Salamander Commission

Recently I had a reader reach out to me about completing a commission piece. He wanted a Salamander Command Vehicle made and painted to match his existing army. At first I was apprehensive, knowing the amount of time it often takes me to complete a project. But we worked out the terms and I set to work. 

I already had two converted/scratch built Salamanders awaiting paint. I took my favorite of the two and set about making a few more tweaks. I made a spare link of tracks and attached it to the side of the hull using some lead foil. I also updated the antenna on the coms unit, opting for some needle and high tension model aircraft wire for strength.

I also removed and replaced the barrel on the pintel mounted cannon in favor of a metal one.

All the weapons were magnetized to allow for easy swapping depending on his preferred load-out.

The model was painted in Vallejo paints to match the scheme of his existing army. I started with a pre-shaded primer coat and then followed up with light coats of the base and high light colors he had provided making sure to let the primer shading show through. All the metallic parts were made by applying graphite over flat black. The red stripe was masked and painted and then it was time to start weathering.

Looking at pictures of his other tank I noted the level of wear on the vehicle and went for something in that ballpark. I applied a light layer of chipping in the areas of heaviest wear using the sponge technique. I then applied a coat of clear gloss. Atop the gloss I applied Tamyia Panel Line accent to all the panel lines and rivets. Were appropriate the panel liner was dragged downward with a brush. Elsewhere, extra wash was removed with a Q-Tip. Once I was satisfied with the level of weathering a mat finish was sprayed over the model. 

Gloss finishes were applied to the lenses and a fresh rubbing of graphite was applied to the metal bits. The gunner and commander received the same treatments as the Salamander.

I'm always open to the idea of commissions. Between work and raising an 8 month old I can't say I'll always say yes but I find this kind of work quite fun. It gives me a deadline I feel much more pressure to beat than my own arbitrary goals, and it gives me a reason to paint something outside of my norm, plus I don't have to find a place to store it afterwards! If you have a commission request feel free to shoot me an email and I'll get back to you with pricing.

Legion Basilisk/Medusa

It's finally done. The last major bit I had to build were the exhausts. I gave up on trying to make them identical to the ones on the Forgeworld model. The curves and bent tubes were just not going to happen, but I think what I built is a reasonable substitute.

I added a little ammo rack in the back.

The command console was made with a push mold and green stuff.

 I made the barrel expandible so that it can be played as either a basilisk or medusa.

WIP - 3

WIP - 2

WIP - 1

WIP - Legion Basilisk/Medusa #2

I got a bit more work done on this over the weekend but I think this thing is going to kill me. Sooo much work. I still have a lot of rivets to place, the exhausts to build, and some interior detailing but the end is in sight.

WIP - Legion Basilisk/Medusa #1

My buddy Joe picked up an Imperial Guard Basilisk and asked me if I could turn it into a Legion Basilisk/Medusa. Before I knew what I was getting into I said yes. Somehow I had it in my head that this would be a much easier project. After I opened the Basilisk box I realized that I would only be able to use the tracks, gun and carriage, and interior hull. Everything else would have to be scratch built. On the upside he was giving me all the spare bits in exchange for my work which meant I had enough parts to build another Salamander.

Using the Forgeworld website as reference I have made paper stencils which I then traced out onto sheets of styrene. I've been working in layers of 1mm and 1/4mm styrene. I used a leather punch to make the axle holes and mounts.

I still have a lot of work to do. I have to make the exhausts for both sides, finish the front hatch and details, bevel the edges, and construct the crew compartment. I;ve already fabricated some artillery rounds which I'll be casting. The final touch will be an ass load of rivets.

Commission - Imperial Fists Sicaran Battle Tank

As my first commision paint piece in a over a decade I took on a Warhammer 30K Space Marine Sicaran Battle Tank from Forgeworld. Unlike some of the 'forgery world' pieces I've worked on in the past, this model was in pretty decent shape. It had been previously assembled and painted but nothing a little Super Clean couldn't strip right off.

After striping it down to its component parts I had to do a little bit of straightening. The bottom hull section had to be straightened but other than that the rest of the pieces were pretty straight. Regardless I had to use quite a few clamps to hold it all together during the gluing process.

There was also a bit of putty work to be done but nothing too complex. The paint I used was a combination of Vallejo Air, Vallejo Model Paint, and Tamiya Acrylics. Chiping with the sponge technique weathered with oil washes.

 I love the rusty exhausts.

 The side sponsons have been magnetized for swapping.

The lenses were colored using Tamiya Clear Acrylics.

If you're interested in getting a piece completed let me know. I specialize in vehicles and typically work for trade.