Make your own Mumakil

[sukhe_bator]

I know I know...
Under the Armies of Arcana ruleset there is not a great deal of difference between armoured and unarmoured elephants. The Mumaks are 2x the number of wounds of a conventional elephant and the Armour rating given to conventional elephants already reflects their tough hide. I can vouch for how tough it is having hefted an elephant hide shield (practically the same weight as a wooden one!) My Mumaks just have more 'set dressing' than most...
That's the great thing about Fantasy.

[Gluteus Maximus]

That's the great thing about Fantasy.

Yes, you're never wrong in your own world, no matter wwhat the "experts" might say 

[rob_the_robgoblin]

Yup.

Another reason why Historo-fantasy floats my boat, I can paint them close, but not perfect. I don't have to worry about voltigeur eppaluettes. 


Your elephants look excellent, they have that nice fantasy, but with some historical cushion to them. Not too bonkers, but just different enough to be different.

[sukhe_bator]

I love that phrase 'just different enough to be different'! I think that pretty well sums up all the obscure periods and unusual models I tend to gravitate towards

[rob_the_robgoblin]

, my English is pretty bad, you know!

Glad you knew what I meant, after typing it I realised it might make no sense, but couldn't be bothered to change it. 

[Whiskyrat]

Excellent Mumaks.

If I ever get around to starting finishing my LoTR project I'll steal mercilessly from this post.

[sukhe_bator]

All my Mumaks are in the process of getting a howdah upgrade. Inspired by J Treadaway's article and a passing homage to the Mumakil of the Peter Jackson films, they will now have an additional, removable turret. This'll allow me to field 5 archers in the howdah making them even more imposing and a better missile platform. This is the prototype that is now rolling off the production line...
 

[sukhe_bator]

For the benefit of Doomslave - this thread should answer most queries.
The main thing is to ensure the howdah looks like it should be able to sit comfortably on a framework straddling the elephant's spine without looking unbalanced or too unwieldy. It should look plausible. Once I had the prototype shell of the howdah each platform was individually tailored to the elephant using hidden wedges and glued in place. The rolling gait of the elephant meant in reality it needed to be well secured and of course the elephant usually kneels to allow crew on and off resulting in an alarming pitch forwards and backwards as the elephant raises and lowers from the ground.
I have modelled one Mumak with a howdah that slopes backwards. Make sure there is some minor variation in pitch and yaw between models and poses, but not too much so you have problems positioning crew figures.

[Doomsdave]

For the benefit of Doomslave - this thread should answer most queries.
The main thing is to ensure the howdah looks like it should be able to sit comfortably on a framework straddling the elephant's spine without looking unbalanced or too unwieldy. It should look plausible. Once I had the prototype shell of the howdah each platform was individually tailored to the elephant using hidden wedges and glued in place. The rolling gait of the elephant meant in reality it needed to be well secured and of course the elephant usually kneels to allow crew on and off resulting in an alarming pitch forwards and backwards as the elephant raises and lowers from the ground.
I have modelled one Mumak with a howdah that slopes backwards. Make sure there is some minor variation in pitch and yaw between models and poses, but not too much so you have problems positioning crew figures.

Thanks for the help.  My son and I will begin work during this Christmas vacation. 
Doomslave   

[sukhe_bator]

Looking forward to comparing notes...
I have managed to locate an old LP carry case I converted many years ago to take trays of figures. I've worked out it can carry up to 6 of my Mumakil and various accessories (removable turrets, flags and howdah crews).

[sukhe_bator]

Just a teaser pic of the 7 armoured Mumakil as they roll off the production line... Still some work to do before Mid April, but they are now substantially assembled and complete

[Hupp n at em]

Wow those are excellent!! 
Jim

[HerbyF]

I really love those Mumakil. The armour looks great. Make me want to make a few. I think I have a few over sized Elephnats kicking around some where. That castle looks great too. Is it a scratch build.

[Pil]

Just a teaser pic of the 7 armoured Mumakil as they roll off the production line... Still some work to do before Mid April, but they are now substantially assembled and complete

It looks very impressive! I love the variation in  armour and colouring, top job!

[Belgian]

Awesome much better than the lame GW version! I really like them