Returning to the 41st millennium (Cadian Mech Infantry)

[AppleCrumble]

Hello all, 

I just recently got back into the hobby with the start of 8^th edition and thought I would pop in to say hi, show some models and rinse you all for hobby tips!

As I hadn’t painted a model in what must be going on 12 years I decided to start with guard (figuring that tanks where pretty big canvases to muck around on) and below are my first two attempts.

I didn’t really have a plan going in, and trawling through google images I haven’t seen many (if any) guard tanks running a split colour scheme like this, so I hope I haven’t committed some sort of faux pas.

Two questions!

1: Can Tanks ‘legally’ be put on bases, such as the flyer large oval?

2: The eagle-eyed among you may have noticed that neither of these tanks are quite finished, as I still have all of the optical lenses and view ports to complete; are there any good online tutorials for these?

To go along with these chaps I also ordered a bunch of Cadian hostile environment conversion kits from Forge world, which I’m looking to paint a similar way (white ‘chipped’ body armour, green undersuit). Though I have to admit, I’m a little disappointed by the mould quality of these bits, particularly with the space which connects the head/neck to the backpack; it might just be that the moulds are getting a little long in the tooth, but the sculpt on my models look like a jumbled gloopy mess.

I’m sure you won’t see it once the arms are on, but has anyone else experienced similar issues with these with these parts?

Anywho here’s the first models, first steps on the road to 500pts and whatnot!

 

 

[MARK0SIAN]

Those tanks are brilliant! I really love the white sections in particular! If you’re willing I would be really interested in a quick breakdown of how you did that.

 

As far as bases are concerened, my understanding has always been that if the model doesn’t come with a base you don’t add one. I am always a bit picky about base sizes though, they’re one of the few things I insist on being the same if someone is using count-as models because the base size, or lack of one, does affect gameplay. But that may just be me :)

 

There’s also nothing stopping you putting it on a base for display or casual games and just not fixing it permanently to the base (drill some pin holes in the tracks or embed some magnets) so you can remove it if it is illegal or you come up against a picky so and so like me :)

[duz_]

Welcome AppleCrumble!
Those tanks look great even if they're not quite finished yet! I haven't seen many dual colour patterns around, I'm actually in the process of repainting my armoured division and did contemplate the dual colour too. 
 
I believe the Warhammer TV YouTube channels has a couple of tutorials on lenses and I'm sure there's plenty other awesome channels out there which would cover it too!
 
Unfortunately resin can be a pain like that and I believe those were discontinued by FW too? If you think there's a casting issue you can always email them with pic's. GW's customer service is generally pretty awesome! Going forward perhaps you could like at some of the Anvil Industries stuff?
 
What else can we expect to see in your WiP thread?
More tanks? Do you have particular theme you want to build your army around? The Guard codex is in a great spot in 8th edition, nearly all builds and units are viable!

Can't wait to see more!
 
 
Edit:

Also our very own Elmo has put a up a tutorial on lenses here too!
http://www.bolterandchainsword.com/topic/269375-wip-thread-711th-ccab-chocochip-rats/page-31?do=findComment&comment=4077478

 

Double Edit! 

As for bases, for vehicles distances are measured from the hull

You could add a base if you want to do some "basing" to it and I don't think many people would complain

I would suggest making it detachable like MARK0SIAN said if nothing else to make your life easier if you need to cram multiple vehicles together and the bases will get in teh way

Edited June 26, 2018 by duz_

[WarriorFish]

This is a great intro, very nice tanks. Colour scheme is unusual but looks great along with the weathering, looking forward to seeing more :tu: As for the base question it's best to stick with the base models come with in my opinion; more so if there is no base! An oval base wouldn't work and would interfere with gaming, so I'd say only worth considering for display/diorama purposes.

[AppleCrumble]

Thanks for the warm welcome and the kind words!

 

Those tanks are brilliant! I really love the white sections in particular! If you’re willing I would be really interested in a quick breakdown of how you did that.

 

No problem although my process is a little convoluted.

 

First I spray the model with an Abaddon Black undercoat, then I give it a coat of AK Interactives 'Chipping Colour (AK711)', which gives us a darkish brown base coat.

Once dry I spray the model with AK Interactives 'Heavy Chipping Acrylic Fluid (this works in much the same way as the old 'hairspray method' and youtube has a fair few tutorials on using the stuff).

Once the Chipping Fluid has had around 12-15 minutes to dry I spray over the model with Ulthuan Grey. Once the Ulthuan grey coat is completely dry I apply water with a brush and 'chip' off that newly applied grey layer to reveal the brown basecoat in places.

 

Once all the chips are in, I paint in splotches of AK interactives 'Rust Streaks' and 'Winter Streaking Grime': these are enamels, and after around 10-15 minutes I 'streak' the paint with white spirit on a brush.

 

Then I give the rivets and whatnot a little bit of Agrax Earthshade and (attempt to) edge highlight the chips with Ulthuan Grey (the enamels have usually changed the colour of the base layer we sprayed earlier enough that this now works as a highlight). 

The process (which I almost wholesale stole!) is better explained here: http://massivevoodoo.blogspot.com/search?q=ak+interactive 

 

and here is hopefully a closer image of the final result.

 

 

 

And speaking of which, here is the same method carried over to a Guardsman (well, most of one). 

Not overly sure what colour to make the goggles, I was leaning to dark green with a bright highlight?

 

 

Edit: Oh! Thanks for the feedback regarding the tank bases! I'll leave them off for now but pegging them in might be an idea for the future. I does mean I'll have to finish painting the underside of my tanks however! On a related note, one of the user submitted photos on the GW store for the Hellhound has a trio of them on large oval, looking pretty nifty.

Edited June 30, 2018 by AppleCrumble

[MARK0SIAN]

Thanks for the breakdown, much appreciated. I’ve never used those methods so it will be interesting to give them a try :)

 

Dark green eye lenses sound perfect for the infantry models :)

[WarriorFish]

I agree a dark green should work nicely :tu:

[OtherKharon]

Hello apple,

those are wonderfully made tanks and a promising guardsman. Thank you for sharing that link. I have a keen interest in your process as I have come into possession of a compressor and am going to take it for a spin on my own Legion vehicles.

 

Now regarding on the lenses I'd cast my vote for something different than green. While I love the way you did your fatigues I once read that the eyes, the face is the natural centerpiece of a miniature. As you are probably creating a colour triangle (arms, legs in green) already, broken up by the amazing looking flak armor, I'd advice you to paint the lenses in blue, red (as a complimentary colour to your green fatigues) or orange to pull focus away from the chest. From there you can even use them as OSL on that beautiful white armor.

 

Happy painting for whatever you are choosing in the end.

[Jam Master Flex]

Welcome to the board! The tanks are fantastic, your weathering is pretty much like for like what I do, only with a different colour palette!

 

I wouldn't bother with bases for your tanks but that's just me.

 

For lenses I do Kantor Blue base, then Hoeth Blue, Temple Guard and Baharoth fine edge, with white for the reflections.

[Plague _Lord]

Wow, amazing tanks! I am very jealous!

 

And that infantryman looks swell too!

[AppleCrumble]

Ouch, I didn’t realize it’s been quite so long since I last updated here!

 

That said, it has been pretty slow going: I’ve added an Exterminator Tank Commander (who is still awaiting some additional whistles/transfers), another bolter/burner Chimera and I’ve finally started painting some foot-guard.

 

I’ve really struggled with the Cadian kit to be honest, even with the Forge World parts they just look a little underwhelming (I think it’s a combination of the age of the molds, the ‘heroic’ scale and my flipper-hands)! Those nifty looking Traitor Guard from Blackstone sure are tempting…

 

Regardless, I think I’m relatively happy with what I’ve settled on below.

 

Everything is still missing their various lights/lenses/goggles (because I made a complete mess of trying to paint them in the traditional 'highlight' way), but I’m hoping to do these elements with AK Interactives Clear Colours. Has anyone else tried AK interactives Clear paints?

 

 

 

 

 

Edited November 18, 2018 by AppleCrumble

[WarriorFish]

Excellent work, the wait was worth it ;) The colour scheme pops so much as you've lavished attention on them, especially the weathering. Every moment you've spent on these has been well spent :tu: Keep us updated on what's next :D

[duz_]

Wow looks great! :tu:

Definitely worth the wait on the update ;)

[Bjorn Firewalker]

Your tanks are well done. The infantrymen look most promising; how will you decorate their bases?

[ProminusIV]

Stunning work! Looking forward to the bases as well.

[AppleCrumble]

Thanks for the encouraging feedback guys; with any luck I’m only 20-odd guardsmen away (only!) from being able to get my first game in with the 'guard. I don’t think I realized at the start of the year just how long 750pts would take to get ready, but it’s been fun getting back onto that hobby horse!

 

Regarding the bases, I was thinking of fairly simple slate'n'snow bases, following the guide in this video: www.youtube.com/watch?v=JaKdxgHbDxE (starting around 15:05).

I might add some occasional wintery grass tufts, but I’ll see how it looks on a few blank/objective bases before I go ahead and apply it to any finished models.

[ProminusIV]

Thanks for the encouraging feedback guys; with any luck I’m only 20-odd guardsmen away (only!) from being able to get my first game in with the 'guard. I don’t think I realized at the start of the year just how long 750pts would take to get ready, but it’s been fun getting back onto that hobby horse!

 

Regarding the bases, I was thinking of fairly simple slate'n'snow bases, following the guide in this video: www.youtube.com/watch?v=JaKdxgHbDxE (starting around 15:05).

I might add some occasional wintery grass tufts, but I’ll see how it looks on a few blank/objective bases before I go ahead and apply it to any finished models.

 

That's going to look amazing! Love the idea of small tufts in between the snow to compliment the green colour of the clothes. 

[AppleCrumble]

Happy New Year all!

 

This is just a quick update, as I didn't manage to get much done over the Christmas period.

 

The grand total of Guardsmen has over doubled to seven(!) and they have finally landed onto a frosty-crushed-glass-tundra! Unfortunately it's currently looking a little too take your rock to work day but I’m hoping to break up some of the samey'ness by throwing in some grass tufts on the others (they just hadn’t arrived in time for these chaps).

 

 

And here's a better angle of the snow - judging by the helmet dings, these guys have real trouble with Chimera doors...

 

 

Regarding the visors, the AK interactive Clear Colours turned out to be a bit of a letdown, so I'm hoping for Tamiya Clear to save the day (pending tests)...

[Bjorn Firewalker]

Well done.

[AppleCrumble]

Afternoon all! A pretty dull army update, but I manage to polish off the last of the Lasgun Guard this weekend, this time with snowly-grass-tufts!

 

 

I'll get to 600pts one day (realistically, sometime in April)...

[WarriorFish]

The bases really help the models pop, you'll have your army done before you know it and it's always worth the effort :tu: Keep us updated on your progress :)

[Spyboy]

I must say I am loving your paint scheme and the weathering. How do you get the chips in the armour, especially on the infantry.

[AppleCrumble]

Thanks for the encouragement! I’ve stopped myself from playing any games with the ‘guard until my core 700pts is finished; I’m sure once that’s out of the way it will feel less of a slog (but an enjoyable slog)!

 

My 700pts list is currently looking like:

 

Lord Commissar: Plasma pistol, Power sword, (Warlord: Master of Command)

Tank Commander Exterminator: x3 Heavy Bolters (Relic: RolC or KA)

 

10 Guardsmen: Grenade Launcher, Las/Chain Sergeant

10 Guardsmen: Grenade Launcher, Las/Chain Sergeant

6 Scions: x2 Meltaguns, HLas/Chain Sergeant

 

Leman Russ Executioner: Hull Heavy Bolter

 

Chimera: Heavy Bolter / Heavy Flamer

Chimera: Heavy Bolter / Heavy Flamer

 

Hopefully not too beardy or a complete pushover, but that waits to be seen!

 

 

I must say I am loving your paint scheme and the weathering. How do you get the chips in the armour, especially on the infantry.

 

I cheat(!) and use AK Interactives Heavy Chipping Fluid; I think theres a (rambling) description of the process on post #5 of this topic.

 

Edit: Here's a good video of the stuff in action! www.youtube.com/watch?v=GNjm32YTwAw

Edited February 27, 2019 by AppleCrumble

[Spyboy]

Thanks, I will take a look at that video.

[GuardDaddy]

These look really good - and unique - not seen the scheme you've done really at all before for guard. 

 

Would love to see some group shots as the modelling journey develops!