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Okay, so I started 40k in late 4th edition and completely missed out on the brightly colored mayhem that appears to have been known as edition 2. I have, however, come into possession of several of the earlier rulebooks/codices from this time period and I have to say I'm feeling a little nostalgic. (which is weird, as again, I missed out on this edition) So, as can often happen in this hobby, I decided that I would see if I could scrounge up any relics on ebay. One week and several hundred dollars later, I had managed to acquire the following:
3x Tactical Squads of 2nd edition marines (the push-fit ones from the boxed set)
A partial tactical squad of the same (I intend to use them sternguard vets)
A Space Marine Captain
A Metal Veteran Sergeant
An original Rogue Trader Predator (spoon top) and Rhino, both still in the box, unassembled.
A squad of old-style terminators. (2nd/3rd edition)

So anyway, all this is to say that I have decided to paint up some old-style ultramarines in all their bright, primary-colored goodness!
Here is the first model. I would love to here y'alls thoughts!

Where's the bright yellow? Far too weathered for retro! It needs to be 100% more neon >=D
But anyway, solid paint job, love the old models ;P

That model is certainly super old skool. Nice paintjob

I agree, he needs to be cleaner and brighter. Also, take note of classic basing techniques, they helped define the era.

Always fun to watch retro nostalgia projects. Although rose colored glasses are one of the few things that make the 2nd ed push fit "I love my bolter" marines passable. I have two squads of the guys, not my favorite sculpts.

Interested to see how this turns out, good luck!

Yup. You need about 20 pots of goblin green

Thanks for the feedback!
Will definitely try to brighten up the yellow on the next model. As far as the bases -- goblin green is not going to happen, as I really don't like the look (one part of the retro look that doesn't make me feel nostalgic). I tried to hint at it by using green as a base color, but I guess the end result is going to have some stylistic anachronisms. Also, once I have the look I want to usefor sure, I may try painting some modern sculpts in the same scheme and see what I can come up with.

Okay, so I had already had this partially painted when I started this project, actually the first truly retro model in my collection. Its still a WIP, but I think I like how it's turning out.
Also, to clarify, I guess the retro-look I am going for is not actually 2nd Ed, but the 2nd Ed models as they were painted for the third edition codex.
As always, I would love some feedback on the paint-job.

Wow. That old Rhino really brings back the memories for me. Nice, clean construction. I can't believe you managed to get the rail on, too. Mine always used to snap as soon as I touched them, the plastic was so brittle. I really like your models looking old, worn and scuffed, personally. Just because the models are old doesn't mean the paintjob has to be crisp and clean.

Well, I was going to be working on the first tactical squads for the army, but winter decided to make a grand entrance and the cold/snowiness of the things is preventing me from spray-priming the miniatures. Instead I decided to start working on this Terminator Librarian I found as an extra in one of my ebay purchases. I think it is probably among the oldest models in my collection. Anyway, I saw the one they did on Tale of Painters and was inspired to try and do this guy justice... Here's where I'm at so far. (also, those of you who said I should go Goblin Green for the bases... you were right. It does look good.)

There really is something about Goblin Green that not only defines the era, but also looks sharp. A simpler time, when models were put on the table to tell a story, and GMs were part of the process.

Nice rhino. I never bothered to put the rails on mine (still in my bits box)

That librarian is old, even by retro 2nd ed standards.

Keep up the good work!

Just a little more work on my librarian. Not sure what I'm going to do about the haft of his axe/ what color I'm going to make the power blade. I'm thinking the same low quality NMM gold effect on the axe handle that I used on the chest eagle? Also, most of the power-swords I've seen from the time period are done in red, so I'll probably end up going that route for the blade. Would love the thoughts of someone more knowledgeable about the era.

So, haven't had the chance to paint much for the last couple days. I did manage to get this guy at a good price on ebay and have decided that he will be perfect as captain for my force. (the previous captain just got a new backpack and a demotion to veteran sergeant. Anyway, looking forward to painting him up.

I love this.

So I'm wondering how heretical it would be to turn this blog into one about doing a modern (not at all retro) ultramarines army and a retro blood angels force simultaneously? I started painting the tactical marines, got about five done and realized that painting the ultras that color wasn't doing it for me. I love all the shiny brightness, but the actual painting process wasn't fun, which to me is the whole point of the hobby. On a whim I decided to paint one of my push-fit marines in the classic blood angels colors (black rims, yellow eagle) and really liked how it turned out, so I kinda want to put the retro minis I picked up into that project. Anyway, I'm still very new to dakka, so I guess I'd like to know if that's cool? Do I have to get a mod to change the name or something? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

You can do what you like. The fun police will not punish you.

Go to your FIRST post, hit 'edit' and change the title. Boom! Done.

Alright then. So I have changed the name of the blog into something vague enough to accommodate my painting ADD. Without further ado, I present my first painted retro-themed blood angel:


So this is the direction I see the bulk of my retro-minis going. This guy took about half the time that the Ultramarines did and was a lot more fun to paint. That being said, I do still have the dream of owning a the complete second company of ultras someday and will probably pursue that shortly (although with a paint scheme that does not involve the tedious yellow shoulder rims)

Yeah I vote Blood Angels for the retro theme, they look much better. Always go with what you feel is best as you're the one who has to paint them

Okay, so the winter weather has prevented me from priming any more models, but I have been quite busy assembling my Christmas goodies. Just wanted to show off a couple of the highlights. For my Ultramarine Army I converted a Captain from various boxed sets.




I know it's a relatively simple conversion, but I like the way he turned out. I also wanted to show off the assembled rogue trader predator kit for the retro blood angels:





There's a lot more to come, but that's it for now. Cheers.

Cool! I love retro minis

Okay, so I didn't think I would be resuming this blog. A little while back I sold all of my 40k models including everything I previously showed here. I was pretty sure that I was done with 40k forever, but after lurking around some of the other Ultramarines blogs here on dakka I got the itch and so have decided to resume work. I'm starting from scratch, but thanks to some ebay steals I have a decent sized army on its way again. I've decided to use more of the later models but keep the retro-theme intact. Here is the first combat squad.


What do y'all think?

Nice work, I love the mix of newer kits and retro style!

Tidy dude

Some Great free hand in there, I especialy like the U on the knee pads,

@paradigm: Thanks! I was pleasantly surprised by how well the new tac squad worked out.
@Joe Rugby: Glad you liked the kneepads. I was trying to mimic the style on the old metal tyrannic war vets.
Now have the second combat squad finished.


I've managed to snag quite a sizeable army off of ebay and there are some genuine retro-goodies in there as well.


More to come.
As always feedback is welcome.
Cheers.

Nice work, the squad as a whole looks great!

Just a quick update: Next up to get painted is a tactical squad from the 2nd ed starter box that I managed to get cheap off of ebay.





Weather permitting, I should be able to prime them in the next day or so. In the meantime, I hope to assemble the squad's suitable old-school ride...

Okay, so I keep dropping this blog and then wanting to re-start it. I keep deciding that I want to be done with 40k, and then inevitably end up re-investing in it. Mostly I blame Gitz and his Mantis Warriors project which keeps drawing me back in with the amazing stuff on it. At any rate, I have decided once again to try my hand at a really big painting project: A Demi Company of Ultramarines! And some Blood angels...and some dark angels... and some space wolves. Also Grey Knights. They'll need somebody to fight... like Orks! And Chaos Marines... and Tyranids... yeah and Necrons! The Tau can come too. Darn Ebay and thier bulk lots of unrelated packages! At any rate, I have been able to resume work on the retro-ultras and begin on some retro blood angels. Hope you enjoy!
First up we have the Assault Squad:

And A Rhino for the Tactical Squad to ride in.

And A Terminator test model...

And a blood angel.

Next up will be a test model for the Dark Angels followed by either the rest of a Blood angel Combat Squad or an Ultramarine Captain.
Well, let me know what you think. Feedback is always welcome.

So... the results of my latest ebay binge have begun to arrive. I'm still amassing as many older space marine kits as I can afford/find. At least ones in relatively good condition.
One of the things I find most interesting about this project is that it gives me a chance to explore what the 40k hobby was like well before I was involved with it. I was able to get ahold of the Space Marines: Warriors of the imperium box, which looks to be one of the first all-plastic space marine kits produced after the rogue trader era beakies.



I have a sizable amount of 2nd ed plastic push-fit marines, so these will mostly be assembled as various sergeant models along with a plastic close combat weapons sprue that came with an old techmarine. Using the two together, I should be able to produce a good number of reserve tactical squads just in case I ever decide to fully bow to the collecting madness of going for an entire chapter...

Also arriving was my 1998(?) Pattern Battleforce Box. It came with one of the more recent tactical squads, the old-style plastic terminators, three bikes, a landspeeder, and some ruined terrain. I thought the terrain was a really nice touch, and kind of wish battleforce boxes still looked like that.





Lastly, I used several of the missle launcher troopers that I have amassed ( I think they come from old paint sets?) to form a retro-style devastator squad. The sergeant was converted from an old bike sergeant torso and the plastic marines mentioned above.



Well there's today's update. Let me know what you all think, feedback is always appreciated.

NIce to see some love for the generally unloved 2nd edition models.

If you're looking for an opp-for those hideous 2nd edition orks would be cool.

Looking retro-cool. Always fun to see some history get painted up.