Epic Imperial Guard Leman Russ

One of my favourite models…

The Epic40K Leman Russ is one of my favourite epic scale models, the level of detail and “realism” is superb. I actually prefer this version to the Forgeworld version which is relatively unique as with virtually every other model my preference is for the Forgeworld versions.

This picture was taken with a Canon EOS 300D on a “normal” setting, and as you can see the aperture was too open and thus you get the blurry effect. If I had closed the aperture to get a sharper depth of field then the shutter speed would probably have been around five or ten seconds which would mean use a tripod. My old Sony Cybershot (old it’s only three years old) can probably take a better photograph.

However the Canon is a six mega-pixel camera (compared to the Sony’s three) means better quality images especially for printing and cropping.

Imperial Guard Tank Landing Craft

Epic conversion using the Airfix LCVP kit…

I have always had a fondness for the concept of small craft naval actions in Epic, reminiscent of the brown water forces of the Vietnam War.

I have just purchased a 1/72nd Airfix kit of the WWII LCVP Landing Craft.

1/72nd Airfix kit of the WWII LCVP Landing Craft

I didn’t know this kit existed until recently when I saw it as part of a larger D-Day boxed set. I knew Airfix had made a tank landing craft in the past (which came with a Sherman tank and is still available (and was also in the D-Day boxed set)) but always thought it was too big for converting into an Epic size vessel.

This infantry landing craft is as you might expect much smaller and therefore makes it ideal conversion material.

1/72nd Airfix kit of the WWII LCVP Landing Craft

The kit is pretty good in that it also contains components to make beach obstacles.

It is a full hull kit, so I will probably need to sand the base down a little to make it a waterline kit.

The real task will be epicising the model to make it look similar to the Epic models and less a 1/72nd kit. For this I will use plastic strip and lots of bits from Epic models such as Hydra turrets.

Forge World Ork Bommer Bitz

What you get in the little bag…

Here is a picture of the component parts of the Forgeworld Ork Bommer.

The main fiddly bit looks like will be the bomb load.

They are very detailed models and I am very impressed with the casting and the quality of the models.

These will make a fine addition to my Ork Airfield Defence Force and I am now very tempted to get some of the FW Ork Fighters as well.

Comparative Picture – how big are those Forgeworld flyers…

The following photograph gives you some idea of the comparative size between the Forgeworld Ork flyers and the original Epic 40K versions.

As you can see the Forgeworld model (even without the wings or tail) is substantially larger than the Epic 40K model.

I much prefer the more in-scale version, though I was quite the fan of the Epic40K models.

Favourite and least favourite models

On the EpiComm forums, one question asked was which are your favourite and which are your least favourite.

Here are my choices…

Favourite:
Infantry trooper – IG Codex Grey Infantry.
Light Vehicle – Ork Wartrakk (Epic40k version) though the metal Space Marine bike from SM1 was a close second, it’s probably as I have used the Wartrakk more in games.

Standard Tank – Leman Russ (Epic40K version), this was a difficult choice as I also really like the Epic40K Space Marine Vindicator and the Ork Bowelburna, Lungbursta were also in the running.

Super Heavy – Capitol Imperialis is I guess my fave, but I also like the E40K Imperial SHTs and Ork Battlefortresses

Fliers – Currently the E40K Ork Fighter Bomber, but I have some Forgeworld flyers in the post and I have yet to see the Landa in the flesh so this will probably change…

Titan (type and class) – Ork Great Gargant version 1 (all metal version from Space Marine)

Least favourite:
Infantry trooper – standard Ork Boyz, it’s just okay when it could have been so much improved for both E40K and EA, I am also not as fan of the Shooty Boyz.
Light Vehicle – Ork Plastic Buggy – ugh when I first saw it I didn’t realise it was a buggy, and was very disappointed with it!
Standard Tank – SM2 Vindicator, it’s just awful, no debate, just awful!
Super Heavy – Leviathan – was always way out of scale and never seemed to fit in with other models
Flier – Space Marine Thunderhawk (all versions but the first version was particularly awful)
Titan (type and class) – Mega-Gargant, though the Imperator Titan was a close second.