WIP - Stormraven modification

[sagh]

Inspired by the fantastic work done by Meph with his Stormraven and by the stupendous work done by Blackadder with his fully articulated Lucius Pattern Warhound…
I decided to build my first Warhammer vehicle.
I’m going for a Stormraven…
I ordered some parts from e-bay…
hull, wings and pilot.
All the rest I’m going to build it myself… months of work waits for me.
Let’s see if more than 10 years constructing models of houses and buildings gave me enough skills for this project.

While I’m waiting for the parts to arrive, I’ve started thinking in how I am going to make some things.
I wanted to make some bullet holes in the glass of the canopy.
Made some experiences with the material I’m going to use for the glass (1mm Polyethylene).
Here’s the result for the experiences.


View attachment 10473

 

[Bloodhowl]

Remember to randomly stagger the holes. Machine Guns are an area effect weapon. As such, the rounds do not hold a very tight grouping. Think more of a shotgun blast and you'll have it right.

 

[Meph]

I like three the best in terms of cracking. But as Bloodhowl says, don't line 'm up too neatly.

Looking forward to the build, mate!

 

[sagh]

Thanks for your opinions.
I was going for a hit caused by something passing.
Like if it has been hit by another ship that crossed it way.
I'll do some more tests with more random shots but still going for the "path" of bullets.

 

[Meph]

Yeah, indeed. Most likely a hollywood-esque compromise between straight line, and shotgun blast will look the best. Like a staggered line.

Oh, which reminds me... I should send myself an email so I don't forget to make some scans of the SR plans.

 

[Bloodhowl]

Sorry. I know realism and Sci-fi do not exactly go hand in hand. But if you were to decide to go for a more "realistic" look, in a passing shot the grouping is not that tight. If anything it is worse (versus a static position, mounted on a tripod and the gunner using the Traverse and Elevation mechanism to place his shots) as the size of the beaten zone will elongate due to the movement of the gun platform. Look at historical pictures of World War II airplanes to see what I mean. Think swiss cheese and you won't be far off!

 

[sagh]

shotgun blast will look the best.

Think swiss cheese and you won't be far off!

I understand what you are both saying.
After leaving the gun, bullets spread and will hit the ship much more separated.
The line of impacts looks very good... but it's not realistic.
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I have been trying to bend the plastic...and it won’t be easy to get a nice shaped glass.
And also, many times when making the "bullet holes" experiences, the plastic shattered.
One thing I have decided… there will be only one bullet impact (less chances of destroying the glass).
But I’m not quite sure what will I do first…
A nice cracking effect and then bend the plastic…
or bend the plastic nicely and then do the hole.
This is yet to be decided.

I’ve drew the logos for the landing gear and for the pilot canopy.
(The red lines will be “cuts” and the blue lines will be “marking”.)
The blue lines define how much each feather will overlap the other.

The eagle’s body will be cut in styrene sheet and the feathers on cardboard.

View attachment 11649

 

[Bloodhowl]

I understand what you are both saying.
After leaving the gun, bullets spread and will hit the ship much more separated.
The line of impacts looks very good... but it's not realistic.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I have been trying to bend the plastic...and it won’t be easy to get a nice shaped glass.
And also, many times when making the "bullet holes" experiences, the plastic shattered.
One thing I have decided… there will be only one bullet impact (less chances of destroying the glass).
But I’m not quite sure what will I do first…
A nice cracking effect and then bend the plastic…
or bend the plastic nicely and then do the hole.
This is yet to be decided.

I’ve drew the logos for the landing gear and for the pilot canopy.
(The red lines will be “cuts” and the blue lines will be “marking”.)
The blue lines define how much each feather will overlap the other.

The eagle’s body will be cut in styrene sheet and the feathers on cardboard.

View attachment 11649

Bending plastic is almost impossible without involving some form of heat source. The "best" result would probably be to thermoform a new canopy out of clear plastic over a plug made from wood, or sculpted from polymer clay. However, this method does need some specialized equipment. It is easy to make from household items (google how to thermoform or vacuum form) but you may not want to invest the time into making a machine.

Ruling out thermoforming, next thing would be to cut the individual pieces, and glue them together. Paint on or use strip styrene (plasticard for you EU types) to make the frame.

For the holes, use a pin vise and a drill bit for the size hole you want. Drill the hole, then use your hobby knife to scribe the cracks into the plastic. Drilling should stop the plastic from shattering. I would get the canopy into the shape you want first, then drill the holes.

Another option is to use your stove and pliers to heat the nail before hitting it into the plastic. The hole will look more like a las or plasma shot, but you should be able to clean up the melted edges with a hobby knife to make them crisp, more like solid shot penetrated.

 

[sagh]

Thank you for your wisdom Bloodhowl, I bow to you! :worship!:
The canopy will be in three parts… two for the sides and one for the top, that’s the one that will need bending. I’ll use a hot air gun and a wood mold with the desirable angle. To join the three parts I’ll glue them and use the styrene strips like you suggested.
But for that, I need for the parts to arrive home.

Another question…
how does the pilot go to his cockpit?
The canopy must open…
I used some pictures of Meph conversion (hope he doesn’t mind) to illustrate my point.

How much of the canopy will open so that the pilot can enter? – The line in red, is it a possible way to open it? (see image)
For the canopy to open, it would be necessary to see if it wouldn’t hit the gun torrent! (see image)
In the converted version without the gun torrent, that problem does not exist.
But there is no spot were the axis of rotation can be.
I thought of building a rotation system for the canopy where I drew the red circle. (see image)
I think it can be done. What do you think?

View attachment 11657

 

[Bloodhowl]

Hmmm. Good point. Does not seem to be a way for the cockpit to open outwards. Maybe the pilot's seat drops down into the interior and he accesses it from there? From the Black Library books I've read, Marines in the crew compartment of a Thunderhawk can walk forward and stick their heads into the cockpit to speak to the pilots. I have not read anything at all about Stormravens. The way GW designed it it would make more sense to have a servitor hardwired into the machine. I don't see a battle brother being hardwired to his vehicle.

Might be a good time to play stump-the-chump with GW. Email or call their customer service and tell them you are trying to super detail a Stormraven and was wondering how the pilot accesses the cokpit. They probably don't have an answer because they didn't think about it when they designed it.

Meph is the resident BA guru, so maybe he has some thoughts and will chime in?

 

[PegaZus]

Just to throw in my two cents, if you assume that it hinges at the top, that middle "structure" part would be the hinge, with maybe some actuation on either side in the notches.

Problem is that there doesn't seem to be any ladders, or other such equipment for him to actually get in. It's not really significant issue. There would just be some roll-up entry gantry that would be back at the landing pad.

 

[sagh]

Thanks for idea PegaZus... I'll need to study how will I make the canopy open.

Might be a good time to play stump-the-chump with GW. Email or call their customer service...

The e-mail I sent at 9.59pm :

Good evening.
I'am trying to super detail a Stormraven and I was wondering how the pilot accesses the cockpit.
Does the canopy open or does the the pilot's seat drops down into the interior and he accesses it from there.
Your answer would be a great help for my work.

Thanks in advance.

The answer arrived at 10:14 PM (wow...an answer in 15 minutes...I was amazed)

Hello sagh,

We believe that the canopy opens and the pilot would enter through there.

Thanks!

(name of the person)
Games Workshop Customer Service

 

[Bloodhowl]

I like how they say they believe it opens, but do not offer an explanation as to how. It could raise up like an X-Wing from Star Wars, but I don't know if it would clear the turret, even if the turret was slewed to the side.

 

[PegaZus]

That's just wonderful that it opens! What a concept!

Guess they don't have transporters in the Empire, huh?

*facepalm*

 

[Meph]

Well, I contemplated the cockpit conundrum as well. Considering the model, it makes the most sense the the seat would drop down, or in the case of my conversion, slide backwards. A hinged canopy would look and 'feel' better I think.
if you're thinking of cutting it up to make it possible to open, I wouldn't use such a large part as canopy. Think more along the lines of an F-111, or an Su-24.
View attachment 11666

Heck, even the cockpit of a Y-wing

View attachment 11667

 

[Bloodhowl]

Since GW has decreeed the cockpit opens and the pilot climbs in, it is now Gospel. As it it is written, so shall it be done!

Given the turret right behind the cockpit, I think Meph's suggestion of a side-open like the Y-Wing would make the most sense.

 

[sagh]

I'm still not sure about the canopy opening system...
but I made a quick test for the canopy logo.
It as about 2,5cm of wingspan.
I repeat, this was a quick test... adjustments are needed in the size of the feathers and I'll need to be more careful when glueing them so that I can get a smooth surface.

View attachment 11760

 

[Bloodhowl]

I'm still not sure about the canopy opening system...
but I made a quick test for the canopy logo.
It as about 2,5cm of wingspan.
I repeat, this was a quick test... adjustments are needed in the size of the feathers and I'll need to be more careful when glueing them so that I can get a smooth surface.

The aquila is looking good! What material are you going to use use to make the final production?

 

[sagh]

What material are you going to use use to make the final production?

I have been thinking of your question...
do you think the cardboard is a bad choice?
I was going to use the same materials but with a better workmanship
Here's a picture of the 2nd test (same size:2,5cm of wingspan).

View attachment 11769


(the pictures are not very good... the aquila is much better than it looks)
Opinions are very welcome!
=D

 

[Tercha]

1) Hinge at the front
2) Only the clear portion opens (any way)
3) The Canopy assembly slides forward on rails
4) The turret automatically slews to a position to allow rear opening