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Thanks for checking this blog.

So, let me start off by explaining that title of the blog. I have several bad habits when it comes to this hobby. First and foremost, I NEVER finish anything. I don't really know why, but I have left numerous projects in various stages of completion. I have a vision of what I want to achieve, but it fizzles out in practice. I'm not going to let that happen this time.

Also, I have been out of the hobby for years. I continued to surf dakka, but hadn't touched a model in about 5 years, until this past month. I have always loved checking out the modeling section on this site. There are so many talented and creative people on here, I became inspired to get back into the hobby.

My plan is to build a Space Wolf army with a lot of conversions, each model in fact. Prior to my 5 year absence, I was just starting to mess around converting, weapon swaps and the like, and minor kit bashing. It turned out OK, but nothing fancy. I had never used green stuff before this past week. I am so pleased that I have been able to apply the advice that I have enjoyed reading here for so long, in a way that I can feel proud of when looking at my initial results. To be honest, I'm shocked that my ideas are taking form as I was certain that I was way out of my depth.

THE VISION

Space wolves are grimdark vikings. That's badass. I don't really feel comfortable using the term "true scale" but I have always thought that space marines should be imposing, space vikings more so. I have read as much as much possible regrading true scaling on the net and a couple of things are apparent. First, some people just don't like it. I don't care too much about what is "true" scale but, I will make each model in my army look as though he could squish a traitor guardsman with one hand or run through a concrete wall. It's appropriate, in my opinion. Also, I never liked the factory look. Yes, I realize SM armor is supposed to have been manufactured in a factory. The sameness bores me...I mean even the differences are trite. Marines 1,2,3 identical. Marines 4, 8, 12 different from 1,2, and 3 in an identical way. I hope I can make each space wolf look as though he is wearing a collection of honored equipment, passed down by various heroes. I don't know if I can pull it off, but if I can eliminate that stark, overwhelming uniformity, I'll be happy. In terms of painting, I have a general idea of the palette and it will not be the standard blue-grey or the heresy era grey, probably something in between. I hope my painting skills have not degraded.

So, I hope you enjoy reading along. I am certain that I will be making a lot of mistakes, so please work with me in shaping the direction of this army and feel free to offer your comments. I welcome any thoughts on this project. Please excuse the photos, I'm using an Iphone and have never photographed models before.







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So, rather than start slow, I just jumped into creating some thunderwolf cavalry. I'm going to write up a bit on each picture but my time is a little short right now, stay tuned.

True scale = best scale in my mind

Can't wait to see what you do with these guys, even if they are loyalist scum

BAD ASS!!!!! for never using GS you seem to have adapted quickly...... I am most definately following this.

You know, reading about using epoxy has made all the difference. I can't stress that enough. Basic things like wetting your surface, using tools, using lubricant, how long to let it cure before use, etc. This seems like common sense now but I really had no idea. Also, the fear of making mistakes kept me away from getting into it for a long time. Nothing like a big fat thumbprint to ruin a good time. Still I'm a full-on beginner and I'm making a lot of mistakes, and I've got a lot of questions to ask on the P and M forum.

As for adapting quickly, please reserve judgment (though thanks for the compliment). I'm really surprised by the result. I did take a long time to get it looking the way I wanted.

Could it be my secret weapon?

I would love for you to make at least one true scale hello kitty marine riding a thunderkitty

Promise me, SWEAR a SOLEMN OATH you will never utter the words "hello kitty" and or "thunder kitten" in the Tokyo vicinity or post them anywhere my girlfriend may see it. Having a supportive girlfriend is great, though if she asks me to name my WGBL "Big Mew" something inside me will die.

Also, after I finished converting a mount for my TWC, my girlfriend asked me if it was a lion. Meeeeew

I think I saw a band near Tachikawa called Thunder Kitten. They opened for Megababe I think.

Being a 23 year old male in the UK, I guess I have somewhat missed the "hello kitty" craze - my feelings are with your for being at ground zero :(

Would still be fun though

I like the thunder wolves, very clever use of the high elf lions

I like the thunder wolves, very clever use of the high elf lions

So, here's a funny little update.

In keeping with my overly ambitious theme, I had planned to design bases for my TS wolves, which I would then make a mold for and proceed to cast in resin. Silicone-check, casting resin-check, mold release agent-check, mold frame material-check, only a rough idea of how to do this (thanks youtube)-check. So I whipped up some cool bases, using textured plasticard, cork (from coasters), and some bits. Unfortunately though, I made an eleventh hour decision to base my infantry on standard 25mm bases rather than 40mm bases and to switch the theme to something decidedly snowy. After my wolves, I have a Tau army planned which will be deserty so I have no idea what to do with these bases. Save them for a future project? Who knows...

Anyways, let me know what you think about the decision to switch to 25mm from 40mm, the bases, and/or casting bases. Actually, any comments welcome as usual.

Definitely should use the correct sized bases. If you can model a terminator on a normal base you'll be able to do truescale marines. Any othe size will get complaints from many of the people you play against.


The wolves are really good. Where did you get the heads you're using?

Those heads are from the old Goblin Wolf Riders methinks. I also remember way back in the day when Dire Wolves had those heads... when Vampire Counts was first released.

I may have to steal some of your ideas, I had no idea how to make Thunderwolf cavalry, the Lion bodies are pretty close to dead on

Morgrim wrote:Any othe size will get complaints from many of the people you play against

Really? I've never had anyone comment on, let alone complain about the bases for my Ultramarines, which are 40mm. I've found that you really struggle to fit true-scale marines on 25mm bases, and having feet hanging off the edge really brings down the overall look.

Since aesthetics are a very important factor in a 'true-scale' army, I'd thoroughly recommend 40mm bases. They'll provide a much stronger visual for you, offer great posing opportunities and keep you models more stable.

On a more general note, the models you've made so far are fantastic – the wolves are an inspired and original idea, the bases look fantastic, and the marine in particular is beautiful: wonderfully scaled up and lovely and clean. The accessories you've chosen for him are great – I love the pose of the axe. If I might offer a little critique, you might consider altering the pose of the feet to hang a little, and perhaps angle the head to be looking a little to the left or right – it'll really open up the pose and add some movement.

Hey guys...here's another update.

So I've been really busy over the last week but at the same time I'm also feeling highly motivated. That being said, I've made the most of my limited modeling time.

This is a real learning experience for me. Working with green stuff is something I should have tried a long time ago. It's not that difficult if you inform yourself on the tips and techniques beforehand. It does require patience though and mistakes are kind of easy to fix.

**Lesson of the week** A couple weeks ago i posted a question on the P and M forum about mixing epoxies that got no replies. I wanted to know if you could mix them to mitigate their disadvantages. In my opinion I found greenstuff to be expensive and rubbery making it a pain to use for detail, while the otherstuff (Tamiya quick type) was hard to a fault, seeming brittle. Rather than settle for not knowing, I mixed the two and voila!: Olivestuff. 70-75% tamiya to 25-30% greenstuff results in a putty that feels like it has the same hardness as plastic that is neither rubbery nor hard. I will be using this for the rest of the army. I felt like I had discovered gunpowder!

Thanks for the comments guys, I really appreciate it--

@ Morgrim--base size is a tough issue. I have mixed feelings about this and I would like to discuss it further. I put up a poll in that section to try and gauge what the average wargamer thinks about it. I am building this army for myself, but I'm not happy unless my opponent enjoys facing my army. If people feel uncomfortable facing a force of space wolves marines (grey hunters and such) on 40mm bases, then they will be modeled on 25mm. Tournaments views/rules are also a concern for me, so please shed some light on this if you can. To put myself in an opponents shoes, I would say that I would prefer that an army in which true scale marines, representing the standard models, were based on the standard bases. Figuratively speaking, I would wet myself at the opportunity to play my true scale force vs. another true scale force, regardless of base size. However, my preference remains and that is, in the end, perhaps enough to make 25mm the way to go.

Also, thanks for the compliment BishopGore is correct, heads are from goblin wolf riders.

@ Apologist--it's so good to have you here. Your ultramarines changed my life(style). After going through your army, savoring the work you put into each model, your vision, fluff, dedication...well, suffice to say that anything that comes of this army is, in part, thanks to your hard work. To say that you are a pillar of the modeling community sounds too much like flattery, but I have seen and read just how many people cite you as a source of inspiration for their projects. I would probably not have gotten back into the hobby if I hadn't seen your army. Needless to say, you have my gratitude. I will name a dreadnought after you!

Regarding bases, I have touched on it already but I will add that I completely agree; it is a struggle to fit true-scale marines on 25mm bases, and that 40mm provides a much stronger visual, great posing opportunities, and more stability. However, we differ on this next point: having feet hanging off the edge really brings down the overall look. I have always felt that it adds a spark of reality to the model. Actually, I have always enjoyed bases where the actual basing material (i.e a rock, a ruin) extends slightly beyond the rim of the base. This also addresses the foot overhang "issue". I wonder what the more prevalent opinion is? Probably yours.

Also, thanks for the compliments! I'm glad you find the scale okay and that you like the wolves. Shame I won't have a use for the bases for at least a few years (SW-winter theme,Tau-desert theme). You are right about the pose. Taking your advice into consideration, I will try to pose the other riders in the squad with a greater sense of movement. He'll have to settle for being known as X the grim.

So here are some new pics:

I stripped down the prototype mount (the armored one) which was sculpted with greenstuff. Interesting experience to try something like making a thunder wolf, improving your method and even materials over the next four attempts, and then hacking off the greenstuff and applying what you've learned. Olivestuff works so much better, it's scary. Obviously, they aren't done but I'm happy and surprised at how well they are coming along. People seem to be so desperate for a model to represent the TWC they are reaching out for anything halfway decent. I felt the same way--D and D direwolves, heroclix wolves, GI joes, Russian sculpts off eBay, and the latest 5 for $90 offer in the news and rumors. I had no idea I could make my own-but, its actually happening and it feels great. FYI, I left the Tamiya beige wolf as is because its actually okay (brittleness being only an assumption), and the stuff is so hard I probably wouldn't be able to hack it off.





Wolves aside, building a TS marine requires a different process. I'm very much learning this as I go. Actually, come to think of it, this isn't even a TS marine. Building a TS thunder wolf rider is a separate project. Prior to this project, I would not have dared to cut off a model's legs. Live and learn! As an interesting note, I'm using good old fashioned steel for pinning. It's really, really strong. Barbarian space-viking approved! I discovered a really good technique for making riding legs. If you are curious just ask.





LOL









Here's an interesting one...weapons that are nigh unbreakable/unbendable. Steel sheathed in olivestuff: I have no worries in transporting these guys. Never will I have a floppy weapon..oh, also...not only do I believe a space marine should look like a space marine, but the ambidextrous soldiers will actually carry weapons in either hand rather than all left or all right.





That's it for now--

Please offer your thoughts, I do appreciate any and all interest!

Happy gaming!

very nice work.

@ mindfield--thanks for the support, glad your are enjoying it.

Also, I decided to try my hand at magnetizing and it's awesome. Stay tuned for another update soon.

wow!

This is both impressive and inspirational!

Consider yourself subscribed :-)

@ physcosamatic- Glad you are enjoying it!

@ mellon- Cool, I hope you continue to be impressed and to find inspiration here.

Also, magnetizing was a huge success. I will be updating with pics again when I get back to Tokyo in the next couple of days. Thanks for reading

Very nice. Great use of Warhammer parts to make a 40k unit everyone wants.

Great stuff, love the true scale models always look better. quick question what torso do you use is it the terminator torso or a regular power armour torso?

@ Tim the Biovore-- thanks, it seemed the most reasonable option.

@ Lennysmash-- thanks , I'm using the regular power armor torso.

Funny thing, the idea of using greenstuff was so imposing as to prevent me from trying in the past but, once I started using it for this army, I got over my apprehension. Therefore, it's odd to me that something like magnetizing, which caused me the same apprehension, should require just as much effort to undertake. My point: try to push what you think you can do. That said, don't go fumbling blindly--read up as much as you can, ask advice, get the right tools.

Here are some new pics, as promised, these guys are 85-90% finished modeling-wise, just clean up, some sanding (thank you hybrid green stuff), and any ornamental details--

Here is Thorodd Snorrison, as every bad ass space viking should have a suitably bad ass viking name. You can see that I still have to smooth down the putty over the arm magnets.



Here is Magnus Bareleg.



The rest of the squad are in the same state of completion. I'm going to model the entire army first and then begin painting. Thank you for your patience. Comments welcome, so let me know your thoughts.

Awesome stuff bro, huge ambition but it looks like your gonna pull it off! keep up the great work!

The almost finished products look stunning! I am particuarly fond of the wolves themselves. In addition, fantastic vision and scope for the project! Keep it up!

Ill admit it's to late now but personally the wolf heads are a little small. Other than that awesome. In regard to basses; for the wolves 40 mm makes sense, mounted units are usually larger than infantry, may want to stick with 25 mm for the grunt* marines.

*relatively

those are looking awsome.

Awesome work. The only constructive criticism I have from a model standpoint is as you go along could you try to make more of the model look as dynamic as you have with arms/heads? The chests all seem straight on target so far. Turning a torso or leaning one here and there may create some visual differences for your TWC?

Overall though, I'm a huge fan of 'true-scale' marines. It takes a lot of love to want to do it and to actually finish it. Bravo.