Kitbash Tutorial: Leftover PSC & Zvezda StuGs

I always like to reduce the waste that comes from modeling (EDIT: Okay, so you don't really "save" anything except some cash) and building and looking at all the leftover StuG F/8 hulls from 2 boxes worth of PSC StuGs gave me an idea. I had an extra Zvezda StuG B kit and thought..."is there an easy way to combine these two kits?". Well, the answer is you can indeed combine them to turn your unused PSC hulls into more minis, but it takes a little work. Here's what you'll need to do.

Tools:

• X-acto knife and a good sharp blade
• Sanding stick or jeweler's file
• Drafting triangle
• Plastic glue

Supplies:

• Leftover PSC StuG upper hull pieces and gun
• Zvezda StuG B sprue
• Rectangular plasticard rod
• .10mm thick Plasticard sheet

Step 1: Assemble the chassis of the Zvezda StuG B, leaving off the tracks.

Step 2: Flip over the PSC hull piece and cut off the raised edges that run parallel to the track guards in the front. You'll also have to cut about 1mm off either side of the channel that the glacis armor plate sits in (see Step 6 for clarity).

Step 2a: Cut off the raised edges along the rear of the upper hull. Cut a piece of the rectangular plasticard rod a little smaller than this area and glue down.

Step 3: This is the hard part - you need to sand down the outer edges of the Zvezda chassis, especially at the very front where it angles forward. Dry fit, sand, dry fit, sand, and dry fit some more with the PSC upper hull until you get the correct fitting. Be sure to periodically dry fit the tracks to check there is enough room for them!!! Clip off the front snap-fit pin.

Step 3a: Cut down a piece of rectangular plasticard rod to fit behind the mufflers on the rear of the Zvezda chassis.

Step 4: Glue in any weights into the Zvezda chassis and glue the PSC hull unto the chassis.

Step 5: If you have any leftover, trace the PSC glacis armor plate unto the .10 plasticard sheet. If not, you'll have to dry fit (again!) the plasticard into the channel on the PSC hull and cut from that.

Step 6: Glue down the glacis armor plate as shown above. Shape a small piece of plasticard rod into a small rectangle with 3 beveled edges for the driver's visor. Glue down as shown above.

Step 7: Assembled and glue the main gun. Finished!

Inspiration: The Art of Zdzislaw Beksinki

RIP Necromunda 1995-2013

Well, I hate to say it but it looks like GW has finally taken Necromunda (and, indeed, the entire lineup of "Specialist Games") to a secluded location to die. After years of neglect, a post on Tactical Command wondering on the status of Epic Night Spinners being "no longer available" launched a call to GW Customer Service who have confirmed that they will no longer be producing the SG line of miniatures and, once their current stock has run out, that the minis will go OOP. Get any Necromunda minis you want ASAP!

The following Necromunda minis are currently listed as "No Longer Available" as of 4/30/13 9:00CST:

1. Enforcers Patrol Team
2. Pit Slaves Gang
3. Kal Jericho and Scabbs
4. Ratskin Gang (added 5/3/13 9:00CST)
5. House Escher Troops Pack (added 5/3/13 9:00CST)
6. House Cawdor Gang (added 5/3/13 9:00CST)
7. 
   

Additionally, Forge World will also no longer be carrying any of the SG-related items, like the Aquila.

Saga Viking Warband

My apologies for not updating the blog in a few weeks. The final push for Adepticon had me trying to finish two armies within a week's time, so that didn't allow much time for posting here. There will be more posts in the coming weeks and with greater frequency as my life gets back to some semblance of normalcy. 

Here's the newest army I've been able to paint up - some Vikings for the Saga skirmish game. This force won Best Painted at the Adepticon Saga tournament and I'm quite pleased with how they all turned out. Most of the figures are Black Tree Design (who make VERY nice Dark Age minis) or Artizan. The Ulfhednar are Gripping Beast and, while I like their dynamic posing and wolf pelts, their hands and faces were a total mess of flash and poor casting.

Ulfhednar (Berserkers)

Hirdmen (Hearthguard)

Bondi (Warriors)

6pts. worth of Norse fury!

"The Green Tide" - Experimental Tankovy Battalion

After months of on-and-off work, I present the engines capable of utterly destroying the Fascist invaders! Comrades, our industry has finally provided us with a full Battalion of the previously "Experimental Tanks" with which to crush our enemies.

EDIT: This army won Best Painted Allied Army at Adepticon 2013!