Attilan Rough Rider

Traditional rough rider units ride the Terran horse. That is fine and everything but what about sticking them on some traditional space lizards instead. To that end we have our Attilan who has swapped the horse out for something a little more scaly.

The riding lizard is from a Lizardman Saurus cavalry unit. I converted the neck so that I could drop the head down to get it in line with the tail level to give is a closer to the ground feel while I was adding pouches to disguise the original harness on the neck. I added some chains from the GW Flagellents unit as suitably strong reigns for this beast.

The colours are a variation on the standard colour scheme for my Cityfight Imperial Guard force – greys and browns, red, blue and yellow. I added some grenades and skulls and various bits to the base to decorate.

In order to really get the opportunity to get this guy onto the games table I will need to paint up his 4 other buddies to create the full squad of 5. They will be a useful addition to the Imperial Guard force providing me with some fast hard hitters for army sized games such as Xenos Rampant or 40k.

Hardened Veterans – The Concrete Jungle Fighters

The Concrete Jungle Fighters

Some reinforcements for the Imperial Forces, The Concrete Jungle Fighters are hardened veterans of the Imperial Guard. Each one is a survivor of countless skirmishes having honed their craft to a razors edge. They are a concentration of roided-up gung-ho superheroes who are equipped with serious firepower in the form of bolters, personal side arms, a grenade launcher and a heavy bolter. If they can’t rip it apart with their bare hands, they also carry grenades and close combat weapons for close encounters.

They have been created by combining the old RT Imperial Guard plastic head with slightly less old plastic Catachan and Cadian Guardsmen.

Catachan Jungle Fighters – plastic models

The Catachan plastics are action figure like unless you do a bit of work on the shoulder joins with green stuff before painting.

I only used one of the original heads for the Sargent, opting for classic plastic heads and a Space Wolf Blood Claw for one guy.

Some official Catchan uniform patterns from Games Workshop

Nearly every Catachan mini you will see painted, is painted some shade of green. Rather than do that, I quite liked the blue version so based these off the blue scheme tailored for urban combat, but rather than going with the red bandanas, I choose yellow.

They have been painted with a fairly quick approach and then enhanced with some decals. I have used contrast paint to glaze the skin tones onto the base, on the black, on the camo pants, on the leather bits. I could spend some more time on the details and effects it’s time to stop as I am happy with the look for the effort that went into painting them, they are ready for some gaming now and I have a lot more Imperial Guard that I want to get painted up to a similar standard.

Going forward I have some of the nice old metal Catachan models that will be perfect as support to accompany these glorious heroes on the future battlefields. Certainly specialists, snipers, heavy weapons support, more regulars etc. would not go amiss.

Rogue Trader Blood Axe Imperial Guard Standard Bearer

Now this is definitely one of those bucket list models from the Rogue Trader background which I don’t recall ever seeing anyone create – prime real estate for me to plant my banner in then!

Not even Blood Axes would “knowingly” ally themselves with the Imperials. Blood Axes are happy to hire human mercenary groups however, so in order to infiltrate Ork space and stir up trouble amongst the Orks, Imperial units often pose as mercenaries.

The standard bearer is an important person in the squad as they essentially carry the advertisement for the mercenary bands services. In this case it has been topped with the heads of particularly ornery orks – the orks wouldn’t take them for serious mercenaries if they just had human heads on there, although Space Marine helmets are of course acceptable, being human nobz in the ork way of thinking. Space Marine helmets are not appropriate for our undercover Imperials, and chaos marine helmets would probably mean that the whole Imperial company would be executed for heresy (since it’s not generally seen as worth mind scrubbing and re-educating guardsmen).

Blood Axe Imperial Guard Squad – From Rogue Trader: ‘Ere We Go P.196

The colour scheme is essentially mundane light brown and grey, but I have opted for some bright yellow and purple to emphasise the sci-fi nature of this model. The stripe on the trousers gives them more of a dress uniform feel – I want it to feel like they have cobbled this mercenary uniform out of spares from the company quartermaster.

To follow up on this guy, I plan to paint the rest of the squad so I have a good Freebooter option to support my Blood Axe Boyz.

Total Cult – Slanneshi Warband

Presenting my Slannesh cultists – at least the ones that I have finished anyway.

Cenobites direct the faithful servants of Slannesh

 

I wanted to do this for a looooong time, so it was great to finally get to them.  These are chaos sorcerers with some high tech weapons attached to they can have some fun in the far future.

They are super nice guys and naturally they are now wearing their last victims.

Fallen Guardsmen with Ex-Imperial Preacher – Kill! Maim! Burn!

Before you commit to the life of a cenobite, why not try out the lifestyle in the Cult Militant.  See if you have a vocation for sociopathic ultraviolence.

Daemons of Slannesh – Fiend, Daemonette and Greater Daemon

The Classic set of Citadel Slanneshi Daemons are perfect for small skirmish games.

I had to do some conversion work on the Greater Daemon, she is really a composite of a couple of greater daemons rather than a stock model.  I sculpted the rearmost leg from Green Stuff.

Rogue Psyker – Pyrokinetic

This rouge psyker invariably accompanies this warband.  He is a classic armless metal Bratt model from Confrontation.  I have used the Soldiers of the Empire set to add the arms.  The force rod is simply a halberd cut strategically and carefully filed to flat ends.

Sculpting a Venator Head – Part 2

More WIP shots of the sculpt in chronological order.

+++++++++++++++++ NEXT SITTING+++++++++++++++++++++

+++++++++++++++++ NEXT SITTING+++++++++++++++++++++

Now some quick and dirty test casts.  This will help to show up what I need to fix for the final master and give me an idea of how well I am doing.

Initial setup for moulding using a wee plastic box. Plasticine on the right is used to initially hold the object to be moulded

This is what the Siligum pressed onto the Plasticine looks like

Minus the Plasticine, and reversed into the plastic box

Carefully applying Vaseline with a sculpting tool to stop the siligum sticking to itself. You can use siligum to fill in any defects or gaps that occur, fill in the hole (just enough to fill it) and pop the model back into it for 10 mins. I had to do that for this models chin

 

Second application of Siligum. This container is great for squeezing! It came from a glasses repair set. Always keep an eye out for good containers!

Et violla! Castings with the flash lines visible. Not too much flash in this case, lucky me

Tidied up the flash and stuck on a hapless abandoned guardsman project

Slap a bit of paint on…

 

So not too bad so far.  I can see that I need to work on the cheeks and the nostrils to better define them but on the whole it defiantly has the right vibe/mood.  I have learned LOADS and gained a lot of confidence in doing this project so far.  I put this down to the fact that it is for another person so I focus better on it due to the mental pressure I create for myself.

 

 

 

Sculpting a Venator Head

Things have been quiet on this blog of late, but rest assured valued reader for my time has been spent in worthwhile figure related endeavors.  I have been working on a couple of things at once (in my usual ADHD fashion) as enthusiasm grips me.  At least some of these projects will come to fruition in the coming weeks, I swear. 😉

This is a series of shots I have been taking over the last week of a head sculpt I am working on for Asslessman, a chap who frequents the Oldhammer Forum.  He mentioned that he was looking to get some suitable heads to create a Venator gang for Necromunda – Venators are basically bounty hunters.  This is a perfect project for a budding sculptor as it is small, self contained in scope, and it’s relatively easy to sculpt due to the caricature nature of the subject matter.

The source material is this John Blanch illustration (Copyright GW and used without permission for illustrative purposes, natch):

A fair bit done and a fair bit more to go!

Skirmish at the Old Heinrick Place

Last weekend I got the chance to host a skirmish game for two of my old gaming buddies MT and DG.  It was a while since MT had played and an eon since DG had, so I threw together a skirmish scenario which would not take too long to get through in an afternoon.

The rules we used are a kind of meshing together of all of the Warhammer 40K and Necromunda rules from over the years (with the exception of anything from 6th Ed which I haven’t been bothered to read yet).  It’s primarily based on 5th Ed, but the models were moving around and getting pinned (not the orks) and stunned and injured in a sort of Necromunda meets Blood Bowl fashion.   Cover is handled in a cityfight sort of way…hell its too complex to explain here but it makes sense to us so it’s perfect for this stuff.

Enough waffle, on with the show!

Skirmish at the Old Heinrick Place

 

Overview:

An important imperial officer carrying vital information for operations against the ork incursions on Salvan IV has had to eject from his transport aircraft after it was shot down by ork fighta bombaz. Having sucessfully ejected from the aircraft by grav-chute and has mis-landed near an old farm at the edge of the ruins of the town. He managed to get off a distress signal alerting his unit to his approximate location before presumably the signal was disabled in the mis-landing, currently he is presumed dead or unconscious. The Imperials are seeking to recover their officer and/or the information he is carrying. The Ork aircraft have relayed the approximate location of the downed pilot to the warboss who has ordered the closest ork formation to get over there and bring this downed pilot back for interrogation.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Imperial Guard:
As the closest Imperial Guard Patrol Squad in the area you have been ordered to commence search and rescue operations at sector 043A342D. Luckily enough the squad medic is in the field which is fortunate as the downed VIP likely requires medical attention. The medic is equiped with a bio-scanner and will assist in location of the VIP. In the event that the individual is deceased any data cubes carried are to be retrieved and returned to base.

Imperial Guard Tactical Rescue Section

++++++++++WS  BS   S    T    W   I     A   Ld  Sv
Guard              3     3     3    3    1    3    1    7    5+
Sargent           3     3     3    3    1    3    2    8    5+
Officer             4     4     3    3    2    4    3    5    4+/5+
Medic              3     3     3    3    1    3    1    7    4+

Equipment Notes:

• 9 Guardsmen – lasgun, frag grenades, close combat weapon
• 1 Sargent – laspistol, frag grenades, close combat weapon, bio scanner
• Medic – laspistol, frag grenades, close combat weapon, medikit
• 1 Officer – plasma pistol, frag grenades, close combat weapon

Special Rules:

• The Officer is deployed by secret deployment by the GM before the game and is not available to the Imperial player until discovered by bio scanner or by a model moving within double the models initiave distance.  As soon as the VIP Officer is discovered roll for his injury status: 1 – 5 Down, 6 Stunned and place on table, turn then continues as normal
• Bio Scanner – use in lieu of shooting. Put down a CD sized template to try to detect any life signs under the area
• Medikit – use in lieu of shooting, change a “down” model to “stunned” status
• Regimental Speciality. Pick one skill and apply to the force:
  • Move through cover – roll 3D6 when moving through cover
  • Fleet of foot – roll 2D6 when running
  • Marksmen – re-roll any miss that occurs on a 1
  • Camoflage – +1 to cover saves
  • Furious charge: +1 Strength and +1 Initiave on the charge

Deployment:

• Deploy on the corner of map opposite the Orks

IMPERIAL VP’s

• Ork Down or Killed: 1 VP (6)
• Ork Boss Down or Killed: 3 VP (3)
• Imperial Officer rescued: 5 VP (3)
• Imperial Data retrieved: 3 VP (5)

Total: (17)

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Orks:

Da big boss sez dat da Snaggitz Flyboyz crumped a ‘ooman flyboy but dat he went down sumwhere near dat old farm on de edge of dem ruinz so we az to bring back da body so dat da boss can ave a looksie fer any loot on im. Try not ter break im before da bad dok gets a go at talkin to im or da boss will give yer a taste of boot!
Victory Points:

ORKS
++++++++++WS  BS   S    T    W   I     A   Ld  Sv
Ork                  4      2    3     4    1   2    2    7    6+
Nob                 4      2    4     4    1   3    3    8    6+

Furious charge (+1 Strenght, +1 Initiave)

Equipment Notes:

•  5 Ork boyz with Shootas
• 1 Ork Boy with Big Shoota
• 1 Ork Nob with Power Klaw and Slugga

Deployment:

Deploy on the corner of map opposite the Imperial Guard

ORK VP’s

• Imperial Guardsman Down or Kiled: 1 VP (10)
• Medic Down or Killed 1 VP (1)
• Imperial Officer Down or Killed: 3 VP (3)
• Imperial Officer’s body retrieved: 3 VP (3)

Total:  (17)

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

MT’s orks move forward through the cover of the woods

DG’s Imperial troops advance through the ruins – they took the fleet of foot option but were not so fleet as DG would have hoped moving through ruins

MT’s orks run forward into the cover of the old Heinrick place.  MT is eager to find the VIP and generally get stuck into powerklaw range – he is an adept in the ways of the ork having shredded his fair share of them with both shuriken and bolts over the years

DG has tiny T-Rex hands, he uses them to creep his Guard forward in two sections, keeping to the cover of the buildings

MT is gunning for DG’s left flank trying to concentrate his forces against half of the Guard

DG consolidates his firing position in the ruins

MT rushes forward and as luck would have it discovers the secret location of the VIP. The VIP is currently down from his fall

DG responds to this change in events with an aggressive move forward into cover to establish a firing line

The rest of the guardsmen move in to reinforce the other section

DG gets reminded about his medic who had dropped back to have a quick smoke with Mr. B apparently!

The action hots up as the flamer roasts two orks, volleys of las fire stuns another and the Sargent takes out the big shoota with his laspistol, pew pew! All orks are down and can crawl away at 2″ in their next movement phase and roll for recovery at the end of their turn, just like Necromunda in fact

MT moves his down orks into cover and advances the other orks ready to charge into hand to hand

Next MT wastes no time in getting his nob to stuff the officer into a big lewt sack, focused on the objective like the big Blood Axe that he is

MT charges and DG moves any guardsmen within 2″ of a charged model to move in to help out their buddies

The guardsmen die quickly when up against the orks

More guardsmen join the fray but will it be enough to stem the green trickle?

Vengence as the guardsmen take out an ork and advance to the cover to engage the remaining orks

But MT’s nob is getting away with the prize

Man alone – the last survivor of the close assault is surprisingly, a human!  Ironically is is the model with the most kill markings on his lasgun showing that the gaudy personalized battlegear is not just for show

But that Zogger MT is getting away from DG now

DG dutifully gives chase

But MT’s nob drops his prize and charges DG quick as a flash, this won’t end well no matter how many kill markings that guardsman has!

Yep

All mine! MT is Da Winna!

The 1989th, a sorry bunch of loosers (which is what I was going for to be honest).

Final Score:

DG  6 VP’s
MT  17 VP’s

So well done to MT, DG will get his chance to get even this weekend when he gets the opportunity to rescue his officer.

Rogue Trader Imperial Guard Project – More Pictures of 1989th

This is just a quick round up of the project.

Painted squads first:

 

Catachan Pattern Comm Link and Sargent

“Corporal” in center (for splitting the squad), also Flamer Guy toting a Cadian pattern flamer

 

Command Squad: 13th Company 3rd Platoon

Ogryn with Ogryn Badass

 

Works in progress.  These are pretty much test models for squads I am planning on adding to the force:

WIP Rough Rider – Front Left

 

WIP Rough Rider Sargent Front Right

WIP Rough Rider – Rear

 

WIP Necromunadan Grenadier – Front

WIP Necromunadan Grenadier – Rear

 

WIP Jump Pack Assault Sargent with Plasma Pistols – Front

WIP Jump Pack Assault Sargent with Plasma Pistols – Rear

 

Rogue Trader Era Imperial Guard Project – Badass Ogryn

tYou got a ticket to the gun show?

So after some words with Sho3box last week I went for making the Badass Ogryn.  The idea is to use the BattleMasters ogre as the base.  The BattleMasters ogre is basically the same model in a larger scale, perfect for my needs in this project as I get to follow the same style closely in making this bigger than normal brute.  Here the models are side by side for comparison.

Ogres from HeroQuest expansion on the left and BattleMasters game (from MB) on the right

Build involves chopping off the arms and shaving off any not needed details, fantasy equipment etc.

BattleMasters Ogre sliced and diced

Armor is made from plasticard strips worried by a long nose pliers into shape.

Armour made from plastic card strips

Armor is stuck to the model using superglue (more sane people would probably use plastic cement, I am just impatient and demand immediate hold due to a low attention span).  Unit badge is made by hole punching plasticard.

Badass Ogryn armor after supergluing onto the base model, not supergluing your fingers is like trying to eat a sugary doughnut without lickng your lips 

Rough assembly with Blu-Tac:

That’s about right for a pose I think

After lots of green stuffing around the arms (with the aid of the clay shaper) its ready to paint up:

Badge indicates member of Ogryn squad designation “Happy Violence” attached to 13th Company 3rd Platoon

 

Lots of green stuff was needed around the neck and arms to achieve the more animated pose versus the stock model

❤

o/

 

Size comparison again:

Yup, he looks badass enough to me

 

Context with other models:

I iz pleased, they certainly seem to have the same atmosphere now as the 80’s plastics

Of note is the 80’s style mohawk/crest thingie which is just a plastic HeroQuest ogre mowhawk transplant.  The weapon choice is an interesting one.  I didn’t really have a clue what to arm a Badass Ogryn with.  The Ripper gun conversion I was building for the other Ogryns is simply too small for this brute.  I didn’t really consider him the type of chap to be changing the mags in a heavy bolter or any of the other weapons I had lying about for that matter.  I needed something simple and lethal.  On a deep bits box rummage I came accross the old Space Orks plastic heavy weapon which happened to look like a plasma pistol in this guys hand.  I was instantly sold on the look without really considering in game use – which has to be a good thing anyway.   He should be fun to break out for scenario games, there are few things as fun in 40k than managing to get your ogryns to beat your opponents favorite troops to a bloody pulp if yer asks me!

 

Rogue Trader Era Imperial Guard Project – Ogryn

Following on from feedback on the proto-ogryn (https://theottovonbismark.wordpress.com/2012/11/05/398/) we have the improved version of the HeroQuest ogryn.

Already nicknamed “The Bad Lieutenant” by the GF

I spent a bit of time over the last week sculpting a classic imperial guard circa 1989 helmet onto the plastic HeroQuest ogryn head using green stuff.

Using the basic HeroQuest head as an armature for the green stuff

I nearly contemplated suicide getting the smoothness of the head

The bits on the side are plastic shield bosses from the Skeleton Army boxed set

 

I took it at this stage and made a mold of it in silicon as I plan to make a few of these guys.  I used lead to make a casting of it for this model.

Plasticard strips attacked with my needle nose pliers are used to make the armor plates

The armor is much improved vs. the earlier version.  The thicker plasticard used gives the model more visual weight than before and allows me to get nice battle damage effects on the plates.  Use of a needle nose pliers on the plasticard allows me to shape and texture the plates in a pleasing manner.  The head has been moved up the body a little to bring the posture back a little bit towards humanoid.

HeroQuest Ogryn Makeover

The bare feet were given some attention to give them similar footwear to the other guardsmen.  Note his oldschool timepiece.  I was going to give him a normal watch but Mrs. VonBismark suggested that I needed to go more low tech given the operator.  It looks like he could kill with this watch.

Not much taller than a guardsman really

The armor is heavier than the standard guardsman which is grand for this fellow given he is a sort of assault shock trooper.  The unit badge gave me trouble.  I could not find a suitable imperial transfer for it.  I see him as being attached to the 3rd platoon so I gave him the platoon badge colours and it is always desirable to keep the same badge colours on such a small group of models.  The transfer I went for was from the ork sheet which I painted over to get a nice inverted colour smiley face.

🙂

I like how this model came out in a number of ways but his very short legs still bother me a little.  I learned a good bit from him and can quickly get the strongest points of this model created quickly again on the next one.  That next version of the HeroQuest ogre will surely have some heavy modification lined up on the lower torso for this model, somewhat inspired by my reading up on converting space marines to truescale here:

http://masteroftheforge.com/

Great site for green stuff conversion tips.