A few years back, Mark Gibbons worked as a talented artist for Games Workshop. During that time, he produced a number of pieces for the company, but the one I want to discuss today was a particular concept sketch for an Ork Stompa. Some of you may be familiar with the piece, as it made the rounds on the internet as rumors of a plastic stompa release began to emerge. I figured that I might have a little fun and beat GW to their own punch by manufacturing my own version of the warmachine based on their concept art.

This was a very long term project. In truth, it took me what must have been a year or so to put together. The main reason for this is because I am very easily distracted by other ideas; I’ll get halfway into one build and start on another. Still, after enough people nagged me to go back and finish this piece, I banged the rest of the parts together and gave it a coat of paint. It was then hauled off to Gamesday Baltimore 08, where it made the cuts in the Warhammer 40k vehicle category but did not place. Still, I’m proud of it, and I’m always happy to show people the finished product.

Like most of my other projects, this one involves lights. Light-up eyes seemed one of the bets ways to make the warmachine threatening, so after a bit of research and through the use of my ape-like soldering skills, a pair of green LEDs were installed in the head.

Very few people notice the ‘grotpit’ even in person. Directly beneath the head, you should be able to spot three tiny gretchin who command the huge walker. It is from inside this dais that they steer, aim, stomp and fire.

I have to say that I lucked out a bit as far as this model goes. I made it before Apocalypse came out, and when I first got the chance to look through the Ork Stompa rules contained in the big book, I was overjoyed to find out that what I had created fit the profile in the book like a glove, as far as armor profile and weapons go. The only thing I haven’t been able to explain is the transport capacity that Stompas seem to have, but in game terms I have mostly just been putting the models it transports on its base, running at it’s feet.

The final product is roughly 8 inches tall to the top of the head, and breaks down into a couple parts to make it easier to transport.

You can view the complete W.i.P thread and the Stompa Gargant W.I.P Gallery if you would like to see more of this model. This, as well as many other 40k models, are also available at my blog, The Warforge. If you have any questions, I invite you to PM me on the forums, or e-mail me!