Taurox Update

Well, just a quick update today.  I am swamped with casting for Mad Robot so all I can do right now is share what I recently received in the mail...

It's the new 6-wheel conversion kit for the Taurox.  It is made and sold by Blood and Skulls Industry and it looks perfect for what I want to do with it.

My plan is to do 2 Tauroxes; the first will be a standard size "gun-truck", opened topped, using Ork Trukk Wheels instead of the treads.  Those wheels give a very custom look to the vehicle and I think they look cool.  I will be using a set of my upcoming Predator Personalities heads for the crew on this one.

The second Taurox will feature the 6-wheel conversion kit, shown above, and will also involve extending the back of the vehicle to hang over the rear wheel.  This version will also be open topped and will serve to be more of a standard troop transport.


Well, that's it for now.  More progress and pics in the next weeks, once I get out from under all this casting work.


The war goes on,
Hessler

Merc Update 6/18

Right, so I've sorted out a new camera, which gives me a chance to show of my latest purchase...

They're the British Commandos from Warlord Games.  I'd seen these figures when they released and I instantly thought "old school Stormtroopers".  After taking a closer look at these, I think I may have found a new source for bits and upgrades!  Fitst off, the size matched up quite nicely with 40k, more with ForgeWorld than the Cadian plastics.  Here's a compasrison:

I also was happy that some FW Elysian bits I have, went on great with the body.

The glorious discovery of this kit is the options it offers to hobbyists.  All the heads are separate from the berets, but there are also camo'd Para helmets and a more standard "Dougboy" helmet.  With all the sprues that come in one box you'd have enough helmets/berets for multiple squads.

Also included on each sprue are loads of kit...especially these awesome backpacks!

The weapons that are included don't match up well at all, I wasn't that surprised given the well known proportional differences of various 28mm companies.

So, I think I've found a good source of alternative figures to start my Merc Force.  I may try my hand at some additional green-stuff sculpting to Sci-Fi them up a bit.

I hope to have some faster updates as these start to come together.  I am still toying with using Elysian heads on these...I'll save those thoughts for my next update.


The war goes on,
Hessler

Elysian HQ part 2

I've moved on to my 2nd paint scheme, meant to fall somewhere between Star Wars and Mass Effect.  Starting from the White base, I took Citadel Fortress Grey and diluted heavily with Vallejo Glaze Medium.  I gave the figure a good once over and after drying, it served well to shadow the white without darkening in too much.

Armor was based with Citadel Solaris Orange and followed up with a watered down coat of Foundry Orange(B).  The Visor was given watered down layers of Foundry Vivid Blue(A) and Sky Blue(B).  Boots and belts got a few watery coats of Citadel Chardon Granite and a wash of Badab Black.

Next, hoses and a few details were painted with Citadel Boltgun Metal and given a wash of Badab Black.

All in all, I'm happy how this turned out.  It was an idea I've had brewing in my head for a while and I think it translated well into reality.  There are some more opportunities for some washing or shading but I think it stands as completed for now.

I've also been considering a grav sled of some kind, something that gives a quick drop ability on the battlefield, similar to the way that US Navy SEAL use their small boats.  I'm thinking I will borrow from the design and concept in the Star Wars universe.  In particular, the skiff that is seen circling around Jabba the Hut's Barge in Return Of The Jedi.

Any thoughts on this direction?

The war goes on,
Hessler

Tanks & Troops

I have finally got caught up and was able to get some stuff painted and pics taken. The bits market has been blowing up and I am just able to keep myself caught up.

First, a few pics of my Vanquisher. She features the GW Tank Commander from their website that will serve as my version of Pask. Also featured are the Mars Alpha hull and Gryphonne Vanquisher turret, both courtesy of Forge World...

Up next is my first infantry squad. I will field a 2-3 squad platoon, supported by 2 heavy weapons squads and a special weapons squad.

I give you the Sadoukad Terror Troops...

I used heads and packs from West Wind Productions and I trimmed off the shoulder pads to give a more basic style. This will be offset by my Veteran squads, who will have the full carapace armor.

Anyways, that's it for now. C&C is much appreciated.

The war goes on,
Hessler