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Good news is I sorted out my camera problem. The bad news is that I've finished the Combat Engineers. This means that the Zulu element of the project is totally finished. I've got some Kindred to do and need some armour but the 24th Islandlwanda elements are finished. I'd like to take the opportunity to thank Metallifan, Arbitor Ian and Xhequimunqui for their help with the painting an Commissar Khaine and Skalk Bloodaxe with their help as well. You've helped make this project a far better looking army than it would be without you. Here's the final squad and another Kindred.


What does the future hold? Well I need to play some games and work out what I want to add and I'm currently planning on how to do an 8x8. I've basically decided to leave this project where it is for now and focus far more on my Grey Knights for 40k (Conclave of Hrin) and adding Warriors to my Beastmen for Warhammer. I'll also continue to go ahead with my BFG Ork project.

Been considering the 8X8's a bit more a quick check on http://www.modelhobbies.co.uk/shop/ made it clear to me that these designs were available. Theres 2 real groups
the Chimera Counts as and those which wont. I'll be interested in your opinions
Chimera's
Stryker

Boxer

Puma

Lav 25

BTR70

BTR80

Not Chimeras
Centauro

M977

Dana

MAZ543


Currently the MAZ 543 seems most like what I've envisaged in the fluff but the Boxer or the BTR70 design would make an interesting substitute for Chimeras (Sie dosn't worry me so much it's both an advantage and a disadvantage depending on the canniness of the opposing player. Which do you reckon is most fitting?

I think I may well be using the BTR 80 design. I've also painted up another Kindred currently I'm umming and ahhing about vehicles for this lot some reinforcements for the Conclave or a chaos Warrior boost to my Nurgle Beastmen. As I' starting a new away job updates may very well be thin on the ground for awhile. I'm looking forward to it though as I need the money and I've been bored out of my skull for the past month or so.

No comments on the vehicle idea?

Well I've finished the Kindred and decided to focus on the Nurgle forces for a while. I've been away for 3 months which is why updates was so sparse

Good to hear from you again. Regarding the Chimera question, I'm going for the Puma and the BTR70. I think either of those choices would be better suited in "scale" (even though you said that didn't matter) and overall design for visual aesthetics.

Looking forward to seeing more updates when you have a chance. Welcome back.

Good to hear from you too. Have to agree with the BTR 70 idea. I'll be bunging up a few hobbits but the Tanks for this project are going to be cardstock I still only have the money to splurge on one force and I'm in the mood to add more to my Chaos list.

This was up in the fluff competition a while back but I'll bung it up here as well.
Harbingers of Woe
35th Tekla Northern Pipeline Filtration Unit B 19 Kilometres N of Alpha Complex
It was a warm muggy day on the roof of the Filtration unit but that didn’t stop the shiver going up Bheka’s back . Hungry Ones he’d heard the tales of the destruction they’d wrought on Cobris from the Veterans, he’d seen the weary horror on their faces and the grief in their eyes as they’d reminisced. He’d also seen the same men fight against an Ork raid and seen their bravery. Apparently this landing was a tiny part compared to the horrors of the Hive Fleet even now feasting upon the forces of Octavia. He wished them a long and bloody relationship although he was terrified of the idea of facing the winner. He kept his gaze on the horizon searching the ridges of the mountains and frowning at their exposed position in the centre of the valley along the pipeline scanning the hills with the magnoculars. He still found it somewhat disturbing that all this industry was to extract something as simple as pure water. It didn’t make sense to him although he wouldn’t have trusted the water of the great river they’d travelled on from the Space Port. Vusumuzi had explained that the purity was necessary for particular benedictions and to make certain elixirs it didn’t make much sense to him. He noted a large vulture above one of the peaks and smiled continuing to scan. Suddenly he realised that there were no vultures on this planet. He frowned and focussed it closer it was too far to be sure but it was an odd grey colour which didn’t look right. It seemed chitinous and bat like. He frowned he wasn’t sure as he watched but it looked like something he’d seen in his Imperial Primer. He winced and tried to remember what it was, nothing good anyway, he lowered his magnoculars and realised a flock of them was entering sight, “Sergeant take a look at that bird flock over by that peak “.
Sergeant Manelesi frowned with the regiment at alert everybody was on tenterhooks and false alarms were likely. He thought it was a waste of time and a distraction but raised his magnoculars to check the sighting. If it was just birds he could bollock Bheka later. Carefully he focussed them and then he winced Gargoyles.....bugger. He suddenly wished with all his heart Bheka had made a false alarm. They were a precursor of the Hungry Ones attacks and he did not look forward to facing the swarm.
“Bheka sound the alarm we have about fifteen minutes to ready the defences”. As the alarm bells range Manelesi began to pray. “Beloved Emperor allow us to do our duty in your holy name” , he murmured.
35th Tekla Northern Pipeline Filtration Unit B 19 Kilometres N of Alpha Complex
Lieutenant Wahsi had used the time given by his alert sentries wisely he prayed. He quickly reviewed his positions and winced he thought he’d deployed as well as he could. This was his first battle as a Lieutenant and he feared he’d fail his duty. The men of Second Platoon Second Company had formed into battle positions around the Filtration Unit. The Lascannons of the First Devestator Fire Team were emplaced on the roof where they had a line of fire all around the facility. To the North was First Tactical Squad hunkered down in their trenches. On the East lurked Second Tactical Squad hiding behind a low wall. Sheltering behind a lager of construction equipment on the west flank was Third Tactical Squad much to the displeasure of Magos Finchley the commander of the Maintenance crew. The Assault Squad was in a trench on the south flank where the valley was narrower leading to less need for heavy weapons. He had decided to hold his Command Section and the Second Devastator Fire team with their close range meltaguns in reserve in the centre facility. Much to his surprise they had been joined by Magos Finchley and a group of maintenance servitors. Even more useful than the Magos however were the two Heavy Bolter equipped combat Servitors. He also had four 8x8’s attached to the facility providing enough transport capacity to evacuate easily. The supply situation was reasonable with enough to last for two weeks on normal rations. Water would thankfully not be a problem. His main worry was how thin his platoon was stretched especially First and Second Squad who covered far broader arcs of the perimeter than Third or the Assault Squad. Equally both had better positions and greater engagement distance. Another fear he had was how much of the facility was underground making it vulnerable to Ravener or worse still Trygon attack. The problem he had to deal with now however was Gargoyles. He shrugged he may as well see how co-operative the Magos was feeling.
“Ser Magos as you know we are about to be attacked by the first Tyranid wave which we know will consist of a dozen or so Gargoyles. Your Servitors and yourself are the facilities best defence against this menace so I would please ask you to assist my Devastator squad upon the roof.”
Magos Finchley looked quizzically at him and then stayed silent for a moment. Wahsi was just about to ask him again when he said in a monotone mechanical voice, “Affirmative will comply”. Wahsi was surprised Cog boys were notoriously uncooperative but he hadn’t had a problem with any of them today. Hopefully this spirit of cooperation would persist.
35th Tekla Northern Pipeline Filtration Unit B 19 Kilometres N of Alpha Complex
Bheka was comfortably kneeling behind a wall the soft downy ash rather comfortable if oddly warm against his bare skin. He was beside Amukelani and every 10 metres another pair sheltered. They were spread out further than usual sheltering in these old abandoned buildings. Sadly enough they were remains of one storey shacks and flimsy ones at that. It was an hour after he’d spotted the enemy and they still hadn’t attacked. Part of Bheka hoped they would hurry up this calm before the storm always terrified him. Then again it was always actually far better than combat and worse yet the clean up afterwards. It was then he started to hear the wing beats. The dull thud of those giant leathery wings chilled him. At a distance he hadn’t realised how big they were. Nor how many. He was just grateful to the Emperor that they’d been spotted.
It was then the giant winged creature flew over the ridgeline from the West. The great Wyrm let out a hideous shriek which almost physically threw him down and echoed in his ears. It then dove down straight at them. Fortunately such a large target was almost impossible to miss and he and his compatriots began to take their shots. The Lascannons blasted from the roof of the facility one missed passing just in front f the beasts head. The other two blasts hit the target one tearing into its sinuous tale while the next ripped a gouge right through its claw. It let out anther malevolent scream. It was still alive even after the grievous wounds. Manelesi then yelled out “Vusumuzi, Msizi, Mandla continue firing at the Harpy rest of you shoot the Gargoyles.”
Bheka hadn’t even noticed them with the horror of the Wyrm. No Harpy he thought and wondered why he wasn’t concentrating on the foe. Quickly he dragged himself together and started taking pot-shots at the flock following the dreadful beast.
It was then disaster struck. The beast roared for a third team and spat out it’s spore and a cluster of spines. Suddenly a huge volley of explosions tore over the roof of the facility Bheka could hear the screams coming from the Devastator teams as suddenly giant tendrils began chasing them apart. It began to drive them away from the guns seeming to tear them apart as if driven by a malevolent will. Bheka dragged his eyes away from the grisly spectacle and back to the Gargoyles less hideous than what was going on behind. Suddenly a chattering of Heavy Bolter Fire came back from the roof and cheers rang out from all around as the beast was torn apart by the heavy calibre fire.
Bheka concentrated on the task at hand and picked his target. He aimed for the head and quietly prayed “Emperor guardian light guide this light. The shot was clean a perfect head shot. The flock was suffering badly from the disciplined fire but still they came on swiftly. There was still too many of them for the squad to face divided as it was. It was then that yet another hideous sound entered the cacophony the splut-buzzzz-splat of the flesh borers. He heard screaming about him but couldn’t turn around to look. He found his next target and shot again missing by an inch. The flock started to wheel around staying just within range but not charging home. The fire fight continued with the thankful cacophony entering the fray along with the crack of the Lasguns. Suddenly a pair of the beasts exploded fragment ripping into their comrades as Mandla and Vusumuzi both hit home with frag rounds. Then suddenly the fire on the left picked up in intensity a moment later followed by that on the right as the First squad and the Assault Squad entered the fray. The Gargoyles found themselves in the centre of a crossfire and suddenly decided they’d had enough and flitted away heading back over the ridge from which they’d came. A few moments later silence descended and all that was left were the carcasses and the dreadful stench of battle.
35th Tekla Northern Pipeline Filtration Unit B 19 Kilometres N of Alpha Complex
Lieutenant Wahsi grimaced they’d fought of the first raid. It was only the beginning and he had to count up the cost. He was thankful Magos Finchley had ordered his servitors and Initiates to gather the Gargoyles carcasses. They were dragging them over to the remnants of the Harpy for burning. He smiled and thanked the Omnissiah that he’d requested Magos Finchley to head up on the roof. Fortunately the Harpy had only got one round of firing off and it’s hideous weapons had only killed one gun team. The rest of the squad had all taken some minor injuries but would soon be back in action. Fortunately the facility had a medicae room and one of the initiates was qualified in its use. Second Squad had been in good cover and only lost three men one was dead and the other pair was severely injured. It could have been far worse. It would certainly get far worse.

Finally the Compleat Llamahead has come to this the 24th Islandlwanda. This is most certainly my most successful blog and has done the most to push my painting onwards. It has actually been featured on the front page of Dakka Dakka and has forced me to take my first tentative steps in scratch building. Over the last two years I've made an awful lot of progress. Fairly soon I'll be able to do the final shot for the force. I've painted the infantry and now only have a few scratchbuilt tanks to finish off. Today's post is nothing special just a simple Hasslefree Kindred hope you like him.

Naturally I'll also bung up the links to my other stuff
Check out my Orky Scratchbuilds (http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/0/356363.page), the Conclave of Hrin (http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/60/279068.page) and the Nurgle Beastmen (http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/120/231101.page) for more.

Another Kindred apologies for the photograph.

Yet another Kindred

Yet another Kindred.



Automatically Appended Next Post:
Oh and its a Comleat Llamahead day so check out the rest of my blogs!

Right here's the last of my Kindred. I've got something different for you on Monday.


He's a Kindred with Sniper Rifle and I decided to paint him in a shadow grey/black combo to distinguish him from the regular infantry.


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The reason I didn't update yesterday was I was out playing 40k. I lost one drew one (getting close to an objective defended by 150 ish Guardsmen is difficult even for a DE army supported by 3 Void Ravens. I also got wiped out by Nids which endeed up with more bugs than they started out with due to a hyper efficient Tervigon. Lesson learnt was to try a defense in depth using long thin lines to prevent multiple charges. More important however was the fact my Chimera escaped notice from a distance as a scratchbuild which was just the way I wanted it......

Here's your surprise for today


This guy is my Primaris Psyker. He uses a Zulu torso with one of my lovely Black Scorpion Revolvers. The skulls are from 2 Chaos Knight Helmets as I plan on chopping these down heavily for my Chaos force. I'm happy with how he's turned out. Fluffwise he's a priest of the old faith which predates the return of the Imperium, in the form of a shot down Thunderhawk full of Ultramarines to Islandlwanda. Shaman of the old faith are prophets and psykers and now in heavy decline although a few do exist in the depths of the plains.

Whaaa? That is AWESOME! I'm going to go back and read the fluff, but had to comment on the new shiny for today!

Thanks a lot its one of those pieces which just work. I like it a lot and might well break the skeletons I've kept for trade and create a Psyker Battle Squad in this style at some point.

This is todays new model. You've seen him before and here he is painted up my old RT style Commissar

That is possibly my favorite RT Commissar. I can almost hear him shouting litanies of faith at the Guardsmen.

I'm not sure I will admit to preferring the more practical darker aesthetic of these to the more modern ones.

I'm a sucker for RT stuff, what can I say?

Just seen these on Warlord Games website hmmmm maybe another battle company? Seriously though a few heavy weapon and special weapon options would be nice right now......
http://www.warlordgames.com/14327/preview-painted-unmarried-zulus/
Vehicles first though.

Not really an update but I thought you might enjoy this. It's bog standard club scenery easily mass produced and durable. All it is is a beer can and some insulation foam painted and weathered.

Looking forward to seeing an updated group photo.

Have you played many games with this army yet and how is it doing?

take care

Will do soon Albinoork I've played 4 games and haven't done that well. 2vs Nids 1 loss and 1 draw, 1 against Grey Knights loss and a draw with DE. I think the problem is without armour I'm reduced to playing a more defensive reactive game and thats not how you win 40k. However it's a new army and I'm still getting used to it.

I'm looking forward to seeing you start the Armor side of this project. Any idea when you'll start in on that?

I've started with the cardstock Chimera and Leman Russ I've got kits for another 3 Chimera's printed off so probably sometime in December. I'm still not quite sure how I'll paint them the Kente scheme didn't quite gel right. I'll probably stick with Black & White Dazzle Camo though.

The Russ will be interesting. 100% cardstock or are you planning to fill in some plastic bitz like the turret or barrel? Or the treads?

Todays a compleat Llamahead meaning I've got something on each blog so check out my Orky Scratchbuilds (http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/0/356363.page), the Conclave of Hrin (http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/60/279068.page) and the Nurgle Beastmen (http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/120/231101.page) for more.
It's not really a painting/modelling update it's more a gaming one. Yesterday I got three games in with this list;
HQ
Command HQ Captain Power Fist and Plasma Pistol
MG
Master of Ordnance 1 Bodyguard.
T
Platoon
Command Section
Lt Power Fist, Commissar Power Weapon Melta Gun
3 Infantry Squads Missile Launcher, Grenade Launcher
Infanty Squad Commissar Power Weapon, Sergeant Power Weapon, Flamer
Heavy Weapon Squad 3 Lascannons
Special Weapon Squads 3 Melta Guns
T
Platoon
Command Section
Lt Power Fist, Commissar Power Weapon Melta Gun
3 Infantry Squads Missile Launcher, Grenade Launcher
Infanty Squad Commissar Power Weapon, Sergeant Power Weapon, Flamer
Heavy Weapon Squad 3 Lascannons
Special Weapon Squads 3 Melta Guns
T
Veteran Squad Sergeant Power Weapon, 3 Plasma Guns
Chimera Heavy Flamer, Heavy Bolter.
All for 1500pts

First game was against a Russ heavy guard list with 5 of the blighters I basically couldn't get into meltagun range and they gradually blew me to pieces. I lost 1 kill point to 5.
Second Game was against Dark Eldar with 2 objectives. Bright spots for me were killing off the Incubi in CC and also wiping out both units of Harlequins along with thse pesky Razorwing Fighters. But sadly his Razorwings and Venoms blew me to pieces and I was wiped out by turn 6.
Third Game was against Chaos Space Marines and I managed to win it. Two objectives again. Bizarrely enough I captured his and he contested mine. I was lucky in this game with the Rhinos both being stopped one dead one immobilised on his starting line and three fortunate double ones for leadership tests. My meltaguns vapourised his Land Raider and my Assalt Squads (the Commissar PW squads) slew his Daemon Prince in close combat. My veterans eliminated a squad of plague marines in a mutual bloodbath ending when the Sergeant slew the Icon bearer in close combat leaving him the only person anywhere near the objective. This was the first win with the 24th and I was exceedingly lucky. I definitely feel I need to get more Chimeras finished and I need to work out a way to be less passive currently the army surrenders too much initiative to the enemy and I need a way to recapture it. I also need to remember my Master of Ordnance or possibly drop him. The other big thing I need is unit markings i think the only effective way to do this is to go back and paint all the bases with coloured rims I'll lose a bit in appearance but gain a lot in ease of gaming.
Oh and yes Skalk I'll use GW weapons as much as possible on the Russ. The Chimera's successful enough I've had to point out its a scratchbuild it dosn't get noticed during the game so it acomplishes what I want.

Wow, you absolutely stomped that Chaos army! That batRep sounded painfully brutal (for the CSM player that is... ha )

Yeah it does I may have neglected to mention the fact I had about 20 men and a Chimera left facing 3 Obliterators and 8 or so CSM contesting my objective it was far closer and I was far luckier than I made it seem.

Got the Primaris done. I'm also going to start rebasing fairly soon (alright probably after Christmas) the current plan is to do all of one platoon with blue shades while the other will get green shades should make my life far easier.


Sorry that the pictures ain't the best.

So as this year draws to a close its time to have a look at all my projects and decide what the future brings.
The 24th Islandlwanda have arguably suffered the most of my projects due to financial problems this year. Thats as the main thing to add to this project is armour and I've been procrastinating about doing it for most of the year. The problem is GW original armour is now out of my budget. I'm just not willing to fork out £30 on a Russ or Hellhound. While the new kits are arguably nicer they are not £10/£12 nicer. This project ws also fortunate in that it began in 2009 the last year I was financially comfortable, this mean't I could indulge myself with buying specific bits something I wouldn't currently do. Basically I have to bite the bullet and get started with the Cardstock kits.
Having said that I finished painting and got the Zulus out on the table for their first games this year. They tend to produce nice nailbiting games. I lose a lot of men but if I focus on the objective I can bring out a win. I need to get better at using orders and remembering that phase. My master of ordnance has also suffered from my habit of forgetting him. Especially in my last game against guard where against massed concentrated Russes he cold have really helped. I'd like to get a bit of variety in the force which go's back to finishing the amour.
The chief problem with this army is keeping the squads straight each opponent I've played has had problems and so have I. I'm used to playing a foot ork horde nd keeping organise 100+ models and playing smoothly. However they operate far more individually and have far less units than this list. It could be a very serious problem as I often have survivors from multiple squads around an objective. If my opponent's not been keeping track he'll get rather annoyed when after doing a lot of wounds I only remove one model. This needs a solution and I've decided to paint each base rim of my regular Infantry platoon units in a primary colour. Blue for Blue Platoon, Green for Green Platoon. Nice and simple if not necessarily the prettiest solution. I'd rather drop appearance points than sportsmanship points any day of the week.
So next year what'll it hold. Rebasing the force and armour hopefully finishing by the end of winter. After that this project will end as while I've enjoyed it and the new Warlord Games Zulus and Perry Dervish models look mighty tempting I have no real need for more infantry. Some weapons vaariation would be nice but to be honest I'd rather change tack and start something else. Eventually I'd like to do another style of Guard regiment on the same style bases but we'll see.
Here's the new base style simple isn't it.