Revisiting the Kil Krusha Tank

The Ork Kil Krusha Tank from Forge World was released back in 2009. This was of the first Forge World ork models when I went “wow”. It was released a fair few years ago and sadly is no longer available.

Kill Krushas are a heavy Ork tank design, based around the twin Ork loves of speed and extreme violence. These ‘mirakles’ of Orkish mekboy fabrication are alarmingly complex creations, high-sided and heavily armoured, whose internal spaces are filled with a mass of hydraulics, pistons, mechanised loader-gubbins and a very large and extremely temperamental engines. These are all tended by the frantic ministrations of numerous Grots who keep the rattling monster tank going with constant hammer blows, polishing and judicious application of oiler squigs. The tank’s main gun is its Krusha Kannon; a heavy bore, high velocity weapon capable of firing a variety of different shells. As well as standard explosive rounds, the Krusha Kannon can use armour-piecing ‘Tankhammas,’ shrapnel-filled ‘Scrap Kanisters’ able to rip open swathes of enemy infantry and incendiary ‘Blast Burnas’ which can drench fortifications with burning chemicals to roast alive anyone caught inside.

The model is a realisation of the many different concept images that Forge World produced for Ork tanks at the time.

I got one of them back in 2010 or thereabouts. I did construct it and undercoat it. I realised recently that since I undercoated it, it has spent way too long on the workbench… well in storage and I really should start thinking about getting it painted and finished. They key for me is to not only give it a paintjob worthy of the model, but also one that isn’t going to take all my time and forever to get done.

I am thinking if I should deconstruct the model to make it easier to paint the hull and the tracks.

Well better find it, I know it’s in a box somewhere.

Workbench feature on my Kil Krusha.

Ork Kil Krusha Tank

Ork Kil Krusha Tank

This model from Forge World is one of my favourite Ork models they have made. I realised recently that since I undercoated it, it has spent way too long on the workbench… well in storage and I really should start thinking about getting it painted and finished.

They key for me is to not only give it a paintjob worthy of the model, but also one that isn’t going to take all my time and forever to get done.

I don’t want to go down the “black” armour route, likewise I am not sure if I want it red either! I might consider doing something similar to the brown-orange look I have done with the Fighter Bommer.

As for the engines, my usual method with Ork vehicles is to paint them black and then drybrush with Tin Bitz and Boltgun Metal. I might try a different method, one that I first tried on my Victorian Science Fiction Tunneller, where I gave the metal parts a basecoat of Boltgun Metal, then washing it with Citadel Shade: Nuln Oil. If I go down this road, then I will ensure that the Ork engines are a lot more dirty and rusty. As well as using shades, washes, I have a few of the Forge World weathering powders somewhere and this might be an ideal opportunity to use them. Of course if I use weathering powders then I will need a method for sealing them in. This is not one of my strongpoints, as I rarely varnish my models.

The next stage will be to remember which box I put it in…

See the full workbench feature on the Ork Kil Krusha.

Forge World Ork Kil Krusha

Having finished the undercoat on the  Kil Krusha I started to paint it. I gave the internals of the turret a spray of battleship grey. I gave the main weapon a spray of grey.

It does need a second coat, but better two thin coats than one thick one!

I also sprayed the internals of the tank with the grey spray.

There was some overspray, but not a huge amount.

See the full workbench feature on the Ork Kil Krusha.

Making more of the Ork Kil Krusha

The next stage in making the Ork Kil Krusha was adding the drive shafts to each side. This is quite a complicated part of the model and it’s worth taking the time with a couple of dry runs before gluing them into place.

The model is now completed and just needs a white undercoat.

Front and back views.

See the full workbench feature on the Ork Kil Krusha.

Kil Krusha Turret

The Kil Krusha turret goes together quite easily. After putting it together, I added a few more details to the main weapon and turret.

Though I am less sure about how easy it will be to paint!

There is lots of lovely detail in this turret assembly, alas most of it won’t be seen as it will be covered by the top of the turret and the rear of the superstructure.

The secondary turret also had the final pieces added to it including the periscope.

See the full workbench feature on the Ork Kil Krusha.

Ork Kil Krusha Tracks

The Ork Kil Krusha from Forge World has a somewhat complicated track arrangements, however it is simplified somewhat by using large pieces for the tracks rather than lots of individual links.

The suspension looks quite complicated, but thanks to the clear instructions it was quite easy to fit it all together.

The tracks unlike the Big Trakk are only in four pieces, two of which lie on the bottom under the wheels.

The tracks do need to be fixed more securely to the leading and trailing wheels.

It was clear that the driving wheel would need to be placed carefully to ensure a snug fit for the tracks.

See the full workbench feature on the Ork Kil Krusha.