[Riley]

Old theme, new interpretation. I've had the concept sketches for my interpretation of the Tau jetbike lying on my desk for a while now and I recently decided to give it a shot after all. I'm trying to follow Tau design conventions as closely as possible and luckily there are plenty pictures of the Tetra and Piranha floating on the net. Some research on these gives enough insight on Tau design conventions.

However I have quite some trouble with figuring out what the bottom of my jetbike should look like as there are no belly shots from neither the Tetra or Piranha.

So I was wondering if there are any Tetra or Piranha owners out there that could be so kind with helping me out on this one?

Thank you!

[gego_cybor1]

I myself do not own a Tetra or a Piranha but I have seen some other tau bikes on this board. Ill give you some links and maybe they will help u out.

http://forums.tauonline.org/index.php?topic=14224.0 GreyDeaths slick looking hover bikes.
http://forums.tauonline.org/index.php?topic=1933.0 Another GD bike.
http://forums.tauonline.org/index.php?topic=12558.0 Chaintinker's snowmobile that could be made into a bike.
http://forums.tauonline.org/index.php?topic=3888.0 ChaosUndecided's tau bike.

If you put in a search I am sure you could find a lot more.

Lets see some pics when your done?

[Riley]

Thanks for the links Gego.

But I want to follow Tau design conventions very strictly to achieve a perfect Tau look. That's why I think it's important to have the Tetra and Piranha underside shots as research material. I won't be using any 'foreign' models or sm bike parts as that would dilute the Tau feel in my opinion. So it will be a scratch build/sculpt project.

I'll try to get some sketches up anytime soon as I'm probably not making sense to most people...

[OVladimir]

I like ChaosUndecided's tau bike. I would recomend a tetra, cut of the top and the second piolot+ seat and stick the bit behind the second piolot back on.

[gundamfan]

The first link from Greydeath looks great! Just because of that, I'd reccomend you use those VOID synthetika bikes.

[ShasEl_Tael]

Hi Riley,

I took this photo of my Tetra kit underside before painting the fabulous duo;



Hope that helps!

~ Tael.

[Riley]

@Tael> Thank you so much!!! That was exactly what I wanted to see and needed to complete my concept designs. As I expected there is a lot more detail on the bottom than one would suspect from just the ordinary photo's. I am glad I could have a peek at the Tetra's belly so I can now incorporate some of those elements in my designs.

@Gundamfan> thank you for your suggestion, but allthough a very sweet conversion, it doesn't look very Tau in my opinion. That is actually my goal with this project: a jetbike with a very strong Tau look and feel.

@Ovladdimir> those are very good suggestions. I think I could approximate my design if I would do the conversion as you proposed. I don't want to cut up a beautiful (and expensive :P) Tetra for it though, so I'll have a go at scratch building it.

Anyways, I wrote some fluff to flesh out the concept:

Designed for a dual role on the battlefield, the Remora jetbike's primary function is that of a light escort. In this role the Remora usually provides supporting firepower for devilfishes deploying pathfinder formations. Armed with a single rail rifle and lightning speed, the Remora is capable of intercepting enemy units that pose a threat for these transport units. It's secondary role is that of a forward operating unit performing specialized hit and run attacks and recon missions requiring speed.

The Remora lends its name from a special docking clam that allows the jetbike to attach itself to the hull of any Tau ship. It is speculated this docking clam uses a form of molecular bonding technology creating a virtually unbreakable bond when the Remora is attached. Squadrons of Remora jetbikes are often seen attached to the outer hulls of Manta missile destroyers. With the ability to drop into battle from high altitudes and its incredible speed the Remora forms the first wave of attack clearing landing zones for the main forces of the Tau army.

And here is the concept design I finally could finish thanks to Tael!


Comments and criticism highly apreciated! On both fluff and concept art...

[pfreck]

Woa! Just awesome! I'm 100% for sure you can make it the same as the Scetch (as you guys have seen all of his works )
you can do it!

[Scizor]

thats wery nice!

[ShasEl_Tael]

I like it Riley. Nice sketch too man

However a Rail rifle doesn't sit well for me. Possibly twin-linked Pulse Carbines with launchers ? Rapid fire power with suppressive ability. Certainly a better 'escort' as it is there to harass and keep the enemy from the convoy. A Railrifle needs a measure of precision that I don't think they would have luxury of on a fast mover platform like this jet-bike.


~ Tael.