WH40K - Minor conversion of Ghazghkull Thraka part 2

I have added the 'drilly bit' on top of some cog shaped 'gubbins'. I also glued some old earphone cable to bits of paperclip (for strength) and placed pieces of styrene tube on the wires. These make 'power cables' to drive the drill.

On to his gun arm: I had the idea of mounting the claws that come with the original model on the fist shape. I did quickly clip a notch into the base of the claws so they would fit better. I also used the single claw from the plastic Nobs sprue, trimmed to fit. I wasn't happy that the gun barrels were large enough, and even broke them off at one point. But I have added some more styrene tubing over the original barrels to bulk them up and I think that improves the look. The barrels are in fact slightly wonky, but I don't think it will show once everything is painted. His waist has been extended by a plastic cog, and the cables from the drill have been passed through that piece and wrapped around. I haven't modified the legs at all, except to clip off the mounting peg.

I am still considering putting some sort of claws on his feet, perhaps cut from the end of a Trukk boarding plank. Also, I want to put something on his upperback/shoulders - perhaps some missiles or a sensor mount. Nothing large, but enough to use up some of the space there.

WH40K - Test Fit of the Deff Rolla

I did some test fitting of the Deff Rolla (Death Roller) I was worried that it would be too big for the Battlewagon. Turns out, it is.

However, with the roof and turret fitted, it starts to look less ludicrous. Orks are many things; subtle is not one of them.

WH40K - Deff Rolla

Every Ork wagon needs one.





The plating came from a variety of sources, including an expired credit card. Some of the hooked spikes are clipped from the power claw of the plastic Warboss.

WH40K - Deff Rolla and Flakk Turret

Work in progress on the Deff Rolla (Death Rolla) attachment for the Battlewagon:

As I mentioned, I have cut the original rolla into three sections, shorter than the original. I inserted two disks cut from scrap plastic. (The disks were cut with clippers to make a cog/saw blade shape).

Here's the turret for the Flakka Trakk.

It is made from a 1/48 model kit of a KV-1 tank (the WW2 Russian tank with an absurdly large turret), pieces of brass tube and spare bits of plastic, including the aerating tube from an aquarium. I decided that building a turret would be simpler than assembling firing mechanisms for four flakka guns. I will add hatches, battle-damage, grot loaders and other details. I still have to figure out how to mount it on the truck bed of the Flakka Trakk vehicle, so that it has some clearance over the cabin.

WH40K - Battlewagon on Wheels

Here's the next Battlewagon. The eight wheeled configuration is supposed to be reminiscent of an ASLAV, Stryker or even a BTR-80.

WH40K - Deff Rolla

A Deff Rolla (Death Roller) is an ork attachment for squashing foes. I found a toy roller which could supply the bits necessary to add a Deff Rolla to a battlewagon or two. A typical Deff Rolla attached to an Ork vehicle can be seen here, at Waaagh Gargunki.

Here's the toy, made by Bruder and bought from the local toy shop for AUD $30.

Bruder Roller toy with GW Ork Nob (Black Reach box set) for size comparison:

Concept comparison - the roller might be a touch too big for the Battlewagon.

I will add spikes, rivets and other details, so if I decide the parts are too big, I might saw the roller into two or three parts, cut out a short section and glue it together around some 'saw blade' shapes:

WH40K - New Battlewagon

I have seen the Battlewagons in my local GW store and they do look a lot better than the photos suggest. They are more squat than they look in the pics. They are also very modular: The turret can be fitted on the rear or the cab. The jaw piece hinges, or can be left off, revealing a more conventional truck-like front. Also, the lid comes off the rear section, making it more of an open topped car, and the small turrets and guns are all interchangeable. Price in Australian dollars: $75 or $85 apparently. Touch and go if I will buy more than one. Or two...

Wish list:
- one or two Battlewagons
- one more adding detail to my long postponed second Battlebarge/Tankboat.
- one for bits to add to the WALL-E Stompa.

A thought strikes me: the Stompa should have a stupid joke acronym name like "WAAAGH Attack: Lots 'n Lotsa Enfoosiasm"... I think I can do better than that.

Edit: Cyborg Trucker also demonstrates some deep orky enthusiasm.

WH40K - found a body for an Ork Stompa

I have been collecting bitz like a true Mekboss, just in case one day I have a project that requires some special part I have been saving. Case in point: I have plenty of weapons and bits that would suit an Ork Stompa - but haven't seen anything to make into the body that is more inspiring than a flowerpot. Until now that is.








I found this in Toyworld, for about $40 (Australian dollars). The body is roughly cubical, black and metal details painted on yellow plastic, and the head, arms and tracks pop out. The tracks I will probably keep, the rest of the stuff will have to make room for guns, armour and gubbinz. When? I don't know... but it's in the bitz pile now, ready for the Next Great Project.


Incidentally, while searching for pics of the WALL-E toy on the web I found this. If it isn't a battlewagon, I'm a Squig.

WH40K - Ork Fighta - WIP 2 - Rivets

Added rivets to upper and lower wings, and a couple of patches to the 'fuselage'. This took a long time... I cut tiny bits of polystyrene rod. Then I dabbed glue on the plates with a toothpick and picked up the bits by just touching a blade to them, before gluing them on.

Getting the pilot inside is going to be tricky. He will need a block under his seat to raise him to cockpit height. I may paint the interior and mask/fill it before painting the exterior. I am considering constructing the canopy from strips and girders (with more rivets of course) and only partially glazing it. Still considering whether to add Grot door gunners, and to put weapons in the holes under the 'cheeks' of the nose area.

WH40K - Cyborks

Made from the newer Tau Stealth Suits, plastic WH40K orks, plastic Warhammer goblins and bits. Lots and lots of bits. Now I have to make a painboss so they have a reason to stop bullets. Although, Mekboss Stingy could be a painboss - there is no apparent difference in profile, just the ability to repair machinery/rebuild orks.

WH40K - Da Krew

^Mekboss Stingy* - the evil genius behind most of these conversions

^Vince (the Painter)

^Doc (note the drill bit, making an old laspistol into a hurty needle)

^Tink ... Who you calling a fairy?

Some of Grabba's cronies, henchman and hangers-on. The colourful fellow with the goggles is Vince, a mekboy carrying a 'paint thrower' (counts as a burna, once he ignites it) used to give everything that particular combination of camouflage and showiness that Grabba, a dedicated Bloodaxe, prefers. It is possible that paint fumes have aided Stingy's creative processes somewhat.

*Stingy, as in Sting-y, he's got a sting, not Stinge-y, he is thrifty or miserly. Named in honour of Arj Barker's joke about running out of names for bees: Buzzy, Stingy, Stripey, Stingy 2 - The Stingening. I know what you're thinking. No! A bee can't be a sequel!

WH40K - Ork Battle Barge - Latest project for Warhammer 40K

This vehicle is constructed from a Trumpeter 1/35 scale LCM 3 landing craft - the sort of thing you saw in the opening scenes of "Saving Private Ryan".

Added to that were a large number of items from my bits box, including the track units from a Rhino and a Landraider. The 'crane' is part Sentinel. The work bench is out of a HeroClix accessory pack, with more bits added. There are fuzzy dice in the cabin, and a pot plant on the rear deck, in the vein of "Mister Roberts".

The cabin area comes from a "Market Racer" toy, found in the toy section of a local supermarket. This looks almost ready made for Ork use; the rest went straight to the bits box.















The battle barge was partly inspired by the amazing work of Mekboss Gooba at Scarpia's Warhammer World - specifically his Battlebarge. Check out his website - some very impressive conversions there.

Nice work, Gooba. Keep it up.