The journey continues! In Part 2 of Project Baneblade, our collaborative build with PaintByBlunders, the iconic 1999 Forge World resin Baneblade begins to take shape. After the community voted in Part 1, the paint scheme has been chosen: Steel Legion it is.
This episode sees us push the tank close to completion, refining the build and laying the groundwork for its final diorama-ready state. The surface is re-primed and airbrushed in Eshin Grey, followed by a camo pattern sprayed with Wrathbone capture that signature Steel Legion look. Careful touches of Vallejo Chainmail pick out mechanical elements and cabling, while Retributor Armour highlights skulls, aquilas, and other ornate details, adding contrast and depth to the grey-and-cream scheme.
We’ve taken time to make every detail count, from the tiny skulls on the track guards to the streaking grime and careful panel lining that begins to give this beast its battlefield personality. There’s a lot of grey, so techniques like sponge weathering, edge highlighting, and tonal chipping have been key to breaking up the surfaces and keeping it visually interesting.
But this build is still evolving. In fact, Part 2 is all about setting up for your next decision: just how weathered should this war machine be? Subtle scuffs or full-blown frontline wreckage?
Let us know in the comments of the video on YouTube. Your input will decide how far we take the damage and weathering in Part 3.
Oh, and we’ve given the tank a name: Merlin.
Subscribe now to follow the rest of the journey as we dive into heavy weathering, basing, and the final diorama display.
