Sparowl's Meganobz and general Orks

[Sparowl]

Its been about 6 years since I first really got into Warhammer, and this will be my fourth 40k army in that time. The first three were all stock armies, with either minor or no conversions. So I decided to start converting and see where it left me.

What better army for that then Orks?

That being said, I've borrowed a great deal of inspiration from Synapse, whose Bad Moons I recommend everyone look at, if nothing else then to turn green with envy (proper color for a boy, any way).

My first Meganob:




A comparison shot with the Warlord and a Space Marine (my room mate's Crimson Fist volunteered to stand in). Note that my Meganob isn't on a base, but Ghazghul is.


I was using one of the Nobz from the Black Reach starter set and a great deal of plasti-card. My biggest problem so far has been getting the rivets to sit properly. I've resorted to using a pair of tweezers to get it to work. Making them is also something of a pain.

Apologies for the picture quality. I don't actually own a camera, so all pictures will either be taken with my computer's built in web-cam, or my cell phone. Those above were from my cell phone.

All comments welcome, good or bad, as I'd like to improve on these guys with the next couple ones. My plan is to make about 30, so I can run big or little squads as suits my fancy. Hopefully each will be unique.

[Sparowl]

Alright, working on the second Meganob. Although I like the smoke pipes, I decided to try and work on something different for this one, and ended up with Tesla Coils. He ended up smaller width-wise, but he's slightly taller. And has a bigger gun.

I haven't got the power klaw attached yet.



I ran out of the tiny plasti-card rod I was using for rivets, so I ended up using some brass rod I normally use for pinning models. The spike on his head prevented me from doing a top down cover like the first one. I could've cut it off, but I like the skulls on the spike.

Also, here is the requisite pet picture:

She likes sleeping on the box our fake christmas tree came in, so we haven't moved it out of the living room. Ah, the things we do for our pets.

[Sparowl]

Instead of working on new MANz, I decided to finish off my first two. There were minor details that people had suggested to me, as well as finishing off Nob 2's power klaw.

Here's Nob 2, with Power Klaw:


Nob 1 with add-on to the big shoota, and a piston added to the arm:

[Sparowl]

Nob 3:



I'm liking how the thicker power klaws are turning out. Also, the two part feet worked out a little better for me.

[Eriekiels]

Very nice work on those nobs, i really like scratch build meganobz! I will be following this

[Zooibanaan]

Very cool, nice job with the exhausts

[Sparowl]

Thanks guys, hope you enjoy it.

I've started working on Nob 4.



I decided to go back to smokestacks for this one, but on a suggestion from my roommate I went with smaller ones. His Gob is going to hang a little lower because I really liked the face on this Nob.

I'm missing the arm that is supposed to go on his right side, as the piece wasn't among those donated to me by friendly non-ork players who owned Assault on Black reach sets. So I think I'm going to try and completely scratch build a full armored power klaw arm and see how that goes.

[Sparowl]

Sorry for the long break. Work and School, in unequal measures, amounted to me not working on my MaNz.

But here's #4 all finished:





Since I didn't have his arm (as mentioned above), I built it from scratch for a PK. Since I'd already gone that far, I figured why not build a gun from scratch, unlike my previous ones which were all add-ons of other guns.

The Gatling gun was much easier to build then the PK, and took about half the time. Overall, I'm very pleased with how he came out.

[Sparowl]

Well, Nob 5 is almost done.





Credit where its due: my roommate built the gun on this one, after looking at my previous one. It came out pretty nice. He decided he didn't want it, so I put it onto this guy.

I have to figure out something for the back. Probably another exhaust pipe. Also, the gun arm is going to need some supports and extra armor.

That puts me at five MaNz more or less done.

[Sparowl]

Since I have five built, I figured I'd base and paint them, then start working on the next five. That way I can use them in games (I prefer to use only painted minis, not that it always happens).

Here's the bases I built for them:








As you can see, I'm going for a industrial theme with them. I'm going to try and get them all painted up today, and maybe even start working on the MaNz themselves. We'll see if I can pull off a second update today.

[Sparowl]

2 posts in one day! And this is despite going to work.

Painted bases. For some reason, some of them don't show the drybrush of boltgun metal I did to them in the picture. In person they all have the same level of metallic grey shine.



I'm particularly proud of 3 and 5. I just felt like those came out the best.

1 is lacking a lot of detail, but since the first MaN is going on it, it needs a lot of space.

2 is has tin/copper for the pipes, although it doesn't show in the picture.

3 took a lot of time to get those large Danger stripes right. It makes for a strong visual feature, though.

4 is probably the busiest of them all, but with the MaN I have planned for it, it'll work out because he'll take a lot of attention back.

5 is all one level, but has plenty of detail and the stripes combined with the rivets really works for me.

As always, comments welcome.

[Sparowl]

Meganob 1 is painted:







I have a horrible condition, where I can't work with transfers. For some reason, they just fall apart when I touch them. So I have to try and freehand everything.

I think he looks a little better in person, but that could just be me wanting it to look better.

As always, comments welcome.

[Sparowl]

Next one is up:

[innerwolf]

The guns are too large for their in-game effect. The exposed arms don't scream 2+(terminator save) to me.
Otherwise, nice plasticard work!

[Nocturn]

I second the fact with the guns, but I have to point out that it is just orky madness and that is good :-) To the exposed arms: I think the 2+ save is ok for this armour, since an ork doesn't care to much if he looses one arm or gets shot heavily, he just need to run and to stay on his feet to slaugher gitz. I think the heavy boots will prevent them from falling haha :-)
Well done, very well done, I like them.

Noc

[Dreffbuilder]

Looks great, Your freehanding is quite good though, and i noticed one discriminated bastard: That amazing Ironclad Dreadnought! Is that yours?

Cheers,

Dreff

[BossKhamzi]

My biggest problem so far has been getting the rivets to sit properly. I've resorted to using a pair of tweezers to get it to work. Making them is also something of a pain.

Here is the method I use for attaching rivets to ork models.

Things you need:

Model
Pre-cut rivets
Cynoacrylate (?) glue aka superglue
Hobby knife
Altoids tin (empty) or other thin flat metal.

Take your super glue and make a small puddle in your altoids tin. [ As an ex-smoker I have a never ending Altoid tin supply. I store extra small bits in them as well... lol. ] Now dip the tip of your hobby knife into the glue puddle. Press the wet part of the knife to the flat surface of your pre-cut rivet. This should attach itself to your hobby knife. Now, before the glue drys and you knife is riveted permanently, dip the rivet into the puddle of glue on the other flat side. Rapidly, place this onto the desired site on the model. You may have to drag the rivet slightly, always keep pressing down and the knife should slip off leaving the rivet attached, you can then slide the rivet around until the glue dries.

Hope this helps. Its always nice to have your first post on a site as one where you are giving helpful information rather than asking for it...

BossKhamzi

(Witty signature to follow shortly)

[Sparowl]

Well, I......

Its weird when other people pay more attention to this blog then I do for a month. Well, I guess I should give an update, then. I've been busy with my Lizardmen for Fantasy, just got back from the Quake City Rumble tournament in the Bay (San Fransico, California, for people outside of the west coast US). Also, with 8th edition coming up I figured I'd update my stuff. But I suppose I can put some work into the MaNz again.

Innerwolf - They're Orks. More Dakka is better. Also, Meganobz have a limited equipment layout, so I don't think anyone will get confused.

Nocturn - Thanks!

Dreffbuilder - Thanks, I'm working on getting better at freehanding, I'm glad you like it. The Dread is actually my room mate's. He plays Crimson Fists, and some of his stuff is turning out nicely. However, getting him to sit down and paint is difficult, so who knows when he'll finish it all.

BossKhamzi - I'll try that out. Thanks for the tip.

Pictures! Nob 4 and 5 painted:


Group Photo for Mob 1:


I'm trying to decide between starting a new mob, or doing up the Trukk this mob will ride in. Any thoughts?

[252nd Fire Dragoon]

Aloha,
Anothe mob! These are really good I think. While the arm IS a little exposed, the rest make up for it. Keep up the good work.

[Jimbobjeff]

These are Brilliant, I'm currently scrathbuilding my own mega armoured nobz and I have to say I'll be steali...I mean using these for inspiration. The only thing I can fault is that they dont seem to go well with their bases, both the bases and models are great seperatly but they seem to blend into one another when together, I think it's the yellow.

Keep up the good work!