Forthammer Clan Throng - Bolt Thrower WIP, and a blog update

With the completion of the Klad Barag, I have some extra parts, primarily the base mount from the Cannon kit, and the big guns from the Frigate kit. So why not combine them?

Bolt Thrower

Cannon

Using the extra crew and other bits, I have created a magnetized bolt thrower/cannon for my Dispossessed army. The bolt thrower was the primary reason behind doing this because I like the look of its warscroll. Then I decided to magnetize it so I could also run it as a second cannon when I needed it.

The crew are obviously mostly the Frigate crew bits, but the heads are spares from the Hammerers kit. Very little of my army has their beards concealed because this isn't a Kharadron Overlords army afterall.

This is almost done, but I am missing a bit. I want one of the crewmen to look like he's holding another bolt. In order to do that I need the spear-tip from the Frigate kit to put on the end of the staff as shown.

I am having a hard time finding that bit, so if any of you just happened to have built the Arkanaut Frigate kit and are not using the heavy skyhook variant (even if you are just not using the tip alone) I would appreciate it if we could get in contact and perhaps make a trade. Comment below if you think we can work something out.

On a side note, I had an incident very recently where I broke my foot. I sometimes have to remember I am not 20 anymore and can't do the things I used to. So right now I am mostly couch-ridden until I get this thing healed, which will take several weeks. What does this mean for my hobby? Things will be slowing down. I can't go out and prime my models when I can barely stand, and I definitely won't be able to get much gaming in. Hopefully soon I will get this thing casted and on the path to healing so I can be a little more mobile, but until then not much is going to be happening for a while. Wish me luck!

Ouch

The Klad Barag - Complete...almost

Construction of the massive Klad Barag is complete!

This model was quite an undertaking. With something it's size, you really do have to take it in steps. I started by completely doing the torso, then shoulders, then head, then legs, then arms and weapons. Some adjustments were to be made on the way, and some I was stuck with. However I am pleased with the final product and am looking forward to getting it painted.

However there is one part missing. I want to give it a front pelvis cover, but the part is in another kit which I am looking to get soon. When I get that on, it will be complete.

Carmine Dragon warscroll, reflavored to the Klad Barag. All rules are technically legal.

Now for the rules, I have been trying to figure out what model it will represent, and I think I have settled on Forgeworld's Carmine Dragon. It's a tall figure, which is about the same height as this, and the rules just represent how killy the thing will be in melee. It's ranged attack is fairly weak, however, and the Klad Barag is built to have some powerful weaponry, so I just reasoned that while his ranged weapons are powerful, they are fairly inaccurate.

Forgesworn Eternal Liberator for scale.

The Klad Barag - Weapons WIP

What is a giant steam mech without some nasty weaponry? I have thought a lot about what model to use this counts-as in gameplay, because I while I do want to make this as a display centerpiece, I also would like to use it. After much deliberation, I have settled on either the Drakesworn Templar, or the Carmine Dragon. More on the warscrolls in the later post.

The first weapon of the Klad Barag's impressive armament are the rockets above its torso as seen here. That is the rocket battery.

This is the main battle cannon mounted on its right arm. Clip fed from the bottom, and a boiler in the back that propels the cannon round and can spray scalding hot steam on opponents at short range.

This massive steam hammer may look familiar, as it was designed after Lord Dunhill's own seen here. The idea is the weapon is swung, and on impact the hammer head shoots forward, increasing the force of impact. The face of this hammer is part of the Forthammer Clan symbol, so imagine a Bloodthirster with that imprinted on his crushed hide. hehehe...

This symbols is also used on the banner bearer.

A note on how the hammer is made, to give it some scale, the main round cylindrical part is made of 32mm bases, and the head is made from 40mm square bases (although narrowed a little to make it more rectangular). It's quite heavy with a lot of plasticard, bits, bases, and tubing used. I hope it doesn't mess with the balance of the whole model.

The Klad Barag - Legs and Head WIP

Another progress report on the Klad Barag. This time the whole picture is really starting to come together.

Really all that's left are the arms, which in of itself is going to be a tall order. The plans I have for the limbs I really hope I am able to pull off.

Speaking of pulling off; the shoulder plates, head, and legs all separate from each other for ease of painting. They are just being held up there right now with Blu-tack.

This is all still just WIP. I have more touching up to do with the existing parts as well as finishing everything else.

The Klad Barag - Torso WIP

Well there is no turning back now. I have no choice but to make this conversion project work. I have massacred the Frigate and Knight kits to a point to where they are no longer salvagable on their own. All in the name of making this ambitious (but potentially very cool) conversion happen.

Luckily things seem to be going well so far. I have completed all the bits and plasticard for the main torso. This is meant to sell the majority of the look of the project. My goal is to use as little of the Imperial Knight kit as possible so it doesn't look like it's supposed to be another 'counts-as knight' model. Especially with the armor plates. Those are what sell the look of the original knight, and I want this to be unique. Lucky for me the Arkanaut Frigate kit provides plenty of cool bits that will help sell the duardin look of this.

Of course the kit comes with the main hull in 2 parts, so I had to cut that up significantly to get the plating I need. I utilized most of the hull on the torso here alone, which means I will have to get creative for armor plating for the limbs and pelvis.

Also I have settled on a name for this contraption. The KLAD BARAG! It utilizes some original Khazalid words for "ironclad" and "war machine". A fitting title for this creation.