Dust Tactics/Warfare Axis Army

[Starfarer]

A few weeks ago, some of my friends decided to pick up Dust and persuaded me to start a force too. This led me to looking around online for a copy of the out of print original core set, which I was actually able to find relatively easy and for a great price. I've also purchased a copy of the revised core set and a copy of the Dust Warfare rulebook, so I think I've got pretty good core forces for both Axis and Allies.

I've decided to work on the Axis units first, as I like the walkers and also like the aesthetic of the gas-masked stormtroopers. Plus they have zombies and lasers and all that fun stuff, too. One unfortunate aspect of my modeling hobby is I can never leave well enough alone, and usually want to change up the stock units in some way. This has proved a tad more difficult with the soft plastic of the Dust models, and the scale makes it a bit more tricky to find conversion parts, but I've got a few things changed here and there.





The infantry units have been glued and the waist and head, as I did not like the moving parts. It felt too toy-like and I want static poses for painting.

[SotonShades]

Great start mate, and welcome to BoLS. Looking forward to seeing some paint go on

[Starfarer]

Thanks, I had some trouble with my posts, so I had to stop mid way through copy pasting my progress from other forums where I have this project log going.


Here is a mini-tutorial on how I magnetized the first walker.

First, I cut away part of the female end of the peg insert and scraped and filed it flat to have a good surface to glue the magnet:



I did a quick test fit just to make sure it would line up how I wanted:



I then carefully cut the peg of the male end and scraped it flat and level as well:

[Starfarer]

I also initially wanted to magnetize the waist too, but decided against it once I had it together. I've still added this part to the tutorial in case anyone wants to try it themselves.

I cut away a recessed area so the magnet could sit flush and glued it in place:



I then cut the peg off the torso and filed it flat and glued the magnet in place. Note: you should cut this shorter than pictured or the model will sit too high. Learn from my oversight!



Give everything a good, long while to dry or the magnets will pull themselves off the glue points and may end up glued together as well. Once it is all dry you are all set!

[Starfarer]

While I was letting the glue on my walker dry, I had a little side project going. I am not a big fan of the heroes in the core set, and wanted to change the Sigrid model. Remember when I said I liked gas masks?








There are a few GW bits for the backpack and air tank. I still need to find a suitable peaked cap to finish her off, but I'm gonna have to place a bits order for that.

[Starfarer]

My first squad of Laser Grenadiers:

[url=http://www.dakkadakka.com/gallery/538226-Dust%20Tactics%2C%20Dust%20Warfare.html][/url]


[url=http://www.dakkadakka.com/gallery/538227-Dust%20Tactics%2C%20Dust%20Warfare.html][/url]


[url=http://www.dakkadakka.com/gallery/538231-Dust%20Tactics%2C%20Dust%20Warfare.html][/url]


[url=http://www.dakkadakka.com/gallery/538232-Dust%20Tactics%2C%20Dust%20Warfare.html][/url]

The green eyes and laser weapons were my first attempt at OSL, although I'm debating changing it to red. We shall see as I've also finished my Recon Grenadiers with green eyes as well.

[Starfarer]

I've finished my Recon Grenadiers:

[url=http://www.dakkadakka.com/gallery/541823-Dust%20Tactics%20Axis%20Recon%20Grenadiers.html][/url]

[url=http://www.dakkadakka.com/gallery/541824-Dust%20Tactics%20Axis%20Recon%20Grenadiers.html][/url]

[url=http://www.dakkadakka.com/gallery/541825-Dust%20Tactics%20Axis%20Recon%20Grenadiers.html][/url]


And my Sigrid conversion is done:

[url=http://www.dakkadakka.com/gallery/541826-Dust%20Tactics%20Axis%20Sigrid%20Conversion.html][/url]

[archimbald]

you dont by anychance have a leman russ handy? if so, would you please take a scale shot of the russ and the walker, as i cant find any anywhere and am looking at using their legs for a conversion?

thanks, Archimbald

[Starfarer]

you dont by anychance have a leman russ handy? if so, would you please take a scale shot of the russ and the walker, as i cant find any anywhere and am looking at using their legs for a conversion?

thanks, Archimbald

Sorry, I don't play 40k any longer so I don't have many GW models to compare scale. The Axis walkers are much bigger than an IG sentinel, and I believe would be taller than a LR tank as well.