WIP: Adeptus Titanicus Legio Tempestus Warhound Titans - Part 5

The great reveal is here, at last.   All of the masking tape has been removed revealing final product; not bad at all, I think!  Were I to start the whole Legio Tempestus project over, I would modify the colors a bit for more contrast.  The first two colors in the scheme are pretty close at this small scale and it can be hard to see there are three different colors at play.

A close-up of Turbo Canis with the masking tape removed.

It took the better part of a whole hobby session to get all the tape off in relative safely.  There are still scratches here and there, but in the commotion of the camouflage pattern, it is easily touched up and/or passed off as battle damage.

In the next stage of painting, I began applying the checkers using a custom printed A5 decal sheet.  I used the same approach for the Reavers and Warlord, though the process has refined somewhat over that time - with the primary improvement being a coat of Testors Decal Bonder over the printed decals instead of Model Masters Lusterless Flat lacquer. The resulting decal is perhaps a bit thick, but very durable with no issues with the ink washing out during application.

Left Leg Armor with Custom Checked Decals Applied

The left leg armor panels were the easiest to get started with.  I used a piece of wet-palette paper to trace the shape.  The tracing paper cut-out was then used to draw and cut out the actual decal shapes from the A5 sheet. During this work, I longed for the digital graphic arts skills to digitize the shapes so I could simply print out accurately shaped decals instead of making and using my own patterns.  Tracing and cutting them out this way is imperfect at best.  The results, however speak for themselves, and while time consuming I'll be able to touch up the small imperfections and the overall look will be 1000 times better than anything I'd apply with a brush alone.

Right Leg Armor with Custom Checked Decals Applied

The right leg armor was a bit more challenging with the embossed eagle and scroll work design to contend with. Undaunted, I once again traced and cut out a shape for the custom decal, leaving a void space for the embossed symbol to fit in the checked design.  This left small areas that are not checked and will need some careful brush work so the overall pattern stays consistent under the embossed design.

The Legs of Turbo Canis with Custom Checked Decals Applied

Next I tackled the upper thigh armor of Turbo Canis, using the same method to make custom decals. Now the outer leg check pattern from the lower leg armor panels carries on up the leg to the thighs. I had a fun time with these Warhounds varying the Legio heraldry so each titan would be unique while still fitting into the overall consistent look of the Maniple they are part of.

Facta Belli with Custom Checked Decals Applied

The last area to get checkers was the cranium of Facta Belli. Here my imprecise pattern making shows as the decal was slightly off center.  I decided it was a simply matter to clean up with a brush and chose not to start over with a new decal. I was happy enough to get a decent cut out around the
Fleur-de-lis at the back of the head.

After allowing the decals to dry and set fully over night, I spent some time with the leg armor.  Due to the pose of the Warhounds, it was going to be difficult to paint the leg panels once attached.  I wanted to get the bulk of the detail done before gluing the armor to the titans' legs. Here's how they came out.

The Legs of Turbo Canis with Armor Attached

 

The black and checker livery came out as I had hoped on Turbo Canis.  This titan is the pack leader for the Warhounds.  Shown here, I have simply applied base colors and a quick shade for the scroll work.  I have not yet touched up the decals or the base colors of the embossed designs or trim for that matter.

The Legs of Facta Belli with Armor Attached

Another shot of the base coated leg panels applied to a titan's legs.  The camouflaged panels are looking decent here as well.  Things should really start to pop as the rest of the trim and other details get painted in.  The remaining leg armor panels look pretty much the same.

Touch up and shading will really bring the details home.  While small in scale, I continue to be impressed with how much detail remains on these models from their 28mm counter parts. You feel like you can really capture all the majesty of a titan's livery and heraldry here. It's really up to the hobbyist on how far to go with it.

Here is a look at the four titans fully assembled...

Looking mean! I'm very motivated to get these four Warhounds done.  I think the whole maniple is going to look great, and I still have a Warlord left to build.  I'm also considering a third Reaver to round things out, but we'll see what else comes down the pipe for Titanicus models.  I still have LOTS of knights to build and paint.

Hobby progress will stall this week as I take a couple nights to play some 30K with my newly painted heresy era Dark Angels force.  They will get blooded against a newly painted force of Thousand Sons as part of a hobby challenge I set at the start of the year with a gaming buddy. We wanted to finally get going with 30k, but wanted this to be an opportunity to play only with painted models.  So we set a 1k challenge for our first game.  I don't promise a battle report, but I'll likely post up some pics and commentary form the battle.

For now...

Cheers and Happy Gaming!