Night Hawks Space Marine Chapter

[TheAmbit]

The Night Hawks Chapter

Home World
The Chapter calls home to Korak Prime, a secluded system on the edge of the Maelstrom. The binary system of Korak is fraught with unpredictable, if short-lived, warp storms which periodically cut the region of space off from the rest of the Imperium. Korak Prime exhibits a unique orbit within the system and follows a figure-eight pattern around both stars. This unique orbit causes periods of harsh draught when the planet passes between the stars. The people of Korak Prime live simple lives with much time spent rationing their limited supplies as the arrival of inter-system supplies is less than regular. The annual dry period forces the populace to roam the surface in search of fresh surface water to bring back to their home villages.

This lifestyle has moulded the Night Hawks into the chapter as they are today. Following in the traditions of the White Scars, the Chapter focuses on rapid deployment and hit and run tactics. While the White Scars prefer to launch lightning fast strikes, the Night Hawks have perfected the art of hitting targets of opportunity before rapidly redeploying without the need to re-supply. A small contingent of Night Hawks cannot only change the tide of a battle but that of a war spanning an entire continent.

Beliefs
The people of Korak Prime are a spiritual people believing that the path of survival begins within oneself and practice an ancient form of numerology. Imperial anthropologists have traced the roots of these practices to the Gyptians of ancient Terra. The Night Hawks take portions of these beliefs with them through their transformation from tribesman to Space Marine. The number 9 has become sacred to the Chapter and shapes their organization. The ancient Gyptians believed that the planetary aspect of the number 9 was the moon; symbolic of the night. The Nine is the number of the unconscious and is seen as a regulator, resolving any discrepancies between the seven (experience) and the eight (instinct). Because of this, the Nine can be seen as the interface between the inner and outer self. Only by understanding the inner and outer self can one truly hold the corrupting taint of Chaos at bay.

Village elders routinely wear a simple tabard emblazoned with the heraldry of the village’s people. Upon recognition of veteran status, a Night Hawk dons a tabard bearing the Night Hawk crest.

The symbol of the Night Hawks is a winged talon wielding a sword. This symbolizes the Chapter’s doctrine of swiftly bringing might to bear.

Combat Doctrine
The Night Hawks are often tasked with undertaking prolonged missions behind enemy lines where abnormal weather systems or warp interference may prevent re-supply from orbit or even beyond system space. Preferring to operate at night, in contravention of the standard brightly armoured shock troop renowned across the Imperium, the Night Hawks prefer the subdued nature of their chapter colours. The fear induced on an unsuspecting enemy hit by a Night Hawks’ attack far surpasses that caused by a brightly coloured uniform.

Organization
At full strength, the Chapter is made up of 9 companies. The 1st company is comprised of ninety veterans of the Chapter who ride Mars-pattern hover bikes in contrast to the standard tactical dreadnaught armour worn by codex chapter’s first companies. Captains of the Chapter’s companies form their command squads from members of the 1st as opposed to members of their own companies. Veterans of the company can best prove their worth and learn first hand those skills which may someday be required if their station rises to that of captain. The 2nd through 6th companies are made up of bike and assault bike squadrons totalling 90 marines. These marines form 10 man groups dubbed ‘Murders’ reminiscent of the tactical squads of codex chapters. The 8th company, or the “Hand of Eden", consists of 50 versatile Argonaught Land Speeders and the 100 crew required to operate them. The 9th company consists of the initiates of the Chapter who sit at the crossroads of the journey to master their inner and outer selves.

Due to each marine being issued a Space Marine bike and the large component of Argonaughts which make up the 8th company, the Chapter has formed a strong bond with the Adepts of Mars. Over 30 techmarines are currently present within the Chapter and routinely accompany the Night Hawks to battle operating Argonaughts and performing field repairs during prolonged deployments.

Maintaining such a vast stock of equipment requires a vast portion of the chapters allotted wargear and as such tanks and drop pods are a rare commodity. Such ancient relics are held within the chapter armoury for all but the most dire of circumstances.

Gene-seed
Imperial records indicate that the Night Hawks Chapter was founded during the ninth founding early on in M33 from the White Scars’ gene-seed. The gene-seed appears stable if not more-so than that of the White Scars. Any apparent uncontrollable ferocity periodically displayed by the White Scars has not translated to the Night Hawks. Whether this is attributable to the meditations of the Marines or the stock in which their initiates are chosen is unknown.

Battlecry
“You are your own undoing!”

Armoury
The Night Hawks Chapter utilizes equipment not common to the Adeptus Astartes. Included among this list is the Mars-pattern hover bike. This STC was recovered from the 3rd moon of Korak Secundus late in M40. Following centuries of review by the Adepts of Mars, production on these bikes began and preliminary shipments were directed to the Night Hawks’ for use among the 1st company.

The Argonaught-varient land speeder was created in M38.657 on the forge world of Aritek. The adept Primalus had a shortfall of the materials required to create the anti-grav plating which provides the land speeder with it’s low altitude flight abilities. The A ground-based land speeder variant was thereby created in an attempt to fulfill the battlefield role of a light assault vehicle. It was quickly realized that the lack of anti-grav plating and the systems required for it greatly increased the available cargo capacity of the vehicle. Though falling out of favour in the eyes of many of the Astartes, the Night Hawks found this new variant to compliment their combat doctrine almost perfectly. The drawback of being ground-based was of little concern as the Chapter utilized them as a long-range support vehicle capable of carrying their much needed supplies; the benefits far outweighing the costs. The reduction in materials required to construct the variant also weighed heavily in its favour as the Chapter already devoted much of its resources to bikes.

[TheAmbit]

Argonaut Land Speeder
http://i1090.photobucket.com/albums/i372/theambit/Converted%20Wing%20Bike%20Army/DSC04186.jpg

More Pictures here at my blog:
http://theambit.blogspot.ca/2011/10/argonaught-land-speeder.html

[Dez667]

I like the speeder conversion, very original!

[speed]

The argonauts look really great! I'm always impressed when I see that conversion. Looking forward to more.

[allenacity]

I love those speeders, never was really a fan of the floaty ones.

[TheStrategist]

Nice fluff and conversions. Although I'd have figured they were from Raven Guard stock... :p

Cheers.

[TheAmbit]

Nice fluff and conversions. Although I'd have figured they were from Raven Guard stock... :p

Cheers.

I thought about that too but after reading the Raven Guard stuff they're more of a hit and run kind of army that still uses a lot of Tac marines.

[TheAmbit]

http://i1090.photobucket.com/albums/i372/theambit/Converted%20Wing%20Bike%20Army/DSCF3314.jpg

Night Hawk Initiates

Recruits are not actively sought out by the Night Hawks. Their presence on Korak is enough to inspire the young into attempting the trials. Each year, during the drought, those wishing to join the chapter must set out from Bottom's Reach and cross the southern desert. The Night Hawks Fortress Monastery is located at the southern pole of the planet and although close enough to the system's star to prevent polar ice caps from forming, the climate changes from a dry heat to a baren tundra as one passes the southern latitudes.
Leaving Bottom's Reach with only what can be placed in a pack, the hopefuls must survive the 2 month journy across the barrens. The extreme temperature changes and lack of resources puts the body and mind of each boy to the test. Those that complete the journey can begin the process of gene screening to ensure that they're compatible with the gene-seed. Those who are not genetically fit for implantation yet survive the journey receive the respect of the chapter; more than enough to ensure they rise quickly through the ranks of their tribe upon returning home.

The Night Hawks have no formal limit on induction and the 9th Company has ranged in size from 50 to well over 300 scouts in recent centuries. Here within the 9th Company the novitiates hone their phyisical and mental abilities and learn the battle and cultural traditions of the Night Hawks. A distinct hierarchy is present within the 9th. Recent recruits take to battle in the Argonaught Storms ever-present in the chapter. Once the novitiates have proven themselves ready, they can pilot the Storms or take to scout bikes to further their training. Upon achieving full maturity the marine is granted his 'wings'. This mark he will wear until death as a tatoo on his left shoulder and a matching insignia upon his left pauldron. These marines will either take their new battle armour and bike to a reserve company or those with the aptitude will stay in the 9th as scout sergeants to train the next generation.

More at my blog theambit.blogspot.com

[energongoodie]

Hey buddy. Nice stuff. I look forward to seeing more of your Night Hawks.

[Ignatius Grulgor]

nice

[ntjones92]

Wow! Those speeders look awesome! And the scouts look great aswell! :cool:

[greenstuff777]

where are the silencers and the heads from Those are sick

[Carlsson]

very distinctive, looks cool

[TheAmbit]

where are the silencers and the heads from Those are sick

The silencers are kroot gun muzzles and the heads are from pig iron. Hope that helps :D

[TheAmbit]

Argonaught Pattern Land Speeder Storm

Scouts of the Night Hawks 9th company are not born in the saddle; they must first earn the right to take to battle on their own bike. Those proving themselves in the blood of combat move up the ranks to either piloting a Storm or being granted a scout bike while remaining in the 9th. For all of the reasons that the Argonaught Pattern Land Speeder has become a staple in the chapter, so has the Argonaught Storm. The Argonaught Storm sports increased engine capacity versus the standard Argonaught to aid in pushing its larger chassis up to similar speeds. The vehicle is capable of carrying novitiates into battle as well as wounded brother-soldiers from it. Tow lines can be extended from the roof of the crew compartment which safely trail behind the vehicle for use in towing damaged equipment back from the front when required. The heavy reliance on Argonaughts and bikes by the Night Hawks means that no equipment is forfieited lightly. The plume of dust left in the wake of the tri-thrusters pay homage to the coming storm and the namesake of the vehicle.

http://i1090.photobucket.com/albums/i372/theambit/Converted%20Wing%20Bike%20Army/DSCF3298.jpg

More pictures, including WIP shots located at my blog here: The Hobby Ambit (http://theambit.blogspot.ca/2012/03/argonaut-land-speeder-storm-part.html)

[Kawauso]

Good fluff, and -amazing- conversions. Seriously. They rock. I can't wait to see more!

[TheAmbit]

Truvel XI
Part 1
The Fade


The Strike Cruiser Persistence circled in high orbit above Truvel XI.

"Long-range Auspex scans are having difficulty penetrating the dust storms" rattled a low voice.

"Thunderhawk deployment in 15 minutes" Arkavius voxed to the Astartes stationed aboard the Persistence. As a veteran sergeant of the 3rd company, Arkavius was more than familiar with situations such as this.
The command deck jumped into action as deck officers began shouting commands to ready the Cruiser into a lower orbit capable of supporting the landing party. The bridge was Spartan and devoid of luxury. A life of hardship had bred into the Night Hawks an appreciation for the 'little things'; ostentatious displays were therefore not encouraged on board and the human crew did well to follow the example.
Trophies from hard fought battles or challenging foes were kept as a common practice by many chapters of the Adeptus Astartes and the Night Hawks are no exception. The trophies kept by the Night Hawks however were generally small such as teeth, scales or strands of jewellery and were typically fashioned into chains to be worn around the marine's neck.

"Out of sight, out of hand" was a common saying on their home world of Korak Prime; anything one could not keep nearby was soon to become someone else's. Arkavius released a rather large canine suspended around his neck; liberated from the mouth of an over-sized ork nob which had almost taken his life. He left command to Sir Marniun Vex of the Imperial Navy and made for the launch bays.


Upon entering the launch bay two thunderhawk gunships were completing their final checks. To his left Arkavius inspected his 21 assembled battle brothers including sergeant Harkur and a Thurion, a tech-marine of many years. Their mission was to be conducted at the behest of the Adeptus Mechanicus within the Truvel system. Four expeditions to Truvel XI had vanished without so much as a distress call. The Night Hawks had maintained a strong relationship with the Mechanicum for much of their history and were honour bound to investigate. Whatever lie on the planet was of much importance to the Mechanicum and Arkavius could see the eagerness in Thurion's eyes.

Balled fists struck breastplates as the two squads acknowledged their orders and made for the thunderhawks. The transports had been ready loaded with their bikes, assault bikes and an Argonaught Speeder.

"Take us down and set us on the outside of the cloud" Arkavius commanded the thunderhawk pilot. As the Persistence entered low orbit the auspex had been able to scan most of the planet save for a large northern continent. This landmass was host to a massive electromagnetic storm which was interfering with the ship's sensors. The 'cloud' as they were calling it appeared to cover a semi spherical area one thousand kilometres in diameter. The reduced visibility would prevent the thunderhawks from travelling inside and the deployed squads would be on their own.



The landing was uneventful. A pass in the vicinity of the landing zone did not grant any further insight into the anomaly.
"Looks like we're going in blind" brother Kronex commented as he rode off the assault ramp of the thunderhawk.
"I'm sure you won't be hard to find" replied a broken voice over the vox; the storm interfering with the signal. Kronex had a habit of keeping trophies predisposed to rot. His presence was always accompanied by a distinct aroma which did not seem to bother him.
"If the storm dissipates we will contact the Persistence; return to the ship and await further instruction" Arkavius instructed the pilots. It was not uncommon for Night Hawks squads to deploy for weeks without contact. He rode to the front of the pack and signalled onward with his power sword before disappearing into the haze.

[TheAmbit]

Truvel XI
Part 2
The Open Road

Once the marines had passed the barrier formed by the cloud it became evident to Arkavius that the anomaly was not a naturally ocurring phenomenon.
"Mercy of the Omnisiah" Thurion griped over general vox; clearly annoyed by the rutted topography over which the flock was attempting to travel at speed. Thurion was no stranger to field duties but his preference for the serenity of a mech bay, alone with his tools and a machine spirit, was obvious in his demeanor.


"Vox interference increasing steadily with increased proximity to the centre of the cloud" Harkur spoke after blink clicking to a private channel with his fellow sergeant.
"I have no doubts the source of this interference lies at its centre" Akravius replied as he expertly navigated his bike over boulders and ruts.
The interference was imparing the navigation auspex on his bike but Arkavius cared little. Years of tracking experience bolstered by his genehanced abilities endowed him with a sense of direction that far removed his need for the bleeps of an auspex.
The flock made good time or as good as could be expected with the terrain they were covering. Despite this Arkavius longed for the day he would ride a Mar-Pattern Hoverbike as one of the 1st Company. Though the hoverbikes were not capable of true flight they were able to hover nearly one metre above solid ground which proved invaluable in covering rutted terrain. Arkavius could recal images of dark robed figures roaring past him on the outskirts of his village as a child. That moment had been so extraordinary as to inspire him to make the journey across the southern desert. Although much of his memories from his life preinduction were no more, the image of the jetbike still inspired him.

Nearly two days and 400 kilometres into the journey the topography began to change. Large craters were sporadically visible with weathered metal shrapnel at their centres. No wind blown sediments were collecting within the craters due to the storm overhead.
Although their catalepsean nodes allowed the marines to go without sleep for sustained periods of time, navigating the rough terrain did not allow them solid rest. With no sign of hostiles Arkavius directed the marines into a large debris crater. Their vox signals were now essentially non functional and the sergeant gave his orders with curt hand gestures. A defensive perimeter was established around the crater utilizing the rocky outcropings from its edges as cover.
The guard was cycled throughout the afternoon and the battle brothers took time to rest. With only 100 kilometres to the epicentre of the cloud Arkavius knew this might be the last full rest they could count on.

Thurion made no attempts to rest and spent the hours beneath the Argonaut tinkering with a vestigal air intake on the underside of the speeder. No doubt left behind to prevent any disrespect to the original design, the intake was no longer needed to aid in cooling the non-existent antigrav plates. The intake routinely clogged with debris from beneath the speeder while operating. Although the speeder could operate with only the roofmounted intake operational, it made a deep rumbling noise when clogged which Thurion could not help but think was the machine spirit's discomfort. Thurion vowed to rest in the passenger's seat once they continued their journey so long as the machine spirit was content to permit it.

As the sun began to set Arkavius gave the signal and led the flock onward into the darkness.

[Pendragon38]

Nice skills on the land speeders! I may make squad if its cool with you:cool:

[Lauby]

Edward Hopper would be proud.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/4/4a/Nighthawks.jpg

[T-ORK-amada]

Wow! Amazing stuff, I love the conversions. Great fluff as well.

[Iyonjin]

Great stuff man, I look forward to seeing more!

[TheAmbit]

Edward Hopper would be proud.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/4/4a/Nighthawks.jpg

Really not sure what this means but thanks to everyone :)

[greenstuff777]

The silencers are kroot gun muzzles and the heads are from pig iron. Hope that helps :D
great work so fluid i didn't even recognize them

[TheAmbit]

Truvel XI
Part 3
Breaking Silence

Thurion sat awake in the passenger's seat of the Argonaut despite his earlier promise to himself. Voren, the battle brother operating the speeder, would not drive in silence. Voren, like Thurion, was not a member of the 3rd company. He was attached from the 8th reserve company comprised entirely of Argonaut pilots and their gunners. He was a recent promotion from the 9th scout company and despite having been involved in many engagements over the last 12 years was not as battle hardened as Thurion would like. He still maintained an innocence and wonder about him.

When a human is gifted with the Emperor's might their enhanced senses leave little to be desired. A marine is overwhelmed initially with all of the new impulses they are presented with as they learn to harness their new power. Voren had yet to have his wonder dimmed by combat and still found much fascinating.

"What do you think is the cause of this?" Voren asked. Although their vox links were inoperable in the cloud being shoulder to shoulder in a speeder posed little restriction and Thurion could hear the question clearly over the roar of the wind and the hum of the tuned engine.
"Orks? Eldar?" Voren pressed. All of his exercises with the 9th had been served purging a system of a deep rooted heretical cult which thrived on practising guerrilla warfare. He longed to face off against xenos filth to prove himself among his brothers.

Although he was indistinguishable from his battle brothers by a casual observer, a strict hierarchy developed among a chapter. Those of the 1st company were held in high esteem over the battle companies which in turn stood above those of the reserves. Having only recently become part of the 8th Voren was new to the brotherhood and his honours were few. He hoped to change this today; his secondary heart finally slowing after his body had responded aggressively to the word 'ork'.

"The sergeant will advise us as required" Thurion said calmly despite his annoyance. "I feel you will not go wanting on this mission. I am not familiar with such artificial environmental disturbance on this scale save for terraforming operations prior to the Age of Darkness."
"Eldar then." Voren quickly followed; apparently content to make assumptions.

Thurion sat, half awake and made as best as he could to rest. While he could have forced sleep on himself he felt an obligation to indulge the young marine. His inquisitive nature would have proved an asset to the armorarium.
Perhaps I will put his name forward for further training as a techmarine on our return, Thurion thought to himself. At the least it will keep me away from his bother for 30 years, he quickly added.
"The Argonaut sounds much more calm than yesterday" Voren ventured, perhaps in an attempt to warm the techmarine to his presence.

Although the techmarines served in battle alongside their kin they were still viewed with some suspicion. To devote oneself to both the Cult Mechanicus and the Emperor invited such distrust. This was of course less pronounced in the Nigh Hawks chapter due to their close ties to the Mechanicum and each battle brother learning the basic rites to maintain their bike; yet apprehension of that which is different was genebred into every marine and unavoidable. Most marines made their peace with this in time yet Thurion began to wonder if Voren's questioning was more of a nervous tick than anything else.

A marine trained and honed his mind to be devoid of fear yet primal instinct could still put him on edge. This instinct was embraced and channelled before it could lead to fear. Voren appeared to be channelling it into his mouth thought Thurion, again finding himself bothered.

"Wake me should I be needed" Thurion said grimly, no longer worried about what Voren thought of him. A bit of apprehension from Voren was probably a good thing he decided before closing his eyes.

[TheAmbit]

I've finished a heavily converted landraider project to count as an achilles. Here's a sneak peak!

http://i1090.photobucket.com/albums/i372/theambit/Converted%20Wing%20Bike%20Army/DSCF3311.jpg

More images are avaialble here at my blog:

The Hobby Ambit (http://theambit.blogspot.com/2012/03/land-raider-achilles-conversion.html)


Achilles background (summary of Truvel XI story:

Responding to a distress call on M37.142, two squads from the 3rd company and a supporting Argonought of the Night Hawks Chapter set down on Truvel XI. The Adeptus Mechanicus maintain a forgeworld in the Truvel system which contains many planets classified as dead worlds. After four expeditionary fleets from the Mechanicum had vanished on Truvel XI, the Night Hawks were summoned for aid.

The Night Hawks quickly scoured the desert planet searching for the lost explorer vessels and came upon what could only be described as the prow of a ship extruding from the planet's surface. As they approached, the ground began to shake as defense systems activated and metalic men rose from beneath. Comms failed and the air was filled with the roar of gunfire. Surrounded by a legion of cybernetic constructs with no where to run, the fate of the battle brothers seemed all but assured.

Rallying under sergeant Arkavius, the men positioned their bikes to use as cover and quickly formed a defensive position amid the barren wastes. Aided by punishing blows from their Argonaught's typhoon launder and replenished by supplies contained therein, the Marines held on.

The sound of empty clips begain to ring out as the last "Iron-man" slumped to the ground. The vox crackled and hails were finally received. Mechanicum ships quickly arrived to collect the damaged cybernetics for study. The ship was later identified as millenia old human technology, priceless in the eyes of the Adepts of Mars. What use it was to them is unknown, but in gratitude for the heavy losses suffered on Truvel XI and the archaotech recovered, the Truvel forgeworld dispatched a Land Raider Achilles to Korak Prime; a true testament to the bond between Mars and the Night Hawks.

The venerable Achilles was not a thoughtless prize but a well considered gift. The Night Hawk's combat doctrine was well known to the Mechanicum as was their lack of tactical dreadnought armour and by extension, need for standard land raiders. As such, the Achilles, which is ill-suited to carry assault teams to battle hosts a thunderfire cannon, a symbolic weapon of the tech marines of the Adeptus Astartes. The weapon's tremor round's ability to disrupt enemy movement synergizes perfectly with the Night Hawks' practice of out manouvering their enemy. Permitting this oft-stationary weapon to be taken into battle by the fast moving Night Hawks on a nigh indestructible shrine chassis solidified the bond between Mars and Chapter, of whom both would call on one another innumerable times in the future.

[Deus_Morte]

Dood! I LOVE those 'jeep'/'dune-buggy' conversions

[Tzelanit]

Those speeders are crazy awesome!

[Slurpeemourne]

Really not sure what this means but thanks to everyone :)

I lol'd. I grew up less than an hour away from Nighthawks' permanent home. Big 40k bastion, Chicagoland.

Can't wait to see pics of the Fidora pattern Assault Ram.

Anyway, love the fluff and competent conversions. You did a good job, I think, of capturing the Halo and USMC influences without losing the grimdark weathering.

[TheAmbit]

I finished my first space marine bike squad after like 3 weeks of working on it. It was really really slow going and I just wasn't motivated. Not that I don't like how they turned out, there is juts a whole lot of model here to paint. If you think about sheer surface area there must be 2-3 times that of doing just a regular marine so it was pretty daunting. Originally I had 11 bikes on my desk but I dropped down to just doing 6 so that it seemed more manageable.

http://i1090.photobucket.com/albums/i372/theambit/DSCF3379.jpg
Sergeant Arkavius is featured here leading his squad into the fray (the guy from my fluff).

More pictures and such here (http://theambit.blogspot.ca/2012/04/night-hawks-bike-squad.html)

[Tynskel]

Tarkonis IV is hot! That's Eocene temperatures on that planet. oi! Without portable airconditioning units, humans (and many mammals) cannot live near the equator,

[TheAmbit]

Tarkonis IV is hot! That's Eocene temperatures on that planet. oi! Without portable airconditioning units, humans (and many mammals) cannot live near the equator,

You mean my IG homeworld from other posts? I do explain that the equator is a deserted and everyone lives in the polar region which is still warm enough to have no ice :)

[Meph]

Good stuff man. Great speeder conversions. They look great.
The militaristic colour scheme suits the models nicely and it's well executed. I like 'm a lot.

[Tynskel]

You mean my IG homeworld from other posts? I do explain that the equator is a deserted and everyone lives in the polar region which is still warm enough to have no ice :)

yup. The eocene, even with its seasons had evergreen forests on antarctica (ie, didn't get light half the year). Crocodiles in Alaska.
Even at high latitudes, it isn't exactly what you would call pleasant!

Gotta love IG worlds!

[Asymmetrical Xeno]

One of the coolest custom chapters I've seen, really excellent conversions.

[TheAmbit]

Thanks for the kind words folks.

I'm currently painting 4 more bikes and the company captain so that I have a playable HQ/2 troops.

Afterward I have a master of the forge on bike, librarian, 5 man command squad and another 5 man squad all on bikes, 5 scouts and their speeder and a venerable MKIV rifleman dread.

So definately no lack of stuff to paint and seeing as how it seems to take me a month to paint a bike squad we'll see how this goes :) On the bright side I think I'll finish a majority of this stuff before entertaining my Crimson Fist company...

[TheAmbit]

I'm in the middle of painting up my biker captain and a mail order came in with a new base I was going to use for Pedro Kantor. Problem was he was overwhelmed by the size of the base. I broke the biker captain off of his boring base and affixed him to this one and it's far more fitting of an HQ. I think I'm going to try and paint the pillar in marble to match a few tutorials I've seen so I hope it works. The bike is magnetized to the base so I can remove it for painting (and probably storage).

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pg7873B1raI/T4ze-pmSypI/AAAAAAAAAf4/Dsi_jUIIJcY/s1600/DSCF3419.JPG

Rear image of bike here (http://theambit.blogspot.ca/2012/04/space-marine-jetbike-captain-pip.html)

[TheAmbit]

I watched a bunch of tutorial videos and scoured the internet for something that I liked and thought I could replicate. Here's the fruits of the evening's labour. It will still need a gloss varnish to really complete it but I think I'm content with it. I have to work on the slate a bit more but otherwise I think it will look good all buffed up.

To get the look I primed it black, layered on chaos black and then sponged charadon granite and adeptus battle grey. After that I drew lines with astronomicon grey very watered down so that it would thin itself. I touched it up with another thinner coat after followed by straight skull white.

http://i1090.photobucket.com/albums/i372/theambit/DSCF3422.jpg

I may have to thin a few of the lines again as some white is a bit thick.

[Meph]

Hah, that's a nice quickie conversion. Looks great, those engines suit it nicely.

[inquisitorsog]

Really not sure what this means but thanks to everyone :)

If no one else pointed it out, that bit of classic mid 20th century art is titled "Nighthawks."

[TheAmbit]

If anyone is interested I put up a 1000 point battle report with these guys against a tyranid army. It's proof that SM bikes CAN win in completely one sided fights!

Battle Report (http://theambit.blogspot.ca/2012/04/batrep-nids-vs-bike-army-1000-points.html)

My captain and the squad I'm painting along with him is probably 80% done painting. Should be done next week so that I can start on another speeder and maybe a dreadnought.

[TheAmbit]

As the tactics of the Nighthawks Chapter focus on lightning strikes and rapid redeployment, battlefield speed is of the utmost importance. Due to this universal truth, dreadnoughts do not have as prominent a role among the Chapter as they would among others of the Imperium. Dreadnoughts are even more rare among the Chapter and internment is considered the greatest honour. Only the brightest and most capable of battlefield minds receive this honour -although battle brothers oft consider it a curse. To be forever removed from the ability to ride into battle is a destiny that no true Nighthawk would long for. Despite this, those that prove their leadership abilities and strategic acumen over centuries of battle will inevitably fall and be interned inside a sarcophagus to provide their tactical expertise for centuries to come. It is said that no war council or campaign has been prosecuted in Nighthawk history without being overseen by a dreadnought of the Chapter.

http://i1090.photobucket.com/albums/i372/theambit/DSCF3524.jpg

Nighthawk dreadnoughts are typically armed with long range firepower and powerful auspex units so as to provide them with the ability to oversee engagements from afar so that they may provide intel and long range fire support and not be left behind and without use. It goes without saying that the redeployment of a dreadnought is not without its problems so they do not usually accompany a strike where a tactical withdrawal is a high probability. Instead they will provide the Chapter's limited siege capability in situations which demand it.

More pictures here (http://theambit.blogspot.ca/2012/05/nighthawks-rifleman-dreadnought.html)

[TheAmbit]

Librarians within the Night Hawks chapter are as prevalent as in any other and are an important force in battling the enemies of the Imperium. The Librarius holds a place of special office in the Night Hawks chapter and its higher ranking members are often granted Mars-Pattern jetbikes. The librarians spend much of their time in deep meditation divining the ebb and flow of the warp to predict where the Night Hawks will be needed most. Aligning themselves as receptors to the wind of fate is not a process easily undone and many librarians are struck with painful visions while deployed. The battle brother will awake from a trance with strands of fate written within their tomes and no memory of the incident. It is common for librarians to display this journal of their visions at the forefront of their charge to battle to dispel any thoughts that they are anything but the drivers of their own fate.
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-s6hD8RSwX9s/T8Dyk7x0p0I/AAAAAAAAAlo/dJJtHcfrwRs/s320/DSCF3526.JPG
More photos here (http://theambit.blogspot.ca/2012/05/night-hawks-librarian-on-bike.html)

[Kawauso]

Crazy bling on the dreadnought - I like it!
Not sure about the extra-long leg conversion, but you've done a good job with it.

[SilkySkullShell]

p e r s o n a l i t y
- nice look - gritty feel - hats off to the grim dark

[Foxhound2delta]

I have to say, I really, really like your Land Speeders!! Has anyone commissioned you to make others?

[TheAmbit]

I have to say, I really, really like your Land Speeders!! Has anyone commissioned you to make others?

I'm not sure making models for others is ever really worth the time (as in I couldn't charge enough to make it worth it). I could probably sell bitz but I've never tried...

[Foxhound2delta]

I'm not sure making models for others is ever really worth the time (as in I couldn't charge enough to make it worth it). I could probably sell bitz but I've never tried...

Dude if you had the bits that would be needed to make a sweet land speeder buggy, I would so buy them from you.

[TheAmbit]

The Night Hawks have become a chapter adept at protracted hit and run warfare. Although much of their motor pool has been altered from fragile aircraft to more robust ground vehicles over the millennia, the Storm Talon gunship has continued to be an essential part of a Night Hawk Strike Force. In a chapter with almost no battle tanks save for the rarest of relics, the storm talon gunship fills a pivitol role. True to their nature and allegiances with the Adeptus Mechanicus, the Night Hawks have begun trials on a variant of the Storm Talon more suited for their preferred theatre of combat. The elongated wingspan provides increased lift at the expense of low speed maneuverability. This design has allowed the engines to function more efficiently at speed resulting in a reduced fuel demand while maintaining VTOL capability. The combined reduction in space requirements and weight of the craft permitted the streamlining of the weapon mounts which further increased lift and reinforced the boons of the initial redesign.
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VuGIWNebrso/UPhbL50DrtI/AAAAAAAABNA/1CUfIJgYBpU/s1600/DSCF4638.JPG

[Autarch]

Wow this all great stuff. I love the dreadnought. What bits did you use to extend the legs? I don't play Marines, but my brother does, and I bought him a dreadnought for christmas. I'd love to know how you did it. Cheers on your chapter and BTW it has a totally awesome name.

[TheAmbit]

The dreadnought legs are extended with the IG dozer blade attachment. There are two swing arms on the bit and I cut them off (they have pistons and such) and just glued them between the feet and shins of the dreadnought. Added some spare shin guards and there you go!