Board Thread:Warhammer 40k General Discussion/@comment-6589306-20130228113457/@comment-6078851-20130302153841

i've read 13 novels set in the aliens universe, including the novels of the films, and nowhere is there any mention of an endoskeletal structure.

the novel 'the labyrinth' has alien disections and goes into detail about their anatomy and physiology - part of their physiology being their exoskeleton. there's also mention in one novel about experiments to use their exoskeleton as as acid resistant armour for marines, but due to the density of the exoskelton it's too heavy for people to wear. this density is also why an adult drone can weigh 2 to 3 ton.

as for the oily appearance of their exterior, the initial design of the alien was biomechanical and the oily appearance was an oil like secretion to lubricate the mechanical aspect of the creature, and in the actual aliens universe this secretion is for the lubrication of their exoskeleton, but it also seals their body against vacuum which is how they survive in space. this secretion is in fact very similar to oil, and it's the reason why aliens are so susceptible to fire.

like i said, my knowledge on this is extensive but not absolute, and while i'm not saying you're 100% wrong (more like i'm 99% sure you're wrong but, i accept there may be some information i've missed) i've never found any information to coroborate an endoskeletal stucture. is this your opinion or can you point me to a source so i can add to my xenomorph knowledge?

i know that plasteel 'aint all that in 40k but in the aliens universe it seems that most military vehicles are made fom plasteel.