★ Rawson's Vostroyans: The Boys are Back in Town ★

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**Rawson**

Barksdale wrote:
Really nice conversion on the tank commander. When I first saw that you ordered it I was sceptical. I thought it looked a little too fantasy.... but he has really come together!

I also enjoyed that little piece of fluff on the commissars. Got anything more about the 104th Vostroyan mechanized in the works??

O ye of little faith!

He still has a bit of work left, but I'm happy so far.

By "Anything more" do you mean fluff wise? I wrote a bit for Sniper Sergeant Petr Ychenko

Spoiler:

Petr Ychenko crept along the outside of the old, burned out warehouse. Soot and char from the wall left dirty, black streaks on his jacket as he advanced and he had to step carefully to avoid the glass covering the ground. Above his head once were many high windows, though currently there was little more than gaping holes. This wall had that in common with the rest of the Rigsdal factory complex. This town had been conquered and reconquered so many times during the war it was a miracle that there were any buildings left at all. Through the lingering odor of burnt steel and rockcrete, Petr could smell something sharp and acrid. This warehouse probably had been used to store the raw chemicals used in the manufactoriums further into town. Judging by the extent of the fire damage, it had been a good idea to keep them out here away from the other buildings.

The town had been abandoned by the Imperials three months ago when it was deemed to be of no strategic value. The tertiary power generator had been critically damaged in the last battle for Rigsdal. Under normal circumstances, this would not have been so grievous a loss. Of course, the destruction of the primary and secondary power generators in prior battles changed that significantly. With no power, the manufactoriums were of little use and the Imperial forces had deployed to other, more valuable locations. Now that the fish-faces had moved in, High Command wanted to know why and was scrambling to recover any lost tactical advantage. The phrase “conditions now sufficient to re-occupy Factory Complex: Rigsdal” had been used in the briefing. Petr had snorted, earning him a glare from Lieutenant Tolshev.

As the Vostroyan sharpshooter approached the corner of the building he moved more cautiously. The entire corner of the warehouse was collapsed, leaving only a heap of rubble where there once was a nice wall that gave lots of cover. Petr eased himself down and slithered up far enough so that he could see over the top of the mound into the square beyond. He slung his longlas over his shoulder and squeezed between a length of twisted steel beam and a large chunk of rockcrete. He had an excellent view of the square which would soon be crawling with Tau. He checked his chronometer: 0437. In position with 23 minutes to spare. He retrieved his magnoculars from his belt and began his surveillance.

As one of the only infantry units in a mechanized company, Petr and his snipers were often dispatched as a recon team on infiltration missions. In most Guard units, these types of missions would be given to the elite commandos, the best of the best. In the 104th Vostroyan Mechanized, they were given to anyone who was quieter than a Leman Russ.

That's the extent of the fluff, though. I usually spend my hobby time modelling followed by painting in a distant second

**prototype_X**

Actually, compared to most of the people on Dakka, you get things painted relativley quickly

**Rawson**

prototype_X wrote:
Actually, compared to most of the people on Dakka, you get things painted relativley quickly

Fair 'nuf

**Rawson**

Update time:

Here's my work from yesterday:

I feel like it's still lacking something, but I'm not totally sure what (and no, it's not cables on his arm, Vik

) I tried putting an IG winged skull on his new shoulde armor, but it didn't look very good. It looks a bit plain still, so maybe I can work something out.

I also started experimenting with the LGS. You can see my first attempts on the tanker getting ri of the sigmar banner on his chest. A bit difficult to get used to, but handy, IMHO. I also started filling cracks on the Hydra with it, seems to work pretty good.

I think it was LDD that requested the scale pic with the triple capacitors:

Here's about how it would look.

As always, CC much appreciated

Thanks for looking

Rawson

**lone dirty dog**

First of the shoulder pad spot on mate great job

now how about adding some elbow armour, it would be quite easy to work it around the crease.

The tank side request was indeed mine

and thanks for the pic I get the general idea and think it is coming on nicely, I cant wait to see more when you fill out the white areas

**dsteingass**

The Commander is great! It's too easy to go overboard with the commander, you've got it just right! The rivets are also beautiful, glad to see you keeping the faith!

**Fab**

dsteingass wrote:
The Commander is great! It's too easy to go overboard with the commander, you've got it just right! The rivets are also beautiful, glad to see you keeping the faith!

What dsteingass said i can agree with.

On the otherhand I think he could do with a signet ring on his right hand and I say a bionic eye since it's still 40k and how can you command a tank or lead something without seeing perspective? Or you can always come up backstory why he declined bionic eye surgery.

Anyway keep up the good work!

**Elnibbus**

Great work Rawson, the commander looks great!

**Rawson**

dsteingass wrote:The Commander is great! It's too easy to go overboard with the commander, you've got it just right! The rivets are also beautiful, glad to see you keeping the faith!

Thanks, Dave!

Fab wrote:
dsteingass wrote:
The Commander is great! It's too easy to go overboard with the commander, you've got it just right! The rivets are also beautiful, glad to see you keeping the faith!

What dsteingass said i can agree with.

On the otherhand I think he could do with a signet ring on his right hand and I say a bionic eye since it's still 40k and how can you command a tank or lead something without seeing perspective? Or you can always come up backstory why he declined bionic eye surgery.

Anyway keep up the good work!

Hmm, signet ring and bionics you say. I really liked the ring on the original model, but wasn't able to use that arm. It would be a cool addition, I think

I was thinking about the eye myself. I already did the "I'm too awesome to get a bionic eye" with the commissar. Might be a good addition. Thanks Fab!

Elnibbus wrote:Great work Rawson, the commander looks great!

Thanks, Elnibbus

Contrary to popular belief (and lack of evidence of any sort of progress for a month), I have actually been getting some work done:

Final plasmavet with some color blocked in (sorry for the crap pic, nothing really to see anyways, just proof that I'm doing something

)

Some color on the Hydra chassis

I also tried out those press molds

The detail is a bit soft, but the concept is sound in theory. I'll prime a few examples and see how they turn out.

Thanks for looking!
Rawson

**dsteingass**

Looks Great Rawson! WB!

**J-paint**

Awesome as per rawson! Your ability to take empire stuff and give it a 40k twist is really tempting me to try something similar. (not sure what, but still!)

The press moulds worked better than I thought, a bit soft edges like you said, but still. What did you use as a mould release? and how did you melt the plastic without burning it?

**lone dirty dog**

Rawson why not try something like http://www.anvilindustry.co.uk/index.php?route=product/category&path=60_91

**Rawson**

dsteingass wrote:Looks Great Rawson! WB!

Thanks, Dave! Good to be back

J-paint wrote:Awesome as per rawson! Your ability to take empire stuff and give it a 40k twist is really tempting me to try something similar. (not sure what, but still!)

The press moulds worked better than I thought, a bit soft edges like you said, but still. What did you use as a mould release? and how did you melt the plastic without burning it?

Thanks, J! The plastic wasn't so hard: I lit a candle next to an open window and softened the plastic. As long as the plastic isn't in the actual flame, it doesn't burn. As for release agent, I used the only thing at hand: a drop of lube on a q-tip. Just don't tell the missus, she'd think it was weird

lone dirty dog wrote:Rawson why not try something like http://www.anvilindustry.co.uk/index.php?route=product/category&path=60_91

So is this instead of melting sprue?

**buckero0**

I just stumbled upon this blog and whoa! this is great stuff. The Vossies are by far the best IG group in my mind as far as fluff and esthetics. I prefer them over the Krieg anyday. I just wish they had kept up with them. They seem so limited as far as poses go.

After looking over your blog, it appears that you just need the right tools and creativity and time to make the models suit the demands for individuality.

After all your work and before I start carving up my models to look like yours, do you have a preference as to which model is the easiest to remove the weapon from and add a new weapon?
If I wanted to give a guy a melta gun, should I cut up my grenade launcher troops or convert a flamer or how would you do it?

I love your super tank, I can't wait to see the other side finished. What size track are you planning on using? What about the front, are you going to plasicard or cannibalize another tank. I read that you were having trouble finding parts for somethings. I think I have a spare set of Baneblade tracks, or are they too big.

**Rawson**

buckero0 wrote:
I just stumbled upon this blog and whoa! this is great stuff. The Vossies are by far the best IG group in my mind as far as fluff and esthetics. I prefer them over the Krieg anyday. I just wish they had kept up with them. They seem so limited as far as poses go.

After looking over your blog, it appears that you just need the right tools and creativity and time to make the models suit the demands for individuality.

After all your work and before I start carving up my models to look like yours, do you have a preference as to which model is the easiest to remove the weapon from and add a new weapon?
If I wanted to give a guy a melta gun, should I cut up my grenade launcher troops or convert a flamer or how would you do it?

I love your super tank, I can't wait to see the other side finished. What size track are you planning on using? What about the front, are you going to plasicard or cannibalize another tank. I read that you were having trouble finding parts for somethings. I think I have a spare set of Baneblade tracks, or are they too big.

Kind words, indeed, Buckaro0! I'm glad you've stopped by!

Have you started a PMblog for your Vostroyans? I'd love to check it out!

As for hacking into these guys, I've found that a dremel is really priceless. It is much easier that with a hobby knife or saw, and doesn't mess up the surrounding details. For my melta vets (since GW, in all their wisdom, didn't make any) I just used standard lasgun troopers and removed the long barrels and las cells. I cannibalized the "melta-y" bits (the cannister, tube, and barrel) and attached them to the stripped down lasguns.

The plasma vets were much harder, and required almost the whole lasgun to be removed.

As for the Valdor, I had planned on using LRBT tracks (as I have a metric ton of them lying around), but Baneblade tracks would certainly be interesting! I need to whip out the Baneblade and see if they'd be too big (as if there was such a thing

)

**J-paint**

I second the call to try the baneblade tracks, you can never have too large tracks! the other thing I've seen people do is use two sets of leman russ tracks (I've never seen it done brilliantly, but the concept isn't bad.)

Also i just read your reply!!!! Thats hilarious!

**lone dirty dog**

Forget that I thought you were doing GS press moulding, so no it will not work I don't think

**Eastbourne00**

Hi i have just finished reading the thread and your work has inspired me to have a go at imperial guard again.

I like your new tank commander, was the fine cast better with him than with your commissar?

**Viktor von Domm**

rawson, i think your pressing

works

*cough* would work better if you would use an upturned base for support... just a blob of GS i think is too instable...

**Rawson**

Viktor von Domm wrote:
rawson, i think your pressing works *cough* would work better if you would use an upturned base for support... just a blob of GS i think is too instable...

You mean fill a base with GS and then make the mold?

**Viktor von Domm**

aye.... that would be a more controlled way to get the job done... and it´s always control that gets the job well done

**Freytag93**

Hey man. Idk if you saw this already, but I thought you might be interested...
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Warhammer-40k-Imperial-Guard-Vostroyan-army-Over-200-metal-models-See-pix-/121033228030?_trksid=p2047675.m2109&_trkparms=aid%3D555003%26algo%3DPW.CAT%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D142%26meid%3D4050161484159236167%26pid%3D100010%26prg%3D1076%26rk%3D1%26sd%3D271115613284%26
I mean, who couldnt use another 200 Vost?

**Rawson**

Freytag93 wrote:
Hey man. Idk if you saw this already, but I thought you might be interested...
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Warhammer-40k-Imperial-Guard-Vostroyan-army-Over-200-metal-models-See-pix-/121033228030?_trksid=p2047675.m2109&_trkparms=aid%3D555003%26algo%3DPW.CAT%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D142%26meid%3D4050161484159236167%26pid%3D100010%26prg%3D1076%26rk%3D1%26sd%3D271115613284%26
I mean, who couldnt use another 200 Vost?

I can't even get all the guys I have now painted

Good looking out though

**Rawson**

Wow! The first update of the year!

Earlier there was mention of a bionic eye instead of the gaping scar. I wanted to run it by you guys before committing.

Thoughts?

Cheers,
Rawson

**lone dirty dog**

Happy New Year mate

Looks good but I would build the side up a little more my self, otherwise works and looks cool

**Strombones**

Yeah I would go for the bionic eye. And maybe a pouch or two around the waist? Dang I really like this tank commander. I didn't realize how well Vostroyans went with Empire stuff. Or maybe you're just the one making it look good. This thread makes me wish GW would give these guys some love

**Viktor von Domm**

is that a monocle made from a lens of a scope? very clever if so...and if i am right... then i would suggest you make a tiny chain/string and make it look like a true monocle...:

and i think the mini fiinally is well derserving it´s paintjob... mount it on the tank already as is!

and happy new year to you and your loved ones!

vik

**Rawson**

Viktor von Domm wrote:
is that a monocle made from a lens of a scope? very clever if so...and if i am right... then i would suggest you make a tiny chain/string and make it look like a true monocle...:

and i think the mini fiinally is well derserving it´s paintjob... mount it on the tank already as is!

and happy new year to you and your loved ones!

vik

I hadn't thought about making it a monocle

That would be difficult to pull off, but amazingly hilarious if successful!

The lens I'm using is actually the bionic eye from the baneblade tank commander head that I stole the commissar hat from.

Thanks for the warm regards

Same to you and yours!

Cheers,
Rawson

**Viktor von Domm**

actually it neednßt have to be that difficult... you could use really thin floral wire... or artistic wire... heck you could use a hair! that would be coated with super glue afterwards...

and totally balls to hack away on baneblades parts!!!

**Skalk Bloodaxe**

Bionic eye, or just something. Unless he just had it poked out, I doubt anyone would intentionally go around with a gaping socket in their head. Unless they are champions of Nurgle of course.