Imperial Guard Tank-fest

[upsilonman]

Hiya, with the recent IG codex update Ive decided to start a mech IG army. Im basing the vehicles off of Patoroch's awesome models although Im simplifying the templates so I don't spend too much time on each tank.

Leman Russ's first as Ive always loved the models. I made 1 for testing first.
View attachment 129818
It came out ok, although the blue was too dark on paper + it took too long to build so I simplified the template further.
View attachment 129817 View attachment 129816

The turret guns and sponsons are adjustable to keep things flexible. The only thing I haven't done yet is the sponson+hull guns as Im thinking of doing them with plastic spares + maybe magnets.

4 Russes should be enough for standard games although Id like to make more later

Next up is artillery

 

[zathros]

nice looking model. Generally speaking, I find WarHammer tanks "Steqampunk" cool, but take a lot of the effort, and seeing how the designs are so impractical, I can't find myself compelled to build one, when I could build an model of a real tank. I certainly do enjoy looking at them though, and this one came out really nice. I think it stinks that you can't use them in sanctioned games, but playing with a group of friends is more fun anyways!

 

[upsilonman]

Thanks! Yeh, I only plan to game with them at my local gaming club and never at a GW store so thats not an issue with me

Years ago, the first tank I scratch built was a Baneblade from plans inside White Dwarf - it's sad to see how the company has changed

 

[upsilonman]

Next up are chimera variants. I'm starting with some wyverns, a hydra and a manticore - then I'll make some vanilla chimeras and some hellhounds. At some point Id like to add some krieg style enclosed basilisks/medusas/griffons but that probably wont be for a while.

View attachment 129823
Thats my wyvern test build - I think the shape is mostly ok but the barrel nozzles are too large + body may be too flat. hmm...

 

[upsilonman]

Next up are some support in the form of; 1x hydra (seem less awesome in the latest codex but I love the design), 1x manticore (love em, was gunna make 3 but the missile nose cones were a PITA and came out awful) & 3x wyverns (seem quite popular).
View attachment 129938

Im on limited time for this project so have had to a) make some compromises on detail (I figure I can also add more later) and b) streamline the building of duplicate items. For anyone else mass producing models Id recommend a few things that helped me;

* Build one model all the way through to work out kinks. I always find stuff I need to tweak before I start a batch!
* Make templates to aid cutting of foamboard/corrugated card. Ive not gone nuts strengthening these models but I have strengthen key places and having a cutting template really helped.
* Get a production line going making all same parts in batches. Some may find this excruciatingly borring but I found it much quicker.

View attachment 129939
e.g. See a pile of finished hulls next to a stack of pre cut card fillers (with their template in front) and a stack of 8 track sections ready to go.

Think Ill do something fun next like a super heavy. I should really assemble/paint my troops so I have the start of a viable army but screw it - I like big tanks!

 

[silveroxide]

Great job on the simplifications. I go the other extreme in adding more stuff to the templates. If you are not a member over at dakkadakka, http://www.dakkadakka.com/ I would recommend it for further ideas, up to date rules and painting. Enjoy and be sure to show your army when done. Enjoy and see you around the forum.

 

[upsilonman]

Thanks dude. I only simplify as time is so limited for me atm (time off following a new baby) so if I could turn out some of the crazy stuff you've done I would do

Thanks for the dakka tip - I tend to mostly lurk on forums but got pretty hooked on paper modelling recently so thought Id share what Ive done.

Cheers!

 

[zathros]

You have a newborn and have time for something else, it must be the sleep deprivation!! My respect for you has risen 10 fold!!

 

[upsilonman]

Finally Im (pretty much) done with the baneblade.
View attachment 130761

Since this is a center piece to the army I went all out and put the max detail/griblies in - well... I did simplify the track section, Ive seen folks talk of "1/2 an hour per track link" (not to mention all the wheels) and there was no way I would/could repeat that. Ive still sunk way more time into this than I should have though - easily more on just this one than all of the first 10 tanks combined! So I doubt I'll have the time for one of these for quite a while.

It has been very satisfying though - and I do like all the details in this template, especially the engine;
View attachment 130763

I was surprised the shrine part is blank in the template, so I found a pic on the intertubes and stuck it in.

Ive also made the sponson turrets and main turret removable - so I can make a Hellhammer too;
View attachment 130762

Next up (when the wife calms down a bit...) will be either some chimeras & hell hounds, or maybe I should start on the troops...