DINOBUGS?! Rare official GW Tyranids from 1995

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Resin nightmare! These crazy Armorcast Malefactor and Armorcast Exocrine models from the glorious days of 2nd edition Warhammer 40k needed SO MUCH WORK.
Happy birthday, Ant!
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[@MidwinterMinis]

How many air bubbles did you count? Don't forget to grab your free 1 month trial of Audible on me by heading here: audible.com/midwinterminis or by texting "midwinterminis" to 500500. Happy new year, everyone!

[@Caddy666]

Ever play Mighty Empires, Guy?

[@valeforedark]

Man I remember these ❤️

[@morph1648]

I listened to devastation of baal on audible and mephistons voice is pain

[@AlexJaneway]

I know on my original Phantom from them I spent so long filling air bubbles. Thousands, it is where I learned about Mr. Surfacer.

[@joethomas5528]

I'm no genius but there has got to be at least 4 bubbles

[@hoodie4439]

i personally find the micro bubbles add a neat texture and add to the bug aspect of tyranids, but i understand why most people wouldn't. But either way you still did a wonderful job!

[@mikloskarpati2722]

I was just thinking the same. I think it gives the model a more organic feel.

[@bluebaron2796]

it makes the Armor look like old bone with all the little holes in it

[@AzelRavenWood]

Yeah, I also thought those microbubbles looked pretty cool lol.

[@Monkeyman12534]

Good on these models but obviously would be awful on something smoother

[@TheNeelonRokk]

Yeah, don't know how it scales, but I could see those as bullet holes, or maybe scars from an old parasite infestation or so...

[@einar_476]

Those old models are still canon, they were early forms of nids, then they started eating orks, Eldar and space marines and became better and more refined. The clawed one reminds me of a carnifex.

[@roguebanshee]

The carnifex from the same period essentially looked like 4 giant claws and a mouth walking on two legs, while being the size of a dreadnought.

[@mycaleb8]

It's a shame. They're really cool.

[@ZacLowing]

So that would point to the idea that these are what the conqueror of another galaxy looks like? I like the lore, I just have qustions, lol

[@user-zz3sn8ky7z]

@@ZacLowing yep, exactly. Although they might be "degenerated" to some extent by the lack of biomass during their intergalactic travels

[@pcppbadminton]

@@user-zz3sn8ky7z The OG Tyranids are all inbreeds 😂

[@craziestgolem4209]

Personally I like most of the little imperfections since it really fits the crazy alien bio-beasts look and then battle damaged. Great job making them look amazing

[@sniffles8672]

yeah, i like microbubbles on this model

[@TabooZombie]

I still really want to see you do a style swap for an old space marine and a new primaris. Primaris painted like rouge trader and an old marine painted to today's standards. It would be a really cool compare/contrast.

[@Azzie420]

If you want firstborn marines modernly painted, just shout Hydra dominatus and you’ll see how many there really are, unless your local inquisitor hears you 😭😂

[@steadyalbatross]

Is it weird that I kinda like all the little micro bubble gaps? I think it adds a cool keratinous texture to the armor

[@shaakattack747]

Hey Guy, I also have both Tyranid armorcast models and an old baneblade, I don't know if you mentioned this or know this, but that particular resin has the reputation of being very very toxic, especially the dust from sanding, from my own experience I can say it packs quite a punch, so always best to use a good filter mask!!!! awesome video!

[@Artifexmaholifts]

oh cmon, to be toxic you have to be exposed for many years, this is nothing...

[@Valkitty99]

@@Artifexmaholifts not necessarily true

[@benjackson8731]

don't worry, watch any of his warlord titan videos/ stream VODs and you'll see he goes full darth vader when working with resin

[@tucolalo8251]

@@Valkitty99 It is in this case, unless he ground the models to dust and inhaled it.

[@mrhalo9181]

So what if he might not be that hurt? Better safe than sorry

[@baphometsvomitcomet2350]

Have to say, there is a lot to love about the older-aesthetic tyranids vs. the (relatively) new sculpts. However, I do like that there could be an in-universe explanation for the shift in designs. The old Dino-bug morphology is based on the biomatter and genetic material of the last galaxy they ate. As they spent more time in the Milky Way, they have changed their forms to reflect more the life they are eating here.

[@thedubstepaddict3675]

Controversial oppinion: the tiny bubble marks you filled made the armor actually look more organic and cooler, i would not have filled them, especially since they wouldve made the colours flow in interesting ways.

[@rubeniscool]

I was about to say this lol organic structures do have a tendency to allow you to get away with imperfections like these. Personally I'd also have put the broken spikes/horns down to battle damage or just age but hey, they aren't my minis lol :)

[@choobs8511]

I figure some of the larger ones on the carapace couldve been made to look like bullet holes maybe

[@EDDhoot]

agreed the holes looked like natural chitin

[@thedubstepaddict3675]

@@rubeniscool i would have even carved into the "wound" a bit and filled it with blood for tje blood god.

[@rubeniscool]

@@thedubstepaddict3675 exactly lol Either way though a part of me is kind of glad he did make the effort to return it to the state it was intended to be cast in :) I personally just love the huge variety in which people will interpret and convert (or not) their minis :)

[@zackcook5123]

I adore seeing old models given new life. Personally I want these to return they look bloody fun

[@charliem8269]

I can't be the only one who thinks the Exocrine looks like the house robot Matilda from Robot Wars?

[@countzero1136]

Well since Robot Wars was around the same time that these models came out, and the fact that GW have never had an original idea in their entire history, I wouldn't be surprised if there was a degree of inspiration there. Having said that, the Triceratops is such a cool and iconic dinosaur, it's been used as inspiration for loads of stuff over the years. To be fair in this case I think GW were ripping off HR Giger more than Robot Wars :)

[@charliem8269]

@@countzero1136 for me it's less of the triceratops concept (that seems very obvious and like you said, repeatedly imitated) but the pincer mechanism on the nose that strikes the most similarly between the two to me. Or perhaps its the nostalgia for both dinos and 00's TV kicking in ;)

[@SPARR0E]

I kind of love the old design philosophy for the Nids, they seem primordial, craggy and more unique. I know Zerg were based on nids, and I like the SC1 zerg designs, but it seems like GW and Blizzard took a similar design to their more recent Zerg and Nids, and I can only describe it as more 'mmo-y'. I hope they can bring some of this kinda dinosauric energy back. Love the paintjob, btw! Reminds me of the Ohmu from Nausicaä

[@anotherzingbo]

Nice work cleaning those old models up and giving them a gorgeous paintjob! Now I'm sure that Guy knows about them already but if anyone else is interested in the history of Armorcast and the other US companies that produced GW models under license in the '90s then there are some good videos about them on Snipe & Wib and Leakycheese's KZbin channels.

[@Jonas_Fox]

I wish someone scanned and made STL files for these antiques so they could be cleaned up and reproduced. Awesome recovery work.

[@matthewbrown3981]

My dream is to print and paint a super colorful 1st edition retro Tyranid army

[@little_hunt3r]

The dream... these deserve to be preserved!

[@fidelc6027]

Didn't thought about it, recently bought an armor cast exocrine, if you guide me with some tips I could try to scan it

[@lovesmuffins123]

Tip about armour cast and for forge world. Both resins have a unique smell and you will be able to tell the difference between that and a recast if you have any experience with more armour cast models.

[@thejonathan130]

I don't mean to be a dick but essentially saying "you'll learn more about **product** the more you handle *product*" isn't a tip... It's a self evident fact of life, my guy.

[@lovesmuffins123]

@@thejonathan130 I was pointing out when he was unsure about recast that armour cast resin has a distinct smell. I am unsure how much experience Guy has had with armour cast. I was stating a fact of the product to help from getting scammed in the future.

[@judyhopps9380]

Beautiful. My favourite of the epic range was the Dactylis. Imagine a bio-tank like these, with two long arms like trebuchets. Then it throws these huge, transluscent water balloons the size of dreadnoughts, that explode with fluoroantimonic acid. Terrifying to imagine that boulder of jiggly flesh hurtling toward you in a lazy arc, before exploding in a tide of all consuming-chemicals.

[@BadgerLovingFluffster]

For a big gribbly, shelled monster of doom the holes just look like it has aged over time - well, the smaller ones... there were some shockers! Either way great job on that Guy - pretty neat present too

[@maxydal3512]

Even when he catches covid, he still makes videos for us. Thank you so much for your dedication, Guy. It's extremely appreciated by everyone here.

[@flowinsounds]

old tyranids are so cool. Such an unique aesthetic. The paintjob suits them, too

[@Tectonix26]

Honestly all the resin bubbles and pock marks seem perfect for a faction like the tyranids, when the hive mind is reproducing billions or trillions of each bioform, there's likely to be countless minor mutations like pocked chitin or swolen glands/protruding bubles etc, so while the hard edges like resin gates and mold lines definitely need cleaning, the pocks and bubbles seem perfect to make these specifics creature unique in a tide of billions like them. (Also pock mark = bullet hole?)

[@iangoode9163]

Love the acoustic rendition of the MWM theme! I don’t see many people talk about your music production, but that theme instantly brings so many good feelings to me.

[@bippins]

100% agreed, awesome melody!

[@euychua]

Tyranids having another transport would be cool, especially big it's a giant worm creature

[@RoseKindred]

Wasn't that a model or am I thinking of the Tremor movie series? A giant worm that has spawn pouches where the young burst out of.

[@TriangularPrism]

@@RoseKindred Not a worm, but the Tervigon has those big sacs filled with termies, you may be thinking of that?

[@RoseKindred]

@@TriangularPrism Thanks, that is the one I could be thinking of. Thought it was more worm-like though. Perhaps it was just from the books/lore that I imagined something else.

[@thisisabsolutelystup]

Shai'hulud?

[@MadShamanLodur]

I am legit surprised at how well my old Armorcast Warhound has lasted all these years. For their age, they've surprised me with how well they've held up, and I've definitely played with it quite a bit over the last several decades.

[@asteroidrules]

The detailed texturing on these old models is seriously impressive, especially for when they were made. It's unfortunate that they suffered so heavily from bubbling but I can't say I'm surprised given the age and amount of detail in the sculpts.

[@hexx09real]

They look pretty cool! The first models I got were the tyranids (I got them only a couple days ago) so it's cool to see how the older tyranid models look.

[@cyanideinmycereal1077]

Dope what are you working with

[@hexx09real]

@@cyanideinmycereal1077 8 genestealers, a broodlord and a trygon. I got the start collecting box.

[@filleis6374]

@@hexx09real nice

[@dracometeors3010]

@@filleis6374 not so nice, a pretty bad starting box. The older start collecting box was in every way better.

[@filleis6374]

@@dracometeors3010 if they are enjoying themselves, thats nice

[@friendly_cactus6910]

I just got the notification that you posted and I immediately went on KZbin to watch you😂

[@richardmacpherson7647]

Same

[@ebc1f7]

Oh how I love it when penny chirps in on your narration. Such cool retro models. I love seeing the old stuff compared to where we are now. Also great job fitting in the sponsor, relatable and not jarring when nested in the video.

[@magnusmillerwilson]

OK, the use of Gesso as a gap filler cover is GENIUS!

[@krinkrin5982]

I absolutely adore these! They remind me of a weird blend of real life bugs and Hollow Knight aesthetic. Not that bothered by the bubble holes in the carapace.

[@davekavanagh7599]

Couldn't agree more about the Devastation of Baal, Guy's description of the Nids is so perfect and makes so much logical sense it really gives you an understanding of how they function and operate. It gave me a new love of the Nids and definable sparked my interest in getting a tyranid army together and learning more about them

[@b00sk0r8]

Wow Guy, these 2 models are absolutely banging. Well done. I had some original epic versions years ago and never knew they had 40k counterparts. I'll bet your buddy was chuffed as nuts to get these as a birthday present. 10/10!

[@makeshiftminis9090]

Always a joy to see someone Breathe new life into a retro model. Some of the old designs are rather interesting.

[@goldenyak629]

Hey, I remember these guys. Spotted them in a hobby shop once. Made my own with styrofoam afterwards!

[@bradlothrop4076]

Those models felt like a must-have for the Tyrranid players, I had the pleasure of seeing these things in person, yes, you never forget that unique smell of the resin. I have the "Cannon of Khorne (used as a Vindicator) and a large stone bridge from the same company. I think the "best" model from them was an Eldar Tank: the Tempest, the early Wave-Serpent was radically different from the one we have today which was neat to see (based on the Epic model). Thanks for dusting those models off and giving your friend an Epic upscaled gift!

[@kelimar3014]

I thought the micro bubbles were actually intended texture on the chitin of the critters. I think when it comes to voids, there’s worse looking ones you could get. These critters remind me of the big slug things from Nausicaa. considering that came out in the 80s I wonder if there was some inspiration from that that went into the design of these.

[@chester1882]

My first introduction to Warhammer and Tyranids was a box of Advanced Space wars that sat on the top shelf for the longest time and spooked me the hell out due to the Tyranid warrior art on the side. Finally opened it up middle of last year and slowly working my way through painting them. Get well soon from COVID Guy! And I hope your family doesn’t suffer too much from it.

[@elijahtiemens5532]

Love the new background music! I was trying to figure out where I had heard it before, then realized it was a remix of your old background music.

[@MidwinterMinis]

Yes! It's an acoustic version by a friend called Ali Tod! Glad you like it

[@ciaphascain2807]

I had these lovelies! The Exocrine and the Endocrine were nasty in battle.

[@236wargaming4]

Great to see these big old nids getting some love. I have a load of the Epic scale minis from the '90s, including some exocrines. They are going to be painted this year!

[@SJGvP]

I expected Penny to chime in at 'that' point and she didn't disappoint. :) I knew about the regular dino-nids from the early days. But I had never seen or heard about these particular models. Cool that you could present them in such a fun way.

[@Lord_Shmesh_The_Squishy]

imo the little imperfections and the broken bits shows that its been in combat and has seen things. Also the pox bubbles look really cool and add a deathly diseased likeness to it. They look lovely! I hope they like it c:

[@stephenspackman5573]

I really appreciate the genuinely alien vibe these ones have-so many models just look like mis-assembled models of earth things. Or is that just me?

[@Dinguskhan5003]

I love second edition sooo much

[@Grymbaldknight]

To be honest, aside from the mould slip, all the other defects don't look terrible on Tyranids. Bubble holes? Battle wounds from plasma blasts! Broken spines and teeth? Snapped off chomping down on an Ironclad Dreadnought! Tiny bubbles across the surface? The coarse surface of the exoskeleton, or burn scars!

[@BarokaiRein]

Wow,looks like even back in 90s armorcast had better quality control than forgeworld does today!

[@Bredha_]

I just wanted to say I know Im late to the party but Ive been painting my girst warhammer models this week theyre not great snd they have many mistakes but Im proud of them and Guy really helped there my own custom coulred army from the adeptus mechanicus and Im just so greatful for all you teach us in these videos so thanks Guy

[@thedubstepaddict3675]

Hey! A fellow admech starter!

[@Bredha_]

@@thedubstepaddict3675 oh cool hows your army going?

[@johnheater6697]

I have the Armorcast Haruspex- the third Armorcast nid model you didn't show here. It's honestly my favorite of the three as its by far THE most bizzare looking with it's huge claws, wipe grin and gigantic mandibles. I run it usually as a Haruspex in my games- though I sometimes have ran it as a Scythed Hierodule since its so large! You'll be pleased to know it was just as much of a nightmare to fix up as these were- and it was painted to fit the rest of my all 2nd/3rd edition Tyranids force!

[@VAB0L0]

No giant space bug would be complete without the classic Labial Transport Orifices!

[@TN-gr1xh]

I read the same book and also got myself an exocrine over the winter break. What are the odds? When i was a kid, i received an armorcast malefactor for doing an hours work at the local hobby store. I still have it today. I had the best days playing 2e tyranids. Thanks for the memories!

[@rey-o]

Those giant battletech mechs look amazing

[@jordanhallmark1784]

I think the pitting and scarring of the models actually add to the model itself. The tyranids appear broken, battle worn, etc. Looks very organic.

[@mesa069]

That add was so smooth i barely noticed it. I appreciate that

[@ethomasp]

And here just two days ago I started an audible account to listen to devastation of Baal myself! If only I’d waited! I also started playing Warhammer 40,000 back in the 90s and love those old Tyranid models. Cheers!

[@11AleZZ]

Awesome models, I like the insect Tyranids from Epic more than the xenomorphs from 40k, I remember the artwork of the bio titans, very inspired by Nausicaa I think.

[@TheCounterGuy]

These models were my first introduction to Warhammer back in the 90s. My addiction with bugs started with the not a tank slug

[@thespecialist1264]

Man I love these so much, just recently I got an armorcast cannon of khorne. It goes perfectly with my cauldron of blood, such classic old vehicles.

[@baglio88]

Next time you have to fill all those bubbles you might want to try UV resin. You can just apply it and remove it with a brush, feather it with alcohol etc until you're satisfied, and then cure it in few seconds. It self levels so it's also perfect for gap filling

[@flat_chumblo368]

Holes and mold slips aside, they actually look pretty cool!

[@TheMrFishnDucks]

These look amazing. I had no idea these old minis existed. Thanks for showing them, fixing things and painting them. Looking forward to the next video. Keep up the good work.

[@CrimsonTusk]

I remember these! Totally forgot about them, I remember my local GW had some in games as a littlun' in the early 90s. Then they totally vacated my mind until now. 😂

[@joshuaedley5191]

for old model they look awesome the colour scheme is amazing!

[@wolfenhalo]

As a fellow 'birthday is next to Christmas' soul, your thoughtfulness is wonderful

[@tinyfishhobby3138]

These ended up looking super cool in that paint scheme.

[@wildfish0957]

That new backing music fits so well

[@ralphsexton8531]

I have these beasties, and a Haruspex. I never was able to get the Dactylus, but I think it was made for a far shorter time. Mine didn't have as many bubbles, but had quite a few. I just assumed them to be bullet scarring from the creature's many battles against much smaller foes. Nice job there, Guy!

[@tervho859]

Very thoughtful gift! I'm sure he loved them!

[@jacobheller3146]

Would be funny if they brought these back and just said they were older tyranids before conquering multiple planets and mixing DNA but they just make me think of some weird tremors or lost planet monsters more that the now tyranids

[@SnakeWorksStudio]

Those sculpts are great, the paint job is also "EPIC" (see what I did there?) looking forward to more Oldhammer!

[@StandardGoose]

I had a small number of Tyranids from this era because I got the Tyranid Attack* boardgame for Christmas which came with a decent array of Warriors, Genestealers and Genestealer Hybrids. Those 90s boardgames were good value in that regard. *for anyone who never played it, it was basically Space Hulk but more awesome and set on a Tyranid hive ship.

[@antimuppet]

Heck Yes! These were the ones I really wanted when I saw them originally. Them and the Eldar Revenant Titan.

[@Lfcsweden-n5m]

Love how you “guessed” the malefactor would come back, becuase it’s going to come back :)

[@laduchessa8212]

I could have lived the rest of my life happy not knowing that little tyranids come out of those fleshy bits

[@viorp5267]

2:30 I really like these models. Modern nids look way to humanoid for my taste, but these look so alien... I like them so much

[@RoseKindred]

I've always wanted a Malefactor, and even hearing the name makes me miss Epic 40K. I had to proxy models for Epic.

[@tikiwiki7428]

I have a family member with all of the armorcast nids and they really are impressive in person

[@bradleyhamilton4409]

Love seeing you work on older models.

[@jjaarr3208]

Had an Ork armor cast battle wagon. I use to love it for what it was.

[@DenePaintsThings]

Great video Guy - always nice to see these rare, older models!

[@terminalvelocity3132]

One of the most beautiful models i have ever seen was my mates Mephiston. The clever bugger added a coat of thinned lacquer over the armour plates when he'd finished it. Almost a spitting image of the cover art on the Devastation of Baal. I'm not ashamed to say i lusted for that model. Still do!

[@dekai7992]

Awesome! I've always had a soft spot for these models. Your painting is spot on! I'm sure your buddy liked his birthday present! Also, I own the Armorcast Eldar Revenant and Phantom Titans, and the air bubbles are a problem there, too. They're even more noticable on all those smooth, even surfaces, but then again, they can be fixed much easier for it.

[@pyzucha76]

I love that you can see what motion was used and what kind of tool for each texture, it looks so organic and alien

[@Atiklyar]

I always enjoy seeing old models painted up with modern techniques like this. It really brings out a lot of old stylistic choices that new models don't have.

[@Primal2229]

This color scheme really makes me look forward to the McFarlane genestealer. Nice and subtle 80s/90s colors

[@MortRotu]

Hope you n Penny n Twins are doing alright! I hope Ant enjoys his pressies too, fantastic paint job!

[@GargoyleBard]

Really digging the variant on the usual music

[@dicmitri]

love this acustic version of the soundtrack Guy!

[@onionhat745]

I've been aware of those old Exocrines for decades, but I'm just now noticing the eyes.

[@martintaylor570]

Yessssss! Loving so much old stuff coming up!

[@harbl99]

7:20 -- Dr Smut is summoned in the customary manner, appears.

[@treevillage1946]

This two big snail Tyranids from Epic 40000 are awsome

[@Jrrs2007]

That's the set I had as a kid, wow that brings back memories!

[@tabletactics4578]

1:20 Sounds like a Tervigon to me. Informative and great to see such classics on video.

[@BRUSHFORSOUL]

Greetings from the snowy forests! A cool rarity, thank you for the most interesting content!

[@vincentmuyo]

I do like me some of those old-style Tyranids. The revamp was great but it would be neat to see new takes on the old school designs.

[@simon3818]

The new music in the background is awesome

[@epicjn]

7:25 I am SO glad she said something so I didn't have to

[@CaptRapticon]

I have never had the chance to get into early editions of 40k only started around 2011 when I got my first Cadian Battleforce and Baneblade, but seeing these vintage 40k stuff makes me nostalgic oddly. Perhaps it's just the fascination of opening a time capsule and looking at a different time. Also hope you and your family are doing all right with the covid situation.

[@jimmydesouza4375]

These look so much nicer than new tyrannids.

[@TheWonkster]

I saw a guy in my local GW store painting some of these, it was a but surreal seeing them in real life

[@omegon2540]

I’d love to see more Dino or slug like tyranids in the future like these two Edit: the exocrine really looks like a slug throwing heavy artillery in this form

[@asteroidrules]

The malefactor has some disturbingly mushroom-like texture as well. Definitely got a strong creepy alien insect vibe.