Tau Skyshield landing pad - Concept through to design

Hi all, it's been a little busy in my house catching up on University work and I'm still un-boxing after our move.  I thought this would be a good time to re-visit the Tau Skyshield Landing Pad and as you can see I stole ideas from the web and began to develop on the back of these images into a working digital modal.  I was torn between what I wanted and what it would cost, I knew I did not have a massive budget for this project, I also wanted to produce something that could be laser cut by a third party.  I had to compromise on the 6 towers, as seen below I wanted big thick towers but to keep the costs down I changed it.  I also wanted to use the top of the landing pad walls as Tau Aegis defence lines (for future projects).  

Anyway I hope these are inspirational for others, I have also put the dimensions on the drawing so if anybody wanted to create their own based on these plans they could.  Enjoy :) 

2 weeks, 2 armies and 2 events "Armies on Parade GW Bolton" and "Blog Wars 8"

Well it has been a very busy couple of weeks and I have to apologies for the lack of posts during this time, while I have had a lot to share.  Moving house and not having internet for two weeks has seriously effected my addiction - talk about going cold turkey and stressfull doesn't even come close. 

Preparing for two events and adding some additional figures in the last moments while trying to move house was a little silly on my part, but as they say, the proof is in the pudding and winning two painting competitions with two armies back to back and one of them on my birthday, has to go down as a major achievement in my life, I just hope my wife doesn't read this, I'll be eating from of a straw for month, but joking aside she has been very supportive of my hobby/addiction (as long as all the chores are done :) ) and I couldn't do it with out her and her support.  

Well back to it - as promised images of my winning Armies on Parade army in the cabinet at GW Bolton and more images can be seen on the GW Bolton Facebook page, thanks to Ryan for a great day, Ill defo do it agan.

And secondly after an awesome weekend at Blog Wars 8 with Pete Butler (space wolves), Ben Houghton (necron) and Dave Western (nids).  Ok true, I did come dead last, adding to the saying "those who cant play, paint" not my best gaming moment, but I faced some good opponents and some fabulous armies.  It's not an excuse honest, but I like to look at it in another way, my dice rebelled against me because my luck was being channeled in winning prizes, money and goodies.  One Wooden spoon and £5 later, plus the addition of £10 for best painted Character and £15 for best painted army, And that's not all I won third place in the raffle - Space Wolves Venerable dreadnought sweeeeet.  Then Pete won the second prize, the Dark Eldar Void Raven Bomber, and we did a swap sweeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeet.  Wow so what was first prize you might ask, only an Imperial knight!

If people are looking for a great day out at a tournament but don't wont to spend a boat load of cash to do it, I highly recommend Blog Wars and all for £18.50 and you get lunch, Barginus..  Check out Alex''s blog "From the Fang" for more details

In the mean time some images from the event enjoy :-

My Urien Rakarth and his followers

Martin's drop pods and terminators appearing in my back line turn 1, holy moly.

Dave Western's (2nd place) Awesome Tyranids 

Martin Waine's (3rd place) kick ass Space Wolves

Happy Halloween

 

 

Just a short post wishing everyone a "Happy Halloween" and to showcase my attempt to teach my 6 year old boy how to make a scary pumpkin, yes that's right I let him loose with a big sharp knife, but don't worry he still has all his fingers.  And I say attempt because I'm 40 and this is only my second pumpkin sculpt myself, so what do I know :)   

 

Hints and tips from our American cousins would be great, because I'm a novice at this.....

 

 

 

 

Grotesque or not to Grotesque?

With Blog Wars 8 just around the corner, its time to talk about Dark Eldar, since the new codex has come out I have dusted them down and they are hungry for souls.  But the big question is what to select? A lot of people have been putting the codex down, but I think that they still have a lot to offer, moving the Razorwing Jetfighter to fast attack was genius and loosing Vect was horrendous.  One thing in my mind which has improved are the Grotesques, boy these guys were amazing in the last codex but now you don't have to worry about them rampaging off the board when loosing their escort HQ and also having instant death on a wound roll off 6, surely these are a must have elite choice.

Then I saw this post on Belloflostsouls Haemonculus Coven Supplement overview and this paragraph which brings back the chance to make them better when fielded with Rakarth.

"First is the Grotesqueries, which consists of Urien Rakarth or 1 Haemonculus and 2 units of Grotesques. The detachment has the Freakish Spectacle rule, as well as the Latest Experiments rule, which allows the grotesques to roll on a table at the same time Warlord Traits are determined. Based on the roll, the grotesques will get +1 Strength, +1 Toughness, Fleet, Shred, Rage, or Feel No Pain (4+) for the entirety of the game."

I feel like I might have to make another puchase of 10 Skaven Rat ogres and the Haemonculus Coven Supplement, this could get expensive, Blog Wars here we come :)

How awesome is this Dark Eldar Armies on Parade

Please share this to everyone it's awesome "Stargate Atlantis anyone" created by James Taro for Armies on Parade 2014 GW Woking and more images can be seen here https://www.facebook.com/taromodelmaker 

Armies on Parade GW Bolton 2014

I'm up against some stiff competition with 10 entries and votes are being counted at 4pm I've got my fingers crossed :)

I'll update this post with results and further information.

Tim Ryder's 2nd place Blood Angels

(P.S. Tim laser cut my landing pad and 2' board section, thanks mate)

http://www.foundationsofwar.co.uk/

Mark's Blood Angels

Ryan Waite's joint 3rd place Deamons of Chaos

(P.S. our host for the day, cheers Ryan for a great day)

Adam Ryan's Eldar

Adam's Imperial Guard

(P.S. Adam is only 8, one to watch for the future)

 ?'s LOTR

Liam Ainscough's (me) 1st place Farsight Enclave

Ethan Kay's Ogre Kingdoms

Chris Gough's Orks

(P.S. Chris has only been painting for 3 weeks, well done mate)

Peter Brannan's joint 3rd place Tau

Follow Peter:- http://petepaintswarhammer.tumblr.com/