Mk1a Update

Here's what the Eagle Jetbike looks like currently (basecoated)...


... and the artwork it was based upon...

Making the Mk2a 'Justicar' Jetbike, Part 2

Well, I should have introduced the Justicar Jetbike in the previous post, before heading off on how to make it. What I am trying to make here is a jetbike similar to that seen on the Sedition's Gate card "Trajanar" (pictured below). Of course, like the Mk1a, it will not be an exact replica of the artwork it is based upon, but I think it helps to have a rough idea of where you're heading before you start converting. So for those of unaware of what Trajanar looks like, here you go:


In order to get the right look to the twin-engines at the back, I have opted to use the Chaos Space Marine Bike as a base, rather than the normal Marine Bike. So now you have an idea of where we're going with this conversion...

Step 4.
Remove the handle bars and pedals from the Chaos Space Marine Bike sprue and clean them up. Trim the exhaust pipes and bottom block of the pedal piece, as shown below.



Now take the long armoured intake plates from two Dark Eldar Reaver Jetbikes and cut each in half, just behind the second notch. If you intend to make the Mk1a jetbike, the shorter armoured intake plates are required for that conversion, so keep them aside. Now glue the front two halves together and do any necessary trimming/cleaning to ensure they match up perfectly, including along the cut. You will also now need to trim the bottom-back part of this intake, following the line of the second greave. This was an afterthought in order for the intake to sit nicely on the front of the bike's body, but can easily be done at this step. Pictures of this can be seen in the images of Step 6.


Step 5.
This step is another afterthought. In order for the intake to be attached to the front, and to achieve the steep lean of the rider in the artwork, the fairing piece/wheel frame has been removed from the front. Also, if you didn't do so earlier, remove the pegs that hold the rear wheel in position (pictures of this can be seen in steps 1, 3 and 6).




Step 6.
Glue the pedals on backwards. Also glue the handle bars directly to the front of the bike, positioned at the top. Finally, glue the intake to the front of the bike, just below the handle bars.





Well, that's all for now. There won't be another major update on this bike (or even the Mk1a) for a little while, but hang in there.

Making the Mk2a 'Justicar' Jetbike, Part 1

Well, this is the start of a step-by-step tutorial on how to make the 'Justicar' Jetbike I am designing. I am still constructing this baby, and am publishing the steps as I go. That means you'll be seeing the exact steps I take, the mistakes I make, and the improvisations made to fix them. As a consequence, these steps may not be the easiest way of constructing this jetbike, but are the steps taken at the time.

Important Note: Whenever you remove a part from its sprue, clean up all the flash and mold lines before you start butchering it for your conversion. This means you won't have to worry about them later, as it can be a real pain to trying to clean the finished product. Also, I find it generally helps if you try to make clean cuts when converting. Where this is not possible, simply clean it up after the cut has been made.

Step 1.
Grab yourself a Chaos Space Marine Bike an clip the two main body halves off the sprue. Clip off the bars that hold the front wheel in place, as well as the rectangular block on the front that holds the fairing in position. With a saw or similar, slice of each of the exhausts, as shown below.



Step 2.
Now take a plastic Space Marine Jump Pack and cut the mid-section out. Carefully separate each engine/exhaust and intake, trying to keep them intact, and then glue the halves together.




Step 3.
Glue each engine/exhaust piece directly to the back of each intake. Now glue these to their respective side of the bike's body, in place of its original exhausts.




Well, that's all for now. I'll add a couple more steps shortly - just have to snap a couple more photos first.

The Original Prototype - Mk1a 'Eagle' Jetbike

With the release of Sabretooth's fantastic Horus Heresy Collectible Card Game came some awesome artwork depicting an important part of the history of the Warhammer 40,000 universe. Perhaps the most striking picture for myself came in the form of an Emperor's Children Jetbike Squadron, titled Raelichus.

After having drooled over this particular card for quite some time, I came to notice just how similar it looked to a 'modern day' Space Marine Bike, and so began the idea of actually attempting to make one. The initial prototype, which can be seen from practically all angles below, is reminiscent of the Raelichus artwork, but far from a precise replica. In any case, I'm happy with the final product, and hope you appreciate it to. I have every intention of creating a step-by-step tutorial on how to construct this jetbike, but unfortunately life keeps getting in the way. For now, here is a brief description of the work involved. I will try to keep this journal updated with any and all progress I make with my jetbike squadron.

The jetbike has been constructed almost entirely from the Space Marine Bike and Dark Eldar Reaver Jetbike kits. This back view shows how the Reaver Jetbike's engine replaces the SM Bike's rear wheel. The gaps were filled with a couple of cut-offs of plastic tubing and, very obviously, Green Stuff modelling putty.

The front wheel has been replaced with the front intake armour off the Reaver Jetbike. It should be noted here that the shorter armour plates were taken off two Reaver Jetbikes and matched up, so in order to make this particular jetbike, you will need two Reaver Jetbikes. However, if you're making a entire squadron, as I am, then the two longer pieces can be matched up for the next bike (I actually have a different design jetbike in progress that uses the longer pieces, but more on this later). The holes, where you would normally have blades protruding from the Reaver Jetbike, were filled with plastic tubing and covered with Green Stuff, which was then smoothed out. The intake's grill was made from pieces of plasticard cut to size and carefully slotted into the gap at the front of the intake. I'd suggest placing the centre piece in first and ensuring it is perfectly centred, before gluing the outer two pieces in on either side.

The extension to the SM Bike's engine uses part of the main body of the Reaver Jetbike, carefully cut out. However, this is best done after the pedals have been glued in place. In the picture below, it can be seen that the bottom part of the SM Bike has been sliced off, and the bike has been trimmed right up behind the exhaust pipes. This allows the SM Bike's pedal piece to be glued in place backwards, after you have trimmed off its exhaust pipes and bottom 'block' appropriately. The rider's legs need to have the webbing behind each knee cut out so that the leg can be bent back. In an effort to keep the feet as flat as possible against the pedals, you may wish to cut the leg off just below the knee, as I did, and then Green Stuff the gap at the knee later. Some trimming will also need to be done to the bike's engine area to allow for the new positioning of the rider's legs, as seen in the images below.

The gargoyle 'Eagle' head is off the Chaos Spiky Bits sprue that comes with their vehicles. The wings are off an Eldar Swooping Hawk, with all the gemstones and other Eldar detail trimmed off. It should be noted here that this is supposed to be a Chaos Space Marine Jetbike of the Emperor's Children Legion. If you are making loyalist jetbikes, you may find appropriate replacement eagle heads and smaller wings in the plastic High Elf regiments within the Warhammer Fantasy Battle range.

The hooked chains and flayed skin are from the plastic Chaos Marauder regiment. The ammo pouch and grenade are from the plastic Chaos Space Marines.

It was pointed out to me that the pipes from the six cylinder engine appear to lead nowhere, and then appear from nowhere to form the exhaust pipes, in a rather unrealistic fashion. I would just like to say a few things in regard to this comment. Firstly, this isn't real anyway - it's a model constructed for a fantasy game, based in the distant future where technology is beyond the average human's understanding. Secondly, jetbikes use a jet propulsion system, with intake and powerful jet exhaust. They have no use for exhaust pipes as they are on a conventional motorbike. In this case, the exhausts at the back serve to provide extra jet exhaust. Finally, those pipes can be thought to disappear into the main body of the jetbike, and then consequently reappear from there as well. But ultimately, the message is: Use you're imagination! That's what the hobby is all about.

The skewered head trophy is from the plastic Zombie regiment, and the spike is an ordinary cocktail stick (or toothpick).

Well, that's briefly how the bike was constructed. I'll hopefully be updating soon with the progress made to the second prototype - a jetbike based on the artwork of Trajanar (a Legio Custodes Jetbike Squadron) with twin jet engines. Also, I should soon have pictures of this jetbike undercoated and basecoated.