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

Terrain - Imperial Fountain

A while back I picked up an old Emperor's Champion at our local Gamer's Garage Sale. He came in a grab bag of bits for $2 and I knew almost immediately that I wanted to use him as a statue. I thought the statue would be best highlighted if it adorned a fountain. Furthermore I decided that the fountain ought to serve as a defendable piece of terrain for my gaming table.

The fountain is constructed from sheet styrene, pvc, and a 12 gauge shotgun shell.

PVC foam board lends itself well to scribing. I used it around the edges to make bricks. I did this by scribing horizontal and vertical grooves into the PVC foam board. I followed that up with some scratches and pitting for texture. I finished it by spreading joint compound into the grooves for mortar.

The floor of the fountain is wide enough to allow a 25-30mm base fit comfortably. The detail is a tile texture sheet styrene. I added a drain using some textured styrene.

I have already painted the Emperor's Champion in bronze and aged it using various patina washes. I also added some bird droppings using dabs of off white and yellow paints.

After it was built I placed it on a piece of chipboard, cut out a blast hole in one side and littered the edges with sand, gravel, and bricks.

A coat of grey primer starts to bring it all together.

It's all about the details. The nest is made of static grass and the egg is apoxie sculpt.

The height of the walls lends to some great cover.

WIP - Legion Basilisk/Medusa #3

Summer vacation is over and my hobby bench has been very lonely. I haven't made any progress in the last couple of months but I'm getting back to work. My first priority, finishing Joe's Legion Medusa. I got a lot more work done and now only the most difficult details remain. Below is the progress I've made since my last update:

a whole lot of rivets since my last update...

Some storage for ammunition...

a console for delivering the payload down range...

a shortened barrel to more closely resemble the Medusa siege cannon. I'll be making an extension for it so it can be fielded as a basilisk too...

the exhausts are proving a pain in the ass but are coming along.

WIP - Custom Deathwatch Iron Hand

I've been a bit unproductive this month, but one thing I have been working on is a couple of Deathwatch Kill Team members to add to my Xenos Inquisitor Warband. I ordered the Deathwatch accessory pack from Games Workshop. The pack comes with 10 Deathwatch bolters, heads, and pauldrons. It's a bit pricey but I bought the one and can always make a casting of a pauldron if needed.

This Iron Hand has come together quite nicely.

I started with sculpting an Inquisition 'I' on the helmet.

Using some spare Mechanicus and Knight bits I modified the power pack. The bolts are cut from hex rods.

The lower portions of the legs are from legionary legs from Kromlech. The small skull on the right knee pad came from the back of the power pack. His right leg is lifted to set atop a slain tyranid head.

The bionic right leg is a combination of styrene tubes and rod as well as solder wire and a spherical bead for the hip joint. I also used a little bit of cable I made with my greenstuff tentacle maker.

The metal Deathwatch pauldron sets atop a modified bionic arm from Anvil Industries. I used some styrene to make a Clan Raukaan emblem for the left knee.

 I used styrene to sculpt an Iron Hand emblem for the right pauldron.

Tada!

Scorpfest 2016

On Saturday January 16th I competed in the IMPS Sonoran Desert Model Builders 'Scorpfest' model competition. I entered five models in all, three in the Real Space/Sci-Fi category and two in the Figure category. I'm pleased to say that I did quite well. Each model that I brought received some kind of recognition. I walked away with two Best in Shows, one Gold, two Silver, one Bronze, and an Honorable mention.

Scoring: Unlike other model competitions I have competed in, Scorpfest uses a point system whereby entrants receive 1-10 points in four categories (Construction, Paint, Finish & Details, and Overall Appearance) scored by three judges. The total average stands. Bonus points from 1-5 may be awarded for Degree of Difficulty. Medals are awarded by average score, thus it is possible for there to be ties for Gold, Silver, and Bronze, and possible for there to be no placing models in a given level. Also, the judges provide feedback on the scoring sheets allowing competitors to see where they excelled, and where they need improvement. The highest scoring model from each category receives 'Best in Show' for the given category. Ties for first are decided by the head judge.

I entered my Imperial Knight Titan, Kromlech Ork Pilot Bust, Ork Dakka Jet, Adeptus Mechanicus Dune Crawler, and Herald Deathwolf.

Figures

There were many entries in the Figure category. Personally I entered two. I also brought four entries from my buddy Joe since he was unable to attend in person. There were many entries in the category ranging from large scale figures, busts, historical, and fantasy.

While none of these wonderful figures placed Gold or Silver, there was a three way tie for Bronze. Between this beautiful fantasy bust, dwarf, and my Kromlech Ork Pilot Bust. Ultimately my bust took the 'Best in Show' for the category.

My wolf lord and Joe's Infinity Tiger Solder both received honorable mentions.

Real Space/Sci-Fi

There were just as many entrants in the Real Space/Sci-Fi category. A few gundam/anime, some Alien kits, a few Real Space models, and my Imperial Knight Titan, Ork Dakka Jet, and Adeptus Mechanicus Dune Crawler.

This anime style space battleship took home a bronze medal. 

This 1:1 recreation of an Apollo Guidance System was a real treat. It took home a bronze medal.

While not entered into the competition (display only) these two Maschinen Krieger models were really great.

My Adeptus Mechanicus Dune Crawler and Ork Dakkajet both took home silver.

My Imperial Knight Titan took both the only Gold in the category and Best Real Space/Sci-Fi.

Dioramas

The Diorama category was really inspiring. While I didn't have any entries of my own, those who did really brought some amazing work.

This sub hanger was in a light box. I wish I would have gotten some more pictures it seamed like each time I looked at it I saw something new. This diorama took Best of Diorama and People's Choice.

Ambush! was one of my absolute favorites.

Escape from Anzio was another favorite of mine.

Ivan was Here was another I wish I had more pictures of.

Armor

A lot of great entries in the Armor category as well.