Schertenleib Posted April 15, 2013 Share Posted April 15, 2013 I have been working on an idea for a conversion for my Great Company for a while now. Running around in the Rhino transport is all well and good but has never felt right to me as a Space Wolf player. The Thunder Rhino would be nice, but it seams more like something I would give to Bloodclaws to go tearing around in. After reading Prospero Burns I really liked the imagery of the iceboats used by the Fenrisians. Running loaded with troops and the wind in your hair seems very appropriate to us Wolves. So I wanted to set out to build something to use as a "counts as Rhino", but with a little more Space Wolf feel. With all the talk of Space Wolves being "Space Vikings" what I have decided to work on is a skimmer transport that resembles a Viking Longship. I have looked at several models trying to figure out what could be modified and still be "legal" for game play. I thought about buying a model of a Longship and strapping engines to it. *shudder* Needed to be better than that. After all if I'm going to put the time into it, it needs to look good. The new Dark Eldar release gave me a good place to start. A Dark Eldar Raider is very boat-like. I could convert from there. I borrowed a model from a friend that plays DE. I spent a good long time looking at the lines of this thing. It was nice, but to "sleek" and the way it narrows in the middle just didn't suit me. I went back to eBay and started going through models again. I liked the looks of the old World War 2 "Higgins Boats". They looked very Imperial Navy with their boxy lines and the front drop ramp. I played with the idea of adding Stormraven or Valkyrie bits to it. Problem was that it seemed "Imperial" not "Wolf". There's already plenty of that. Finally one day I was digging around eBay hunting bits when I found the obvious answer. I found a bit that looked very much like the prow of a Longship. It was the front piece from a Necron Ghost Ark. Looking at this (loaded with Necrons). I could see the beginnings of my Longship. Remove the "Necron Stuff", cut the sides short, and use plasticard to "Klinkerbuilt" the sides. Last night I opened the box and started this little journey. I have the steersman replaced with a proper space marine and have started to work on the rear sections. Following the GW instructions I'll have to stop construction periodically to paint different sections. The model would be a royal pain to paint completely built. Wish me luck Brothers. I'll post pictures of the process as I can. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/274146-conversion-work-has-begun/ Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jarl Deathwolf Posted April 15, 2013 Share Posted April 15, 2013 That sounds... amazing! I'd love to see that, and perhaps even steal the idea for special units. It'd certainly be an eye-catching piece to have in an army. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/274146-conversion-work-has-begun/#findComment-3349789 Share on other sites More sharing options...
revvokan Posted April 16, 2013 Share Posted April 16, 2013 I had a similar idea once but yours sounds way more elaborate than mine ever was. I would love to see some pictures but no pressure on you, I'll wait. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/274146-conversion-work-has-begun/#findComment-3350960 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Schertenleib Posted May 4, 2013 Author Share Posted May 4, 2013 Alright.... So I've been working on this thing. It's coming along. Have the conversion done on the steersman. Could have been better. He looks like his about to jump off his seat. Engine section is assembled and has a base coat of brown. Forward section is well underway. Prow was changed, sides cut down and started on the plasticard work. Ran into a snag there. With the shape of the model I was getting a really bad curve at the front. I decided that the best thing to do was to pull it back off and try a different way of laying the plasticard. So here are some pictures of were I am currently. The shielding on the engine section will be glued on once I get some paint on. Think I'll paint the steersman last. The engine and forward sections have not been attached as yet. The white mess on the forward section is glue residue from the first attempt at plasticarding the sides. As this is going to be a "counts as" Rhino Im going to make a Rhino sized base to put it on and mark the proper locations for disembarking. Still trying to think out how to handle the Spot lights, smoke launchers, and storm bolters. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/274146-conversion-work-has-begun/#findComment-3363755 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rift Blade Posted May 4, 2013 Share Posted May 4, 2013 think you might have something there. Maybe add some shields to the sides, a Wolf's head or some other pc to the front & maybe some planking to the deck. Perhaps some window mesh screening glued to the planks & then drybrushed some metallic colour to mimic checker plate? Keep it up. lots of potential. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/274146-conversion-work-has-begun/#findComment-3363984 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nadir Posted May 4, 2013 Share Posted May 4, 2013 Storm bolter - under the hull, or hanging from helmsmansbelt spot light - lantern with a mirror hanging somewhere smoke launchers - maube just tubes attached to each rib of the ship Just an ideas. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/274146-conversion-work-has-begun/#findComment-3364008 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Schertenleib Posted May 4, 2013 Author Share Posted May 4, 2013 I will be placing Thunderwolf Stormshields to the side, deck planking to the interior (should actually allow me to place 10 figures on the deck when finished). I like the idea of mounting the bolters under the hull. I could use magnets and they would be out of sight. It would also allow me to place them in a more Proper location to maintain that Rhino standard. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/274146-conversion-work-has-begun/#findComment-3364059 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wulfebane Posted May 4, 2013 Share Posted May 4, 2013 Unfortunately, given that it is nearly twice the length of a rhino, you're giving yourself additional LOS cover protection for the same cost; Regardless of the size of the base you give it, it'll still confuse people. If it were closer to the same size of the model it was to represent, I'd be more supportive of the venture. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/274146-conversion-work-has-begun/#findComment-3364122 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Schertenleib Posted May 4, 2013 Author Share Posted May 4, 2013 Yes, I understand this. I doubt I will actually put in on the table, outside of my games with personal friends or people that are more into the visual than the "rules lawyering". Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/274146-conversion-work-has-begun/#findComment-3364323 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Squark Posted May 4, 2013 Share Posted May 4, 2013 Also, it's very, very clearly open topped, which is exactly what Grey Hunters don't need (Balance-wise, that is) On the plus side, the Ghost Ark is actually to scale; The entire pack will actually fit inside it. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/274146-conversion-work-has-begun/#findComment-3364332 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Schertenleib Posted February 8, 2014 Author Share Posted February 8, 2014 I've been working with this conversion for a while now (off and on). My skill with plasti-card is just not that great. The Ghost Ark is short and wide so running the strips for the sides just didn't want to work for me. So finally I just gave up. Not on the idea for the conversion, but on using the plasti-card. So I got on eBay and found me a nice scale model of a viking longship and tried combining that with the Ghost Ark. Here's what I have now. I'm much happier with the lines I'm getting this way. It's way too big to use as a Rhino, but what the hell. I doubt it would get used in a game anyway. Maybe once it's done I'll sit down with some friends and work out rules for it. Anyway, here's what I have so far. Figure I still need to hang shields, mount something for the head, and figure out sails. Might just try to rig the sails that came with the longship model. Not sure. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/274146-conversion-work-has-begun/#findComment-3589930 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vash113 Posted February 9, 2014 Share Posted February 9, 2014 Where'd you get the plastic longship? Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/274146-conversion-work-has-begun/#findComment-3590027 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Schertenleib Posted February 9, 2014 Author Share Posted February 9, 2014 Original 1977 Revell Viking Ship. Bought it on eBay. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/274146-conversion-work-has-begun/#findComment-3590272 Share on other sites More sharing options...
MaveriK Posted February 10, 2014 Share Posted February 10, 2014 Original 1977 Revell Viking Ship. Bought it on eBay. I have the same model. But I couldn't see myself cut it up. It's just collecting dust now LOL. My hats off to you for doing what you're doing! Bold move wolf brother. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/274146-conversion-work-has-begun/#findComment-3590573 Share on other sites More sharing options...
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