References to an “Ion Furnace” came in the 2000AD supplements which dealt with the Darkest Suns (see below).
From 2000AD Havok Supplement
- The very description Ion Furnace conjures up an image in my mind, of a heat device which emits high energy particles in the form of a beam which can be concentrated and cause devastation to opposition armies.
I experimented with a number of Designs but binned them all as I wasn’t satisfied with what had evolved. I finally came across an 8-wheeled vehicle which I thought had distinct possibilities as a chassis. It took the form of a “Tank” which could transform itself into a Robot.It had a small gearbox, a battery compartment, miniature lamps, an electronic sound unit all for £4.99! The majority of these components I wouldn’t need as I only wanted the shell,but they would certainly add to my “bits box”.
The Item as originally purchased
The Ion Furnace Chassis "out of the box"
- Transfers were removed, as were all the internal electronics and “works” as mentioned above.
I already had some ideas as to what would serve as the Furnace itself, as from my previous Designs I had glued one half of a Dino Egg to a Cycle reflector to represent the Ion Plasma Furnace itself and I was quite satisfied with that. Others will of course have their own ideas in this regard. I glued this to the rear of this vehicle and painted the front in the colours of the Karn Red and Purple to match the Battleform and the Banshee. The main body of the vehicle was left as it was, since it was complementary to the armour colour of the Darkest Suns. Below is the result, which I don’t think looks too bad…….