Ultramarines Xiphon Pattern Interceptor

This Xiphon Pattern Interceptor flown by the Ultramarines was on display at Warhammer World.

Ultramarines Xiphon Pattern Interceptor

With unparalleled speed and manoeuvrability, the Xiphon pattern Interceptor saw increasing service in the Legiones Astartes during the dark days of the Horus Heresy. Based on ancient designs, the void and atmospheric craft carried heavy armaments into battle, allowing it to destroy both air and ground targets with apparent ease. Its pair of twin-linked lascannon and Xiphon rotary missile launcher combined with the Interceptor’s speed and agility to make it a deadly opponent from which the enemies of Mankind could not hide.

Xiphon Pattern Interceptor in the Miniatures Gallery

Ork Krooz Missilz

Decided that I would reboot a conversion idea I had for a 40K Ork Trukk with Krooz Missilz. Many years ago I made a simple conversion to create an Epic Ork Trukk with Krooz Missulz (aka an Orkish version of the Imperial Deathstrike Missile Launcher. The model was built using a Flakwagon base, a firing platform from a Pulsa Rokitt and the Krooz Missulz (using a 40k scale Fighta-Bommer Missile).

I had planned to make a 40K version of this rocket many years ago. However like many projects it got shelved and I never made much progress with it. Having found some of the parts I decided to restart the project. I am going to be using one of my unfinished Ork Trukk models as the platform for the rocket. The base for the missile part of the  model will be the fuel tank from a 1/300th Academy Space Shuttle model kit.

I wanted to Orkify the missile, so started to add details using spare parts from various kits and some plasticard and plastic struts.

I used some spare parts from the plastic Ork fighter bomma kit.

I used some slices of plastic rod to make rivets and bolts.

Here is the missile alongside an Imperial Army Guardsman to give you an idea of scale.

The next stage will be a white undercoat.

See the workbench feature on the Ork Trukk with Krooz Missilz.

“Original” Space Marine Whirlwind at Warhammer World

The Whirlwind is an Imperial artillery support vehicle based upon the Standard Template Construct (STC) Rhino armoured personnel carrier (APC) chassis that is now primarily used by the Space Marine Chapters of the Adeptus Astartes.

This is the kit version of the original Whirlwind artillery vehicle, based on the original Rhino kit. It was on display at Warhammer World.

"Original" Space Marine Whirlwind at Warhammer World

It comprised a plastic Rhino kit and metal components.

The original Whirlwind was a conversion using a slottabase and plasticard for the rocket launcher. This was published in the September 1989 issues of White Dwarf, #117.

Whirlwind

The Rhino APC is perhaps the most common vehicle in the Imperium. As a basic design in the STC system, it exists in thousands of variants, each of which can be considered a vehicle in its own right. Each different design is much more than a simple conversion of the standard Rhino; every one fulfills a different role, and is impossible to better. The Whirlwind is just one of these designs.

Here are the instructions, just in case you want to build your own. Continue reading ““Original” Space Marine Whirlwind at Warhammer World”

40K Ork Trukk with Krooz Missilz

Decided that I would reboot a conversion idea I had for a 40K Ork Trukk with Krooz Missilz.

Many years ago I made a simple conversion to create an Epic Ork Trukk with Krooz Missulz (aka an Orkish version of the Imperial Deathstrike Missile Launcher. The model is built using a Flakwagon base, a firing platform from a Pulsa Rokitt and the Krooz Missulz? Well it’s a 40k scale Fighta-Bommer Missile.

In the most recent versions of Warhammer 40K there are no models and no rules for this kind of weapon. However there were rules for Apocalypse some years ago for what looked like a Krooz Missilz, but was described as a Pulsa Rokkit.

The (scratchbuilt) model used for the data sheet was much larger than the original metal Pulsa Rokkits from an earlier edition of Warhammer 40K. Those metal ones were much more like the Epic version.

I had planned to make a 40K version of this rocket many years ago. However like many projects it got shelved and I never made much progress with it. Having found some of the parts I decided to restart the project.

I am going to be using one of my unfinished Ork Trukk models as the platform for the rocket.

The flatbed doesn’t have the sides, so can be used for this, or other Ork heavy weapons.

The base for the missile part of the  model will be the fuel tank from a 1/300th Academy Space Shuttle model kit.

In the kit, the rocket boosters were attached to the fuel tank. The rocket boosters were separated and will be used as different kinds of Ork rokkits. The fuel tank was then ready for conversion.

You can see how large the fuel tank is compared to the trukk.

I did though first, using a Grot Bomb Launcha firing frame, mock up the Ork Trukk with Krooz Missilz.

This was working for me. I wanted to Orkify the missile, so started to add details using spare parts from various kits and some plasticard and plastic struts.

Pleased with how it is looking, but the missile needs a lot more work.

Land Raider in the desert

Here is my Grey Knights Land Raider in the desert.

Land Raider

Originally planned to be a Grey Knights Land Raider, despite the iconography, I decided I would paint it as an Imperial Fists Land Raider

Land Raider

I used the same paint scheme I had used on my Deimos Pattern  Rhino. Originally for the basecoat I used Tausept Ochre. After retreiving the model from storage, the first thing I did was spray the underneath of the model with Citadel Zandri Dust. I gave the model a couple of light sprays of Army Painter Daemonic Yellow. I painted the weapon sub-assemblies. added detailing and painted the iconography. Then using various Citadel shades I washed and shaded the model. 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.  The tracks for the Land Raider were painted, and the iconography was completed with washes and highlights. The finished tracks were then glued to the Land Raider with superglue.

See the full  workbench feature on the Land Raider.

Razorback in the desert

One model I got many years ago, well in 2006, was a Forgeworld Razorback the one with the much bigger turret, which I much prefer over the plastic kit version that you could get in the shops back then. I recently retrieved it from storage and decided that I would try and finish painting it.

I took some photographs of the Razorback on my desert scenery tile.

There is still some work to do with this model, but I am pleased I have made progress and nearly finished it.

I like how the Inquisitorial iconography has turned out on the model.

It’s a pity that, that range has been retired. I found some more resin purity seals and a spare Rhino frontal armour plate in one of my bits box.

See the workbench feature on the Razorback.

Inquisitorial Stormtroopers Repressor Transport

The Repressor tank is often used by Sisters of Battle as transport, and by the Adeptus Arbites in an anti insurgency role. I started building and painting this model back in 2007, I recently retrieved it from storage and decided that I would try and finish painting it. I realised I had made quite significant progress and it wouldn’t take too long to finish it off.

Having sprayed the model with Citadel Zandri Dust over the existing Tausept Ochre base coat and black undercoat, I started the detailing, using Leadbelcher on the weapons and the exhausts. The next step was painting the iconography and purity seals. I then gave the model a wash using Citadel shades. I then did some additional shading using different shades. The next stage was some drybrushing, for this I used Citadel Zandri Dust. I also took the time to brighten up the purity seals and other iconography after it was dulled down by the shades and washes. I added the tracks.

There is still some work to do with this model, but I am pleased I have made progress and nearly finished it.

See the workbench feature on the Inquisitorial Stormtroopers Repressor Transport.

Ork Wartrakks in the desert

Wartrakks are Ork tracked vehicles that are modified off the versatile warbuggy design by Mekboyz. Essentially a Warbuggy mounted upon a sturdy track unit, a Wartrakk sacrifices its speed for the ability to traverse rough terrain such as a ruined city and deliver heavier firepower. Wartrakks wield either a twin-linked Big Shoota or Rokkit Launcha.

This model was originally designed for Gorkamorka, and then became part of Warhammer 40K with Codex Orks.

I have added an Ork glyph to the frontal armour plate.

See the workbench feature on this Wartrakk.

There were at the time some Forge World conversion kits, including this lovely little fuel bowser.

There isn’t a similar model in the current range, which is a pity.

See the workbench feature on this Aircraft Traktor and Launch Trolley.

No I did not order Leviathan

Leviathan

So today was pre-order today for the new edition of Warhammer. The boxed set Leviathan was on sale.

If you’re looking to plunge headfirst into the new edition of Warhammer 40,000, look no further than this glorious boxed set. Warhammer 40,000: Leviathan comes complete with two powerful armies of spectacular new miniatures, pitting a force of mighty Space Marines against an unending xenos swarm of Tyranids against the backdrop of the Fourth Tyrannic War. The set also includes an exclusive rulebook, which delves into the game’s grimdark, futuristic setting and provides a full set of rules for playing thrilling games with your Citadel miniatures.

I did notice that my FLGS stock with 20% off, sold out within five minutes, and initially there was a one hour queue for the main Games Workshop site.

Now over twelve hours later, Leviathan is still available to order on the main Workshop site. Games Workshop have obviously learnt their lessons from previous releases. So if you want a copy you can still get one.

Despite the FOMO (fear of missing out) I decided that I would not order a copy. I think it would just be a large pile of plastic that would never get painted. I know I have been painting some Space Marine vehicles recently, and I did  quite like the Tyranid miniatures, I knew I would probably never get around to painting them. I might get the rules later on, but I didn’t respond to the hype and I don’t feel bad at not pre-ordering a box.

So did you pre-order Leviathan?