Catachan 2nd Company APC
After playing a game of 7th Edition 40K against a 30K Imperial Fist army I decided that my IG were in desperate need of armoured transport. My choice was a Chimera. It has been marked for the Catachan 2nd. Those familiar with the fluff will recognize this as Colonel 'Iron Hand' Straken's company.
Unfortunately I didn't have a camera handy for many of the steps in this build but I will do my best to explain my process.
First I made two tread guards for either side of the chimera. I created these out of sheet styrene and rounded them off with some modeling putty. I trimmed the ends with a thin strip of styrene and added pre-made rivets for detail. For added texture and detail I added some plastic netting to simulate metal tread plate. Not only does this give me a nice custom look and adds some real world detail, it saves me a lot of tank tread which I can use at a later time.
I also added some accessories from a Tamiya 1/35 scale accessories kit.
I wanted a heavy weathering effect on this model so I began by laying down a coat of rust colored primer. After that had dried I airbrushed a coat of AK interactive Heavy Chipping Fluid. After that had dried I air brushed a series of Tamiya Acrylics: Nato Green, Nato Brown, Dark Yellow, and Flat Black. Once that had dried I began chipping the camo pattern by rubbing a toothpick over the edges and other areas of heavy wear.
I followed up the chipping with additional wear by sponging on some Army Painter Gun Metal along the edges and other areas of heavy wear.
I also added army decals and rub on transfers which I chipped at with a toothpick.
I created a couple of mounting brackets for a shovel. These were made out of brass photo-etch scraps. The shovel I had in my bits box turned out to be a little too short so I cut of the spade and hilt and replaced the handle with a piece of styrene rod.
I applied a wash of oil paints (black and burnt umber mixed with Mineral Spirits) to each of the rivets, in all the grooves, over the details and across all the tread. Using a brush slightly dampened with mineral spirits I dragged the wash downward to create streaks of rust and grime. I picked up any extra wash with a toothpick.
Once the oil paints had dried I followed up by applying rust colored weathering powders from Secret Weapon Miniatures. These powders were applied by brush with mineral spirits. I used the same process to apply dirt colored powders to the tank treads.
After I was satisfied with the weathering powders I applied MIG Fresh Engine Oil to the hubs and pistons to simulate leaking oil and grime. I also used the side of a pencil to highlight some of the sharp metal edges and the details of the tread.
I colored the lens of the viewports with a base coat of apricot followed by a coat of Tamiya Clear Red.
I created an exhaust effect by brushing a charcoal powder around the exhaust vents on either side of the chimera. I made the charcoal powder by filing down a piece of artists stick charcoal. This material should be readily available at any art store and is very inexpensive.
The interior was a bit more rushed and not as detailed. I did however include a detail kit which I made out of styrene and green stuff, molded in silicone, and cast in resin. I think it looks a great deal better than the bare interior that the kit comes with.
I magnetized the main turret weapons, except for the optional flamer. I don't intend on using it and if I should change my mind later I will put one together.
Overall I'm pretty satisfied with the result. I had nearly completed the dozer blade when my dog ate it. It is still partially intact so I plan on piecing it back together later. I still feel like something is missing and I welcome any critiques or comments.
