The warriors of the Carcharodon Astra make use of many ancient relics in their eternal hunt across the darkness of the Galactic Fringe. Among the most fearsome armor worn is a style of Terminator armor forged in the Age of Darkness. Branded as Saturnine Exo Armor by some unknown manufacturer, these archaic suits are often used in ship to ship boarding actions or where heavy weapon support is needed but the means to employ those heavy weapons are limited. Each suit bears a mount point above the warriors head that can control an autocannon weapon system. Assault cannons, plasma weapons and even las-cannons are employed one handed by these powerful suits. And when the enemy is close, each suit bears a massive thunder claw that can rip bulkheads to shreds with a graceful twist of the wrist.
These suits tower above even the massive Cataphracti-class terminator armor used in M41. But for all their massive and imposing size, they are agile and capable of surprising speed. Over the millenia, these suits have been repaired and patched together until only a rare few remain with the Predation Fleet "Mako". Each suit is a priceless relic and the honor to wear one is only bestowed upon the greatest warriors in the fleet.
These rare and honored warriors live apart from their brothers forever after taking the mantle of Tangata Kore "Immortal warrior" These towering suits lead the fight into the most brutal conditions. A matching pair of blood red gauntlets indicate their elevation beyond the role of the Red brotherhood of Terminators.
Massive shoulder pauldrons are a distinctive element of the Saturnine armor. Each warrior selects their own weapon loadout to best serve as a champion on the battlefield.
A las cannon and an Assault cannon are easily wielded with a single hand.
There are some deranged warriors who prefer to close with the enemy. A matching set of Saturnine lightning claws is the preferred weapon of the Predation Fleet Commander, Rangi I Konei.
So a few years ago, I created a Carcharodon army and have always wanted to push this army to another level of armor and transportation. Over the Summer I found that inspiration after I purchased a resin 3d printer. The Anycubic Photon. These models are fully scultped by myself and then combined with parts taken from open source license files online. The chance to build a team of Saturnine Terminators has always sounded from deep within and I am thrilled at the print quality and final result. I can not wait to get these guys painted!
But there is soooooooooooooo much more. All of the green stuffing, plasticard cutting and kitbashing I love to do now has the support of a printer that as I learn to use it fully, is already creating models I have only dreamed about. I still love chopping up my models and making them into something new, but with this printer, my options are expanded to staggering new vistas.
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But there is even more going on in the land of computer assisted kitbashing.
I have always wanted a Storm Eagle. Over the Summer I ordered a kit and managed to win a few Ebay Stormraven bids to try and convert into a small swarm of Storm Eagles. Well, the rumors about the kit being a mess were not lying. And as I got started breaking apart my plastic Storm Ravens, I realized that the unused front end of an Achilles Land Raider would fit perfectly in place of the stormraven parts. In fact, the more I dug into my bits box, the more I realized I could kitbash an alternate model and then use plasticard to extend the plastic Stormravens.
And then I got the Photon.
So now, I present three new flyers.
First is the Achilles class Storm Raven. A Thunder cannon is mounted alongside the cockpit and extra armor protects the pilot. A modified ramp is featured on all the Carcharodon flyers along with a set of dual melta gun, heavy bolter, Las cannons and Vengeance Missle launchers. Normally able to seat 20 marines, this modified Storm Eagle seats 14 Power armored warriors.
I present the Maui assault craft.
Following a more typical loadout for weapons is the Moana class Storm Eagle. Dual melta gun and heavy bolters are supported with Hellstrike Missles and a pair of Armored Vengeance missle launcher. A secondary set of engines are mounted beneath each wing to provide added thrust and reliability when deployed beyond the reach of the Predation Fleet support.
Still waiting on the engines to print for this second Moana class.
All three assault ships sitting side by side. Note the added wingspan of the Moana class flyers. More wing was needed to mount the additional engines. A full 20 Power armored warriors can ride within these imposing craft.
Learning how to design and then print these parts in not as easy as you might want to believe. I am gaining experience, but even with premade models, slicing the part required, sizing it properly and then waiting the days required for a print to complete can be a real challenge. Resin can crack if cured too quickly and can leak uncured resin out of drain holes if not glued shut. Learning to hollow structures, drain them safely, cure the part and then fit everything to scale has been an expensive process. But it has been a great experience and I am really enjoying learning how to use this new tool.
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Of course I couldn't resist tinkering with the metal Bawkses that the Carcharodon love to ride inside. I always thought of their Rhino fleet being a mixed variety of makes and models taken from the battlefield as well as maintained since the days of the Horus Heresy.
So I present My modified assault ramp Rhino horde. Seven tanks with customized front hatches and Cacharodon logos of my own creation.
Two different styles of front hatch were modified to fit onto my models.
A command Rhino with side armor upgrades and a heavy Bulldozer blade.
That's a solid amount of models, and they look cohesive and awesome
