Category Archives: Hobby

Hobby

Waaambulance: Converted Chaos Whirlwind

I have gotten a lot of great feedback about my “I Scream” truck converted Chaos Vehicle. It’s fun to bring to events and gets lots of great attention. I decided I needed another “nightmare fuel” vehicle to add to the roster. With the daemonic evil Ice Cream truck out of the way, I’m moving on to a zombie clown ambulance. But in this case, the ambulance isn’t coming to treat injuries; rather, it’s coming to cause wounds!

Many people have noted displeasure with the current Taurox / Taurox Prime model. It’s nice that Astra Militarum got something jeep-like, but the proportions never seemed quite right. But, the front looks truck-like, and needed a slightly bigger “back end.” I came up with the idea of bashing a Taurox with a Munitorum Armoured Container. 

From front to back: Ambulance Toy, Taurox Prime, and Munitorum Armoured Container

For size and proportion I bought this toy mini-ambulance from Wal-Mart. It also had flashing lights and sounds. After looking at it for a while, I decided I wanted to bring the lights and sound onto this vehicle too. 

I disassembled the ambulance toy, and decided to keep its base as the base of the kitbashed model. The base held the circuity, speaker and battery. I replaced its on-off switch with a momentary pushbutton from my stock. 

Some assembly required…

I carved out the front of the Taurox, and cut off its roof. And cut off the top of the passenger compartment from the ambulance toy. And kept about ⅔ of the Munitorum container. I stuck it all together with A LOT of green stuff. I kept the lights from the toy and mounted them on the top and the front. It still makes the siren sounds too. 

  • Tangle of wires inside
  • Basic Assembly complete

There are two infantry models in the cab of the vehicle. I started with two Poxwalker models. I particularly picked the one with the long coat, because painted white, he looks sort of like a demonic zombie doctor.

I put two thin strips of sheet steel on the roof. I repurposed the Taurox Prime rocket launchers to represent a Scorpius multi-launcher. Because they are magnetized, I can later remove the rockets and run this vehicle as a Rhino or something else.

  • Before weathering
  • After weathering
Before and after weathering the vehicle

Even though it was completed, I felt it looked too clean. I weathered it like crazy, smearing Typhus Corrosion technical paint everywhere, as well as liberal coatings of agrax earthshade and nuln oil. I let the washes pool to give a water-damage sort of look. I finished the model with some bright white edging. I feel that really makes the model pop.

Faceplate on grill of the vehicle. I even spelt “ambulance” backwards, they way it appears on road vehicles

I’m particularly proud of the faceplate on the front grill of the vehicle. I took the Taurox plate, and radically transformed it, so that the lions astride the skull looked more like tufts of hair. Its final result is to look like a clown face. I wrote “ambulance” .

Side by side with a “standard” Taurox Model

The model was well-received at a tournament I bought it at. People got a kick out of it when the sirens and lights went off. It got a few nicknames, but I think I’m going to stick with the Waaambulance, an expression for when someone is whining unnecessarily.

I plan on running it as a Chaos Whirlwind Scorpius.

Hobby

Blight Bombardment Token

Miniature token to mark use of the Death Guard “Blight Bombardment” stratagem for Warhammer 40k games. It is made to resemble a Bob-omb from the Super Mario video games.

A Bob-omb as it appears in the Super Mario Brothers video games

This model is made from a ball of milliput, a few strategically cut pieces of plasticard, and a square base to contrast with the standard round Warhammer bases. As with many of my models, it has LED’s. The flickering yellow LED on its “wick” should indicate that its fuse has been lit. And, in true Nurgle fashion, there’s a Nurgling on top mischievously lighting the fuse.

Circuit for the flickering LED light

As a stratagem, Blight Bombardment isn’t great: In-game it costs 3 command points (CP) and a whole turn later may do D3 mortal wounds to units within 6″. It’s very similar but slightly inferior to the Orbital Bombardment stratagem that Loyalist Marines can use. And definitely inferior to the Orbital Ion Beam stratagem that Tau has access to.

Strictly speaking, a Blight Bombardment is supposed to be some sort of plague ordnance fired from orbit. My interpretation is that through some sort of mystical or tech-magik, this sphere teleports into the midst of an opponent’s back line or castle. I imagine it blinking confusedly, while the Nurgling that accompanies it gleefully lights the fuse. Then starts the countdown to the inevitable explosion.

Hobby

Death Shroud Terminators

Three more Death Guard Deathshroud Terminators bodyguards. Minor conversion is that I replaced the “stock” heads with Necromunda Corpse Grinder Cult heads. Features Dark Age Groundwerks “Infestation” Base Inserts.

Early work-in-progress image of the Deathshroud Terminators

I wanted to paint them using the “Palid Hand” colour scheme. It looked like a clean bone originally, but I added so many grungy layers that it actually almost looks like Death Guard green.

I’m pleased with how well they have turned out. Using lots of tricks with contrast paints and washes helps make it fast and pretty good.

I got a lot of great comments about the background too. The Cherry Blossom trees are something I made for my 2020 display board.

Hobby

Display Board 2021: “Circus of sLAUGHTER”

At long last, a full post sharing the culmination of my year of Warhammer painting: A display board I call “The Circus of sLAUGHTER” featuring Emperor’s Children Chaos Space Marine models. It was an ambitious project that garnered lots of praise from fellow hobbyists and won me a couple of small accolades.

This project essentially starts after finishing my 2020 display board. I wondered how I could exceed that board. It would have LED’s because that has become my signature. But to go bigger, I wanted a display screen, and a motorized component. 

My iScream truck. The “Sweet Tooth” clown motif kind of inspired the rest of the Circus/clown display board

The idea for the board started by accident: I finished my heavily converted “I Scream” truck/Rhino that was supposed to resemble Sweet Tooth from the Twisted Metal video games. Many commented that a clown-themed army would be a different kind of horrifying. The idea grew from there.

I started with the idea of representing different typical characters from a Circus. There should be clowns, a ringleader, strong man, bearded lady, stunt riders, and other general “freaks”. Originally I thought it would be best represented as a Creations of Bile Chaos Space Marine army.

  • Chaos Space Marine biker riding BACKWARDS
  • Chaos Space Marine biker doing a handstand
Elements of my Circus of sLAUGHTER display board

Many of the models followed:

The balloons quickly became a thematic element. They are “Dollhouse Balloons” I purchased from Amazon.

Circus reference images and inspirations

It was the bikes that inspired the centerpiece of the circus. In classic circuses, there could be people doing crazy stunts riding on horses or even motorcycles in more modern iterations. Looking at pictures of motorcycle show performances, they seem to circle the centre ring. That inspired me to motorize a turntable for the bikes, while leaving the centerpiece static.

  • Sound circuit in the bottom left
Building the motorized turntable

There wasn’t any such turntable I could find, so I designed and built my own! I used a Lazy Susan swivel, steel pie pan, motor, and a lot of patience to rig something up. It took a few tries, but I’m very proud of the effect.

Sewing for Warhammer? Apparenlty

To finish the effect, I drew inspiration from a couple of these circus images. In particular, the fabric tent of the toy circus suggested a great way to tie it all together. I ordered a striped piece of fabric and hand sewed it into the right shape. I never expected I’d break out a needle and thread to sew something for Warhammer!

Further progress piictures

The board also features a speaker system that plays the traditional Circus song “Entrance of the Gladiators”. The lights go through a sequence or colours and can be remotely controlled. 

Images for the display screen

On the upper level, there is a space for a display screen. I painted a digital photo display frame that I found at a thrift store, and programmed it with images of my circus. The display needs to be plugged in to work. I tried to make it work with an external battery, but the battery would only last a few minutes. So, I made an alternative insert in case I’m in a place without a nearby plug.

With “static” screen replacement
Images of my compelted Display Board for 2021: “The Circus of sLAUGHTER” Emperor’s Children Chaos Space Marines

I also have a little speech “The Ringleader” Deamon Prince might bark: “Ladies and Gentlemen, Mortals and Immortals, Daemons or All Ages!

May I have your UNDIVIDED attention!?

We proudly bring to you the greatest show, this side of the Great Rift: The Circus of sLAUGHTER!
Be amazed by feats of strength and speed! 

This much CHAOS could drive you mad! We will overwhelm your senses to give you excessive PLEASURE! After all, laughter is the best medicine. Or was it slaughter? Well, you can’t spell slaughter without laughter!

We’ve got acrobats on bikers! A strongman carrying a motorcycle. A bearded daemonette with crab claws. Duinclaw, an ACTUAL Giant Crab balancing on a ball! Clowns, and Zombie Daemon Clowns and Mutant Murder Clowns!

And Balloons! Oh, so many balloons! 

Coming for you soon! Whether you like it or not!”

I brought this board and army to The Stud or Snotling Tournament in Toronto in October 2021. I was honoured to be awarded with 3rd place for best painted. 

I also entered it into the “Golden Poxling Halloween Painting Competition. It was honoured it was named a finalist in the “Make Me Laugh” category. October 24, 2021 https://www.instagram.com/p/CVar300tUAr/

And finally, I entered it into the annual Armies on Parade at the Heartland Warhammer store, my local Games Workshop. I was honoured that it took Gold in the best of Warhammer 40,000 category.

Now, how do I top this next year?

Hobby

Chaos Stunt BikeRs

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One of the favourite elements of my new display board is a big unit of Chaos Bikes. They are in a variety of trick poses. But, even more interesting is that they MOVE! 

I literally built the new display board to feature these bikes. The turntable is made up from a lazy Susan, steel pie pan, and a little motor.

The bikes themselves are heavily converted and customized. There are two bikes doing wheelies. One is doing a stoppie. Another is a Greater Possessed on a bike. Another is sitting on the handlebars facing forward. One biker is sitting side-saddle. The unit champion is another Greater Possessed on bike and his head has LED lights and he is holding balloons.

  • Greater Possessed on a bike with combi-melta as the unit champion
  • Biker doing a “stoppie” in the middle Bikers on either side of him are doing wheelies

My two favourites are the biker doing a handstand, and the biker riding backwards. The backwards rider was particularly interesting because he would have blocked the bike combi-bolter, so he’s holding a storm bolter in his hand instead.

  • Chaos Space Marine biker riding BACKWARDS
  • Chaos Space Marine biker doing a handstand

When I field the unit, I also include the heavily-converted Motor tricycle. That one has the rock band and in-game acts as a bike with an Icon of Excess.

As deployed in a recent game. I often use Warp Time to rocket them across the board and catch my opponents off-guard. I have learned NOT to charge because they don’t last too long in melee

I equipped them all with astartes chainswords to maximize their volume of attacks. But, that occupies all their free hands. I was advised to equip the unit with 3 meltaguns (2 meltaguns and a Combi-melta). To model the meltaguns, I installed them on the front of the bikes between the combi-bolter and I think it looks pretty sharp!

  • Greater possessed on a bike in the front
Hobby

Mobile Circus Tents: Converted Dreadclaw Drop Pods

If you don’t want to come to the circus, the CIRCUS WILL COME FOR YOU!!

I converted two “loyalist” drop pods into Dreadclaw Drop Pods. And the colour scheme thematically fits with my circus/clown-themed army: They are painted to resemble circus tents! Imagine units of murderous clowns streaming out of these drop pods when they descend into combat!

I was advised to get some Dreadclaw Drop Pods. They are handy for protecting relatively fragile Chaos Space Marine units or a Contemptor Dreadnought from early shooting. And then these pods can zip around the board getting objectives, flying over enemies effectively “bombing” them, or ramming into enemy models. 

There are several guides online for converting standard drop pods into Dreadclaws. I used this one.

  • Box of Drop Pod Bits
  • Partially converted with one “old leg” and one “new leg”
  • As converted in the new shape

I bought some second-hand drop pods, broke them apart, trimmed the “legs” as suggested, and then put them back together. I did have to adjust the trims a little, and even file off some detail so they would fit upside-down. 

  • Showing the inside of the pod, including the switch

I’m quite happy with the colour scheme. I decided I wanted to mimic the striped walls of a circus tent. I used a “poor man’s airbrush” technique: I blocked out the stripes using painting tape and used different colours of rattle-can spray paint. Spraying like this made for really crisp lines, and even colouring on these big, flat, surfaces.

As with most of my models, I wanted to add LEDs. Instead of wiring everything myself, I got a little lazy and bought small strings of LED Christmas lights from a dollar store. I have 5 lights coming out of the bottom, and as many as I could shove into the top. I used some clear kitchen caulking as a medium to unify the upper beam a bit. I meant to avoid soldering, but the battery case didn’t fit in the drop pod, so I cut it off and soldered in a smaller battery holder. 

  • ooh, shiny!
  • Red drop pod open with “Murder Clowns” coming out
Red drop pod

Apparently, tournament rules are that the “doors” or “petals” of drop pods must remain in the closed position. I have glued 4 of the 5 doors closed. The 5th can open so I can replace the battery and flip the on/off switch.

And I liked the first one so much, I decided to build a second with the OPPOSITE colour pattern. The second has white legs instead. 

Two circus-themed dreadclaw drop pods
With units leaving the drop pods

Hobby

Murder Clowns

Presenting a unit I call “The Murder Clowns.” Heavily converted from Corpse Grinder Cult models from the Necromunda Dark Uprising box. I plan to run them as melee-oriented Noise Marines. I also replaced some of their heads with daemonette heads for a more Slaanesh-like vibe.

Early work-in-progress pictures building the “Murder Clowns”

I started building these models to be cultists for my circus/clown-themed Emperor’s Children army. They look intimidating and dangerous. I noticed that the bigger guys are much bigger than cultists; they are almost Astartes-sized! In fact, they looked a little silly on 25mm bases. So, I decided to really make them into Astartes: I added Chaos Space Marine backpacks, shoulder pads and pistols to make them more Space Marine-like, and placed them on 32mm Necromunda bases.

Champion of the “Murder Clowns” Noise Marines Squad. His red hood with white stripe is a reference to Space Marine Sergeant Helmets. The base model is a Chaos Sorcerer from an AoS Warshrine Kit.

The unit Champion is quite different. I started with the Chaos Sorcerer from the AoS Chaos Warshrine kit. I gave him a chainsword, Corpse Grinder cult head, Chaos Space Marine backpack and shoulder pads, and a balloon. I’m calling the ring around his head an Icon of Excess. His hood is red with a white stripe; it’s a kind of tongue-in-cheek reference to the veteran sergeant helmets of Codex Astartes compliant loyalist Space Marine Chapters. I gave him a plasma pistol to take advantage of the “Music of the Apocalypse” rule.

I like the vivid colour scheme that I gave them. The pink is consistent with the rest of my Emperor’s Children army. I really like that the green/yellow around their “hair” really pops. The green is layered from several colours: Ushabti Bone, then Dorn Yellow, then Tessaract Glow, and finished with a wash of Biel-Tan Green.

Their faces have glowing green eyes and bloody smiles. These models would make great Khorne Bezerkers, but unfortunately, all units in an Emperor’s Children army must have mark of Slaanesh. So, I’m saying they are Noise Marines with Chainswords. In an Emperor’s Children army, Noise Marines are troops. And for only 2 points per model more than basic Chaos Space Marines, they gain 1 Attack each, and the Music of the Apocalypse ability.

Hobby

Magnetic Carrying Case

I’m finally going to play a game of Warhammer again, my first in almost a year. I decided I needed a better model carrying option than throwing them in a box full of bubble wrap, especially since I have Chaos models with lots of spikey bits. Many of my models already have magnets on their bases because I want them to stick to my display board. So, I decided to modify a box to carry the models.

It was a pretty simple assembly of things from Wal-Mart:

  • -A 14L plastic case
  • -9 x 13” carbon steel cookie sheet
  • -Gorilla Glue
  • -Tin shears
Some assembly required

I’ve used this plastic case for years and it fits nicely on my cart. I might even get another one.

It’s really important that the sheet be steel. If it’s aluminum magnets won’t work on it. I usually use sheet steel from a hardware store for the flat surfaces on my display board, but I found this is actually quite a bit cheaper.

Snip snip

I trimmed the cookie sheet so that it will fit inside the bin. Make sure you wear gloves when handling cut steel because the edges can get really sharp.

Cut down to size

After making sure the pan fits, I covered the bottom in gorilla glue, put a weight on it and left it overnight. 

Afterwards, voila! A carrying case with a steel base for holding models with magnets!

My Emperor’s Children army in the magnetized carrying case

Here’s a picture of my Emperor’s Children army for my game on Saturday. There are 50PL or about 1100 points!

Hobby

The “Fabulous” Fabius Bile

I’m working on a Circus-themed display board to enter in Armies on Parade 2021. I’ve already made a “Ringleader”  Daemon Prince and Greater Possessed “Strongman”. And a rock band of musicians on motor-tricycle recently. 

Thematically and rules-wise, I thought the most appropriate “Patron” for this freak show would be Fabius Bile. But, if he was going to be the high-rolling man-in-charge, I thought he’d need more swag. So, throw in a dapper hat with a feather and bling up his “Rod of Torment” and now he looks just a bit more flamboyant. Hence, the “Fabulous” epitaph.

Progress photos of my Fabius Bile and Surgeon Acolyte models

Bile himself has many epitaphs: Chem-master, Manflayer, Clonelord, Primogenitor. He was formerly an Apothecary of the Emperor’s Children Legion, but has since struck out on his own, pushing the boundaries of science and magi-tech to create vile monstrosities, diseases, and other atrocities. It’s a wonder he hasn’t been elevated to Daemon Prince yet.

The “Fabulous” Fabius Bile with Surgeon Acolyte

Along with Bile is his Surgeon Acolyte removing the gene-seed from a fallen Loyalist Astartes. It’s an Imperial Fist, because I had lots of Imperial Fists transfers.

YOINK the Gene-seed, by Surgeon Acolyte
Hobby

Warp Talons with Balloons

Based on this article by Goonhammer, I decided I wanted some Warp Talons in my Creations of Bile list: They would be fast, hit with a bucketload of attacks, have boosted strength, and re-roll to wound. Unfortunately, they’d also be relatively fragile. In keeping with the rest of my models for this army, balloons would continue the circus-theme. 

  • Assembled after first base coat
  • After “zenithal” prming
  • With most colours
Progress photos

I bought the balloons on Amazon. They are listed as “dollhouse balloons”. They make the models a bit unbalanced, but adding the magnets strategically in the bases adds some counterweight.

I’m Mary Poppins Y’all (source)

The balloons make it almost look as if they are being lifted aloft by the balloons, almost in a Mary Poppins sort of way. 

I’m definitely not modelling for advantage. In fact, because they seem more visible I’m probably modelling for disadvantage. But, rule of cool, right?

There is a lovely dichotomy and irony between these flying armoured daemon-infested superhumans with viscous talons, and the relative playfulness of the primary-coloured balloons. The contrast makes it even more delicious.