Another Plastic Deimos Pattern Rhino

The Rhino is the most widely used armoured personnel carrier in the Imperium. Based on ancient STC technology, the fundamental design is robust, reliable, and easy to maintain, with an adaptive power plant that can run off a wide variety of fuels, making it perfect for the wide-ranging armies of the Great Crusade – and the wars of the Horus Heresy. As such, the Rhino chassis serves as a basis for many other war machines, and these transports are produced in their thousands – several distinct patterns are in common use throughout the galaxy, with the heavily-armed Deimos being the most widespread amongst the Space Marine Legions.

I was pleased to see one of the new Horus Heresy releases announced at Warhammer Fest was the Plastic Deimos Pattern Rhino. So when it was available for pre-order I clicked through and ordered the kit from my local FLGS. You can see the workbench for that Rhino here.

I was lucky enough to get a second Rhino for a Christmas present.

I am aiming to paint this Rhino in the same way as I painted my first one.

Looking at the sprues (on the GW site) there are a lot of parts, a lot more parts than when the original plastic Rhino kit came out in the 1980s.

The model has many more parts and is a more detailed kit than the original plastic Rhino kit that came out in the 1980s.

Detailing the Forge World Grey Knights Dreadnought

I have had a Mark IV Forge World Grey Knights Dreadnought on my workbench for a while. After getting some weapon arms for the model. I gave the main model a black undercoat and started base coating with a metallic paint. The weapons I had given a white undercoat. Getting it out from storage, I decided to almost start again and gave the model a base spray of Leadbelcher. I gave the model a wash of Nuln Oil Shade. For the next stage I used some Citadel Leadbelcher. I took a large brush and gave the model, what I would call, a heavy drybrush. I then did a lighter drybrush of various silver paints.

I did intend to paint the base for the model next, but upon checking the workbench feature for my Grey Knights, I realised that I needed a paint I didn’t have. For my Grey Knights I painted the flocked (well sanded) bases with Bestial Brown and then drybrushed with Bleached Bone. After that I went over the edge of the slottabase again with Bestial Brown.

I don’t have a pot of Bestial Brown, and Citadel no longer manufacture that colour. According to the Dakka Dakka paint compatibility chart the best option is Mournfang Brown. Might have to pop out and buy a pot of that.

I did though paint the paper for the purity seals on the Dreadnought using Layer Ushabti Bone. I also used Bronze and Gold Sharpie pens for some of the metallic aspects of the model.

Drybrushing the Dreadnought

This Space Marine Dreadnought was one of the models included the Assault on Black Reach boxed set. The Warhammer 40,000 Assault on Black Reach was 5th edition’s “boxed game” or “starter set”. Having constructed the model I then put it away for a while… I got the model out of storage and decided I would paint this up as an Imperial Fists Dreadnought to accompany my new Deimos-pattern Rhino. I gave it a white undercoatusing White Scar spray. The next stage was the base coat and I did consider to either use a yellow spray, or to use the new Imperial Fist contrast paint. In the end I went with the new Imperial Fist contrast paint and I was quite pleased with the end result. I knew that though this looked quite good, it wasn’t quite the effect I wanted, so I shaded most of the model with Reikland Fleshshade Shade. I painted the weaponry and the exhausts on the Dreadnought with Leadbelcher.

For the next stage I used some Citadel Layer Yriel Yellow. I took a large brush and gave the model, what I would call, a heavy drybrush. I put paint on the brush, and then used some kitchen towel to remove most of the paint, and then using a stippling process added paint to the model.

I think I still need to do something about the right leg shield.

See the workbench feature on the Space Marine Dreadnought.

More drybrushing on the Forge World Grey Knights Dreadnought

I have had a Mark IV Forge World Grey Knights Dreadnought on my workbench for a while. After getting some weapon arms for the model. I gave the main model a black undercoat and started base coating with a metallic paint. The weapons I had given a white undercoat. Getting it out from storage, I decided to almost start again and gave the model a base spray of Leadbelcher. I gave the model a wash of Nuln Oil Shade. For the next stage I used some Citadel Leadbelcher. I took a large brush and gave the model, what I would call, a heavy drybrush.

I followed this up with some lighter drybrushing, first with Base Grey Knights Steel, then Layer Ironbreaker and finally Layer Stormhost Silver.

The aim was to add brightness to the Dreadnought.

See the full workbench feature on the Forge World Grey Knights Dreadnought.

Campaign weary Rogal Dorn Battle Tank

So, we know there is a new tank coming for the Imperial Guard.

Rogal Dorn Tank

The new Rogal Dorn Battle Tank is a behemoth of a vehicle, perfectly suited for smashing enemy positions and anchoring defensive lines. Its heavy armour gives it durability worthy of the Praetorian’s name, while its powerful engines ensure it doesn’t fall behind squadrons of Leman Russ Battle Tanks.

In a recent post on the Warhammer Community we learnt a little more about the kit and how the model goes together.

As I read the article it got me thinking about building a camping weary Rogal Dorn tank, a fighting vehicle that has been out in the field for a while.

It’s also the first time we’ve shown proper suspension on a tank kit, so you can leave off the side skirts and see the wheels. 

Now this is interesting, I quite like the idea of modelling the tank without skirts, maybe they got lost during a firefight.

The stowage is also really versatile – there are plenty of sandbags, packs, tools, and oil canisters – but we’ve been careful with the sizing so they fit in lots of different places. 

I like this idea, I can see how this will allow you to create a tank which has been on a long campaign. Covered in stowage and personal belongings. This isn’t a parade ready tank, this is a fighting vehicle that has been fighting for a long time.

I suspect it won’t be long before it’s available in pre-order.

What else do I need to do…

Digging the model out from storage, I decided not that I would start again, but I certainly would have a different approach. I have had my Kill Bursta hanging around on the workbench for a while now, so it was s nice to make some significant progress on the model.

I was looking at the work I had done with the Ork Kill Bursta Tank. I liked the effect I had achieved on the engine.

There is still a fair bit of work to do on the model, but I am pleased with my progress so far.

I want to do some more weathering, but also to make it a little more Orky.

Plastic Typhon Heavy Siege Tank on the horizon

Games Workshop have announced that there will be a plastic Heavy Siege Tank for The Horus Heresy.

Named for the ‘Great Beast’ of Ancient Terran myth, the immense Typhon Heavy Siege Tank was developed by the Mechanicum alongside the Spartan, with which it shares a basic chassis design. The Typhon’s primary armament is the massive Dreadhammer cannon, and was created in response to a request from the Primarch Peturabo, master of the Iron Warriors. He demanded a Legiones Astartes war engine that could rival the great batteries of the Imperial Crusade Army in firepower, but manoeuvre and deploy at the speed of a Space Marine force.

I’ve always liked the Forge World model and I took a photograph of this Imperial Fists painted model at Warhammer World on a visit a few years ago.

Typhon Heavy Siege Tank
Imperial Fists Typhon Heavy Siege Tank at Warhammer World

There are some great Horus Heresy models available now and the question I have is, which one do I get next after I finish painting my Land Raiders.

Forge World Ork Gunwagon

I got a Forge World Ork Gunwagon many years ago, well in 2006.

Ork Gunwagon with Kannon

A variant of a standard Battlewagon, a basic gunwagon consists of a powerful engine and a mounted Big Shoota on a chassis. A gunwagon only has a seat for the driver, but hand holds are provided to transport Orks over short distances. Much like other Ork vehicles, the gunwagon is a highly modifiable platform, and can be armed with a Zzap Gun, a Kannon, or a quad of Flak guns while still retaining its transport capabilities. In addition, the gunwagon can be up-armoured to protect the driver and gunner, and also mounts an extra Big Shoota.

Gunwagon with Kannon

This kit hasn’t been available from Forge World for some years now. There isn’t a like for like replacement either.

Gunwagon with Kannon

I have noticed that Forge World’s list of Ork kits has shrunk over the years. Their big Ork tanks are no longer available. Glad I got some when I did, though I should get to finish painting them.

Ork Gunwagon with Kannon from Felix's collection
Ork Gunwagon with Kannon from Felix’s collection

My Gunwagon is armed with a Forge World Kannon. Though it is not fixed, so I can replace it with other heavy weapons.

Here is the Gunwagon next to a Looted Rhino for a size comparison.

Ork Gunwagon with Kannon
Ork Gunwagon with Kannon alongside a Squiggoth

Workbench feature on the Forge World Ork Gunwagon.