Scatter Terrain 8

Things have been a bit quiet update wise due to a. it's been too hot to do much, b. i had a headache yesterday and c. what i have been doing is moulds or casting so nothing new worth showing.

However I realised I hadn't done an update on the generator 3D model for a while - I actually did some work on it a fortnight ago but completely forgot to do the update (I've not had time to do anymore since alas).

So, here is the update from a fortnight back.

Basically I was happier with the Mk II version of the control panel but there were some elements from the Mk I that I really liked. In particular the curved top shape with a control workstation either side.

So I went back to the Mk I, re-worked some things and introduced elements from the Mk. II.

I coloured a few things to make them stand out a bit better. I decided to make the two work stations different, I found it more pleasing to the eye then having the two sides mirror each other.

And the obligatory 'stuck-on-the-side-of-the-generator' shot:

I am tempted to make one more change, namely to make the station longer (so it protrudes further from the generator). It would only be 5-10mm but I think it might be a better look. I shall experiment and then decide...

Gun Emplacement Mk. II - 6

A quick addition to last nights update.

Basically it has been too hot this evening to do anything but after The Grim Darkness asked about Deathstrikes I thought i would get the Manticore kit out and do a quick mock up or two.

Deathstrike:

It could be made to work I think, it would mean modifying the mounting plate, either incorporating the part from the GW kit or converting a cast piece. It still won't look 'right' to me. I just don't think a weapon like this would be mounted on a gun platform.

Manticore:

Again it is doable with some changes to the base, but personally I think the FW Manticore turret would be much better.

I am thinking of magnetising Hydra turrets so they can either take the Autocannon or brackets holding Manticore rockets.


In other news I ordered some Earthshaker bits so that I can rebuild the one I have and put together two new ones, giving me a nice battery of three guns...

Gun Emplacement Mk. II - 5

It may have been a month since I last posted regarding the Gun Emplacement but that doesn't mean it hasn't been on the workbench...


To recap I originally built a gun emplacement four or five years ago and recently decided to replicate the design using 3D modelling and printing to create masters which I could cast.

The Original Model I built many years ago...

And the 3D Model of the Mk. II design

In the last post I showed the 3D prints of the base pieces and the gun mounting plate. The two base pieces had gone wrong somehow in the printing process and on th egun plate some detail hadn't come out great. So moving on a month Shapeways has replaced the two prints...

While I have removed the crappy detail on the gun mounting plate and added some new details:

I then did the moulds and started casting.

First up the gun mounting plate, here shown with the master:

Master on the left,
Cast on the right (after a coat of grey primer)

After much casting (I need to do a second mould for the base pieces) I was able to assemble the pieces using some Finnboard as a base. I jumped the gun and sanded the base before I got pics of the assembled pieces.

A quick coat of grey primer later it looked like this...

I had a Hydra kit arrive from Forgeworld and I was delighted to find it did fit. The plan originally was to wait for the kit to arrive before doing any moulds and casting to ensure the turret fitted between the detail I had added, however I got impatient and did it anyway. Thankfully I hadn't made a terrible mistake.

And using the crappy second hand Earthshaker:

And a final shot showing Militiaman Bob behind the wall.

Say hello to Bob.

Next up I need to make the crank handle (which will turn the gun mounting plate) which will fit into the round depression in the mounting plate rear and also a cover plate for said depression for the plate which will mount the FW turret.

I also need to add the small lifting eye plates on the top of the walls.

After that it'll be more casting till I have a full battery of three. I will cast six mounting plates - three for Earthshakers and three Hydras, they can then be dropped into the bases as and when required.

Carcharodons 2

Just a quick post tonight.

Barely worth an update in all honesty but I told someone I would put a picture up so here it is.

Today, somewhat earlier than expected, the Tartaros pattern termie squad and weapon set arrived in the post - the weapon set isn't officially released till the 25th but i'm not complaining.

Overall the pieces look good, fair bit of flash on some of the termie parts but nothing to worry about.

Grot Tanks 5

Weathering has started, still a fair amount to do including rust and grease etc. Also lots of detailing to do yet.

White...

Red...

And Bloo...

Grot Kommanda has progressed a bit, got a Rebel Star on his coat and his sunglasses are now done, ish.

The other Grot Krewman has progressed a bit as well, not sold on the flag yet (though it is still PIP), may change it.

Would of got more done on them but I have been doing some moulds...which should see an update today or tomorrow...

Carcharodons 1 and Zone Mortalis 4

You may remember from my earlier Zone Mortalis posts that I had decided to build a new 1000 point force specifically for ZM games. Well I whittled down four options until I had a decision of what army to go with.


The four options were:

1. Nurgle Chaos Marines

2. Nurgle & Khorne Daemons

3. Deathwing

4. A Badab Chapter Force

Option 1 was tempting but I didn’t want to go for an army and then have to change everything when the new Codex came out. Option 2 was very tempting but I just couldn’t get a force list I liked with the limitations of only using Nurgle and Khorne and the ZM rules/FoC. Option 3 was always going to be considered as I still love the Dark Angels but the codex is, putting it bluntly, shite and I didn’t like the army list I could put together for it. Option 4 - I loved the Badab books from FW and a part of me always thought if I did Marines again A Badab Chapter would almost be a certainty. However I didn’t think I would be able to do an all Termie and Dread force with a Marine Codex based force. At this point Sheep (Forlorn Hope) pointed out that Tyberos of the Carcharodons allows you to take a Termie squad as a Troops choice…

So Option 4 it was, I picked up a second hand codex off eBay and drew up a force list:

HQ – Tyberos the Red Wake (190)

Elite – Contemptor Dreadnought with CCW/Heavy Flamer and Multi Melta (185)

Elite – Terminator Squad x5 including Heavy Flamer (205)

Troops – ‘The Red Brethren’ Terminator Squad x6 with Lightning Claws (240)

Heavy – Mortis Contemptor Dreadnought with Plasma Cannon (175)

Total = 995 points.

Only 14 models, even I should be able to manage that.

I decided as the army would be small I could “justify” an all Forge World force, no plastic Terminators or dreads, it was to be Tartaros and Contemptor patterns only.

I was away over the weekend just gone and on the way home I took the opportunity to pop into Warhammer World to buy the first batch of pieces. In stock they had:

Relic Contemptor with MM & CCW

Mortis Contemptor with two PC

Tyberos the Red Wake

At the same time I ordered a Tartaros pattern Terminator Squad plus one of the new weapon sets. This squad will provide a conversion of Tyberos (so he will have the same mark of armour as the other Terminators) and the additional member of the ‘Red Brethren’. Once Forge World has released an Assault squad I will pick up the two five man squads I need.

I’m in no rush to get everything built as I don’t think I will get to play ZM again for a bit, in the meantime I will plug away at the army as well as build up the number of cast pillars and card walls we will need to allow us to expand the gaming area for 1000 point armies.

With that in mind yesterday I did the first casts of some the control panels. They will be used as either scatter terrain in rooms or as objectives.

Thankfully they stand up fine.

Need a bit of cleaning up (odd air bubble) but otherwise they are good to go.

I also modified an old piece of terrain with some GW parts and cast that.

Air bubbles are much more a problem on these, the general shape plus all the small nooks and crannies means it is a bugger for trapping air bubbles. Keep in mind these may just be a stop gap till I do my own generator pieces (though they will still get used for some variety).

I think I will have to look at getting a vibration table. The amount of casting I am now doing (and looking to do) I think probably warrants the expenditure.

In the meantime I will clean up these pieces as much as possible with some GS.

If anyone has recommendations for vibrating tables (in the UK) please let me know.

Grot Tanks 4

Not done a lot to be honest but I thought as I am away for a couple of nights I best do an update now.

Rokkits

Command Tank Horn

Not sure what to do on his little flag.



Command Grot. Lot to do yet.

Still a bit to do on the tanks before I do the weathering.