As some people know, I am one big nerd, posing as a human, and one of my nerdy hobbies include table top gaming. I play primarily games by Gamesworkshop. You know, Warhammer, and Warhammer 40k. After resisting for a good two weeks, because its a rather expensive kit($95 dollars plus tax), I finally submitted and bought one of GW's newest kits. A super heavy kit that lets you make one of two super heavy tanks.
First variant: the Shadow Sword
Second Variant: the Storm Lord
Since I came up with a wicked idea for a neat Shadow Sword conversion, I have no interest in making the Storm Lord. My idea is to basically convert the super heavy to look like a Jadgpanther.
Jagdpanther
Jadgpanther means "Hunting Panther" in German. It was a German tank destroyer, and considered the most successful tank destroyer of World War 2. The Shadow Sword being a tank destroyer as well would be a fitting conversion.
Now I have never converted something so big before so if I screw up, its really a waste of money. There will be blood and frustration if I fail.
Now the idea is to use the body of the Storm Lord but board up the back, and use the Volcano cannon, instead of the Mega Vulcans. I am not sure if it will fit in that slot (but that's what she said. Hiiiiiiiiiiyo).
I think its important to find a comfortable spot to work in. I chose to work at my PC desk, since I have access to the internet easily, as well as music. I am also a chatty person at times, and I love to chat and spend time with my best friends. I have "Harder then you think" by Public Enemy. I had this song looping for about 3 hours.
Here are the sprues I will be working with. I don't have a huge workbench or a table, so the floor will do.
Tools. Can't work without tools. Plastic glue, clippers from Gamesworkshop, and a my hobby knife from OLFA.
Now plastic glue is not really a adhesive, so it wouldn't work with non plastics. Instead its a chemical that melts the plastic and fuses it with another surface of plastic. Trick is to not use too much plastic glue, else it will take forever to dry. Have to always be careful with sharp objects, for obvious reasons. Must people will use a file to file down any excessive plastic from the mold, but not me. I use a hobby knife. I find it more efficient and fast, but there are downsides to it. You have to be careful when shaving with a knife. If you're not careful, you can shave off chunks of the plastic. When you use the hobby knife, always cut outwards away from your body, I'll explain why later on. Make sure no one or nothing important is in front of you.
I built the side and the tracks of the tank first. After all you need something to hold the middle in place. Since this kit is pretty much the same as the Baneblade kit, which I have built, I figured it shouldn't be too hard or time consuming. I was wrong and it took me about two hours to get both of the made. I always have a hard time with tank treads.
I worked on the sponsons next, but with all my confidence and arrogance, I was careless and cut my left thumb badly while trying to shave excessive plastic. This is why you cut outwards and not inwards. I have a bad habit of cutting inwards. I would have taken pictures of my bleeding thumb, but it kinda of kept bleeding, a lot. Now I am not capable of holding objects without using the thumb on my left hand, I decided to called it a night. I'll start working on it again tonight and have part 2 up, so be right back.
