tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-40446094192056652952024-02-22T11:31:49.844-08:00The ManufactorumA blog documenting my Warhammer 40,000 model and army building experience.Erichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03976761719483812386noreply@blogger.comBlogger28125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4044609419205665295.post-57172845958088919952009-09-04T13:35:00.000-07:002009-09-04T14:22:26.849-07:00Blood Pact looted HydraWell hi! It's been a while. I managed to finish my Hydra and get it painted up. It turned out better than I thought, though the barbed wire was a real pain in the butt to paint. The Imperial troopers that the Pact strung out across the hull are looking good, though.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpidoqcK-gqmx6kP0JyctCvXEs-XaPKmrAKrhyphenhyphenU9bVZMr1aSX4-yt8aa5kzN3sJT2PsjM-Nft_EWyrsnP0_78_m36_YZ9TMxsykkphTFkTyCa-k4ggWXkjkPnd5HGA0GPPjuZ5wTeWxEs/s1600-h/Hydra+resized.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 364px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpidoqcK-gqmx6kP0JyctCvXEs-XaPKmrAKrhyphenhyphenU9bVZMr1aSX4-yt8aa5kzN3sJT2PsjM-Nft_EWyrsnP0_78_m36_YZ9TMxsykkphTFkTyCa-k4ggWXkjkPnd5HGA0GPPjuZ5wTeWxEs/s400/Hydra+resized.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377714243675079650" /></a><br />Well, okay. They're looking good from my perspective. They themselves are probably having slightly less fun.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglmohpwkP7at0Um8AHeR0Q98ygG8Gzg87eBDbXi8t-eW0LIhX7NP8CPjv27Dkio05-M9eUFAyDAbwk69ZAGWF4-Gn9vETkePW93Ppn4rsatOSNqtPPAhTZ1a-oE-v-6BItOShHNFyfNUk/s1600-h/Hydra+4+resized.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 330px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglmohpwkP7at0Um8AHeR0Q98ygG8Gzg87eBDbXi8t-eW0LIhX7NP8CPjv27Dkio05-M9eUFAyDAbwk69ZAGWF4-Gn9vETkePW93Ppn4rsatOSNqtPPAhTZ1a-oE-v-6BItOShHNFyfNUk/s400/Hydra+4+resized.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377714553823184034" /></a><br /><br />I didn't go too overboard on the blood, figuring that the Blood Pact probably didn't have time to torture them, so they'd just be bleeding from being beaten, shot, and tied up in razorwire. C'est la vie, eh Guardsmen?<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnJdV19i1F_OL8NJ4EsKfZEvTHmcB3olrk4-vs59CUOGNHj4Kt9XCJdZeBDhQykwweq4-fdILpMQy9ApYNui2j2g_Bsd__omyxrpN2fmvtxg4PK37DJYumDQ3j9KSAoN_Kiealcx9Jx68/s1600-h/Hydra+2+resized.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 310px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnJdV19i1F_OL8NJ4EsKfZEvTHmcB3olrk4-vs59CUOGNHj4Kt9XCJdZeBDhQykwweq4-fdILpMQy9ApYNui2j2g_Bsd__omyxrpN2fmvtxg4PK37DJYumDQ3j9KSAoN_Kiealcx9Jx68/s320/Hydra+2+resized.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377715078046837522" /></a> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikIhMZiWN9Do47vGzG6NBPnZt0RSm2hC2QmcKE0iEoreEry6bmMRZAU_1VHHDIjSWFgmJXL03tELrGL_9pR0AIxotZ-mRHv5sqGgweqXpKxsccQCDJdemTgBpAZehLy0oXCpL8dh8_fzo/s1600-h/Hydra+6+resized.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 228px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikIhMZiWN9Do47vGzG6NBPnZt0RSm2hC2QmcKE0iEoreEry6bmMRZAU_1VHHDIjSWFgmJXL03tELrGL_9pR0AIxotZ-mRHv5sqGgweqXpKxsccQCDJdemTgBpAZehLy0oXCpL8dh8_fzo/s320/Hydra+6+resized.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377715165161280482" /></a><span style="font-weight:bold;"></span><br /><br />Really, the Emperor appreciates your sacrifice.<br /><br />The book I got the idea from, <i>Only in Death</i>, didn't really specify what color the Cadogus regiments paint their tanks; but since Jago, the world it takes place on, is a desert world (or at least the parts of it the Ghosts fought in were), they'd be desert camo. I ended up using a 60/40 mix of <b>Khemri Brown</b>/<b>Dheneb Stone</b>. I was aiming for that particular tan that seems to be the primary color for most real-life desert camo patterns, though I think the camera washed out the color a bit.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwaO1Io1ahAIkNKgJtXXb7IMKx-TSdwKC44niCK5Nf6cUAZWKNuPn3E9ECmVuPsw3ZnChAnbwLo4gPSqxSqV_FGv_7GX5NoLZdhkAZ7dPptoTy5PuUEI3i0RHZISx4fkdipg7PD9g0Auw/s1600-h/Hydra+5+resized.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 298px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwaO1Io1ahAIkNKgJtXXb7IMKx-TSdwKC44niCK5Nf6cUAZWKNuPn3E9ECmVuPsw3ZnChAnbwLo4gPSqxSqV_FGv_7GX5NoLZdhkAZ7dPptoTy5PuUEI3i0RHZISx4fkdipg7PD9g0Auw/s320/Hydra+5+resized.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377717717105283954" /></a><br /><br />I also added a lot of bullet and shell holes or dents. The contrast between uniform tan and blackened, scorched holes really makes the tank look like a beat-up piece of crap, I think. The overall image I wanted to project was a tank that was in a battle and perhaps got a track knocked out or was overrun by enemy troops, was looted by the Pact, and then immediately put into use in the same battle against the Imperials. Presumably later on, after the battle, they'd file off the Imperial symbols, paint the tank red, and adorn it with trophies.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO32wHvpjuB321ZO38A-fpiwYPYYCfygbzaWzduGN0JM3uqv6zCmqxJnBRN-qMDDhhnbfdjv9enApaagpYb9eURilrYdr53htDnKk2t1G__pgoKLM2r36XAV-ujrAOGKACT-OdId_DpPc/s1600-h/Hydra+7+resized.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 257px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO32wHvpjuB321ZO38A-fpiwYPYYCfygbzaWzduGN0JM3uqv6zCmqxJnBRN-qMDDhhnbfdjv9enApaagpYb9eURilrYdr53htDnKk2t1G__pgoKLM2r36XAV-ujrAOGKACT-OdId_DpPc/s320/Hydra+7+resized.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377718264832010162" /></a> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN4eftHW5Zh1IYe1rUEb9yb3itOJvaVgbA7b7iGA6tX_oD2DA-6TwCkBsdlLPxpSIvWljzVz2_85Yxkvh39QgucS7AYRIIGUu9PXtsodWiXRzWjg2i0CSIx-x1tsdc9llSAE7FyCC_YrA/s1600-h/Hydra+3+resized.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 251px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN4eftHW5Zh1IYe1rUEb9yb3itOJvaVgbA7b7iGA6tX_oD2DA-6TwCkBsdlLPxpSIvWljzVz2_85Yxkvh39QgucS7AYRIIGUu9PXtsodWiXRzWjg2i0CSIx-x1tsdc9llSAE7FyCC_YrA/s320/Hydra+3+resized.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377718778195262530" /></a><br /><br />Oh, and my wife pointed out that the Pact tank commander couldn't use his binoculars with his grotesk on. I hadn't thought of that. ><<br /><br />So what's next in my slow (apologies) march to completion? I've got three things on the table:<br /><ul><li>Finish modeling the Loxatl<br /><li>Finish painting Pater Sin<br /><li>Convert & paint Skarwael</li></ul><br /><br />Loxatl will probably be first, since I've been putting them off for so long.<br /><br />I also managed to procure a Mandrake model to use as the base for Skarwael, so he'll be straightforward. <i>Sabbat Martyr</i> describes Skarwael as pale and hairless (sounds like all Dark Eldar!), dressed in black leather, with a cloak of stitched human skin. So I've got some green stuff work to do, but he'll be a blast to paint.<br /><br />Oh! And I treated myself this week to something I've wanted for a long time: The <a href="http://www.paintier.com/Paintier80.html">Paintier 80</a> paint pot carousel. My wife finally decided she wanted to paint the Baneblade I bought her (she asked for one for our wedding anniversary!), so we needed somewhere to store all the paints so we could both access them. That was all the excuse I needed. ;) The Paintier is extremely well-made and looks great. It rotates on ball bearings, so it's incredibly smooth-rotating. I'm sure it's possible to make something similar, for less money, but I'm a big fan of products that make things easier. The Paintier totally does that.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy-c-OqgS6chT6E0WZM-a1vSvgY9thcByrF7xqWHN7uhRb8Xof6pBQA3bEnLumL6oBj301j2UMi0fCm_K-iaEp4VXXogJlmGVmjWBScRNbHJv7Ohhw9eccfhijehthPsAS305KcVHM-Qk/s1600-h/Hydra+083.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy-c-OqgS6chT6E0WZM-a1vSvgY9thcByrF7xqWHN7uhRb8Xof6pBQA3bEnLumL6oBj301j2UMi0fCm_K-iaEp4VXXogJlmGVmjWBScRNbHJv7Ohhw9eccfhijehthPsAS305KcVHM-Qk/s400/Hydra+083.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377724939244878642" /></a><br />Also, a tip - if you buy one of these, get it from <a href="http://www.frpgames.com/new/index.php?">FRP Games</a> or <a href="http://www.thewarstore.com">The Warstore</a>- they sell them for $40 and $45 USD respectively, instead of $50 from the manufacturer's website. Depending on shipping costs (FRP's shipping cost is location-based, while Warstore's is a flat $4.95 domestic), one or the other may end up saving you a bit of money.Erichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03976761719483812386noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4044609419205665295.post-10838924629025236502009-07-13T18:07:00.000-07:002009-07-13T19:12:46.223-07:00Eyeballs, Skulls, and other Anatomy<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVmBtiaS4OaYBQWV8BmLm-zeaLIbZth2-aAkemG-zBNWFgM69VahcOvsduFFjWyRGgPyFjNM1SjVYKIujBj6ScgsthjgH-UUHepHqJ-BfEY41g6LF88hCczcmY7aE9i7dWIm5cAf0aLvM/s1600-h/Completed+008.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 228px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVmBtiaS4OaYBQWV8BmLm-zeaLIbZth2-aAkemG-zBNWFgM69VahcOvsduFFjWyRGgPyFjNM1SjVYKIujBj6ScgsthjgH-UUHepHqJ-BfEY41g6LF88hCczcmY7aE9i7dWIm5cAf0aLvM/s400/Completed+008.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358116899872667154" /></a><br />At long last, my (new IG codex) Veterans are finished! With the completion of these four guys, the squad is ready to go and I can move on to bigger and better things. You'll notice that I went back to the rest of the squad and painted everyone's eyeballs - I figured that since I'm putting in all this time converting my models, I should put in the effort to do their eyes. I think it adds a lot to the models that they might have been missing before - as a result I'm going to paint the eyes of all the models I've finished so far. Luckily I've got it down to a science now, so it should only take a couple hours.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS4aJENhUQLmp1QSeeRS2WiHNKraF7ADMeejl07lHXWLuo0Yhb1NIKsLWCYEj9GYdUUalEBG02fE46miRqnLab_AmSXWBGKds5CQtOWWogGp9EgIX8l_L6R3ERvWUmXSJPicMy4dkUJ9c/s1600-h/Completed+002.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 121px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS4aJENhUQLmp1QSeeRS2WiHNKraF7ADMeejl07lHXWLuo0Yhb1NIKsLWCYEj9GYdUUalEBG02fE46miRqnLab_AmSXWBGKds5CQtOWWogGp9EgIX8l_L6R3ERvWUmXSJPicMy4dkUJ9c/s320/Completed+002.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358117118532689026" /></a><br /><br />I also received a package from Fortress Figures last week - skulls! Skulls! And also skulls!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx9OnzuNKiXO-lfg4QgLR_QDgA33kxr2Zeqrzcem50bBHyAzj_M6sEw_PwQrnbgGTfah-0DyxKGgTK7Sb2gHUweJI1jp9zU6fIqsw9jjXmx_pkhSxg5xGuojOHv_tR-widwneHoLH96H0/s1600-h/Hydra+042.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx9OnzuNKiXO-lfg4QgLR_QDgA33kxr2Zeqrzcem50bBHyAzj_M6sEw_PwQrnbgGTfah-0DyxKGgTK7Sb2gHUweJI1jp9zU6fIqsw9jjXmx_pkhSxg5xGuojOHv_tR-widwneHoLH96H0/s320/Hydra+042.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358119939718321634" /></a><br /><br />That's 132 skulls, for less than $30. Now I can put skulls everywhere. Khornate decorating for everyone!<br /><br />What else is new? Well, I sometimes feel like I have so many different units on the go, it's hard to keep track.<ul><br /><li>Today I received a package of Tyranid bitz from Col. Gravis, so I can finish my test Loxatl model.<br /><li>2nd Plt Command (sniper squad) needs green stuff work, then they're ready to paint.<br /><li>Skarwael/Marbo is on hold while I find a good Dark Eldar model to use; I'm thinking of using a regular plastic Raider with extensive green stuff work, or an actual Mandrake model with slightly less green stuff work.<br /><li>I'll have Pater Sin painted later this week, since I managed to get to the store for the right paints.<br /><li>My Hydra Flak Tank is pretty much finished (keep reading)!</ul><br /><br />If all that's not enough, I'm also finishing painting my entry for <a href="http://pitoftheoni.blogspot.com">Pit of the Oni</a>'s painting competition. I'm doing Dark Angels Chapter Master Azrael, for no other reason than he was in my bitz box and he's something that's not Imperial Guard. :) Since it's a painting competition, I want the best photos possible, so I'm getting a professional photographer friend to take the photos with his equipment. He's done this for me once before, and the results were stellar. Look for those on Pit of the Oni next Monday, and if you like my entry, vote for me!<br /><br />From <i>Only in Death</i>:<br /><br /><i>"Up here," Hark told them. They'd gone a decent way from the crash site. At his urgings, they clambered up onto a shelving outcrop of rock and got down.<br />Down below, two Leman Russ battle tanks rolled into view, lamps blazing. Dust wafted from their churning treads. Behind them, a Hydra flak tank, its quartet of long autocannons raised to the sky, clattered to a halt. Figured moved in the dust, infantrymen escorting the armour on foot.<br />"Fifty-two," Twenzet said. "Look, on the hull! Fifty-two. It's a Cadogus unit. Bless the Throne!" He started to get up. Hark pulled him down flat.<br />"Look again," Hark whispered.<br />The hull plating on the tanks was gouged and scorched in places. None of the vehicles seemed to be in the best repair. They appeared to have kit bags or sacking strapped to their prows. Twenzet peered more closely.<br />The objects weren't kit bags. They were the brutalized corpses of men in khaki battledress, strung across the front fenders of the tanks with barbed wire, like trophies. The bodies lolled and jerked as the tanks ground to a standstill.<br />The infantry moved on, past the waiting tanks, towards the burning shell of the Valkyrie. The twilight made their long coats and fatigue jackets look mauve.<br />Twenzet saw the iron masks covering their faces.</i><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMdVSG_ITyvZFHdYFSLnPEk2-6eRX3_2bVRMhgqpJzhvC8Xq03xmdcy3xaZsea-Ke8Y67gTWWxsD_00hfsCBsvyJ9LRh12u_p1FV6UicamrZRJQaYOYnqvph81KZQqPKVvODaE5oIVxMI/s1600-h/Hydra+054.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 360px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMdVSG_ITyvZFHdYFSLnPEk2-6eRX3_2bVRMhgqpJzhvC8Xq03xmdcy3xaZsea-Ke8Y67gTWWxsD_00hfsCBsvyJ9LRh12u_p1FV6UicamrZRJQaYOYnqvph81KZQqPKVvODaE5oIVxMI/s400/Hydra+054.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358123669356825874" /></a><br />This is my Hydra! It was a pretty straightforward conversion; I started with an old already-built Chimera that I got in a trade at some point. I had to chop away the top first, then I filled in the back using plasticard. I added a rear hatch, bolts, and the turret rotating base bit to the top.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBweHiDvZBlXADhw_JAvqjCjYI4MKSCb9xocNAvP0NiFV8s_hPEGX0ISRryQ1EBjY-Tnd35ZH4pYe2LEh0x2c8rU9Vs8dS4iqD6e82S39wRRIWLqOH3JGOrzNauyu7GDzkKxd00IuY8jA/s1600-h/Hydra+013.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 310px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBweHiDvZBlXADhw_JAvqjCjYI4MKSCb9xocNAvP0NiFV8s_hPEGX0ISRryQ1EBjY-Tnd35ZH4pYe2LEh0x2c8rU9Vs8dS4iqD6e82S39wRRIWLqOH3JGOrzNauyu7GDzkKxd00IuY8jA/s400/Hydra+013.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358124452623391906" /></a><br />Next I built the turret out of plasticard. I did some research on anti-aircraft tanks, and discovered that the Forge World Hydra isn't very accurate; usually AA tanks have both a search radar and a tracking radar. One is the round bit at the front of the turret, and the other is the more traditional-looking radar dish on the top of the turret. To make these, I took the round hatch from the Leman Russ front hull weapon mounting, attached to the back of a searchlight. For the top radar, I used a heavily-cut and modified dozer blade. I also added gubbinz to the top from a junk Land Raider I had.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn1S18hzHxMPMu040OvB8ClUx1fHkWW3waSkmSmCUdCSJo54dJMj2UjkJy1kAZsGS_h94G5jQOzrW_G1A3TW9gPKKItjtwf6CE1huAISv2-ysLh10km0MgL80l6pnUIXGs1UZwV_oGR1o/s1600-h/Hydra+025.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 318px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn1S18hzHxMPMu040OvB8ClUx1fHkWW3waSkmSmCUdCSJo54dJMj2UjkJy1kAZsGS_h94G5jQOzrW_G1A3TW9gPKKItjtwf6CE1huAISv2-ysLh10km0MgL80l6pnUIXGs1UZwV_oGR1o/s400/Hydra+025.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358125629412815554" /></a><br />The parts that connect the guns to the turret are simply Chaos tank hatches, connected through the middle of the turret with an axle made of a long bit of sprue. This way they rotate together, though I had to do some careful cutting to make sure they wouldn't sag when the guns were attached.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj65ugcYusupjAKMTt7kDxxExXJLlszJWkkMqrttyjJajxCD4b-tEDzJGcWxfWCfN5oKkMIIesrzJsWutex0ap6VxSviMIJc1nv2ToQzwgVbWU4WuxKfoL8pvlavfjsl2coSzwqk43C3R4/s1600-h/Hydra+030.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj65ugcYusupjAKMTt7kDxxExXJLlszJWkkMqrttyjJajxCD4b-tEDzJGcWxfWCfN5oKkMIIesrzJsWutex0ap6VxSviMIJc1nv2ToQzwgVbWU4WuxKfoL8pvlavfjsl2coSzwqk43C3R4/s400/Hydra+030.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358127177775654914" /></a><br />The guns themselves posed a challenge, due to their size. For the base, I used a pair of old 2nd Edition metal Sentinel engines. I connected empty pens to these, then capped them with the smokestacks from the junk Land Raider. Finally, I added autocannon ammo drums that I made from plasticard. They don't look much like the Forge World autocannons, but I'm happy with them. I'm also going to wrap them in barbed wire, which should really make them much more interesting.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL-0HA6scO4DqVowuoD5qpK4w9CPiyBKmLMRxJo6qa_fhtJxyRLIuOeBDa3hDw4ixRO-BVUH6EE1NECa5UmMd8RD1FxBcZJsmf_e2a1-MZj3O0RJuxs5R5g9RSUXqv0eqDNJBnSF3Q8_A/s1600-h/Hydra+037.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 341px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL-0HA6scO4DqVowuoD5qpK4w9CPiyBKmLMRxJo6qa_fhtJxyRLIuOeBDa3hDw4ixRO-BVUH6EE1NECa5UmMd8RD1FxBcZJsmf_e2a1-MZj3O0RJuxs5R5g9RSUXqv0eqDNJBnSF3Q8_A/s400/Hydra+037.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358128069788226354" /></a><br />Once I pinned the guns to the turret, it was pretty much complete! Next I had to add a Blood Pact commander and the poor unfortunate Cadogus 52nd trooper, strung to the front of the tank, as described in <i>Only in Death</i>. Some quick cuts and green stuff had my trooper ready to go, but how to make barbed wire? Well, I found a fantastic tutorial on the <a href="http://forums.relicnews.com/showthread.php?t=76879">Relic News forums</a>. All it took was some wire and creative twisting and cuts, and voila! I've just got to add some more to bind the trooper's arms - making the barbed wire is fairly time-consuming.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNZ0oX1bc6v8Y3gLefh0nHfJru9Shs2Q6I3lwQsj0X96f8hPU8F3NUAOCbacktol-io4VmgLWASzYS85fuUkN0_g-dwLStHXNTqPcmkIBG6N0yt31NXsBnT63cjEfC_R9KsHqaOC6ZudQ/s1600-h/Hydra+052.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 360px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNZ0oX1bc6v8Y3gLefh0nHfJru9Shs2Q6I3lwQsj0X96f8hPU8F3NUAOCbacktol-io4VmgLWASzYS85fuUkN0_g-dwLStHXNTqPcmkIBG6N0yt31NXsBnT63cjEfC_R9KsHqaOC6ZudQ/s400/Hydra+052.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358129296544146066" /></a><br /><br />I may add another Cadogus trooper bound to the top of the search radar on the top of the tank. It seems like a good spot.<br /><br />Now, I've got to get back to the salt mines and finish my entry for the painting competition, so that I can get it photographed tomorrow. I want to add the finishing touches to the Hydra this week, though, so I can paint it by the weekend. Since it's freshly looted, it'll be in Cadogus colors - desert khaki, with lots of bullet holes, scorch marks, and blood!Erichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03976761719483812386noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4044609419205665295.post-68232478856478678142009-06-25T18:51:00.000-07:002009-06-25T20:22:46.280-07:00Finished Vets, Pater Sin, and moreI am constantly in awe of those who can manipulate green stuff so precisely as to create something that looks as if it were part of the model. I'm not sure whether it's a natural talent, experience and time, or just luck, but after working so much with green stuff, I'm still puzzled at how some modelers achieve such great things. Hair, straps, filling in spliced joints; these are easy to do with a little practice. But masks are something created from scratch - and it's things created from scratch that are the most difficult (for me, at least). I will admit that I am getting a lot better - and faster - at creating these things, though. While I still feel like an amateur in many respects, my newest masks are much better in comparison to my first ones, and I'm now very comfortable creating them. Each one ends up being unique, depending on how the green stuff is moving for me - I can't really explain that, I guess it's sort of like how an abstract painter would describe how they create their paintings. As a result, each Trooper seems to have his own emotions and personality - even if they're all bad ones. ;)<br /><br />This morning I finished the Hardened Vet redshirts I've been working on, so they're next up for priming and painting (the guy on the far left is my favorite):<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRtwZ8yOibKuJGjgagPdzQVkVN2JWkxH5BsG-6_CeOxsXeh8acuTT4xTEyoCs7an0RPrSXUIdvBLStYGz2vSlg9CsyI5olRiu359xMq5Jnt42vRwv2WgNjbnwBvZWlVoS0ovELJWF3G7Y/s1600-h/Vets+finished+resized.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 154px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRtwZ8yOibKuJGjgagPdzQVkVN2JWkxH5BsG-6_CeOxsXeh8acuTT4xTEyoCs7an0RPrSXUIdvBLStYGz2vSlg9CsyI5olRiu359xMq5Jnt42vRwv2WgNjbnwBvZWlVoS0ovELJWF3G7Y/s400/Vets+finished+resized.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5351449002837015666" /></a><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmwqnMu1_aSPXvqWNI9u576dpIEeXLQiAfFDClmIjYLNR4FpgvcRpAbX5_5mjuAkQ-hxZmMpephBlt7h1fpQC176_1doX6yMHcMf2dVXn0gv7pHDCNiJj-JMdDo1xNPWsoTO6psHGowBg/s1600-h/Blood+Pact+088.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 152px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmwqnMu1_aSPXvqWNI9u576dpIEeXLQiAfFDClmIjYLNR4FpgvcRpAbX5_5mjuAkQ-hxZmMpephBlt7h1fpQC176_1doX6yMHcMf2dVXn0gv7pHDCNiJj-JMdDo1xNPWsoTO6psHGowBg/s320/Blood+Pact+088.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5351451148514855954" /></a> Next on the list, as far as troops, is this squad, my second 'static' squad with Plasma/Missile launcher. They're all ready for masks (my hobby life is a never-ending mess of green stuff!), which hopefully I can churn through in the next week. My bitz box is full of chainswords for some reason, so I've been adding more to my line troopers to give them more of a melee feel. Ah! And I just noticed in the picture that the Plasma Gun's barrel needs drilling. Wouldn't want to miss that, it would ruin my OCD streak of perfectionism. Any of you guys ever have to tell yourself, "Put the glue down and prime the damn model already, or you'll never be finished!"? :P<br /><br />Next up - Pater Sin! I'd thought about making a psyker squad with him at its head, but I didn't really want to go for the psyker squad. I did, however, want the opportunity to model Sin, as he's a very cool character from the <i>Gaunt's Ghosts</i> series:<br /><br /><i>Once it had become clear that Saint Sabbat was reborn on Herodor, the Chaos forces, led by Magister Enok Innokenti, quickly launched an all-out attack on the planet in the hope of killing or capturing the Saint. Along with the Chaos army came a different force, a group of assassins known as 'The Nine': A marksman; three psykers; three lizards; a phantom; a death machine.</i><br /><br />Pater Sin is one of the three psykers, and is described as <i>"A large figure wrapped in silk green robes. Well over two metres, built of corded muscle, with skin, where it showed past the rich emerald silk, decorated with the filthy tattoos of the Infardi cult. An image of the Emperor tortured and agonised was tattooed across his left cheek and forehead, with Sin's bloodshot left eye forming the screaming mouth. Sin's teeth were sharpened steel implants. He smelled of sweat and cinnamon and decay."</i><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFuq-2Q_1MioDSFzVtwdzZ11DLOUiuzxWnie2Up5UZqN0pYuG_oap5BbXV-Erj8Xq7hBzk8a_Gs2lhWtWVRjtoDFPHjzmfViPZW5w-eV21Leoa-4ZyDLhjNumwry6y_yJH-YRgKvtb9Qs/s1600-h/Pater+Sin+resized.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFuq-2Q_1MioDSFzVtwdzZ11DLOUiuzxWnie2Up5UZqN0pYuG_oap5BbXV-Erj8Xq7hBzk8a_Gs2lhWtWVRjtoDFPHjzmfViPZW5w-eV21Leoa-4ZyDLhjNumwry6y_yJH-YRgKvtb9Qs/s400/Pater+Sin+resized.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5351458247075907778" /></a>When I reworked my list, I decided that he'd fit well as a Priest, since my HQ is close-range/melee-oriented. So, a month back I converted up a model using Catachan arms and head, a skull reliquary stolen from the Black Templar upgrade sprue, the Baneblade Commander body, and much green stuff. I added an Eviscerator (made from two Space Marine chainswords) and called him good. I've got his skin painted, minus the tattoos, and I tried to do a couple basecoats on the robes, but unfortunately I don't have the greens I need to paint it in emerald. After a couple tries doing highlights with different mixes of greens, I put him on hold, hence why he looks cruddy. :P I only have a couple greens (Dark Angels Green, Catachan Green, and Camo Green, none of which are the right kind), so I'll have to pick up emerald of some kind before long to finish him, because I really like how the model turned out, epsecially the Evil Goatee™. He seemed like the type of guy who'd have one.<br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiErdPfi-beuZpf_p5CV56usiy8baftwOcYfKmAqvgZqb1Jqw8lPwzy7KmQEfJZH7yoLPJQYSNj4Apg13Sqi-jmafPQJNFxgdzRsgTjHP3sXEJRy78F9OKiPmwt1Dp19SkXxhEIDg2U_j4/s1600-h/Loxatl+resized.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 245px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiErdPfi-beuZpf_p5CV56usiy8baftwOcYfKmAqvgZqb1Jqw8lPwzy7KmQEfJZH7yoLPJQYSNj4Apg13Sqi-jmafPQJNFxgdzRsgTjHP3sXEJRy78F9OKiPmwt1Dp19SkXxhEIDg2U_j4/s320/Loxatl+resized.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5351460417669066962" /></a>Lastly: My Loxatl! Unfortunately this guy is also on hold, because I don't have the parts I need to finish him: Specifically, Genestealer hands. My modeling-fu is not good enough to sculpt their claws/hands from scratch, so I figure genestealer claw/hands will work well. But I don't have any! If anyone has a whole bunch of them, and you're interested in trading or selling, let me know! In the meantime, I'll probably finish up everything else - the arms/legs need a scaly texture, the belly needs tidying up, and I have yet to build the flechette blaster. <br /><br />There's also one more of The Nine that I want to build... the phantom. His name is Skarwael, and he's a Dark Eldar Mandrake who infiltrates his way past the Imperials to assassinate the Saint. In the books, he is a freaking <i>hardcore</i> creepy stealther. And which IG special character is a stealthy, slip-from-the-shadows-and-murderize-you-with-a-knife sonuvabitch?<br /><br />That's right - Sly Marbo will be making an appearance in my army list, as Skarwael. Imperials, watch out...Erichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03976761719483812386noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4044609419205665295.post-39189472085883708162009-06-24T14:25:00.000-07:002009-06-24T15:05:07.839-07:00New StuffIn the (oops) month or two since my last post, I managed to get a whole whack of stuff done, but none that was worth blogging about until just recently. So! First off, I completed another squad with a Grenade and Missile Launcher.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEistAIxvIzj-KotlRJH_1bM0D9bpFkkiQjy9e7xN_8-7C1K68O5ubjPQu1ouh1CvUFvTm4gnD_RC0WJzvZvHMolyh3zGH6ZbJIO22lHzOwB4mpFFZ4N6LWnFt3QZpbqT6FeWW8zveRE4hA/s1600-h/Squad+2+resized.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 192px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEistAIxvIzj-KotlRJH_1bM0D9bpFkkiQjy9e7xN_8-7C1K68O5ubjPQu1ouh1CvUFvTm4gnD_RC0WJzvZvHMolyh3zGH6ZbJIO22lHzOwB4mpFFZ4N6LWnFt3QZpbqT6FeWW8zveRE4hA/s320/Squad+2+resized.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5351012554198401026" /></a><br />After I'd completed my first squad, there were a couple of things I knew I wanted to improve upon - I didn't want the Catachan heads to be identifiable (which meant removing the bandanas and adding hair), I wanted more troops with helmets on their heads (which meant chopping and splicing heads and helmets), and I wanted their masks to have straps instead of just magically staying on their faces (though one could argue that they might bolt them to their faces). This is the first painted squad I have with all those improvements implemented. I've also increased the amount of gear that they're carrying. Here are some front-and-back views:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4-w8W9soSQfl-A2pb_ItnaXzWS6IymL-pET8ttwZWuPFTMsOI0JYGWnwAGQt4heU2tvCL4mSfCHNh-ln2d6P68c6SXlHK6pNX_S4MyWvnM6658uHYYS5TOKACcVXCDrew-88YPHfUgxE/s1600-h/Blood+Pact+half.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 328px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4-w8W9soSQfl-A2pb_ItnaXzWS6IymL-pET8ttwZWuPFTMsOI0JYGWnwAGQt4heU2tvCL4mSfCHNh-ln2d6P68c6SXlHK6pNX_S4MyWvnM6658uHYYS5TOKACcVXCDrew-88YPHfUgxE/s400/Blood+Pact+half.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5351015943808714978" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC9CvlkyvFpWPe-1CclONIQb2oOqpwo5jfrR50i9jAId_LEhrtlJddF_zw4NeCbGKiCbGEo1RSVfsu6FV_mlVWulKxU97zWoNACJTYMYakhg_wipxIGUZOxs1dE20GQssODEr3QsQNuak/s1600-h/Blood+Pact+half2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC9CvlkyvFpWPe-1CclONIQb2oOqpwo5jfrR50i9jAId_LEhrtlJddF_zw4NeCbGKiCbGEo1RSVfsu6FV_mlVWulKxU97zWoNACJTYMYakhg_wipxIGUZOxs1dE20GQssODEr3QsQNuak/s400/Blood+Pact+half2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5351016108071723922" /></a><br /><br />With the new IG codex, I ended up reworking my list slightly to add in another squad and some different weapons. Now I've essentially got a static infantry platoon with 3x Missile/Plas squads, and a mobile platoon with 2x Missile/Grenade launcher squads in Chimeras. My already-completed Platoon HQ squad will function as the mobile platoon's HQ.<br /><br />For the static platoon, I went for shooty: JO w/Bolter and 4x sniper rifles, figuring that it'd make for some interesting conversions. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyAZNh50ieC4ja_RNxe4l-mM4zEhWS6NCDwO4uWKmDrRrF3UdH9cuwvEGeA7li7Xsa5v_k8GJtrWm7pSjuW6tUio4co6gVm7-Fbeqyw9R_I0Mwy7XvBK1Vu8V3-5INblycEWMK4s6aRhA/s1600-h/Blood+Pact+076.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 125px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyAZNh50ieC4ja_RNxe4l-mM4zEhWS6NCDwO4uWKmDrRrF3UdH9cuwvEGeA7li7Xsa5v_k8GJtrWm7pSjuW6tUio4co6gVm7-Fbeqyw9R_I0Mwy7XvBK1Vu8V3-5INblycEWMK4s6aRhA/s320/Blood+Pact+076.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5351015159804876994" /></a>I had 4 Scout Sniper torsos left over from making my commander, so I used those and spliced Cadian arms onto them. The one on the left is (obviously) finished, and I'll be giving the others their heads this week. I also have the JO w/Bolter ready for mask-ing. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7__xBTICS3mePITVhXmAqoEiFl7LyIL35Jf_Xn2vjIee09HBsU8CdBGkWPEHRxbdOlVHBtPPtHarXZXGxBxSUa7egiHw4f0pfDokIvGvvhAhSythMoZ-f4EP5CPKgKFO-Mmhe2EUmMnA/s1600-h/Blood+Pact+081.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 250px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7__xBTICS3mePITVhXmAqoEiFl7LyIL35Jf_Xn2vjIee09HBsU8CdBGkWPEHRxbdOlVHBtPPtHarXZXGxBxSUa7egiHw4f0pfDokIvGvvhAhSythMoZ-f4EP5CPKgKFO-Mmhe2EUmMnA/s320/Blood+Pact+081.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5351016431220706802" /></a><br /><br />The other loose end I'm tying up is my Veteran squad. My four redshirts (as it were) are just about ready for their masks and then painting:<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtIG4DXI4eD1l4ZyS-7u_4Ag_Nj4JdSg4Ii3GDhAaXFftRlgiwq8tB52ktGIwO5M_hrrXSHmdkutNwmmY53FMCq3FwljtRTd2Gt1ajjJddwCW8VEIOXG1r_Iy8GwdduHHSG6zH13k477c/s1600-h/Blood+Pact+083.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 162px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtIG4DXI4eD1l4ZyS-7u_4Ag_Nj4JdSg4Ii3GDhAaXFftRlgiwq8tB52ktGIwO5M_hrrXSHmdkutNwmmY53FMCq3FwljtRTd2Gt1ajjJddwCW8VEIOXG1r_Iy8GwdduHHSG6zH13k477c/s320/Blood+Pact+083.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5351016841054173458" /></a><br /><br />I've got some other bits and pieces with pics, but I'll blog about them in tomorrow's post. To finish this post, here's a pic of the completed portion of my Blood Pact army. One HQ, two Troops, two Heavy Supports, and one Fast Attack! Yay!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBdtqxA3cTlCtGOfyPJDHLiOYepOl4-AK0oFpNwZgvJJ_qV2TeQV9_4nI0jiBlIcT1d6LItyOC_CUIN6mEycTbGhnby6xp5AoAKsII15NxJmNejSSmU4_-8ncd9QXsmvI_m1D0xzcHoFU/s1600-h/Army+resized.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 183px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBdtqxA3cTlCtGOfyPJDHLiOYepOl4-AK0oFpNwZgvJJ_qV2TeQV9_4nI0jiBlIcT1d6LItyOC_CUIN6mEycTbGhnby6xp5AoAKsII15NxJmNejSSmU4_-8ncd9QXsmvI_m1D0xzcHoFU/s400/Army+resized.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5351017850106101570" /></a>Erichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03976761719483812386noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4044609419205665295.post-76889868572377942092009-04-28T17:50:00.000-07:002009-04-28T22:18:14.977-07:00Death Brigade/Veteran mini-squadFinally! A rather large last-minute project for work intervened, but I've managed to turn this...<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBQ7FfpcsJKw_gmHWfa-2PQ_6MbogLruDE_P4VLxGGKZPfJHTpKNAtnmQEd9XdBM0D6qU6-jM-6z8nsSVD64FWRl3OiApcE_7qlbyvdtTRfP-uIgT-vUOrOhZaYZsjfmzFZKzStDYA4cw/s1600-h/WIP+006.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBQ7FfpcsJKw_gmHWfa-2PQ_6MbogLruDE_P4VLxGGKZPfJHTpKNAtnmQEd9XdBM0D6qU6-jM-6z8nsSVD64FWRl3OiApcE_7qlbyvdtTRfP-uIgT-vUOrOhZaYZsjfmzFZKzStDYA4cw/s400/WIP+006.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329910825533036882" /></a><br /><br />...into this.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4XOimhsB3OO6Vw6dLummVvMXc_RimlMitS85vL8aMTsUtxfhZkMIsHUMm0jqJu1HaHZuMxnvdXh1hmaze2zeidJ7F2W3BeHUP3n7iPhfrfPOlem8UYhjdOQjyw08OpXZ0Ns2mYCLIphY/s1600-h/Death+Brigade+011.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 222px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4XOimhsB3OO6Vw6dLummVvMXc_RimlMitS85vL8aMTsUtxfhZkMIsHUMm0jqJu1HaHZuMxnvdXh1hmaze2zeidJ7F2W3BeHUP3n7iPhfrfPOlem8UYhjdOQjyw08OpXZ0Ns2mYCLIphY/s400/Death+Brigade+011.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329910013999683442" /></a><br />My mini-squad (as it were) of hardened veterans is equipped with three plasma guns and a missile launcher. I also added all sorts of secondary and melee weapons to their backpacks, figuring that they'd be extremely well-equipped.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvnzV8uNTAXpvf3RCSd05em4KyvlPKeNYuvYZkPTnP0IEdjZNSI96q68V4mGk6_a8tNa4bIaehwUle2wyd3Pq0KAUu2zS2xo7a8oDdy2mLG15uWLWd2ognd-haHSPgxyhJunZ1rElkKkY/s1600-h/Death+Brigade+010.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvnzV8uNTAXpvf3RCSd05em4KyvlPKeNYuvYZkPTnP0IEdjZNSI96q68V4mGk6_a8tNa4bIaehwUle2wyd3Pq0KAUu2zS2xo7a8oDdy2mLG15uWLWd2ognd-haHSPgxyhJunZ1rElkKkY/s400/Death+Brigade+010.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329910665406531634" /></a><br />The sergeant presented a problem: In the old codex, he was equipped with a Storm Bolter. However, since Storm Bolters are no longer an option for them in the new codex, I was stuck. To break down the model would take reworking that I didn't want to do, and besides, the model looks neat. So what to do? My salvation comes in the form of <b>Gunnery Sergeant Harker</b>, one of the new special characters. My codex hasn't arrived (though it did ship today from the Warstore), but the rumors spake thusly:<br /><br /><i>Catachan Devil Gunnery Sergeant "Stonetooth" Harker. Veterans Upgrade. Armed with “Payback” Heavy Bolter. FNP, Relentless, Catachan Devils (him and squad Infiltrate, Stealth and Move Through Cover). His may not take Grenadiers.</i><br /><br />Feel No Pain is certainly a Blood Pact-esque trait. And the Blood Pact are highly-skilled soldiers; infiltrating is certainly something their veterans would be good at. But the best part? The Heavy Bolter that he can move and shoot. Not only is it <i>freaking awesome</i> for a shooty plasma Vet squad, but my Storm Bolter Sergeant fits the part perfectly, no conversions required. Yes, the actual model is using a Storm Bolter, but it's more than sufficient to represent a Heavy Bolter in both size and ammo (ever seen the Last Chancer Ox model?). So, I guess Gunnery Sergeant Harker is added to my list! I can't wait to see that squad Outflank in their Chimera and shoot the heck out of the rear of the enemy.<br /><br />Now, I've still got to fill out the other four members of the squad with shotgun-toting veterans. Here are two that I've put together, minus the heads.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOWE-LdXMR6VqiWymsob8jWY5iqspMNoUrGYIVjmkRJs2D5tDc7OL_32qyCYPFggRqSCdp2fUUBVXTwVtuVAmn_ylYRjAq6GJl_pPCtR6qHiEt9aIOomb1RyRso_4o5RYEr6ss_jtd_g4/s1600-h/WIP+103.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOWE-LdXMR6VqiWymsob8jWY5iqspMNoUrGYIVjmkRJs2D5tDc7OL_32qyCYPFggRqSCdp2fUUBVXTwVtuVAmn_ylYRjAq6GJl_pPCtR6qHiEt9aIOomb1RyRso_4o5RYEr6ss_jtd_g4/s400/WIP+103.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329913521427833058" /></a><br /><br />Once my codex arrives (along with heads for the remaining veterans), I'll know a bit more about how to rework my list. In the meantime, I'm going to try and get this Loxatl built. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsyMI6FHdL8V2uiaJ-_5MvrMkyopXSJx2TyT_1cz60-NlIw-8fXJOA8nM54NLNXRLfYDlnoM8O7F8cZ_YmmoGNlVggwZUdRlVmcogl6e8JtiLxuebHdoJvE0o-iomhEQfM9ffhNKF5qLQ/s1600-h/WIP+104.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 160px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsyMI6FHdL8V2uiaJ-_5MvrMkyopXSJx2TyT_1cz60-NlIw-8fXJOA8nM54NLNXRLfYDlnoM8O7F8cZ_YmmoGNlVggwZUdRlVmcogl6e8JtiLxuebHdoJvE0o-iomhEQfM9ffhNKF5qLQ/s320/WIP+104.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329914060849412114" /></a><br />I've trimmed a lot from his underside, and flattened the shoulders and thighs. Then I added some sprue pieces to use as a base for the legs, though in the pic there's only the upper halves of the legs. I'll be sculpting the shape of the legs onto these pieces, then smoothing out the underside of his belly. At that point he should look something like a very scaly Komodo dragon - then it's just a matter of sculpting the flechette blaster harness and adding the blaster itself.Erichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03976761719483812386noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4044609419205665295.post-84751851764791860562009-04-20T11:44:00.000-07:002009-04-20T12:57:12.603-07:00IG Codex planningBit of an interlude while I finish up my Hardened Vet squad (they're almost done!). I figured it was about time I got a basic updated army list together, so that I could work out what I needed to buy. Well, I've got a new (rough) list put together, and best of all, it only required me to buy some more backpacks and heads. Don't get me wrong; I love the new models being released, but GW is releasing them around tax season, meaning that the budget is limited!<br /><br />My original list was geared towards total mobility and medium-range firepower. I decided to change up its focus a bit, to take better advantage of some of the new codex offerings, and so that I didn't have to build many new models. Here's what it's looking like, at a (<i>very</i> rough) estimated ~1500-1750 points, depending on wargear and exact model costs (I've been using the rumors to calculate).<br /><br /><table border=2 bordercolor=red><br /><b><u>HQ</u></b><ul><li>Command HQ Squad w/Chimera (Commander w/Power weapon, Standard Bearer, Heavy Flamer, 2 Meltaguns)</li><br /><li>Priest w/Eviscerator</li></ul><br /><br /><u><span style="font-weight:bold;">ELITES</span></u><ul><li>Loxatl Brood (3 Ogryns)</li></ul><br /><br /><u><span style="font-weight:bold;">TROOPS</span></u><br /><ul><li>'A' Platoon<br /><ul><li>'A' Platoon Command Squad (JO w/Bolter, 4 sniper rifles)<br /><li>Troop Squad 1 (Missile/Plasma Gun)<br /><li>Troop Squad 2 (Missile/Plasma Gun)<br /><li>Troop Squad 3 (Missile/Plasma Gun)</ul><br /><li>'B' Platoon<br /><ul><li>'B' Platoon Command Squad (JO w/Power weapon & Meltabombs, 1 Meltagun) in Chimera<br /><li>Troop Squad 1 (Missile/Grenade launcher) in Chimera<br /><li>Troop Squad 2 (Missile/Grenade launcher) in Chimera</li></ul><br /><li>Hardened Veteran Squad (Missile/3 Plasma Guns) in Chimera<br /><br /><li>Heavy Weapons Squad - 3 Mortars</ul><br /><br /><br /><b><u>FAST ATTACK</u></b><br /><ul><li>Stalk-Tank (Armored Sentinel w/Lascannon)<br /><br /><li>Banewolf (or Hellhound)</ul><br /><br /><b><u>HEAVY SUPPORT</u></b><br /><ul><li>Leman Russ<br /><br /><li>Leman Russ</ul><br /></table><br /><br />My list becomes a little less completely mobile, but adds some more troops that can provide a good firebase and support for the mobile squads. Also, since that leaves two extra Chimeras I have that I'm not using (and that are only partially built), I can convert one into a Banewolf. It also adds the Loxatl, which will be a neat conversion and provide some melee power.<br /><br />Right now it feels like this loadout has a decent amount of anti-armor capability, and strong anti-horde potential with the Russes, missile and grenade launchers, Banewolf/Hellhound, plus the ten heavy bolters on Chimeras. It's still a little small in terms of numbers, but I'm hoping that the flexibility and mobility will make up for that.<br /><br />So, what does this mean I need to build, in addition to everything I've got built so far?<br /><ul><li>Another infantry squad<br /><li>Some grenade launcher troopers<br /><li>Banewolf/Hellhound<br /><li>'A' Platoon command squad w/4 sniper rifles<br /><li>3 Loxatl<br /><li>3 Mortar teams</ul><br /><br />I've got some Dark Elf Cold Ones which I'll be using as the basis for my Loxatl; they're going to require major green stuff work, since I need to turn the bipedal Cold Ones into quadrupeds. To that end, I've got a test model underway.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia-TOiYlNthWsnUue3BM5R0jO1C2Xh4RlbTq2YibhjOuIkl_hYfn82WtQnc81My9EbQ7CyaFaGWOQ-ilracPmeNsRX_F4GY1R8J5xYlD9W5ZVijl90fqDCoxFlOXeGQXyTgkIT1ym-G8o/s1600-h/Loxatl+1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia-TOiYlNthWsnUue3BM5R0jO1C2Xh4RlbTq2YibhjOuIkl_hYfn82WtQnc81My9EbQ7CyaFaGWOQ-ilracPmeNsRX_F4GY1R8J5xYlD9W5ZVijl90fqDCoxFlOXeGQXyTgkIT1ym-G8o/s320/Loxatl+1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326862830523805442" /></a><br />It always feels vaguely sinful to hack up an untouched model for the good of conversions, doesn't it?<br /><br />I'll have my Hardened Vets finished painting soon, though on a read-through of the rumors I noticed that Vet squads are now 10-man only! So I'm building four more to fill out the squad. Since they use the Space Marine Scout heads, though, they won't be finished until my mail order from Battlewagon Bits arrives.<br /><br />Happy painting!Erichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03976761719483812386noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4044609419205665295.post-11520567822394926832009-04-15T13:46:00.000-07:002009-04-15T16:25:19.317-07:00More Blood Pact infantry, bases, and more<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9Hp_MVEzdDj3Bv9xunBSkCpe0tnoOjLy4Zf45XpWSE5caYcTXmQpXdJf46uT06WIX-3tOISZ_86HVrITiHxD-HasJ9UJAA9OYU6Pek8j8wDT5dlGIxAhIoAoGdcemSwPE-cQWnoGhlwA/s1600-h/WIP+010+resized.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9Hp_MVEzdDj3Bv9xunBSkCpe0tnoOjLy4Zf45XpWSE5caYcTXmQpXdJf46uT06WIX-3tOISZ_86HVrITiHxD-HasJ9UJAA9OYU6Pek8j8wDT5dlGIxAhIoAoGdcemSwPE-cQWnoGhlwA/s200/WIP+010+resized.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5325024178298300578" /></a> Got a lot done in the past week and a half (apologies regarding the lack of updates!). First, I received my 60mm textured bases! After reading about the Imperial Guard rumors surrounding Heavy Weapon Teams (specifically, that they're now a single base with two wounds), I ordered 12 industrial-themed 60mm resin bases from <a href="http://www.back2base-ix.com/index.php?_a=viewProd&productId=173">Back 2 Base-ix</a>. While I haven't seen the actual wording behind the rule, I've seen the IG summary sheet, which has the two-wound thing. Since I want to play this army in tournaments (maybe even a Grand Tournament, though I'm sure I'll lose horribly), I had to rebase. Despite Back 2 Base-ix being located in Australia, the bases only took a couple weeks to arrive. So, I rebased my one painted Missile Launcher team. These bases fit in very nicely with the smaller <a href="http://www.champindustries.net/bases.html">Champ Industries</a> bases I use.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhlq1pZr9XHpMFwxaVcFrTr1wnEVEyT3SgwQtWnmYHUKEUgZSMdCDopSO3Bg7dxYdRHONvocwa1XCSXOJ-P7CYjlIKOanUnCZK6ANJ1D7ggo8pw8iHFo0VqG5pZEZ15D-wnvW4995hpsY/s1600-h/WIP+099+resized.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 264px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhlq1pZr9XHpMFwxaVcFrTr1wnEVEyT3SgwQtWnmYHUKEUgZSMdCDopSO3Bg7dxYdRHONvocwa1XCSXOJ-P7CYjlIKOanUnCZK6ANJ1D7ggo8pw8iHFo0VqG5pZEZ15D-wnvW4995hpsY/s320/WIP+099+resized.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5325025028111504306" /></a><br /><br />Next, I completed 'A' Platoon's command squad. This one's a tank-hunting squad. Here's the Junior officer, Meltagunner, and close combat troopers before painting.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1ldKqi4b_dHZ7m8eipUL7Ht1_2Za1XtATYjrevW3k_IoD_UEVYK376C2oV-ESA1PdeFAVFlWwFEDtHRkOV0cQCRHsVyneQSxv1oAHXI9zyK3N-LQpk1Sxtxav1SbK4JcCbwcUJOz451M/s1600-h/WIP+017+resized.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 126px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1ldKqi4b_dHZ7m8eipUL7Ht1_2Za1XtATYjrevW3k_IoD_UEVYK376C2oV-ESA1PdeFAVFlWwFEDtHRkOV0cQCRHsVyneQSxv1oAHXI9zyK3N-LQpk1Sxtxav1SbK4JcCbwcUJOz451M/s320/WIP+017+resized.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5325042374277361954" /></a><br /><br />I've found that I can fairly successfully splice together Catachan heads with the helmets I got from <a href="http://www.westwindproductions.co.uk/">WestWind Productions</a>. Since the WestWind heads themselves are a bit too small, and are also metal (meaning they need to be pinned to really be stable) and the Catachan heads require work to get rid of the bandanna (which I'm removing on the rest of the troops who aren't wearing helmets), combining the two works very well.<br /><br />I took some pictures as I painted the command squad, to give some insight as to the process I use. First, I paint the uniforms with Mechrite Red. I follow with a wash of Devlan Mud, which adds really nice depth. Then I do a highlight with Mechrite Red to bring the depth out.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2xVEs-2gRKBXNhZ8CrZbBJ-zsd2Cg13bRb9VKSMkAFiPq8l80shWznjkeEtkO2J0iji48dZgy5c-hzzbLaaMAik-kt33Bnde39K1MkW1k5DC9bwHw2OsaTx_cd_YhVxnkWdemSlzaC-M/s1600-h/WIP+043+resized.jpg"><img style="float:center; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 110px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2xVEs-2gRKBXNhZ8CrZbBJ-zsd2Cg13bRb9VKSMkAFiPq8l80shWznjkeEtkO2J0iji48dZgy5c-hzzbLaaMAik-kt33Bnde39K1MkW1k5DC9bwHw2OsaTx_cd_YhVxnkWdemSlzaC-M/s200/WIP+043+resized.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5325047224706654770" /></a><br /><br />Mechrite Red is a very nice color, and being a Foundation paint means it gets great coverage, but it's definitely got more of an Adeptus Mechanicus feel rather than a Chaos/blood feel. It also looks very pink in these pictures. Blood Red is better, but it's also very bright. On the other hand - as anyone who's used it extensively will attest - it does <i>not</i> cover well. In this case, it's an advantage, since a partially-transparent highlight with Blood Red steers the overall color scheme away from that Ad-Mech shade. So, to finish the uniforms, I do another highlight, this time with Blood Red.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP8vWRbmT3JFJZuB-Rhl4h3R8nrbzOqAFI0ao0B0XzC1hIp-8GXYFR4st5j9z3NpkEfzS-WA2kERelPAzYeglcA6VXuQWs5HmyJiG6VEqfLzVW9vVZrxz6Ask58P1x9O10aGLFFY36k_w/s1600-h/WIP+046+resized.jpg"><img style="float:center; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 100px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP8vWRbmT3JFJZuB-Rhl4h3R8nrbzOqAFI0ao0B0XzC1hIp-8GXYFR4st5j9z3NpkEfzS-WA2kERelPAzYeglcA6VXuQWs5HmyJiG6VEqfLzVW9vVZrxz6Ask58P1x9O10aGLFFY36k_w/s200/WIP+046+resized.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5325049554984169538" /></a><br /><br />Next, I paint the skin using Tallarn Flesh, followed by Ogryn Flesh wash, followed by a highlight of Tallarn Flesh. It comes out nicely pale against the bright uniforms.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLvIYv9zPPybyNqhj38Sh8FpmqXAP608MVvaPVNnuKOgaaDYLm5beUKqAHkK1fY3rOI4wIT_jb-idb4zOgAVgcHepH540KQa1bm3_nxaSCMR-ozoLvtAMstDGI76VR3YiGG1UhgzkShao/s1600-h/WIP+049+resized.jpg"><img style="float:center; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 108px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLvIYv9zPPybyNqhj38Sh8FpmqXAP608MVvaPVNnuKOgaaDYLm5beUKqAHkK1fY3rOI4wIT_jb-idb4zOgAVgcHepH540KQa1bm3_nxaSCMR-ozoLvtAMstDGI76VR3YiGG1UhgzkShao/s200/WIP+049+resized.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5325050825996961362" /></a><br /><br />Finally, I hit the boots, belts, and pouches with Calthan Brown, Devlan Mud wash (can you tell how much I love this stuff?), and a highlight of Calthan Brown. The armor is painted with a 50/50 mix of Tin Bitz and Dwarf Bronze, and weapons are drybrushed with Boltgun Metal. Their masks are done with a Boltgun-Black wash-Boltgun highlight, which gives them a nice beaten-metal kind of look that contrasts with their weapons. Lastly, I paint the details such as hair and trophies.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfyfSPQHriiDhb2M3lmrDpVA2ZK7ZXLK3aSH7WcnraoDjql7eTW5kXuDtETtVzg1b2w7HBe_Yv_rQ0iedeM5IAsIT20Yn5VSG7_l8WjF5KC6g2evUvDJVgnzTV2AZZV91pQPsnsx_7TaQ/s1600-h/WIP+077+resized.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfyfSPQHriiDhb2M3lmrDpVA2ZK7ZXLK3aSH7WcnraoDjql7eTW5kXuDtETtVzg1b2w7HBe_Yv_rQ0iedeM5IAsIT20Yn5VSG7_l8WjF5KC6g2evUvDJVgnzTV2AZZV91pQPsnsx_7TaQ/s320/WIP+077+resized.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5325052992208559410" /></a><br />The spikes some of them have attached to their backs, by the way, are from the plastic Chaos Terminator sprue. I ordered a ton of them from The Warstore, and they're an incredibly easy (and cheap) way of adding a lot of spikes to the army. I've attempted to give each trooper in the army either a backpack or spikes, so that everyone's carrying something. Also, before anyone asks: Yes, the Meltagunner moonlights as Erik in Andrew Lloyd Webber's <i>The Phantom of the Opera</i>. ;)<br /><br />Another little addition that I wanted are Stielhandgranates, or Stick Grenades. These are mentioned in a number of places in the Gaunt's Ghosts novels, and so I bought a whole bunch from <a href="http://www.theassaultgroup.co.uk">The Assault Group</a>. The Assault Group is an awesome miniatures company for 28mm accessories, and every time I browse their site I'm tempted to buy loads of neat backpacks and guns and stuff, because not only is it all 28mm, it's all pretty cheap!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie6zpQilz5cAy3i0i306_dxEGLz7qTbfQ3XWIYePstcg7kGXvHBM8JqYj8uZNrkn2D4YKWaXscOU_qWWtu4FpWwk1rdN8XgbFO7zboJKOKoMtIpZ3-ypY6bVXlNXcjrk3VXXjyOG6Jq_c/s1600-h/WIP+071+resized.jpg"><img style="float:center; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 176px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie6zpQilz5cAy3i0i306_dxEGLz7qTbfQ3XWIYePstcg7kGXvHBM8JqYj8uZNrkn2D4YKWaXscOU_qWWtu4FpWwk1rdN8XgbFO7zboJKOKoMtIpZ3-ypY6bVXlNXcjrk3VXXjyOG6Jq_c/s200/WIP+071+resized.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5325055224480323026" /></a><br />I got two kinds of stick grenades - ones in pouches, and loose ones. I think the loose ones are more immediately identifiable.<br /><br />So, now I have twenty troopers painted.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYchc8ZKGVDzg0FNIkax4xN4Ju5KvqLAFVaPkMzR-b5dqGqCQ8FFVqIIwGORMWF_2djuf5L_gelYtmCaPOlahGvs809d09tMyj-2YLb3bo67x071LtnaRHaAjdpGAk6vJ0eS_2hdipiSc/s1600-h/WIP+093+resized.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 144px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYchc8ZKGVDzg0FNIkax4xN4Ju5KvqLAFVaPkMzR-b5dqGqCQ8FFVqIIwGORMWF_2djuf5L_gelYtmCaPOlahGvs809d09tMyj-2YLb3bo67x071LtnaRHaAjdpGAk6vJ0eS_2hdipiSc/s320/WIP+093+resized.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5325055837471287682" /></a><br /><br />What's next? Well, the three remaining infantry squads are built, but most still need green stuff work before I can paint them. I'll be doing this over the next three weeks or so... I think I've got 15 masks left to sculpt. I'm also realizing that I'm going to need to expand the army, due to the new IG codex; I haven't decided exactly how to rework my list, but I know I'm going to need more troops and more specialists. Over the next few weeks I'll be brainstorming, but I don't want to do anything definite until I get my hands on the new codex. Until then, these three squads, and their Chimeras, are more than enough to keep me busy. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisEuQpqXNwsdkWdjgrdRKvJvMqlqpVWqL1ve5pKhGO0Xfd-dAGsP6JrPS7v2LoVkY_kQCWUD0ybbV0FTQF8dMmm4wNTuepPlLQBlH2GAtzdTuCSpxLkTR2ss-H5Yo0JuuEc6gs8IZM7bA/s1600-h/WIP+025+resized.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisEuQpqXNwsdkWdjgrdRKvJvMqlqpVWqL1ve5pKhGO0Xfd-dAGsP6JrPS7v2LoVkY_kQCWUD0ybbV0FTQF8dMmm4wNTuepPlLQBlH2GAtzdTuCSpxLkTR2ss-H5Yo0JuuEc6gs8IZM7bA/s320/WIP+025+resized.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5325056221198164434" /></a><br /><br />I also have one more squad that's ready for painting: the Hardened Veterans. I plan on painting these up by the end of the week. However, I will be cursing their three plasma guns the whole time, since this is going to be a bloody expensive squad in the new codex (not to mention, the sergeant can't have a Storm Bolter anymore, negating my neat conversion!)<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvoVtauRZbgW4fyg8Ila6YbnZgRcAKsrdGRPELjOST6aEmR7G0tTDgM7QVzREL-sainHu1ojh1p9AOktmKokD2S-66kCPtyOU17xw5bR69ha3kkChvfdKw_vwAophPT2f8mzNzsL6o5LY/s1600-h/WIP+013+resized.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 144px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvoVtauRZbgW4fyg8Ila6YbnZgRcAKsrdGRPELjOST6aEmR7G0tTDgM7QVzREL-sainHu1ojh1p9AOktmKokD2S-66kCPtyOU17xw5bR69ha3kkChvfdKw_vwAophPT2f8mzNzsL6o5LY/s400/WIP+013+resized.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5325057928326216626" /></a><br /><br />Also, apologies for the somewhat schizoid post. But hey, progress is progress, no?Erichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03976761719483812386noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4044609419205665295.post-83240221003618847192009-04-05T15:58:00.000-07:002009-04-05T16:22:01.947-07:00Blood Pact infantry squad & chimeraAfter working on my Chimeras all week, I took some time out to finish up my first infantry squad. I had half-completed these guys quite some time ago, but with the first Chimera finished and painted, I figured I should get its troops squared away.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6nROeUq2RPDwFxDO9J3Si0sToLUNzAxkYfIopm5naD_ddzY2PkE-cLqJCG0tvca_FMS3f-rTf4unnKzSEitz03hEix07NdTyAPrc_DQVakUKju6ZfOpR-PwIvOlL1JF1c_9nwBpml-Y8/s1600-h/Troop+1+002+resized.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 191px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6nROeUq2RPDwFxDO9J3Si0sToLUNzAxkYfIopm5naD_ddzY2PkE-cLqJCG0tvca_FMS3f-rTf4unnKzSEitz03hEix07NdTyAPrc_DQVakUKju6ZfOpR-PwIvOlL1JF1c_9nwBpml-Y8/s320/Troop+1+002+resized.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5321347123011229346" /></a><br />Here's the Chimera. The others are in varying states of completion, but I tend to work on whatever seems appealing to me at the moment. This way, I'm always getting <i>something</i> done, even if it's not in any sort of order.<br /><br />I ended up putting mesh across the top hatch, and closing off the gun ports. I wanted to actually use those Chaos vehicle gargoyle head things on the gun ports - they would have been perfect - but with seven Chimeras to build, I'd have needed an inordinate amount of them. So, I went the easy route with spikes. I'm also noticing just now that I forgot to paint all of the periscope lenses, so I guess I'll be doing that after I finish my post here. Doh!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5Plunrt1mNcE-C0WXnp1xl4dTa8gnYoO4d7NRABZYj6i80kH2eKNkCL0zk6zd79-PF60H6EGrmvDR7RU7cYH7OF5AK3CduCriaQSApxnKOkvMbopOaKKg057uehDigpC5rmFiD5FaM4s/s1600-h/Troop+1+004+resized.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 264px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5Plunrt1mNcE-C0WXnp1xl4dTa8gnYoO4d7NRABZYj6i80kH2eKNkCL0zk6zd79-PF60H6EGrmvDR7RU7cYH7OF5AK3CduCriaQSApxnKOkvMbopOaKKg057uehDigpC5rmFiD5FaM4s/s320/Troop+1+004+resized.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5321347883564879554" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7X4ZHU5aDvFnsz24FvifPlG1O6U8U9UtVpr7INZocBGoXjote22F1py016bml1v16Y2YRKb92xQbgrrgK8czOQ9iXxjmO2BGw68uX5eldKmtKHLKypx8Hoxl3LlFZUdM1weLzukhIPtg/s1600-h/Troop+1+007+resized.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 248px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7X4ZHU5aDvFnsz24FvifPlG1O6U8U9UtVpr7INZocBGoXjote22F1py016bml1v16Y2YRKb92xQbgrrgK8czOQ9iXxjmO2BGw68uX5eldKmtKHLKypx8Hoxl3LlFZUdM1weLzukhIPtg/s320/Troop+1+007+resized.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5321347979356973938" /></a><br /><br />The hinges I rigged up for the rear gates work very well, and I've actually been surprised at how strong they are. I don't see them breaking unless Excessive Force is used. Sadly I couldn't get a decent picture of the interior detail, as my camera just didn't want to focus on the inside. It's basically got benches on either side with seats for eight, standing room for two more, and a couple of lasguns on the rear wall, along with some mechanical stuff.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb7deARLPi2lX_8QKTGPLsmPRHb5pOqovU85HcCB9su5m0MBFd7iL8Lp-Xvgf7e2zfCL3rYX8MkAeWsaYSbe8EjqAWreFukeJkmMxOb3hrGCW2d6JPvFxoStD8KMA7wv76ilUot1EB3EE/s1600-h/Troop+1+034+resized.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 157px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb7deARLPi2lX_8QKTGPLsmPRHb5pOqovU85HcCB9su5m0MBFd7iL8Lp-Xvgf7e2zfCL3rYX8MkAeWsaYSbe8EjqAWreFukeJkmMxOb3hrGCW2d6JPvFxoStD8KMA7wv76ilUot1EB3EE/s320/Troop+1+034+resized.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5321349499792114034" /></a> The infantry squad doesn't look as good as the ones I built after it (which are still getting their Grotesks), but once they're lined up with the other troopers they'll blend in just fine. I'll also be rebasing the RPG and his loader onto a Heavy Weapons team base, as soon as my large textured bases arrive in the mail.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWo_aH7njdyNygf_CafbtEbLfKeFoHXFVuXTEoqyIeRiycLukVRx1oxU8KJOf-kXPJFK__1RuC11K494Qqacm2JiBsLHM-gSmdbIms37WGVmUvMp2usrYvntHqXd9w08XE-N_81xaiESQ/s1600-h/Troop+1+014+resized.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 244px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWo_aH7njdyNygf_CafbtEbLfKeFoHXFVuXTEoqyIeRiycLukVRx1oxU8KJOf-kXPJFK__1RuC11K494Qqacm2JiBsLHM-gSmdbIms37WGVmUvMp2usrYvntHqXd9w08XE-N_81xaiESQ/s400/Troop+1+014+resized.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5321350259331025330" /></a><br /><br />In my next post I'll be taking a look at my remaining troops with some WIP pics.Erichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03976761719483812386noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4044609419205665295.post-26154541289606428472009-03-30T17:19:00.000-07:002009-03-30T18:05:43.939-07:00Easy Imperial Guard weapon conversionsIn light of the upcoming release of the 5E Guard codex, I've put together a couple of tutorials focusing on Imperial Guard weapon conversions. The first is how to convert your standard Kantrael-pattern Lasgun into a shotgun, and the second is how to create Type-69 RPGs to use in place of the standard missile launchers.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><u>Lasgun-to-Shotgun</u></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFLfDOSZ_Bue3-AsOoqd_SLr5h-OIrxVBOpKXktBba58HtuXEc-aPaeMO0NT2K67LY4PoN_3kM4Nd6XgnNy-aRzfWORX63ZgSGAgbazXj9ge8XukPJSfoNpYmr7uVbnnTf-ypOOZxr3tE/s1600-h/Shotgun+Step+1.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 155px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFLfDOSZ_Bue3-AsOoqd_SLr5h-OIrxVBOpKXktBba58HtuXEc-aPaeMO0NT2K67LY4PoN_3kM4Nd6XgnNy-aRzfWORX63ZgSGAgbazXj9ge8XukPJSfoNpYmr7uVbnnTf-ypOOZxr3tE/s200/Shotgun+Step+1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5319145294635179378" /></a><br /><br />1. First, take your lasgun and cut off the barrels.<br /><br />2. Next, remove the top barrel sight thingy and everything in front of it. Also remove the top part of the rear sight thingy stabilizer (someone's gotta know the actual name for these parts...). See pic for details, I can't explain this bit very well. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQtcQHg2G5TM-pGGBFnAiceKTUfbNvM3SasqnDZuQQQNK1lh4ef9RDYSsZApIskUwbxVl1tl_G3bnq79l6kf2xKkQRfpeuufz_kyhfCWRnz2JSWtShhLkoCPSPL0ANK1a1H1xG3UHETIQ/s1600-h/Shotgun+Step+2.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 191px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQtcQHg2G5TM-pGGBFnAiceKTUfbNvM3SasqnDZuQQQNK1lh4ef9RDYSsZApIskUwbxVl1tl_G3bnq79l6kf2xKkQRfpeuufz_kyhfCWRnz2JSWtShhLkoCPSPL0ANK1a1H1xG3UHETIQ/s200/Shotgun+Step+2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5319145441428660354" /></a><br /><br />3. Now you need to cut the furniture horizontally from the front to the rear sight thingy stabilizer, to remove some of the height. This is where the shotgun barrel will sit.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpCKD0RnXVXsH_XqVAtn6DoH3FhC6_CJL9V-LjvahrwXmYX9zKV3PXXYO4kepNIMBsk0G-7h5_KiuNS9D1WuAgZH4MZwZo-v_eYJTVEcXnxu5fwM2W-aTjlH-UJlEUWB0v5NtM-_u4LNE/s1600-h/Shotgun+Step+3.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 152px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpCKD0RnXVXsH_XqVAtn6DoH3FhC6_CJL9V-LjvahrwXmYX9zKV3PXXYO4kepNIMBsk0G-7h5_KiuNS9D1WuAgZH4MZwZo-v_eYJTVEcXnxu5fwM2W-aTjlH-UJlEUWB0v5NtM-_u4LNE/s200/Shotgun+Step+3.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5319145662413990834" /></a><br /><br />4. Very carefully remove the trigger and grip. You want to make sure you take some (just a tiny bit) of the lasgun furniture with it, so that you can create a trigger guard by shaving it down (see final pic).<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5KsKW2dfS2prjuNqr4eAMMnHqwML78w7culKMaiXrr1qysLNoA2hAKan5zdHNYoDHW98sPgNRKC5Rzoak1GnCfzClYJ9hJr7i3O40Igd3LmihZHgKCRi5ybUV7cCMig2_rF1aHB2u3vM/s1600-h/Shotgun+Step+4.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 151px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5KsKW2dfS2prjuNqr4eAMMnHqwML78w7culKMaiXrr1qysLNoA2hAKan5zdHNYoDHW98sPgNRKC5Rzoak1GnCfzClYJ9hJr7i3O40Igd3LmihZHgKCRi5ybUV7cCMig2_rF1aHB2u3vM/s200/Shotgun+Step+4.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5319145742514937010" /></a><br /><br />5. Cut horizontally along the bottom of the lasgun from where you removed the trigger, towards the front. This removes the power pack and leaves a pump-grip at the front of the weapon.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ9tpyn0nU1SDzNwJDbhLcufvw85bkxuHu9v3Aew5dWjLbKLhS0s0f9L2HdvD_21iIBtmfwJtEGvwB9oDzsmYr5x-VsxtbVtySEwjPPxnPsJauAaYoBjLbkI8GVVuS3R0jQkIjZczW22w/s1600-h/Shotgun+Step+5.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 168px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ9tpyn0nU1SDzNwJDbhLcufvw85bkxuHu9v3Aew5dWjLbKLhS0s0f9L2HdvD_21iIBtmfwJtEGvwB9oDzsmYr5x-VsxtbVtySEwjPPxnPsJauAaYoBjLbkI8GVVuS3R0jQkIjZczW22w/s200/Shotgun+Step+5.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5319145819255590930" /></a><br /><br />6. File down the sides of the weapon to the pump-grip; this creates the illusion that the pump-grip is thicker than the weapon (and makes it look like a separate piece when you paint it). It's a little difficult to see in the pics.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ3EDjLXiN7yXaUO0ofu-dy46IGiTZfKK4UcaqIxk1yYGvxH-x3iwNIzHwv3ziFaWa6vLS4qiiJYRJH7V2I2o42OyLxAYpIU98wUUs91q2b4ck03shndAxi-P8zOHs5s7WkgjPhHcKmZE/s1600-h/Shotgun+Step+6.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 174px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ3EDjLXiN7yXaUO0ofu-dy46IGiTZfKK4UcaqIxk1yYGvxH-x3iwNIzHwv3ziFaWa6vLS4qiiJYRJH7V2I2o42OyLxAYpIU98wUUs91q2b4ck03shndAxi-P8zOHs5s7WkgjPhHcKmZE/s200/Shotgun+Step+6.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5319146027712217378" /></a><br /><br />7. Cut the antenna from a Voxcaster and trim the ends slightly; this will be the barrel. Carefully file one side of the antenna to flatten it out; you'll want to put it up to your weapon and measure so that you don't flatten too much of it out. This filing will give the impression that the lower half of the barrel is set into the furniture.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF_pWtpxCtK-Qt6AEKcO8uBF3HMb_Xrk8aPxGqZuwgkPXBtW5q2F8_Hgv6UA6voqvMwRnEUE4P5e02Cu9cUvivjJDTZEuldz4xKPpHicmAnOAaLuXY9TjoF35VP-kuJqvHlLzoa5aia40/s1600-h/Shotgun+Step+7.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 155px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF_pWtpxCtK-Qt6AEKcO8uBF3HMb_Xrk8aPxGqZuwgkPXBtW5q2F8_Hgv6UA6voqvMwRnEUE4P5e02Cu9cUvivjJDTZEuldz4xKPpHicmAnOAaLuXY9TjoF35VP-kuJqvHlLzoa5aia40/s200/Shotgun+Step+7.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5319146254893208066" /></a><br /><br />8. Cut the other antenna and use the straight portion of this for the lower barrel.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHrCFg7TdSTAQ8VkZOridmPA9-ES-ulw0UpLISjqJukNQe7SmwxvNiIkqhr0p9atGOJgVqftCZDX1QjnF2blsHmdnbMQwJ5AAKRqcRT-kdZYGC8nkZjDl3xLfSbstrIBR6PVzNL04Xd8o/s1600-h/Shotgun+Step+8.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 170px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHrCFg7TdSTAQ8VkZOridmPA9-ES-ulw0UpLISjqJukNQe7SmwxvNiIkqhr0p9atGOJgVqftCZDX1QjnF2blsHmdnbMQwJ5AAKRqcRT-kdZYGC8nkZjDl3xLfSbstrIBR6PVzNL04Xd8o/s200/Shotgun+Step+8.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5319146346882789410" /></a><br /><br />9. Glue the barrels on, trim the trigger guard and glue it on, and you're done! If you want someone to be holding the weapon in a firing position, you can cut off the stock and leave the trigger off, but I like to keep the shotguns lashed to packs and whatnot, so that the Guardsman can be doing something more interesting with his hands (and I think the shotgun looks best unheld anyway). Oh - and you can make a little tiny iron sight for the tip of the shotgun barrel using a triangular piece of plastic or plasticard (see the shotgun on the trooper's pack).<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4LcoO4uHnBpQGhHcjTInb0ZRbXPhB7EiGhjn-yzRGKC4oPGQevSsV8F5NSFxjgtgCU6O1aCoZCKP5Z2J8emFmahiJSDYTlFPEFYer1Do7tUmRTpv1z44JYWdvHqcHrTwm2_HYcg0VXOA/s1600-h/Finished+Shotgun.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 174px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4LcoO4uHnBpQGhHcjTInb0ZRbXPhB7EiGhjn-yzRGKC4oPGQevSsV8F5NSFxjgtgCU6O1aCoZCKP5Z2J8emFmahiJSDYTlFPEFYer1Do7tUmRTpv1z44JYWdvHqcHrTwm2_HYcg0VXOA/s200/Finished+Shotgun.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5319146438022646706" /></a> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUD85tWs4GwlusTEnAGMkvQ0clJWBmOIJVZBcogtoxBS7jl85NvCm6JnrAlCo_faLXceQRfgboJVJlFWRyVsiNO1aWNtwSw_w2FpiFkr4c3Tq9sfeTTGLaVouqsobYw1ErTi29Tjhnddk/s1600-h/RPGs+008.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 179px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUD85tWs4GwlusTEnAGMkvQ0clJWBmOIJVZBcogtoxBS7jl85NvCm6JnrAlCo_faLXceQRfgboJVJlFWRyVsiNO1aWNtwSw_w2FpiFkr4c3Tq9sfeTTGLaVouqsobYw1ErTi29Tjhnddk/s200/RPGs+008.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5319146623087852754" /></a><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><br /><u>RPG Conversion</u></span><br /><br />I particularly like this conversion, because not only does it look neat, it uses <i>only</i> optional parts from the Heavy Weapons sprue! You can convert one RPG per sprue, leaving the actual missile launchers for other conversions.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH8bsMZo9J3uFqmwzEYA1gkli92r1Huqm2BCcpUdzM4KMlzkMpVcOE58zyTJZ7VV0om8wmircMrpEeTQOONwHjK6vzcLLkwLNc6g5uOkmospOXV7R_LlnBGhAjlKyLmp24WlYC69FUpu8/s1600-h/RPG+Step+1.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 126px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH8bsMZo9J3uFqmwzEYA1gkli92r1Huqm2BCcpUdzM4KMlzkMpVcOE58zyTJZ7VV0om8wmircMrpEeTQOONwHjK6vzcLLkwLNc6g5uOkmospOXV7R_LlnBGhAjlKyLmp24WlYC69FUpu8/s200/RPG+Step+1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5319149473524673314" /></a><br /><br />1. You will need one missile and one mortar shell per RPG.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0TqsMlTbq_h1CdzvL4xeR6X4XhkPBNgrI3chxF4ZUuCof5AKBGdgA3UKdSlVrtns8erOeaHlhRSEPFpV0G6K0VNuYE6ypnBHdZLHSrmF7cHfxgFN-01FmQN60wvccw1XV-rZyYxyagIs/s1600-h/RPG+Step+2.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0TqsMlTbq_h1CdzvL4xeR6X4XhkPBNgrI3chxF4ZUuCof5AKBGdgA3UKdSlVrtns8erOeaHlhRSEPFpV0G6K0VNuYE6ypnBHdZLHSrmF7cHfxgFN-01FmQN60wvccw1XV-rZyYxyagIs/s200/RPG+Step+2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5319149606818172146" /></a><br /><br />2. Cut the missile warhead at the very tip and where the warhead meets the body. Cut the tip from the mortar as well as the stabilizer fins at the back. You want to make this cut as far back as possible.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg3Xp9cb4ULCdRT5hqFglsi6KCb2zkvGN387ARNWfykWuEOj5VSmQSDSgwfomWsa1KWLjEdUAmNGr4TmumhssTGL_FKBeOj4ue-4wvy3MdyERwr5MVRGLMzxLbR91RB0iA9eLwaKWUrbY/s1600-h/RPG+Step+3.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 94px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg3Xp9cb4ULCdRT5hqFglsi6KCb2zkvGN387ARNWfykWuEOj5VSmQSDSgwfomWsa1KWLjEdUAmNGr4TmumhssTGL_FKBeOj4ue-4wvy3MdyERwr5MVRGLMzxLbR91RB0iA9eLwaKWUrbY/s200/RPG+Step+3.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5319149752285344082" /></a><br /><br />3. Take the missile warhead and flip it around. Glue it to the rear part of the mortar shell (not the bit with the fins) to create the RPG round. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLf2bj6uQcyhH00tICxYYwlTCeEFkrA-ElbN-WAkGXCE1MnKHiuTSTIJDvi4t3vIrpRkXO9Zt4bozgCmmrnzG1jAO_43jDqvOtF3W2M85ykbrcQ-R_4er1NUevb-sT6qVyLmtUuxKFaAg/s1600-h/RPG+Step+4.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 189px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLf2bj6uQcyhH00tICxYYwlTCeEFkrA-ElbN-WAkGXCE1MnKHiuTSTIJDvi4t3vIrpRkXO9Zt4bozgCmmrnzG1jAO_43jDqvOtF3W2M85ykbrcQ-R_4er1NUevb-sT6qVyLmtUuxKFaAg/s200/RPG+Step+4.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5319149879518787938" /></a><br /><br />4. Look through your bits box for one of these things; they're the sprue that 28mm bases come on. You want one with a good cone shape on the opposite end. If you're anything like me, you probably have quite a few of these laying around.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiN7Xuv5pzmcPRb8SAabX-n6YyGu2CBDAYlrQeDF2IKqux_Z8qEyRj_8JhhaAae21lpRB-sR0bUuKiyG_zjn2V2NXluZ0N7wOIEdpcPsovTYoIE3zKia2jYwsuBIsBgqnwXgMZFQotMAg/s1600-h/RPG+Step+5.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 194px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiN7Xuv5pzmcPRb8SAabX-n6YyGu2CBDAYlrQeDF2IKqux_Z8qEyRj_8JhhaAae21lpRB-sR0bUuKiyG_zjn2V2NXluZ0N7wOIEdpcPsovTYoIE3zKia2jYwsuBIsBgqnwXgMZFQotMAg/s200/RPG+Step+5.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5319149955926114514" /></a><br /><br />5. We need to remove that cone-shaped bit, so the best way is to trim everything down around it. Cut the arms off the sprue, and then you can just cut straight down to get the cone bit separated. Try to leave as much of the base intact as possible; you can trim and shape it once you've got it off.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifuq9zB9617v_wqKczm79j1kHfRaVVSdh6qYYdSWCgXWjZErAhL7rM_nUXBIn-Yn2_6RPfdkIM0CdMYee0unwEd2FC5W9Vu0b3Qq5xRVL9SHzZcnu97m-1ygLTcsAqU80dyKPyxBiXrNw/s1600-h/RPG+Step+6.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 120px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifuq9zB9617v_wqKczm79j1kHfRaVVSdh6qYYdSWCgXWjZErAhL7rM_nUXBIn-Yn2_6RPfdkIM0CdMYee0unwEd2FC5W9Vu0b3Qq5xRVL9SHzZcnu97m-1ygLTcsAqU80dyKPyxBiXrNw/s200/RPG+Step+6.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5319150035996994866" /></a><br /><br />6. This cone bit becomes the exhaust port at the rear of the weapon. Trim the narrow end so that it fits snug with the body of the RPG, then glue it together. Voila!<br /><br />7. I usually add the sight from the Heavy Weapons sprue to the top, and use the missile launcher arm, since it's got the trigger on it. Here you can see some of my troopers with RPGs (which I'm now going to have to put on big bases for the new codex...!). <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6RqSJpk68VEUFvOOtCu5rSJa-vNDwDG1dwzrb2MY5TYmVTNx8DH91dACK7kF3fURq9yK7Pnd3yD9p1GsVuDBO4d78LGcjXzJt3F3WmfqctLNR92bSrkIGLzPCQiKEFgyt3tI_KWfqII8/s1600-h/RPGs+001.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 187px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6RqSJpk68VEUFvOOtCu5rSJa-vNDwDG1dwzrb2MY5TYmVTNx8DH91dACK7kF3fURq9yK7Pnd3yD9p1GsVuDBO4d78LGcjXzJt3F3WmfqctLNR92bSrkIGLzPCQiKEFgyt3tI_KWfqII8/s320/RPGs+001.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5319150171384152514" /></a>Erichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03976761719483812386noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4044609419205665295.post-53642479172144906382009-03-26T14:34:00.000-07:002009-03-26T15:42:38.147-07:00Completed Stalk TankI devoted this week to finishing my Stalk Tank, which I'm finally ready to unveil. Though <a href="http://davetaylorminiatures.blogspot.com">Dave Taylor</a> beat me to the punch and finished his first! It's okay. His could beat mine in a fight anyway. :)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBLICEI7MoUOj2yG3TpBWH77_Qy4wGf7Grm32nwmBaOLZcnyAWHKk1aqJEz73LizXZh7yA_rLKOf6Hji5lD2aIgL6M6szD-2EKEuxsbM_X2Zvg-T3-XwpdO_iTL3U04ey2thjn6JeQcK8/s1600-h/Stalk+Tank+025+resized.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 224px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBLICEI7MoUOj2yG3TpBWH77_Qy4wGf7Grm32nwmBaOLZcnyAWHKk1aqJEz73LizXZh7yA_rLKOf6Hji5lD2aIgL6M6szD-2EKEuxsbM_X2Zvg-T3-XwpdO_iTL3U04ey2thjn6JeQcK8/s320/Stalk+Tank+025+resized.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5317614055063539442" /></a> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuWIZ4yKMSVSnxoMNr2dC3IFh5ZLSAP_uTCu0tT_znWegHoM0f9IvEuW6lFZUt9OZhnfbew__RYUf-98QcTqblNjXu2PB3avE8FNFbhh2VMHQ328pcT3zO4k6nE73echoH3jJE0Ak1Sg0/s1600-h/Stalk+Tank+027+resized.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 313px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuWIZ4yKMSVSnxoMNr2dC3IFh5ZLSAP_uTCu0tT_znWegHoM0f9IvEuW6lFZUt9OZhnfbew__RYUf-98QcTqblNjXu2PB3avE8FNFbhh2VMHQ328pcT3zO4k6nE73echoH3jJE0Ak1Sg0/s320/Stalk+Tank+027+resized.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5317614226244802002" /></a><br /><br />When I set out to build a Stalk Tank, I laid down a few ground rules I wanted to follow:<br /><ul><li>Since I'm not very good at scratch-building with plasticard, and I had a number of old Sentinels and a Defiler in my bits box, I would use as many Games Workshop bits as possible; and<br /><li>It had to more or less match a Sentinel in size, since I intend to use it as one when gaming.</ul><br />Now, one of the things I greatly enjoy when converting vehicles is finding new uses for bits. A lot of orky vehicles are great examples of this. There are so many ways you can reuse a bit to make something totally different. My Stalk Tank is composed mostly of Sentinel, Defiler, and vehicle accessory sprue bits. Below is a picture of it before painting, along with a short explanation of how it was constructed.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq6sybWnDvIS-9W2mChHmApmarMK_hrQWHcEibXfJGvbiIMrTflQkOkJjw9Yx3a1keF9t_OoUDr2CE2SJ_T-b24DWwyawsW00BmyP29cCL4vs3BgNT5dKB7W0tVbIDYtHAETxbXH171Ls/s1600-h/Stalk+Tank+005+diagram+resized.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq6sybWnDvIS-9W2mChHmApmarMK_hrQWHcEibXfJGvbiIMrTflQkOkJjw9Yx3a1keF9t_OoUDr2CE2SJ_T-b24DWwyawsW00BmyP29cCL4vs3BgNT5dKB7W0tVbIDYtHAETxbXH171Ls/s320/Stalk+Tank+005+diagram+resized.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5317617351003101602" /></a> <ol><li>First, I made the thorax by taking two Sentinel hips, cutting off the fronts, and gluing the back halves together.<br /><br /><li>Next, I took the support struts bit from the IG dozer blade assembly, and cut the middle out before gluing the two halves together. This forms the upper part of the thorax.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><li>Since I felt it needed more length, I added the two other, smaller pieces of the dozer blade assembly.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVH-pPJ-Mdc9elxQPA0DTKuTn0bTWNwvqyiL-sVy4yqr6A7m6wakqQ7GTuqjM1PtRHV84sDDlRb1ST2yHnuCcpz825bT7sws9WPDQ8LoCLf_XdqUzNdcGJNMI_QTcDDOJDMqHCQiUz4Y0/s1600-h/Stalk+Tank+026+resized.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 199px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVH-pPJ-Mdc9elxQPA0DTKuTn0bTWNwvqyiL-sVy4yqr6A7m6wakqQ7GTuqjM1PtRHV84sDDlRb1ST2yHnuCcpz825bT7sws9WPDQ8LoCLf_XdqUzNdcGJNMI_QTcDDOJDMqHCQiUz4Y0/s200/Stalk+Tank+026+resized.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5317628656194367506" /></a><br /><br /><li>With the thorax constructed, I began work on the legs by chopping and repositioning ones from a pair of Sentinels. They were connected to the main body using the small toes from the Sentinels, since these are angled just right.<br /><br /><br /><br /><li>Sentinel feet are much too large and flat, so I took the blades off the legs of a Defiler and added them to form pointed feet.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigesxl7KbAwnQFmk4vCL9LfQrz8KWR0B0WfGgy_2VxKYziHzeLGuPMVq5M1B_8JRnZ2Vqp2mvcQlNjvD4SJZSSjoDnS61llxBASIfJYPCoAXPvw5OrzdQCAxY_j-_4Dc0yoV7Z9k3sheI/s1600-h/Stalk+Tank+028+resized.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 144px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigesxl7KbAwnQFmk4vCL9LfQrz8KWR0B0WfGgy_2VxKYziHzeLGuPMVq5M1B_8JRnZ2Vqp2mvcQlNjvD4SJZSSjoDnS61llxBASIfJYPCoAXPvw5OrzdQCAxY_j-_4Dc0yoV7Z9k3sheI/s200/Stalk+Tank+028+resized.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5317623180902896274" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><li>To make the abdomen and accompanying pilot's cockpit, I cut down a Sentinel body and attached it to a piece of plasticard (the only time I had to use the stuff). I pinned the abdomen to the thorax and added some Chaos-type edging to the plasticard. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSU9nSr2BR0FLj1FMosE5M_wovF9bwx-Pii3gT7Fk5640X6prlyywl-E2oSzY6-34c9dtnmFLEnL1530ZpVUTMOhakiFhTshmdSR4Q2JDGz0jij6sDcYoV3GSqcwgKUISmvGhgqGwgNUI/s1600-h/Stalk+Tank+024.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 188px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSU9nSr2BR0FLj1FMosE5M_wovF9bwx-Pii3gT7Fk5640X6prlyywl-E2oSzY6-34c9dtnmFLEnL1530ZpVUTMOhakiFhTshmdSR4Q2JDGz0jij6sDcYoV3GSqcwgKUISmvGhgqGwgNUI/s200/Stalk+Tank+024.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5317622839928260002" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><li>Figuring that the arms would probably be ball-jointed for maximum flexibility, I used a pair of Chimera lasguns for the main part of the arms. Then I added a couple of blades from the old-school dozer blade. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRvY0kIU1WVHSKYZS0kU8LSQlDyG1diXMEb1c2pb9cwAnDsxJ6CWUEARKDkJRq9fUgxaVgyhlgC9XOrgN7qi_ljKrYw356RjhkP9cFU3H4k2Yh7gpxqymAzSsfziRwZVidU1Ew-PYT-HI/s1600-h/Stalk+Tank+032+resized.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 148px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRvY0kIU1WVHSKYZS0kU8LSQlDyG1diXMEb1c2pb9cwAnDsxJ6CWUEARKDkJRq9fUgxaVgyhlgC9XOrgN7qi_ljKrYw356RjhkP9cFU3H4k2Yh7gpxqymAzSsfziRwZVidU1Ew-PYT-HI/s200/Stalk+Tank+032+resized.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5317622227921162834" /></a><br /><br /><li>To connect the head to the body, I used guitar wire, figuring that it would allow the head to swivel and look in any direction. <br /><br /><li>The head itself - specifically the sensor array - is the mantlet from the defiler's missile launcher. The eyes themselves are actually the plastic vents that you chop off when building the missile launcher. I hadn't removed them, and the whole thing screamed 'insect face' to me, so I went with it. :) <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEsu0UYBU9UuAkl8X_99Ti5DHvTGF2__litjrect_U1YowRESoD_uSbGuzi1J6vEWCL_uCZrK2vq53xWNutLyCnx5q8yQOKxdVT1_APfQEX5VR5zzxNXvGE09sKEqizMDrfS0GrhJUmTQ/s1600-h/Stalk+Tank+021.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 187px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEsu0UYBU9UuAkl8X_99Ti5DHvTGF2__litjrect_U1YowRESoD_uSbGuzi1J6vEWCL_uCZrK2vq53xWNutLyCnx5q8yQOKxdVT1_APfQEX5VR5zzxNXvGE09sKEqizMDrfS0GrhJUmTQ/s200/Stalk+Tank+021.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5317622457540110402" /></a><br /><br /><li>After attaching the guitar wires to the head via the eyes, I glued the IG Heavy Weapons team lascannon and shield to complete the face. <br /><br /><li>Finally, I added armor plates from the Defiler and Track Guards from the IG vehicle accessory sprue, along with spikes and trophies.</ol><br /><br /><br />It only took a day to paint, since it was mostly metal and armor plates. Wham bam, done! I'm not sure whether I'll construct more of them, since I don't think I have enough Defiler bits without purchasing another Defiler. I also kind of like the way it will look by itself during a game - psychologically menacing, but really just ~50 points of Sentinel. With the new codex coming out, it'll definitely fit as an Armored Sentinel. Hooray, front armor 12!<br /><br />Apologies for the lousy light levels in the pictures - I'm still futzing with my photography techniques, and I'm in a bit of a hurry as I'm taking the wife to <a href="http://www.cavalia.net/">Cavalia</a> tonight, which I'm told is a bit like Cirque du Soleil but with horses instead of people. For some reason I can't get the image of the Carnivora Circus from <i>Ravenor</i> out of my mind...Erichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03976761719483812386noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4044609419205665295.post-56370524433866207192009-03-23T14:24:00.000-07:002009-03-23T15:20:49.371-07:00The Big Guns - Leman Russ 2I did two things last week that I'm proud of:<br /><ul><li>Finished my second Russ</li><br /><li>Went on a two-day backpacking trip over ten miles and up 2,000+ foot elevation in the desert and managed to not die.</li></ul><br /><br />First, the Russ, <i>Cruento Universum</i>. For this one, I did much the same as the last, with bloody symbols and chains.<br /> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLGcjVEPjAE5H304V8_7k26dXEttlIPLs1hSMS2Ma3SYXdgUn05XdR0G6G1g98kQgC751Xy_e037xA6rPmc72nbyQSMteDCmbY39Ul1FXHaoC5QNzjGdGioLeW4-VV6S5EFClD3Yl0plM/s1600-h/Leman+Russ+2+003+resized.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 278px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLGcjVEPjAE5H304V8_7k26dXEttlIPLs1hSMS2Ma3SYXdgUn05XdR0G6G1g98kQgC751Xy_e037xA6rPmc72nbyQSMteDCmbY39Ul1FXHaoC5QNzjGdGioLeW4-VV6S5EFClD3Yl0plM/s400/Leman+Russ+2+003+resized.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5316503219325835890" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_AGoyl3ngaWgyYthRUWzePB0oWAqpYKWm6nVU3ZTRNkIy5xsWDR0H-sj5fwXjg9Pw-QQgXt__AlfW0DmWXH2rcU5JNRX2pVwj6E-AT5xduAbZUEtuVnn2IVCwtdDDf0i4eVZm65jcn0c/s1600-h/Leman+Russ+2+002+resized.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 297px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_AGoyl3ngaWgyYthRUWzePB0oWAqpYKWm6nVU3ZTRNkIy5xsWDR0H-sj5fwXjg9Pw-QQgXt__AlfW0DmWXH2rcU5JNRX2pVwj6E-AT5xduAbZUEtuVnn2IVCwtdDDf0i4eVZm65jcn0c/s400/Leman+Russ+2+002+resized.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5316503079702895426" /></a><br /><br /><br />I added some scrolls with green stuff, though the writing on them didn't turn out as clearly as I'd have liked. I think I'm going to try some skin parchment on the Chimeras instead of actual paper, since it seems to turn out better in the painting stage. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvQNd7_pTsy9dbBHhOnGaxSJeNvT-hiig5uhsGgnDqnL3yhgp5awhurtmRW6a2z7zUmtBJx6LElLOnpqv3bm4-TBSolBpmbazF5vnVsgOzrXJ0Hz3YrCdZBN-DOgMD2xEwWgyGEBLSzVY/s1600-h/Leman+Russ+2+006+resized.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 276px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvQNd7_pTsy9dbBHhOnGaxSJeNvT-hiig5uhsGgnDqnL3yhgp5awhurtmRW6a2z7zUmtBJx6LElLOnpqv3bm4-TBSolBpmbazF5vnVsgOzrXJ0Hz3YrCdZBN-DOgMD2xEwWgyGEBLSzVY/s400/Leman+Russ+2+006+resized.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5316503775645685138" /></a><br /><br />I also created a sort of 'skull bin' in the back, where they might throw their trophies for cleaning and sorting later. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt6JAYnzBFpaoSssI3l3_HjZD0WWkOCED8AvUFf5eI4D6zA8z_7TbYC9GBvS6U6nEcvHWWk40LBq0eEThSZ-gpwnmaJ8D9HS8VI8AfZv6go09ClBsSs7dYNaP2x_MTnITr3qH0Nzw48fw/s1600-h/Leman+Russ+2+009+resized.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 282px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt6JAYnzBFpaoSssI3l3_HjZD0WWkOCED8AvUFf5eI4D6zA8z_7TbYC9GBvS6U6nEcvHWWk40LBq0eEThSZ-gpwnmaJ8D9HS8VI8AfZv6go09ClBsSs7dYNaP2x_MTnITr3qH0Nzw48fw/s320/Leman+Russ+2+009+resized.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5316504248138812066" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhMOJ9qRhhIUyeR2u2-Y6zdc0gvA78j4Ee6OBnWfitA3C6qpTo1yMGh_f55wgB05Ws5KGTr8L0IsGh5CnxfreizhGCEjSDr8-Mdt4PMQE1OyXQ94AK9T3sf9BMU9VCiw4PEZjDrfaAEJo/s1600-h/Leman+Russ+2+010+resized.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhMOJ9qRhhIUyeR2u2-Y6zdc0gvA78j4Ee6OBnWfitA3C6qpTo1yMGh_f55wgB05Ws5KGTr8L0IsGh5CnxfreizhGCEjSDr8-Mdt4PMQE1OyXQ94AK9T3sf9BMU9VCiw4PEZjDrfaAEJo/s320/Leman+Russ+2+010+resized.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5316504367997532226" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />One of the things I experimented with on this one was to do careful highlighting of raised edges with Boltgun Metal. To my delight, it added exactly what I was looking for: a very beat-up, worn feel that I felt was missing from the first Russ. I'm in the process of adding it to that one as well, and now I'm finally happy with the way the vehicles in this army are going to look.<br /><br /><br />Here's a shot of <i>Cruento Universum</i> and <i>Turpis Infinitus</i> together. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN5dmQllWhEXj2OKzscb4f1se3cgEmPfg9kR1liyE_sGM0Qmq4SscLFggaTxYjGqGVxaIxAaw3FNZqdgb89Jjl_L0uoj2pROc0EHkzVNXi_KHgxCqZzas4kznU3HcRcmlem00UtnZCZAQ/s1600-h/Leman+Russ+2+024+resized.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 231px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN5dmQllWhEXj2OKzscb4f1se3cgEmPfg9kR1liyE_sGM0Qmq4SscLFggaTxYjGqGVxaIxAaw3FNZqdgb89Jjl_L0uoj2pROc0EHkzVNXi_KHgxCqZzas4kznU3HcRcmlem00UtnZCZAQ/s400/Leman+Russ+2+024+resized.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5316505342393203922" /></a><br /><br /><br />The backpacking trip I mentioned is somewhat off-topic, but since it's a) the reason why I didn't get a chance to take pics of Russ 2 until today, and b) the reason I've got a lot of time to paint this week, I thought I'd post about it. I volunteer with a friend's Boy Scout troop every once in a while; I like the outdoors, hiking, camping, all that good stuff. So on Thursday, when I got a call that they needed another man to go with them after an Assistant Scoutmaster had dropped out due to illness, I said, "Sure!" On Saturday, we hiked out into the White Tank Mountains, west of Phoenix, Arizona (where I live). The weather here this time of year tops out at about 90F at mid-day, with humidity averaging 5-15%. It's <i>dry</i>. We hiked up and into the mountains, and after about seven hours, reached our campsite, where we spent the night. In the morning, we hiked back out.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJkc8WfxCo5IkdIf-95V_rgeeeFdkUdaxqsRiZYF6AbpS9HSTHwplAD_cuXatehD77UhJzzVbpvwFReDYmgHpslxgJemRm3TnrUe76LT-L9MIl02MPIHTFTTRxYYk6cyCy0nTm4fPWU3g/s1600-h/White+Tanks+035.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJkc8WfxCo5IkdIf-95V_rgeeeFdkUdaxqsRiZYF6AbpS9HSTHwplAD_cuXatehD77UhJzzVbpvwFReDYmgHpslxgJemRm3TnrUe76LT-L9MIl02MPIHTFTTRxYYk6cyCy0nTm4fPWU3g/s320/White+Tanks+035.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5316507850327237218" /></a> That's me, on the right. I'm probably not smiling because I'm realizing how out of shape a computer geek can get and what a stupid idea it is for me to try something like this.<br /><br />Anyway, I'm now sore all over and have the worst blisters imaginable on my feet, meaning I can just about hobble around the house until they heal. So I'll be using that as an excuse to do as much painting and blogging as possible over the next week. Hooray!<br /><br />Here's the view from the top of one of the (many) peaks we crested.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsUO0Kbw22_EcJwHWgYbcQR_1zdgLSCB4eUVLU5Zeb-DCEV3IqnpBF5qGG1B_WgGxxagnjlA7CFp0Tk7c-_WW_kVsFfNMSH8zK2ztaC7CCV-VNNEmkAm-XLpRlIN_MSBaN_LR19JQ3tQw/s1600-h/WT+Panorama+2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 148px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsUO0Kbw22_EcJwHWgYbcQR_1zdgLSCB4eUVLU5Zeb-DCEV3IqnpBF5qGG1B_WgGxxagnjlA7CFp0Tk7c-_WW_kVsFfNMSH8zK2ztaC7CCV-VNNEmkAm-XLpRlIN_MSBaN_LR19JQ3tQw/s400/WT+Panorama+2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5316509038644736450" /></a>Erichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03976761719483812386noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4044609419205665295.post-338847912497331532009-03-16T18:43:00.000-07:002009-03-16T18:59:11.582-07:00The big guns - Leman Russ 1First off, I apologize for going a week between posts. I had wanted to get this one out <i>before</i> the weekend, not after, but I could never seem to find more than twenty minutes at a time to sit down and finish painting, and eventually it was Monday.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7UXKannw2SB9jMX_ZmEYwMsQNEncQZCuYy2mdZ6U6B5BK11ee9cOQ0w9hIeNOH2s9XmNZV-a7tmz-V3a0ITjsFnkgFFkvH4pFCKS-G2qoNjiq7RlqgmXE6n3T9QcHaAVgs45_uQHdtyQ/s1600-h/Leman+Russ+003+resized.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 247px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7UXKannw2SB9jMX_ZmEYwMsQNEncQZCuYy2mdZ6U6B5BK11ee9cOQ0w9hIeNOH2s9XmNZV-a7tmz-V3a0ITjsFnkgFFkvH4pFCKS-G2qoNjiq7RlqgmXE6n3T9QcHaAVgs45_uQHdtyQ/s320/Leman+Russ+003+resized.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5313968238070337074" /></a> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdq2LW2hKjb7sdrZ9KD7MssxNFExGiWr9FaC_4aI6UmCp2DoKEsoBSEruqHtWxVcR6nMnyiGEMne7x0VmDCdT7QTxCfYJQ18V55xzU2G8oLtqEm0Xk6n5yiKVdMDTQ3R8q2no7cq1PE4w/s1600-h/Leman+Russ+020+resized.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 218px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdq2LW2hKjb7sdrZ9KD7MssxNFExGiWr9FaC_4aI6UmCp2DoKEsoBSEruqHtWxVcR6nMnyiGEMne7x0VmDCdT7QTxCfYJQ18V55xzU2G8oLtqEm0Xk6n5yiKVdMDTQ3R8q2no7cq1PE4w/s320/Leman+Russ+020+resized.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5313968399064418802" /></a><br /><br />Here are some shots of my first Russ, <i>Turpis Infinitus</i>, all prettied up with blood, symbols, verdigris-stained bronze, and some bloody skin parchment which I'm told are their tax returns. Even the Pact have to file their taxes this time of year.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKBVGecPr5LV5cWxEWDy68RxdPjcLwTflvdsauXI7qNtQTHjitnQy3caRPYHtl0fQIH1mCJbzcxmvcpRAc9oHzCZ1HeQCq9y2H0sHbGWPsBjdK-3Dfr3KAQqmYweoC1eyGOck1EgCDWxo/s1600-h/Leman+Russ+013+resized.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 306px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKBVGecPr5LV5cWxEWDy68RxdPjcLwTflvdsauXI7qNtQTHjitnQy3caRPYHtl0fQIH1mCJbzcxmvcpRAc9oHzCZ1HeQCq9y2H0sHbGWPsBjdK-3Dfr3KAQqmYweoC1eyGOck1EgCDWxo/s320/Leman+Russ+013+resized.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5313968516359472450" /></a> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq4zaKZYa1TWVr3pxYGofXP4q0N4FQFZSwOLQ59lcRVJDa948tV3jKIaC4y8fNol5clo8KAbJvwPyovSJW85OZVpcdxVTuWdNsSRbRpeunZnMg48bM9v4rybHrK2mvx_302vmduMzOs6E/s1600-h/Leman+Russ+019+resized.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 285px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq4zaKZYa1TWVr3pxYGofXP4q0N4FQFZSwOLQ59lcRVJDa948tV3jKIaC4y8fNol5clo8KAbJvwPyovSJW85OZVpcdxVTuWdNsSRbRpeunZnMg48bM9v4rybHrK2mvx_302vmduMzOs6E/s320/Leman+Russ+019+resized.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5313970078991430578" /></a><br /><br />Tomorrow I'll be finishing up painting on the second Russ, which is almost finished. Yay!Erichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03976761719483812386noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4044609419205665295.post-8106952596557757772009-03-09T19:41:00.000-07:002009-03-09T21:14:05.693-07:00Dude, Where's My Chimera?The Imperial Guard army list has always had problems with mobility. For one, Chimeras (I know, the correct pluralization is Chimerae, but it sounds pretentious in this context) are points-expensive; why should you buy what is, essentially, an armored taxi, when you could get another squad of infantry for the same points? For another, mechanization is limiting; if you take the doctrine that allows every squad to have a transport, then <i>every</i> squad has to have a transport. Pretty soon you're devoting a large amount of your points to Chimeras.<br /><br />Well, the combination of 5th Edition (where mobility is king) and the upcoming Guard codex (with its 30-point reduction in Chimera cost) gives some pretty compelling reasons why you should now be pimping your rides, as it were.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTVvQari2T_Lku5WBUJGOHrw7uGxjbOXnj1IhUMOp9MW-kyH73fL6AaI6kBai7V4R6Iae0zZ-s7b1RXzuZue3Lqd2KJZyPQrIZAvixQxWSxdOrwerZvel-meFQEU_h0JkBQSRKo5TwdpA/s1600-h/Army.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTVvQari2T_Lku5WBUJGOHrw7uGxjbOXnj1IhUMOp9MW-kyH73fL6AaI6kBai7V4R6Iae0zZ-s7b1RXzuZue3Lqd2KJZyPQrIZAvixQxWSxdOrwerZvel-meFQEU_h0JkBQSRKo5TwdpA/s400/Army.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5311393629854374578" /></a> Here's my army list, in chart form. Excuse my awesomely bad Paint skills.<br /><br />The theory behind my list is based on Blood Pact tactics; a fast-moving shock troop force, equipped for middle-to-close-range firefights. The Missile/Plasma Gun squads and Russes are for dealing with MEQs and vehicles, while the Stalk-tank sentinel and Melta-equipped Platoon HQ are for heavy vehicles. My HQ Squad is melee-equipped, though not especially heavily. I know that in practice, they'll serve as a roadbump, but melee is fluffy for Blood Pact. <br /><br />As you can see, I have seven Chimeras. Aside from the Command HQ Chimera, which is equipped with dual Heavy Flamers, I elected to give them Heavy Bolters to fulfill an anti-horde role, which is something lacking in my regular troops. 36 Heavy Bolter shots a turn (while they're all still functioning) ensures that I'll be able to chew up Orks, Tyranids, Guard, etc. fairly nicely, and still stay mobile for claiming objectives. That many vehicles will hopefully have some sort of psychological impact on my opponents, too.<br /><br />While mobility is important in 5th Edition due to objectives missions, the downside is of course that all these Chimeras count as kill points. In kill point missions (which are the bane of every Guard army), I can hopefully deploy a reasonably strong gunline with both troops and transports to give me a fighting chance.<br /><br />Overall, I'm hoping that my list presents a "Many important targets, but not one critical target" sort of appearance. The lascannon sentinel is tempting, but there are so many vehicles that it might be ignored. The Hardened Vet squad is very shooty, with three plasma guns, but there are a lot of troops that need to be neutralized if we're playing an objective mission.<br /><br />All of this, of course, is navelgazing, since it's based on theory and mathhammer and not fact. We'll see once I get a few games in. :)<br /><br />Anyway - back to the Chimeras. The big box I got the other week contained more Chaos bits and another five Chimeras. I already had two old Chimeras laying around that I'd gotten in a trade years ago, so I figured I'd fix those up to save some money.<br /><br />I decided to detail the interiors, and to that end I added fold-down bench seats to the sides. Then, I added details to the back walls. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia_UmZFPEbXNMIpNuDg1xgQJMd7BVZweV0UXYdbVl8fB6R5a0smjhdaWlRz9Gwz9PXnkONI9WhJLxPtHMKYSEOpXjzMUvevpdPIhiuVEW14MPBhT9juut0jDGsXCTD8-2tEgd0Z7sE7nU/s1600-h/Chimerae+016.jpg_scaled.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 292px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia_UmZFPEbXNMIpNuDg1xgQJMd7BVZweV0UXYdbVl8fB6R5a0smjhdaWlRz9Gwz9PXnkONI9WhJLxPtHMKYSEOpXjzMUvevpdPIhiuVEW14MPBhT9juut0jDGsXCTD8-2tEgd0Z7sE7nU/s400/Chimerae+016.jpg_scaled.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5311401604909818882" /></a><br />Lastly, since I wanted to show off the interiors (and also because the hinges on rear Chimera doors are really flimsy), I built hinged, carnival-style gates as rear doors, using drilled-out plasticard rods. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-2URGiJYgp38BphL13Ydwtn4Nin1MTJFjy7qtZ-frKpjMitPt8C7O6-4u2yALjWDwmWn5PifDJM5Ls3oYzCY3P7GDn7ksY57wiDiTF6zMBUqbKRASe8uxmnOHqlEaTv5YpZoTuOc7OBc/s1600-h/Chimera+1+006.jpg_scaled.jpg"><img style="float:center; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 262px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-2URGiJYgp38BphL13Ydwtn4Nin1MTJFjy7qtZ-frKpjMitPt8C7O6-4u2yALjWDwmWn5PifDJM5Ls3oYzCY3P7GDn7ksY57wiDiTF6zMBUqbKRASe8uxmnOHqlEaTv5YpZoTuOc7OBc/s400/Chimera+1+006.jpg_scaled.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5311402133689517330" /></a><br /><br />I also had another problem; one of the old Chimeras I had was missing its turret. So, I made a unique turret for the Command HQ's Heavy Flamer Chimera, using a leftover Hellhound Inferno Cannon, some flamer tanks, and the turret mount thing from a Land Raider's Heavy Bolter. To give it a more Chaotic feel, I added this neat dragon skull thing that I'd been dying to use <i>somewhere</i> in this army. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlWibawYO1bi2tMasOyQuVHlbM2_0GOTZRq-xmLkMHjPLzcYF-dLIFKwu4qSRhOko1x8m0PxgCYagLLFuIrdrJscri1Tumw9fZkVm9bi5wRyEbbwOZYvH-k0vF-_X4QVaqMTeErfzMgaQ/s1600-h/Chimerae+008.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 279px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlWibawYO1bi2tMasOyQuVHlbM2_0GOTZRq-xmLkMHjPLzcYF-dLIFKwu4qSRhOko1x8m0PxgCYagLLFuIrdrJscri1Tumw9fZkVm9bi5wRyEbbwOZYvH-k0vF-_X4QVaqMTeErfzMgaQ/s400/Chimerae+008.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5311403124076679954" /></a><br /><br />I still have a lot of work to do on these puppies... here's the tank factory's current status: <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt1ZhUGXatgd_UPSvStp5OM5QpqsXsvGvkle7VXnid7_5B3Hc-jr5HYjWguNjhcdfj_r7D0v3TdN0w1fvxvURd1qBAPw93BTVX2CUTIYiUfSaH1u0YchLwSdhmfJMaEpDbXKpMQxpRxfQ/s1600-h/Chimerae+015.jpg_scaled.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt1ZhUGXatgd_UPSvStp5OM5QpqsXsvGvkle7VXnid7_5B3Hc-jr5HYjWguNjhcdfj_r7D0v3TdN0w1fvxvURd1qBAPw93BTVX2CUTIYiUfSaH1u0YchLwSdhmfJMaEpDbXKpMQxpRxfQ/s320/Chimerae+015.jpg_scaled.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5311404134878637154" /></a><br /><br />I could also use some input. See, I'm not sure what to do with the rear top hatches and the lasgun ports. I'm not sure if I should do something fancy with the top hatches, such as making hatches shaped like Khorne symbols, or putting sacrificed Guardsmen corpses strapped across them or something, or just bolt them shut. With the interiors detailed, though, it seems a shame to shut out the light from above with plain old hatches.<br /><br />As for the lasgun ports, I am tempted to keep them empty and open. I've never liked the look of the rear lasguns, since they can barely even point horizontally and they block their own viewscopes. I figured that the Blood Pact troops inside would much more easily just stick their own lasguns out, and it'd also save me from detailing the trigger assemblies on the inside. But now I'm not so sure. I'd almost rather do something interesting and Chaosy with the ports, like blocking them off and putting spikes jutting out from them. If anyone has any ideas, please share 'em.<br /><br />For now, I'll be plugging away on these babies. In my next post, I'll have some pics of the first Leman Russ, which I've post about in the past, but which now has more character (and blood).Erichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03976761719483812386noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4044609419205665295.post-77918036537755837832009-03-04T12:26:00.000-08:002009-03-06T08:48:18.563-08:00Etogaur commander & command squadSo, one of the things I was resolved to do when I started blogging again was to improve my photography skills. I actually took a few photography courses in high school, and I've always been artistically-minded, so while I have a solid grasp of the concepts, putting them into practice can be a challenge. In other words: I'm a perfectionist and will be working to produce better pictures of my models. I'll also start resizing my images to a less bandwidth-killing resolution, so it's actually worth the time to click on them to see the full thing.<br /><br />On that note, I've taken some pictures of the Etogaur of my Blood Pact (Etogaur is a rank roughly equivalent to Colonel), along with his command squad:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8f-U1SGMLgna8LZYMBCrvUCM17QEavGWG7WcFvYe0Cde9N0CUVeRLCvNR-i_xv1Y92n3exOG_K8szvGQ1bDj-UBUh5-BuJCPFX7zZ3wrglLHBTEbEWt8_MUg6_thSyh8JV4IzdpRWdDQ/s1600-h/Command+Squad+026.jpg_scaled.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 202px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8f-U1SGMLgna8LZYMBCrvUCM17QEavGWG7WcFvYe0Cde9N0CUVeRLCvNR-i_xv1Y92n3exOG_K8szvGQ1bDj-UBUh5-BuJCPFX7zZ3wrglLHBTEbEWt8_MUg6_thSyh8JV4IzdpRWdDQ/s400/Command+Squad+026.jpg_scaled.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5309433475102840050" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyuIOr0X-yftH199oadCHKbirlPR0hkvAjNk-gUBPlAXAg73kDzNAWKiLG3G2t1J9QFk_asCiIWZka18zCutNpDKLr0iCAJHVL8d5X5d21AyaAogCpK8Ged1DyCFi9Lum7Li7K6YLB_2w/s1600-h/Command+Squad+042.jpg_scaled.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 350px; height: 338px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyuIOr0X-yftH199oadCHKbirlPR0hkvAjNk-gUBPlAXAg73kDzNAWKiLG3G2t1J9QFk_asCiIWZka18zCutNpDKLr0iCAJHVL8d5X5d21AyaAogCpK8Ged1DyCFi9Lum7Li7K6YLB_2w/s400/Command+Squad+042.jpg_scaled.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5309436522711985618" /></a> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKK-bN1BVBAtuQDkJrHSHX86w1OP55l1Sm1bx2ALn2aod6RUWbhUke-VxmzvW0Nj9wsEq_k7iQtKfC1pm8t2oVnLKfDdVBjX80nT4rR20dw8VWWr9giXSsN2MtFDiZPTtBPBQizVyLtWo/s1600-h/Command+Squad+039.jpg_scaled.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 350px; height: 304px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKK-bN1BVBAtuQDkJrHSHX86w1OP55l1Sm1bx2ALn2aod6RUWbhUke-VxmzvW0Nj9wsEq_k7iQtKfC1pm8t2oVnLKfDdVBjX80nT4rR20dw8VWWr9giXSsN2MtFDiZPTtBPBQizVyLtWo/s400/Command+Squad+039.jpg_scaled.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5309436636171018418" /></a><br /><br />When building him, I wanted a model that was unmistakably a Chaos worshipper, but also envoked the image of a military officer. I also had to distinguish him in some way from the regular troops; as a high-ranking Blood Pact officer, he would naturally get the best of the gear and weapons available. So, I used a Space Marine Scout torso with attached cloak, and a pair of legs from the Imperial Guard tank commander (the one on the vehicle accessory sprue). The head is from the Warhammer Fantasy Chaos Warrior sprue. I shaved off some skulls from Guard canteens to decorate his chest armor with, and added a few other bits and pieces.<br /><br />You'll also notice that he's not wearing a Grotesk. I wanted the Etogaur to be the only model on the table that is not wearing one, to both distinguish him from his troops and to show that he has been blessed with Chaos mutations. Though, if I can manage to model a Grotesk and glue it hanging on his belt, I will do so (I tried before I painted him, and it's really tough).<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibpdJD1LAgHYQehCBXisK_wpeNI6PgGyIcJhmRWNXWssfSyhWxsbVxuAOsheVgWLKTr6fBrQSVFVarlMA3A05o1ff3xcteZQP-l5RYjyL_WCjuMU0H2BuEkPncG70xwwcY2x_qmmW0dLg/s1600-h/Command+Squad+064.jpg_scaled.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 312px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibpdJD1LAgHYQehCBXisK_wpeNI6PgGyIcJhmRWNXWssfSyhWxsbVxuAOsheVgWLKTr6fBrQSVFVarlMA3A05o1ff3xcteZQP-l5RYjyL_WCjuMU0H2BuEkPncG70xwwcY2x_qmmW0dLg/s400/Command+Squad+064.jpg_scaled.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5309438380770240514" /></a> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJEjLcdb5Xsezef12duN8fc2PjditwF_nIkeN0w5ELE5eSvzgTt8XUAAfnKhfByhArVWuj4wycY70WrybCZ7WFoplTm3sQu5c-WX3-NazwuWUkaUQUHVXa8ErWkOYFwpjwIcArrZxl6wM/s1600-h/Command+Squad+063.jpg_scaled.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 312px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJEjLcdb5Xsezef12duN8fc2PjditwF_nIkeN0w5ELE5eSvzgTt8XUAAfnKhfByhArVWuj4wycY70WrybCZ7WFoplTm3sQu5c-WX3-NazwuWUkaUQUHVXa8ErWkOYFwpjwIcArrZxl6wM/s400/Command+Squad+063.jpg_scaled.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5309438522313516162" /></a><br /><br />The Company Standard was taken from the Dark Elf Knight sprue, and embellished with Khornate and Chaos icons. The actual color doesn't show up as well as I'd like in the pictures, but the icons on the banner are done in simulated blood, using a mix of GW 'Ardcoat varnish, red ink, and chesnut ink.<br /><br />I really love this method of painting blood; you can modify how congealed/clotted the blood looks, depending on the amount of chesnut ink you add. Using varnish as the base gives it texture and ensures that it's really shiny when it dries. I've used the same effect on the melee weapons of the command squad.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiym-qLCPd1eb2RG40X1co4HCgyweVmoJWrTh2wLQ4kVX3pQ6orHIr2nehYGAawku6nJMezEctJ_eVS0wNCObkeSISArSfbMQoRiV2ODzQeA1_qQL_fTqv179rM8KSx2tZSSBIhB8sGwO8/s1600-h/Command+Squad+077.jpg_scaled.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 220px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiym-qLCPd1eb2RG40X1co4HCgyweVmoJWrTh2wLQ4kVX3pQ6orHIr2nehYGAawku6nJMezEctJ_eVS0wNCObkeSISArSfbMQoRiV2ODzQeA1_qQL_fTqv179rM8KSx2tZSSBIhB8sGwO8/s400/Command+Squad+077.jpg_scaled.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5309441164994926098" /></a><br /><br />If you're wondering about the bases, I have quite a story to tell. You see, I hate basing. Despite the fact that I love converting and painting, I've never liked texturing my bases. I've always had trouble with it. Either the basing material peels off, or it flakes off everywhere, or the fake grass leaves little bits all over my storage case. So, back in September, I ordered 50 textured battle bases from Epicast, determined to avoid all the hassle. It took two weeks before my credit card was actually charged... and a further month for the bases to arrive at my house.<br /><br />Except that, well, I'd only received 3/4 of the bases I ordered.<br /><br />Now, I'm a pretty reasonable guy. I don't play the Angry Customer Who Is Always Right card unless I have to; I understand that sometimes, problems happen, and running a business isn't easy. So, I emailed them about it, and they assured me that the rest of the bases were on their way. Yay. Problem solved, I thought.<br /><br />That brings me to the second problem: When I primed the bases using your basic Games Workshop primer... the primer didn't stick. I could peel it off in chunks with light pressure with my fingernail. Figuring it was the primer that was the problem, I tried Armory primer... and the same thing happened. So, I contacted Epicast again, and explained the problem. They said that they would exchange the bases or refund my money, my choice. Happy for now, I decided to wait for the rest of my bases to arrive, and then return them.<br /><br />And I waited. And waited.<br /><br />By the end of November, when I still hadn't received the rest of my bases, I requested a refund. I'd given them ample time to send the rest of what I'd paid for, and my patience was running out. Long story short, I returned what I've received, and it took two more months and five more emails to get my refund. So if you ever consider ordering from Epicast, my recommendation is NO NEVER DON'T DO IT FOR GOD'S SAKE PLEASE.<br /><br />However, there is a happy ending here. I discovered <a href="http://www.champindustries.net/orders_b.html">Champ Industries</a>. Champ Industries creates textured plastic bases for a mere <i>thirty cents each</i>. While they only make two different designs - industrial plating and a stone design - it was perfect. I'd wanted industrial bases to give a cold, hard feeling to the bases that would contrast the warmer, softer (and bloodier) colors of my Blood Pact uniform color scheme. I ordered about a hundred of them, and I'd recommend them to anyone who needs industrial bases.<br /><br />Next post: Mass Chimera construction! I've never built so many tanks at once...Erichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03976761719483812386noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4044609419205665295.post-10351113518965788882009-03-02T13:51:00.000-08:002009-03-03T19:40:08.839-08:00Hiatus Thus Hath EndedHooray!<br /><br />So: When life gets in the way of the hobby, things (such as this blog) unfortunately get put on hold. It happens to all of us at some point, and for my part I apologize for disappearing. For me, it was a couple of things. A good friend of ours moved into our spare bedroom this winter, so I had to get rid of my hobby table (as it was in said bedroom). Then the holiday season kicked in, and that's always a busy time.<br /><br />In addition, we finally managed to do some long-needed renovations on our living room and den, to turn this -<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH-U4OcE6m3jB0f_s8WLi4hTxtE0iYFz2akaj5t0GFeKNr9vjKfAIXUCU8HdinSTD_uHEY-rQ0RroySlfEnuwOY7J5wZpFwLzMHS9mWgHqF7tpURn51fkrDPLW_wl2iqt6gT-uj85fA84/s1600-h/Floor+004.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH-U4OcE6m3jB0f_s8WLi4hTxtE0iYFz2akaj5t0GFeKNr9vjKfAIXUCU8HdinSTD_uHEY-rQ0RroySlfEnuwOY7J5wZpFwLzMHS9mWgHqF7tpURn51fkrDPLW_wl2iqt6gT-uj85fA84/s320/Floor+004.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5308719908006326690" /></a> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj95g_Uba-yL3hxJ0M4f8949JyIkgDP5jtk24Qb4yOvqGieeqNZDkdJ0Egq9UfydYFDYC1idDDRbc61FlWblowxRLPNqq8RC_3ULRFuAcau6g7pFbLeLuY6M1Ql9BBTc99iuiAlI8MmOqk/s1600-h/Floor+002.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj95g_Uba-yL3hxJ0M4f8949JyIkgDP5jtk24Qb4yOvqGieeqNZDkdJ0Egq9UfydYFDYC1idDDRbc61FlWblowxRLPNqq8RC_3ULRFuAcau6g7pFbLeLuY6M1Ql9BBTc99iuiAlI8MmOqk/s320/Floor+002.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5308719698191341042" /></a><br /><br />- into this: <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd3TdAeUystV1hc075B_ojOj7lUKvi9ZoruoVVgOjLltKLftJFLB9D95dHXB9_6hEXDAfL0Ll1HbqUH7Ls5tiba2zkjcwmDx57TUKP9qLUNaQ75Wn6sQPJTMH4CcPraDxUrsC75A5b-Wk/s1600-h/House+015.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd3TdAeUystV1hc075B_ojOj7lUKvi9ZoruoVVgOjLltKLftJFLB9D95dHXB9_6hEXDAfL0Ll1HbqUH7Ls5tiba2zkjcwmDx57TUKP9qLUNaQ75Wn6sQPJTMH4CcPraDxUrsC75A5b-Wk/s320/House+015.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5308720184808697666" /></a> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr5pXOOucwK1qDw5hdJ8j-5PpteVWT7kHEajVO59zgXoYuhLOV40S92GIo6li9gaCUjol573YmCWSAfdZhAJn8XyJP0t_1WORQ-2zMIICAfpzLyBcBJOCSovKfFSOPS9sfqUzpNhq069c/s1600-h/House+014.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr5pXOOucwK1qDw5hdJ8j-5PpteVWT7kHEajVO59zgXoYuhLOV40S92GIo6li9gaCUjol573YmCWSAfdZhAJn8XyJP0t_1WORQ-2zMIICAfpzLyBcBJOCSovKfFSOPS9sfqUzpNhq069c/s320/House+014.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5308720325522830914" /></a><br /><br />I also took on another monumental task: The organization and cataloging of my wife's entire book collection, which was stored throughout the house in bits and pieces (and boxes and closets and so on). To that end, I began building myself a study in the back room of our house, which was unused and simply storing many of the books. To those who don't know me personally, by the way, I should clarify that this has been my wife's home for ten years, and I moved in when I married her two years ago. These were all jobs I had wanted to do for some time - I can be OCD about house projects, since I happen to really enjoy them - and our friend moving in proved to be the impetus to get them done.<br /><br />So, here's what my new study looks like:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgadc7CQRyoQ9FL-xkiJMrysq0XGtYgpDvK4fNSCCSP4iK_GoTI_VWzhXGYOs8j6LbNAPj3cC2UW9HZSrNt18heAHY9fXZ3RTMMzQhNkp876ieni2fkwThAXlcCrP2BlTIAB3_8N1psWpc/s1600-h/Study+006.jpg"><img style="float:center; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgadc7CQRyoQ9FL-xkiJMrysq0XGtYgpDvK4fNSCCSP4iK_GoTI_VWzhXGYOs8j6LbNAPj3cC2UW9HZSrNt18heAHY9fXZ3RTMMzQhNkp876ieni2fkwThAXlcCrP2BlTIAB3_8N1psWpc/s320/Study+006.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5308722332901117906" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9SZPcrxgiVszxdbmcMXjhZYruQnW-D0LBH9s43veIzRVgLxLxW7WqR5JETYn03B46qhi-8DIb6DxgXDd6rUQs6FkANGUnwMy_1MY6n9T2lKgbWoEiI-Plf-cjvS5Kh8BDsRwMP4p8838/s1600-h/Study+004.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9SZPcrxgiVszxdbmcMXjhZYruQnW-D0LBH9s43veIzRVgLxLxW7WqR5JETYn03B46qhi-8DIb6DxgXDd6rUQs6FkANGUnwMy_1MY6n9T2lKgbWoEiI-Plf-cjvS5Kh8BDsRwMP4p8838/s320/Study+004.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5308724299056674322" /></a> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7MazXYuz4nOii7nDX-ApWQ5Hm7bdMnJSNjHzUrUv61Z4jQ7yEbPdOzHCyQ8IFa4xXXcFjkcpq-YXf_GFniEsVVutzckSmAp3-56gCUYdYIWr1MxicRpCtMUamQ_JkcJiy49eIQ2JyjbE/s1600-h/Study+005.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7MazXYuz4nOii7nDX-ApWQ5Hm7bdMnJSNjHzUrUv61Z4jQ7yEbPdOzHCyQ8IFa4xXXcFjkcpq-YXf_GFniEsVVutzckSmAp3-56gCUYdYIWr1MxicRpCtMUamQ_JkcJiy49eIQ2JyjbE/s320/Study+005.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5308724508749607090" /></a><br /><br />Yes, those are <i>all</i> of my wife's books. If you're curious, there are 652 books there on a total of five bookcases, though that doesn't include our collection of Warhammer 40,000 novels. They're, uh, in the bedroom, for some reason.<br /><br />Anyway, back on topic. My army has progressed at breakneck speed the past few weeks I've had this set up, so I've got lots to show. I finalized my army list, which you can see on the right-hand side of the blog. I'll discuss the specifics of my list in another post, since I'd love some feedback. Despite my love of Warhammer 40,000, I have yet to play more than a single game in 5th Edition, so my army list was built with some theories that I have yet to put into practice. I figure some of you will have some real-world experience on it.<br /><br />Speaking of my blog, I've updated it with a new look and (what I hope is) a more useful layout. Comments, critiques welcome.<br /><br />I'm currently averaging 4-5 hours of modeling and painting per day; my goal with this blog is to post about my progress at least twice a week. So, to finish up this re-introductory post, here's what I received in the mail last week - the last models I needed for this army, in an ominously large box...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigqtqo3lah_KZAQzx68wH6hPOdfh4DGVqH9-hthCa4fklShQdLVocwiSSGWTU2K0qR1gx0BcWUwSZyv0vqzh7OQ5KXUlpRIb1A32Evf3qSZYsGEwvLAbgxvD9krWIhwezxffifa1HfUkY/s1600-h/box.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigqtqo3lah_KZAQzx68wH6hPOdfh4DGVqH9-hthCa4fklShQdLVocwiSSGWTU2K0qR1gx0BcWUwSZyv0vqzh7OQ5KXUlpRIb1A32Evf3qSZYsGEwvLAbgxvD9krWIhwezxffifa1HfUkY/s200/box.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5308727631029497682" /></a>Erichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03976761719483812386noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4044609419205665295.post-53536928806098391282008-07-31T06:13:00.000-07:002009-02-28T09:55:06.455-08:00Blood Pact - the novelSo, I've slacked off a bit. Catching up on work has been a bear since I got back from my trip (I'm an editor and work on contract, so my deadlines wait for no man), but I plan on chugging ahead in the next week. I'll need to if I want to get back on schedule!<br /><br />A couple of miscellaneous things to show you, in the meantime - the first, if you haven't seen it yet, is the cover art for the next Gaunt's Ghost book, <i>Blood Pact</i>.<br /><br /><img src="http://www.blacklibrary.com/images/books-large/blood-pact.jpg"><br /><br />I wish I could see what kind of grotesk that guy in the back is wearing, but the Pacter in the front looks spot-on with what I'm doing. And it looks like the German helmets are exactly what Abnett was imagining. So, hooray!<br /><br />The other thing I have to show you is the new Games Workshop store in Toronto, which I visited while I was up there. They used to be located in the Eaton Centre, which is the biggest, fanciest mall in the city (so you can imagine how small the store used to be). Recently they moved to a much better location. The manager is a good friend of mine who I went to high school with. Here's a picture, taken from the rear of this massive new store (and keep in mind, there are two more full-sized gaming tables behind me!):<br /><br /><img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/moon.e01/SIUg8vPA-mI/AAAAAAAACSE/QizO9YirWLg/s800/Toronto%20051.jpg"><br /><br />It has something like four glass display cases, six gaming tables, a painting station, and a Dark Angels Space Marine in the front window. And it's got a basement of the same size, too, so they may end up putting in <i>another</i> six or seven tables.<br /><br />My other good friend back in Canada (who I also went to high school with) is the head of Direct Sales, and we met up at the store to play a quick 1000-point game, Imperial Guard vs. his new radical Daemonhunters. It ended up being a 4-objective mission. With only 1000 points, it was a tough game on both sides. I lost, but it was a heck of a lot of fun with the 5thED rules.<br /><br />Now that most of my work is back on track, I should be able to forge ahead with the Blood Pact. Less than forty models to go, but a lot of model<i>ing</i> left to do!Erichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03976761719483812386noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4044609419205665295.post-61322104490906470342008-07-21T19:52:00.001-07:002008-07-21T19:56:49.168-07:00Home againHome and jetlagged. I'll be posting some updates by the end of the week, but for now, I leave you with this picture from my trip. It's a huge billboard advertisement along the freeway that goes through Toronto:<br /><br /><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/moon.e01/SIUg4DG1yiI/AAAAAAAACQ0/LZ8UMRxMCTg/s400/Toronto%20035.jpg"><br /><br />Yes, Canada has an entirely different view of Cuba.Erichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03976761719483812386noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4044609419205665295.post-66892050485428331982008-07-11T17:42:00.000-07:002009-02-28T09:08:30.260-08:00Completed Leman RussWell, it's been a while! Between being overloaded with work and planning a vacation to visit family up north, I've not had a lot of time to post. Thankfully, I used what time I had to work on a number of things.<ul><li> Squad 1 is complete and 3/4 painted; I'll complete them when I return from vacation next week.<br /><li> Leman Russ 1 is finished; pics below.<br /><li> Leman Russ 2 is built and ready to be primed.<br /><li> My German helmeted heads arrived from Westwind Productions a couple weeks ago, so my Death Brigade veteran squad is now ready to be primed. The heads are unfortunately just a little small, but hopefully it'll be less noticeable when they're painted. I also found that I can cut the heads out of the helmets and strap the helmets onto packs/belts/etc, so I may end up doing that a lot.</ul><br /><br />I mentioned in the first post that this was going to be a 1500 point army. The army's build is something of an experiment for me, and I hope it will pay off with 5th edition. So, here's what's left to build:<br /><ul><li> HQ - Command squad. I haven't decided what to use as my commander model.<br /><li> TROOPS - Platoon command squad, 2nd infantry squad<br /><li> TROOPS - Armored Fist squad<br /><li> ELITES - 3-man Loxatl squad (using Ogryn rules)<br /><li> FAST ATTACK - Stalk-tank (using Sentinel rules)<br /><li> TRANSPORTS - 6 Chimeras (army is Mechanized)</ul><br />So, that's where I stand. A lot of vehicles left to build, and I need to figure out exactly how to make the Loxatl. The Stalk-talk is already planned out in my head, and I simply need to order the bits.<br /><br />Now, on to the pictures! Here is my first completed Leman Russ.<br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/moon.e01/BloodPact/photo#5221929200858292450"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/moon.e01/SHgE8PNl4OI/AAAAAAAACOk/ZP2fISr-mu8/s400/Leman%20Russ%20001.jpg" /></a><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/moon.e01/BloodPact/photo#5221929206419824034"><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/moon.e01/SHgE8j7kHaI/AAAAAAAACOs/WNIpBthZLwc/s400/Leman%20Russ%20002.jpg" /></a><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/moon.e01/BloodPact/photo#5221929214576396338"><img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/moon.e01/SHgE9CUPiDI/AAAAAAAACO0/WSgaJQDjfZQ/s400/Leman%20Russ%20003.jpg" /></a><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/moon.e01/BloodPact/photo#5221929224054308978"><img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/moon.e01/SHgE9ln9AHI/AAAAAAAACO8/ovh2dNTCcdM/s400/Leman%20Russ%20004.jpg" /></a><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/moon.e01/BloodPact/photo#5221929234545861506"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/moon.e01/SHgE-MtVY4I/AAAAAAAACPE/wuboAuGfY5E/s400/Leman%20Russ%20005.jpg" /></a><br /><br />I ended up doing some more modifications before painting; namely, I cut off part of the barrel and replaced it with the battlecannon from a Defiler. I also added the Chaos vehicle hatch, and represented the pintle Heavy Stubber with a coaxial barrel.<br /><br />I may add some symbols or markings later, as it feels a little plain. But that will come in time as the army begins to take on a life of its own.... mwahahaha!<br /><br />Vacation next week. When I return, squad 1 will be finished in all its glory!Erichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03976761719483812386noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4044609419205665295.post-10423132730513177822008-06-18T10:26:00.000-07:002008-06-18T10:53:02.210-07:00ReinforcementsHooray! My GW Washes set came in, along with a few other bits and pieces:<br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/moon.e01/BloodPact/photo#5213277694262531298"><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/moon.e01/SFlIcRn8VOI/AAAAAAAACHk/lYlei7X-FLw/s400/Blood%20Pact%20088.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br />I immediately set to work experimenting with the washes, and think I've settled on a color scheme. Basecoat of Mechrite Red, followed by a wash of Devlan Mud. Then a highlight of Blood Red to make it pop. Below is my test model after experimenting (with the uniform scheme, that is):<br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/moon.e01/BloodPact/photo#5213277713864021378"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/moon.e01/SFlIdapTVYI/AAAAAAAACH0/38wN2Ljh-Nc/s400/Blood%20Pact%20097.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br />I also got a few more masks done - this leaves only three more to do in order for the first squad to be complete:<br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/moon.e01/BloodPact/photo#5213277704294230674"><img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/moon.e01/SFlIc2_r6pI/AAAAAAAACHs/VBZz9yEzPwo/s800/Blood%20Pact%20091.jpg" /></a><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/moon.e01/BloodPact/photo#5213277721090961042"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/moon.e01/SFlId1kVrpI/AAAAAAAACH8/7eBi_f3MWlI/s800/Blood%20Pact%20103.jpg" /></a><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/moon.e01/BloodPact/photo#5213277730853175698"><img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/moon.e01/SFlIeZ71QZI/AAAAAAAACIE/Xqm1KFuJIw4/s800/Blood%20Pact%20104.jpg" /></a><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/moon.e01/BloodPact/photo#5213277735602184258"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/moon.e01/SFlIeroFYEI/AAAAAAAACIM/s1y71UzcYUY/s800/Blood%20Pact%20110.jpg" /></a><br /><br />I'm still waiting on the WWII helmet heads, which I hope will arrive this week. However, I've got plenty more to keep me busy - both another Leman Russ and a Chimera to build, for one.<br /><br />This army is going to be Mechanised, and so that means there will be six (yes, six) Chimeras. As a result, I don't want to just make them standard... I was thinking of making them STeG4s, but with a transport capacity. Since the STeG4 is wheeled, I looked for inspiration. I found it in this - Owen Rees' 374th Tahnelian Airborne.<br /><br /><img src="http://www.ifelix.co.uk/images989/IMG_3265.jpg"><br /><img src="http://www.ifelix.co.uk/images989/IMG_3264.jpg"><br /><br />Assuming I can figure out what the heck to make the wheels out of, I'll be doing something similar. If anyone has any ideas on where to get some affordable, appropriately-sized wheels, please let me know!Erichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03976761719483812386noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4044609419205665295.post-63794072213244104162008-06-14T15:02:00.000-07:002008-06-14T15:19:40.085-07:00Death Brigade - Hardened VeteransAh, the veritable Hardened Veterans. The Blood Pact elite are made up of veterans and organized into so-called Death Brigades, because an army of fearless, trained, militant, bloodthirsty soldiers who worship Khorne just <i>isn't elite enough</i>.<br /><br />This will be a six-man squad, which I'll probably later expand. The squad is made up of:<br /><UL> <LI>A Vet Sergeant w/Storm Bolter<br /><LI>Three Veterans w/Plasma Guns<br /><LI>A Veteran w/Missile Launcher (RPG)<br /><LI>A Veteran w/Shotgun (he's the Missile Launcher Loader, First Casualty™, Redshirt, and All Around Nice Guy)</UL><br /><br />I made armored backpacks using Voxcasters. No heads yet, since they'll be given German helmets.<br /><br />Sergeant:<br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/moon.e01/BloodPact/photo#5211863037881996002"><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/moon.e01/SFRB0b7x0uI/AAAAAAAACGU/DL3HR4_7Eac/s400/Blood%20Pact%20041.jpg" /></a><br /><br />Plasma Gunners - these guys use a Chaos and Khornate plasma pistol as the basis, respectively:<br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/moon.e01/BloodPact/photo#5211862899157572002"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/moon.e01/SFRBsXJTGaI/AAAAAAAACFk/AfI4RhLDGi8/s400/Blood%20Pact%20047.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/moon.e01/BloodPact/photo#5211862992090792514"><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/moon.e01/SFRBxxWTgkI/AAAAAAAACGE/8QlZUws1sPQ/s400/Blood%20Pact%20054.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br />The loader needs some greenstuffing; I plan to make him pulling a spare RPG round out of a sack. But at least he's got a neat shotgun.<br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/moon.e01/BloodPact/photo#5211862955485760226"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/moon.e01/SFRBvo-_CuI/AAAAAAAACF0/j4nZZUfKJW4/s400/Blood%20Pact%20051.jpg" /></a><br /><br />A closeup of the shotgun, made using <a href="http://www.40konline.com/community/index.php?topic=119560.msg1428420#msg1428420">Ailaros' shotgun conversion method</a>:<br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/moon.e01/BloodPact/photo#5211862965602499858"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/moon.e01/SFRBwOrAPRI/AAAAAAAACF8/XO7uTV2t4VM/s400/Blood%20Pact%20053.jpg" /></a>Erichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03976761719483812386noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4044609419205665295.post-25431475522110738212008-06-14T14:53:00.000-07:002008-06-14T15:00:38.761-07:00First Leman RussRather than futz around trying to design an AT83 Reaver, I decided to go with a standard Leman Russ, albeit one that was beat up. I figure the Blood Pact captures vehicles all the time, so why not?<br /><br />I wanted something fairly simple - too many spikes and bodies and junk can get trite, especially when considering that this is a military force, not a buncha cultists. So I beat it up a bit with bullet holes, scratches, and scuff marks, and added a select few Chaos bits.<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/moon.e01/BloodPact/photo#5211859606727948898"><img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/moon.e01/SFQ-st45-mI/AAAAAAAACE4/wQyo7CPw3JM/s400/Blood%20Pact%20058.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/moon.e01/BloodPact/photo#5211859643876068370"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/moon.e01/SFQ-u4RtTBI/AAAAAAAACFA/T-yt-pmnKHM/s400/Blood%20Pact%20059.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br />My wife, being the lovely conversion nut that she is, extended the treads out so that it looked more realistic:<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/moon.e01/BloodPact/photo#5211859682740680690"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/moon.e01/SFQ-xJDwN_I/AAAAAAAACFI/uhL2yMQFdeA/s400/Blood%20Pact%20061.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/moon.e01/BloodPact/photo#5211859721857729346"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/moon.e01/SFQ-zax_A0I/AAAAAAAACFQ/R1TV_KGP3ns/s400/Blood%20Pact%20062.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><HR>Erichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03976761719483812386noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4044609419205665295.post-17941802388141104502008-06-14T14:46:00.000-07:002008-06-14T14:49:20.847-07:001st Platoon Junior OfficerStandard Bolt Pistol & Power Weapon, but I decided he should use this huge honkin' sword from the Fantasy Goblin sprue.<br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/moon.e01/BloodPact/photo#5211857335989899042"><img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/moon.e01/SFQ8oiuxDyI/AAAAAAAACEo/34xTuQWiIQc/s288/Blood%20Pact%20034.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/moon.e01/BloodPact/photo#5211857352756269426"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/moon.e01/SFQ8phMLkXI/AAAAAAAACEw/J-tnn2AH9_M/s288/Blood%20Pact%20035.jpg" /></a>Erichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03976761719483812386noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4044609419205665295.post-6186340650820703622008-06-14T14:34:00.000-07:002008-06-14T15:20:12.307-07:00Easy Autoguns & AutopistolsI plan to have a mix of Las and Auto weapons in my army; to that end, I'm using a neat conversion shamelessly stolen from <a "href=http://s107.photobucket.com/albums/m289/Sheep_06/">Sheep</a> of the Warseer forums.<br /><br />It uses:<br /><UL><LI>One lasgun<br /><LI>One rectangular bit of thick plasticard<br /><LI>One bit of small plasticard cylinder </UL><br /><br />Here's what it looks like:<br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/moon.e01/BloodPact/photo#5211818974091260386"><img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/moon.e01/SFQZvlhZseI/AAAAAAAACCY/zGVph_d6oAs/s400/Blood%20Pact%20009.jpg" /></a><br />The above Pacter has a head taken from (read: hacked off of) a spare Tanith trooper I had laying around. Oh, the heresy!<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/moon.e01/BloodPact/photo#5211819151972884066"><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/moon.e01/SFQZ58Lr3mI/AAAAAAAACDw/KhzBmMm2r_s/s400/Blood%20Pact%20027.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br />Autopistols can be created in the same fashion:<br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/moon.e01/BloodPact/photo#5211819198219629842"><img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/moon.e01/SFQZ8odxNRI/AAAAAAAACEI/ONZMdMHHkrc/s400/Blood%20Pact%20030.jpg" /></a><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/moon.e01/BloodPact/photo#5211819205390101250"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/moon.e01/SFQZ9DLV6wI/AAAAAAAACEQ/he4qSpREQng/s400/Blood%20Pact%20031.jpg" /></a><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/moon.e01/BloodPact/photo#5211856293301661634"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/moon.e01/SFQ7r2ahL8I/AAAAAAAACEg/pTMhVzzamB4/s400/Blood%20Pact%20038.jpg" /></a><br /><br />The last guy is, quite clearly, <i>hardcore</i>.<br /><br /><HR>Erichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03976761719483812386noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4044609419205665295.post-86705966319889116252008-06-14T14:13:00.000-07:002008-06-14T15:19:09.044-07:00Missile Launchers vs. RPGsThis is a US Army Shoulder-launched Multipurpose Assault Weapon (SMAW), a rather generic sort of missile launcher that looks very similar to the Cadian one (albeit much smaller).<br /><img src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/11/Shoulder-launched_Multipurpose_Assault_Weapon.jpg" width=300 height=200><br /><br /><br />This is a Rocket-Propelled Grenade Launcher (RPG). Easy and cost-efficient to produce, the RPG is the poor man's tool of choice. The RPG is extremely effective against soft-skin targets, and some variants, equipped with HEAT rounds, are capable of destroying tanks.<br /><img src="http://aviationweek.typepad.com/photos/uncategorized/2007/05/16/rpgfireteamgaza.jpg"><br /><br /><br />Clearly, I had to have RPGs rather than missile launchers in my army. They've just got too much association with rag-tag, low-tech forces.<br /><br />I used the missile provided in the Heavy Weapons Sprue as the basic body. For the breech in the rear (used to disperse and direct the backblast), I cut off the very middle bit from the black plastic sprue that small round bases come on. The warhead was the front of the missile, reversed, glued to the main body of a mortar round taken from the Heavy Weapon Sprue (also reversed). Then I added the sight from the HW sprue, and glued it to the missile launcher arm.<br /><br />The result:<br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/moon.e01/BloodPact/photo#5211818950543414882"><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/moon.e01/SFQZuNzKFmI/AAAAAAAACCI/AjcRGYnLvfc/s800/Blood%20Pact%20007.jpg" /></a><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/moon.e01/BloodPact/photo#5211818962160903746"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/moon.e01/SFQZu5E-5kI/AAAAAAAACCQ/FJPihmHvzgU/s400/Blood%20Pact%20008.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><HR>Erichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03976761719483812386noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4044609419205665295.post-37251030031333636882008-06-14T13:41:00.000-07:002008-06-14T14:46:17.315-07:00Custom Plasma GunsOne of the problems commonly encountered when creating a customized army is the lack on Guard-sized plastic special weapons. Heavy weapons are plentiful, thanks to the Gaming Gods who blessed us with the HW Squad sprue, but currently, every Guard model with a special weapon is metal.<br /><br />I have enough plastic Space Marine plasma guns for my army, but they're a bit large on a Guardsman, and I wanted to save them if possible. Since the Blood Pact also use a lot of non-standard weaponry, either looted or created on captured Forge Worlds, I also wanted them to look visually interesting. I wasn't, however, willing to make plasma guns that wouldn't be immediately obvious as plasma weapons.<br /><br />I saw a neat suggestion on the 40k Online boards: Use a plasma pistol and a bolter to make a Guard-sized plasma gun. The bolter is used for the back and grip of the weapon, and the plasma pistol for the top coils and barrel. I figured I could use flamers instead, since <i>everyone</i> has a bunch of extra flamers hanging around.<br /><br />This is the result, on a Pacter from the first squad:<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/moon.e01/BloodPact/photo#5211819124810452018"><img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/moon.e01/SFQZ4W_qDDI/AAAAAAAACDg/SHnNsQ_MCwE/s400/Blood%20Pact%20023.jpg" /></a><br /><br />I love the way it turned out. Since I have something like seven plasma pistols laying around, I'll be making them all in this fashion.<br /><HR>Erichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03976761719483812386noreply@blogger.com0