Objective Markers

Recently, I realized that I didn't have any counters or objective markers for my Crimson Fists. I did however have a few odds and ends left over from the battle field accessories sprue, the devastators sprue, a few 40mm and 20mm bases.

I have seen several good ideas on objective markers such as, a articles from the Chicago Terrain Factory, and from ++ From the Warp ++.

However I found an interesting article from The Painting Corps, and I am working on making these objectives of these myself.

Land Raider MK1 Project (update)

As I mentioned earlier I am scratch building a Land Raider MK 1, using the templates at the BWC-Archive as a rough set of blueprints. However I did a few modifications such as enclosing the secondary hull sections, there is supposed to be some grating there. The MK II does not have the exposed grating, so I left it off my MK I. Also the tracks on the MK II are closer to the suspension and are more recessed to the tread sections. I liked that look so I attempted to pull the tracks tighter to the tread unit.


I used as MK II Rhino chassis for a size comparison, since I don’t have a Land Raider MK II at the moment. The MK II Rhino is approximately ¾ the size of a Land Raider MK II (estimated from pictures of the two side by side), I tried to keep the same dimensions for the MK I.

For building material I used a layer of plastic card, a large plastic “ for sale’ sign found at the local hardware store for $ 2.27, and some scraps of foam core. The plastic sign is easy to work with, and the layers of foam core add rigidity. I plan on scratch building most of the Land Raider. As time permits, I will add more detail and some bits from other tank kits.


For the sake of scale and reference, I attached the side weapon sponson and hatch from a predator.

I plan to work on the main chassis sometime this week, however my time will be very limited due preparation for the D&D game this week.

"Predator Tank reporting for duty"

So after some soul searching, I decided to get a predator tank with my Christmas cash. It seemed the most logical choice for my Crimson Fists Army, and I felt it will be a good tactical addition. blah blah blah..

Ok it was an impulse buy, I saw it and though it would be cool to build and paint. So I got it. It wasn't really needed for my army, however it does have an added benefit. I am really short on troop transports and with the use of magnets I could make this a PRINO!.


Thanks Shawn and Renn

Also any spare parts could be used in [large booming voice]
THE LAND RAIDER PROJECT.

Sherpa

The MK I Land Raider Project

After the Wave Serpent incident, I had decided to never scratch build a 40k model again. However after seeing some of the scratch built MK I Land Raiders, I have decided to build one.

I agree with Wildhermit that the MK I's odd rhombus shape is creepy. However I am going for the nostalgia, and that oddity that is 40K. So where do I find a MK I? Nowhere at present, and which MK I? I have seen two different variations of this kit. One with the drive train exposed and hull extended to cover the drive train.

Personally, I like the one with the hull extended. So it looks like I will have to build one. I joined the BWC-Archive group, a great bunch of individuals with a lot of neat reference material. I've made a sketch of changes I would like to make to the basic model. I am striving for retrofitted MK I.
It should match the rag tag appearance of my Crimson Fists army. At present I don't have any pictures, but hope to have some soon.

Sherpa

Land Raider MK I or MK II, that is the question

So I had sometime this week to sit and reflect on my Crimson Fists army. Its a pretty small army compared to my Tau and Eldar armies, but I have always like them. I first got hooked by their history and the battle for the farm scenario in the first edition of 40K (Rogue Trader). I doubt the army will ever reach 2000 points in size.



However I was thinking that I needed a few Land Raider(s), but since I am building this army on a tight budget they might be a bit costly. Like my Wave Serpent saga, I decided to see what I could find online. Who knows maybe I would find a MK I to salvage. At present no luck, however I did find a group that had the plans to scratch build a MK I and a couple of really great posts from Bell of Lost Souls and Warseer.com.

So the question is; MK I or MK II? I love the nostalgia of the MK I, but the MK II is a good looking machine. If I decide to build a MK I, it would most likely be a cross between the two.

Sherpa

The Elusive Wave Serpent

I had put this post on another blog ealier, however it seems more appropriate here. There is more to the story and at the end of this blog.

May - 2006

I remember the first time I saw a wave serpent. It was the old Armorcast Wave Serpent affectionately known as "The Iron", because it looked well like a steam iron. I remember thinking to myself well, just "ewww". To me personally it just wasn't that cool looking and I really didn't think I would ever need it. However, to be perfectly honest, I was winding up my gaming days and recently married. So I really wasn't too interested in anything other than my beautiful bride.

Well thirteen years later, I was back in the gaming circle again. As before, I was intrigued with Eldar army list. So after reading the 'Craftworld' codex it became pretty apparent to me, I needed a wave serpent, maybe two. So I began looking for serpents on the internet.

I discovered that a new version of the serpent was offered by 'Forgeworld'. It was very nice and very expensive (I am very cheap by the way), so it was out of my league. So I began looking for "The Iron", hoping that someone would part with one (cheap). It was during my search that I began to appreciate the old design. Unfortunately, there weren't any "Irons" to be had anywhere. So that left me with one option, to build one. I went back to the internet.

I discovered three really good examples for reference. The first one was shown in an issue of 'White Dwarf' magazine. It was nice, but looked a little off to me. The second, was an outstanding 40k version of the epic wave serpent scaled to 40k, by Carl Woodrow. The third, was an beautiful Roy Bann version painted by the talented Agis Neugebauer. Inspired, I began to design. I liked the clean looks of the Roy Bann energy prow shields, but also thought 'The Forgeworld' Serpent was more in line with the Eldar technology. And yet, Agis' wave serpent kept creeping into my design. And well, I have to admit the shear strength of design and continuity to the epic scale of Carl's serpent really appealed to me.
So after several attempts to combine all these elements, I had a plan. I would use a falcon, plastic spoons, plastic card and green stuff to create my wave serpent. I would work to create this masterpiece and it would "wow" my friends. Opponents would be in awe of its approach. I would have the perfect wave serpent.

So I began creating this wave serpent of renown. I glued, sanded, marked, scribed, puttied and primed. So after several weeks of hard work and sweat I finally took a good look at my wave serpent. It was SAD, this poor serpent would never be allowed to see the light of day. I had a reputation to think of and friends to keep. It was at best a falcon with spoons glued on it. At worst, a monstrosity of plastic, a silent testimony to my lack of design skills. I was back to square one.

I began searching the internet again. Still I had no luck finding a serpent. I began to comtemplate re-tooling my army list to exclude the serpent. However, just when I had began to give up hope, I heard the news that GW was going to market their own serpent.

Now sometime later, I own two of these beauties. I say that for two reasons. First it is within my price range for the piece. Second, it incorporates much of what I liked about the 'Forgeworld' kit. However, I still wish some things were different. The turret for instance, is not as sleek or clean as the 'Forgeworld' kit. But overall,it is a fine vessel and it will serve my 'Craftworld' well. And as far my version of the Eldar wave serpent, it is rotting in the closet very nicely.

Dec. 29, 2008

So now I have four wave serpents, and I will soon be adding another. Why so many serpents Sherpa, are you crazy?.

Well 3 of the serpents will be pulling double duty, as a cloudstrike squadron. I am using magnets I bought from Amazing Magnets to make energy wave generators optional.
Since I like the extended cab and spoiler, I left them on. Overall I think it has a great look, and its cost effective.


Just a note: I have three turrets from earlier falcon models, two were converted to wave serpents when GW offered the 'Wave Serpent Sprues', and the other was from the failed wave serpent project.
The best buy for a wave serpent if you can find it, is the one which has the five Dire Avengers in it. Lots of good sprues and every Eldar player can use the extra avengers.
-Sherpa

Eldar Terrain

I was searching the Internet the other day for examples of Eldar terrain. After seeing the latest terrain pieces created by the Games Workshop team, I decided I needed to add a few terrain pieces to support my Eldar Army. During my search I found quite a bit of good stuff, but was surprised at the lack of diversity of the pieces. A majority of the terrain was the typical Eldar War Gate. Only a few of the sites such as Iron Hands, and Master Darksol had more.

Now I think a warp gate is a great piece of scenery and there are some really good examples of out there, such as the one from Dysartes . So much that I am making a warp gate myself to act as a objective marker. Also I agree that the warp gate is the cornerstone of the Eldar Civilization, but I was hoping to see more unique or different pieces.

With that said, I guess its time for me to quit whining and to try my hand at creating some Eldar Terrain. I plan on using some of the illustrations in the codex as examples. I also suspect that some of the stuff done for the Warhammer Fantasy High and Dark Elves will influence my work.

Since the idea of using urea-formaldehyde resin, the stuff used by the Games Workshop Studio Team does not appeal to me, I will try to stay with more easily obtainable materials, such as foam core, mat and illustration board.

Well its off to the sketch some ideas.

Dec. 29 2008
Ok so its harder that I expected to make an eldar warp gate. My first attempt was made of mat board, styrofoam and a trashed CD (for the base). I find that a used CD makes a pretty good flat surface and it is usually free, thank you promotional groups. Anyway the base looked good, the gate was lacking. I will be trying to make another one later this week.

As I mentioned before I will be trying to make a more substantial piece of terrain, like an outpost. I see it as tower like structure, with mix influence of dark elf, high elf and the illustration in the Eldar Codex (page 12).

Honestly I haven't had time to make some sketches, but I will have some soon.