Xander:
As many people may or may not know, in 2005, the black library released a novel called Grudge Bearer by Gav Thorpe. In the last chapter, there is a notable event involving the Chaos Dwarfs. They engage in battle with the Dwarfs and many things are revealed about their potential new look and fluff.
Amoung the things revealed is a great war machine called a Kollossus. Here is a small excerpt from the book which should constitute fair use for discussion purposes.
It strode forward, a great mechanical giant, belching smoke and fire, the air around it shimmering not just with heat but also diabolical energy. Plated and riveted iron and fashioned in the shape of a great bull-headed man … ‘A kollossus,’ … From firing platforms on the behemoth’s shoulders, Chaos dwarfs spewed out gouts of fire, incinerating dwarfs by the handful as the mechanical beast stomped though their lines. Its heavy feet crushed them with every tread, while shells chattered forth from a rapid-firing cannon mounted in the mouth of its bull head.I decided to convert such a beast, using him as either a unit filler, Great Taurus, a Death Rocket, or perhaps some Ogre unit. So here is my attempt at a Kollossus.
Gav Thorpe, Grudge Bearer, p245-6
The parts! An old Ork Dreadnaught, some parts from those dollarstore cannons, and a 60mm base I fashioned.
I built the legs a bit at a time. I wanted them to be stable so they could support the weight of the structure. I pinned each joint as I built it up. It could stand freely after each addition.
After I attached the torso and all still stood freely, I glued the feet to the base and Green Stuffed the joints and made hooves. I also rigged the arms into some of the cannon parts with the use of some 20mm bases as well.
Testing how it would look, I set the arms/shoulder on top without glue. I proceeded to add magnets inside the manholes and made up two Chaos Dwarf crew for the shoulders. I also glued the Stubber (that’s what Necromunda calls them anyways) to the back-pack as a second exhaust.
My bits order arrived! Wow, all that for 65 bucks Canadian, plus $10 for shipping + $10 for tax, plus one big hole in my wallet!
Using the Bull Skull, I used GS to attach the pieces to the head-piece. I added a wheel from the BFSP Dwarf cannon as a fan exhaust at the back. (I drilled 8 holes in it)
Here is stacked up next to some Chaos Dwarfs. Torso looks a bit weak… (Blunderbuss article coming soon)
Built up the torso!
Also, to use it as a Great Taurus, I can swap the manhole covers around. Or you could have all 3 holes covered, if you like. (I still need to make a character to fit properly inside it)
Animated:
Having no real plan in mind when I started, other than what is written in the book, it came out very well! I am very satisfied with the result.
I’d love your comments!
EDIT: One thing I forgot to mention, I am going to be adding rivets to the GS joints.
