Relictors Space Marine Stormhawk Interceptor

Hello Readers, thanks for dropping by to have a look-see. Here is my latest offering, a lovely StormHawk Interceptor flyer for the ever growing Relictors Battle Company. In the above shot, armed with an array of weapons - TL Assault Cannons, 3-shot Skyhammer Missiles and a short range 2-shot LasTalon lascannon. Brutal. The new flyer rules give Interceptors give -1 BS against surface targets, I will probably play this way without all the other flyer shenanigans - who will actually want another 'Flyer' phase, it's long enough with the separate 'Psychic' phase.

As you can see, after debating what to do with the tail fin, I weighed up the different options, thanks for your input guys, and decided to go with the under-wing at the rear, to differentiate from the StormTalon tailfin and cut away the large fin section with hung downwards. The top tail fin option was too 'helicopter gunship' like the StormTalon, I wanted a more 'Jetfighter' aesthetic - okay this kit will never be a Xiphon Interceptor!

As you can see in these two pictures, the loss of the downward tail section makes for a much more streamlined Interceptor, I've also as previously posted, magnetized the Icarus Storm Cannon and the Las Talon nose guns.  Incidentally, the horse was from my original box of skeleton warriors from back in the late 80's I found randomly in the closet of doom! Now put to good use.

Here you can see the look I was going for, much better in my humble opinion, more streamlined and faster looking.

From the rear you can see the 'Aliens Dropship Vibe' I was going for, and without the large under-fin attached to the top section, the Halo chaff launcher is free to fire and give me those re-rollable jink saves :)

Here is the magnetized Las Talon nose cannon, it fits into the mount seamlessly.

And for a slightly different profile, both aesthetics and stats, here is the Icarus Storm Cannon. Depends if you want lower strength, 3-shot long range or the double tap short range lascannon option.

A slightly different nose profile with this option. I used yellow for the Skyhammer Missiles, I think a great long range, mid power missile load out, I think is great for anti-air! Across my entire force, the missiles are painted yellow to really pop.

Above you can see the different brutal nose cannon options and silhouette - these things certainly don't rely on aerodynamics to fly! All of about 3 inches of actual wing surface to provide any sort of lift ha ha. (I also went for port and starboard red/green navigation lights at the end of the wings - for those times it is not ramming itself in the faces of the enemy!)

Here are some close ups of the tail as requested by Reddit readers and hopefully others will find it a useful reference (looking at you Corrm!)

I did contemplate filling the gap with a little plasticard, but it hardly shows and could be a vent of whatever description. I did add some weathering to the underside of the tail, as in its new position it is in line with the maneuvering thrusters on the body, to give it a lot more agility in a dogfight no doubt!

And finally, a rear shot showing the Halo chaff launcher and what your enemies will see - as they crash and burn, the fast disappearing shape of their nemesis...

Overall, I loved this kit, and without a cockpit to worry about, painting was fairly simple and quick. I just removed the jet nozzles and exhausts, nose cannons, missiles, all the sensor lenses and engine intakes, and was then able to spray and wash and drybrush the entire model grey, before adding the details back once the entire superstructure was complete.

Thanks for reading. Cheers, Siph.

Magnetizing the Space Marine Stormhawk Interceptor - WIP

So, with options for the tail fin still open to change, I needed a way to interchange the Icarus Storm Cannon (longer range 3 shot medium strength) or the Las Talon (short ranged 2 shot Lascannon) depending on the foe. I looked at the kit and this was very simple to achieve. Simple placement of magnets in the nose cannon location and in the separate weapon mounts (thanks GW for a great interchangeable option). See pic above.

More progress very soon, this one jumped to the top of the to-do pile as I love it!

Stormhawk Conversion Opportunities - thoughts on which one to do?

Hi readers, I am looking for some input in what to do with the Stormhawk. The first pic shows the original kit configuration.

To make the flyer look different from the Stormtalon's and more like an interceptor, an easy snip of the lower wing and this could be the result, a more streamlined shape, but generally keeps the similar rear wing like the StormTalon.

Or a re-positioning of the lower tail fin to become the upper rear fin and the cross piece on the underside like a traditional jet, they will be angled forward like the original tail so the flaps are at the back. This option requires a little more conversion and the rearward chaff launcher will launch chaff into the path of the tain fin, but what a tail - not streamlined as others, but a bold statement and similar to modern aeroplanes.

Or cut the bottom fin off completely and just use the cross piece on the underside leaving a shorter tail piece. The tain fins will then echo the shape of the front wings, the rear fin just needs a little sanding to remove the location lug. This adds a streamlined shape with the traditional jet look.

So, which to do? Suggestions please? -

1. Use as the kit comes.
2. Remove Lower Fin.
3. Add Lower Fin to top and re-position rear wings to the underside.
4. Remove Lower Fin and re-postion rear wings to the underside. My current favourite.