Chaos bike weapons / conversions

[Zhiv]

Hi,

 

so I am assembling a small Death Guard force over here. Now, I've started working on my bikes, converting two of them to be armed with plasma guns. I am choosing to arm the bikes, allowing the bikers to keep their pistols and CCW's.  Now 8th edition might undo my efforts as GW seems to be removing options they don't provide models for, however, as I am using plasma pistols to represent the plasma guns my models look like this.

 

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v281/Zhivago/DSC02819_zpszsexjnkd.jpg

Now, my problem is the empty slot on the front panel of the bike. Seeing that the plasma gun is not twin linked, I really don't feel like tossing an another plasma gun there. However, it kinda looks silly if left as is.  Does anyone have an elegant solution to this..  gaping problem?

[WarriorFish]

Doesn't the bike still have a bolter on, as its the Marine who has the plasma? Seems like a good way to fill the gap and represent the rules, even if you'll hardly use it

[Major_Gilbear]

Agreed with Warriorfish - the bike still has it weapons.

 

Alternatively, as you have removed the headlight, you could try adding the a spotlight from a Land Speeder there? These come on the newest version of the Land Speeder kit (so beware old 3E kits!), and on the Dark Angels Ravenwing Accessory sprue. Many people have them left over too, and bits sites sell these for just pennies each.

 

http://www.letthedicedecide.co.uk/ekmps/shops/letthedice/images/space-marine-land-speeder-lower-weapon-mount-6978-p%5Bekm%5D288x288%5Bekm%5D.jpg

[Zhiv]

Agreed with Warriorfish - the bike still has it weapons.

 

Alternatively, as you have removed the headlight, you could try adding the a spotlight from a Land Speeder there? These come on the newest version of the Land Speeder kit (so beware old 3E kits!), and on the Dark Angels Ravenwing Accessory sprue. Many people have them left over too, and bits sites sell these for just pennies each.

 

http://www.letthedicedecide.co.uk/ekmps/shops/letthedice/images/space-marine-land-speeder-lower-weapon-mount-6978-p%5Bekm%5D288x288%5Bekm%5D.jpg

 

Umm, that might apply to the loyalists, but my codex notes that Up to two Chaos Bikers may replace either their close combat weapon or their bike's twin-linked bolters with one of the following: [insert a list sadly lacking grav weapons]

 

Emphasis mine. Thus, the bike won't have bolters.  Meanwhile, those bits look like they would fit the bill...  thanks! :)

[Kierdale]

I don't have my C:CSM to hand but if I remember correctly it states that bikers can replace their TL bolter with the special weapon. C:KDK says for bikers they can replace either their CCW or TL bolter with the special weapon, so I think Zhiv is okay

In my case I handled the `missing weapon` on the front plate these ways:

Removed the plate's trim, and cut away some of the plate

Cram a skull in there

I hope that helps.

[Zhiv]

Ooh, I love those colors.  How do you transport your bikes without breaking those all too thin Dark Elf fun bit... erm, whip bits?

 

I was debating the skull solution, but for the time being I am working on finding EU based bits shop that has those spotlights on list. They seem to belong to assault cannon set... and thus are bought in droves <.<

[Kierdale]

As luck would have it, I happen to have a partially built CSM biker and a land speeder searchlight to hand. For comparison:

The light is a bit big but with some cutting it would go in there.

And in answer to your question, I make my own carry-cases ;)

[Zhiv]

As luck would have it, I happen to have a partially built CSM biker and a land speeder searchlight to hand. For comparison:

The light is a bit big but with some cutting it would go in there.

And in answer to your question, I make my own carry-cases

Hum, rather tight fit even by Slaneeshi standards.

Back to skulls I guess. : /

[Noctem Cultor]

The old miniatures added a light thing as mentioned above but personally I'd add a Skull or maybe a Nurgling passenger.

 

-Noctem

[Machine God]

Hello Chaos types.

You could always use the Scout Biker Grenade Launcher front panel and then add the chaos spikey-bits

[Major_Gilbear]

Hello Chaos types.

You could always use the Scout Biker Grenade Launcher front panel and then add the chaos spikey-bits

Actually, that's a great idea. :)

There's also the DA Ravenwing Command GL fairing too - but you will need to trim the wings and other Aquila bits off though (which is easy enough).

[MaliGn]

Build yourself a plasticard insert to fill the gap?

[Zhiv]

Build yourself a plasticard insert to fill the gap?

 

I was thinking of this, and for now seems the best solution even if will kinda leave an ugly gap around the piece that's probably tricky to greenstuff. 

[Dysorange]

Alternatively you could try to fill the gap with another bolter, file off the details identifying it as a bolter (feedbelt, visor and nozzle) and glue some bit at the end like the previously mentioned searchlight (Ony the bulb at the end) or some kind of Chaos icon?

 

The filed down bolter would act as a simple support for the equipment or icon at the end.

[Major_Gilbear]

Alternatively you could try to fill the gap with another bolter, file off the details identifying it as a bolter (feedbelt, visor and nozzle) and glue some bit at the end like the previously mentioned searchlight (Ony the bulb at the end) or some kind of Chaos icon?

 

The filed down bolter would act as a simple support for the equipment or icon at the end.

 

May as well just use a piece of sprue for that! ;) Good suggestion though, I agree it's a decent option for possibly awkward things like lights.

[Dysorange]

Alternatively you could try to fill the gap with another bolter, file off the details identifying it as a bolter (feedbelt, visor and nozzle) and glue some bit at the end like the previously mentioned searchlight (Ony the bulb at the end) or some kind of Chaos icon?

The filed down bolter would act as a simple support for the equipment or icon at the end.

May as well just use a piece of sprue for that! Good suggestion though, I agree it's a decent option for possibly awkward things like lights.

That is true, although the idea would be to have something that integrates smoothly in the existing kit, and nothing better than the own's kit's parts for that.

[Zhiv]

So, I actually came up with a cheap (though not entirely elegant) solution. 

 

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v281/Zhivago/DSC02866_zpsgdq094ow.jpg

The hubcap (?) that comes with marine bike wheels fits the slot nicely.  However, on it's on it looks bit awkward. So perhaps we can do something about it. 

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v281/Zhivago/DSC02859_zpsxwonrdfs.jpg?t=1492869715?805

Brass wire and a small hole later...

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v281/Zhivago/DSC02860_zpscfyi6tdt.jpg?t=1492869715?653

We get to this. Now, add some green stuff.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v281/Zhivago/DSC02861_zps5cphclo0.jpg?t=1492869715?469

...and Bob's your uncle.  Though if your green stuff skills are as poor as mine, you'll have to sculpt down the bumpy stuff once the putty has hardened.

[Xenith]

Or just green stuff up the hole?

[Zhiv]

Or just green stuff up the hole?

 

There is a rim running along the shield, which you'd need to sculpt and the front would look still loopsided. This way there's something in both sockets.  

[Midnightmare]

Hey that looks decent, and something I would imagine they would actually do; cover it in an armour plate. For mine, I used a small piece of plasticard to fill the gap, and greenstuffed the trim over the top. Not perfect, but looks well enough -

 

http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh190/MidnightRunner81/bikesi2.jpg