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http://www.the-warforge.com
Decided to whip out my camera and have some fun with this model. It's probably the largest thing I've put together for my ork army, and one of my favorite warmachines.
This miniature took me a very long time to make from start to finish, because I am easily distracted. Almost all of it is made from plasticard (a.k.a. sheet styrene) and Warhammer 40k bits.
This model got started in the summer of 2006, and was my second foray into constructing larger-scale vehicles for my ork horde (the first was my battle wagon, also viewable on CMON - 116593). The whole thing is based very heavily on concept artwork done by Mark Gibbons for Games Workshop, with a bit of artistic license taken in parts that were not explictly drawn. You can find the concept artwork here:
http://fusedcreations.com/adam/gargantart.jpg
I finished the major build over a six month period, wherein I worked on it as the spirit moved me. It sat unpainted for about a year before I decided to try and get it put together in time for Gamesday Baltimore, 2008. Out came the brushes, and it was painted up to match the rusty scrapheap appearance I had in mind for it. I figured this thing was the product of a deranged Big Mek who had too much scrap lying about (actually, all stompas probably are!) so it was painted rust colors, and various armor plates bearing iconography from chapters such as ultramarines are present around it's chassis as proof of it's looted heritage.
The whole model breaks down for transportation. The arms are both magnetized onto sockets, and can be removed, in the event that I ever want to make new ones for them. Likewise, the head is removable, for a few reasons: First, to show off the 'grotpit', a.k.a. where the gretchin that steer the warmachine reside, right under the head. Second, it allows me to periodically change the batteries for the eyes when they burn out. Because the batteries are simple watch-sized cells, they don't last for more than a few hours at a time, but usually I only switch the eyes on for show, photographs, or when it does something immensely cool in the game (like wrestle a Warhound to the ground).
A diorama base was made for this model originally, for when I got around to entering it in the GD, but unfortunately I ended up making it too big - the whole thing was about 20" long, which is too long for it to be entered even in the Open Category. Because of that, I still haven't gotten around to painting the diorama base. You can see a glimpse of it in the bottommost pictures, where the model is unpainted; it was basically the gargant smashing through a building and chasing fleeing guardsmen. Fortunately, I made it so that the gargant would be removable from this scenic base, and so I only painted the circular inset that he stands on above.
The gargant made the final cut for the 40k Vehicle category at Gamesday Baltimore, 08, but failed to place. In hindsight, I probably should have put it in the Open category, but that's alright - live and learn.
I got lucky when I was making this. At the time, Apocalypse was not quite out yet, and I didn't know what the rules for Stompas were going to be. I was just sort've making it up as I went along. However, I'd say that I lucked out, because all of the armament on this model pretty much matches up with the datasheet in the Apocalypse book, right down to the grot-guided missile and the flamethrower in the mouth. The one thing I did not account for was the fact that GW would give stompas a transport capacity... so when I have it 'carry' units in games, I simply explain that the models it is 'transporting' are running at it's feet and using the thing as a giant mobile shield. Not very orky, but it'll do.
The light-up eyes was a reference to the old 'Gaze of Mork' weapon that Stompas in Epic have - it's essentially some sort of eye-mounted lightning cannon. Before Apocalypse, I was using the VDR rules and basically calling it a blast zzap gun. I am a bit dissapointed these rules didn't make it into the regular stompa entry, but you have to admit the light-up eyes still look cool. 
There's a guardsman tucked away on the base of this model, getting stepped on. He's painted up in the colors of one of my friends' armies, as a sort of 'thank you' for donating IG parts to my project's base.
If you'd like to see a blog of the entire building process, from start to finish, you can check here:
http://the-warforge.com/index.pl?gargant
The pictures taken above are a bit better than the ones on that entry, largely because I'm still learning how to use my camera!
Please leave comments, I love to hear reactions.
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Viewer comments:
Captain Cestus
10-Dec-09
#310339 |  | Rating: 10
altogether now...WAAAAAAAAAAAAGH!!!!!!!!!! |
Drengi
10-Jul-09
#298314 |  | Rating: 6
This has to be one of the most amazing things I've ever seen. Skratch built or not. Totally love using ligths for the eyes. Superbly painted as well. Man I'm so envious jajaja |
brassangel
17-Feb-09
#284359 |  | Rating: 10
@Machinepriest: GW is simply providing a blank, plastic canvas for everyone. That's their job... selling the most of an item as possible. Over-specializing is for us, the gamers and hobbyists. |
s4mmy d.
28-Jan-09
#282245 |  | Rating: 10
love it...the lights are an awesome idea, and they really make it look fearsome (for a stompa). personally, i wouldn't mind owning that little space marine you've got to show the scale ;-). |
BobPanda
23-Jan-09
#281850 |  | Rating: 10
i love it ! ...
it's even more impressive if you know how close it is to the drawing. |
crazyboyae1
19-Jan-09
#281539 |  | Rating: 9
i was wondering when we would see this cool guy, i saw this at Baltimore, it was cool. it should have won over the three pieces of crap that did win hahahaha better luck next time |
Machinepriest
19-Jan-09
#281514 |  | Rating: 9
Alot, and I mean ALOT of people in the Stompa rumour threads on Warseer refer to this as being a proper stompa and the way that the new model should look. I think that's a good compliment
And I fully agree. While I like the new Stompa that's coming out I think this look is way more brutal. This thing actually looks like it can walk and move. Great job! |
Simto
19-Jan-09
#281496 |  | Rating: 8
Just plain awesome. |
Death Korp Of KRIEG
14-Jan-09
#281044 |  | Rating: 10
another 10 from me, great work man, love all of your work, this is a definite classic. |
redgreen12
12-Jan-09
#280730 |  | Rating: 8
OIK an 8 you spetck tuck to long to reed lecon had shoter speetch but looks cool to me like the lights well good hunting WKJR | |
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