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 shasolenzabi wrote:

 GawdamSumbish wrote:
Oi Shaso! what's the status of your warchimera order? kind of waiting to see how yours goes before i begin mine...

It is on it's way, but the USPS status tracker is silent, always they slack on foreign shipments for so long except when I order from Japan.

Don't worry its the same thing on this side of the pond, I was following the tracking on a parcel from the states it was telling me it was still on that side of the world yet got delivered here that afternoon

well, it has been that way since the 20th, so I demanded updates, that usually gets the USPS off their complacent backsides and start looking into it, I am figuring they have it in New York at their Customs processing center by now and are just being lazy in regards to entering the data.

i love a lot of the models that come out of Poland, but sometimes it seems like it's not worth the hassle. i would love to be more worldly with my purchases, but i hate waiting 3 weeks for something...

My package has not yet arrived,m the bad weather in New York may be why.

meanwhile I am taking pics of the new scratch built APC. Is gonna be BIG

ohhhh....the new survivors looks spiffy... one future day i will get me some vinnie stuff too for sure!

the new tank tracks look cool, how much sets did you ue up for this build of the zinge sets?... it looks like a really long track section...

 Viktor von Domm wrote:
ohhhh....the new survivors looks spiffy... one future day i will get me some vinnie stuff too for sure!

the new tank tracks look cool, how much sets did you ue up for this build of the zinge sets?... it looks like a really long track section...

Hey Vik! glad to see you here!

Yeah the vinni sculpts are nice! and he makes more new things all the time!

Oh each tread section used an entire track section plus some links I had left over from the light recon tank.

And perfect timing as I have new images up!

Headlamps on a BTR
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Tracks with rollers to help strengthen and support once the outer armor cover is added
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With supports for the main hull
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Speaking of the main hull, Agent G has helped once more with scale shots! (Agent G: "I just want more points for vacation time!")
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Agent G and the BTR
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BTR and the APC parts
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So what do you all think so far??


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BTR needs it's rivets done as well as the headlamps smoothed out.


The APC is only just started

Good progress, Shas. Liking the details on the BTR, especially on the exhaust/rack area.

 Dr H wrote:
Good progress, Shas. Liking the details on the BTR, especially on the exhaust/rack area.

Thanks Dr.H! the end caps on the top of the hull where the tubes come out is plasticard and tubes, the gray segemted is flxible Zinge stock, and the dark muffler were leftovers from the Mk-IV's

Shas, what is the substance you use that is around your turrets and your rounder edges? Is it just bent plasticard? Does the card just take that shape after bending and vigorous sanding? I guess any tips on how you are putting these together would help with my own project.

I am genuinely kinda lost on how you're putting the curve pieces together/making the headlights have an actual round insert instead of just styrene tube.

Forgive me if this post is redundant.

 Stormwall wrote:
Shas, what is the substance you use that is around your turrets and your rounder edges? Is it just bent plasticard? Does the card just take that shape after bending and vigorous sanding? I guess any tips on how you are putting these together would help with my own project.

I am genuinely kinda lost on how you're putting the curve pieces together/making the headlights have an actual round insert instead of just styrene tube.

Forgive me if this post is redundant.

Ah, very good questions!

I tend to make a base for the turrets, then I make angled sheet "ribs" that make a sectional like the way an orange is sectioned, them I use a thin plasticard cut in a semi-crescent so that when I force it to bend, it gets that shape that you see. Lot of glue as well. Then the sanding or file rubbing when dry.

Headlights are plastic tubes that are glued onto flat plasticard, I then cut the card they are glued to when dry, trim and file the plastic to a pattern shape. If needed, I also use paperclipped bent and glue into drilled holes for light protectors.

Always ask, tips will be given.

Super helpful stuff, really helped me tonight with the tank I pm'd you about. Thanks a million Shas. By the by, those treads are still insanely massive.

P.S I got you and another Dakkanaut something as a gift, I will PM it to you when it is ready.

 Stormwall wrote:
Super helpful stuff, really helped me tonight with the tank I pm'd you about. Thanks a million Shas. By the by, those treads are still insanely massive.

P.S I got you and another Dakkanaut something as a gift, I will PM it to you when it is ready.

Glad to have helped! The massive treads will go for the massive APC I am making, that now make 5 platoons I can move across a battlefield, Converted Alligator LVTP, 2 x Mk-IV's then the MTLRB-40 and now this new one! I will have the 3 hammers, the 6 Bricks, my 6 chimeras, the OLd Crow APCS, the BTR-80 x 2, the glave x 2, the Lancers x 2 the 2 halftracks and I do plan on Hanomags from Dreamforge.

Oh and my scratchbuilt BRDM-2 and BTR_60 also .

A gift? you shouldn't have! Well, maybe, I do hit 51 on the 9th


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Finally! My Warchimera order is showing in New York

Happy Birthday early, check your PM for details. (Ignore the link I put in the PM though, it is what have to use, not you. If that makes any sense.)

 Stormwall wrote:
Happy Birthday early, check your PM for details. (Ignore the link I put in the PM though, it is what have to use, not you. If that makes any sense.)

No problem E-mail addy was sent to you

And thanks

OOOooooo I got all excited when I saw the track units beside the BTR... I actually thought you were using them on that! and IMHO it would actually look pretty blooming good! (The last and second last pictures you put up)

the new machine looks really promising too.. as always it will be a joy to see your work develop and come together!

Happy premature day of your birth!

 MagosBiff90 wrote:
OOOooooo I got all excited when I saw the track units beside the BTR... I actually thought you were using them on that! and IMHO it would actually look pretty blooming good! (The last and second last pictures you put up)

the new machine looks really promising too.. as always it will be a joy to see your work develop and come together!

Happy premature day of your birth!

Yes, me too. I thought it was amazing btw. However, I can't wait to see what those treads go to.

MagosBiff90 wrote:OOOooooo I got all excited when I saw the track units beside the BTR... I actually thought you were using them on that! and IMHO it would actually look pretty blooming good! (The last and second last pictures you put up)

the new machine looks really promising too.. as always it will be a joy to see your work develop and come together!

Happy premature day of your birth!

Well MB, then that BTR would be riding so very high! Of course it would be an interesting mix-match idea.

Thanks, the new machine will have 2 ramps in the back for the men so get in/out of this monster I am building!

And thanks again, it will be interesting as I will have some nice new things to work on again as well!

Stormwall wrote:
Yes, me too. I thought it was amazing btw. However, I can't wait to see what those treads go to.

Well, I do have progress pics to add Stormwall, and now you guys will get to see what direction it is going in!


for an idea, I placed the belly plate with the back and mid walls on the treads, kep in mind the Zinge Track shoes are the same width as the IG chimera/Leman Russ treacks.
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Then I added some strength to the model
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The walls
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Then I placed them back with the treads
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Speaking of....they are now sealed up and waiting detail plating to be added
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And for a true idea of scale, Agent G went and posed with it all again
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I have looked at the front plat and may replace it with one styled more like the IS-3 tank with some rectangular then triangle shape cut to make it a bit bigger and more secur5e looking, right now it is a tad too smallish. So look at the lower glacis plate of the IS-3 and that shape is the one I will be replacing the front lower glacis with

Barring crazy weather in NJ, my Hammers are there, I should have them tomorrow or Thursday.

Thursday also sees the arrival of Valkir kits and a Kielerkopf from MM.

The Mad robot stuff is also on it's way, as well as Secret Weapon 6X6

Can't wait to see what you do with the 6x6!

 Stormwall wrote:
Can't wait to see what you do with the 6x6!

I am going to see how well the weapons slot in and out of the turret, paint all to be ready for swap outs, but my usual camo paint job, and also dirty tires, belly plate and such, as off roaders do get dirty. I think it will be the main ride for my "Rescue Team" as it looks about right for a machine similar to a Razorback in capacity(6 man fire team), wit the weapon load our set for different missions, so if the enemy has tanks, I will use one of the weapons that can hurt tanks, just enemy infantry or walkers? they have answers for that too!

Well, changed that front lower glacis plate for this new beast I am making
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There may be delays in delivery of some of my orders, it decided to flood yesterday, then freeze, and there is more dang snow covering my state.

Okay, some more work got done on my new project of the scratch built heavy APC. Working on the hull, then the turret, then the detail work can be added to the outer track systems, the hull and turret as well. Forwards flat area is where the driver hatch and vision units will be located.
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with more armor added
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Agent G showing the location for the dual ramps for the squads to enter/exit the APC
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Oh and the Warchimera shipment arrived as well today! I have to say there were some surprises as to how the resin work is made, I expected solid tire halves I would have to file or sane, but they are hollow, and with line up parts!
There is some flash material to clear away, but most experienced modelers know how to deal with flash anyway so that is no big deal!
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the parts clink like hard plastics, so I will be careful as I have yet to see if the material is the older style brittle resin of military kits of the past, that resin had minimal give, so a simple 25% or 30% bent can snap such material.
More to follow once I get to start working on the 3 Hammer APCs



Automatically Appended Next Post:
Okay, an honest appraisal, and some recommendation for Warchimera to try for future workings of their APC, forget 2 part tires, just make a decent solid one as Zinge makes, the parts are having some issues and this kit as is presented is NOT for beginning modelers at all. the tirs as will be seen have a hugely thick chunk of mold fill that when removed damages the tires somewhat using a clipper, or requires a saw for a different way to get the thick chunk off, and I have detected some mold difficulties even with the tires as is, and more trimming of the crescent shaped guides is also needed, making the tires a project in and of themselves, these will be much fixing and gray stuff work to fix.

The mold flash I mentioned, thick and not easy for some to deal with, so like I said, maybe switch to a more solid and quality checked tire? I also noted the lug nut spaces tend to not have had a consistent molding, so holes exist, again a thing that more solid made one piece tires would fix
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Otherwise, the tires do hold good details, details I have to do some work around when it is not right set, so I do have to give an honest appraisal, the tires get a 5/10 due to mold issues, casting issues, and the modelling difficulty level involved. so experienced model builders will find this less a hurdle than newer, less skilled modelers.

Once freed from the flash, I saw it was clean up time, and spotted the mold defects in the tires. Now do not judge the model based on my appraisal of the tires alone, they are good bits of the model, just that a solid make might limit the off casting. But the work is needed to make these fit
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As much as I do see myself ordering more in the future, I would recommend stocking up on Zinge's 25mm to larger tires to work with this model.
Now it is off to work on those tires some more as I did not stock up on Zinge tires, so I must work with cleaning and fitting and gray stuffing the tires I have with the kits. I do apologize if this was harsh for Warchimera, but an honest appraisal with recommendations was promised to them.

Geez, did you get three of those things? You're quite brave getting multiples on the first try. I was going to ask for some pics of those tires, but you beat me to it. You planning on assembling them all today?

 Barzam wrote:
Geez, did you get three of those things? You're quite brave getting multiples on the first try. I was going to ask for some pics of those tires, but you beat me to it. You planning on assembling them all today?

Oh no, not all 18 of the tires in one sitting! I am making one whole Hammer to review the ease or not of the kit for assembly and then paint-work would ensue later. I will make all three one at a time.But Dem tires!


Automatically Appended Next Post:
Okay trick to the tires to get better lining up is to shave those crescents down flat as possible, arrange as best a fit as possible or if you have a sanding board area, sand them all flat as can and end the rough edges, I just have knives and files. (don't forget to wear a mask if sanding resin)
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Now I have some more plastic crack as well to play with, so Hammer APC build-review, Valkir, Hammer 2, Valkir, Hammer 3 more Valkir! and then Keilerkopf!

Keilerkopf is chunky in the plastics department, YUM!
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Valkir Tacticals
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Heavy Weapon Valkir
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My command Valkir with pistols and big nasty swords!
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Okay, I have to adjust my modelling approach as this first test APC is proving to me that while many companies have adopted a flexible resin for their kits, not all have. I would suggest to Warchimera to invest in a softer, less brittle resin as it will help more as the model is something that really is delicate while simply cutting the flash off of the parts, they also snap under normal snips and need repair.
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Troop hatches
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The mold allowed the holes for the tires to be filled in, the casting is still showing some needs for cleaning it up at manufacture, so as a beginning company, they are still apparently learning, there is plenty of clean up needed I made the 1st one of the Hammers as is, some putty on the tires, but other models will get some plastic help for the tires to have stronger supports.

Hull
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with the upper hull added, every inch of the model needs cleaning, and a soft touch doing separation from sprue and flash lest the parts snap and crack as it is a thing they can change in the future to drop the brittle resin and go more flexible type resin.
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with the front on
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Broken weapon mantlet
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with the turret on, which had some accidents as well.
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with Agent G for scale
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I give Warchimera an A for effort as this would work out as a kit in the gray resin such as Puppet's War uses, or FW uses or other similar gray material. Not a bad design concept, just the medium they have at hand seems to be less worthy of their concept, and the tires need to be solid, less pieces for the cost, but if they go with better resin it will make it more worth it. They are decent enough that I do want to support more. I just recommend the kits as is for now as long as you have the tools and skills for an delicate and advanced work kit. Thes are my observation on the Hammer as a model kit. I hope the guys at Warchimera take what I have critiqued on the model as well as recommendations and take a new approach at it! :Thumbsup:

So far, no words about the review of the Hammer. I know it was no glowing report, but it was an honest one. I am hoping this will help make them with going in a strong direction, Meanwhile, here is a Hammer with a Chimera for they are serving the same role.
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It's taller, a little longer, and at least as wide, so it serves a good stand in for any army as a chimera style transport. The price was about 80USD for all three of the Hammers I bought, plus their shipping included in that cost. Once done building all three, I will have increased my transport motor pool.


Now for something a bit different. I built some Valkirs. 1st up is the command squad. I used the smooth topped knightly heads for the regular officers, and the ridge topped one with the interesting visor as the overall Valkir captain/Canon, as I will likely try and use the old SoB codex I still have. Although they do have a strong Marine like vibe going on
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Then I made the heavy weapons team, these five guys are pure punishment for an opponent. One weapon of each type was in this kit, and what weapons they are! On the left we have the quad HMG's or paired twin linked Heavy stubbers for 40k, bad news for Nid and other horde players. to the far right is another anti-personnel/tank weapon, the mobile mortar which can stand in as a Missile Launcher, although it seems more howitzer than direct fire. Next to the quad is the equivalent to a Multi-melta, next to the mortar is the anti-tank cannon which is belt fed, and resembles a auto-cannon,,,,I just hear Pom-pom-pom with this guy! and the leader is wearing a knightly helmet with the HEL or Las-Cannon. the majority are more trooper like with the helmet and mask of the stormtroopers from the Eisenkern set.
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Speaking of Space Marines, I took captain to captain pics, even though the Valkir captain is on a lower base than the GW one, he stands tall, and when raised to the adjust height, he towers over the SM< and I think this is the thing GW should have done with SM kits and NOT make them as tall as IG troopers.
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SM Captain does not feel so big now if the Valkir captain is on the level flooring with him
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Cool, thanks for sharing. I don't really love the aesthetic of.. well any of the eisenkern stuff... but it's sold for a good value and I can certainly see other people liking it. I do *kind of* like the quadguns gun, he means business

Another reason they're taller than the space marine is that space marines love really wide stances for... reasons? Drives me crazy, who walks around like that.

The Hammer doesn't look like the sort of kit I can just slap together. It looks like there's a lot of gap filling on it.

I am the opposite of Grim. I love the Eisenkern designs! I so want to get some of those Assault ones to use as Weird War Teutonic Knights. I can't wait until they release the Shadowkesh and their Russians.

GrimDork wrote:Cool, thanks for sharing. I don't really love the aesthetic of.. well any of the eisenkern stuff... but it's sold for a good value and I can certainly see other people liking it. I do *kind of* like the quadguns gun, he means business

Another reason they're taller than the space marine is that space marines love really wide stances for... reasons? Drives me crazy, who walks around like that.

Well, true, not all like the looks of the Eisenkern, but they do cost me lower prices per soldier than most GW minis.

Yeah, they really were just looking I think to have their minis all fit in their cases, so all get to stop height at 28mm regardless of the idea that IG are normal humans and SM are giants at 7-8ft tall, more so in terminator suits. The Eisenkern Valkir are more to the SM ideal in height terms.

Barzam wrote:The Hammer doesn't look like the sort of kit I can just slap together. It looks like there's a lot of gap filling on it.

I am the opposite of Grim. I love the Eisenkern designs! I so want to get some of those Assault ones to use as Weird War Teutonic Knights. I can't wait until they release the Shadowkesh and their Russians.

As I said in my review, the Hammer is really as is a major project and requires skills, work and time to make it look right. using the more speed like approach I showed a moderate to low skill modeller will be unhappy with it. The resin is delicate and brittle, which is less user friendly for a wider purchaser base and is likely to be appreciated by a narrow niche modeller base, Greg at Warchimera is hoping for more sales, but he is likely to get such by shifting from this cracker delicate resin, to a more durable rein, as well as ditching hollow multi-part tires for solid tires.

Yeah I am also wanting to see more from Dreamforge, their Russians will fit as my new uniform Khadrovian Central government uniforms

Whew. I get off the internet for a few days and your blog explodes.

Loving the look of the new captain to standard SM captain comparison. Sorry you had such bad luck with the resin, I was originally looking forward to seeing that assembled but, it appears to be a pain.