The first 5 months of this build are on another forum which is currently out of action so I've decided to post it here as well.

The initial idea was to do something different with the baneblade chassis but nothing seemed to click with me well enough to make a start. So after having the chassis sat on the shelf a few years the idea hit me with the release of GW's imperial knight, how do you recover a fallen knight back to the workshop for repair???? A little surfing on the Internet for current combat and engineer tanks etc gave some good pointers and the " Craneblade was finally on the workbench.

struggling to get to grips with how to post off my ipad so have switched to my laptop, hoping to have more success
the first mock up seemed to weedy and the crane seemed to tower above the crew compartment. so spent a couple of hours beefing it all up. the mine ploughs took a couple of hours a night for about two weeks to build and i'm really pleased with how they have turned out.
As this is supposed to be a recovery vehicle it has some defensive weaponry, the sponsons have the bolters fitted but i think i will leave the turrets off. ive added addition bolters from the stormraven kit to the sides aswell, these are located at the front of the chassis.

Those ploughs are awesome. Great skills.

Cheers Fifty, unfortunately I don't have the pics anymore of them being built, otherwise I'd show some of the other pics, oversight on my part, Forgot to back up my iPad, doh. So I'm hoping to retrieve them if Warseer ever gets back up and running.

As my son won't sleep I may as well update some more.

Tried to use a mix of products on the rear of the vehicle to give it a used feel and this was the progress as of November last year, satellite and vox comms detail added along with rear smoke launchers. boxes and bags from the dark angles bike kits dotted about and scratch frame work for a large equipment box. Railing on top of the rear of the crew compartment is a mx of scratch and imperial knight left overs.

oohhh - this looks very promising

I am greatly intrigued by this project, as an IG player who is building engineers. I WANT MOAR

Moved to Blogs...

Nice work so far

Thanks for the comments guys, always like feedback

side shot showing access hatches and detail on the crew compartment. eBay came in handy here as I got a job lot of doors, hatches and other detail for IG vehicles for about £4. Had contemplated scratch building the hatches but took the easy route instead.

Interesting project, keen to see it progress.

Looking good!

As for the sponsons, you could consider mounting cranes where the lascannon turrets would normally be placed. Or an excavator arm for that matter?

Mmmmm, food for thought. Like the idea of a excavator arm, lots of ram and rivet detail potential. Have been building a telescopic crane for another project . aquired an incomplete forgeworld bombard kit and I am currently converting it to a Trojan type supply vehicle with scratch built trailer. The crane from the kit was a bit short for what I wanted so I extended the first section by 20mm and then completely rebuilt the second section as a telescopic jib, but could scratch build something like it for one of the sponsons.

Nice project, and great execution thus far.

Telescopoc crane arm is ace, and extra arms/smaller cranes from the sponsons is a great idea.

Wow, looking VERY good indeed! Eager to see it progress.

As was suggested the other day I sat down and worked on another crane arm to mount on one of the sponsons. This is going to be a three stage telescopic crane and will hopefully be fully positionable. Have messed around with the transport position and think it will be stowed pointing backwards resting on a frame built on the rear angled track guard. Very much a work in progress but here it is so far.

Despite being a recovery vehicle rather than a tank, it looks more majestic than its baneblade counterpart, the ram on the hull making it look quite intimidating.

Thank you, projects been on hold for a month as I was struggling to think up the finishing touches, but with joining Dakka Dakka have had a couple of good suggestions already.

This is brilliant work, excellent idea and execution. And fully operational cranes to boot... Wow...
What technique do you use for rivets? water filter beads, styrene rod, etc.??

Thanks Ruglud
Simple hollow punch. Found a set on eBay that go from 10mm to 1mm. Waiting for a set from China that goes from 5mm to 0.5mm in 0.5mm increments. have tried the other methods you mentioned but can not get the consistency in size so looks a bit odd, found this way works for me.

Always nice to have another project to fall back on when you hit a wall with a build. So I started this project in January when the craneblade ground to a halt, so thought I'd add my supplŷ vehicle conversion to this blog as well. This is the converted bombard kit I mention before. Have put in a chequer plate floor and converted the crane on the main unit as well as add a crane control console with control sticks. I have also scratch built a trailer based on the oop forgeworld one. The main build is nearly finished and it needs the finer detail and a load of some sort.
Experimenting with airbrush settings and paint on this model at the mo as I received a compressor and airbrush set up for my birthday.

With some paint on

This is so cool. Great idea for a project.

EDC

I like the trailer and the hydrolic arm.

As I posted this morning, I built a control panel for the crane Having gone back though my photos managed to find a couple of them being constructed. Tiny bit more detailing required but I'm really pleased with them

Little bit of work on the front last night. Put the new closed gun hatch n the front along with other little bits. Photo also shows the detail behind the mine plough blades and on the Rams.

Excellent craftsmanship, Alaricuk. Beautiful rivet work overall. The mine plough looks great. I know it's a work in progress, and I still am going to be that guy who says the control platform looks a little unfinished. I feel like it needs a cushioned operator's chair on a swivel or something. Anyway, great work. Looking forward to seeing more.

Cheers Warboss, I like the idea of a cushioned chair, would certainly add some interest.
The controls are for my Trojan conversion, and I'm not sure a chair would fit in where I'm thinking of putting them. Had the idea of the operator standing in a small space with cargo behind him .Here's a pic when I was having a test fitted before painting,

Nice updates. I your attention to detail is commendable. The dozer look blooming fantastic.

EDC

Thanks for the comments evildrcheese, think it comes from doing 1/35 tanks for a number of years. It's the little things I think that seem to make it come to life.

So having been inspired with new ideas, have spent a couple more hours working on the crane for one of the sponsons again. Started on the boom mounting and rotating base. Couple of failed attempts where things didn't quite match up but that's the beauty of scratch building, only costs time and little in the way of materials. The boom mounting has had the rivet and bolt detail added, it only remains to make the bearings for the rotating section.

And here's one of the test fit on the tank

Fantastic work. Really great detailing. Like it all so far.

Quick update, main ram on the auxiliary crane is nearly there and have started to detail the mounting base. Neatening up the first stage arm edges and just need to add an imperial or mechanicum icon detail, undecided at present,
Second stage ram is under construction although not shown and am hoping to get that on tomorrow, kids willing.

Looking good so far.

Had a couple of hrs last night but didn't get a chance to update. Shopping, disturbed kids etc. Anyway first and second stage Rams in, detailed and everything moves well, slight miss calculation on the main ram, forgot to allow for the piping so need to recess the underside of the boom slightly, but all in all really pleased with how it's turning out. Have magnetised the base and top of the sponson, as there was a bit of a stability issue.
Struggling with the the third stage ram and crane head in design at the mo, have a few ideas but feel they don't match up with the rest of the vehicle.

Oooh! Looking good!

I must say that i envy your scratch building skills!

@ Oesrergaard, Thanks very much, best part of 30 yrs of trial an error I guess.

Guess i have a few more years ahead of me then

Really good work. Nice riveting details.

As to the end, maybe an oversized clamping grip. Similar to the servator arms but much bigger. You know the "hands" of Ripley's cargo lifter!

I know the kind of thing, similar to the sentinal power loader. Food for thought.

Personally i think that a powerlifter grip would work better on a flexible arm like the ones on excavators..
If you are planning to do one (excavator, that is) on the other sponson, you could always make the showel and grabbing claw interchangeable?

A quick google image search for excavator tools should give lots of possible ideas

As for the crane head (don't google that, unless you're into birds) I'm thinking that the heads on mobile crane arms would be adequate?

Would appear great minds think alike!!
after a bit of toying with pencil and paper last night I came to the same conclusion, had intended to build an excavator style arm for the other sponson, and like the idea of interchangable heads, could be a late night ahead, cheers for the ideas.

Excellent. Can't wait to see a power loader gripper on the end of it.

EDC

Cheers EDC. Think the power loader grab is a way off yet.
My aim tonight was to finish the telescopic boom crane and start the excavator style one for the other sponson, but after 3 hrs of blood, glue and tears, ( managed to glue my fingers together, again!!!) I still have at least 1 if not 2 nights work on the boom crane. Tonight I have started on the crane head assembly and installed the third stage ram. This is after searching the net for ideas and settling on the system used on knuckle boom cranes where The stage rams move in and out with there sections. This should generate some nice pipe work detail opertunities for later on.

Top view showing ram placement,

Neat!

Very nice work. Crack on

You know to be honest looking at that last pick I can see a drop claw, or a giant magnet, similar to the scrapyards use, claw thingy would look cooler!

Fantastic work.

Thank you all for the comments and ideas, they are excellent, at this rate it will need its own dedicated support vehicle to carry everything.

Yes please - support vehicle next

Much like the WW2 'Morser Karl Gerat' support vehicle - Munitionsschlepper - based on the PzKpw IV chassis I believe;

I have an un- started 1/35 one in my other collection, wonder if you can use a chimera chassis in a similar way????

No reason why not. Just leave the cockpit,/cab intact and have the rest as a flat bed for whatever use you want, would be standard Imperial issue that way.

How about something like this?

It's an Ork looted conversion, but looks the part of a support vehicle (not mine BTW, found it here: http://www.scratchbuiltstudios.com/ork-trukk.html)

I was thinking something along those lines. Toying with the idea of a half track style conversion, possibly with a pick up style rear deck but It's definatly on the back burner at the mo. Half term chaos here this week!!!!!!

Haven't finished the build and already getting terrain ideas.

Stumbled across a mixed bag of old models and bits today and found these two mini's in the debris at the bottom, must have built and painted these over 10 years ago, thinking of having the tank tracks running over the dead guys legs.

Be glad when the kids are back at school next week so I can do a bit more on the beast on my days off

Well having had the work/family balance thrown out the window of late I have managed a couple of hours tonight for the first time in what feels like weeks, but in reality is only 10 days

started work on the last sponson crane, and have built the rotating base unit. At the moment it's going to be a larger version of the crane off my bombard/Trojan conversion but I think it will get a few tweets along the way. But there is definatly no firm plan with this one. Couple of quick pics and hoping for a quiet weekend!!

Love this thing. Always wondered how you would recover a baneblade. I feel you need some fast razor wire deployers and a massive flame thrower for the full engineering vehicle effect.

fantastic scratchbuilding and ideas, look forward to seeing it complete

An excellent project! I'm looking forward to seeing the final version.

Cheers guys, ideas have run dry again at the mo so finishing is a way off it seems. there's been a lot of failed plastic in the bin this week so shelved it again along with the supply vehicle and stared something new, no photos yet but should be some by the end of the week hopefully.
@ bobbuilder have to say loveing your Titan project. It's looking more amazing with every update.

So having had a few unexpected days off with a vomiting bug, I'm further ahead on my new build, this is going to be mostly scratch built. Having said that I will be using things like weapons and hatches plus smaller details from the bits bin( it's grown beyond one box now ). this is a sort of free flow project for me with no defined "I'm going to build this" so it may change along the way and become something completely different. So here are some pics for your feedback and comments. I always appreciate your honest opinions.

Have based it it on the Crassus chassis although I think it will be a little smaller, I don't have a model of one and am working of pictures. As to what goes inside the running gear is up in the air,
still have another support vehicle to start but this will be a simple chimera conversion, just waiting on the right parts on eBay, this will be pulling my interiptaion of the fuel trailer now long oop from forgeworld.

Happy Wednesday

Al

So another weekend draws to a close and have managed to fit in quite a few hours tonight. Have had a little accident with the project box earlier in the day so spent a good two hrs gluing things back on the craneblade and transport conversion. Nothing major but it did cost me some time to replicate little bits that were to damaged to reattach.
having put a smile back on my face with repairs I continued with my latest project, Crassus based scratch build. This is coming on quite well and have got both the side units nearing completion and have been contemplating tracks. At the moment I'm planning to attempt to build my own but we will have to see, consistency across so many fiddley pieces is a bit daunting at present.
The cab section still needs some fine tweeking for the final side panels, armoured Windows and the placement of all the final details. Hoping to get a bit more done tomorrow but back on nights for a fortnight so who knows when I'll get a chance, link to a few detailed pics below

https://imgur.com/a/EJybp

Well I've started on the tracks but it's slow going, 2 hours to make 7sections!! hoping now I have all the measurements sorted I will speed up a bit, other wise it's going to take me at least a month to make all the sections I need.
pic of them trial fitted below, happy modelling

Sorry bud missed your updates, excellent work.

Always a bit scary when your toys get beat up. Glad to hear you are back on track.

The track units are looking fantastic. Excellent work, brilliant attention to detail.

Sir you need to learn about casting, it is real easy and makes mass production of units like the track pieces a breeze.

Cheer Camkierhi, have looked at some "how too's " on casting after your suggestion and think I will give it a go, not to sure what my wife will say when I start mixing up resin in the kitchen but I'll cross that bridge when it arises!! ( Lost my modelling room with the birth of our son 2 yrs ago so do all my modelling on the kitchen counter once kids are in bed)
Means I can concentrate on building the main body and leave the tracks for a while,
Cheers
Al

Really wanted to do a smaller style crassis, this is going to be great. cant wait for more. Amazing detail on the tracks btw.

Cheers stonned, now I've started to put the modules together not sure if it will be any smaller. Track sections are coming on all be it slowly, and I'm hoping to have a photo update tomorrow evening.

Well it's been a good weekend and no mistake, made some good progress on the Crassus project today although there's still plenty to do

Link to pics https://imgur.com/a/cJWnV

looking good.

Part of me finds it terrifying that you've scratch-built that.

The tracks look especially amazing (although they're missing from the the latest update?).

EDC

Just wow...

Cheers EDC, I think,, not sure if terrifying is good or bad but I'll take it as good, tracks are showing in the second shot on imgur just goes to show how well hidden they are . there hidden by the top armour base, so having made a huge effort with the track sections I'm not sure I want them that covered, dilemma time,

Thanks Big P,

After a busy Easter managed to get back to doing a bit on a couple of projects, I made a bit of a mistake when I attached the sides and there was a 2mm difference between the sides that threw the whole front out, so have had to remove the side and reattach in the correct position and I'm now happy with how the fron sits.

Finally had an idea for one of the craneblade attachments after getting stuck in traffic for over an hour next to a truck loaded with crane and digger attachments. This is my take on a magnetic hydrolic grab, work in progress but it's coming on.

Can really see the crassis taking shape, and wicked detail on the grabber thing.

These kind of scratch builds always amaze me ! Fantastic work mate.

Design, craftsmanship and detailing on that piece are amazing, traffic jam really paid off!

Cheers guys, I have a couple more ideas floating round my head at the mo, must get them down on paper at least before I forget

Productive week, as suggested before I'm learning to make moulds and cast resin, so far so good, so hoping will speed up repetative part making on future projects. Especially track sections!!
Also continued work on my grab, main build done and onto to my favourite bit, the fine detai Lots of rivets , nuts and bolts required on this before painting can begin. Shown below roughly set on the carapace of my (fallen) imperial knight to give an idea of scale,

Don't know how I missed all these updates, that chassis and track system is beautiful.

That grabber is huge! But, it's the IOM so, I guess it is needed.

Cheers stormwall,
had intended the grab to be used with my craneblade project but as you say, it's rather large, will have to see if it fits in still. It won't go to waste though, something large is lurking at the back of the workbench that it will definatly look right

Had some good results from the molds I made last night, scratch built track sections and some experiments with torso's. 95% of the detail has been replicated with only some of the button detail on the torso's lost, pretty pleased as a first attempt knocked up in my kitchen!

Talc the mould. Not sure if you are using a release agent or not, but if you talc the mould, it helps with the flow of the resin and will give crisper casts.

All looking fantastic sir, that grabber is brilliant.

This is all fantastic work , cant wait to see more.

Thanks for the tip Camkierhi, I'll try that one later. I have been using a release agent but as its all virgin territory there is a lot of trial and error going on!!

Cheers hk1x1, pleased you like it.

Nice updates, that grabber is sweet as...

Thanks for the positives Ruglud,

Tried the talc trick suggested by Camkierhi and it certainly makes a difference, been attempting to cast some legs earlier today ( 4 failed attempts) and every time the ends of the feet where missing,trapped air bubble , but with the talc it seems to have pushed the air out perfect, result perfect feet!!!!!

Good work on the moulds, might try the talk powder trick myself.

Cheers stonned, been going through the spares box for unusual thing to cast!! So far I've found and old first edition space marine sprue, that looks complete!!! Might have a little play after work tomorrow

Good luck with that, im sure people would be ken for some classic plastic bits too.

A nice steady afternoon to myself. Sorted through the bits boxes an finally got back to doing a bit, only a little mind, on the crane blade. Started on the main crane hook so I could test fit the grab. I all fits rather nicely ( if I do say so myself).
Also started attaching my home cast resin tracks to the Crassus.

For some reason the Crassus pic did not upload earlier

Both looking spectacular. claw looks about right on there. tracks looking good.

Cheers Cam, steady progress today hoping to have the tracks finished by Monday, but I have to fit work in somewhere as well :(

pretty damn masterful

Thanks Zognob, nice to receive posative comments,

Impressive on both models - but need moar pictures

You are a plasticard wizard!

cheers Ruglud/Blimey, and seeming as you asked so nicely Ruglud managed to wrestle the laptop of the kids so i could post a few more pics of the craneblade and grab,

Truly impressive build.

Internet porn at it's best

The crane is looking awesome, especially the grabber.

EDC

Absolutely cracking build. Brilliant stuff. Any plans for paint?

Thanks Januine, and as to paint I have no idea at the moment. Don't want to ruin it with a dull grey but not sure if I should go mechanicum red scheme. My knight and support vehicle are going to be in house Orhlacc but again not the purple and bronze wil work on such a large model unless heavily weathered?? Decision decisions!!!!

The tracks have come out well, how many batches did you have to do?

Cheers Stonned,
Too many, first mould was ok but was not over the moon with it, links were too thin, second mould was better I can cast 3x single links and 3x 5 at the same time. It's taking roughly 4 batches a side, and that's without the ones that fail with air bubbles on occasion. Have cast the eagle plate tread separately so think I cast about 20 to start and then cast as I go ( lost track) Steep learning curve but nice to have another skill to use, it has come in handy for other things already..

So the Crassus tracks are 90% there and then I can carry on with the build.
My little chimera open top supply vehicle Is coming on and only needs the fine detail in the rear( lots of rivets) before primeing.
Been playing with ideas for damaged armour as well, wip pics in the link below along with a couple more shots of the vehicles

https://imgur.com/a/6tXzV

Crassus is looking great, really good job on the cast tracks.

Grabber and secondary crane on the Large guy are (I think I might 've said it before, but worth repeating ) top notch.

Keep it rollin'.

PS: You were really serious about the damaged armour, weren't you? I was "just" expecting some (very well done, of course) chipping and scratching, that's some serious hurt there!

Cheers littletower, glad you like the armour, experimenting with weathering effects but might throw a rib cage and a couple more bones and make it a scenic piece. Friend of mine suggested a cameo with a techmarine salvaging any usable armour parts from a pile of recovered/battle damaged armour, so will see how the paint turns out and then make a decision.

One would be an interesting addition to a base or scenery piece.

A full pile with that kind treatment, will certainly make for a great theme in a diorama, I'd certainly add my vote for you to go through with the idea!

So having had a manic weekend i've had a couple of relaxing days and managed to finish my chimera open topped supply vehicle. Not a major amount of conversion work on this so nice an easy for a tired brain. Rivet detail on the interior with a gun rack and crew steps to the top of the compartment. plated up the front weapon mount hole and added the hatch off a mechanicus dunecrawler that can be opened and a crewman inserted if i fancy a change. Some bent metal rod for the other top hatch handles instead of the standard kit ones, and that's about it. hoping if my meeting does not run on for too long tomorrow i can get a coat of primer on it ready for painting friday

Looking good, is it basiclly a salamander?

Not sure really, isnt the salamander the command varient?? this is just a plain old tracked hauler, when painted, it will have crates and ammo boxes, or broken bits of knight .
after all i dont play these days so its just modelling fun for me.

So I've finally got some spare time once more, new project at work has had me pretty busy. been messing around with paint schemes and techniques so there's no great construction changes. the craneblade has had its first coat of primer, only 95% complete annoyingly as my airbrush decided to throw a wobbler. The support vehicles have had a couple of experiments to give the base colours the right effects before i start messing with weathering pigments. any painting tips would be well received.

Ooh, paint stage... Exciting to be close to completion then...

Nearing completion still seems miles off, finished the construction on the main body and thought that if its primed i might get a bit more inspiration for the last sponson, cant leave in empty but cant decide what kind of crane arm will work either,

Colour!

Rust in the interior on the open topped Chimera looks great!

Cheers little tower, I'm hoping to get the same results on the bombard conversion but it's not wanting to play ball at the moment.

Nice going, painting is always a sign of completion

You could make an excavator arm for the other sponson? Maybe even with different attachments, like shovels, shears and stuff?

Cheers Oestergaard, Been playing with that idea yet it doesn't seem to fit the position on the vehicle, in the stowed position it fowls the sponson bolsters and the other restraint is the distance between front and rear defensive weapons means the main arm ends up being to short for the standard style excavator arm design. Think I've built and thrown 3 attempts so far, it's so frustrating but when it's right I'll know, I hope

finally managed to get a bit of free time and get some more done on the third crane. very much a work in progress but here are a few test fit shots on the sponson

Lookin' really good!

Stonking! The fact that it extenders and so on aswell.

Cheers guys, thanks for the posative comments. nice to get going again after work taking over for the last 2 months, toying with the idea of one more section but it may be two thin and look out of place. Sketching ideas for a bucket attachment and have the claw of a leviathan to trial for size as well, hoping to have a few productive evenings this week.

Have you considered mounting a huge searchlight on the vehicle? Possibly even with LED's?

Alternatively you could mount a telescopic floodlight like the ones used at construction sites.. A quick google search for "vehicle telescopic light tower" should give an idea of what i mean

Had thought about searchlights earlier on, but without the cranes it was hard to figure out where the best spot would be. Planning on having at least one on the end of the main crane, and maybe one on the crew compartment.
like the telescopic idea but maybe have that on a support vehicle or maybe behind a vehicle on a towed array of some description. Might have to see what the bits box can reveal!! Cheers for the ideas

Looking amazing, excellent detail, and like the ideas you are coming up with. Spots is definitely something needed.

Looking at that now, after a small absence (sorry) I am definitely seeing a grabby jaw thing, like you would see on ROV or like Ripleys loader from Aliens. Something to be used to maneuver items into line for the rest of the vehicle to deal with.

Cheers Cam, currently building a bucket attachment and then will be working on the power loader attachment after that,

Have you considered side-mounted stabilizing legs?

Ooo, no I hadn't, might have to look into that, cheers for s corking idea Briancj. Had thought of a rear mounted stabilising leg, but side ones might be just the trick!!

Spectacular. Sub'd

Cheers Aeroroot,

Been a tad busy again lately but managed an hour last night, mostly figure converting, working on salvage/junker figures for a display I'm have an idea for. Very much work in progress but here is my take on a gas torch cutter,

More free time tonight and after a visit to a country fair last weekend had an idea to finally get my scratch build Crassus project moving again. I Was struggling as to what to have at the back. As I'm mostly building engineers and support vehicles discounted the troop carrier idea and was toying with a fuel carrier or larger supply vehicle. But at the weekend I had a good look round the military vehicles and spent some time studying a leyland truck with the d.r.o.p.s system on the back and thought as I can't decide I'll make the Crassus multipurpose.
So have made a start on building the ram mechanisms and linkage that form the movable linkage, still need the second stage Rams and build the rack itself but it a good start I feel

This is really cool!

Although I must admit that I'm rather surprised that you didn't convert the side sponsons into lateral hydraulic stabilizers with the big feet, like on a real mobile crane.

Wanted to keep it in the military style and that meant some self defence weapons and not many recovery tanks have side stabilisers, they use the front or rear mounted blade instead.
Looking at building a dedicated heavy kitbashed tracked crane though, which will be having positionable side stabilisers. In the process of collecting the bits and bobs I think I'll need for the main build before I can start putting it together.
Will be something along the lines of the kgs-25 special tracked crane below

That scratch build looks wicked.

EDC

@OP - the only reason I brought up the stabilizers is because I didn't see the huge stabilizing blade that a modern military ARV would use. I saw the awesome mineplows, but that's not the same.

Also, that KGS-25 crane looks like it has two swing-out lateral stabilizers mounted directly before the crane.

I see you point.
Bit of creative licence, on my part. to me the ploughs would serve the same purpose, as on the M1 grizzly, although granted that too has a complete full width blade.
Your spot on with e kgs-25, from the few drawing and images I've found ( none of which show it fully deployed) the arms swing out sideways, should be a lot of fun trying to get that all poseable on a model.

Sure, it *is* 40k, after all...

From the photo, as I see it, you can see how the lateral stabilizers would swing out from the side on the vertical pivots.


I'm not sure how far they swing, but I'd assume they lock in perpendicular to the hull for maximum stability.

What I'm not seeing is the forward and rear "feet", and how they would work. The tank still has some sort of suspension for uneven ground, but if it's lifting, I think it wants a fixed base.

Cheers for that one, that's a cracking shot of the beast.

So nearly six weeks on and i'm managingto grab half hour here and there and tinkering with bits across all current projects. school holidays taking up a lot of free time but we've hand some good days out, so shouldn't complain really.

first off the, magnetic grab has been given some rivet, ram and piping love, still a bit to do but its going well.

the second crane arm has been given similar treatment with plenty of rivet detail around the linkage and main boob plating, as well as the first and second stage extending rams.

and despite the fact that ive already got 3/4 projects on the go, something else engineer/recovery related is taking shape and taking over the cutting mat. combination of kit bash and scratch build ( my favourite) after picking up some broken die cast truck parts a car boot sale.

life should be returning to normal next week so hoping i can do a bit more and update more regularly,

insane detail as usual mate well done!

So normality resumes. Holidays over and have managed a few hours tonight.
Third and final stage ram is installed and have finished building the digger attachment. Still needs nuts and bolts etc and the whole crane needs the hydrolic lines running but it's nice to be working on it again.

Looking good as always

Cheers Stonned and STG, been itching to get back to this for a couple of weeks but have been waiting on plastic supplies.

Brilliant details as usual. Keep it coming.

Nice work!
Is that an arm from a contemptor/leviathan dreadnought I spot?

Cheers Cam.

It is indeed Oestergaard. the arm of a leviathan. Siege claw to be exact, which is magnatized so I can swop attachments.
Quick convertion I started Saturday morning for a bit of a freindly bet, solar Auxilia basilisk converted to medium heavy haulage tractor, friend reckoned I couldn't build it in a day. And he was right, as I didn't get the tracks or tow coupling detail on it, I now have to paint him up a tactical squad

Unlucky, any other bets going? i need a guard squad doing

Cool model though and like what youve done with it

S_a

Ha ha Stonned, no more bets at present if ever!!!! Have too much to finish first before starting anything else.
Was sat trying to work out how many projects I've on the go at present and I think it's now 10 off my own, 2 for other people and a fire raptor and Lucius warhound waiting to be started on.

Dang! yeah tbf i'm not far behind with 3 armies half complete i wish i was one of those who finished project before starting another one.

S_a

After a small break to do other things, have unpacked the project box and continued with one of my back burner projects.
This is the second of my heavy haulage tractor units, this one converted from the thunderer siege tank kit. Chopped out the gun and replaced with double winch lines. Mounted dozer blade from general spares box along with the search light and a few other bits and bobs. Next up is the heavy tow hitches which will need scratch building but that's for another night, feel free to leave me comments or pointers/ideas

Having a good day, modelling on and off all day has resulted in some good progress. Thought the 2nd heavy haul looked a bit weedy when I put the trailer rig on the back so doubled up the tracks and now it has the presence I was looking for, a few quick wip pics attached and probably update again after midnight.

Side view

Well I didn't get as far along as I'd hoped. Few things went drastically wrong, so time to call it a day before a knacker it all completely. Did manage to finish detailing the rear tow hitch and started on the fixings for the first trailer unit. By the time it's finished its going to be twice the length I initially thought, which is good because will have plenty to look at, just need to make a bigger base board for it all to sit on!!!

It's looking great. Interestrd in how this one turns out.

Cheers stormwall,

The double tracks looks awesome.

EDC

Thanks EDC, wasn't too sure at first, but when I put all the trailer together, I was pleasantly surprised. Makes it look mean. Trying to decide on a load, toying with the idea of a warlord Titan power fist??

Always liked the double track style, looks heavy, great work as always, trailer looks spot on.

Oi spot on with the leman winch

needa copy that for my army

that pulling tractor looks meaty as hell

Cheers guys,

Yeah love the double tracks man, looks like it could pull 2 other tanks haha.

keep it up.

Thank you stonned, really pleased with how the second set look just need to finish the trailer units and the then put it all together!!!

Off work as I'm Down with a cold that's sitting on my chest, feels like a hippo has took up residence, means I had a little bit of time to work on my little heavy haul unit. Finally managed to get the tracks together and on although as these are the old style ones not sure there going to stay, might replace them with newer ones, I'd forgot the tracks are a pig to line up on these things. Any how here's a couple of pics with the big meaty fella

Noticed that the search light had fell of in that pic ha ha ha

These models are great! The industrial feel of the endless supply of the imperiums assets.

Reminds me of the Drill Barons from the Dark Heresy RPG will be following this one

Cheers Hamilkah

The wonder of steroids!!!! Finally able to breath reasonably well now the medication has kicked in, and casting of the trailer bogies units has began!!!! Paid last weekend so all the little packages bought from eBay at the weekend have started to arrive. Made the mold for the tracks last night from my scratch built original and have cast three bogies today already and will have the fourth done before the kids get home. Mould of the main body is currently curing and will hopefully be ready tomorrow for casting the two bodies required.

I find it interesting that you aren't casting MUCH larger (and longer) track units based on the Baneblade frame.

Also, that you're not using Lego for the mold frame. You waste a LOT less material that way, and the bumps do a fine job of locking the mold into the frame.

This is just my current project John. Making the bogie units for my low loader trailer, anything bigger just won't fit.
Only started making moulds and casting in April so still learning some of he tricks. Make the outer frame with Lego but have never tried using the Lego lugs to fit the mould together better, will try that next time,

No problem. I just figured you'd go big, because you could!

The outer frame in Lego is great because the lugs on the bottom ensure that that part stays square every time. Same with using the blocks with the sideways lugs to stabilize the sides in deeper molds. I see them invert some blocks for the top to key into the bottom better than your pins. And they usually go tighter to the object for less wasted material, letting the Lego frame do most of the actual support..

Oh I see they leave the Lego on after, that makes a bit of sense, will give it a go on the next project!!

Nice to see you have taken the casting bug up well. Told you it was easy, great work, nice track units and trailer unit is awesome.

 JohnHwangDD wrote:
I find it interesting that you aren't casting MUCH larger (and longer) track units based on the Baneblade frame.

Also, that you're not using Lego for the mold frame. You waste a LOT less material that way, and the bumps do a fine job of locking the mold into the frame.

But - buuuuuuuuuuuuuut. Then you're committing heresy BEYOND that of Chaos by damaging lego.

How would he be damaging Lego?

Alaricuk wrote:
... Trying to decide on a load, toying with the idea of a warlord Titan power fist??

Is this still the plan? As that sounds awesome!

Nice work with the casting, they're looking good.

EDC

Nice casting - I tried it myself but, I aint' too good at it.

Looking forward to what you do next.

 JohnHwangDD wrote:
How would he be damaging Lego?

It doesn't. Just makes them a little messy, at least as long as you're not using acetone for anything (or any other chemical that could melt them).

Having some moderate success, first two casts of the body have come out great and only the front linkage hitch is failing, the rest of the cast is pretty good
Rivet detail is all there so should have two assembled units by midnight, kids allowing

Please tell me they are not solid resin.

No!!! There are not.

Gave the mould some thought and managed to make the main body hollow.

Pretty brilliant stuff bud. Totally loving the small tanks, got a great deal of potential.

Cheers Cam,
Got the trailer all mocked up earlier but my son woke up and I did not get a chance to post till now. Still lots needs doing to it but it's coming on. Cradle is sitting to high I think so will have to adjust that when I get a chance.
Still think the warlord power fist is definatly the best load for it.

Warlord power fist would look seriously cool. I agree

Cheers STC,
Having made a complete balls up of everything I touched this evening I have left everything alone and just been looking at power fists and arms as load option, will be getting something but it may have to wait a month I think!!!
Plenty to do still

Brilliant work mate, casting is hard. But the rewards are great.

Been think about casting some scratch built tanks and a hollow body may just be the way! Hadn't thought of that well done!

Keep up the good work. Cranes don't build themselves

Cheers stonned, I get to easily distracted and my head goes off on wild tangents !!!!!! Before stalling 70% through the build and reppeating the cycle, time management is not my strong point either.

Considering your work space, you do incredibly well sir, I know what you mean about the distractions though.

The one Warlord weapon I don't have. I think it would fit ok based off of the guns.

Cheers Cam,
@whalemusic do you mean a sort of Palm up effect???

Been restless today so have found an old Russ turret for a mock up on my scratch tank chassis. Think it goes rather well and doesn't look out of place either,

Yeah, palm up (or down, looks pretty flat). It has ample detail to be the star of the show I am sure. I can give you the rough dimensions of the guns, if they will help you decide. Looking at the fist on the FW website, it appears to be about the same size as the plasma arm from coils to tip of the gun.

That would be really helpful Whalemusic, would appreciate it

Started detailing the font hull sections tonight. Nothing too serious or detailed as this will mostly get lost under the main trailer section.

Ok, so measured the plasma since that is in the same pic as the fist. The whole gun is just shy of 12", and the plasma coils and barrel tip is 6" of that.

Should make a alternative Russ battalion mate, brilliant work.

Cheers stonned, building a baneblade sponson turret to see how that will look and trying to source a chimera turret as for some reason I don't have one!!!!!!
Plenty of potential for infantry support vehicles

Nice, looking forwards to seeing them.

Sorry, been under a rock for a while and just found your thread - This is a great idea! keep going man, the result will look ace!

Loving the idea of having it loaded - did you consider a warlord head as the load too?

I had to mention it on the basis that it's reduced bulk makes the load item seem heavier to look at - you know that sense you get when you see multiple train engines dedicated to moving 1 or 2 low-slung industrial carriages like this...


Thats some heavy material! (it's actually transporting radioactive elements here)

Yeah, i like it, or a crashed alien ship

Cheers sir Donald, glad you like it,
Had thought of a Titan head, probably the Lucius variant would be my head of choice, but the power fist just had the umpff and is a imposing on its own. Decision???

Oh boy, there's still some beautiful work going on in these pages... How about a Titan power fist AND head... and build more cradles for the rest of the titan parts

Multiple parts would be cool, but he'd need more train car things. Both wouldn't fit on the current one. Also that's a fair bit of coin to spend.

Oh, if we are voting I say fist that bad boy.

Cheers Ruglud,
Hadn't thought of copying the cradle though sould not be too difficult. Might look at a few different styles of trailers, Trying to imagine how many trailers and how much space it would take up!!!!!!! LOTS, and probably divorce from the wife ( Mmm Still not seeing a down side

Enjoying my day off!!! Spent an hour detailing the rear end and building the rear tow hitch. Probably have an hour of rivet detailing left to do on the whole vehicle and then on with some primer. That will be when I see all the little issues :(

Primed and ready to rumble!!! Now to give the other unit the same treatment!!

Looking good.

Cheers stonned,
Been giving the idea of a Titan head transporter some thought too. Did not want to replicate what I've already done so was having a look on the net, just won an old 1/50 scale piste bully on eBay I think I may have found the answer!!!!!!! Yet another project to and to the list, I will soon be needing some new shelves for parked projects

Alaricuk,

The transporter is looking good. Adding the extra rivets really paid off.

Cheers,

CB

Thanks CB,
Enjoying this current project a lot, over the last 2 days I have taken any chance I get adding more rivets and detailing the 2nd unit. finished this morning and attached a pic prior to priming. As this is the front unit it has the heavy tow frame attached and no rear tow hitch, so copied the rivet pattern from the rear unit, also came across an air bubble above the rear hatch from the casting process, quick fix was to give it a "repair patch" which I'm hoping to highlight during the painting process.
Was tempted to kit both units out with bags and tarps but think I will leave well enough, plenty of room on the two heavy haul units for that, will see how it all looks together later.

Rear view

Why is it I can never decided on paint schemes!!
Rather than botch up one of the bogie units I cast another track side section to use as a test bed. Been looking at all manner of mills for inspiration. Tried mechanicum red and grey but it's all a bit blurrrrr, Messing around with a blue white and gold scheme as I quit like the idea of using Legio Praesagius as the base of my Titan legion as they battled alongside the ultramarines (book 5 tempest).
Currently waiting on some " clear blue" paint to hopefully give this the depth of colour i've pictured in my head ( think brass scorpion from imperial armour model master book 2, but with blue instead of red). Might look completely rubbish but will have to wait and see.

Alaricuk,

Recovery and transport vehicles are usually the same scheme as whatever they transport. Or they are left the red lead colour of the original primer.

Hope that helps,

CB

Nice casting skills, everything is looking fab.

EDC

Cheers EDC, must confess to being pretty pleased with how it's working so far!!!
@CB- that's what I was toying with yesterday and today. Have had a delivery of paint this morning so have been tinkering on and off as time allows. Ended up casting another body for paint trials as well
Have finished the main colours, looking at chipping and weathering next,

having been pleased with the test paint job this morning, took the plunge and started on the bogie units and HTT1 ( heavy titan tractor 1). Base colours all complete, so leaving it till tomorrow evening now before starting on the weathering and details.

niiice! paint at last

Looking good, blue is a good choice.

Cheers STG, stormwall,

Trying to get this one completely finished before I start another project. Have been tinkering again today with details and wot nots, and will have a photo update later tonight, all being well.

looking brilliant sir. I know it is still wip, but white looks clean. Mind you I guess if you are transporting the Emporororors bestest machines you should be shiny.

Thanks Cam, i did wonder on that point myself, but even the god machines themselves never stay clean so weathering has commenced!!!!
have basically gone round every rivet and panel line possible with a watered down brown ink. hoping to do an acrylic rust wash tomorrow but will have to see, holiday chaos again here so being dragged out kicking and screaming with the family to meet friends at a local country park shouldn't complain really i know i'm going to have lots of fun,
so pics are still wip but certain areas i'm happy with, front of the tractor units for one, while others still lack that certain something, but i'll get there. cradle has received its first wash only so far and think it will probably need two or three more plus some texture weathering as well, a little crud here and there should work nicely. transfers were for an experiment as i've about 10 of these sheets lying around.
anyway, appreciate the comments, there certainly keeping me even more motivated,

Alaricuk,

It is now looking like a recovery vehicle.

Cheers,

CB

Cheers CB,
You might be able to help here!!!!! As your pretty clued up on markings for imperial vehicles,
Looking at markings and wondered if you are aware of any already in existence for vehicles like the Trojan or Atlas??????

Nice wash, waiting for the rust. The blue came out well.

Playing with rust and scratches!!!!
So not a lot today, been tidying up my pitiful workspace and sealing up other projects to stop me starting on something else before I get this one done. have been attempting to get a realistic weathered feel to the load deck and have started by trying to replicate some scratches with light recent rusting, your thoughts and pointers would be welcome as always, also been playing with the test bed chassis and have knocked up the other track section and found a small turret from the bits bin, waiting for some parts from eBay to finish the front.

Test tank

Give it some track bless it.

Alaricuk wrote:
Cheers CB,
You might be able to help here!!!!! As your pretty clued up on markings for imperial vehicles,
Looking at markings and wondered if you are aware of any already in existence for vehicles like the Trojan or Atlas??????

Alaricuk,

Afraid I don't remember seeing one, Forgeworld would be the place to look. I have seen photos with a letter followed by a number rather than the simple number for combat vehicles, also some with the vertical stripes to indicate squadron attachment.

Hope that helps,

CB

Oh well cheers CB, will have to get creative
Working a lot again at the mo so no new developments unil the weekend. At least it gives all the bits and bobs I've ordered a chance to arrive. Got to love eBay!!

Having had a bit of a forced break due to work commitments and still waiting on bits and supply's to arrive, I painted up a few men today that will form a security detail for my landing pad/ space dock scene that I've decided to build to put all my vehicles on. Plenty of ideas in my head, just trying to get them all together.
These are a combination of old imperial guard torsos with Victoria miniature legs. Weapons still need to be attached but the main figure is painted. Also been working on a large terrain peice that will form the centre of my dio, although with all the vehicles and figures this is going to take a while to put together.

This is the base level of what will be a three story building

Very interested to see where you go with the "scene". Sounds very impressive.

The Security detail are looking brilliant. Got a nice vibe to them.

Cheers Cam,
Enjoying a morning to myself before irking nights, so have ploughed on with my space port scenic peice. Trying to work out the best size for the landing pad at present?? GW's is 11.5 inches and not sure what the mantic one measures. Have a template on there currently that's 8.25 inches in diameter, thinking it maybe to small for something like a storm Raven, does anybody have one built they could give me the tough dimensions of? Would really appreciate it.

From above

Looking good, I always imagined it pulling a baneblade out of the mud! Reckon this will work better though.

Thanks stonned,
with having so many vehicles and flyers on the go I needed something multi levelled. I've 2 storm Ravens, an arvus lighter and a fire raptor in the build que along with the 10 plus current vehicle projects. An then I've 2 Titans to fit in somewhere!!
Baseboard is surplus laminate flooring and as its tongue and grooved should hopefully be easy to extend in managable sections.
My main idea is still to have the craneblade rescuing a fallen knight but trying to work on the best terrain setting for this at the mo, collapsed drain is looking favourite although I'm playing with lots of ideas, including an improvised trip wire,
One more week of hectic work before I get a nice long break for Christmas, so hoping to get the ideas down on paper this week and start putting the pieces together once I've finished work

That's a good idea, sounds like you have got a lot of work ahead of you. good luck.

Did you use smooth cast 300 for the casting sir??

I think it will be time consuming but very satisfiying Stonned, luck is always appreciated and will be nice to give my finished( I do intend to finish them, honest ) models a descent back drop/environment.
In answer to your question Keithktam, I have no idea I get my casting resin from a small company here in the uk, very helpful in answering my questions when I started making molds and casting earlier this year, here's a link to the product I use currently, hope that answers your question some what. http://www.dwrplastics.com/product-information/56f33d815f34d/Fast-Cast-Polyurethane-Liquid-Plastic-Casting-Resin-500g-Kit

Turret trials commence!!!! This first one is from blood and skulls industry in the states and are very easy to work with. Great cast quality and a good range of interchangeable weapons to custom your own setup. It's a small medium turret with a mini gun/rotor cannon attachment, looks good for mowing down cannon fodder!!!

link didn't work.

Boooo, will have to crack out he laptop when I get home

Having sorted out my link issue i realised that was only half a post earlier
i had a second moc up of the same turret but with an anti aircraft setup instead, sort of copied from the german pziv kugelblitz idea, only up gunned as this is the imperium after all
still yet to give the tank tracks but thats on account of christmas prep, and despite my best plans have had very little free time this week,

Sick turret might be a good replacement for an exterminator.

Very nice turrets, Are you going to magnetise to allow swap out?

Cheers Cam, stonned
Can't take the credit though, quality casts, they come from blood and skulls industries in the states. http://www.ebay.co.uk/usr/machinator248
Shipping to uk was a little high but that's not his fault. Anything out the states costs between 6-10 $ as a starting price at the moment.
Not planing to magnatize as I'm making static display, but easy enough to do as the manufacture has already put the recess in for 3mm magnets, just a question of getting some or opening the recess up for your chosen magnet size.

Well I've completly failed to stay concentrated on one project, and having caught up with and old friend the other day. Another new project is on the go. For you deliberation, comments and suggestions, here is my interiptaion of a forklift for the future. My friend and I were discussing vehicles and other sci fi matters but kept coming back to the fact that everyone seems to think along similar lines, that freight in the future will be unloaded by robots, or biped loading machines ( think alien ii, you get the idea). We started to discuss the fact that there seemed to be no place in the 41st millennium for the humble forklift and joked about mishaps we had both experienced as teenagers in warehouse jobs.
The only loading vehicle we could think of in the 40k universe was the sentinal variant , available from forgeworld and now oop and so we got down to designing ideas on the back of a beer mat and handy napkin. Having bought a few random resin models off eBay the other week I had the idea of a low profile kind of thing that could access small craft as well as the big cargo behemoths. As a base for this model I have used deamonscapes light scout car, this has the body shape I was looking for. I've untilized the mining laser of my Goliath kit as the base of the loading arm and then scratch built the arms, Rams and pallet fork head. About 80% through at the moment and pretty pleased as its took me about 4 hours over the last 2 evenings.

It's fully positionable like my other projects and will have other little details added

Very thoughtful work and it looks great. What are your plans for it?

That's an awesome fork lift. What better way to move goods in the name of the Emperor.

EDC

Cheers EDC, Stormwall

In answer to you question Stormwall I'm playing with the idea of tracks instead of wheels at the front, rivet + panel hinge detail, working lights, flashing orange beacon and all finished in mechanicum red with wasp stripes on the rear. The colour scheme may change though
Haveing a play at making pallets out of wooden coffee stirrers as these seem to be a good plank width

Great work. Love the idea of a 40k forklift!

Thread is so inspiring. Makes me want to attempt scratch building... eventually.

Cheers Sparky, appreciate the comments

Get some plasticard and have a go, the sooner the better.

Very cool forklift, will you be having it 6 wheeler or tracks, or grav?

Thanks Cam,
I did buy some tracks for it but they are woefully small so they're going on the mobile generator project. As funds are tight this side of Christmas I'm going to use the six wheels that come with the kit for now. They actually look pretty good and I've been messing with the integrated servitor today with moderate success.

Subbed for sure! This whole thread is awesome :thumb up: I don't know how you stay motivated with such time consuming projects without the gaming motivation, but more power to ya!

Welcome aboard Rawson and thanks for the comments,
that's my motorvation right there. I love model making, and receiving comments good or bad on my work, is the icing on the cake for me. always trying to learn some new Skills and this forum and others have enabled me to expand my skills base and techniques meaning I can do more, this year was casting resin. Opened up whole new avenues of hobby potential.

Having a productive if broken, hour here, hour there kind of day. Finished the forklift arms with all fine detail and have started on the main vehicle. Took advantage before the sun went down to get a quick primer coat on and I'm happy with the end result. Hoping to get so,e more done later but the way the kids are it might not happen!!!!

So only managed to do a little bit more last night as expected, but having got up ridiculously early have had a productive morning. Integrated servitor installed and also some of the control equipment. The right arm is only placed at the moment as still playing with different positions but think I like this one best. Still a bit of green stuff required around the base of the panel and other places. Thoughts please!!

That forklift is an amazing bit of scratch building! And it works too!

Dang, I go away for a few days on vacation and work, and the guy practically finishes it.

It looks great but, you're making us look bad.

Cheers guys,

Putting my leave time to good use!!
I've already lost most of my free days in January on the calendar, so making sure I get a good few sessions in over the next 2 weeks. Still needs a good covering of paint and dirt but glad it's so well received.

Was playing with some warning stripes on the side but I'm not to keen on the end result. Had a suggtion that I should perhaps do an orange and grey chevron scheme across the whole body which would certainly be different, and my wife even put her idea forward( first time for everything) how about white and red warning stripes instead, she reckons with the orange and grey it would really stand out.

Beautiful little forklift, great to see some civvie and non-military vehicles in the 40k setting. I thought you were going for a grav-type vehicle at first, but the wheels work very nicely too. I like the sound of the chevrons, but must be frustrating when you've already put in some work. Have you thought of a few thin strips of stripes in the same diagonal orientation, running width ways across the vehicle? You could have a set at the front and back, and it might bring the scheme together. I love the wee servitor - poor guy though, strapped to a forklift for eternity

Thanks Scarper,

The tracks idea fell through and had not thought of grav units, been sampling and experimenting with paint all day and finally have a scheme I'm happy with. I Like your comment on the doomed life of a servitor, maybe he should have left the fleet admiral's daughter alone!!!!!

I also got all my other projects out this evening to see what I had built over the last 14 months. This is only he vehicles and does not include the couple of hundred figures that I also have.

Forklift is looking perfect, if you really need to, you could add just panels of white, to represent reflective paint. Looks pretty good as is though.

That is a very nice collection you have going, be nice to see a bit more paint, and more civii gear, you definitely have a knack for it.

Thanks Cam appreciate your comments
Like the idea for the warning panels although I think I'm going to weather and transfer up as is. With regards to the rest more paint is a definite requirement as is a finished model shelf!!!

Alaricuk ...... AWESOME works!! really loving the aesthetic of those pieces! I definetly think the whole "support & recovery division" has legs!! Some cracking ideas that you obviously have the skills to turn into something convincing! Really nice stuff!

slowly getting back into the hobby after a wee time away and will definetly look for some inspiration for my pieces from your pages here!

Cheers,

Fork lift looks wicked. The servitor manning it is very grim dark. Nice work.

EDC

Welcome aboard MagosBiff and appreciate the comments.

Cheers EDC, nearly lost the detail on him when I had to re-prime after the failed first paint attempt. Carful work with a cotton bud and t-cut saved the day thankfully

all good buddy! but one wee comment.. would be more rivets on the lifter.... just a personal preference!

 MagosBiff90 wrote:
all good buddy! but one wee comment.. would be more rivets on the lifter.... just a personal preference!

I was thinking the same think: more detailing on the body (sorry for commenting after it's painted though!)

Did you say MORE!!!!!

Was thinking that the other day. There are some that I hope will come out with some more weathering work but there only on some of the raised panels and hatches.

So no major work on the forklift today although I did fit the rear beacon, and it works!!!!!!! Just need to tidy up underneath, rivets will come at a later date as I'm with you guys the main section need some rivet love.

https://youtu.be/XGslpWh7e2I

Having been woken up ridiculously early by my little lad, I've had time this morning to do the riveting. Painstaking work but worth it. Topped up the colours and ran a wash over each one. Still needs a little more paint work but definatly an improvement, so thanks for the comments, keep them coming.

That is looking really awesome, very nice rivet work, we like rivets, job well done.

Merry Christmas bud.

Nice work, I bet you found it...riveting

EDC

Cheers Cam, and seasons best to you chap.

I certainly had to "stick" at it EDC.

Birthday bits arrived today and another idea is born. New project for the new year as the forklift is basically done.

So with the festivities and family visits out the way had a little play with my next project.
Playing with general shape ideas at the moment but it's all heading in the right direction. This is the first half of an exploration/scavenger vehicle and utilises the running gear from Warlord games 28mm Cromwell tank kit. Still trying to descide on whether the second half should be accommodation/workshop or trailer with crane or maybe a mix of both??

Nice work, thats alot of custom builds.

Cheer Stonned, I had somewhat lost track of how many I had

Well happy new year one and all, Seen the new year in with a good modelling session. Carrying on with my scavenger explorator. Got the front and back sub panels in and have mocked up a few exterior details, lights, stowage bins and fuel tank

Happy new year fella! hope all's well!

Really like the "boxy" look of the exploratory....is there going to be anything like arms... or cranes?? Maybe to help with lifting moving any scrap or items found.... with an internal storage area?? this type of vehicle certainly does throw up a lot of cool ideas and thoughts! Cant wait to see how it progresses!

Random question... do you think those road wheels would work with Rhino tracks?! I am looking to source something that will work with those for a wee idea I have brewing...

Much appreciated & keep up the good work!

finally... yes indeed.... that's a much better number of rivets now!

Cheers chap,

Busy busy. Work has me flat out at the mo and the wife has hijacked my modelling space ( knew there was motive in her " you can put that lot away for Christmas" winge).

As the complete vehicle will be articulated in the middle the front section will have no cranes or grabs but plenty of stowage and baggage to make up for it, plus interior detail
The rear half is still in the paper planning stage and is a bit up in the air. My favourite idea is to have the back section 3/4 covered with more crew cabin leaving an open section on the last 1/4 with some sort of extending crane on. There's also the possibility of the whole thing towing a trailer but we will have to see

Looks fantastic, a rugged little waste crawler, but with some personality too. You going to have a few personal items among the stowage? Feels from its look and your description that it would be a 'live and work' kind of site, so a few personal touches from the crew might sell that!

That's the kind of thing Scarper, wondering if I could mock up some fluffy dice for the drivers window, pink I think!!


Automatically Appended Next Post:
Sorrŷ Magos in answer to your question about wheels I will have a look as I have and old rhino kicking around and see how it looks, won't be till Friday night though,

Having had a good break and being busy with getting my new shed up and organised I finally have a bit of space and time to do some modelling again. Working on some space craft engines for a friend at the moment. His idea is a light/small freight craft about half metre in length but he was struggling with engine ideas, so I'm I offered him a hand. Basic shape came from a fabric softener bottle cap with rivet and plasticard detail added on the outside and minimum internal detail. Working on the hydrolic flap detail at present and am pretty pleased as this is out my head and not copied direct from something else. Still very much a wip and I'm itching to get going on my own stuff again. But a promise is a promise!! First back on the bench after these will be my explorator project followed by 2 fw Knights I got over the new year period. I was also lucky to get a reaver Titan for my birthday to go with my warhound and a surprise win on eBay of an Aquila lander as well, so the build que is growing once again beyond all my expectations and storage space.

The second engine!!

All-Hail the Craneblade! I think that is awesome. Makes me want to do an engineering company as an homage.

Cheers Kestral,

Great to see you back, live and kicking, those engines look brilliant, and big! we will need a shot of the complete beast when done. Looking forward to seeing your further adventures.

Cheers Cam, nice to have he time once again. Life seems to run in fits and starts of nothing and then Ram packed full!!!!
The beast is not my project ( yet, have a feeling it might take up residence though ) my friend has great ideas but confesses to lack the execution skills he desires and so he gets frustrated and throws it my way. We will have to see. So far I've finished three projects for him. Before he destroyed them and placed in the bin.

Engine work is looking good. Nice use of the fabric softener bottle thing.

EDC

Thanks EDC,

Hoping to have some progress over the weekend!!! Finished sketching the flap linkage, now messing with plastic

So my week and weekend have not gone to plan and the fiddley parts took a lot longer to put together that I'd first hoped. But I am making slow progress!!! Engine 2 is 98% finished and has had a base coat of various metallics to break up the areas. Still may need to run some fine cable detail and paint the internal mechanism but here it is mounted on some scrap card to give the general effect I was after

Straight on view. Still needs its base coat though!!

Looks really nice! Really effective and convincing use of the materials!! Going to watch how this all comes together!

Cheers Magos, appreciate it.

My friend with the grand idea popped in Friday and was pleased with how the engines looked so far. We had a great discussion about the project and what he's trying to achieve and we agreed to work on it together so here's the first pics of what I think will become a rather large collection of plasticard!!!!!!
Have assembled only the top 2/3 of the engine housing. Have fully detailed the one side ( in picture) the other one will have the side panel/door open so as to see into the engine space, where there will be a little dio scene, one of many planned over the entire ship. My friend has some very ambitious plans and I'm not sure we will achieve all of them but going to give it a good go. he had wanted to build a Titan lander but I thought it would be way to big for any space we had available so we agreed on a knight carrying vehicle/ or Titan parts hauler, this is yet to be discussed in detail. Hoping to do a bit more tomorrow!!!