So I need to expand my Australis Lighthorse to 1500 pts for MiF.

A pretty easy way to add a lot of points is with a Vendetta - This will provide some much needed mobile firepower.

But it doesnt fit very well with a WW1 theme.

However, a bi-plane would fit much better as a strafing ground-attack vehicle to add into the force (not really planning on transporting too much).

Ive started with a normal Valk kit, and Im trying to give the 'impression' of a bi-plane while still obviously being a Valk.

At the moment Ive thinned down the rear transport compartment, leveled up the ####pit and changed the tail somewhat. The ####pit will be thickened up almost to the same width as the rear compartment to give a more uniform width.

I plan to get some wings and panels laser-cut, at the moment they are proxied with paper and foamcore, with the whole thing held together by blu-tack, masking tape and rubber bands.


What Im after, before designing the schematics for wings and panels to be laser-cut, is some general ideas and suggestions as to what you think should be adjusted.

Eg, are the wings too short, too long? Too wide, too narrow? Too high, too low? Should they be further forward? etc (The wings are only held up by sprue-offcuts - something more sophisticated will be done when theyre done).

How is the positioning of other things? Any other suggestions?

And without further ado, pics:

positioning looks about right - need more shape (round edges, flaps aerofoil shape etc) Also have you considered mounting the two engines out under the wings - will give fusilage a more stream lined look and help balance the wings and model overall I think - perhaps even reverse mounts them with props in a push me configuration and then put a nose gunner in a open cuppola right on the nose. Top wing could be fractionally further forward with bottom wing set slightly aft of it

just some thoughts from an old time bi-plane modeller

Likeing the tailplane section, that looks cool. Pilot is well done too.


Generally the wings on a biplace are not even in placement. The higher wing usually sits about 20% forward of the lower wing. Or at least on most Bi planes I've seen.

But they difinently need more shaping They could possibly be longer and narrower than they are at the moment as well. Give it a slightly more sleak look to compliment the rest of the valk model.


I would also try and find a way to bring the lower wing up to the base of the door more, instead of the wing going straight under the fusilage have it mounted similar to a low set of wings.

Example of the more forward top wing (along with a very odd way to play tennis

Example of the lowset lower wing.

Also you could make the lower wing smaller as many makes of biplane do... Example (a model though)

I also agree with Nzarra, the engines don't fit with your theme for it, though I don't know what your going to do about that.

Although my last idea may have something to do with it... Give it a propeller. Mounting the engines on the lower side of the ####pit (cutting out some of that plasticard peice to make it slot in).

good example of the off-set wings is shown in this bristol diagram

maybe a t-32 Curtis might be worthwhile looking at too

I think you should take the engines of the top and attach them to the wings.

Also I think opening the body of the Valk so that it as if they passengers are out in the open just like the crew. Maybe raise the height of the lower wing but I’m not sure, it would depend on how it looked with wheel on it

I'm liking Valkyrie's ideas.

Can you mount the lower wings at the base of the door (whether they're smaller or not) and sling the engines under the top wings but beside the fuselage, and mount props on the front of both of them?

How would that look?

I think a propeller would look cool...

Dear Luke

You are a stupid

Love
Sam

Second.

Also, needs a prop. Get rid of the jets.

I dig it ey, a cupola with a machine gun on the nose would look sweet like the old WW1 bombers. What sort of paint sceme are you looking at.

have you thought of using 2 sets of valk wings and having the bottom set upside down to make...
_______
/ | | \
\__|__|__/

wow that looks dodgey, lol.

wel that sorta shape, woth the engins on the point of the wings, with props of course.

or just valk wing shape but flat instead of bent.


other than those ideas, looking sweet




JoD

EDIT: hmm, crappy pic seemed to not work

wings are way too thick and blocky at the moment, and are too far apart. i reckon the top wings should come out from basically where the normal ones would, and the lower wings should come out in line with the bottom of the hull, not slapped on underneath. (and yeah, the upper wings should be a bit forward of the lower ones)

the tail looks pretty awesome though, i like that quite a bit.

Needs more people smoking pipes and talking about the natives.

that is some mad dope skillz there luke


just be careful not to stumble down the dank dark path towards fighta bomba shenanigans

Consider using the wings from the kit, but do a bit of a cut and shut to straighten them. Then get the bottom set laser cut to follow the same lines but definitely higher up the fuselage and further back.

DH-9 or DH-82 is the sort of thing

linky for pics

edit for linky

It really needs a propeller.

Needs a dog with bee's in its mouth so that when it barks it shoots bee's at you.

Thats a bit ruff! (sorry had to do it)

Ah, another case of the Bad Joke terrorists invading the homes of random nerds and forcing them to make puns at gunpoint I see. Hang in there pal, the cavalry are on the way.

Thanks for the comments guys! (Well, the people putting in anything constructive, that is)

Im really getting the impression I need to at least move the bottom wings up to right underneath the door, which is a bit more effort but definately do-able.

I tried to position the top wing forward a bit, but considering its balancing on blutacked sprues its a bit difficult

I think Ill go for wings a bit thinner, at the moment they are 5mm with the foamcore proxy, Ill try 3-4mm when in plasticard.

Getting the impressing a lot of people think engines on wings would look better - whereabouts exactly? Engines arent really 'full', they flatten on the bottom part way down.

Propellers - Really? Im not sure how well that would work in a sci-fi setting... Its not FUNCTIONING as a bi-plane, just looks like one.

Well some Biplanes had them attached to the lower wing so that would make it just by sticking it onto the wing then you will not have to deal with the missing bit. Still you will need to shorten it.

EG the Boulton Paul Overstrand


I think a Propeller would be easy just stick one on the end as. It shoudl look much the same.

I think it would be a better look if it actually looks like a functional bi-plane. Part of the appeal of your army is that a lot of the stuff looks WWI era, and I think the plane should be one of those bits, rather then the contrasting sci fi bit.

It's the IoM - what could be more appropriate than a dirty great big oversized ###### off propeller?

At least it would be fun for low flying decapitation...


I like EG's example of where to put the engines.

THE PROPELLER BLADES SHOULD BE CHAINSWORDS

if was for the orcs.

This addvice is sound

But with some mods of cause to keep it in the 40k era. (with turbine engines maybe)

The CR-32 look with the shorter lower wings would suit best, I reckon - gives you room to mount the weaponry as well as clearer access to the lower part of the hull.

Repositioning of the engines - Yes
Addition of a propeller - No

I really like the concept of this so far, looks really great and can't wait to see the end result.

BUT I don't think that the idea of a prop on a 40k vehicle is that flash, will just make it look out of place to be honest.

Good luck with it all.

Ive done some work!






And a simulation of it with the top wing on:



Thanks to Stewarts Trophies for the lasercut wings!

And some more - what are peoples thoughts on the height and positioning of top wing?






Oh, and the pilot area is covered in masking tape because the ####pit interior has been painted and I dont want it damaged during construction or covered with spray when I undercoat!

Ok, very productive day, almost done!

One thing I need feedback on - Do I leave landing gears off, like above, or put them on, like below (obviously cleaned up a bit). Ideally Id rather wheels, but I dont have the time...

Leave them off. It'll also make it easier to do wheels later.

If you're not going to do wheels right now, leave them up.

Needs more cogs and gears. Also mustache.

Nice work mate! I am really liking those wings. Did you draw up a design for Stewarts to do, or give him a general idea?

I definitely think landing gear hanging in the breeze is what you want, but I agree wheels (perhaps bogies like the Handley Page 0/400) are what would look best.

Just a thought, to represent door gunners you could have an open dorsal ####pit with a scarf ring mounted heavy bolter... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scarff_ring

Love your work mate

RoV

In this project I did the vector designs myself in Inkscape. Other times Ive done part myself, part him, sometimes its all been him doing it up. He can do it, but it takes longer, is probably more expensive, and it probably wont be exactly what you want unless its very simple.

Luckily Inkscape is quite easy to use!

Looking good Luke, personally im not a fan of the boxy chin at the front, would have preferred some more angle to it.

Yes I agree.

It's much better that before but I think angle the nose at the base so it’s more like the valk hull.

Move the engines onto the wings (I know it going to be a huge pain but I think it will be worth it), just cut it down so it doesn’t over hang too much.

Also I think Wheels are the way to go. Just get three from the front of a SM bike and attach.

More struts and some cable but you might have planned to do that anyway.

Apart from that it’s looking great.

hey nid,
looks great mate! but it looks a bit orky

I think the blockiness is whats giving it that Orky look.

I think that will get sorted out by paintjob

I hope so! Speaking of which its about half painted now... My airbrush is still giving me grief, so I went and bought a $40 supercheap auto one. And it actually feels better to me... Im getting better results with it anyway. Disappointing really .

Ok, its finished enough for MiF, worked out alright I suppose:






Now I just need to figure out how to store/transport the bugger!




Youre right.

I totally should have modelled it like this:

That cube is beyond your skills, but Stewarts Trophies could prob make some pieces that you could assemble to make the cube.

I like it overall, just not the nose, way too boxy and square (not cube).

Yes agreed. Over it rocks and it’s nice that at least someone else though converting a Valk was a good idea.

However I guess I just think you could have done a better job. Still that more just me judging you by a higher standard that most people because I think most of your work is of such a good standard.

i still think the upper wing should have been lower on the model (beneath/inline with the turbines) but it looks pretty sweet with some paint on it

I love it, I would be thrilled to see your army across the table from me.

Vera noice work my man!

RoV

Nah, I could just get the foam here and cut it to shape!

jolly good show ol chap !
that will keep jerrys head down for sure!!
Good luck at MiF.

Mithril

I love it, fits so well with your army.