The Victorian Hoplite Hoverbike
LEGO by: Justin R. "Saber-Scorpion" Stebbins
Weight Range: Very Light
Speed: Fast
Mobility: Hovers on Land, Floats at Sea
Armaments: 2 blazer machine guns
Capacity: 1 rider

A little thicker than your average "hoverbike," the Victorian Hoplite is somewhere between a small hovercar or hover-platform in size. It has thick armor and a pair of mounted weapons. This is because, unlike the Xarkon Hornet, the Victorian Hoplite was not a modified civilian vehicle. No, the Victorian engineers designed these for serious combat. They are usually used for scouting, city patrol, and for taking on groups of infantry.

The whole design of these vehicles is based entirely around that piece in the middle with the silver and black "V" on it. I jumped when I saw them on Bricklink because they're perfect for something Victorian.

Because of those pieces, I was planning not to put any decals on the vehicle. Alas, I only had one solid-blue version of the slope I ended up using for the back. The other was adorned with an unsightly logo saying "TV". Unsure of this "brasso" technique that I have yet to use myself, I ended up just putting a decal over it.

Swooshable, like all hoverbikes. I was at first just trying to slop these together quickly, but I ended up going through many different designs before I was satisfied. And I kept trying to make them studless. Unfortunately I couldn't find a good way to cover up that unsightly stud on the end of each 1x3 slope, so you'll just have to live with those. Meh, they don't hurt it, methinks.

And now, a demonstration of two Hoplites facing off with three Hornets.

The first Hornet falls quickly against the powerful Blazer machine guns on the Hoplite. The Hornet's armor simply cannot withstand them.

The Hornet is faster and more maneuverable than the Hoplite, however, so it's able to make a sharper turn. The wide Hoplites just can't bank well enough. I guess wider isn't always better. Still, they won't flip as easily, right?

The tough armor of the Hoplite can take a few nicks from the Hornet's installed laser guns, but the pilot knows he won't last forever.

So he just backs up (no the yellow thing on the front isn't an engine; it's a headlight... dugh).

The Hornet falls right into the pilot's trap. But the pilot has fallen right in line with the next Hornet, and his armor is already damaged.

So it's curtains for that pilot! Hoplites are still light vehicles. The other half of their name isn't as true, however. They do not have the ability to hop.

Wow, this pilot's daring. Smashing into the side of the Hornet, he overturns the unstable craft and runs over it with his bulkier vehicle!

Don't try this trick at home, kids. Also, your civilian version of the Hornet should never be used in combat. In fact, the Xarkon military also prefers not to use the Hornet in combat. It's strictly a recon vehicle.

And so the last man standing rides away, in his victorious Victorian Hoplite.