Imperial Knights - Cerastus Twins in manufactorum pt4. - Hatches

Afternoon #Warhammer Community it's been a while for hobby updates. After the Capillary Towers I've spent some time finishing off the hatches on the Cerastus Knights so that they open/close. I've started some other projects, built and primed, but they're top secret for a while. My son visited for half-term as well, which meant we watched anime rather than hobbying. So apologies for the quiet. Anyway, how to make your hatch open/close - drill either side of the hatch hinge socket and then cut out the top bits. 

Drill through the hinge and glue a metal pin into the hole.

Make some 'sprue-goo' I used the drill swarf and bits I removed from either side of the hinge socket. Chopped finely, mixed with polycement and splodged on. 

After a days rest I then smoothed it down with scalpel and fine sanding pads.

It's not perfect, but the texture and damage I will add will hide any issues. 

I also added a hatch on each of them. The left one is a plastic handle, from the carapace launcher. But it was very small so I had doubts it would be helpful when used to actually open the hatch. So I created a staple from a metal rod which is more substantial. But, it's not straight and the primer rubs of easily, just like old white metal models!

Well, it was an experiment in different choices. Anyway, you can see they're primed now and I'm starting to add the metallics. A tedious task and one made less appealing to record. I'll probably do my next WiP when the first highlight is done but the sub-assemblies are not conducive to good blog content. Not to mention [as I have many, many times] I just find metallics unpleasant to paint. All the glitter in your paint water and brushes that refuse to clean properly - yuk! However, these two are THE primary project and when the metallics are done we will make lots of progress. I want them complete by the end of the hobby season, and if I'm lucky the two secret squirrel projects. These Knights have been ongoing for over 2 years - it's about time they got TO DONE!

'nids part 387 - Terrain is everything - 3D printed capillary towers - TO DONE! 🔴⚪

Afternoon #Warhammer Community I've been #PaintingWarhammer on the 3D printed capillary towers. As the project came to an end I was lax again in keeping track of timing. I did record the red fleshy highlights though.

Red highlights 1, was 68 minutes. Red highlights 2. was 50 minutes. I didn't keep track of anything else.

Further highlights, shading, matt varnish, gloss varnish and Tamiya Clear Red X-27 followed. Really happy with the final result, but I ummed and ahhed for quite along time over the 'value' in hobby points. 

The biggest spires are as big as an Imperial Knight but are they worth 20 points each? I figured the two of them were worth 20 points The medium ones are they 10 points each? If so they're effectively the same value as the big ones. I did think not to worry about it and it balances out only giving the big ones 20 points. But in the end I valued them at 5 points each and the small ones at 2 points each.

Add the 5 point Terrain bonus and the entire suite of towers was valued at 39 points. The MESBG terrain was 80 points [plus 5]. This does feel like half the amount of effort, maybe a little more... 🤷What do you think?

A Great Big Chrome Stamp of Approval adding to my spreadsheet this is worth 39 points [plus 5 bonus terrain points]. Therefore, this brings me up to 289 points for the season so far.

And against the white background. Probably could have done to add a Termagant in for scale but forgot.

Battle Record - Bolt Action 21/05/26

Afternoon and wearer back to our usual Thursday night at Otty's shed we to play Bolt Action with the SAS Rogue Heroes from WWII. This time it's just Ben, Otty and I.

Because Liam ended up in hospital. He's OK, but he's having some medical investigations at the moment and we're hoping for a swift recovery so he can be back gaming as soon as possible.

We played on, it's what he would have wanted! 😜

The illuminated fireballs are so much fun. Again, I can't remember much of what happened.

I think both recent games had me alternating between the most lucky dice rolls to the most unlucky.

Similar to MESBG though there was a lot of amazing hits, that I couldn't convert to causing wounds.

But, there were definitely some amazing cups of tea! Otty's brew skills hit the spot that's for sure.

Busy next week so no games for me. I'll see these guys in a fortnight.

Battle Record - Bolt Action 14/05/26

Afternoon and we are back to our usual Thursday night at Otty's shed we to play Bolt Action with the SAS Rogue Heroes from WWII. I haven't had time for blogging so this is weeks later and unsurprisingly I've no recollection of the game. But luckily that's why started these 'records', rather than reports. 

This is to acknowledge we played, had fun and enjoyed the company of good friends.

All on amazing tables, with fantastic armies built and painted by us.

We scratch that creative itch and then bring it to Otty's Hobby Shed to share it.

And just look how good it looks!

There is just something about these WWII figures and scenes that just look cinematic in a way 40k and Star Wars just can't

Even with the amazing dynamic action poses in 40k, these simple soldiers somehow look like something out of Band of Brothers [just in a different setting].

I love the game and love getting to hang out with these guys.

Shed of the Year 2026

Afternoon #Warhammer Community straight off the bat with that clickbait headline, we haven't won. But we have entered Otty's Hobby Shed 2.0 in the Readers' Sheds, Shed of the Year contest 2026.

It's featured a lot on the blog as that's where we now play regularly.

But we've shown its construction while we were still using Shed 1.0. 

With the input and effort of many we helped Otty make this masterpiece of hobby greatness.

Scott may not have got to game in it but he will always be part of its construction.

Otty had high standards, this wasn't just bigger version of shed 1.0 it was in another league for functionality AND comfort. 

Attention to detail rather than leaving things rough and ready.

A custom gaming table cobbled together from various existing tables but with loads of storage.

And then loads more storage for figures and terrain.

I realised too late last year we should have entered and I've since been waiting for this year's competition and we've at least thrown our hat in the ring. It's a tough category - 'pub/entertainment'. There are obviously a lot of well decorated shed pubs, as well as home cinemas and entertainment spaces. Our uniqueness among the more mainstream approaches might be our strength, together with the scratchbuilt nature and it's continued support for us as a group. We have fun but it's not just getting drunk. I think the winners will be decided by a judging panel, I don't think there are public votes. But the great thing is that if you don't win you can enter again! So, whatever happens we'll continue to showcase Otty's Hobby Shed to inspire others and remember our friends.

Otty's Hobby Shed 2.0, Pub/Entertainment, Lancashire owned by Sheddie Chris Otterburn & Friends | #shedoftheyear