EPIALES (Wh40K) tank

Joined
May 15, 2013
Messages
281
Hi all,

as mentioned in the diorama post I have to gain a bit of distance from the "Raiders of the Lost Light" diorama, to be able to judge it more objectively and see what still needs to be done.
But being idle is dangerous to me.
So I had to fill the void - immediately! :)

My wife was on a trip over the weekend, so I had plenty of time.
I knew I wanted to do another vehicle - most likely based on the POLEMOS ("Ghosts in the Rubble") - and I have an scenic idea in the back of my head... but it isn't clear enough to phrase it out.

I know some of you will hate me for the aparent speed with which I did this - but keep in mind, my wife was gone, so I had a lot of time, and it is based on an existing vehicle :)

While thinking of the project, I remembered this base I created a few years ago for an Inquisitor scene that never made it.
Hmm, rather small. But the POLEMOS isn't very big either.
773795_sm-PONOS%20on%20base.jpg

So I decided to give it a try. As said, the POLEMOS will be the base. So I dug out the old plans and measurements and started drawing and cutting.
And here is the base hull
773796_sm-a%20new%20hull.jpg

One thing I decided early was that I didn't want to delve into casting again.
Luckily a follower of my blog (who wants to remain anonymous) did send me a few things, including an old Trumpeter T-55 kit.
I always loved the T-55, it's such an iconic tank and a real warhorse.
So, instead of re-casting the POLEMOS wheels and tracks, I decided to use the T-55 wheels and tracks.
The hull was originally designed for 4 (larger) POLEMOS wheels, but has just enough room for the 5 T-55 wheels.
773797_sm-T-55%20wheels.jpg

I think they are a great match ;)
773798_sm-Epiales%20with%20T-55%20wheels.jpg

With that decided; I finished up the body work.
But I still wasn't 100% sure what kind of vehicle it would be. After some brainstorming with my scene idea, I fancied a "Combat Engineer Vehicle".
So definitely a tank sized turret.
Did I mention I hate turrets?
I mean I really love them, but designing them myself is a bummer. Especially since I tend to make them way too complicated...
But, without hesitation I started to build the turret base. Mounted a demolition-capable main gun, and was strongly disappointed...
It looks like a KV-2 turret.
773799_sm-KV-2%20turret.jpg

Not really what I wanted.
So I started anew. The base is pretty much the same - a bit wider maybe. The gun got a bit longer and the turret lower.
Even though it now has a touch of Sherman to it,
773805_sm-new%20turret.jpg
I think it will work.

And the vehicle on the base looks pretty neat too. Next was the rear section, with the exit ramp.

Then it was the first fiddly part - building the vision ports. Really, really tiny pieces.
773800_sm-vision%20ports.jpg

But they are totally worth the effort - I think.
Another mini piece were the hinges.
For this I cut a corner out of the 1.5mm thick disks,
773801_sm-hinge%20disks.jpg
and mounted them to the ends of the rods, then another small disk to close it up.
Again, I think totally worth it :)
773802_sm-hinges.jpg

Time for a group shot.
773803_sm-Battle%20Brothers.jpg
He looks good between his brothers.
On the left the POLEMOS and on the right the PONOS.

Now that he's part of the family, he needs a name.
Staying with the Greek mythology, I decided to name him EPIALES - the spirit of nightmares :)

Even though I strayed from the Combat Engineer Vehicle I still need a dozer blade for the scene.
So I cut and merged two WH40K dozer blades, and together with the tracks, this looks rather nice, doesn't it?
So, this is as far as I got in 4 days (working almost full time).
773804_sm-With%20tracks%20and%20dozer%20blade.jpg

Still needs rivets, but I'm not sure if I want to add track skirts.
They look great on the POLEMOS
But I simply LOVE the T-55 wheels and tracks.
So, what do you think?
Does the vehicle look OK?
Track skirts?
Anything I missed?

Oh, yeah, as usual my Guards will battle it out with Orks...more or less the same battle as "Ghosts in the Rubble".
Please let me know what you think.
I look forward to hear from you.
Cheers
Klaus
 
Looks like you've done some real nice work here so far. The tracks look a little exposed, maybe you could consider some track armor for the sides?
 
I think you should apply track-skirts ( makes 2 of us )

Beat-up with a few missing ... ;)


That bare , white styrene is calling out for a few " UN " stickers at the moment ;D


Ciao
 
Rumble in the Rubble

Dear admin :)
I would like to move this tread into the diorama section, as it no longer covers only the tank, but now gets additional stuff, and I don't want to clutter the wrong forum.
Thank you for your assistance :)
Klaus


Thank you guys!

Collecting your feedback and that from the other forums I think Track Skirts would be nice, but shouldn't be the standard - cover-all - type. Looking at some of the tanks in Syria and the urban fighting there, there are plenty of track skirts, but mostly all damaged and badly torn.
Right now I'm kind torn too :)
Between the cover the top type (red) or the bed spring type (white).
_sm-What%20type%20of%20track%20skirts%20to%20build.jpg

I'll give it a few days to think about it - and maybe get some additional feedback.

As you've probably noticed the thread is no longer called "EPIALES", but rather "Rumble in the Rubble".
The reason is that's it's not only about the EPIALES, but a combat scene. And as mentioned again in an urban setting - accompanying the "Ghosts in the Rubble" scene.
"This diorama is depicting an Imperial Guard attack in the rubble strewn streets of an Ork captured city."
While I try not to give too many spoilers on the final scene, I can reveal what the opponent for the EPIALES will be.
An ORK walker - Mega Dread style.
I don't have a name for him yet, but I'm sure you'll have some good ideas :)

So I'll start off with the pilot.
I still had this cool guy from my failed attempt at the DIRTMUNCHA (earth-)Submarine, but I re-arranged his posture a bit.
774495_sm-pilot.jpg

Then I started to build a cockpit around him. So now it looks as if he's kind of glancing around.
774496_sm-Cockpit.jpg

The cockpit is positioned within a head-style housing.
774497_sm-Dread%20head.jpg

Then I started to create a body for it. Rather simple Ork style.
774498_sm-simple%20body.jpg

But I think it looks sufficiently menacing.
774499_sm-Mega%20dread.jpg

With the basic body done, I went to work on the legs.
Here you can already get a glimpse of the pose I'm aiming at.
774500_sm-starting%20the%20legs.jpg

Plenty of pistons and hydraulics to make it steady.
774501_sm-.jpg

Then I positioned the other leg.
774502_sm-.jpg

And started the first foot.
But I realized it makes no sense to start with the foot, if I don't know how thick the leg will be with all the armor, pipes and other stuff on it.
So now I'm starting to add armor...
774503_sm-.jpg
It hurts a bit to cover up all these nice pieces and hydraulics.

So, what do you think?
Ideas, feedback, name for the dread?
I look forward to hear from you.
Cheers
Klaus
 
Klaus ,
You expose me to much more Ork than I would ever get in the rest of my life ;D

These guys don't seem like the kind to have slat-armor .

That solid track-skirt seems more appropriate -- - adequately beat up / missing pieces since it has a dozer blade , it's no doubt smashing and crashing ..

Do these Orks attack each other easily ? or they have loyalties ?
 
Thanks Quaralane :)
@urumomo - sorry, but more Ork to come ;)

Well, I hope you had a great weekend, with some quality family time and hopefully some hobby time too.

I reworked the feet - actually the whole leg - orienting a lot closer to the original Forgeworld version.
775487_sm-Dread%20foot.jpg

I think it looks strong enough to support the machine.
775488_sm-new%20leg.jpg

I also added some stuff to the head.
Doors to cover up the sides, teeth, plenty of teeth.
775489_sm-Mega%20Dread.jpg

And a periscope (when needed).
775490_sm-periscope.jpg

Then I started to add the shoulders. Strong and wide enough to house the arm mounts.
Of course such a mighty machine needs Powa, right!
So not a V8, but a W9 it is!
;)
775491_sm-W9%20engine.jpg

Together with some exhausts it looks propa.
775492_sm-packing%20Powa%21.jpg

On Sunday I was a bit lazy and decided to work on some ammo for the guns.
For this I used a piece of sprue, cut off about 1.5 cm, inserted it into the drill, and started to shave it into shape. First on a rasp, then 240 sandpaper, and finally 400 sandpaper. Within a few minutes I had some nice slugs :)
(You can read the tutorial here: http://fischers-design-shop.blogspot.de/p/creating-ammo.html )
This also works with larger caliber.
775493_sm-Ammunition.jpg

With the ammunition created, I needed a gun for it.
In good Big Mek tradition I started to stitch something together :)
775494_sm-Dakka.jpg

And with an ammo-feeder, this will dish out some Dakka, will it not?
775495_sm-Dakka-Dakka.jpg

Oh, and my desk really looks like a mess!
775496_sm-What%20a%20mess%21.jpg

Working on Ork stuff always has this "impact" on my desk.
I hope you like today's update and I look forward to your feedback.
Cheers
Klaus
 
Thank you guys!

In the meantime I did work some more on the "Rumble in the Rubble" dio - BTW, what do you think of the name? Is it OK?

Last week I worked a lot on the "Crumpa" and first was it's Powa Claw.
For the "fingers" I used 3mm plastic card (which I had to cut with a saw rather than a knife)
With pistons and stuff it looks menacing enough, doesn't it?
777672_sm-Powa%20Claw.jpg

**I tried to save images - so you can find all the details and images in my blog at: http://fischers-design-shop.blogspot.de/2016/02/rumble-in-rubble-3.html **
Then I decided I needed a gunner with a machine gun - at least to make use of the smaller ammo I created :)
So I used a Gretchin (the one the usually holds a pistol) and gave him some big, fast dakka and a belt of ammo
Which looks cool on the roof of the CRUMPA.

Then I completed the Claw arm and added rivets in all sizes. And a staging test on the base together with the EPIALES. At this point of time I decided on a more "surprised" stance of the CRUMPA and set him more off balance. Pleased with this arrangement I started to build up the barricade.
And orkified it :)
The EPIALES still had some pieces to be worked on. First the rivets, then the track skirts - I decided to go with half-size, full metal skirts.
And some damage after urban use.
777673_sm-Track%20Skirts.jpg
:)
Did I tell you yet I hate rubber tracks?
I really do - and these old ones seem to repel any glue - regardless if PVA, Super Glue, Plastic glue or anything else.
After hours of trying and experimenting it was finally UHU Flinke Flasche that did the trick.
So, with the tracks mounted the scene looked like this.
The tanks needs a crew.
A cool crew :)
777674_sm-Cool%20Crew.jpg

And the scene needs some more combatants - a half-squad of Combat Engineers maybe?
Including a baffled Sergeant :)
777675_sm-Combat%20Engineers.jpg

And some Orks on the other side.
777676_sm-Orks%20on%20the%20other%20side.jpg

And this completed the scene...
777677_sm-Surprised.jpg

but I decided to go back to a less surprised stance for the CRUMPA and I re-positioned him a bit.
777678_sm-not%20so%20surprised.jpg

Time to paint!
I started with the base, lots of tone-in-tone work, lots of greys.
777679_sm-Colors%20on%20the%20base.jpg

Then I started to paint the cockpit.
777680_sm-Pilot%20in%20cockpit.jpg

and applied a base color to the CRUMPA. Then I added some colored panels, and finally added metal to the pistons and springs.
777681_sm-So%20far%2C%20so%20good.jpg

That's as far as I got.
What do you think?
Cheers
Klaus
 
Hi all,

thank you Quaralane :)

Since last time I completed the paint job for DA CRUMPAH and added some little details
Be Strong little Dorian! #dstrong
778876_sm-%23dstrong.jpg

Then it was time to add the washes.
778877_sm-DA%20CRUMPAH.jpg

And while they dried I started the EPIALES. Like with the POLEMOS I did an urban version of the DENCARA tiger flash pattern, starting with a white background stripe.
Then the dark blue-grey internal stripe.
778878_sm-Urban%20Tiger%20Flash.jpg

Looks good together with DA CRUMPAH
778879_sm-Ready%20to%20Rumble.jpg
778880_sm-Through%20the%20barricades.jpg

Next were the little disruptive dots.
778881_sm-Urban%20camo.jpg

Just little dots, but I really feel they do the job.
778882_sm-See%20my%20finger%3F.jpg

With the basic pattern applied I started with the details, such as the vision blocks and lenses.
And the crew.
778883_sm-Ready%20for%20washes.jpg

All the basic details painted.
778884_sm-EPIALES.jpg

Dirt time - aka washes :)
778885_sm-Car%20Wash.jpg

And this is as far as I got.
Next will be the actual weathering - scratches and paint chips, stains from oil and grease...all the fun stuff.
I hope you like today's update.
Cheers
klaus
 
Zow .
That claw looks stellar . ;D

Those track-skirts too !

What is the base color on the pincers ? some kinda violet in there ?


Are all these guys on the same side or no ?
 
Thank you guys!
@urumomo - yes, it's violet as base color, and then first a black wash, with a dark brown wash to follow. Makes it nice drak, dirty, grimey.
And in WH40K there is no peace - they are not on the same side - Orks vs Humans :)

Well, since the last update I weathered the EPIALES - using the sponge technique
782241_sm-first%20weathering.jpg

Details on the rear ramp
782242_sm-Rear%20ramp.jpg

Drivers hatch
782243_sm-driver%20hatch.jpg

and track skirts
782244_sm-track%20skirts.jpg

Smile :)
782245_sm-smile.jpg

Fits into the scene
782246_sm-rumble.jpg

So it was time for some serious dusting - aka pigment time
782248_sm-pigments.jpg

and the finished EPIALES
782249_sm-and%20done.jpg

So now I'm working on the Orks
782247_sm-Ork%20camo.jpg

and the Imperial Combat Engineers
782250_sm-combat%20engineers.jpg

I hope you like today's update.
Cheers
Klaus
 
;D ;D That's pretty awesome !

That Soviet hardware blends right in .

Looking forward to the final pics without all the work clutter in the background ;D
 
Hi all,
well, another project finished :)
2 completed projects in a quarter - that's a new record for me :p
Caution! LOTS OF IMAGES!

Since the last update I finished the Ork warriors.
784435_sm-.jpg
784439_sm-.jpg
784438_sm-.jpg
784437_sm-.jpg
784436_sm-.jpg

And positioned them back on the base.
784441_sm-.jpg
At this point I started to grow disappointed. Too cluttered, hard to focus.
I lost a bit of momentum and had to force myself to finish it.

So I worked on the Combat Engineers
784442_sm-.jpg

Which look pretty OK in the end.
784443_sm-.jpg

And this completed the scene.
784444_sm-.jpg


Well, lets see if the images in the light box improve the overall appearance of the scene.
784446_sm-.jpg
784445_sm-.jpg
784449_sm-.jpg
784451_sm-.jpg
784447_sm-.jpg

The individual parts are good, but the entire scene isn't. It's too cluttered too hard to focus.
:(

So here are some extra shots of "DA CRUMPAH"
784453_sm-.jpg
784452_sm-.jpg
784456_sm-.jpg
784459_sm-.jpg
784458_sm-.jpg
784457_sm-.jpg

and the W9 engine :D
784460_sm-W-9%20engine.jpg
W9 Powa!
784461_sm-W-9%20powa%21.jpg

Plus some nice shots of the EPIALES.
784463_sm-.jpg
784462_sm-.jpg
784467_sm-.jpg
784466_sm-.jpg
784465_sm-.jpg
784464_sm-.jpg
784471_sm-.jpg
784470_sm-.jpg
784469_sm-.jpg
784468_sm-.jpg
784473_sm-.jpg
784472_sm-.jpg
784475_sm-.jpg
784474_sm-.jpg

As mentioned, I lost momentum at the end, and I'm not very satisfied with the scene.
Maybe I started this one too close to the "Raiders of the Lost Light" scene.
So I think I will take a short break - maybe some painting, maybe some computer games, who knows.
But the "Big Spring Contest" is starting in April, so that's when I'll be back at the latest :)

Hasta la vista baby!
I'll be back :)
Cheers

Klaus
 
Definitely some excellent work here.
I agree about the finished dio looking cluttered, but it gets the idea across
 
I gotta admit, the dio was busy,..headache, looking at it,...
but your close-ups of Orcs, showed us the detail you put into it,,..
Your sculpting projects,..blow me away man,..
larger scale seams to fit you better,.. 8)
Happy modelling
Cheers
 

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