Carcharodon Predation fleet Mako: Image repair 2-9-17

[airinhere]

Progress on over 20 bikes and attack bikes is taking a little bit more time than I had expected!  But progress has been made and soon I will need to apply decals and markings.  So I have decided to try my hand at making decals.

 

So yeah not quite as hard so far as I had expected.

 

I ordered some printer ready decal paper and surfed the web looking at cool shark and oceanic style tribal tattoos and markings.

 

Spent an hour or so arranging the images so they all fit on one page, but it was reeeeeeaallly easy.  Literally cut and paste (then resize) into mspaint.

 

And now I have some custom decals to attempt to apply to my models as I complete them. 

 

Everything is dark shades, so I will have to be carefull not to go overly dark with the grey armor for my army, but I think I will manage.

 

I swear my iphone takes worse pics every time I use it.

 

Large decals to apply onto my two predators, my vindicator and my two Land raiders.  I also have tinkered with greenstuff logos and will see how happy I am with those.

 

Close up of the smaller decals I made for marking my bikes and troops.  Hopefully this will work better than freehanding or maybe even will get a little freehand touch up after the decals are applied.

 

I also want to thank Dracul for the great layout of chapter approved insiginia available right here on Bolter and Chainsword.  

Edited September 2, 2017 by airinhere

[airinhere]

Mechanicus adept Feivel tightens his shoulders as he brings the archaic conversion beam weapon "Hammer"  to slow his enemies.

 

 

 

 

Edited September 2, 2017 by airinhere

[deathspectersgt7]

 Really dig the conversion beam weapon nice decals on it also. Great job.

[Machine God]

I like the Jump Pack shock absorbers!

 

A Great conversion, although it must be a pig to drive round right hand turns!

[airinhere]

Thanks for the likes.  

 

This turned into a pretty extensive case of rebuilding a heavily damaged model.  This was originally a scout biker that came alone with an ebay lot of marine bikers.  I had to remove the scout with a pair of needlenose pliers and the front end was mostly missing.  I decided that half a plastic jump pack  would make a workable front fairing and had a mount point for a storm bolter from a old predator model.  I added some fuel tanks on each side from spare parts from FW dreadfire arms and then made footpads out of the grills from some incomplete jump pack bits I had.

 

The conversion beamer originally was a rocket pod from some old star trek model I had years ago and somehow that single rocket pod was still lingering at the bottom of my bits box.  The tip of the gun is the cover for the applicator tip of some dollar store crazy glue.  I added some greenstuff tubes and twisted copper wiring to make it look more "patched up".  I am very happy how the decal worked out and am looking forward to adding larger ones onto my tanks in the near future.  I used a chopped up missile launcher to connect the beemer to the bike.  A little pinning the parts together and it has even survived a drop off the workbench onto the tile floor. 

 

The techmarine was an old model I had sitting at the bottom of the bitz box also and the way he was posed made fitting onto the bike go smoothly.  I did have to chop his left arm a fair bit to reach the handlebars, but it still 'looks' right.   I have a master of the forge and another techmarine model to use with my dreadnought force and hope I can replicate the red I achieved on this guy.  

 

I am nearing the completion of  my marine bikers and I had to do something to break up the pace of so many models.  All the bikes are done and the riders are ready for glazing, highlights and then adding some minor battle damage.  I really enjoyed trying such a different color scheme.

[airinhere]

Today I managed to break my long term distraction and start on rebasing my infantry marines.  twenty jump pack troops and twenty tactical marines.  Another ten devestators and then a few command troops.  I have been inches away from completing my twenty odd force of bikers for a long time, but got distracted with Skaven conversions to 40K.

 

Then I had to rebase the Skaven and found out how easy it was to make press molds for troops.  I had ordered a pile of 32mm bases last Summer and had been debating the point of going through all the effort.  But, my Skaven came on square bases and needed the old marines bases, and that left me with a need to finish up another old project.

 

But what to do for the bases to make the extra effort worthwhile?  I already have a sort of snow covered stone and muddy soil thing going on with my scouts and bikers.  Then it came to me......

 

Tyranid infestation.

 

I dug up some of the little tyranid objectives included on their sprues and made a couple press molds of them.  Mix up some green stuff and Milliput and voila!  Tyranid infested soil with some small Imperial ruins and plenty of room for tyanid body parts to be added before a healthy dose of snow effects.

 

Nice, pink and green oozing against a dreary white and dark muddy base.  These should give a great contrast to the monoshromatic Carcharodons and give a great unifying theme to the army.  I am considering adding some tentacles as well from my green stuff tentacle maker.  I had added a decent number of new scouts to my force and the tentacles mixed into their numbers could help unify the basing for the power armored marines.

 

A few remnants of an old Imperial structure.

 

 

Close up of the Tyranid structure common to each base.

 

Over the next few days I can begin to make the tentacles and position my marines on their new bases.   Maybe I can even get motivated to begin painting again!

Edited September 2, 2017 by airinhere

[airinhere]

This week I opened my new airbrush and started learning to paint with it.  I still have a long way to go, but I am starting by focusing on the larger models in my army.  Landraiders, Predators and a Vindicator.  The decals I created last Fall have been applied and I added a fair amount of battle damage.  These are all pre-owned models from ebay that were in various degrees of damage form their original owners.  Battle damage seemed like a great way to take all the overspilt glue and outright damage done to the models and turn all those into something visually striking.

 

Here is the results of basecoat, highlights, decals and battle damage.

 

3 Crusader models.  Note the Hammerhead logo on the Starboard topplate.  The command unit has a larger logo and slightly modified weapons.  It also bears a sunburst insignia showing the heraldry of the Fleet Librarium.

 

 

Hammerhead markings for each Crusader Land Raider

 

Battle damage was a three layer process of  Wolf Grey, Black and Shining Silver.

 

A Manta adorns the Port doors of both Crusaders assigned for transporting the Terminator squads.

 

 

A Larger Hammerhead marking on the Command Crusader Land Raider.

 

 

The Sunburst marking comes from the Librarium.  Three legendary warriors and support Terminators come from this modified Crusader.

 

A Godhammer model brings long range support and Carries the Chapter leadership and command squad.  Sponsons are removed and are being painted separate.

 

The spiraling mark of Fate adorns the Port bow of the Command Land Raider.

 

Two Predators and a Vindicator bring mobile heavy support for the Carcharodons when they deploy on planet.

 

Large Dozer blades help prevent the light armor tanks from being trapped or damaged while crossing hostile terrain.

 

 

The Vindicator wears the mark of the Great shark on its side.  Techmarine support never strays far from this relic with great history in the fleet.  

 

 

I still have a LOT of detail work to do,  I plan to spray each tank with a glosscoat and then I will mask off and paint all the tracks, weapons systems and then hand detail in the multiple Carcharodon logos I made out of greenstuff.  The line highlights alone will take me a while to complete, but it was great watching my mismatched tanks come toether in the first steps of a unified force.

Edited September 2, 2017 by airinhere

[airinhere]

Two Infantry squads with extra chainswords, a command squad with several chapter heroes and commanders, one Vanguard vet squad, one assault squad and two squads of assault terminators are basecoated and zenithal highlighted.

 

 

I loooooove the airbrush!

 

detailing all these guys is going to take me a million years!  I have a small horde of bikers that have been waiting for gold trim, weapon paint and line edging for months.  Anyone got any good advice to get and stay motivated?  So far RedBull seems to be my best option.  

 

Edited September 2, 2017 by airinhere

[airinhere]

I have been busy playing with my Land Raiders and trying to work out how to do some mud effects and weathering/ damage.  I did get a bit impatient and have gone ahead while some final bits are being shipped to me, but without a local store, I am at the mercy of a painfully slow postal service.  I am also nearly done with my predators and Vindicator and should be starting to get serious about my individual marines shortly.

Edited September 2, 2017 by airinhere

[airinhere]

Predator and Vindicator nearing completion.  Waiting to add chapter insignia and a final gloss coat.  I am considering trying to do the OSL effect with the headlights using my airbrush, but I am not very confident that I will do it right and avoid having to clean and repaint all these.

Edited September 2, 2017 by airinhere

[MortalKillzone]

I've always really loved the Space Sharks and you are definitely doing them justice! 

 

Those tattoos are super cool and unique, really gives a ton of flavor, loving how that land raider is coming along!

 

I also really love the giant shark mouth on the venerable dread.

 

Great additions to make them feel unique! Keep up the good work man!

[airinhere]

Today I spent a beautiful sunny day hiding indoors with the blinds drawn.  But it was a great time spent painting all my bike squads and command squad.  I still do have another 5 assault bikes to go, but this is the best progress on these bikers I have seen in nearly a year.

 

Carcharodon Captain Titus with his twin linked melta guns, lightning claw and Iron halo

 

http://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2016/4/17/793093_md-Bike%2C%20Carcharodon%2C%20Space%20Sharks.JPG

 

Carcharodon Champion with Force sword

http://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2016/4/17/793094_md-Bike%2C%20Carcharodon%2C%20Space%20Sharks.JPG

 

Command squad following Captain Titus and Techmarine Fievel.

http://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2016/4/17/793095_md-Bike%2C%20Carcharodon%2C%20Space%20Sharks.JPG

 

Predation Fleet Mako Bikers 

http://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2016/4/17/793100_md-Bike%2C%20Carcharodon%2C%20Space%20Sharks.JPG

[MortalKillzone]

bikes and sharks! Love it. Also love the lighting from the power weapons. 

[Draakur]

Nice job here, like how you're representing the Sharks (and particularly good work on the decals, adds a tonne of flavour!). Keep it up! :tu:

[airinhere]

Predation fleet terminator assets arrive to impose the Imperial Truth to Xenos and wayward Humans.  

 

 

Strike force leader Captain Selim Nodan bears a set of ancient lightning claws crafted before the Horus Heresy.  These mighty weapons have left bloody reminders upon many foes of the Emperor.  

 

Assault squad Tika.  

 

 

Assault squad MAhue

 

The full strike team of Terminator marines ready for assault.

 

In my desire to field my army, I am opting to move on to my Vanguard Vets before I finish the detailing on these guys.  Lenses, purity seals, black on the edges of the bases and battle damage can be done after I have a battle ready force.  

 

 

Here is a full army shot so far.  2 Predators, 1 Vindicator, 1 Land Raider, 3 Land Raider Crusaders, 6 Dreadnoughts, 10 Terminators, 3 Librarians, Terminator Captain, Bike Captain, Techmarine Biker, 17 Biker Marines, 5 Assault Bikes and 24 Scouts.

 

I still have 20 Vanguard Vets, 20 tactical marines and a Chaplain led Command Squad for each as well as another 20 Scouts and two squads of Devastator Marines waiting for final painting.  There are also two Chapter heroes that and another Techmarine that can add some personality to my army.   

Edited September 2, 2017 by airinhere

[Race Bannon]

Bloody awesome :tu:

 

Where did the shoulder pads come from?

[airinhere]

Thank you.  The shoulderpads are from Shapeways.  I have found at least three different Carcharodon styles there so far for both regular marines and Terminators.  One guy is also released Carcharodon 3-d insignia for tanks.  

 

I also am working up a proper BFG fleet for my Carcharodon forces.  Using the ASC 2.0 rules, I am forming a Space Marine Frontier Fleet List.  This style is specifically made with Carcharodon fleets in mind and is a long sought after ruleset for the Nomad Predation Fleet mentioned in the chapter fluff.

 

My current fleet includes 2 Desecrator class Grand Cruisers, 4 Marine Strike Cruisers (2 modified), 3 Nova Frigates, 3 Gladius Frigates and 6 Hunter Destroyers.  I also have added a modified Iconoclast class Destroyer used by my Inquisitor Valeria Mane.  

 

My fleet still needs some picket ships to satisfy the fleet list, and I actually plan to include a horde of torpedo strike cruisers that can add some strong firepower to the fleet. I recently witnessed a feeding frenzy of sharks surrounding a huge ball of baitfish and was inspired to form my fleet to encircle and pick away at the enemy one bite at a time.  

 

Desecrator Class Grand Cruisers Betrayal and Feasting  basecoated and shaded.  

 

 

Strike Cruisers Trident, Word of redemption, Darkened Skye and Power of Faith follow their Frigate and Destroyer escorts in close formation.  Thunderhawk Gunships can be seen leading the way.  the solitary Iconoclast class Destroyer Mercy of ages sits between the Grand Cruisers Betrayal and Feasting.

 

Edited September 2, 2017 by airinhere

[Bjorn Firewalker]

Good job so far. I like the shark mouths on the Land Raiders.

Edited May 28, 2016 by Bjorn Firewalker

[helterskelter]

The decals on the tanks are bloomin fantastic!

[airinhere]

For ETL IV I have pledged 25 Vanguard Vets and  Chaplain to join my painted army.   I have opted to base each one as if it were flying just slightly above the ground.  To help do this using the normal 32mm bases, I turned to a dremmel and a small box of finishing nails I had lying around.  The nail is terribly obvious, but does a good job providing a solid mount to put the marines foot onto.  

 

 

I also had to finish stripping the paint off some of the remaining ebay marines I had bought as part of a lot.  Here they are mounted onto the freshly glued nails.  I use a dremmel to drill a nice deep hole in each marines foot and they balance wonderfully.  Terrain bits can be added afterward to keep the theme for basing I am using of a Tyranid infested landscape.

 

Next up is a bit of highlighting and washesfor the red bits.  I am leaning towards silvery-metal looking straps for the jump packs.  Of course gold will need to be applied for as much decorative bits as possible.  

 

On my bases, I was pleased with the bloody flesh look I got on my terminators bases.  The Tyranid nodules should make great color splashes for these models flying into battle.

 

 

Edge highlights and maybe a round of markings for the jump packs seems like a natural route here.  I am pleased with my start at a shark logo on the shield.  This is my first try for a freehand logo.

Edited September 2, 2017 by airinhere

[airinhere]

A few more steps today towards completion!

 

Base has been laid down for the gold trim on shoulderpads and accent bits.  Red has been highlighted with a brighter red and jump pack straps have been coated with a light grey in prep for an upcoming series of washes and highlighting afterward.

 

 

Red markings have been added to the white already laid down.  I am pleased with the effect.  

Edited September 2, 2017 by airinhere

[Lord Commander Vulkus Dorn]

Love your stuff, it's very inspirational

[codyrstuart]

Your tribal markings are insane!

[airinhere]

Thank you both for the kind words.  I am having a very good time painting these guys and am quite pleased with the direction this army is forming into.

 

Today I spent a few hours finishing up my Vanguard Vets and am waiting until the morning to spray coat them and then to do their bases.  But for all intents and purposes, I think these guys are finished.

 

Now onto the second half of my current ETL vow.  a chaplain and ten more VV.  But these are going to be in the codex camoflauge scheme shown in the old Rogue Trader books.

 

Close up view of Lightning claw effect on VV and a little of the blood splatter added to the models.

 

 

More VV and more blood splatter.  Glow effect on power sword matches the Lightning Claws.

 

 

Chainsword wielding brothers tend to have the messiest blood splatter.  

 

 

Full group shot of Vanguard Veteran brothers ready for clearcoat and basing.

 

The second half of the brothers will be in Codex approved camo pattern shown in Rogue Trader.  Yellow was painfully bad at covering and took about four layers to finally get a good even coat.

Edited September 2, 2017 by airinhere

[Bjorn Firewalker]

http://i1065.photobucket.com/albums/u395/aaron_hunt3/Carcharodon%20armor%20006_zpsxncx6b0f.jpg

http://i1065.photobucket.com/albums/u395/aaron_hunt3/Carcharodon%20armor%20007_zpsgf0l9ah5.jpg

 

What's the red cylinder at the hip of the Marines in front? Demolition charges or melta bombs? Teleport homers?