“Dug-In Tank Hull” Mostly-Scratchbuilt Scenery

"Dug-In Tank Hull" Mostly-Scratchbuilt Scenery

Another simple piece of scenery today – again one I built many years ago but never actually completed at all, until now, finally. (There’ll be more of that sort of thing soon – hopefully!)

"Dug-In Tank Hull" Mostly-Scratchbuilt Scenery

Back when I was in my twenties, I used to purchase hobby supplies not only from the place that sold Warhammer and D&D and such things, but also from the model stores that sold trains and armour kits and planes and the like. While in these places, I’d always check out what sort of cool aftermarket parts were on sale from places like Verlinden with an eye to what I could do with them. This tank hull was one such purchase, and before too many years had passed, it was combined with some heavy card (which later buckled, as you can see), some DAS modelling clay, sand of two types and some Tamiya sandbags to turn it into a dug-in tank hull piece of cover-scenery. I did have to add an internal step from balsa so the models located inside the turret-hole could look out and theoretically aim their weapons!

"Dug-In Tank Hull" Mostly-Scratchbuilt Scenery

It was roughly painted. Well, I say painted, but it was basiucally not much more than base coated by modern standards. I added some Vallejo mud texture putty to fix up the crappy texture that the coarse sand patches had left when contrasting with the fine sand. Repainted the hull entirely, and then gave it a simple weather, some chips and rust. Highlighted and shaded the dirt, and went over the sandbags in a similar manner. Added some tufts and some slate to make it look a little more “lived in”. It’s a bit outsized for “proper” historical play, but would work well in more casual games and obviously any Weird WWII settings – much the same applies to it’s place in moderns, and as with the piece from the other day as well as the others I’m still working on, it fits in with all of the sci-fi and post-apoc, settings just fine.

Even though the base is still a bit wonky, it’s now another finished piece, and another entry for Dave Stone’s Winter of Scenery Challenge!

D&D Monster Manual 40: Dungeon of the Mad Mage – Scaladar (Mechanical Scorpion)

D&D Dungeon of the Mad Mage - Scaladar, Mechanical Scorpion

Another large critter from the D&D Mad Mage box today – this time it’s Scaladar. Or perhaps a Scaladar. We’re talking mechanical giant scorpion that shoots electricity from its tail. Or that’s what the model is telling me, anyway!

D&D Dungeon of the Mad Mage - Scaladar, Mechanical Scorpion

My uninformed assumption is that it’s probably a variation of the metal golems constructed by Trobriand the Metal Mage. Because.. well, it makes sense, right?

D&D Dungeon of the Mad Mage - Scaladar, Mechanical Scorpion

Paint was pretty straightforward. Black, Vallejo Game Colour Tinny Tin, Citadel Balthazar Gold, then a bit of silver mixed in for the final stages. Paint wash made from Vallejo Model Colour Black Green (you could use whatever dark green is in use for Dark Angels at the time). Contrast Aethermatic Blue over white for the lightning effects. It’s a decent looking sculpt and thankfully looks good with such a simple paintjob. Even if the lightning is a little goofy.