Scale Creep

I have an FDM 3d printer.

Compared to resin printers they are slower, significantly less detailed and are not really intended for most of the STL files existing in the miniature gaming world.

However, they are cheaper, produce less fragile miniatures and handle larger projects well.

So I went large.

This is a Baneblade.

It's a super heavy tank typically used by the Imperial Guard (Astra Militarum, if you must) in the world of 40k.

Although they can be used by Space Marines in Horus Heresy (they were included in the Legacy pdf for 2nd edition, and I presume 3rd), they are widely considered a 'sub-optimal' and and overcosted choice.

So why on earth arth have I printed one?

Basically, because I could and I wanted to.

I came across a free file that not only looked good, but also had plenty of positive reviews and isn't a straight scan of the GW model (there are notable differences, such as the sponsors being further back). Although it's nowhere near as detailed as the official model, it was more than good enough for me.

The hull printed in three sections, and the only issue I came across was the fact that the connectors between these didn't really fit. However I fixed this with a little ingenuity and brute force. I did my best to hide the join lines (although the model itself does a pretty good job of this.

The main turret and three sponsors were also separate and move, although the heavy bolters on the sides are fixed in place, which like them being further back seems to be a decision made to reduce the use of supports.

Painting was not complicated, but was time consuming due to the scale of the model. I undercoated in black before masking off the larger areas of metal and spraying red. The black bits were then dry brushed silver.

Then came the laborious process of panel lining, picking out silver and gold details and washing them before going over the red again. It was straightforward, there was just a lot of it to do.

Transfers were added at the end and the Baneblade was done.

This is possibly the largest model I've painted, with the possible exception of my Mumakil for Lord of the Rings. Here it is next to a Land Raider Spartan for scale as I had no bananas available.

I'm really happy with it and I'm also happy that it's extremely likely to get one-shotted by a Titan the first time it hits the table.

Given the cost of the official model I really don't think I would even have got one without a 3d printer as there's no way that a Baneblade would have ever been a priority purchase for me.

Acquired: -73

Painted: 397

Lead Mountain: 375