Tuesday 12 July 2016

Heavy Calibre Maniac with 'Auto Cannon'

I managed to find time to paint up another member of my Maniac Helsreach Mercenary gang this week - this time in the form of some heavy firepower.
 
RT era human models with heavy weapons are almost exclusively of the 'shoulder-mounted' school of design, but there is a nice Vasquez-style female Imperial Guard who totes a rather nice underslung heavy weapon:
 
 
Of course, "Auto Cannon" didn't have quite the right look for my Maniacs, so I rectified that by giving her a head swap from Venus Bluegenes from the Citadel Rogue Trooper range. A little bit of resculpting to the neck and back-pack, and she's good to go.
 

 
I'm not entirely sure whether the big gun was originally intended as an autocannon or not. It's got a fuel canister and burner like flamer. Happily this lack of clarity means I can probably use it as a variety of options on in games.
 
 
Like the rest of the gang to date, my new addition got a relatively drab colour scheme, enlivened by the addition of some pretty beaten up armour. She also goes to the same hairdresser for bleaching treatment.




Four models down - that's looking like the start of a gang don't you think?

21 comments:

  1. That's a great conversion and paint job Jon, she looks fantastic, I love that gun. That's a sweet proto-gang you got going there.

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    1. Thanks Dave. I painted one version of this lass (with the original head) for a space pirate crew many moons ago. I've no idea where that particular model went, so it was nice to get round to repainting her anew.

      She's got a very cool and slightly bonkers gun, but we like those, don't we ;)

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  2. I'm in awe, this is probably my favourite gang of yours so far which is no mean feat.

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    1. I find it difficult to choose, although my Eldar 'gang' is probably my favourite. These are probably the most coherent in terms of look though. Either way, I'm pleased you like them :D

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  3. Looks great, and wonderful head swap. Can't wait to see more!

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    1. Thanks very much! It was just happenchance that Venus was in a box waiting to donate her head to a greater cause :)

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  4. Hmmm, really interesting! The head swap gives the mini a totally different interpretation, I love the way she looks!

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    1. Head swaps are a really quick and effective way to change the look of a figure I think. The difficult bit is finding the right head ;)

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  5. Nicely done :)

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  6. Very cool mate, cracking headswap - makes her a completely different proposition! Love it :-)

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    1. Cheers mate! Can't beat a good head swap in my view!

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  7. I have to agree that it does have the look of a classic flame thrower rather than an auto-cannon. Although, many repeating weapons have gas parts, so it could just be that. Or even an external coolant source perhaps? :3

    Loving the headswap too! It gives the model a very proto-Escher look! ^^

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    1. Coolant tank sounds like a good rationalisation to me! I think we agree that it's got an unconventional look :)

      It's funny you mention Escher gangers - I have decided not to use any as they're a bit more extreme in terms of design, but I think they would slip in pretty easily with the others.

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  8. Yeah, I'd say you've got a gang in the making Jon :)

    Kick arse, all the way!

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  9. Hells ya. She's a bloody good looking heavy girl. Well, not heavy, more strong and determined. Or beefy. Or...

    Whatever - she looks cool.

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    1. Amazonian? Athletic? I know what you're trying to say ;)

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  10. Nice work there Axiom, the Venus head is perfect.

    Speaking of Escher, I picked up two of the model above to include in my Escher gang way back in the mid 90s. I chopped the head off one and converted the gun as I figured that Escher needed a flamer, but I really cant remember what head I added.
    Those Escher have yet to be painted though, which is sad really.

    The gang is fantastic, Im enjoying seeing it grow.

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    1. Glad you like her cheetor.

      The positive part about your story is that you still have the Escher awaiting paint, and didn't do what I did at some point around 1997-2000, which was to sell all my models for a pittance. Your Escher still have the potential to be created!

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