Monday, October 5, 2009

Expanding the Motor Pool!

I can never seem to get the hang of the smaller, more regular posts that so many other bloggers are able to pump out. They may be far apart, but at least they're big and meaty ; )

Anyway, it is less than two weeks until I'm going to be playing in Phoenix at the Battlefoam "Wild West Shootout" Indy GT. I'm pretty psyched, even though I have seven vehicles to get finished by then. Plenty of late nights for me I think.


Here are the first three almost complete. My platoon command "Chimera" on the left with a turret-mounted heavy flamer, my Psyker Battle squad's ride is in the center (I just need to finish the gunner and camo netting, and my N-20 Flame Halftrack (Hellhound) on the right.



Close-ups of my heavy-flamer toting transport.


My Psyker squad transport. This one will typically be sitting still in terrain, hopefully gaining a 3+ cover save on a regular basis.







The N-20 Flame Halftrack. The halftrack suspension is copied from the halftrack I made for my GD Diorama here. The tanks in the back are from a Forgeworld super-heavy tank, and the front of the inferno cannon is from an Ork Burna Boy.


In Sabbat Martyr, Dan mentions the self-propelled artillery support used by the Blood Pact, the Usurper. When I last chatted with Mr Abnett he said he had the WW2 M7 Priest in mind when he created the Usurper. Therefore I put my own spin on the piece, basing my two off Leman Russ tracks and toting Medusa siege guns.




Obviously it isn't directly copied from the Priest, but it certainly takes a lot of keys from it.


My Battlefoam cases arrived recently, so I couldn't resist seeing how everything was going to be packed for the trip to Arizona. I'll be packing it with a mix of stock trays and custom trays. I'm looking forward to traveling with these cases.


So you've seen the first five vehicles, here's the start of the sixth (which will be the same as the seventh). Still a long way to go on the AT-73 Reaver (Leman Russ). So wish me luck on that.

I've had quite a few folks asking me about commissions recently, which is great. With any luck I'll be able to support my hobby from commissions alone next year. That would be nice. On that note, I'm actually giving something away in November!

I've donated a paintjob to the charity auction that will be held at Mechanicon in PA on the first weekend of November. This is the first year for the event, and the team putting it together have been working really hard to get everything together. If you're on the East coast of America, you'd be pretty crazy to miss what will grow into one of the larger gamer-run events around.

For details on Mechanicon, click here, and get yourself along to the show. Don't forget to bid on my paintjob (on the 28mm human-sized miniature of your choice), and have fun!!!

Cheers
Dave

26 comments:

  1. DT these are looking GREAT!! I'm looking forward to gazing upon some painted ones soonish!!

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  2. Dave,

    Where did you get the wheels for those trucks and half-tracks?

    --Kyle

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  3. I second the question on the truck wheels, those are great.

    I'm almost finished with my version of the AT70 and painted my AT83. I love the Usurpers, those are brilliant! Did Mr Abnett mention what any of his other tanks were inspired by? I've always wondered if the AT70's were based on T-72's from the description of one as a squat toad. The STeG-4 reminded me of a chinese WZ523 from its description of a small turret with a broom like barrel.

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  4. Dave,
    You may post less than i do on my blog (steevowargaming.blogspot.com) but DAMN! You are da man! Yet again some AWESOME pieces! I am lovin what you're doin. As always YOU ROCK!!

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  5. Wow. All of the designs for the BP vehicles are spot on. I know next time I re-read Dan's books, i'll be picturing your vehicle designs in my head. Fantastic! I tip my hat to you sir.

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  6. Add me to the list of people who are really interested in the wheels and custom treads on your trucks!

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  7. They're excellent, where did you get the wheels?

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  8. Woooooooowwww !!! This is Excellent ! I love what you do with your hands ... really great !

    A big "Tchusss" from France, Brice.

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  9. Hi guys

    Thanks very much! Like a lot of my most recent work, I've been teaming up with Thomas Wynn on the wheels. Thomas tracked down an old DUK model (amphibious transport vehicle) and then added spacers between the two halves of the wheel, bringing them out to the same width as the Ork trukk wheels. He then cast them up. Just perfect for our truck collaboration.

    It was also Thomas that turned me onto the Bondo filler that I'm using to fill any gaps in my plasticard work (and build up a rusty texture in some areas). That's the reddish/pinkish residue on the vehicles.

    Cheers
    Dave

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  10. Wow, Dave. That's some truly inspiring stuff! I don't mind that your posts are spaced out, they always are chock full of interesting stuff when they do arrive. :)

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  11. Every time you post something, I become filled with inspiration. The Usurpers are awesome!

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  12. Almost forgot! Sorry...

    @ Rabidchild - Dan said that he always saw the AT-73 and -80 as tanks more akin to more WW2-contemporary with a lower track profile than the Leman Russ. He felt the SteG4 was like the British Staghound or possibly Daimler I armored car.
    Your tanks are looking great! I wish I'd thought of using the Macharius look. Very cool.

    Cheers
    Dave

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  13. Simply gorgeous work, can't wait to see them painted! I especially like the 'usurper' conversion, that's excellent.

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  14. Hey Dave, just so you know the Link that you posted is broken. OTher than that... Everything is looking marvelous. Kepp up the good work!

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  15. Which type of bondo do you use I have been looking into getting a good gape filler.

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  16. Hi Dab

    I'm using 4.5 oz tube of Bondo Glazing & Spot Putty, from my local auto parts store, only $3.99 I think.

    Cheers
    Dave

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  17. I have to say I am happy to see regular style wheels on these vehicles. Now, I didn't want to criticise before, because my conversions aren't as sophisticated, or as neat as these ones, but I always felt that the Ork wheels just looked a little haphazard to be on Imperial vehicles. The solution you have created is appropriate and authentic looking. Well done!

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  18. Really incredible looking stuff! Thanks for posting!

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  19. A word of caution with the bondo lads...it heats up as it cures, so if you put too much catalyst in it might heat the styrene enough to warp it.

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  20. Hi guys

    Thanks for the comments!

    @ jerbear - true. For two-part Bondo that is.

    The Glazing & Spot Putty is a single part that starts drying on contact with the air and takes about five minutes to become unworkable. It can typically be sanded after an hour or so, but gives off little residual heat as it cures.

    Cheers
    Dave

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  21. Jesus, Dave

    sometimes i hate this blog out of sheer envy...

    love the N20 half-track and the Usurpers, looking forward to seeing them finished...

    do you have a picture of all your army so far, would love to see the complete force

    just thought i would say, watched Freddy Vs Jason the other day and you Night Lords Commander makes me think of Mr Kruger, he just needs his hat and jumper (i think its the brown modelling putty you have used)

    keep up the good work and watch out, i may have to steal your Blood Pact

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  22. Dave,

    Love the trucks man, and have since completed two of my own. Always get lots of love on them and tell them they are Dave Taylor Trucks. Thanks for doing great work, and being brave enough to share the "how to" with others.

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  24. I'm currently working on a "pre-looted" truck. I always thought it was a weird thing that ork had all those looted vehicles but that we never saw the "original" pre-loot versions.
    You, sir, fixed one of those situations.
    I bought an ork trukk chassis and I don't want to use ork wheels. What are the dimensions of the wheels you're using? Or what are the dimensions of the ork wheels as I noticed that the front wheel on the ork trukk were smaller than the back wheels.
    And is it possible to purchase your versions of the wheels somewhere?
    Thanks.

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