Khorne's Eternal Hunt - KrautScientist's chaotic WIP thread: Fine-tuning Eightbound...

[Eberious]

Ooh, I like the defiler mask choice on the robot thingy. Looking forward to see that one take shape. Where are the fist claws from on the dreadnought?  

[KrautScientist]

Cheers, guys! And don't worry: Even if the Kastelan conversion should be too small to work as a Contemptor, it'll make a pretty convincing counts as Alpha Helbrute, don't you think? ;)

 

Here it is, slightly farther along, but still very WIP:

 

 

 

 

@ Eberious: Those claws are parts of the wheels from the WFB Chaos Chariot.

[Teetengee]

I might make some obliterators out of these guys, they look like they are really versatile. How poseable are they?

[KrautScientist]

Cheers, mate!

 

They are *very* posable, especially the legs. This seems like a slightly under-advertised feature, but the legs can basically be posed any way you like. They do lock into a certain position, but you can just shave off the small plastic nubs that restrain movement and then experiment away -- which is what I've done for the running pose. The arms are slightly less versatile because they come as a single piece (the fists are separate, though).

 

I think they may be a bit too big for Obliterators, though...

Edited May 22, 2015 by KrautScientist

[Eberious]

Tis exactly what I was thinking making one of these into a Helbrute, lots of fun to be had right there. Now if only I could get my hands on just one complete kit, as in just the robot.

Edited May 23, 2015 by Eberious

[miteyheroes]

Dammit, now I want those robots. Where is the skull head on the running one from?

[KrautScientist]

Cheers, guys!

 

@ miteyheroes: That skull is from the WFB Tomb Kings Sphinx.

 

So, another update regarding the Kastelan conversion: It remains WIP, of course, but I think I have figured out the basic setup for the model now. Take a look:

 

http://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2015/5/23/716037-Chaos%2C%20Chaos%20Space%20Marines%2C%20Conversion%2C%20Kastelan%2C%20Khorne%2C%20Kitbash%2C%20Robot.JPG

 

http://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2015/5/23/716036-Chaos%2C%20Chaos%20Space%20Marines%2C%20Conversion%2C%20Kastelan%2C%20Khorne%2C%20Kitbash%2C%20Robot.JPG

 

http://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2015/5/23/716038-Chaos%2C%20Chaos%20Space%20Marines%2C%20Conversion%2C%20Kastelan%2C%20Khorne%2C%20Kitbash%2C%20Robot.JPG

 

Lots and lots of detail left to add, but I am pretty happy with the basic build.

 

As always, let me know what you think!

Edited May 23, 2015 by KrautScientist

[Flint13]

Dude!

 

I will admit I was going to pass the Kastelan kit by completely since they looked so slow and lumber-y. You've done a badass job of making an action pose out of a model with the potential to be hella boring.

 

Is his hammer and right hand from the helbrute kit?

[Rift Blade]

Are these things about the same size as TDA KrautScientist? And as always, amazing stuff.

[KrautScientist]

Thanks a lot! :)

 

@ Flint: The right hand and haft are from the Nemesis Dreadknight, and the hammerhead came from the Bloodthirster's meteor hammer. I suppose the Helbrute hammer would also work reasonably well, though.

 

@ Rift Blade: There's a scale comparison picture on the previous page, mate.

 

Oh boy, I just can't stop working on this guy...

 

http://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2015/5/23/716056-Chaos%2C%20Chaos%20Space%20Marines%2C%20Conversion%2C%20Kastelan%2C%20Khorne%2C%20Kitbash%2C%20Robot.JPG

 

http://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2015/5/23/716057-Chaos%2C%20Chaos%20Space%20Marines%2C%20Conversion%2C%20Kastelan%2C%20Khorne%2C%20Kitbash%2C%20Robot.JPG

 

http://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2015/5/23/716058-Chaos%2C%20Chaos%20Space%20Marines%2C%20Conversion%2C%20Kastelan%2C%20Khorne%2C%20Kitbash%2C%20Robot.JPG

[Leviathus]

He's coming along nicely Kraut! Although his chest is a bit bulky imho, especially on the 2nd picture.

[Rift Blade]

Well. I was just a little off. Thanks KrautScientist.

[Vlâdvar The Destroyer]

Wow, that is looking pretty sick! :-D where is the right arm & hammer from? Also might I suggest adding an exhaust stack to his back. I really need to get some of those robots, can't wait to see more! Edited May 24, 2015 by Vlâdvar The Destroyer

[Eldrick Shadowblade]

Hey Kraut,

 

I know you've been doing this a long time, so forgive me if i suggest some "tips" you might be having with the mephiston red spray. Paint rubbing off especially primer coat is usually mold release agent (even your normal troopers can have some) or maybe grease from your fingertips when you were assembling the model. As for the rough texture of the spray itself.... sometimes this has happened with the black coat.... it is usually because the pray has sat a long time.... the nozzle gets partially clogged or the number 1 killer.... humidity. Again I'm sure you already know this stuff, but thought I'd share. I'd definitely not spray your knight with it! Of course you might have just gotten a bum can of the stuff. Either way.... I really enjoy your army looking forward to that crazy looking dreadnought looking thing! Maybe space out the torso a bit? or bulk it up?

[KrautScientist]

Cheers for the feedback, guys! :)

 

@ Leviathus: You have a point about the chest, which I why I carefully bent the Bloodthirster breastplate around the torso piece, making it fit a little more snugly.

 

@ Vladvar: Mate, just look one post further up and you'll see I discussed the provenience of the hammer ;)

 

@ Eldrick: Hmm, I can basically rule out the mold release agent/grease and age-related theories, respectively, and it was a pretty dry day when I used the spray. However, it now occurs to me that maybe I didn't wait long enough for the black undercoat to dry before adding the red -- I suppose this warrants further experimentation...

 

Oh, and Bruticus suggested the same thing about lengthening the model's mid-section over at the Ammobunker, which is what I did (via a ball of modeling putty, at least for now). Here's the model in its slightly updated form:

http://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2015/5/24/716317-Chaos%2C%20Chaos%20Space%20Marines%2C%20Conversion%2C%20Kastelan%2C%20Khorne%2C%20Kitbash%2C%20Robot.JPG

http://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2015/5/24/716318-Chaos%2C%20Chaos%20Space%20Marines%2C%20Conversion%2C%20Kastelan%2C%20Khorne%2C%20Kitbash%2C%20Robot.JPG

http://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2015/5/24/716319-Chaos%2C%20Chaos%20Space%20Marines%2C%20Conversion%2C%20Kastelan%2C%20Khorne%2C%20Kitbash%2C%20Robot.JPG

http://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2015/5/24/716320-Chaos%2C%20Chaos%20Space%20Marines%2C%20Conversion%2C%20Kastelan%2C%20Khorne%2C%20Kitbash%2C%20Robot.JPG

As always, let me know what you think! :)

[Soldier of Dorn]

Discovery requires experimentation!

 

It looks really good, Kraut. I mean, I'd love to have some sort of critique for you, but I don't.

[Quixus]

Discovery requires experimentation!

Wrong universe.

In universe this quote would better fit a certain III Legion apothecary, I think.

 

Let's hope the XX Legion does not start shouting Hail Hydra!

[oldschoolsavant]

Doing a good job of eliminating the 50's sci fi aesthetic (not my taste at all) there KS, and should surprisingly tie in well with your Decimator fellow.

[Skrundle87]

Loving your kastelan mate looks sweet, if only you could buy them singularly I'd knock one up myself, looking for my next project now

[Commissar Molotov]

I like where you're going with this - you are certainly breaking new ground in that you are the first person I've seen making them chaos - and making them so dynamic. To the tiniest degree, I almost feel like the pose you've chosen is too dynamic - he seems to be more like a giant Marine than a robot, unless you're suggesting that they've been possessed. Having said that, that's just a question of personal aesthetics and head-canon, I suppose. 

 

I think you do need to do some work with merging the two styles of pieces - you've got smooth panels with recessed bolts, and then chaotic panels with exposed rivets. At the moment they don't mesh particularly well. Equally, I'm not sold with the two different shoulderpads. Are you trying to evoke the gladiatorial style of the World Eaters, with the one bare arm? I feel like the grey shoulder pad works well, but the black (Daemon Prince?) shoulderpad obscures too much of the arm, making the arms look even shorter.

 

With the raised midsection, I feel like his hips need a little bit of armour as well - even plasticard strip, perhaps? Although you could perhaps do something with the dreadnought kneepads, like people used to do to evoke Cataphractii armour. 

 

The last thing - perhaps because this model is so heavily blue-tacked, I feel like the skull-face needs to be tilted forward slightly whilst running, to avoid it looking like a short-sighted man looking down his nose trying to read...

 

I liked the idea of the Iron Warrior with the bionic leg, though until I read it was an AdMech leg, I thought you'd used a bloodletter leg! I like the idea of chaos bionics trying to evoke daemonform...

Edited May 25, 2015 by Commissar Molotov

[Battybattybats]

Superb work on the robot, especially the pose, has a haughty edge to a mass of menace.

[K0rtmer]

Wow, he's huge. And mean. And ... awesome. I think the skull head is going to look great in a brass/bronze color.

 

I second Commissar Molotov's thoughts about matching up smooth, round elements with the more chaotic bits you've used. I feel it's an easy fix. Just a couple of extra spiky bits, rivets, or armor plates would probably do it. Yeah, perhaps some extra armor plates. It feels wrong to suggest ideas like these to you – because I actually consider you an authority in all matters conversion and kit bash.

[KrautScientist]

Thanks for the well considered feedback, everyone! Particularly to Mol! Some excellent food for thought!

 

I definitely get what you're saying about the disparity between the rounded, 50s-styled robot underneath and the baroque, ostentatious "chaotic" armour I have placed on top. However, I have to admit that I am not sure myself whether I should actually attempt to get rid of the visual features of the Kastelan altogether, or leave some of them clearly visible (in juxtaposition with the more ostentatious 40k design), in order to show how the machine has been something else before it became a warmachine of chaos. I am still finding my feet in that particular discussion, to be honest.

 

The different shoulder pads were indeed an attempt to go for a slightly gladiatorial look and feel (with the big DP pad recalling Astartes shoulder pads, while the smaller pauldron was supposed to look slightly more gladiatorial). It may not be easy to tell from that particular angle, but the big shoulder pad doesn't actually obscure all that much of the right arm: Only the shoulder is covered up, while the arm itself stays mostly visible.

 

That's a very interesting suggestion regarding some hip armour -- I am actually torn about whether I want the model to look more bulked out or keep the slightly skeletal structure, pointing towards its robotic roots. I could also add some hydraulic support struts between the pelvis area and the torso, which would add a bit of bulk, yet also keep the slightly skeletal look, I suppose?

 

You are totally right about the angle of the head, though -- I adjusted that right away! ;)

 

And that's an excellent point about the Iron Warrior's bionic leg: Maybe it was actually fashioned to recall a daemonic limb (maybe even *the* daemonic limb it was meant to replace?!).

 

Anyway, thanks again for the feedback! Keep it coming! :)

[ChaptermasterDemon7]

One word for the Kastleans':   Terminators.

[KrautScientist]

Cheers, man! :)

 

Changes to the Kastelan conversion are happening in increments now, rather than in huge leaps, which I think is an indication for the model approaching completion. That said, there are some smaller changes I would like to share with you. For instance, I think the new armour plates on the upper leg are an improvement over the stock ones:

 

http://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2015/5/26/716731-Chaos%2C%20Chaos%20Space%20Marines%2C%20Conversion%2C%20Kastelan%2C%20Khorne%2C%20Kitbash%2C%20Robot.JPG

 

http://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2015/5/26/716732-Chaos%2C%20Chaos%20Space%20Marines%2C%20Conversion%2C%20Kastelan%2C%20Khorne%2C%20Kitbash%2C%20Robot.JPG

 

And a question for all of you: Does the left arm look better in that pose (as though the model were pointing at an opponent or getting ready to unleash a torrent of flame from the integrated weapon), or do you prefer the previous pose?

 

As always, let me know what you think! :)