Monday 3 October 2011

Mk.1 Rhino, 3rd Company, Red Scorpions

The Mk. 1 Rhino is among the oldest vehicles still in use within the Imperium. It was used when mankind spread among the stars and already was old when the Emperor himself started his Great Crusade. I got this one off ebay for bargain. Unfortunately I had to discover it was in worse shape than I thought. :-(
The headlights: they are scratchbuilt because for some reason the former owner never glued some in place.

Tactical marking on the side doors. I used a decal from the new Rhino kit but cut it into shape and repainted it.

Again a brass etched part from Forgeworld. I love those things.

Because both handles were broken, I had to replace them with parts of a Leman Russ tank. The marking again is a decal cut into shape from the newer Rhino kit.

Battle damages, oil paint washes, weathering powders - this Rhino has seen many battles!

Predator Destructor Mk. 1b, Chapter's Armoury, Red Scorpions

The Predator tank is one of the oldest vehicles in use within the Adeptus Astartes, the design dating back to the Dark Age of Technology. It was built in direct response to the Ork incursions. The model shown resembles the Mk. 1b variant, a Citadel (all) plastic kit, based upon the old Rhino chassis. The kit is old - older than 20 years to be exactly. I was lucky to got one in good shape.
Business end: A turret mounted Autocannon and sponson mounted Lascannons.

Pintle mounted Stormbolter, Smoke dischargers and Searchlight.

Side view of the old plastic variant of the Lascannon as it was looking like during Rogue Trader times (first edition of 40k).

I replaced the antennas with radio antennas from a Leman Russ tank. The chapter emblem is brass etched and from Forgworld.

Heavy washes of thinned down oil paint together with powders in rust colours add to a heavily worn battlefield look.

The "Dozer Blade" rather looks like a battering ram - but I guess it doesn't matter if you get run over by either of them :-)

I tried to paint the Searchlight in greyish colours instead of yellow. It was a first try and doesn't really look like I wanted... but hey - I'll keep on trying new stuff.

A close up shot of the Lascannon. Note the burnt front end.

Heavily chipped colour stripes.

Turret details and rust and oil stains all over the place. This tank is thousands of years in service. How long is it under warranty of the Adeptus Mechanicus I wonder?

The tank has had several washes and lots of paint chipping, using various techniques.