Plastic Praetorians + Scratch Building - scratch built BFG ships and an Ork Monowheel

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**JohnnyHell**

Thank you! It was fun to make until attaching the doors. Very stress inducing. Wish I’d built the hinge in and assembled differently... then the rivets got in the way and I had to sand two off per door. Very rage-inducing. Got there in the end!

**dreadwing**

how did you get the deatil on the fist symbol? file/ fine sand paper?

since i gave you help on a new source, mind making me a mastadon? lol

**JohnnyHell**

dreadwing wrote:
how did you get the deatil on the fist symbol? file/ fine sand paper?

since i gave you help on a new source, mind making me a mastadon? lol

Hahhh that is a daunting build. I wanna make one someday!

The icons... I use double sided tape to affix the template to the plasticard. It also means I can lift it off and stick to different bits of card for the next layers. I work from outside in, lifting and restocking to the next part each time.

I first cut the large circle from 1mm styrene. Then the inner from 0.5mm. Then I cut the palm/digits from 0.5mm styrene as close as possible, roughly trimming corners, and finally sanding the curves with my emery board. I then glued it all together. The rivets were half round 1mm nail art beads as usual, and really make it pop. They give the icons some real ‘weight’. Easier than I expected make, as it was largely cutting rectangles and sanding corners. The palm required some delicate curve cuts and dressing using a round or half round needle file.

**JohnnyHell**

Zone Mortalis stuff to come another time, but for now...

MkI Leman Russ, baby!

I got given two Russes for my birthday, and I bought a third. So I dug out the hull I’d started scratch building and decided to make a counts-as Pask.

This is the inspiration, the original Epic scale Leman Russ before they redesigned it. In keeping with my other retro Guard, my “Pask” is driving a prized relic.

Sanded the front cupola to a curve, added the tracks and started adding links.

Testing the turret. I actually cut this down after assembly as the paper plans had a ridiculously tall turret. It’s magnetised and rotates freely and securely without a physical rod through into the hull.

I made a mantlet that allows elevation. Sadly it’s the only pivoting gun on the model due to lack of foresight and lack of patience! So be it! The Battlecannon is using a spare Vanquisher but (counts as normal Battlecannon). It can simply be removed and the Punisher Cannon slotted in if I want to run that variant. Everything else is hard glued because eh, BS2+? Might as well take the good toys.

The Russ kit Plasma Cannons were way too big for my needs, so I freestyled some. Layered alternating strips, glued, capped, sanded and wrapped, with barrels and details added afterwards. Came out nice!

He has a slight “I NEED A HUG!” stance, but I’m really happy with this. I updated the sponsons a little from the sticking-straight-out gun the Epic model had. Halfway between Epic and 40K looking, I think. Also I glued the sponsons in upside down, whoops. Looks fine. You can also see the hull-mounted defensive Heavy Stubber. I added it here to mirror detail on the original Epic model. Chose Stubber for looks and range over the Storm Bolter that might be more ‘accurate’ to the old lump of lead.

As it looks right now as I head off to work. Lots more riveting and detailing to do, as well as a detail layer on the tracks. The end is in sight though... then I can start magnetising the plastic kit Russes! 3x Commander plus Pask is gonna make people *cry*...

**stonned_astartes**

Funky build, got a cartoon vibe fo sure.

**JohnnyHell**

Aaaand we’re done:

Pretty happy with how this ended up. There’s stuff I’d do differently if was to make another but for now I have three actual Russ kits to magnetise your to be his friends! C&C welcomed!

**Gwyn chan 'r Gwyll**

The tracks look great, and the bulky engines. I like how it's clearly styled after the Epic tanks without being a complete copy. For example, the side-hatch above the tracks is a view-port in the Epic tank, so you clearly have the inspiration from it without being a blind copy.

A+

**JohnnyHell**

Thank! Part of that is Patoroch’s plan, part of that is me only following them to main build stage then kinda free styling it when detailing. I reduced the height a lot, and that meant missing off some viewports. The mantlet was also all freestyled as the plans just had a wedge shaped box. Glad you like it.

**mcmattila**

By the Emperor, that's once again a brilliant scratch-built model! I wasn't familiar with the Epic design before, but I think it's close enough that it doesn't look odd when put next to the new models. Could be sold as a "special" mark from Forgeworld I reckon! The only thing I don't like that much is the plasma cannon turrets. The cannons themselves are great, but the joint doesn't look functional. There doesn't seem to be enough space inside to turn the gun like that, if you catch my drift.

**Kid_Kyoto**

That is... a lot of rivets. A lot. A whole lot.

Well done!

**JohnnyHell**

mcmattila wrote:
By the Emperor, that's once again a brilliant scratch-built model! I wasn't familiar with the Epic design before, but I think it's close enough that it doesn't look odd when put next to the new models. Could be sold as a "special" mark from Forgeworld I reckon! The only thing I don't like that much is the plasma cannon turrets. The cannons themselves are great, but the joint doesn't look functional. There doesn't seem to be enough space inside to turn the gun like that, if you catch my drift.

Can’t disagree at all, very fair feedback! It’s a bit of a didn’t think it through bodge. I may do back and redo the sponsons with magnets so I can switch the weapons, and so I can paint the tank whilst redoing the weapons. For now though they’ll do as a placeholder!

**JohnnyHell**

Never throw away test bits!

I made a Christmas gift for Charlie, who I made the Crimson Fists Dreadnought Drop Pod for.

I made the doors originally as a box construction of 0.5mm styrene and bracing/padding. They were still to flimsy, and the odd shape would have made 1mm too chonky, so I rebuilt using foamex.

I saved the test doors though!

I made one new fin in full detail, and two in plain foamex, with intent to cover the detail areas in ‘mud’ from the crash landing.

Some paper maché, filler and a few details later and this is what resulted:

Hope you like it. I’m really happy with it as a lazy build that will look great as scenery. Lots of details skimped on vs full Pod build, but enough to look good. In particular the couplers near top of veins are a simple strip instead of layered tubing, and I couldn’t be bothered to make two more Fists logos in full so I ‘blast damaged’ one of them.

What was extra fun was randomly chipping chunks off it all over so it will look extra beaten up from its crash landing.

Can’t wait to see how Charlie paints it up!

**Aestas**

I'm a little bit in awe and very jealous of your scratch building skills.

**JohnnyHell**

Thank you! Grab some templates and have a go. Practice is all it takes. I had a lot of time, was unemployed and couldn’t afford kits, which was the impetus for me starting. Now though it’s just something I enjoy and a way of making unique stuff. Starting to combine that with my love of terrain making is also super fun.

**JohnnyHell**

Two more builds done lately - one I can’t reveal yet as it’s for a birthday present... and it’s one of my best!

The one I can show is something I’ve wanted to make for a while. I found some ten-year-old Russ track sections and made this...

The Heavy Flamer is from a modern Russ, with added scratch built receiver, fuel tanks and a dual grip from a HWT kit.

This was testing the slide-in deck section:

I’ll be making other decks for Basilisk/Wyvern etc. Possibly an Autocannon for the alt Salamander Scout build.

This was the basic build finished before detailing:

Sides are two layers of Foamex for ease of construction with the odd side box shapes. Here’s the very early stages after all the basic shapes were made and stuck together:

Let me know what you think!

**Slinky**

Superb! Waiting with bated breath for the other one if that's even better

**Snrub**

That drop pod is bloody brilliant Johnny. Useful as a gaming piece and a terrain piece!

That lovely little salamander is fantastic work too of course. The detail work on the heavy flamer rig is sublime.

And that's a bold claim if you thing secret project is one of your best. Considering how good all your other work is!

**Warboss_Waaazag**

That's really impressive! And I love that you bothered with the underhull details.

**Skinflint Games**

I THINK you sold your soul to the Warp for those plasticard skills

**Minigiant**

That Salamander is very well done, you can call me 100% impressed

**JohnnyHell**

Thanks all! Super kind words.

Yeah Secret Guy is one I’m very proud of. Hopefully pics up soon.

The under hull detailing was lazy, I didn’t do the rivets that wouldn’t be seen, but those strips... why not?

Now just waiting for the Welsh weather to, well, weather a little less so I can get some things basecoated! I came into three regular Russes for my birthday so I have a LOT of tanks to paint now.

**JohnnyHell**

Did some some painting... jumping armies again...

This is a dreaded ‘concept scheme’! The concept is hiding in shadow, so minimal colour, but just flashes of colour for interest on lamps, guns, weapons and effects. Not meant to be OSL per se, apart from on the converted Nexos, just something cool to look at. Aim is to get all the army to this stage, so they’re table-ready, then go back and pick out goggles, facial detail, Cult icons etc.

Colours used if you fancy a bash. I used P3 but any will work. Top row is the main ‘night’ colour, and it’s basically the Space Wolves armour colour triad drybrushed over black primer. Then the other colours get drybrushed on. Add edgelights to taste. Made a wash from Coal Black to shade the flesh.

I think these guys will look effective en masse and hopefully get me a feeling I’ve completed an army!

**JohnnyHell**

And some hand flamer conversions to round out a squad of twelve...

**Snrub**

What's your technique for cutting out little pieces like what you've used on the hand flamers? (which are excellent, btw)

I struggle to get little pieces like that accurate cut up or shaped. Does it really just come down to practice or do you have a specific method for it? What sort of blade do you use?

Really love the bright orange drybrushing on the GSC too. It's a really interesting look.

**JohnnyHell**

Snrub wrote:
What's your technique for cutting out little pieces like what you've used on the hand flamers? (which are excellent, btw)

I struggle to get little pieces like that accurate cut up or shaped. Does it really just come down to practice or do you have a specific method for it? What sort of blade do you use?

Really love the bright orange drybrushing on the GSC too. It's a really interesting look.

Mostly just practice tbf. Sometimes I cut a strip to a set width then cut sections off, for replication and/or ease. This helps a lot. For odd angles I glue up regular shapes, wait for it to dry, then sand off the corners with my emery board or knife trim them - never be afraid to glue, wait, sand and reshape. Sanding can be tricky when so small but I sometimes am literally just rubbing the end of my finger against the emery board with the part wedged underneath! For the domes and pips they're nail art beads as usual.

The knife I use is an 18mm snapoff blade knife, part of a cheapish two-set on Amazon, blades just bought cheaply on eBay. You need a sharp edge so if cutting ever feels difficult, just snap off a segment and carry on. I use an old Berocca tube as a sharps bin to stash the snaps in. Make sure you get a knife with a metal blade guide... the ones without end up breaking, as the knife eventually starts wearing the plastic above the blade slot due to applied pressure, and the whole blade ends up moving. Sucks.

**stonned_astartes**

Awesome stuff as always, great idea on the interchangeable back end salamander.

**JohnnyHell**

stonned_astartes wrote:
Awesome stuff as always, great idea on the interchangeable back end salamander.

Like many things like this though, I've yet to make another back end! Rainy day project mayhaps... luckily we get plenty of those in Wales!

**JohnnyHell**

Here’s my pièce de résistance... made as a birthday present:

This is the X-VSP-1D... an experimental T’au Battlesuit. Counts-as a Coldstar Commander. Fluff is that it’s either a Vespid-liasing commander paying tribute to their form, or an actual Vespid granted a customer Battlesuit.

I’ve used lots of hints to the Vespid models... the cables, head vanes and stacked ‘eyes’, wings, clawed hands, fly-like feet and the torso ending in a stinger.

Making the arms went like this:

And making the guns:

A few mid-build views:

The grey robo-stinger got replaced by a more Vespid-like one...

Assembly before the Green Stuff cables:

The build before GS:

And some detail views:

C&C welcome!

**Briancj**

Sweet looking ride!

--B

**Snrub**

feth me!

You weren't kidding when you said you it was one of your best. It's a properly stand-out work of plasti-card kitbashing. Any idea how long it took you in total?