Why didn't anyone tell me what a horrible kit the Stormfang is to build? Don't get me wrong, it looks awesome once you've put it together. But a combination of warped parts, bad design and... more bad design make this a bit of a nightmare to make.
The kit goes together by building the top, gluing one side (which wouldn't line up easily!) and then attaching the bottom, followed by the back door and exhaust.
But these two 'squares' do not clip in to anything.
They just sort of 'float' there, held in the space by glue.
I use Polystyrene Cement on my plastic miniatures, so there was quite a bit of movement.
Although I have to say that you could not assemble this kit with super glue.
Parts of it need to be able to move a little or you'd never get all the sides of this 'box' to fit together properly.
Not that it fits particularly well anyway.
Further issues include the gaps on the top, just in front of the lascannons. I don't know if this is because the sides of my kit were slightly warped. I was able to get all the other parts on the side to fit flush after some holding (and careful application of force).
I'll have to come back and green stuff these gaps later.
I also need to come back and file various parts of the kit where a judicious application of Polystyrene Cement was needed to get parts to go together.
I kept the cockpit screen, pilot torso, engine pods and roof separate for painting.
I will be using The Army Painter spray and dip. So getting into all the nooks and crannies of the model would be a bit difficult if I'd built the whole thing.
I'll paint the pilot separately and glue him in once the cock pit is painted.
For the finishing touch I'll glue the clear plastic screen in using PVA because Polystyrene Cement or super glue will make the clear plastic go all frosty from the fumes.
It's no secret that I cannot get enough of the City Rubble Bases from Anvil Industry. I like them so much, I based my entire Space Wolves army and Necromunda gang on them!
The only problem is that I quit literally cannot get enough of them, because Anvil Industry do not make a Flyer sized base.
So when I was at SALUTE a few weeks back I went on the hunt for a base that was close enough... and eventually found a 120mm Old Factory Base from Micro Art Studio. They wanted a whopping £10 for it!
I got it home and realised it didn't quite match up with the rest of my bases, so I called up Joel at Anvil Industry (he's been a good friend for many years) and asked him what I should do.
He was really helpful and sent me a bunch of bricks, grills and other bits with my next order (some Stimm Hounds).
So as you can see, I've been able to clutter the base with bits which match my other bases. Plus a skull trimmed from a plastic kit.
It's Warhammer 40K, you've got to have skulls!
Now is probably a good time to mention how much I hate flying stands. Mostly because I just can't seem to get the darned things to glue to a base in a convincing manner.
Thankfully, due to how much of the stand locks inside the Stormfang's body (some good design work from Games Workshop's designers!) to properly support its weight and bring it close to the ground, you don't see too much of the flight stand.
So spraying it along with the rest of the base shouldn't be so bad.
I could always spray it white or something higher up to give it some kind of 'jet wash' fade out effect. We shall see...
In the meantime it's back to building Drop Pods.
Yes, I have spared you a great many Drop Pod related updates. Because building Drop Pods is one of the most tedious, soul destroying ventures I have ever undertaken.
I've barely begun assembling them yet. All this time has been spent cleaning horrific amounts of flash from all of the parts.
So if that doesn't put you off fielding a themed Drop Pod force, nothing will!