. http://i189.photobucket.com/albums/z317/Inache/DSC00613.jpg And of course the biggest time sink, flying it around making whooshing noises http://i189.photobucket.com/albums/z317/Inache/DSC00614.jpg ZOOOM! Only 2.5 more SR's to go! http://i189.photobucket.com/albums/z317/Inache/DSC00615.jpg Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Warsmith Aznable Posted February 13, 2011 Share Posted February 13, 2011 I agree, that does look better a little stretched out. Good on you, sir. Have you seen this recent thread where the dorsal profile was slimmed down? I think that combined with what you're doing would be boss. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Inache Posted February 13, 2011 Author Share Posted February 13, 2011 I saw that earlier, and it looks awesome. I'm leaning more towards nothing on top, and I'm actually mounting the weapons on the wings next to the rocket pods. Just finished drilling the holes for the magnets. For awhile I was leaning towards scratch-building scaled down titan weapons as an analog to the cannon on the THawk, but the more I look at it, I think nothing on top might be best with the elongated profile. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rinion Posted February 13, 2011 Share Posted February 13, 2011 Thats pretty awesome! I havent worked much with Plasticard either, but this has inspired me! Could you tell me exactly/roughly how you managed it in the end? And what the best way to do it all is? I have problems cutting it, and then if it's cut wrong, getting it straight (and getting both sides of something to match >.<) Can't wait to see this finished! Also i'm assuming 2mm card? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Inache Posted February 13, 2011 Author Share Posted February 13, 2011 To start off with I was measuring and tracing with the hull. Since the rear section fits rather snugly with the fuselage and is the connection for the tail I decided to just move it back, and fill in the space with plasticard. It was hit or miss at first since it isn't easy to get a molded fit using rough tracings, so I started to break it down into component parts. First a filler for where the landing gear fits, then a triangle to even it out, then another triangle with a groove cut out for the rear hatch section. Then a thin strip to complete the side up to where the engine strut would normally meet the tail. Now that I've got it all nice and set with this first one, I've got measurements and angles for everything so I'm just going to cut out a single piece for more stability instead of gluing all these poor pieces together. I'll probably start a tutorial just in case because this is for the LPC after all. I'm using .03 inch thick plasticard, I don't know what that is in mm. I got it on the cheap from the art department on campus, so beggars can't be choosers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BulldogUK Posted February 13, 2011 Share Posted February 13, 2011 Like what you have done here and defo like the longer look of the SR. Even though I scratched my own many moons ago I will probably purchase a couple of the GW ones to fly alongside it and will go down the 'stretched limo' root probably add a few bits of GK bling while I am at it! Good work old boy! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chenley Posted February 13, 2011 Share Posted February 13, 2011 Are you going to add a second set of side doors, so the Hurricane bolters don't block the side access off? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mega_marines Posted February 13, 2011 Share Posted February 13, 2011 Loving it! Totally looks like a miniature Thunderhawk, and how I picture the Grey Knights to use it! I have an idea for you to consider though. Not mandatory, but I think it might look really cool if executed. How about placing each bit of a Multi-Melta to where the lights are next to the ramp, instead of bulking out the front profile? From there you could slope down the front, and bring the easier feel of a Thunderhawk to bear. Like front of this: http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k175/megamarines/stormraven4f.jpg Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Inache Posted February 13, 2011 Author Share Posted February 13, 2011 Are you going to add a second set of side doors, so the Hurricane bolters don't block the side access off? Nah, I don't really see the need for the Hurricane bolters, but I am going to magnetize them anyways along with the side hatches, just in case. Loving it! Totally looks like a miniature Thunderhawk, and how I picture the Grey Knights to use it! I have an idea for you to consider though. Not mandatory, but I think it might look really cool if executed. How about placing each bit of a Multi-Melta to where the lights are next to the ramp, instead of bulking out the front profile? From there you could slope down the front, and bring the easier feel of a Thunderhawk to bear. Like front of this: http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k175/megamarines/stormraven4f.jpg I thought about that, but I do kind of like the idea of them firing over the heads of disembarking troops, rather than shooting around them. Plus since that's just a photoshop, and not an actual conversion it doesn't accurately portray just how annoyingly hard it would be to get rid of the sensor mount and flatten that out. :) I might add the front stubs though, I do like the added feel. I'm glad for all the input, it helps me view it more critically. I've got a speech due tomorrow, but I'll try to get some more done and more pics up tonight. Hopefully I can get some of the brass etchings on tonight. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Warsmith Aznable Posted February 17, 2011 Share Posted February 17, 2011 I'm contemplating my new Storm Raven kit trying to work up the nerve to have a go at this style conversion. I'm just not that confident with plasticard. I have no idea how I worked up the resolve to start chopping up my Defiler, but whatever reserve of fortitude I had back then doesn't seem to be with me right now. But this is really inspiring, so I'm going to state at your pictures for a few minutes more before going back to the hobby room and going one way or the other... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ShotgunFacelift Posted February 17, 2011 Share Posted February 17, 2011 Now it looks like a capable flying machine! Great job with keeping the plasticard neat and in theme with the rest of the model. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shinigami Posted February 17, 2011 Share Posted February 17, 2011 no dubts, it really looks a lot better with that added lenght. Any chance of getting some other photos, from different angles? A more detailed explanation of the plasticard job woulb be appreciated as well :D Great job... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dinks Posted February 18, 2011 Share Posted February 18, 2011 The little addition of lengthening the hull makes the Stormraven look much better, i applaude your work and look forward to more! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wulfenstein Posted February 19, 2011 Share Posted February 19, 2011 And of course the biggest time sink, flying it around making whooshing noises I don't blame you, I would do the same! I was like :). That said, my only critizism is I would add more armor to the back section to make it more space marineish*. Also some mentioned it already, but maybe cut out a second exit door so you can have bolters up front if you were going to use them. If you weren't gonna use the bolters, then it looks great as is. But I still think extra armor would look awesome. Would you happen to have the templates and be willing to share them? I kind of really want to build this now. My next project, maybe? :lol: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Korvydae Posted February 19, 2011 Share Posted February 19, 2011 Nice idea, and I have to say it works really well. I think the plasticard bits could do with being a bit more detailed, some more panels etc to tie it in with the rest of the vehicle, but since its WIP you might be considering this anyway. I think you have managed to turn my mind on the SR now. Nice work. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grey Hunter Ydalir Posted February 19, 2011 Share Posted February 19, 2011 This makes me think that the SR isn't a lost cause. I hate the look of it as GW intended, it's awful and wouldn't fly. While the conversion may still not fly realistically (as with most 40k aircraft), this actually looks like it could, and doesn't look quite so pug-ugly, all of which are key to appreciating the model properly. Great work. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Inache Posted February 20, 2011 Author Share Posted February 20, 2011 I blasted through doing the second one on last sunday night, but between research papers, midterms, and presentations I haven't had a lot of opportunity to get into my hobby corner. As far as the plasticard goes, I just take a sheet, and trace the shape I want with a pencil with the model on top providing the template. I've made decent sketches, and as soon as I have a chance to scan them at the library on campus I can make them available. I need to refine them a little bit more, since it involves some trimming and a little finagling to get everything just right. As far as details go, I'm going to add some more paneling to the plasticard areas to build them up, and I'm in the process of getting some rivets made from all the excess sprue I've got laying around the apartment. I'll try to get some more pics of the two I've got done up tonight at some point. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Inache Posted February 21, 2011 Author Share Posted February 21, 2011 Photo update before I head off to my Latin midterm. Got some different angles so you all can see my shoddy work, and how some of the pieces fit (horribly) together. http://i189.photobucket.com/albums/z317/Inache/DSC00645.jpg http://i189.photobucket.com/albums/z317/Inache/DSC00642.jpg http://i189.photobucket.com/albums/z317/Inache/DSC00641.jpg http://i189.photobucket.com/albums/z317/Inache/DSC00637.jpg http://i189.photobucket.com/albums/z317/Inache/DSC00636.jpg http://i189.photobucket.com/albums/z317/Inache/DSC00634.jpg Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Inache Posted March 15, 2011 Author Share Posted March 15, 2011 Time for an update! I've been busy busy busy over the last three days of Spring Break, and I have results! The (almost) fully assembled models! http://i189.photobucket.com/albums/z317/Inache/DSC00649.jpg Everything is pretty much the same, but after some thought, and some dry fitting, I decided to go with the sleek nose instead. So the meltas got attached to the front on all the SR's. Plus this last one is going to be in =][= colors instead of Grey Knight colors, so I busted out some FW brass etchings for it. http://i189.photobucket.com/albums/z317/Inache/DSC00650.jpg And a close up of the holes on the underside of one wing where I'll be mounting magnets to allow for different main weapon loadouts. http://i189.photobucket.com/albums/z317/Inache/DSC00652.jpg Tomorrow I'll be adding counterweights to the forward landing gear to keep them level on the flying mounts, and adding all the doodads and extra armor and paneling on the SR's as well as magnetizing the grenade covers for the LRC's, and if I can get everything done, a base coat. C&C is always welcomed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ReachOnyx2552 Posted March 15, 2011 Share Posted March 15, 2011 Awesome work. Didn't really like the SR to begin with but i like what you did. Please post the dimensions for the plasticard soon. Want to add an SR into a list now. Once again, Awesome work. :jaw: :P :tu: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dreachon Posted March 15, 2011 Share Posted March 15, 2011 Looking good, lenghtening the hull makes the plane look so much better as does removing all the junk GW stacked on the top of it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Loyalist Posted March 15, 2011 Share Posted March 15, 2011 Nice work! Looks like you lengthened the fuselage about 2" to 2.25". I lengthened the fuselage 1.25", enough to fit 4 more seats in back (giving 12 in total), but followed the hull cross-section all the way back. The recesses for the engines are longer as are the 'bulges' underneath them, versus completely flat sides. That gives the hull a little more bulk. By chance the 1.25" length increase came right to the forward end of the exhaust cones. I cut off the engine mounts that glue to the end of the fuselage and to the tail on the stock model, narrowed and carefully trimmed them to fit between the exhaust cones and the lengthened and wider tail. A bit of styrene putty and sanding gave a seamless fit. The tail was lengthened 1.25" so it extends a little further aft of the engines compared to your version. What an improvement 2.5" of length makes! (I wonder why GW didn't make the model longer - it wouldn't have cost anything significant in plastic.) Unfortunately I'm not able to upload photos into my B&C albums due to a near dead PC and faulty Insta-Share photo program. Will try from my wife's computer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Inache Posted March 17, 2011 Author Share Posted March 17, 2011 I have a horrible tendency to get easily distracted, but I think it turned out pretty good this time. I put some finishing touches on the SR's, and while doing so was looking at the sprue with so many bits and pieces left over on it. Then a thought struck me. Grey Knights sometimes need an Inquisitor to direct them, and even though he's Ordo Xenos, I figured if there was one guy the GK's could respect, it's Ravenor. I think I'll have to modify the flying stand to bring it a little lower, but it definitely looks like a hover chair. http://i189.photobucket.com/albums/z317/Inache/DSC00662.jpg http://i189.photobucket.com/albums/z317/Inache/DSC00663.jpg I left the GS a little rough, since I'm going to paint the bottom in kind of a wavy, aura, anti-grav field way http://i189.photobucket.com/albums/z317/Inache/DSC00665.jpg The best part, the top comes off! http://i189.photobucket.com/albums/z317/Inache/DSC00666.jpg And Ravenor sans an arm, but deftly maneuvering with his reaming one. http://i189.photobucket.com/albums/z317/Inache/DSC00668.jpg Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wicced Posted March 17, 2011 Share Posted March 17, 2011 fantastic idea and i would say good distraction as well :D looking forward to seeing it painting! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cathar the great Posted March 17, 2011 Share Posted March 17, 2011 Fantastic Ravenor, pretty much exactly how I thought the chair looked when I read the books. I'm not sure about the maneuvering arm, which I would have left off, but otherwise perfect. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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