Exterminator Weathering Repaint

As mentioned in my previous post I decided to try out the so called "Salt technique" to weathering.  Now in almost every How-To I could find your supposed to wash off the Salt with water.  Seeing that my Exterminator is made from Cereal box that wasn't exactly an option.  Instead I had to deal with brushing the salt off with a stiff brush and gently with a plastic sculpting  knife.  Here's a close up of the end result.

Now as you can see it wasn't the best of clean up jobs, but it got the job done.  I have sense gone back and touched up the couple of white spots but others I've left.  I figure once I go back and use weathering powders many of those spots and blemishes will blend away.

Overall, for the first try I don't think it turned out that bad.  I learned a bit in the process and will need to remember to not use so much Hairspray next time, as well as spraying a lighter coat of brown.  In the picture above the line from where the tape was is quite visible.  :)

More to follow... as time allows...

Adventures in using an Air Brush.

Well I had some time today to get out the Air brush and I started adding on the next color.  I have to admit taping off the new Camo design took more time than actually painting the model.  I'm pleased with the results, but learned a bit while I was at it. 

Some of you have noticed a few runs and smudges were I applied to much paint and where I didn't get get the tape pressed tight enough on the model...  It's important to take your time when taping everything off because the tape really does need to sealed good.  If not the paint will get underneath and you'll have to touche it up later. 

Next up removing the salt and starting on the a few more minor details before moving onto the weathering.

Exterminator Update (6)

  

Hello Imperial Citizens, contrary to popular belief the 313th and Battle Group 82 have not been laid to rest.  They are simple in transit to a new warzone..   Meaning that a new baby and a new job have been made a much larger dent in my freetime than I had hopped...  

But, I've got a kitchen pass for next week friday so'll be heading over to the local gaming club on friday after work.  If your ever in the Germany/Bielefeld area come check them out GT-Battlezone link ->

In the mean time here a few shots of the last project I started.   My Exterminators!!  This is the squadron command tank, and the first that's received paint.   I'm sure those of you with a skilled eye will notice failures, but keep in mind these are still WIP so I'm hoping to fix things up along the way.  Never the less if you see a spot I missed feel free to let me know.

Well It's back to the baby station, I wish it was the paint station, but my allotted Hobby time doesn't come till later today.

Exterminator Update 5 (Fluff)

 Vet. Sgt. Knebel leading his Exterminator into battle


Vergnitz IV Exterminator (Pattern III Ausf. C)

Models: Patterns II and III
Forge World: Vergnitz IV
Weight: 60 Tonnes
Length: 7.10 m
Height: 4.1 m
Armour:  100-150mm
                50mm Sideskirts (Ausf. C)
Crew:  5 (commander, gunner, loader, driver, machine-gunner)
Armament:  1 x PbM.34 Pattern Autocannon, 1 x hull-mounted heavy bolter
Ammunition: 360 Rounds,

This locally produced pattern of Exterminator is typical of the Vallivar system.  The original tank (Pattern II) was largely replaced by Pattern III in M35.  The Pattern III incorporated a new Autocannon and targeting system.  It's higher muzzle velocity,  larger caliber and faster rate of fire than the standard Autocannon gives it the same capabilities but lowers the weight of the tank.

The tanks largest draw back is it's armor, in that where the standard Leman Russ has up to 200mm of armor the Vergnitz IV Exterminator has only 150mm. For this reason this tank is used almost exclusively by the Vallivar system's PDF.  When seen in the service of the Imperial guard it is typically upgraded with bolt on armor to the front and armoured sideskirts.  With these additions it equals the armor of a Leman Russ.

Exterminator Update pt. 4

Had a bit of time (a lot) so as you can see from the pics I got a lot done. Did the rivets, base coats, sealed, GS fixes, damage, and started on the detailing/weathering process... The sides are quite plain and will stay that way. To be honest I figured as long as they're going to be covered up by the side skirts there's no need to make them overly detailed. 

 There's still a ton of work to be done with the weathering and detailing.  More paint chips and wear and tear, along with a coat of Codex Grey, and eventually a black Camo pattern, although the pattern on these are going to differ from the tanks I've already done.

 and here's the side skirts

Exterminator Update (3)

Well there we have it, the masses (all 18 of you) have voted and the hatch is going to be slightly offset as seen in the photos above and below.   Along side you can see that I've started the detailing.  Little things like the sideskirts, headlights, hand grips and rivets, and rivets and yet more rivets to come.  

 

  Once I've got all the rivets in place I'll seal the models with at least 2 coats of Testors clear coat.  After that I'll green stuff the mistakes.   When working with paper and GS I've found that when sanding down the GS it will ruin the paper.  To help keep this from happening I coat everything in at least 2 coats of clear coat first, then apply the GS and then sand it down.  This way you sand down the GS even with the clear coat instead of wrecking the paper.

  After that's done move on to base coating and painting like normal.

Exterminator Update

 Here's an updated pic of the Vergnitz IV pattern Exterminator.  I haven't really worked on them to much as I'm STILL waiting on bitz...  :(  (see below) I did a quick mock-up of the how the sideskirts will look, with more detail in the finished product of course.   Added some vision slits to the side of the turret, and that about it.  Of course the other 2 now look exactly like this one only without the main gun.  For those of you who haven't voted in the poll look to the right and have a vote.  I'm trying to determine where the best location for the turret hatch to be placed.

[/post]

** If you don't want to read the rant stop here and vote before you leave.

[rant]
Why the hell does it take so long for some bitz companies to ship their orders, and whatever happened to timeliness?  I ordered bitz for this project from 3 different companies, I prefer to use one, but when NOBODY has all the parts I need in stock than you do whatcha gotta do.   The thing is though is that 2 of the companies have at least shipped my orders, and I know it takes up to 2 weeks to get to Germany even though England is a stone throws away.  I mean post from the states gets here faster than from England....   The 3rd company (also outa the UK) hasn't even acknowledged my order, even though they took my money.  So I guess I'll wait a few more days than try contacting them again, before going through my credit card to get my money back. 
[/rant]

Poll Time (Exterminator Turret)

Alright everyone.  I need your help in determining which of the three options I should go with for the turret hatch on my Exterminators. 

Your choices are :

Option A: Center

Option B: Slightly Offset

Option C: Completely Offset

I'll leave the poll up for a week (until next week Friday) and see what everyone else thinks.  The poll is open to the right so vote away!!!

Exterminator Squadron

Well I just can't bring myself to paint the Warhound starring at me, so I decided to build a couple of tanks.  Basically I'm just using some old Rhino hulls I had sitting around and cover them up, using German WW2 tanks as inspiration.

 

They're going to be locally made Exterminators, produced on Vergnitz IV (my fluff Forgeworld).  Technically lighter armored but through the use of bolt on armor and sideskirts they'll meet the codex rules.

I'm thinking of copying the Pz III turret but making to barrels. Then once it's done, I'll add the sideskirts on the tracks and turret.