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Waaagh the Dog @ 2010/08/09 07:04:01


Post by: Briancj


Welcome, new reader!

This is an on-going, wide-ranging plog. My focus is mostly on the Imperium side, but you'll find a lot of other projects.

Looking for the Ordinatus Golgotha? You can jump right here: http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/240/310187.page#4210567

On the GW scale, I fall, roughly, here: Battle [ . . . . . . . / . ] Hobby



Table of Projects:

2010:
Extended-hull Leman Russ - http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/310187.page#1821222
Winter Guard Vehicles - http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/30/310187.page#2147916

2011:
Carapace Veterans - http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/30/310187.page#2436735
Command Squad Advisers - http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/30/310187.page#2472883
Valkyrie with working ramp pistons and interior details - http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/60/310187.page#3093116
Rough Riders (a recurring theme) - http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/90/310187.page#3301132
Tau Earth Caste walking Hammerhead - http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/90/310187.page#3340809
DakkaDakka Group Ork Army Project "Wild" Boom Boltslinga - http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/120/310187.page#3421035

First Adepticon - The Minotaurs
Baal Predator with full interior and turret details - http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/120/310187.page#3440628
Base-building - http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/150/310187.page#3500432
Drop Pod - http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/180/310187.page#4070881
The Army - http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/210/310187.page#4134348

Ordinatus? Never hoid' a him.
Main Body Tracks - http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/240/310187.page#4210567
Tractor and Platform - http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/270/310187.page#4247624
Control Room - http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/300/310187.page#4251940
Back Deck and dishing it out - http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/330/310187.page#4269989
Missiles, Ahoy - http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/510/310187.page#4324202
Assembly...complete! - http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/570/310187.page#4375677

2012:
Dark Angels Land Raider Swap - http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/600/310187.page#4397441
Deathstrike Missile Launcher - http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/630/310187.page#4405738
Recovering frosted canopy glass - http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/630/310187.page#4422104
Salvage Valkyries - http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/660/310187.page#4422395
US "Coast Guard" Valkyrie - http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/720/310187.page#4443585
Civilian 'truck' - http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/900/310187.page#4532018
Catalyst Labs Leviathans: Kings of the Skies - http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/1050/310187.page#4635777
Stormtalon conversion - http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/1290/310187.page#4842318
FW Arvus Lighters - http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/1470/310187.page#4967621
My Imperial Navy Flyers - http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/1530/310187.page#5037602

Adepticon 2013 - Adeptus Mechanicus
Cultists! - http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/1590/310187.page#5103284
AdMech Fortress of Redemption - http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/1650/310187.page#5186449
Crusader Robot - http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/1680/310187.page#5229621
Interlude: Cityfight Table - http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/1710/310187.page#5261865
The Army - http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/1770/310187.page#5513651
After-Action Report - http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/1800/310187.page#5560496

2013:
Thunderhawk Transporter Begins - http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/1890/310187.page#5598104
Brithday Present : Making a friend into an action figure - http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/1950/310187.page#5737032
More Thunderhawk - http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/2070/310187.page#5840235
Necromunda/Outlander Terrain - http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/2460/310187.page#6179460
6-wheeled Secret Weapons Minis vehicle review - http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/2490/310187.page#6305591
Ramshackle Games APC review - http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/2490/310187.page#6329817
'found items' Objective piece terrain competition entry - http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/2520/310187.page#6341241

2014:
Cityfight Table - http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/2550/310187.page#6428213
Extended-hull Stormraven - http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/2580/310187.page#6555861
Return to the Rough Riders - http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/2670/310187.page#6859855
My laser-cut large bridge - http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/2670/310187.page#7157089

2015:
Nids! - http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/2700/310187.page#7476653
Crashed Aquila lander - http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/2730/310187.page#7489615
Third of a River - http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/2760/310187.page#7504266
Make your own folding game table! - http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/2760/310187.page#7512731
Table Terrain: Small Pieces - http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/2790/310187.page#7571450
Battletech, now with original Ral Partha Battletech Paint - http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/2880/310187.page#7732698
Imperial Assault - http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/2880/310187.page#7874540
Broke down, bought a Taurox - http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/2910/310187.page#7904542
Avengers...ASSEMBLED! - http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/2910/310187.page#7927510
Send in the Cavalry - http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/2910/310187.page#7955756
An INTACT Aquila Lander? Hersey! - http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/2970/310187.page#8007026
Tables, Tables, Tables! - http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/2970/310187.page#8040133
End of Year push, Vehicles, Heavy Weapons Squads - http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/2970/310187.page#8315594


Waaagh the Dog @ 2010/08/09 09:56:01


Post by: Regnak


Looking great. Can't wait to see more progress pics!


Waaagh the Dog @ 2010/08/09 09:58:27


Post by: SilverMK2


"My tank's longer than yours! "

Looks interesting, can't wait to see more.


Waaagh the Dog @ 2010/08/09 20:05:19


Post by: Briancj


Let us discuss the noble Leman Russ. I've seen other people who has stated that the Russ is the most reviled vehicle model in the range. And I tend to agree. The combination of World War One chassis with a World War Two turret is meh at best. But the tank is a squat little monstrosity.

I am truly sad that GW did not go the route they chose for the Rhino/Land Raider rebuild. A little sprucing up would have gone a long way. Alas, we ended up with the same exact tank for the Chimera and Russ, except 5% less, by volume.

So, looking at the new kit, I was initially struck by how much LESS detail exists. I understand CAD/CAM design is a little 'new' for Citadel, but the tanks kits do not hold a candle to the plastic sculpts of the infantry or even the walker models. And, of course, the loss of the removable doors, the engine hatch, and a few other things makes it very difficult to convert or kitbash. I do respect the designer, who crammed everything into a base sprue and then an option sprue. Clearly, a cost-reduction for GW. Knowing a little about how these things work, they had to put forth a sizeable chunk of change to make the new steel molds, so it is in their best interest to re-capitalize. Thus, less plastic and an increase in the kit cost.

Pros: Much easier to assemble. All standard weapon/sponson options on sprue. Easy to magnetize for swapping in and out.

Cons: Kitbashing/conversion options gone. Vehicle Armory options gone. In fact, the loss of an entire sprue of options and fiddly bits. The loss of which makes the increase in kit price that much more obnoxious. Kit 5% smaller which, thankfully is not THAT noticeable. Simpler details on these kits do not match the improved details of the rest of the plastic range.

And the #1 Con: Still a crappy-looking tank.

What to do? In-game, they're now awesome and fun! 5th edition finally matched the tank to all the illustrations showing the turret weapon firing along with the rest of the tank's weapons! Huzzah!

Well, we look to Forge World, and the actual World War one tanks. Clearly, the LR needs to be lengthened. Not by much, but enough to balance out the height and length of the tank. The width, especially with Sponsons, is a-ok. I will probably post a tutorial of this process, but with the loss of the 'fiddly bits' sprue, it is unlikely this conversion can be done with the contents of the box and some plasticard.

After examining the new kit, I decided it would be easier to cut forwards of the turret, instead of behind. The current lines/design of the kit makes this the easiest solution. Upon reflection of this stage, I think I would have liked to drop the 'nose' of the hull sooner, to prevent the hull secondary weapon from sticking out in front of the tank. This would be more in-line with the tranch/obstacle climbing design of the tracks. Alas! Perhaps the next one.

Here's a few shots of the WiP.

First, the cut-lines on the tracks and hull.



And the pieces that result.



The hull spacers.



And the track parts, with spacers.



Finally, the tank, with all the spacers and new hull plates.



All the pictures can be seen here, in the WiP directory of my gallery: http://www.dakkadakka.com/gallery/images-17738-9879_Wip.html




Automatically Appended Next Post:
The 114th Gryphonne, aka the 114th Red Guard Rifles, consists of three Platoons. This is a look at the Second Platoon, which is an Engineering and Support group.

Second Platoon, Able Company, consists of a Command Squad, an engineering squad, a commissary squad, and a full set of Fire Teams. Its role is to set up in the rear, building up a firebase to support the rest of the Company. A Techmarine is frequently assigned to this Platoon, as well as a Commissar. Specialized Chimera variants accompany the support squads, but these are assigned for roles, as opposed to giving the platoon mobility.

Work-In-Progress.

Command Squad:


First Squad:


Second Squad:


Heavy Weapons Squads (Third through Seventh)




Waaagh the Dog @ 2010/08/13 17:58:44


Post by: Sageheart


very cool! i love thhe heavy weapon teams!


Waaagh the Dog @ 2010/08/13 19:09:49


Post by: Commander Cain


Cant wait to see the progress on this one!


Waaagh the Dog @ 2010/08/19 06:16:13


Post by: Briancj


Soooooooooooo...

Let's talk about the Noble Chimera. I love it. I always have. It is the tank that brings the milkshake to the yard. It looks good, it can carry the models the rulebook claims, and is a deadly fighter on the field. I love messing with it, and my sig says it all: Leave no Chimera unmodified.

So, how do I feel about the new kit? I'm glad you asked.

Pros: Easier to assemble, slots and tabs left in place to allow for easy customization.

Cons: Loss of detail on the kit itself. Lost all the customization bitz. Lost 5% of volume, which means it can't carry 12 men. All the cool chimera conversion kits from FW no longer FIT. @$$h013s!

But, it is still a workable kit. So how's that Manticore kit? Well. I understand that, to save plastic, they did what they did. But to not be able to build a swappable MAnticore/Deathstrike? JERKS. Ah well.

Let's see what we did with it. I kept the 'cockpit', because it made the already tinytank look even STUBBIER, and I don't like the concept of this one-man-driving-a-massive-rokkit-barrage thing.

The hull:


The Manticore:


The Medusa:


The Full Monty:


I'm going to clean up an old Basilisk platform project for this hull as well. I figure I can build slide-in/drop-in platforms for all the Artillery Options. Storm Eagle rokkits will be magnetized, as a matter of course.

As noted in my previous plog, I already have a Deathstrike, which I feel captures the more 'Epic' feel that platform should have.

"Well, Brian, that's nice. But what about your Leman Russ project?"

That's where I ask you, dear viewer, for some advice.

1) Sponsons FRONT?
2) Sponsons MIDDLE?

Front:


Rear:


Thoughts?

--B.





Waaagh the Dog @ 2010/08/19 06:26:00


Post by: Jake Bake A Cake


Nice looking army you've got.

I think the sponsons at the back look better


Waaagh the Dog @ 2010/08/19 13:25:11


Post by: I-bounty-hunt-the-elderly


Awesome Leman Russ conversion - sponsons at the back look better IMO.


Waaagh the Dog @ 2010/08/19 15:43:07


Post by: sc0ttfree


Awesome Conversion! Vehicle conversions seem to be quite rare.

Sponsons to the back looks coolest


Waaagh the Dog @ 2010/08/19 15:55:03


Post by: Commander Cain


Fantastic work! And as everyone else said, the sponsoons should be at the back.


Waaagh the Dog @ 2010/08/19 17:25:33


Post by: Forlorne


Nice tank conversions i prefer the sponsoons to the front to be honest


Waaagh the Dog @ 2010/08/28 01:37:39


Post by: Lysenis


If i was not doing a Elysian army I would love this Russ conversion. . . .


Waaagh the Dog @ 2010/08/28 11:18:25


Post by: Flinty


The engineering chimeras are nice bits of work. Also the Russ is an impressive upgrade.

I would tend to keep the sponsons at the back as it fits in with the Macharius type look you've ended up with. However for gaming advantage (or at least to reduce the penalty imposed by the new ultra-huge Russ) then the forward sponsons might be better.



Waaagh the Dog @ 2010/08/28 13:14:18


Post by: Llamahead


Really liking your work on the Russ although your comments have definitely made me think that Paperhammer is the way for me to go with my guard. The 2nd squads Chimera looks great what is it meant to be? To me it looks like a field kitchen am I right?


Waaagh the Dog @ 2010/08/31 22:55:51


Post by: Briancj


Hokay, a quick update after a week's worth of absence making the heart grow fonder. A quick side note, the interior width of the new Chimera kit is about the same as the old one. I am pleased as punch to find this out, because all of the conversion kits will still fit, as well as my Earthshaker cannon. Aces to GW for this design decision.

Here's the Leman Russ primed. I always worry about a conversion, until I see it under a coat of primer. I'm fairly happy with this, although my limited skills in squadron putty show under the flash. Ah well. In hindsight, I should have put the ladder rungs over the gap. Everything will be magnetized, including the tank commander.



Here's a shot of the tank with stuff installed.



And here's a shot next to a Chimera, for a size comparison.






Automatically Appended Next Post:
Flinty wrote:The engineering chimeras are nice bits of work. Also the Russ is an impressive upgrade.
I would tend to keep the sponsons at the back as it fits in with the Macharius type look you've ended up with. However for gaming advantage (or at least to reduce the penalty imposed by the new ultra-huge Russ) then the forward sponsons might be better.


Thank you. I thought long and hard about the gaming aspects, and then I threw it all out the window. I'm definitely building for fluff and myself, as opposed to (say) an 'Ard Boyz tourney.

Llamahead wrote:Really liking your work on the Russ although your comments have definitely made me think that Paperhammer is the way for me to go with my guard. The 2nd squads Chimera looks great what is it meant to be? To me it looks like a field kitchen am I right?


I started building a paper and plasticard Titan, so I know Paperhammer works, and is definitely easier to convert! I wanted to work with the new kits, so I could have and present an honest opinion. GW's goal was to make it easier for kids to build the models. They succeeded on an incredible level. Unfortunately, this meant a big hit for the conversion grognards.

And, yes, it is a Field Kitchen! I'll be delving into more detail as I present the fluff behind the army and the individual squads.



Waaagh the Dog @ 2010/09/04 05:54:05


Post by: Briancj


Okay, so, let's add some fluff. Here is the time line of the system I intend to inhabit, run campaigns out of, and explore the fluff out of.

+++++

9/------.M24 – Cygnus Solarii System settled by Humanity. The system will eventually develop a large Promethium mining complex on the first planet, a Hive world on the third, and an Agri-world on the fourth, as well as various mining complexes on the moons of the two gas giants.

9/---615.M33 - The cruiser Blade of Infinity re-emerges from the warp 20,000 years after its disappearance. The cruiser's databanks hold a wealth of information on pre-heresy human settlements. It will take hundreds of years to catalog the information, most of which will be lost in the Imperial Archives. The Cygnus Solarii system is part of this catalog, but will remain un-contacted by the Imperium until M41.

2/---401.M34 - The Howling

5/139401.M34 - Cygnus Solarii system engulfed in a Warp Storm triggered by The Howling. The system's population of a billion inhabitants is almost eradicated. The third planet explodes from within, to become a slowly spreading asteroid belt. The fourth planet is covered in ash and dust which coalesces out of the storms. Additionally, the planet's axial tilt is altered, causing an extreme change in climate.

3/144801.M41 - A fleet is dispatched from the Forge World of Gryphonne IV, after a Magos, perusing the back catalogs of the Imperial Database, discovers the possibility that the Cygnus Solarii System may contain pre-heresy STCs. The fleet contains elements of the Imperial Guard, Adeptus Mechanicus, and Titan Legions. While the project is kept as secret as possible, it is impossible to hide such an endeavor. The Fleet is advertised as being dispatched to join the Tyrannic Wars.

9---801.M41 - The Astronomican flickers, sending thousands of ships off course, most to be destroyed in the Warp. The Cygnuss Solarii expedition is declared lost when all contact is cut-off.

2/138997.M41 - Hive Fleet Leviathan invades Segmentum Tempestus.

9/---997.M41 - The Gryphonne system, including the Forge World of Gryphonne IV, is destroyed by Tyranids.

1/982999.M41 - The Great Awakening.

9/982999.M41 - In the midst of hundreds of thousands of psychic events, remnants of the Cygnus Solarii expedition emerge from the warp in-system. Battered and damaged beyond the capability of returning to the Warp, the ships settle into orbit around Cygnus Solarii IV. Exploration and descent to the now-Death World begins.

3/983999.M41 - Sporadic contact with the Astronomican is made, as well as contact with several Class-2 Astropathic Choirs. Updates of the general galactic situation is passed, including the destruction of the Gryphonne System, and the continued Tyranid threat. The expedition's leaders christen the planet "Requiem", and put out a call to survivors of Gryphonne, including the now Fleet-Based Space Marines Chapter Knights Gryphonne.

3/984999.M41 - System Reconnaisance determines that the eight moons of the sixth planet, a gas giant, are locked into a stable orbit outside the planet's ring structure, demarking the eight-arrow symbol of Chaos. While no Chaos presence is detected, surveillance is emplaced around the planet.

3/991999.M41 - Biel Tan activity detected in the Reductus Sector. Additional ships of the original expedition stagger into the system, bringing more supplies, men, and machinery. Small teams of Skitarii begin to sweep Requiem, searching for any evidence of Webway Portals.

3.995999.M41 - Exploration of Requiem begins in earnest as signals believed to be Necrontyr in origin are detected from the second planet of the system. A Cobra-class destroyer departs to explore the remains of the third planet, which is believed to have been a Hive World.

3.997999.M41 – Signal emissions matching the Space Hulk ‘Penitus Cruorem’ are detected. It is unknown what is bringing the hulk towards Cygnus Solarii. Imperial records indicate a high probability of the hulk containing an Ork infestation.

3.998999.M41 – A small, badly damaged Tau fleet limps into the Cygnus Solarii system. Communications indicate that the fleet was engulfed by a Warp Storm. Negotiations commence in light of the possible threat from the hulk, and the unlikelihood of the fleet being able to return to Tau-controlled space.

3.999999.M41 – The Dawn of the 42nd Millennium.


Work on the Leman Russ continues apace, it has been whitewashed and given painted treads. The artillery hull has been whitewashed, and all three optional platforms have been given base paint jobs. Storm Eagle rockets are magnetized and have their initial paint jobs. Time for detailing and decals!




Waaagh the Dog @ 2010/09/04 21:56:31


Post by: Briancj


Okay, here's a quick layout of the state of the Motor Pool, thus far.

Front row, from left-to-right:
Ordinance Platform (Manticore, Basilisk, Medusa)
Leman Russ Heavy
3 Armored AC/HK Sentinels
3 Chimeras: Command (in back), Engineering, Field Kitchen

Back row:
Deathstrike Missile Launcher





Waaagh the Dog @ 2010/09/04 22:29:52


Post by: Icelord


Looks cool man keep it up!!


Waaagh the Dog @ 2010/09/05 13:28:47


Post by: Llamahead


Nice like the Scud inspired Death Strike!


Waaagh the Dog @ 2010/09/10 00:24:14


Post by: Briancj


Was gone for Labor Day weekend in the states, now back to the job-search grind. Enjoy the update.

---

Excerpts from an interview with Staff Sergeant Petrovich, Supply Platoon, 114th Gryphonne Engineers.

"Yeah, we took it hard. They gave it to us straight, you know. But I don't really FEEL it. I guess I won't, until I see it myself. For me, it is all still there."

"Sure, maybe what we do isn't glorious. We don't have the toys, we don't drive the big guns. But, without us, this army would go nowheres, fast. We're proud to serve our boys the best food we can. Nothing boosts morale like a hot meal."

"Yeah, we've seen our share of action. Ole' Bessie here has taken her hits, but she's given 'em back, too. Took out a Heretic Rhino with her Multilaser on Bastius. We're not really here to fight, but we can when we have to. Our guns are just as primed as everyone else's."

"Oh, that's Buddy, our mascot. Can't remember where we picked him up, but he's been with us for a long time, now. He's our good luck mascot, and a great watchdog. We'd never leave him behind."


---

Field Kitchens are atypical in the Imperial Guard, but the ability to deliver hot food to the Front Lines is a serious bonus for any ongoing campaign. I haven't written up rules for such things, but I half expect Forge World to come out with a model and rules.

This platoon is the primary firebase of the Army, so any Chimeras are there for the purposes of defining the 'role' of the squad, or augmenting firepower, as opposed to mobility. They will anchor the lines.

Buddy guards an objective marker, a cache of food and water.



And here's a terrain piece I've been working on. I could have salvaged the bitz, maybe made another Artillery Platform out of it. But it was more fun to make a copy of GW's wrecked Chimera piece.




Ten guys fit inside!





Waaagh the Dog @ 2010/09/10 00:30:09


Post by: Golden Eyed Scout


This thread makes my eyes happy.

Also, it makes me sad that my skills are nowhere near yours.

Good job, subscribed.


Waaagh the Dog @ 2010/09/10 02:00:17


Post by: alarmingrick


Wow! Great stuff man!
i know i had to do a double take on the Kitchen! Original idea!


Waaagh the Dog @ 2010/09/10 02:26:21


Post by: Thortek


Good Stuff loving it!


Waaagh the Dog @ 2010/09/10 02:29:20


Post by: LordBoJangles


Really nice work, keep it up!


Waaagh the Dog @ 2010/09/10 10:04:18


Post by: SilverMK2


I think the field kitchen needs more supply bins along the sides - although their stove is nice, it does not leave much room for actual food

Also, perhaps an awning/tarp to help keep the snow/rain/mud from getting over the food and cooker?


Waaagh the Dog @ 2010/09/10 13:55:19


Post by: Briancj


SilverMK2 wrote:I think the field kitchen needs more supply bins along the sides - although their stove is nice, it does not leave much room for actual food

Also, perhaps an awning/tarp to help keep the snow/rain/mud from getting over the food and cooker?


When I built the thing (o.m.g. almost 10 years ago), it was my second conversion, ever. First was a bridgelayer. There wasn't much in the way of sotwage, etc, even from the venerable Tamiya. Nowadays, there's buckets and buckets. Mayhaps you are correct, and it is time for an upgrade.



Waaagh the Dog @ 2010/09/10 19:49:04


Post by: McNutty


I am a fan of the expanded Leman Russ, might have to give that a whirl myself.

Love your work and will be checking in for updates.


Waaagh the Dog @ 2010/09/28 22:24:48


Post by: Briancj


While the cat's away, depression and angst will play!

So, been a really sucktastic couple of weeks, but I have made progress. Birthday cash came in (yay, unemployment!) and enabled two purchases:

I needed more bitz, my vehicle box was looking forlorn and empty. No propa Ork Mekboy...uh...IG Field Depot would have let such a thing happen!

Restock!



Plus, I picked up a pair of unloved Leman Russ Demolishers (old-style) off of eBay. I can't do much about weapon-swapping, but it gives me a full squadron to play with. I added some rear modifications to bulk them out a bit, and turned them into Siege Tanks. More stragglers from the forces of Gryphonne.

Note the style and size difference of the turrets, old and new. I think I like the old ones, but they have a TOTALLY different mount point design. Anyone know what Forge World has done about this? Have they re-designed their turrets?

Tanks and turrets:



Siege mods:



Three tanks:



Here's all three with their whitewashes:



Going very soviet on this, trying to get that feeling of 'hurried whitewash', and trying to get fores back into battle. May experiment with trying to find pictures of hasty battlefield repairs.

--B.



Waaagh the Dog @ 2010/09/28 23:12:54


Post by: monkeytroll


Interesting, very interesting
Nice Russ conversion, love the field kitchen - marvellous idea, can't have our chaps doing their bit without proper scran now can we - and siege tanks look nice.


Waaagh the Dog @ 2010/09/28 23:57:55


Post by: Briancj


monkeytroll wrote:Interesting, very interesting
Nice Russ conversion, love the field kitchen - marvellous idea, can't have our chaps doing their bit without proper scran now can we - and siege tanks look nice.


Egg Sarnies for everyone, lads! (/cheer)



Waaagh the Dog @ 2010/09/29 00:11:14


Post by: Commander Cain


Nice work as usual! Also I think I heard someone saying that the FW turrets no longer fitted on the new tanks but they could have just been guessing.


Waaagh the Dog @ 2010/11/22 18:59:28


Post by: Briancj


So, progress has been slow, but steady. Painted some marines for Pork, and have been going through and detailing up my tanks. A 'rivet'ing experience, I assure you.

Pictures forthcoming, but first, I need some help. Who is this? I've seen him before, and I know he's a librarian, but can anyone help me ID him and, perhaps more importantly, tell me what backpack and arm is supposed to be/was shipped with him? Thanks!



Picked up the new Cadian Command Sprues, totally in love. Working on an HQ squad now as time permits.

Now, tank progress. Leman Russi, Chimeras, Manticore, and the first Sentinel off the line. I'm still pondering what kind of stowage to add to the Field Kitchen. I have a lot of bitz to work with now.





















That's it for now!




Automatically Appended Next Post:
Oops, almost forgot. I call upon the power of "Automatically appended next post"!

This is someone I painted up, well after I sold off my last Tzeentch army, but kept around because I lied how he came out:



A week ago, his bro's made the long trek over the pond.



Yeah, the Codex sucks. But I don't care. I <3 Thousand Sons.



Waaagh the Dog @ 2010/11/23 00:04:41


Post by: Sageheart


thats a ton of thousand sons! i like the conversion work to make a bunch using plastic bodies and metal arms/heads. would love to see some closeups to see how well they work together?

what have you done with the bodies the arms came with, or did you just have/get the arms/heads

Is that going to be your army, or your brothers!


Waaagh the Dog @ 2010/11/23 02:19:05


Post by: Briancj


Sageheart wrote:thats a ton of thousand sons! i like the conversion work to make a bunch using plastic bodies and metal arms/heads. would love to see some closeups to see how well they work together?

what have you done with the bodies the arms came with, or did you just have/get the arms/heads

Is that going to be your army, or your brothers!


I bought them like this. I'm probably going to go in and tidy them up. The current 1K sons kit makes these, it comes with metal arms, a handful of metal bolters, and some loincloths and shoulderpads. Someone put a bunch of bolt pistols and chainswords on one batch, and built another one into a Chaos Biker. Not sure what I'm going to do with that one, maybe offer it up as a trade/swap.

These guys will form the core troops of a walking 1K sons force.



Waaagh the Dog @ 2010/12/16 03:40:05


Post by: Briancj


So, with the holidays comes the usual downturn in activity. Trying to get things done.

I picked up a bunch of bits, backpacks, and whatnot, including a few more Tzeentch pieces. Not sure if I should also start a separate plog for that.

Finally, after many years of regret about selling off my collection, I stumbled upon an unopened/sealed copy of Battlefleet Gothic, and lucked out on the eBay auction. It went for about a third of what it should have, and it is on it's way to me.

So, here's the current work-table:

IG Gryphonne:
Most of the tanks are base-coated and detailed. I'm in the process of 'rusting' the final ones, and I'm working on adding stowage to the Field Kitchen. Squad-wise, I've got the Kitchen's squad finished, and I've got a smattering of the rest currently at 50-75% done. I have been inspired by several Dakkaites' work with the 'Voidsuits' using Kroot parts, and I think I want to copy this for my Veteran Squads, as they look like Bomb Disposal Squad suits. It could also work for my Naval personnel. One good push should see most of my Basic Guardsmen finished. I picked up TINYMAGNETS, and I intend to magnetize some special weapons for each squad. I also need to figure out how many heads and arm sets I have leftover, and buy some torsos and leg bitz off of eBay.

Tzeentch:
Lots of bits with a few more incoming. I need to figure out a way to make good-looking Discs of Tzeentch. Any suggestions?

BFG:
Well, I saved one Battleship, I have a box set to open up, and a Blackstone Fortress on the way. 2011 is going to see a slow re-acquisition of my Fleets. Man, they really exploded the races and fleet options, but why the HELL are the Tau so damn expensive from GW?

--Brian



Waaagh the Dog @ 2010/12/25 01:34:05


Post by: Briancj


Amusingly, the first game I played with my new IG was...Second Edition 40K.

So, here's a quick update for you good girls and boys:



Now I just have to add some more stowage to the Field Kitchen itself, and this squad will be complete!

Sadly, this means I need to seriously look into transport options for the army. Sigh.

--Brian

PS: Merry Happy Christmas-y Time to everyone!

PPS: I started a Battlefleet Gothic thread. http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/335515.page



Waaagh the Dog @ 2010/12/25 02:25:07


Post by: Yggdrasil


Briancj wrote:
Pictures forthcoming, but first, I need some help. Who is this? I've seen him before, and I know he's a librarian, but can anyone help me ID him and, perhaps more importantly, tell me what backpack and arm is supposed to be/was shipped with him? Thanks!





Sorry, I don't have time for a thorough post (Xmas, holidays far from home, etc....) , but your vehicles are really nice!!!

As for that mini, IIRC it's a vanilla Librarian with Power Weapon, but no named character / affiliated chapter. He probably was supposed to go with the standard 2nd/3rd Ed. SM arm sprues, ie. 2 arms + shoulder pad, 1 boltgun, 1 boltpistol, 1 standard backpack...

Hope that helps,

Merry Xmas!!!


Waaagh the Dog @ 2010/12/31 03:03:36


Post by: Sageheart


I have that same libbie, he is just a normal libbie, great model i must say!


Waaagh the Dog @ 2011/01/29 15:56:48


Post by: Briancj


Man, just haven't been having the mojo, lately. Trying to clear up my work area, which got dumped on over the holidays. Ah well.

Hey, look! A voidsuit! Which, to me, makes for an excellent Bomb Disposal Suit, which ties in nicely with my engineers, and makes for great carapace armor.

Win-win!





I am deeply indebted to Xanthos and Migsula, whose designs for their Voidsuits inspired this. And, of course, fortunate to have a pile of Kroot bitz.

Also...



I found this at a local Microcenter (a computer/gadget store). It cost $9.95 US, and came with two halogen lamps, a tripod stand, and the booth with a blue or grey background cloth. It all stores neatly in a travel bag. The lamps require power, but that's a small negative to an overall awesome product.



Waaagh the Dog @ 2011/01/30 20:56:37


Post by: JB




Wow! That's a lot of awesome for just two pages of Plog!!

I really enjoy the vehicle conversions.

The difference in the turret rings for the old and new Leman Russes (and the old and new Chimeras) really are a pain. The FW kits were made for the old turret rings. I don't know if they are making any changes to adjust to the new kit.

I don't think the new Chimera is quite 5% smaller than the old one. As you noted, the interior width between the track assemblies is the same. The width of the track assemblies, themselves, is narrower but that doesn't affect the troop capacity. The overall height is only a hair shorter. The really noticeable height change is in the new LR and Chimera turrets which are definitely thinner than the older versions. I fully agree that the loss of bits and accessories was a kick to the groin, especially since the new accessory sprue had track guards.

I also envy you that photo set up. Now I will to go on a quest for a similar one that will probably end up poorly as I'm thwarted by the Knights who say Ni! I might as well just fetch a shrubbery now to take with me.





Waaagh the Dog @ 2011/01/31 06:29:36


Post by: Briancj


So, got some more work done, this evening. Even painting slogs of IG to the 'three foot rule' is still a timekiller. Silly fleshy bits.

Here's what's on the deck:



Here's stuff that's either finished, or darn close:



I also finally buckled down, and repaired my fleet of spaceships. They had been damaged a year and a half ago from my cross-country move, and have been sitting un-repaired and ignored. All fixed now.



Including all the fiddly bits and antenna on this lady here:




Automatically Appended Next Post:
JB wrote:

Wow! That's a lot of awesome for just two pages of Plog!!

I really enjoy the vehicle conversions.

The difference in the turret rings for the old and new Leman Russes (and the old and new Chimeras) really are a pain. The FW kits were made for the old turret rings. I don't know if they are making any changes to adjust to the new kit.

I don't think the new Chimera is quite 5% smaller than the old one. As you noted, the interior width between the track assemblies is the same. The width of the track assemblies, themselves, is narrower but that doesn't affect the troop capacity. The overall height is only a hair shorter. The really noticeable height change is in the new LR and Chimera turrets which are definitely thinner than the older versions. I fully agree that the loss of bits and accessories was a kick to the groin, especially since the new accessory sprue had track guards.

I also envy you that photo set up. Now I will to go on a quest for a similar one that will probably end up poorly as I'm thwarted by the Knights who say Ni! I might as well just fetch a shrubbery now to take with me.





Thank you for the praise. There should be more plog, but I'm a slow mover and people get bored.

I'll see if I can track down the photo booth online, put up a link.

As for the Chimera, my 5% loss guesstimate is total volume, not any given L/W/H measurement. I do believe a millimeter or so was shaved off of the width betwee nthe track assemblies, as I had to shave down an old Basilisk Platform I had, to get it to fit. But, overall, I'm not unhappy with the kit, just the loss of bitz. The Leman Russ, however, is a total disappointment.



Waaagh the Dog @ 2011/02/02 22:23:04


Post by: Briancj


Okay, time for some ADVISERS.

Commander Cain and his Adjunct Toland represent my Fleet Officer and Ordinance Advisers. They are both from the "Pegasus", the Mars-Class Battlecruiser which led the excursion to the system I'm modeling.

Since there's no real hard and fast rule or guidelines as to what the colors of the Imperial Navy are, I went with white jackets and blue pants with a red stripe, and black boots. Any Navy troops in my army (conscripts, typically) will follow this scheme in some way.

Toland on the left, Cain on the right:










Automatically Appended Next Post:
Okay, the last of today's work was to finish the two Leman Russ Demolishers, and add some mud and dirt to all thee hulls.

I only have the Deathstrike and a pile of Sentinels to finish, vehicle-wise, and then I can think about acquiring some more.





I'm making decent progress (I blame the 80 feet of snow that has fallen), and I hope to be able to actually play a game this Sunday!


Waaagh the Dog @ 2011/02/10 00:27:37


Post by: Briancj


Time to ruse from the bowels of the earth (the basement) with another exciting (hah) plog update!

Today, SENTINELS. I love Sentinels. I hate the fact that they get one weapon. Come on, people. One heavy stubber can't hurt.

Here's the 14th Force Recon Sentinel Group in all its winter guard glory. Some of the pictures are a bit fuzzy, camera kept locking onto the black backdrop.



Command Element:



1st Element:



2nd Element:



I have also made heavy progress into my troops, I have only about a dozen more figures to finish detailing! Then, of course, I need to build a commander and a unit of Veterans. But, hey. That's why I get the BIG BUCKS.

Also, I have a job! Yay! I can BUY THINGS AGAIN. Oh, God.



Waaagh the Dog @ 2011/02/12 04:20:43


Post by: Briancj


No-one wuves me! Ah well. ONWARDS.

So, this is the Engineering Squad that will accompany the Engineering Chimera seen previously. I'm using the krootbits style of Voidsuits for Carapace Armor, and to represent the brave lads of my UXB squad. Some of you Brits out there may remember that particular old tv show.

So far, I've worked up the Sarge (A Bastonne stand-in), Plasma, Melta, and Heavy Flamer. Yeah, I should have gone with a spam squad, but this is my army, and I'm going to lose in STYLE.

Anyways...the dudes.







These will be getting a higher-level of paint job than my normal boffins, as they are a full-character unit. Still pondering names, but the Sarge has an eyepatch, so he, clearly, needs to be be named "Fury".

The flamer has a cigar (natch), perhaps torch? Bobby?

I'm open to suggestions.



Waaagh the Dog @ 2011/02/13 05:39:35


Post by: Briancj


Okay, I finished the squad. This week, I should be able to get them all painted!

Here's the ones finished tonight:



And here's the full squad:



Here's what the squad contains:

Sgt. Bastonne Stand-in w/ eye-patch
ML Squad, with a Catachan who got picked up along the way
Heavy Flamer with Cigar
Meltagun converted into a cutter
Plasma Gunner
Voxcaster/Technician
Demonlitionist
Lasgunner second-in-command (holding a map, pointing)
Lasgunner who likes knives.

As a note, all the lasguns have had a quicky conversion into autostubbers.



Waaagh the Dog @ 2011/02/13 19:32:49


Post by: Briancj


So, here's the scheme for my vets. These are Engineers, Demolitions guys and Unexploded Bomb Disposal guys, which is why they get the heavy armor. I also modeled all their grenades (krak, frag, melta, and one demo charge!) They're very bulky.

Here's the sarge. I tried a couple of schemes, on gray, one more blue, but I settled on a medium green brought up from Dark Angles Green. The sarge is a Bastonne WYSIWYG using an old metal IG stormtrooper backpack.





And here's a close-up on the face I did for my Fleet Officer, of which I'm very happy with.



Cheers!

(Don't forget your Valentine's Day plans!)



Waaagh the Dog @ 2011/02/14 00:42:51


Post by: Yggdrasil


Briancj wrote:Here's what the squad contains:

Sgt. Bastonne Stand-in w/ eye-patch
ML Squad, with a Catachan who got picked up along the way
Heavy Flamer with Cigar
Meltagun converted into a cutter
Plasma Gunner
Voxcaster/Technician
Demonlitionist
Lasgunner second-in-command (holding a map, pointing)
Lasgunner who likes knives.

As a note, all the lasguns have had a quicky conversion into autostubbers.



This is one of the two things that make your guys so awesome : there gear definitely marks them as veterans, far from the 10-Vets-in-Chimera-with-3-meltas we usually see...

As for the other thing... The amount of conversion is great!! The additional armour is clearly visible, the kitbashing is awesome....

A winner squad for me!!!


Waaagh the Dog @ 2011/02/14 16:37:08


Post by: Darkvoidof40k


Nice work on that squad, dude. Very impressive conversions and it's always nice to see someone putting some character into their models.


Waaagh the Dog @ 2011/02/14 16:58:49


Post by: abhorsen950


Excellent stuff, your guard army is excellent. A pretty cool collection of spaceships there to! keep it up!


Waaagh the Dog @ 2011/02/18 22:57:47


Post by: Briancj


Working on a few more swappable vehicle hulls, and a little Empire Wizard conversion love.



New job's going great, hope to get some solid painting done to show off, as it is a 4-day weekend for me!



Waaagh the Dog @ 2011/02/18 23:02:03


Post by: Yggdrasil


What are the black parts supporting the Aegis quad-autocannons? I'd be interested in something like this for my Hydras, yet I still have to find something suitable...

Yours seems quite right...


Waaagh the Dog @ 2011/02/18 23:21:32


Post by: Briancj


I forgot to take a shot of the plasticard work, but the one on the left is a Razorback top hatch with the standard Aegis mount. It does not use the Aegis box mounting piece, just the razorback mount. On back is a part from the Aegis box.

The one on the right is the Manticore 'cockpit', with just plasticard filling in the sides, and bottoms. Bitz from the aegis line and manticore for details. The aegis autocannon mounting axle was cut down to bring the two sets close together, and then mounted to the side of the manticore cockpit with a set of plastic tubing through one side.

I've been thinking about this one for awhile, and I'm happy how it came out.





Waaagh the Dog @ 2011/02/19 00:49:56


Post by: monkeytroll


Liking that engineer squad a lot, nice level of conversion going on there. Also big up the old spaceship kits


Waaagh the Dog @ 2011/02/21 18:48:22


Post by: Briancj


Finished up the Astropath, back to work on my Vets and those two Hydra conversions.



And the full Naval Command Attachment, my Command Squad Advisers. Emperor protect them.



"Sir, we've exited the Warp. We appear to be within .00215 of our plotted course.", spoke the Navigator Secundus.

The Mars-Class Battlecruiser Pegasus Ascendant, with her accompanying escorts, materialized into existence in real space, almost perfectly on-target within the Cygnus Probatii system. It had, apparently, been an uneventful transit, something her Captain believed to be a good omen.

"Bring all primary and secondary auspexes online, scan for all activity. Dispatch Thunderbolts to scout the primary target's surface when in range. Navigation, All Ahead Full, communications, signal our escorts to begin screen pattern Delta One. Execute." The Captain leaned back in his chair, watching his highly-trained crew going about their business, ensuring his orders were followed to the letter.

It was at that moment when the On-Duty Astropath clutched at his chest, gurgled and died. A moment on the bridge of absolute nothing, before all Hell broke loose. Raimius, the primary Astropath on board the Pegasus for 40 years, appeared on the Bridge. "Captain Caine, something is horrifically wrong!"

The Captain stood up, cracking out orders to restore discipline. "Toland! Order Battlestations throughout the group! Continue onwards to the planet!" He turned to the Astropath, "What in the Emperor's name is going on?"

The older Astropath looked out through the viewports, before turning to Caine. "Captain, this vessel's chronotech is out of sync with the Imperial Beacons by more than 50 years. The echoes of a massive death scream are still reverberating throughout the Warp. I suspect we were screened by whatever maelstrom or shadow diverted our arrival time. We've lost half of our Warp Navigators. Captain..."

"...Gryphonne is dead."

The bridge fell silent, as if in the midst of chaos, everyone heard those words. Captain Caine, High Borne of one of Gryphonne's Noblest of families slumped back into his ornate command chair, finding no comfort. "Are you sure?"

"Yes. The Tyranid Hive Fleet has consumed it, there is nothing but their Warp Shadow, and no communications have been registered since our exit from the Warp."

A moment. Two moments. "Damn."

Caine stood back up, forcing himself into proper Imperial Posture. "Continue to ascertain the status of this system. Attempt communications with Tempestus Sector Command, and get our damn Datacores up to date! Toland!"

"Sir!"

"Arm all weapons, and launch the ready alert fighters. Inform all crew members of the situation, I'll brook no Chaos rumors Toland! Have the Guard Commander and the Explorator Magos come to the briefing room, we must prepare."




Waaagh the Dog @ 2011/02/22 01:07:49


Post by: Scarper


Just realised I haven't commented on this yet! Your weathering is incredible, and I love how much fluff you infuse your forces with.

White's a really tough colour to paint, specially with a black undercoat. Are you crazy?!

Great work, anyway - I'll be following


Waaagh the Dog @ 2011/02/22 01:15:18


Post by: Baiyuan


Consider me subscribed. Very nice stuff. I'm waiting to get a closer look at the guy with the "half melter/half crisis flamer"-gun.


Waaagh the Dog @ 2011/02/22 22:26:37


Post by: Briancj


A little progressssss on the Vets!



Sometimes, you have to send in the pros from Dover. No shiny Mechanicus armor, no heavy duty flashlights, no. Just some old ordinance disposal plates slung over your battered suit of Flak Armor. Maybe it'll be enough. It wasn't for poor Lucas, and Roberto certainly ate that Autocannon round. But, it'll give a good chance against bolter fire, and that's the way of the 42nd Millennium.

The men of the 114th know their lives are sold short, but these are the ones who go into the fight, who dispose of that ticking time-bomb of an unexploded Battle Cannon shell. A motley crew, with a collection of weapons scavenged from a hundred battlefields. Souvenirs and scrap, picked up from the bodies of friends and foes. An extra knife here, a few grenades there. You just don't know when you're going to be re-supplied.

Well...

...the veterans sure seem to know.


Waaagh the Dog @ 2011/02/26 17:45:09


Post by: Briancj


Hey, I've cleared 200 messages posted! Let's drink to that.

Every Veteran Squad is made up of the men who have managed to survive the longest, apart from the lucky, or the REMF. They are the ones who will have the waterproof firelighters in the torrential downpour, or a crate of machetes on a Deathworld. Better equipment, better armor, better skills. And the men of Squad Bridgestone, of the 114th Gryphonne Engineers, are sterling examples.

Mitchell "Mitch" McKay is a master of the well-placed missile launcher shot. He can fuse, arm, and fire his ML, "Cody", before a green recruit can put a new B-Pack in their lasgun. His loader, who only goes by the name Kas¹ was rescued from under a pile of his Catachan squadmates. He may have a deathwish, as he's convinced he'll join his buddies. Soon. He's been convinced for 38 battles, so far. Kas, however, is also the squad's premiere scrounger. "Gear Adrift is a Grunt's gift!" Usually nearby is the squad demolitions expert, "Bonker" Barrington. Need to dispose of a bomb? Illicit crate of kaffstiks? A Body? Bonker will take care of that for you. Between Bonker and Kas, the squad never runs out of supplies. Ever.





The Fancy-Dancy Special Weapons Lads are the wise-cracking, party-making, practical-joke-pulling members of the group. "Cutter" McMain was 'assigned' to the 114th after a series of bank robberies on Gryphonne IV. After saving the life of a mid-ranking Officer of the line, he was pardoned for his crimes, pulled from the penal squad, and given the only tool he needs to do his job. Cutter has spent years modifying his Melta, with parts scavenged from a Tau crisis suit. Claims it is more effective. No complaints so far. Antonio "Tony" Chiccaro. What's there to say about a man who can drink an entire still of trenchrot, and still function the next morning? He would never use his heavy flamer's tanks to make alcohol on downtime. And, Sir, he's not really sure WHERE that three-star General's helmet came from, but he'll give it back the next time he's at the supply depot. Finally, there's "Shades" Thiereau. He's been burnt by 'Bessie' more times than he can remember. Scorched, blasted, zapped, popped. At least, now, with the Ordinance Disposal Carapace Armor... well, it doesn't hurt as much. Still, when she puts that ball of superheated death downrange, Shades makes it count.




"Skeet", "Pete" and Pierre. We call him "Lucky", of course. Skeet's the resident tech. Between his vox and the gear he's taken from a few Techpriests...they don't need it anymore..he's the one scrambling locks and altering records to show that, no sir, there are only four crates of frags in the depot. Sir. Ivanovosti "Pete" Petrovich. A dour, stern man picked up after working with a Valhallan army group. Like Kas, Pete was taken in because he had no place else to go. While the other members of the squad have switched to the lower-tech, but easier to maintain assault stubbers, he grimly holds onto the Phaeton-Pattern Lasgun that he claims is the only reason he survived. On the plus side, he gets all the B-Paks not converted into bombs or fuel cells or used for lamps or... Petrovich has become the squad's second in command, due to his uncanny ability to always have the right paperwork, map, document, or orders. And what about Lucky? Well, he's been shot seventeen times, and lived. He's been jumped by Ligers, mauled by beasts, and even survived a Catachan Devil attack. This may be due to the fact that Pierre like knives, and always has at least three on his person. That you can see. If someone's going to get hurt, it is going to be ol' "Lucky" Pierre.




And then there's Sarge. No-one really knows where the Sarge came from, or how old he is. All they know is that he's the one who takes in the loners, the survivors, and keeps them alive for as long as he can. When he bellows an order, you jump. When he tells you go get the hell down, you drop. The Sarge has been there, done that, and still dishes it out, every day. He carries an assassin's powerblade, a old hotshot laspistol (claims he 'found it', but people think he used to be a stormtrooper), and will always be the first into the lines, and the last to fall back. He's the Sarge. What else were you expecting?







¹ "Kas", as in "Kasualty", because that's all loaders are good for. Don't even know why I gave him a gun.


Waaagh the Dog @ 2011/02/26 17:56:36


Post by: Darkvoidof40k


I'm loving the fluff!


Waaagh the Dog @ 2011/02/26 18:29:11


Post by: Flinty


The engineers are a true delight! Great work. Thanks for sharing


Waaagh the Dog @ 2011/02/26 23:24:43


Post by: monkeytroll


The engineers look great and nice bit of fluff to go with them


Waaagh the Dog @ 2011/03/27 14:46:10


Post by: Briancj


So! Haven't been doing much in the way of modeling and painting, but I did play in a 1250 point 3-round tourney at PAX.

No matter how many excellent BatReps you may read (I'm looking at YOU, Ailiaros: http://www.ailarian.com/folera/batreps/blood-conquers-all/index.html), or tactics articles, until you play the game and remember to, say, use your orders? Yeah!

So, here's my 1-0-2 start. Yes, I'm aware that my army is not 'competitive'. A campaign starts soon at my local club (Hobby Bunker, Malden, EvilDice 40K) I may join the fun.

The 'comp' score at this event was based on how many AV14 vehicles, how many special characters, and your ratio of troops to everything else. I set myself up with a good comp score, but there was just no way I could win against certain combinations thrown down. Missions were from Adepticon and typically involved 3 'mission objectives'.

I also learned that when I'm having fun, I take less pictures, as I'm really into the game. Practice, practice, practice!

My List:
CCS, MoO, Fleet Officer, Lascannon, Medic, Regimental Standard

An overly loaded Veteran Squad with Bastonne, Grenadiers and Demolitions in a Chimera
A much less loaded Vet Squad with a flamer, grenade launchers, in a Chimera

PCS, GL GL Flamer
PS1 Flamer Autocannon
PS2 Flamer
HW1 Lascannons
HW2 Mortars

3 Armored Sentinels, AC/HK

---------


Marios 13 - M42, Eastonia Ridge

The 114th has been hastily called in to assist with a sudden onslaught on Tycho's World. PAX Eastonia has failed, and the forces that oppose the glorious Imperium of Man has once again began to move forward. Rumors of various 'individuals of repute' have surfaces, including someone calling themselves Abbadon the Despoiler. As if someone like that would stoop so low as to come to this backwater planet.

We drop in a handful of lighters from the Cobra class destroyer 'Artemis', and the squadron stays in orbit to provide some additional firepower. With me is the Captain of that earnest vessel, along with his second officer, who will be co-ordinating the ship's firepower upon the enemy. I am confident of my men, and their ability to stave off any assault.


My opponent:

Abaddon and some Plague Marines in a Daemonically Posessed Land Raider
Plague Marines in a Daemonically Posessed Rhino
Berzerkers in a Daemonically Posessed Rhino

Note: Amusingly, this army scored just as high on composition as mine did. I am starting to side on the 'comp scores are pointless' side of the fence. Also, REALLY? Taking Abbadon in a 1250 point tournament? He, of course, won. I hate special characters, and the fact that we've returned to Herohammer.

I deployed first, and should have castled in a corner against an all assault army, but I wanted to try and pop his transports, lure him into chewing up low-value troops, and use my chimeras to take objectives. This would have worked a lot better had we actually laid down the objective markers.

Turn 1: I open up with all of my shooting. 4 lascannons and a MoO fail to do anything to the Land Raider. Forgot to lay down orders. My Sentinels, who will be the stars of this particular outing, fail to do anything to the Plague Marine Rhinos, so they unleash their HK's, ONE of which manages to wreck it. Mortar fire hits the Khorne Rhino, but fails to deliver any lucky fragmentation into the driver's brainpan. The autocannon and grenade launchers also fail to do more than scratch 5000 year old paint.

On his turn, he moved his Plague Marines against the Sentinels, Abbadon Deploys, and the Berzerkers take to a nearby forest to have some tea.



Turn 2 sees the absolute annihilation of my platoon for very little return against Khorne. Here is where I should have rushed my vets to claim objectives, but, as mentioned, we forgot to lay them down. Instead, I throw Bastonne into the plague marine mix. This was really, really stupid. Also, this is the turn where I discover that when my officer issues an order, it will be followed up by boxcars.



Turn 3 sees some damage done by mortars to Khorne, who finish up their tea party in the forest, while Abbadon prepares to engage.



By turn 5, Abbadon has annihilated my CCS and firepower squads, Bastonne is paste, but I've managed to get a squad of vets toward the center objective. The Land raider has proven impossible to kill, thanks to a lot of really awful dice rolls on my part. Remember, kids: There are lies, damn lies, and statistics. Mathammer means nothing on the tabletop.



Turn six sees his remaining Khorne Berzerker take out the last of my vets, leaving me with a couple of Chimeras and one of Bastonne's finest to report on the awful, awful carnage...and that Abbadon has returned.

---------


I am resuscitated by a medicae team, searching the battlefield for survivors. Some of my remaining engineers are scavenging the various weapons that survived the carnage, loading them up into a pair of damaged Chimeras. My men have been slaughtered, even the veterans of the 114th cut down like chattel. The Emperor abandoned us to die, and I wonder what part of His grand plan we were a part of.





Waaagh the Dog @ 2011/03/29 08:12:17


Post by: Yggdrasil


Wow, that seemed to be a tough one...

I know you want your list to be more "fluffy" than "competitive", yet I think you should find a few points to include 2-3 meltaguns to the force... That should help you up a bit with the vehicles, without going "all-melta" as most competitive lists do.



Waaagh the Dog @ 2011/03/29 11:10:57


Post by: Briancj


Yggdrasil wrote:Wow, that seemed to be a tough one...

I know you want your list to be more "fluffy" than "competitive", yet I think you should find a few points to include 2-3 meltaguns to the force... That should help you up a bit with the vehicles, without going "all-melta" as most competitive lists do.



Agreed. I just have to figure out a good set of units to deploy. Admittedly, this game saw a return to my usual form of 'my dice hate me'. Probably because I've abandoned them in a dark cabinet for so very long.

I am, however, consoled by the fact that NO-ONE at the tournament could handle his army.

Development of the 'tournament' side of the Army List is on-going, but I still have to (re)learn how to play the game, remember to put orders down, etc.



Waaagh the Dog @ 2011/03/29 15:42:29


Post by: Darkvoidof40k


Well, it isn't against the rules to bring a notepad laden with tactics and things to remember. I might just try that next game..


Waaagh the Dog @ 2011/07/20 13:28:00


Post by: Briancj


Saddle up, boys and girls, it is time to take a ride.





I believe I've given up on the idea of ever playing Warhammer 40K again. There's just too few like-minded people around me. Or, they exist, and I cannot find them. I want fluff and backgrounds, to be able to play the entries in the codex that are "Sub-Optimal". I want a reason to field my Deathstrike. The "Summer of Flyers" just pisses me off. I hate Matt Ward. The fact that GW's CEO is making decisions purely to line his own pockets, rather than putting the money back into the company, makes me wish for a Time Machine.

In short, I love the IDEA of Warhammer 40K, but I don't like the GAME.

Ah well. So, I'm going to focus on what I enjoy. Converting, creating, building.

Maybe I'll find those like-minded people. And they won't live in WISCONSIN.

--B.



Waaagh the Dog @ 2011/07/20 15:50:56


Post by: Matrim


Just read the 3 pages, and compared to some blogs, almost every post of yours has new stuff! Lav it.

Keep up with all the stuff man, really nice.
Another + to not playing the game is that with that conversion that looks cool, but isnt rule allowing.....well it looks cool, so so what


Waaagh the Dog @ 2011/07/21 00:20:09


Post by: monkeytroll


Working door pistons on a valk? Most excellent good sir!


Waaagh the Dog @ 2011/07/21 13:52:43


Post by: Briancj


[EDIT: Had to replace the pictures, they wuz all purged.]

A little more progress. I find that the new CAD-built vehicles lack soul. It is too easy to make everything exactly the same. For example, the right- and left-side wall interior details in the Valk are just mirror-images of each other. THAT was lazy. I mean, you could have mirrored it, and added some tweaks to each side, make them unique. Nope. Ah well.

CHALLENGE: Use the two Valkyrie Rocket Pods to build a double-missile-launcher Dreadnought, ala a certain Macross series mecha...

Onto the pictures:

Test-fitting the ramp, hinges work, and the ramp slides up and down neatly. Has anyone had any problem with the ramp staying in it's upright and locked position? I'm fairly sure I have enough friction, but I won't know until I actually glue everything in place. I'm pondering leaving the roof removable, to be able to show off the interior detail fully.


Bolter mounts.





I really dislike how bulky everything is in 40K, but, that's the style, ja? You go with it. Plus, WYSIWYG means that a Heavy Bolter had better look like a Heavy Bolter. So, I discarded the massive mount point for the bolter, and I feel a lot better about the look and feel. Also, this bolter can swing the full 180' the rules allow for a "Side Sponson", which makes me feel better about being able to fire them straight forward...or straight backwards should the need arise.

The next step is to build the second bolter mount, buff up the interior details, and then add the chair mount hardware. I'm going to use the chair support design from the Blackhawk helicopter. I will attach the gunners directly to the guns, since they'll pop in and out with the Bolters. I am unlikely to build a squad of men to go into the Valk. I do not like the Forge World one, because the center "bench" is really stupid. Sorry, Forge World guys, but the interior of the Valk is too small as is, and your troop bench blocks the ability for the door gunners to maneuver.

I know. "Stop applying reality to plastic gaming toys, Brian."




I'm out of the right-size of rod, so I need to visit my FLGS, and pick up some more materials. Helloooooo Hobby Bunker in Malden, MA.


Waaagh the Dog @ 2011/07/22 02:15:11


Post by: Briancj


A little more work done. I added a bunch of greeblies to the interior roof. Chair/grab rods, wiring, fiddly bitz, handles, and new ramp hinge mounts. Added a crate to the front of the deck.

The roof:



And a long shot into the Troop Bay, up the ramp:



Time to prime and paint up some interior details!



Waaagh the Dog @ 2011/07/26 16:35:19


Post by: Briancj


I use Krylon Rusty Metal Primer for my basecoat, because I like the coverage, like how well it adheres to everything (plastic, metal, resin), and a dark brown crevice doesn't bother me a whole lot.

I carved off a bunch of the buttons and lights, added a couple of flat spaces. I wish there were more open areas inside, because there's no room to put all the warning stencils such vehicles would have. The green rods are grab bars and chair mounts. The Blackhawk helicopter has neat folding chairs that clamp onto these rods. I may make a couple for the next Valk/Vend, if I choose to build more.

The Bolter mounts are finished, I just need to paint and install them. I think I'll permanently attach the gunners to them, mostly for ease of transport, and the ability to swap the guns in and out.

More pictures, Brian? Oh, okay.









Waaagh the Dog @ 2011/07/26 21:02:41


Post by: monkeytroll


Nice looking interior. I assume the pistons are wire-cored plastic rod bent to shape?


Waaagh the Dog @ 2011/07/26 22:43:24


Post by: Briancj


Yup. And then I glued stops onto the ends, so the rods can't twist back out of the hinge points. I'm probably going to add a few more interior items. Needs at least one fire extinguisher!


Waaagh the Dog @ 2011/07/27 08:20:31


Post by: Yggdrasil


Briancj wrote:I am unlikely to build a squad of men to go into the Valk. I do not like the Forge World one, because the center "bench" is really stupid. Sorry, Forge World guys, but the interior of the Valk is too small as is, and your troop bench blocks the ability for the door gunners to maneuver.

I know. "Stop applying reality to plastic gaming toys, Brian."


Actually, except from the unusually large CH47 Chinook helicopters (which would be of a larger class than a Valkyrie), you will never hear any soldier be happy about having too much space in his vehicle (especially about helicopters), and the side gunners usually have to struggle when the passengers are on board... So indeed it's hard to model, for our plastic men are much less souple than "real" soldiers, but most probably it fits a certain reality, in a way...

But you're doing an awesome job with the hinges, the hydraulic systems and everything, so I won't object too much lol...

Keep up the good work!!!


Waaagh the Dog @ 2011/07/27 15:51:56


Post by: Briancj


Thanks!

Yanno, here's my real complaint about the center bench from FW:

There's no mounting points for it. Everything I've seen, 'real world' has folded up in some way. But that bench looks like it is just tossed in there, and they sit on it. It just doesn't FEEL right.

Feeeeeeeeeeeeeeelings! Whoa, oh, oh, Feeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeelings!



Waaagh the Dog @ 2011/07/27 16:38:08


Post by: Yggdrasil


Some musical nostalgia "sprung off" your head?


Waaagh the Dog @ 2011/07/27 17:51:11


Post by: Briancj


'or something'. Probably another part of my anatomy. I am very much looking forward to this evening, and getting some heavy lifting down on the Valk.


Waaagh the Dog @ 2011/07/30 19:39:47


Post by: Briancj


More forward movement! I apologize for this being a stream-of-consciousness plog, but I hope someone stumbles onto this, and goes, "Oh! THAT'S how they do that!" Kitbashing is not hard, it just requires actually looking at the model, and not being afraid to take the hacksaw to it. Speaking of which, who stole my hacksaw?

A few days ago, I started on the cockpit. I knew I wanted to achieve several things:

  • An Apache-style chin turret

  • Dynamic crew figure placement

  • Magnetize, magnetize, magnetize


  • Let's see the results!

    Here's the cuts I made to make room for the turret. I've looked at other chin turret choices, and I didn't like how far the gun stuck out past the nose. Which, while accurate for a Cobra, or even Blue Thunder, I wanted more of a Streamlined look. I imagine, for de-orbit burns, blow-off ceramite plating is put over aspects of the vessel. Or not, who knows?




    And here's what the nose looks like, with some plasticard in place.



    So, let us digress for a moment. <nerd rage> I hate the cockpit. I mean, I really hate it. The glass has NO hinges and why did they make the frame seperate...EXCEPT NOT ALL OF IT? So, you still have the mask the thing to paint it, ANYWAYS! Such a half-assed choice. The fold down steps for the Pilot and Rio have no hinge detail, EITHER. I almost filed these off, but I don't have any replacement steps. In future, I may remove them and put some blocks for an external ladder. The actual cockpit is way, way too cramped, all they had to do was add an inch or so. And why all this multi-piece 'detail' that could have been molded on? Really? I have to put on a slightly raised panel on the nose? </nerd rage> In future, I'm going to go with a resin cockpit, I think. Or make some heavy modifications.

    Here is a sample of my nerd rage; the pilot and rio figures are 25mm scale, everything else is GW's 'heroic' scale. Thus, mixing and matching bits becomes...well, exciting really. My Rio has a giant catachan hand, compared to his body. It is his pimp hand. Or his regular date. Or he was the best Volleyball Star in his class at the Imperial Navy Academy...

    Pilot arm on top, IG Sentinel Pilot arms on the bottom.



    Let us continue! Having put all the pieces together, let's take a look at the cockpit.




    Hey, you know what? This is a GUNSHIP not a FIGHTER CRAFT. The gunner should have been in FRONT. I think I can blame Forge World for this, actually. Sigh.

    A chin turret? But that's not WYSIWYG! Yeah, yeah.

    I discovered, by accident, that the small IG wheel from the older Chimera/Leman Russ kit fits PERFECTLY over the little nub inside the Valkyrie bit that goes on the front of the raised portion of the roof. Which, I think, is the Air Conditioning unit. I'm not sure. So I re-purposed it.



    Initially, my mount rode too low, so I counter-sunk the wheel into the nose.





    BAM! Beautiful.



    Let's test-fit the nose:




    I'm using various bits as air speed probes, etc. But I have to be careful, as the kit has to transport fairly well.

    Annoyance #114: Several times, mould lines have been ACROSS curved surfaces. Some on, folks, you have CAD/CAM! Put the mold lines and sprue feeds where we do NOT lose details when we remove, trim, and file off the pieces! Lazy, lazy, lazy.

    So let's put this all together. Wings, with magnetic mounts. If you google search 'Magnetizing Valkyrie', you'll see many tutorials. I chose the one that puts the magnets into the wing mounts. More lazy-ass design on GW's part. Why aren't these DESIGNED for magnetizing? Nice, flat surfaces please! I suspect there's a mandate from GW that says design decisions are bottom-line driven. Use less plastic! Make them buy multiple kits! Etc. Too bad there's a thriving bits market they can't shut down.



    And here's a shot of the full test-fit. I reversed the tails on the boom, as well as the main wings.



    And that's where I am now.






    Waaagh the Dog @ 2011/07/31 18:47:22


    Post by: sparkywtf


    Great work!

    I am just finishing up getting 3 valks ready for paint, and I completely agree with every problem you have stated about them. I think the worst is the sprue for the little round jet ports on the tips of the wings. I found it easier to make them smooth all the way around and say to hell with rivets.


    Waaagh the Dog @ 2011/08/03 19:56:27


    Post by: sc0ttfree


    Great work! I may steal that idea if i pick up a valk for my army.
    The cockpit looks much more streamlined and cleaner your way


    Waaagh the Dog @ 2011/08/03 20:23:38


    Post by: tipios


    That looks great!! great converting work and ideas!!! more more more


    Waaagh the Dog @ 2011/08/04 00:43:04


    Post by: samwellfrm


    I remember seeing that army at PAX.

    I really like your guard work. The individualism and divergent thinking that goes along with them is inspiring. I definitely love the mobile kitchen!


    Automatically Appended Next Post:
    P.S. Where can I buy that light box? Is the store within walking distance from the mbta?


    Waaagh the Dog @ 2011/08/04 01:12:18


    Post by: Briancj


    I bought the Lightbox at Microcenter, down in Cambridge, but they might not have any more, their stock is utterly random sometimes. So call ahead!

    This is what I bought:

    http://cgi.ebay.com/Portable-Light-Box-Digital-Concepts-lighting-Studio-/380359093335?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item588f2b2c57#ht_500wt_1413

    So they appear on eBay, regularly, in the $20-$30 range.

    Thanks for the kind words!

    --Brian



    Waaagh the Dog @ 2011/08/06 03:44:27


    Post by: Briancj


    Gencon is kicking my ASS.



    Waaagh the Dog @ 2011/08/07 13:07:17


    Post by: samwellfrm


    Kick it back.


    Waaagh the Dog @ 2011/08/12 16:02:01


    Post by: Briancj


    I am going to be pushing to finish the Valkyrie, this weekend. Then, I need a couple more for build into Vendettas.

    Anyone wanna send me some free Valkyries? Come on, just two!

    --Brian



    Waaagh the Dog @ 2011/08/12 16:44:46


    Post by: Yggdrasil


    Nice custom job on that Valkyrie...

    I'm impressed, it looks really good!!


    Waaagh the Dog @ 2011/08/12 17:13:11


    Post by: Briancj


    Also! A set of 20 of Col. Gravis' Praetorian Roughriders will soon be upon my doorstep!

    You should all be very jealous of me. Oh yes.


    Automatically Appended Next Post:
    Guess what I have! G'wan! GUESS!



    Regal Blue!



    And Landing Gear!



    Don't know what I'm going to do with the now dis-used landing gear mounts on the wings. Any suggestions?



    Waaagh the Dog @ 2011/08/14 04:08:26


    Post by: Briancj


    So. Here is why I hate the person who built this kit. Even tho' most of the cockpit glass 'frame' is a separate casting, I STILL HAVE TO MASK THE GLASS. And I still screwed up, because I wasn't paying attention. Sigh. Frosted some of the glass with my thumb when assembling it.



    With that out of the way, I present to you, dear reader, my version of "The Descent of Angels".









    Please be gentle.

    --Brian



    Waaagh the Dog @ 2011/08/14 10:56:54


    Post by: monkeytroll


    Agreed with all your comments on the cockpit, but hey, turned out good in the end

    Lovely distinctive scheme, a squadron of those would look very nice


    Waaagh the Dog @ 2011/08/14 12:38:07


    Post by: Flinty


    Very nice work! The reversed wings are a fantastic look and your nose turret works a hell of a lot better than mine did

    Regarding the wing gear mounts, could you drill some holes and use them as chaff/flare dispensers?


    Waaagh the Dog @ 2011/08/14 16:58:15


    Post by: samwellfrm


    Love the valkyrie. Do you plan on adding weathering and what-not? Or is it fresh out of the forge?


    Waaagh the Dog @ 2011/08/14 17:33:07


    Post by: porkchop806


    Love the blue angel tribute on schem.Love it, awsome work man subed.


    Waaagh the Dog @ 2011/08/16 01:49:51


    Post by: Briancj


    The model has some light weathering, silvered the edges. I'm not sure if I want to put more on there, I really dislike the massivedly chipped paint jobs. BUT, since I used a dark blue, it is hard to show re-entry streaks from orbit.

    I may dirty the landing gear and bottom up a bit, show dust-offs and landings.

    Good idea on the chaff pods, I'll see what I can do with those boxes.

    Thanks for the kind words.



    Waaagh the Dog @ 2011/08/24 14:47:48


    Post by: Briancj


    My Col.Gravis Brand Praetorian Rough Riders have arrived.

    AND THEY ARE AWESOME.





    Waaagh the Dog @ 2011/08/24 21:36:50


    Post by: samwellfrm


    Oh boy! Let me see!


    Waaagh the Dog @ 2011/08/24 21:50:30


    Post by: monkeytroll


    Ohh, you big tease you.....


    Waaagh the Dog @ 2011/08/29 15:48:17


    Post by: Briancj


    Got started on my Pretorians. I have the bits coming in to make 30 of the lads. I had a full set of 30, plus two mounted Commissars, ages ago. One of the Sgts was even on a Pegasus. Heh. Anyways, I sol doff two sets, kept one for sentimental reasons. Now, I'm goign to build back up to 30. I know the Rough Riders meta is units of 5, but I still want 3x10, because I can.

    Have to order heads from Secret Weapon, and horses from some bitz place. Cheapest I've found the Empire Outrider horses is $2.00 each. So, that'll be another $60 (heads and horses). Sigh. With the money I'm spending on this project, I could have put down legions of Battlemechs, scores of Warmachine Jacks, etc. etc.

    Oh well. Col. Gravis' Pretorians are so very pretty, and I'll have a set of very unique units.

    ONWARDS!

    Here's my old Prets in a bath of simple green, and the first stripping pass.





    --------

    So, now, I'm pondering what to do with my army. While I LOVE Pretorian Red and Black, my army...it is blue. Col. Gravid did winders with blue and white, but I'm not sure what to do, really. I've always had, in the fluff, that there was a group of dignitaries on this ship, sent to announce the reclamation of the planet for Ryza and the AdMech, etc. etc. But, do I theme the group with my army, or go pure Pret red? I'm just not sure. And there's other colors, as well! I could do purple! I could do black! I could do Snot Green!

    Any thoughts? FEEDBACK, people. I need feedback.

    --B.

    PS: I started a Catalyst Game Labs plog, which will be filled with Battletech, Shadowrun, and Leviathans, HERE: http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/392895.page



    Waaagh the Dog @ 2011/08/30 02:11:30


    Post by: samwellfrm


    Have it be two half-strength companies that were forced to merge together.


    Waaagh the Dog @ 2011/08/30 04:24:10


    Post by: Mad4Minis


    Love the extended hull...helps hide the goofy proportions of the main gun a little bit.


    Waaagh the Dog @ 2011/08/30 05:54:24


    Post by: Rabid Ferret


    I am really loving the Blue Angels valk. Great stuff.


    Waaagh the Dog @ 2011/08/30 09:57:35


    Post by: monkeytroll


    Well if the dignitary group have representatives from the AdMech, then red makes sense for them. But then I feel that normal cavalry aren't very evocative of the AdMech. Did you have any plans for the actual composition of the dignitaries? Would they have rough riders?


    Waaagh the Dog @ 2011/08/30 11:20:10


    Post by: M0rdain


    I am agasp at the awesomeness of your conversions. Keep up the GREAT work.


    Waaagh the Dog @ 2011/08/30 13:53:04


    Post by: Briancj


    monkeytroll wrote:Well if the dignitary group have representatives from the AdMech, then red makes sense for them. But then I feel that normal cavalry aren't very evocative of the AdMech. Did you have any plans for the actual composition of the dignitaries? Would they have rough riders?


    I was thinking more of parade ground riders, normal IG. "We dedicate this planet to the Emprah blah blah blah." <Marching Horses>.

    Meant to put on a show, have some Valkyries fly over head, and leave for the next showing. In between, they polish their shoes.

    --B.

    Thanks, everyone, for the kind words.


    Waaagh the Dog @ 2011/09/03 15:32:13


    Post by: Briancj


    Life's been hella hectic, but I managed toget my original Pretorians stripped and cleaned up, for the salvage/rebuild.



    I ditched my original multi-melta rider in favor of incorporating my mounted commissar as the unit's leader/stand-in for the Rough Rider Special Character.

    On, Wildfire! On!

    --Brian


    Automatically Appended Next Post:
    Okay, here's a couple of shots of the Color Scheme, based on the 17th Lancers. This is using my older, kitbashed Pretorians, which got stripped down, etc. So, no, this is no Golden Demon entry. Just an idea of what they'll look like. Col. Gravis' Pretorian Riders are going to be a LOT of fun to paint in this scheme, and I'm actually looking forward to painting. No, the horse is not painted yet.

    Blue: Necron Abyss, Midnight Blue.
    White: Codex Grey, Skull White, watered down Black Ink, Skull White.
    Flesh: Bronzed Flesh, Flesh Wash, Bronzed Flesh. Chin strap is Vermin Brown.
    Boots: Chaos Black, Dwarf Bronze.
    Lance: Scorched Brown, Dwarf Bronze, Flesh Wash.





    I also formatted 30+ hard drives, and did some cleaning/organizing in the basement.

    --Brian



    Waaagh the Dog @ 2011/09/05 20:39:28


    Post by: monkeytroll


    Test scheme looks good, sure the bunch of them will look great finished.

    And I'm assuming you were supposed to format those drives


    Waaagh the Dog @ 2011/09/06 14:09:42


    Post by: Briancj


    Progress is my Middle Name!

    Well, one of them. The first one is "Slow".



    Anyone know where I can find a good, non-airbrush, tutorial on painting horses?

    Thanks!

    --Brian



    Waaagh the Dog @ 2011/09/07 07:14:44


    Post by: Col.Gravis


    They're looking nifty Brian, though I'd be lieing if I did'nt say I was looking forward to seeing what you do with the new ones


    Waaagh the Dog @ 2011/09/08 02:24:48


    Post by: Briancj


    Wooooo! Another good night of painting, got the horses primed, washed, brought back up to neutral, and then some highlights thrown in, as well as the initial black coat on all the tack and harness.

    Here's a shot of all the riders and horses. Began touching up the "Commissar" as well.



    And here's a closeup of a mostly done horse and his finished rider.



    Hooray, PROGRESS!

    Thanks to Kanluwen, Manchu for pointing me to GW's horse tutorial, and Empchild for some valuable advice!

    --Brian



    Waaagh the Dog @ 2011/09/08 20:35:20


    Post by: monkeytroll


    Briancj wrote: Began touching up the "Commissar" as well.


    That's never going to end well.


    Sorry....tried to resist...temptation far too strong.

    Looking rather fetching so far.


    Waaagh the Dog @ 2011/09/08 21:35:28


    Post by: Briancj


    When I think about yoooouuuuu, I touch my "Commissar"! Whoa-oh-oh! Der Commissar's in town, wha-oh-oh!

    Etc.


    Waaagh the Dog @ 2011/09/13 14:04:14


    Post by: Briancj


    Miss me? No? Oh well.

    So, I pushed to finish the Lancers last night. The camera, as always, shows you just how awful of a painter I am, and everything I've missed. But they satisfy my three foot rule for tabletop quality, and I'm okay with that. the snow is a mix of 2:1 white glue:water, with Woodland Scenics 'snow' flock mixed in. This produces one of those cornstarch-and-water-like non-Newtonian liquids, which is then brushed on to a textured base.

    Onto the horror show.












    Horse butts are inherently funny. Yes, I know that this is not a legal weapons load out for a unit of Rough Riders.

    --Brian



    Waaagh the Dog @ 2011/09/17 14:29:46


    Post by: Briancj


    So, apart from doing some touchups on things, I'm not going to do any major project work on my army for a bit, and turn my attention to some very portable, but characterful, gaming tables. Secret Weapon heads and some horse bitz for the remaining Pretorians will be ordered next weekend!

    Instead, let's look at some fluff. Back on page one, we saw a timeline for the system. Now, let's take a look at the system itself...

    Cygnus Solarii System
    [Imperial Reference: 947392784/sde/19.241.88.1/A]
    [Segmentum Tempestus, Redactus Sector]

    Accurate as of: 1/997999.M41

    Cross-Reference: Gryphonne, Gryphonne IV, Tyranids, Biel-Tan, Knights Gryphonne, Chaos Worlds, Hive Fleet Leviathan, Adeptus Mechanicus

    Military & Governance:
    Imperial Fleet Presence: Minimal
    Closest Marine Chapter: Knights Gryphonne
    Prefix Inquisitorial: Unstable
    Estimated Warp from Terra: 79 Months



    CS I – (pre-heresy “Mons Copia”)

    [Imperial Reference: 947392784/sde/19.241.88.1/a]
    [delta-tau class Death World]
    Population: 0 (abandoned)

    Military & Governance:
    Aestimare (Value): F021
    Governor’s Capital: None
    Planetary Garrisons: None
    Imperial Garrison Strength: None
    Garrison Standard Draft: None

    Production:
    Tithe Grade: Aptus Non
    Exports: None (Known Promethium Deposits)

    Summary:
    Formerly a large Promethium Mining Complex, this planet was abandoned during the Warp Storms that ravaged the system.



    CS II – (pre-heresy “Morbus”)

    [Imperial Reference: 947392784/sde/19.241.88.1/b]
    [delta class Dead World]
    Population: 0

    Military & Governance:
    Aestimare (Value): Z000
    Governor’s Capital: None
    Planetary Garrisons: None
    Imperial Garrison Strength: None
    Garrison Standard Draft: None

    Production:
    Tithe Grade: Aptus Non
    Exports: None

    Summary:
    Formerly wreathed in a toxic atmosphere, this world is now a barren, lifeless rock, stripped of 80% of its gasses by the Warp Storms. Recent signals have been detected, which may be of Necrontyr origin.



    CS III – (pre-heresy “Basilica Est”)

    [Imperial Reference: 947392784/sde/19.241.88.1/c]
    [Destroyed]

    Summary:
    This Hive World was destroyed when the planet exploded during the Warp Storms. The resultant asteroid field may have debris of value.



    CS IV – “Requiem” (pre-heresy “Sempronia”)

    [Imperial Reference: 947392784/sde/19.241.88.1/d]
    [delta-tau class Death World]
    Population: 114,000 (estimated)

    Military & Governance:
    Aestimare (Value): A999
    Governor’s Capital: Bastion Primus
    Planetary Garrisons: 114th Gryphonne (remnants)
    Imperial Garrison Strength: 25,000 (estimated)
    Garrison Standard Draft: None

    Production:
    Tithe Grade: Aptus Non
    Exports: None

    Summary:
    Requiem is an arctic/desert Death World which has been settled by refugees from Gryphonne IV. It is unknown as to the strength and size of the Imperial Contingent at this time. Ruins on the Planet are being explored for technology. Pre-Heresy survivors who have formed an “Imperial Cargo Cult” are being indoctrinated and trained as Conscripts for the Planetary Defense Forces. Some level of Adeptus Mechanicus is on-planet. The now-fleet-based space marines chapter Knights Gryphonne has dispatched units to the area.

    Moons: Gladius, Spatha, Pilum.



    CS V – (pre-heresy “Formositas”)

    [Imperial Reference: 947392784/sde/19.241.88.1/e]
    [delta-gamma class Gas Giant]

    Summary:
    This planet’s ring structure appears to have been blown away by the Warp Storms. Navigation through this planet’s orbit is dangerous. No moons survived the Storms, it is unknown what happened to the 15 moons listed in the Imperial Archive for the system.



    CS VI – “Limbo” (pre-heresy “Fomeus Prime”)

    [Imperial Reference: 947392784/sde/19.241.88.1/f]
    [delta-gamma class Gas Giant]

    Summary:
    A Gas Giant whose moons have been locked into a stable orbit around the massive ring structure. The moons and ring appear to be mimicking the symbol of Chaos, Undivided. No Chaos activity has been detected, but the moons require a greater investigation. Surveillance has been deployed by the Imperial Fleet.

    Moons: Genialis, Abdomenus, Avarus, Animositas, Heresy, Crudesco, Dolus, Proditor



    CS VII – (pre-heresy “Malus”)
    [Imperial Reference: 947392784/sde/19.241.88.1/g]
    [delta class Dead World]
    Population: 0

    Military & Governance:
    Aestimare (Value): Z000
    Governor’s Capital: None
    Planetary Garrisons: None
    Imperial Garrison Strength: None
    Garrison Standard Draft: None

    Production:
    Tithe Grade: Aptus Non
    Exports: None

    Summary:
    This is the furthest planet from the central sun, a barren, lifeless rock. A small Research facility was located here, according to the Imperial Archives, but it was found destroyed. An Adeptus Mechanicus survey team was unable to determine the cause of the facility’s destruction.




    Waaagh the Dog @ 2011/09/17 15:47:56


    Post by: Yggdrasil


    Hey, that's great fluff (especially the 8 'stable' moons)...

    Where did you get those nice planetoid pics ?


    Waaagh the Dog @ 2011/09/17 16:40:07


    Post by: Briancj


    Trolled the internet for various public astronomy images, then photoshopped them to my needs.

    --B.


    Waaagh the Dog @ 2011/09/18 11:35:40


    Post by: bunnygurl


    Hello hello there. I didn't know you had a blog......*looks at your sig*...wow that makes me sound dumb...

    Nice Lancers. I'm a fan of anything on horseback, and they are not badly done at all. Let me get a pic of the first horse and rider mini I ever painted and that's what bad painting looks like. Seriously though I really like 'em, especially the white markings on the horses.

    Kudos on the fluff too. I don't have the knowledge nor attention span for anything nearly that complex.


    Waaagh the Dog @ 2011/09/18 13:03:30


    Post by: Briancj


    Thank you. In truth, the fluff above is a lift of a template for Imperial planets found on the internetz (older books had so much more low-level-detail information), which I then filled out for each planet.


    Automatically Appended Next Post:
    Sometimes I get an idea in my head, and it won't go away. I have to knock it out, or it'll derail everything.

    Today, that resulted in this. An Earth Caste Tau Hammerhead. The goal was for the overall model to keep the same dimensions as an actual Hammerhead. But, the Burst Cannons are way, way off. No, the weapons are not magnetized, either!







    Now, back to your regularly scheduled mostly IG plog.



    Waaagh the Dog @ 2011/09/18 22:16:39


    Post by: monkeytroll


    Now that I like.

    And horse butts aren't a legal load-out for rough riders? They're only allowed the front of panto-horses? These defense cuts are getting kinda silly now.


    Waaagh the Dog @ 2011/09/20 15:41:51


    Post by: Briancj


    So, to the two of you who read my plog, I have two questions.

    1) What colors should I paint my Tau Walker? Blue and grey/white are RIGHT OUT.

    2) What should I do with the Stormlord/Shadowsword superheavy chassis that I got for free?

    --Brian



    Waaagh the Dog @ 2011/09/20 15:52:05


    Post by: Sigmundr



    2) What should I do with the Stormlord/Shadowsword superheavy chassis that I got for free?




    Trojan horse, with a tccw hunting lance. Painted in a classy blue and grey/white combination.


    Waaagh the Dog @ 2011/09/20 15:56:58


    Post by: tipios


    Thats a nice walker conversion!!

    1 - How about yellow?

    2 - If you've just got the chassis, then scratch build the rest


    Waaagh the Dog @ 2011/09/20 15:58:32


    Post by: Briancj


    I have the whole kit. I just don't know what to DO with it.


    Waaagh the Dog @ 2011/09/20 16:01:33


    Post by: tipios


    Oh I seee!! Do a mega conversion job


    Waaagh the Dog @ 2011/09/20 16:08:02


    Post by: Yggdrasil


    Briancj wrote:So, to the two of you who read my plog, I have two questions.

    1) What colors should I paint my Tau Walker? Blue and grey/white are RIGHT OUT.

    2) What should I do with the Stormlord/Shadowsword superheavy chassis that I got for free?

    --Brian



    As I don't know if I am counted among the "two [...] who read my plog", I'm not sure I am allowed to give an advice...


    Waaagh the Dog @ 2011/09/20 16:11:38


    Post by: Briancj


    Oh, Yggs. We all love you.

    Give advice!


    Waaagh the Dog @ 2011/09/20 20:08:21


    Post by: monkeytroll


    You know, I kinda like it in it's undercoat Some red panels and yellow detailing to break up the black?

    With the Stormlord are you looking for something to go with the Pegasus force, or just something for fun?


    Waaagh the Dog @ 2011/09/20 20:17:25


    Post by: Briancj


    I was considering going all Tron on it, and doing glowing red panel lines.

    Yeah, for fun. Like an Imperial Mole or some Squat monstrosity.


    Waaagh the Dog @ 2011/09/20 20:19:59


    Post by: monkeytroll


    Well for fun I was thinking some kind of Ad Mech vehicle, all sorts of interesting techy goodness could manifest in something that size

    But since you mentioned Squats, then hell yeah, pretty similar just with more dakka


    Waaagh the Dog @ 2011/09/20 21:33:46


    Post by: Rawson


    That walker is pretty sweet! Maybe it's just because it's earth caste, but I'm seeing browns...

    Cheers,
    Rawson


    Waaagh the Dog @ 2011/09/20 21:54:19


    Post by: marmaduke


    that walker makes me want to play tau all over again.

    as for the colors i would suggest maybe some browns and greens?

    cant wait to see more totally hooked

    also must admit it was absoulte geius to make it a walker LOVE IT

    hope to see more tau stuff like that

    keep up the good work and i will definatly keep looking at this "plog"

    is AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


    Waaagh the Dog @ 2011/09/23 11:23:28


    Post by: Col.Gravis


    Ordinatus Minoris, I always wanted to do one though I don't suppose I'll ever get round to it


    Waaagh the Dog @ 2011/09/25 15:51:55


    Post by: Briancj


    Been busy doing many other things, getting ready for an apartment move, etc. Not enough drinking.

    But, some things of note:

    1) Started painting the walker. The overwhelming opinion was "Earth Caste == Earth Colors", DUH. So I looked up some desert insects, and went with the hairy desert scorpion, and a Tau tank name was born.

    The Tau Scorpion, WiP:



    I'm looking at several ideas for the superheavy chassis, and I'm definitely leaning toward an Ordinatus of some kind.

    I ordered 20 Secret Weapon pith helmet heads, and started trying to find horses. Let me tell you, aside from buying boxes of Empire Outriders/Pistoliers, I'm sunk. I scrounged all the US bitz places, and managed to get a total of six horses.

    Six.

    I need twenty.

    Ah well. Looks like I'll be painting up in batches, and put a call in the swap shop here.

    The pilot of "Angels 8" parked her on an unstable landing platform, and she took a tumble. Repairable, not any real damage. But annoying nevertheless, because it was due to my own stupidity.

    Finally, it looks like I'm going to Adepticon.

    God have mercy on my soul.

    --Brian


    Waaagh the Dog @ 2011/09/26 01:42:05


    Post by: marmaduke


    looks really good cant wait to see more


    Waaagh the Dog @ 2011/09/26 18:30:58


    Post by: monkeytroll


    No Tron walker then?

    Colour choice looks solid on the Scorpion. Shame about the horses, but did you really want to paint all 20 in one go?


    Waaagh the Dog @ 2011/09/26 21:10:43


    Post by: Briancj


    monkeytroll wrote:No Tron walker then?

    Colour choice looks solid on the Scorpion. Shame about the horses, but did you really want to paint all 20 in one go?


    I already own a ton of Lightcycles.

    And, no, I really don't want to paint all 20 in one go, but I would have liked to have bought them in BULK. Now, I have to scrounge. A lot.

    --B.



    Waaagh the Dog @ 2011/09/30 00:08:17


    Post by: Briancj


    Guess who has 20 of Col Gravis' Pretorian Rough Riders, 20 Secret Weapon Pith Helmets...and only six horses?

    Yeah!

    THIS GUY!



    Waaagh the Dog @ 2011/09/30 18:20:28


    Post by: monkeytroll


    Oh, I was thinking of Jake 'six horses' McGruder.


    Waaagh the Dog @ 2011/10/02 20:13:33


    Post by: Arakasi


    Hey, checkin' in from reading a response of yours on another IG blog - so now I get to add another to my subscribe list...

    Some great work with the vehicle mods and magnetising - I can really appreciate that (even being an Ork player...)

    Keep up the good work! Now I'll get to see what you get up to in the future (Tau Scorpion is looking nice...)


    Waaagh the Dog @ 2011/10/04 03:04:42


    Post by: bebopdrums2424


    Brian these tank conversions are awesome! But the tau walker is especially cool. Also Incredibly rewarding for your opponent when his vanquisher cannon kills it!


    Waaagh the Dog @ 2011/10/06 02:02:11


    Post by: Briancj


    A battle report? Here? ARE YOU MAD?

    Well, yes. Yes I am. I decided to put this here because it is was a friendly battle, and I really don't want to hear the usual chorus. You can persuade me, otherwise.

    Rough army breakdown, 1000 points each.

    Orks:
    Mek, Shokk Attack Gun
    Mek, KFF, Burna
    30 Slugga Boyz, 2 big shootas, Nob, Powerklaw
    30 Shoota Boyz, 2 big shootas (Deployed with the Burna Mek)
    Gretchen Mob with herder (Deployed with the Shokk Mek)
    2 ZZap Guns (one ammo grot)
    6 Loota Boyz
    1 Looted Wagon with Boomgun
    2 DeffKoptas (Proxy: Warbuggies)

    IG:
    Command Squad, Autocannon, Astropath, Ordinance, Cloaks
    . Chimera w/Hull Heavy Flamer
    Infantry Platoon, 2 squads, flamers, Sgts with Power Sword - Platoon HQ, Al'Alhrem w/medic 3x Grenades
    Veterans (Grenadiers, Demo) w/ Meltagun, Heavy Flamer, Plasma Gun, Missile Launcher
    . Chimera w/Hull Heavy Flamer
    2x Sentinels w/AC and HKs
    Marrrrbo.

    MVP for the Orks: Loota Boys
    MVP for the IG: Sentinels

    Mission: Annihilation, Spearhead

    ---

    Captain Alfred's Force Recon platoon had discovered a pair of Ork Meks in charge of an operation digging in and around an old Chaos Tower. Available Reinforcements, two Chimeras and a pair of Sentinels, were sent to reinforce, assess and, if possible, disrupt the Ork's activities...

    Setup: A line of wooded hills, some terrain, and some destroyed buildings. For the purpose of this game, the ruins are defined as buildings (And tall), in order to provide some LOS-blocking terrain. Orks choose and set up, IG sets reserves.



    Ork Turn 1: The IG player (myself) fails to seize the init, and the Orks rage forward. Two Deffkoptas flank around, lining up early Rokkit Shots on the Sentinels, along with the Boomgun and Shokk Attack Gun. The Lootas open up on the entrenched Command Squad, recognizing the Fleet Officer's uniform. Unfortunately, my friend discovers just how awful that two-in-three chance of scattering can be. The Zzap guns open up on what they can, burning their one ammo grot for a re-roll. No real effect, which will be the sad dirge for that unit, for the game. The two Mobs move forward toward the hill.



    IG Turn 1: Chimera and Sentinels move out, FO calls down hell, and for the first time in my life, manages to put the bomb in the basket, blowing away most of the Lootas. Two ACs and both HK's are required to down one of the Deffkoptas, Chimera move all out and cannot shoot. I forget to pop smoke.



    Ork Turn 2: The Boom Gun and Shokk Attack Gun continue their loving embrace of the scatter die, to my opponent's chagrin. Orks move forward, and the Lootas get their revenge, helping to wipe out most of the Command Squad. The Astropath's mighty psyker powers tell him to duck, or something, and he survives...and then chooses the better part of valor.



    IG Turn 2: Sentinels take down the last Deffkopta full of Orky Fireworks (all sound, no fury) and brace for the impact of a PowerKlaw on the Charge. I unwisely dump my Veterans, forgetting that they can't charge, and do some light flamer damage. My squad's demo charge is half an inch out of range, and gets no throw. Once again, my well-painted Vets get sacrificed by their bone'ead commander, IE: ME. On the plus side, the Astropath managed NOT to run off of the board (But BOY did he try!), and remembered to signals the reserves. However, with two 6's on the reserve rolls, his impact on the game was minimal. Captain Al arrives, and he and his platoon proceed to grenade and flamer the gretchin mob and Shock Mek into goo. I should have grenaded the Lootas, but, them's the breaks. With nothing to charge (ie, gretchen), my platoon stands out in the open, looking cool. Smoke 'em if you got 'em, boys. Oh, yeah. Marbo showed up. Threw his demo pack. Missed. I mean, MISSED. Good times, Marbo.



    Ork Turn 3: Orks Waagh like they MEAN it. Klaw Mob charges the Sentinels, and whiff. I feel bad. Mekmob charges the Veterans, and annihilate them with few losses. I feel sad. Zzap Guns turn Marbo into a whiff of ozone. I don't really feel sad about this. Lootas roll low, but turn a guardsman into charged plasma, and the Boomgun misses for the last time. I'm okay with this.



    IG Turn 3: ( Ignore the die ) Captain Al's proud platoon dispenses with the remaining Lootas and the Looted Wagon. The Wagon gets its revenge by exploding, taking out a half dozen guardsmen. That'll teach 'em. The two Chimera combine heavy flamers and Multilasers into another BBQ festival, leaving a Big Shoota and a Burna Mek. One of the Chimeras will regret this. The Sentinels start getting battered, but Dr. Klaw is bashing on their AV12. One or two orks each round go skqish.



    Ork Turn 4: Looking to pull a draw, the Ork Mek and Shoota Boy split up. The Zzap guns whiff, I think they just forgot to charge the batteries for this expedition. The Mek manages to shake and Immobilize the Chimera WITH HIS BARE HANDS. Oh yeah. One Sentinel finally succumbs to DA KLAW DOKTOR, but the other is still a tar pit, albiet one without any weapons.



    IG Turn 4: Al's Squads move to chase down the Zzap Guns, but aren't in range, yet. Several bad difficult terrain rolls mean the grenade launchers just aren't in position to fire. The Command Chimera tank-shoks the remaining shoota boy, who breaks, and puts a wound on the Ork Big Mek. The Mek fails to do anything to the Immobilized Chimera, not for lack of trying. The Remaining Sentinel survives one last round of close combat. Which, frankly, is a miracle.



    Ork Turn 5: The Zzap guns fail to do anything to the Chimera facing them, the Big Mek explodes his ancient foe...and is taken out in the explosion. The Klaw takes down the last Sentinel through attrition.



    ---

    With that, we called it. A good game, which came down to an amazing tarpit job. I really do love my Armored Sentinels. My friend has seen the regretful results of relying upon Ork Blast Weapons without ammo runts, and the Green Tide will rise again. It always does.







    Waaagh the Dog @ 2011/10/06 10:26:47


    Post by: Yggdrasil


    Nice game, but... Who won ?


    Waaagh the Dog @ 2011/10/06 13:01:22


    Post by: Briancj


    Oops.

    IG won, 8KP to 4.


    Waaagh the Dog @ 2011/10/08 12:59:52


    Post by: Briancj


    Most of you have already seen "Wild" Boom Boltslinga and his Mekanikal Squighound, but I'm dropping him in here for folks who are not following the Waaaagh.









    Ride the Squig! Only 25 teef, see how long you can stay on!



    Waaagh the Dog @ 2011/10/11 19:36:40


    Post by: Briancj


    So, I ordered a Failcast Throne of Judgement. I have no intention of building a Throne of Judgement.

    This Plog will be taking a Minotaur-ish turn for awhile, as I prep for Adepticon. Weep for me.

    --Brian



    Waaagh the Dog @ 2011/10/11 19:40:31


    Post by: bebopdrums2424


    Woot! Looking forward to it man! PS loveeeeee the grot on squig!


    Waaagh the Dog @ 2011/10/11 19:46:33


    Post by: monkeytroll


    Briancj wrote:So, I ordered a Failcast Throne of Judgement. I have no intention of building a Throne of Judgement.


    Now that's the kind of thing I like to read


    Waaagh the Dog @ 2011/10/11 21:58:05


    Post by: Briancj


    I've done this conversion before, but it was with the pewter Throne and I was less skilled. We'll see what happens.


    Waaagh the Dog @ 2011/10/13 16:20:13


    Post by: Briancj


    Notes to self, here.

    Bitz ordered:

    Landspeeder cockpit bases. Whirlwind missile bitz (because it has the tool kit and was cheap).
    Baal Bolter sponsons left and right (for the ammo boxes).

    Stormraven pilot and gunner figures are loose, not molded to seats, for future reference.





    Automatically Appended Next Post:
    So, with bits and pieces on the way, I can start with the first item on the list, a Predator Chassis. While the list is still being tweaked and touched, I know there will be a few of these rocking and rolling in my world.

    This one is destined to be a Baal Predator, no matter what, so I'm getting a head start. All of my tanks will have fully detailed interiors, based on real world tanks. Cramped, uncomfortable, with ammo releoads, extra armour, and greeblies.



    Let me tell you, getting all the hatches cut out/open, and then having to split the sliding door hatch to show it in an open position? Pain in the arse. Easier than making one out of styrene, however. Debating the internal door, and hacking apart the HB Ammunition feed to show either an 'empty' ammo box (easier) or a completely removed ammo box (probably a little harder)>

    I purchased some extra sponson bits to give me some of the ammo boxes for internal storage.

    And we're OFF to the races!

    --B.



    Waaagh the Dog @ 2011/10/14 03:53:57


    Post by: alabamaheretic


    woo i smell excitement and awesome brewing. so what chapter are you doing for adepticon?


    Waaagh the Dog @ 2011/10/14 04:46:28


    Post by: Briancj


    I will be building the fine Badab War era Minotaurs, full of mystery. And love. And bull$#@%.

    Last update for a bit, I am out of pocket this weekend, so no progress will be made.

    Maybe this will tide you over!





    I had to chisel off and re-position the ammo feeds, because, well, they'd cut straight across where the commander/gunner sits. Yeah. I know I shouldn't expect logic from a TOY...BUT I DO.

    Not enough? Well, TOO BAD!

    --B.



    Waaagh the Dog @ 2011/10/15 05:48:51


    Post by: alabamaheretic


    looking good man


    Waaagh the Dog @ 2011/10/18 02:13:59


    Post by: Briancj


    And we mosey on into the driver's seat. See the majestic Techmarine!











    Waaagh the Dog @ 2011/10/18 06:57:05


    Post by: Rawson


    So shall I assume that your predator will be able to come apart, then? You're putting a heck of a lot of great work into the interior for it not to...

    Looking great so far!

    Rawson


    Waaagh the Dog @ 2011/10/18 13:15:13


    Post by: Briancj


    For the most part, yes. If you look back in the plog, or in my WiP gallery, you can see the chimera I did a detailed interior for. These Predators will all have interior mini-dioramas, and I'll magnetize the basic vehicle options, sponsons, etc.

    --B.



    Waaagh the Dog @ 2011/10/18 18:32:36


    Post by: monkeytroll


    I didn't do it! I was just overwhelmed by his majestic presence and had to turn away for a moment. When I turned back his torso had gone. It wasn't me, I didn't press that buton over there or anything. Don't look at me like that, I didn't.


    Waaagh the Dog @ 2011/10/18 18:54:30


    Post by: Briancj


    Give him back, you monkey-fingered thief!


    Waaagh the Dog @ 2011/10/18 19:13:20


    Post by: monkeytroll


    All right, all right, just stop staring at me like that. I did press that button, I couldn't help it. It was so red and shiny it was just calling to me. I pressed it there was a big flash and then he was only half here. I didn't do anything with him, I just pressed a button. It wasn't even a big button. Just a tiny red button. Please, I didn't mean it.


    Please, stop looking at me like that.


    Waaagh the Dog @ 2011/10/18 19:27:37


    Post by: Briancj


    I am so installing a tiny red button.


    Automatically Appended Next Post:
    And some more internal notes.

    Ordered more bitz: Control panels, pointing arms, command bitz, close combat weapons. All told, about $50 worth. Passed on some Rhino Panels, just going to have to make my own.

    Settled on a paint scheme, now the epic debate: Forge World Minotaur Decals, or somehow make/mold Minotaur Shoulder Pads and Iconography?

    Decals, obviously, are easier, and I'm in a time-crunch as I need to start playing this army ASAP.

    Thoughts?


    Waaagh the Dog @ 2011/10/20 21:16:37


    Post by: Briancj


    Test fitting of parts. I started magnetizing the thing, and then I realized that, due to the dioramas inside, there's just no point. It will always be a Predator with Heavy Bolter Sponsons.

    Anyways...





    Nothing's permanently glued in, yet, just a test fitting to make sure my various interior details haven't prevented me from assembling the model. Always do a sanity check!

    Things to note: Landspeeder 'bumpers' as extra turret armour. Pieces from the Flamestorm Cannon as the supercharged engine.

    --B.



    Waaagh the Dog @ 2011/10/20 21:39:10


    Post by: monkeytroll


    That 'extra armour' fits in very nicely.

    If time is of the essence then I'd say decals, unless you already know of a handy source of some suitable icons?


    Waaagh the Dog @ 2011/10/23 00:53:06


    Post by: Briancj


    Not a lot of work this weekend, still waiting on some bitz. Sigh. Got my stormraven pilots, tho', so that'll provide me enough drivers and gunners for the foreseeable future. Built up the Engine Compartment for the Baal, and added two Heavy Bolter Ammo Cases to either side, in the troop seat niches.



    NOW this tank is "Fast".

    --B.



    Waaagh the Dog @ 2011/10/25 01:38:04


    Post by: Briancj


    Well! My most recent order of bitz arrived, and that got me the kneeling legs I needed to finish the interior! Now...I have to paint it.

    Say hello to "Dutch", the commander/gunner, and Dillon, the driver. I cannot be held responsible for "Dutch" speaking in an Austrian accent. Because he will. Oh yes.





    -B.



    Waaagh the Dog @ 2011/10/25 01:59:29


    Post by: Galorn


    Awesome. Very nice stuff indeed.


    Waaagh the Dog @ 2011/10/25 02:09:14


    Post by: madmartykmf


    awesome!


    Waaagh the Dog @ 2011/10/25 02:24:25


    Post by: StringBassKnight


    Really awesome stuff... I especially enjoyed the kitchen chimera


    Waaagh the Dog @ 2011/10/25 19:06:23


    Post by: Briancj


    Thank you all for the kind words. Now, I wait for more bitz. MORE. BITZ. If I'm lucky, I'll be able to get some priming done. Stupid darkness keeping me from spraypainting when I get home from work.

    --B.



    Waaagh the Dog @ 2011/10/25 22:43:25


    Post by: Rogue Wolves


    im loving the internals of that tank!


    Waaagh the Dog @ 2011/10/25 22:54:05


    Post by: marmaduke


    looks great


    Waaagh the Dog @ 2011/10/26 12:55:21


    Post by: Capitansolstice


    HOly conversion!!!!


    Waaagh the Dog @ 2011/10/26 19:28:18


    Post by: monkeytroll


    Good job man

    Very nice looking interior.


    Waaagh the Dog @ 2011/10/28 03:45:07


    Post by: Briancj


    HELLO!

    Bitz are coming in! Someone sent me a box of...well, I don't know but it'll be here tomorrow! I hear it has 40K stuff in it! And maybe a busted Xbox.

    But that's not why you're here! You're here to ask why the heck I'm not actually painting anything.

    Well, that's because my brushes are possessed by demons. And not those nice Golden Demons. Oh, no. I'm afraid of them. They're whispering to me.

    So, instead, I built bases for all 18 of my Marines. Yeah. I know. Exciting, isn't it?

    Let's go to the big board!



    And now with sand:



    Tomorrow, I'll be priming these bases and the Baal Predator, and then you'll see something! YEAH! (*)

    --B.






    (*) You'll see a primed Baal Predator, and 18 primed bases.


    Waaagh the Dog @ 2011/10/28 04:26:04


    Post by: Gitsplitta


    Looking good Brian! Excited to see what those bases look like painted.


    Waaagh the Dog @ 2011/10/28 04:40:02


    Post by: bebopdrums2424


    Really cinematic interiors to those tanks brian Well done man cant wait to see more!


    Waaagh the Dog @ 2011/10/28 12:38:54


    Post by: Capitansolstice


    ooh I cant wait


    Waaagh the Dog @ 2011/10/29 01:40:00


    Post by: Briancj


    So, a friend was cleaning out his closet and house, and decided to pass on his 40K Dark Angels army to me...



    2 Razorbacks, 2 Dreads with all the fixings, 5 Bikes, an Attack Bike, 2 Landspeeders, a ton of metal special characters, old metal marines, plastic marines, jump troops, metal scouts, 3 Terminators and a handful of Eldar and IG, including a Vindicare Assassin. Plus bags of spare parts, paint, OLD transfers including the old banner and bike flags, a box of Chaos Fleshounds, and all the AoBR Orks.

    Plus some random blisters, including the 2010 Games Day Chaos Sorceror.

    I'ma gonna send him a nice card.

    --B.



    Waaagh the Dog @ 2011/10/29 02:00:22


    Post by: Empchild


    Brian Nice work so far.


    Waaagh the Dog @ 2011/10/29 02:41:46


    Post by: Gitsplitta


    Way to go Brian, that oughtta get you rollin!


    Waaagh the Dog @ 2011/10/30 19:03:38


    Post by: Briancj


    It occurred to me that I'm spending more time on building and painting scenic bases than most people who play 40K spend on painting their entire ARMY.





    Waaagh the Dog @ 2011/10/30 19:16:17


    Post by: Gitsplitta


    Looks tremendous Brian... fine work all-round. And really unique too!


    Waaagh the Dog @ 2011/10/30 21:47:59


    Post by: Rawson


    You know what they say: "Faces and Bases"


    Waaagh the Dog @ 2011/10/30 23:06:23


    Post by: IceAngel


    Cool stuff Brian. Gotta love the "free" DA army. MORE BITZ!


    Waaagh the Dog @ 2011/11/10 22:04:56


    Post by: Briancj


    Hello! Been dealiign with RL, and that's keeping me from having any FUN.

    But, I was able to finish the first draft of my 40K Campaign rules, designed to promote all aspects of the hobby, and be fun, as opposed to rewarding competitive tourney lists.

    I'd like a few volunteers who have some time to take a look at them, and give me some feedback.

    PM me, and I'll link you to the PDF.

    Thanks!


    Waaagh the Dog @ 2011/11/13 05:43:18


    Post by: Briancj


    Okay, busted ass today, filed, filed, filed, glue glue glue, think, think, reassemble, bitz, glue, VOILA!



    Chapterhouse heads, GW assault pads, Black Templar Pistols/CCWs. Standard Meltaguns. I'll be freehanding the Minotaurs logo on the blank pads because I'm stupid.

    The metal guy is an Ultramarines champion, re-purposed for my dirty, dirty needs.

    Using the Sanguinary Guard Jump Packs, because I can.

    I suspect I'm going to pick up some of the Space Marine roman skirts to complete the 'look' for this squad.

    Now, I need a NAME for this squad. Give me your BEST.

    Up next, the Codex Guardians...

    --B.

    Annnnndd....

    Before I go to sleep, there's my Sanguinary Jump Priest on the table:









    Waaagh the Dog @ 2011/11/13 07:46:10


    Post by: Rawson


    Briancj wrote:Okay, busted ass today, filed, filed, filed, glue glue glue, think, think, reassemble, bitz, glue, VOILA!


    These guys are looking sweet! They will certainly be eye catching! I especially love the look of the wingless SG jump packs!

    Briancj wrote:Now, I need a NAME for this squad. Give me your BEST.

    How about: Squad"You mess with the bull, you get the horns", or maybe (seriously) Squad Toro...

    Briancj wrote:


    Looking good with the head swap here. Ran out of SG jump packs or do you have another reason for the standard one here? My only CC would be to adjust or swap the purity seal so that it doesn't make a straight line with the scroll cases.

    Great work!
    Rawson


    Waaagh the Dog @ 2011/11/13 12:01:21


    Post by: RandyMcStab


    Err 'Squad aMAZEing'...




    Sorry

    These guys look ace, can't wait to see them painted!!


    Waaagh the Dog @ 2011/11/13 14:04:46


    Post by: Briancj


    I yanked the scroll cases, I agree. I really didn't like how it looked, I'll put something else on his loincloth in place of the Ultramarines Upsilon I filed off, or just clean up the file markings. I had a handful of the old metal Jump Packs, and their detail is superior to the plastic ones. So, I decided to use them to mark IC's in the army. It makes the priest stand out that much more. I also added a grail hanging off the back of his belt-line.

    My only real concern is that the model is armed with a power fist, and I'm currently using an exsanguinator arm, as per the Priest models that are available from GW. So, it isn't WYSIWYG enough, and I may have to pull the arm.

    Thanks for the kind words, folks!

    --B.



    Waaagh the Dog @ 2011/11/13 17:08:09


    Post by: IceAngel


    Looking good Brian. Something I'd recommend is to drill out your gun barrels. It's such a simply little step that adds a lot. Also makes the barrels a bit easier to paint actually.

    As for your powerfist, do you have a right handed fist you could chop off his other arm with?


    Waaagh the Dog @ 2011/11/13 17:57:06


    Post by: Briancj


    Oh, all gun barrels will be drilled out, fer shure, fer shure!

    And there's more bling to be added. I can get a right-handed power fist, I can also build something unique. I suspect it'll be the latter.

    --B.




    Automatically Appended Next Post:
    More time, more progress!

    On the left, Brother Corbulo. On the right, my Librarian. Both still WiP.





    Waaagh the Dog @ 2011/11/14 06:28:21


    Post by: Flying Pooo


    Just found this blog. It's really nice. I think I'll subscribe!
    I'm loving all of your IG stuff and this recent SM stuff looks great! I love Brother Corbulo and the Librarian, both Severin Loth and the FW boarding marine are awesome minis. Your subtle conversions on them look great!


    Waaagh the Dog @ 2011/12/20 17:16:12


    Post by: Skipphag da Devoura



    I HATE you! Those have got to be some of the sweetest convo's of vehicles that I've ever seen!
    Very Orky! Gives me so many ideas!
    Especially that massive Russ. Now it fits Orkies, which iz bigga an' meena dan stinkin' 'umies, an dey wud not fit in a tiny Loota'd Kymary transpote.


    I also suffer from "Midwest Abyss" syndrome. Not very many players in Kansas... Not really that many that know what I'm even talking about.
    Alas.


    Waaagh the Dog @ 2011/12/20 17:38:12


    Post by: Veteran Sergeant


    Going all the way back to the chin turret idea, thank you. I've been slowly planning to convert a Valkyrie to dual purpose as both a Stormraven (because they are just fugly) and a Valkyrie, using bits from both and a removable canopy and magnetized torsos for the crews. But the one thing that bothered me about the Stormraven is the top mounted turret. I mean, the thing is a gunship. It's designed for close air support, not air to air combat. And there's just no way that the top mounted turret on a Stormraven can declinate to attack ground targets without a seriously dangerous angle of attack, lol. For a craft that is supposedly VTOL capable, it makes sense to have easy ground firing solutions.

    I've been flitting around with various ideas on how to make a twin heavy bolter chin terret, and you've given me some good ideas. Not sure your exact design suits my purpose, but the cuts help, and I can definitely scrounge up some of those old drive wheels.


    Waaagh the Dog @ 2012/03/23 02:55:41


    Post by: Briancj


    Allow me to surface for a moment, and drop a teaser.





    Waaagh the Dog @ 2012/03/23 05:31:52


    Post by: Gitsplitta


    Woo-hoo! Nice one Brian!

    Love that bit... never had the patience to do the inside of my vehicles, well done!


    Waaagh the Dog @ 2012/03/24 05:12:25


    Post by: Briancj


    Thanks, Gits!

    Now, here's a view of a mostly-completed Minotaur.





    It is nice to have a real camera again, and I was able to find my photo booth. Up Aegean!

    --B.




    Automatically Appended Next Post:
    A walk through of a Baal Predator in progress.

    Assembled, bronze basecoat, Turret ready. Extra Armor coming along.



    Interior shot. The roof will be glued on, after testing various views (and the pain of keeping the damn roof on, it just works better if I glue it down, but have all the hatches removable.



    Interior from another angle:



    Roof removed, so you can see the full details, including the flux capacitor.



    And here is the turret, which also has full interior detailing:





    Finally, a personal note. tl;dr: 2011 was not a good year for me, but things are looking much, much better now. My new apartment has ample space and I finally have a full workspace for the first time in awhile:



    Expect much more goodness.

    --B.





    Waaagh the Dog @ 2012/03/24 12:22:37


    Post by: Gitsplitta


    Yes, but if you glue the roof down, how does anyone see all the cool stuff you've put inside??

    That Minotaur looks fantastic Brian. You just made my "must do" list of potential GMS trade partners.


    Waaagh the Dog @ 2012/03/24 19:56:41


    Post by: IceAngel


    Nice stuff Brian. I like the interior of the turret as well. That is a nice new touch I don't think i'd seen before.


    Waaagh the Dog @ 2012/03/24 20:25:44


    Post by: GiraffeX


    Your Minotaur's are looking very nice, I also wonder about putting the roof on now you've painted inside.

    On another note have you seen the two new Minotaur figs from FW, they are very nice.

    http://www.forgeworld.co.uk/New_Stuff/ASTERION_MOLOC_AND_IVANUS_ENKOMI_OF_THE_MINOTAURS.html


    Waaagh the Dog @ 2012/03/24 20:31:38


    Post by: Briancj


    I have seen them, and if I move past Adepticon with this force, I'll assuredly buy a heafty amount of Minotaur Love from FW.

    As for the interior details, even with the roof on, you can clearly see into the vehicle if I pop the hatches, so I think I'm good to go.

    --B.



    Waaagh the Dog @ 2012/03/24 23:16:25


    Post by: sparkywtf


    I love the interior!

    Very motivating, and here I was just gonna paint the inside of mine.


    Waaagh the Dog @ 2012/03/25 02:51:15


    Post by: IceAngel


    Hey brian, when you get a chance can I get a name for your Librarian and the name of your assault squad? Thanks!


    Waaagh the Dog @ 2012/03/25 03:57:20


    Post by: Briancj


    What did Brian do, today?

    Brian primed a drop pod and a Baal Predator, laid down the first coat of Dwarf Bronze on the Baal as well as Bleached Bone!

    And then he attacked the Drop Pod with a Vengeance. Still a Work In Progress.





    He also discovered some good podcasts to listen to. I am a serious fan of The Heroic 28s. http://theheroic28s.blogspot.com/

    --B.



    Waaagh the Dog @ 2012/03/25 03:59:26


    Post by: Gitsplitta


    Nice work! Reminds me that I should put the guts into mine. Not sure how I can do that after it's built but I'm sure I can sort it out eventually.


    Waaagh the Dog @ 2012/03/25 04:09:01


    Post by: Malganess


    Love this. I may have to borrow the way you did this for my own Custom Chapter, if that is alright with you?


    Briancj wrote:Okay, so, let's add some fluff. Here is the time line of the system I intend to inhabit, run campaigns out of, and explore the fluff out of.

    +++++

    9/------.M24 – Cygnus Solarii System settled by Humanity. The system will eventually develop a large Promethium mining complex on the first planet, a Hive world on the third, and an Agri-world on the fourth, as well as various mining complexes on the moons of the two gas giants.

    9/---615.M33 - The cruiser Blade of Infinity re-emerges from the warp 20,000 years after its disappearance. The cruiser's databanks hold a wealth of information on pre-heresy human settlements. It will take hundreds of years to catalog the information, most of which will be lost in the Imperial Archives. The Cygnus Solarii system is part of this catalog, but will remain un-contacted by the Imperium until M41.

    2/---401.M34 - The Howling

    5/139401.M34 - Cygnus Solarii system engulfed in a Warp Storm triggered by The Howling. The system's population of a billion inhabitants is almost eradicated. The third planet explodes from within, to become a slowly spreading asteroid belt. The fourth planet is covered in ash and dust which coalesces out of the storms. Additionally, the planet's axial tilt is altered, causing an extreme change in climate.

    3/144801.M41 - A fleet is dispatched from the Forge World of Gryphonne IV, after a Magos, perusing the back catalogs of the Imperial Database, discovers the possibility that the Cygnus Solarii System may contain pre-heresy STCs. The fleet contains elements of the Imperial Guard, Adeptus Mechanicus, and Titan Legions. While the project is kept as secret as possible, it is impossible to hide such an endeavor. The Fleet is advertised as being dispatched to join the Tyrannic Wars.

    9---801.M41 - The Astronomican flickers, sending thousands of ships off course, most to be destroyed in the Warp. The Cygnuss Solarii expedition is declared lost when all contact is cut-off.

    2/138997.M41 - Hive Fleet Leviathan invades Segmentum Tempestus.

    9/---997.M41 - The Gryphonne system, including the Forge World of Gryphonne IV, is destroyed by Tyranids.

    1/982999.M41 - The Great Awakening.

    9/982999.M41 - In the midst of hundreds of thousands of psychic events, remnants of the Cygnus Solarii expedition emerge from the warp in-system. Battered and damaged beyond the capability of returning to the Warp, the ships settle into orbit around Cygnus Solarii IV. Exploration and descent to the now-Death World begins.

    3/983999.M41 - Sporadic contact with the Astronomican is made, as well as contact with several Class-2 Astropathic Choirs. Updates of the general galactic situation is passed, including the destruction of the Gryphonne System, and the continued Tyranid threat. The expedition's leaders christen the planet "Requiem", and put out a call to survivors of Gryphonne, including the now Fleet-Based Space Marines Chapter Knights Gryphonne.

    3/984999.M41 - System Reconnaisance determines that the eight moons of the sixth planet, a gas giant, are locked into a stable orbit outside the planet's ring structure, demarking the eight-arrow symbol of Chaos. While no Chaos presence is detected, surveillance is emplaced around the planet.

    3/991999.M41 - Biel Tan activity detected in the Reductus Sector. Additional ships of the original expedition stagger into the system, bringing more supplies, men, and machinery. Small teams of Skitarii begin to sweep Requiem, searching for any evidence of Webway Portals.

    3.995999.M41 - Exploration of Requiem begins in earnest as signals believed to be Necrontyr in origin are detected from the second planet of the system. A Cobra-class destroyer departs to explore the remains of the third planet, which is believed to have been a Hive World.

    3.997999.M41 – Signal emissions matching the Space Hulk ‘Penitus Cruorem’ are detected. It is unknown what is bringing the hulk towards Cygnus Solarii. Imperial records indicate a high probability of the hulk containing an Ork infestation.

    3.998999.M41 – A small, badly damaged Tau fleet limps into the Cygnus Solarii system. Communications indicate that the fleet was engulfed by a Warp Storm. Negotiations commence in light of the possible threat from the hulk, and the unlikelihood of the fleet being able to return to Tau-controlled space.

    3.999999.M41 – The Dawn of the 42nd Millennium.


    Work on the Leman Russ continues apace, it has been whitewashed and given painted treads. The artillery hull has been whitewashed, and all three optional platforms have been given base paint jobs. Storm Eagle rockets are magnetized and have their initial paint jobs. Time for detailing and decals!




    Waaagh the Dog @ 2012/03/25 04:10:15


    Post by: Briancj


    Of course! I used the internets to form the basis of my timeline, and I always want to help anyone working on the fluff/hobby side of their army.

    --B.



    Waaagh the Dog @ 2012/03/28 05:18:14


    Post by: Briancj


    Hi, kids! A little more WIP. This squad rides with my Librarian and a Sanguinary Priest, in a drop pod.





    Enjoy!

    --B.

    PS: 300th Gallery Image! Whee!


    Waaagh the Dog @ 2012/03/28 10:35:29


    Post by: RandyMcStab


    They look proper bo, I love the interiors, will you be leaving the top unglued then?

    Whilst I do like the guy above the white detail (nicely painted BTW) does look a little like father christmas ;p

    *ducks*

    No offence meant etc just my first impression, and anyway so what if he does like Xmas it's the most magical time of the year....


    Waaagh the Dog @ 2012/03/28 11:01:43


    Post by: Gitsplitta


    Nice work Brian... really good looking figure. Extra details on the robe & sword are excellent!


    Waaagh the Dog @ 2012/03/28 14:26:51


    Post by: Briancj


    RandyMcStab wrote:They look proper bo, I love the interiors, will you be leaving the top unglued then?

    Whilst I do like the guy above the white detail (nicely painted BTW) does look a little like father christmas ;p

    *ducks*

    No offence meant etc just my first impression, and anyway so what if he does like Xmas it's the most magical time of the year....


    If I can get the roof to fit WELL, then yes. Otherwise, I'll glue them down and abuse the shadowbox effect for the interiors.

    Hrm. Clearly my Christmas Marines need more green... AND BEARDS.

    To the Space Wolf Bitz!



    Waaagh the Dog @ 2012/03/28 15:45:07


    Post by: RandyMcStab


    Briancj wrote:If I can get the roof to fit WELL, then yes. Otherwise, I'll glue them down and abuse the shadowbox effect for the interiors.

    Hrm. Clearly my Christmas Marines need more green... AND BEARDS.

    To the Space Wolf Bitz!



    That would be sweet, everything needs more BEARDS..

    You could try to magnetise the roof on, if you have 2 magnets in direct contact you (obviously) get quite a strong bond, the Vanquisher I'm doing has 2 holding on the top of the turret and you can pick it up by that..


    Waaagh the Dog @ 2012/03/30 21:56:22


    Post by: Briancj


    Man, Finecast is AWFUL.

    This should be fun to paint.





    --B.



    Waaagh the Dog @ 2012/03/30 21:59:12


    Post by: Gitsplitta


    Very cool figure Brian... look forward to it!


    Waaagh the Dog @ 2012/04/04 20:03:19


    Post by: Solar_lion


    Very Nice. I am itchen to see these guy up close!

    Nice trim lines on the robe bty.

    SL


    Waaagh the Dog @ 2012/04/05 04:57:17


    Post by: Joshh


    Those Minotaurs are fancy. I can't wait to see them painted.

    I'm kind of ashamed I haven't seen this thread earlier - I love your Guard tank conversions and I want to replicate them all.


    Waaagh the Dog @ 2012/04/05 05:04:28


    Post by: Galorn


    Good to see you back up and running my good man.


    Waaagh the Dog @ 2012/04/06 03:43:58


    Post by: Briancj


    Stay on target...



    Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaand a little some-some that I worked on, when I needed a break from ZOMG brass.



    That's for my -[_.- friends. Oh yeah, it'll be RIVET TIME, baby.



    Waaagh the Dog @ 2012/04/06 04:47:59


    Post by: Gitsplitta


    Army is looking great Brian... very striking!


    Waaagh the Dog @ 2012/04/06 04:58:05


    Post by: Rogue Wolves


    OOOOOOoooooowee its rivet season!


    Waaagh the Dog @ 2012/04/06 14:12:28


    Post by: IceAngel


    Nice Brian. It looks like you only have a handful of things left to do. Can't wait to see your army in person.


    Waaagh the Dog @ 2012/04/07 04:14:06


    Post by: Galorn


    Indeed. I'll see you at adepticon...


    Waaagh the Dog @ 2012/04/07 13:30:02


    Post by: Briancj


    Galorn wrote:Indeed. I'll see you at adepticon...


    Which, if you think about it, is sad BECAUSE WE BOTH LIVE IN BOSTON.

    After April's madness fades into the bliss of memory, we have to start hanging out more.

    --B..


    Automatically Appended Next Post:
    Squad Tyligo, escort to the Librarian.





    Taking a dinner break, then back to the grind. Decals have to be applied to the second squad, and done. All that's left is to finish up 3 characters and the tanks. On time, on target for Adepticon!

    --B.



    Waaagh the Dog @ 2012/04/08 01:59:39


    Post by: Mr.Malevolent


    Your Minotaurs are coming along very well!
    I'm glad my wash suggestion worked so well for you.
    I cannot wait to see my Carcharodons fighting alongside your boys in brass!!!!


    Waaagh the Dog @ 2012/04/08 02:02:03


    Post by: Gitsplitta


    Those are looking sweet Brian. Love all the free-hand on the banner.


    Waaagh the Dog @ 2012/04/08 03:30:48


    Post by: Galorn


    Briancj wrote:
    Galorn wrote:Indeed. I'll see you at adepticon...


    Which, if you think about it, is sad BECAUSE WE BOTH LIVE IN BOSTON.

    After April's madness fades into the bliss of memory, we have to start hanging out more.

    --B..


    Automatically Appended Next Post:
    Squad Tyligo, escort to the Librarian.





    Taking a dinner break, then back to the grind. Decals have to be applied to the second squad, and done. All that's left is to finish up 3 characters and the tanks. On time, on target for Adepticon!

    --B.



    absolutely. More madness is that I'M DRIVING there.


    Waaagh the Dog @ 2012/04/08 03:42:02


    Post by: IceAngel


    Very cool! Is that the hammer from the FW boarding marine?



    Waaagh the Dog @ 2012/04/08 03:57:47


    Post by: Briancj


    IceAngel wrote:Very cool! Is that the hammer from the FW boarding marine?


    It is!

    And here's Squad Sfyri. All that's left is some tank and pod touch-ups, and some Character detailing. Wheeeeee!







    And I forgot to scrollwork around their legs. Easy fix.



    Waaagh the Dog @ 2012/04/08 08:37:25


    Post by: GiraffeX


    They are looking very nice, I like all the freehand you have done on the robes of Squad Tyligo.


    Waaagh the Dog @ 2012/04/08 16:13:20


    Post by: Solar_lion


    Sweeeeeet


    Waaagh the Dog @ 2012/04/10 01:26:45


    Post by: Briancj



    Jump Sanguinary Priest




    Terminator Sanguinary Priest



    Terminator Librarian




    Drop Pod:


    Baal Predator


    Whirlwind

    (Interior)


    1000 Points of Minotaur Lurve


    --B.


    Waaagh the Dog @ 2012/04/10 02:14:33


    Post by: Gitsplitta


    Very cool Brian... and by the deadline to boot!



    Waaagh the Dog @ 2012/04/10 08:22:41


    Post by: Gundam-Mecha


    Great conversions on those tanks! I love armour!

    I don't know if anyone else has mentioned this (havent read all the replies so forgive me if they have), but for the gap filling have you considered using squadron putty or Milliput instead of green stuff?

    The great thing about Squadron white is you can mask off the areas you don't want the filler going into, apply the filler, then smooth it down with a cotton bud dipped in acetone.

    It will take away all the excess filler without the need for sanding, and give a nice smooth finish.


    Waaagh the Dog @ 2012/04/10 12:03:12


    Post by: Solar_lion


    Excellent.. Very bright. maybe it's the pictures but you might want to wash down with some delvan Mud to darken and fill the recessed areas.

    Super cool Libby , Very nice all around!

    SL



    Waaagh the Dog @ 2012/04/10 14:48:21


    Post by: Briancj


    Yeah, I didn't aggressively gap-fill. I just ran out of time, and shortcuts had to be chosen. Ah well.

    The flash really drowned out the washes, SL, but I assure you that they are, indeed, there.

    --B.



    Waaagh the Dog @ 2012/04/11 18:02:32


    Post by: GiraffeX


    Congrats on getting them finished on time, they look really great.


    Waaagh the Dog @ 2012/04/12 01:40:20


    Post by: Briancj


    I almost forget to show folks the ass-end of my Whirlwind.



    *NOW* we're ready for this vehicle to explode!

    --B.



    Waaagh the Dog @ 2012/04/12 10:33:29


    Post by: Gundam-Mecha


    That Librarian looks great! Top work!


    Waaagh the Dog @ 2012/04/12 15:26:32


    Post by: monkeytroll


    Wow, miss a couple of months and Brian's finished an army

    God job all round man.


    Waaagh the Dog @ 2012/04/12 15:36:13


    Post by: Briancj


    monkeytroll wrote:Wow, miss a couple of months and Brian's finished an army

    God job all round man.


    I know, RIGHT?

    Go away for a few more months, and my [REDACTED] [REDACTED] [REDACTED] will be finished, so I can terrorize Apocalypse games!

    --B

    PS: Don't go away, Monkeytroll! We miss you!


    Waaagh the Dog @ 2012/04/12 16:07:58


    Post by: Solar_lion


    Yeah. looks awesome too!. even for a blood thursty, overly agressive,grind you bones into dust Minotaur Army!


    Waaagh the Dog @ 2012/04/18 14:08:43


    Post by: Briancj


    Oh God Oh God Oh God.




    Waaagh the Dog @ 2012/04/18 14:48:04


    Post by: Gitsplitta


    Nicely done.


    Waaagh the Dog @ 2012/04/20 19:30:55


    Post by: monkeytroll


    Very nice!

    Have fun!


    Waaagh the Dog @ 2012/04/21 01:21:02


    Post by: Gitsplitta


    We are! Brian it eating a burger right next to me.

    I may need therapy...


    Waaagh the Dog @ 2012/04/21 01:21:58


    Post by: Vitruvian XVII


    Is he that messy an eater?

    Have fun, and good luck!


    Waaagh the Dog @ 2012/04/21 11:24:41


    Post by: Young_Logan


    Really well done man, one amazing army, love the colours used. May i ask why use used the BA codex for them?

    Young Logan


    Waaagh the Dog @ 2012/04/23 23:38:38


    Post by: Briancj


    I accidentally tried to eat Git's hand.

    *burp*

    Young Logan, we went with the BA Codex because, point for point, we got more of everything, for less points, than the vanilla Space Marine codex.

    PS: More Wardens-themed Adepticon Coverage is RIGHT HERE! GO GO GO! http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/444995.page



    Waaagh the Dog @ 2012/04/27 20:43:23


    Post by: Briancj


    Now that Adepticon is over, and I've had some downtime... Well, of COURSE I'm going to go back to abusing plastic. This time, I feel like trying to join The League. -=]_.,=-







    One tread unit down, one to go...



    Waaagh the Dog @ 2012/04/27 20:47:01


    Post by: Vitruvian XVII


    Ooooh! Whatcha makin!?


    Waaagh the Dog @ 2012/04/27 21:05:29


    Post by: Briancj


    I suppose...I should have a CONTEST!

    This, I think, should be a fairly easy thing to guess, but let's give it a whirl!

    I have a random bag of bits, Adepticon Swag, and...AND!

    A GITSPLITTA BUTTON. Oh yeah. You know you want one. You're jealous that I have one, and you want to take it away from me. That's fine, I understand.

    First correct guess of what I am building gets a care package.

    --B.



    Waaagh the Dog @ 2012/04/27 21:08:04


    Post by: Vitruvian XVII


    An AdMech Ordinatus? Or a Fellblade?


    Waaagh the Dog @ 2012/04/27 21:08:26


    Post by: Gitsplitta


    I think I'm offended....



    Automatically Appended Next Post:


    My guess... an armored limo for "The Most Interesting Man in the World".


    Waaagh the Dog @ 2012/04/27 21:10:35


    Post by: Briancj


    Now, Gits. People who did not attend Adepticon should be able to share in the LOVE that is Gitsplitta Buttons. Love, Gits. LOVE!



    Waaagh the Dog @ 2012/04/27 22:18:05


    Post by: monkeytroll


    Now I'd like to think that was one foot of a mega-gargant, but I don't think it is. I do seem to recall some discussion about some squat love coming from a stormlord kit you had though


    Waaagh the Dog @ 2012/04/28 00:43:56


    Post by: Capitansolstice


    I bet its a true scale LR


    Waaagh the Dog @ 2012/04/28 00:55:40


    Post by: Norn King


    Leviathan? Stormblade? Shadowsword? Scorpion from Halo?


    Waaagh the Dog @ 2012/04/28 00:56:40


    Post by: Capitansolstice


    Oh wait, I edit mine, If thats the first track unit then that means there is more, so levithan


    Waaagh the Dog @ 2012/04/28 07:34:23


    Post by: Norn King


    I said Leviathan first!


    Waaagh the Dog @ 2012/04/29 03:21:57


    Post by: Galorn


    Briancj wrote:Now that Adepticon is over, and I've had some downtime... Well, of COURSE I'm going to go back to abusing plastic. This time, I feel like trying to join The League. -=]_.,=-







    One tread unit down, one to go...




    And now at least one member of the league as seen.. others will probably follow.


    Waaagh the Dog @ 2012/04/29 03:28:22


    Post by: Rogue Wolves


    You mean 2..


    Waaagh the Dog @ 2012/04/29 07:57:06


    Post by: Briancj


    Today's Progress.





    Vitruvian XVII, you are our lucky WINNAH! PM me with an address, and I'll make up an envelope full of silly stuff. Let me know your army preference, if any.

    I am building an Ordinatus. I'm going to start with an Ordinatus Golgotha, because I <3 Nuclear Missiles. But I'm going to make the chassis, tractor, and Ordinance separate, for ease of Storing and so I can field any of the three types.

    --B.




    Waaagh the Dog @ 2012/04/29 09:04:15


    Post by: Norn King


    Awww...


    Automatically Appended Next Post:
    Do I get a supplementary prize?


    Waaagh the Dog @ 2012/04/29 11:04:24


    Post by: Gitsplitta


    You are a mad man! (and I love the 5th Element reference in your blog title)


    Waaagh the Dog @ 2012/04/29 12:50:14


    Post by: Vitruvian XVII


    Wooot! It must have been my inner magos coming out, infusing me with the omnissiahs spirit.....or just a guess.....


    It looks great, although i curse you for starting before me, ive wanted to do one for ages. Also, importantly, it looks bloody strong.

    PM sent.


    Waaagh the Dog @ 2012/04/29 13:03:09


    Post by: IceAngel


    For those of you who are unfamaliar with these ridiculous vehicles, check them out here!

    Lexicanum

    Btw, I am super excited to see you make this. I'll need to go dig up the rules. I have them somewhere.


    Waaagh the Dog @ 2012/04/29 13:25:45


    Post by: Yellowbeard


    Wow! This is going to be Epic. The original epic models had three tank chassis; are you going to add another chassis or just go with two?


    Waaagh the Dog @ 2012/04/29 14:58:35


    Post by: Briancj


    Yeah, I'm using the original Epic pieces as the inspiration for the design, but since I have a ton of Superheavy parts, I'll be using as much of them as possible, along with a pair of Chimera treads.


    Waaagh the Dog @ 2012/04/29 15:53:57


    Post by: Gitsplitta


    One of those might fit in nicely with Ice's idea for the team display next year...


    Waaagh the Dog @ 2012/04/29 16:01:06


    Post by: Vitruvian XVII


    If yore gonna have an ordinatus in yuor display, someones gonna have to do an admech army to go with it, wouldnt be right otherwise


    Waaagh the Dog @ 2012/04/29 17:53:07


    Post by: Gitsplitta


    Well, as the Tyrant was known as the "master of ordinance" or some such... and was in control of a forge world... I think it entirely likely and within the fluff. Especially as the basis of a display.


    Waaagh the Dog @ 2012/04/29 18:05:45


    Post by: Vitruvian XVII


    Yeah i suppose that works. Although technically the forge world was a neutral party, it just so happened that the seccessionists got to the weapons trades first.. (assuming we're talking about Angstrom ofc)

    Either way, it would be bloody cool!


    Waaagh the Dog @ 2012/04/29 18:08:39


    Post by: Gitsplitta


    Good points Vit... For a display though, we might be able to get away with it. Especially if it was a cool display.


    Waaagh the Dog @ 2012/04/29 18:10:18


    Post by: Vitruvian XVII


    Oh i dont think you need any excuse to include an ordinatus. The magos in me beams with happiness at the thought of such a glorious machine once again pressed into service.

    Its the other bit of me thats being pedantic, apologies


    Waaagh the Dog @ 2012/04/30 20:57:21


    Post by: Briancj


    Hokay, Folks! I need some assistance.

    All the "rules" I've found for the various Ordinatii put a TwL Heavy Bolter turret on the tractor, a pair of Lascannon turrets...somewhere... (And I do mean somewhere, there's no lascannons on the Epic scale model) and totally ignore the read sponson-mount on the Golgotha.

    So, do I model based on the available internet-spawned rules, or do I try and match what is actually on the Epic Scale model?

    DISCUSS!

    --B.



    Waaagh the Dog @ 2012/04/30 21:17:21


    Post by: Gitsplitta


    Epic model... Because it'll be, you know... EPIC!


    Waaagh the Dog @ 2012/04/30 21:39:44


    Post by: Vitruvian XVII


    Do your own, and then make a datasheet. Theres PLENTY of folks on dakka who are willing to help test/tweak rules, especially if you've already made the badass model and have pics to inspire them.

    I always think with big projects like this, the modelling comes first. You should be making something awesome first and foremost, then fitting rules to whatever emerges. All this imho ofc.


    Waaagh the Dog @ 2012/04/30 21:58:21


    Post by: monkeytroll


    Base it on the Epic models, but go your own way where you feel the need.

    And a couple of pics for inspiration:

    " target="_new" rel="nofollow">

    " target="_new" rel="nofollow">


    Waaagh the Dog @ 2012/05/01 00:09:30


    Post by: IceAngel


    monkeytroll wrote:Base it on the Epic models, but go your own way where you feel the need.
    " target="_new" rel="nofollow">


    @ monkeytroll What is that thing? Very cool!

    @ Brian After staring at the model and further examining the variations on the rules, I'd say you should add in the lascannons and heavy bolters. Heck, add more! The Epic model was a very early version and it wasn't particularly large, its hard to really make out details. There easily could have been heavy bolters and lascannons on it they were just to small to see. Plus, what large Imperial vehicle doesn't have side sponsons of heavy bolters or lascannons. I'm sure during the construction of this massive super cool vehicle you could fit them in. I totally agree with Vitruvian as well, make up your own data sheet. Use the others as a template and go from there.

    These giant vehicles were all one of a kind. Each one has its own history and its own usage. Heck, I'd even help whip up some fluff if you'd like!


    Waaagh the Dog @ 2012/05/01 00:40:24


    Post by: Vitruvian XVII


    Crap, now i wanna build an aircraft carrier on tracks. Thanks a bunch monkey....



    Waaagh the Dog @ 2012/05/01 00:57:14


    Post by: Briancj


    It's no John Deere or International Harvester, but she's mine all mine.









    --Brian



    Waaagh the Dog @ 2012/05/01 01:47:45


    Post by: alabamaheretic


    starting to look good brian.
    as for where and what to put i agree with the few that said add your own and make a template its going to be some bad assery in its own right. so add guns galore! im actually excited to see this painted up.


    Waaagh the Dog @ 2012/05/01 01:51:13


    Post by: Vitruvian XVII


    Wow, that little cab up front is ace!


    Waaagh the Dog @ 2012/05/01 02:19:19


    Post by: Gitsplitta


    Oh... oh.... that's awesome! I'm going to need a cold shower now...


    Waaagh the Dog @ 2012/05/01 02:54:26


    Post by: Rogue Wolves


    Vitruvian XVII wrote:Crap, now i wanna build an aircraft carrier on tracks. Thanks a bunch monkey....


    I've seen it done by puting the landing pad on one of those FW chrassis?? those big trooptransports/missile launcher


    Automatically Appended Next Post:
    WOW thats really cool!


    Waaagh the Dog @ 2012/05/01 03:24:59


    Post by: Yellowbeard


    Awesome! Love the "John Deere".


    Waaagh the Dog @ 2012/05/01 09:14:56


    Post by: Vitruvian XVII


    @Rogue: Yeah it was by GMMStudios and looked awesome. But its a CRASSUS ARMOURED ASSAULT TRANSPORT....

    I meant like 4-6 baneblade size.


    Waaagh the Dog @ 2012/05/01 18:04:22


    Post by: Galorn


    Looking good so far brian.


    Waaagh the Dog @ 2012/05/01 18:34:49


    Post by: monkeytroll


    Hey, I was lured here under false pretences. Where's the fething turnips?



    Great start Brian, going to be a beast.

    I posted that aircraft carrier hoping someone would want to make one - bacause that's what I thought when I saw it My cyborks need something like that I feel. And as I've just thought of a use for my skysheild legs, that means the landing pad itself need attaching to something


    Waaagh the Dog @ 2012/05/01 18:41:15


    Post by: Briancj


    Turnips:



    Don't say I don't take care of you, MT.

    --B.



    Waaagh the Dog @ 2012/05/01 18:59:21


    Post by: monkeytroll


    Thanks boss. You're too good to us grunts.


    Waaagh the Dog @ 2012/05/03 04:14:21


    Post by: Briancj


    Is it bad of me to want to run this list for the next Adepticon Team Tournament?

    HQ: Librarian in Power Armor
    TR1: 5 Assault Marines, Flamer, Land Raider Redeemer w/Multi-Melta
    TR2: 5 Assault Marines, Flamer, Land Raider Redeemer w/Multi-Melta
    HS1: Land Raider Helios (IA)



    Waaagh the Dog @ 2012/05/03 10:35:18


    Post by: Gitsplitta


    I've heard of teams where each member had two land raiders.... so no matter what your opponents were facing 4 LRs. Doesn't leave you much for flexibility though.


    Waaagh the Dog @ 2012/05/03 21:59:45


    Post by: Capitansolstice


    http://miniaturewargameconversions.blogspot.com/2011/08/golgotha-featured-on-dave-taylors-blog.html
    Check this one out I know it's matt bonder's but still epic


    Waaagh the Dog @ 2012/05/03 22:24:40


    Post by: Briancj


    Yeah, I've seen that. And while far be it from me, a lowly non-award-winning schlub to speak up...

    <rant> I found that conversion to be utterly lame. We threw a Reaver launcher onto this mostly unmodified superheavy chassis, added a few bits from the IG Accessories Sprue, and called it a day! </rant>

    Of course, I have something to strive for, to UTTERLY ECLIPSE WITH THE TRUE POWER OF GOLGOTHA.

    So, YMMV.

    --B.





    Waaagh the Dog @ 2012/05/04 00:56:48


    Post by: Capitansolstice


    I agree, lame conversion, but it sure does have a rule-set that would sorta work


    Waaagh the Dog @ 2012/05/06 00:10:39


    Post by: Briancj


    So, I belong to a Model Railroad club here in Massachusetts, and I do get distracted from glorious 40K sometimes....



    A pair of locomotives I painted into the club's scheme, with club decals.



    Back to the riveting...

    --B.


    PS: See? Back to work!



    Waaagh the Dog @ 2012/05/06 00:58:54


    Post by: Gitsplitta


    Nice work on those locos Brian. I'm a steam era guy myself... the earlier the better.



    Waaagh the Dog @ 2012/05/06 14:12:42


    Post by: monkeytroll


    Nice loco's.

    When are you going to add the weathering and the dakka


    Is that really 40k work, or part of a station?


    Waaagh the Dog @ 2012/05/06 15:04:36


    Post by: Briancj


    It is really 40K work. ^_^


    Waaagh the Dog @ 2012/05/06 15:30:22


    Post by: progreen10




    You make me cry with jealousy.
    My one is simply a double track oval on a 6 by 4 piece of board... :(


    Waaagh the Dog @ 2012/05/06 16:01:01


    Post by: Briancj


    I really love my work sometimes.



    --B.




    Automatically Appended Next Post:
    progreen10 wrote:
    You make me cry with jealousy.
    My one is simply a double track oval on a 6 by 4 piece of board... :(


    Ah, but you're in the UK, home to epic apartment layouts, modular layouts, and clubs, clubs, clubs! Fine one, join up, have fun!