584th Krieg Update: Chimera, Hellhound & Infantry

The Artemia pattern Hellhound is starting to come together. I applied and sanded the decals then did the first round of weathering. I might add more chipping, otherwise pigments are next.

This is the finished Chimera conversion. I'm not entirely sold on the Predator turret but think I'll get it painted before I decide. Unless someone points out a detail I missed I'll move on to modeling battle damage next.

These are the first three infantry test models. They're not finished but I figured they were ready for some feedback.

Next up - back to the mortar team, I think.

Artemia Pattern Hellhound

I've always wanted to paint one of the Artmia Pattern Hellhound models from Forge World. When I added a Hellhound to my army list this month I finally had the excuse I was looking for. Of course my list calls for a pintle stubber... and I forgot that this model can't take one. Oops.

Anyway, on with the show:

The model was washed and then primed with Krylon white primer. After that dried I painted the model black using Games Workshop "Chaos Black" and an airbrush.

The fuel tank was airbrushed GW "Dark Flesh" and then splatter sprayed with "Desert Yellow." This will form the basis for the rust later.

The tracks were taped to avoid painting them grey. In this pic you can also see a set of "Runic Mountain" bases that got rejected -- I won't ship a base with that many bubbles on the bottom :)

The model was base coated GW "Codex Grey" and then painted "Fortress Grey" from the top and 45* on each side. Lastly a spot of "Elf Flesh" was added to the "Fortress Grey" paint to create panel highlighting on the top.

The fuel bay was based GW "Desert Yellow" and then a mix of "Commando Khaki" and "Bleached Bone." I did this to help the fuel bay, which is largely hidden by the fuel tank, stand out a bit and add some additional visual interest.

Using hairspray and salt to mask the rust colours I painted the fuel tank in the same greys as the body of the vehicle. I weathered the top of the fuel tank, where it would be banged during refilling, very heavily. The right photo shows the section closest to the body of the vehicle where it would corrode but receive very little additional damage.

The base coated model with fuel tank in place.

The fuel bay was weathered with sponge applied chipping, oils and pigments. As a final step I mixed up some "oil" and ran it into the bay from the top corners to simulate runoff from refilling the fuel tank. It is, of course, almost entirely hidden once the fuel tank is in place... but it was fun to do anyway.

Unfortunately I forgot to order my Krieg transfer sheet so this is where I'm going to have to stop the model for awhile. Before I move on to anything else I need to get the decals in place. Oops.

My total painting time at this stage is a little more than 2 hours, possibly creeping up on 3.

Feedback is ALWAYS welcome and questions will be answered.

Forge World Executioner - Color Test 01

This isn't the Executioner. This is one of several Leman Russ that I have laying about. I decided to pull a couple of them out of my army transport bag and start doing some color tests.

On this first I like the recipe but think I applied the second highlight much too heavily. Much, much too heavily. I'm going to set this one aside for my weathering workshop on Friday and get another one ready to spray later this week.

I won't let paint touch the Executioner until I'm happy with a color test though. Nope, no sir. Not gonna happen.

Forge World Executioner - Clean-up Time

I just couldn't stop myself from doing a bit more work on this today. I still need to finish the restraints on the pioneer kit and do a bit of clean-up but otherwise, barring any feedback from the online community, I think it's time to set the model aside and move on to the base.

A friend is sending me some of the FW Krieg decals to help with the finishing touches and I'm going to test the paint scheme on... something prior to putting this thing in the same room as my airbrush. I'm sure I can dig up a tank from one of my boxes.

And now... back to my Vostroyans!

Forge World Executioner - Detailing Nearly Finished!!!

The starboard side brass rail for the skirt needs to be smoothed but at least it's cut, folded and attached.

I've added tracks on hooks to the front as both stowage and extra armor. I will add weld lines to the hooks, do a bit more folding and then fill in the mold marks on the tracks.

The brass pannier has been reattached and squared a bit more. It will have jerry cans in it when the model is finished.

I still need to decide where to put a couple of lights... but that doesn't have to happen today.

Forge World Executioner

I had a couple of people ask me what the brass triangles on the side of the tank were for so I thought I'd post an early WIP shot of the side skirt armor. I say "early" because this is only about 50% completed... on one side.

I need to bring the back of the support rail up a bit to correct the lay of the bottom line. There will also be secondary supports where the holes in the center of each panel are... assuming I remembered to line them up correctly.

The side skirts are going to get covered in litany text from bow to stern and then appropriately weathered and chipped. I won't be attaching them permanently so that I can get to the tank itself.

Forge World Executioner

My brass panniers came in today and I wasted no time in getting one onto the Executioner!

Of course I also apparently wasted no time in making sure that the edges were square. I'll fix that.

The detail on the engine is from the panniers frame. The bits on the side are cut brass that will form the top half of the side skirt armor rail.

The panniers are, of course, a Secret Weapon product -- and you get EIGHT panniers in three sizes on the frame. Oh yes, I will have a use for these....

Forge World Executioner

I spent the weekend detailing this bad boy with the intention of finally entering something into the Games Day competition. Assuming I can justify the air fare expense I plan to make it out this year and take this, and possibly my Empire Steam Tank, with me.

I am processing a set of etched brass panniers that will go on the turret. Once those are on I'll look at adding a whip antenna. I'm also finishing the design of a set of etched brass side skirt armor I plan to add.

The model will be painted in the Krieg greys and then whitewashed for winter camo. I will add wall-to-wall litany text to the side skirt armor.

I plan to make a base of broken cobblestones and urban rubble and will, of course, give the whole thing in a generous coating of snow and mud. Lots of mud.

Vostroyan Army: Leman Russ A01

I have started re-painting the first tank in my old Armored Company. This allows me to recycle those tanks AND work on the techniques I'll be using on my Games Day 2010 entry... without having to improve them while painting my Forge World model.

Sorry about the shine but there's a layer of gloss on there.

I took some step-by-step photos but I've gone back and redone much of it so I'll get a new series when I settle on the process. This guy still has quite a ways to go AND WILL BE PART OF MY ARMY! This model WILL see game play.

Feedback is very welcome and I'm happy to answer any questions. Thanks in advance!

Photos of the original Armored Company can be seen in the "Armored Company" tag.

I may still sell a couple of those tanks since they don't really fit the Vostroyan army... but for now I'm glad to have finished tanks to start painting.

Averland Steam Tank - The Base

WIP shots on the base for the steam tank.

The white in the first image is PVA that will dry clear to form a small stream. There are rocks and texture beneath the PVA to add to the effect.

The second shot shows the depth at which the wheels will be submerged in "mud" - an effect that I'll add to by adding more dirt and then coating everything with gloss.

The third image gives a glimpse of the track ruts... and the rough edge of the putty that I still need to file. I moved the model itself to the extreme front of the base so that some of the detail will be visible after I attach the s'tank.

The last photo is a WIP shot of teeny tiny cattails. After the glue dries I'll prime and paint them before adding paper leaves and attaching them to the base around the stream... under the tank. Yup, nearly invisible detailing. Why? Because it should be there.

Averland Steam Tank

I haven't had an opportunity to work on a Warhammer Fantasy piece in a long time and when the plastic Steam Tank came out... well, I've been sitting on this model for awhile. Since I was already working with yellow in the airbrush, and had planned to paint this tank in the black/yellow Averland colours, the time was ripe for Steam Tankage.

The model will eventually be mounted on a base that gives the impression of mud and rain. The idea being a long, drawn out campaign as would have been common for troops on foot and horseback. If I ever get around to an Empire force I'll stick with Averland colours and the same theme.

Nothing is glued down at this point and I have a long way to go before I start making things permanent. I will also make the top removable so that the interior can be fully detailed and visible.

Commissioned Krieg Command Vanquisher

I've been very busy with super secret projects - but wanted to get an update on the Krieg Command Vanquisher before I head out on a two week holiday.

I've picked out some of the detailing, applied an oil filter to the camo, some pencil weathering and otherwise gotten it ready to tackle the last touches. I probably have another two hours to go before I'll be happy to set this one aside. Vehicles like this are quick and fun and it only take a bit of weathering to make them stand out.

More to come....

Commissioned Krieg Army - Command Vanquisher

I haven't posted a lot of photos of the Krieg army - at least not WIP shots - so I decided to post the start of this Command Vanquisher.

The model was put together by the client - Niroe if you're on Boot Camp or WIP - and the conversion work is his. I did a little bit of quick work on the seams for the double track guards but it's still a bit visible.

All three colors on the tank came out of Krylon spray cans - the camo colours tan, green and brown. From here I'll add a filter wash to blend things a bit and then drybrush. The work on this one should be reasonably quick.



More Krieg under the label...

Imperial Guard: Winter Theme Chimera 02

I finally finished the winter theme Chimera I was working on... just in time to realize I forgot to weather the pack and the drum can on the back. Sigh. For now those oversights will get to live on as I've set the model aside already. It's time to work on something else.

I'm really pleased with how this one turned out. It was enough work that it's not something I'd do every day -- but not so much that I'm unwilling to do a Guard army to this standard. I'm still debating between my winter Guard and my traitor Guard though...

For now this is just a one-off Chimera. Enjoy.

Commissar Tank 05

Commissar Tank 05
Originally uploaded by misterjustin

While going through photos for the blog update I realized that I'd never posted the final of this guy. The Commissar tank was the last holdout for my Armored Company and has been finished since July. Oops.

I'm quite pleased with this one and he is easily my favorite. Unfortunately on the gaming table he has been completely and entirely useless. Ah well.

The side armor is from the SoB Exorcist. The cannon is a Baneblade Vanquisher Cannon mounted on a Demolisher barrel. The Commissar himself is one of the new metal models with his legs snipped off.

Armored Company 04

Armored Company 04
Originally uploaded by misterjustin

I still have a bit of finishing work to do, and dozer blade hiding in an unpacked box, but otherwise all nine tanks in the armored company are more or less... finished. Actually, honestly finished.

As much as I've enjoyed the project it will be really nice to set it aside for awhile and paint something else.

Better photos will be coming shortly. I simply felt the need to get *something* online to show that I had really completed the project prior to April 1.

Now I just need to figure out what to do with them all.

Command Tank 01

Command Tank 01
Originally uploaded by misterjustin

Here is the commander's tank, complete with the resin cast extra armor. It's nearly finished in this photo (and actually finished at this point).

The Commissar doesn't ride in this tank but I threw him in for a little extra flavor. I'm quite, quite pleased with the end result on this one.

Armored Company 03

Armored Company 03
Originally uploaded by misterjustin

The armored company has four standard Leman Russ -- and these are them. They're painted, detailed, weathered and sealed. Table top ready and good to go once I get the rest of the tanks finished.

Now that the extra armor is finished I should be able to get things rolling at a steady clip again.

Extra Armor 04

Extra Armor 04
Originally uploaded by misterjustin

I'm finally happy with my extra armor sculpt. I have cast it in resin for personal use so that I don't have to re-create the damn thing every time.

Now that this set is finished I have several new ideas and learned a lot from my mistakes. All in all I'm rather pleased with the end result though -- especially when you see it on the finished tanks.

Leman Russ A02

Leman Russ A02
Originally uploaded by misterjustin

The first "finished" tank in the Armored Company.

There are still a couple of things I'm going to go back and do, such as add company number decals, but this is what the four Leman Russ tanks will look like.

All-in-all I'm quite pleased with the end result. I think that I managed a more realistic level of weathering that will work on any game table. As a coordinated army the whole thing should come together nicely.