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Hey all,

I first got into 40K about 23 years ago now when I was 12. I remember getting my hands on (it was given away no less) on the Space Marine Painting Guide and being utterly blown away by the level of painting in there. I was utterly enthralled by the whole 40K setting but alas I was 12, there wouldn't be a GW in my state for another six years (which I would work at in time) and paints were only marginally easier to source than models. I really loved the Blood Angels. I tried my hands at painting every kind of marine in the guide, each looking it's own version of horrible, though at the time I was reasonably pleased with myself (except for the Space Wolf- I just couldn't get it remotely right). I did eventually get an army (had to go to England!)but due to paint scarcity I actually ended up going Ultramarines for 40K and Epic.

Anyway, time passed and new editions, models and paints came out. The old stuff faded into the background and in time I even left GW as an employee and customer. But I always wanted to do those Blood Angels. Well turns out my painting skills have increased, as has the availability of old models (and my disposable income). I still had quite a few lurking about but a few quick eBay purchases and I was ready to actually do a Blood Angel army, how I wanted them. Something I had waited 20+ years to be able to do.

And so I present to you...


The army as a whole, so far. A small army I know, but there's more to come.
The Command staff.
My pride and joy. Got this guy years ago when I visited England and my mother used a GW as a child care facility. The manager had several and gave me one. I do not know what he's armed with though... thoughts?
Tactical Squad Toborus.
Tactial Squad Ebren.
Tactical Squad Whittaker
The armoured support!
Both arms of the dreadnought and the 'turret' of the speeder are magnetised. I'm actually a little lost with what to do with the Dread, since his weapon combo (missile launcher, CCW and Storm bolter) isn't actually legal but I don't have any other RT era weaponry to put on him.
My old Space Hulk Terminators, how much fun I had with them in the day.
Can anyone tell me if they need to be rebased? And can I use the lipped base?
Awaiting work... If anyone has any spare RT era weapon bits (especially a land raider lascannon) I'd be extremely interested.
And the rest of the Battle Company. All up I have well over 100 marines, 3 bikes, 3 attack bikes, 2 more land speeders (though I need pilots!), five more terminators (with heavy flamer) and enough bits to make the hull of at least 2 more rhinos and/or a Land raider Spartan (again, lacking weapons :( ).

There's a ton to do but it's so very pleasing to be able to finally put together the army I wanted. Eventually I'll even have a game with it though the current rules are little known to me (I last played really in 4th).

Any feedback or suggestions welcome!

It's looking great so far. I love seeing the old miniatures.

The current edition terminators are on 40mm round bases. Lipped or non lipped doesn't really matter as long as it's 40mm. Also on bases the newer Dreadnaughts use 60mm round bases. You can get 5 40mm rounds and a 60 in the round basing kit from GW for about $9. I've picked up a couple packs myself for rebasing my old Terminators.

This is a work of beauty my friend! Old models rule - extra props to the Flying Sofa and the Old Dread! Now what you need is one of those old BA captains!

Thanks for the replies and encouragement! The first WD I ever got was 143 which had the original Land Speeder released. I've waited 20 years for that flying couch!

Exalted just for the effort that must've gone into tracking some of these down, and you're not even done yet...

I'll reply in your other thread about the bases, but for the Dread's weapon loadout - that's a bugger you can't take the ML on that arm, huh? Especially as it's the only one. Looks like it could easily pass for an autocannon or a lascannon though, in fact it looks much more like those than the Dread ML does now.

Why thank you. What's the Exalt thing do anyways?

But yeah, I'm all for using the missile launcher as something else. Just a matter of clarity with the opponent. I'm kinda hoping someone will see this and has a spare old lascannon or something. Otherwise I'll just kit bash one up I think.

EDIT: Out of curiosity does anyone have any suggestions for a loadout for the Captain? What weapons would people say he's wielding?

I think the captain has a power fist and bolter (maybe bolt pistol) and even though the dreanoughts load out isn't legal, I would happily play against it as it is, due to the fact it's a RT model

As you can see, the gun is more than a bolter. It has a whole second barrel on the side which is clearly not a bolter and lacks the distinctive aspects of melta, flamer or plasma weaponry. He's also clearly equipped with a power sword but I'm not sure that's wise given he's got the power fist. Given I've not made an army since 4th edition any help is appreciated, with any or all wargear.

oh, the gun is a storm bolter, i didn't notice it from the first picture, and the other weapon is definitely a power fist. The sword attachment in just a combat knife or something. The type of weapon that you buy as an upgrade to get the bonus attack for two close combat weapons

That's a Games Day 1991 Captain, bloody rare these days. Congrats on owning such a piece, and for the best looking retro army I've ever seen.

Damn, I sold my 2 RT dreads 2 months ago.

I too was considering starting a RT era army (I started at 11 in 1990) but I don't have the time to paint the models I have...

Do BA captains have the option for an auxiliary grenade launcher? You could play it as that. A lot of the old RT era minis have wargear combos you can't field these days. I'd probably run his sword as a ceremonial bit, and not pay the points for it. Run him basic power fist/bolter (possibly combi/storm/AGL)

My first army so many years ago was also BA, because those were the transfers that came in my RTB01 box. And red paint was the bane of my existence. I could never find it in stock at my FLGS, so used paint from a number of different sources (GW, Ral Partha, Polly-s) Lots of variation in those old boys.

That is amazing! I got into 40k in 4th but have recently found a great love for the look of retro armies. So colourful and fun with awesome catoon like propotions. Plus drop a T and Squad Whittaker shares my surname.

Incredible army! Love the old miniatures. Many from just before I started collecting myself. I'm a big blood angels fan as well and your army is probably one of the best BA armies out there!

It must look amazing on a battlefield lined up against some early addition Space Orks...

Ladies and Gents, welcome to...

Thank you all for the kind words, it's very encouraging. Next up will be a 10 man assault squad (with the old school jump packs) and after that a devastator squad. Not really sure where to go from there.

From what I have, what would people suggest:
Terminator Captain
Librarian (Power armour or Terminator)
Chaplain (power armour only)
Mole Mortar (use as Thunderfire) and techmarine
Bike squadron (w/attack bikes)
Landspeeder(s)
Tank (Land Raider, Rhino, Sabre, Razorback, Whirlwind, Vindicator)
More Terminators (no CC termies sadly)
MORE TACTICAL MARINES!
Imperial Assassin (old Eversor looking one)
Any other suggestions??

I love seeing old Rogue Trader/2nd Ed armies, especially when they're so well painted. Congratulations on a fantastic army, and thank you for sharing.

Fantastic looking army sir! I too am in love with the RT era Space Marines and have amassed quite a force. Sadly none of them have been painted as of yet as I've been struggling with what chapter to paint them as. I think I've finally narrowed it down to either Crimson Fists (becasue it was the chapter depicted on the origional Space Marine quade boxes) or Rainbow Warriors (because if you're going to good old school, you might as well go all out.) I will be following your progress with great interest!

 Nevelon wrote:
Do BA captains have the option for an auxiliary grenade launcher? You could play it as that. A lot of the old RT era minis have wargear combos you can't field these days. I'd probably run his sword as a ceremonial bit, and not pay the points for it. Run him basic power fist/bolter (possibly combi/storm/AGL)

Thanks for the advice. I have no idea what a BA captain can have, I only have the vanilla codex which does have the AGL. Either way I'm not a huge fan of the golden armoured BA and all that junk. It's a brain bug that has grown out of one model.

My first army so many years ago was also BA, because those were the transfers that came in my RTB01 box. And red paint was the bane of my existence. I could never find it in stock at my FLGS, so used paint from a number of different sources (GW, Ral Partha, Polly-s) Lots of variation in those old boys.

Oh I hear that. My first RTB01 box came with Ultramarines transfers, which helped my decision to go that way. I hear you on the red though, it's pain in the ass. Most of these have been undercoated with a red spray (Montana Blood Red), then given a light brown ink into the crevasses. That's followed up with a thin Blood Angels Orange (if anyone has any of this lying around please contact me!) and finally a bright orange highlight which was Firefly Orange but has since become a PP paint, the name of which escapes me, but it's exactly the right shade. Virtually zero mixing required.

Incidentally that Blood Angels Orange was purchased in England over 20 years ago and it's still good. Amazing how many of those old pots of mine still work.

EDIT: @UselesswizarD- I say paint them up Rainbow Warriors. You just never see those guys

Nice stuff!

If you do want to make this an ongoing project blog, feel free to hit the Alert button on your own post and ask a Mod to move the thread.

It will be an ongoing thing (ongoing in the next hour or so even). If you could move it to the appropriate thread/subforum please do (and apologies for misplacing it).

Love the Rogue Trader minis. Well done.

I honestly can't understand how you people love the ol' school models. To me, they look so bad, but hey, whatever floats your boat!

Besides that, well done! They do look good, I'm happy you are able to realize such a childhood dream and man, finding some of that stuff must have felt like being Indiana Jones

It's totally not about the model quality. For me it's about the model character and feelings that only nostalgia can bring. I miss shuriken catapult, auto gun and needle marines (all of whom are pictured). 40k was a very different game back then and many of the models now feel sterile. Oddly enough the Chaos marines are probably some of the worst offenders here. They're so very different to what I remember. Regardless I think every adult should live out a childhood desire once in a while. These for example will go on a shelf next to overpriced Transformers toys.

Incidentally three assault marines done. Two more and I'll start on the devastators. Any suggestions for weapon loads?

 Kojiro wrote:
Incidentally three assault marines done. Two more and I'll start on the devastators. Any suggestions for weapon loads?

It depends on whether you want to primarily display them, or game with them. If its just display I'd say a few different weapons. If its gaming I'd say whatever is effective against your regular opponents.

I do want to try playing with them. I've not played since 4th ed though. I have no idea what's good in the current Meta.

 Kojiro wrote:
I do want to try playing with them. I've not played since 4th ed though. I have no idea what's good in the current Meta.

I haven't played since 3rd so I might be wide off the mark myself The last Devastator Squad I used had 4 Plasma Cannons, but with fliers I imagine that more people are running Missile Launchers with Flak Missiles. I'm not sure if Flak Missiles are available in the Blood Angels Codex though, hopefully someone with more knowledge can clear that up.

Dreadclaw69 wrote:

 Kojiro wrote:
Incidentally three assault marines done. Two more and I'll start on the devastators. Any suggestions for weapon loads?

It depends on whether you want to primarily display them, or game with them. If its just display I'd say a few different weapons. If its gaming I'd say whatever is effective against your regular opponents.

Kojiro wrote:I do want to try playing with them. I've not played since 4th ed though. I have no idea what's good in the current Meta.

Depends on what role you need them to fill. I like to use Devs for anti-infantry jobs, but if you need anti-tank fire, you can get it here. This is from a C:SM POV, YMMV.

4xML is a jack of all trades squad.
2xML, 2xHB is cheap and good vs. troops
2xML, 2xPC is more expensive, better vs. elite troops and light vehicles
3xML, 1xLC is going for more anti-tank fire. Do BA dev squads get the signum? or is that just a C:SM thing?

Retro throwback time! Your RT era Dev squad came stock as a full 10 man squad with 2xML and 2xHB. You could exchange one or both of the HBs with beamers, or heavy plasma guns. The MLs could be swapped las-cannons or multi-meltas. As beamers are restricted to MotF these days, this limits our options.

As the RT-era missile launcher is very distinctive, and one of the iconic weapons of the time, you should keep them. This works well with the 2xML, 2x(HB or PC) dev squads I like to field. Not only are they effective, but historically accurate!

I have to agree about the RT-era Missile Launcher. It has such a distinct silhouette, I'm glad that they brought it back for the Heresy range

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