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Hi all

Like many, I was pretty sorely disappointed when there were no new jetbike models released with the new Eldar codex; I love them as units in game, but absolutely hate the stupid hell's angels look they have.

I love the Jes Goodwin prototype, but most of the conversions I've seen to turn DE Jetbikes into Eldar ones fall a bit flat - the current cowling doesn't fit on very well nor does it provide the cohesiveness with the model that I'd like. I'm crap at sculpting in greenstuff, and didn't believe I could consistently create 10+ versions of exactly the same thing, so turned to my other profession, industrial design...

I'm modelling up conversion parts that can be 3D printed and used directly, or 3D printed and then cast, depending on the quantity/interest I require. These are designed to fit directly onto the basic DE jetbike chassis, and will consist of a new cowling and new tailfin/weapon assemblies.

This is a project I'm putting together in my spare time, so I'm still a couple of months away yet, but I thought I'd show some progress shots -



I'm planning slight variants for farseer/warlock models as well as Shining Spear versions. Design is obviously still in progress, so any feedback you might have is most welcome!

I'll keep you updated as I progress further

- M

This looks promising and wish you luck, keep us posted I'm sure you will gather a lot of interest.

Well I really what you have produced so far, very sleek and very elegant. Hmm, I'm not sure though if it might look even more streamlined if the top of the cowling that projects towards the rider, could be bought back a little more; I don't know if that would interfere with the rider once it was attached to the model though but my gut instinct is that, as it is, it seems a little truncated if you can understand what I'm saying. I do like it so far though, reminds me of Flight of the Navigator!

 Gogsnik wrote:
Well I really what you have produced so far, very sleek and very elegant. Hmm, I'm not sure though if it might look even more streamlined if the top of the cowling that projects towards the rider, could be bought back a little more; I don't know if that would interfere with the rider once it was attached to the model though but my gut instinct is that, as it is, it seems a little truncated if you can understand what I'm saying. I do like it so far though, reminds me of Flight of the Navigator!

You forgot an important word! "I really [blank] what you have so far" - love? Hate? :-)

Have to be careful of the rider on this one - the DE jetbike poses the rider leaning a long way forward, so have to make sure it doesn't interfere with the head or knees (hard to see in these shots but there are concave spaces in the cowling for the knees - current DE bikes have chunks cut out of them).

I'm debating putting a raised "windshield" type of thing there - my sketches are inconclusive on the effect of it on the greater model. Once I've got this a little further along I'll be doing some photoshop prototyping with photos of the real bike chassis, so plan to make those sorts of decisions then.

I've Assisi decided I don't like the under slung weapons, so will be experimenting with mounting weapons in wing cowls, inspired by the Crimson Hunter. Keen to see how that turns out...

As someone considering converting a DE bike for my farseer..I am very interested in this project.

Is it possible to show this new front cown on an opaque outline of the chassis for scale and fitting reference?

 Mecha_buddha wrote:
As someone considering converting a DE bike for my farseer..I am very interested in this project.

Is it possible to show this new front cown on an opaque outline of the chassis for scale and fitting reference?

Exactly what I'll be doing shortly I'll post that when it's up so you can see what it's looking like.

Haha, love, yes! I did wonder if bringing the cowl back would interfere with the rider but what you've done so far addresses a lot of the issues with the current jetbike cowling, not helped by the rider sitting up so high on it I think.

Considering how smooth the cowls on these need to be to properly fit the Eldar aesthetic, what's your solution for the typical 3D printing "stepped" look? Sanding them down, or just really, really high quality material? I think printing, sanding, then casting would be a good solution, but it's your project. They're looking lovely so far though, I'd be excited to see some good 3rd party jetbike options happening.

 Brother SRM wrote:
Considering how smooth the cowls on these need to be to properly fit the Eldar aesthetic, what's your solution for the typical 3D printing "stepped" look? Sanding them down, or just really, really high quality material? I think printing, sanding, then casting would be a good solution, but it's your project. They're looking lovely so far though, I'd be excited to see some good 3rd party jetbike options happening.

The stepping is a function of resolution, effectively - the more expensive processes produce a smoother, finer result, as they are able to deposit smaller instances of material. It's a good prototyping process though. It depends on how many I end up wanting to make. Probably the cheapest way is get 1 copy machined, and make resin casts off that. If I end up making a couple of hundred, it's possibly worth getting it injection moulded, which would be the highest quality result. Will likely only use 3D printed versions to test fit, so I can use cheap ones via Shapeways or similar services. Once I've finished designing I'll have more of an idea of interest which will determine production methods.

I have been trying to find some reavers to do conversions with and they are staying sold out around me. Vastly annoying.

But since I have looked into this, I don't get what you are trying to go for. You claim a "hell's Angels" look, but I an not seeing it. You want to use DE bikes but reduce the spikes? Just not seeing what you are going for. Your design just seems to include more material to get in the way of the undercarriage.

What is your plan for the bladevane fins? Do you have more pics?

Dessorag wrote:
I have been trying to find some reavers to do conversions with and they are staying sold out around me. Vastly annoying.

But since I have looked into this, I don't get what you are trying to go for. You claim a "hell's Angels" look, but I an not seeing it. You want to use DE bikes but reduce the spikes? Just not seeing what you are going for. Your design just seems to include more material to get in the way of the undercarriage.

What is your plan for the bladevane fins? Do you have more pics?

The basic chassis of the DE jetbike, without the cowling and the fins, doesn't have any spikes on it. By replacing the cowling and the underslung fin pieces you can totally change the look of the model. I'd like to be able to (for my own purposes) consistently convert the model to a vanilla Eldar look; I'd also like to potentially make the same parts available to others cheaply and easily.

Have a look at the current Eldar jetbike models - they were designed in, what, 1992? They are extremely simplistic models compared to the DE ones, with very little detail. The riders sit back with great big harley handlebars and even have leather jackets. Yuck.



The helmets and the general design do not match the modern Eldar aesthetic at all.

Here's a *very rough and preliminary* overlay - doing this at work where I don't have my calipers and such to measure it accurately, so I'm eyeballing this, but it gives you a rough idea -



- M

That side profile looks amazing. Kudos so far!

 Gogsnik wrote:
That side profile looks amazing. Kudos so far!

Thanks

Haven't looked at it directly top down for a while - not in love with that. Could use some swishiness...


Automatically Appended Next Post:
Yup - didn't like the pure parabola top down profile.

Ok, I see where you are going. I think you could probably do it from just the hoods from the regular bikes and a little green stuff, might be a quick fix. That said, your design doesn't look to hard to cast, I have had decent luck with oomo 30 and 300 series resin.

Personally, I like everything you don't. I am adding spikes. Those are my bikes, I intend to add drag chains to at least one of them.

Dessorag wrote:
Ok, I see where you are going. I think you could probably do it from just the hoods from the regular bikes and a little green stuff, might be a quick fix. That said, your design doesn't look to hard to cast, I have had decent luck with oomo 30 and 300 series resin.

Personally, I like everything you don't. I am adding spikes. Those are my bikes, I intend to add drag chains to at least one of them.

Not so much that I don't like spikes, per se, but rather that they are a DE aesthetic that doesn't at all match the Eldar aesthetic.

The problem with converting the existing hoods is partly the shape - they are very simplistically modelled and are basically just a flat piece of plastic with a curve in it, and as a result, they don't have any structure underneath them. I want 30+ bikes at least, 'cause they rock, and I don't want to have to try and manually sculpt them identically (at which I'm sure I would fail!)

Design is built with casting in mind, with appropriate draft angles etc. on all pieces, so should hopefully be easy enough to cast or injection mould.

I have just acquired a 3d printer and would love to print some Eldar Jetbikes and riders. If you have a more finalized design I would be happy to print some and send them your way. I can print to 85 microns presently in PLA. I've found that is good resolution for vehicles but the Eldar themselves probably won't be as sharp as you'd like. I haven't tried yet though.

If you can generate .STLs of the bike hoods, the chassis and frames, I can print some and share photos etc. If you want me to send physical models I'd be happy to! Good luck! Great work!