From gamers, painters, modellers, and cosplayers, Warhammer has millions of dedicated fans around the world. But sometimes we come across artists who take their passion for the hobby into the next dimension.
Then there are the true visionaries, people like the staff at Legendary Wargame in Bangkok, Thailand. This wargame store based in Nonthaburi City has been open for more than 14 years, and its staff are dedicated to bringing a love of all things Warhammer to the people of Thailand.
They run weekend gaming and painting clubs, bringing together the community of Thai wargamers and hobbyists, and best of all attendance is free.
That’s just the beginning too, because they’ve only gone and made a gigantic version of Canis Rex, the Imperial Knight.
Look how majestic it is – a whole car makes up its immense shoulder armour, which is roughly half the size the Knight is in-world.
“The top part was made from an entire Volkswagen,” the team behind this monstrous war-machine explains. “It took many months to complete, and it is based on the Canis Rex miniature. The replica’s base was made from cement and steel fibre so that it could hold more than four tons of the Knight’s weight, and it was sanded, grassed and a cactus was added.
“Unfortunately, we ran out of Nuln Oil – we are collecting money to buy more…”
Legendary Wargame told us that they decided to build Canis Rex due to a love of the lore – “who doesn’t love a big robot? It’s the most iconic Imperial Knight. If there are xenos attacking the club in the future, we hope our Knight will move by itself and protect us!”**
The owners worked with experienced metalworkers Ban Hun Lek team, from Ang Thong city, who clearly approached their work with a sense of wonder – but why did they choose to make it? For them, the answer is simple – they wanted to “share Warhammer with as many people as possible”.
We’d say they’ve managed that and then some. If the Canis Rex alone wasn’t enough awe-inspiring hobby, they’ve also made this impressive life-size Outrider Bike.
“Everyone wants something like this on the road and wants to try to ride it,” they tell us. “We want to pretend to be a Space Marine, riding it, fighting against Ork hordes.” We can’t disagree – who wouldn’t want to race along on an Outrider bike?
The model definitely conveys the scale of Primaris hardware, though Legendary Wargame told us that the wheels don't spin. Sorry, no wheelies for you White Scars fans.
Both vehicles have been massive viral hits with the public – not least because Canis Rex lights up at night.
“We like when families, kids, and other people travelling past, stop, get out of their vehicle, and pose with the knight or pretend to ride on the bike when taking photos,” they say.
Both projects were lengthy undertakings, taking about a year each to build, and both are made from car parts and metal scraps.
Visitors to the store can find a special treat inside too. Not only is it full of Warhammer goodness, including places to play and paint, there’s also a voracious Trygon that’s bursting out of the wall.
The Trygon was made by a Thai modelling artist known as Fang, who wishes to remain anonymous and let their love of the hobby shine through their work.
It’s a gruesome sight, and the nightmarish bug moves via a remote control that is shaped like a nasty little Tyranid Ripper – we don’t fancy trying to do some fine edge highlights with this critter looming over us.**
We’re seriously impressed with the quality of these sculptures, and this is just the beginning.“We are building more realms of battle, more play zones, and a coffee shop. In the future, we will also make a big ship or a dragon, or maybe both,” they say.
Thanks to the Legendary Wargame team for sharing their magnificent sculptures with us. Which of the three is your favourite? Let us know on Facebook or Twitter, and be sure to share your Warhammer hobby creations with us. And if you’re ever in Nonthaburi City in Thailand, make sure you visit Legendary Wargame – they really do need more Nuln Oil.
* A neat little reference to the backstory of Canis Rex, which moved under its own will to save its pilot, Sir Hekhtur, from the Iron Warriors.
** Now that we think about it, perhaps the threat of being devoured would actually help us crisp up those highlights.