Modeling Atlas-Class Ferrojacks

A couple months ago when I was planning what I wanted to do for GSC I got some crazy inspiration and in my head everything clicked so I decided I had to do it. I have named it the Atlas-Class Ferrojack and written fluff about it (PLEASE see post below!). I named it Atlas to kind of be a mnemonic and keep the same nomenclature as the Goliath truck (I know one is a Greek titan and the other Judaeo-Christian giant but it makes sense to me and I like it!). I named it a ferrojack because it is a mining vehicle and jack brings to mind both lumberjack and some animes have referred to grunt mechs as jacks, and ferro is just a fancy way of saying iron.

The Atlas-Class Ferrojack will be a counts-as Armored Sentinel and it was inspired by combing Acolytes and a Goliath truck. Weird I know, but let me explain.

In this picture is the Goliath truck mining laser, cab and exhaust. This was the Goliath spark of inspiration.

In this picture is the Acolyte spark of inspiration. I wanted to mimic the silhouette of the left most Acolyte and give visual cues using the heavy mining equipment that would create something unique and feel at home in my project. What would that look like?

Behold the Atlas-Class Ferrojack! I am very happy with how it turned out. The cab mimic's the Goliath cab and it has the silhouette of a 1st/2nd gen hybrid. It has a mining laser, heavy rock saw and heavy rock cutter, which will count as a multi-laser/lascannon and a chainsaw. Here are some more pics.

It has the ladder, railing and handle from the truck kit. I am hoping this will visually tie it in with project, especially when next to a Goliath and especially especially when they are both painted in the same scheme. I removed all of the spikes in addition to adding the railing in an attempt to make it feel more imperial and feel like an actual construction vehicle. 

Please go read the fluff post, I think it kind of ties everything up in a neat little package.

I will leave you with a couple more pics. I magnetized the saw arm and the laser arm using 5mm x 2mm 3/16"x1/16" N52 Strong Rare Earth magnets. I didn't magnetize the cutter arm as the magnet was too big for joint and I didn't come up with a solution at the time. I learned a lot about modelling with magnets with this project and probably would do things a little differently if I were to ever build another one.

I also did some more painting. Trying to decide if I want to do a post on the progress. Hmm ...

SUBJECT: ATLAS-CLASS FERROJACK

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++ CLASSIFICATION: PRIMARY LEVEL INTELLIGENCE
++ CLEARANCE: OBSIDIAN
++ ENCRYPTION: CRYPTOX V2.6
++ TRANSMITTED: THE SPIRE HIVE PRIMUS PALATINE CLUSTER NECROMUNDA
++ RECEIVED: INQUISITORIAL BLACK SHIP THONN UNKNOWN SECTOR
++ DATE: 2998.999.M41
++ ASTROPATHICA: ASTROPATH CRPYAESTHESIAN VALION IX
++ REF: INQ/90840958940324323432/NM
++ AUTHOR: PREFECTUS TERTIUS KLECTRUUM OF THE LOGIS STRATEGOS
++ SUBJECT: ATLAS-CLASS FERROJACK
++ RECIPIENT: ORDOS XENOS INQUISITOR OXADIUS DER THONN
++ TOD: CARRY THE EMPEROR'S WILL AS YOUR TORCH WITH IT DESTROY THE SHADOWS

The Atlas-Class Ferrojack was exclusively manufactured on a former forge world in the Golgotha Sub-Sector that is now controlled by the Ork Warlord Ghazghkull Mag Uruk Thraka. The Golgotha Sub-Sector is located directly east of hive world Armageddon on the other side of the Segmentum Solar -- Segmentum Ultima border. This sub-sector  was conquered by Ghazghkull Thraka's WAAAGH! between the Second War for Armageddon ((943.M41)) and the Third War for Armageddon ((998.M41)). Golgotha was both Ghazghkull Thraka's staging point and the fall back point during the Third War for Armageddon.

The Atlas-Class Ferrojack is a single-pilot, all-terrain, lightweight, bi-pedal mining walker that is primarily used on the mining worlds in the Segmentum Solar. The standard model is equipped with a heavy rock saw, a heavy rock cutter and a Dvarlock Pattern Mining Laser. The ferrojack is constructed out of folded layers of chemically-treated permasteel and is known to be resistant to acids, fire and radiation. It houses duraglass screens that can seal the operator's cab airtight which allows the ferrojack to excavate and operate in hazardous environments and extreme conditions.  

The schematics for the Atlas-Class Ferrojack are not available in the Standard Template Construction ((STC)) system, it is unknown at this time if they still exist. The design and engineering of this vehicle inspired the STC for the following equipment; Goliath truck [[similarities can be seen when comparing the cab of both vehicles and they share the same exhaust system and rotational mounting dock for the Dvarlock Pattern Mining Laser]], the hand-held heavy rock saw, and hand-held heavy rock cutter. All of which are utilized by miners on Necromunda and mining planets throughout the Segmentum Solar.

SUBJECT: POTENTIAL THREAT TO SECTOR PRIMUS

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++ CLASSIFICATION: PRIMARY LEVEL INTELLIGENCE

++ CLEARANCE: OBSIDIAN

++ ENCRYPTION: CRYPTOX V2.6

++ TRANSMITTED: INQUISITORIAL BLACK SHIP THONN UNKNOWN SECTOR

++ RECEIVED: THE SPIRE HIVE PRIMUS PALATINE CLUSTER NECROMUNDA

++ DATE: 2997.999.M41

++ ASTROPATHICA: ASTROPATH CRYPTAESTHESIAN GRIEGUR

++ REF: NM/90840958940324323432/INQ

++ AUTHOR: ORDOS XENOS INQUISITOR OXADIUS DER THONN

++ SUBJECT: POTENTIAL THREAT TO SECTOR PRIMUS

++ RECIPIENT: PREFECTUS TERTIUS KLECTRUUM OF THE LOGIS STRATEGOS

++ TOD: BLIND FAITH IS JUST CAUSE

Inquisitorial records submitted by <REDACTED> regarding the heresy of Tech-Priest Biologis Hermiatus at Hive Secundus are reviewed.

Be aware Imperial Agents are operating planet-side. Investigating potential threats to Sector Primus. Assessing severity of potential threats. Identifying the Ordos required to execute actions against potential threats. Determining the force factor to exterminate potential threats.

++ THREAT ALPHA.01 ++

++ THREAT LEVEL: VERMILION ++

A party of <REDACTED> ((ALPHA.01)) were followed to Necromunda by Imperial Agent <REDACTED> ((IA.01)). Last known area of operation Sector Primus. It is speculated that the ((ALPHA.01)) are in pursuit of a party of <REDACTED> ((ALPHA.02)) which are on Necromunda. Motivation for pursuit unknown. Additional data imperative.

++ THREAT ALPHA.02 ++

++ THREAT LEVEL: VERMILION ++

It is believed ((ALPHA.02)) are in search of a cohort of Prefecture Magisterium of the Adeptus Mechanicus that made planet-fall 2977.999.M41. Motivation unknown. Additional data imperative.

++ THREAT BETA.01 ++

++ THREAT LEVEL: CIAN ++

++ POTENTIAL THREAT LEVEL: FANDANGO ++

During the investigation by Imperial Agent <REDACTED> ((IA.02)) of threat ((ALPHA.01)) and ((ALPHA.02)) it is determined there is an active cultist threat ((BETA.01)) in the south-east quadrant of Sector Primus. Heretic, Mutant or Alien origin unknown. Known entities active in south-east quadrant -- Weylan IV classification Major Settlement -- Abhuman Excavating Contractors classification Offworlder -- Wasteland Nomads/Scavengers classification non-compliant -- ((BETA.02)) see below for classification. Additional data necessary.

++ THREAT BETA.02 ++

++ THREAT LEVEL: CIAN ++

It is believed that ((BETA.02)) is a host of Orks operating out of The Skull. Origin unknown. Motivation unknown. It is surmised that the Orks are survivors of the failed invasion that rendered The Skull destroyed. Threat unconfirmed. Additional data optional.

//

Provide all data available on the vehicle type Atlas-Class Ferrojack.

SUBJECT: SETTLEMENT WAYLEN IV

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++ CLASSIFICATION: PRIMARY LEVEL INTELLIGENCE
++ CLEARANCE: OBSIDIAN
++ ENCRYPTION: CRYPTOX V2.6
++ TRANSMITTED: THE SPIRE HIVE PRIMUS PALATINE CLUSTER NECROMUNDA
++ RECEIVED: INQUISITORIAL BLACK SHIP THONN UNKNOWN SECTOR
++ DATE: 2995.999.M41
++ ASTROPATHICA: ASTROPATH CRYPTAESTHESIAN VALION IX
++ REF: INQ/90840958940324323432/NM
++ AUTHOR: PREFECTUS TERTIUS KLECTRUUM OF THE LOGIS STRATEGOS
++ SUBJECT: RE: SETTLEMENT WAYLEN IV
++ RECIPIENT: ORDOS XENOS INQUISITOR OXADIUS DER THONN
++ TOD: AN ALIEN MIND CANNOT EXCEPT THE EMPEROR'S BLESSING

Waylen IV is a major industrial settlement southeast of Hive Primus, located outside Xenos Quarantine Zone ((XQZ)) west of the Dust Wall, which surrounds the ruins of Hive Secundus. The settlement is the epicenter of local ash crust miners and houses the major refineries for its' sector. The settlement is notedly self-sufficient, but there are trading caravans that periodically deviate from the Great Ash Road to supply the settlement  with rarer or non-essential inventory. There are quarterly Goliath convoys that run refined ash crust and other minerals to Hive Primus to be shipped off world or to be used in the manufactorums.

Waylen IV previously supplied raw and refined ash crust to the hive city now known as "The Skull." which is directly south of the settlement. The Skull is a ruined hive city that has vast holes that perforate the hive structure in a manner, that from a distance, makes it appear as a colossal skull lying in a barren wasteland. The holes are the result of relentless bombardments during the suppression of an Ork invasion that besieged the city. Recently it is rumored that The Skull is home to hulking, roving nomads that terrorized caravans from their roaring ramshackle vehicles.

The inhabitants of Waylen IV are miners and refinery workers. The miners venture out, both in large parties and armed, as a result of being attacked by marauding wasteland nomads. They utilized a large variety of equipment; from heavy rock saws and heavy rock drills to the Dvarlock Pattern Mining Laser and hand-held cannons that can cause seismic tremors, all of which are so unwieldy that the miners have to take advantage of the Tertia Pattern Servo-Arm to use the equipment properly. They will mobilize in large Goliath truck convoys and set up sprawling industrial platforms that act as a headquarters and are equipped with large pile drivers. Once the opening of a new mine is excavated, they will tunnel down using Rockgrinders, a Goliath truck variant, as well as Atlas-Class Ferrojacks. Most miners are taught early on in their training on how to use blasting and demolition charges to break up stubborn sediment or run a crack through mineral veins.

Both the miners and the refiners wear rubberized canvas hazard suits with vulcanized plating, this helps protect them from various hazardous conditions and extreme atmospheric environments. The refiners are more likely mechanics, engineers and pilots for the heavy machinery and vehicles. They use Goliath trucks as transports for worker and inventory. It is common for miners to use powered picks in the subterranean caverns, while also being common for refiners to utilize powered mauls, sledges and other hammers. The refinery engineers have modified the Atlas-Class Ferrojacks with hydraulic arms to help them lift, move and load inventory.

On very rare occasion the inhabitants of the settlement are visited by contingents of the Planetary Defence Force ((PDF)), also know as the Necromundan 8th Regiment or "The Spiders." They are referred to as The Spiders because the 8th are exclusively recruited from the Spider Clan, a gang that dominates the lower levels of the Palatine Cluster. Their stylized spider tattoos, often found on their hands and face, are overt indicators of their previous gang affiliation. The closest contingent of the PDF is stationed east of the settlement on the opposite side of an acrid lake at the Dust Wall. They man the wall in hope to contain the xenos threat that overtook Hive Secundus barely a century ago. The garrison assigned to the Dust Wall is the 8th Regiment's Echo Company, which is specialized in xenos warfare and has become gravely proficient at tracking and exterminating xenos on Necromunda proper.

The calamity at Hive Secundus was the result of the hubris of the renegade Tech-Priest Biologis, Hermiatus, of the Adeptus Mechanicus. Hermiatus was experimenting on a brood of Purestrain Genestealers in hopes to find a cure for the "Genestealer's Kiss," which is the contagion administered by a Purestrain Genestealer and was the first step of infecting the population of Hive Secundus with the Genestealer taint.

Also stationed at the Dust Wall is a kill team of Imperial Fists tasked with containing the threat within, and deterring any scavengers or nomads from entering the XQZ. They are the only chapter of the Adeptus Astartes that have any association with Necromunda and they regularly recruit neophytes from the large gang population.

The settlement lacks any presence of the Adeptus Arbites and for that is often regarded as a lawless community. Despite rumors spread by scavengers and caravan traders that the inhabitants of Waylen IV are reclusive and "quite odd," there are no reports of this "lawless" settlement being either, dangerous or hostile.