Building The Plastic Baneblade, a working report... DONE Oct 13, 2007

Just got my sample plastic Baneblade from my latest shipment. Seven sprue with over 240 component pieces, this is the biggest Citadel Miniature GW have ever produced. Being a hobbyist as well as a modeler, I think I should review this latest IG tank as a model kit because a lot of people might find it useful to use this as a reference guide to build this massive tank!

GW had put in a lot of thoughts when putting the components onto different sprue. They were well arranged and had done a great job on the injection moulds this time. However, I do not see why GW had to break down the main hull into so many smaller pieces where technology nowadays can cast a single hull with ease; this would simplify the assembly significantly.

This is particularly true because a lot of the younger kids will find getting the hull assembled a difficult task! I would suggest not following the instruction sheet when building the hull.

This is what I would suggest - assemble the parts in RED first, then BLUE (without the outer side assembly), and finally parts in GREEN; then assemble the other side to complete the whole hull.




When cutting plastic parts from sprue, always remember to do it in two steps. Using a plastic cutter, cut where the red arrow had shown, after you cut out the part, trim off the extra with a cutter or hobby knife; you can then scrap or file off any mold lines.





I will post more when I have the time to...

hey stapler!!! can you tell me the sizes of the baneblade coz I´m thinking do it in scratch.



thanks
mauro

looks like the team rushed this plastic blade too much oO.... Citadel's attempt to make it cheaper than FW's one?

but it still looks more elaborate than Rhino :P *meow~*

Very interesting indeed. I shall follow this thead with most interest.

For the moment being, I am a bit worried seeing those moulding lines on the tracks. Tracks are a little too plain for my taste, too.

On the other hand, the size of the model is simply impressive... and some of those 240 pieces included in this new kit would be more than welcome on my bitz box

no he can't...

shall probably be refering to this thread a whole lot when i get my hands on this beastie great idea Stapler

no he can't...

Why not? Reporting on the size of a model doesn't violate any copy protections. It's not assisting someone to direct copy GW models like a mold, or even a scratch build pattern, would. It's the same as saying a Space marine stands 1.5" tall, or a wraithlord is 4", or the discussion in the warlord titan thread that talks about how tall they should be.

Just posting a photograph of a model assists in copying it much more than simply providing the measurements and no one thinks that should not be allowed.

Rule #1 of the internet- don't fight the mods. They will ALWAYS win.

Edit: Eh, didn't work...

Nevermore - it is a simple matter that this site does not want to be seen to be aiding people copying GW models
There are plenty of other websites that will let you talk about sizes or even get model template document's - but not here
Back onto topic now ( if anybody wants to talk about the rules feel free to PM a mod etc. )
Oh and Rule 2 of the internet - sucking up to mods is welcomed

Stapler - sorry about that - this looks like it will be another of your freat threads which will help many ....
The track parts look very flat though .... possibly because they are slightly on the large side

thanks,
L

Having watched my local GW store manager putting one together the other week - I'd have to agree that the track parts do look a bit flat and they are large.
One thing I noticed was the difficulty with which the return wheel fitted the track unit. They seemed to dry at an angle so make sure they're well supported.
Other than that - the plastic components are impressive.

no he can't...

Why not? Reporting on the size of a model doesn't violate any copy protections. It's not assisting someone to direct copy GW models like a mold, or even a scratch build pattern, would. It's the same as saying a Space marine stands 1.5" tall, or a wraithlord is 4", or the discussion in the warlord titan thread that talks about how tall they should be.

Just posting a photograph of a model assists in copying it much more than simply providing the measurements and no one thinks that should not be allowed.

Because it's in our rules not to and I have asked that he not, simple as that. (not that he would)

now if you'd like to stay on topic that would be swell, you can PM me if you have any other problems with our rules...

Keep it up stapler, even though i don't want a Blade i'd like to see how it goes togeather...

Very nice, a potentially informative thread indeed. I'm already planning my own Baneblade, which I went and preordered on Monday. Mine will probably be a Commissariat machine, as mine is a penal regiment and no technomage would let those reprobates anywhere near a hallowed warmachine. I'm thinking black, crimson, brass and dark, dark blue.

Keep us posted if you run into any snags in the construction.

This one is going to be a straight build... I have 2 more to play with later on !

I am still working on the basic - removing seam lines, test fitting and so on. I am not sure why GW likes everything FLAT, which made assembly extremely cumbersome! A lot of the stuff, like turrets and some smaller bits can, in fact, be mould as a single piece. They really should buy some scale model tanks from Tamiya or Dragon for references.

I still have a Titan to finish for the upcoming Apocalypse…

I would hazard a guess that their reasons are alike to those of Easter European tank kit manufacturers, who also mould their kits as "flats" whenever possible. It's cheaper. At least GW parts are typically thicker, so they don't warp as easily.

Tamiya, Tristar, Dragon and the like, on the other hand, do all kinds of masterful things with moulding technology, which simply might not be cost-effective for GW products. It pays to keep in mind that compared to scale modelling, GW games are a small hobby with limited volume. I do seem to recall Dragon's Sdkfx 234 uses eight-part slide moulds to produce perfect detailing all around the circumference.

Agamemnon2, you are quite correct and I tend to agree with you. However, I am not sure why GW prefer to do most things in-house which limited their production flexibility. For example, Tristar kits are limited to their thousands in volume and still come up with highly detailed yet cost effective products. I think GW should consider some outsourcing other than doing everything by themselves on the plastic kit side. Technologies always move faster than machinaries... it is not a sin to outsource!

Just my two cents...

Well, it might simply be that traditional plastic model corps can put a larger part of their profits into manufacturing costs, whereas GW has a a very different corporate structure. Outsourcing could work, though the gaming industry has had bad experiences with it, such as Mongoose's Starship Troopers debacle.

Hello ultramar that so.
Whichever time without seeing you.
So that no longer you go through the forum factory of they ociojoven all we missed to you.
Good we see ourselves.
Greetings.

Plastic glue or superglue??

Sorry if I step on toes.

But I would like a size comparison against a standard IG trooper or a LandRaider or both. GW when they took the photo for the shopping page has a guy but not to the same scale. I am looking at possible converting a Baneblade from Tank to Rolling Temple.

I do not want any templates or measurements.

Thanks

Skinner

Oh, we call those "Barry shots" over on the Waaagh forum, where the poster posts a pic of his model with an Ork Slugga Boy for scale reference. Probably no harm in that, right mods?

No harm at all, posting images is all well and fine.

so how about if he calls his ruler "Barry"? Is that good?

hehe. Looks interesting, keen to get my mits on one. Though I think perhaps Stapler should be admonished for flaunting his pre-release in front of it

SORRY IT WASN´T MY INTENTION TO BREAK THE FORUM´S RULES,I´m SORRY AGAIN

MAURO

More pics now or i'll eat your soul!
If you think im kidding, who else do you think would buy a soul on ebay?
They're just so delicatly flavored and crunchy....

huhhhhhhhhhhh........

(savoring thought of devouring staplers soul)

And the hobby obsessed virgins have that great tang of insanity mixed in...

mmmmmm..........

So post some more pics, before i gotta say, GET IN MAH BELLY!

very nice

i just started building one as well. except i started with the top hull rather than the tracks.

i was thinking of starting a thread on it, but seeing as how you already have, seems a bit pointless now. would you mind if i piggy-backed on your thread and post pictures of my efforts here as well?

Start your own thread please.

ok.

Justa quickie here:

Wondering if it can have some radio control kit fit inside?

Would fine nice have a Baneblade running amok on the table?



PAt

I have been thinking about the remote control option...
My main concerns are the tracks and the running gear.
Whatever 1/35 scale working tracks I can think of don't have the right look.
The other concern is that at least the traction and idler wheels have to be metal, not plastic as well as their axles, otherwise with time the tracks will start dragging towards one side or will start to fall off.
Now if I just had that Proxxon Mini Lathe...