Awesome Foursome - Part 2

So here we have the final two Revenants of the four Forgeworld versions. These were originally posed pretty dynamically and reposed there after. I'd normally put more words around the story of these two, however its been a busy couple of weeks :) enjoy!

Edit: So there has been a bit of controversy over the arrangement of the Revenant Titan shoulder turbines. These suckers were originally depicted in the concept sketches as being able to pivot to shift direction and rapidly maneuver the Revenant as it is described in the "fluff" as the most agile of all known Titan class War Machines. At first it may be a bit disconcerting due the very abundant use of static poses out there. However these Revenants were built to convey a nimble/straffing/dodging stance as eluded to by Games Workshop. Understandably they will not be to everyone's taste, however what is life without a little spice eh?

Awesome Foursome - Forgeworld Revenants (Update)

Well folks, in the next couple of weeks we should be seeing the first four Titans finished off, with the base colours having been put down, bases sorted out and all things zipping along nicely. Complementing this development will be 120 Storm Guardians, ready for mass blob mobilisation. Good times.

Stay tuned, there should be some very interesting developments in the next couple of weeks to a month. For those of you in the USA, Happy Halloween ;)

WIP Roundup - Autarchs to War Machines

Just a quick update on the WIP front folks. So far i've heard back from Matt, Vincent and Steve... with many pretty photos to get the drooling well on its way.

First up, Matt has been working on the air wing (16 of 20 small aircraft), along with a WIP Wraithknight and Wraithlord - given they're next up on the agenda. Each has its own drilled base, coloured as per the theme table scheme to blend in just nicely.

Secondly, we have Vincent's work on the Russian Jetbikes (one Farseer and three Autarchs), all with nebula themes... purty. Me likey.

And finally, Steve has come back with WIP images of the first two Revenant Titans. These puppies are getting a very scorpion/desertesque treatment... the kind of nightmare that bashes up from under the sand to unleash all kinds of hell... shit will get real.

I'll leave it there for now, lets just say i'm a very happy camper for a Monday. Stay tuned for the finished results ;)

100th Post - First Eldar Titan Wave, Lords of War

Well, finally made it to the 100th post for this project blog! And what a way to lay down the smack ;)

Steve has just sent me a photo of the first batch of Titans all posed, ready to kick arse and take names. I'm told they've been base coated already, however the photos were sent pre-paint to show the detail and pose a little better. Yes that is a Hell Turkey having its brains blown out by a Distort Cannon (the cinematic for which is to be modeled), and the second Phantom is of course the one in the previous post making a nice cheese spread out of a Chaos Land Raider. Ahhhhhh.

Each of the Revenants are all looking spry as a nimble annoying Warmachine should - paired off as guards to each Phantom (yes there are another two of the Armorcast variety for the Warlock class Phantom Titan to come). Anyway, i'll bugger off and leave you with the pretties!

All your base are belong to us - Scenic bases

Since this whole project started, many different scenic resin bases have been in my sights to amplify the visual appeal of these awesome Eldar miniatures. I thought it was well due for a showcase of what has been used and where - just in case anyone out there is currently going through the same process of scenic base selection themselves!

Dragon Forge - USA based, I purchased three of the large 200x155mm slate wasteland resin bases for use on the Vampire class super heavy flyers. It was heavy and thick enough to drill and insert a decent flight stand to handle the weight of a Vampire, not to mention it sat nicely with the aesthetic of the planetscape currently being developed.

Ironhalo.net - A New Zealand company with a nice array of 150mm round bases, three different types were bought for mounting Revenant Titans and potentially Armorcast Towering Knight Destroyers. A mix of Alpine Crags, Desert Mesa and Valhalla were picked up, also keeping in theme with the other scenic bases. These weren't as thick as the Dragon Forge types, however still gave enough all round surface contact to keep a (small) Titan from tipping.

Secret Weapon Miniatures - Another well known USA based resin scenic company, I chose these guys for their varied assortment of 120x95mm oval flyer bases - each keeping in tune with the planetscape theme. As I had 20 flyers requiring mounting, each were purchased with a 5" flight stand and widget (available at a small added cost).

Bases 4 War - Based in the UK, these guys make some badarse Eldar themed bases. I had originally wanted to go the path of using these to base most of the Warhost, however the planetscape made it a little hard to justify for my purposes. While i've not yet purchased the Wraithlands scenic bases, I have plans on picking up a batch of the 40mm/60mm/120x95mm Oval types for my Wraithlords and Wraithknights in the very near future.

Titans - Six of one, half a dozen of the other

If I ever win the lottery, remind me to send Steve a cut. Spent a few hours cutting excess resin chunks from six Titans (two Phantoms and four Revenants - suddenly the old Armorcast ones seem more appealing).

While there is a second batch of Titans to go (Phantom/Warlock, Revenant, Towering Knight Destroyers, etc) which will be significantly easier to build, these guys are next in line to get a fantastic paint job from Steve at Third Fate Creations.

Each Phantom has its own pair of twin Revenants, so all up three Phantoms, one being a Warlock class, and six Revenants... Pulsar, Sonic Lance variants included. Speaking of Pulsars... if you ever wondered why you can't hide from a Revenant, its because they can shoot around corners.

I'm also starting to wonder if it would be cost effective for Forge World to cut the excess resin off and re-use it. Given the stuff I cut off amounted to half the weight and reduced the bag size by almost half.

I might also add these guys are going over with a Land Raider and Predator to be appropriately demolished as scenic bases... now if only I could find a second hand Brass Scorpion.

A New Artist Emerges - The Titan Host & Thundering Skies

After 12 hours worth of discussion, idea pitching and general all round craziness, a new artist joins the fold - This time to tackle the big boys of the battlefield.

Steve, from Third Fate Creations, has been locked in and taken up the torch in a bid to bring some insane airbrushing techniques to the Warhost. So what's the list you ask? See below;

1x Armorcast Phantom Titan - To be built as a Warlock Class Battle Titan
2x Forgeworld Phantom Titans - The twin bodyguards of the ancient and revered Warlock
4x Forgeworld Revenant Titans - Two of each type, in paired formations
1x Armorcast Revenant Titan - Stumpy needs some love too (he was my first titan!)
2x Towering Destroyer Knights - To compliment the Rogue Trader Eldar (stay tuned...)

1x Vampire Hunter Super Heavy Flyer - An escort for...
2x Vampire Raider Super Heavy Flyers - The kind that make Magpies look insignificant

All up, eight titans, two knights and three super heavy flyers. No small task, sure, but one hell of a detachment when completed.

To give you an idea of the level of awesome Steve brings to the table, here are some of his amazing works of art;

* Fingers crossed Steve is ok with me posting these here! :)

Stay tuned, there's bound to be some pretty awesome WIP shots as this project gains momentum in the coming months.

... And the winners are! (Titan Scenic Base)...

Leading the tally for the Titan scenic base wreckage is the Chaos Thunderhawk Gunship, closely followed by the Brass Scorpion.

 So where too from here? Well, for one I now have to order them over the next couple of months in prep for January/February when the first of the Phantom Titans begin work.

At present, Luke from The Sound of Machines is currently working on one of my Phoenix Bombers to see what can be done paint wise and how the scheme may work. Once that has been sorted out, i'll be able to shoot over part of the wrecked Thunderhawk Gunship, which hopefully will be in my possession by then.

The idea i've been mulling over is breaking the Thunderhawk into two pieces, so the front end is used on one base, and the rear on another. I think a couple of Fire Dragons and perhaps an Autarch nearby would work well. I'm pretty much sold on the Armorcast cinematic effects for the Exarch's Dragon Breath Flamer bellowing into the torn opening of the Thunderhawk... for a Sunday roasting of sorts.

Now, which Chaos brass to purchase for "Chaos'ing" up the Thunderhawk... may need another poll.

... Dilema - Titan Scenic Base...

Given the first of eight Titans begins construction in November over at The Sound of Machines, it got me thinking about what to do regarding scenic bases for such grand Warmachines.

I've decided that each should have their own somewhat unique base, with the natural choices being of the following races;

*Note: All images below are copyright of Games Workshop and Forgeworld respectively. They are only shown here for illustrative purposes to assist with visualising how they may look torn asunder at the base of an Eldar Titan ;)

1. Chaos - Reaver (or Warhound) Titan parts scattered on the base, Brass Scorpion STOMPED into the ground.

2. Necrons - Monolith or Tesseract sliced apart, Pylon cleaved in two.

3. Nids - Heirophant mulched into the ground

4. Imperial Armour Super Heavy Tanks - Sliced and diced... but which one?

5. Imperial/Chaos Thunderhawk - You get the gist...

... Clash of the Titans...

It all began with the company Armorcast. Yes those lovely lads who decided to take Epic scale Titans and bring them into the 28mm scale, just for a laugh.

During my weekend web browsing adventures at my fathers office (I didn't have Internet at home you see, yes Australia is a tad piss weak in that regard), hording articles on Eldar tactics, builds etc, I came across Armorcast's website. To me, I had hit paydirt. Very few people in Australia, let alone the local gaming circles had heard of this bunch - nor could they afford the pretties.

Needless to say, I had to have them. My Aunt (who was the only one that could identify with my obsession - hell she was hooked on Vintage dolls), saw the glee in my eyes, stating if I got good marks that year, i'd find myself in the good company of a Revenant Scout Class Titan.

Sadly, it was also the year I discovered girls - more the point, girls with boobs. My chances of owning one were now scattered to the winds.

Adding insult to injury, Armorcast were given the pimp slap by Games Workshop, who they were operating under license via, which ultimately mean't that in 1998 they could no longer sell such delights. I was crushed.

Fast forward five years...

Now I was somewhat gainfully employed, or at least had a few dollars to burn. The website "Bartertown.org", had been found in my travels for cheap miniatures.

Low and behold, I did find the Revenant Titan I had so longed for. And it wasn't much more than the original asking price! So after sending a mail order overseas, waiting a month and trying not to wet myself in anticipation - it finally arrived. Yet, did it sate my hunger? No, not really no. If anything it made things worse.

...

Rewind to 2001. Around this time, another company sprung up (as a branch of Games Workshop). Forge World had been thrust into the spotlight with the Eldar Scorpion Super Heavy Grav Tank debuting in a December edition of White Dwarf. Again, the timing couldn't have been more perfect. December was always full of funds from loving family members. Normally, I wouldn't have been able to justify the $300AUD price tag on this monster, however I had just spent two weeks (some of which hospitalised) with a combined case of Glandular fever and tonsillitis. 

I badly needed a "pick me up" given I was so weak from not being able to eat that I needed assistance to get out of bed.

When the Scorpion arrived, it certainly did give me a lift, except for the fact one engine was bigger than the other and the fins had all been busted to hell in transit. Seriously, the engine on one side stuck out 2mm past the rear of the hull. I still have the tank, but the runabout GW gave me had me ready to throw the thing through their shop window.

---

Fast forward to 2003ish. With the Super Heavies now starting to look a little in the minority amongst a rapidly growing Craftworld force, I felt they needed a friend. In the form of a Phantom Battle Class Titan.

After posting on Bartertown.org (now .com), a VERY generous Canadian sent me a message stating he had one, mint in box that was ready to part ways. The real kicker is he only wanted what he paid for it. My head swam in disbelief - A mint condition Phantom Titan for a cool $180USD. The shipping kicked my arse a bit, and it did take almost two months to arrive - but by god was it worth it.

This newly acquired tower of destruction was the envy of my friends - and certainly saw a few mouths drop to the floor. Now the proud owner of three Super Heavies, I was on the path to something.