Sisters of Battle Scout Car (Venator variant)

[Dr Mathias]

The GW 40K novel "Hammer and Anvil" features the Sisters of Battle, and interestingly the small group of Sisters have access to a Venator variant. It is described fairly well, with a single enclosed driver compartment, no integrated weapons system, gull wing doors, top hatch, and a passenger compartment that can house a small group of Sororitas- albeit uncomfortably.

I knew I wanted to try to make the SoB Venator variant when I read about it, and inspired by Dwartist's very fine vehicle work, I took it on when I needed breaks from painting Wargames Factory samurai 

The Forge World Venator is kind of a pain to put together, but I think it ended up well after some careful plasticard fitting. The color scheme is somewhat inspired by the old 1980s GI Joe/Cobra 'Stinger'. Without further ado:

[Elbows]

So that's a GW actual model?  My first glance made me think it was a kit from another line.  It looks very non-GW'y.  I appreciate the paint scheme, but it gives the appearance of being unfinished.  Nice work on it, just missing something, maybe mud on the tires or something to say "hey the rest of this is actually painted!" 

[OSHIROmodels]

Cool 

The cab and the extension on the top look very good and work well and I like the windows, we're they a print out or just rather bloody good painting?

This isn't a knockdown of what you have done in the slightest but it looks like a futuristic vehicle for the boy scouts with the fleur de le on the side 

cheers

James

[Centaur_Seducer]

Awesome, Matt!
By the way, your stuff is on its way

[Blackwolf]

Beautifully done Matt!

[Steve F]

Looks entirely finished to me, and a much better, more practical design than I'm used to from GW.  I particularly like the handling of the off white doors, their dirt and damage.

[Major_Gilbear]

Really simple, and it looks stunning - well done!

[dwartist]

"...inspired by Dwartist's very fine vehicle work" 
Thankyou - if I've inspired you in any small way to produce this wonderful conversion and paint job then I'm absolutely delighted! My first thought was I'd missed something from Forgeworld! The windscreens and windows are much better than any of mine and look excellent. I'd add a little pigment to the treads of the tyres if only to break up the grey/black of the vehicle and tyres.

[Dr Mathias]

Thanks for the comments all, I have to agree with those of you that suggest some differentiation for the tyres. I did some weathering and pigment work but it disappeared in the sealing phase so I think it needs another shot. I could have done a better job with using warm/cool highlights to separate the tyres/chassis as well. 

jimbibbly: I have to confess that I used an airbrush on the windows. I wanted to try that method once to see how it worked. I don't enjoy masking the edges so i'm not sure how much I'll do that in the future.

Thanks!

By the way, here's the original, from Forge World:

http://www.forgeworld.co.uk/Warhammer-40000/Imperial_Guard/Elysian_Drop_Troops/ELYSIAN-TAUROS-VENATOR.html

[OSHIROmodels]

jimbibbly: I have to confess that I used an airbrush on the windows. I wanted to try that method once to see how it worked. I don't enjoy masking the edges so i'm not sure how much I'll do that in the future.

Works a treat 

cheers

James

[Mancha]

Great paintjob.  I agree with others, however, that it doesn't look like something the Sisters would be driving around in.

[Elbows]

For what it's worth, the vehicle looks much better/more finished on my large home desktop monitor than my small monitor on my netbook I take to work.

[Prof.Witchheimer]

what a painting job, well done, Matt!

[sykoholic]

Personally, I'd be inclined to slap a Steel Legion "lightning bolt" on it rather than the SoB "fleur de lis" but that's just me. 

Any chance of a tutorial of how you did this?