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Why do space marines have beaked helmets? Are they for distinction in the units or just for large nosed marines

The beaked helmet was the original space marine helmet:

http://www.solegends.com/citrt/c100marines-01.htm

The main one today came about later.

Beaked helmets are part of the Mk6 or "Corvus" pattern armour, seen here: http://www.forgeworld.co.uk/Warhammer-40000/Space_Marines/Ultramarines/MK-VI-CORVUS-ARMOUR.html
According to fluff in the Sm dex they hold extra components and sensors, so I'd assume it was a better way to add space yet keep the helmet from being cumbersome.

They look like medieval bascinets

Looks like a beakie eldar!

Old Ork fluff from rogue trader/2nd ed had the slang terms orks used for each of the other races. Space Marines were called Beakies due to the Mk6 helmets and that term has stuck. Other Ork terminology went:
unaugmented human - oomie
Eldar - Pansy
Demons - Monstas
Squats - Stunties

How old are those models and for the fluff it makes sense

Have a look at the armour through the ages set:
http://www.games-workshop.com/gws/catalog/productDetail.jsp?prodId=prod1140240

From left to right:
MK1 - not proper power armour
MK2 - first fully powered, fully enclosed suits
MK3 - up-armoured version for breaching, boarding action, etc
MK5 - cheap version of mk4 (the studded armour is easier to make but heavy) that was knocked out during the Heresy.
MK4 - the first modern power armour but hardy any were made before the heresy kicked off and they switched to five because it was easier to make.

Not shown
MK6 - much like the modern armour but had the beaky helmet, no knee-pads, exposed chest cabling, no rims on the shoulder pads.
http://wh40k.lexicanum.com/mediawiki/images/5/51/Mk_6_corvus_armor_200.jpg

Then MK7 is the current version.

It's quite common for marines to wear mixed armour. That's why 2/5 legs in the tactical box are MK6 legs. There's also a MK5 chest piece, a MK6 helmet and a MK5/6 shoulder pad.

It enables a close-range 'peck' attack. That's why the Raven Guard trade more modern variants (including the recent MK8 'Errant' armour that encloses the midriff cables and protects the neck and respirator with a raised collar) for the older MK6 'Corvus'.

lindsay40k wrote:It enables a close-range 'peck' attack. That's why the Raven Guard trade more modern variants (including the recent MK8 'Errant' armour that encloses the midriff cables and protects the neck and respirator with a raised collar) for the older MK6 'Corvus'.

Proposed Rules forum that'a way my friend.

That's more fluff then proposed rule.

Really the beak makes much more sense! The sloped armor would be better at deflecting a solid round than a grill that will funnel it straight to your braincase!

The problem it would obviously add to though, is the already limited vision the power armour helmet gives them. At least with non-beakie they could look down slightly.

But then, it's affected by the rule of cool. Mk6 helmet is the best in my opinion, in terms of appearance.

n0t_u wrote:The problem it would obviously add to though, is the already limited vision the power armour helmet gives them. At least with non-beakie they could look down slightly.

But then, it's affected by the rule of cool. Mk6 helmet is the best in my opinion, in terms of appearance.

The beak wouldn't really cause a major vision problem. The protection the sloped armor provides would more than make up for it.

The biggest vision problem of any helmet which isn't very open face is that you lose so much peripheral vision.

Not that a SM really worries about any vision impairment with helm design.

Autosences cover for it anyways.

Zakiriel wrote:Not that a SM really worries about any vision impairment with helm design.

I think Shoulder Pads impair their vision a lot more than helmets.

the pauldrons are mobile and can be dropped down to allow for greater vision or raised for increased protection.


the beakie helmets were designed to carry more advanced sensor and communication equipment.

in later Marks, these componants were made smaller and the need for the large beak was gone.

Its cheaper to maintain existing suits of PA rather then accuire new ones so Marine chapters will use stuff over and over again.

Grey Templar wrote:the pauldrons are mobile and can be dropped down to allow for greater vision or raised for increased protection.


the beakie helmets were designed to carry more advanced sensor and communication equipment.

in later Marks, these componants were made smaller and the need for the large beak was gone.

Its cheaper to maintain existing suits of PA rather then accuire new ones so Marine chapters will use stuff over and over again.

Shoulder Pads actually do that? Wow. I thought it was just an internet joke.

nope, they are reactive plates to protect the head.

Older marks of power armor are generally produced to a higher standard as well, since technology has taken a decline in the Imperium. Also, older suits are more likely to have useful modifications, have a glorious history etc...

That's more in line with the space ships of 40k. With the exception of the Mk3 (which was developed to be used as a more specialized version of Mk2) and the Mk5 (which was a downgraded version developed to be quickly massed produced for the Horus Heresy), powered armour has been getting better with each generation.

yup,

Mk8 "Errant" armor has some interesting modifications avaliable.

namely Power Gauntlets which function as a Power Fist on a smaller scale. this allows the wielder to still retain use of his hand to use other weapons while still having the abilities of a Fist.


Mk8 is extremely rare though.

Grey Templar wrote:yup,

Mk8 "Errant" armor has some interesting modifications avaliable.

namely Power Gauntlets which function as a Power Fist on a smaller scale. this allows the wielder to still retain use of his hand to use other weapons while still having the abilities of a Fist.


Mk8 is extremely rare though.

I think mark 8 also covers the air filter of the space marines helmet with a gorget. That has always been an issue for me, that open mouth thing can't possibly protect as well as the slopped beak, it would funnel any hit straight to your face.

looks better really and the fact that you look like a penguin makes your enemy REALLY scared


Automatically Appended Next Post:
looks better really and the fact that you look like a penguin makes your enemy REALLY scared

GreyKnightful wrote:looks better really and the fact that you look like a penguin makes your enemy REALLY scared

Couldn't find an actual marine fig painted in penguin colours. Internet, I am disappoint.

Juvieus Kaine wrote:Beaked helmets are part of the Mk6 or "Corvus" pattern armour, seen here: http://www.forgeworld.co.uk/Warhammer-40000/Space_Marines/Ultramarines/MK-VI-CORVUS-ARMOUR.html
According to fluff in the Sm dex they hold extra components and sensors, so I'd assume it was a better way to add space yet keep the helmet from being cumbersome.

This.And do check out Forgeworld to see the other marks of armour,Mk V Heresy is a favourite of mine.

Grey Templar wrote:
Mk8 is extremely rare though.

Every time I am reminded of the fact that it's so bloody rare, I can't help but think that it's because the Black Templars are hoarding it. There's so much Errant armour on Templar stuff that it's kinda silly.

I suppose one might explain it in terms of their choice of tactics being one that takes its toll on their equipment, and being as they are crusaders they probably have all manner of valuable artefacts to trade for the most modern variant.

Each SM tactical squad has a Mk VIII set in...

Andrew1975 wrote:

Grey Templar wrote:yup,

Mk8 "Errant" armor has some interesting modifications avaliable.

namely Power Gauntlets which function as a Power Fist on a smaller scale. this allows the wielder to still retain use of his hand to use other weapons while still having the abilities of a Fist.


Mk8 is extremely rare though.

I think mark 8 also covers the air filter of the space marines helmet with a gorget. That has always been an issue for me, that open mouth thing can't possibly protect as well as the slopped beak, it would funnel any hit straight to your face.

the problem with the beak is that it could also deflect shots down into the chest area.

this was a serious problem and was solved by the gorget.