++ AUGUSTUS b'RAASS ++ pre-heresy BRASS SCORPION p.247

[Psykic_scribe]

This Predator is superb.   I have no experience of the metal sponsons, but I have build a plastruct bridge to hold magnets for my plastic sponsons (enables a bolter/LC swap).  Would this idea work for yours, with some pasticard? 

[sockwithaticket]

You're too damned quick for me to keep up with all the awesome!

Curze looks fantastic there's nothing wrong with him at all on a technical level and the fineness of your lightning is incredible, though I'm with some of the others about his face. I've always pictured his pale skin being almost alabaster, like The Crow.  Those Auxilia look like they've had unnecessarily horrendous things done to them. Poor buggers, there they were fighting super-human nightmare warriors like it ain't no thing and then *boom* Primarch-ed.

Extremely enthusiastic eviscerator-wielding Bezerker is a lot of fun, really like him.

You're a much braver man than I, wouldn't even dream of using those metal sponsons. They must weigh lots, I'm impressed that you're poster buddy kept them attached long enough to take a picture.

[Eldrick Shadowblade]

Love the predator especially the 2nd edition sponsons! Subtle discords kits look great,!

[Augustus b'Raass]

Thanks for the great comments guys (replies below). Though hobby butterfly that I am I will store this tank for the ETL and focus now on my vow in the currently running Augustus Arena B&C Inter-Frater Hobby Challenge event:

A true-scale rendition of 10th Company's First Claw by AD-B.

A loooong time ago, in a gala I did this Word Bearer truescale marine, following Doghouse's tut in his excellent true-scale thread (which has now been far surpassed by his and Apologist's combined true-scale project thread. They're seriously doing an army of these guys.

I found the method so good, that I've always wanted to do a command squad. Not to play games with, but just for the sake of cool. Then I read the Night Lords trilogy, then I started playing Night Lords, then I started posting here, then one thing led to another and now I've finally decided, nay vowed, to complete them. Before March 15th no less!

So! Here we go. I did some research on their equipment (I don't have time to read fiction anymore so rereading the trilogy is out of the question) and got some help of the night lords community over at the Murderer's claw thread, then did a quick search through my bits box, some cutting and some green stuffing and here's the first pic (of many).

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d185/mkruijff/Night%20Lords%20WIP/First%20Claw%20WIP_zpscf9nld1h.jpg

Obviously a lot is missing still. I already ordered a Blood Angels sword to represent Aurum. I still need a Terminator Body front with an actual Aquilla to represent Talos' broken torso armour - but cannot seem to find one. Anyone have ideas on how to do an eviscerator (I had two, but damnit I just used 'm for my 'zerkers)...? Also, does anyone know if there's an actual gladius Space Marine bit?

Thanks for watching and as always: feedback most welcome!

Replies!

@Brother Heinrich: Oh good, now I can rest easy knowing my debt is repaid... ;)

@The Hydra: Thanks mate - will do. Thanks for reminding me :tu: I do get carried away sometimes and forget those - especially on vehicles.

@dantay_xv: Cheers mate! You'll have to wait a couple months for the paint job, as I'm saving this beasty for the ETL!

@Psykic_scribe: It did, actually - I just rebuild the original metal plate that connected the sponsons to the vehicle using plasticard. It's invisible, so no pics, but that was a good idea - cheers!

@sockwithaticket: Thank man for such an elaborate reply! I know I'm a little fast, but hey - more goodies to look for every time you check, huh? Noticed my "Extremely enthusiastic eviscerator-wielding Bezerker" pun over at your plog? ;) And yeah those sponsons are heavy, but they were held together by my entire stack of kneaded-together poster buddy!

@Eldrick Shadowblade: Cheers buddy! Yeah SD's kit are a joy to work with.

[Wicced]

looking good mate :tu:

 

i'm not sure if there is an actual gladius bit, but i made some by cutting the blade off of a power sword, shortening and reattaching it.

 

as for the eviscerator, if you got some old zerker chainswords, glue two together and blend them with green stuff or make a plastic card cover to hide the seam.

 

only nitpick so far would be uzas' head, it looks almost ogryn-ish  to me. i'd prefer him in the mk2 helmet mentioned in soul hunter :wink:

[Brother-Chaplain Kage]

Some models and concept sketches of the 1st Claw that might help some more: https://aarondembskibowden.wordpress.com/?s=first+claw

 

As for a gladius, I don't know if it's still in production, but I have several swords from some older Space Wolves plastics that looks like a gladius.

[KrautScientist]

I am next too 100% sure that there's a FW gladius bit turning up every other day in the listings of my favourite bitz seller on ebay, although I cannot seem to find it on any of the photos on the FW site -- will keep looking, though   The Putrid Blightkings kit also has a dagger bit that might work as a gladius, especially on a Chaos Space Marine. As for Talos' broken aquila chest piece, have you considered using a shaved-down torso from the Tartaros Terminators? They should fit truescaled Marines rather nicely, and I think I remember an aquila on one of them?! And even if not, it should be easy enough to add a press-moulded one to the chestpiece.

 

EDIT: Here's the one I was talking about.

 

I agree with Wicced regarding Uzas' head: I see what you were trying to do there, but if you really wanted to show his devolution, I'd go for a different head over that pretty Nurglite one: maybe the Khornate head from the WFB chaos chariot? A suitably psychotic rebreather head would also look cool. When all is said and done, however, I think you should stick with a helmet (never thought I'd say that ), because I remember several instances of 1st claw hearing Uzas lick his teeth over the vox, and this would obviously only work if he were wearing a helmet

 

Anyway, looking forward to your next update on this project, mate!

Edited February 18, 2015 by KrautScientist

[Atia]

Awesome Auggi! Can't wait to see the first claw for the eagle-Terminator body ... maybe you find something usefull in the new Blood Angel Terminator Assault squad?

http://www.games-workshop.com/de-AT/Blood-Angels-Terminator-Assault-Squad

Edited February 18, 2015 by Atia

[RolandTHTG]

Aw man.. it all looks so awesome. Curze, enthusiastic beserker, the predator... but I think my favorite item might actually be the blood stains you put on the bottom of the banner. gives the impression that sometimes that guy gets tired after the battle and lets the cloth hang free, where it can be lapped by the pools of blood after a battle. 

[sockwithaticket]

Yep, the BA terminator front is the only Indomitus pattern one with an aquila that I can think of. Don't have the bit in front of me right now, but the head is molded in iirc which could be a bit of a pain to get rid of without inflicting too much damage. Very interested to see how these turn out, every Night Lord player should own a First Claw.

[Augustus b'Raass]

Thanks guys for all the feedback and tips regarding the bits. As most of it was about Uzas and as he is the guy that it turns out I have all the parts for anyway, I started working on him today.

 

I made a gladius for him using a normal WFB Chaos Warrior sword and shortening it, then sanding it until it was as sharp as the rest of the blade. Worked pretty well if you ask me! :tu: The chainaxe is made using a chaos terminator axe haft and a chaisaxe head, the arm is from a grey knight termie with some greenstuff. The shoulder parts are I believe from Zhufor, but he could be from a regular FW Khornate terminator - I'm not sure as I got them seperately from a bits site ages ago. The head is of course a Khorne Berzerker head without the bunny ears. He still needs some chain work done to hang some skulls from him, and I need to figure out how I'm going to do the flesh clack I might replace his left pad with a normal flat Chaos Terminator one and just hang the cloack around that, like in the awesome pic on ADB's site (thanks Chaplain Kage!)

 

What do you think? Feedback, as always, most welcome.

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d185/mkruijff/Night%20Lords%20WIP/2015-02-202021.19.18_zpsrdpjlsim.jpg

 

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d185/mkruijff/Night%20Lords%20WIP/2015-02-202021.19.24_zpsxp9tumad.jpg

 

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d185/mkruijff/Night%20Lords%20WIP/2015-02-202021.19.33_zpsido62xu9.jpg

 

Replies!
 

@wicced: that's a good plan regarding the gladius. I think I'll just go for the broader of the two zerker sword and stick that on a grey knight glaive staff. 

 

@Brother Chaplain Kage: Thanks for that link. I'll be sure to send AD-B the pictures when they're done!

 

@KrautSientist: Thanks for the ideas. I solved the gladius issue, What do you think of Uzas' head?

 

I'm probably going to use this bit for Talos' torso:

http://www.bitsandkits.co.uk/images/323417471497.jpg

The blood angels one you guys all mentioned was out of stock and I thick I could pull off a decent stylized double eagle head in place of that skull and bones. 

 

@Atia: ^^ that's the torso I'm going to use! But thanks a lot for thinking along with me!

 

@RolandTHTG: I'm glad you saw that detail mate. Yes, I was done with the BFTBG and the idea popped in my idea. I didn;t hesitate and two seconds later hey presto: it looks as it does now. :D

 

@sockwithaticket: See above. Thanks for the help and the comment mate! Always a pleasure to have you comment on my work. :tu:

[Zeller]

The only thing I'd suggest on the predator is to either reduce the size of that shot trap or install a plate about 1 3/4" wide on the hull in front of the turret, hatches permitting.

[Augustus b'Raass]

What's a short trap? Google didn't yield anything useful. 

[KrautScientist]

Quite happy with the helmet choice for Uzas! As for the flesh cloak, the WFB Marauders have a half cape made of something that looks like flayed skin -- maybe that would help?

[Wicced]

i like Uzas!

 

his right pad is definitely Zhufor's . i know because i shaved one down myself for my night lords abaddon

 

gladius looks good, i would've cut the spikes above the cross-guard though, but that's just personal taste.

 

the greenstuff on the legs needs some work, as you're surely aware of and i would sand the helmet's sides a little more.

his belly GS cables are great and his pose is boss :tu: is that an old zerker backpack?

[Kizzdougs]

Awesome looking Uzas, Augustus!! Have you extended the legs or just filled in the thigh regions? I'm sure you've already thought of it, but the chainswords in the raptors box set you be perfect for Xarls weapon, just put two of the blades together to get the right length.

 

I can't wait to watch your progress on this project, good luck 

 

 

Ps. if you haven't seen it already, this sketch from ADB's blog is an awesome first claw reference (the detail is clearer than the finished colour piece.

  Edited February 21, 2015 by kizzdougs

[Atia]

Awesome so far Auggi :) Not sure if i like the use of the 'Zerker helmet (i prefer the good old forgeworld mark III helmet), but that's personal taste :P

[Augustus b'Raass]

Thanks guys for the positive replies! 

 

Here's the two more members I've been working on since yesterday. Still very much WIP, but I thought you might like them.

 

Cyrion:

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d185/mkruijff/Night%20Lords%20WIP/Cyrion%201_zps3j2ultkc.jpg

 

Mercutian:

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d185/mkruijff/Night%20Lords%20WIP/Mercutian%201_zpsjhozwnxa.jpg

 

Of course there will be plenty work on these guys. For one, the gun barrels need to be drilled out with a proper 'caliber'. But this is the general gist of 'm. Lemme know what you think, especially concerning the details and if you have ideas for stuff that's missing from them. All of them will get several grenades, knives and pouches etc. all over them, but still. Ideas more than welcome of course. For example, what do you think of Mercutian's helmet? Is this the right one or do you have an idea for another option?

 

Cheers!
 

Replies:

 

@KrautScientist: Thanks for the tip, but I think I'm going for a greenstuffed cloak. :tu:

 

@Wicced: Thanks mate, I'll sand the helmet some more and work a little on the greenstuff, although there will be some more details on him that'll mask the imperfections. It's a regular CSM backpack.

 

@kizzdougs: Just filled the thigh regions. And oooh yes, I have thought of the raptor weapons. Believe you me ;) Thanks mate, also for the drawing reference.

 

 

 

@Atia: Will give the MkIII helmet a try. I do prefer those, but they don;t have the vertical vision slit I'm looking for. 

[KrautScientist]

Mercutian is wonderfully massive and intimidating -- just as he should be. As for Cyrion, The cabling on his abdomen does seem a little clunky for my taste -- maybe it would look better if it were to be partyl obscured by an additional armour plate over his abdomen (Mk. IV style)?!

 

And once more about that helmet for Uzas: While a straight MK III would be closer to the "official" description, I love how the shaved down berzerker helmet serves as visual shorthand for his allegiance to Khorne.

 

Anyway, you're on fire, mate! ;)

[Flint13]

Phenom work so far buddy!

 

Like Bio, I totes enjoy Uzas's anti-bunny helm. Its a terrific shout out to his soon to be sponsor. And speaking of helms, I can't quite place Cyrion's. Is that a Terror squad helmet shaved down a bit? Looks boss.

 

Are you going to give Cyrion a bionic?

 

Anywhosit, I absolutely can't wait for Xarl.

 

He's my favs :D 

[Augustus b'Raass]

I got requests from Loken68 and Flint13 to post a tutorial on how to do the muscles I used on both my Centurion-based Obliterators and my Eight Legged Lord of Skulls. So here it is.

 

Tools you'll need:

Milliput, Green stuff and Rubber SCulpting tools (the hardest you can find as the softer versions are, well, too soft).

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d185/mkruijff/Night%20Lords%20WIP/2015-02-21%2017.23.12_zps1y2cjexf.jpg

 

Mix Milliput and Greenstuff in a 1:1 ratio into a little ball.

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d185/mkruijff/Night%20Lords%20WIP/2015-02-21%2017.17.12_zpswhsxq97t.jpg

 

Then roll that ball into a sort of double cone shape - it's the shape of the muscle in between the tendons attaching it to bone - or metal in the case of daemon engines.

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d185/mkruijff/Night%20Lords%20WIP/2015-02-21%2017.17.35_zpskmhzkruw.jpg

 

Place it so that it makes sense, bio-dynamics wise.

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d185/mkruijff/Night%20Lords%20WIP/2015-02-21%2017.17.58_zpshka3or08.jpg

 

Then, using the clay shaper, indent small lines from one side to the other. Don;t be afraid to go a little deeper than you think is realistic - at this scale you want it to be 'larger than life'. Plus, deeper grooves makes washing/drybrushing the muscle easier and gives off a better effect.

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d185/mkruijff/Night%20Lords%20WIP/2015-02-21%2017.18.38_zpszv86tfmf.jpg

 

Repeat until you have what looks like a muscle!

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d185/mkruijff/Night%20Lords%20WIP/2015-02-21%2017.20.13_zps8onkd9cr.jpg

 

DONE!!

 

Easy, simple, effective.

[Augustus b'Raass]

OK, Cyrion is done.

 

KrautScientist, thanks for the comment mate. You were right about the cabling, I removed the four and replaced them with only three, as well as adding some grenades and an ammo pack. He should look suitable veteran-y now. 

 

Als, thanks Flint for reminding me about his bionic arm. I was posting this finalized version and then read your comment, so I fixed sat down to work again and fixed it. His head is indeed from the FW night Lords head pack.

 

Hope you like and as always: feedback welcome!

 

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d185/mkruijff/Night%20Lords%20WIP/Cyrion%2021_zpsoneftnqm.jpg

 

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d185/mkruijff/Night%20Lords%20WIP/Cyrion%2022_zpscy3n0xdg.jpg

[Flint13]

^^ All my likes, Sir.

 

You will take them now. 

 

Imma head off right now to try that muscle making business on my Argel Tal.

 

Also, Cyrion looks hella sexy for such an emo kid :D

Edited February 21, 2015 by Flint13

[Quixus]

 awesome Cyrion. On the view from behind the mechanical forearm looks  bent at an unhealthy angle. The elbow joint should not work that way. It is a hinge joint and should not tilt to the side.

[Augustus b'Raass]

Alright, last post for the day. Finished working on Mercutian, and also started working on Variel. I don't have the parts for Talos and Xarl yet, so that'll have to wait.

 

First up is Mercutian. It was tricky getting the Grey Knight arms aligned right with the position of the hands holding the CSM heavy bolter. His right elbow shield still reads 'smite', which I think would be Mercutian's sense of irony being incorporated into his armour. He has two skulls on his right shoulder pad and I sculpted a pretty big Night Lords symbol on his left. I left the area around his pelvis pretty bare as the heavy bolter is obscuring that anyway. His back features a side arm and some patches for combat rations? I don't know. 

 

I hope you like him! Let me know!

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d185/mkruijff/Night%20Lords%20WIP/Mercutian%2022_zpsft5w4jrk.jpg

 

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d185/mkruijff/Night%20Lords%20WIP/Mercutian%2021_zps4eefnzpa.jpg

 

Next up is Variel, the Red Corsair apothecary and newest recruit to join Tenth Claw. There's descriptions of him having chains on his armour to drag corpses with, so I figured "why not have him drag a corpse?". I initially wanted to just give him a normal CSM backpack, but then got the idea of giving him Fabius Bile's Chirurgeon's arms, as these sure as hell make him look more intimidating. I really  like how his pose has turned out, he's almost casualy dragging his victim along, and looks at you like "ah, there's the enxt one...". Glorious.

 

What do you think of him? Does he need anything else? More chains? I don't want to overdo them, but there may be some room. Let me know!

 

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d185/mkruijff/Night%20Lords%20WIP/Variel%2021_zpsukbx1w9l.jpg

 

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d185/mkruijff/Night%20Lords%20WIP/Variel%2022_zps68dpftjq.jpg

Replies!

 

@Flint13: Glad you find it of use! 

 

@Quixus: Thanks mate! I see what you mean in the picture and chaecked it out, but it seems to be an optical illusion. What you think is bending to the right, is in actuality bending forward. But thanks for keeping noticing and keeping me sharp!

Edited February 21, 2015 by Augustus b'Raass