Gir's Thunderhawk Build + Blood Angels

[Gir]

Having wanted a Thunderhawk Gunship since I was 10 (back when it was a metal model), my friends finally bought me the Forge World version for my birthday this year (yes, I do have the greatest friends ever). So I figured I would share my great adventure with this kit, as well as the rest of my Blood Angels and conversion.

First up, the Blood Angels:

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash2/36043_10150094280994918_531124917_7309197_187096_n .jpg
https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/33548_10150094282499918_531124917_7309260_4617567_ n.jpg
https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash2/33548_10150094282534918_531124917_7309266_6266026_ n.jpg
https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/33548_10150094282554918_531124917_7309270_2575810_ n.jpg

This is my army from about a year ago, there has been a lot added since then, including 3 more dreadnoughts and 3 Stormravens

[Gir]

Here's a friends Hierophant the built and painted the base of:

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash2/6924_173227444917_531124917_3737328_6967826_n.jpg
https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/6924_175355639917_531124917_3754184_3993629_n.jpg
https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/13566_237162129917_531124917_4324542_8077719_n.jpg
https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/13566_237162144917_531124917_4324544_7411404_n.jpg

[Gir]

Next, my armies on parade build:

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/254401_10150321037414918_531124917_9861947_535240_ n.jpg
https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/248829_10150328136259918_531124917_9940264_608637_ n.jpg
https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/264709_10150366955444918_531124917_10267230_409477 8_n.jpg
https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/284345_10150370429374918_531124917_10296987_136821 _n.jpg

[Gir]

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/294612_263505677005711_198810896808523_811155_1367 867147_n.jpg
https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/294612_263505683672377_198810896808523_811157_1142 200035_n.jpg
https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/308302_263506867005592_198810896808523_811178_1419 95134_n.jpg
https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/302425_263507340338878_198810896808523_811181_1576 404002_n.jpg

It ended up in a 4 way tie for first, then lost in the tie breaker.

[Gir]

A Necron Wraith-bodied lord I painted for a friend:

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash2/29054_446743169917_531124917_5786216_8128314_n.jpg
https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/29054_446743179917_531124917_5786217_851978_n.jpg
https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/29054_446854994917_531124917_5789809_5279643_n.jpg
https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/29054_446855044917_531124917_5789815_3531609_n.jpg

[Gir]

My "long"raven:

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/189629_10150193064514918_531124917_8853586_4939796 _n.jpg
https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/184797_10150193064349918_531124917_8853578_1891685 _n.jpg
https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/190039_10150193064244918_531124917_8853575_291004_ n.jpg
https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/188839_10150193064144918_531124917_8853574_1729426 _n.jpg

[Gir]

And finally, what you've all come to see!

I've built quite a few Forge World kits, but nothing like the Thunderhawk. It's definitely an older model, as nothing really fits all the well together, and you need to do a lot a bending and straightening. I would suggest getting some experience with other Forge World kits before attempting this beast.

Also, unfortunately the upper back hull piece was broken and the interior bolter rack was twisted, so I am basically stuck where I am until the replacements show up.

Huge pile of pieces cleaned up and washed (I ended up with a full large zip-lock forge world back of gates and off cuts)
https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/387479_10150505920429918_531124917_11389788_135820 5044_n.jpg

Main hull pieces (that aren't broken) assembled and hit with the hair dryer to set them in shape.
https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/320266_10150509202244918_531124917_11416963_590268 33_n.jpg

Painting started on the interior
https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/374026_10150509202149918_531124917_11416962_102840 9056_n.jpg

Painting of the cockpit is almost finished
https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/303022_10150509383474918_531124917_11418113_123475 4543_n.jpg

I've decided to paint the whole interior, even though there is a lot of detail you never see once it's built. A kit like this deserves that kind of attention.

More photos to come when I get home from work.

[WereWolf_nr]

Very nice army. I love the work you've done.

[DrLove42]

Love all the pics!

The army on the board in nice lines look amazing, and really like the dynamic pose on the Nid. As for the Thunderhawk, good luck!

[Jambo]

very good work mate looking forward to seen your finish thunderhawk

[MarneusCalgar]

Nice that Death Company army!!!

[Meph]

Woah! Impressive army and terrain main. That must be a joy to play with. :D

[SotonShades]

fantastic army mate! it's always great to see peoples hobby like that. looking forward to seeing how te thunderhawk comes out :)

[eldargal]

Very nifty.

[Snyderson]

Love the army and also the terrain! You're a role model for any dedicated hobbyist! :)

Greetz,
Sny

[Gir]

Had a really busy weekend, but managed to get some more done on the Thunderhawk:

Cockpit is pretty much completed, just need to do some touching up in a few places. Screens are a little dodgy, but I decided it was good enough as they will never be seen once it's assembled.

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/377137_10150515240749918_531124917_11454055_201500 7011_n.jpg
https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/316100_10150515240799918_531124917_11454058_156349 5373_n.jpg
https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/317365_10150515240869918_531124917_11454060_366844 881_n.jpg
https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/385989_10150515240984918_531124917_11454064_794449 669_n.jpg

[Gir]

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/308660_10150515241044918_531124917_11454066_154370 8926_n.jpg

Also did some work on the wings, magnetizing the heavy bolters and missiles. While I was magnetizing I also did the cockpit cover, but forgot to take a photo :(

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/374195_10150515240624918_531124917_11454051_240800 703_n.jpg
https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/381644_10150515240704918_531124917_11454053_182497 1178_n.jpg

[Gir]

Unfortunately I am now at a point where I can't continue until my replacement parts arrive, so I've started working on some other stuff. Basically my friends organized a painting competition for my group so the next time we play an apoc game we don't have 80000pts of grey, white and black :P

Powering through a couple of 5 man terminator squads:

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/376166_10150515240409918_531124917_11454045_907592 370_n.jpg

Almost finished my Imperial Strongpoint too!

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/319275_10150515240524918_531124917_11454047_447377 309_n.jpg

Hopefully the rest of my Thunderhawk parts arrive this week before Friday. Hate having it sitting there not being worked on, but Skyrim also comes out on Friday....

[Gir]

Replacement Thunderhawk parts finally arrived, so if I can get away from Skyrim this weekend I should be able to get a lot more done.

[Meph]

Yay! Good on ya! :D
Oh, and nice piece of terrain you've got there as well.

[Gir]

Finally got around to doing some stuff on the thunderhawk, so here's some photos:

Interior painted
https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/380329_10150549942084918_531124917_11594493_117873 7806_n.jpg
https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/320708_10150549942164918_531124917_11594494_470992 344_n.jpg
https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/385302_10150549942269918_531124917_11594495_210846 4509_n.jpg

[Gir]

Front half assembled:
https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/312216_10150549942369918_531124917_11594496_595355 962_n.jpg
https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/386842_10150549942434918_531124917_11594497_189892 6226_n.jpg

Guiding hole drilled for the stand:
https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/305389_10150549942534918_531124917_11594498_151179 1962_n.jpg

Now I have to wait for some magnets to show up before I can continue.

I hate having to wait for all this stuff :(

[Sandrat]

Looking good -

[bloodangel 83]

Looks good Gir, only have 1 question, is the front end on prematley or are you going to go back and fill in the gap on the bottom of the ramp and the top right conder. looks good anf keep up the built. BA83

[Gir]

Looks good Gir, only have 1 question, is the front end on prematley or are you going to go back and fill in the gap on the bottom of the ramp and the top right conder. looks good anf keep up the built. BA83

Yeah, there's a lot of gaps I will be filling, but my plan is to have the whole thing assembled first so I know it all fits together.

I also seem to have lost a small bag of parts, including the hinge covers for the front door and lascannon wings. Gonna have to tear apart my bedroom tonight to try and find them :(

[Maelstorm]

Looks great!

[Meph]

Oh, first time I've seen under that lady's skirt. The underside detailing is pretty cool as well, although that exposed engine is begging for a heat seeking missile... :D

[bloodangel 83]

Gir thanks on the answers and Meph is right some shielding would work on the buttom of the engines. Keep up the great work. BA83

[Gir]

build is almost finished. All weapons are magnetized on except the front heavy bolters, which I need to steal some magnets off a friend for.

Pictures!

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/374019_10150567572549918_531124917_11649506_104736 8667_n.jpg
https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/388258_10150567572639918_531124917_11649507_214127 6830_n.jpg
https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/378438_10150567572724918_531124917_11649508_198874 4231_n.jpg

And another shot of the underside.

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/378758_10150567572804918_531124917_11649510_176809 8194_n.jpg

[bloodangel 83]

Looks good and have you got your color sheme picked out yet? Keep up the great work. BA83

[MarneusCalgar]

Looks very nice!!!

[Gir]

Looks good and have you got your color sheme picked out yet? Keep up the great work. BA83

Gonna keep it in line with the rest of my army, so black with one red wing and bone on the front recess panels.

Might do some freehand on it as well depending how it comes out.