Plawolf's Storm Raven Makeover WIP

[plawolf]

Well I finally got my Storm Raven through the post yesterday and made a few changes once I got my grubby paws on it.

Overall, I am fairly happy with the the end result, just a few bits I am still working on before the configuration is set and I could finish painting in and adding in a few special details I had in mind.

The dred grappler is just the basic supplied one magnetized, seems to work well enough, but I am thinking of building a claw-like frame to stop the dred spinning around. However, the problem with that would be coming up with a design that could hold all the different dreds. I currently have the stock standard dred, venerable (which doesn't fit because of the extra two exhausts and would need some adjustment on, and I plan to get the new BA dreds and build one of each as soon as I am done with the Raven). Any ideas or suggestions would be welcome.

There are a few areas I am not sure about and would appreciate some comment or advice on.

Firstly, is the configuration of the canards, it looks more sleek with a conventional rearward sweep as depicted in most of the pictures, but the forward sweep shown in the last picture is more futuristic and seems to fit with the space marine feel better. I am conflicted.

Secondly, does anyone feel I should link the two tail booms similar to how the Valk? I could whip something up fairly easily with plasticard,but my version is already pretty back heavy and I am loathed to unbalance it more.

Conventional layout

[URL=http://img600.imageshack.us/i/img0020ja.jpg/][/URL]

[URL=http://img545.imageshack.us/i/img0022jz.jpg/][/URL]

[URL=http://img248.imageshack.us/i/img0023hl.jpg/][/URL]

[URL=http://img146.imageshack.us/i/img0035bb.jpg/][/URL]

[plawolf]

With forward swept canards

[URL=http://img214.imageshack.us/i/img0037sl.jpg/][/URL]

[isotope99]

Coming along nicely.

Like the extra length from the tail but I would definitely join them somewhere for stability.

The dread looks good, I would be tempted to use the twin booms and mount grapples to keep it in place positioned near the front left and right chest panels. Remember that they don't have to be flush with the dread to look good which would leave room for different models.

I can definitely see the argument for forward sweeping canards to mirror the wings but the version in the last pic seems a little extreme, not sure how to fix it though without cutting them to be square at the front though which is obviously a little permanent.

The only other bit I would I would look at again is the valkyrie boom link section behind the air vent. It looks good in the top down views but the angle feels wrong in the side shots.

[plawolf]

Coming along nicely.

Like the extra length from the tail but I would definitely join them somewhere for stability.

The dread looks good, I would be tempted to use the twin booms and mount grapples to keep it in place positioned near the front left and right chest panels. Remember that they don't have to be flush with the dread to look good which would leave room for different models.

I can definitely see the argument for forward sweeping canards to mirror the wings but the version in the last pic seems a little extreme, not sure how to fix it though without cutting them to be square at the front though which is obviously a little permanent.

The only other bit I would I would look at again is the valkyrie boom link section behind the air vent. It looks good in the top down views but the angle feels wrong in the side shots.

Some good suggestions, thanks.

I have linked the tailbooms and they definitely looks way better for it.

Good spot on the fuselage link between the booms and engine housing, I was just being lazy and slapped the left over valk tail on when it does really fit. Since I already have the plasticard out, I made a new connecting piece and it looks distinctly less orky now.

[URL=http://img145.imageshack.us/i/img0038ok.jpg/][/URL]

Hmm, imageshack seemed to have packed it in whilst I was uploading the new pictures. Will just have to make do with this one till they come back online.

[plawolf]

Rest of the pics.


[URL=http://img51.imageshack.us/i/img0039bo.jpg/][/URL]

[URL=http://img718.imageshack.us/i/img0040gc.jpg/][/URL]

[URL=http://img196.imageshack.us/i/img0044ro.jpg/][/URL]

[Sanguinary Dan]

Gorgeous. And stolen

I assume you are going to fair in the canards? And definitely go with forward swept. Much more aggressive visually.

[plawolf]

Gorgeous. And stolen

I assume you are going to fair in the canards? And definitely go with forward swept. Much more aggressive visually.

Thanks, appreciate the kind words.

Yes, I haven't forgotten the canards, it was just that they were still drying off their base coat when I took those photos.

While I have your attention, I would like to see how you feel about this alternative configuration I have just whipped up.

It takes a lot more effort (and plasticard) than the 'down and dirty' original, but the Valk tail booms are better integrated into the design and looks like they are designed to be that way.

I have a few ideas about the back, which I haven't had time to finish yet, so no butt shot this time.

Excuse the masking tape, I was just getting her read for a date with a can of primer.

[URL=http://img13.imageshack.us/i/img0046cf.jpg/][/URL]

[plawolf]

Something strange with the image limit with the last post, here are the rest of the images.

[URL=http://img11.imageshack.us/i/img0047vh.jpg/][/URL]

[URL=http://img832.imageshack.us/i/img0048mg.jpg/][/URL]

[URL=http://img194.imageshack.us/i/img0049ds.jpg/][/URL]

[wittdooley]

Don't like it. The tail is very un-Marine.

[Firebird]

Don't like it. The tail is very un-Marine.

Ah up to your normal subtly I take it? Anyways its not so bad its defiantly different.