Wednesday 24 May 2017

"Explorators Report... Status Priority Red."

"Fate has delivered into our hands the remains of one of the enemy raiders."
This 28mm metal model of a Necron Raider was produced back in 1997 by "Games Workshop" and is one of five mechanical warriors which were included in the "Warhammer 40K" race's boxed set. Previously mutilated in order to provide some other figures with cybernetic limbs, this formidable sculpt was very generously gifted to me by Dave Stone of "Wargames Terrain Workshop" fame, and has resultantly become the first of three Necron-themed objective markers I have planned to accompany my small-sized 'Oldhammer 40K' Necron raiding party. 

Having first been super-glued to a thin 40mm base, and appropriately angled with the aid of some "Gale Force Nine" Grey Stuff, the defunct automaton was primed with "Citadel" Abaddon Black and subsequently layered with Ironbreaker. The skeletal robot was then washed with Nuln Oil, roughly dry-brushed with more Ironbreaker, liberally treated to a coating of "Mig Productions" Extreme Rust Wash, and finally given a second dry-brush of Ironbreaker.
Ultron-14 WIPs - The robot has been primed, washed and dry-brushed
A similar technique was applied to the Necron warrior's Gauss Flayer using "Citadel" Abaddon Black and "Mig Productions" Extreme Rust Wash; albeit the weapon's tip was painted using a combination of "Vallejo" Heavy Khaki and "Citadel" Biel-Tan Green. As a last touch, so as to imbue the distressed machine with an Egyptian aura, the robot's detailed collar was 'picked out' using "Vallejo" Gold and "The Army Painter" Strong Tone Quickshade, Vallejo "Heavy Blue" and "Citadel" Drakenhof Nightshade", as well as "Vallejo" Heavy Red and "Citadel" Carroburg Crimson.

Sticking with the metallic robot theme, I have started work on an Ultron-14 "Heroclix" model I found whilst scrambling through my pre-painted "Wizkids" collection for some odds and ends to send Steve from "The Game Cupboard". I've painted up a previous incarnation of the Avengers' nemesis before, but felt this upgraded variant, capable of "Thermal Targeting", would make a welcome addition to my ever-growing horde of insane comic book automatons.
Time War Daleks WIPS - The Kaleds have had their eye-stalks, sensors, weapons and plungers all 'picked out'
For now I have simply primed the model with some "Citadel" Abaddon Black, and started building up the artificial intelligence's adamantium outer armour with a combination of Nuln oil and patiently dry-brushed Ironbreaker. However, before Ultron-14 is finished I hope to have 'picked out' his red optical sensors and darkly foreboding skull-like maw.

Finally, I have finished all the layers needed on three more of my "Warlord Games" Daleks, and now simply need to apply a variety of washes over the Kaled Mark III travel machines to finish them. As a result I'm hoping to get these models varnished and flocked over the next few days, and finally settle down to play "A Meeting Of Metal"; the opening scenario to the "Doctor Who: Exterminate!" "fast-paced tabletop miniatures game."

30 comments:

  1. necron raider is fantastic

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    1. Thanks Martin. In many ways I'm actually tempted to do them all as rusty raiders :-)

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  2. Uuugh just lost the whole post when the blog decided to switch screens on me, so beware... comments are being eaten today by Google (write in word and paste it when done).

    I simply love the {converted Necron} rusty robot objective marker. It looks so stunning on its cool base too.

    The Dalek looks simply fabulous (I really, really, REALLY like the stone basing **winks**). I can`t believe just how good these are looking. Any game with these in is going to be a real treat to play.

    I picked up my ears when I saw you mention Ultron, wow what a lucky find. Jez sent us an Ultron on motorbike a while back, and fell in love with this character model even then, and its on my `next to do` list of DVD movies to go back and watch again. Seeing your one was a real treat. It`s come out really nicely hasnt it.

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    1. Thanks for typing it all back, Hils :-) Glad you like the Necron, its a great 'old skool' sculpt, imho.

      As for the Daleks, well, as you know, that stone basing needs washing with Brown shade and then flocking with static grass yet ;-)

      Ultron-14 is entirely Steve's fault, as I picked him whilst looking for those Predator "Heroclix" you were after. A few other "Wizkids" minis have landed on my painting table as a result too :-)

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  3. one of your best posts yet Simon. Inspiring eye candy, which has made me all enthused and wanting to do hobby things today.

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    1. Cheers Tarot. Inspiring people to hobby all day is precisely why I post. Thanks very much for the kind words.

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  4. wow, that converted Nercon looks amazing, and the Daleks are simply out of this world.... lol literally. Ultron looks absolutely highly cool too.

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    1. Thanks Steve. I'm pretty pleased with the Necron Raider too :-)

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  5. The Necron objective marker is superb Simon, really well done.

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    1. Cheers Michael. I think "Mig Productions" Extreme Rust Wash is a fantastic addition to any painters arsenal.

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  6. What an excellent themed sci-fi post, Simon. All good figures and all worthy additions to your collection.

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    1. Thanks Bryan. The best news, in my mind at least, is that all the WIPs only need a little TLC to be finished too :-)

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  7. Yep all nice stuff Simon, the Nercon look great, and look forward top seeing how you "play" him. Ultron is always cool in whatever guise and as I've said before your Daleks look the doggies doodaa's

    Cheers Roger.

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    1. Cheers Roger. I'm hoping the Necron Raider objectives I'm working on will really help generate a nice rusty atmosphere for some of the games I have planned for them. I'm glad you like the Daleks. Such an iconic "Doctor Who" monster needs to look "the doggies doodaa's" in my books :-)

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  8. The Necron Raider looks brilliant!

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    1. Thanks Gordon!! I'm always pleased to get some use out of a broken mini, and objective markers are just the job for such things!!

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  9. I love him, the necron raider is absolutely stunning, great work Simon!

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  10. Nice work on the Necron objective marker. :)

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    1. Thanks Leon. One down, two more to go :-)

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  11. Hmm, that Necron raider is still holding his gun aloft. I'm not convinced that it is inoperable...

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    1. That's the trouble with the Necrons, Hugh, you never know if they're fully deactivated or not ;-)

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  12. The Necron turned out great Simon, you'll be pleased to know I no longer mutilate models, I build all the bits I need from scratch instead. Like the idea that the whole force looks the same as if their just activating, would look awesome.
    Great start on Ultron, to add contrast you could use purple or blue wash for shadow areas.
    Daleks look fantastic and look forward to reading the batrep

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    1. Cheers Dave. The rusty look is certainly tempting. I could then use my objective markers as spawn points too ;-)

      Ultron-14 is now finished but I have a few more versions in my 'bumper "Heroclix" box, so I'll think about using your suggestion Ref washes the next time round.

      The final three Daleks are now finished, and will be posted up over the weekend, with the "Doctor Who: Exterminate!" BatRep coming soon!

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    2. Sounds like a great idea with the necrons Simon.
      No problem on the wash idea, and eargerly await the batrep

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    3. I've another rusty Necron Raider to post up soon, Dave, and good to hear you're no longer mutilating your minis :-)

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  13. Great selection of subjetcs, I really do like the necron, especially as it (he?) looks like he may still be active!

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    1. Thanks Joe. I was considering painting the Necron's eyes green or red. But then thought that would make him appear far too alive, hence the silver.

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  14. All the robots, all the time.

    Nice metallics in all the photos mate.

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    1. Cheers Dai. Definitely an all-robot posting. Glad you like it :-)

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