I decided to use an old Reaper Miniatures beetle that I had had laying around for many years as the basis for the riding beast. The mini I chose to ride the thing was an RT pilot from the Landspeeder.
The concept. |
I was pretty happy with how he looked, so I set to work converting him up. I covered up the legs of the goblin, which were part of the beetle, with a tyre. This, together a tank hatch from Ramshackle Games, formed the riders makeshift seat. The padding for the backrest was made by folding some insulted cable over on itself and gluing it together. The rest of the bits and bobs were made from wire and a jerrycan from Curtis.
Once the build was done it was onto paint:
The concept for the colour scheme is something that I'd been toying with for quite a while. I'd always wanted to try my hand at a poison dart frog pattern, this was the perfect opportunity. I just made sure that the pattern I painted was more exaggerated than in real life, otherwise the beetles form would become one. I think it worked out ok.
You might be wondering about the the plumbing. There is a wire going from the riders hand to the jerrycan, then a pipe from there into the beetles cranium. My theory behind the plumbing is that the pilot controls the beetle by some sort of brain stimulant. When he presses the button it releases this substance into the poor creatures skull, causing it to run for it's life. Who knows, maybe it gives the thing waking nightmares.....like it's being chased by a massive can of fly spray? Either way, it motivates the hell out of it.
Now, what did I decide for the creatures name? The Garthim Gasser. I'm too lazy to explain how I came up with it so please refer to here and here. Hopefully it makes sense.
Ok, that's it or now. One more mini to go and then all my BOYL prep is done.
See ya in the soup fellas :)
In game I have no idea how it will perform, but it'll be fun to play nonetheless :)
This is 100% win, even if that doesn't guarantee that it will win the game! Conceptually it's all sorts of fun, and the execution is brilliant. The sheer idea that a guy can create a racing beast by grabbing a huge beetle and pouring chems into its brain through a hole drilled in the carapace is, well, nuts! In the best possible way of course!!
ReplyDeleteLove those carapace markings too - they really do make the whole thing pop.
I kind of imagine that he's a bit like Popeye....give him a can of spinach and awwwwaaaaayyyyyy we GO!
DeleteThis race is gunna be so much fun, regardless of the winner. There's so many unique beasties taking part it'll be a sight to behold. Thanks a bunch for setting it up.
Cheers Jon :)
Erasmus I love what your mind comes up with....this is just lovely! The scheme is brilliant and the wire pumping him is the best kind of fluff! Can't wait to knock him out of the race.
ReplyDeleteHe won't be easy to knock out, just look for the smallest, most unlikely candidate to win the race.....that'll be the one. Unless that's what I want you to think? Maybe the brain juice is like liquid warp in a can? Or maybe I'm just full of shit to and this will be the slowest thing EVAAAAA!!!!
DeleteTune in on the 3rd of August, corner table, Foundry, Newark, UK to see who takes the prize!
Cheers mate, glad you like him :)
Christ that was a lot of waffle.
That’s a lovely piece, the colours are really nicely done. Kudos for Dark Crystal reference! I picture you as a demented podling with a beard
ReplyDeleteYou're not far wrong with that image Ragsta. My beard and podling visage are legendary :D
DeleteHe turned out rather well didn't he.
Cheers man :)
Man, you made my day with this one :D Pure genius, I would have never come with such a creative composition :)
ReplyDeleteYou're too kind Suber. You're more than capable of knocking builds out of the park man.
DeleteGlad you like him all the same buddy :)
Hahah that is simply ingenious!!! What a great conversion.
ReplyDeleteCheers Mr Viking :)
DeleteLet's see how he performs on the pretend race track in a few weeks time.
I read for many years about BOYL, but I always went to the BLAM instead. I guess it is time to change that! (pending wether GB falls in the ocean after brexit).
DeleteI've never been to BLAM, so I can't tell if BOYL is better or worse, but what I can tell you is that if you like RT and/or WFB and everything else old-school GW then BOYL will be right up your alley.
DeleteBrexit will wait until after BOYL is over. I read that on the internet so it must be reliable information.
Loving the fact that he's seated on an old tyre! :D
ReplyDeleteThere's no such thing as "comfy" when you're riding on the back of a giant beetle, but a tyres better than nothing I suppose.
DeleteCheers Skully :)
Your switch to a beach background was a lengthy set up for this one model wasn't it? You sly bastard! He couldn't for more perfectly on that background!
ReplyDeleteOh, yeah, he looks awesome too!
No, no, don't stop talking about the beach. The mini is unimportant compared to the sun drenched vista that it's blocking.
DeleteBut yes, I agree, it is awesome isn't it.
Cheers Andrew :)
Random yet good.
ReplyDeleteBOYL usually has quite a few weird and fun events. I'm glad you like my creation Phil :)
DeleteUnique! I love the rider to beast size ratio, it really sells the ridiculousness of the concept.
ReplyDeleteIn my mind I kinda envisage that this thing gets around much like the dog in the movie John Carter of Mars does.
DeleteRidiculous is my middle name when it comes to mini creations :)
Cheers mate :)