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Doors complete.
Why do you only get 4 chapter specific icons when there are 5 doors to use them on? It's not like they ran out of space on the sprue..

@Para: 7 pods is quite solid, imo. Lysander will be Podding with, and then tanking wounds for, a command squad. I'll spoiler the list I'm building towards below.



Anyway, pressing on with the Pod. Fins and central pieces left to finish.
Z

Looks very solid to me. All I'd do is shift some points to give the Melta Tacticals a Multi-Melta unless you plan on Combat Squadding every game.

And you're making a Drop Pod look interesting, which is no mean feat.

I think the aquila is supposed to be on the side with the sarge’s harness. The rest get the chapter symbol. From a reality POV, IIRC the pod sprues are 2 of same one (each with 2 wedges of the pod) and one more with the last wedge and all the rest. But that’s my early morning undercaffinated brain talking, so take it with a grain of salt.

The structure of you list looks fine. I’m with Para on the MMs in the tac squads. I might also suggest swapping at least 5 scouts for a LSS for the other half. I know that would add some mobility to you otherwise non-White Scars army, but a little bit is not a bad thing. And might help if you play maelstrom missions.

The ironclad probably wants a HF upgrade. I don’t own the FW books, but can the contemperor take a stock pod? Or do you need to buy him the special dread drop pod? Speaking of which, if you don’t read the FW rumors thread over in the N&R section, check out the last few pages. There is an awesome looking character and some squad upgrades you might want to plan space for in your list.

But everything is looking good so far.

Thanks guys

After reviewing my list, and finding out that I have outdated rules for the contemptor-mortis, I think I need to change a few things. Nev, you're right about the contemptor needing a lucius (dreadnought) drop pod, which are 15 points more than the regular ones. Additionally, my points for the contemptor are about 20 points off...

I dont really have superfluous upgrades to trim for those 35 points (50 really, I want a lucius for the ironclad, too ). So, back to the drawing board. Might need to cut the number of pods, and make more of a back line firebase. I've been away from my Codex for a few days, so I'll have to do it another time.

I've seen the Alexus Pollux model from FW. It's awesome. When I did the Mk3 IF test model, I was very close to starting a 30k army based on the battle of Phall, lead by Pollux (had a conversion idea planned). No need for that conversion, now I also saw the upgrade stuff for Phalanx warders and templar breathren. Incredible!

Wow, congratulations on that fantastic White Scars army. Fists are looking good so far, like the battle damage.

 40kFSU wrote:
Wow, congratulations on that fantastic White Scars army. Fists are looking good so far, like the battle damage.

Thanks mate!



There are the fins
Just the base plate, central column and engine block. Finished pictures soon.

Z

Looking very crisp Zambro!

Lovely, that's a nice looking yellow.

@Leviathus: Thanks man. I took a peak at your blog. Love the marines in your recent post, looking forward to more.
@Meph: Thanks a lot The baal pred in your blog is great, btw!

Alrighty, guys, here is the finished pod.



(Old, poorly taken, pictures)







Thoughts? Comments?
The light hits it awkwardly in the first few shots, but they are much better than the ones I had before. I'm not a photography expert, I have no idea how to stop the massive light reflection :(

Anyway, making a start on the assault squad now.
More soon,
Z

What made you stripe the fins? I don’t think I’ve seen that done before. Looks fine, just different.

The inside pale yellow feels like it needs something more. I know you hardly see it, but in the close ups it looks like it could use a wash or something. Sounds odd, but I’m getting an eldar wraithbone vibe from it. Which on an imperial vehicle is off.

Nice detail on the central pillar

The soot blast on the top: Why only on the inside of the fins? IIRC the top of the pod is an air intake, so it shouldn’t be blowing smoke. And it it’s from entry, would it be spread more evenly around the top?

The very bottom could probably use some more weathering. I like how on the doors you have the dings on the ridges. But the base looks clean, and if something is going to be banged up, there is the spot. It looks like you are going with some shading down there (heat distress?) but it want a little chipping.

Did you get the doors to open and close smoothly? Magnetized (doors a/o gun)? It’s a nice looking pod, worthy of carrying the Emperor’s finest into battle. Congratulations on putting one together and remaining sane.

Drop pod looks great
Like the cream interiour with the yellow outside
Keepup the great work!
Grtz
Mark

Very nice pod there.

Holy drop pods.

Lovely wear and tear application.

@Nev: Ahh... The fins I've only seen something similar done once, and thought it made the area look a lot better. It break up the solid blocks of colour that are inevitable of DPs and other vehicles. Plus, the IF scheme is yellow and red, but I'm painting 5th company (yellow + black = good looking scheme, imo) so wanted to include some black on the pod
The central column was inspired by Buypainted's ultramarine DP video on Youtube. He did a pale interior, and it looked good. Although that was on a blue pod, not a yellow, so there was a lot more contrast. I didn't want to default to silver...
Might need to up the weathering around the top... I didn't want to over do it, but I ended up under-doing it. Awell, I can always try again on another pod... Also the bottom is under-done, too. Will work on that next time!
I didn't take any photos of the magnets, but they are there. The doors close nice and tightly. No gun magnet, not a fan of the deathstorm launcher.

@Ayoku: Glad you like it! Was a little worried about the cream interior being right next to a yellow exterior.

@Para: Thanks matey!

@Stormwall: Thanks a lot, mate. It was the first time I've tried any serious attempt at battle damage. I think it came out alright. Although, there is a lot of surface area on the pods, and there is only so long one can highlight paint chips before they go crazy






Here is your update for today.
I'm not bothered about what kit they get, I end up doing counts-as anyway. PF sarge, 2 flamers and 2 regular guys. The jump packs and backpacks are magnetised, too. Unfortunately, no basing yet. I want to get the 32mm bases, but they are sold out on the GW site. When they are back instock, I'll get get a load and do a big basing session.
The chain glaive and chain axe are from Anvil Industry. You'll have to wait until I start my Tactical Marines to see the other bit I got from there - It's awesome, I promise
Speaking of which, having got my hands on the new (well, not new now, but most recent) box of tactical marines, I must say... They are great. Very little in the way of mould lines, and the bits just look... better. Crisper, with more minor details worked in. I like them!

As always, more soon,
Z


*EDIT*
Also went back and added better pictures of the Drop Pod. ^^

I so much prefer your fists to the ws but only criticism the harnesses in the pod give it a wash or highlight. I see the light blue wash or is that camera? But give it a brown wash to make an aged look.

Nice choice of interior colors for the pod. It turned out great.

@Earnshaw: Thanks man! I do like painting the IF more than the WS... White started to get repetitive I dont see a blue wash..? What picture are you looking at? I didn't use a blue wash, so it's probably a combo of the lighting and camera.

@40kFSU: Thanks matey! Little afraid that the combination of cream and yellow wouldn't work.

So, I went back and updated some pictures of the DPs. Just to get right of the lighting issues on the first two pictures.

Also, progressing nicely on the assault marines.

Z

Assaults are looking pretty cool! I thoroughly approve the use of Anvil bits, I actually have a whole army of his Exo-Lord not-Marines (Imperial Fists, incedentally ) and yeah, the quality is exceptional. I look forward to seeing the 'other bit'.

And the new Tacticals are indeed aweesome, probably in the top 3 kits out there today. I think Space Wolves just have them beaten on variety, but the SM Tacs come in nicely at number 2.

Hi guys,
Hope you're weekends are all going well

@Para. I checked out the Anvil stuff you have in your gallery, they look great! They definately have some sweet models. I think I'll probably end up dipping into their mini line for command squads / vets.

Anyway, making slow progress on the Assault Marines.


They are painted, all they need now are decals and weathering.
Going for the paint chipping, and grey dry brush on their feet / lower leg for a dusty look. Any other suggestions for urban ruins weathering?

There is no way I'm diving into the tacticals after these are done. Power armour is a little boring! I picked up the Skullcrusher from my WoC army and put a few layers on him over the past few days, so my motivation for PA is shaking a bit.
I bought a pack of Cataphractii Terminators back at the start of December. I think I'm going to break one of those bad boys out and paint it between the Assault marines and the tacticals. So stick around for that!

Thanks for checking in,
Z

Wow, awesome start to a new year of hobby Zambro! Looking forward to seeing this army grow.

The assault marines look great Zambro
Keep it up!
Grtz
MArk

The assault marines look awesome. Keep up the great work.

Grtz, Remco

Looking good! Love those Anvil bits, they add a lot of character to otherwise basic BP/CCW marines. If you are doing vanguard vets, it might be a good way of sprucing them up as well.

Agreed, coming along very nicely there.

hey the assault marines look great what kit did the chainsword come from ?

asgog wrote:hey the assault marines look great what kit did the chainsword come from ?

To quote Zambro from upthread, those are anvil industry bits, a 3rd party manufacturer:

Zambro wrote:The chain glaive and chain axe are from Anvil Industry. You'll have to wait until I start my Tactical Marines to see the other bit I got from there - It's awesome, I promise

Hi guys,

Thanks for the kind words

It's been a long two weeks. I learnt that it is possible to start and finish two pieces of coursework in a week. But why I chose the week before the deadline I'll never know... My hobby time went out the window, and hence the lack of updates here.

Well, anyway, I've had yesterday and today to myself and I blew the dust off the Assault squad and finished them:






I'm happy with them.

Next up are the tactical marines. I've clipped a few of them out, but I realised I didn't want to jump into them after doing 5 PA guys... So I thought I'd shift my focus to Fantasy for a few weeks. I've played a host of games of Fantasy recently and I'm really into it. 4 of my friends are into massively right now too. Since christmas, we've done 3 10k games, many 5k games and several 3k games, with another 10k game scheduled for Sunday the 1st... The End Times stuff is fantastic. Coming up on finishing Nagash... What an incredible read so far. It's really fueling my fire for Fantasy. Anyway, I wont digress too much... Take a peak into my Fantasy blog if your interested in following what I'm doing with the Warriors.

Thanks for reading,
Z

Fantastic work!

Is there a reason why the guy with the axe has a black shoulderpad? Looks good, but he’s the odd man out, and not the sarge.

Baseing plans for your Fists?

The only thing technically that stood out is the eyes, which look a little flat. Other then that, very nice work!

Thanks for the words of encouragement

@Nev. No particular reason for having a black shoulderpad. One of the problems I find with Marines is that they can sometimes be too uniform. I thought a black shouldpad, the hazard stripes, red and black kneepads and black powerfist would help to break up that uniformity. It will be something to expect throughout the army.

So, I took a nap earlier, and woke up with a desire to crack on with some marines!
I've only managed to prime half of the squad, so far. The rest are still on the sprue.



A nice and even coat of yellow, to start.
When I chip them, I'm going to try a sponge method.
Looking back at the assault marines, painting it on looks a bit artificial...
Also going to try and weather their lower legs and backpack exhausts.

Here is the Anvil Industry bit - a Heavy Bolter. It fits well with the IF theme, imo.


Well, thats all from me for now. Maybe I can paint some of the black into the minis this evening...
Z