Tyranid Conversion Project

[Uzi-99]

I've been planning some conversions to my Tyranids for a long time now, and hopefully will find the energy and will to actually do them now that I'm starting this diary and feeling obligated to make progress. However, do not expect new progress posts everyday since my time is mostly taken by work, sleep and computer games.

Pics won't be coming anytime certain since I do not have access to a camera.

Current ideas:

Winged Tyrant, 3rdEd: The Wings will be converted from Monstrous Scything Talons, with extra scytal blades for support and wing membrane made of epoxy putty.

Plan is to make them detachable using magnets. To enable the magnet-attachment system, I'm planning to ditch the metal carapace+neck-part that goes between the head and the torso and convert it from epoxy putty. Essentially this will mean that the head-carapace-wings will be a single part, and thus whenever I switch between normal/winged, I will be changing the entire upper carapace. The reliability of the magnets is still somewhat suspect, but the epoxy and plastic Wings do not weigh that much. The head itself might cause problems making the part too front-heavy, but I'll see if it can be fixed with strategically placed wire once the time comes.


Both Tyrant and Carnifex will sport interchangeable bioweapons, since with a bit of drilling, filing and filling, magnets should blend in well enough and thus my original idea seems to be viable. Since the weapons are plastic, the magnets should hold it well enough in place. Planning to use around 3mmX3mm (max) Neodymium/rare-earth magnets.

Gargoyles: These will also sport Wings converted from Scything Talons. Having re-checked the scale, I've come to the conclusion that Wings made from Gaunt ScyTal might be a tad too small. Alternatives are few, and mainly have to do with either extending the Gaunt STs, or try to use Warrior STs. I'll have to ponder this one further... Of course, the size of the Wings isn't that much of an issue since the point is just to have something which looks like wings.

[NecronLegion]

The magnet idea is very interesting, lemme know if it works!

[Uzi-99]

Progress:

Got off my lazy rear end, and emailed a friend of a friend who has knowledge about extensive conversions and working techniques I will need. Now I hope he'll answer...

New Ideas:

Tyranid Hunting Beasts
Got the idea while reading the GW "Creature Feature" article, which can be found online at Chapter Approved... Here's a link to the Hunting Beasts.

The idea came from a part of a picture in the 2ndEd Tyranid Codex, I'll see if I can get a scan on it...

Basically, walking Gaunt body, ScyTal for spindly insectoid legs, and 2ndEd Ripper Heads for the Hunting Beast heads.

Infected Humans
This one's from Starcraft, based on Kerrigan and the Infested Terran... Using IG as bodies, but adding Scything Talons on them. Possibly change some features with greenstuff... They could be used as Gaunts in a regular Tyranid swarm, or as an entire IG army.

Note that these are NOT Genestealer Cultists!

Hopefully I can report more actual progress by the end of the week.

[old 4 eye]

sounds cool but I can't wait to learn how to make a magnetic HT so I can do that with mine when I get it...

Well why dont you shut down your comp and tape a note on the screen so you can do this work

[Son of the Emperor, Illuminatus]

Okay, I'm aware its a pretty generic sci fi idea, but I still think it would be cool to have some humans that are infected and mentally enslaved by a small tyranid organism. This organism could provide a link to the Hive Mind, that then controls the human. I'm gonna start seeing what I can do with a little bit of green stuff on the back of an IG's neck.

[Uzi-99]

@Son of the Emperor, Illuminatus:
--- Don't say "generic", say "classic"!

Marco Schultze used the "Mind Slave" theme, and his figs looked very neat...

But my idea was simply for gene-spliced humans. The fluff basis would be worlds infested by Tyranids, but without the support of a Hive Fleet or Norn Queen... And the Tyranids would be forced to use human bodies as is, just splice bioweapons and some neural "enhancements" into the bodies.

Essentially there would not be time to breed Gaunts, and thus the spawning vats would simply create biosymbiotes to attach to readily available corpses/bodies.

The rules would be equal to Gaunts (Lasgun/ranged ones would equal Shooty Gaunts, ScyTal ones CC Gaunts, don''t know yet about modeling Leaping), or used as regular IG with no bonuses or changes if playing an IG list.

[Uzi-99]

Some progress, at least idea-wise. ^_^;

Dark Terror: A 3rdEd Red Terror model with four pairs of limbs as my Tyranids will be having 8 limbs total. And no, I won't be claiming in-game benefits for the extra limbs, simply for aesthetic purposes. This will be used as a Red Terror, with permission asked from the opponent as I believe that is the right way to deal with non-Codex units not clearly marked as Chapter Approved/no permission needed.

-Uppermost limbs will be 4thEd Monstrous Scything Talons.

-Upper-mid limbs will be 3rdEd Monstrous ScyTal.

-Lower-mid limbs will be 3rdEd metal ScyTal (the ones on old Lictors, Raveners and Red Terror). This pair might be replaced by the use of Warrior ScyTal, depending on how I like the aesthetics.

-Lowermost limbs will be either the original RT lower limbs cut and repositioned or Gaunt ScyTal.

-I'll try repositioning the body a bit as the original is a bit too angular.

-Tail will be modified with three blade/claw-like protrusions, similar to GW concepts for the 4thEd Lictor Tail (Or was it Tyrant? I'll try to find a pic).

-The jaw structure will be modified: Upper jaw will be kept as is, blade-like mandibles will be added to the sides of the mouth, the lower jaw will be divided into thinner central lower jaw, with teethy mandible-like protrusions on the left and right. Possibly add an Implant-Attack like spine-tongue for aesthetic purposes.

-Warrior Flesh Hooks will be added, simply to count as "Ladders & Grapnels" for Kill-Team purposes (I'll be asking for permission to use this 0: ).

-One of the ScyTal limbs will be modeled pinning a dead body to the ground, through the back. This will count as "Backstabber" for Kill-Team purposes.


Broodlord: Dislike the original pose... The body will be canted a bit so that the head looks forward.

-The original ScyTal will be replaced by Gaunt ScyTal with Toxin Sacs (biomorph), placed in the upper sockets and slashing forward.

-Small, vestigial ScyTal (similar to those of the Zoanthrope) will be modeled on the torso to keep in with the 8-limb theme. Torso will also sport Warrior FlsHks (biomorph).

-The tongue and lower jaw will be modified: The tongue to resemble ImpAtt (biomorph), the lower jaw similarly to the Terror above. Optionally, might just use an old 3rdEd Ravener opened lower jaw.

-Spiked carapace plate added onto head, as it will have Extended Carapace (biomorph).


As these are relatively small single models, I'm hoping to actually get the projects off the ground this time... Before I get too old to manage fine manipulation of my digits! :C

[Leech]

Originally Posted by Uzi-99

Winged Tyrant, 3rdEd: The Wings will be converted from Monstrous Scything Talons, with extra scytal blades for support and wing membrane made of epoxy putty.

If you want a fairly light but strong wing membrane I suggest you use paper and PVA. You can pour some PVA onto a piece of paper and let it dry. Then carfully cut out the shape of wing you want. The result is a fairly light but strong wing membrane in the shape you want. You can add green stuff for details once it is dry.

It would probably be a good idea to have a metal wire such as from a coat-hanger running through it to give it extra support. This method will also give you something that is flexible and not prone to breaking such as putty is.

[Uzi-99]

Thanks for the tip! Since I originally posted the stuff about wings, I've accumulated a few sheets of clear plastic of the sort used on DVDs to hold the paper inserts in place, though I fear it might be a tad too thick. Also wondering how paint will stick to it, so PVA + Paper will definitely be getting a try!


Addition to Dark Terror: Figured I'd make it a mini-diorama with extra casualties. The casualty models will be IG, just because I feel it fits the most. In addition to the one pinned to the ground as detailed above, there will be one getting decapitated and one getting sliced in half by midriff, the fourth turning around to face the gaping maw of the Terror. The decapitation, mutilation and turnaround will be mounted on their normal bases, so that I can use the Terror in games.

The Terror will be mounted on a larger base as the 40mm one it came with is too small.

[Leech]

Originally Posted by Uzi-99

I've accumulated a few sheets of clear plastic of the sort used on DVDs to hold the paper inserts in place, though I fear it might be a tad too thick. Also wondering how paint will stick to it, so PVA + Paper will definitely be getting a try!

The Terror will be mounted on a larger base as the 40mm one it came with is too small.

The clear plastic of DVD's is the same I think as CD's. I have often used several CD's glued together as bases for my larger Tyranid conversions. Spray paint will stick to this kind of plastic so that you can then paint it. There are just two problems to watch out for.

The first is that the plastic is very smooth so you will need to make sure it is very clean of any grease or dirt as gunge on such a smooth surface may interfere with spray paint/primer etc.

The second problem is that I found my CD's have a coat of thin plastic paint on them. This can begin to flake off and ruin paint work etc. I find that if it is there it is best to scrape it off. It is however messy and generates static electricity and as such is sticky. It is best to get a newspaper to catch all the little bits.

I think you are right to mount the Red terror, mine is a Purple terror, on a larger base. I found mine fits best on a base like that.