Fix bayonets! 3D-printing Valour Korps... Pt. V

After kitting out the standard Korpsmen with all their extra equipment I put together some additional pieces of gear for the Sergeants and Voxtroopers.

The Sergeants are all wearing capes, so they can't carry a backpack. The Voxtroopers carry their radio on their back, also preventing them to carry a backpack. For these models I made a large satchel to be worn on their belt. 

I also designed a bag to be carried by a belt over the shoulder. These bags could contain anything from medical supplies to explosives or classified material... Every Squad has a Korpsman with such a bag.

For the moment, I haven't included any special weapons in my infantry squads, but I do want a few heavy weapons mixed in with the regular troopers. The heavy weapon of choice is going to be the missile launcher. I put the crew on regular bases. In this way, they fit on the movement tray with the rest of the Squad.

I also equipped the missile launchers with belts, just like the lasguns of the Korpsmen. For these teams I designed a tube containing a rocket, which I included in a special backpack and carrying bag. 

The choice for the missile launcher is mostly based on looks, I like the way it resembles a panzershreck; I think it fits well with the theme of the army... But it also helps that it is very flexible.

Fix bayonets! 3D-printing Valour Korps... Pt. IV

Last week I sold my Feudal Guard army to make some space for a new project and, to be honest, also to generate some hobby budget... 

This new project comes in the shape of the Valour Korps. When this fantastic range from The Makers Cult was first released, I already did some test models, which can be seen in previous posts labelled 'Valour Korps'. These early models were painted in reasonably historically correct colours, but for this new incarnation I wanted something a bit more striking...

Bright red coat and shiny black armour...

Even though the models are very detailed and pretty awesome to begin with, I decided I wanted a little more. With the Feudal Guard I missed the opportunity to add some personal flavour to the models, with the Valour Korps I wanted to change that... My little Korpsmen will be going to war lugging around a full set of custom gear.

I started out by digitally kitbashing a simple backpack, this quickly escalated to a whole range of more than 20 different backpacks (and counting), similar in style, but with small variations in their configuration...

A few of the backpacks I put together...

All backpacks have a respirator-shaped hole in them...

The first few loaded Korpsmen...

I used mostly TMC bits to bash these backpacks together. This saves me the trouble of sculpting anything other than simple geometric objects (which I still can't) and it ensures the style of the backpacks closely matches that of the models themselves. The backpacks fit snugly over the respirators on the back of the models, making it very easy indeed to add more detail...

After the backpacks I digitally equipped several bodies with even more extra gear. All bodies were equipped with a canteen and I added several large and small pouches and the odd shovel (not too many of those, as most backpacks already include one). All these extra bits ensure a lot of different configurations and interesting detail to paint. 

After that, I enhanced all the regular lasguns to include a strap or belt and bayonet. The bayonets were already part of the Infantry Builder from TMC (I only thickened and lengthened it a bit, to make it stronger), but the belts were all designed from scratch. I then merged the arms, lasguns, belts and bayonets together so I can print complete sets, which has the added benefit of saving me the hassle of having to sort out the matching pairs of arms when assembling the models...

All geared up and ready to go...

The first few squads... 

I wanted these squads to look like they are 'at ease', so no running, shooting or agressively waving their weapons around... All these Korpsmen are idling, reloading, fixing bayonets or just standing around... 

More updates coming soon, and this time I might even mean it! Next up are more custom bits of equipment, bases and some heavy weapons...

Déjà vu; here we go again...

Oh man, life goes on and typing this makes me feel a bit like deja-vu...

Over the last couple of months I have spent plenty of time on my hobby, but I haven't found/taken the time to keep his blog up to date...  

So, what have I been up to? 

Well... A lot of different things, actually... 

First up, I have purchased two new 3D-printers... After my two Elegoo MARS, the larger Elegoo SATURN is a proper upgrade; the larger print volume gives a lot more options. I also picked up a FDM-printer: A Creality CR-10S Pro V2... Having a FDM-printer with a large print surface, allows me to print bigger pieces of scenery. My printer prints at a very nice quality, mind you, it can't compare to resin, but for scenery or terrain it's perfect! It might not be faster, but the ability to print bigger makes all the difference, and that it's cheaper is a bonus, too.

I have printed a whole lot of resin 15mm buildings for my Flames of War scenery. Most of these still have to be painted, but my table now has a proper village. Even better, my friend and neighbour has been busy building and painting two whole armies and together we have been playing some games. 

Well, maybe not a proper village yet. Mind you, this is a 220X160 table...

I have completed a whole lot of pieces to decorate The Dungeon. I commisioned a set of full-plate armoured suits to put on display. I found the sculpter of Uncanny Minis on Thingiverse, joined his new Patreon and contacted him with a proposal. If you are interested in fantasy miniatures, check out his Patreon or his Thingiverse. Most of his models are absolutely free and, most important, very good! 

Two of the full plate armoured suits...

A painted example of one of his designs... 

After the set of armoured suits I asked him to design my D&D character: Gabnast, a Gnome Ranger wielding a heavy crossbow...

Meet Gabnast 'the bullfrog' Millwop... 

Speaking of D&D... Almost a year ago I joined a group of players for a new (and my first) D&D campaign. After our lockdown ended, we switched from online to physical game sessions. So far, I have printed and painted all the character for the players and I have been printing miniatures for our DM, too. 

I have also started printing scatter terrain for D&D. So far I have printed ánd painted (yes, I'm surprised, too) a set of trees, a complete cavern/mine set and a whole lot of ruins... We have been using my terrain during our sessions, which serves as a great motivation to actually paint all these pieces.

The cavern/mine set, all VaeVictis Miniatures...

Most of these ruins will form the basis of a new set of terrain for 40K. This set of terrain should help me to get back into playing 40K.

And because an update without some fresh pictures is just lame, here are a few from last weekend, if only as proof I actually printed and painted something...

These ruins are from Devious Games and are easy to print (they require minimal supports) and fun to paint... I think they are equally usable as scatter terrain for D&D or other Fantasy games as well as terrain for 40K.

I have designed a full set of detailed round bases, which I uploaded to Thingiverse. Originally I designed these for a project of my own, but for now, that project is on hold... Judging by the number of downloads, I think other hobbyists enjoy them, too. You can check them out HERE.

I sold my orange Feudal Guard army, clearing some space for a new Valour Korps force from The Makers Cult. Even though the VK models are pretty awesome to begin with, I found some room for improvement... 

I have kitbashed and designed a set of extra gear for the standard Korpsmen, resulting in kitted-out models which are a joy to paint! I digitally added bayonets and belts to all the lasguns, so I can print them as complete sets.

This army will get it's own series of posts. Well, that's the plan, anyway... 

So far, I have settled on a colour scheme, as can be seen below, and I have printed several squads of Korpsmen to get my army started.

A painted test model...

A squad of Korpsmen, equipped with extra gear...

Painted test model of a Sentinel...

This is the part where I normally say that more updates are coming soon, but looking back, I shouldn't be making any such promises...

3D-printing Feudal Guard... pt. IX

I have been printing a Feudal Guard Baneblade... 

Picture courtesy of TMC...

Printing this beast has been quite a challenge. All the parts are cut to fit small scale resin printers like my Elegoo MARS. Even so, the bigger parts were pretty tricky to get right. It turns out that orientation and support are a lot more crucial when it involves large items. I lowered the lift speed and switched to heavier supports. 

Exploded view... Picture courtesy of TMC...

Most of the parts... Still waiting on the final print to finish...

Everything combined, the printing took well over 100 hours. I also managed to botch one of the bigger pieces so I had to re-print that as well, adding almost 20 hours to the total tally...

Sub-assembly... 

Due to some warping I had to sand and file a bit and I will have to fill some gaps. Apart from those little things the whole assembly went smoothly.

Size comparison... Next to a FG Leman Russ, it's pretty huge...

The shrine is easily one of the best detailed bits of the whole model...

After finishing the last print, the model is finally completed... It has taken me two weeks to print all the bits and pieces, but that was totally worth it!

The Baneblade in all it's glory...

Even though I was very carefull with the settings, some of the bigger pieces warped a bit while printing and curing. I needed to sand and file certain parts and the model needed some filling between the larger pieces. Even so, these were very minor adjustments; the kit is designed and cut very well. As far as I can tell, it is easily as detailed as the plastic GW kit, it looks A LOT better and only cost me half as much... Besides, printing things this big, gives a real kick...

The white lines is where the model needed some filling...

The models weighs just under a 1000 grammes... 

As can be seen in the picture above, the Baneblade almost weighs a full kilogramme. As all parts need supports, printing it has taken me a full 1 liter bottle of resin and a good part of another... 

Having completed this complicated and very big model, it is safe to say that there will be more; pulling something like this from my printer has given me quite a kick... I do intend to add a Stormlord to the printing que, but not before I finish dome smaller projects first...

 

Orange everywhere... EVERYWHERE!!!

I love the whole 3D-printing my own army thing, but, believe it or not, there is a downside to it all... Well, no, there isn't, but at the moment I am printing a lot faster than I can paint, but I am trying to catch up. Really... 

That involves painting a lot of orange, and I mean A LOT of orange... 

A Chimera, Hellhound, some 40 infantry models, a squad of cavalry and the last pieces of my first Leman Russ... 

3D-printing Feudal Guard... pt. VIII

It has been a while; work has been keeping me busy, but even so, the printer hasn't been idle...

I have printed another two squads of Guardsmen to back-up my first squad. I also replaced four guardsmen who I accidentally equipped with the wrong style helmet. 

These three units will be forming the backbone of my growing Astra Militarum force. For now I have equipped two squads with a meltagun and the third with a plasmagun. One of the Sergeants is armed with a laspistol and chainsword while the other two have been issued a boltgun. 

Three Vox-casters...

The second half of TMC-Patreon for this month contained another set of Feudal Guard upgrade bits. Included in this set are bits to equip a Vox-caster with the new styled arms. The set also includes all the bits needed to upgrade the Heavy Weapon Teams (I will be printing these soon). These upgrade packs have been extremely useful in making the FG range even more complete and flexible. 

The second part of the FG reinforcements for this update is formed by a squad of Rough Riders... As with all the Feudal Guard models these are very well designed. 

While these models aren't supported anymore by GW, I think it's still possible to field them in my force (or at least, I hope so)... If all else  fails, I still have a very good looking unit.

I designed custom bases for my cavalry, too...

Right now, I am looking at all these freshly printed models with a mix of wonder, pride, anticipation and growing dread, the latter is being fueled by the prospect of having to paint all of them... In that regard it's just like the old days when I still used to buy all my models, as in that I would buy them faster than I could paint...

The next update will most likely feature a squad of Veterans and some Storm Troopers with my own designed grav chutes... I also have been printing a Valkyrie dropship which just needs some final touches before it can be assembled and painted...

Oh, and I picked up the files to print my own Cerastus Knight, but that's a whole different story...

3D-printing Feudal Guard... pt. VII

After the last update, I picked up the Feudal Guard Troop Transport (counts as Chimera)... The kit comes with just about all the options you could possibly want for a Chimera and is just as detailed as I have come to expect from TMC designs.

While the design of this kit is absolutely amazing (I think it's miles better than the GW kit I owned more than a decade ago, which is still being sold today, only at twice the price), I still felt the need to add a little personal twist.

For the Chimera I wanted a wheeled chassis. The wheels were found on Thingiverse and were scaled to fit the hull of the Troop Transport. I also added a new hubcap, more in line with the rest of the design... 

Big ass wheels instead of tracks...

The last thing I changed, was placing a vent over the holes meant for the lasgun array. Can't help it, but I just don't like the way these look. I disliked them on the original model and, even though it looks better, I dislike them on this version. However, thanks to the wonders of 3D-design, it was remarkably easy to convert the model slightly and cover up these holes while still keeping the design intact...

Vents instead of the standard lasgun array...

The finished model is just sooooo gorgeous...

Armed with all the bolters I could fit on...

I also wanted to print a Hellhound flamethrower tank. On the Discord channel of TMC there were a couple of very nice designs made by other users, but they didn't have the look I wanted. Working from the original hull design, I used Tinkercad to create a suitable extra fuel tank for my version of the Hellhound.

The detail on the back of the fuel tank...

I replicated the rivets from the original model as closely as I could and tried to mimic the style of the rest of the model. I ended up with a big, well armoured fuel tank, not bad for a novice designer like me...

The printed version came out very good.

The finished Hellhound... 

The prints came out near flawless; only one of the track guards is slightly bent (just like the Battle Tank did), but that's hardly visible... 

Both models weigh around 200 grammes (the Chimera weighs about 190 and the Hellhound just about 240 grammes) and took four separate prints each. I printed these at a resolution of 0.03mm. While this adds several hours to the printing time, the detail of the prints is very, very good... 

Armoured support...

These vehicles represent a sizable investment in time and resin, but I am extremely happy with the results. My Elegoo MARS continues to impress me...

I will be printing more Chimera's, but first up is an Elite Feudal Guard squad with grav chutes and some Cavalry...

3D-printing Feudal Guard... pt. VI

As part of the TMC-Patreon for August another upgrade kit for the Feudal Guard was released. 

The FG upgrade kit...

Included in the upgrade kit are two whole sets of armoured bodies. The first half are just what I was waiting for to use for my standard Guardsmen. I love the original designs, but their style doesn't match the rest of the range as it is quite rounded while most of the other models are anything but, with sharp angles and edges... 

A comparison of the two versions... 

Both models are still very similar and could even be used together without a problem, at a glance you might not even notice the difference...

Thus far I have printed, and painted, mostly the elite troops (quite logical as I originally wanted to build a Kill team) and I have come to like their particular style. I really wanted my regular troopers to match that flavour... 

As soon as the kit became available for download, I went to work... With the arms and helmets from last months upgrade kit it's very easy to build a full squad of Guardsmen. 

Three full prints yielded a squad of 12 fully equipped troopers, including the same named bases I use for the rest of my models (these add just a little bit extra detail to the growing formation). I left the Sergeant quite basic, with just his standard chainsword and laspistol. It's easy enough to print another Sergeant and equip him with different weapons should the need arise. I cannot emphasize enough how big of an advantage this is as opposed to buying models like this in a box, where special components are always scarce... The same goes for the special weapons. For now, a meltagun and plasmagun are more than enough, but more of the same or different weapon options are readily available. I can remember, many years ago, before the convenience of online shopping, that I had great difficulty getting my hands on enough special weapons to equip my Guardsmen. Those particular blisters were never available and I ended up buying several command squad boxes for just those parts...

These troopers will first be used in Kill Team, but ultimately I want this squad to be one of the first complete units for my new Astra Militarum force for 40K... I might just use the current sale at CG-trader as an excuse to pick up a transport for these guys...

Another model I printed and put together is a new Sergeant for my Storm Troopers. I always liked the classic Kasrkin Sergeant model.

Equipped with a hotshot laspistol which is attached to his backpack with a power cable, just like the hotshot lasguns of the other Stormtroopers. This was a simple digital conversion, I cut the power cable from one of the special weapons and pasted it onto the arm with the pistol. Not as smooth as I would have liked, but it does the job.

The Stormtrooper Sergeant...

A little wink...