Sledgehammer's WIP (updated)

[Sledgehammer]

As some might remember, I'm looking into making a Flyrant with organic jetpacks.

Also view: thetyranidhive.proboards28.com/index.cgi?board=converting&action=display&thread=1182858435

However, I decided, If I go through with this I also want jetpacked Gargoyles. So I thought I just scale the whole concept down somewhat and try it on a converted gaunt first.

The Jetpack is not done completely yet, but I got bored, while waiting for the GS to cure and took some pictures.





As you can see, I took a Hormagaunt, clipped the tail, replaced with a piece of paperclip and affixed a scything claw to the end, then rebuilt the tail with GS.
I also clipped the tounge and modeled a tube of GS instead for Bioplasma
Finally I Drilled a hole in the head, glued a piece of paperclip in and modeled an elongated 5th headplate for that avian look.

Then I started modeling the Jumppack. I started with the front half of the casing, then modeled a rough form of the back half onto it. Next came the airintakes, the texture on them pretty much resembles the 3rd Ed. Biovore's muzzle (I was thinking some tissue there instead of just a hole might add to the organic look and serve to keep nasty things like birdstrike or grenades out). In the rear center I already started modeling the the Bioplasma reactor sac (where it produces the plasma that propels the device). The last addition where the chitinplates on top of the air intakes. They are a little asymmetric, but that was the best I could do.

So what stays after curing is:
- model the trusters
- some cosmetic work on the jetpack in general
- some more modeling on the plasma reactor sac
- maybe add a little guitarwire for pipes/hoses

And It really is a pain to model, so I'm definitely trying to make a mold of this

So, ideas, criticism, comments, anything?

Edited for new pictures

[nomoreroominhell]

Looks great, except for that head piece, which just looks out of place - I'd try making it thinner and flatter at the top, so it looks like a horn or a fin.. right now it just looks like some sort of strange growth.

[Sledgehammer]

Yeah, I see what you mean, the photos are a little inaccurate here. In real life it looks kind of like a blade. just needs some filing.

Ever seen a picture of a Pterodactylus? It's supposed to look like that.

Edit: OOps, wrong species, I'll go check.

Edit: Got it, it's a Pteranodon

[Voice of Reason]

I dunno, maybe get rid of the headpiece all together... or if it's supposed to look like a blade, why not just make it out of the Hgaunt's second talon?

if you can make a mold of it, great, if not, you should consider converting it more out of existent bits with a minimal amount of green stuff. also, the packs seem kind of just "stuck on". They don't seem to blend into the body as with most other biomorphs.

I don't say this because I think it's a bad conversion, I say it because if you've only done one and the work is that difficult, then doing 12+ is going to be a nightmare. With bits, you're more likely to get a uniform look to the models and it would be easier to achieve.

[Sledgehammer]

For the Flyrant I'm going to dremel away part of the backplates and make it look as if the pack actually grows out of the opening. With the Gargs that is going to be a little harder though.

Plan is to make a mold (when the pack is done of course), cast enough of them and slap them on using green Stuff, to actually get a more grown in look. And so long I've got to keep the underside of the pack simple, because the 4 H-Gaunt bodies in the sprue are not 100% identical.

But good call on making the headcrest extension out of a chopped down ST, I'll try that on the 2nd.

[Sledgehammer]

It's not really difficult to make, once you get the hang of it. However, making a lot (or only some) that look the same could prove difficult. The hardest part imho is waiting for the green stuff to cure. Maybe I should start mixing with brown stuff.

However, the main and direction thrusters are done now. I also did some touching up on the Packs main body and the reactor sac. Now I'll let it sit till tomorrow, then look if it needs more cosmetics and if it still is a good idea to add some guitarwire.

[Sledgehammer]

OK, updated the pictures. Im still argueing with myself if I should or should not add 2 hoses made from guitarwire. I was thinking leading from the reactor sac to somehere in the jetpack body.

Also remember, the jetpack only lies on top of the gaunt, it will look slightly different when mounted fixed (i.e. less of a gap).

As for colours:

All thrusters same colour as chitinplates. (black to red fade in my case)
Reactor sac and air intakes detail colour. (purple in my case)
Rest bodycolour. (dark green in my case)

[Sledgehammer]

Here's the first one with a cast jetpack, sorry for the 1st picture being so blurry, I'll try to fix that in the next few days.

[Julio]

how did u make the cast?

(materials, brand of casting stuff, etc.)

thx

[vigilant]

Wow. Incredible idea, your Jet pack gargoyles are going to be 1337.

Kudos on your amazing cast ;D I definitely have to try that.....

I would recommend, however, elimination the head-talon. It's just my opinion, but I even take the point off of my GW gargoyles and GS it to more resemble a normal 'nid's head. It just looks silly otherwise.

[Julio]

ya...the head thing is a lil mental...kinda reminds me of Alfalfa from that childrens show....i think its called "Lil Rascals".

[nomoreroominhell]

Looks very sweet, love the jetpack. The head fin does look better, but still a bit out of place - I think it's the angle that it's on, it doesn't match the progression of the existing plates on the head. It should be swept back a bit more. Other than that, awesome (I love the tail conversion as well!)

[Sledgehammer]

OK, Here's the first batch of 8 Gargs primed and ready to be painted. I tilted the headfin further backwards, which is a big improvement in the overall looks in my opinion.



I hope to get these done till the end of the month. I'll post pictures in the my Sledgehammer's Minis thread when finished.

[alucardhellsing661]

DUDE THATS AWSOME

[Trygon]

If you see a thread that is really old just leave it alone. Look but don't post. If you really want to question or praise someone then PM.