MalachiOfRuss Posted March 6, 2012 Share Posted March 6, 2012 I thought I'd start a new thread for people to pool thoughts and tips for people currently building or going to be building the new Thundercav kit. I picked mine up on Saturday and have slowly been building since then. So far I've built two wolves and one rider. Here are some of my thoughts and tips. There are a few different options on how to build your thunderwolves. All of the overly "cybernetic" parts (2 legs, and a head) are options and can be swapped out for an "all natural" version. This allows you to choose to have your wolves look really "cybered up" or look very natural. You can't get rid of all of the mechanical parts (there are some little bits that are just part of the body), but you can get rid of most of them. This is not a quick build. Each paw on each leg of every wolf is a separate piece, and hands of the marines are separate from arms. The hands holding onto the wolf "fur" have slightly different angles to the wrist, and you get far more than you need. This means a lot of cutting, cleaning, and dry-fitting some fairly tiny pieces (that are easily lost if dropped to boot). Mold lines are all over, especially on the paws of the T-Wolf. Cleaning the lines in between each toe takes time. Head swaps on the wolves are possible, but swapping/converting any other parts will require a significant amount of work - the pieces are made fairly specifically for each wolf. The head of each wolf is in 3 pieces: back of the head with ears and tongue (sometimes an eye), left side head, and right side head. The fit is pretty tight and "fiddly" and the seams between the parts are more obvious than I'd like when put together. Be prepared to Green Stuff fill your gaps. (Probably obvious, but) Plan to paint Thunderwolf and rider separately, then assemble them together after that's done. Use blue tack to determine the position of the rider on the mount before gluing anything. I found positioning the rider to be fairly difficult, since there were so many different pieces. The most difficult part (I found) was getting the arm holding onto the back of the wolf to look right (close enough to be believably holding on) while still having the torso in a "not ridiculous looking" position. (Just discovered this last night and it surprised me) Leg swaps appear to be "not recommended" by the kit. I know; here's the story. Each body is specific to a wolf pose; no surprise. On the back of each body is a "peg" that the saddle sits on. Each saddle is specific to a body. This is not just "by the instructions" or whatever - it's modeled that way. Each "peg" that sticks up from the wolf body has a slightly different shape to it that matches the hole in the bottom of the saddle. But it's not just the saddle that's specific. Each saddle has a "notch" in the front of it that aids in positioning of the rider legs on the saddle. Upon closer inspection, the shape and depth of that notch matches up with the shape of the "peg" that sticks down right under the crotch of the rider legs. So, if you want to do a "simple" leg swap you'll need to either: 1) shave down the "peg" on the wolf back so it matches the saddle, or, 2) shave the "peg" from the rider crotch so that it matches the saddle (or I suppose you can just cut either peg right off). Cutting and/or shaving isn't a big deal, but it just surprised me that I couldn't just grab any pair of legs to go on any saddle/wolf mount. All that said, the kit is awesome with lots of good detail (as usual for GW). Being in plastic with 3 to a box was what I was hoping for. I'll leave you with a picture of what I've assembled so far. http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7039/6811989746_e9cbe15fc5.jpg http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7188/6958097937_339a5c9ce0.jpg Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/248501-building-the-new-thundercav-kit/ Share on other sites More sharing options...
brainwashed Posted March 6, 2012 Share Posted March 6, 2012 Great post. The posing of your wolf is one I hadn't seen before and looks great! Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/248501-building-the-new-thundercav-kit/#findComment-3008978 Share on other sites More sharing options...
MalachiOfRuss Posted March 6, 2012 Author Share Posted March 6, 2012 Thanks! ADDITION: I forgot to mention that in addition to the "peg" on the legs matching to a specific "notch" in a specific saddle, each of the legs appears to be slightly different in the "spread" and position of them. I assume this is matching up to the shape and position of the T-Wolf body that it matches. So, as far as leg swaps go, the kit isn't really set up for it. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/248501-building-the-new-thundercav-kit/#findComment-3009028 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nadir Posted March 6, 2012 Share Posted March 6, 2012 Great topic! Thanks a lot! Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/248501-building-the-new-thundercav-kit/#findComment-3009038 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Iacton Qruze Posted March 6, 2012 Share Posted March 6, 2012 One thing I've noticed, is that the sculptor didn't take the time to do the boot soles on the riders. That's pretty annoying, considering these guys all have their boot bottoms out for all to see. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/248501-building-the-new-thundercav-kit/#findComment-3009091 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ironwulf Posted March 6, 2012 Share Posted March 6, 2012 One thing I've noticed, is that the sculptor didn't take the time to do the boot soles on the riders. That's pretty annoying, considering these guys all have their boot bottoms out for all to see. I was kinda being nitpicky about that too. That's a detail I will probably add on my Twolf riders. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/248501-building-the-new-thundercav-kit/#findComment-3009100 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nadir Posted March 6, 2012 Share Posted March 6, 2012 Agreed. A littlebit of plasticard or gs will do the thing. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/248501-building-the-new-thundercav-kit/#findComment-3009123 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rune_Priest_Rhapsody Posted March 6, 2012 Share Posted March 6, 2012 I too spent lots of time this past weekend fiddling around with the tiny fur clutching hands. I will admit that after the first two, the remaining four came together a lot easier. And I will also echo the warning to USE THE ASSEMBLY DIRECTIONS!! I didn't for the first rider, and while I got him to look good (really good actually...) it was one of the most trying experiences I have ever encountered with this hobby. I kit lines on the wolves heads are easily smoothed over with a couple layers of liquid green stuff. This also goes for the Fen Wolves kit. I drilled and mounted the feet of the TWC with bits of paper clips to stabilize the model once I glue them to the base, but in the mean time I have sunk the exposed paper clip into a wine cork for painting. Thank for starting this thread MalachiOfRuss!! It will be most valuable!! End of Line Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/248501-building-the-new-thundercav-kit/#findComment-3009174 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pall Ironbear Posted March 7, 2012 Share Posted March 7, 2012 If you do follow the instructions, be aware that they have made a slight error on Wolf B if I've remembered correctly. They've got the paws numbered incorrectly, swapping the two rears, so make sure you dry, I checked the instructions in both the boxes I got and found it to be wrong. One set was really nice to work with, hardly any mold lines at all. The other box had me cursing while cleaning up the parts. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/248501-building-the-new-thundercav-kit/#findComment-3009368 Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Rose Princes Posted March 7, 2012 Share Posted March 7, 2012 i haven't even begun putting my stuff together yet.... is the arm that hold onto the fur required or can you do other things with that army for conversions sake? Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/248501-building-the-new-thundercav-kit/#findComment-3009396 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wulfebane Posted March 7, 2012 Share Posted March 7, 2012 i haven't even begun putting my stuff together yet.... is the arm that hold onto the fur required or can you do other things with that army for conversions sake? Actually, it's hands. This kit went the route of the Grey Knight boxes.. all the arms are cut at the wrist and the hands are separate on the sprue. There are fur-gripped hands for both left and right arms, chainswords for both as well, etc. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/248501-building-the-new-thundercav-kit/#findComment-3009400 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rune_Priest_Rhapsody Posted March 7, 2012 Share Posted March 7, 2012 And therein lies most of my frustration with the kit. Those tiny little hands vs. the angle of the wolfs back. ROUND ONE. FIGHT!! End of Line Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/248501-building-the-new-thundercav-kit/#findComment-3009403 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wulfebane Posted March 7, 2012 Share Posted March 7, 2012 And therein lies most of my frustration with the kit. Those tiny little hands vs. the angle of the wolfs back. ROUND ONE. FIGHT!! End of Line Sticky-tack the hand to the arm.. get it into the position you want on the TW's back, then sticky-tack it to the TW. Remove the sticky-tack at the wrist, leaving the hand on the TW's back, then dab glue on the arm/wrist and move it back into position. That way you should have the angle resolved and the rider can be removed if ever you choose to make them interchangeable (eg. different loadouts). Edit: keep in mind to use as little tack as possible. Since glue doesn't take up the same space as the tack will, you'll have too large a gap when you go to remove/transition from the tack. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/248501-building-the-new-thundercav-kit/#findComment-3009405 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rune_Priest_Rhapsody Posted March 7, 2012 Share Posted March 7, 2012 There you go again with your good ideas and common sense Wulfebane!! One of my models hands is not quite set on, so I put a Storm Shield over it. Called it good from there. End of Line Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/248501-building-the-new-thundercav-kit/#findComment-3009411 Share on other sites More sharing options...
pingo Posted March 7, 2012 Share Posted March 7, 2012 One thing I've noticed, is that the sculptor didn't take the time to do the boot soles on the riders. That's pretty annoying, considering these guys all have their boot bottoms out for all to see. Maybe the ridges would have caused an undercut in the mould. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/248501-building-the-new-thundercav-kit/#findComment-3009632 Share on other sites More sharing options...
DanPesci Posted March 7, 2012 Share Posted March 7, 2012 Looking to get this kit as my next 'upgrade' how important is the 'getting the hands to look like their holding on'...ie..can you setup the rider so he doesnt look liek hes holding on at all. any real cavalry man should be able to ride using just his legs anyway :nuke: makes the storm shiled kind of redundant for blocking incoming fire if he cant let go of the wolf with the arm thats holding it haha Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/248501-building-the-new-thundercav-kit/#findComment-3009670 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Warbringer Posted March 7, 2012 Share Posted March 7, 2012 I've finished putting mine toghether and i didn't like the fit of the stormshields so i just used one from a space wolves box set :nuke: Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/248501-building-the-new-thundercav-kit/#findComment-3009683 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Freakiq Posted March 7, 2012 Share Posted March 7, 2012 Looking to get this kit as my next 'upgrade' how important is the 'getting the hands to look like their holding on'...ie..can you setup the rider so he doesnt look liek hes holding on at all. any real cavalry man should be able to ride using just his legs anyway ^_^ makes the storm shiled kind of redundant for blocking incoming fire if he cant let go of the wolf with the arm thats holding it haha Riding a wolf would be different to riding a horse, wolves, a horse's back doesn't curve as much when galloping. As for the storm shield, it's more akin to a shield generator than an actual shield. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/248501-building-the-new-thundercav-kit/#findComment-3009698 Share on other sites More sharing options...
mactire Posted March 7, 2012 Share Posted March 7, 2012 just a question on the kit, are all the parts interchangable with the regular space wolf packs (torsos, arms, head etc.). thinking of getting them but mainly to use the bits for my grey hunters or wolf guard. also how do the wolves look without the saddles as i would run them as fen wolves ? no offence to anyone here but i just cant get heavily armoured marines sitting on top of wolves :tu: Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/248501-building-the-new-thundercav-kit/#findComment-3009766 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wulfebane Posted March 7, 2012 Share Posted March 7, 2012 just a question on the kit, are all the parts interchangable with the regular space wolf packs (torsos, arms, head etc.). thinking of getting them but mainly to use the bits for my grey hunters or wolf guard.also how do the wolves look without the saddles as i would run them as fen wolves ? no offence to anyone here but i just cant get heavily armoured marines sitting on top of wolves :tu: Yes they're interchangeable. The wolves are the best part of the kit as far as sculpts go. Unless you're Leman Russ though, those wolves won't work for fenrisian counterparts. Not only are they twice the size, but they're on 60mm bases. Fen wolves are on 40mm...and before you ask, no.. they won't fit on the smaller bases. They barely fit on the ones they come with. I you want TWC but don't like marines riding wolves, you could get the new skin wolves from FW and proxy. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/248501-building-the-new-thundercav-kit/#findComment-3009779 Share on other sites More sharing options...
MalachiOfRuss Posted March 7, 2012 Author Share Posted March 7, 2012 just a question on the kit, are all the parts interchangable with the regular space wolf packs (torsos, arms, head etc.). thinking of getting them but mainly to use the bits for my grey hunters or wolf guard. They will work fine. The only "catch" would be that the torso fronts from the Thunderwolf kit have a part that covers the neck recess, creating a flat base. The heads from the kit don't have a "neck" part, but are flat at the bottom. If you use the torsos and heads from the Thunderwolf kit together everything will work just fine. also how do the wolves look without the saddles as i would run them as fen wolves ? no offence to anyone here but i just cant get heavily armoured marines sitting on top of wolves :tu: They look really good. There is a "peg" on their back that you would need to cut and shave, and there is a "belt" that runs under their belly that will look strange without the saddle, so you would need to do something with that. The biggest problem you're going to encounter will be the sheer size of them. These guys are designed to go on a Dreadnaught (60mm) base, whereas Fen Wolves are supposed to go on a Terminator base. You're going to have trouble fitting the Thunderwolves on the smaller base. Plus, at 3 to a box you'd need to buy 2 just to have a legal unit of FW. Monetarily that's pretty expensive. I also bought a box of the Fen Wolves kit and I think they look great! Even if you buy the Cyberwolf in Finecast, cost-wise you're still ahead of where you would be buying the Thunderwolf kit for your Fen Wolves. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/248501-building-the-new-thundercav-kit/#findComment-3009785 Share on other sites More sharing options...
mactire Posted March 7, 2012 Share Posted March 7, 2012 Thanks for the answers guys. i might just buy them for the bits and sell the wolves on ebay. however i dont game just collect so the base size wont really make a difference the belt might though i guess i could try GS and see if i could cover it. Those skin wolves look crazy big and really im not too gone on twc at all, i love the models in WD and i know their a major part of the codex but after reading PB and TS i just cant see them as cavalry mounts, ill-fated brothers running alongside their old pack mates no problem but sitting up on their backs sorry cant balance that up in my head :lol: Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/248501-building-the-new-thundercav-kit/#findComment-3009812 Share on other sites More sharing options...
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