MicVash Has a New Toy!

[MicVash]

School's over finally and that means a lot more free time on my hands! I've been so anxious to make something new for my army but just couldn't come up with anything decent. I wanted to create a unit that would still be quick but just have a ton of missles on it! I tried making a short mech first, but it just wasn't turning out the well, so I decided to create a vehicle. I didn't want a tank or even a wheeled unit because that just wouldn't fit the style of Clan Morrigan (Fast, Furious, Futuristic), so I just started tinkering around with an oversized hoverbike. Eventually I wound up with this -- the Shrike Bike.

Description:

Named after a Shrike,

"a passerine bird of the family Laniidae which is known for its habit of catching insects, small birds or mammals and impaling their bodies on thorns. This helps them to tear the flesh into smaller, more conveniently-sized fragments, and serves as a "larder" so that the shrike can return to the uneaten portions at a later time. A typical shrike's beak is hooked, like that of a bird of prey, reflecting its predatory nature." (wikipedia)

,the Shrike Bike carries a large payload of either armor piercing or explosive rounds quickly into the heat of battle. Its missle array will cripple even the toughest of units and scatter enemy squads in panic. Despite the heavy payload, the Shrike Bike still maintains quite a bit of maneuverability with its massive side thrusters and front balancing wings. Two heavy grav pads and two heavy boosters keep the Shrike Bike on its quick path of destruction. Typically, this unit is sent after initial forces have secured a "payload zone" for the Shrike Bike to move in speedily along a relatively linear path to deliver the missles. After wreaking havoc on the target area, supporting units move in for the kill.

I also got a flickr account, so if anyone wants to check it out!

[SuvieD]

I like the design. Very sleek looking. Tactically perhaps not so sound though. This thing is an accident waiting to happen with so many missles it wouldn't take much to turn this into ball of flame, killing the pilot and likely his allies nearby.

I would recommend additional armor to protect the missles or perhaps a dropship like exterior to protect the vehicle until targets are acquired. A moderate armored helicopter or something could work out nicely. It could also double as a decoy for enemy fire up in the sky while the heat is just seconds away just below the tree line.

I do think this would benefit fro a little extra color. The dark green is looking nice but it just seems to be missing a little color.

[MicVash]

Very good suggestions, SuvieD. My army was originally plain green and black but then I got a little curious, bought some dark green pieces, and now I'm sticking with the color change. Unforunately it means a very small piece selection, which is why this bike is almost all black. You are very right about the tactical situation. One good hit and that's all it takes. I was taking that into consideration when building it, but I couldn't really create a cockpit around the pilot. The area around the missle system is very cramped, which is also why there aren't inside walls on the missle box. As to the front covers, I just got lazy with them, but also I don't have an appropiate flag panel and hinge. But despite those HUGE drawbacks, I figured it's just fantasy, all make believe. There's no need to be so nit picky about real life details as long as it looks cool.

[zero1312]

Nice!!! I like your hoverunits extremely much!!

Futuristic and durable looking, and the missile racks !!!

[THE-FORCE]

Nice!

But I've got a question:

Your minifig in your spacecraft, got a helmet with something down it.

What is it, what kind of piece?

[MicVash]

Nice!

But I've got a question:

Your minifig in your spacecraft, got a helmet with something down it.

What is it, what kind of piece?

Nice to meet "THE-FORCE"

The helmet has clip things on the back. Attached is simply a Star Wars blaster. All my infantry units have that as their weapon but since he's driving, it's just stowed away on his back.

[Doctor Sinister]

Very good suggestions, SuvieD. My army was originally plain green and black but then I got a little curious, bought some dark green pieces, and now I'm sticking with the color change. Unforunately it means a very small piece selection, which is why this bike is almost all black. You are very right about the tactical situation. One good hit and that's all it takes. I was taking that into consideration when building it, but I couldn't really create a cockpit around the pilot. The area around the missle system is very cramped, which is also why there aren't inside walls on the missle box. As to the front covers, I just got lazy with them, but also I don't have an appropiate flag panel and hinge. But despite those HUGE drawbacks, I figured it's just fantasy, all make believe. There's no need to be so nit picky about real life details as long as it looks cool.

Defence is easy - it's a hover-bike - yes? That means it's FAST. Anyone wanting to shoot it up first has to track it, and this thing can move in any direction instantly. Failing that, you don't need armour plate - give it an ECM/ECCM jammer to deflect incoming missiles and a low power force-field to deflect small arms fire and you're fixed of anything short of a heat-seeker (I figure you can't make it totally invincible...).

Dr. S.

[MicVash]

Defence is easy - it's a hover-bike - yes? That means it's FAST. Anyone wanting to shoot it up first has to track it, and this thing can move in any direction instantly. Failing that, you don't need armour plate - give it an ECM/ECCM jammer to deflect incoming missiles and a low power force-field to deflect small arms fire and you're fixed of anything short of a heat-seeker (I figure you can't make it totally invincible...).

Dr. S.

Thank you for your wisdom, Dr. S. You, by the way, have been a huge inspiration in building my army. I'll post pics later on my current strength. Right now I'm at one heavy hoverbike, five regular hoverbikes, one mech, and eight uniformed and armored infantry. Waiting on a Bricklink order right now and I'll have five hardsuits and one more regular hoverbike added.

[THE-FORCE]

Nice to meet "THE-FORCE"

The helmet has clip things on the back. Attached is simply a Star Wars blaster. All my infantry units have that as their weapon but since he's driving, it's just stowed away on his back.

Well I mean the armor, so which piece is that?

Edited May 15, 2008 by THE-FORCE

[Inertia]

Wow, Great hoverbike!

So many... Missiles!

TF, that's an Aquashark helmet from the Aquanauts series.

[MicVash]

Wow, Great hoverbike!

So many... Missiles!

TF, that's an Aquashark helmet from the Aquanauts series.

Thank you!

...

I've got another load of 16 missles just sitting on my table but I don't know what to do with them. I was thinking about adding a column of missles (3X4) but I think it's a bit unnecessary, cause this unit is designed to get in and out, not sit around shooting all day. I don't have enough pieces to make another one of this hoverbike, though. What should I do?

[Doctor Sinister]

Thank you!

...

I've got another load of 16 missles just sitting on my table but I don't know what to do with them. I was thinking about adding a column of missles (3X4) but I think it's a bit unnecessary, cause this unit is designed to get in and out, not sit around shooting all day. I don't have enough pieces to make another one of this hoverbike, though. What should I do?

Make a fixed defence turret - stands to reason that an army might use the same missiles in all sorts of different vehicles or emplacements.

Dr. S.

[Asuka]

A pretty fast and dangerous looking hoverbike indeed, very nice. Perhaps some more side protection for the driver, and a little more dark green,

if possible, would add to its overall very cool appearance.

[MicVash]

Make a fixed defence turret - stands to reason that an army might use the same missiles in all sorts of different vehicles or emplacements.

Dr. S.

o0o0, I didn't think of that. That's a really good idea actually. It'd be a fun build but I don't know if I'd keep the turret. I don't plan on making a base or anything, and I want to keep my army pretty mobile.