Author Topic: Building the Plastic Steam Tank Pic heavy (Read 10223 times)

HorusReborn · « **on:** May 30, 2009, 01:26:55 AM »

:happy:With some good connections I scored the plastic Steam Tank for the Empire which is due out next week some time. As I looked over the sprues, I have no instructions to go by, I must say I'm not too overly impressed with it. Yes it's alot easier to build than the metal tank, but it's not worth the price they're charging. I can say this now having it in my hand. There is an engineer with three different heads, a few extra arms etc. The exterior detail of the tank is nice and crisp, I particularly like the griphons hodling the banners, which go on the sides.

I started work on the interior tonight. Heres a few pics showing the detail. To GW's credit the wood gran effect is nice and crisp, and ejector pin marks are really not visible if existant. Here's the pics of what i've got so far. It'll be a little bit of a headache trying to figure out some parts and where they should fit, but it's really a shake and bake kit (meaning you could shake the box and it would go together with minimal effort)

Wheel wells and back are attached to the chassis:

The boiler and stack. The detail on the boiler really is nice and crisp, but some filing will be needed to create a unified looking boiler. It comes in two halves that don't align too well. The stack is just dry fitted:

The underside of the chassis:

More to come!

Soju · « **Reply #1 on:** May 30, 2009, 03:44:30 AM »

Awesome stuff. Thanks for doing this. I really wanted to buy like... two or three of these. lol. But obviously I don't produce golden nuggets out the backside, so yeah...

sj

Obi · « **Reply #2 on:** May 30, 2009, 05:02:08 AM »

Thansk for doing this! But make sure you remove the moldlines too

Why on earth are they putting texture on the INSIDE of the tank? That's just stupid.

JAK · « **Reply #3 on:** May 30, 2009, 08:48:58 AM »

Quote

Why on earth are they putting texture on the INSIDE of the tank? That's just stupid.

In reverse order:-

4. Gives them the option to make an open top version with a mortar or similar

3. To help those who wish to convert. By cutting the back plate you could build a standalone boiler complete with firebox door for other projects.

2. Because they can.

1. Good excuse to charge more.

Looks good so far. Makes you realise how little space there is inside, especially with a gun fitted, but where’s the coal/wood/whatever they burn as fuel kept?

Soju · « **Reply #4 on:** May 30, 2009, 11:08:23 AM »

They must be burning something special because the amount of room they have to manoeuvre in that thing...

Burn pure energy balls made by the wizards of the Colleges of Magic. LOL.

sj

HorusReborn · « **Reply #5 on:** May 30, 2009, 08:14:19 PM »

the kit does come with a bucket of coal which I could probably hang on the inside of the hull, also has a rack of balls for the gun too.

Quote from: Obi on May 30, 2009, 05:02:08 AM

Thansk for doing this! But make sure you remove the moldlines too

Why on earth are they putting texture on the INSIDE of the tank? That's just stupid.

I think it's for those who are more prone to the modelling side of the hobby. I for one am excited about the interior detail. Even though you can't see it while playing, you can expose it depending on how you build it. No worries about mould lines either... never have left a mould line on a model since the day I started building them

Ad A Dglgmut · « **Reply #6 on:** May 30, 2009, 09:02:04 PM »

Quote from: Obi on May 30, 2009, 05:02:08 AM

Thansk for doing this! But make sure you remove the moldlines too

Why on earth are they putting texture on the INSIDE of the tank? That's just stupid.

If I remember correctly, the 40k Rhinos (and Im sure other tanks) have interior detail that is covered up when built, but they're for those who might want to model something special with the tank. I'm sure they used that same logic when it came to the Stank. Seems like it would be great for a diorama of a Stank being worked on or being built.

Just because the majority of the people who buy it wont utilize the interior details doesn't mean GW has to make it flat inside.

Obi · « **Reply #7 on:** May 31, 2009, 06:47:25 AM »

Okay, I'm convinced

It owuld probably make a good base for a steampunk war altar conversion too.

Ad A Dglgmut · « **Reply #8 on:** May 31, 2009, 10:56:48 PM »

Yeah, great for conversions, but I personally wished they could have cut out that detail and sell it for a tad cheaper. But at least with the extra detail it opens up more possiblities for conversions.

HorusReborn · « **Reply #9 on:** June 02, 2009, 03:05:32 AM »

well I've just about finished the tank, all sub sections are built and ready for paint. Here's some pics for you. I do have to say that if I had sat down to do this straight I could have put it together in maybe three hours instead of three days. Thanks to Newt-e I put the mystery parts where they belong. Wheels, boiler, hull, cannon, turret are all separate for painting. I am going balls to the wall with this, crackin out the AB later this week when I replace the hose. I've got a few surprises cooked up for this bad boy too.... on to the pics

the entire tank built up, minus the drive shafts for the two wheels, and the front wheels, left off for proper painting:

now a pic showing the roof details:

taking a little more off, she's a slut!!

here's the interior:

a pic of the sub assemblies that should make your painting a little more easier:

WORD OF WARNING: If you intend to build the tank to show off the beautiful interior, pay close attention to three massive ejector pin marks on the inside of the hull pieces. They may need to be puttied over and sanded down to disappear. I used my knife on mine, they were totally off set and really need attention paid to them. I didn't get a shot of the before, but here's the after to show you where I'm talking about! They WILL be seen even if you intend to just remove the roof to expose the interior, which is highly recommended btw!!

Shadowlord · « **Reply #10 on:** June 02, 2009, 10:13:29 AM »

Looking like a dream to assemble compared to the metal version (el diablo).

Union General · « **Reply #11 on:** June 02, 2009, 02:08:42 PM »

Oh my God...
It looks epic!

Any advice for painting it?
-The General

HorusReborn · « **Reply #12 on:** June 02, 2009, 03:12:05 PM »

well as for painting, keep it in sub assemblies. I'm going to use a rattle can for priming in black, then an airbrush for the paint to get it as smooth as possible on the hull. Brush work for the wood parts and finer details. That's how I see it being the best way to go about it!

Perambulator · « **Reply #13 on:** June 02, 2009, 03:21:21 PM »

Wow. That looks really good. A lot better than the metal version and probably much easier to assemble!

Von Kurst · « **Reply #14 on:** June 02, 2009, 07:30:35 PM »

Thanks for posting the photos! Its made my assembly tons easier! (Also assembling for a store, though they asked a bit late...)

Soju · « **Reply #15 on:** June 02, 2009, 08:23:34 PM »

ditto on what shadowlord said lol... el diablo lol.

sj

Obi · « **Reply #16 on:** June 03, 2009, 07:31:49 AM »

Awesome! Great job!

Allin · « **Reply #17 on:** June 04, 2009, 04:58:31 AM »

Thanks!
Can lay out a photo of the steam cylinders rotating wheels?
I do the tank itself, it would be desirable to come nearer to a reality.

patsy02 · « **Reply #18 on:** June 04, 2009, 12:24:14 PM »

That is one sexy piece of plastic.

HorusReborn · « **Reply #19 on:** June 04, 2009, 03:38:48 PM »

Quote from: Allin on June 04, 2009, 04:58:31 AM

Thanks!
Can lay out a photo of the steam cylinders rotating wheels?
I do the tank itself, it would be desirable to come nearer to a reality.

I will see what I can do. I'm leaving them off really to be able to get the boiler painted properly. Putting them into place will cause the boiler to become attached to the chassis, which I don't want at the moment!

I will say I'm going to recind my complaints about the cost of this bad boy. The hours of enjoyment of actually building a tank again has paid off, even though the amount of plastic and other details doesn't compare to a 1/35 scale tank. From a company like Dragon who produces different scale military vehicles using slide moulds, etched brass, turned alluminum barrels and other goodies for about the same price as a Steam Tank, I can get about a months worth of building/painting enjoyment. I did however enjoy the process so far, and will buy another one to customize it differently. Since I'm new to the new ed. Empire using one or two of these will be loads of fun, fun that I wouldn't get after a real world military model is built and painted!

This kit is definately worth every penny. I just wish I could get my hands on some archers!!

Marshal Gerhardt · « **Reply #20 on:** June 05, 2009, 10:11:51 AM »

Thanks for this HorusReborn, it's good to get a good look at the Stank inside and out and to get some tips on assembling it.

Only problem is - now I REALLY want one.... or two!

rufus sparkfire · « **Reply #21 on:** June 05, 2009, 02:37:16 PM »

It does look like a nice kit. And it's easier to justify the cost of something like a tank than that of a handful of average-looking infantry.

No provision for a sniper rifle in the tank rules though. A missed opportunity!

Shadowlord · « **Reply #22 on:** June 05, 2009, 04:20:50 PM »

Quote from: rufus sparkfire on June 05, 2009, 02:37:16 PM

No provision for a sniper rifle in the tank rules though. A missed opportunity

Not in the next AB...

HorusReborn · « **Reply #23 on:** June 06, 2009, 02:15:42 AM »

man well I was intending to start painting it up, but I think I ate some uncooked chicken last night after work... sooo I've been ill all day. Maybe tomorrow I'll crack out my AB and get going. Shadowlord, are the rumours of a new book?

stretch_135 · « **Reply #24 on:** June 06, 2009, 10:07:04 AM »

Something I've been wondering: is the Hochland a separate piece? Or would you just cut it off if you didn't want it there?

EDIT: Dear God, 500 posts? I need a hobby...

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Author Topic: Building the Plastic Steam Tank Pic heavy (Read 10223 times)