tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-42015965766141676112024-03-14T12:37:43.754-07:00Miniature Ordnance ReviewFingolfenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05578339609348306067noreply@blogger.comBlogger298125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4201596576614167611.post-37601236552394828812021-11-05T16:42:00.003-07:002021-11-05T16:42:34.394-07:00Re-routing - Preparing the Walnut for Assembly!Once the various stringers had been laminated together, the next step would be to rout channels in the wood to add the sheets of maple plywood which would make up the structure of the sides, doors, back, and eventually the playing surface as well. How well the whole table went together would depend on getting these steps right, so a lot of planning went into how we'd not only put the channels into the walnut stringers but what tools would be needed. In the photo below you can see not only some of the components of the build, but a finish tester we're using to try and decide on what sort of final finish we're going to use on the project (as it never hurts to look ahead!).<div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7e8ui0W46MY/YYW7Op6yXLI/AAAAAAAADHI/IIAR71rAs7I2u-ZpcezQkuRMUlXkiBKoQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1750/Part%2B03-01%2B-%2BStringers%2Bready%2Bfor%2Brouting.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="630" data-original-width="1750" height="115" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7e8ui0W46MY/YYW7Op6yXLI/AAAAAAAADHI/IIAR71rAs7I2u-ZpcezQkuRMUlXkiBKoQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Part%2B03-01%2B-%2BStringers%2Bready%2Bfor%2Brouting.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><span><a name='more'></a></span>Walnut is a relatively hardwood (sort of between red oak and cherry), so it isn't going to be as easy to cut deep channels in with a router as say pine or fir. However, before we could start on the actual routing, there were some very important decisions we had to make.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HXdC0mZciY0/YYW8KfH9VBI/AAAAAAAADH0/FjQjHn5wfYQG8y-iTbWDWjxE8HfNCZIBQCLcBGAsYHQ/s609/Part%2B03-01a%2B-%2BWood%2BHardness.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="367" data-original-width="609" height="193" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HXdC0mZciY0/YYW8KfH9VBI/AAAAAAAADH0/FjQjHn5wfYQG8y-iTbWDWjxE8HfNCZIBQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Part%2B03-01a%2B-%2BWood%2BHardness.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>With so many of the sub-assemblies already together, and all of them being made out of high-quality walnut, we had to decide which of the sides were going to ultimately be the front facing parts of the build. This was a little less critical on the stringers as they'd be symmetrical - at least initially - but it made sense to go ahead and mark the pieces so that we wouldn't be second guessing ourselves (or worse, make a mistake) later on! Though the picture below is a little blurry, all of the end stringers below are labeled.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PicosINGIds/YYW7OEQUCpI/AAAAAAAADHE/a_LCjzF4Srg8n1Wi4P1C9jI5eNHM8JDDgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1500/Part%2B03-02%2B-%2BStringers%2Blabeled.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="662" data-original-width="1500" height="141" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PicosINGIds/YYW7OEQUCpI/AAAAAAAADHE/a_LCjzF4Srg8n1Wi4P1C9jI5eNHM8JDDgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Part%2B03-02%2B-%2BStringers%2Blabeled.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Next we had to decide exactly how to precisely rout the channels into the stringers. Literally every walnut piece in the build would have at least one channel cut into it (with the stringers encapsulating the doors having two). Furthermore, given the hardness of the wood, we wouldn't be able to simply cut the channels to the required depth in one go - it would take multiple passes removing a little material at a time until the desired depth was reached.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HiWH1b2zlhk/YYW7OtMtMuI/AAAAAAAADHM/-IWaUHm0u0ktCqJ-FmadfjGSdVpEb0WrACLcBGAsYHQ/s1400/Part%2B03-03%2B-%2BNew%2BRouter%2BTable.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1400" height="244" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HiWH1b2zlhk/YYW7OtMtMuI/AAAAAAAADHM/-IWaUHm0u0ktCqJ-FmadfjGSdVpEb0WrACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Part%2B03-03%2B-%2BNew%2BRouter%2BTable.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Enter the new router table. This particular one has a chain lift and cast iron top. After spending a fair amount of time first adding a coat of paste wax to the top (to protect it from rust), we spent more time making sure that the lift itself was flat and level with the top of the table. Fortunately my woodworking friend also has a large number of other tools from his time as a classic car racer that allowed us to measure how far off level the table and lift were relative to each other and adjust until it was pretty much dead on. Of course, I can't remember exactly what all the nifty gadgets he had were actually called.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cz42S-sCCtM/YYW7PWIHuNI/AAAAAAAADHQ/zv0mltPqN3U5FBzkx6PU25-6aofjtJEXgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1500/Part%2B03-04%2B-%2BNew%2BRouter%2BTable%2B-%2BTest%2BCuts.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="814" data-original-width="1500" height="174" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cz42S-sCCtM/YYW7PWIHuNI/AAAAAAAADHQ/zv0mltPqN3U5FBzkx6PU25-6aofjtJEXgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Part%2B03-04%2B-%2BNew%2BRouter%2BTable%2B-%2BTest%2BCuts.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Once the router table was ready to go, we ran a few test cuts with soft wood to make sure that we had the technique down before cutting the actual walnut for the project. Above you can see the first test cut, fence, a feather board (to keep the piece against the fence during the cut), and a couple of push sticks - so that our fleshy hand bits stay well away from the cutting surfaces! </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sCt_oXSTfBs/YYW7SqAOiEI/AAAAAAAADHY/AcGbw4kajK4JE08eaknltfHbr4qppleYQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1500/Part%2B03-05%2B-%2BNew%2BRouter%2BTable%2B-%2BWalnut%2Bdust%2521%2521%2521.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1148" data-original-width="1500" height="245" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sCt_oXSTfBs/YYW7SqAOiEI/AAAAAAAADHY/AcGbw4kajK4JE08eaknltfHbr4qppleYQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Part%2B03-05%2B-%2BNew%2BRouter%2BTable%2B-%2BWalnut%2Bdust%2521%2521%2521.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Once we were satisfied that the table was working properly and we had our technique down, we started work on the first stringer. It ended up taking about six passes to get to the depth we needed for the channel based on the desired height of the side. This process, of course, created a great deal of wonderful walnut dust (seen in the photo above) - though later work would make this mountain of dust look truly like a molehill!</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FcjtLqzW7j8/YYW7RaM7UGI/AAAAAAAADHU/oJbys1ohRKQx7nX3eLUMUSxglbxObfsBACLcBGAsYHQ/s1500/Part%2B03-06%2B-%2BSide%2Bmock-up.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1146" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FcjtLqzW7j8/YYW7RaM7UGI/AAAAAAAADHU/oJbys1ohRKQx7nX3eLUMUSxglbxObfsBACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Part%2B03-06%2B-%2BSide%2Bmock-up.jpg" width="244" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>After I had gotten a couple of the stringers together, I couldn't resist the chance of doing a dry fit of the two stringers around the maple plywood side to get essentially a preview of what the side assembly was going to look like. I was <i>not</i> disappointed! The two woods looked wonderful next to each other, and that was without finish!</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6hW0ZnAs_l8/YYW7SgxBjxI/AAAAAAAADHc/ZVU8f8U2AHoXd20xqBDAULYvHbf6A4MLwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1500/Part%2B03-07%2B-%2BFinished%2BSide%2BStringers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="960" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6hW0ZnAs_l8/YYW7SgxBjxI/AAAAAAAADHc/ZVU8f8U2AHoXd20xqBDAULYvHbf6A4MLwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Part%2B03-07%2B-%2BFinished%2BSide%2BStringers.jpg" width="205" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Eventually all four of the end top / bottom stringers were finished. I think they came out great! The new router table as so precise it felt more like a metal milling machine in some ways than a simple woodworking tool. The end results truly speak for themselves. However, this was just the beginning for the routing! Next we will move on to the legs and the cross stringers for the back and doors, which come with their own set of unique challenges!</div>Fingolfenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05578339609348306067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4201596576614167611.post-22031437739489530542021-10-26T17:40:00.005-07:002021-10-26T18:10:54.020-07:00Custom Gaming Table - Part 2 - Marathon LaminationOnce the legs had been built, it was time to start working on the structural members of the table itself. Each of the sides would require a top and bottom rail to simultaneously enclose the plywood side and serve as a platform for additional internal structures (oooh - foreshadowing). The table also needed four primary beams to span the length of the table forming the top and bottom of the back and the top and bottom rails of the sliding doors. As all of these would need to be relatively thick, we decided rather than trying to get walnut in the right thickness (which would be both expensive and susceptible to warping) we would laminate thinner boards together to provide not only additional strength, but lessen the tendency of the long boards to warp with changes in temperature and moisture.<div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AnXZgq_5Exk/YXiWEkgsfhI/AAAAAAAADGI/34qb3k_bmUoJ2vsSWoPT0zRwCsogUma3wCLcBGAsYHQ/s2543/Part%2B02-01%2B-%2BSide%2BPanel%2BMock-up%2Bwith%2BLegs%2Band%2BStringers.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1236" data-original-width="2543" height="156" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AnXZgq_5Exk/YXiWEkgsfhI/AAAAAAAADGI/34qb3k_bmUoJ2vsSWoPT0zRwCsogUma3wCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Part%2B02-01%2B-%2BSide%2BPanel%2BMock-up%2Bwith%2BLegs%2Band%2BStringers.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><span><a name='more'></a></span>In the photo above you can see the stringers for one side of the table. The boards have been laminated and shaved to true using a joiner rather than a planer as that allows you to get far closer to square than with a planer. Note, the grooves for the side board have not been cut into either the legs or the stringers at this point - that's a later blog (ooooh - more foreshadowing!).</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zKqN4cJa14A/YXiWJtQ22sI/AAAAAAAADGM/Sj_V3WQ9ZH4yi0Tqhxu1fhCjc2X_WlMRgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2543/Part%2B02-02%2B-%2BLaminating%2BSide%2BBoards%2B1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1236" data-original-width="2543" height="156" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zKqN4cJa14A/YXiWJtQ22sI/AAAAAAAADGM/Sj_V3WQ9ZH4yi0Tqhxu1fhCjc2X_WlMRgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Part%2B02-02%2B-%2BLaminating%2BSide%2BBoards%2B1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Actually laminating the boards together to get the required thickness is a fairly entertaining process in of itself, and since so much of this structure ended up being made from laminated walnut, I thought it would be a good idea to go through the process from start to finish. In the photo above (and below) you can see one of the long boards that runs down the length of the table. The edges of the board itself have been taped using painter's tape to prevent any glue drips (and oh... there are glue drips!) from soaking into the edge of the board itself as this would make it far more difficult to get a good even finish on the final piece.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GSfTuGAAtWU/YXiWBqnJ37I/AAAAAAAADGE/rMdziLiwjPgNFeSTUMVtK_UR3jme5GnwACLcBGAsYHQ/s2543/Part%2B02-03%2B-%2BLaminating%2BSide%2BBoards%2B2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1236" data-original-width="2543" height="156" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GSfTuGAAtWU/YXiWBqnJ37I/AAAAAAAADGE/rMdziLiwjPgNFeSTUMVtK_UR3jme5GnwACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Part%2B02-03%2B-%2BLaminating%2BSide%2BBoards%2B2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>We're using Titebond II for all of the gluing on this particular project. Even though the table is only going to be used inside (where regular Titebond would be fine), and the glue joins don't need to be completely waterproof (well, heavily water resistant like you get with Titebond III) it is being built in an open shop which can get damp. Especially in the Oregon rainy season - which runs from October through roughly May!</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nWlPXiw6TQg/YXiWaGHXcZI/AAAAAAAADGc/uSZEzS2kyVcPDu1zwETa_SG2z7dgpTQ2ACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/Part%2B02-04%2B-%2BLaminating%2BSide%2BBoards%2B-%2BGot%2BClamps%2B1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1077" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nWlPXiw6TQg/YXiWaGHXcZI/AAAAAAAADGc/uSZEzS2kyVcPDu1zwETa_SG2z7dgpTQ2ACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Part%2B02-04%2B-%2BLaminating%2BSide%2BBoards%2B-%2BGot%2BClamps%2B1.jpg" width="168" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Once both sides have received a liberal dose of glue, they're lined up and clamped. To say you need a lot of clamps to make this work is a bit of an understatement as the photos above and below show. Ideally you want to see a lot of glue squeezing out along the length of the board indicating that there aren't any gaps in the adhesion between the two boards. As the glue dries, some of it will be sucked back into the join forming a very tight bond.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-b-PeiHOsJ3w/YXiWdDSUaXI/AAAAAAAADGg/lUNp4AchSusiEUPBc5RhcIPNR_KZ5irkgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2543/Part%2B02-05%2B-%2BLaminating%2BSide%2BBoards%2B-%2BGot%2BClamps%2B2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1236" data-original-width="2543" height="156" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-b-PeiHOsJ3w/YXiWdDSUaXI/AAAAAAAADGg/lUNp4AchSusiEUPBc5RhcIPNR_KZ5irkgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Part%2B02-05%2B-%2BLaminating%2BSide%2BBoards%2B-%2BGot%2BClamps%2B2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Once the glue has dried, the clamps and tape are removed (if no more boards need to be added) or additional boards are taped up, glued, and clamped to make an even thicker structure (below). This allows you to make any required thickness of board for the structure. In the picture below a third board has started the gluing process.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3ZnJj0u59wg/YXieVRe8usI/AAAAAAAADGs/ZQjRbnqqHDMgS6-nYlDgJps7quwj_1JiwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1500/Part%2B02-06%2B-%2BLaminating%2BSide%2BBoards%2B-%2BMore%2BLamination.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="729" data-original-width="1500" height="156" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3ZnJj0u59wg/YXieVRe8usI/AAAAAAAADGs/ZQjRbnqqHDMgS6-nYlDgJps7quwj_1JiwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Part%2B02-06%2B-%2BLaminating%2BSide%2BBoards%2B-%2BMore%2BLamination.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>The process is essentially the same as before, you just have to be careful to get everything lined up properly to ensure that a minimum of material is lost when the piece is trued up using the joiner. The nice thing about the joiner is that even if there is some tape or glue on the edges that is difficult / impossible to move, it will be taken off in the process resulting in a very smooth surface (though it will still need sanding before final finish).</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Kv19w2BBmpc/YXieViOxgEI/AAAAAAAADGw/pRMHjIUb7-0hoQUifPRRcwOvH75pxQh9ACLcBGAsYHQ/s1500/Part%2B02-07%2B-%2BLaminating%2BSide%2BBoards%2B-%2BMore%2BLamination%2Band%2BClamps.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="729" data-original-width="1500" height="156" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Kv19w2BBmpc/YXieViOxgEI/AAAAAAAADGw/pRMHjIUb7-0hoQUifPRRcwOvH75pxQh9ACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Part%2B02-07%2B-%2BLaminating%2BSide%2BBoards%2B-%2BMore%2BLamination%2Band%2BClamps.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>As you can likely imagine, I've become <i><b>very</b></i> good friends with clamps, blue tape, and glue. To make the structural stringers I had to fabricate:</div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Two table end bottom stringers (2 piece lamination)</li><li>Two table end top stringers (2 piece lamination)</li><li>One table back top stringer (2 piece lamination)</li><li>One table back bottom / shelf stringer (3 piece lamination)</li><li>One table door track top stringer (3 piece lamination)</li><li>One table door track bottom / shelf stringer (4 piece lamination!)</li></ul><div>In future blog entries you'll get to see these other pieces coming together and the final construction of the sub-assemblies!</div></div>Fingolfenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05578339609348306067noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4201596576614167611.post-63132203211822510292021-10-12T22:08:00.006-07:002021-10-12T22:28:22.988-07:00Getting a Leg Up - First Steps Toward a Gaming TableWith the decision made to go ahead and try to <a href="https://miniordnancerev.blogspot.com/2021/10/bespoke-gaming-tables-or-what-have-i.html" target="_blank">build</a> my own version of the Geek Chic Spartan Table, step one was to reverse engineer the plans and layout of the original as much as possible. The Geek Chic site was down (and has since been taken over by malware cyber-squatters - <i>don't go there!</i>), but some versions of the PDF brochures could still be found along with a few photos and videos posted by the lucky few to actually receive a table. The first decision I made was not to do an exact copy of the Spartan, but rather to make a couple of modifications I thought would make the table more user-friendly. In the original Spartan design, there was a shelf which covered the entire bottom of the table (and essentially served as a key structural piece). This means that no one could sit next to the table itself in a chair as they would either be resting their feet on the maple (bad idea) or would simply have to be back from the table at all times. This would be okay if the rail system was in use 100% of the time with attachments, but as I figured that would most likely not be the case, I decided to push back that cross member to be even with the doors (and the back plate on the opposite side).<div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dE4ya-4b2ss/YWZi3w3evjI/AAAAAAAADDM/ykNgulqerq4OSkj5hUwivdsok7Hx3kEqQCLcBGAsYHQ/s960/Part%2B01-00%2B-%2BConcept%2Band%2BModifications.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="960" height="213" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dE4ya-4b2ss/YWZi3w3evjI/AAAAAAAADDM/ykNgulqerq4OSkj5hUwivdsok7Hx3kEqQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Part%2B01-00%2B-%2BConcept%2Band%2BModifications.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div><span><a name='more'></a></span>This had a few immediate consequences. First it meant that the construction and assembly of the table would be quite different from the exemplar. The Spartan uses "L" shaped legs and screws into the corners for the bottom structural support and top. With these legs now essentially "floating" (though still attached to the end boards) I decided to go ahead and make them square legs with wood all around. The cross member would still attach to the bottom shelf, but would also serve as the track for the doors and back panel, and the bottom shelf assembly would attach to the bottom rails on the end panels. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MfIaRHulJLA/YWZkzMrK_XI/AAAAAAAADDU/XIoimUIBLd44-evitvaBj0LCJCvYVnXDwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/20180126_145223.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MfIaRHulJLA/YWZkzMrK_XI/AAAAAAAADDU/XIoimUIBLd44-evitvaBj0LCJCvYVnXDwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/20180126_145223.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div>I also worked with my woodworker friend to finalize the dimensions and basic construction layout of the table based on the photos and videos of the real thing. The vaulted playing surface would be 4' x 6' - and all of the other dimensions were pretty much scaled to match the Spartan with those specs. With some rough sketches and dimensions together, it was time to go <i>wood shopping</i>!!!! I really loved the walnut and maple combination used on the original Spartan, so that's the direction I decided to go. Fortunately the local area has some good sources of really beautiful hardwood and maple veneer plywood.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-P18tYr8-yZY/YWZmdN-uzTI/AAAAAAAADEA/uLChzLDJN0c3mrRMQuS_On0qs0CI7__9QCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/20180824_165122.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-P18tYr8-yZY/YWZmdN-uzTI/AAAAAAAADEA/uLChzLDJN0c3mrRMQuS_On0qs0CI7__9QCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/20180824_165122.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div>Given the legs and side-panels would be pivotal to the overall construction of the table, we decided to start with the legs. As I was going for fully squared legs, we first cut 16 boards a little longer than would be needed for each leg. Using a biscuit joiner, we then assembled a series of eight right angles which would ultimately be biscuit joined to create the final leg assemblies (see photo above). This step began my long-term relationship with wood glue, clamps, and ultimately blue painter's tape!</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Wev2DzO8puw/YWZlsseG4rI/AAAAAAAADDg/iRfZjO8_8Pw0C6dMV4pjyLRSOXYF2jamQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/Part%2B01-01%2B-%2BLeg%2BGlue%2BUp.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1351" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Wev2DzO8puw/YWZlsseG4rI/AAAAAAAADDg/iRfZjO8_8Pw0C6dMV4pjyLRSOXYF2jamQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Part%2B01-01%2B-%2BLeg%2BGlue%2BUp.jpg" width="211" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Once the glue had dried on the half legs, the halves were put together with hardwood cores top and bottom. Marine-grade epoxy with thickener was used to attach the hardwood inserts. The purpose of the insert at the top is to serve as strengthening for the attachment bolts for the tabletop. The insert at the bottom has the sockets for screw-in adjustable leveling feet. The glued legs are visible above, along with some of the leftover painter's tape used to protect the surface wood from stray wood glue (which would show up after finishing).</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1_DnALxkA1g/YWZlq_mUjFI/AAAAAAAADDc/BWq3Z54F1Ow3h_T2v0Wu1lWIrDcP4j6kQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/Part%2B01-02%2B-%2BSquaring%2Bthe%2BLegs%2B1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1216" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1_DnALxkA1g/YWZlq_mUjFI/AAAAAAAADDc/BWq3Z54F1Ow3h_T2v0Wu1lWIrDcP4j6kQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Part%2B01-02%2B-%2BSquaring%2Bthe%2BLegs%2B1.jpg" width="190" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>We then used a planer to work the legs down to a perfectly square configuration. This took several passes on each face of each leg. In some cases we had to use a brace because of a slight board offset to ensure the legs were square in cross section, rather than a parallelogram. At each step we double checked the legs with a square to ensure we weren't getting off track.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hqaOcQO02Mo/YWZobfCqVUI/AAAAAAAADEI/wVKCJhW-F6oReakjiBmWJrqq0E0rHe_LQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/Part%2B01-05%2B-%2BFour%2BLegs%2BReady%2Bto%2BGo.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1500" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hqaOcQO02Mo/YWZobfCqVUI/AAAAAAAADEI/wVKCJhW-F6oReakjiBmWJrqq0E0rHe_LQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Part%2B01-05%2B-%2BFour%2BLegs%2BReady%2Bto%2BGo.jpg" width="234" /></a></div><br /><div>Ultimately we ended up with four really nice looking legs with really beautiful grain structure in them (shown above). This was probably the longest step in the process - largely because there was a roughly 2 year hiatus between the initial purchase of the wood and creating the "L" segments and actually assembling them into the legs. Getting the legs together and planed was a roughly 3 week process as I could only really get by on the weekends to work on the project.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-adPnuBAbXsw/YWZl8l6KhlI/AAAAAAAADDs/0R1mLzkVTTA-fBmHlUsXmWgNYxtsRA1eQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/Part%2B01-04%2B-%2BFinish%2BMock%2Bup%2Bwith%2BDenatured%2BAlcohol.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1519" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-adPnuBAbXsw/YWZl8l6KhlI/AAAAAAAADDs/0R1mLzkVTTA-fBmHlUsXmWgNYxtsRA1eQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Part%2B01-04%2B-%2BFinish%2BMock%2Bup%2Bwith%2BDenatured%2BAlcohol.jpg" width="237" /></a></div><br />One other fun trick I learned is the use of denatured alcohol to bring out the wood grain on a project (shown above). This gives you sort of a preview of what the piece will look like once you've added a finish to it, and based on the results above, I was already liking what I was seeing!<div><br /></div><div>So the corners of the table were assembled, but that left a lot to go, including a lot of fairly challenging engineering. Next time I'll go into the next steps in creating the critical end panels for the table.</div>Fingolfenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05578339609348306067noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4201596576614167611.post-57860844907165023782021-10-11T14:24:00.003-07:002021-10-12T09:06:47.147-07:00Bespoke Gaming Tables - or - What Have I Gotten Myself Into!?!!??As a card-carrying member of Gen X, I was on the leading edge of roleplaying games and large-scale organized wargames. While miniature wargaming had been around for decades, the genre saw a dramatic increase in popularity during the 1980s and 1990s with the release of Warhammer and Warhammer 40K. As a student in both graduate and undergraduate school, you tended to play your games where ever you could find space: kitchen tables, card (AKA "poker") tables, pretty much anything with an open flat surface was fair game. If you were really lucky you made it to the occasional tournament with modular tables and terrain. Fast forward several years, and gaming as an industry has taken off. Those starving Gen X college students are now often professionals with far more disposable income. So in addition to more games being available, new places to actually <i>play</i> your games started to make it to market.<div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qeEet308IRk/YWSLVHWLL5I/AAAAAAAADCM/QcoIpZ30tNktp978tLwLLFoTUHqAL2GUwCLcBGAsYHQ/s838/tabletop.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="524" data-original-width="838" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qeEet308IRk/YWSLVHWLL5I/AAAAAAAADCM/QcoIpZ30tNktp978tLwLLFoTUHqAL2GUwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/tabletop.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><span><a name='more'></a></span>Wil Wheaton's Tabletop web series did a lot to increase the popularity of board gaming, and his show featured a beautiful gaming table in every episode. I believe that this was actually the Emissary by Geek Chic, one of the earliest companies creating high-end tables for gaming. Robert Gifford, the owner of Geek Chic, even went on the <a href="https://www.sharktankblog.com/business/geek-chic/" target="_blank">show</a> <i>Shark Tank</i> in 2013 to raise additional capital for his business (more on that in a bit).</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ETugTTjofiU/YWSP5IPsEMI/AAAAAAAADCU/LXazH2IedpMz83tGgGtpOwklMmfu7n4LwCLcBGAsYHQ/s603/geek%2Bchich%2Bsultan.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="391" data-original-width="603" height="207" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ETugTTjofiU/YWSP5IPsEMI/AAAAAAAADCU/LXazH2IedpMz83tGgGtpOwklMmfu7n4LwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/geek%2Bchich%2Bsultan.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>Geek Chic had a whole line of tables with a wide range in prices. Each of them was essentially made by hand from hardwoods and plywood veneers with each example custom-built for the customer. The buyer could choose their own options and woods for the project. At the top of the line was the Sultan (pictured above), I always thought that it was a very cool table, but it was ridiculously expensive ($15K - $22K+ - see the price list below!). It was also very large and fairly ostentatious, and therefore even if I had the cash, it was not really something that would easily fit in my home (not saying I'd turn one down if someone had showed up at my door with one!). </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Zvn4dXexaPA/YWSQhzL1noI/AAAAAAAADCc/uGcAVSlCOHcKZd0QS_nFEUvtl1G18LVawCLcBGAsYHQ/s898/sultan%2Bpricing.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="898" data-original-width="659" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Zvn4dXexaPA/YWSQhzL1noI/AAAAAAAADCc/uGcAVSlCOHcKZd0QS_nFEUvtl1G18LVawCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/sultan%2Bpricing.jpg" width="235" /></a></div><br /><div>That being said, Geek Chic did have one particular model that I really liked. It was called the Spartan (pictured below). Despite its Classic Greek name, the style of the standard model was more Japanese inspired than anything else. In fact, they even called one of their trim styles the "Shoji" in reference to the sliding doors used in Japanese architecture starting in the Kamakura period, though other styles were available. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-U6d95e_dk_g/YWSSRvU2bEI/AAAAAAAADCk/B-awgAjncYYm0oJJg6Fdu-u7ebM8-P1BQCLcBGAsYHQ/s625/geek%2Bchic%2Bspartan.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="367" data-original-width="625" height="188" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-U6d95e_dk_g/YWSSRvU2bEI/AAAAAAAADCk/B-awgAjncYYm0oJJg6Fdu-u7ebM8-P1BQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/geek%2Bchic%2Bspartan.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>There were a lot of things to like about this particular table. The exemplar appeared to be made from a nice walnut and maple combination. There was storage underneath (and as a miniatures gamer, I can tell you that you <i>always</i> need more storage!). There was not only a vaulted playing surface, but there was a row of leaves that ran along the top of the vault to create a second surface. So, say you had a weekend wargame or puzzle or whatever going, that could sit on the lower surface while the leaves would allow more daily use. The design even included a rail system that allowed you to add shelves, dice trays, cup holders, or whatever a gamer would need for marathon sessions along the edges.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-T8c4flzVJ10/YWSTchwQUAI/AAAAAAAADCs/F6Jf5_aZWxYCrZQ7rfBk8UAHCc6cI-fmwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1457/spartan%2Bpricing.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1457" data-original-width="1124" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-T8c4flzVJ10/YWSTchwQUAI/AAAAAAAADCs/F6Jf5_aZWxYCrZQ7rfBk8UAHCc6cI-fmwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/spartan%2Bpricing.jpg" width="247" /></a></div><br /><div>However, as with the Sultan, there was one problem. One really big problem, and that was the price. A 4' by 6' table started at $6150 - almost five years ago. Add the widthwise leaves (at least $250) and say four trays ($400), four cup holders ($200), four card/counter holders ($420), and four dice trays ($140) and you're already over $7500 and you haven't even added shipping or any other incidental costs.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8EzhPK08jwU/YWSV_d-V0nI/AAAAAAAADC0/MMg9EzepuNIJcz9twuoautGJP_Z-hMvYgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1500/going-bankrupt.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1125" data-original-width="1500" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8EzhPK08jwU/YWSV_d-V0nI/AAAAAAAADC0/MMg9EzepuNIJcz9twuoautGJP_Z-hMvYgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/going-bankrupt.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>There was another big problem as well, and not just for me and my desire to own a really cool gaming table. When Geek Chic went on <i>Shark Tank</i> in 2013, their revenue for the first year was $2 million, but they were still $100K in the <a href="https://www.sharktankblog.com/business/geek-chic/" target="_blank">red</a>. By 2017, the financial picture had gotten much, much worse. On June 19, 2017, Polygon <a href="https://www.polygon.com/2017/6/19/15812486/geek-chic-out-of-business-game-tables" target="_blank">reported</a> that Geek Chic had shut down. Subsequent bankruptcy proceedings revealed that Geek Chic faced $7.5 million in liabilities with only $1.4 million in assets. The Bankruptcy settlement <a href="https://www.heraldnet.com/business/bankrupt-geek-chic-owed-7-5m-auction-raises-a-fraction/" target="_blank">auction</a> raised only a little north of $335,000 - well short of the $7.5 million in liabilities. This left a lot of customers, who had put down hefty deposits, stranded and out a lot of cash.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-D2cdwvaPBIA/YWSnGlzlmSI/AAAAAAAADC8/fWxOP8RKu60InAw_WjdfEzv_6vP-b_lKACLcBGAsYHQ/s2000/Table-View-2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="952" data-original-width="2000" height="152" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-D2cdwvaPBIA/YWSnGlzlmSI/AAAAAAAADC8/fWxOP8RKu60InAw_WjdfEzv_6vP-b_lKACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Table-View-2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>The timing of Geek Chic's demise was important for a couple of reasons. In 2017 we moved into our new house, and I finally had a decent gaming room. I had great plans in that pre-COVID world of getting a permanent table set up and bringing people over for semi-regular miniatures, role playing, and board gaming. For the time being, I set up a plastic folding table and used three sections of 2' x 4' painted OSB to make up the playing surface. With Geek Chic gone, I explored other builders, but no one had anything quite like the Spartan and even their basic tables (which to my eye weren't quite as nice as the Emissary) were prohibitively expensive. However, I've been a hobby-level woodworker since I was a kid, and I have a good friend locally with a decent woodshop and years of experience... so I had an idea...</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0ZIhbErT08o/YWSo5GjxQoI/AAAAAAAADDE/hL_dro4AV5YUFX7HVhuOErgvc8mWCuphQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1500/crosscut%2Bhardwoods.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1500" height="213" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0ZIhbErT08o/YWSo5GjxQoI/AAAAAAAADDE/hL_dro4AV5YUFX7HVhuOErgvc8mWCuphQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/crosscut%2Bhardwoods.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Why not build my own? I could take the best features of the Spartan, but modify them to suit my needs and desires. Living in Portland I have access to stores like <a href="http://www.crosscuthardwoods.com/" target="_blank">Crosscut</a> Hardwoods and <a href="https://gobywalnut.com/" target="_blank">Goby</a> which could get me all the walnut, maple, and anything else I needed. It wouldn't be "cheap", but it would be a heck of a lot cheaper than paying someone else to do it. So I ultimately took the plunge and started planning out and then building the table. The process has not been smooth, nor has it been fast, but the table is finally progressing toward completion. Over the next few months, I'll be periodically adding additional blog entries showing the construction of the table from the first initial steps, through completion of the sub-assemblies, and finally to the (hopefully!) completed unique version of the Spartan!</div>Fingolfenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05578339609348306067noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4201596576614167611.post-91231252386368285092021-10-06T20:09:00.005-07:002021-10-06T22:46:10.746-07:00Random Update and Plans<div>I'm not dead! No really!</div><div><br /></div>It has been a (long) while since I've posted as there has been quite a bit going on in my life. I transitioned to a new job for the first time in over 20 years earlier this year. The interview process and transition took up a fair amount of my time, which limited time for working on hobbies. My <a href="http://miniordnancerev.blogspot.com/2021/01/new-year-new-army-necrons.html" target="_blank">Necron</a> army was also just not holding my attention like I'd hoped, and while I loved the paint jobs on my <a href="http://miniordnancerev.blogspot.com/2021/03/new-year-new-army-part-ii-seraphon.html" target="_blank">Skinks</a>, the basing left a lot to be desired in my book. So I've effectively deprioritized both of those armies for the time being. I'm making progress on some additional basing elements for both armies that I think will help eventually move them forward, but on the Necrons I also need to find a way to improve throughput on energy blades.<br /><div><br /></div><div>I've also been indulging in another hobby, which is building effects pedals for my guitar - I have even recently set up a separate <a href="https://steggostudios.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">blog</a> showing off some of the recent ones I've put together. Given most of the U.S. is still effectively locked down, actually playing 40K or AoS remains an elusive concept, but new effects pedals I can put to immediate use in chasing the sound of some of my guitar heroes.</div><div><br /></div><div>I'd thought about trying to update my Armies on Parade <a href="http://miniordnancerev.blogspot.com/2020/11/armies-on-parade-2020-fall-of-hive.html" target="_blank">entry</a> from last year with some of the newer Cult miniatures I'd worked on earlier in the year, but the format is "online" once again this year. Last year's "competition" sort of left a bad taste in my mouth. I'd tried to enter both my son and myself, and I'm not even sure if my entry was accepted even after hundreds of hours of work. Very few of the thousands of entries got a shout out, and there was no Youngblood category. So, I decided to just skip it this year and save my sanity.</div><div><br /></div><div>That being said I do have a few miniatures projects that are making their way back onto the table. I have several Cult miniatures that I'm hoping to finish up before the end of the year, and I have a new army that I believe I'm going to get to come out visually the way I want it. It will likely be several weeks before they're ready to post, but they will make an appearance here first!</div>Fingolfenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05578339609348306067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4201596576614167611.post-53300297941673522532021-05-23T09:48:00.006-07:002021-05-23T09:52:12.791-07:00Necron Gandalf - or Kamoteph the Crooked<div>For this year's Store Anniversary miniatures, Games Workshop had one new Necron for Warhammer 40K and a Stormcast Eternal for Age of Sigmar. I'd thought about picking up one of the Stormcast's for my son, but he seemed ambivalent about it, so I ended up just getting one of the Necrons for my new Necron force. Kamoteph the Crooked is just a vanilla Cryptek with no special rules, which is sort of nice because he will always slot nicely into any Necron army and won't become a "legend" - losing all official support. I really liked the look of the miniature - he's absolutely ancient even by Necron standards and has that whole "get off my lawn" vibe about him.</div><div><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Noto Sans"; font-size: 15px;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-z1c-3IKVvDA/YKqFWFskCWI/AAAAAAAAC2w/HNvb2te7JHcD8Cd4RT89lF7KSvVu0tXfACLcBGAsYHQ/s1293/anniversary%2Bmini%2B1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1293" data-original-width="943" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-z1c-3IKVvDA/YKqFWFskCWI/AAAAAAAAC2w/HNvb2te7JHcD8Cd4RT89lF7KSvVu0tXfACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/anniversary%2Bmini%2B1.jpg" /></a></div><span><div><br /></div><span><a name='more'></a></span><div>As with the rest of my force, I've painted him up in Szarekhan dynasty colors using the same techniques I used for the two Overlord models I've already completed. I will say that the energy blade did seem to go faster this time, and I tried something new with the gem in the middle. Instead of trying to glaze it, I pre-shaded it with a light yellow-green followed by white-gray edge highlighting. I then mixed a blue green color using contrast paints and the end result came out really nicely.</div><div><br /></div></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RW1rxNS4hEQ/YKqFV7NEyxI/AAAAAAAAC2s/kA0jZNVivtMeqgcv2nxrck238jt_9jXHwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1311/anniversary%2Bmini%2B2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1311" data-original-width="835" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RW1rxNS4hEQ/YKqFV7NEyxI/AAAAAAAAC2s/kA0jZNVivtMeqgcv2nxrck238jt_9jXHwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/anniversary%2Bmini%2B2.jpg" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><div>As Kamoteph is supposed to be extremely old, I went ahead and added some rust washes to his carapace to give it a more worn look. It offsets the bright metal with Basilicanium Grey contrast paint so well, I may start doing it on my rank and file!</div></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CPiSWGtI0HI/YKqFV1Ef0_I/AAAAAAAAC20/ckDt2QO1W68kTWe-ocGH1yJeLp2qnpalQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1218/anniversary%2Bmini%2B3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1218" data-original-width="823" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CPiSWGtI0HI/YKqFV1Ef0_I/AAAAAAAAC20/ckDt2QO1W68kTWe-ocGH1yJeLp2qnpalQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/anniversary%2Bmini%2B3.jpg" /></a></div></div><div><br /></div><div><div>For the orbs and other lights using the Tesseract Glow, I once again mixed it with contrast medium - that has made using that particular color a lot easier. I have some other Necrons that are nearing completion, but this has been an extremely busy month! I hope to get several more finished up in the next six weeks or so.</div></div>Fingolfenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05578339609348306067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4201596576614167611.post-19249356678212841212021-04-14T20:19:00.001-07:002021-04-14T20:19:07.678-07:00Genestealer Cult Su-76 Salamander - Done With Only Two Caveats!I just put the finishing touches on my Chimera Su-76 conversion and I'm extremely happy with how it turned out. The only thing missing at this point is the crew and the radio antenna. I wasn't able to finish up the crew because I'm missing a couple of arms that I need, and I wasn't able to finish up the radio antenna because I can't find my piano wire (and I'm not sacrificing any guitar strings at this point!). So without further ado, on to the photos!<div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ii_o1QmJMrg/YHepgqvtTbI/AAAAAAAAC1E/fB6ARlExE3UqCSG1TX6IuNFcM4jsZ5X-gCLcBGAsYHQ/s1720/Salamander-76%2B-%2BWB%2B-%2B03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1150" data-original-width="1720" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ii_o1QmJMrg/YHepgqvtTbI/AAAAAAAAC1E/fB6ARlExE3UqCSG1TX6IuNFcM4jsZ5X-gCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Salamander-76%2B-%2BWB%2B-%2B03.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div><span><a name='more'></a></span>So you'll immediately notice something a little different about the photos, I'm using a white background. I'm hoping to get a Games Workshop to pick up one of my photos one of these days, and they seem to be very partial to the white backgrounds. It took a little more work in Photoshop to clean them up, but the end result looks pretty dang good.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3OTplI4Ed6g/YHeqlb2_j8I/AAAAAAAAC14/wgHl8yI3LBwcrRU1IAESEmgzJd-Ecy1kQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1500/Salamander-76%2B-%2BWB%2B-%2B02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1143" data-original-width="1500" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3OTplI4Ed6g/YHeqlb2_j8I/AAAAAAAAC14/wgHl8yI3LBwcrRU1IAESEmgzJd-Ecy1kQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Salamander-76%2B-%2BWB%2B-%2B02.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>I've gone, no surprise, with a World War II 4BO Soviet Green paint scheme. I ended up using the Ammo of Mig 4BO modulation <a href="https://www.migjimenez.com/en/acrylic-colors/342-russian-4bo-modulation-set.html" target="_blank">set</a> rather than going with the black and white technique. It took a little adjustment as I'm use to setting contrast with modulation, not color.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_B5qKOh2RoA/YHeqFV04anI/AAAAAAAAC1M/4JJdCO7vJvwCiL5SJFF3K_lqvCFevMkrwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1500/Salamander-76%2B-%2BWB%2B-%2B01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1064" data-original-width="1500" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_B5qKOh2RoA/YHeqFV04anI/AAAAAAAAC1M/4JJdCO7vJvwCiL5SJFF3K_lqvCFevMkrwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Salamander-76%2B-%2BWB%2B-%2B01.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>As with all of my other vehicles, I wanted to go for a "worn" look, so I made liberal use of chipping and oil streak washes. After all of the streaking was complete, I went back and finished with a black pin wash.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zuEp6_XjhrE/YHeqHVOjeqI/AAAAAAAAC1U/cSd-t9EMA9Iw6pCtwwOkYUxyStHAznhKgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1542/Salamander-76%2B-%2BWB%2B-%2B04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1135" data-original-width="1542" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zuEp6_XjhrE/YHeqHVOjeqI/AAAAAAAAC1U/cSd-t9EMA9Iw6pCtwwOkYUxyStHAznhKgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Salamander-76%2B-%2BWB%2B-%2B04.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>I did something a little different this time with the vision ports and periscopes. Generally I've done these in red, but as this particular vehicle also has tail lights, I decided to go with a modern military green for the front vision port and periscopes. I used Alclad transparent green for the vision ports and transparent red for the tail lights.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-M3fDUCBK3Ko/YHeqQ231JDI/AAAAAAAAC1Y/9aiLPZ7cp3kv5CGslFnzH2UTeWJyx4AtQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1351/Salamander-76%2B-%2BWB%2B-%2B05.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1351" data-original-width="1286" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-M3fDUCBK3Ko/YHeqQ231JDI/AAAAAAAAC1Y/9aiLPZ7cp3kv5CGslFnzH2UTeWJyx4AtQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Salamander-76%2B-%2BWB%2B-%2B05.jpg" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>I wanted the interior of the fighting compartment to look a bit rough, so I decided what looks rougher than bare primer for most of the lower portions? The conceit here being this is a vehicle that received an exterior coat of paint, and only what would be readily visible from the outside at ground level was painted body color on the interior. I've used this concept to good effect in the past - namely on my Armageddon Pattern <a href="https://miniordnancerev.blogspot.com/2018/11/armageddon-pattern-basilisk-done.html" target="_blank">Basilisk</a> from a couple of years ago.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1HY5s_uD-Qo/YHeqVQYL8mI/AAAAAAAAC1g/RL-qzQfxFL0yGoxaEt_yVP1URMzaa1ZAwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1602/Salamander-76%2B-%2BWB%2B-%2B06.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1256" data-original-width="1602" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1HY5s_uD-Qo/YHeqVQYL8mI/AAAAAAAAC1g/RL-qzQfxFL0yGoxaEt_yVP1URMzaa1ZAwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Salamander-76%2B-%2BWB%2B-%2B06.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>The markings this time around are a very mixed bag. The white tactical markings on the side are from an old Archer Fine Transfers <a href="https://www.archertransfers.com/ArcherMain2.html" target="_blank">set</a> for the T-34/76. There is also a set for the Su-76, but as all of these were in 1/35th scale, some of them were a bit big for this particular miniature. The tactical markings aren't actually decals, they're dry transfers. This was an era where decal film was still quite thick and difficult to get to nestle in properly - even with setting solution and softening agents. Back in the day I helped the owner research several sets, and I still had a few lying about from the mid-1990s.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Q3vFXwRzDyE/YHeqVnmXevI/AAAAAAAAC1k/fd5gLg_QRecUbkbZ2qHe8AfEp-NicCDzACLcBGAsYHQ/s1386/Salamander-76%2B-%2BWB%2B-%2B07.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1386" data-original-width="1286" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Q3vFXwRzDyE/YHeqVnmXevI/AAAAAAAAC1k/fd5gLg_QRecUbkbZ2qHe8AfEp-NicCDzACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Salamander-76%2B-%2BWB%2B-%2B07.jpg" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>The Genestealer Cult symbol is, of course, from <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Scumb4g.Kustoms/?fref=gc&dti=302527803280139&hc_location=ufi" target="_blank">Scumb4g</a> Kustoms. I blame (or credit?) him for much of this army. He truly set me on the visual path I've carried through this entire army with his overspray cult insignia!</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DeUWhVUqZGY/YHeqaKdVg0I/AAAAAAAAC1s/debFxNszZxIOD62yO3OpxNDzDwfOIsDzQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1726/Salamander-76%2B-%2BWB%2B-%2B08.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1333" data-original-width="1726" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DeUWhVUqZGY/YHeqaKdVg0I/AAAAAAAAC1s/debFxNszZxIOD62yO3OpxNDzDwfOIsDzQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Salamander-76%2B-%2BWB%2B-%2B08.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>The yellow tactical marking at the back is an even older <a href="https://www.facebook.com/NewVerlinden/" target="_blank">Verlinden</a> Productions sheet that's also been kicking around since the mid-1990s. Honestly I'm surprised these still worked as old as they were - and given the fact that they've been sitting around my garage for years!</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Jy0xSlV8F0Y/YHeu823_yFI/AAAAAAAAC2E/iqKk8mwwgMEzHNH1Zku_dh_b36NPD7qPwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1850/Salamander-76%2B-%2B01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1229" data-original-width="1850" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Jy0xSlV8F0Y/YHeu823_yFI/AAAAAAAAC2E/iqKk8mwwgMEzHNH1Zku_dh_b36NPD7qPwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Salamander-76%2B-%2B01.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Yes - I took some photos with my traditional background as well (though I didn't spend as much time cleaning them up, so I think the other ones actually look a bit better... hurm...).</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bbcpxIjt8IU/YHeu7_M0VxI/AAAAAAAAC2A/xxujmJ6d2Ss0yvuKFPr-xrswTJXuMU2DACLcBGAsYHQ/s1750/Salamander-76%2B-%2B02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1224" data-original-width="1750" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bbcpxIjt8IU/YHeu7_M0VxI/AAAAAAAAC2A/xxujmJ6d2Ss0yvuKFPr-xrswTJXuMU2DACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Salamander-76%2B-%2B02.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>As is normal for all of my Chimera variants, I've added the Russian text for "helix" or "spiral" to the scrollwork underneath the winged skull insignia on the sides. I basically printed up a huge sheet of these on decal paper using my laser printer. I haven't run out yet... yet...</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GvbbpjUnrVo/YHeu9LLkEUI/AAAAAAAAC2I/Sw6NOQpgn5QfjQs1_KlWjQw-VLRiA7UrgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1850/Salamander-76%2B-%2B03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1213" data-original-width="1850" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GvbbpjUnrVo/YHeu9LLkEUI/AAAAAAAAC2I/Sw6NOQpgn5QfjQs1_KlWjQw-VLRiA7UrgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Salamander-76%2B-%2B03.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>One of the things I love most about this project is how seamlessly integrated the final product looks. I know I literally cobbled this together from so many different kits, and so much of it was literally built out of styrene sheet and punched rivets. Yet looking at the final product, it looks like it was a pre-designed kit.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uTkiExs1Poo/YHevDE5n7ZI/AAAAAAAAC2M/R-7pFIzLFT8-paL5C02Ld0GA6BQDhP1-QCLcBGAsYHQ/s1750/Salamander-76%2B-%2B04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1281" data-original-width="1750" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uTkiExs1Poo/YHevDE5n7ZI/AAAAAAAAC2M/R-7pFIzLFT8-paL5C02Ld0GA6BQDhP1-QCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Salamander-76%2B-%2B04.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>So there you have it! One Salamander scout vehicle paying a very strong homage to the Second World War Soviet Su-76 self-propelled gun. Yes, I know it's a legend. Yes, I know it's not terribly effective on the table. That's not... the... point. In terms of "rule of cool," it's going to win every single time! </div>Fingolfenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05578339609348306067noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4201596576614167611.post-86294038167559300912021-04-14T14:10:00.000-07:002021-04-14T14:10:03.290-07:00Conversion Corner - The Cult Gets an Su-76-ish! Part 3 - Bringing it All Together<div>In this third installment of the series covering the Genstealer Cult Su-76, I've essentially gotten most of the vehicle together (sans a couple of the track guards) and it's ready to paint. There's not a lot new on the construction, but I'll point out where I ended up snagging many of the details I used on the kit from. Overall I'm extremely happy with how it came out, and I can't wait to see it painted up!</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-S8tqwbVyZcg/YHYehcIIG5I/AAAAAAAAC0s/YTpMJ5dAaZISq9ZPXLKelWh8kck-Rs-RQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1461/Chimera%2BSu-76%2B-%2BPart%2B05%2B-%2BFull%2BKit%2B-%2B01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="988" data-original-width="1461" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-S8tqwbVyZcg/YHYehcIIG5I/AAAAAAAAC0s/YTpMJ5dAaZISq9ZPXLKelWh8kck-Rs-RQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Chimera%2BSu-76%2B-%2BPart%2B05%2B-%2BFull%2BKit%2B-%2B01.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><span><a name='more'></a></span>First I wanted to comment on my choice of bits. I enter a lot of official Warhammer Store and Games Workshop events, so I generally have to keep everything 100% either Games Workshop or scratch-built. That means I take great pains to find creative ways to use cast offs from the various GW kits I've assembled over the years. As you can see from the photo above I even found a creative way to use the turret sensors from the Chimera kit to stand in as tail lights! As mentioned in previous installments, the Astra Militarum Tank Sprue and Leman Russ kit also donated heavily to this project.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-c90WIA08bI4/YHYeiGcG9OI/AAAAAAAAC0w/TubXmk5fnoQVPK4dMocm-_Y08_SVANWVACLcBGAsYHQ/s1700/Chimera%2BSu-76%2B-%2BPart%2B05%2B-%2BFull%2BKit%2B-%2B02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1218" data-original-width="1700" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-c90WIA08bI4/YHYeiGcG9OI/AAAAAAAAC0w/TubXmk5fnoQVPK4dMocm-_Y08_SVANWVACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Chimera%2BSu-76%2B-%2BPart%2B05%2B-%2BFull%2BKit%2B-%2B02.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Looking into the rear of the fighting compartment, the construction of the autocannon and how it fits into the vehicle becomes more obvious. I had some leftover square styrene tubing from last year's Armies on Parade <a href="https://miniordnancerev.blogspot.com/2020/11/armies-on-parade-2020-fall-of-hive.html" target="_blank">project</a> (which I'd used for light fixtures on the Underhive level). I ended up having to shorten it a bit for everything to fit, but it made a credible gun mount. I went back and added a couple of thin plates and more rivets so it looked like the elevation mechanism was actually bolted down to the chassis</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4NcWj8lZkY4/YHYehD_DKYI/AAAAAAAAC0o/HpHa3Kiydsc3n1NKpekx73vcSGnFQZRTwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1196/Chimera%2BSu-76%2B-%2BPart%2B05%2B-%2BFull%2BKit%2B-%2B03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1003" data-original-width="1196" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4NcWj8lZkY4/YHYehD_DKYI/AAAAAAAAC0o/HpHa3Kiydsc3n1NKpekx73vcSGnFQZRTwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Chimera%2BSu-76%2B-%2BPart%2B05%2B-%2BFull%2BKit%2B-%2B03.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>As promised last entry, now you can see the front of the gun shield. It's built from styrene sheet with two styrene strips running down the sides. I added more rivets to the side strips and another Aquilla to the gun shield from the Tank accessories sprue. I also borrowed the hatch from the accessories sprue as well because I liked how it looked.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2nY1ZkHdMVY/YHYemr1asyI/AAAAAAAAC00/Xs_0Wy4RKhARln_IDtHUHTMBB8YaJCBZgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1863/Chimera%2BSu-76%2B-%2BPart%2B05%2B-%2BFull%2BKit%2B-%2B04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1212" data-original-width="1863" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2nY1ZkHdMVY/YHYemr1asyI/AAAAAAAAC00/Xs_0Wy4RKhARln_IDtHUHTMBB8YaJCBZgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Chimera%2BSu-76%2B-%2BPart%2B05%2B-%2BFull%2BKit%2B-%2B04.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>Of course, there's now a big open fighting compartment with nothing in it. Fear not, I've got a lot of stowage and other bits that will be painted separately and then added to the vehicle including the radio, an ample supply of autocannon ammunition, a couple of vintage lasguns, and even one more hatch for the hull side. You can also see the exhaust system I built from very old flamer fuel tanks and brass tubing. These will be painted rust and added on at the end.</div><div><br /></div><div>So there you have it, the whole thing is ready for painting. In the next entry you'll see the final vehicle with paint and markings. Ultimately it will have crew as well, but as those may not be ready for the contest, I'll add them later. Stay tuned!</div>Fingolfenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05578339609348306067noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4201596576614167611.post-86184705775031142692021-04-14T06:00:00.002-07:002021-04-14T08:41:20.617-07:00Conversion Corner - The Cult Gets an Su-76-ish! Part 2 - Fighting Compartment and Gun<div style="text-align: left;">In the first installment of this <a href="https://miniordnancerev.blogspot.com/2021/04/conversion-corner-cult-gets-su-76-ish.html" target="_blank">series</a> I detailed assembly of the track units and lower hull of my Chimera Su-76 conversion. In this installment we throw caution to the wind and start building up the fighting compartment. I then move on to the gun which was another entertaining exercise. Since on of the clear defining features of the actual Su-76 is its prominent fenders, I decided to go with the track guards from the Astra Militarum Tank Accessories <a href="https://www.games-workshop.com/en-US/Imperial-Guard-Tank-Accessories" target="_blank">sprue</a>. The fit on these isn't perfect, and I ended up needing two sets to do what I really wanted to do with the tracks. I ended up sawing off one to create a double row of rivets on both sides.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Yy9WXmiPWPk/YHYGEvYbiRI/AAAAAAAAC0g/AJ3d5s7qNRMt_n2QbWOw3zPrwtrKDhbEwCLcBGAsYHQ/s500/su_76-36930.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="296" data-original-width="500" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Yy9WXmiPWPk/YHYGEvYbiRI/AAAAAAAAC0g/AJ3d5s7qNRMt_n2QbWOw3zPrwtrKDhbEwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/su_76-36930.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Plan view of an early Su-76</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span><a name='more'></a></span>One of the hallmarks of the Su-76, and part of the reason I like it so much, is the asymmetry of the vehicle. In some versions, even the angle of the two sides of the fighting compartment is different. The gun is offset to the left-hand side of the vehicle and the exhausts run to the opposite side of the vehicle. I decided to capture this feel as best I could on the Chimera by first creating different angles for the left and right side armor and offsetting the main gun to the left as on the original. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BGdh41iycrc/YHX_maujilI/AAAAAAAACzc/KX-AzGJ3zeQaA3XQ36rIORpiL7HKb-eUACLcBGAsYHQ/s1850/Chimera%2BSu-76%2B-%2BPart%2B03%2B-%2BFighting%2BCompartment%2B-%2B01.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="940" data-original-width="1850" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BGdh41iycrc/YHX_maujilI/AAAAAAAACzc/KX-AzGJ3zeQaA3XQ36rIORpiL7HKb-eUACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Chimera%2BSu-76%2B-%2BPart%2B03%2B-%2BFighting%2BCompartment%2B-%2B01.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Upper hull with track guards and front armored plate</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>With the front plate cut out of plastic card, it was time to cut the two side plates. These, along with the floor which was cut from Plastruct diamond tread plate, formed the basis of the whole fighting compartment. I used some angle styrene from Evergreen and (as can be seen below) trimmed back the rivet detail on the track guards as this would form part of the base of the fighting compartment.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Msj7wfK0JpE/YHX_mdAnvUI/AAAAAAAACzY/YDp4taoKGLcB787AWvbOpN4At5XHsunIQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Chimera%2BSu-76%2B-%2BPart%2B03%2B-%2BFighting%2BCompartment%2B-%2B02.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="757" data-original-width="1600" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Msj7wfK0JpE/YHX_mdAnvUI/AAAAAAAACzY/YDp4taoKGLcB787AWvbOpN4At5XHsunIQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Chimera%2BSu-76%2B-%2BPart%2B03%2B-%2BFighting%2BCompartment%2B-%2B02.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Side armor panes and evidence of a <i>really </i>deep bits box dive!</td></tr></tbody></table><br />As I didn't want to simply have a featureless fighting compartment floor, I went ahead and added a couple of doors to the bottom. These particular beauties come from the old hunter-killer missile from the original Rhino kit from the Rogue Trader days. I've got so many of these old sprues still kicking around, I decided to go ahead and grab a couple. Keep an eye out as other parts from that set will be adaptively re-used!<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lZYjN22jI5k/YHX_mu9U9fI/AAAAAAAACzg/ZPb08-m_avc-hIhwBY1HuWtWWUj_6vxPwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1650/Chimera%2BSu-76%2B-%2BPart%2B03%2B-%2BFighting%2BCompartment%2B-%2B03.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1276" data-original-width="1650" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lZYjN22jI5k/YHX_mu9U9fI/AAAAAAAACzg/ZPb08-m_avc-hIhwBY1HuWtWWUj_6vxPwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Chimera%2BSu-76%2B-%2BPart%2B03%2B-%2BFighting%2BCompartment%2B-%2B03.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Front and side armor assembled!</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>With the front and side armor attached to the vehicle, it was time to move on to building the rest of the fighting compartment. Once again, this involved a fairly deep dive into the bits box, liberal use of the Astra Militarum Tank Accessories, and even adaptive re-use of disused parts of the Chimera kit.</div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sMx9l0SR2lY/YHX_sUDLx7I/AAAAAAAACzk/sHrvZH9FH8QPVxI36spBe_LohZQpFzYQQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1350/Chimera%2BSu-76%2B-%2BPart%2B03%2B-%2BFighting%2BCompartment%2B-%2B04.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1226" data-original-width="1350" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sMx9l0SR2lY/YHX_sUDLx7I/AAAAAAAACzk/sHrvZH9FH8QPVxI36spBe_LohZQpFzYQQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Chimera%2BSu-76%2B-%2BPart%2B03%2B-%2BFighting%2BCompartment%2B-%2B04.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rear view with fighting compartment door</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>The rear hull and sides are more plastic sheet. I opened up the back and added a door for fighting compartment entry and egress. I ended up punching a lot of rivets using an old Waldron sub-miniature punch and die set for the door hinges. The fighting compartment also received a track unit door from one of the old-style Leman Russ kits (if you add the sponsons you always had two extra doors) as well as liberal use of the Leman Russ grab handles.</div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BWV3HVXe84c/YHX_xjkoQyI/AAAAAAAACzs/JZsSTRRR1mUACvEMbCScKQnJhWf2c7ssQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1650/Chimera%2BSu-76%2B-%2BPart%2B03%2B-%2BFighting%2BCompartment%2B-%2B05.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1303" data-original-width="1650" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BWV3HVXe84c/YHX_xjkoQyI/AAAAAAAACzs/JZsSTRRR1mUACvEMbCScKQnJhWf2c7ssQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Chimera%2BSu-76%2B-%2BPart%2B03%2B-%2BFighting%2BCompartment%2B-%2B05.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Front detail of fighting compartment</td></tr></tbody></table><br />I added a vision port to the front of the fighting compartment which is actually over an aperture in the plate itself. The cover was taken from the back of the Chimera rear hatch along with several other bits. I modified an antenna mount to go with the radio which will ultimately be installed in the vehicle as well. The placement of the radio is roughly analogous to that in the original vehicle.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YjZkN28SXhc/YHX_wO0AvYI/AAAAAAAACzo/4I-aJp1DeTEgMEffZC_9KOnJaQuIp7VAwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1500/Chimera%2BSu-76%2B-%2BPart%2B03%2B-%2BFighting%2BCompartment%2B-%2B06.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="983" data-original-width="1500" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YjZkN28SXhc/YHX_wO0AvYI/AAAAAAAACzo/4I-aJp1DeTEgMEffZC_9KOnJaQuIp7VAwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Chimera%2BSu-76%2B-%2BPart%2B03%2B-%2BFighting%2BCompartment%2B-%2B06.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The wireless is wired up (or something like that)</td></tr></tbody></table><br />I even went so far as to run a length of copper wire from the antenna bracket to the inside of the fighting compartment so it would look as if the radio was actually wired to the antenna. Yes - I probably need professional help!<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZXuFqvVAiJo/YHX_0gEKyuI/AAAAAAAACz0/WdJ4FSPRGaYyxvma8NhZr5wcOWoYGLHtgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1582/Chimera%2BSu-76%2B-%2BPart%2B03%2B-%2BFighting%2BCompartment%2B-%2B07.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1297" data-original-width="1582" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZXuFqvVAiJo/YHX_0gEKyuI/AAAAAAAACz0/WdJ4FSPRGaYyxvma8NhZr5wcOWoYGLHtgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Chimera%2BSu-76%2B-%2BPart%2B03%2B-%2BFighting%2BCompartment%2B-%2B07.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fighting Compartment essentially done<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br />I added a reinforcement along the top of the opening for the main gun, which is just the angle and rivets from the rear of the Chimera kit. I also grabbed a handle from the rear hatch which would serve to open or close the vision port. Throw in a bunch more individually punched rivets where the welded fighting compartment meets the riveted vehicle, and the fighting compartment is pretty much done!<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kt0VEga7uEI/YHX_1ay1-sI/AAAAAAAACz4/dyFSyYcLRaoukdvUUPL8NjcqLYriNzTPQCLcBGAsYHQ/s799/Chimera%2BSu-76%2B-%2BPart%2B04%2B-%2BGun%2B-%2B02.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="786" data-original-width="799" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kt0VEga7uEI/YHX_1ay1-sI/AAAAAAAACz4/dyFSyYcLRaoukdvUUPL8NjcqLYriNzTPQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Chimera%2BSu-76%2B-%2BPart%2B04%2B-%2BGun%2B-%2B02.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gun - rough initial assembly</td></tr></tbody></table><br />With the fighting compartment complete - it was time to move on to the gun. I "borrowed" the muzzle brake from a Leman Russ kit and mated it to a length of styrene tube to act as the gun barrel. I then wanted to replicate the large mantelet on the original Su-76, so I added a couple of styrene plates cut to shape.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Y6EfjLYpZII/YHX_2m9kUJI/AAAAAAAACz8/KTwmCEJMwIkey9iMmy0SjNVloFJjhEfxgCLcBGAsYHQ/s832/Chimera%2BSu-76%2B-%2BPart%2B04%2B-%2BGun%2B-%2B03.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="467" data-original-width="832" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Y6EfjLYpZII/YHX_2m9kUJI/AAAAAAAACz8/KTwmCEJMwIkey9iMmy0SjNVloFJjhEfxgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Chimera%2BSu-76%2B-%2BPart%2B04%2B-%2BGun%2B-%2B03.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gun with mantelet</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>Once the front and back plates were attached, I used thin strip styrene and green stuff to flesh out the rest of the mantelet. This took a fair amount of carving and sanding, but the end result is a reasonable facsimile of the original and gives the same sort of feel.</div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PoRkxqnmeJY/YHX_3p58bSI/AAAAAAAAC0E/QaFGNdU4TO4lv1KMOzojj1ktLEd8Ee5SACLcBGAsYHQ/s1142/Chimera%2BSu-76%2B-%2BPart%2B04%2B-%2BGun%2B-%2B04.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="551" data-original-width="1142" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PoRkxqnmeJY/YHX_3p58bSI/AAAAAAAAC0E/QaFGNdU4TO4lv1KMOzojj1ktLEd8Ee5SACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Chimera%2BSu-76%2B-%2BPart%2B04%2B-%2BGun%2B-%2B04.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Full gun assembly</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">For the final gun assembly, I used an autocannon from the Cadian Heavy Weapon set. I put tubing over the front lets to make it look as if there was a hydraulic system, and then I borrowed one of the hydraulic sets from the rear of the Chimera kit so it looks more like a vehicle-mounted, rather than tripod-mounted, autocannon. I added a gun shield and some additional details - which you'll see in their full glory in tomorrow's entry! Stay tuned!</div>Fingolfenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05578339609348306067noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4201596576614167611.post-2727183983093415322021-04-13T13:28:00.004-07:002021-04-13T13:28:45.443-07:00Conversion Corner - The Cult Gets an Su-76-ish! Part 1 - Track Units and Hull<div style="text-align: left;">If you've been following my growing Genestealer Cult army, you'll be aware that a lot of its <a href="https://miniordnancerev.blogspot.com/2020/12/the-subversion-of-hive-world-novgorod.html" target="_blank">background</a> is very much inspired by Soviet Russia in terms of its vehicles, uniforms, and iconography. My local Warhammer <a href="https://www.facebook.com/WarhammerHillsboro/" target="_blank">store</a>, Warhammer Hillsboro, is having a store Anniversary Conversion Contest. Not being one to pass up an opportunity to stretch my model-building skills, I decided to go through with an idea that I'd had in the back of my mind for a while - convert a Chimera into the Warhammer 40K equivalent of a Second World War Soviet <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SU-76" target="_blank">Su-76</a> self-propelled gun. Although it is now a legend, I figured I could just use the stats for the Salamander Scout Tank with its autocannon main armament and actually field it on the tabletop (along with my old Imperial Armour Salamander once I actually get it done!).</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QjIhTGf_kuo/YHX0bWglFKI/AAAAAAAACyY/s1z19iT1Cx44HClHJkkavhIT0gYBDZa9ACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/Su-76%2B-%2Bnizhny%2Bnovgorod.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1198" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QjIhTGf_kuo/YHX0bWglFKI/AAAAAAAACyY/s1z19iT1Cx44HClHJkkavhIT0gYBDZa9ACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Su-76%2B-%2Bnizhny%2Bnovgorod.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Su-76 on display in Nizhny-Novgorod, Russia</td></tr></tbody></table><span><a name='more'></a></span><br /><div>The photo above is of an actual late-model Su-76 on display at the Kremlin in Nizhny-Novgorod, Russia. I was there back in 2017 on business, and had an afternoon to take some photos. I've always liked the look of the vehicle and thought it would be relatively straightforward (well, relatively speaking) to create a Warhammer 40K version. I knew I couldn't do much with with the running gear as that is dictated by the Chimera kit, but I should be able to capture the essence of the fighting compartment, gun, and even distinctive fenders using sheet styrene and various bits from the extensive array of Games Workshop gubbins I've collected over the years.<div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ew1WgbnHELk/YHX4U332HHI/AAAAAAAACyo/PcyS7TZDLH4AZqqXQcNO7W_UqF2OHdBlACLcBGAsYHQ/s1750/Chimera%2BSu-76%2B-%2BPart%2B01%2B-%2BTrack%2BUnits%2B01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="885" data-original-width="1750" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ew1WgbnHELk/YHX4U332HHI/AAAAAAAACyo/PcyS7TZDLH4AZqqXQcNO7W_UqF2OHdBlACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Chimera%2BSu-76%2B-%2BPart%2B01%2B-%2BTrack%2BUnits%2B01.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Track assemblies with vents opened</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div>For this conversion, I started with the track assemblies. As this is supposed to be a light, self-propelled vehicle and will be fielded as a scout vehicle, I decided to go ahead and open up the vents on the side of the track units. I started by simply snipping the triangular backs off with my clippers and then used a variety of metal files to open up the rectangular apertures.<div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xVMnsYhuYtc/YHX4UeGW5_I/AAAAAAAACyg/UWaHQ-4BzSoADw30d1Sy2iVfqErIoLSKgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1500/Chimera%2BSu-76%2B-%2BPart%2B01%2B-%2BTrack%2BUnits%2B02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="719" data-original-width="1500" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xVMnsYhuYtc/YHX4UeGW5_I/AAAAAAAACyg/UWaHQ-4BzSoADw30d1Sy2iVfqErIoLSKgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Chimera%2BSu-76%2B-%2BPart%2B01%2B-%2BTrack%2BUnits%2B02.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rear of track assemblies - area is smoothed out enough</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>From the front they look very clean, from the back - less so. I could have spent more time getting them completely smooth, but as this area won't be seen, it didn't seem worth it. Once I'd gotten the back reasonably flush, it was time to add some appropriate screen.</div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vS2BSVf8JXc/YHX4U6lwmLI/AAAAAAAACyk/OFXIYttGaR4dFNRlQndjvoyjB1w0A1OswCLcBGAsYHQ/s1491/Chimera%2BSu-76%2B-%2BPart%2B01%2B-%2BTrack%2BUnits%2B03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="818" data-original-width="1491" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vS2BSVf8JXc/YHX4U6lwmLI/AAAAAAAACyk/OFXIYttGaR4dFNRlQndjvoyjB1w0A1OswCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Chimera%2BSu-76%2B-%2BPart%2B01%2B-%2BTrack%2BUnits%2B03.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sides with screen added</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>For this particular project I've used some Aber photoetched mesh I had lying around (shown in the photo below). I picked this up many (many!) years ago and have been slowly working through it. I'm not sure it's even still available. I took extra time to make sure I'd lined the photo-etched mesh up with the plastic grating on the original part. I used my thicker super-glue and accelerator to ensure the screens weren't ever going to go anywhere. Once the photo-etched mesh was in, I simply glued the halves of the track assembly together as per the normal instructions.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2O8xxtN09sE/YHX4b3IFoYI/AAAAAAAACyw/JLFQzzcJo-sOtBScyjSVOMJ5seIrIpIogCLcBGAsYHQ/s1500/Chimera%2BSu-76%2B-%2BPart%2B01%2B-%2BTrack%2BUnits%2B04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1077" data-original-width="1500" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2O8xxtN09sE/YHX4b3IFoYI/AAAAAAAACyw/JLFQzzcJo-sOtBScyjSVOMJ5seIrIpIogCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Chimera%2BSu-76%2B-%2BPart%2B01%2B-%2BTrack%2BUnits%2B04.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pay no attention to the excess behind the curtain!</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>With the track units together, I moved on to the hull of the vehicle. The Su-76 has a relatively flat rear hull, so I had to make some adjustments to the kit parts as I didn't want the hull to extend as far as it does on the original Chimera kit. Using the angled plate from the Basilisk version alone wasn't an option either, as that would have been both too short and at the wrong angle. </div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IPxXVHDZ9Ps/YHX4bcEqqQI/AAAAAAAACys/2ZGoAlYoJk41f0liSBUanORRvelC31hwACLcBGAsYHQ/s1215/Chimera%2BSu-76%2B-%2BPart%2B02%2B-%2BHull%2B-%2B01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="660" data-original-width="1215" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IPxXVHDZ9Ps/YHX4bcEqqQI/AAAAAAAACys/2ZGoAlYoJk41f0liSBUanORRvelC31hwACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Chimera%2BSu-76%2B-%2BPart%2B02%2B-%2BHull%2B-%2B01.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hull bottom with trimmed rear plate</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>I started by trimming down the plate which is glued to the rear of the hull from the Chimera kit. Once that was glued together, I went ahead and added the track units (and top hull) to get the basic vehicle chassis together. I then took the riveted plate which is typically used for the Basilisk and slightly sanded it down to create an angled rear plate.</div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-G7Ux_3ZR4Pk/YHX4cINH-aI/AAAAAAAACy0/sxCG05oYjPgl5BSQdK4KJv3fXbZG5OyowCLcBGAsYHQ/s1500/Chimera%2BSu-76%2B-%2BPart%2B02%2B-%2BHull%2B-%2B02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="899" data-original-width="1500" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-G7Ux_3ZR4Pk/YHX4cINH-aI/AAAAAAAACy0/sxCG05oYjPgl5BSQdK4KJv3fXbZG5OyowCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Chimera%2BSu-76%2B-%2BPart%2B02%2B-%2BHull%2B-%2B02.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Assembled hull with modified riveted plate</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>The angled plate was added to the rear of the vehicle bringing the rear hull up level with the guide rails for the Basilisk fighting compartment, as it is my intention to use those rails as the floor of the Su-76 "Salamander" fighting compartment.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bGEpC1XlAdM/YHX4e6XovvI/AAAAAAAACy4/i8Zkgpnnd48dkXQ67voHcOQsc2oc84OqgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1059/Chimera%2BSu-76%2B-%2BPart%2B02%2B-%2BHull%2B-%2B03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="804" data-original-width="1059" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bGEpC1XlAdM/YHX4e6XovvI/AAAAAAAACy4/i8Zkgpnnd48dkXQ67voHcOQsc2oc84OqgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Chimera%2BSu-76%2B-%2BPart%2B02%2B-%2BHull%2B-%2B03.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Assembled hull - bottom view</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>Flipping the vehicle over, the basic hull is now complete (shown below).</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-djeU551XMMI/YHX4gZsVpgI/AAAAAAAACy8/GS0i1vAxNP0y4ieyRGqcDNq3_V7UxbPQwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1250/Chimera%2BSu-76%2B-%2BPart%2B02%2B-%2BHull%2B-%2B04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="999" data-original-width="1250" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-djeU551XMMI/YHX4gZsVpgI/AAAAAAAACy8/GS0i1vAxNP0y4ieyRGqcDNq3_V7UxbPQwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Chimera%2BSu-76%2B-%2BPart%2B02%2B-%2BHull%2B-%2B04.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Assembled hull - top view</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div>At this point, only minor surgery has been required to get this build off of the ground, but now the fun (and challenge) really begins. In my next entry, I'll go through the assembly of the fighting compartment and gun. A third entry will provide details on final assembly. The fourth and final entry will show off the completed and painted model!</div><div><div style="text-align: left;"></div></div></div></div>Fingolfenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05578339609348306067noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4201596576614167611.post-22535513401228075012021-03-28T19:41:00.005-07:002021-03-28T19:59:05.925-07:00New Year - New Army Part II - Seraphon!I'd played a little Warhammer Fantasy Battle back in the day, but never really got a full force painted and eventually all of the miniatures found their way to ebay or other resale organizations. For several years I'd toyed with the idea of revisiting the system, but it wasn't until our visit to Warhammer World in 2019, that I was truly inspired. In the exhibition, the full painted Seraphon range for Warhammer - Age of Sigmar was on display in all its glory. I was drawn to the Seraphon because, well, <i>dinosaurs</i>! Last year I ended up buying a few miniatures (the two "Start Collecting" boxes), but I never made any significant progress on getting them together or painted. Fast forward to Christmas 2020, and my son gets a box of Stormcast Eternals (the Easy to Build <a href="https://www.games-workshop.com/en-US/Etb-Stormcast-Eternals-Sequitors-2018">Sequitors</a>) as a present and is jazzed enough to start painting them. I had a box of <a href="https://www.games-workshop.com/en-US/Stormcast-Eternals-Liberators-2017">Liberators</a> I'd picked up for another project (watch this space) that I contributed to the cause, so he's now well on his way to creating a small Stormcast army. With him taking the plunge, I figured it was time to get my own army and all of its reptilian goodness going!<div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hmrNsw7fDL4/YGE4V6qf_eI/AAAAAAAACxw/WELpoT71LuQY0BqUzF5mDT5M9X4h-RMNwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2924/Skinks%2Bwith%2Bspears%2B1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1075" data-original-width="2924" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hmrNsw7fDL4/YGE4V6qf_eI/AAAAAAAACxw/WELpoT71LuQY0BqUzF5mDT5M9X4h-RMNwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Skinks%2Bwith%2Bspears%2B1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span><a name='more'></a></span><div><br /></div><div>The Seraphon are a fairly old army dating back to the original Warhammer Fantasy Battle game, where they were simply known as Lizardmen. Of course, as with many of the early faction names in both Warhammer Fantasy and 40K, "Lizardmen" couldn't be copyrighted, so by the time our favorite dino-riding Mesoamerican themed reptiles made it to Age of Sigmar, they'd been renamed Seraphon. As the Age of Sigmar game system doesn't focus on the massed close ranked unit battles simulated by the original Fantasy Battle game, some of original options (like Skink archers) are gone, but allowed forces remain relatively rich with a variety of unit types representing a wide range reptilian (and amphibian) species. </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BizB80v2CYk/YGE4WdNFyuI/AAAAAAAACx0/WBbIFvTGa0wuQIZnCVf_q6Tl7Iipy02swCLcBGAsYHQ/s2868/Skinks%2Bwith%2Bspears%2B2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1097" data-original-width="2868" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BizB80v2CYk/YGE4WdNFyuI/AAAAAAAACx0/WBbIFvTGa0wuQIZnCVf_q6Tl7Iipy02swCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Skinks%2Bwith%2Bspears%2B2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>I'd initially tried painting my Skink warriors in an emerald green, but I didn't like the result for the rank and file (though I think it will work amazingly well for Chameleon Skinks - watch this space). Once I picked up the <a href="https://www.games-workshop.com/en-US/Battletome-Seraphon-EN-2020" target="_blank">Battletome: Seraphon</a>, I found a paint scheme I liked a lot for my skinks on page 47 - the Skink of Loxibitl's Spine. I couldn't find any online guides for how to paint them, so I worked up something that looked right to my eye based on my range of available paints. The full recipe is below.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ld_Puc125eE/YGE9WKQGIxI/AAAAAAAACyA/PbeuNA-2QfEu3gOYRNjjf8NJsKLw5wJoACLcBGAsYHQ/s2698/Seraphon%2BSkink%2BPaint%2BScheme.gif" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1166" data-original-width="2698" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ld_Puc125eE/YGE9WKQGIxI/AAAAAAAACyA/PbeuNA-2QfEu3gOYRNjjf8NJsKLw5wJoACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Seraphon%2BSkink%2BPaint%2BScheme.gif" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>I'm trying something a little different for the bases, a pre-mixed <a href="https://geekgamingusa.com/collections/base-ready-1/products/lukes-aps-base-ready-tiaga-hillside" target="_blank">blend</a> from Geek Gaming Scenics - the Base Ready Taiga Hillside. I think it looks pretty good on these smaller bases, but I wonder whether it will translate to any larger base. I'll likely have to supplement with some tufts going forward (and I may go back and add a few tufts on these as well to break them up a bit). I have several other Seraphon models I still need to build up, but these guys are a fun little start to the army. </div>Fingolfenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05578339609348306067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4201596576614167611.post-56769167877579982362021-03-14T13:24:00.005-07:002021-04-15T10:21:05.378-07:0050 Shades of (not Soviet) Green - or - A Tale of Two Necron Overlords<div style="text-align: left;">If you've followed my Genestealer Cult army progress, you'll be aware of my joke regarding "50 shades of Soviet green" referring to the various shades of green used by Soviet and later Russian armed forces for their military vehicles from World War II through to the present. Now that I'm working on Necrons, the "shades of green" reference takes on a whole new meaning! If you read my first "New Year, New Army" <a href="https://miniordnancerev.blogspot.com/2021/01/new-year-new-army-necrons.html">post</a> back in January, you know I'm working a Szarekhan Dynasty force largely because I really loved the new paints and color schemes. At that time I'd only really finished painting up one warrior, and he wasn't based. I also concluded the entry with these words:</div><div style="text-align: left;"><blockquote>"So that's the next challenge - to start learning how to do those glazes and edge highlighting well enough to generate some decent energy blades... Provided I'm not crying in a corner in the fetal position after that, I should have the basic paint schemes down for the whole force." </blockquote></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NbAaO9OAKNk/YE5rYRslxHI/AAAAAAAACxA/Cwff5KQzmj4ILD2GrUqf_jlnf4JL5P01wCLcBGAsYHQ/s1050/Overlord%2B01-01.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="744" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NbAaO9OAKNk/YE5rYRslxHI/AAAAAAAACxA/Cwff5KQzmj4ILD2GrUqf_jlnf4JL5P01wCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Overlord%2B01-01.jpg" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>So, guess what I've been fighting with for the past several weeks? However, it's a fight I think I'm finally starting to get the upper hand in!</div><span><a name='more'></a></span><div><br /></div><div>The first of the two Necron Overlords is the one from the Indomitus boxed set. I've said it before and I'll likely say it again - the Indomitus set is a heck of a deal for the money. Some of the individual models are coming out now in pre-packaged sets and it remains to be seen what the total retail value of the box will be, but I think it's a safe bet that its going to be far more when totaled than what you paid for the box itself. This was a fun model to get together, in retrospect I would have painted a few parts as sub assemblies, but overall I'm happy with the final result.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1o3bDHvGxfk/YE5rYZ7DZgI/AAAAAAAACxE/NNMBF_7fDsAxL2g_abDPEM0CTMOuERF5QCLcBGAsYHQ/s994/Overlord%2B01-02.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="994" data-original-width="719" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1o3bDHvGxfk/YE5rYZ7DZgI/AAAAAAAACxE/NNMBF_7fDsAxL2g_abDPEM0CTMOuERF5QCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Overlord%2B01-02.jpg" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>As expected, much of the time was spent on learning how to glaze, shade, and edge highlight the energy blade. In fact, I enjoyed it so much I did it a total of four times, including one final time where I took the blade off and started over (once again). On the final miniature, the blade is pinned to the haft, but the join is very clean.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-T9Nh8oJyQTE/YE5rYNDY_8I/AAAAAAAACw8/e_1QK5JW-OwfUrK7Iq3L1r4u-rn-0rJxwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1060/Overlord%2B01-03.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1060" data-original-width="625" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-T9Nh8oJyQTE/YE5rYNDY_8I/AAAAAAAACw8/e_1QK5JW-OwfUrK7Iq3L1r4u-rn-0rJxwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Overlord%2B01-03.jpg" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>To get the technique right I spent a lot of time watching various Youtube videos on how others had gotten their glazing to come out right. In the end I went with the following recipe (note: all glazes were thinned with a mixture of water and Lahmian Medium):</div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Base - 50/50 Castellan Green and Warpstone Glow airbrushed (you absolutely need a dead smooth base coat to get this to work)</li><li>Light Glaze 1: Warpstone Glow</li><li>Dark Glaze 1: Castellan Green</li><li>Dark Glaze 2: Vallejo Black mixed with a little Army Painter Purple Tone</li><li>Light Glaze 2: Moot Green</li><li>Light Glaze 3: Dorn Yellow</li></ul></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sxBR-C59r0o/YE5rZm5p0DI/AAAAAAAACxI/MRhE0UuF-VcoeObwdokdACdGVYOFpyuqwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1027/Overlord%2B01-04.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1027" data-original-width="592" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sxBR-C59r0o/YE5rZm5p0DI/AAAAAAAACxI/MRhE0UuF-VcoeObwdokdACdGVYOFpyuqwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Overlord%2B01-04.jpg" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>The edge highlighting was pretty much as much a pain in the butt as expected, but I managed to get it to come out with a mix of Moot Green and Dorn yellow (along with a little shading of the two along the way). I also found that the Tesseract Glow goes on much better if you mix it with a little Contrast Medium.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XMkLdWJm0p0/YE5rcbv5HSI/AAAAAAAACxQ/pEhXYyE2nZwTfDlLGaOoiukoKeFs5e3-wCLcBGAsYHQ/s1019/Overlord%2B02-01.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1019" data-original-width="617" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XMkLdWJm0p0/YE5rcbv5HSI/AAAAAAAACxQ/pEhXYyE2nZwTfDlLGaOoiukoKeFs5e3-wCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Overlord%2B02-01.jpg" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>The metallic portions of both of these overlords were painted just like the original Necron Warrior I <a href="https://miniordnancerev.blogspot.com/2021/01/new-year-new-army-necrons.html">posted</a> at the beginning of the year. Needless to say, I've been working on a bunch of little friends for him, but they're not quite ready to post.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rCwwxU0v4Ms/YE5rcTCERKI/AAAAAAAACxM/-rNwCDk0dwMmgIVQRjeafVfqPJJH4zaxgCLcBGAsYHQ/s994/Overlord%2B02-02.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="994" data-original-width="590" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rCwwxU0v4Ms/YE5rcTCERKI/AAAAAAAACxM/-rNwCDk0dwMmgIVQRjeafVfqPJJH4zaxgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Overlord%2B02-02.jpg" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>For the glowing green spheres on the second overlord, I decided to go ahead and use I technique I understand - airbrush shading! Once again I started with my 50/50 mix of Castellan Green and Warpstone Glow but then just worked my way up through Warpstone Glow, Moot Green, and then Moot Green mixed with yellows until I was happy with the result!</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qRnRZvgSrxU/YE5rdcZWCWI/AAAAAAAACxU/SbB4ci6m0W4Fm1_bG3vjkgywEnKAHBZpQCLcBGAsYHQ/s953/Overlord%2B02-03.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="953" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qRnRZvgSrxU/YE5rdcZWCWI/AAAAAAAACxU/SbB4ci6m0W4Fm1_bG3vjkgywEnKAHBZpQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Overlord%2B02-03.jpg" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Since this overlord had some blue elements, I went ahead and used the Contrast Terradon Turquoise on them. The result was quick and looks really decent, especially on small details. The Orb was a bit trickier as I tried several Vallejo and other paints to get something that looked like I wanted it to after freehand painting the swirls.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AWOPdnIx2yU/YE5rerJgkVI/AAAAAAAACxY/sxjmXDh4EmUT18rMv561bLI8AolpMvyfQCLcBGAsYHQ/s957/Overlord%2B02-04.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="957" data-original-width="625" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AWOPdnIx2yU/YE5rerJgkVI/AAAAAAAACxY/sxjmXDh4EmUT18rMv561bLI8AolpMvyfQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Overlord%2B02-04.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;">The basing this time is a bit different. I'm sort of going with an "autumn" theme with the basing, so I've got some dried foliage on top of the autumn static grass. I'm working on creating some of my own tufts for future project, but the first time around I couldn't get them to release from the backing. The earth tones are all Ammo of Mig acrylic mud with the enamel mud spashes effects used to actually create the dirt. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">So, there you have it. I've finally managed to get two Necrons with energy blades successfully painted! Now, I have about 30-40 more to go, no biggie! Keep watching this space for updates!</div>Fingolfenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05578339609348306067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4201596576614167611.post-65833479372482598082021-01-12T13:50:00.001-08:002021-01-12T13:51:12.063-08:00Converted Genestealer Cult Armies in Warhammer 40K - How Far Down the Rabbit Hole?Warhammer 40K has always been a creative hobby. While Warhammer 40K is a game, it is a game where the player has to at least build the playing pieces on their own. Most people paint the playing pieces as well (and this step is generally required for major tournaments). However, some players don't stop there, they heavily convert or even scratch-build forces to create a truly unique army. I've frequently posted my converted Astra Militarum forces that I run alongside my Genestealer Cult as a separate Brood Brothers detachment, but why stop at just Astra Militarum?<div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SNKriEorBhE/X_4TkITLcyI/AAAAAAAACwA/pynMKMe9LX8Frol3__M6EWoaS4KNrVXvgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2587/Michael%2BMcSwiney%2B-%2BWarhammer%2B40K%2B-%2BArmies%2Bon%2BParade%2B2020%2B-%2B8.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1216" data-original-width="2587" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SNKriEorBhE/X_4TkITLcyI/AAAAAAAACwA/pynMKMe9LX8Frol3__M6EWoaS4KNrVXvgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Michael%2BMcSwiney%2B-%2BWarhammer%2B40K%2B-%2BArmies%2Bon%2BParade%2B2020%2B-%2B8.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><span><a name='more'></a></span><br /></div><div>Part of the problem is the rules as written only allow Astra Militarum forces to be taken as Brood Brothers with a Genestealer Cult list, and you're not allowed any named characters. This is compounded by the fact that for ninth edition, Games Workshop seems to be actively trying to move away from the "soup" meta, also known as multiple detachments, which was common during eighth edition. In <i>White Dwarf 459 </i>from December 2020, there was this question:</div><blockquote>"I've been wondering for a while if the Genestealer Cults could take over an Imperial Knight, or even make their own. They they can, why don't they?"</blockquote><div style="text-align: left;">Games Workshop responded with an answer indicating that the GSC couldn't use the interface and/or an infected Noble would be rejected by the Knight, but the overarching actual answer was clear: "No, we're not going to open up the full 'Imperium' key word to the Genestealer Cult." Which as a Genestealer Cult player was a somewhat unsatisfying answer.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">So what if we want to throw out the official Games Workshop stance and make a fully realized Imperial Cult army? What would be stopping us? Well, honestly nothing as long as one is willing to make the conversions and follow the rules as written. If you wanted Genestealer Cult Knights, you could technically do it as a multi-detachment force. The catch is now you're building an army with the code word Imperium, not Genestealer Cult. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ujHEShQEx04/X_4XR9SyFMI/AAAAAAAACwM/zsD8KC--hxYmVe55tBWgEAT_jMGz8rQ6ACLcBGAsYHQ/s1800/sanctus%2B-%2Bvindicare.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="950" data-original-width="1800" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ujHEShQEx04/X_4XR9SyFMI/AAAAAAAACwM/zsD8KC--hxYmVe55tBWgEAT_jMGz8rQ6ACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/sanctus%2B-%2Bvindicare.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looks like a Vindicare Assassin to me!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: left;">The upside of this, is now anything with the Imperium keyword is fair game for conversion and insertion into new force. That includes Knights, Assassins, Space Marines, Sisters of Battle, you name it. Over 300 units are available to the enterprising list builder and converter. The downside is that many of the Genestealer Cult units themselves will have no home in the new list as they will have incompatible keywords, but many cherished units could easily be ported over. For example, a sniper Sanctus could easily serve as a Vindicare Assassin or a Magus could easily serve as a Primaris Psyker. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Ultimately it really depends on how far down the rabbit hole you want to go, how many conversions you'd like to make, and how many incompatible units you want to generate that can't be played with the core Genestealer Cult force. That being said, I'd love to see someone do a Cult Space Marine chapter, but I can just hear the screams of Heresy now!</div>Fingolfenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05578339609348306067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4201596576614167611.post-27127079418077386052021-01-03T21:11:00.002-08:002021-02-19T18:20:35.527-08:00New Year, New Army... Necrons!It's the time of the year when all of the various gaming companies are hoping you'll pick up something new rather than moving on to another hobby or company. Games Workshop is, of course, no exception with their New Year, New Army <a href="https://www.warhammer-community.com/2020/12/26/new-year-new-army-our-hobby-goals-for-2021/">story</a> where many of the employees from their studio highlight what their plans and projects are for the new year. In my own New Year's <a href="https://miniordnancerev.blogspot.com/2021/01/happy-new-year-lets-hope-this-one-is.html">post</a>, I indicated that one of my projects for the this year would be necrons, but honestly it is an army I've had a love/hate relationship with for years. In this first "new army" article, I'll go through the army's history, why I haven't done an army until now, my first mostly completed warrior, and where I'm hoping to go from here.<div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UlghJZmvoZ8/X_KSC8hprjI/AAAAAAAACuk/C5gJ-MEgiHMFMlr95-9oAfsAqwE7IdvjwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1000/warrior%2B1.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="775" data-original-width="1000" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UlghJZmvoZ8/X_KSC8hprjI/AAAAAAAACuk/C5gJ-MEgiHMFMlr95-9oAfsAqwE7IdvjwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/warrior%2B1.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First painted Indomitus Necron - we'll call him "Bob"</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div><span><a name='more'></a></span>While Necrons have been in Warhammer 40K for a while, I still think of them as one of the "newer" playable forces in the <a href="https://www.warhammer-community.com/2020/07/08/necrons-through-the-ages/">game</a>. Originally published in <i>White Dwarf 216</i> as Necron Raiders during 40K's second edition, only the warrior and scarab units received rules initially. These would be followed by the Lord and Destroyers in <i>White Dwarf 218</i>. The miniatures were all metal and lacked variety in poses, so building a large force at the time was an exercise in monotony, and fairly expensive. That being said, necrons were fairly potent on the table with their gauss weaponry chewing through space marine armor like it was tissue paper. The army gained solid niche popularity, as it was pretty much an excellent anti-space marine force.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-c6lhVESwM5k/X_KUXzPKywI/AAAAAAAACu4/3cliVSWocAUgrATeU9JNgoswrb-dpp0AwCLcBGAsYHQ/s521/vintage%2Bwarrior.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="521" data-original-width="446" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-c6lhVESwM5k/X_KUXzPKywI/AAAAAAAACu4/3cliVSWocAUgrATeU9JNgoswrb-dpp0AwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/vintage%2Bwarrior.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The original necron warrior</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div>In August 2002 <i>Codex: Necrons</i> was released as part of Warhammer 40K's third edition. This release saw the coming of the multi-pose necron plastic miniatures which have served as the army's core until the release of the Indomitus boxed set for 9th Edition. It also saw the introduction of what I thought (and still think) was perhaps the second cheesiest gimmick I'd ever seen in Warhammer 40K miniatures - the clear, green, plastic rods used in all of the gauss weapons. I'm not a professional quality painter, but I do aspire to paint to a high standard, and the inclusion of the clear green plastic rods seemed more than a little juvenile - especially when you look at the pro-painted one below and see how jarringly wrong the clear, green plastic looks in relationship to the rest of the miniature.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6Y4e54wfShk/X_KV3WkFr1I/AAAAAAAACvE/60U0d1BayDI0-btH3MQXR1Vb_4efPvbygCLcBGAsYHQ/s521/green%2Bplastic%2Brods%2Bfor%2Beveryone.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="521" data-original-width="446" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6Y4e54wfShk/X_KV3WkFr1I/AAAAAAAACvE/60U0d1BayDI0-btH3MQXR1Vb_4efPvbygCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/green%2Bplastic%2Brods%2Bfor%2Beveryone.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Check out them high quality green plastic rods</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div>As unimpressed as I was with the green plastic rods on the rank and file, there were some ways around them. Unfortunately, the ones that looked the best visually always involved a lot of extra free-hand work or shading that added precious time to paint what should be an army's most numerous miniatures. That was already steering me away from the necrons, but then I saw what I consider the cheesiest gimmick I've ever seen on a Games Workshop miniature - the monolith with clear, green plastic rods, warp door, and ring pop! Looking at the well-painted, studio monolith below, the clear green crystal just looked laughably out of place. </div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WKjGb848Kmg/X_KXryPcKhI/AAAAAAAACvQ/Cr00lQ5mKN8zTw4U8JX_y-U7Ep9hoFEDwCLcBGAsYHQ/s873/ring%2Bpop%2Bof%2BDOOM.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="627" data-original-width="873" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WKjGb848Kmg/X_KXryPcKhI/AAAAAAAACvQ/Cr00lQ5mKN8zTw4U8JX_y-U7Ep9hoFEDwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/ring%2Bpop%2Bof%2BDOOM.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fear the Ring Pop of Doom</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div>For any doubters out there, below is a photo of a watermelon ring pop. The minute I saw the monolith, that is what came to mind, and I was never able to get past it. I could never take the miniatures or the army seriously - at least not seriously enough to spend the time to paint them to a standard I'd be happy with. Which is sort of sad, because I really liked the lore behind the army. The necrons always seemed to be part 40K Tomb Kings part H. P. Lovecraft story. A truly old and ancient race reminiscent of the "First Ones" in the Babylon 5 universe, though certainly not benevolent by any stretch of the imagination.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jiJxk_GW9eE/X_KZN6JftDI/AAAAAAAACvc/8AIIMLMWBXkCG--DKEDHyiEKgHTsuIZPgCLcBGAsYHQ/s416/ring%2Bpop%2B-%2Bfor%2Breal.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="276" data-original-width="416" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jiJxk_GW9eE/X_KZN6JftDI/AAAAAAAACvc/8AIIMLMWBXkCG--DKEDHyiEKgHTsuIZPgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/ring%2Bpop%2B-%2Bfor%2Breal.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>Over the years, Games Workshop began to transition away from the clear, green plastic rods in the gauss weaponry of the necrons. With the release of 9th edition, the necrons became one of the two starter forces in the game with many new miniatures including new plastic warriors and a new monolith - neither of which have any clear, green plastic in them! Granted, there are a few last holdouts, the destroyers being at the top of that unfortunate fraternity, but the new miniatures looked so good, I couldn't resist.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Npl2mk1wScM/X_Kb8xTqn_I/AAAAAAAACvo/P-2kKJjBICw6twXZiMWtzsFCe2u7O6dlQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1500/last%2Bbastion%2Bof%2Bthe%2Bgreen%2Bplastic%2Brod.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1199" data-original-width="1500" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Npl2mk1wScM/X_Kb8xTqn_I/AAAAAAAACvo/P-2kKJjBICw6twXZiMWtzsFCe2u7O6dlQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/last%2Bbastion%2Bof%2Bthe%2Bgreen%2Bplastic%2Brod.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Last bastion of the clear, green plastic rod!</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>Another aspect of the new necron line that caught my eye was the amazing paint jobs for the Szarekhan Dynasty. A range of new paints were released specifically to paint the necrons from this particular faction. Unless I'm dealing with historical miniatures, I generally try to develop my own paint schemes for my miniature armies, but this is the one time that I'm actually pretty much going with the "codex" paint scheme for a force - though all of my paints aren't Citadel a surprising number of them are (well, surprising for me at least!).</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Sh4mo94jEYw/X_KgHGT6bEI/AAAAAAAACv0/DK5U2CWcRQkXPiTPyvrJSSbGJdQgYuMowCLcBGAsYHQ/s1750/necron%2Bwarrior%2Brecipe%2Bimage.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="652" data-original-width="1750" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Sh4mo94jEYw/X_KgHGT6bEI/AAAAAAAACv0/DK5U2CWcRQkXPiTPyvrJSSbGJdQgYuMowCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/necron%2Bwarrior%2Brecipe%2Bimage.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>I tend to use a fair amount of Lahmian Medium as well, especially with the Cryptek Armourshade and the Typus Corrosion because it is very easy to overdo both of those. Overall I'm pretty happy with how my first warrior came out, and this paint scheme should work well as the basis of pretty much all of the forces armed with conventional gauss style weaponry with metal blades (as opposed to energy blades). On a side note, as I was painting up this first warrior I was amused, though not terribly surprised given the force's slightly campy history, to discover that this particular necron warrior figure has a small scarab on his butt. I didn't notice it until I done the drybrush on the first steel coat, but once he was seen, he could not be unseen, so I had to spruce him up with some Canoptek alloy and Tesseract Glow as well.</div><div><br /></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FrQKTPAyhgs/X_KSDDAa5iI/AAAAAAAACuo/yWXqZgNApCMITJlcbutRyU4CLkcEnucIgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1000/warrior%2B1%2B-%2B2.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="847" data-original-width="1000" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FrQKTPAyhgs/X_KSDDAa5iI/AAAAAAAACuo/yWXqZgNApCMITJlcbutRyU4CLkcEnucIgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/warrior%2B1%2B-%2B2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hey Bob, don't look now, but there's a scarab on your butt...</td></tr></tbody></table></div><div><br /></div><div>Of course, while this technique and palette is going to work well for the rank and file, there is a class of miniature in the new force that is going to represent a huge challenge for me personally - namely anything with any energy blade. I've done drybrushing, washes (oil and otherwise), modulation painting, oil streaking, pin washing, filters, you name it, but there are two techniques I haven't used in the past - at least not extensively: glaze washes and edge highlighting. Guess what two techniques I need to somewhat master to execute the amazing energy blades you see on many of the necron miniatures. Yeah, those two. </div><div><br /></div><div>So that's the next challenge - to start learning how to do those glazes and edge highlighting well enough to generate some decent energy blades. I'm starting with the vanilla Overlord from the Indomitus set, and will then move on to the Skorpekh Lord and Skorpekh Destroyers. Provided I'm not crying in a corner in the fetal position after that, I should have the basic paint schemes down for the whole force. Wish me luck!</div>Fingolfenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05578339609348306067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4201596576614167611.post-40222211035836927132021-01-01T00:10:00.004-08:002021-01-01T00:10:58.351-08:00Happy New Year - Let's Hope This One is Better!Happy New Year everyone! With 2020 now finally receding into the rear-view mirror I can truly say I'm looking forward to the new year. To say that 2020 did not go to plan and did not live up to my hopes and expectations is an understatement of epic proportions. This has truly been a trying year for everyone. The pandemic has impacted us in ways both large and small. Very little good has come out of it with pain, difficulty, tragedy, and heartbreak being far more common. Above and beyond the pandemic, the United States especially is also suffering from an intense partisan divide which shows no signs of abating any time soon. My greatest hope is that we're able to begin to regain a sense of normalcy as the vaccines roll out and people can begin to resume their normal lives, but we have a long way to go.<div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ekYZ60PonhM/X-7R2__0c8I/AAAAAAAACuA/e737HfqkquAHxAtFxs8H2fU8s77ugdCAQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1024/2020%2Bdumpster.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="1024" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ekYZ60PonhM/X-7R2__0c8I/AAAAAAAACuA/e737HfqkquAHxAtFxs8H2fU8s77ugdCAQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/2020%2Bdumpster.jpg" /></a></div><span><a name='more'></a></span><br /><div>Normally at this time of year I go through a "year in review" and thoughts about what I'd like to accomplish over the next 12 months. Looking back at last year's <a href="https://miniordnancerev.blogspot.com/2020/01/happy-new-year-year-in-review-and-plans.html">goals</a>, I truly overachieved on my Genestealer Cult units. I got all of the terrain and what I thought was a fairly epic Armies on Parade <a href="https://miniordnancerev.blogspot.com/2020/11/armies-on-parade-2020-fall-of-hive.html">board</a> together with full LED lighting (pity GW didn't seem to agree). I did not, however get the "opposting force" Imperials together for the Armies on Parade board - not that I really had room for them though. I also made literally zero progress on anything Flames of War or Team Yankee. Unfortunately the store I used to play those systems at, Guardian Games, is under new management and has divested itself of both of those product lines. The local gaming scene has also moved away from it a lot as well, so that's dampened my enthusiasm a bit.<div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1xZF9aGxdXA/X-7UeJuhnuI/AAAAAAAACuM/B8639NuiN6YNFRFblJAltjnNfiPkXO_NgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/indomitus%2Bmade%2Bto%2Border.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1543" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1xZF9aGxdXA/X-7UeJuhnuI/AAAAAAAACuM/B8639NuiN6YNFRFblJAltjnNfiPkXO_NgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/indomitus%2Bmade%2Bto%2Border.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div>If you remember back in <a href="https://miniordnancerev.blogspot.com/2020/07/indomitus-made-to-order-gw-gets-it-right.html">July</a> I mentioned I was picking up the new Indomitus boxed set for 9th edition. I figured eventually I could make most of the Space Marines work with either my Space Wolves or even Death Watch. However, the big thing I wanted out of this set was the Necrons. I really like the new paint schemes and miniatures. They look so much better than the old gimicky green plastic rod and monolith with a green ring pop on the top. So one of my goals for the year is to start building that army. Never fear, the Cult isn't going away and I still have a lot of Cult miniatures to finish up. They'll just be alternating with Necron and maybe even a few other units as well.</div><div><br /></div><div>So without further ado:</div><div style="text-align: left;"><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Warhammer 40K</li><ul><li>Necrons - Start with Indomitus and work out from there!</li><li>Genestealer Cult</li><ul><li>More Leman Russ</li><li>Some vintage vehicles now in the "legends" category</li><li>Medusa/Basilisk </li><li>Finish up my heavy mortar battery</li><li>Kelermorph</li><li>Clamavus</li><li>More hybrids</li><li>More Atalan Jackals</li><li>... more I've forgotten</li></ul><li>Maybe some Orks... I have "an idea"</li></ul><li>Flames of War / Team Yankee</li><ul><li>With the announcement of the update to the rest of the Warsaw Pact nations for 2nd Edition Team Yankee, it's likely time to finish up my <a href="https://miniordnancerev.blogspot.com/2017/10/not-your-typical-volksarmee-painting.html">East Germans</a>.</li><li>Past that, I can't say - maybe I'll finish up my 761st Tank Battalion <a href="https://miniordnancerev.blogspot.com/2017/12/flames-of-war-vehicles-of-761st-tank.html">force</a></li></ul><li>Other systems</li><ul><li>This is a big "TBD" at this point - I do have a Roman-era skirmish game I'd like to paint up for my son and I to play</li><li>I'm also thinking about getting some of the Lord of the Rings figures painted up.</li></ul></ul><div>So there you have my way too ambitious goals for 2021. I'm sure I'll make good progress on at least the necrons and additional genestealer cult. Somewhere in there I'm working on a new gaming table as well, which will take some time, but will give me a wonderful 4'x6' surface for all of my miniatures wargames.</div><div><br /></div><div>Here's wishing you a safe, prosperous, productive, joyful, and hopefully more <b>normal</b> 2021!</div></div></div>Fingolfenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05578339609348306067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4201596576614167611.post-66557821206944253732020-12-29T10:28:00.004-08:002021-01-01T09:34:45.021-08:00Citadel Holiday Miniature of the Year - Jakkob BugmanssonLast year during the holiday season I painted up the annual Games Workshop holiday <a href="https://miniordnancerev.blogspot.com/2019/12/merry-christmas-and-happy-holidays-from.html">miniature</a>, The Red Gobbo, and took home a best painted in the local Warhammer Store's contest. He was a fun little guy to paint up, and I ended up putting him in an individual case and he is now a permanent part of the décor in my gaming room. This year, I'd doubted that there would be a holiday miniature painting competition, but like a champ Warhammer Hillsboro came through with a virtual <a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/1260299821013157?active_tab=about" target="_blank">competition</a> involving this year's holiday <a href="https://www.warhammer-community.com/2020/11/12/who-is-jakkob-bugmansson-xi/" target="_blank">miniature</a>, Jakkob Bugmansson.<div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HwjTO-h3aGQ/X-tx0bzILLI/AAAAAAAACtg/9o3ywlmpvj0vI18ZiIrcLSjIlTTqsdT8wCLcBGAsYHQ/s1057/bugmansson%2B1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1057" data-original-width="1000" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HwjTO-h3aGQ/X-tx0bzILLI/AAAAAAAACtg/9o3ywlmpvj0vI18ZiIrcLSjIlTTqsdT8wCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/bugmansson%2B1.jpg" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><span><a name='more'></a></span>I guess technically this is the first Age of Sigmar miniature I've managed to finish painting, as he's a duardin and even has some fluff written around him (and a scenario). Of course, those of you who read my after action <a href="https://miniordnancerev.blogspot.com/2020/12/our-trip-to-warhammer-world-summer-2019.html">report</a> from our trip to Warhammer World in 2019 will see an immediate connection between his name and the pub in the facility itself - Bugman's Bar. This is, of course, part of the in-joke. There is also a Warhammer World exclusive miniature, Joseph Bugman, you can pick up as well. I own one, but I haven't finished painting it up yet. I guess now that I have painted up his great (to the tenth or so power) grandson, I should get around to the original article. He'd look great in the line up.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BWA0XP0XsNA/X-tx0a-2rFI/AAAAAAAACtk/9IfdM9JEh9k02QvAg9itjn0EErkkFI1GwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1045/bugmansson%2B2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1045" data-original-width="1000" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BWA0XP0XsNA/X-tx0a-2rFI/AAAAAAAACtk/9IfdM9JEh9k02QvAg9itjn0EErkkFI1GwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/bugmansson%2B2.jpg" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Honestly, this was a fun miniature to paint. As with many of my projects, there was some method to my madness here. Bugmansson is in metallic armor with a variety of metals on his "holiday cheer" dispenser on his back. One of my new year, new army projects for the next year involves a lot of metallic colors - so I was using a combination of my tried and true Alclad and Ammo of Mig paints (like copper and gunmetal) coupled with strange new colors like Canoptek Alloy and Cryptek Armourshade. Three guesses as to what that "new army" is, and the first two don't count!</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bhNgQ-4xB44/X-tx0u5DHCI/AAAAAAAACto/IqGi0E3cIR40yknFqoLWPMBL1LYoysLcQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1052/bugmansson%2B3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1052" data-original-width="1000" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bhNgQ-4xB44/X-tx0u5DHCI/AAAAAAAACto/IqGi0E3cIR40yknFqoLWPMBL1LYoysLcQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/bugmansson%2B3.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div>I even managed to get all of the gauges painted on the keg as well. I've been using white artist oil as a wash to sink into the recesses and leave the highlighted details untouched (and pre-painted). Unfortunately I think I've finally run into the resolution limitations of my venerable Nikon D90 DSLR. I simply couldn't get the level of detail I wanted at the depth of field I could achieve in my photos. I'm hoping for a good bonus this next year so I can finally upgrade my camera.</div><div><br /></div><div>As this is the holiday miniature, I decided to go with a snow base in the same style as Red Gobbo's last year. If I paint additional holiday miniatures going forward, I'll likely go the same route as it creates at least some uniformity via the base colors and style. The local competition runs through January 3 - so I won't know until next year how he does - but regardless, he was a ton of fun to paint!</div>Fingolfenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05578339609348306067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4201596576614167611.post-79824486461433214562020-12-24T23:30:00.001-08:002020-12-24T23:30:02.073-08:00Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!!!<div style="text-align: left;">Regardless of what holidays you celebrate at this time of year, I just wanted to take time out and hope everyone has a great one despite the challenges wrought by the pandemic this year. I firmly believe this is a year many of us will always remember, though in many ways we'd rather forget it. It has been full of unexpected challenges and disappointments, more tragedies than triumphs, and has truly tested all of us to the breaking point. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XDODHmKfOwU/X9zmSKds6PI/AAAAAAAACnc/39NYSmb4PVwNL78DCgQZHFrKBB8dM6xTgCLcBGAsYHQ/s697/Happy-Holidays-Red-Ball-694x400.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="697" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XDODHmKfOwU/X9zmSKds6PI/AAAAAAAACnc/39NYSmb4PVwNL78DCgQZHFrKBB8dM6xTgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Happy-Holidays-Red-Ball-694x400.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span><a name='more'></a></span>There is, however, a veneer or normalcy. Last year at this time I was working on the Red Gobbo miniature for the annual Holiday painting competition at the local Warhammer store. I managed to get a "best painted" for the little guy, and he still graces my gaming room in his own little protective case. This year the competition miniature is the fun new <a href="https://www.games-workshop.com/en-US/Jakkob-Bugmansson-Xi-Brewmaster-General-2020" target="_blank">Jakkob Bugmansson XI</a>. I just managed to pick up the last one that Warhammer Hillsboro had in stock and will post photos of the finished miniature once I get the photos into the local store for the virtual competition.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iPhldptEz0U/X9zm2TFuMYI/AAAAAAAACnk/ffvt_6EvorwxJmxcTVWQPr9GOvApj3luQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1013/red%2Bgobbo%2B1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1013" data-original-width="889" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iPhldptEz0U/X9zm2TFuMYI/AAAAAAAACnk/ffvt_6EvorwxJmxcTVWQPr9GOvApj3luQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/red%2Bgobbo%2B1.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Speaking of virtual competitions, Armies on Parade happened this year, but not exactly how I was expecting. As I mentioned earlier this month, given the virtual nature of the competition and the fact that GW itself was doing the judging I figured it would turn into Golden Demon, take 2. Which if you've seen the quality of the entries of the <a href="https://www.warhammer-community.com/2020/12/19/armies-on-parade-the-2020-awards-ceremony/" target="_blank">winners</a>, that was indeed the case. I'm going to have to say I was more than a little disappointed that they didn't try to spread more love around with honorable mentions or additional categories. If this had been a normal year then there would have been winners at every store (and each store will generally get <30 entries), and I think at least parts of my board compared favorably to the honorable mention group. I was also disappointed that there was no Youngblood level as the kids had no chance this year to get any positive reinforcement.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Here's hoping for a better 2021! Stay safe everyone!</div>Fingolfenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05578339609348306067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4201596576614167611.post-60408654931869347722020-12-23T13:56:00.000-08:002020-12-23T13:56:09.390-08:00Our Trip to Warhammer World - Summer 2019 Callback - Part 2<div style="text-align: left;">While the retail areas of Warhammer World are amazing, and being able to buy Forge World items off the shelf is a treat (and pay UK prices which are now lower than US prices), the real highlight of the whole experience for me was the Exhibition Centre. As I mentioned in the previous <a href="https://miniordnancerev.blogspot.com/2020/12/our-trip-to-warhammer-world-summer-2019.html" target="_blank">installment</a>, the exhibitions start out with a brief history of Citadel Miniatures and Games Workshop. It then opens up into more detailed displays of many of the various product lines, all expertly painted, but there are many larger displays and dioramas which tell stories from various parts of Warhammer and Warhammer 40K cannon. Mixed among these are several smaller vignettes, some of which date back decades to the early days of Games Workshop. Given I started playing Warhammer 40K during its Rogue Trader debut, this was a very welcome trip down memory lane!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EhFeo_wZAZE/X92jOgMXIgI/AAAAAAAACro/tlKLL4gvQOI7ZnnzGX74FVfFF53b3WKKQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/Warhammer%2BWorld%2B10.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1711" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EhFeo_wZAZE/X92jOgMXIgI/AAAAAAAACro/tlKLL4gvQOI7ZnnzGX74FVfFF53b3WKKQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Warhammer%2BWorld%2B10.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Orks attack!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span><a name='more'></a></span>There are amazing displays/dioramas covering a wide array of subjects from classic Warhammer Fantasy all the way through the Age of Sigmar, the Horus Heresey, as well as vintage and modern Warhammer 40K. These aren't generally set up to resemble a game in progress, rather they are set up to represent a scene of an actual battle or other key event. It truly raises the level of what one would expect from, say and Army on Parade or display board for a painting competition. One element common to all of the larger displays is they convey a sense of narrative - they're not just showing off great miniatures, they're telling a story. As I've mentioned before, the narrative aspects of Warhammer 40K, and any game system (historic or fictional) have always held a particular interest for me. Regardless of whether it is a group of Space Marines or a group of U.S. Marines in the Pacific Theater of World War II, my armies always have a context. They're not just random elements pieced together in an attempt to win games.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vK5nrMoBXls/X92jOdsfWXI/AAAAAAAACrk/wdnwxtAKUV4tHANZAnAkhDJO3h1Em1N2ACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/Warhammer%2BWorld%2B11.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1342" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vK5nrMoBXls/X92jOdsfWXI/AAAAAAAACrk/wdnwxtAKUV4tHANZAnAkhDJO3h1Em1N2ACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Warhammer%2BWorld%2B11.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Undead Horde</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>The photo above shows one of the Warhammer boards with an undead horde bursting forth from a portal. Personally, I'd be getting out of there post haste, but I love how the miniatures are so thematically tied together with color scheme. The fact that they're not individually based, but rather are part of the display itself also helps convey the sense that this is an event, not a game. This technique carries through for most of the displays, dioramas, and vignettes throughout the Exhibition Centre. </div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pQuwDqOYtRQ/X92jEO1QQVI/AAAAAAAACrg/3vfzKrBBIDc_B_K230C5TJ8C9fGQ7chqACLcBGAsYHQ/s2000/Warhammer%2BWorld%2B12.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1373" data-original-width="2000" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pQuwDqOYtRQ/X92jEO1QQVI/AAAAAAAACrg/3vfzKrBBIDc_B_K230C5TJ8C9fGQ7chqACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Warhammer%2BWorld%2B12.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Orks move through some beautifully executed terrain</td></tr></tbody></table><br />Some of the displays struck me because of the wonderful miniatures, others struck me with the amazing amount of work that was done to create a scene through use of terrain. The photo above includes some very nice Orks, but what really struck me was the terrain. The windswept terrain and exposed tree roots with sparse and yellowed vegetation truly conveys a sense of how bleak the lands are, which suits the Orks quite well.<br /><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kk08LvYFtRI/X92jRaHMAZI/AAAAAAAACrs/LzfVMelIdSUqAcxNicmkxilKpHWw-mOLgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1500/Warhammer%2BWorld%2B13.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1494" data-original-width="1500" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kk08LvYFtRI/X92jRaHMAZI/AAAAAAAACrs/LzfVMelIdSUqAcxNicmkxilKpHWw-mOLgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Warhammer%2BWorld%2B13.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Emperor Confronts Horus - Rogue Trader Style<br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Then there are other vignettes that simply give me a wonderful sense of nostalgia. The scene rendered in miniatures above harkens back to some very old Warhammer 40K art from the Rogue Trader era (below). While the miniatures and some of their details are fairly crude by modern standards, it effectively manages to capture the essence of the original artwork, and was an absolute treat to see live.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-O_MuSwXHLvI/X92oC9UVOaI/AAAAAAAACtA/iuH1GBYPqoELJ6pFKkfoCz2aEKHmrnteQCLcBGAsYHQ/s602/rogue%2Btrader%2Bemperor.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="401" data-original-width="602" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-O_MuSwXHLvI/X92oC9UVOaI/AAAAAAAACtA/iuH1GBYPqoELJ6pFKkfoCz2aEKHmrnteQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/rogue%2Btrader%2Bemperor.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Original artwork of the Emperor and Horus from 40K's Rogue Trader era</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">There are also more modern dioramas covering 40K's Horus Heresy period. The display covering the Fall of Prospero (yeah, Magnus did something wrong...) with modern Custodes, Space Wolves, and Thousand Sons miniatures is truly a sight to behold. The world is so well-executed, it becomes part of the story itself. While I haven't played Horus Heresy (or Warhammer 30K as it is colloquially known), I've considered it as there are some spectacular forces available.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YsmEGiDbJ04/X92jkJQt2MI/AAAAAAAACsA/M3-51S2dUNMSFpuPvsQC_VhZXFMzLjs5gCLcBGAsYHQ/s1800/Warhammer%2BWorld%2B14.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1756" data-original-width="1800" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YsmEGiDbJ04/X92jkJQt2MI/AAAAAAAACsA/M3-51S2dUNMSFpuPvsQC_VhZXFMzLjs5gCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Warhammer%2BWorld%2B14.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Fall of Prospero</td></tr></tbody></table><br />Another fun reference to the earliest days of Warhammer 40K is the scene below. Old timers will certainly recognize it almost immediately...<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bSQmnHduurU/X92jdoL8xHI/AAAAAAAACr0/FgPMCPGQ1tYH7k-Vzf5_VLMTq1fhCp0aACLcBGAsYHQ/s1500/Warhammer%2BWorld%2B15.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1404" data-original-width="1500" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bSQmnHduurU/X92jdoL8xHI/AAAAAAAACr0/FgPMCPGQ1tYH7k-Vzf5_VLMTq1fhCp0aACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Warhammer%2BWorld%2B15.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Is he using an Ork's head as an improvised melee weapon?</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div>Yes friends, it is a recreation in miniature of the cover art from the original <i>Warhammer 40,000 Rogue Trader </i>rulebook from 1987 right down to the Ork's head being used as a melee weapon.</div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1w4l58ofobA/X92qSMajr6I/AAAAAAAACtU/8O8cvHifguojZDWOe6hw7GuLxjonwIgMwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/rogue%2Btrader%2Bbook.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1469" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1w4l58ofobA/X92qSMajr6I/AAAAAAAACtU/8O8cvHifguojZDWOe6hw7GuLxjonwIgMwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/rogue%2Btrader%2Bbook.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rogue Trader - where it all started</td></tr></tbody></table><br />However, the overall display goes way beyond a few Crimson Fists marines in a heroic back-to-back last stand. It includes the full array of Orks closing in from all sides in an impressive display of sheer green firepower. While this wasn't one of the larger exhibits, it was one that really gave me a warm sense of nostalgia.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AV6Hpx0LaNk/X92jlDRa_II/AAAAAAAACsE/VHX-sxQpiqUyg7p7Yya5Se1hrKn3tg-awCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/Warhammer%2BWorld%2B16.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1116" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AV6Hpx0LaNk/X92jlDRa_II/AAAAAAAACsE/VHX-sxQpiqUyg7p7Yya5Se1hrKn3tg-awCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Warhammer%2BWorld%2B16.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The display goes way beyond the cover, though!</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>The displays also include several vintage figures - some even in the original packaging showing the original sprues - including one fan favorite that almost always tops the "why don't you bring back..." lists - the Squats! Space Dwarves, AKA Squats, were a part of the early days of Warhammer 40K representing sort of a mash up of ideas. They had the organization and feel of Imperial Guard, but also had a lot of bikes like Ork speek freaks. If you read the lore, they were also fairly technically adept, even more so than the Techpriests (which were many years away from their own list). Unfortunately, Games Workshop decided that their one-liner mishmash background didn't cut it, so they never received their own 2nd edition Codex and were gone by the time of Third Edition. Hope springs eternal, though.</div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XL1WF-UzIAA/X92jsUifmSI/AAAAAAAACsI/SMtgjE7s-eUv7LL0yjwTzHMqmB43XprywCLcBGAsYHQ/s1800/Warhammer%2BWorld%2B17.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="907" data-original-width="1800" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XL1WF-UzIAA/X92jsUifmSI/AAAAAAAACsI/SMtgjE7s-eUv7LL0yjwTzHMqmB43XprywCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Warhammer%2BWorld%2B17.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yes Virginia, they even have Squats!</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>There are also some great smaller scenes just using off-the-shelf terrain kits combined in new and exciting ways - with unlimited budgets. The photo below shows an amazing diorama consisting mostly of Sector Mechanicus sets which ended up looking absolutely amazing.</div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qLlIAnWerWg/X92j5FtwshI/AAAAAAAACsY/diLzqWDLaxg7eUvnkZCcoh54C_p_1UKSgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2469/Warhammer%2BWorld%2B18.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2469" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qLlIAnWerWg/X92j5FtwshI/AAAAAAAACsY/diLzqWDLaxg7eUvnkZCcoh54C_p_1UKSgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Warhammer%2BWorld%2B18.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Amazing what you can do with an unlimited budget...</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>Various armies and factions have their own sections in the exhibition as well. Each of the major Imperial Guard regiments has a display army painted up, including my favorite the Death Korps of Krieg. I've always liked the World War I fusion look of these guys, and really need to get mine painted up one of these days. More stuff to do - I really must win that lottery so I can free up more hours for painting.</div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Zz-LKp53AXo/X92j2qh5a_I/AAAAAAAACsU/gID3j2eRl2El2ZxxeBaxrol_dphsCFX2wCLcBGAsYHQ/s2500/Warhammer%2BWorld%2B19.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="974" data-original-width="2500" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Zz-LKp53AXo/X92j2qh5a_I/AAAAAAAACsU/gID3j2eRl2El2ZxxeBaxrol_dphsCFX2wCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Warhammer%2BWorld%2B19.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Death Korps of Krieg on Display</td></tr></tbody></table><br />Speaking of Astra Militarum, how about the amazing Cadian parade diorama below? Just the sheer number of infantry and vehicles really makes you appreciate how many hours have gone into painting all of the miniatures. Even at my best, it takes me hours to get one squad done to my satisfaction, and this amazing scene has, well, a <i>lot</i> more than that!<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FJJFOQUc2nI/X92j9iV7TnI/AAAAAAAACsg/GzrAzSXsYus8Qe2tUzjjpLwntaav5m1QgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2500/Warhammer%2BWorld%2B20.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1215" data-original-width="2500" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FJJFOQUc2nI/X92j9iV7TnI/AAAAAAAACsg/GzrAzSXsYus8Qe2tUzjjpLwntaav5m1QgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Warhammer%2BWorld%2B20.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cadia Stands - and holds parades</td></tr></tbody></table><br />One of the most impressive displays is a Chaos assault on an Imperial position that is built into the stairwell between levels. Unfortunately it is a bit hard to see from the photos, but this particular diorama is something in excess of 10 feet tall and goes all the way up to the next level of the exhibition hall. There are some amazing lighting effects and of course, Titans, making an appearance as well.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RfSl1HpaC7M/X92kP2bnc4I/AAAAAAAACsw/NCPrgrC3oaMLMnYiG4L9aPRigAyH2wMfgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2500/Warhammer%2BWorld%2B21.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1215" data-original-width="2500" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RfSl1HpaC7M/X92kP2bnc4I/AAAAAAAACsw/NCPrgrC3oaMLMnYiG4L9aPRigAyH2wMfgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Warhammer%2BWorld%2B21.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Huge diorama in the stairwell</td></tr></tbody></table><br />One of the most striking dioramas is the beautiful Eldar versus Tyranid battle scene below. Early on in Warhammer 40K the Eldar, now known as the Aeldari, were extremely popular. They were fairly potent on the tabletop and the models and figures lent themselves to high-quality paint jobs. Accomplished painters seemed split between Eldar and Chaos for their showpieces. While they don't seem to have the same level of interest as they used to have, a well-executed Aeldari army is still an amazing sight to behold and can be a truly deadly opponent.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6xTQI2nx2PA/X92kPAgoroI/AAAAAAAACss/PGBesaacv6ITD4kgW8OgMdlj5jZ03R15gCLcBGAsYHQ/s2400/Warhammer%2BWorld%2B22.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1167" data-original-width="2400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6xTQI2nx2PA/X92kPAgoroI/AAAAAAAACss/PGBesaacv6ITD4kgW8OgMdlj5jZ03R15gCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Warhammer%2BWorld%2B22.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beautifully painted Eldar versus Tyranids</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: left;">So I hope you enjoyed this virtual tour of Warhammer World in England. I'd love to go back one of these years, but I figure that will likely be a hard sell for the rest of the family as there are so many other destinations in the UK, Ireland, Europe, and elsewhere on our list that remain unvisited. Maybe one of these years if I'm traveling on business and can tack on a couple of extra days on me.</div>Fingolfenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05578339609348306067noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4201596576614167611.post-32644019880605467312020-12-18T22:28:00.004-08:002020-12-18T22:37:21.031-08:00Our Trip to Warhammer World - Summer 2019 Callback - Part 1<div style="text-align: left;">Needless to say, this year has been an absolute bust for travel, vacation, camping, etc. However, it suddenly occurred to me that I'd never posted any pictures of our trip to Warhammer World during the summer of 2019. We spent nearly two weeks in the UK (England and Scotland), and honestly tried to take way too much in during that time including castles, cathedrals, Roman ruins, and even Tankfest! However, as hitting Warhammer World was on my bucket list, we had to at least spend an afternoon there.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UpAugnA0Q54/X90bTYYoaQI/AAAAAAAACqU/KBNUmuhI3u0yW3xgY7fP4ipeHcXsqtmNgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1482/Warhammer%2BWorld%2B01.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1482" data-original-width="1288" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UpAugnA0Q54/X90bTYYoaQI/AAAAAAAACqU/KBNUmuhI3u0yW3xgY7fP4ipeHcXsqtmNgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Warhammer%2BWorld%2B01.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Space Marine guarding the car park</td></tr></tbody></table><span><a name='more'></a></span><div><a href="https://warhammerworld.warhammer-community.com/" target="_blank">Warhammer World</a> is nestled in a commercial park in Nottingham, UK, surrounded by some of the other Games Workshop corporate buildings. It's a combination high-end game store and museum all in one. There's a full line of Games Workshop and Forge World items on the shelves, along with a few Warhammer World exclusives. Plenty of space is set aside for actually playing games (though obviously these all have to be Games Workshop games, obviously).</div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-G8KWzIJBuN8/X90bSWK696I/AAAAAAAACqQ/-wZkgnl8aVc8EyHW26q5auyBwhms_49ZACLcBGAsYHQ/s1750/Warhammer%2BWorld%2B02.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="961" data-original-width="1750" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-G8KWzIJBuN8/X90bSWK696I/AAAAAAAACqQ/-wZkgnl8aVc8EyHW26q5auyBwhms_49ZACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Warhammer%2BWorld%2B02.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rhino mock-up! Not sure 10 Space Marines would fit, though</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>As you come in you know right away that this is a gaming company, and not just <i>any</i> gaming company. A full size Space Marine statue and a cute converted Rhino grace the parking lot, though honestly how you'd get 10 marines in that Rhino is beyond me! They much be really friendly. Just inside the entrance there are a few displays that give you a bit of a sense of what to expect from the exhibition part of the experience. When I was there a Lord of the Rings battle scene was on display, the Battle of the Pelennor Fields (shown below), and there was also a life size Uruk-hai, Lurtz their first leader in <i>Fellowship of the Ring</i>.</div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LP_Kl_wShKs/X90bTSjmHoI/AAAAAAAACqY/mk5C_AxTgLszYjr_zUVByLzKXq1CCdoZACLcBGAsYHQ/s1800/Warhammer%2BWorld%2B03.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="896" data-original-width="1800" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LP_Kl_wShKs/X90bTSjmHoI/AAAAAAAACqY/mk5C_AxTgLszYjr_zUVByLzKXq1CCdoZACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Warhammer%2BWorld%2B03.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Battle of the Pelennor Fields</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>Of course, all of the displays at Warhammer World are absolutely amazing. Not only are they displaying some of the best Citadel miniatures, these are ones painted by their professional staff. The terrain they make up to create the displays is right up there with the best museum-level diorama work I've seen as well, so that helps really draw you into the scene. </div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lgDV9ZKFOys/X90bWcbUyJI/AAAAAAAACqc/H-isoGgn37sR4USXV89yKdcCmJScD4DvgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1800/Warhammer%2BWorld%2B04.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="782" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lgDV9ZKFOys/X90bWcbUyJI/AAAAAAAACqc/H-isoGgn37sR4USXV89yKdcCmJScD4DvgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Warhammer%2BWorld%2B04.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lurtz the Uruk-Hai - even uglier in real life!</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">As you'd expect, the retail area includes just about every Games Workshop toy you'd ever want, and there are painted displays of just about everything as well. The Lord of the Rings display is extremely nice, which reminds me, I <i>really</i> need to start painting up those miniatures at this point. Middle Earth remains to this day one of my favorite fantasy realms, and it borders on criminal that I have gotten at least a token force together and painted. It's a beautiful game with some amazingly beautiful miniatures that should be a lot of fun to paint and then hopefully get a few games in as well! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QnhSiLGnnE8/X90bwxmqfGI/AAAAAAAACq0/VU3_K92bk6sHxw2ZQNcgSDygH9lBv97FwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1602/Warhammer%2BWorld%2B05.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1063" data-original-width="1602" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QnhSiLGnnE8/X90bwxmqfGI/AAAAAAAACq0/VU3_K92bk6sHxw2ZQNcgSDygH9lBv97FwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Warhammer%2BWorld%2B05.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Down, down to goblin town!</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>As good gaming and good food should almost always go hand in hand, Warhammer World includes Bugman's Bar (yes, the Bugman of various miniatures fame). It's a great little pub with some amazing food right in Warhammer World itself. As I was in England, I had to get the fish and chips, and was served enough for me and half a company of dwarves to boot! The food was honestly extremely good. It was a little pricey, but where else do you get to eat by the hearth with a dwarvish axe? I mean really!</div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tSlh8pxNHnQ/X90bxStI11I/AAAAAAAACq4/fbxkD6hiNdQ6MUgbWVzGgomFYbMlo5ieQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2000/Warhammer%2BWorld%2B06.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1347" data-original-width="2000" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tSlh8pxNHnQ/X90bxStI11I/AAAAAAAACq4/fbxkD6hiNdQ6MUgbWVzGgomFYbMlo5ieQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Warhammer%2BWorld%2B06.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The hearth at Bugman's Bar</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>For those who are so inclined, Bugman's Bar is also, well, a bar! You can get both draft beer (or as it is in England, technically draught beer) as well as bottled beer. There are also some bottled ciders on offer as well. There is, of course, also a variety of other non-alcoholic drinks available for those who are driving. Especially blokes like me driving a manual on the wrong side of the road from the wrong side of the car! If you're interested, there's a full menu <a href="https://warhammerworld.warhammer-community.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2020/01/Bugmans-Menu-A3-Roll-Fold-JRG.indd-1.pdf" target="_blank">online</a>.</div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pw3_9K8pNEg/X90bvI4rAoI/AAAAAAAACqw/0MZxuzxUvIMzju-MGTlXaRBCOv1v2DWbACLcBGAsYHQ/s1750/Warhammer%2BWorld%2B07.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1750" data-original-width="1081" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pw3_9K8pNEg/X90bvI4rAoI/AAAAAAAACqw/0MZxuzxUvIMzju-MGTlXaRBCOv1v2DWbACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Warhammer%2BWorld%2B07.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bugman's even includes a bookshelf for those who want to kick back and read!</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>Beyond the retail experience, there is an Exhibition Centre with four areas and an array of display boards. According to their website, there are over 20,000 painted miniatures on display throughout the areas - including some guest displays. You have to pay separately to get tickets for the Exhibition Centre, but I even convinced my wife, who is not a miniature painter, to come through and she enjoyed it. </div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_OGDA7OS8Uk/X90b0ceARfI/AAAAAAAACq8/YW3QshVEnUIVaOtzr6cFHhdwC_egaw10ACLcBGAsYHQ/s1800/Warhammer%2BWorld%2B08.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="871" data-original-width="1800" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_OGDA7OS8Uk/X90b0ceARfI/AAAAAAAACq8/YW3QshVEnUIVaOtzr6cFHhdwC_egaw10ACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Warhammer%2BWorld%2B08.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some very early Citadel miniatures</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The exhibition starts with a brief background giving the history of Citadel Miniatures and how it grew into Games Workshop. I've included a photo above of some of the very early catalog miniatures, but there are several really neat displays in this area. Some of the early miniatures I'd seen before, others I never even knew existed. There are also some early Golden Demon Award winners included in the exhibition as well. These are spectacular and really give you a sense of how far the hobby has come, and how amazing some of the older paint jobs are even to this day!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-da1QJyxclfw/X90dS0HhIvI/AAAAAAAACrU/9rISL_RGmmkuMNXMLbpUsaQnr0PZ_xI7QCLcBGAsYHQ/s2500/Warhammer%2BWorld%2B09.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1199" data-original-width="2500" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-da1QJyxclfw/X90dS0HhIvI/AAAAAAAACrU/9rISL_RGmmkuMNXMLbpUsaQnr0PZ_xI7QCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Warhammer%2BWorld%2B09.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Early Golden Demon winner - yeah, they've always been spectacular!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">In the second and final part of this entry I'll include photos of some of the other parts of the exhibition. Unfortunately I only had my smartphone camera with me, not my Nikon, so some of the pictures didn't come out as nicely as I'd hoped. That being said I managed to get enough cleaned up in Photoshop to give you a sense of the scale of the displays, and some of the fun classic miniatures on display throughout the hall.</div>Fingolfenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05578339609348306067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4201596576614167611.post-12601065964881495592020-12-15T09:39:00.003-08:002020-12-15T10:42:01.359-08:00Armies on Parade Awards Date Set<div style="text-align: left;">After some digging on the Warhammer 40K Facebook <a href="https://www.facebook.com/warhammer40000uk/?ref=page_internal" target="_blank">page</a>, I found a cute <a href="https://www.facebook.com/1575682476085719/videos/793566854560431" target="_blank">video</a> announcing when the Armies on Parade awards would be announced - December 19 at 1:45 GMT. So that's this Saturday! Of course, 1:45 GMT is 5:45AM Pacific, so I'll be checking out the replay once I wake up... likely a couple of hours later! The whole ceremony is going to be on Twitch, so anyone who is interested can click the links above or snag the URL from the image below.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cKjkS5dYd9E/X9jx9Rolk2I/AAAAAAAACnQ/Zos9ZEdiHHUGWC3J3qKQ3A-zZ0alNCGowCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/aop%2Bawards%2Bdate.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1300" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cKjkS5dYd9E/X9jx9Rolk2I/AAAAAAAACnQ/Zos9ZEdiHHUGWC3J3qKQ3A-zZ0alNCGowCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/aop%2Bawards%2Bdate.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span><a name='more'></a></span><br /><div>Last <a href="https://miniordnancerev.blogspot.com/2019/10/armies-on-parade-uprising.html">year</a> I did okay at Armies on Parade. I didn't medal, but I did take home the award which honestly mattered the most to me - "Best Painted." Unfortunately with COVID, this year Armies on Parade had to go virtual, which means instead of a lot of people competing at their local stores - everyone is grouped together. That means I'm lumped in with the people from all over the world including those who enter (and win) the Golden Demon competition and hold the Slayer sword. So while I think this year's entry would have performed well at my local store, against that sort of competition I've go no prayer.<div><br /></div><div>Still, it will be interesting to see all of the entries. I've always enjoyed the narrative component of Warhammer 40K, and I've seen some amazing Armies on Parade with great bases that really tell a story. After seeing the photos, the manager of the local <a href="https://www.facebook.com/WarhammerHillsboro">Warhammer Store</a> said he'd let me bring it in and show it off in the store for a few days, and I may take him up on the offer. I'd love people to actually be able to see the board and detail up close and see all the little stories within the larger narrative as designed.</div><div><br /></div><div>Of course, now I have to figure out what I'm going to do next year... first world problems!<br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div></div></div>Fingolfenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05578339609348306067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4201596576614167611.post-41370360678330021412020-12-09T14:06:00.004-08:002020-12-09T14:06:41.728-08:00 Trench Line Fortifications for Warhammer 40KAs part of my Armies on Parade <a href="https://miniordnancerev.blogspot.com/2020/11/armies-on-parade-2020-fall-of-hive.html" target="_blank">entry</a> this year I was working on a fair amount of terrain. Almost all of it ended up in the final display, but there was one piece that didn't quite make the final cut. It wasn't that the piece wasn't coming out well, it's just that I had more trouble than expected integrating it into the final display. The top (surface) layer of the display was originally intended to have a defense emplacement on top of one of the low hills, but I had trouble integrating the emplacement into the overall theme of the board, so I ended up leaving it out. It's essentially done at this point, I may go back and so a little more shading in a couple of spots, but I think it came out pretty well.<div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bTUmj99Rw-4/X9E9H2wdYHI/AAAAAAAACm0/RKKPv32Nc6we4oiyR-fuiepKnxk-YCIrACLcBGAsYHQ/s2393/trench%2Bline%2B1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="850" data-original-width="2393" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bTUmj99Rw-4/X9E9H2wdYHI/AAAAAAAACm0/RKKPv32Nc6we4oiyR-fuiepKnxk-YCIrACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/trench%2Bline%2B1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><span><a name='more'></a></span>So this terrain piece is just the Wall of Martyrs - Imperial Defence Implacement from <a href="https://www.games-workshop.com/en-US/Wall-of-Martyrs-Imperial-Defence-Emplacement" target="_blank">GW</a> (and yes, the British do spell "defense" with a "c" so that's not a typo my American friends). I'd decided to go all out with the painting on it, but still make it fit within the Soviet green theme of the force. The detail along the bottom of the walls is a little crude because these are not produced using slide molds, so there are no undercuts on the large plastic pieces. </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hc3sfPWBe_4/X9E9JTY7hsI/AAAAAAAACm8/-MIKfSqnriED90FTTcL_J_GIigBmFlQtgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2592/trench%2Bline%2B2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="2592" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hc3sfPWBe_4/X9E9JTY7hsI/AAAAAAAACm8/-MIKfSqnriED90FTTcL_J_GIigBmFlQtgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/trench%2Bline%2B2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>The base looked more "stone like" than "earth like" to me, so I went with a stone colored paint job along the wall bases rather than going with stone walls themselves. That was probably a mistake from the standpoint of integrating this into the overall base as the gray stone really stuck out obviously on the earth colored parade board. So I made the difficult decision to drop it from the display (after spending several hours painting it.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LB6el82QbJw/X9E9JfEuy0I/AAAAAAAACm4/3-kEp1v27S0Ji_sPfvvkTk97hBNQwjlIgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2451/trench%2Bline%2B3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="2451" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LB6el82QbJw/X9E9JfEuy0I/AAAAAAAACm4/3-kEp1v27S0Ji_sPfvvkTk97hBNQwjlIgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/trench%2Bline%2B3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>That being said, having some more terrain painted up is never a bad thing. I've since picked up the <a href="https://www.games-workshop.com/en-US/Wall-of-Martyrs-Imperial-Bunker" target="_blank">Imperial Bunker</a> from the same set, and will likely pick up the <a href="https://www.games-workshop.com/en-US/Wall-of-Martyrs-Imperial-Defence-Line" target="_blank">Imperial Defence Line</a> as well so I can make a small set and they'd all fit together. I also bought an <a href="https://www.games-workshop.com/en-US/Imperial-Bastion" target="_blank">Imperial Bastion</a> thinking I'd add it to the display, but once I realize how many vehicles I'd finished this year, I decided to hold off on construction and build it later.</div></div><div><br /></div><div>So yet another thing done for the collection this year. Now that Armies on Parade has finished up, I've been able to move into high gear on several other projects. I'm hoping to have a few more items finished up before the end of the year, and I've started on a new army that I'll be building and painting in parallel with the Genestealer Cult.</div>Fingolfenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05578339609348306067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4201596576614167611.post-89799943390416307962020-12-08T12:11:00.004-08:002020-12-08T12:11:24.629-08:00Mortar Squad for the Brood BrothersWith Armies on Parade over, I've finally gotten back to finishing up a few projects that I'd had lying around. One of them is a fun little Heavy Weapon squad with mortars. The nice thing about this particular unit is I can slot it into my regular Genestealer Cult army or I can kick it over to the Astra Militarum detachment depending on what I want to run. The miniatures started out as the the basic Cadian squad, but I've come into a fair number of "bits" recently, and I decided to go a bit crazy with these guys as advanced modeler's syndrome kicked in.<div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XqKed3oGIzo/X8-9uwTiLtI/AAAAAAAACmc/krhWp03J7qUkoC7z84gTsfo22ZyD2FTRACLcBGAsYHQ/s2159/brood%2Bbrothers%2Bmortars%2B1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="2159" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XqKed3oGIzo/X8-9uwTiLtI/AAAAAAAACmc/krhWp03J7qUkoC7z84gTsfo22ZyD2FTRACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/brood%2Bbrothers%2Bmortars%2B1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><span><a name='more'></a></span>The figures themselves are just the regular Cadian Heavy Weapons <a href="https://www.games-workshop.com/en-US/Astra-Militarum-Heavy-Weapon-Squad-2019" target="_blank">Squad</a>, though honestly you get enough bits in that box to make up multiple squads if you're not picky about finding legs, arms, and torsos for the crew. I'm adding the Genestealer Cults Upgrade <a href="https://www.games-workshop.com/en-US/Genestealer-Hybrid-Upgrade-Pack" target="_blank">Frame</a> for the heads and gear and using the Sector Imperialis <a href="https://www.games-workshop.com/en-US/Sector-Imperialis-65-75-90MM-Oval-Bases" target="_blank">bases</a>.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uRgU_7-yBYQ/X8-9u8lw3RI/AAAAAAAACmY/03p6bq-VLSMuESFShxjhk96DmKWgArcvwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2154/brood%2Bbrothers%2Bmortars%2B2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="2154" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uRgU_7-yBYQ/X8-9u8lw3RI/AAAAAAAACmY/03p6bq-VLSMuESFShxjhk96DmKWgArcvwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/brood%2Bbrothers%2Bmortars%2B2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Given the mortars don't take up a lot of real estate on the base, I decided to go with something new this time around. I've used a few of the plastic sandbags that come with the normal heavy weapon kit, but I waned to go a bit bigger this time. I'd picked up a couple of solutions including a mold to cast resin sandbags (which I'm still working on) and some <a href="http://www.greenstuffworld.com/en/inicio/308-flexible-sandbags-x50.html" target="_blank">flexible sand bags</a> from Green Stuff World. I decided to give the flexible bags a try. You simply cut down the ends a bit, dip them in a mix of water and PVA (Elmer's) glue, and lay out your pattern. I tried a few different patterns to get the feel of what would and wouldn't work with them, and I'm pretty happy with the result.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-r2c8H_AW6XE/X8-9uEDx5GI/AAAAAAAACmU/iyGM0Bzp6p8JsHTPd3PVo7J2pIvamounwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2143/brood%2Bbrothers%2Bmortars%2B3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="2143" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-r2c8H_AW6XE/X8-9uEDx5GI/AAAAAAAACmU/iyGM0Bzp6p8JsHTPd3PVo7J2pIvamounwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/brood%2Bbrothers%2Bmortars%2B3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>The sand bags did take a couple of days to dry which is really the only drawback I've encountered so far. I hit them initially with some Agrax Earthshade, and then progressively highlighted them using several tan and yellow-tan Vallejo colors until I got the effect I was looking for. I then went back and hit them with another light wash of Earthshade. I purchased a pack of 50 of these, and have used roughly half of them on these three bases. Given how well they worked, I'll likely pick up more for future projects.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5JA56c00uNA/X8-9zf4CT1I/AAAAAAAACmg/bdz9CKhngZUq88i-qFqaERaRqA4gdNhjQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2122/brood%2Bbrothers%2Bmortars%2B4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="2122" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5JA56c00uNA/X8-9zf4CT1I/AAAAAAAACmg/bdz9CKhngZUq88i-qFqaERaRqA4gdNhjQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/brood%2Bbrothers%2Bmortars%2B4.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>As with all of my larger scenic bases, I added some barbed wire to provide a little more visual interest. I also created a concrete section with AK Interactive Concrete and Ammo of Mig washes. The dirt and mud section on one of the bases also used Ammo of Mig ground cover and a couple of washes. I then just added a couple of tufts of static grass to complete the look. Overall I think these guys are ready to go. They're nothing spectacular on the table, but having an indirect fire weapon is always a good thing - especially early in a game!</div>Fingolfenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05578339609348306067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4201596576614167611.post-21422030189579830832020-12-07T09:11:00.001-08:002020-12-07T09:11:17.478-08:00The Subversion of Hive World Novgorod - Genestealer Cult Army Background<div>Hive World Novgorod lies in the outer reaches of the Segentum Tempestus, deep in The Veiled Region between Gryphonne IV and Bakka. The history of the original colonization of the world during the Dark Age of Technology, when humanity poured into the galaxy by the billions, has been lost to the ravages of time. With the coming of the Imperium, the planet became an important mining world with rich deposits of rare elements and a relatively small population. After the dark years of the Age of Apostacy, the role of the planet was modified to include not only mining, but manufacture of tanks and other weaponry for the Astra Militarum. While its production was low compared Forge Worlds like Gryphonne IV, its proximity to that world allowed it to share its unique Standard Template Construct designs. The resulting massive influx of workers soon outstripped available space for settlement and large hive cities were constructed over the mines and forges to house the burgeoning population.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BbwTRlHc6ZA/X7_wGDh7VgI/AAAAAAAACd8/6eTyOHINoqA6M0QJcMjk5bgSoBD7jbo3ACLcBGAsYHQ/s2000/Galactic%2BMap%2B%252B%2BNovgorod.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="2000" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BbwTRlHc6ZA/X7_wGDh7VgI/AAAAAAAACd8/6eTyOHINoqA6M0QJcMjk5bgSoBD7jbo3ACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Galactic%2BMap%2B%252B%2BNovgorod.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Galaxy (as of 9th Edition) - with Novgorod in green</td></tr></tbody></table><div></div><div><span><a name='more'></a></span>Novgorod’s massive resources and locally produced munitions have allowed it to raise and equip entire Regiments of Astra Militarum – from standard Line Armies and Motor Rifle Regiments, to more elite Shock Armies. During the Tyranid attack on Gryphonne IV, Novgorod Shock armies fought against numerous splinters of Hive Fleet Leviathan across the sector keeping their home world free from invasion. While returning home from these warzones, a small clutch of Purestrain Genestealers was discovered on one of the command ships. Rather than destroy these dangerous Xenos organisms, a few in the military elite saw it as an opportunity to increase the combat effectiveness of their troops and use the Tyranid’s own weapons against them. They directed their medical overseers to dissect the Genestealers and find ways to combine their germ-seed with humans to create “super-soldiers” capable of defeating any foe. </div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mTl50qNsxVg/X8M4JQd5J4I/AAAAAAAACio/kv9qLgcFX9gA1vTwfyxcnU3W3D8Ure28QCLcBGAsYHQ/s786/Leman_Russ_Exterminator_Gryphonne_IV_Pattern.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="421" data-original-width="786" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mTl50qNsxVg/X8M4JQd5J4I/AAAAAAAACio/kv9qLgcFX9gA1vTwfyxcnU3W3D8Ure28QCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Leman_Russ_Exterminator_Gryphonne_IV_Pattern.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gryphonne IV Pattern Leman Russ Exterminator</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>Undertaking his work under the greatest possible veil of secrecy, Chief Medical Overseer Markow’s vivisection of the captive genestealers revealed, as expected, that the organisms originated from one of the known splinters of Hive Fleet Leviathan – one with a greenish black and bone carapace. These experiments also revealed how the xenos germ-seed was passed on to human hosts. Armed with this data, Markow began experimentation in earnest to create the desired line of super-soldiers, and over the next few years through a combination of methods a variety of hybrid life forms were created. Markow even developed a simple serum that would provide slight, but nearly undetectable improvements to the rank and file of Novgorod’s numerous ground armies. Knowledge of this clandestine project was limited to a few senior officers, but then disaster struck. The staff officers who sanctioned the project were killed in a shuttle crash. Overseer Markow knew if his project were discovered, he and all of the super soldiers would quickly fall under the hammer of the Ordo Xenos, so he took the project underground into Novgorod’s largest industrial hive, Magnitnaya.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7zXUdfAFJM0/X8VgLVQN_II/AAAAAAAACks/oFRoxdUVe9MkS_2jeF3EavXeWOmzxxnFACLcBGAsYHQ/s1792/hive_city_spires___w40k__by_derbz_db2lc7l-fullview.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1792" data-original-width="1280" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7zXUdfAFJM0/X8VgLVQN_II/AAAAAAAACks/oFRoxdUVe9MkS_2jeF3EavXeWOmzxxnFACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/hive_city_spires___w40k__by_derbz_db2lc7l-fullview.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The hives (original art by <a href="https://www.deviantart.com/derbz/art/Hive-City-Spires-W40K-669482769" target="_blank">derbz</a>)</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>Magnitnaya Hive is a one of several sprawling industrial cities which dot the surface of Novgorod. Its multiple spires climb almost 12 miles into the planet’s polluted atmosphere while its base covers an area of over 150 square miles. The billions of souls grinding out a daily existence in the tank and armaments factories as well as those working deep in the mines in the bowels of the hive would serve well for the next phase of Markow’s work. By this point he had perfected several gene treatments, including one he had used on himself, becoming the first Biophagus on Novgorod. Setting up a clinic in one of the many workers’ areas, he offered miracle cures for the myriad ailments which plagued the overworked population. Word of mouth spread quickly and his client list grew until many thousands of workers and miners had been modified with the genestealer germ-seed laying the foundation for the explosive growth of a new cult across the planet.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_hf7AyGSYcc/X8VedVzyPxI/AAAAAAAACkg/N2dhY7LLY_ILqcmFpSGW1hWW7ZcmUtjaQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2000/markow%2Band%2Bclaypool%2B-%2B1.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="2000" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_hf7AyGSYcc/X8VedVzyPxI/AAAAAAAACkg/N2dhY7LLY_ILqcmFpSGW1hWW7ZcmUtjaQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/markow%2Band%2Bclaypool%2B-%2B1.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Later photo of Markow in his lab in Magnitnaya</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div><b>The Cult Takes Root</b></div><div><br /></div><div>As Markow’s loyal patient list grew, Genestealer influence found its way into all aspects of lower hive life in Magnitnaya. The “Gifted” (as they began to refer to themselves) soon formed their own secret societies and hierarchies outside the official Imperial chain of command. A whole religion formed around the blessings of the genes. Its membership included adherents from many different walks of life from workers and functionaries to secretive gangs of cultists who would work to recruit others, or at least remove rival gangs. Psykers not affiliated with the Cult were viewed as the greatest threat, and many such individuals were removed either directly by the Cult’s enforcers or, in a twist of irony, turned over to the tender mercies of the Inquisition. As its numbers swelled, the Cult transitioned from a purely shadow religious organization and began to take on a political component. As the majority of those transformed by the xenos germ-seed represented the common classes of Imperial Society, the group began to espouse the overthrow of the ruling classes and replacing it with a Committee of the People – all controlled by the Cult, of course.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UYdiMQugiPw/X8VgcTHLT-I/AAAAAAAACk0/zKMTKMzELkMhwAr8e7156h-f-ychk_gDQCLcBGAsYHQ/s635/Our%2Bcasue%2Bis%2Bjust%2B-%2Bvictory%2Bwill%2Bbe%2Bours%2B-%2BGSC%2Bversion%2B-%2Bsingle.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="635" data-original-width="500" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UYdiMQugiPw/X8VgcTHLT-I/AAAAAAAACk0/zKMTKMzELkMhwAr8e7156h-f-ychk_gDQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Our%2Bcasue%2Bis%2Bjust%2B-%2Bvictory%2Bwill%2Bbe%2Bours%2B-%2BGSC%2Bversion%2B-%2Bsingle.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Revolutionary Poster - "Our cause is just, victory will be ours!"</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>Within a few months, the xenos germ-seed had began to spawn powerful individuals, including psykers, increasing the raw power the Cult could call upon. Coupled with the burgeoning numbers the overall political movement began to attract, Markow quickly realized it was time to begin compartmentalizing the Cult into different groups each with their own mission. Underhive gangs and zealots were tapped to spread the word of the Gifted across the population of the lower levels, all wrapped within the trappings of a secret society. Markow himself continued to organize the more political aspects of the workers and miners, but he also discovered through his military contacts that the infiltration of the Astra Militarum on Novgorod had continued unabated in his absence, with even a few high-ranking officers now under the influence of the Cult. While still small and tenuous, the Cult now had a multi-faceted foundation to build upon.</div><div><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>Infiltration of the Astra Militarum on Novgorod</b></div><div><br /></div><div>Cult influence in the Astra Militarum was centered on Markow’s original unit, the 125th Guards Motor Rifle Regiment. Because its numbers had been decimated fighting the tendrils of Hive Fleet Leviathan, its commanding General had originally authorized the super soldier experiments in a desperate attempt to bolster its ranks. Many soldiers and a few of the officers had received Markow’s serum and began organizing themselves within the chain of command through careful transfers. Others were brought into the fold through clandestine treatments with Markow’s germ seed therapy. Eventually the Cult influence spread to the highest levels of command within the Regiment. </div><div><br /></div><div>Officially, the 125th was in an extended period of rest and refit. Men and equipment both had been severely ravaged fighting the Tyranids, and all of its tanks and artillery showed signs of hard, continuous use. Many more vehicles had been knocked out, but were repairable, while still others were good only for scrap. Upon its return to Novgorod, nearly all of the regiment’s vehicles were put directly into storage and repair depots for complete overhaul. The Brood Brothers of the 125th set about to cultivate, quite literally, allies among the Adeptus Mechanicus, and developed a clandestine plan to slowly re-build and expand the regiment’s combat strength. </div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-l6pLI9oW834/X8bCYIfjwhI/AAAAAAAAClk/ti6o8MIYXA4XkQdAHwEGC_imMqdjlo4owCLcBGAsYHQ/s964/article-0-1BFE823F00000578-913_964x615.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="615" data-original-width="964" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-l6pLI9oW834/X8bCYIfjwhI/AAAAAAAAClk/ti6o8MIYXA4XkQdAHwEGC_imMqdjlo4owCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/article-0-1BFE823F00000578-913_964x615.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ex-Soviet tanks stored in the Ukraine<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div>Once contact with Markow had been reestablished, he was able to make further refinements of his concoctions available to the 125th. He included variants which would allow for the enhancement of abhumans in addition to the rank and file human infantry. Through his influence, the regiment was able to create hulking Ogryns and clever Ratlings completely loyal to the Cult. Unfortunately, the side effects of the treatment were more obvious than in normal humans. The Ogyns developed cranial ridges that would appear to be more at home on a Tyranid warrior than on an Ogryn. The Ratlings were less severely impacted, but the loss of all bodily hair made the individuals far more conspicuous than their human brethren. The regiment therefore strictly quarantined their abhuman units so suspicious would not be aroused prematurely.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MXFoZmNnIuE/X85feiuwVKI/AAAAAAAACmI/JWEcVypOwoct7nzMB8JVsK_bhaslPzpcACLcBGAsYHQ/s1000/ratling%2Bsnipers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="978" data-original-width="1000" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MXFoZmNnIuE/X85feiuwVKI/AAAAAAAACmI/JWEcVypOwoct7nzMB8JVsK_bhaslPzpcACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/ratling%2Bsnipers.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ratling snipers of the 125th with their deadly accurate rifles</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div>By all outward appearances, the 125th Guards was severely depleted, but made up of very dedicated soldiers. While other Novgorod Regiments and Divisions would be rotated off-world to fight in the Imperium’s wars, the 125th lacked the heavy equipment and logistical support to engage in any sort of remote operations. For every vehicle that made it out of the repair depot, at least one would go back in. In some cases, derelict vehicles from other Novgorod Regiments would be transferred into the depots of the 125th and any apparently battle-ready vehicles would be transferred to active units for use off-world. The overworked Techpriest Enginseers and Servitors of the regiment’s Adeptus Mechanicus cadre never complained, but continued to toil away apparently rebuilding a viable armored force from scraps and derelicts. In short, the regiment’s <i>maskirovka</i> was nearly perfect.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PvlYVNtJeh0/X85dy4QmrVI/AAAAAAAACl8/nwO9ENHWy-Ami8Z99rmpb--facUmPEw_ACLcBGAsYHQ/s1917/valdor%2Bphoto%2Bquality%2B1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="946" data-original-width="1917" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PvlYVNtJeh0/X85dy4QmrVI/AAAAAAAACl8/nwO9ENHWy-Ami8Z99rmpb--facUmPEw_ACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/valdor%2Bphoto%2Bquality%2B1.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The rare Valdor tank hunter with its neutron laser pressed into Cult service</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div>In fact, the dedicated soldiers of the 125th were far more numerous than anyone suspected. Over the years, the regiment built up both manpower and equipment to unprecedented levels. Its actual combat strength was the equivalent of several regiments as many soldiers were quartered remotely and rotated through official bases. The 125th also managed to take over management of several vehicle depots across the planet. What appeared to be derelict vehicles were actually fully combat ready vehicles camouflaged by a shoddy and broken-down outward appearance. Over the years, Cult Adeptus Mechanicus operatives had managed to secure a wide variety of both common and exotic armored fighting vehicles from normal Leman Russ tanks and Baneblades to Valdor tank hunters and Mecharius tanks. Full platoons of anti-air and artillery of all varieties had been secured, including many ancient designs thousands of years old. They even managed to secure a small but effective Aeronautica contingent.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>The Day of Ascension</b></div><div><br /></div><div>Unlike many cults which respond to the siren call of a Tyranid Hive Fleet, the uprising on Novgorod represented a different imperative – the desire to bring all of Novgorod under the sway of the Cult. In short, it was a way to purge or convert the non-infected population and bring about a totally new order. The day dawned as so many other had on Magnitnaya hive, but the mood on the streets and in the mines quickly changed. Miners picked up their equipment, but didn’t head to their work stations. Instead, they marched on any loyal Imperial authorities and attacked. Included in their midst were many of the Cult’s less-human looking scions armed with everything from picks and hammers to mining lasers and flamethrowers.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-by5MTi-I2Sc/X8Z_8QsZnmI/AAAAAAAAClY/uM3Ypv0dvBsmfhDKaUOgrJaVsUGHNxQlwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1787/domovoy%2Bleads%2Bthe%2Buprising.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1371" data-original-width="1787" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-by5MTi-I2Sc/X8Z_8QsZnmI/AAAAAAAAClY/uM3Ypv0dvBsmfhDKaUOgrJaVsUGHNxQlwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/domovoy%2Bleads%2Bthe%2Buprising.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Leader Domovoy directs his heavy hitters against Imperial loyalists</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>In the Underhive, the population began rising up led by the shadowy cultists of the gangs that had been slowly expanding their ranks over the years. These troops would serve as the rank and file soldiers of the civilian uprising supported by the Cults stronger hybrids like the wyrd-wielding Maguses, the deadly Primus, the sharpshooting Sanctus, all directed by a new and deadly entity – Leader Domovoy. Originally designated Experiment 626 by Biophagus Markow, Domovoy developed into a purestrain Genestealer of enormous size and psychic potential. Loyal only to the Cult itself, he set about directing and organizing the final Ascension, building on the foundation that Markow had so ably put in place. Helping coordinate his efforts was Nexos Vladimir Suvorov, who provided key intelligence data and prioritized initial targets for both the lead up to and execution of the uprising. </div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3mu09kAbI6s/X8Z4U9I07TI/AAAAAAAAClM/kwV8JC7jcKIghH6noCtzl47DQUOs7CnEgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1157/deathstrike%2Bready%2Bto%2Bfire%2B-%2Bphoto%2Bquality.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="963" data-original-width="1157" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3mu09kAbI6s/X8Z4U9I07TI/AAAAAAAAClM/kwV8JC7jcKIghH6noCtzl47DQUOs7CnEgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/deathstrike%2Bready%2Bto%2Bfire%2B-%2Bphoto%2Bquality.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cult Deathstrike preparing to fire on the Day of Ascension </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div>On the surface, loyalist Imperial troops who had been called to quell rioting and civil unrest in Magnitnaya hive were shocked to see the ramshackle vehicles of the 125th Guards not only moving, but attacking their unprotected flank to devastating effect. Though most of the vehicles looked barely serviceable, they all bore hastily spray-painted Cult insignia on them and a few appeared to have golden Cult icons welded to their hulls and turrets. Hordes of Brood Brothers infantry charged forward behind standard bearers lofting the red and yellow flag of the Cult. The Loyalist Guard formations turned to face this new threat just as well coordinated Basilisk and Deathstrike fire hit their front lines decimating the Imperial spearhead.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JjFwbBI19fA/X8XhKaeXESI/AAAAAAAAClA/VVTETJXAF-8W0DHcUFo4wt6fcJN6G6DwACLcBGAsYHQ/s1900/125th%2BGuards%2BArmor%2BRolling%2BOut%2B-%2BPhoto%2BQuality.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="809" data-original-width="1900" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JjFwbBI19fA/X8XhKaeXESI/AAAAAAAAClA/VVTETJXAF-8W0DHcUFo4wt6fcJN6G6DwACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/125th%2BGuards%2BArmor%2BRolling%2BOut%2B-%2BPhoto%2BQuality.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Leman Russ tanks of the 125th attack the Imperial flank</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>Though they greatly outnumbered the forces of the Cult, Imperial forces on Novgorod found themselves outmaneuvered at every turn. Lines of communications had been cut, armories had been cleaned out or destroyed, key personnel were missing or had been found assassinated, and worse, the uprising was not limited to Magnitnaya hive. Markow had spread his elixir to other hives as well, and at least four other, smaller uprisings soon followed across the planet. The Cult now held the initiative, and their long sought Revolution had just begun!</div></div>Fingolfenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05578339609348306067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4201596576614167611.post-81145944457451637822020-11-30T08:00:00.001-08:002020-11-30T08:00:03.561-08:00Brood Brothers Veteran SquadI wanted an excuse to try something a little different with my Astra Militarum infantry squads, so I decided to take the plunge and create a veteran squad. The Veteran squad really only differs from the traditional infantry squad in one statistic - ballistic skill. So this said to me I should tool up my veterans with as much lethal long-range firepower as possible, and not waste any points on close combat weapons. So that's the direction I went - I have the option of up to three plasma guns plus one heavy bolter, and the Veteran Sergeant has a plasma pistol! For those of you counting figures, yes - there are twelve figures in the picture below even though you can only field ten in a standard squad. This gives me the option of dropping the heavy bolter or a couple of the plasma guns as needed.<div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NSCbot95gVU/X8NBqZCC0QI/AAAAAAAACjg/Ts7wkR0bSuwTG81BF7nWRxuAZiUI_KW2gCLcBGAsYHQ/s2000/veteran%2Bsquad%2B-%2B1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="813" data-original-width="2000" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NSCbot95gVU/X8NBqZCC0QI/AAAAAAAACjg/Ts7wkR0bSuwTG81BF7nWRxuAZiUI_KW2gCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/veteran%2Bsquad%2B-%2B1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><span><a name='more'></a></span>You'll immediately notice that while the carapace armor is the same color as what I use for my rank and file squads, the uniform itself is different, and I've added a few blue details. I decided rather than to base the paint scheme off of World War II Soviet colors, I'd bring my Veterans head a few decades and base them on 1980s Soviet airborne troops. These were termed Воздушно-десантные войска (<i>Vozdushno-desantnye voyska</i> – 'Air-landing Forces'), which was often shortened to just VDV. If you read through my blog, I also play Flames of War, a 15mm World War II miniatures game, and its more modern variant, Team Yankee. On their website is a good <a href="https://www.team-yankee.com/Default.aspx?tabid=909&art_id=5122" target="_blank">article</a> detailing how to replicate this camouflage on 15mm miniatures, so I figured the same techniques would work for the 28mm heroic 40K miniatures.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0HkrUs26EP0/X8NBqadGz1I/AAAAAAAACjk/lFlIis5oCvQkmDZANEVS4E_0wFr1QMlLACLcBGAsYHQ/s2000/veteran%2Bsquad%2B-%2B2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="785" data-original-width="2000" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0HkrUs26EP0/X8NBqadGz1I/AAAAAAAACjk/lFlIis5oCvQkmDZANEVS4E_0wFr1QMlLACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/veteran%2Bsquad%2B-%2B2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>The technique worked perfectly, but of course since I was painting a basecoat followed by two camouflage colors, then washes and a quick highlight, it took much longer than my normal rank and file troops. The end result is also fairly subtle, but it is clear that they're wearing a camouflage uniform if you get close enough. In the end it distinguishes them enough on the table (especially with the epaulettes) so that they really stand out.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cmVHZUPKvmg/X8NBo3C_FqI/AAAAAAAACjc/ZREX-fpoLPI1fZo6PaQVl-KsLZvExESzACLcBGAsYHQ/s2000/veteran%2Bsquad%2B-%2B3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="799" data-original-width="2000" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cmVHZUPKvmg/X8NBo3C_FqI/AAAAAAAACjc/ZREX-fpoLPI1fZo6PaQVl-KsLZvExESzACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/veteran%2Bsquad%2B-%2B3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>To further distinguish these guys from their more mundane cousins, I also added packs and several details from the Cadian Infantry Squad Upgrade Pack from Forgeworld, which sadly went out of production literally weeks after I received mine in the mail. I might should stop ordering from Forgeworld, Games Workshop has a nasty habit of discontinuing all of the fun stuff right after I buy a set (the list is non-trivial at this point starting with the Death Korps Quartermaster set).</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eA7OmAQeLDM/X8NEcWi1z7I/AAAAAAAACkA/0rcisfdavx4itfmjGgN8C5S4G5l7L2KRACLcBGAsYHQ/s950/cadian%2Binfantry%2Bupgrade%2Bset.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="950" data-original-width="920" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eA7OmAQeLDM/X8NEcWi1z7I/AAAAAAAACkA/0rcisfdavx4itfmjGgN8C5S4G5l7L2KRACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/cadian%2Binfantry%2Bupgrade%2Bset.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div>I didn't end up using all of the bits and pieces for this conversion, though I used a lot of them. I'll use the rest of them, though not the heads as I obviously have different head swaps to perform on my troops. I'll probably eventually dump the heads on the secondary market. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QW18aqFkdO4/X8NBvEpA8kI/AAAAAAAACjo/uwGjKf20I0UgwTRJ8CSnrHouVjsKAkqAACLcBGAsYHQ/s2000/veteran%2Bsquad%2B-%2B4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="838" data-original-width="2000" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QW18aqFkdO4/X8NBvEpA8kI/AAAAAAAACjo/uwGjKf20I0UgwTRJ8CSnrHouVjsKAkqAACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/veteran%2Bsquad%2B-%2B4.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>I also decided to go all out and create a unique mount for the heavy bolter for this squad based on the Soviet Maxim machine gun used during World War II shown below. (Yes, the uniforms are modern but the equipment is archaic - this is the 40K universe, did you expect anything else???)</div><div><br /></div><div>As always, the amazing genestealer cult markings are from <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Scumb4g.Kustoms/?fref=gc&dti=302527803280139&hc_location=ufi" target="_blank">Scumb4g Kustoms</a>. He does great work, and his decals always come off the backing without issue. Rather than the standard Arabic numbers I use on the rank and file, I decided to go with Roman numerals for the squad number on the left shoulder pad. These came from <a href="https://www.themightybrush.com/product/roman-numerals-waterslide-transfers-decals/" target="_blank">The Mighty Brush</a>. Their decals are great as well, they are discrete decals (i.e. individual decals rather than several images on one set of film), but can take a little longer to come off of the backing.<br /><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dCDLXm2CO7w/X8NGw5lWEXI/AAAAAAAACkM/PwU96hPMT2oOGzZxcfOf0GBXSc3JMmHCQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1500/veteran%2Bsquad%2B-%2B6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="797" data-original-width="1500" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dCDLXm2CO7w/X8NGw5lWEXI/AAAAAAAACkM/PwU96hPMT2oOGzZxcfOf0GBXSc3JMmHCQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/veteran%2Bsquad%2B-%2B6.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>What I ended up with was more of a fusion between a Krieg mount and the traditional Maxim mount, and I had to heavily modify the gun shield for it to make sense with the standard guard miniature that fires kneeling rather than firing prone. In fact I actually started with the wheel from a Krieg miniature and punched out similar sized discs of styrene to serve as the basis of the wheels. The whole miniature exploded and ready for priming can be seen below.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KUKFBPomZ3Q/X8NHSz2_PKI/AAAAAAAACkU/oCQrlpRBYxsfoicJ0IeZLS_OubQzsWX0wCLcBGAsYHQ/s633/veteran%2Bsquad%2B-%2B5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="553" data-original-width="633" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KUKFBPomZ3Q/X8NHSz2_PKI/AAAAAAAACkU/oCQrlpRBYxsfoicJ0IeZLS_OubQzsWX0wCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/veteran%2Bsquad%2B-%2B5.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>As you can see, the whole carriage is entirely scratch-built from styrene sheet, strip, and tubing as well as a little copper wire. The end result I think looks pretty good, and makes the unit more unique on the tabletop. It was a fun build, but since I'm planning on having exactly one, and only one, veteran squad I knew I wouldn't ever have to replicate the feat!</div><div><br /></div><div>One glaring omission you'll likely not is the unit has no transport visible in any of the pictures at this point. There's a good reason for that - their transport is not yet finished. As the real VDV typically arrived in battle in the Mi-24 "Hind" helicopter, I figured these guys should arrive in the Warhammer 40K equivalent, the Imperial Guard <a href="https://www.games-workshop.com/en-US/Imperial-Guard-Valkyrie" target="_blank">Valkyrie</a> - which even has the stacked cockpits like you see on a "Hind". I've started on the miniature, but it is far from complete, so look for it in a future blog entry!</div></div>Fingolfenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05578339609348306067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4201596576614167611.post-18409945374646344112020-11-29T08:00:00.001-08:002020-11-29T08:00:16.354-08:00Biophagus and Primus for the Cult<div style="text-align: left;">I figured while I had my <a href="http://miniordnancerev.blogspot.com/2020/11/armies-on-parade-2020-fall-of-hive.html">Armies on Parade</a> board up, I may as well snap a couple of photos of some of the miniatures I'd finished up for the entry, but hadn't featured here on the blog. Among those are my finally finished <a href="https://www.games-workshop.com/en-US/Genestealer-Cults-Biophagus-2019" target="_blank">Biophagus</a> and <a href="https://www.games-workshop.com/en-US/Genestealer-Cults-Broodcoven" target="_blank">Primus</a>. These were some miniatures I'd picked up ages ago, but could never quite get to come together the way I wanted them to. I finally bucked down over the past month or so and got them painted up. I especially wanted to get the Biophagus painted, as my army background is based on the Twisted Helix concept, and his research and experimentation (originally as a Chief Medical Overseer Markow in the Astra Militarum) was the vector by which the whole cult started.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CoNzsQBCHcY/X8M82OSOwrI/AAAAAAAACi8/pufF7YaIPOI90anFgsMUhWMn4fom5LLXwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2000/markow%2Band%2Bclaypool%2B-%2B1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="2000" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CoNzsQBCHcY/X8M82OSOwrI/AAAAAAAACi8/pufF7YaIPOI90anFgsMUhWMn4fom5LLXwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/markow%2Band%2Bclaypool%2B-%2B1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><span><a name='more'></a></span>As part of the overall set up for the entry, I included several pieces from the old objectives set to create a whole laboratory for him. The genestealer specimen in the holding tank was just too perfect, and adding the Medical Servitor and operating table was just icing on the cake. It felt like these parts were just made for the kind of entry I was planning on, so I just couldn't resist throwing them in.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2pXN043aP6I/X8M8zANOpxI/AAAAAAAACi0/f_lr-OWAI6Q9XztlVABq9PLy_hsxDa0GQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1850/markow%2Band%2Bclaypool%2B-%2B2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="921" data-original-width="1850" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2pXN043aP6I/X8M8zANOpxI/AAAAAAAACi0/f_lr-OWAI6Q9XztlVABq9PLy_hsxDa0GQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/markow%2Band%2Bclaypool%2B-%2B2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>I added some decals to the screens on the back of the holding tank which I thought gave it that extra something, and I even added one to the readout on the Biophagus' backpack as well. I used a fairly wide variety of paints from Ammo of Mig, to Vallejo, to Citadel (base, layer, and contrast) to get everything where I wanted it. I blended some vallejo yellow and bright green for a lot of the vials on the Biophagus, but I also included a few parts in <a href="https://www.games-workshop.com/en-US/Technical-Tesseract-Glow-2020" target="_blank">Tesseract Glow</a> as this provides a fairly similar effect.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2KvJaxquEGU/X8M82BooBjI/AAAAAAAACi4/_9048oQkEfE6QG6KofnM3tuzZ82JvrM5wCLcBGAsYHQ/s1850/markow%2Band%2Bclaypool%2B-%2B3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1169" data-original-width="1850" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2KvJaxquEGU/X8M82BooBjI/AAAAAAAACi4/_9048oQkEfE6QG6KofnM3tuzZ82JvrM5wCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/markow%2Band%2Bclaypool%2B-%2B3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>I moved the Biophagus from his regular lab area in the original Armies on Parade entry to a new area in order to get a bit better light on the area. Though small, the familiar was a real pain in the butt to get painted well - mostly because of the beaker and "smoke effects" which I'd never tried to do before. However, he's done now and I'm fairly happy with the job. Now my conundrum is whether or not I want to convert a second Biophagus from the new Necromunda Doctor Arachnos figure from <a href="https://www.forgeworld.co.uk/en-US/Doctor-Arachnos-Rogue-Doc-2020" target="_blank">Forgeworld</a>. Short answer is if I can figure out how to integrate the staff head into one of his arms, it's probably going to happen!</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-joQxiV2Jg3w/X8M86h2nJLI/AAAAAAAACjA/8qN7tup5kVMx9OFDKcID6DLgTHxm0qOnwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1103/markow%2Band%2Bclaypool%2B-%2B4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="944" data-original-width="1103" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-joQxiV2Jg3w/X8M86h2nJLI/AAAAAAAACjA/8qN7tup5kVMx9OFDKcID6DLgTHxm0qOnwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/markow%2Band%2Bclaypool%2B-%2B4.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>The Primus for my army, Claypool, went through a couple of iterations before I was happy with him as well. Unfortunately I should have probably left the rust colored bulkhead out of the photo as you don't quite get all of the contrast on the arms in these shots. However, the red cape looks pretty decent in this light. I used a purple for the pants and a mixture of contrast with Vallejo highlighting on the armor.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SEqdG3onFeY/X8M872s_leI/AAAAAAAACjE/w71TYWI5G0kBhVTiHGLdBHrdJ_85fW0EwCLcBGAsYHQ/s953/markow%2Band%2Bclaypool%2B-%2B5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="953" data-original-width="921" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SEqdG3onFeY/X8M872s_leI/AAAAAAAACjE/w71TYWI5G0kBhVTiHGLdBHrdJ_85fW0EwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/markow%2Band%2Bclaypool%2B-%2B5.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;">The sword is a mix of vallejo with a little bit of Tesseract Glow (can you guess my next new army?) for the jewels on the sword. I tend to add skulls to the bases of my HQ figures, generally because it dresses up the base a bit and makes them stand out easily. The Biophagus has a genestealer skull while the Primus makes do with a human one. If you have not picked up one of the Citadel Skulls <a href="https://www.games-workshop.com/en-US/Citadel-Skulls-2017" target="_blank">boxes</a>, they are totally worth the price of admission!</div>Fingolfenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05578339609348306067noreply@blogger.com0