Mechanicum Castellax (and some others)

While I've been tinkering around with another couple of projects, I've also continued painting up more models for my Mechanicum army.

Chief amongst these new additions are the first three Castellax. Once I get a good look at the Castellax rules I might add some more (or these may be the only three, we'll have to see).

Here's a multi-view image of the most dynamically modeled Castellax of the bunch. All three are built using stock parts and within the allowable limits of the joints etc. I'm sure, given a little more time, I could have assembled them in a more dynamic fashion, but I actually like their "blockiness".

When I painted the Thallax earlier this year, I painted the "core" on their back a deep blue. As the cover for apparently a similar part on the Castellax has rivets, I decided to move the deep blue part to the top globe, where numerous cables feed into. It almost gives it a "brain in a jar" feel.

The other models I've been working on are this Magos (updated from my old army and mounted on a 60mm base) and this...

...new Magos, a head-swap conversion from the Chaos Space Marine Warsmith. I love the idea and the look of the Warsmith model, but this Finecast version had many bubbles, just enough to sap my enthusiasm for the job. Anyway, I think he'll fit in well enough, as long as I stand him at the back ; )

Cheers
Dave

Size Comparison - because you asked.

A couple of folks were curious about the relative sizes of the Centurions, Castellax, and Contemptor Dread, so I took a quick shot of these guys today. Obviously the Centurion is the smallest, but he still has a lot of bulk compared to the Castellax. And the Contemptor Dread has quite a bit of height on the Castellax.

This Contemptor is for my upcoming re-work of my Heresy-era Death Guard. I've been assembling quite a few new models in between painting up more stuff for my Mechanicum.

Anyway, here's a group shot I like to call "The Bronze"

Cheers
Dave

Mechanicum Skittarii Centurion - completed

I was able to finish off the paintjob on my Skittarii Centurion last week, and here it is. I tried to match a lot of the colors/finishes from my Thallax constructs and Knight. I'm pretty happy with the result.

And here's a comparison shot of him standing next to Volsinii Imperator.

Cheers
Dave

Mechanicum Bondsmen

Just a quick post today to show off a unit I put together and painted last week. After reading Lords of Mars (by Graham McNeill) I decided to turn a unit of Victoria Miniatures' Penal Legion models (that I've had sitting on my desk since Adepticon) into a unit of "below the waterline" bondsmen, the lowest of the low who are press-ganged into servitude in the mighty machine of the Imperium.

This unit is the first of Victoria's models that has been cast in resin, and she is currently going through the process of switching her entire range into resin. The quality of her sculpts is wonderful with lots of crispness and characterful pieces. The quality of the casts was equally great, with only a few areas of flash to be trimmed up during assembly.

As well as the parts to make the squad you see above, there are quite a few other options in the set, including two different torsos for the squad overseer, as well as three different head options. Very cool.

I'm looking forward to the rest of Victoria's range making it into resin. It might be time again to paint a new Gaunt's Ghosts army ; )

Cheers
Dave

The Flight - Part Two

For Part One, which lays out the project, click HERE.

One week on and I have a few WIP images to show you for my diorama (The Flight). Above is Urgo Wroth, now with arms and lots of other detailing.

And a few different models here. On the left is my initial model for Areta. She is based on a model I started originally as a Mechanicum assassin. Most of Areta is from the Dark Eldar Wyches kit. In the center is my first stab at Saskia, who owes much of here look to the Dark Elf Corsair kit, along with bitz from DE Wyches, Daemonettes, and the VC Coven Throne. On the right is the start of Sister Aaliyah, made from Dark Elf Corsair legs and a Daemonette torso. I'm thinking now, however, that I might need to use some of the new Dark Elf Witch Elves pieces to start her over again.

In addition to the work on the diorama, I started putting together my recent Forgeworld acquisitions.

And put a little paint on my Mechanicum Skittari Centurion.

I hope you like them.

Cheers
Dave