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Hi All,

Well.... here goes my first post and first project and blog on Dakka! Into the maelstrom!

Not really following any kind of army or alleigance, i am just really interested in the whole story and tech surrounding the 40k universe. And as such, i am going to hopefully be looking to attempt a couple of scratchbuilds of my favoured models. I have been truely inspired by some of the work on this site and would just like to join in and try to emulate some of the amazing work on here!

I decided to have a go at scratchbuilding and what easier model to start with to cut my teeth than a Macharius Tank! ( fool)
Got to admit this is by far and away my favourite model from the 40K Universe currently. The old WW! style track units with the 40K signature riveting and heavy armaments are a great mix IMHO and the Kreig Varient definetly follows those lines.

A little bit of fluff behind the concept i have in my head....

"We are upon Vraks at the height of the seige and the DKoK are pushing hard through one of the many desolate and wasted battlefields of the Van Meersland Wastes.
Leading the advance through a once inhabited area, the Macharius Tanks of the 143rd Division plough through ragged defenders on their way to the Capital City."

I planned to start the scratchbuild by preparing a simple 3d model to help me with dimentions and come up with a plan for the whole model. Using the drawings and dimentions in the Imperial Armour Book i set about starting the "simple model".

However... being a bit of a sucker for details and design i soon found myself adding more and more to the original model and before i knew it i was,
I have attached some pics of the WIP model so far.

I know theres not much scratchbuilding going on but i would love to hear back about your thoughts on the proportions of the tank and the overall look of the proposed model.

Thanks aguys and gals,

Hi again all,

I have updated the model now to have the battle cannon and also additional fuel drums and some comms equipment.

Regimentsl markings have been added although i am not to sure of them.

All input or comment would be greatfully received!

Wow, that looks awesome! Knowing nothing about how you made it or how the parts are broken down, I'm curious if you could export it in an STL format for 3D printing? If you'd like I'd LOVE to prototype it for you!

I have had a bit more time to really try and pull together the full detail of where i want this tank to go.

Before we start i have to admit. The camo is "Arctic Camo" i found on a feww search on google. So credits to the originator of the work.

i have also added some scale humans to the model to allow me to check the scaling. To be honest all i have had is a second hand copy of Imperial Armour "Seige of Vraks" and some images from google and photos on this site. I think the overall dimensions are looking about right.

I think it is starting to look good to be honest. I can see it rolling through a broken urban setting at the head of a DKoK column unleashing the emperors wrath upon the heathen!!

I am very near to finnishing with the model which i intent to add some dimensions too and then print off to use as a kind of templete for my actual model!

I am getting really excited about really getting into some physical building and can only hope to "attempt" to come close to some of the amazing works onthis site!

Cheers all, comments and constructive criticism are always welcome..

HI all,

Appologies for my slow rate of posts........ work has been kicking my butt recently....

So the 3d model is completed as far as I want to take it and I should now be able to produce some pretty good templates to help me really get on and start this build.

I have been having a look through my Seige of Vraks "BIBLE" and looking at some dimentions for this beast.

I am looking to go for a 1/48th scale giving the following dimentions,

Overall Length = 230mm
Height = 110mm
Width = 145mm

I would love a little nudge to see if this is in the right kind of size area as the actual model. But i guess so long as it is looking in proportion and balanced, for my needs it will be fine.

Coming from an architectural background i have had a lot of experience with foam board products and the like. However I am looking for some advice regarding the plasti card i see being used a lot here. It looks amazing and there seems to be a high quality of product around. I am especially liking the idea of nice sharp corners that you can acheive with the Plasti card. One real drawback I always find with foam board is the pain in the neck of creating "corners" by cutting a section out and then leaving a flap to create a clean corner.

Does anyone have a good UK based online site where i can purchase some?
I have used Model Shop before for small plastic sections etc, so will have to give them another look.

Really looking forward to getting started here and having some good WIP pics for you all,

But untill then... another image of my 3d model.. this time with added rivets..... (I have fallen under their infectious spell) This will be the last one of the 3d model before the physical one... as i feel like i may have flogged the donkey here!

Cheers all,

Super impressive mate, one of the best designs in 40k, if you get this 3d printed it will be amazing.

Hey mate,

Thanks very much! And i totally agree..... IMHO one of the top 3 best 40k looking models.... along with the Malcador and the Crassus... IMHO...

3d printing is certainly a nice idea.... i might have a look at that afterwards, but i really want to trry and fully scratchbuild this thing first.

Perhaps in a few weeks when i am killing myself building 100 peices of tank tread i will change my mind.... but right now thats where i am headed.

Looking to have my templets printed and cut this weekend and as soon as i get some plast card.... its a green light!

Thanks again,

Hey again all,

I have been having a think about the main armament I want for this Macharius. I have originally planned for the double battle cannon of the "base model" Macharius but as with all in 40K Bigger and more DAKKA is usually better. So I had a go at planning out a double Vanquisher Varient.

For me however it doesnt seem to sit quite as right as the battle cannon. I cant put my finger on it but i really prefer the short snouted battle cannon varient.... for looks anyway, and as i am planning on not hitting the table top battle field with this, the aesthetics are high on my list......

Any one have any thoughts... prefer it one way or the other?

This time... last 3d Model image i promice... before plasticard and glue!

Are these done in Sketchup?

Yes mate,

Nice easy way to construct a 3d model and gives out nice clear orthographic elevations to act as cutting templates et,

Ant its free.... cant complain there.....

Hi All,

I have been having a think about a couple of the comments here and in particular the 3D printing route?!

Just quickly i have had a look at a couple of sites here in the UK offering prototype and one off 3D printing services......

I cant imagine that Games Workshop / Forge World would be particulary happy about people rocking up and creating models from what essentially are their designs?!

Any one else come up against this issue or have any thoughts on it??

I am still commited to the hand build scheme.... but was just a thought.....

If you have designed it yurself then i cant see a problem with it, unless you start selling them 'en mass'.

 timthehierodule wrote:
If you have designed it yurself then i cant see a problem with it, unless you start selling them 'en mass'.

Yeh i guess you are right, hmmmmm interesting thought!

Really liking your DKoK Army by the way! Really impressive! I think by far and away the most atmpspheric faction in the 40K!

Thanks for your thoughts,

HI All,

Quick note regarding Scaling of 40K models,

I have printed my templates and began work on the turret of my Macharius,

I am using a scale of 1:50 for the build. I also won a bid on Ebay for a goodie bag of about 120 bits and bobs from a variety of 40K Vehicles. Looking between the 2 the peices i have bought seem to be slightly too small for the 1:50.

Any thoughts? I have read somewhere that 1:48 is correct but that would make the templates even bigger!

Any help would really be appreciated!

Cheers Guys & Gals!

Finally some WIP Pics....

Made a start on the turret tonight. as i mentioned previously i was thinking it was looking to large in scale.. but in my new box of bits.. i have a nice cupola and a tank commander (body) so i added them mock up and actually it is looking really good IMHO!!

More to follow.... soon

Cheers All.

Tank commander goes through the coupla, not on top of it

Apart from that, it looks like a great start...not as easy as 3d printing it though

 Sheep wrote:
Tank commander goes through the coupla, not on top of it

Apart from that, it looks like a great start...not as easy as 3d printing it though

Haha... thanks mate, yeh i realised that about the commander after i had taken the pictures! Noob error!

I have added the ammo containers at the back of the turret now and starting to add eht armour plates and some little bits of detail!

Next after this i am going to have a look at a couple of ways of riveting! Had a look at a couple of sytles and techniques on the site here so got a couple of ideas!

Thanks for the input buddy!

Hi again all,

Slow but steady progress with the turret i think....

Added a few more details and all in all am pretty happy with the way it is looking!
Going to finnish the turret before moving onto the hull and then lastly the track units because i am still trying to figure our how to make the track links themselves......

Going to build up the cupola slightly before glueing it in place and want to get the gun "guard" and battle cannon structure sorted also. Then the rivets...........

Any and all comments will be appreciated......

I know the going here is painfully slow... but it is my first attempt!

Ooo i like where this is going.

 Desubot wrote:
Ooo i like where this is going.

Hey man! Thanks very much! ALways nice to hear a kind word!

Finally getting the turret to a stage where i am happy with it for now. Added the mantlet and also the start of the battle cannon structure. Added a couple of extra little details but i want to get heading on into the hull now so will leave as is for now.

Comments and critique welcome!

Cheers,

Hey All.....

Some updates,

I have started work now on the main body of the hull of the Macharius.

Pretty much finished the front hull gunners position and the drivers compartment.

Next up is the "over hull" sections with the track covers etc. I have added pics of the turret ontop of the hull for effect..... once the other hulll parts are added the turret wil be raised alightly and then once i figure out how i am going to build the battle cannons.

Let me know what you think folks!

"The emperor protects..... except when you put your Scalpol through your plasticard into your finger! "

That's a very awesome looking hull!

 Senortaco wrote:
That's a very awesome looking hull!

Hey mate! Thanks very much!

Yeh i am happy where its heading! Next up is the track guards and angled sections of the upper hull!

Nice build matey , I think its bob on , don't worry too much about the scale , GW never do !

I find anything from 1:43 to 1:50 is about right , even 1:35 for parts in some cases ( tools , muzzle brakes etc).

Why did you build it in plastic then add plates of card ?

Blood and Skulls on ebay do some nice resin parts , especially cannon types !

 Big H wrote:
Nice build matey , I think its bob on , don't worry too much about the scale , GW never do !

I find anything from 1:43 to 1:50 is about right , even 1:35 for parts in some cases ( tools , muzzle brakes etc).

Why did you build it in plastic then add plates of card ?

Blood and Skulls on ebay do some nice resin parts , especially cannon types !

Hi Mate! Thanks for the advice! I will get on Blood & skulls and see whats on offer!

I built the plastic and then added the card as all i could get my hands on 0.5mm Plastic card. So i decided to build theunderlying model with the plastic and then add the 2mm card to it as armour plating to give it a thicker and sturdier look...... I am going to make a final decision on this when i get to the track units...... as i really want to see the depth and layers of details of the track unit build ups...

Thanks for the positive comments, and really like the look of your "Backwards Russ" haha.. original and looks great!

I'd do that mate , I like his weapon and track options and makes scratch builds some much less irritating !

You must really have a ton of patience , I used to build from scratch when I was a kid but really can't be bothered now , except to convert existing kits , I find it so much easier particularly if you want 2 or 3.

 Big H wrote:
I'd do that mate , I like his weapon and track options and makes scratch builds some much less irritating !

You must really have a ton of patience , I used to build from scratch when I was a kid but really can't be bothered now , except to convert existing kits , I find it so much easier particularly if you want 2 or 3.

Haha, I guess so. Im not really going for a tabletop army, just want a couple of display pieces so I can afford to speand the time on it!

I am certainly going to have a purchace on a "couple" of weapon options from Blood & Skulls. But I have a plan for the tracks stolen from a project I saw on here "I think"
Thanks for the info.

Currently batling with the rest of the hull but will have updates tomorrow!
Cheers

Ahoy all!

Bit more progress on the upper hull section but really come up against it with this section. Initially had the upper hull section to thin to fit over the lower hull section and this was causing some bowing and buckling on the track covers & rear sections.

Started a second version but then snapped 2 scalpol blades in a row and ran out of glue! It was a suare sign from the emperor to STOP!

I have added pics of the first failed version to see the scale and overall form of the tank so far. I have made the angled sections at the front of the upper hull symetrical for eaqse of construction.... but now i have figured thats a poor excuse so on the second option i am going back to the A-Symetrical design of the FW model.

Shopping list of scalpol blades glue & hexagonal plastruct tonight...... however my wife seems to think our first anniversary is more important than this construction so i wont be doing anything over this weekend!

Again, any and all comments would be appreciated!

Cheers,

Great build so far, I am starting to see how this is gunna look like in the end.

Happy anniversary magos!! Hope you have a good one!!