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So I have decided to make a WIP blog documenting my progress while I build a space marine/zombie apocalypse diorama.

I have only been building and painting models for about 6 weeks so everything I do is at a very beginner level and I am learning as I go. I'm really looking forward to every ones advice, ideas and criticism.

What I am aiming to do Is build a large diorama of a "Space Marine" army fighting off hordes of zombies, using the 28mm zombie miniatures from this site http://www.studiominiatures.com/shop/zombies.html.

I will be converting and scratch building a lot of components and with only 6 weeks experience under my belt this will be a good blog for other beginners to learn from my mistakes and take some of my advice as we all progress through this hobby.

I have built and painted a DA army when I was 11 but I'm not sure what the quality was (I don't even know what happened to it all) and I have never played a game of 40k in my life and never even seen on played. I recently joined the local tabletop gaming club so I'm hoping to get along to see some of there games and who knows, maybe I will build a small army so I can have some social games.

Please note:

-I know very little of the rules and fluff of 40k. Because these models will never see battle this doesn't concern me.
-Please don't take offence at my ignorance.

I started off buying a tactical squad and so far have only assembled and painted one mini.



Not the best photo. Having issues with my camera. looks better in real life

I modified his bolt pistol arm from one of the arms that holds the grip on the bolter. cut his fingers so that he could hold the pistol.. and then reallised that I had an arm holding a bolt pistol. Simple colour scheme. Castellan green with a nuln wash, moot green eyes. Bear in mind this is my first and highlights and such scare me a fraction.

I then found a cheap 1/35 M3 Grant Mk II on trademe ( NZ online classified site) it was $12 which I thought was a bargain and was certain I could convert it into something awesome. So began my search for bits and oh boy did I find bits! The selection of 40k parts available both GW and other amazed me. I could only dream of the stuff available when I was 11 building my DA. And so began my addiction into buying bits online. At one point I was receiving a package in the mail almost everyday! even now looking through all my bits I find things I never knew I had. Another thing I enjoy is buying peoples less than average minis and stripping them down ready to be repurposed.

I have some great ideas in my head of things I can create with all the parts I have acquired but I will save those for another post.


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The M3 Grant conversion consists modifying the weapon systems and change the front fenders.

This is what it originally would've looked like



Here is the completed turret modification













I was happy with it until a read about sponge weathering and salt weathering also the fingerprints in it annoy me

The hatch, which I bought of a bits site, is from a Rhino however they did not have the hatch doors in stock so the doors are the original M3 ones which fit perfectly. The rhino hatch actually fit into the original hatch hole on the turret.

The spotlight is off a dreadnought.

I made the ejecting cases out of plastic rod which I drilled a small hole in using a pin vice. I then pressed the other end onto a warm stove element to give the case the ridge on the bottom.

I am borrowing a friends airbrush so that I can spray on even base coats on the tanks large surfaces. This is the first time I've used an airbrush and I must say that I am impressed. Over all its not the best paint job but for the second thing I've painted in over 15 years I'm happy with it for now.

Once I deal to my camera I shall post some more photos.

Please, I welcome your feedback.


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I don't really like the standard bolter.

I think the barrel is too short. It really cant be that accurate at long range

This is the first prototype for a bolt rifle. I have extended the barrel, added a stock form an IG lasgun, added a picatinny rail and a scope

So my latest online purchase arrived this morning



-20 paints
-4 brushes
-Razorback
-Landspeeder and crew
-Dreadnaught
-Crisis suit
-Warboss
-5 terminators
-23 Space Marines
-2 Sergeants
-Captain
-6 snipers scouts (5 on sprue)
-40k rule book
-5 decal sheets
-Assorted bitz

All of this for the low low price of $52 NZD! (~£27)

Time to get stripping!!

Hey man cool idea, they look like some decent zombie figures, they should look pretty cool.

I like your boltgun conversion too that's pretty ace!

Agreed, that boltrifle conversion is sweet. Goodluck with the diorama.

Looks promising! I like what you did with the turret!

-subbed

Made this today. No reason.

Pretty cool conversions!

Regarding paint stripping, deifnitely go for simple green, count down has it, pretty sure most supermarkets have it as well. I took about 6000 point of painted models and stripped them all very quickly. I found and old electric tooth brush and used that to agitate the paint off as well (you could use a normal old tooth brush)

 skid13 wrote:
Made this today. No reason.

Is that your take on Chips from Dawn of the Dead?