3D Print: “Counts as” Bombard Field Gun

Added to the Imperial armoury when I wasn't paying much attention, the Field Ordnance Battery was part the 9th edition Astra Militarum line refresh. They slide into niche between Heavy Weapon Teams and stuff like the Basilisk, in that its a crew-served artillery. Like Mek Gunz, but presumably safer to stand near. Ruleswise, the execution of them is a lot like Heavy Weapon Squads. You know, its a big gun, its crew are very squishy, so invariably people choose the indirect fire option, the Bombard Gun, if only to keep them alive. In terms of raw power, these aren’t the best, although they’ve weathered recent rules changes quite well. My experiences with them so far have positive, but not game-winning.

This project represents my first dealings with the Etsy platform, and one of numerous 3D print outfits that lurk there. Etsy functions as a storefront for craft supplies, artwork and such, and much like eBay you get a fair few companies selling bits. The model here was a “Gun Platforms Set 2” as printed by Proxy Wargames, a somewhat anonymous seller with no obvious social media presence. Its not immediately clear if they create thier own STL files, or merely print those by others, but on first impression these were quite nice. The print is at a higher resolution that the Ursa IFV, and did not require the same amount of aggressive sanding and prepping. It did require some preparation though, this being a "spray it with primer, then see what is revealed" sorta situation. Its definitely adequate in the detail, but there were imperfections, notably around the underside of each gun barrel. Also, while the price was right, you have to provide your own crew and bases. In my case this is a mix of Cannon Fodder and Stargrave minis atop a MDF disc. 

 

This would obviously mean that the crew were the most involved part of the build. You know, greenstuff mods, gasmasks, some flesh tones. Its always more steps than you think. The guns by comparison were done mainly via the spraycan method, before going in to pick out key details and exposed metal. As with my vehicles, I see this unit as either unwanted surplus or "acquired via unofficial channels", so a generic green with hints of decay was what I was aiming for. Unfortunately, I was at the point of securing them to base, when one picked a fight with gravity. Twice. Fuck, I'm a clumsy fool. Fortunately, this was a matter of clean breakages, but this revealed a brittleness more akin to Ramshackle Games resin than the aforementioned Ursa by Culverin Models. I feel my inexperience with 3D prints is showing here, but certain tiresome things about the Ursa are a bit more tolerable now. A bitch to sand, yes, but I'm pretty sure that would do better with the drop test, but I digress. Also, I may have overdone it with the mud paint. Everything else came good by the end though.

Job's a good 'un.