Deathwatch Rhinoback (Part 3)

 The Rhinoback is now done! Let's review it from all the different angles: 

It was an easy and fairly straightforward thing to paint. I added some random silver flecks on some of the corners, as depicted on the box photo, to represent scarring and scratches. 

 I added the radar dish to the back as I wanted it to be a permanent feature on this tank. The scroll on the back door is blank in this photo but it now says 'Purge or Bust'. I think that may be this vehicle's informal name. 

The fuel cans and tool box was also kept simple but I used colors on them that don't appear anywhere else on this model so that they stick out a bit more. 

It's an interesting, but absolutely useless, detail to have this blast shield able to rise up and reveal two windows. I painted them anyway because it never fails that someone would check that and call me out on it at the game store the first time i take this thing in for a game. 

I am keeping the Heavy Bolter and the Las Cannons loose so they can swivel and be interchangeable. 

And I can also use duel storm bolters even though they fit awkwardly together. But it'll work just fine for game play.

The gunner was a bit of a conundrum as I was unsure which chapter I wanted to go with. I knew I wanted something I hadn't done before and I threw out to rabble to pick one of Cheef's gazillion chapters and the only response was from Cheef himself suggesting Rainbow Warriors. Which I seriously did look into running with but...

 ...I decided instead to go with something I could use a skull decal with. A much easier way to go than trying to hand draw the Rainbow Warriors chapter badge. After searching various tomes and websites I settled on The Emperor's Swords. An easy (-ish) design to work with and they have a very weird history (-ies?).  Who knows, perhaps this guy is the sole survivor of this Chapter? 

And that's a wrap for this project, now to figure out how and when to get this onto a tabletop... 

Deathwatch Rhinoback (Part 2)

 Just a quick update this week. Since the first post I have modeled up a few more options and primed the model. Being a Deathwatch tank, heck, a black prime damn near completes it!   

I like running Rhinos with two storm bolters and it was really bugging me that I didn't have an option for a second storm bolter.  So I gave in and built a guy manning one. It's not a perfect fit, but it fits nevertheless. Plus I thought it would be neat to have a gunner up there. What chapter will he be from is still something I have yet to decide. Maybe I will randomly pick one of Cheef's Chapters? 

If you look to the rear you'll see that I added a radar dish; I just thought it looked interesting back there.

So, that's all for now. Next will come the basecoats and the rest of the proper painting. 

Deathwatch Rhinoback (Part 1)

 It's actually a Rhino and a Razorback (I was being cute with the names on the title). Sorta. You see I am buying this thing so that I can use this vehicle for either a Rhino or a Razorback by simply swapping out the back hatch for the twin linked heavy weapon base. 

Rhino. 

I bought this thing for a 'Tanksgiving challenge' (i.e. paint a tank in November) but there was no way the events in my life would let that happen. So instead I decided to kick off the New Year with it.  I haven't built this version of the Rhino before. Yeah, I know it's been around for over 20 years now, but I haven't had a need for the "new" version until now. I have quite a few of the old ones however, and I think they do the job just fine. I have never built a Razorback before in any version, so I decided to make this into one. But I am really enjoying this kit so far and it's been a fun highlight to this whole Deathwatch project. 

Bound up and wound up so tight.

I built this in slow stages, using rubber bands to apply pressure so that the glue can bound better and reduce gaps. I get a kick out of models with interior details and this kit was no exception. Although I wonder how tore up that console is going to get by the bulky armored Marines scrapping past it when it uses the right-side door. It could also explain all the marines that died in previous editions who couldn't get out fast enough when their vehicle exploded...

How obstructed is that door?

The console itself was a lot of fun, I just painted the screens with White Scar and then applied a few washes of Tesseract Glow over that.  

Hatch view of the interior.

The interior was spray painted with a brown color. I dry brushed a metallic over tthe flor and batch for the final look. It leaves those areas looking a bit weathered or dirty which I think works well. The walls were done using a leather brown color and dried brushed with a sand stone. Again, it looks rough, worn and dirty, which I expect a well used APC to be.

Sandstone colored walls.

Here you can see the interior is done. I don't see any point in detailing this any further as anyone seeing this is only going to get a fleeting glance of it when the rear hatch is opened. But I enjoy a level of satisfaction just knowing that it's there. 

But before I moved on, I just had to add a bit of graffiti...

It's not advice, it's a proven tactic! 

After this, the assembly continued. The top hull was attached and again I employed rubberbands to secure the tightest bond.

 

It was at this point I decided to make it so that I could switch out between a Razorback and a Rhino. And I am building it so I have the option to use, or not use, a Hunterkiller Missile, Stormbolter, a searchlight* or just an empty spot in case there is no points available for the nifty extras.. The top hatches just fit right on, and I am not even going to bother with magnets. 

Options are awesome.

Next I will build the Razorback weapons before moving on to the rest of the painting.

*I come from a time when these were seriously relevant.