Strap ftw!!!

Lookin'better with the new head IMO. It adds a lot of character. Also, the strap makes it look heavy. Any particular reason it's attached where you did it? I would've attached a bit higher I think.

Gitsplitta's army is now featuring ZUES on the heavy flamer!!!!

Gitsplitta wrote:Today's build modifications: strap (while the rest of the gaming world would make the strap out of green stuff, I hammer mine out of copper wire) and a new head... While I generally dislike bare-headed marines, I like this one... personalizes him a little bit & should be fun to paint.


Looks like there's a couple of mold lines I need to clean up yet...

Much better now.
And yes, those Spacewolf heads are great.

Thanks, I think both are a distinct improvement.

One more to go and I can start painting! Might even get it done today. Looking forward to getting this unit sewn up... been a long haul and I'd like to see it finished.

Yay Spacewolf scvout head ftw..... we are slowly bringing you over to the dark errrr furry side


I like the strap too, if you do another guy, for a laugh do a similar pose but put one of those girdle things around his waist and an arm against his back, like geeez this thing weighs a ton... lol would be fun, just like the devastators that got discussed from way back when with the wrong plug connectors for the plasma cannon and the instruction manulals etc

If you need some heavy flamers let me know I may still have a few on-sprue, I tend to prefer giving my termies assault cannons.

As mentioned in another thread... if I were going to do Space Wolves I would actually do a Space Shark army proxied as SWs... that way I could have land shark (Buelette of D&D fame) riding cavalry!

I wonder if I can build a small force with a minimum of figures that would take advantage of some good rules but be really fun to carry off modeling wise... Anyone have a suggestion for say... a 1250 or 1500 pt force that has the wolf cav as some other good signature stuff in it? Not too many models is a bonus... but I would like it to be viable as an army.

Lol, just teasing you

Ujnless you can get a supply of cheap wolves a cavalry based army could be expensive, even fpr a few models, for example, Canis Wolfborn is £30 here, which means a minimum $50 I reckon for just him.
Bispudlo, maximini and a few others do good wolves

Check out IA10 for SpaceShark stuff

I'd be doing all my own conversions, so other than trying to figure out the Buelettes... it should be pretty inexpensive. Just wondering what a good army would look like.

Well I will see what I can do to help with that, in IA10, the Space Sharks have a lot of tribal or even Mauri tattoos and designs on their armour.

What are buelettes?

Gitsplitta wrote:I'd be doing all my own conversions, so other than trying to figure out the Bulettes... it should be pretty inexpensive. Just wondering what a good army would look like.

Bulettes would need to be rebased in order to be Thunderwolf Cavalry models. The mini currently produced for them would seem sorta underwhelming with a space marine riding on top of it.

And for those that do not know what one looks like.



There is your landshark.

I kind of figured that I'd start with one of those and then either build it up or remake it with that figure as the model. Then I'd have to figure out how to cast the bloody thing. Still... would be a *really fun* long-term project.

the back of the Marine scouts please.......

Aaaaaahh thats what irt is!!!

Will set my cogitators in motion

Gitsplitta wrote:I kind of figured that I'd start with one of those and then either build it up or remake it with that figure as the model. Then I'd have to figure out how to cast the bloody thing. Still... would be a *really fun* long-term project.

It would be, if the mini Wizards produced looked anything like what that picture did.



I have three IIRC in a box in the states, because they never get used in the D&D games I play.



This one is a larger version that may work, but he is long OOP.

Gitsplitta wrote:As mentioned in another thread... if I were going to do Space Wolves I would actually do a Space Shark army proxied as SWs... that way I could have land shark (Buelette of D&D fame) riding cavalry!

I wonder if I can build a small force with a minimum of figures that would take advantage of some good rules but be really fun to carry off modeling wise... Anyone have a suggestion for say... a 1250 or 1500 pt force that has the wolf cav as some other good signature stuff in it? Not too many models is a bonus... but I would like it to be viable as an army.

My original 1850 SW list can be found here. It has many of the classic elements TWC, TWC Lords, RP, LF and GH and is a fairly compact force. Its not 1500 but it may give you an idea as you scale down.

P.S. Hans was my opponent BTW.

Well, I've already started digging around on e-bay. If anyone has a source for those figs, especially the larger one (which I like better), please let me know.

@bt: Can you give me any details on that older fig? Who might have made it, anything?

Gitsplitta wrote:Well, I've already started digging around on e-bay. If anyone has a source for those figs, especially the larger one (which I like better), please let me know.

@bt: Can you give me any details on that older fig? Who might have made it, anything?

Ask WarOne, he has plenty of D&D minis IIRC.

EDIT: Wizards of the Coast for the D&D miniatures game would be your source, that or asking mikhailia would possibly benefit you.

Ah... found a source... ordered a few, we'll see what they look like.

For Miss Dee:

Gits if you every want to do that SpaceShark theme then I want in on helping.

Bulette mounted calvery is just to epic to just watch someone make without me trying to help.

An Ankylosaurus might be a nice start, if you changed the head:

Gitsplitta wrote:Ah... found a source... ordered a few, we'll see what they look like.

For Miss Dee:

Don't expect any miracles, they are a rubbery plastic and its a single molded piece, and you will most likely need to re paint them to make them look nice.

Did you make the strap for that gun out of copper filament or some type of material? Looks awesome!

Thanks 1-i, I'll let you know when I get the figs in and can take some comparison shots. I'm sure it'll take a lot of slow work, but then what else is new.

@wyfox: Thanks, it'll make an interesting read.

@bebop: Just copper wire gently hammered into place. I used to do jewelry work so working with metals is pretty comfortable.

@CK: not a bad suggestion... I'll keep it in mind should the D&D figures prove unusable.

@btemple0: I expected that... just a matter of are they usable at all or just useful as an image to be used as a basis for a new model. I may well hack them up and modify them even if they are usable.

Thanks mate.

Hehe, nice job on that marine mate, that strap really does the tick.

Gitsplitta wrote:@btemple0: I expected that... just a matter of are they usable at all or just useful as an image to be used as a basis for a new model. I may well hack them up and modify them even if they are usable.

Well, if they don't work out for you at all, I would be willing to take them off your hand...seeing as I'm a GM. Though knowing you, I am sure you will make them work out well.

You could use a Pangolin as the start, if you're going for the more plate-covered approach.

The fun thing is that the Buelette was actually based on one of those cheapo plastic dime-machine toys that were all the rage way back when- I actually have one of the toys the original Buelette was based off, and they're rather different looking.

No, no.

This is a land shark:

" target="_new" rel="nofollow">

Stick a gun barrel in the blue guy's mouth and you'd have a Space Shark predator!!

Oh, and given the example Canis sets, the Landsharks should be mounted on a 60mm (MC) base.

Are you gonna put a laser on the buelettes head?

Would that be a shark with a frickin lazer beam?

the 60mm base could be a bit contentious, as they are technically cavalry and should be on cavalry bases. In a tournament or serious game.
canis has the special rule which allows him to swap his base attacks for the number of foes in base contact with him, hence GW sticking him on a bigger base. Also in his metal incarnation he would never have survived on that piddly wee base. You could cange the name of Canis rule to feeding frenzy or some such, like when sharks go loco.
Saying that all my TWC are on 60mm bases as that is what I was given and I am too cheap to go out and buy any more. I have never been called for trying to get an advantage the few times i have used them and to be honest it looks way better on 60mm bases

Last I thougth I knew it was legal to put a model on a larger bases but not a smaller one. Of course any given tournament can outrule that but I once believed the rule to be listed in a core 40k rulebook.

I think every TWC figure I've ever seen has been on a 60mm base... the critters are just too big for anything else aren't they?

And yes, they'd have friggin' laser beams on their heads...

monkeytroll wrote:No, no.

This is a land shark:

" target="_new" rel="nofollow">

That would make a cool Ork vehicle monkeytroll...

Third sternguard, also for me. This one has a Chapterhouse combiweapon that I converted to fit the unit. The magnet is at the rear which pulls up on the front end a bit, however when it's painted (I have one of these on my scout sergeant) you can't see the gap at all. Perhaps with a bit of careful filing I can flatten it out enough to lose the gap. Handy thing though... takes all of 5 seconds to change from a combi-melta to plasma to flamer. Going to make one more of these so I can customize my squad as I like.


Have to drill the barrels and add a bit more primer to cover some of the paint on the used bits... but nearly there!

Only one more to go and my squad will be complete! Well, completely built at least.

A very dynamic pose. Love these old models, and the chapterhouse stuff fits in nicely.

W00t, finally got to page 100! This is a totally awesome blog. I am looking forward to being able to making meaningful comment when I am up to date

But until that point the RB look great, some awesome first time Airbrushing on your vehicles. And our IC Dread is looking amazing. (So far I have only seen the first 4 coats but he looks stunning) This really wants me to get an airbrush, but that’s not likely for a while. (Dam it having responsibilities lol )

Just another 120 pages to go :s

I really like the legs again, what have you done with the rest of the marines Gits? Are they for another project yet to have surfaced?

@Reaper: I didn't buy the whole marines, just picked up the legs for a bits merchant while I was getting some other stuff.

@M0rdain: Stick with it man, you're getting there. Those early experiments with the airbrush turned out far better than I ever would have anticipated... well worth the money and time to practice. MW army would have never gotten done in time for Adepticon without it.

@CK: I agree. I'm adding a forward magnet to the gun and to one of the add-ons to see if it makes any difference. If it's not appreciable, I won't bother with the other add-ons or on the other marine I'm building.

My one gripe about those guns isn't their appearance... I like the look and the castings are near perfect. It's that the magnet hole should be center-mounted so that the combi-weapon fits flush without being drawn off-angle by the rearward magnet. If Chapterhouse ever decides to refresh the molds... they might consider that as a significant improvement to the design. (Nick - that's a hint! )

Really nice sternguard and the use of the old minis is just genius. Also I really like the head on the heavy flamer guy.

Last one built... and a little close combat love for the heavy flamer.

AND I DON'T WANT ANY LIP ABOUT WHERE THE TEETH GO! I EVEN ADDED SOME TEETH TO THE HF COMBAT ATTACHMENT SO YOU COULD SEE WHERE THEY GO!

Fething nit-picky little b*@#$&!*.




Oh, and thanks Farty...

I love you, too, Gits.

looking good gits i really like the chain sword bayonet thing you go going on kind has a gears of war feel to it. but any rate looks great!

I think I need to add some straps to the big one... let me see what I have in my little bag-o'-tricks.

So, just to be sure: he has a silenced bolter AND a really loud chainsword combined into one? I hope he never fumbles with the on/off switch . great work man!

I really do like those combat attachments.

You're making me want to paint older things...I have a Missile Launcher glaring at me, begging to be used!

Cool, so the Sniper Sternguard hunts down the dinner and cuts it up, the HF Sternguard cooks and carves. Bbq at Gits place methinks.

Seriously though, both are looking great. I can see why the HF would have a blade/ shainsaw attachment there, as in the heat of battle his 2 hands would be occupied holding the HF lest he torches his pals, so a defensive weapon that he doesnt need to draw would be a must.

Also for the other Sternguard, there comes a point when stealth is no longer needed.
Ever seen a movie where 2 dudes lock weapons then 1 draws a gun to blow his opponent away? Thats what this does i think

looks damned tasty too.

Well, and you gotta consider how I use these guys... pod them into close-melta range, they get one turn of shooting... they they're into assault. Usually they don't even have to clean their bolt gun barrels after a battle, just re-charge their combi-weapons.

Besides, after doing the one with the chain attachment for GS I just HAD to work them in, but because I needed a couple of easily switchable combi-weapons (i.e. the Chapterhouse ones), I couldn't use the original beakie set-up (which I think looks awesome).

I tried several blade styles on the HF, but kept coming back to this one... it just... fit. I'd actually tried and abandoned the chainsword blade on the other guy twice, but it kept calling to me to figure out how to make it look right and I think the end result works. The C-hse combi-weapon is beefier than a normal bolter and with the extended barrel, it handles the mass of the chainsword blade where a small gun would not.

These builds were a ton of fun to do, but also a ton of work. It takes a lot of bloody work it takes to get a beakie into that position!

OH, and I added a second magnet to the last guy's combi-weapon and as you can see the attachment is held down nice and tight.

I like the chainsword attachment, Gits, but it seems like it is just a wee bit to long for the model. It might just be the angle though. Otherwise everything looks to be in tip-top condition!

UG

Could be, it was intended to be over-the-top so I'm sure it would look better, shorter. (Wouldn't be as fun though!)

You want it longer so the unlucky stabee does not impale and then block the boltgun barrel, rendering the weapon useless, like a bayonet

Over the top would 4 chainswords each positioned at 90 degrees around the boltgun barrel hehehe!

Again, it was probably just my realistic angle to the picture.
Also, a bit of self promotion, have you check out the contest I'm running Gits? Because your stuff is exactly what we are looking for; well though out conversions and great painting. Just a thought there.

OK dantay, now you've done it... planted that stupid idea in my head and now I've got to make it! A chain-maul / sniper rifle.... just too epic to deny.

Painting will start this morning. Everything is primed and ready to go!

Lol, cant wait to see the painting and also the over the top chain maul/ sniper rifle.

Cant be much more over the top than Space Shark Tyberons lightning claws with built in chain fists

"... and don't forget that's a carbon fiber chainsword housing... so it's ultra light, unfortunately it has a flappy-paddle gear box."

- Jeremy Clarkson, Top Gear 40-UK

And just listen to the sound it makes, a nice burble, and then you pull the trigger and Raaaaarrrrrrrr!!!!, just glorious, like Guillemanns 9th symphony.... I almost had a crisis.

And thats just the bayonet, but what about the main part the bolter?

Well its functional, easy to use and when it fires off it goes like the clapper, and just listen to the plasma hum.... wait should it do that?!? RUN AWAY!!

Jeremy Clarkson Top Gear 40K

-

LOL! That's the spirit dantay!

However neither of us manged to work in "brilliant" or "as well...". We'll have to work on our Clarkson impersonations.

It's rubbish.

I can't believe you. Your obsession with these chain-blades is unbelievable. All they have to do is put a Ferrari logo on it, and you'd equip your entire army with them. You are a monumental idiot.

--James May, Top Gear 40K

Or the "but what about...." and "besides all that we still have the small matter of..." where he disses stuff after saying how great it is.
Clarkson is so tongue-in-cheek, some people should stop taking him so seriously and complaining.
Did you know an Amerian car manufacturer refused to loan them a car in fear it would get slated, so they went to the ealership and bought one instead, in fairness they do pan the yankee cars quite a lot though.

For those not familiar with Top Gear pleae watch it, especially the specials, it is wicked.
As to the shock maul, mount it on a flamer with extended flame tube, then you can fry as you chop, like cutting a tank hull and cooking its occupants.





Automatically Appended Next Post:
Oh cock!! I just went the wrong way.

James May Top Gear40K

Gits you have to make a Captain Slow for your Mantids

You guys have May down... both of you! LOL!

I'll see what I can do about a "Captain Slow"... too bad the space marine captain is such a crappy HQ choice.

dantay_xv wrote:
Did you know an Amerian car manufacturer refused to loan them a car in fear it would get slated, so they went to the ealership and bought one instead, in fairness they do pan the yankee cars quite a lot though.

It was Dodge

"...And now we'll see how fast this Razorback can get around the battlefield. Can it knock that Blood Angel rhino off the top of our board?

Some people say he carved his name into the chest of a chaos God... Some people say he's the Emperor's son. We call him... The Stig."

-- Jeremy Clarkson, Top Gear 40k


Either that, or

"Now it's time for a Star in our reasonably priced Tank!"

You could make Jeremy as a Techmarine, he loves running around and bashing things with a big hammer and shouting, even though he has no technical skills whasoever.

Hamster could be a Scout biker as he loves his bikes.

Captain Slow could be a Chaplain, after all he loves talking on and on about technicalities and useless fluff..plus his boring sermonising at times

Actually... I'd switch two of those. I think James should be the techmarine as he's the only one with a lick of mechanical ability. That may be too noble though... a servitor perhaps? Clarkson seems more like the pompous, blathering-on chaplain type.

On a side note... I'm considering trading in our two old corolla's for a new car to commute back-and-fourth to work in (hour drive) and am considering a mini. Want something a little fun for a change. Any of you Brit's have any words of wisdom to pass along?

Captain Crash a Servitor?

A mini huh?

Which one, Cooper, Clubman, Countryman or the Mini one?

And yes you have the order down on them, but not a servitor for May. He knows too much and he likes lining up his spanners just so.

Not sure... we have a minivan so I'm really just looking for a commuter car, but it should be able to seat 4 (two adults, two kids).

Got your point about May... you're right, too anal for a servitor.


Back OT... (amazing, isn't it?)

Broke out the airbrush and started painting. One thing I love about the GMS is that you can safely experiment on minis without worrying about something sticking out like a sore thumb when compaired to the rest of your army.

The way I've always painted sternguard was to prime white and add 3 layers of yellow over the top, then a heavy wash with sepia to color the plates and recesses. This time, I started with a yellow/brown base coat, then added my 3 shades of yellow. I'll still need to do the sepia wash, but out of the box I like the look of this much better than my standard, and the wash will be much lighter and easier to control as a result of the darker shade.

Best part is, even with changing paints, this only took me 15 minutes. I'll do the remaining three as a batch and expect to have the per figure time down to about 10 min. each.

So, here's the fig...



And the paints I use to get there from dark to light. The "Moon Yellow" needs to be thinned of course to make it usable by airbrush. I think I'm still using diluted "Bad Moon Yellow" that is about 10 years old (from GW), but it's a discontinued color so I'm hoping the Vallejo stuff works as well. The high shine on the figure is from the BMY.



I'll keep you updated as I go. - Gits

Gitz that was Captain Crash

Looks good, for the mini, I do not know about rear space, but i'd say clubman or countryman, clubman is slightly longer station wagon version, but only has 1 rear door, facing the kerb.

Countryman looks cool..... definitely do not get the coupe unless your kids are very very short

Ooo love the teeth added to the thigh armour on that last Mantis!

Miss Dee wrote:Gitz that was Captain Crash

Who was Captain Crash?

dantay_xv wrote:Looks good, for the mini, I do not know about rear space, but i'd say clubman or countryman, clubman is slightly longer station wagon version, but only has 1 rear door, facing the kerb.

Countryman looks cool..... definitely do not get the coupe unless your kids are very very short

OK mate, I'll keep that in mind. We don't need a station wagon... perhaps just a slightly less mini... mini.

Mr.Malevolent wrote:Ooo love the teeth added to the thigh armour on that last Mantis!

It's there on nearly all of them, hard to see sometimes... teeth are on the left forearm too.

Captain Crash is James May's other nickname

Dear lord do not get a clubman, ugliest car behind the Buick Rendezvous!

Yellow is looking good so far!

I'd say get a cooper. Slightly bigger. can fit 4 normal sized people in an okay kinda way. that and the ones ending in man may as well be made from dead squirrels for how good they are as cars.

A cooper is a good shout, just make sure you get it in red with the union jack on top, and talk like michael caine. Another new gits.

Honestly, I have been a fan of the Toyota Prius. Not sure if it is a true mini, but it does have a fairly small footprint and yet thier is suprising space within the car. We were going to purchase one back in 2005 as a company sales vehicle, but at the time there was a 5 month waiting list. I doubt there is one now though.

Don't forget to blow the bloody doors off.

On the Clarkson theme, model him stood on a bombshell, waving goodnight.
And he needs something that is 'brilliant but utterly useless'

i think that Gits just played a little to much gears of war

@DJ: I like that suggestion!

@all: Well, it's just on the list of possibilities. Ford Fiesta is on there too. Not sure what else, have to poke around. There's a inexpensive little Alpha coupe' I'd love to get but I'm not even sure where I'd buy one much less actually get it repaired.

@wyfox: We have two Toyotas already... I'm sick of them. Nice cars but the bore the crap outta me. Prius is no different, just more expensive. If I was going to get a new Toyota I'd just keep the one I have & save all that money.

So here's the morning's progress (along with a bunch of other noodling around... laundry, dishes, playing old computer games, etc.... love a day off). Have some actual things to get done today but I'll get the washing done later. Would be great if I could have them all ready for detailing by tonight.

15 minutes sounds good for the base shading to me; looks good too. I really must sort out somewhere indoors to experiment properly.

If you can get them (and the parts), I really like my fiat punto grande. Very comfy, cheap to run and plenty of space in the back for passengers. Lots of boot space too

what are you guys talking about? i dont even have a drivers liscense. i ride my trusty old bike now thats eco friendly

Yeah, bike riding isn't very practical during Winter here in WI.

I thought captain crash was Hammond

Maybe after he just about killed himself in that rocket car...


Oh and I got antsy with the figures, sepia wash is done and is drying.

Eagerly wait.

PS . I think you'd do well with say a Dodge charger or a Shelby Cobra. an they have 4 seats as well.

I wouldn't really call the back bench of a Shelby Cobra "seats", more like a shelf -- so that in theory your insurance would be less.

Well, the Charger and/or Challenger are my domestic dream cars... (I'm an old Dodge guy), but they might as well be DB-9s for as likely as it is that I could afford one.

Little more progress to show. Wash is done & I always throw some paint on the base because it makes me feel better... like they're closer to being done!

Gitsplitta wrote:
It's there on nearly all of them, hard to see sometimes... teeth are on the left forearm too.

Hmmm I probably have noticed it before but have just gotten myself to comment on them hahaha.

Gitsplitta wrote:... like they're closer to being done!

LOL- good one Gitsplitta. I'll have to use that one with my orks.

I'm a little sad to see the heavy flamer guy took his helmet off? It takes away from the "haters gonna hate" look. Not a lot, mind you.

I like the poses on these guys.

Last progress for the night. Another layer of highlights and the bolt gun metal picked out. Also added a couple of the roundels for the badge that I'd forgotten.

So gits how much paint to water ratio do you do when mixing paint up for an airbrush... Just curious. Got an airbrush, but do not know how to mix the paint properly. Thanks..Models look cool BTW

Gitsplitta, I just wanted to say that this blog here has moved me to join DakkaDakka.

Your painting is excellent, and you and your sons are an inspiration. Part of the reason I'm dusting off my Tyranids and Necrons and putting aside the Dark Eldar for a bit, actually. Your love of the game comes through with your painting, and quite frankly, it's some of the best I've had the pleasure of seeing.

Keep on highlighting, and may the brush be with you.

from the side the heavy flamer guy appears to be laughing. its quite appropriate

prototype_X wrote:from the side the heavy flamer guy appears to be laughing. its quite appropriate

Time to add a comedian Icon somewhere Gits (From Nightwatch)

heavy flamer guy is great well done

we have the parkers price guide here, www.parkers.co.uk could help with deciding what kind id car you fancy.

Covers evetthing from emissions to trim etc.

I assume by Alfa you are thinking the mito. There is always the giuletta or the brera (featured in top gear) we have 03 beetle in flaming orange and it is fun to throw around, not the mos practical boot (trunk) wise but great all round visibilty and decent rear room.

Being a Vdub its bombproof and cheap to insure. Plus with the new model coming out in Europe next year (lowered roof, more like a tt) dealer prices might drop quite a bit on them.

It also drove pretty well on the snow.

Back on topic, yellows look really nice and rich, alot like the hand blended versions compared to the previous airbrushed marines.

Eiluj The Farseer wrote:So gits how much paint to water ratio do you do when mixing paint up for an airbrush... Just curious. Got an airbrush, but do not know how to mix the paint properly. Thanks..Models look cool BTW

Roughly 50/50... though I probably start at 75/25 and work my way from there. I recommend getting a bottle of pre-mixed paint like Vallejo Air and using that as your guidepost. There are lost of airbrush guide threads on dakka & elsewhere though... so just poke around. Not that using ETOH as a thinner does NOT work with the Vallejo paints, it causes the pigments to precipitate.

Orminah wrote:Gitsplitta, I just wanted to say that this blog here has moved me to join DakkaDakka.

Your painting is excellent, and you and your sons are an inspiration. Part of the reason I'm dusting off my Tyranids and Necrons and putting aside the Dark Eldar for a bit, actually. Your love of the game comes through with your painting, and quite frankly, it's some of the best I've had the pleasure of seeing.

Keep on highlighting, and may the brush be with you.

Hey, paid in full buddy... that tip about the Necrons was worth it weight in gold. Glad you like what you see. Haven't been pushing to kids too much as I'd rather have them do things when they feel inspired rather than feel they have to. Funny thing is... I think most of my passions comes out in the modeling as opposed to the painting. My stubborn insistence on using the old models, they wracking my brain trying to figure out how to modify them to make them look interesting. I care about the painting, certainly... but I think there's more of "me" in the poses then there is in the paint jobs.

prototype_X wrote:from the side the heavy flamer guy appears to be laughing. its quite appropriate

He does have a bit of that "maniacal mass murderer" look to him. I can hear him say as he flames the masses: "Come to me my little piggies, BBQ's a-waitin' and I needs fresh meat for the feast!"

CommissarKhaine wrote:Time to add a comedian Icon somewhere Gits (From Nightwatch)

??

dakkagrot187 wrote:heavy flamer guy is great well done

Thank you sir!

dantay_xv wrote:we have the parkers price guide here, www.parkers.co.uk could help with deciding what kind id car you fancy.

Covers evetthing from emissions to trim etc.

I assume by Alfa you are thinking the mito. There is always the giuletta or the brera (featured in top gear) we have 03 beetle in flaming orange and it is fun to throw around, not the mos practical boot (trunk) wise but great all round visibilty and decent rear room.

Being a Vdub its bombproof and cheap to insure. Plus with the new model coming out in Europe next year (lowered roof, more like a tt) dealer prices might drop quite a bit on them.

It also drove pretty well on the snow.

Back on topic, yellows look really nice and rich, alot like the hand blended versions compared to the previous airbrushed marines.

Oh yea.... I'd forgotten to mention that the new beetle was also on my list. Had a Rabbit back in the early 80's... not fancy but a decent little car. Have they gone nice but affordable with the new beetle or have they played the nostalgia card and slapped it with a big price tag?

I do not know, ours was 5k when we bought it a year back (approx $7k).

We would get maybe £3.5k trade if we were lucky £4k private sale, guess it depends how much you were willing to spend.

Please please take the flower out if you are driving it though.

Gitsplitta wrote:

CommissarKhaine wrote:Time to add a comedian Icon somewhere Gits (From Nightwatch)

??

The Comedian was a cartoon superhero from the Nightwatch comics. Let's just say he combined laughter with a flamethrower - I was referring to prototype_X's post

Ahhhhhh! Got it. Sorry for being so hopelessly un-cool. By-product of age and fatherhood I'm afraid...

I was just using the fire red and wow that blend is fantastic
well done Vallejo.

Gitsplitta wrote:Ahhhhhh! Got it. Sorry for being so hopelessly un-cool. By-product of age and fatherhood I'm afraid...

Hey! I'm a dad too! Don't worry, soon they'll be old enough to explain this stuff to you

Actually the Comedian was a cartoon superhero from the Watchmen comics, I think Nightwatch is something else...



Automatically Appended Next Post:
Who watches the Watchmen

@ Gitsplitta

Yeah, no problem. When I saw them yesterday, I immediately thought of my childhood and I thought of how much joy those little "zombie" robots brought me, so I figured that he'd enjoy seeing them. It's enough to make me dust them off, though I may end up replacing them if the aesthetic is too far off to blend with the rest of the army. Any recommendations on selecting and purchasing an airbrush?

Also, your Lancer style bayonets are very awesome. (They are a gun from Gears of War that have a chainsaw for bayonets.) I was wondering how you did the ones that are shaped like axes. Is it actually just a chain axe? Or something more subtle?

Hooo boy... that's a big subject... and I'm not necessarily the best person to take advice from. Keep in mind that a decent compressor is a lot more expensive than a decent airbrush. Why don't you start by looking up the topic in the dakka search... that should put you on some good discussions. If you still have specific questions you can come back to me and I'll see if I can point you in a decent direction.

i love the chian sword on beakie although im still not convinced on flamer i'll have to see this painted up

@Orminah - I am an experienced airbrush user, if you have any questions about it or want suggestions on equipment I would love to help you out. PM me though so theres no thread hijacking.

This whole project is awesome! I love seeing things develop out of fluff, I think a lot people don't appreciate the vast background of the 40k universe that is available in books and such. It's what really separates GW from other miniature games makers IMO. Great job on the modelling, consider this subbed!

Rogue Wolves wrote:i love the chian sword on beakie although im still not convinced on flamer i'll have to see this painted up

A skeptic! Good! I'll try not to disappoint!

Thare1774 wrote:@Orminah - I am an experienced airbrush user, if you have any questions about it or want suggestions on equipment I would love to help you out. PM me though so theres no thread hijacking.

This whole project is awesome! I love seeing things develop out of fluff, I think a lot people don't appreciate the vast background of the 40k universe that is available in books and such. It's what really separates GW from other miniature games makers IMO. Great job on the modelling, consider this subbed!

Thank you Thare! On both counts... the compliments *and* helping out with the airbrush stuff. Hope the thread continues to be enjoyable. Have big plans burried in the back of head... just don't know if I'll ever get to them!



Today's progress, one step closer...

hmm it does make me think of a mantis claw but i dont think the top blades on the chainsaw should be so close to the pipes on the flamer

Well, as long as there's clearance there wouldn't be any issue. I just realized that I put the teeth on backwards though... not sure how I'm going to fix that without screwing everything up.

I find it funny that so many people said that the blade on the marine I built/you painted (the original GMS marine really) was silly and unrealistic, and now its the standard, with whole chainswords underslung and everyone digs it! Fickle masses.

I clearly am a fan of ott blades on them, keep it up!

Your Lancer style bayonets are very awesome. (They are a gun from Gears of War that have a chainsaw for bayonets.) I was wondering how you did the ones that are shaped like axes. Is it actually just a chain axe? Or something more subtle?


And yes, I already asked this. But it availed me nothing. Lol.

Orminah, I believe those are the original RT chain-bayonets (predating Lancers by 12 years or so).

MasterSlowPoke wrote:Orminah, I believe those are the original RT chain-bayonets (predating Lancers by 12 years or so).

Ah, you'll have to excuse my ignorance. I didn't realize that they thought of chainsaw bayonets. I mean, swords is one thing, and of course, impractical as all hell, but I'd have a harder time justifying the bayonets..... Good stuff though. Gotta love GW's originality.

forgeworld makes some nice chain-bayonets but to gitsplittas defence since its the future i expect they may have some outer barrel covering the actual firing barrel to protect it from the chainsaws or something along those lines

Liking the chain bayonets, and if anybody can point me in the direction of some of the old RT ones it would be much appreciated. Been searching bits sites and e-bay - but so far no luck.

I have some chain attachment if you want them

whalemusic360 wrote:I find it funny that so many people said that the blade on the marine I built/you painted (the original GMS marine really) was silly and unrealistic, and now its the standard, with whole chainswords underslung and everyone digs it! Fickle masses.

I clearly am a fan of ott blades on them, keep it up!

I learned from the masters. Never thought about doing serious conversion until I started "hanging out" with you and BLACKHAND. I guess sometimes completely over-the-top works where slightly over the top rubs people the wrong way. *shrug*

As to the axe-style chainblades, MSP is correct, those are the originals. Since this army is based largely on the original RT-2nd edition styles of figures, it seemed appropriate. I don't think that physics or engineering should interfere with a good model (and I say that in all seriousness). This is 40k, where preposterous things happen every day as a normal course of events. The path of a chainsaw blade through a combat attachment is about the least important thing that you have to "suspend a reasonable doubt" about. People don't have a problem with 9' tall supermen fully implanted with organic improvements & cybernetic implants *after* adulthood which give them superhero abilities, make them werewolves and vampires, and who-knows-what-else, others (librarians) "magic powers", but they do have an issue with the path a chainsaw blade takes through an attachment... really?? That's the limit of their "not realistic" perception???

I hope to get some more work in today... managed to completely throw my back out yesterday which is a new experience. I don't really walk so much as hobble while bent over at a 30-degree angle, can't carry anything and move at the same time as I need both hands hanging on to something in order to stay upright. I can sit hunched over without pain... that's about it. Perfect for painting or blogging. Not good for much else. I need a hot pad or something...

Yep, rule of cool should always take precedent

Hope your back sorts itself out soon, even if it is an excuse to play the 'hunched over my models is the only painless position I'm afraid honey' card.

Lovely depth of colour there on the yellow. Or possibly depth of color.

Miss Dee wrote:I have some chain attachment if you want them

If they're the old RT ones (the sort of triangle shaped ones) that would be brilliant! (I only need three more for what I'm planning) What do you want for them? Can send cash or perhaps trade a few CSM bits?

they be the FW ones

I assume they are the ones from the phobos/umbra pattern bolter? (in that case I'll need four - am planning on building a chain mace for one of my Bezerkers). In that case then yay! And again I say, would do you want as recompense for them?

i never seen a solider yellow then yours Gits. outstanding

Nothing

Actually, I'm rather certain that I read that Space Marine recruitment begins around age 13, and around 18 at the very latest. I thought I read that somewhere....

And for some reason.... Psykers seem more reasonable to me than chainsaw blades.

Which is of course, not to say that I suspend reasonable doubt. Excuse me while I go model some space insects that travel through the galactic void at snail speed....

fatty wrote:i never seen a solider yellow then yours Gits. outstanding

Dude, Im standing right here!!.. Lamenters battle cry! ( too depressed perhaps to use it as a camo.) or...No... for the 3rd time, I'm not an Imperial Fist! or...

Chapter Master addressing his chapter " Thou I appriciate the thought...Painting smiley faces on our armor is not going to make them want to reduce our time of our 100 year crusade"

SL

I know I haven't posted any pics in the last two days but I am making quiet progress. Kind of stuck in all the little details that make the figures look good but if I were to show you the pics you probably wouldn't notice much difference, if any. Also made a couple of minor adjustments. With luck, after tomorrow night they'll be ready for the camo pattern. Look for a final re-camo pic tomorrow night.

Gits

S'okay, Gits. All I got in my plog are pictures of unpainted internal fiddly details for my Predator that, when assembled, will be barely visible!

--B.

No worries. At least your camera works.

Solar_lion wrote:Lamenters battle cry!

Isn't that Linkin Park?

Solar_lion wrote:

fatty wrote:i never seen a solider yellow then yours Gits. outstanding

Dude, Im standing right here!!.. Lamenters battle cry! ( too depressed perhaps to use it as a camo.) or...No... for the 3rd time, I'm not an Imperial Fist! or...

Chapter Master addressing his chapter " Thou I appriciate the thought...Painting smiley faces on our armor is not going to make them want to reduce our time of our 100 year crusade"

SL

*weeps quietly under a banner of tears*

Nice varngard vets gits!

Thanks Haz, they're getting there!

Gitsplitta wrote:Thanks Haz, they're getting there!

Love to see em finished also check out my blog got rouge trader mins!(hyperlink in sig AKA below!!!)

HAZZER

Will do my friend, looking forward to seeing them!

Well, now comes the time in this process where things slow down a bit as I put the finish on each model prior to adding the camo scheme. The one with the furthest way to go was the Heavy Flamer marine so I started with him.

This is actually the second picture I uploaded to dakka, I saw so many problems that needed to be addressed on the first one that I took it off and went back to the painting table. I think this version will do.

Haha, know that problem with photos from somewhere. XD

Turnd out quite nicely, however those blue eyes look... wicked?
Also the yellow appears to be a bit bright right now, you could have done some much stronger shadows in unlit areas imo.

The conversions of all you vets are quite nice I must say.

IPS wrote:Haha, know that problem with photos from somewhere. XD

Turnd out quite nicely, however those blue eyes look... wicked?

Yeah, that was the intent... glad it appeared to work. My thinking is that burning other sentient beings at close range, repeatedly, either requires or develops a certain type of psyche... and not a pretty one. One of the reasons I went away from a helmet for this marine (which I rarely do) is because I thought a certain maniacal countenance would really be required and you couldn't express that through a helmet. The eyes are actually one of the things that were "toned down" after the initial viewing on the computer. I darkened the shadows about the eyes and "bled" them down into the eyeballs a bit. If I wasn't going for that pathological killer look, I'd have painted a bit more of the eye-socket color under the eyeballs to make them smaller and more almond shaped... but it's that wide-eyed, crazed look that I was shooting for so I left them big.

Also the yellow appears to be a bit bright right now, you could have done some much stronger shadows in unlit areas imo.

Actually there are deeper shadows on these 4 miniatures than I've done in the past due to a modification in my painting technique. You're right though, they are very bright. This is largely due to what will happen to them visually when I add the camo pattern. It's funny but the camo pattern... as un-"camo-like" as it is, actually does it's job quite well. It breaks up the clean, recognizable lines of the figure and dimishes the impact of the figure behind it (in essence your eyes focus on the camo, not on the yellow of the armor). So, in order to keep the character of the bright yellow armor, I crank up the volume on it so it doesn't get completely lost once the camo goes on.

For example: here's the squad's melta-gunner. He is every bit as bright with less developed shadows as the heavy flamer marine, yet while he's bright... he doesn't have the "OMG.... YELLOW!" feel. That's the magic of the camo distracting your eye and brain (to some degree) from the shock-and-awe yellow of the armor.

The conversions of all you vets are quite nice I must say.

Thank you! Really had fun with all four of these models & they're a very fitting finish to my sternguard squad. I always do a better job modeling when I'm having fun.

Loving old man mantis. Outstanding work sir.

Pimptastical, my good man.

Interesting effect with the blue eyes, and I love the scribbling on the purity seal!

If I get brave enough, I might try to put pupils in there... but I think I'll just mess it up (trying to center two tiny black dots will be nearly impossible). I usually do dark eyes but with the white hair and looking to accentuate his eyes, I thought the blue would work better.

Solar_lion wrote:

fatty wrote:i never seen a solider yellow then yours Gits. outstanding

Dude, Im standing right here!!.. Lamenters battle cry! ( too depressed perhaps to use it as a camo.) or...No... for the 3rd time, I'm not an Imperial Fist! or...

Chapter Master addressing his chapter " Thou I appriciate the thought...Painting smiley faces on our armor is not going to make them want to reduce our time of our 100 year crusade"

SL

Sorry SL you made me laugh thou. and i know the smiley faces armour i did it in on the 3 chaos space marines i had

I like his long white beard and droopy mustache. Very unusual look.

I think the tache and beard need a little more shading and definition (If that's possible, never actually seen that head IRL)

But he is looking good, although he does need the black fleks of the camo IMO...

Looking good so far gits, and like others have said, those eyes add a lot to his character

@ImpMonkey: You know, oddly enough I was kind of mulling that over myself. A very gentle use of some Badab Black in the deeper recesses of the beard might go a long way to giving it some definition. And you're dead-on, he'll benefit greatly from the camo.

@monkeytroll: Thanks! We'll see how he shapes up once the camo is on.

Woah, Git! I love that black camo!! Really good idea to soften the yellow Love it!

i like the chainaxe/flamer guy he looks like he's done this a while. also i dont know if you posted it before but do you use custom knives as your bayonetts or do you use bitz?

OK, he's done, all I have to do is base him! Will wait for the final shots before I show him off again. (tomorrow night probably)

Got a new photo studio set-up from my sweetie for our anniversary so this'll be it's maiden voyage! It's huge (I asked for it so I could take decent whole army shots) but should be more than adequate for a single figure too. The lights it comes with are immense... it may brown out Wisconsin when I turn it on...

The camo is really the make or break point for the scheme and Gits my friend, you get it spot on. It mutes the yellow just enough and breaks up the glow effect.


Automatically Appended Next Post:

Rogue Wolves wrote:i like the chainaxe/flamer guy he looks like he's done this a while. also i dont know if you posted it before but do you use custom knives as your bayonetts or do you use bitz?

I believe Gits stated a while back that the chain-blade bayonets are either from the original RTB01 Marines or bits - for the snipes it looks like he used normal chainswords. For the meltagun...looks like the spiky blades from the old Dark Eldar plastics.

Love the poze.Its a kinda let em burn poze I think!LOL!If you were to do another you could do him relodaing the weapon?

HAZZER

The regular (non-chain) bayonettes and forearm blades are taken from old DE splinter rifles. The axe shaped chain blade is from the original beakie set, the other is just a chain sword.

Reloading would be tricky Haz... would take some major surgery on the gun to make it look unloaded I'd think.

Yes a big haasle would have to cut the back of the canister off the heavy flamer then bore a hole out for where the canister would be plus do other minor stuff. Thats just the heavy flamer without working out posing etc. 1 slip of the drill could wreck the model too. Unless he had tanks on his back then you could have a powder monkey with a bottle and pump topping him up as he goes.

The Sternguard are looking very tasty Gits. Seems like sombody was a naughty xenos/ mutant/ heretic and Santa Mantis Klaws is delivering their lump of coal the 40k way.

Awesome mini Gits! He'll look great when the camos done, I can't wait to see what you're up to next.

Brother Abraham. Known amongst the scouts as "The Grill Master", the extra fuel canister is rumored to be filled with BBQ sauce instead of flamer fuel.

Nice, the camo rally brings it all together.

Absolutely wicked Gits.

The camo has toned him down just enough. I'm really impressed with the eyes. That's something I just can't get the hang of.

Looks great! If I'm not mistaken, the extra shading on the beard and hair really works.

Hm, this camo makes it indeed a totally different model.^^
Nice work!
Also I love the improvement on his eyes.
(if it's not just a different shaddow^^)

Gitsplitta wrote:Brother Abraham. Known amongst the scouts as "The Grill Master", the extra fuel canister is rumored to be filled with BBQ sauce instead of flamer fuel.

Sweeeeet. I like the grim expression on his face and this little fluff entry. Such stories behind the miniature really brings some style.

PS:
Yay, I'm posting in the epic thread!

The camo is, as usual the make or break point and in the case of these they almost always make! Well done mate.

My only concern is the 'buttons' on the strap. They don't seem to mesh.

I like the model but i will be nit picking. the straps on his torso at the side of the flamer are you going to change there color or do you want to leave them yellow? personally i would like to see them in a different color but that's just my 2 cents

Looking good Gits, I agree about the buttons on the straps, but apart from that, he looks great! I especially like that detailed purity seal.

Thanks everyone, very glad he passes muster!

@Vit: Yep, I agree. That was an excellent suggestion and really helped bring the head into focus.

@IPS: I did work on the eyes, so I hope that's what you're seeing.

@ishkatar: Yay! You ARE posting in the epic thread! Please continue to do so!

@DSS: The strap looked odd to me plaint, so I thought a bit of ornamentation would set it off better (and it harkens back to a "past life" as-it-were). I may have misjudged however. I can always repaint the strap, though I still think some kind of pattern would be preferable to a plain strap.

@fatty: Nit-pick away my friend. For good or ill the straps on all the sternguard are the same yellow. They're washed with black over the sepia which gives them a very slightly different tone. I wanted to keep in mind that this was, at one point... functional camo, so wildly diverging from the color pattern seemed ill advised. These might need a second wash to set them apart a bit more though.

Only one thing missing.. BBQ stains on his chest.

Looks good Gits. He came out swell.

Man, Gits, he looks really good. It's been awhile since I checked up on this thread and I'm certainly glad I popped on in. Brother Abraham looks totally boss. His face turned out great and I agree that the tranquility camo pattern really ties it all together nicely. My only critique, which I suppose is more of a personal preference, is that I think his beard maybe too white and creates an almost Santa Claus effect. The shading and highlighting in the beard looks well done, but I think the final product may have come off a little too bright. Of course that could just be the photo too. Either way, he still looks awesome. Thanks for sharing!

Just for you Moltar... (and I think I've found my Christmas avatar!)

Haha! lol

Oh my God! That's hilarious. Well done, good sir.

Gitsplitta wrote:@ishkatar: Yay! You ARE posting in the epic thread! Please continue to do so!

Well, if i will have something useful to say... Comments like "Awesome" and "Amazing" are usefull, right?

Moltar just beat me to it! like the mini, does look a bit like Santa though. Perhaps when he's not incinerating the enemy, he could deliver frag grenades to deprived hive children? (in a red land speeder?)

Can we get an army shot! : D Great stuff!

Did...did Gits just troll us?

Well played good sir!

Well played!

Is it even possible to troll your own blog??

You may want to check this thread out! RT era stuff for trade. Maybe you can get her ask for cash .

http://www.madison40k.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&p=12977#p12977

whoops page roll over anger

You may want to take a look at your post Fatty as I think you got hit by Page Rollover ...and I miss your mouse :(

I'll admit that I wasn't that big a fan of this Sternguard initially, but the addition of the tranquility pattern has changed my mind about it.

And that hat... it really ties the model together.

And he picked up a flamethrower and he barbequed Blitzen
And he took a big bite and said, "It tastes just like chicken!"

weird al yankovic - the night santa went crazy

i just saw your model and toughed this was appropriate

(finally i got to post this for some reason i couldnt post this 10 minutes ago stange )

wyomingfox wrote:You may want to check this thread out! RT era stuff for trade. Maybe you can get her ask for cash .

http://www.madison40k.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&p=12977#p12977

i want that female comissar, so bad, would be an awesome addition to my IG, too bad i dont have those models...

fatty wrote:(finally i got to post this for some reason i couldnt post this 10 minutes ago stange )

Oh you posted it alright ...see the first post on this page .

You were effected by "page rollover". There is a small trick in bypassing this -- to some extent. You can actually see the hidden posts if you are able to click the "Skip to first unread link" on the thread in question when in your "Subscribed" page. Of course, if you were the last one who posted, that feature wouldn't be available.


Automatically Appended Next Post:

dajobe wrote:i want that female comissar, so bad, would be an awesome addition to my IG, too bad i dont have those models...

She does support a business, so it wouldn't hurt to simply ask her if she would be willing to part with that model for cash. She might say no, she might say yes.

Fixed that sorry everyone

hes looking great i like the colors on his face

The eyes... The eyes... Amazing work!

ishkatar wrote:Well, if i will have something useful to say... Comments like "Awesome" and "Amazing" are usefull, right?

Messaging my fragile ego is *always* a good use of bandwidth!

Red Corsair wrote:Can we get an army shot! : D Great stuff!

Here's the deal. I have a tournament on Nov. 5th & 6th and by then I need to finish the sternguard *and* two LS Storms, as well as keep making progress on my trades. When those two units are done, I'll give you an army shot.

wyomingfox wrote:You may want to check this thread out! RT era stuff for trade. Maybe you can get her ask for cash .

http://www.madison40k.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&p=12977#p12977

Checked, too rich for my blood... but thanks for the tip. In general I think I have all the beakie stuff that I need... and then some.

Gathering Storm wrote:I'll admit that I wasn't that big a fan of this Sternguard initially, but the addition of the tranquility pattern has changed my mind about it.

And that hat... it really ties the model together.

I'm considering modeling a Santa hat in GS that can be added or removed from the model. It's just too funny a concept.

Rogue Wolves wrote:hes looking great i like the colors on his face

Thanks Rogue! Have been trying to work on my flesh tones.

inmygravenimage wrote:The eyes... The eyes... Amazing work!

Glad you like it my friend, thanks!




Automatically Appended Next Post:


OH, and so you guys don't think I'm just resting on my laurels... progress on the next sternguard (GS's). Eyes, studs and lens on the scope and this one will be ready for camo!



Color on the photo is off as I'm still learning how to combine my camera with the new setup... but you can see some of the progress. Really happy with the way the auspex screen turned out (though you can't see it from this shot). I hope to have some time tomorrow night to work on him... might even be able to finish up the camo with luck.

Lookin' good. The yellow is looking a tad more muted then on Abraham, but that's probably the photo setup?

Yes, yellows on all 4 sternguard are the same. I need a grey backdrop as white or black completely screws up my cameras light sensing ability.

I REALY like the look of his boltgun, it looks like some highly advanced bolt sniper its awsome

Ahh the good old gits rouge trader personality is back!!!Love to see more!

HAZZER

Grill-master Abraham looking very cool there Gits

And a GS hat is a must now

You need a brick-built BBQ as an objective marker. Just sayin'.

The boltgun is looking awesome and the model is coming together rather nicely. I'm looking forwards to your addition of the Tranquility Camo Pattern.

Thank you one and all!

HAZZER wrote:Ahh the good old gits rouge trader personality is back!!!Love to see more!

HAZZER

I think... Haz, that a "rouge trader personality" would look a little more like Priscilla, Queen of the Desert. (psssst... it's spelled r-o-g-u-e)


Well, after a day's worth of painting and watching football, all of the 3 remaining figures are completely painted with the exception of the camo. On my two, I'm using the Chapterhouse combi-weapons for the first time. I bought these originally mainly on principal as I thought they were an excellent idea. The don't look quite like bolt guns for obvious reasons... so I was a bit reluctant to start them out... however, after seeing them post-conversion and seeing how amazingly easy it is to change the load-out of the marines. I'm completely sold on them. So I thought I'd post a pic of the three variants on one of the marines.

The color on these photos is wrong... still having major camera/new light box issues. From top to bottom... flamer, plasma, melta.



Castings are top quality, very little work required to get rid of the mold lines. The guns do benefit from having a second magnet in the front to help hold it's entire length tightly in place, though I suspect if you painted it as to de-emphasize the gap it wouldn't be at all noticeable on the desk top.

I can't resist. "On principle.".

Those combi-weapons ARE sweet. Perhaps I should buy some before, you know, the inevitable end of CH.

--B.

Not sure under what premise you think the end will come... if it was that cut-and-dried they and every other 3rd party manufacturer out there would have been driven out of business by GW's lawyers years ago... clearly that is not the case. I support anyone who has a good idea and fills a need, these guns clearly do that for me.

Anyway, that's a topic for another thread or PMs. Don't want my P&M blog derailed...

what you did with this man here is very nice, i really like the look of your guns too nice work gits!

Thanks Rogue, appreciate that. He won't look right until the camo pattern is done, but I take great pride in starting with those regular old beakies and turning them into unique and more natural poses. Since these guys represent the fabled "Tranquility Snipers", I always feel that I have to put the majority into a shooting position... especially when so few GW figures are ever actually modeled that way.

The gun was just an experiment that (thankfully) succeeded. The chainsword blade bayonet has become my favorite... it's totally preposterous yet wonderful in that over-the-top, grim-dark, 40k way.

Wow! They work really well, I have to admit I did not like that set until you used it!

All right!! Pushed myself tonight and managed to finish one up! No pics until the basing is done tomorrow. Time to go watch "The Monster Bat" with Bela Lagosi as I drift off to a well earned rest!

Nice! I like the colour gradients, especially the shadow under the knife is spot-on.

GW lawyers did lose one case. GW suide some company for making a cygor (fantasy model) but becuase GW never released a model it wasn't copyrighted

The guns are looking great, and I continue to be pleasantly surprised that bright yellow can seem like camo! Only thing I can think of is maybe some scorching or bluing of the flamer barrel?

Mmm nice combi weapon.

But you will have to give the top of the silencer a somewhat burned look...
With all those weapons firing so close on top of it.^^

i agree with the guys above.
and a question about the chainsword are you going to paint it in camo or with hazard striped?

I get your point about the top of the barrel and suppressor. Did't see that myself but now that you guys have pointed it out I'll definitely be adding some scorch marks.

Chain blade gets the same camo treatment as everything else. I'm going to wash the base here in just a minute, then will add the foliage & scorch marks when I get home from work and have a pic for you then.

I agree, Gits, vis a vis derail.

The scorch markings should be amusing!

Also, now *I* want a giant jug of BBQ sauce with a handle.

--B.

Nice vets gits pssst (My bad! lol)


Automatically Appended Next Post:
Nice vets its pssst (My bad lol)

Oh, cool conversion mate, the new weapon perfectly suits the style of the old marines. Lovely as usual.

Love it, really well done! Keep up the good work!

You guys don't know how hard it is to bite my tongue and not answer everyone, especially when you're all being so gracious. But... I didn't want to run the risk of having the last post and not being able to post my pic on a fresh post.

So here's the next sterngard (he's #9 if you're counting). I didn't do GSs next as I'd planned, mainly because I wanted to experiment with larger "tufts" of camo on the model to see how it looks (these are mainly on the legs and backpack). I'm quite pleased with the effect, especially on the lower extremities. I also finally figured out how to get my camera in sinc with my new lights & tent and these pics are the closest to real life color that I've ever taken. That should make a lot of things much easier and quicker as I won't have to fiddle so much with the pics to get them to look right.

Each view has a different loadout. Man I'm close now... one more of mine and GSs and I'll be DONE with the sternguard for a while!

Got a nice one right here Gits, scope and plasma coils nice look, i love the orange eyes nice color choice there

I like the look of him and am particularly impressed with the bionics which I did not notice before!

But the scorch mark on the silencer.....

Hrmm.

It's not doing it for me. It just detracts from the lovely camo pattern and breaks it far too much really. Any chance of an overhead view to see exactly how far it bleeds into it?

That dead on view is basically the same as the overhead would be. Not much "bleeding" involved... the burnt paint covers the top of the suppressor on the top so no yellow shows through.

I think i agree with dark i think the silencer would look better either camoed or just plain black

I like him, including the scorchmark . What I do feel however, is that the scorchmark could fan/fade out a bit towards the muzzle tip; it looks a bit flat now, which contrasts heavily with the deep shading on the res tof the model

I see your point, but it *wouldn't* fade out towards the muzzle end. Whether it's plasma, melta goo or the flamer it's effect on the paint would be just as strong 24" down the barrel as it would be at the muzzle... so I think you'd get a strong, clean scorch mark evenly along the top of the suppressor.

I really like the scorch mark. I think that the right side of the barrel looks better than the left because of the large block of black camo on the latter; that may be the source of eye-distraction.

Honestly, there's no pleasing some people...

looks good gits!

HAZZER

WOW i never noticed that the circle containing the emblem is a lighter yellow then the rest.
it's... it's.... it's EXCELLENT

Turned out great over all!

However I have to agree on the scorch mark, pure black was a bit to extreme. : /

And what's with his eyes?
Looks allmost like he got a black eye.^^
But that might be just the view angle.

Nope, he does have black eyes. I use the black gem technique for the eyes rather than making them glow. I can lighten the scorch mark on the other one but this one is as it is... once the scorch is done there's no going back.

Lovely, lovely

I really am loving the under slung chain sword, and the rest of the weapons on the Sternguard

inmygravenimage wrote:I really like the scorch mark. I think that the right side of the barrel looks better than the left because of the large block of black camo on the latter; that may be the source of eye-distraction.

Honestly, there's no pleasing some people...

True, but I always welcome comments... positive and negative. Gives me more to consider when I paint the next one.

fatty wrote:WOW i never noticed that the circle containing the emblem is a lighter yellow then the rest.
it's... it's.... it's EXCELLENT

I'ts a screw-up... but... I'm glad you like it.

Rogue Wolves wrote:Got a nice one right here Gits, scope and plasma coils nice look, i love the orange eyes nice color choice there

Thanks Rogue. The orange is really just the slightest highlight on what are supposed to be red eyes... though with the technique I use even the red is just kind of a highlight. These old beakie eyes are kind of tough to get right... the angles that make up the eye are rather odd.

HAZZER wrote:looks good gits!

HAZZER

Thanks HAZ!

Meph wrote:Lovely, lovely

Cheers Meph, thanks!

tipios wrote:I really am loving the under slung chain sword, and the rest of the weapons on the Sternguard

Good to have you back tipios! I'm happy with they way these last figures turned out. Kinda ticked that I didn't have the space in the squad to turn out a duplicate of GS's marine for my own squad, but needs must as the devil drives.

Hope to make significant progress on GS's tonight. With only the camo and basing to do, work should go quickly.

Gitsplitta wrote:I see your point, but it *wouldn't* fade out towards the muzzle end. Whether it's plasma, melta goo or the flamer it's effect on the paint would be just as strong 24" down the barrel as it would be at the muzzle... so I think you'd get a strong, clean scorch mark evenly along the top of the suppressor.

Agreed, but we always 'force' perspective on models, and I know I for one will always paint blood a bright red for dramatic purposes, even when it should be brownish if dried out. In the end, it's just a matter of taste though

Got 'cha! Maybe I'll fiddle with it when I get to the other one.

Ah, but I don't think it's the scorch that's the issue. Could you break up the black camo with some (burnt?) yellow o. The left of the barrel maybe?


Automatically Appended Next Post:
On the left, that is. DYAC!

I can try... the scorch marks are done with powdered pigment, so there's no way to really paint over them and make them look decent, but I can try to break up the larger of the camo leaves on that one side of the suppressor. Maybe... going over black with yellow requires a couple of layers of white first, then the yellow... by that time I've added so many layers of paint that I may do more damage to the look of the figure than the current configuration has done.

Sternguard look fantastic Gits, with all the blades and underslung chainweapons they look like they could grind up their enemies just by sauntering past them

I see a diorama. Sternguard BBQ.

@BLACKHAND: Hey bud, good to see you around! Thanks, I'm quite pleased with the way they're turning out. Only two more to go!

@Briancj: Hmmm... Tranquility 100-year reunion picnic maybe??

I can get you O Scale BBQ grills and benches!

Back when I was fooling around with MRR, I thought about using either S or O scale bits for dioramas or terrain bits. I think the actual scale is in between there somewhere.... Anyway.. that might be a fun project at some point... in the distant... distant future...

So, technically...

S is 1:64, and thusly too small. 1:35, which is your typical armor scale is too large. 1:48, O scale, is more matching 25mm scale, as opposed to the 'Heroic" 28--30mm scale (and growing). However, as I've done a lot of 1:48 re-purposing, the only real items you cannot use are weapons, and they come in grossly under-scale. Even the 1:35th ones aren't bulky enough.

The Wrench the techmarine is holding in my Baal predator is 1:35th.

Actually that's exactly what got me thinking along those lines... I was looking at the prices of the official grot oilers which were outrageous... so I bought some S-scale (I think) oil cans to put into the hands of normal grots so I could make my own oilers. Then I "fell into" some old oiler grots and never finished the conversions... but I still have the stuff!

one nice site for bits and stuff is the assult group, i dont recall if its a .com or a .co.uk type of thing though

Tonight's progress: GS's Sternguard for the GMS. Brother Zane.

hes looking nice so far

Excellent job Gits. I like the progress you've made, a little bit to catch up to since I've been away for a week or so.

College and work, you know how that is, eh?

Ooo the latest Sternguard additions look awesome Gits!

Oh that one turened out marvleous! : )
Love the color blending.

Also, that camo can be really distracting when you got a dirty mind.

Burn baby burn sniper inferno! Just had to say to the scorch marks!LOL!

HAZZER

SternGuard look amazing Gits, just one tennsy weensy thing? Is SG#9 missing a blade on his left fore-arm?

Otherwise looks perfect to me

GS' marine looks cool too


Automatically Appended Next Post:
Ooops my bad, just went back & looked and there they are, just different to those on his right.

SORRY

Rogue Wolves wrote:hes looking nice so far

So far... So far?! Got news for you Rogue... this is it.

Orminah wrote:Excellent job Gits. I like the progress you've made, a little bit to catch up to since I've been away for a week or so. College and work, you know how that is, eh?

Been there myself Orminah... understand completely.

Mr.Malevolent wrote:Ooo the latest Sternguard additions look awesome Gits!

Thanks Mr. M!

IPS wrote:Oh that one turened out marvleous! : )
Love the color blending.

Also, that camo can be really distracting when you got a dirty mind.

Believe it or not I did think about that when painting his codpiece... but I thought "naaaah, my audience is MUCH too mature to have an issue with that". Silly me.

HAZZER wrote:Burn baby burn sniper inferno! Just had to say to the scorch marks!LOL! HAZZER

Haz, disco is dead... let it rest in peace.

dantay_xv wrote:SternGuard look amazing Gits, just one tennsy weensy thing? Is SG#9 missing a blade on his left fore-arm?

Otherwise looks perfect to me

GS' marine looks cool too


Automatically Appended Next Post:
Ooops my bad, just went back & looked and there they are, just different to those on his right.

SORRY

Observant as ever I see. *rolls eyes* You spend to much time looking at that cute baby of yours and not enough time studying MY minis... get your priorities straight man! Full blade is always on the right fore-arm. The blades and ornamentation are part of the personal combat style that the chapter practices.

Should get the last sternguard finished tonight... man will that be an occasion for a party. I'll celebrate with some nice squad shots and a scotch.

Gitsplitta wrote:

HAZZER wrote:Burn baby burn sniper inferno! Just had to say to the scorch marks!LOL! HAZZER

Haz, disco is dead... let it rest in peace.

... .... .... ...NNNOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!LOL!

Gitsplitta wrote:

HAZZER wrote:Burn baby burn sniper inferno! Just had to say to the scorch marks!LOL! HAZZER

Haz, disco is awesome... let's go boggy in space.

Fixed it Haz

In England, Gits, Disco is not dead.

Brother Zane looks fantastic Gits. Really nice execution of the camo scheme which really ties the model together.

P.S. I'll message you my mailing address asap!

It's dead. I watched them blow it up in Comiskey Park way back in 1979.

From the web:

I was not personally at Disco Demolition Night, but watched the whole thing on WSNS-TV. Several of my teenage friends managed to make their way through the traffic jam outside the park but still couldn't get in because the game was a sellout. They along with several thousand others managed to stream into the park through a broken gate. Naturally there weren't enough seats for all the people who got into the park, so the atmosphere was ripe for a riot.

Steve Dahl had been making a name for himself in Chicago radio since January, 1979 with a "disco sucks" campaign which he promoted on his morning drive show on WLUP. (I know this because I was a regular listener). Several of his band's weekend concerts were complete sellouts such as the performance at the old Pointe East disco in Lynwood, Illinois near where I grew up. Nobody ever thought they could fill Comiskey Park so they publicized it heavily weeks in advance. For $0.98 and a disco record, anyone could get admission. The records were collected at the gate and meant to be blown up in a giant explosion in center field. Lots of fans brought extra records and the gate crashers never handed in anything. The first game was repeatedly interrupted by the disco record frisbees that landed on the field. Mind you, these weren't baseball fans, as the stodgy old sportswriters were quick to point out in the following day's newspapers. These were rock music fans, mostly teenage boys and twenty-somethings, and a fair amount of illegal drug activity was going on throughout the park.

Between games, Steve Dahl comes out dressed in military fatigues and helmet, leads a chant of "Disco Sucks!", and sets off the records with the assistance of Lorelei, a blonde bombshell the station featured in all their advertising.

The place went nuts! As the ground crew began clearing the field of debris, a few fans jumped onto the field from the right field (?) corner. What followed happened very quickly. Within seconds there were fans jumping the wall from all corners of the ballpark. Hundreds began running around the field for no apparent reason at all. Sox Security was overwhelmed. Several small bonfires were built in the outfield, and the batting practice cage was pulled out and destroyed. The field was torn up pretty badly, and the mayhem was beyond anyone's control, so the umpires ruled a forfeit by the Sox. The image everyone remembers is poor old Bill Veeck standing at homeplate with a microphone begging the fans to return to their seats. He was completely ignored.

The embarassment for Sox fans mostly revolves around the condition of the field after the riot. The outfield was scarred for the remainder of the season. Right field was especially bad, pocked and filled with sand to aid drainage. The sportswriters came down hard on Bill Veeck for holding such an outrageous promotion and destroying the field. They overlooked the fact that most of the damage to the field had occured at Comiskey rock concert festivals that same summer, known as The World Series of Rock. It rained on several of those dates and the concertgoers created most of the muddy mess that Disco Demolition was blamed for.

1979 was a crazy year from a crazy decade. Baseball tried lots of goofy things to bring back fans. For total outrageousness, nothing compares to the riot they had in Cleveland during $0.10 beer night. I think that was back in 1974. Anyway, for teenagers like myself, Disco Demolition was just the latest goofy thing to get wrapped into. We grew up and moved on. The sportswriters who wrote all those nasty things about Veeck forgave him soon enough -- especially after Reinsdorf and Einhorn took some cheap shots after buying the team in '81.

I'm sorry if I got a little long winded. Writing this has struck a nostalgic chord within me. Thanks for indulging me with your attention.

George Bova
White Sox Interactive





Automatically Appended Next Post:

Gathering Storm wrote:Brother Zane looks fantastic Gits. Really nice execution of the camo scheme which really ties the model together.

P.S. I'll message you my mailing address asap!

Glad you like him GS. I really think he's one of my best. Simple, straight forward tribute to the original beakies and Mantis Warrior fluff. I'll see him to you safely. He should make it fine as he's been dropped several times from my work bench and never shown any damage or breakage.

Gitsplitta wrote:he's been dropped several times from my work bench and never shown any damage or breakage.

Good to know. I think the CSM Mantis I built for you is of a similar sturdiness. I distinctly remember one of my cats had batted it clear off of my desk into a wall and it didn't break, only a couple of days before I sent it to ya!

you know what i mean i just add stuff like that so i dont hae to say only AWSOME all the time.. which he is .. still loving the eyes

Sternguard #10:



And the squad... (with chapter master)

!!!! Beautiful man!

So nice to see them all together at last.

Also, bit of news, I went scavenging in my box for Tyranid bits, and I found I could make a Stormboy, and I even thought of a suitable trade; how's about a Manti-stealer?

Outstanding work amigo! There's a Kind of ruthless beauty to #10. The only thing I'm not entirely sure of are the studs, but I suspect tbh that's more of a general problem I have with the mk6 pad than your painting. Great to see Kantor again too, forgotten how cool he was!

@Orminah: What on earth is a Manti-stealer??

@graven: I agree with you... the old campaign studded pads are poorly formed... half the studs kind of drag out along the plastic, especially along the top row. But... gotta work with what I have at hand. I could take a bit of yellow and try to tidy a couple up (did that once already), but in the end there's not a whole lot I can do with them given the sculpt.

Those sternguard are awesome. Chainsaw bayonets FTW! The lens effects you've done on their helmets are amongst the best I've ever seen.

@Cave_Dweller: Thank you sir! I opted for a different approach on the lenses since Mantis Warriors are supposed to be generally stealthy... didn't think glowing eyes would help that much so I went with a black gem painting technique instead. Of course screaming yellow with black stripes isn't exactly stealthy either... but... sometimes you've just got to throw caution to the wind!

Here's one more shot of the group. Slightly elevated and rearranged with a different background. You get a better view of some of the squad members from this shot.

Nothing short of awesome, really cool to see an out-of-the-box camo scheme for marines and even better to see it works!!

Ohh that's a nice sternguard!
Relly go together well.

Also the scorchmarks on that last one turned out much better.

Oh dear real life has been getting in my way, i am only up to page 146, but i am doing my best to make it through. Starting to skim though other peoples comments now and concentrate more on Gitsplitta's bits

@Scotti: Thanks! Appreciate it.

@IPS: Yeah, I went with a lighter medium grey for the main scorch marks and then some red/brown along the edges. Not as severe as the first try and overall much better looking.

@MOrdain: Well, if you're only reading my parts you're probably missing the best stuff. Readers contribute a LOT to this blog and to my ongoing quest to build my MWs... so don't sell them short!

Very coherent force, I really like the group shot!

Look great gits! whats your next project?love to see it!

HAZZER

Id love to see some WM in chains

Loving the Sternguard Gits they look incredible.

Thanks guys & gals!

Next project... 2 LS Storms!

The squad looks great Gits. I rather like the second pic of them better. Great work Gits

They look great Gits!

"Manti-stealers"

Mantis Genestealer.

Course, I just meant the one.

They do look good all together.. all the different poses and mixing up the camo.

Sweet!

SL

Fantastic Gits, just fantastic. You're lucky to get that much hobby time (I have none bar the weekend right now)
Inspiring stuff...

nice one gits this is one great squad its nice to see some faces as they give character and it makes you think, what has he been through, more then looking at a (fantasticly painted) helmet


Automatically Appended Next Post:
cant waite to see you doing some LS!

Thanks everyone, really appreciate all the good wishes. I'd hoped to start the LS Storms today but I just didn't have the heart. When I finish a major project like this I always need to take a little time off... so that was today. I did pull the boxes out of the antique chest that holds my unpainted vehicles... so they've made it into the studio. Break's over tomorrow when I'll start cleaning and assembling the pieces. I'd like to have the major parts assembled and primed by tomorrow night.

Great looking squad gits, very impressive indeed!

How on earth did you, on your own, post enough comments on this one blog to fill 64 pages after it is filtered? You sir talk too much!

Yeah, I'm working on that. Trying to let more people comment before I reply... I just get excited is all... or bored, take your pick.

Love the sternguard, and it's a great shot of them all, hiding in the long grass with the chapter master.

grrr

Uber-mega-super-groovy paintjobs and conversions gits. That heavy flamer dude does bear a startling resemblance to santa

Well, I haven't been idle. Started work on the two LS Storms. Decided to go against my normal pattern and paint the various pieces in a state of partial assembly, beginning with the inside. It's not complicated... just black with a boltgun metal drybrush with details added over the top. Once the rear seats are painted and in I'll start on the outer hull.

oooo im likeing the colors of the inside very clean as usuall, and good idea on painting mid assembly, you really have to do that for models like this to look awsome

Nice and clean, off to a good start!

Incredible sternguard!!

Looking good so far. Is there a blue wash to the gun metal areas like the floor boards or are my eyes playing tricks on me?

Looking forward to how the land speeder storms come out. I keep threatening to use mine as a larger drop pod land speeder.

Looking good so far. I'm sure you're getting faster at painting as well.

What is the model like? I've thought about getting one...

Hey all, thanks for the support and ... Happy Halloween!!

@wyfox: nope, trick of the camera

@ImpMonkey: it's excellent. Possibly the best 40k vehicle model I've ever tried to build.


Today's progress (on both but I just photographed one). Finished the last part of the front instrument panel and the back seats, got all the other body parts cleaned up and glued into their respective sections. Also got them painted with their base coat of green. Bad airbrush day... but I finally got it done. Not very happy with the finish (finally put in a new needle and that fixed it... but... it is what it is). Hopefully, when I get the rest of the work done the poor quality of the initial airbrushing won't be so noticeable.

The green parts are just set on the model, they can all be removed for further painting.



4 days and counting. I'd better make this quick.

ooo looks amazing! the LS might be my favorite model around, and im an IG player

Well, I have high hopes for the green contrasting with the red seats... but I have to come up with a good way to do it fast. Can't do the zenithal that is on my other vehicles... just not enough time. Think I'll take a hint from one of my favorite airbrushing dakkanougts (Eggroll) and take a shot at his general approach (at least as much as I can make out from his pics).

I think the time I put in finishing the inside will be well spent... you can see it all, just not from any one angle... thus a photo on dakka comes up far short of what it looks like in person.

extra attention to detail is always time well spent (in my oppinion)

I freakin' love the shots of the tranquility snipers Gits! they look awesome all together like that! your yellow shade is very, very nicely done! but the start of your landspeeder storms is epic, they look like they're going to turn out amazingly good! the interior detail is spot on, spartan enough to be marine! detailed enough to be done by you! keep it up big guy!


Nerdfest09

Nice work on the storms! Great rules, hideous assembly...

Actually I thought the assembly for the LS Storms was really easy. Everything fits together near perfectly as far as I can tell. And you can assemble and paint the bottom and insides completely separately from the outside (though you have to fiddle with the order of assembly as depicted in the instructions).

What I don't like are the flying bases which are very breakable and don't hold a model like this well (it teeters and spins precariously and is always in danger of falling). I'll eventually come up with some kind of alternate basing arrangement, but for Saturday I think I'm stuck with the regular flying base. Maybe I can give it a quick reinforcement with a small section of wire or some magnets.

Do you have just a flying base, or did they give you their nice ball and socket attachment as well?

Just a flying base.

Briancj wrote:Do you have just a flying base, or did they give you their nice ball and socket attachment as well?

Ball and Sockett...Ptewe! Gits can tell you all about my love for GW's ball and socket which tends to break over time or get real loose. My Tau Hammer Heads looked like they were driven by drunk postal workers during our last sparing match.