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Nice concept and execution, especially the sculpting.

Thank you. It's always very inspiring. Hope you like the finished article which may be in a while, as I think I'll do the 2 LTs first (though they should be quick[ish]).

I agree with you as regards skullbard
I had that captain a while back and didn't know what to do with that bit. It's ridiculous but at the same time it feels like there's some weird potential to it. I'm really digging the builds - nothing's better to me than converting a miniature that looks like you could have bought it from the store.

Yep I'm not throwing my Skulbard away yet. Thanks for your comments, your boys in blue look great, so neat it's amazing.

Glad you like the dudes, here are some more dudes.



This guy will be a LT. I never liked the off centre skull thing so that will have to go..



Better. A simple U will suffice..I may add some 'battle damage' to cover over some of the rough bits. As he's already got a comedic amount of stuff strapped to him I added to it by attaching a sword to his backpack (not pictured). It was the skulbard but it was too huge. A big draw to this model was that should be all the conversion necessary.



This guy got built.



Bolter surgery. I did a bit more after this adding a slightly better scope and GSing it on and a tidy where the mag was cut off. The scope is supposed to be like a SUSAT or ACOG type of deal rather than the huge optics. I obviously just chopped off the big bit of the scope but I found the new version from the current SM Tack box is a bit smaller and nicer (seen below without red bits). The back end of the rifle got a bit more detail too.



Ah forgot I did do a pic.



I though he looked a little light too so I added a pistol and packs/kit.



I found this little tilting plate from the BaC set gifted by Alex (he chucked me few choice bits from that set) which I think adds a bit of rank. I also tidied up the back of his sword wrist.

I think he will do fine. I'm pleased with his MC bolter (which I could also use as the 'Primarch's Wrath' relic) too. He's a nice combination of bits from BaC and the Ultra's upgrade sprue. I've a bunch more guys like this to do sooner of later as I do a Deathwatch/Tyrranic War Veterans/Sternguard unit (eventually). I've a box of DW guys ready to go and a bunch of other parts earmarked. But these officers first and then maybe the Contemptor?

Then maybe the other Razorback..and I just ordered some more scout bits.

The GS and conversion work on LT's bolter is spot on. I was privileged to see the Marine HQs at [SPOILER ALERT] basecoating stage the other day and the sculpting is so clean I didn't ping the bolter as a RTB01 model. Well done!

Looking forward to a 'Heroes of the Chapter' showcase asap x

Thanks, glad you liked them. Progress is all a bit stalled ATM as the homunculus is ill and off school again wiping out the hour or so I'd earmarked for today and possibly tomorrow probably. Selfish git. The Hero party is all blue so that's a start.

I managed to squeeze a bit in (pnar etc), I'm working on the Lieutenants at the mo..



Blue'd. A couple of layers of drybrushing and one of edging (pnar lol).



Sloppy base colours..



Redone base coats.



Inking..



First layers of highlighting. Gold/Silver has one layer and areas like the leather and Auspex layered up to a finish, will paint some details on the 'spex later, Tetris or something.



Gold all done here. Silver too, I wanted the left guy's bolter to look nickel plated so it's quite shiny. I was thinking about a very light blue rinse too....Lt 'Stowage' (the one with all the kit) has got a big shiny gold bolter to denote it's MC status.



First layer of white on his helmet and tilting plate. I'm not sure if I should do a red stripe down his helmet like they do these days or not. I think I will down the plate. Thoughts?

I'm close to these guys being done now just the really fiddly stuff left, yay.

Hope you like please feel free to comment/joke/insult etc.

xx

They both look good.

For the helmet I think it needs a little something. Pure white is just first company. Go for a stripe, or if you are feeling retro, the old Lt. markings.


Alternatively, you could do something on his tilting shield to help him stand out a bit more.

Thanks. I did consult the Codex Astartes (Rogue Trader Rulebook) but their is no LT insignia in there. I forgot about these ones from the old painting guide. I do paint Sgt bars on my Sarge's shoulders but not on the head, so maybe the 'new fangled' red stripe will be the way to go.

Now I just have to decide what to do on his shoulder pad!

Moar on these guys has happened..



LT Stowage has received some attention..started the face..



Added the chapter symbol and some 5'o'clock shadow for his baldy head..this was just gray brown and flesh mixed together..Need suggestions for the scroll too, help me before I have to just write 'Ultra' again!



Went with a copy of the tilting plate type design the other LT is sporting on his shoulder. It's not done yet and I think I will add a gold border..kind of using it as the LT insignia..lips and mouth have had a super thin red wash..



tantalisingly close to being done here..still need to finish the base, detail the Auspex, do final blue highlight and finish the shoulder design..



Other guy had his fancy pad finished..



Worked on the helmet, white is done and eyes have been gem'd. Tilting plate is done too. Can't decide if I should do the red helmet stripe or not...the stripe on plate (which they both have now) could suffice perhaps? Not sure, help please.



Nearly done here. Still needs final blue and something for that shoulder...I did a light blue rinse on the nickel plated bolter, might be too light! The whole bolter isn't photographing well, stupid metallic paint.

Good ideas appreciated!

Love that Lt.Stowage model. I'm not sure who the sculpt is by but he has that classic early 2000s craggy face they all had then. Paint and conversion job is sick obvs.

Re the other Lt., I'd say leave the helmet white and paint the left shoulder pad with the classic Lt. Symbol as per Nev's suggestion. The red slash on his plate is enough on the front.

Ganbatte!

Thanks bud.

I had a bit of time I should have used for something good earlier but instead I squeezed out a bit of hobby. I've family staying soon and half term so probably won't get to pick up a brush for 10 days or so. I would like to get these bastards done by then.



I decided to leave the helm stripe off. I was too scared to add it and couldn't decide where it should go. I added the LT symbol on his pad instead (as per MLCS suggestion). The white helm does denote veterancy but not all vets are in the 1st co. I give all my officers them as they are Vets. I also didn't like the LT having more on his hat than a Captain. Above his LT bar, I added a little wreath and 3 stars as his personal heraldry. The middle one kept going wrong so this is the best I managed before painting it out repeatedly caused a blob. I am using an old brush now with a 90 degree bend at the tip. I will probably never get a nice pic of this pad as it's hard photographing this kind of detail. He's done now so hopefully I will get the chance to do the glam shots tomoz.



I couldn't get the shield thing to work on Stowage's pad so I just painted the whole thing black. He's in a goth phase. Hanging out with Librarian Eldritch too much probably. I painted the Auspex to look like an Aliens motion tracker..



I've added some checks here and will paint the LT bars above them. Hopefully do the final bits on him tomorrow too.

Hope you like, more soon!

Finished!

Finally.



I'm pretty pleased with them. Managed some ok pics too which helps. Bolter still doesn't photograph well.



Shoulder.



Nice new backpack.



Raagh. Corpses for the corpse god!



Stowage. With his Aliens motion tracker. I've actually painted his shoulder scroll to say 'Hudson'. But I forgot to tack a pic. It's also badly done (really need to get a new brush now, pretty critical) and partly occluded by the backpack which is forced into a bit of an odd placement because of his pose.

"They're coming out of the God Damn walls!"



"I like to keep this handy, for close encounters". (I know Hicks says that, and that it's a shotgun, I even gave a Sternguard a stowed shotgun in honour of this).



"It's game over man!" etc. Didn't get his shoulder heraldry either. It's just a LT bars over the checks though.

I hope you like these guys, been a while since their inception but I'm happy with how they turned out. I hope they get a chance to murder foul xenos and heretics soon. Unfortunately the next thing in line is 2 Captains. New brush first though. I won't get a huge chance to produce much till school starts again but I do have 4 or 5 pics of an IG vs T'pau game I can stick up soon.

Let me know what you think of the dudes.

Very nice Lts. Love all the little bits of character on them.

I really need to up my game on painting white. It’s so irritating I tend to avoid it. But it really does a nice job offsetting the blue. Especially the darker shade you do.

Now go out there and purge some Xenos!

Thanks brother!

Yes I love the combination of white, blue and gold, looks really classy to me. I love the white helmets, one of my favourite bits of the UM look. I don't like painting them however as any small miss looks really obvious. I just use Fortress Gray and then layers of white, probably 2-3.

We are probably doing a game later but I'm spectating whilst the BA and T'pau match up for the first time with the new book.

I second you there Randy! I'm working through some vanguard vets and the end products feel so much better than the second company stuff. Real tasteful paint scheme on those first companies. Loving your work, the lts are very personal, very classy

Thanks a lot for the high praise, classy is definitely an aim. Really glad you get it.

Not had a chance to pick up a brush, little boy's bday on thursday and family will be staying. I will stick up a few pics of a battle soon, nothing spectacular but still looks ok.

MLCS played Mephistoned on Sunday whilst I spectated/refereed. Pretty comprehensive drubbing of the Blud Angles by MLCS's T'pau. SM are in totally different league to T'au these days, it's sad. I will play Mephi next with my SM, so a classic Red vs Blue. SM should be relatively balanced against each other at least!

Here's a few pics from an unfinished game of IG vs T'pau. The Tau aren't finished (though getting there) and the ruins are also unfinished scratch builds by MLCS which are stand ins till I get mine back from Alex (after some rebasing). However, even with crappy lighting the board still looks good I think. A testament to Alex's handiwork (he built the board).



Using the fun 'Open War' cards I ended up in this odd columnar deployment zone. It was very hard to deploy like this, it prevented me blocking LOS to my damage dealers as much as I would like and messed up some of my synergy placements. Still that's the point and I did have a tiny bit of LOS blocking to cluster behind. The single objective will rain from the sky on turn 3 in a random location, the mission is called the Comet.



Infantry (soon to be blobbed) holding the central ruin with a Captain, all the shooty stuff is hiding behind them.



Mobile elements prepare to storm the centre. The 2 flamer squads, other (new) Captain, Astropath and Priest prepare to go over the top. They have support from the Hellhound, mounted Vets and a plucky Sentinel.

The P'Tau go first and the tedious 'marker light and delete' process begins. The Hellhound is lit up like a Xmas tree and then the Skyray (in a totally fun and interactive way) just wreaks it. Whoever thought 6 kraks hitting on 2s fired at once was a good idea needs help. One of the reasons IG do so well is that they can afford losses like this. When MLCS did this to Mephies' Stormraven and blew it up in one round of shooting (Skyrays have 'skyfire' too), the SM cannot cope with losses of this kind. The big SM vehicles at 350+ points are a big investment in 1500 games and can kick out a lot of pain but if they die you will find it hard to recover. Still at least that one shot thing had been spooged.

The 20 infantry hiding behind the hill get lit too. They are out of sight of most units but MLCS has spammed a lot of SMS. These ignore line of sight and cover and so he kills all of the lit up unit. As I didn't go first the 20 guys are not yet blobbed so the other 10 are not yet targetted.



After deliberating for about 3 hours I decide that these guys can't hang about any longer and they will have to advance and just hope to beat the newly invigorated Tu overwatch (hitting on 5s). Not expecting much I deploy the Vets and advance with the flamer squad and hero party. The HF Sentinel advances down the flank to harass a bunch of 5 man FW squads out of sight behind that big outcropping, I want to shut down their SMS spam. I actually used the 'GO! Recon! strat for the first time! It was on one wound at this point and in the next Tau shooting phase I used CPs to keep it alive! "Imma gonna flamer yoo!" He did manage this next turn but to limited effect, still he was distracting them from the central assault.



The Tanks shuffle out and put some hurt on a Hammerhead (possibly blowing it up, It's been a while since this battle).



Showing some pretty good shooting the Vets, Chimera and Flamer squads put some hurt on the hated Stealth team and FW squads in the central building. Then all units made the decision to charge, bravely they allowed the Chimera to go first. It managed to survive a million Str5 shots and a melta and as they cannot use 'For the grater cheese' and overwatch it meant the squishy troopers could charge with impunity. In a show of competence all units made their charge (re roll to get the Priest in!). In the ensuing melee the new Captain hacked down a Stealth suit, no small feat when they have -1 to hit in melee for some reason.



In the Tau turn they runaway with the Stealths, curse you 'Fly' keyword but some of the FW and a Fireblade (I didn't know was in there) keep fighting and amazingly kill the Priest! That +1 Att he gave was really useful too.



'Keep at them lads, they don't like it up them!" I think the Fireblade and a few more FW are put out of their misery after this fight phase.



To prevent my tank parking lot having a nice time his newly painted HQ (with oldly painted drones) DSs into my exposed rear (and no one wants that). A quirk of this odd deployment meant that I couldn't do the correct anti DS deployment IG excel at. Shas'O'Bese then nearly kills my Vanquisher Tank Commander whilst I cannot target him (till the Shield drones are dead) as he's a character



Pew Pew Pew.



As it's now Tau turn 3 we determine where the 'comet' lands. Slap bang in the middle, played here by my Command post objective (box in middle of hill). The Devilfish mounted Breachers move towards it.

It was about here we noticed it was pushing one in the am and we had yet to pack up so I didn't get to make my third turn. Even though; I think the suicidally brave charge up the middle would eventually carry me to victory by putting most of his infantry out of action and leaving only the Breachers to try for the objective. But we will never know. Even though the game is quicker and we are more au fait with the rules we are finding this match up slower and slower. I think they are just about on similar power levels so we both have to consider placement, movement and target priority very carefully, also making it pretty stressful to play. I find myself looking forward to a more straight forward SM vs BA match slated for next (or so), I wish SM could stand up to Tau as I fancy playing them but there is basically no point at the moment. I hope some FAQ will drop all the points by half or something.

Not an actual Bat Rep, hopefully I will get the chance to do one soon, but I hope you liked it all the same. It's more about seeing my dudes drive about on a painted table.

I also might have a chance to do a bit of painting soon too,

xx

Nice work. When in doubt, fix bayonets and charge! Always good to get models on the field.

Thanks! Yes I really enjoy being able to carry the day with IG by the point of a bayonet. Much more interesting and fun than 'Parking Lot' gunlines. Often opponents can be caught off gaurd by the aggressive use of infantry too. The support from Hellhounds and Chimera (and as above, Scout Sentinels actually) is fun to co-ordinate and very powerful (even if only for tanking overwatch).

The new paint Captain did well; issuing orders and putting the boot in.

I've edited the above for legibility.

Yo.

Managed to pick up a brush finally.



Started work on this guy, seen here at a very early stage. I think I will make him into Invictus, Captain of the 1st Company. He doesn't have a plasma blaster but he does have the game legal version. I'm thinking of doing his left knee (from our POV) in white with something on, probably a wreath.



I'm also thinking of doing this pauldron in white and then do heraldry for him. Is there official heraldry for Invictus?, I couldn't find any. Any Ultra's nerds know (I'm looking at you Nev)? Otherwise I'll need to invent some. Would it look too much in white?

Answers on a postcard please.

I've also a new project for the 'finished' IG lined up. More on that as it emerges.

Nice work on Invictus.

I checked the old chapter approved that had his rules, and he’s just got the colors for the 1st company.


http://wh40k.lexicanum.com/wiki/Saul_Invictus

Thanks for looking, I forgot Lexicanium exists. Maybe his shoulder should just read 'Feth Tyranids'. Any feelings on the white or blue issue?

I ignore Lex most of the time myself. The only time I go there is to see if they have a pic scanned in from an old book to save me the effort of breaking out my camera and uploading it.

I’m a bad person to ask about white. Not only does it drive me crazy to paint, but I prime white. So whenever I see white on a model, my first thought is “missed a spot”.

That said, he’s the captain of the 1st. You could probably paint him all white and it would be fine. From a balance POV, right now he’s just got some white on the braiding across his chest. If you put a spot on his knee and some work on the shoulder, I think that would work well. I’d personally leave the pauldron gold, and work the white in via heraldry. Mostly because I like the look of gold with the words/engravings/details more then white painted up like that. If it was a smooth rim, I’d paint it white.

Just my opinion, not seeing a wrong answer here. Both could work.

Edit:
On the “feth nids” issue, Remember, his (and the chapter’s) first major engagement with them was at Macragge. Where he left them piled up 6 deep, 20 yards around him at silo 8. Not much time to update your heraldry there.

Just scribbled on with a Sharpie?

 RandyMcStab wrote:
Just scribbled on with a Sharpie?

I might go with nid bits as basing material instead. It’s the classic way to show hate and distain for your foes without dishonoring the spirits of your wargear.

Lovely - I saw these in the gallery when I was on the prowl yesterday so I knew you were touching cloth update-wise.

Another really characterful and unique model for your Ultras he's already looking the biz. Now is your chance to invent a heraldry for him that, years from now, our childrens' children might know as cannon.

Maybe an amusingly-shaped bolter 'firing' at a Genestealer? Or more seriously, a white Crux with '1st' in the centre in black and his name on a scroll underneath? A bit boring perhaps.

Anyway here's some easy access motivational literature:

Mmmmmmm Strategy rating of 5.

I remember these rules and fielded him once, I was in the process of making one then out of the OG Terminator Captain and had a squad lined up to be his bodyguard. Then came 3rd Ed and he vanished from the Codex never to return. Forgotten by many but not all! Agemman always seemed less impressive, his main story point being cock blocked by Sicarius for the top job.

Yes maybe a big white crux with his name on a scroll is the way forward. I may well add a bit of dead Nid to his base too, good idea. It's been a while since I added some Stealer hate to these guys. Not played them enough recently to fill up my XENOS HATE METER.


Automatically Appended Next Post:
I had another pic I forgot I took...



Still looking rough but the brown inking is done and the knee is whiter.

On the other side of the fence; I accidentally found myself owning more IG.

Quite a while ago I stumbled upon Inso's Squat thread. He got hold of the OG Squats and very nicely converted them into better looking guys. The GS use is lovely and no short cuts taken, not quite liking the arms he chose to just sculpt every pair. After a bit the thread went dark so I assumed he was sick of sculpting arms but it turned out to be a photobucket death and he had restarted the thread which I managed to find recently. In a throwaway comment I mentioned how much I liked his scratch built Ratlings I ended up with 10.



I don't think he's selling these now but there is a company who is about to cast them in metal.



I love the detail on these. The sculpting is extremely fine and the casts are fantastic. The greens of these on his blog look great.



Who doesn't love ghillie suits?



All 5 variants.



I've put them all on bases and filled the slots with GS, as well as adding lots of rocks for them to be taking over in. I plan to add clump foliage type stuff too.



Basing should help cover up the duplicates too.

I did have a hankering to replace my speed painted RT Rats and these guys do that really nicely.



Nice as these guys are, they are showing their age (aren't we all).

https://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/731849.page

Here's Inso's blog I recommend it. Great originality and sculpting, do go check it out.

EDIT: Whoops wrong pic.

Been modelling grounded again for a while as my kid had most of a week off school ill, kept me up a lot too.

But this is what I've managed recently..



All the inking is done here and the gold and silver mostly done...................mostly



Started working on the whites over the Fortress Grey base.



First pass on the face..



Added the chapter logo. Was thinking of adding a '1' or a wreath to this whatever I don't use will probably go on his knee pad, any ideas? Maybe even the RT Captain bars beneath the 'U'?



I added the next level of blue highlighting here and a bit more face work..I will do one more layer of blue highlight but probably last.



I'm doing a white Crux on here, I think I will not bother with the scroll, I don't think there will be room to do it justice, I will just paint on 'Invictus'.



Base layer is in Fortress Grey.



So fiddly to try and keep them all level and equal in size, especially on a curved surface as small as a shoulder.



Gem'd the red bit, also his chest stone, not pictured.



Going back to Nev's idea I dug out a damaged OG Space Hulk 'Stealer....these were always my favourite sculpt.



And the Vorpal clippers went snicker-snack....always nice to have a punched off 'Stealer head lying around.

He's coming together finally, the last 10% of painting is the bit that actually makes it look good, I have to keep faith and plough through the phases where it looks like arse hoping it will work out. I think it was a bit of a strategic error to build him so completely. Where his face is and it's odd gorget means it very hard to paint, especially with the big rim on the shoulder and stuff. Also my new brush seems to have got 'bent tip' syndrome (we've all been there fellas) much quicker than usual, maybe I dropped it or something. But it's not helping with the mega fiddy stuff.

Hope you like, let me know any ideas on the last heraldry bits.

xx