[WIP] The Eight, and other Tau stuff

[Dusktiger]

Figured i'd make this WIP here so it doesn't get lost in the forge, and make it easier for our Tau community to find it.

 

after long debate about it, i decided i wanted to do The Eight as a modeling project since i enjoy the battlesuits in the product line.  I haven't decided yet if i'm going to paint them traditional FSE colors or not.

 

so far, i started on the first 3 using the Start Collecting! box. (getting a free pack of firewarriors along with an ethereal and squad of crisis suits is such a good deal)

 

from left to right, Sub-commander Torchstar, Commander Bravestorm, and Commander Brightsword

 

 

for torchstar, i wanted to show she's a sub-commander, and that her combat style is oriented on moving in fast and burning everything to ash.  So, i kept the suit bare-bones and went with a pose showing her launching herself into the enemy, flamers at the ready.

Next was Bravestorm, who has the XV8-02 Iridium armour.  I went with a pose that shows him hovering steadily forward while he observes the battle progress around him.  For alterations, i added a coldstar hand for the Onager Gauntlet, and i cut a section out of his right forearm to install the plasma rifle.  I also added some bits to the torso for his stim injector things.

 

Last, Brightsword.  Pretty standard here, nothing special apart from doubling up the shoulder pads like i did for Bravestorm. 

here's some different angles:


 

[Trevak Dal]

I tell you, if I didn't have thirty crisis suits already, I'd like to get some of the new kits. The flamers and shoulder pads look cash. Especially doubled up like you did.

[MithrilForge]

This is a great start, clean crisp and not difficult conversions , I look forward to seeing the others..

Awesome work,thanks for sharing!.

Cheers, Mithril

[Dusktiger]

a small update with paint:

 

[Dusktiger]

apart from lenses, which im going to do as a group, this one's pretty much done:

 

[Panzer]

Weird contrast between the smooth white and the splotchy red, but it doesn't look bad. Definitely good tabletop quality. :tu:

 

 

Also, don't touch your models directly when the paint is still wet! :D (the rim of the Drone on the left has your fingerprint)

 

 

[Dusktiger]

yes, it fell while priming, and i smudged it picking it up.

[MithrilForge]

well your ident code is left on it so it will always protect you  ...

 

What red are you using may i ask?... is that a Contrast paint?...

 

cheers, Mithril

[Dusktiger]

That is a contrast, it’s the blood angel red

[Dusktiger]

got my next addition to the 8 today.  the FLGS hadnt marked them up yet to the new pricing, so i saved $5 on the XV88 and $30 on the XV104

 

[Dusktiger]

havent primed him yet, but here's Ob'lotai all built.

 

[Brother Callidan]

Love the missiles on the back. Looks so much nicer then on there hands. How did you go about it if you don’t mind me asking?

[Dusktiger]

it was a pretty simple conversion;

 

you start off just building the missile arms how theyre meant to be. 

once built, i used a saw to remove the shoulder area where it meets the elbow joint, and clean up the cut to keep the rounded edge.

then, there's a raised nub between the elbow and the pods, looks like a tube cut in half lengthwise; this you shave off, cause its where you'll attach the pods to the body.

next, you attach this spot to the attachments used to mount the SMS and seeker missile to the back of the torso.

 

the remaining bits on the rail rifle, you build as-instructed.

once the gun is built, there's a brace in the middle of the barrel between the venting details, and the barrel tips.  i cut the barrel right after this brace, removing the end of the rifle.

then, carefully remove the ribbed inner details of the rail rifle barrel; you only need to remove 2 notches worth.  this is where the SMS pods will mount.

mount the pods with their mounting nibs placed inside the openings you cut in the last step.  now they will rest flush against the barrel, and ensure theyre level on both sides.

the seeker missile i just inserted the mounting nib into the opening in the top of the rifle barrels.

 

had i started the riptide first and saw its sms pods are different, i probably wouldve used the ones from the riptide so they looked less like multiple packs stacked on each other.

 

since i havent primed it yet, i might swap them.  havent decided yet. 

[MithrilForge]

looks great ...the eight 

i'd say do a coat of Mephiston red over the contrast paint to really solidify the colour(i found that the contrast paints make a good fast basecoat for other colours)

i don't wish to sound mean or picky but your spending all this time on making a great Unit for your army...going that bit extra and getting a good solid coat on there without streaks will make em so much better  

 

Cheers, Mithril 

[Dusktiger]

true, im not really feeling it with these contrast paints.   its a nice shade of red....but the paint is kind of garbage when not doing fantasy minis.  just doesnt seem as good a paint on the sci fi stuff with the angles and stuff.

[Panzer]

It honestly takes practice when used on units with mostly flat surfaces. I've seen contrast paints used to great effect on T'au and Marines already so it's not like it's impossible.

[MithrilForge]

true, im not really feeling it with these contrast paints. its a nice shade of red....but the paint is kind of garbage when not doing fantasy minis. just doesnt seem as good a paint on the sci fi stuff with the angles and stuff.

yeah it's hard to work with, this is the best i got over the bone undercoat..with very controlled brush work so it didn't pool..as much

i edge highlighted afterwards to help it a bit..

Cheers, Mithril

Edited July 24, 2019 by mithrilforge