[BFG] Scratchbuilt Tau Merchant

[Pembo]

Thought i'd post a new thread with my scratchbuilt Tau Merchant.

Plans



Balsa Wood frame

[mangozac]

Is there any particular reason you use the balsa frame? I would use some square styrene tube instead.

It's a good idea to have some sketches to work from, but the design looks a bit too blocky to suit the Tau aesthetic. Why don't you do the same wedge shape as the front of the GW mode? Either way you need a lot more protruding details to add interest - they is the difference between a good and a bad BFG scratchbuild

FYI there is an article on my scratchbuilding process in Warp Rift Issue 30...

[AndrewChristlieb]

I like it. Reminds me of maybe an older version of the GW tau ships. Plus if your going for a Tau rogue trader type feel the older block look works well. +1 to more detail if possible. As for the balsa I'm not sure your motives but I know around where I live balsa is cheap and easy to find, I wouldn't even know where to begin to find styrene.

[horizon]

Make sure to add lots of detail on the model in the end. The start is there. And I'll surely follow this. Some scratchbuild Merchants would be nice. GW version is waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay to expensive.

[Pembo]

Hey all, the main issue I had was that square tubes of styrene are pretty expensive compared to Balsa, I've started covering it in plasticard now but in the future I think ill pay the extra to use  ready made tubing :p

I tried to base it on the picture given in the Armada book, which looks quite blocky to me. Once I've covered it I'll start adding detail.

[Pembo]

Finished adding the plasticard. It took quite a while, I think in the future i'm going to buy some square styrene tube to base it on.

[mangozac]

It took quite a while, I think in the future i'm going to buy some square styrene tube to base it on.[/img]

Good plan 

I shudder at the thought of detailing all of those massive, flat surfaces...

[Pembo]

Now I know how people dislike Shapeways for creating ships, but I figured the 'boxy' look I wanted for my ships might suit 3D printing. It still needs a fair bit of work, but here's the improved merchant.



Still needs a fair bit of detailing obviously, however since its so small I doubt a lot of the detail will be visible.

Cheers

Pembo

[AndrewChristlieb]

Thats a mighty big hammer for a merchant to be carrying... lol. Looks good, just which end is what? Is there going to be a clear "bridge" and where are the engines? Im assuming the engines are hidden on the other end but theres a big hole on the front also.

[Easy e]

I think using the cheaper balsa and plating it up with plasticard was a brilliant idea.  It's pretty common to use a cheaper material as the "core" or "frame" of the model and bulking it out with the better materials. 

[Pembo]

Had another go with the 3d modelling. Its useful because i can do a bit here and there rather than have to get all of my modelling kit out.


Front Shot


Rear Shot


I've not really detailed it much, but this is only a first attempt. I'm not really all that happy with the bridge either.

[mangozac]

It's coming along well, but the problem I have is that there's really nothing Tau looking about it.   

[Pembo]

Well my merchants arrived.



I think i'll just use them as Heavy Freighters, sorry for the rubbish pic, as usual. I've obviously got a lot of painting work to do on them yet.

[AndrewChristlieb]

Check out Brigades german line these look very similar to your design

[Pembo]

I've looked at those before, and yes I guess they do look very similar. I guess if I want more I might as well buy them from there. A lot cheaper too