Late present and Battle bus WIP 2

Hello,

let me start with a cherry today! One of the days last week I've casually popped on facebook to see what's new and at top of my news feed was Fenris games' update. They were giving away a miscast 120mm aztec sun stone base to the first person that'd ask for it. When I read it, I saw there are no comments and quickly asked for it. I was really lucky as later I've seen that I have posted few moments after Ian has offered the miscast base. He has sent it to me the same day, and I think I can not thank him enough. Today I got it and I think I haven't been that amazed by something in a very long time. It is really just amazing. So, if you guys at Fenris will ever see this, thanks yet again! Actually, first thing that came to my mind after I saw how amazing it is, was a bad feeling, as I still haven't ordered anything from them (got a long list for Strange Aeons and modern zombie settings, but when I was about to order for first time, I went for miniatures instead, now I'm saving for salute), I really hope I can make it to salute and I'll grab few pieces there.

Back to the base, here is the picture:

As said, it measures 120mm in diameter including the outer rim. It is supposed to be bigger size of those lipped bases. It is a little bigger than an ordinary CD, so it could only be used to base a very large monster on it. Personally, I think the detail is simply too good to use it as a base. I will use it as a scenery and its a great motivation for starting my jungle terrain!

It was said that it is a miscast piece and I was expecting half of it to be missing or something, which was okay, as I'd use it in a ruined temple. The thing is, I still haven't managed to find any real defects.

On the picture above, you can see there is a hole in the rim. I figured this could be it, but after I took a picture, I went and sand the bottom, which, I'd imagine, is a normal procedure with resin scenery.  Then I really peeled my eyes and I found about 2-3 little defects, that are honestly so small, I'd never say its a miscast piece.

Here I tried to take a photo of it. If the triangular arrows are 12 and 3 (north and east of the face) (imagine a clock), then a "defect" is at little triangular arrow somewhere between 1 and 2. There are some ornaments below the top squares that look like feathers or something...thats it. a millimeter. Then I figured that it might be that the outer rim of the stone (not that of the base itself), is not crispy detailed...but again, really a minor thing that I'd never notice if I'd been told its a nice piece. Really fantastic!

I was thinking about painting it in color. I'd imagine it'd take me more than I got patience for, but there is no other way to show my gratitude, it honestly is an amazing piece. I haven't been that amazed since I saw the Rosetta stone I blabbered about few posts back!

Anyways, I've also been doing a bit of work on my armoured bus or whatever we will call that thing. I got no clear idea, so I just do bits and bobs at a time...I keep getting a feeling there is something missing and when I want to add something, that it is getting too crowded.

Picture above shows the front side. I've given it two spikes to fill the holes in the bumper, an "armored" plate (note the rivets, I've riveted everything, but it's not too visible on the pictures). As I've covered the lights, I've also give it a quickly made set of new ones.

Then I grabbed my copy of NMRIH on my way to-where-even-cesar-walks and checked for the ideas. Lawn mowers, of course! How could I not remind myself about that earlier!
Below you can see two crude prototypes. That probably won't get any better, but hey, some paint and you'd never guess!

I am not sure how to mount them. What do you guys think? Either hang them on the front plate like here:

..or perhaps hang them under the bumber, like here:

I think the position of the blades is more or less the same, but the second option does look a bit neater. Rules wise, you can have a plow, spikes or lawn mowers. Plow is somewhat boring (armoured plate was actually meant as a plow), and lawn mowers are hilarious. If you are wondering why anyone would use lawn mowers on their vehicle, no need to feel silly, so did I. Author gave a reasonable explanation, stating "why the hell not"? :D

Above is a close up on frontal firing position. I've put a TAG's SAS guy with a machine gun there so you can get an idea of scale. The plates were originally much higher, adapted for a standing guy...then I figured...who'd stand if you can sit, so I've made it smaller. Because I can't reposition miniature, it looks a bit too low with a standing mini.

Here is a back of the bus. Engine compartment is protected by additional steel plating...I need to make some holes in it or something, to "let the engine cool". Also, another position for shooter on a crow's nest.

Just a picture of whole bus. You can see wooden plating for stowage. At first, I had front lights positioned behind the planks at front, but that wouldn't make any sense if you'd put stowage on those planks then, so I replaced them. Only thing missing are some fences, but that'd be kinda boring to make, so I have figured I'll put sandbags around the steel plates. I would like to put some kind of reflector lights up there, but havent found anything at home to build them.

I was thinking about putting a .50 cal machine gun on front emplacement and a smaller one (5.56 if anyone is interested, as M249 / Minimi is all I got, otherwise I'd put M240 / MAG there :P). I+ve decided against it, as it only takes up the place for miniatures. I might change my mind if I'd have any gunners laying around, but even then I'd make them removable.

I need to buy a spray paint before I can start painting the bus, so thats mostly staled project for now.

Thanks for reading,

Mathyoo