Category: forge world

Painting the Big Zzappa

I have been digging through my workbench models and realised I had a fair few Forge World Ork Weapons.

I have the Big Zzappa.

Zzap weapons are a special type of weapon exclusive to the technical knowledge of the Orks. They are roughly analogous to Ork laser weapons, however describing them as lasers is a bit of a stretch. In a weird way, they share more in common to the Imperium’s lightning gun (a special type of las weaponry that causes electrical aftershocks) than tried and true laser. However, it could be deemed that the Zzap weapons uses some kind electromagnetic beams to mimic a laser.

The Big Zzappa is a heavier and more potent version of the Zzap Gun that shares its advantages, has longer range and is even more unpredictable when fired. It is mounted on heavier Ork vehicles such as Gunwagons, Big Trakks or Battle Fortresses.

I would usually paint this black and then drybrush, but I am now thinking I might more go along the same technique I used on my Ork Fight Bommer jet engine.

I have both volumes of the Forge World Masterclass books and they are a real inspiration and full of ideas and techniques for painting and weathering models. I wanted to try and emulate some of those techniques on the engine of the Ork Bommer.

I decided that I would paint the Big Zzappa with Leadbelcher, now that Boltgun Metal is no longer available. Continue reading “Painting the Big Zzappa”

KillKannon Grot Krew

I have been digging through my workbench models and realised I had a fair few Forge World Ork Weapons.

One model I have purchased was an Ork KilKannon. I am intending to use it with my Ork vehicles.  I decided that I would paint the main KillKannon with Leadbelcher, now that Boltgun Metal is no longer available.

Having sent off for some of this Leadbelcher paint, I also included the Ork Flesh Contrast Paint in my order, as I was interested to see how these would work for my Orks. In a test I decided to paint the Krew of my Forge World Ork heavy weapons with the contrast paint.

I have to say I was quite impressed with the results on only a single coat.

Continue reading “KillKannon Grot Krew”

Revisiting the Grot Tanks

I picked up a set of Grot Tanks on a visit to Warhammer World. Having not really looked at them for a while, having been stuck at the undercoated stage, I thought I might try and finish them.

The lunatic product of the deranged imaginations of grot riggers and scavs that have spent far too long basking in the insane genius of the Big Meks, Grots Tanks are diminutive armoured vehicles made to imitate the far larger Ork Wagons and Tanks.

The set contains four different variant chassis, tracks, exhausts and turrets as well as four fantastic Grot Tank Kommandaz and 5 different, incredibly shooty, weapon options.

See the workbench features on the Grot Tanks.

Starting with my least favourite I gave it a base coat of Karak Stone.

I did realise that I hadn’t undercoated the bottom of the tanks, as the paint didn’t stick to the resin on the bottom. So I took the others out to the garage and gave them a white undercoat on the underneath of their hulls.

I then started painting the tracks with Gorthor Brown. Continue reading “Revisiting the Grot Tanks”

Forge World Ork Kannon

I have been digging through my workbench models and realised I had a fair few Forge World Ork Weapons. I decided to go ahead and finish them off.

When I made the Kannon which came with the Gunwagon I gave that a dry brush of Boltgun Metal.

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

I decided that I would paint the Kannon with Leadbelcher, now that Boltgun Metal is no longer available.

I did consider to give the model a white undercoat, but in the end painted the Kannon with Leadbelcher.

This new paint covered quite well and did remind me of Boltgun Metal, so a good replacement.

I then gave the model a wash of Nuln Oil Shade.

This toned down the brightness of the Leadbelcher paint and made the weapon more matte.

I was a little annoyed that the shade wash had gathered on the main barrel.

I think I can sort that out by some remedial work with some more Leadbelcher. I am intending to use other washes and drybrushed to finish the weapon off. I am trying to get an effect that I did with the Ork Bommer engine. Making it look oily and rusty.

See the workbench feature on the Ork Kannon.

Elysian Tauros Venator

This Elysian Tauros Venator was in the displays at Warhammer World.

The Tauros is a light, sturdily built, all-terrain utility and tractor vehicle used on many Frontier Worlds. Its rugged drive axles are individually powered by high-yield galvanic motors that allow the vehicle to maintain its speed even when some of its wheels may be damaged or destroyed. The Tauros and many similar vehicles have also been used by Imperial exploration teams and sometimes by brigands, marauders, and rebel factions.

The Tauros is even used as a light attack and reconnaissance vehicle by the Elysian Drop Troops regiments of the Imperial Guard. The Elysian Drop Troops have modified the Tauros for airborne operations, stripping off any unneeded weight so that it can be carried into battle by their Valkyrie Sky Talons.

The Tauros comes in two standard variants: the four-wheeled Tauros Rapid Assault Vehicle which serves as a long-range scout vehicle, mounting potent anti-personnel firepower in the form of either a Heavy Flamer or Tauros Grenade Launcher, and the six-wheeled and more heavily armed and armoured Tauros Venator.

Elysian Tauros Venator
Elysian Tauros Venator at Warhammer World

The Tauros Venator variant is armed with a Twin-linked Multi-Laser for anti-infantry work or a Twin-linked Lascannon for anti-vehicle duty.

I have a Elysian Tauros Assault Vehicle on the workbench which I prefer over the six wheeled version.

I didn’t realise that Forge World had stopped making their Elysian models, which is a pity.

Magma Dragon

These primordial beasts are among the most malevolent of dragon kind. Their gullet burns with the intensity of a raging volcano, and when roused to wrath they incinerate their foes with jets of flame, or else tear them to shreds with their enormous claws and fangs.

Magma Dragon

This beautifully painted Magma Dragon was on display at Warhammer World. Alas no longer available from Forge World.

Download the Age of Sigmar rules for the Magma Dragon.

Forge World Ork Weapons

I have been digging through my workbench models and realised I had a fair few Forge World Ork Weapons.

This is the KillKannon, it fires either large bore frag rounds to use against enemy infantry, or a solid shell for destroying tanks.

I would usually paint this black and then drybrush, but I am now thinking I might more go along the same technique I used on my Ork Fight Bommer jet engine.

I have both volumes of the Forge World Masterclass books and they are a real inspiration and full of ideas and techniques for painting and weathering models. I wanted to try and emulate some of those techniques on the engine of the Ork Bommer.

I have been using a combination of inks and shades on a base coat of Bolt Gun Metal.

See the workbench feature on the Forgeworld Ork KilKannon.

I also have the Big Zzappa.

See the workbench feature on the Forgeworld Ork Big Zzappa.

I thought I had painted the Kannon, but then realised I had two, one which came with my Gunwagon.

See the workbench feature on the Forgeworld Ork Kannon.

I also found the Supa Kannon and the Flakk Gun  as well, but they are still in their plastic bags waiting to be constructed.

Crassus Armoured Assault Transport

This beautifully painted Forge World Crassus Armoured Assault Transport was on display at Warhammer World.

Crassus Armoured Assault Transport
Crassus Armoured Assault Transport at Warhammer World

This immense armoured carrier is named after one of Lord Solar Macharius’ greatest generals, Borgen Crassus, who remained steadfastly loyal to the Imperium throughout the grim and bloody Macharian Heresy that followed the Lord Solar’s death.

The vehicle can be retrofitted with additional weapons to undertake other battlefield roles as required.

I like the painting, and use of snow and weathering powders. Certainly this will influence some of my painting. This is why I take photographs of models like this, as it really helps to see how “experts” do this and inform your own practice.

Tallarn Stormsword at Warhammer World

The Stormsword super heavy tank is built specifically for sieges and street fighting. Whilst the Shadowsword excels at long range and the Baneblade is an ‘all rounder’ equally at home in the open fields or in street fighting, the Stormsword lends its weight and firepower to troops at close quarters

Tallarn Stormsword at Warhammer World
Tallarn Stormsword at Warhammer World

This is constructed from the plastic kit. Compare this one to the original Forge World resin kit (circa 2006).

The Stormsword super heavy tank is built specifically for sieges and street fighting. Whilst the Shadowsword excels at long range and the Baneblade is an 'all rounder' equally at home in the open fields or in street fighting, the Stormsword lends its weight and firepower to troops at close quarters.