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In my effort to create a set of rough riders, I've begun building my own versions. I apologize for my horrible green stuff skills.

I happen to think the rules for the rough riders are awesome, and would like nothing more than to field a full set of 30 riders, yes that means no vendettas. But for 330 pts 3 units of surprise marine/termie killers sounds surprising and fun. Especially as I have yet to see anyone ever actually fielding any.

So here comes the hard part, how to build one? What base to use?

As far as bases, a legal model is supposed to be on the fantasy cavalry base, but i don't really like that look. So i have begun making magnetic interchangeable bases! yeah, i am magnet crazy.
I am building 3 separate squads of full 10 man units.

Squad #1 (on round bases) is composed of forge world horsemen, I have 5 so far. I will be posting those soon.

Squad #2 (still collecting bits) going to be made from fantasy horsemen parts and cadians in a kit bash

Squad #3 (this blog) is my attempt at a unique rough rider. Speeder Bike Riders!!!

So here is how it works. Bit order DE Reaver Chassis, which then I used green goo, bits of shaved down sprue and coffee stir sticks to make the following:




I then drilled a hole and fixed a magnet to its base (how i plan to make interchangeable bases)




The next challenge was to create a rider. I have taken cadian legs and cut them, and re-combined with green stuff. Once again I apologize for my low end modeling skills






Challenge #3 creating a "holding handle bars hand" This was accomplished by using hands from using hands from tank command sprue and the cadian guard "gun holding" hand, a little green stuff to fix it to an arm in the best position.





Now, as I wait for glue to dry, I have begun to consider the next problem. What kind of "lance" or armament should I use in the other hand? I made the "nose length" of the speeder longer than a fantasy lance. I will most likely be affixing las guns to their backs by a strap, however I can not decide if I should go with a regular lance, elongated lance or just have both hands on the controls. Another option is to have each one holding some sort of lance power saw, or kind of sticky bomb. Does anyone have any advice on a "type" of weapon to arm the riders with.

Personally i think the speeder bikes need a bit more detail on them, though i LOVE the concept.

Would start with some plasticard 'fairing' over the greenstuff anti-grav prong housing. Also the engine requires some 'imperialisation' maybe ransack some model car kits for some engine cylinders.

Painting has yet to commence, but i am completely open to suggestions on improving the model before I begin with any real painting. What kind of details would you recommend adding?

If/when you pull this off these will be epic. I did a google image search as I'm sure you did and out of all the image i thought something like this might work, maybe underslung. I'm really looking forward to seeing these bad mofo's in action. Most all the other Homebrew lances were plastic tubes with chain swords on the end or the real lances on other mounts.




This one was the best of the normal lances i could find ....Looks like a thermal lance too me. Good job to whomever made them.

My advice would be to have a sort of fragile/disposable looking lance on the underside of the Bikes.

Just some simple thing that i think can help with your GS skills.

1. Keep your tools lubricated (be this water, vaseline or saliva).

2. On the wrist joints specifically, go back with a sharp modelling knife and remove all the excess greenstuff that was squeezed out when you put that hand in the socket.

3. File down your greenstuff on the bikes. File all of it. The imperial vehicles all have sharo edges and rivets. Oh that reminds me, find a thin plastic rod (like really thin) and slice the tip off that to make fairly uniform rivets.

I do like the idea, but i think the models could do some work. Also, in future scenarious i think you should use Plasticard rather then wood, as wood is known for absorbing paint and looking textured.

After looking at speeder bike's the only real thing i see that yours do not have is the stirrups/foot pedals, do you plan to do pedals ?

The long lance looks pretty awesome, I was actually planning on hitting home depot up for something to use for the base posts/pegs. I'll look for some of that straight wire to use for my next 4 bikes to make sure i get straight posts to support the nose. I also think i should look at some plastic card as people have advised. I've never worked with it but maybe its time to start. I also need some less than 5 year old green stuff. Lots of work ahead of me.

So you wanna make some rough riders ?
I see your cool idea and raise you a ludicrous one.
Tactical equestrian Dreadnought Armor!







On to my serious post. I found this picture on the web, thought it had a cool look to it.

Tekeino wrote:My advice would be to have a sort of fragile/disposable looking lance on the underside of the Bikes.

Just some simple thing that i think can help with your GS skills.

1. Keep your tools lubricated (be this water, vaseline or saliva).

2. On the wrist joints specifically, go back with a sharp modelling knife and remove all the excess greenstuff that was squeezed out when you put that hand in the socket.

3. File down your greenstuff on the bikes. File all of it. The imperial vehicles all have sharo edges and rivets. Oh that reminds me, find a thin plastic rod (like really thin) and slice the tip off that to make fairly uniform rivets.

I do like the idea, but i think the models could do some work. Also, in future scenarious i think you should use Plasticard rather then wood, as wood is known for absorbing paint and looking textured.

I agree with Tekeino, especially on #3. Keep going, the more you push yourself, the better you'll get!

Cheers,
Rawson

Really nice work on the speeder bikes. Another option you can go for on the lance front is one-shot assault launchers. Speeder bikes always look like they would need both hands on the controls to prevent spinning out in 3 dimensions A good source of assault launchers are vehicle smoke launchers. Either trim down the Chaos ones to get 2 sets of assault launchers from each vehicle launcher, or use the marine lanchers. I modified them a bit for my RRs.



Also remember that RRs aren't armed with lasguns, they get laspistols only.

It has been a while since I posted, I apologize to anyone following, with class schedules i don't get much time to work, however I am currently in the process of removing the blasa wood parts and replacing them with plasticard. I must admit, plasti card is much easier to work with, and work great. The suggestion of using a lubricant on tools working with green stuff was also very helpful, unfortunately my skill is not so great yet, and filing down green stuff has continued to have to happen.

Posted below is an example of a newly modified bike, you will also see my first lance... unfortunately, given the length of my bike, the lance turned out to be ridiculously long, as a result i have started arming the other riders with shotguns, pistols and grenades. I may revisit the lance idea with my final four riders. up dates to continue.

The lance is a little long

The plasticard work, however, is much sleeker. Nice one.

Remember though that the lance doesn't need to be longer than the bike, just long enough to give the rider an advantage in a drive by stabbing.

Only the rider with the lance is close to finished. I have some touch ups and the base to finish. However, i actually like how the lance turned out. I armed the others with grenades and shot guns, but I may just fashion ridiculously long lances for them too. I need to work on getting the arm cocked to hold the lance better.