Ok guys, none of my ideas I had worked worth a damn, and up until last night the most I had was a Hammerhead turret mounted ona 40mm base. I got to looking thoguh my bits box last night and found a junky Space Marine Jump Pack, and realized that with a bit if filing, I could get the exhaust end to fit where the railgun or Ion Cannon would normally fit, and the intakes would be pointing up and out, like cooling vents. I also have a junky old Ion Cannon that's in VERY bad shape, and I figured I'd attempt cutting off the end of it and attachign it where the cupola/tank commander would typically be. What we'd have then would be an anti-orbital Ion Cannon, the vast majority of which would be located underground. I'm left with a few problems, though; I have an ugly bare area on the underside of the Jump Pack where it used to attach to a Marine, and I need ideas of what to put there. I'm trying to keep this one simple, go with a few-parts-as-possible approach.

So...any ideas?

I'm having some trouble visualising this, if you had some pictures then I may be able to give some ideas but at the moment I can't help. But I like the idea of an underground orbital cannon.

I dropped the jump pack into some fresh simple green and set the bucket outside. After it's warmed through for a while, I'll put together what I can and post pics.

UPDATE: I just pulled out the parts, along with one of the pieces I need to finish my friend's Daemon Prince, the Hammerhead Railgun (which I may use instead of the Ion Cannon), and an old Battle for Macragge Marine I happened across.

Alright, here's the bits I have to work with so far. I'm considering going with a railgun instead of an Ion Cannon, though...the Ion Cannon piece sits a LOT lower than I thought it would.

You could even do a seeker missile instead.

I believe the ion cannon would be better, but if it is too short(as you said) then you probably should go with the railgun.
For some reason, when I picture a railgun mount, there is no reason for the railgun to be 'hiding' and it would be placed for everyone to see so that they would know where there death came from.

But logically, yes, partially underground railguns make sense. Just my imagination's ideas though, so either would work.But I would recommend the ion cannon!!!

I want to help, but I've been so burned out after doing my own objective marker! How about putting stuff together with some blue tac so we can get an idea what you're going for? Also, does your camera have a macro setting? As it stands, it's really hard to see.

I agree with Wolfs16, better quality pics and maybe some dry fitting would help a good deal. And Ultralemming is on to something I think, That cupola hole would make a perfect missile silo! I wasn't totally sold on the orbital gun but I think this could really be a cool marker. With the nose of a seeker or something missile-like poking out ... or even firing out on a trail of smoke and fire, would look fantastic I think! And if you are worried, the firing part doesn't have to be hard to make. Just mount it on a piece of wire and use cotton batten and a bit of GS to make the trail...

Best of luck to you!

I originally wanted to do a missile silo, but I have nothing missile-like left! And no; for the thousandth time, my camera DOES NOT HAVE A MACRO FUNCTION! If you all would be as kind as to raise roughly $100 for me to buy one that -does-, then I can take better pics, but as it is this is the best I can do without taking a loooong time tinkering with lighting and s*** with my sister's cellphone.

I totally understand the feeling of looking for something and it just isn't there... but you done a fine job with what you had. Like I said, I wasn't convinced about the idea of the orbital gun, but it works much better than I imagined! This is really a nice and tight little objective, and the jump-pack exhaust vents is an excellent use of pieces. Well Done!

I didn't know about the camera! Put down the Chainfist!

I like the second shot a lot actually. I think the Ion Cannon tip looks great for its role. Hmm...maybe if you had something on the bottom that could rotate the cannon...

The jump pack looks a little thrown on there, although I'm not sure what to do with it. (Sorry, long day!)

Thanks for the comments, Gniknok; You're really helping me keep the will to do this! I've got 3 1/2 hours, and I think I may be able to get it by the skin of my fangs! I've decided to angle the Ion Cannon tip; helps reduce the "empty" feeling of the cannon, while still looking like it could be rotated and/or withdrawn. I'm going to clean and GS the jump pack a bit; should I just putty up the hole where it'd normally attach to a marine, or does anyone have an ideas of what I could put there?





Well Wolfs, seems like you and I are on the same wavelength; I did just that with those shield generator pieces! And they're going to be cooling units; I may attach Plasma Rifle bits to them, also going to do some last-minute GS work.

Looks good! Kinda looks like a small microscope =-D
Maybe some more aerials would make it awesomer -=D

Well, I was thinking that the rest would be hidden underground, and controlled from remote stations via underground connections or uplink drones

What about cutting the jump pack in half and sticking it on each side of the cannon closer to the bottom? I think that would give it a really heavy look.

The tilt of the barrel is definitely an improvement, but I can't think of anything to add that wouldn't turn it into having just too much stuff. The jump pack sort of look like a set of mini cannons and cooling vents at the same time. Slightly confusing upon looking at it. I believe a generator of sorts would look great in front of the jump pack(http://advancedtautactica.com/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=9538&start=120 -the A.S.S. on these broadsides come to mind) but I have no idea how you would go about creating that. Good luck, work fast!

Kinda late for that now, Wolfs..plus, I think we'd start crossing towards a phallic resemblance then

Anyways, I put down some white primer to make it feel more "Tau"...I think I'm really on to something!

Interesting idea, Lemming, but all that's internal/underground. I decided to bulk up the cooling system, make it look more like some with some vents in the Fusion Blaster piece and some pipes from Plasma Rifles.

Haha! I didn't even think of that!

I really like what you did with the Jet pack! That totally sets it off! Keep it up man, you can do it!

I like it!

Well, I'm off to bed now, but good luck! You're cooling system is very convincing now.

Several of these in a bunch would be an awesome sight.

it's alright, Wolfs; I trash over half of my ship/fighter ideas because they end up looking too much like that But yes, thank you for the words of inspiration; I found my GS and I'm mixing it you to do some gap-filling, and then a final coat of primer!

And that's the idea, Lemming!