Xenala Comment thread: Thor665

Okay, so I finally have some time and my pieces all waiting, so let's get this sucker underway;

First off, I need a ridiculous ride...so, naturally I want to do a Raider (after all, I think the Xenala comp is a pretty good excuse for me to finally make a Malys model...who, natch, stands a good chance of being cut from the dex, but I bet she could end up being a decent 'counts as' for something in the new dex anyway)

So, Malys needs a Raider, and I like me the classic look;



Feel free to note how badly the previous owner...well, did everything. Such is the price of eBay I suppose.



I also think the escorts should be jetbikes (I almost went with Venoms but...y'know, I probably have enough of those). Thankfully I personally still have unassembled classic bikes.




That said, some new bitz could probably spruce things up...



Mission #1 - get rid of that ugly gunner who was welded in place with a mountain of glue.




Mission #2 - clean up some of the chunks of plastic left sticking off since apparently the previous owner just twisted them off the sprue.

I then skipped some photo ops in here, but...well, I do have a habit of sometimes reworking the pilot's area anyway, so...yes, let's do that - TO THE EXTREME!



Naturally, I have so many spare tail pieces from the old ones I don't even re-use the one I had just been cleaning up from this piece, but instead slap in a totally new one...go figure.



Probably need some billowing drapes, Malys travels in style after all.
Also, note my "clever" method of hiding the snipped off tail piece bits with an extra spik - because DE need more spikes! Also thongs...but mostly spikes!



I do need to figure out a good backing piece here - the classic throne bit seems too tall for my tastes (and transport desires) I had been planning to use a spare Vect throne back - but it's so heavy I think it will be problematic... I'll come up with something I am certain.

That's as it stands for now - should get to attacking the jetbikes sometime this evening I think. I want to do more 'chopper' style bikes like I did for my Haem conversion back in the day, so that's the plan.

A second thread! Yay!
Old style Raiders and Reavers! Double yay!

Looking good!

Thanks Squid - with some of the other work I've already seen I'm pretty sure all I'll manage is an 'atta boy' but participating at least helps guilt me into doing the assembly, and I am the sort that needs motivation on projects.

Speaking of which...




Made up two of these.




And one of this one.

That's the basic chopper look for the bikes. I'll put on the splinter rifle and stuff once I get the riders in place, which is really the next part of the project to be undertaken.



Speaking of riders... Yeah, I'll be using the Vampire Counts figures to play the role of indulgent nobles appreciating the joys of the raid from the comfort of their pleasure barge.



The pilot here is mostly pieced together - this is also similar to the look that the jetbike riders will have.

I do need to puzzle out what weapon I want her holding in her right hand.



Also my Malys showed up!
I'll be keeping really simple with this one - really I'm just going to swap out the goblet for a bladed fan that I'll build probably from some spare knife blades or maybe some plasticard depending on how ambitious I get.

Looking good and solid! Can't wait for this pleasure barge to be done and visiting me!

Okay, I am officially finished!

Let's start with the easy conversion first, Malys;





I actually was fiddling through a box of old Reaper minis looking for some bits and I found out I owned a piece I'd gotten ages ago with the intent of making an Inquisitorial Adet out of it, and look there - bladed fan!

So Malys became a very simple hand swap.

I did debate switching out the sword (I still might, in all honesty) but I just don't have the right bit for it now, and since I need to post for the deadline - there you are. I love this particular model and when I first saw it I knew I wanted to paint it up for my DEldar, and I think Malys is the perfect representation, and I also think the hand swap works beautifully.

Lord I hope they don't chop her from the dex...or at least give us a fan wargear piece



Now to the bike escorts.

I wanted to continue my theme of 'chopper' style jetbikes and yet also wanted to do something to make this escort more flashy and in line with the style of my Malys. This ended up being a surprisingly complicated series of kitbashes, as there is a lot of fiddly work here involving torso, wrist, arm, and leg swaps. I suspect anyone who knows the original models will notice how many kits a lot of these are.










Still, I think my three ladies get a lot of attitude and also look a bit more elegant and fearsome than the basic jetbike rider sculpt. Probably the hardest bit was doing some of the mid arm transitions, wrists are a lot easier than elbows, I've discovered!

But I like them and look forward to getting those painted up.

Now, naturally, the centerpiece, the ridiculous ride.
Specifically in my case - a pleasure barge filled with bored Dark Eldar nobility looking to enjoy the killing up close as they are escorted through the battlefield.


Coming at you!


The barge in profile.


Leaning on the side, this one brought a blade in the hopes of getting to stick it into any foolish mon'keigh who comes too close.


Her younger compatriot clings to the hull in glee, watching the battle unfold.


The pilot also wields a splinter pistol to better protect her masters.


The master of the barge reclines in luxury.


I did end up anchoring in the old Vect throne back, it actually worked really well.


Now some group shots - I haven't based anything yet since I know painting is not allowed for the comp, and I base after painting, so...paint pots will help out!





I would like to point out how I created multiple sharp flowing figures to compliment the jagged DE theme, this will help pull the units out in my army and also tie them all together visually as well.


Finito!
Though I will paint them up and probably share that here - but that will be later.

Fantastic! How you still have classic reavers lying around unmade is beyond me. Good luck at the contest, and well done on the solid but simple Malys

Please don't delve too deeply into how many old models I may or may not still have lying around still on sprues or in original packaging (or shrinkwrap)

And simple is a byword of my conversions

That Raider does look excellent. Bravo.

I'll delve deeply alright. I'll delve into those models like Scrooge McDuck.

@Salty - Tell you what, if I get you as part of the Christmas Raid I'll promise old models

@Squid - thanks man! I am looking forward to getting them painted up, the Raider is really grand enough to stick out, without being so ridiculous as to not fit in with my other Raiders, so I'm really happy with the vibe I'll likely get on the tabletop with it.

What a nice thought, thank you! I'm liking "Salty" a lot better than "wound" let's keep this up guys ^^

Oh, absolutely. I love the "lounging around enjoying the battle" look of the passengers and Lord (and the basass up front who is both piloting the craft, manning the dark lance AND taking pot shots with a splinter pistol?!). That'll look great in the middle of an army.
Just as a Raider? Or a fully fledged Dias of Destruction?

I have an official Dais model, so tend to stick with that.
I see this model becoming my official 'HQs are in this raider' model and replacing my old 'HQs are in the raider with the flag of my Kabal' option.