Remodelling the Raider

Lots of people talk about how they don't like the Dark Eldar models which is fine, it's all a matter of preference anyhow. I myself like the models for the most part, except for the Raider. Part of this is because of looks, it just doesn't look sleek enough, but the majority is thee awkward bulkiness of the model. The odd size makes them hard to transport, and very prone to damage. As you can see from the picture above and below, I'm having that problem.


When you are transporting between 5 and 9 of these things, space becomes a premium. God forbid if you are trying to use one of the GW cases. In my case, I use a couple large toolboxes. The infantry models are all on egg crate foam on the bottom with the raiders on the top.

My problem comes because of the clam shell type action of the tool boxes. As hard as I try, the raider tails always manage to get caught. If I watch the front they get caught in the back, if I watch the back, they get caught in the front.

The largest majority of my Raiders and Ravagers look like this one, some aren't as bad, some the pieces are just broken and have been re-glued. The worst part is I don't even have them completed (mostly because I'm indecisive about how I want them painted.

So the time has come to change them. I'm thinking I'm going to remove the cross fins, and try and put something else on them. This won't be the first unique Raider in my force, as you can see in the pics above and below I have a Raider that I commonly use for my HQ that was scavenged together from a partial Raider and some leftover parts I got in a trade with a friend. Obviously, I'm not going to cannibalize 3 Raiders for everyone I want to put together, but I do like the look.


I haven't made a final decision as to what I'm going to do exactly and may not for a while. I do know what elements I want to incorporate.

• First, the driver stays towards the rear, I picture the Raider as moving forward with the bow pointing slightly down, sort of like a helicopter, so that means the driver at the back looks over the pointed hull to target his victims.
• Second there has to be some sort of horizontal fins to help stabilize and control direction.
• Third, the horizontal component has to be above or below the plane of the basic fusilage. Even if I end up just using an angled piece, similar in shape to the Reavers, it has to look like it helps stabilize the craft.
• Last, I have to either finish before March, or start after March. Why? Because I need the Raiders playable for the Apocalypse game the club is having in March. I need as many Dark Lances to dish out my jealous vengeance upon my girlfriends latest WIP, shown below.

Feel free to post links in the comments to any interesting Raider conversions you've seen, I'm always looking for fresh inspiration to borrow.