BulldogUK Posted July 5, 2009 Share Posted July 5, 2009 Well, now that Odin is finally back in the shop and more importantly off my sodding work bench I have room to move once again so I decided to make a start on this Stormbird idea. I'll be honest I have been asked to make this for Games day so my heart isnt really in it but it's sort of growing on me a little. Most important factor was trying to build a presentable model with minimum effort, always my main objective! Sooooo, finally found a use for that old mech dropship I am always tripping up over, together with another gi joe dragnhawk? toy I picked up for peanuts from ebay. Two main reason I went for this union is a) The hawk is pretty damn close to one of the only pics I have found of the Stormbird (see below) and :blink: I thought it would be nice fluff-wise to base both the Stormbird and the Storm Eagle Heavy Lifter I built a while ago (also based on the same toy) on the same pre-heresy templates. Simples! Anyhow, here is the only pic I could find, this in essence is what I am using for inspiration http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v429/BulldogUK/dropship-1.jpg While I ain't aiming for an exact copy (don't want to devote too much time to this project, I got Prototype and Overlord II to play)! I am hoping to keep the spirit and feel of the design http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v429/BulldogUK/StormbirdWIP5060911.jpg Here are the basics which everything else will be built upon http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v429/BulldogUK/StormbirdWIP506092.jpg After simply snapping off the front and back of the dropship I was left with the cargo compartment which I unceremoniously just tacked onto the bottom of the hawk with a little hot glue and we're away! http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v429/BulldogUK/StormbirdWIP506095.jpg http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v429/BulldogUK/StormbirdWIP506094.jpg Few hours Saturday morning snipping and slicing the old cardboard and we are at the point of having a basic shape! http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v429/BulldogUK/StormbirdWIP506096.jpg http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v429/BulldogUK/StormbirdWIP506098.jpg http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v429/BulldogUK/StormbirdWIP506099.jpg Never been one for having just the one ramp for assaulting boarding, might as well just paint a big sign on the door saying 'aim here. please be patient' as a result my SB will have front/rear and 4 side entry/exit points http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v429/BulldogUK/StormbirdWIP5060915.jpg Apparently the original was meant to carry 100 marines into battle, I upped the anti a little and decided that it would be nice to be able to drop two Rhino sized support vehicles into combat too, hence the rear doors http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v429/BulldogUK/StormbirdWIP5060917.jpg Larger than a standard Thunderhawk gunbrick of course, the flat bottom and rear ramjets are representative of its ability to drop from orbit and of course have the power to return with a full load to some sort of mother-ship http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v429/BulldogUK/StormbirdWIP5060918.jpg OK, next on the to do list is to black the whole model up and begin to add panels/details etc. A large flying base will be constructed and I have plans to model it in-flight disgorging its troops from the exits, maybe even a rhino drogue chuting out the back! Oh, nearly forgot to mention there will be a pred turret going on the top right hand mounting area to represent the defensive turret which you can just see on the ref pic. still not sure whether to lose that cannon on the front and replace it with maybe a twin-linked assault cannon of a more scaled nature, might also thicken that tail section up a little...what ya think? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Firenze Posted July 5, 2009 Share Posted July 5, 2009 :) how did I know you would do this. Good luck mate. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Uncle Mel Posted July 6, 2009 Share Posted July 6, 2009 Looks fantastic, very true to the original drawing. I agree on the nose cannon, it's a bit thick, fat. Mel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
commander alexander Posted July 6, 2009 Share Posted July 6, 2009 Bulldog, your skills are amazing as always :tu: . I wish I had those skills. P.S. Did you ever get the measurements of Odins guns? :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sons of Horus Posted July 6, 2009 Share Posted July 6, 2009 I thought the Stormbird was supposed to be more streamlined than the Thunderhawk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BulldogUK Posted July 6, 2009 Author Share Posted July 6, 2009 I thought the Stormbird was supposed to be more streamlined than the Thunderhawk Lets face it, a brick sandwich is more streamlined than a Thunderhawk, there are at LEAST 2 curvy bits on the Stormbird so I reckon that's a major win :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Twin .44 Posted July 6, 2009 Share Posted July 6, 2009 I thought the Stormbird was supposed to be more streamlined than the Thunderhawk Lets face it, a brick sandwich is more streamlined than a Thunderhawk, there are at LEAST 2 curvy bits on the Stormbird so I reckon that's a major win :) :D wow, you just made my day sir. it looks awesome, and I feel the pain on prototype. I haven't even played it yet (stupid broken x-box!) and I am feeling withdrawal! anyway, it looks good! can't wait to see it finished and painted up! what do you say, about 3 days? after watching how fast you work thats what i expect! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
larundel Posted July 6, 2009 Share Posted July 6, 2009 WOW...*Mouth hits floor* i love the idea of this, and especaly when it looks better than the thunderhawk, love what you have done so far and cant wait to see it completed. Keep at it, LOVE IT!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Muller Posted July 6, 2009 Share Posted July 6, 2009 Amazing stuff as always, at first glance I thought that the drop ship (tpy model one) was the one from "Space: Above And Beyond" series :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terminatorinhell Posted July 6, 2009 Share Posted July 6, 2009 that stormbird is sweeeeeet, did they disappear after the heresy? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BulldogUK Posted July 8, 2009 Author Share Posted July 8, 2009 Burnt a little midnight oil yesterday and got the detailing done, all ready for the colour now! Those among you will be pleased to know that's its officially aerodynamic now as it has a pointy front bit ;) I’m actually quite happy with the front end (unusual for me) as it does look quite ‘beaky’ and I may well incorporate that into the paint scheme The turret and nose gun are interchangeable and upgradeable to las cannons using those indispensable magnets. Thankfully Rob takes my relaxed approach to 40k and doesn’t really care what colour it is so I may well go with a nice neutral grey as with the Storm eagle, this way I can use it with my troops and it probably has better re-sale value if the time ever comes. I have an idea bouncing around my noggin to display it mid-low altitude approach with troops pouring from the doors while a rhino is dropping out the back deploying a drogue chute and retro thrusters. The troops will of course be a contingent of my Crimson Ultrawings! The blue will probably sit nicely with the colour of the Stormbird. Well, at least that how it all looks in my world, whether it ends up like that is a totally different matter…stay tuned! Anyhow made up a webpage for the Stormbird, will add some fluff when I get the time Stormbird Troop Transport All the major detail work done, will add the pilots and cockpit detail ASAP http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v429/BulldogUK/StormbirdWIP770910.jpg The turret and nose mounts are interchangable thanks to trusty old magnets! http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v429/BulldogUK/StormbirdWIP770912.jpg http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v429/BulldogUK/StormbirdWIP770914.jpg http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v429/BulldogUK/StormbirdWIP770916.jpg http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v429/BulldogUK/StormbirdWIP77092.jpg http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v429/BulldogUK/StormbirdWIP77093.jpg Had some spare doors in the bits box so put them to good use http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v429/BulldogUK/StormbirdWIP77096.jpg http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v429/BulldogUK/StormbirdWIP7709.jpg Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
larundel Posted July 8, 2009 Share Posted July 8, 2009 Nice work, really like the inclusion of the weapons on the nose and on the back of the hull. i think you said you was going with a grey, but why not make it in the colours of your chapter? and also are you going to paint some motto on the nose like the airforce does on there planes? Nice work and progress this far cant wait to see it painted. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brother Caedrius Posted July 8, 2009 Share Posted July 8, 2009 That's absolutely magnificent! I want 3!!!!! Do you have a link or step by step to how you made the "old Mech dropship"? Can't wait to see this bad boy finished! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dustermaker Posted July 8, 2009 Share Posted July 8, 2009 Oh man, I LOVE it!! You should really do a tutorial on how you made it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
commander alexander Posted July 8, 2009 Share Posted July 8, 2009 Looking Sharp. :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chaplain-Skylax Posted July 8, 2009 Share Posted July 8, 2009 Excellant job, I love the idea of the interchangeable guns! Good job very close to the original drawing, Keep it up, What paint scheme are you doing for it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BulldogUK Posted July 8, 2009 Author Share Posted July 8, 2009 Was originally going for a neutral grey similar to the Storm Eagle but sod it, it's gonna be full on blue for the Crimson Ultrawings to travel in style! Should look nice sat next to Odin in GW Wakefield too, troops pouring out helping fight the Orks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mjolniir Posted July 8, 2009 Share Posted July 8, 2009 you are missing a rear weapons mount on the lower hull, just fyi. ...i hope they make a resin cast of this, its one kit i wouldnt mind paying $100 for. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
larundel Posted July 8, 2009 Share Posted July 8, 2009 I;ll 2nd that....a tutorial would be great, would fit in nicely with my chapter being a white scars successor and everthing....:lol: I'll have a few of them aswell, with aliilte less room and afew more weapons...hehe Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dustermaker Posted July 8, 2009 Share Posted July 8, 2009 you are missing a rear weapons mount on the lower hull, just fyi. ...i hope they make a resin cast of this, its one kit i wouldnt mind paying $100 for. a chunk of resin that big would be well over 1k though, but yea, it would be a sweet model to have! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BulldogUK Posted July 9, 2009 Author Share Posted July 9, 2009 a chunk of resin that big would be well over 1k though, but yea, it would be a sweet model to have! Duster is right, the Stormbird is 2 FEET long and 18 inches wide, you would have to sell a kidney to afford a FW version! you are missing a rear weapons mount on the lower hull, just fyi. Nice one bud, didnt spot that one, will whip together a quick turret using one of the spare pods from the Aurora and some 40k bits. will slap a magnet on it so I can easily remove and sit the SB on its big fat belly if I need to. Dont intend on building any landing gear as it's pretty much going to be displayed on a stand for it's existance Apologies about the lack of a tut. I generally make it up as I go along and don't draw plans (can't draw for toffee anyhow). What can I say, jsut get a couple of models and start cutting card until it looks right! Didnt even use a ruler on this one! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
larundel Posted July 9, 2009 Share Posted July 9, 2009 either way if looks brilliant...:P Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rizara Posted July 9, 2009 Share Posted July 9, 2009 hey bulldoguk, truly amazing mockup of the stormbird. You did a really excellent job capturing it from that one image. However my only real complaint is one of a realism point of view. Its the back engines, the two specifically on the sides of the door. There location although good looking from an external point of view seem to be lacking when you have the side doors open because where do they combust there fuel. They seem to be just sticking out of the cargo compartment. I know its just a model but i guess my perfectionist side noticed that little tidbit that the engines don't really seem to have a function other than look since most engines would need to have a larger length for combustion and to turn the fuel into propulsion. Just the only thing i noticed, as they do seem to add some detail to the back around the cargo compartments. Otherwise excellent model overall and i truly like it way better than the thunderhawk GW designed as it actually looks like a aerodynamic vehicle compared to the flying box. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Firenze Posted July 9, 2009 Share Posted July 9, 2009 Its the 41st millenium my friend. I think they can make a small but powerful engine. They build titans. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BulldogUK Posted July 9, 2009 Author Share Posted July 9, 2009 hey bulldoguk, truly amazing mockup of the stormbird. You did a really excellent job capturing it from that one image. However my only real complaint is one of a realism point of view. Its the back engines, the two specifically on the sides of the door. There location although good looking from an external point of view seem to be lacking when you have the side doors open because where do they combust there fuel. They seem to be just sticking out of the cargo compartment. I know its just a model but i guess my perfectionist side noticed that little tidbit that the engines don't really seem to have a function other than look since most engines would need to have a larger length for combustion and to turn the fuel into propulsion. Just the only thing i noticed, as they do seem to add some detail to the back around the cargo compartments. Otherwise excellent model overall and i truly like it way better than the thunderhawk GW designed as it actually looks like a aerodynamic vehicle compared to the flying box. Try to put a little more thought into it Midnight. Don't look upon them as 3 separate engines but 3 separate exhausts piped from one massive engine, rather like the set-up of the Harrier jump jet. This way I can say the piping is simply dog-legged out of the cargo bay area :P Alternatively they could be one use JATO (jet assisted take off) units used to reach a high orbit on extraction? More likely I just stuck 'em on there without a moments thought because they looked funky ;) I might be good at making stuff but when it comes to creating BS I am a true master ;) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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