Wednesday 7 July 2021

Assembling the Convoy


One of these days, I would like to assemble all of the pieces necessary to play a science-fiction version of Blackhawk Down. I've been working on my Stargrave colonial marines, and I just started making some rough-looking terrain. 

But the part of the project that is most exciting to me is assembling a convoy of marine vehicles. For awhile I have been searching for a good science-fiction equivalent of the Humvee. After studying a lot of options, I eventually went with the Games Workshop Achilles Ridgerunner. It's got a lot of pluses. First, it's plastic, which is my preferred vehicle material. It's open-backed, which gives some fun modeling possibilities, but most importantly, it looks tough. It looks like it can weather a lot of harsh terrain and small-arms fire and keep on rolling! 

For the most part, I followed the assembly instructions exactly as in the box - though there are a couple of different options given. The only real conversion work I did was on the figure riding in the back. I used the legs and left arm provided, because they are designed to fit in the space, but then I used a GW Cadian torso, before personalizing it with a Stargrave head and right arms. It's amazing how this little change pulls the whole model away from its intended GW setting.

There is nothing special about the painting. I don't hugely enjoy painting vehicles, so tend to go with a quick approach with a lot of dry brushing. I also like to put on some decals, as these really enhance the look without much effort.

Of course, one vehicle does not a convoy make. I hope to add a couple more of these guys and a couple of trucks as well. But this is a long-term project, so I'll pick them up as and when I feel like making them.

Now I need to start thinking about the opposition...



13 comments:

  1. Have you thought about what you will use as downed aircraft?

    ReplyDelete
  2. Very nice. I like it a lot.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Looks great! I pick up a couple of those last year for another sci-fi wargame I normally play because it fills the role of a proxy for a Humvee type vehicle perfectly. I think I use mine as terrain for use with Stargrave, unless rules for vehicles are in the pipeline somewhere down the line for Stargrave ;-)

    ReplyDelete
  4. Im not a big fan of GW aesthetics, but the genestealer vehicles look awesome! And You did a great job with the painting!

    ReplyDelete
  5. What do you think about the mantic GCPS Mule?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I never seen one 'live'. They look pretty good, but I wanted something that looked a bit faster.

      Delete
  6. I've settled on this 3d print for this kind of model:
    https://www.myminifactory.com/object/3d-print-roach-modular-truck-model-kit-in-28mm-scale-164265
    The designer has an entire range of GW style lizardmen figures too.

    ReplyDelete
  7. That is looking spanking. Moohaw!

    ReplyDelete
  8. So, are we going to see vehicle rules for Stargrave?

    ReplyDelete
  9. Great post, you gave me a great idea for a bugs co-op race game using Stargrave :-)
    Cheers
    Stu

    ReplyDelete