T’au Riptide Battlesuit
Color and paint schemes

Today we want to share with you a truly unique project in which we have merged two iconic universes: Warhammer 40k and the world of Mobile Suit Gundam. For this work, we worked on three imposing Riptide Armors of the T’au Empire, turning them into tributes to the Zaku II, the famous mechas of the Gundam series. This process has allowed us to carry out several phases: from the assembly of the miniatures to the conversion using 3D printed bits, and finally, a premium level painting and bases.
The main challenge was to make each Riptide adopt the characteristic aesthetics of the Zaku II. We 3D printed completely new heads, adapted from the Zaku II and Zaku II Double Antenna figures, which required multiple adjustments in size and detail. In addition, we added Zeon emblems in place of the T’au Empire emblems, giving it that distinctive touch the client had asked for.
For the color scheme, we were inspired by desert camouflage patterns. The two lower-ranking Riptides follow the “Zaku High Mobility Surface Type” style in shades of brown, ochre and dark green, while the main Riptide stands out with a scheme inspired by the “Zaku 2 Double Antenna Camo Pattern”. Every detail was painted by hand, making sure the finish was as realistic as it was impressive.
The bases of this T’au Riptide Battlesuit army were also crafted in great detail, recreating a desert landscape with dark rocks and brown sand, perfectly capturing the combat environment. Overall, this project has been a fascinating challenge that has tested our ability to create something that really resonates with the essence of both universes.

Project

✻ Warhammer 40k

✼ T’au Riptide Battlesuit

✻ Assembly

✼ Painting

✻ Basing

✼ Tailor-made

✻ 3D Magnetizing

✼ 3D printing

Customer briefing

The Key to Conversion: Riptides with Zaku Aesthetics II

This T’au Riptide Battlesuit project was born when our client, a true fan of Gundam and Warhammer 40k, discovered us while browsing for a studio specialized in miniature conversions and painting. After seeing some of our previous work, he decided that we were the perfect team to carry out his ambitious project: to merge the Warhammer universe with the style of the iconic Gundam Mobile Suits.
The brief was clear: he wanted us to transform three Riptide Armors from the T’au Empire into customized versions of the Zaku II, including the Zaku II Double Antenna for the highest-ranking miniature. He asked us to keep the essence of the T’au, but add key Gundam elements, with 3D printed Zeon heads and emblems to replace the original parts.
As for the color scheme, his desire was for the Riptides to sport a desert camouflage inspired by two specific models: the “Zaku High Mobility Surface Type” and the “Zaku 2 Double Antenna”. Each miniature had to convey a sense of power, wear and tear and realism, as if they had been fighting in an arid environment for a long time. With these directions, we set to work to shape their vision.

General picture of the project Premium level

Zaku II Double Antenna in the 41st Millennium: A Unique Conversion

The process of this project went very smoothly from the beginning. We received the miniatures already assembled, all classic Warhammer Fantasy 6th edition lead miniatures. The first thing we did was to check each figure for imperfections, and after making sure they were ready, we started with the color samples. We prepared test schemes for each type of unit, looking to represent spring in the Dancers and Scouts, and autumn in the Foresters and a part of the Eternal Guard.
Once the client approved the schemes, we moved on to the painting phase. Each painter was in charge of a group of units, streamlining the process and making sure to maintain consistency in the details. We airbrushed the bases and then worked on the details by hand, applying oil to define shadows and reliefs. In the meantime, we sent daily photos to the client, showing progress on the painting and bases.
The client told us that he loved how the miniatures captured the seasons he was looking for. The incorporation of brush and leaves on the bases added a natural atmosphere that really enhanced the overall look a painstaking but rewarding process!

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