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G'day Dakka,


I've embarked upon a new project. After reading the back story of Farsight and the battle talked about under the title Mont’ka Denied that can be found here my imagination ran wild.

It started out as an idea for an Armies on Parade diorama to show off my Tyranids but when Unbound rules came out for 7th, I couldn't resist.
I'm going to build a very fluffy 1750 point unbound army as well as a show-piece/display board for it.

I gathered all the models I need to get the initial work started and got to planing the display board's set-out and the narrative I want to show.
The battle is very descriptive so I hope to show each major play that all the members of The Eight make.

First up I got hold of the Farsight Enclaves suppliment for the Tau codex. It was a nice read though rather light-on for a full prices "codex".

Reading about each of The Eight I put together the parts list I needed for them all. Grabbed a couple of extra drones and shield drone sprues from GW and set out all the bits I needed for each member.

Materials for the display board will come later. I have a army to build! :-)


First up: VX8 Crisis Battelsuits!!

I didn't really like the old battlesuit models so after searching around and seeing a few mods that some others had done, I took the best ideas (IMHO) and put them to use to breathe some new life into a tired model. The extra articulation is just what is needed.












C&C welcome throughout. I'll be updating as much as I can and hope to "maintain the rage".

I think my biggest issue with the Crisis suit is the chest piece. Not sure how to fix it. I love the pose of your model. Keep at it!

The torso is probably the best fix to the crisis suit's boxy look ive seen. i might have to steal that, as the "mobile gun platform" looks way to immobile as it is.

Lookin good so far, like that pose. iirc he was the tanky guy so it makes sense he looks like he's bracing for impact.

Torso guide here (not by me) : http://www.advancedtautactica.com/viewtopic.php?f=21&t=21522


Also, knocked up a very rough test to check out Farsight colour scheme.
I think I have it looking close.

They look great keep it up

So I've primed Farsight and Sha'Vastos and started work on Torchstar. Loving the additional posing and dynamics the modifications are allowing.

Thought I'd share my rough layout of the display board. I haven't decided on where the front gate is going to positioned and the natural scenery elements like rock formations out the front of the complex.

I hope to have all the main cinematic elements of the battle with a little Genestealer infiltration on the side. Ob'Lotai 9-0 will be at the top of the tower.

As always, C&C welcome.

Finally got around to getting some more model work done. This time around it's Torchstar and Ob'lotai 9-0.

Just about finished assembly. Just 2 battle-suits to go! Bravestorm and Brightsword.


Priming and initial base weathering of metals started. Put down 3 different weathering powders. Used Secret Weapon Miniatures powders in this order: Red, Brown and Orange.




Sealed the weathering powders using isopropyl alchohol.








Washed with an oil wash (Nulan (?) oil) and then sealed with 'Ardcoat:

More work has gone into the display board.

My initial layout with most of the swarm:



New layout:











The Gaunts that will get roasted.

I must say this project looks awesome, gonna be keeping an eye on this

So, this update come with a bit of disappointment. Funnily, not really expected though, Armies on Parade entries can only contain official GW or scratch built models / scenery .

So out goes half of my display if I want it to be eligible for voting.*sigh*

Oh well. The final display board is going to have all the elements but it looks like it will be a "light" version for AoP.

Will post some more progress pics soon.

Some progress in the cinematic explosions etc for the gaunts.

Hope you like. As usual, any feedback is appreciated.

All "flames" done with white base and GW glazes. Tried to get some OSL from the explosions....

After the metalics and weathering rust was laid down, the Battlesuits were all sealed with 'Ardcoat (gloss varnish) and then had a couple of layers of Heavy Chipping medium sprayed over the top of that.

Masked off all the bits I wanted to keep metal (so time consuming!!). I then put down 3x base coats of red (Khorne, Wasdakka and Scarlet Sun(?)) and some grey over the marking.

This was a major break-point in order to just get some basic colours on the models so they could go onto the AoP display. I wasn't really happy with the compromise, but the display would look really silly (IMHO) with out the Tau present.












I finished off the board buy putting in the (de)fence-line and dusting a bit of weathering powerder around to look like tract-in dust.









And here's the display in it's current state of "completion" at Armies on Parade display.

Not many other entries at this store (sadly). I'm keen to finish off the Tau models properly, but that will be much later on as I have another project I'd like to start...already.

This diorama has a lot of elements still to come. A gutted Fex, putting in the building as originally planned and more turrets and signal towers.