Super-raider conversion HD

So I've been saving up spare bits for half a year now, and I'm finally ready to build myself a raider for my archon. He's not been happy having to share transport with the wyches. I apologize in advance if these pics are HUGE. I'm still new to forum coding.

So I started by building the base of a normal raider, and then adding a sail to the back. I had to cut out the rudder to make space.



I had to cut the front of the sail a bit, to get it to fit in the small space.
Next I carved up 2 sails and stuck them together at an angle. This was such a pain, trying to get them together. I did this twice.


Once this was done, I carved up the sides to make them fit and glued them on the side.




So what do you think? I've since added an Archon on a throne and steering, but I'll post that later.

Nice! Where does the steersman stand on this thing?

Loving the model!

NIIIIIIIICE!!!!

good work!! ive had a plan to make one longer but still trying to figure out how?

yours looks very nice! cant wait to see finished product!!

Very nice, few of us will probably steal this idea mate.

The idea isn't mine. I saw something similar with one sail on Dakka Dakka. I just extended the original design. I would advise against trying to extend a raider. I tried, and that's part of the reason I have so many spare parts.

Since then I've added a chair for my Archon. It'll be covered by the archon, so it's not a quality job. I also cut up 2 rudders to make the back of the throne. Finally, I added the controls just in front of the chair (more on that later).



The controls were made by taking the raider keypad controls and a rod from one of the rudders.


Next up, I had the wonderful experience of trying to scratchbuild an Archon. Greenstuff and glue at the ready!


With Raider arms, splinter pistol and warrior head. The back (didn't take photo) has the cape and that fur pelt sculpted on. Yes, he is using a skull as a footrest.


He gets to sit on the throne and drive. I also added a generic gunner to the front.



I'm going to start painting this bad boy tomorrow. Blue and red, for the win! I might also try to improve the engines or add slave girls on the front.

My only questions would be how 1) how does the Archon see where he's going and 2) why doesn't he have slaves to do his driving for him?

1) Magic. Or cameras. But knowing Dark Eldar, there's probably someone else's soul involved.

2) Sir does love his driving. It's more rewarding running down people yourself. Would you let a slave near your shiny mercedes?

On the subject of slaves, I'm undecided as to whether to put a GW one in that space in front of the Archon. It could add to the feel of it being a luxurious personal transport, or it might just be tacky and wreck the whole thing. I don't want to just stick one in to look sexy, but to give the vehicle character. Any thoughts/advice?

I got a game in with this thing. Predictably (as all my new models do on their first game) it got killed on turn one.

All the pics look great and love the Archon driving!
Who cares if he cant see where he is going its more fun to get off the ride and see whats collected on the keel blades he he!!

For some strange reason he reminds me of docter Evil. I say forgo the slave girl for a fluff white cat. Nothing adds character like a fluffy white cat.

Is this thing just for the archon and nobody else in game? If it is, seems a bit of a waste in points, money and parts, that's all.
You could just as easily use a stylised venom. Seems possible. But if you like it and you have extras of these three than its awesome!

Man that looks great! I will have to copy that idea, maybe even vor a Version of the Dias! But i think i will try to place the lord on the back, rather then in the middle. Still a really great convention!

Slainte

soulthirster8 wrote:

Is this thing just for the archon and nobody else in game? If it is, seems a bit of a waste in points, money and parts, that's all.
You could just as easily use a stylised venom. Seems possible. But if you like it and you have extras of these three than its awesome!

Usually I use this to bring in both the Archon and 6 Incubi.
This thing's about half painted now. The main body is blue like the above archon, but the sails are blood red (although I have to call it evil sunz scarlet now). I should have some finished pictures up in a couple of days.

Bibitybopitybacon wrote:

For some strange reason he reminds me of docter Evil. I say forgo the slave girl for a fluff white cat. Nothing adds character like a fluffy white cat.

Maybe a big white fluffy Khymera?

So at long last here are the pics I promised. It's not my best work, but it will do. I'll start with some large pics and move into detail later.

My Archon sails the void of my physics work.



Gunner and Archon. I'll be the first to admit that the archon is far from perfect, but being only the 4th model I've built from scratch (the others being Drazhar, a Haemonculus and a frankly awful jetbike farseer) I'm not too bothered.



Just in case you're wondering the armor and bulk of the raider is Abaddon black, followed by a messy highlight of stegadon scale green. I find that making the first highlight less than neat actually benefits the model, but that's just my aesthetic. Following this comes a more careful highlight of ice blue.
Metallic parts are chainmail with a wash of badab black.
Finally anything else gets a coat of tin bitz, followed by chainmail highlights.
To paint the sails: Basecoat Mechrite red, Layer evil sunz scarlet, highlight blazing orange.



So that's prettymuch it. ITS FINISHED. MUAHAHAHA! Ahem.
I'm still deciding whether to add in a slave. I'll probably end up sticking one in just for the lulz.
Believe it or not I'm already planning my next conversion. My brother just bought the empire battle wizards, trading me an awesome scythe for some stuff for his Daemon prince.

I think this might end up on my next attempt at a scratchbuilt archon.

No fluffy white kitteh?

Other than that, superb!

Still waiting on the khymera and slave. I bought both. I'll use one for the raider and the other for some modelling trick or other. I've started an archon out of a lhamaean, the scythe and hourglass above and some spare bitz. I like the idea of putting a 'pet' khymera on the base with her.

By the way, if you're looking to use this for a Dais I put some thought into how to do it. This was originally going to be a dais.
You'll notice that at the front of the side sails where the two parts join I left one of the knobs on. This could be easily cut off and a dark lance placed there instead. You could pin it in place so you can swap the dark lance back to a knob if you decide not to use the dais for a game. I might end up doing this, but probably won't post it up here as if I ever decide to use vect it will likely be months from now.

Very cool, I like that you did instructions too. I think the Raiders look particularly Shark-like, especially your conversion. I kind of want to try this but with "pectoral fins" toward the front where the sides jut out, any suggestions?

Also the ice blue/reddish-orange paint scheme is really cool, I like the contrast.

Agahnim wrote:

Very cool, I like that you did instructions too. I think the Raiders look particularly Shark-like, especially your conversion. I kind of want to try this but with "pectoral fins" toward the front where the sides jut out, any suggestions?

Also the ice blue/reddish-orange paint scheme is really cool, I like the contrast.

1. Thank you very much. My ego is enjoying this immensely.
2.The solar sails are a little big if you want to keep similar proportions to a shark. I suggest using the sail from the raider pack (the one not used for this conversion, the one with 2 sail 'parts') cut it in half, use the top sail part as a pectoral fin. If you feel particularly daring you could remove the archon and put an aethersail on as a dorsal fin, remove the shock prow and sculpt on a fish head or teeth. Finally, paint it like a fish for extra points and your archon is ready to sail the void in his flagship 'the goldfish'. Striking fear into all those that behold its orangish yellow form!

Just watch that the Tau don't try to mate with it when you're not looking. Damn space fish. (one of my buddies plays tau and keeps using emp 'nades to wreck my transports. They have an 'intimate' relationship with my raiders. Unfortunately it rarely lasts long. You could say their love is 'fleeting'. Personally I think the tau would prefer a long distance relationship anyway. )

This is a great idea that has been put together masterfully.

I like this a lot. I am actually quite sad that my raiders are all already built and trying this would require me to buy more raiders.

I think my archon is getting a new raider in December.