Plasticard Stormraven WIP now a 3in1 Storm Eagle+Fire Raptor

[Brother Christopher]

With the release of the official flyer rules for Black Templars and my wallet being rather empty, I decided to devote my free time to building a Stormraven from scratch.
 
I'm using Eli Patoroch's papercarft Stormraven templates and plasticard to construct my cheap flyer.
 
Here are the first finished parts, the engine components:
 
http://img138.imageshack.us/img138/8589/p1030564ww.jpg

http://img19.imageshack.us/img19/9503/p1030565v.jpg

The front part of the engines:
 
http://img255.imageshack.us/img255/9350/p1030566x.jpg

And the turbines:
 
http://img560.imageshack.us/img560/4779/p1030567h.jpg

Edited January 13, 2017 by Brother Cristopher
Tags edited

[knightyc]

Looking good any chance could send me a link to download these plans I did a serch but couldnt find them

[GodEmperorOfMankind]

Wow, that's amazing

[Kierdale]

Very, very good work so far. You have my respect for trying such a project.

I think I'll subscribe to this one.

[Crynn]

I mean this in the nicest way possible I do. But wouldnt it be easier to work a part time job even paying a :cuss wage. It would take you far less time to wrok to be able to afford the raven than it will to do this project. If you are just doing it for the hobby and love it then fair enough and don't get me wrong your work so far looks incredible so well done to you.

 

Regards,

Crynn

[Brother Christopher]

AngelsAbsolute and Kierdale - thanks for the kind words

 

Crynn - I get you! And I've considered thoroughly building or buying the Raven and decidec that it's not worth the money. I just want to have a more or less nice looking model and satisfaction from the hobby, from the very fact of assembling something. I used to make paper models, but with the introduction of 40K into my life I stopped that. And attempting to assemble the Raven or the Caestus or whatever else I've started making is a reminder of the old days, also useful in 40K.

Edited March 4, 2013 by Brother Cristopher

[Paragate]

I have a lot of respect for this project and I look forward to seeing it's progress. 
& Perhaps I too could have a look at this 'STC' pdf.

Regards. 
 

[Brother Christopher]

With the new semester under way, I guess that the pace of progress will slow down a lot. But, for now I managed to finish the turbines and the middle section of the engines. In fact the entire engines are already done. I'll just greenstuff some cracks and file down the numerous small imperfections, but that will have to wait.

 

http://img853.imageshack.us/img853/5326/p1030573b.jpg

 

http://img202.imageshack.us/img202/8526/p1030570p.jpg

http://img708.imageshack.us/img708/1022/p1030569p.jpg

 

Those middle sections are quite different from the GW model which has cylindrical engines all along. But I decided that adjusting the plans would be to much work, so I settled with this (the fluff explanation: additional radiators have been installed on this particular Stormraven).

 

http://img838.imageshack.us/img838/8073/p1030575qo.jpg

All engine sections before assembly:

 

http://img845.imageshack.us/img845/4189/p1030574qg.jpg

And the finished engines presented from different angles:

 

http://img706.imageshack.us/img706/7374/p1030576m.jpg

http://img839.imageshack.us/img839/4089/p1030577qt.jpg
 

http://img845.imageshack.us/img845/2574/p1030578j.jpg

http://img94.imageshack.us/img94/5919/p1030580q.jpg

http://img259.imageshack.us/img259/9282/p1030581e.jpg

[Yosef Hausakluif]

The level of detail you are getting is unthinkable!  Great work, I just wish I had the time, patience and a hobby knife left sharp enough to do what you your are doing!!!

 

I look forward to seeing you progress!

[Ch@oZ]

Excellent work so far. I really hope you'll be building a nephilim jetfighter next, as i wish i could cut costs on one of them myself.

[Brother Christopher]

I'll be building 2 Stormtalons, hopefully. But no Nephilims, although I must say I thought abound "converting" a Nephilim (which looks cooler) into a Talon by changing its weapons. But please check your PM :)

[Ch@oZ]

 

I thought abound "converting" a Nephilim (which looks cooler) into a Talon by changing its weapons.

My thoughts exactly- the issue would be building twin linked assault cannons for it, which would be relatively easy. The problem i can't get my head around is this- the talon has the cannons mounted on a massive pivot and i can't see how such a contraption could fit well on the slender nephilim. Anyway- are you using rolled up plasticard for all the tubular parts or have you found a pvc pipe substitute or something similar?

[Tarok]

Amazing work! Would you mind sharing the plans with me?

[Ch@oZ]

Also, once you do happen to have those plans... do you print as "actual size" or as "fit to page"?

[Brother Christopher]

@ Ch@oz - I rolled everything. That's a lot of additional work, but I'm sure the size is right and I don't have to order additional materials. And you have to "fit to page" before printing, that's what I've more or less established in my modelling career.

[Brother Christopher]

Okay, I managed to make the engine covers. Unfortunately I started making those parts after a hard day and I messed everything up a lot.

 

I started with dividing part 45 into 2: the upper piece covering the engine and the proper wing.

 

http://img809.imageshack.us/img809/4450/p1030585a.jpg

 

Then I attached the foundation for the cover to the engines. Then (what was a mistake) some strips of plastic before gluing the most outer cover. I wanted to do that to get the right thickness of the entire wing-cover part. But I also wanted to save weight, so I didn't make 4 layers of plastic but used the mentioned strips and ended up with an awful crack.

 

http://img835.imageshack.us/img835/4562/p1030586d.jpg

 

http://img6.imageshack.us/img6/3871/p1030588n.jpg

I've run out of green stuff and really wanted to sort this crack out. So I borrowed some "plastic putty" and made even more mess... The putty was so hard to work with!!

 

http://img16.imageshack.us/img16/2995/p1030589o.jpg
 

http://img708.imageshack.us/img708/3308/p1030590g.jpg

And this is how it looks like after tiding up the putty. I guess that after undercoating it no cracks or unevenness  won't be much visible.

 

http://img716.imageshack.us/img716/7158/p1030595rc.jpg

http://img818.imageshack.us/img818/1013/p1030596e.jpg

http://img834.imageshack.us/img834/3716/p1030597t.jpg

Now I'm off to assemble the wings.

Edited February 24, 2013 by Brother Cristopher

[Brother Christopher]

I finished (at least basically, before the final tuing) my Stormraven's wings.

 

Here's a shot of the foundation before cutting out.

 

http://img252.imageshack.us/img252/9071/p1030591u.jpg

Here are all the pieces needed to assemble the wings

 

http://img853.imageshack.us/img853/5024/p1030592a.jpg

http://img18.imageshack.us/img18/9484/p1030593gd.jpg

A shot of the preliminarly assembled wings

 

http://img571.imageshack.us/img571/4295/p1030594i.jpg

 

I also notices that the rear edges on GW's Raven wings are sloping and the fronts are rounded, so I added those features to my Raven too.

 

http://img32.imageshack.us/img32/8912/p1030598yo.jpg

 

http://img805.imageshack.us/img805/1849/p1030603x.jpg

http://img209.imageshack.us/img209/3834/p1030604.jpg

 

Well, I still have to do something about the flaps (make some sort of hinges), but I'll leave that for later. I'm too excited about putting the hull together.

[Blackadder]

Nicely done, what did you use for rivets? In the first image there appears to be fine black rivets on the engine exhaust.

 

Excellent work however I'm leery of the snap blade knife.  

[Studio Silvernale]

What thickness of plasticard are you using?

[Brother Christopher]

@ Blackadder

I haven't done the rivets yet and I'm still thinking how to make them. Most probably I'll use "Wikol" glue, which as far as I managed to establish is some sort of PVA glue: it's white and semi liquid when fresh from the tube, but when it sets it becomes rubbery and transparent. When I made my Vindicator it worked quite well and it doesnt' wear away.

 

@ Togusa-san

It all depends The answer will be dumb: mostly 1mm, sometimes 0,5mm (e.g. turibes' blades) and 0,25mm for all cylindrical bits and pieces.

 

I also have another update. And now, I must say I'm quite crossed and/or disappointed (I'm not sure which feeling is stronger). As it turned out, Patoroch's papercraft Stormraven isn't a very accurate copy. The hull is, well, simplified. The original Stormraven resembles a waste container with wings and a turret, but the papercraft model goes even further in that direction.

 

Duh, if I had not overlooked it when I was picking the model...

 

Of course, as I'm quite committed to my work, I wasted some time and made some amendments to the existing plans.

 

This is the page which needs most improving (especially the big, big part numbered as 1!), particularly the nose section of the craft. That's why I cut the front "triangly" bits.

 

http://img837.imageshack.us/img837/8239/p1030582n.jpg

http://img191.imageshack.us/img191/4405/p1030583y.jpg

 

http://img6.imageshack.us/img6/1134/p1030584n.jpg

http://img827.imageshack.us/img827/1685/p1030599k.jpg

 

All parts needed for the hull's foundation cut out and before putting together (+my notes to ensure I won't forget what I want to do with the model )

 

http://img687.imageshack.us/img687/5701/p1030600li.jpg

 

Some supports to make the side sturdy and be sure everything's straight.

http://img809.imageshack.us/img809/4669/p1030601is.jpg

And the assembled hull before adding any detail and the nose/ramp.

 

http://img9.imageshack.us/img9/1286/p1030602u.jpg

 

http://img805.imageshack.us/img805/5586/p1030605g.jpg

Now for the sides. Looking at some pictures on the internet I guessed that the side plates (those above the front hover engines and the doors) are about 5-7mm thick. I wanted to recreate that on my model (instead of gluing one 1mm layer like in the pdf), however, because of the engine design it's not really possible (I'd have to remake about half of the thing's I've made so far).

 

But there's more! Unfortunately, the blueprint-Raven's engines are meant to be attached to the hull in a different spot than on the GW's model. So that's another problem which needed addressing. Here is what I mean:

 

http://img607.imageshack.us/img607/2368/beztytuufyk.jpg

After staring at the hull for at least half an hour I (hopefully) found a bypass to all the problems. Unfortunately, the little grille turned out a bit messy:

 

http://img820.imageshack.us/img820/9250/p1030610q.jpg

 

http://img812.imageshack.us/img812/383/p1030606s.jpg

I made the rear part of the side panel thinner (2mm) and left enough space to attach the engines at (what I feel is) the right position. And for the forward side panels: I cut out what was left from part 11 (after removing the rear piece) and added a 5mm wide strip of plastic along all its edges like this:

 

http://img837.imageshack.us/img837/2759/p1030607o.jpg

 

And finally, how the finished side panel looks like from the outside and from the inside:

http://img21.imageshack.us/img21/8531/p1030608pl.jpg

 

http://img145.imageshack.us/img145/738/p1030609x.jpg

Edited March 2, 2013 by Brother Cristopher

[Captain_Quirk]

Killer project mate. It's going to look awesome when it's done and when/if you play it for the first time I think the satisfaction of knowing you scratch built it will be much better than just saving up and buying one. Looking forward to seeing more.

[maverike_prime]

I mean this in the nicest way possible I do. But wouldnt it be easier to work a part time job even paying a :cuss wage. It would take you far less time to wrok to be able to afford the raven than it will to do this project. If you are just doing it for the hobby and love it then fair enough and don't get me wrong your work so far looks incredible so well done to you.

 

Regards,

Crynn

 

I can answer that yes it would be easier to work a part time job and just buy the model. But that's also not the point. I'm doing largely the same thing as Brother Christopher with the Thunderbolt and ultimately the Thunderhawk.  Sure I could drop about $900 on the respective kits. Chances are I will not be saving money as I progress through the project. But that's not the point. The point is as modelers, we want to do these sorts of projects.

[AL13N]

Looks like a crazy project but wouldn't it be much more time effective and from looks of it cheaper to purchase the model for $80 and build it? I'm sure you will be much happier when complete and scratch building it. 

[Brother Christopher]

@ Captain Quirk - Thanks for that post! It really made my day. Many thanks for your appreciation.

 

@ maverike prime - Making models is awesome. I find making models a rather cheap form of relaxation. Sure, my back sometimes aches, but it's a small price to pay for that magical time to relax and unwind and distance myself from all the troubles. And also thanks for the links to your blog - great job there! I watched the pictures with pleasure. Very impressive. Good luck with your projects!

 

@ AL13N - It would be a great save of time, but that's all. The original Raven costs 220-250 PLN. My scratch build Stormraven will cost about 10-20 PLN, including new glue. And there's more to this: I play rarely and I'm more of a collector. As a collector I also have "an idea of my Crusade". GW's prices are way too high for me - I've already sort of decided that my army is sort of finished: I have quite a few tanks, lots of infantry and await the new codex to be released. Everything was in order. And then BAM! 6th edition ruined my mechanised army, 6th edition introduced flyers. Now, in order to achieve the new "idea of my Crusade" I'd have to buy 2 Stormtalons and a Stormraven and an Aegis line and stuff. Nah, GW ruined my previous Crusade, so I'll develop the new idea without their help. I've wasted too much money on useless Rhinos already. So, considering everything: the fact that I play rarely and only in friendlies, that I don't have much time and money to waste, that I just want to have (more or less) cool looking models, plasticard/papercraft vehicles is the path I'll be heading. At least until the Black Templars will receive a new Codex and new, expensive stuff to buy.

 

That being said (that turned out quite long and a bit emotional, hasn't it?), here's a small update. I've managed to finish the front side panels and stick them to the Stormraven's hull.

 

http://img826.imageshack.us/img826/3186/p1030616g.jpg
 

http://img132.imageshack.us/img132/7969/p1030617s.jpg
 

http://img803.imageshack.us/img803/1579/p1030619u.jpg

http://img62.imageshack.us/img62/4155/p1030620n.jpg

http://img16.imageshack.us/img16/7273/p1030621x.jpg

 

I really need more practice with this liquid green stuff thing. I'm making such a mess with it! Hopefully, the primer will cover it all up.
 

Edited March 4, 2013 by Brother Cristopher

[maverike_prime]

@ maverike prime - Making models is awesome. I find making models a rather cheap form of relaxation. Sure, my back sometimes aches, but it's a small price to pay for that magical time to relax and unwind and distance myself from all the troubles. And also thanks for the links to your blog - great job there! I watched the pictures with pleasure. Very impressive. Good luck with your projects!

 

Any time brother. I figure we can both learn from each other in these en devours. One bit of advice earned from personal experience here on B&C: Keep the discussion of the templates themselves to a project demanded minimum. "Hey I'm using So&So's template for this project" is fine. Saying you will send people copies of the template in the thread is likely to get the thread nuked.