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Hey all, I'm thinking about converting a 1/48 scale B-17G Flying Fortress model into an Ork aircraft. I know it's a WWII plane, but I think it would fit well with the right modifications, seeing as how Ork technology is supposed to be crude. I was wondering if you guys have any comments, tips or suggestions, because if I go through with this it'll be my first conversion. Thanks.

First is to figure out what you want it to count-as (assuming you are not just doing it for giggles).

Once you have that - figure out what the things are that really will identify that vehicle. You may need to include certain things like guns or bombs.

After that - get your model and a few orks who will be the crew in order to properly size them up. If I am remembering my sizes correctly, an averaged sized ork will fill up the opening for the bubble canopy on the top.

Also, because of the various line of sight rules - you will want to know how big the aircraft you are using it to count as is. The B-17 is a big model in 1/48. About a foot and a half long and two feet wide. Most GW vehicles are much smaller (though I am not an ork player...so I can't say for certain how they might match up).

That might make a plane like a B-25 or an A-26 a better option as both of those are a bit over a foot in both length and wingspan. They have nice underlying shapes and fairly chunky bodies which should allow you to stuff a few orks inside as crew members.

After that - it is an order of making them orky. Pick up some corrugated plastic from Evergreen or a company like that and hack it up to use as a second skin to hide the smooth airframe of the model. Maybe a bit of diamond plate as well just to switch it up some. Make each engine a bit different - and generally try to break up the symmetry. Stick the guns in the proper places - maybe a gretchin doing a Major Kong impersonation on an oversized bomb sticking out of the bottom.

When using model airplanes for orks, make sure you do 2 thing.

First: Add lots of guns sticking out in random places.

Second: Make it look just Barely! flight worthy, as it looks like it shouldn't be able to fly

Sean-I'm actually not going to use it in games, I just wanted to make something cool. =P I was thinking of maybe replacing the prop engines with engines from a Stormtalon, and maybe put two more on the elevator fins. Maybe paint some of the engines different colors so it looks like they were scavenged from different Stormtalon units. I built a burna bommer and I still have the big guns left from the kit, and I'm thinking of embedding them along the wings.

Alternatively you could replace the props with deffkopta-style props, keeping the 'Bee-lots flyin' furtress' look.

I concur that 0.5 mm (or less) plasticard (Evergreen is also what I use) will be your friend for such a project. Also, you can make rivets on those by poking the underside of the plastic with a sharp tool, or for neater rivets get some 0.8mm plastic rod to cut small coins from, rivets really help ork vehicles hold together. Thirdly, plane modelmakers will often get their hands on a 'line engraver' to simulate tight-fitting metal plates, by carving a line in a single plate. Might be a useful tool for your project.

Aim to have armor pieces and rivets all over the place, sharp edges here and there, like axe blades and triangles coming off trailing edges, big guns and a paint job with rust and flames.

Don't hesitate to look at orky aircraft here or on The Waaagh (another website, more orky) for inspiration.