When i first saw the plastic Valkyrie model i joked with my brother that it would be awesome to buy one and convert it into a Spectre/Spooky style gunship. That was ages ago and this christmas while exploring Dakka i found a blog by Deewalla (found here http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/259820.page ) which had done just that... or at least had started to do just that. The blog is pretty old and incomplete. I was inspired so off to ebay i went. There i was able to buy a Valkyrie for about $30 Canadian and with a little plasticard, glue and ideas taken from Insaniak and LBursley i got started on an Imperial Guard Valkyrie Spectre.

After countless campaigns against the endless Ork Waaaghs throughout the galaxy it became clear that while the Waaagh was effective while en masse, smaller Ork gatherings are easy to disrupt and annihilate through night time attacks from the air. While larger Waaaghs can be very technologically advanced, most generally lack the equipment and or ability to effectively defend from air assault during the night. At first Vulture Gunships, and Valkyrie Vendettas were used for such operations, but the design of these aircraft meant that only strafing runs were possible and the aircraft spent much of their fuel circling an enemy positions in order to line up for the next run.
To better use their time on target, Valkyrie gunners upgraded there heavy bolters to more power assault or punisher cannons and pilots of these aircraft began to circle targets allowing these weapons to be used continuously. To up the power even more, and to better penetrate thicker Ork armour and buildings some crews added an artillery piece or lascannon.
And with that the Valkyrie Spectre was born. With dedicated weapon hard points and the combination of rate of fire, penetrating power and the psychological fear the Spectre circles Orks settlements and camps like and avenging angel from heaven, raining fire and lead unto those unfortunate enough to have ventured into the night.

Bring the Rain

anyway so i am thinking: an earthshaker cannon (or something like that... i don't think there are any rules in 40k for 105 howitzers), a punisher cannon, and either an autocannon or a lascannon, all side mounted, and with a fully functioning and realistic interior that is going to accessible and visible thanks to a removable roof.
As of today i have finshed most of the weapons (las needs some work and the earthshaker which is from forgeworld arrived warped and needs some straightening, but over all everything is done.) And the side of the cargo area which will have all the weapons poking through, i just finished today.
One of the most difficult aspects of this build is the wings of the Valkyrie itself. As most of you know the wings are bent downward and although very pretty, the wings of a C-130 are straight and well out of the way. This has made me wonder whether i should alter the wings so that they are straight, or straighter. Doing this would open up a can of engineering headaches... how to move the landing gear, what to do about the wingtip engins... and on and on... but that is later. For now i am focused on the inside of the Valk.

Anyway, here is what i have got so far.

Sounds like an awesome idea, the punisher cannon looks ace!

That's a nice punisher, looking forward to the rest.
Maybe you should widen the wings a bit with plasticard? That way the downward slope at the end would be less of a problem, not to mention that a valk carrying this much heavy gear would need more lift then a regular valk.

i love that punisher cannon

CommissarKhaine wrote:That's a nice punisher, looking forward to the rest.
Maybe you should widen the wings a bit with plasticard? That way the downward slope at the end would be less of a problem, not to mention that a valk carrying this much heavy gear would need more lift then a regular valk.

Considering the bird likely drops its heavy bolter "sponson" guns because of the lack of side doors now; as well with all this equipment it would definitely not be transporting 12 man squads loaded to the nuts with equipment into battle; I wouldn't see it as an issue for the Valk to carry the weight of those three weapons. Unless he tries to make it a Vendetta as well with the 6 lascannons strapped to it.

Forge World had these things carrying Sentinels into combat; mounting punisher cannons under each wing, and a number of other configurations; so I think a single punisher with an Autocannon would do easily. Though I'm not sure about the other gun, its ammo would be limited but then the thing would only fire once a turn so six rounds couldn't be THAT heavy for a "lifter". Probably add fluff that the engines were replaced with some newer design, so paint flames on the tail boom with racing stripes on the hull (that's right, make it go faster!)


My concern isn't how this is going to turn out ((cause its off to a great start)) its how the rules would work for it. The way in which a Spectre 130 gunship operates is much more like a strafing run; where it just circles over head pummelling you to hell ((literally)). Toss in that the Valk uses skimmer rules and this Spectre action would make it much more a Flyer. Bah, there's so many little things with the valk rules as it is . In any case the model looks awesome; can't wait to see this one done .

Now this sounds like one hell of a fun conversion

Can't wait to see it develop.

For the rules dilemma i was thinking you could use the original rules for a Valk from IA 1 when it was coinsidered a orbital lander and a flyer. Or would that rub people the wrong way?

It's not even that it's the *rules* that rub me the wrong way.

A helicopter or VTOL loaded with that kind of heavy armament just would not work, without significant re-engineering or modification. The whole reason it works with the AC-130 "Spectre" and the AC-47 "Spooky" before it is that they were:
A) Prop-driven vehicles, allowing it to loiter better and work better in the close air support role. The real exception to this rule has been the A-10 Thunderbolt--which is slow enough due to its armor that it just *works*.
B) Both were originally designed for heavy cargo hauling operations, and the cargo capacity ripped out so that the guns could be added in.


If you REALLY want to make a Valkyrie "Gunship" variant?
Think of something like the Pavehawks or Pave-Lows, where they're uparmored(sacrificing their speed for armor), and upgunned.

Bolt the rear ramp in a permanent down position, have maybe a quad linked autocannon turret in that rear ramp area. Bolt the side doors open with the autocannons there. Things like that.

Just my opinion though. It looks good, if unpractical

Just my 2 cents towards Kanluwen, the Valk is pretty much just the Harrier of the 40k universe. Considering it is in the fluff a orbital lander it is made to carry heavy loads, and since its suppose to land them into BATTLEZONES i would take it as being able to move fast even when at full capacity. If thats the case then why would it not work carrying a lighter load of weapons instead of cargo/troops/ammo/etc.

Also the whole 40k universe makes no sense when saying "it wouldnt work because the real life version of.."

Mikhail Zablikov wrote:Just my 2 cents towards Kanluwen, the Valk is pretty much just the Harrier of the 40k universe. Considering it is in the fluff a orbital lander it is made to carry heavy loads, and since its suppose to land them into BATTLEZONES i would take it as being able to move fast even when at full capacity. If thats the case then why would it not work carrying a lighter load of weapons instead of cargo/troops/ammo/etc.

Also the whole 40k universe makes no sense when saying "it wouldnt work because the real life version of.."

Except it's *not* really an "orbital" lander(it's an atmospheric craft with *limited* exoatmospheric capacities. It has to be conveyed to the ground via mass landers to operate from there at full capacity), and in order to carry heavy loads(Sentinels, Tarantula turrets, or Cyclops demolition vehicles) it had to give up its wing-mounted hardpoint weaponry for Fuel Tanks.

And you're right. It is pretty much "just the Harrier of the 40k universe". Except that's really the Vulture's role.
So, I guess it's actually *not* "the Harrier of the 40k universe".
It'd be more like the V-22 Osprey of the 40k universe, I guess. It *can* have an armament. It *can* operate as a fast mover which air-drops personnel/equipment. Or it *can* operate like a helicopter.

But I digress.

It wouldn't work while carrying that "lighter load of weapons" because of the fact that y'know...that massive Earthshaker cannon's recoil works both ways. Firing a massive cannon doesn't rock the AC-130 because of the fact that the AC-130 has it specially bracketed, alongside of the mass of the vehicle itself to compensate.

*That's* part of my issue with the theory of a Valkyrie 'gunship'. That and the fact that there *is* a gunship variant in the Vendetta, and then there's also the actual Vulture gunship which is designed for the role.

Personally, so long as it looks good (which it is shaping up to do so) it is all good.

The Imperium is vast and solutions to problems will be created based on the knowledge and materials to hand. After all, even something like the LR MBT has a million variations and patterns, despite being an STC tank.

I personnally have been thinking of creating a space based IG company with exoatmospheric capabilities, including a number of specialist craft with all sorts of weapons/equipment mounted on them.

Some of it would not make much sense in-atmosphere, but then it is just a game

SilverMK2 wrote:Personally, so long as it looks good (which it is shaping up to do so) it is all good.

The Imperium is vast and solutions to problems will be created based on the knowledge and materials to hand. After all, even something like the LR MBT has a million variations and patterns, despite being an STC tank.

I personnally have been thinking of creating a space based IG company with exoatmospheric capabilities, including a number of specialist craft with all sorts of weapons/equipment mounted on them.

Some of it would not make much sense in-atmosphere, but then it is just a game

Like I said, it looks great. It just doesn't make sense to me and would nag at me endlessly

Lets just face it, not everyone is going to like a valk whipping around the edge of a 8x8' board pummeling them to hell.

Kanluwen wrote:
Like I said, it looks great. It just doesn't make sense to me and would nag at me endlessly

Yeah, but there's no reason it shouldn't make sense; why can they fit an AC130 with howitzer's today but not the same weapon essentially ((but larger)) to an aircraft in the future?


Two things I'm going to note:

1. A10 was not built with "heavy cargo" in mind; a General literally saw the Gau 8 and said "build me a plane to carry that." So they built one around it. The A10 shines at low speeds and altitude over every other combat aircraft in the sky; its large surface area wings gives it the stability to hammer the &^%$ out of any target you put in front of it. Then again, the Gau8 fires enough ammo that it actually slows the aircraft down, another reason for the large wings to prevent air stall from said hammering. Where its engines are located are for several reasons including masking heat signature, protecting from ground AA fire, as well because its a slow and low kick your teeth out your butt-hole, engine failure occurs easily; its rear exterior mounts makes it easier for USAF to swap out engines and put the plane back in the air faster and sooner than attempting to repair damaged engines straight away.

2. The biggest factor to the AC130 firing a howitzer with out getting knocked out of its own stability is its weight. Recoil can always be dealt with by weight, this is true of ANY gun. Considering the build construction material difference between the AC130 which is all sheet metal against the solid thick steel armor that makes up the Valkyrie fuselage/wings, its easy to
see how a Valk could weigh in as much as an AC130 which means it would likely have the ability to handle firing said cannon with out the dangers of recoil being as high as one would think. Not to mention it has those thrusters on the wingtips that could be programmed for bursts to fire in sequence with the cannon.


back to rules, the only thing that would really suit for this thing to be "fair" is making it a flyer with no transport capacity and something like an airstrike where it fires everything it has in a single target; maybe do something like the death strike missile where its blast diameter is decided by dice. Everything in that circle takes a STX, APX hit or something. Again, cool model; and because its the future ((not to mention like I said, FW has punisher cannon Valkryies)) weight/design are easy things to get around, but the thing that's going to be hard at the end of this build is rules for using it.

Then again, I'm looking at alternative models for playing games; such as M109 Paladin's and Warrior MCV's. Some work on retooling them a bit to make them fit into the 40k universe smoothly and boom. Being different IS fun .

p.s. sorry didn't realize I had made another wall of text .

Punisher cannon Vultures don't equal Punisher cannon equipped Valkyries.

Vultures and Valkyries, while having the same nose and wings, along with tailbooms--are *not* the same thing, no matter how much you want them to be. Vultures are as different from Valkyries as Cobras were from Hueys.

And if you're going to try to correct someone, please read/quote their comments fully.

A helicopter or VTOL loaded with that kind of heavy armament just would not work, without significant re-engineering or modification. The whole reason it works with the AC-130 "Spectre" and the AC-47 "Spooky" before it is that they were:
A) Prop-driven vehicles, allowing it to loiter better and work better in the close air support role. The real exception to this rule has been the A-10 Thunderbolt--which is slow enough due to its armor that it just *works*.

By that I would have to quote EVERYTHING said; instead of one comment . I'm pretty sure we don't need to have the same information written 20 times on the same page .

As for the Vulture/Valkyrie, my bad I remembered it being on one and thought it was the Valk.

But, at the same time FW has rules for drop sentinels in Valkyrie's as well in addition to their weapon specs; so weight wise I'm sure this non-existent futuristic aircraft which we don't have any real specs on; could do anything the builder's imagination wants it too . As one said its just a game.

The only thing I would argue with your reqouted information that you wish I pay more attention is this:

Prop-driven vehicles tend to have larger surface area wing patterns; this grants them stability at lower and slower speeds. Increasing the surface area of the wings and adding jet specced engines for the job the AC130 could operate using jet rather than prop driven engines. The costs for said refits are such that this would not make sense for modern aircraft deployment. I would also state again that firing the howitzer on the AC130 is controlled by the weight of the aircraft more so than its "special bracket" which does more for keeping the guns recoil from ripping itself out of place.


Anyway let's stop thread jacking its a cool build, it leaves me wondering what rules will be agreed on; and when its going to be done so I can oggle the finished pictures!

EDIT: DAMNIT! wall of text again...

Kanluwen wrote:Punisher cannon Vultures don't equal Punisher cannon equipped Valkyries.

Vultures and Valkyries, while having the same nose and wings, along with tailbooms--are *not* the same thing, no matter how much you want them to be. Vultures are as different from Valkyries as Cobras were from Hueys.

And if you're going to try to correct someone, please read/quote their comments fully.

A helicopter or VTOL loaded with that kind of heavy armament just would not work, without significant re-engineering or modification. The whole reason it works with the AC-130 "Spectre" and the AC-47 "Spooky" before it is that they were:
A) Prop-driven vehicles, allowing it to loiter better and work better in the close air support role. The real exception to this rule has been the A-10 Thunderbolt--which is slow enough due to its armor that it just *works*.

"without significant engineering"

nobody implied that they just put a cannon into the side of a valkyrie. Like a predator to a rhino, a basilisk and hellhound to a chimera, having same (or similar) hulls does not mean that the internals are at all similar. Since he blocked off the open part, there is no way of knowing what recoil dampening and stabilizing equipment is on the unit.

Wow, it seems i need to step in and mediate my own blog before this debate gets out of hand.

For clarification, it is not an earthshaker cannon, it is an autocannon taken from the salamander scout, and a quick reference to the codex shows R 48", S 7, AP 4 and it is Heavy 2. So i think we can agree that the Valk is definitely capable of carrying this along with the other weapons. I really don't understand why there is a debate over the ability of the Valk to carry a heavy load... whether it counts as a skimmer or a flyer it is effectively a transport aircraft, it is so easy to come up with some fluff to explain how it is able to sport some big guns and the ammo they need...
to better allow the Valkyrie the power to weight ratio and increased altitude required for the new tasking, techpriest reworked the powerplants to increase their output.
see how hard was that?
anyway my biggest issue is whether the Valk is to be counted as a skimmer or a flyer. As a skimmer, the use of the Valkyrie is going to be limited to being a target. Categorizing it as a skimmer doesn't make sense (even a standard Valkyrie doesn't make sense as a skimmer... grav tanks are skimmers!) In my mind the Valk is a flyer. So with flyer rules in use my Valk will swoop in, lay down some fire and the bugger off to start another run. What i don't like about this rule is that it fails to allow the Valk to utilize its Spectre design... instead of swooping in and strafing i want to be able to circle the board and fire continuously.

The other issue that arises is do i treat all the weapons as independent or do they all fire at one target and scatter/cause collateral accordingly? I like Dracheous' idea

the only thing that would really suit for this thing to be "fair" is making it a flyer with no transport capacity and something like an airstrike where it fires everything it has in a single target; maybe do something like the death strike missile where its blast diameter is decided by dice. Everything in that circle takes a STX, APX hit or something.

I think that would keep things simple. But if i mount a lascannon maybe i will make it so that the autocannon and the punisher fire into a target area while the las can target something specific like a tank or bunker that is within the line of sight. what do people think?

Anyway, i don't mind a debate about the rules but i would like to remind people that debating whether a Valkyrie configured this way is even "possible" is kind of superfluous. If this is a universe where Warlord Titans are welcome, then it can be safely assumed that a small transport craft can be reconfigured into a flying artillery piece. And besides... i am building it whether it is actually possible or not, so lets try and find some rules to govern it!

and finally, the latest work done

enemy ac-130 above !!!

I personally thing that AC-130's are the sickest military aircraft in the skies. That said, i think that you should have the gun representing the 105mm howitzer be a bit bigger. It seems to be about the same size as the punisher cannon, when really, it should be much bigger.

Overall though, i love it. just have a bit of an issue with the size of the artillery piece.

Keep up the good work

Its lookin' amazing.

Still looking good for me

Will there be ammo storage racks on the other wall?

You might also want to consider putting some slide rails on the floor so that the guns can be withdrawn into the ship for atmospheric entry (if required), to prevent damage to them, perhaps also for in flight barrel changes/repair/etc too. And I have just thought that if you do that, you will need some kind of sliding hatch to cover the gun port too.

If you are not going to include a service crew, servitor arms suspended from the midline of the cabin roof would look suitably fantastic

Man, I love this conversion so much just for the cool ideas it has been giving me, let alone the cool model it actally is

Keep up the good work.

loving this thread, really like the detail on the guns etc.

Keep up the good work, looking forward to seeing more.

WHOO! Those guns look great once theyre online! keep up the good work, this is very interesting stuff.

So, now I want a Vendetta with plasma cannons.

Who's going to beat me to putting a vanquisher cannon in this?

haha, this is the greatest post ive seen in a while, its gonna look awesome, keep the updates coming!

This is an utterly cool model and I can't wait to see more although I have to admit that the Marauder Destroyer always seems like a Spectre to me.....

thats so awesome

Kanluwen wrote:It wouldn't work while carrying that "lighter load of weapons" because of the fact that y'know...that massive Earthshaker cannon's recoil works both ways. Firing a massive cannon doesn't rock the AC-130 because of the fact that the AC-130 has it specially bracketed, alongside of the mass of the vehicle itself to compensate.

*That's* part of my issue with the theory of a Valkyrie 'gunship'. That and the fact that there *is* a gunship variant in the Vendetta, and then there's also the actual Vulture gunship which is designed for the role.

Ahhh... has anyone considered how much recoil those 20+" cannon on the 40K tanks generate?

As an afterthought, I think you should greenstuff that FW autocannon to have a nozzle the same size as the standard one.

I think that people have noticed something i feared they would, the Autocannon is either too small or my Punisher is too big. And after a quick google search the issue is apparent. I pulled some pictures of an actual Spectre (both inside and out) and i think i see what the shooty bits need to be, and i will be making some slight modifications. Expect some pictures!

just a little bit of work on the Valk today.

I have to say, this is coming along nicely, you have done a fantastic job.

Looks like a lot of fun and I like the time you're taking with interior details.

The punisher looks alot better now when compared to the autocannon. Makes the auto look alot more menacing and bigger than it actually is. Keep it going.

Do you have any pics of it dry-fitted with the wings? If you did we might be able to come up with ideas on how to mount them. It looks acce so far, nice plasticard building

Love the new cannon and ammo shelf, great stuff

One question on the ammo shelf: Will it have doors or something to keep the ammo in place? Or a kind of "wine rack" stacking system, or something else?

You got me with the ammo shelf

not much today, just a little dry fitting... it is hard to get all that firepower into one spot. i am thinking the batteries for the lascannon will go right next to it, the racking for the autocannon shells fits best on the opposite bulkhead and i will rig a feeder system to bring ammo to the punisher. anyway... it looks like it will be a squeeze but i think i will be able to fit two guardsmen in there as gunners

I must say, this is really nice makes me want to make one.

Haha, love the look of dry fit so far.

You're not thinking of adding the lascannon powerpack to the roof or something? I just think that it looks a little too large compared to the gun itself.

Just my personal taste though.

Love it! I've seen these puppies in action in Afghanistan and they're F@@king awesome. I love yank fire power when they don't hit us Keep up the good work mate, it looks awesome

This is amazing! Spectres are so damn cool, you've taken a great concept and you're doing it properly, which I really respect

Marbo has to get 11 kills before this can come in from reserve!

This is a really cool idea. Love it.

Gotta agree with Silver on the ammo shelf, otherwise I'm really digging the shelf and guns!

Pretty sweet. Do you think of the punisher as las or a mass driver driven?

so not much to show for these last few days, it seems when i am not on campus i am at work, thats a lot of time wasted when i could be modelling eh? anyway, so i added a fire extinguisher just for fun and finished the piston for the lascannon's stand.
next is the ammo belt and ammo box for the punisher as well as the power cable for the las. i think the final touches... that is the shells to go on the shelf, the pistons for the autocannon and the gun crew... that will all happen some time next week. also next week i hope to decide what i am going to do about the wings. i will get pictures to show you that particular problem asap.
anyway, here you are.

Looks ace. I've been inspired to add extra interior detail to my own Valks. Have you considered making the roof removable such that it can be popped off to show all your hard work?

so i lied, i got caught up in doing stuff and surprise i accomplished one of the harder modeling tasks. a little bit of guitar string and thin paper clip wire later and you have a pretty good looking rig for the lascannon's power cable. i also added a pack, that will probably be a first aid kit, thought i would bring it up cause people probably won't notice with that sexy cable in the way

@Owain - it has been the plan all along to make the roof removable... magnets or pins... i haven't decided yet, but i wouldn't go to all this trouble just to cover it up permanently.

I dig that guitar string power cable, nicely done. Consider it stolen!

Certainly an interesting way of doing things

I love the rings holding up the power cable to allow it to move freely along, a great touch.

The only problem that I can see is the power pack is now covering up the doorway, and it does not look like the door has been sealed or it is meant to be like that... you might want to mount the actual powerpack on the door itself, perhaps adding a skirt underneath the pack to join it with the floor. That way it looks like it has been designed with the door sacrificed to mount the power cells on, rather than someone has just blocked off the door inadvertantly.

Otherwise great looking as always.

kukuchik wrote:so i lied, i got caught up in doing stuff

Happens to me all the time. Very nice work on that power cable. I know how much of a pain that guitar wire can be sometimes.

Lookin' good!

the spectre realy is a beautiful aircraft, i think you model doesit justice.

with the interior almost complete and everything moving along i come to the first major road block, what to do about the wings. as you can see from the pictures the bend in the wings causes some line of sight issues for the lascannon and the punisher. it isn't that big of a deal but i don't like the look of it. the problem is that fixing it will require a lot of work. cutting the wings in half and then joining them back together is not something i look forward to. plus that adds the extra difficulty of trying to reconfigure the landing gear.
i hand the floor over to you guys and hope that what i get back is genius!

doesn't matter, spectre gunships are intended for air to ground combat, as such their armament is useless for air to air..... the ground is still visible even with the bent wing....

After, seeing one of these in action I for one approve and LOVE THIS!!!!!!

I was planning on converting my Valks to remove the bent wings. I was planning on using the wings and engine blocks from something like the Tau Piranha to create a straight wing. I was then going to add the landing gear to the main body of the valk.

In terms of yours... have you considered just creating a new wing tip from plasticard? The VTL thrusters on the end of the existing wing would look a little odd in a more horrizontal direction.

Cut just before the bend, insert a piece of plasticard into the hollow wing socket to act as a mount for the new wing, and then build a straight wing tip around it.

Not perfect, I know.

Nice job - I think you should leave the top off. Maybe its force fielded. Maybe its so slow it doesn't need one. Maybe the mechanicus are just crazy. Regardless, you'll get alot more visible impact on the table top than a magnetic top.

kestral wrote:Nice job - I think you should leave the top off. Maybe its force fielded. Maybe its so slow it doesn't need one. Maybe the mechanicus are just crazy. Regardless, you'll get alot more visible impact on the table top than a magnetic top.

You could try to put windows in the top as another alternative...

You definitely need to make some apocalypse rules for this using the Vehicle Design Rules... this would be awesome! Love the originality and attention to detail. So much interior detail... its crazy but in a awesomely good way. I'm looking forward to a finished product!

http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/275484.page


Well there goes the arguments against this Gunship build with fears of weight. The thing gets the same engines different hard points and now it carries tanks haha.


Still I like this 130 Spectre build specially with how much attention the interior is getting.

Very cool. Hope to see more of it.

thanks for the suggestions, but i went a head and cut the wings at the bend and made them straight. i figure that i will make it so that wings are capable of changing their pitch, basically a hybrid of the engines on a V22 Osprey and the wings of aircraft carrier based jets. i know that the wings only fold when they are parked on the deck but the idea works. when the Valk is flying the wings are straightened, then when it comes in for a landing the wings fold downward to the original wing position. this solves the landing gear problem and gets the wings out of the way of the weapons. and for any of those interested, during the game, my Valk will not be able to hover. with the wings straightened, the VTOL engines on the wing tips are mostly useless.
expect some WIP pictures tomorrow!

as promised my WIP wings. they still need some pistons and detailing but these give a really good idea of what the finished project will look.

The wings look great! Awesome attention to detail, adding the rivet holes. It makes it look totally intentional, and it will look great when painted.

WOW!!!!!!!!!! that's all I can say, can't wait to see it all painted up

I like the variable-wing idea, looks good straight.

Damn! That furnished interior is amazing! The power line is an especially nice touch, done SO well.

The devil's in the details. Nice work.

Very nice work. I await the finished work with baited breath...

Yep, still awesome. I love the wing idea. The idea of a clear roof is also pretty sweet. Even just 2 or 4 square windows would be sweet.

To be honist do you need people in there as it would be to crampt, kudos to you sir. Fantastic job.

i didn't get anything done today, got to love part time jobs taking up your whole weekend! but i had an a thought... i need a name for my Valk Spectre! i did a little digging and AC130 spectres had some pretty awesome names, if you want to check out the site i found with a great list of the actually aircraft details go here http://www.herkynoseart.com/noseart4.html
anyway, my Valk needs a name too! i really like the name Super Chicken that Spectre 56-0490 had, and would love something a little silly like that. but since i have posted on dakka and you guys have been so supportive i think you guys should come up with a name.
also, possible nose art?

I should go for 55-0014 Jaws of Death, or 69-6572 Grave Digger

I noticed the fire extinguisher on the shell rack. That sort of attention to detail is fantastic. The whole model looks amazing. My hat is off to you sir!

If you would like a nice pre-made ammo rack, .22 Caliber rifle ammunition comes in little cardboard boxes that have plastic "cubby-hole" frames inside, and they are the perfect size.

just a little bit of work done today, the interior got some attention and the wings as well. i also constructed the canopy for the cockpit and taped the glass parts so that when i paint the glass won't get all mucked up, basically i don't have to be too careful which is good cause i ain't so skilled with the brush.
anyway, i thought over the situation with the roof and still prefer the idea of magnets... windows just seem out of place, i am trying to stay true to the Spectre model.
also, i wanted to run a name past you guys... Scooty Puff Sr. - The Doom Bringer! it just makes me so happy! (if you know where that is from then you are a truly awesome person)
anyway on to the pics

Futurama ftw!

Haha, love the name!

Futurama is indeed excellent. I love the wing joints + folding mechanisms. I would not have thought to add them, and they give even more detail. Great stuff.

You could always call it something more in lines of the thread title... something like "Rainmaker" and have a little frowning cloud with rain coming out of it (like the weather symbols) as the nose art

You could always do windows AND magnets

so as always the start of the week has been super busy for me... but i have managed to get a little bit of work done. mostly just finishing touches now. i built the tail assembly and magnetized the cabin and roof. i just need to make some ammo to fill the shelf and then i am ready to put some paint to plastic. i haven't yet decided on a paint scheme, but a dark grey to black combination will probably be what i use.
anyway pics will come soon!

If your paints skills are half as good as your fabrication....

*Drools with anticipation*

Oh I can't wait to see this thing when it's done. One of the guys in my unit used to be a mechanic for the AC130s, he'd love this.

This is looking astounding! Can't wait to see the complete!

I agree it needs to be dark in color. As for a name I'm not s sure, but I think the variant should either be named the Vantage or Vandal.

Wow i love the way you assemble them , will be reading this thread!

pics as promised... not much as you can see but it gives a pretty good idea of the finished shape.
i added a belt feeder to the punisher, use your imagination and pretend that the belt runs through the floor to the crate on the starboard bulkhead.... it was just neater that way. i trimmed the power cable and found a nice spot for the batter rack tight to the door. all that is left is the shells to go into the shelf... but that is easy.
as a note, i know that the tail assembly is missing a piece, i just haven't glued it in at this time... don't worry i'll fix that presently

next PAINT!

Is the green thing on the window tape?

How do you give them perfect fit?

Most sexy

@Luna Hound - it was a real pain in the ass. i used the window frame as a guide by placing it on a piece of tape i had laid onto a cutting board. with a very sharp knife and a keen eye i used the frame as a stencil, cut a piece of tape and then used the frame to place it on the window in the right spot. it is painstaking and imperfect but it allowed me to glue the window frame to the glass without having to worry about painting the glass later.

As I have said before,brilliant! The whole project has turned out awesomely. My hat is off to you sir.

so the Valk is undercoated and now i am just trying out different greys. anyone else have the GW spray gun? my brother got it for christmas and i am giving it a go because i am not going to paint it by brush! it is tough to get the ratio of water to paint right... even using the lines on the bottle. but yeah... i need to pick up some new paints tomorrow and then hopefully i will get some painting done tuesday. can't on sunday... super bowl! Go Saints!

I got around that by doing this.



Paint the frames separate.

@sonofruss - yeah, that would have been easier... haha. i thought about taping the windows separately but decided to do it all as one piece. i hate gluing things together once they have paint on them. plus... sometimes i just love to do things the hard way.

I don't ether but sometimes if I have to I use liquid mask if there is no other way like airplane canopy's

as promised, i have got some painting done and i am pretty happy with the look of the Valk. the spray gun took a while to get used to but i was able to figure out the paint to water ratio and the finish is mostly smooth and even. there are a few areas that need some attention but i will tackle those with a brush cause they are small and would be hard to fix with the gun.
so the top colour is a codex grey and black mix, and the bottom is codex grey with a little bit of fortress grey. i will mix up some washes to darken the little valleys between the plates or armour and of course a little dry brush will help create a weathered effect.
the interior is undercoated black right now, i haven't decided what colour to base it. i was thinking a beige/grey mix. something to make it slightly different but not crazy.
anyway that is enough talk... heres what i have done!

also, i found the nose art that i am going to put on the valk. obviously the futurama scooty puff sr. was funny but not what i was going for... haha. i need something more... sexy. so i turned to Danger Girl. i bought some lazertran transfer paper to make a couple of transfers... my valk will be the sexiest thing on the battlefield in more ways then one!

Nice choice of nose art. Danger Girl indeed.

Really liking the color choices too, it´s good to see that you´re sticking with this.

Love the wiggly colour line of the bottom plates.

Hmm Danger Girls good but there was at least one British Wellington Bomber (WW2 medium bomber earlier version of the B25 Mitchell (As in same roll tactics not a ripoff)) called B for Beer which always makes me grin......Cool work the interior detailing shines hows the crews coming?

How about the Oz danger girl as nose art?

I like that effect with the wavy paint margin - reminds me of the Czech air force MiL-24 Hinds

@Million - i googled the czech hinds... pretty cool, whats amazing is that hinds don't seem that big in person. i mean they aren't exactly small but it is just weird that they seem so intimidating in the air and yet feel so small when stationary on the ground. i remember sitting in one while at the War Museum in Ukraine and it felt tiny! but i digress, i wasn't really following a particular military's painting style, i just really like the look of that paint scheme, i think it is cool.

anyway, so i based the interior with a beige/grey mix... i like it. pics asap.
from here on in it is all brush work. wish me luck!

a couple pictures of the interior as promised... is dried a little lighter then i wanted, but i should have expected that. still looks good though!

Shiney :O

In a "that is good" way, rather than "that shines" way

Outstanding stuff keep up the good work!

I like muffins....but not as much as I like this valkyrie. I'll trade you my mother for it, she works hard and only needs a handful of rice a week to live.....

Whad'ya say??

I'm loving the attention to detail on this and your problem solving skills.

I'll be keeping an eye on this.

I really look forward to seeing the finished article

just a few WIP shots of the pilot and navigator.

Awesome painting, love the underbelly camo.

That looks great! loving the detail on the Screens!

Those look great....can't wait to see it all done.

thanks,
Rick

Wow those helmets are awesome!

Those helmets are quality...

Makes me want to put on some ultra tight jeans and play beach volley-ball with some homo-erotic 80's hairspray rock playing in the background.....

Nice work

I feel the need - the need for speed!

I think I hear thunder coming...

That's a negative, Ghost Rider, the pattern is full.

haha, Top gun... you guys are awesome!
sorry, not to much to update these days. i work a lot on the weekends and the Olympics have started... GO CANADA! soon i will get some painting done, i promise.

not much accomplished this week, as i warned... but i was able to pull myself away from the Olympic coverage to get a little bit done before work today. just a few bright colours on the dash of the Valk and some cleaning for the pilots' flight suits... not much but it is something.

Brilliant!

Top notch.

a few more tiny details done... nothing much, but important to my eye!

Pretty damn nice!

Cant wait to see it finished.

It might be the reflection but the red lens looks washed out no definition in the shade changes and not as dark as the blue ones.
The dash is superb and I weighting for it to be finished.

I'd say all the lenses could benefit from an ink of the appropriate color. Give them a nice glossy look.

The cockpit looks amazing, the helmets are a great touch

yeah the red one didn't turn out as well as i thought, the picture kinda shows it is lacking in variation. fix is super simple though... i might put a thin coat of varnish over the lenses as well, just for fun. well, it is Canada v. USA tonight... we'll see if i even pick up a brush at all.

Well, congrats USA - that's upset the Canucks.

Varnish would look good I think. Can I suggest writing Maverick and Goose somewhere too?!

Million wrote:. Can I suggest writing Maverick and Goose somewhere too?!

How about Mailman and Eyewitness?

Chaos & Mayhem. <- Leathal Weapon referance

I joind dakka dakka to see inspiring stuff like this. I love your Spectre and wish I had thought of it myself.
Are you going to have it banking on its flying base?

first off, i will be adding some names to the model, no i won't be making any lethal weapon or top gun references... sorry guys. i have something special in store for you guys though so stay tuned.
and secondly
@ worldwarme - i wouldn't say that what i do is inspirational, but i appreciate the compliment. i recommend you check out the guys that i emulate ... my dakkadakka role models are LBursley and Insaniak. here are the main blogs by them that i follow religiously: http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/222318.page (LBursley's WIP), and http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/222886.page (Whats on Insaniak's workbench...) there are lots of guys on dakkadakka that are amazing modelers but these two blogs in particular are among the best. they inspired me, so i will make sure to let you all know where to check out their stuff.

anyway, so i fixed that one scanner, and i vanished them all up. although it looks like there is an extra white mark, that is actually a reflection, the varnish did its job well. also, a glimpse of the interior as i move on to that. tomorrow, i will hopefully work some magic and give you guys an early christmas gift.

until then, keep praying for Team Canada... that loss to the Team USA... i nearly smashed my tv!

The keeps on looking better and better

Excellent work. The cockpit is breathtaking!

so the promised surpirsed didn't work out as well as i had hoped... it seems that the oil varnish i bought was the wrong kind so i need to head back to the art supply store and get the right stuff. should happen later this evening or tomorrow. i guess it depends on how team Canada plays... elimination round starts tonight. *chews nail nervously*

so just a little update to show what i got done while watching the hockey... it was a breeze of a game so i was relaxed enough to paint, haha. i just put some initial colours on the weapons. i want them all to look like they belong together without being identical, so i am keeping the colours simple. nothing too fancy as you can tell. but i like the way it is going. they will need a few more touches so don't criticize the paint job just yet.
also i will pop up to the art store tomorrow and hopefully find the right varnish so that i can get the big surprise done for all to enjoy. wish me luck!

I like how you have the load tray for the Autocannon.
Can't wait to see this ready for a run...

Hmm.... Very Interesting and I like it! Cant wait to see some rules for it. I haven't read the post, just looked at the pictures.

This is looking spectacular! I want to see it finished

What have you considered for nose art?

I think that you should imperialise this, but paint her as a ghost, and write underneath it "Spectre"



S_P

just a hint at the detail i will be attempting as this project moves toward completion.
bad news however, is that the varnish i need isn't available so i need to order it of the internet... which could take a couple of weeks. thank god it is for aesthetic purposes and not something that i need right away.

Good sir, I had just closed this article 1 second before you posted, and my email told me to comeback for a new post. To what I thought was a post by me was actually a hand painted fire extinguisher with writing. My jaw has hit the table. Sir, you are a painting GOD! Amazing job here. I might take it for MY un-built valkyrie...

oh god oh god oh god oh god

simply beautiful. If you don't mind,I keep on boasting about your WIP on my local forum, it is very humbling

Paint-loving-gasm

Im loving it! I hope someone will let you use htat on the table top!!!!

so i final got some stuff done. it was a long 5 days... lots of work to do and hockey (w00t Canada!) but i got around to getting a little detailing done. i hope you all like it!

Where did she come from?

My dad flies these for a living at hurbert field, FL

They are sick! Its funny because the ac130 gunfire puts me to sleep
105mm=Sleeping!

Very nice. Are they decals, or free hand painting?

NIce danger girl decal.... Great Ideal

Fantastic stuff as always, LOVE the noseart!
can't wait to see it flyin high.

" ac130 gunfire puts me to sleep
105mm=Sleeping! "

Lolz i used to fall asleep in the drivers hole when the 105 on the leopard was firing.

Back on topic though, i love it

yeah there are all definitely decals... Lazertran paper is a pain in the ass but worked out in the end. i've got lots of decals from model planes that i built in my younger years as well... i figure i can slap a few on to give the Valk a little more realism.

Dude, you have inspired me! This is awesome work. Im going to steal a few ideas if you dont mind when I make my USMC cobra gunship valkyries

Beautiful

Going to put something on the wings like "No Walking"?

@ Miss Dee - your getting ahead of me, haha, i have a pile of "No step" transfers just waiting to be applied.

I was at RIAT a few years ago .... setting off the metal detectors with my rings (Not going to say where)

Saw tones of cool aircraft inc the crashing of the nose wheel of a transport.

tones of no step signs on the wings.

Simply awesome.

That fire extinguisher is mind boggling I'm also really looking forward to the Gunners and loading crew. Can't wait to see more.

1 word to describe this: EPIC!!!!!
cant wait to see it finished.

so after a little break i finally got back to the brush work today and accomplished a few things... nothing too much but it was a step in the right direction. the interior is on its way and almost done. it is really hard to come up with a good colour scheme but keep everything feeling authentic, not much variation in the colours leaves me uninspired but i think i have managed to find a happy medium.
anyway, enjoy!

That is one colourful control pad!

Dat keypad looks like an upside-down Tetris screen

doing an ace job of it there my friend!

Awsome.. enemy AC130 ABOVE!!!11!!!11

Its a really clever conversion, and the attention to detail is great

again things are going slowly. but i saw a beautiful image of a Valk on another forum... i can't remember which one, i was browsing a few, and i can't remember who painted it... but i really liked the way in which the engines on the Valk had been painted. so, with the inspiration in mind that is what i have accomplished today. they are nothing special but i did throw h in my own happy little details... so i hope you all enjoy.

Spirals!!! I've only ever seen those on GE Airplane turbines.

Beautiful work man, keep it up!

Beautiful, spirally Me109 spinners for the Valkyrie, very cool project

Qualude wrote:Where did she come from?

Oops, didn't realize I wasn't on the last page, durr. Oh well.

Abby Chase.

no painting today, just some decals to make the engines pretty!

The details are really making this paintjob look spectacular. Ace job on the interior as well!

Looking forward to seeing the finished product, as well as some pictures of this fine lass in action.

i lied... it happens... just details but i think the interior is done... i think...

Wow this is some awesome stuff you got going

I am subscribing to this, but have no words to say how awsome this is, so I am calling for Air Suport

yeah thats incredible

I'd call it a day on the interior. All the vivid colours make it look all retro! The decals make the model so much more real.

It is a brilliant cross between the 40K universe and reality, keep up the good work

it is still a WIP but i think this is the home stretch. a couple of the decals have a few air bubbles that need to be worked out. and i am going to be varnishing the entire model as well, just need to find the right matt finish and it will be good to go.
but a final update to hold you guys over till i get it complete.

Makes me feel bad about the rushjob I gave my valks... Nice job!

I just love the realism

Magnificent. The simple color scheme on the exterior makes it elegant rather than flashy.

so i have been an epic failure at completing this Valkyrie... i am still have issues with the varnish that i am putting as a protective coat. i found a great varnish but i am having issues applying it evenly. and then i got distracted. distractions happen you know. anyway i will show you what has distracted me and then i will get the valk done before the weekend i promise!
so first is a new Black Templar Castellan, and second is my custom made Imperial Stormtroopers. I HATE the GW models, they are metal first of all and not very intimidating, so i figured i would make my own. So what you get is Pig Iron heads, SM scout bodies, custom made Hellguns (i think they look great although their killing power is debatable) all set on Dragonforge bases. not a bad combination.
anyway hopefully that holds you over till i get the valk done!

Nice, love the realism on the valk and the custom hellguns.

I like the stormtroopers, going with the plastic will give you so much more scope for posing.

Are you making them for an inquisition or IG list?

@ Blackhand - I don't really make lists, i just build and paint. but if i was going to use them they would for sure go along with my Inquisitor as his body guard. they are going to compliment him once i get them painted up.

this is my LAST update... i figured out the varnish problem and the valk is as done as it will get. some time in the future i will add a few more details but as it is right now there is nothing left to do that isn't purely cosmetic. the build, paint, varnish, display cycle has reached its conclusion. "But Kukuchik," you say "what about some pictures of this masterpiece?" To which i reply "Tomorrow". just need some natural light to better show the details... so if you can, wait one more sleep.

Since you've declared it finished, let me be the first to congratulate you on a tremendous bit of conversion work.

Personally, I'm hoping this wont be your only foray into converting 40k vehicles to resemble modern day military hardware.

so cool

dude did you leave the exterior of the valk unpainted? or did you paint it grey?

It appears to be painted in the same USAF low-observability grey that his inspiration (the AC-130) is painted in.

Vulcan knows... if you followed from day one you would see that it definitely has been painted. some guys do realism through weathering, but since i can't do that, i went realism through practicality.
sorry about the non pictures today... my camera isn't exactly playing along. and its NHL playoffs... priorities, you know.
asap! i promise

IMO, you should add a kill marking every time the senators make Sidney Crosby cry.
I'm from N.S. and Crosby's from my town.

awsome conversion!

Nowlan wrote:IMO, you should add a kill marking every time the senators make Sidney Crosby cry.
I'm from N.S. and Crosby's from my town.

haha, yeah, Crosby wasn't crying too much against the Sens... Ovechkin was crying against the Habs, but that is a different story. it is funny that you are from Cole Harbour... I am a Bedford Blues boy myself. did you ever play with Crosby, i notice you are about his age? my dad pulled out a tournament booklet from when i played AAA, i was 9/10 years old and it appears i played him a couple of times. not much of a claim to fame, but it is always fun to remember back to when i played competitively... beer leagues just aren't the same.

as and update to you non-hockey lovers... camera is still got bugs... it won't focus clearly on anything closer then 15 cms... and yes i know i am using the right settings, i am not an idiot! haha. soon!!! i promise!

Never played with or against him, but did go through elementary school and jr high with him. He really is a prick. Biggest brown noser I've ever seen, especially in grade 9 English.
I played mostly house league. Did 1 year of competative and didn't enjoy it, so I just went back to playing for fun.

The most ironic thing about Crosby are the Timbits hockey commercials he does. He doesn't know the meaning of playing for fun. My father had to attend the cole harbor hockey general meetings (he ran the website back then) and Crosby's father was always complaining his kid didn't get enough special treatment. Once tried to argue that Sidney should be 2 leagues above his age, despite the fact that it would have put him in one of the brackets with checking, with kids 4-6 years older than him. They'd have killed him just for sport.

Also, I feel your woes with the camera issues, mine sucks too.

Why do your guns only face out one side of the Valkrie?

Breotan wrote:Why do your guns only face out one side of the Valkrie?

please correct me if I'm wrong people but I beleive that is how the gunships are set up, so that it can circle a target and the guns are always pointing in the right direction.

It is, and for that reason. See below:

that is amazing mate, great job..

thread necro abit?

I pray to god this epic journy does not get locked