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I have to agree endtransmission thinking about it using the penal legionnaire rules is probably the best fit.

I've got more done than I expected to this weekend.
Firstly using some old broken bases I discovered using trial and error that Hairspray does not seal pastels while PVA glue watered down and applied with a syringe not a brush works perfectly well. Its just mildly messy and needs time to dry! Any advice on other methods to do this would still be greatly appreciated.

Secondly a large job lot of Cadian spares arrived from E Bay this means I have more than enough Lasguns and plenty of Heavy Weapons for the project. I may need to order some special weapons still but apart from that I would be set. Except I'm having problems sourcing 60mm bases anybody know where I can buy them?

Thirdly this meant I got to do more modelling than I had planned heres the products.


These include a Flamer Conversion I'm verry happy with the hose between the tank and flamer which simply involved pinning the florists wire into holes drilled into plasticard tub and glued to the appropriate places on the model! I also cut down the tank to a single canister to make it look less bulky. Also because I've got far less canisters than flamers!



These two Zulus were an experiment in posing to see whether I could pull off crouching and kneeling Zulus with some limb twists. Interestingly enough the more delicate Wargames Factory limbs are probably best bent into shape using a pair of pliers something I haven't tried with GWs bulkier more expensive offerings.



Also with all my new Cadian spares at hand I decided to turn my hand to a Master of Ordnance using the obvious Cadian components.


As several people have already asked me for scaling shots I took a couple. This one is a direct scaling shot.

The Zulu looks far too small with the Cadian this surprised me as it looked fine among the Empire Militia. I then took another comparison shot against the Militia with the Cadian and realised that the Cadian was still out of scale with the Militia! As you can see it looks fare bulkier than the Milita.

As far as these questions of scale go however I've decided that instead of the current true scale Marines fad I'll do true scale guardsmen instead. As you can see the Marine looks far closer to 8ft tall when compared to one of the Zulus instead. Whereas the Cadian is the same height and slightly less bulky!


Finally something else has happened. I've got the first fire team painted and while I haven't finished the bases I thought you'd like to see them!

This is the first guy I assembled and amonng the first batch painted.

The shield shows the Ultramarine imagery i've mentioned.

Theres this bloke blazing away from the top of a pipe.

There are also two other regulars one jumping a broken pipe.

While this guy runs forward

and to show you his shield

Finally we have a Grenade Launcher trooper.


I'm happy with how these look with a nice simple basic paint job yes I know its not the best but their painted as a horde to a basic standard and their not meant to be looked at this closely. I'm a 3ft (OK 10ft) painter if it looks good at that distance its fine!
Any comments and advice?
Yes I know I need to improve my eyes!

I think this army is cool and a breathe of fresh air.. truescale indeed.


aS far as improving Id say do what all the cool kids do and wash you metals..

You could try using a pin/tootpick to do the eyes as currently they have anime eyes.

Anyways great work.

Thanks a lot Shaman how do you use a pin for eyes by the way I think I can guess but its good to know for sure

The trick to eyes is to use as little paint as possible. You really don't need much, and what'll often appear as not enough will be more than plenty. Don't forget, if just putting the eyes on clean is too difficult, you can always just clean -around- the eye instead, then apply the pupil.

When doing them though, just avoid 'blobs' on the brush. If you get blobs on your brushtip, you're going to end up with messy eyes all the time. just dip the yip of the brush, and then give it a little wipe to get rid of blobs and excess paint. I paint my eyes by doing a horizontal line across the eye, then clean up any excess white on the skin. Then I'll use either a vertical line or a dab for the pupil. Eyes are very easy, you just have to keep trying and use minimal paint on the brush as you can when panting them.

Your paints are also looking very thick, and you should try painting them in thinner coats. It looks lik you're just slapping one quick, thick coat on them. Always take it slow and apply multiple thin coats so thta you don't end up losing detail. Try nabbing some Simple Green Cleaner or some dot4 Brake Fluid and test it on a piece of sprue. If the plastic keeps it's shape (Because this company may use a different recipe than that of GW) then just drop these guys in a jar of some and let them sit for about a day or two. Then, hit them with a toothbrush and brush off the old paint and try again. I really suggest redoing the painting on these guys because it's a really cool army idea, and they'd look great with a good careful paintjob on them

I reckon the quickest way to paint these would be with sprays.

- Spray them brown, black wash, drybrush slightly lighter shade of brown. Extremely quick, and all the skin done.

- Thin coat of black on hair and weapons

- Detail of weapons picked out in silver.

- Drybrush loincloth and shield a lighter colour.

Thanks a lot you two I'll bear your advice in mind. I'll certainly take your advice on the thinner coats and the eyes Metallifan although I don't think I'll strip them myself. Thanks for the advice on how to paint them Arbitor Ian I'll bear it in mind.

I've managed to paint up a couple of mine recently but unfortunately I don't have any pictures available yet. I went with a really simple option of Calthan brown basecoat, a bit of vallejo Buff for loincloths, black hair and a liberal dipping in Army Painter Strong Tone. I was really pleasantly surprised by the outcome. There's actually no need to paint in the eyes if your going for a 3-foot look and dipping. I'll try and get a few pictures together tomorrow.

Looking forward to them Xhequimunqui! I no technically theres no need but feel that the eyes provide a focal point to the face. I also had a "Don't shoot till you see the whites of their eyes" moment!


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I've ordered some bits and bobs from the Assault group for Special Weapon conversions and Power Weapons. They should get here soon enough and I'm currently attempting to create the first battle platoon. This will consist of;
Platoon Command Squad
Tactical Squad 1 (Regular Guard Squad)
Tactical Squad 2 (Regular Guard Squad)
Tactical Squad 3 (Regular Guard Squad)
Assault Squad 1 (Regular Guard Squad with Commissar or Imperial Shaman)
Devastator Fire Team 1 (Lascannon Heavy Weapon Squad)
Devastator Fire Team 2 (Meltagun Squad)

Its a plan at least!

Look mum, no eyes

I thought it would be bad form to post my pictures in your blog, so I've uploaded 5 images to the Gallery under my user name and with the "zulu" tag.

If my techy skillz are as below average as I imagine, you won't be able to see them here:

http://www.dakkadakka.com/core/gallery-search.jsp?dq=Zulu

I think metallifan advice is right on for the eyes. much better then a pin.

Thanks a lot Xhequimunqui their actually rather nice!
Cheers for the extra pointers Shaman.

Currently I'm considering using these
http://www.theassaultgroup.co.uk/store/product.php?productid=462&cat=38&page=2
As Imperial Cult priests who count as Commissars. What do people think cool or far to pulpy? I'm not sure myself.....Although a few Aztec Weapons have been acquired for Power Weapons!

Not a huge fan of them ( the link ) TBH.

Fair enough I'm considering them but thinking about it probably wont if I need to consider whether I like something I usually just won't pay for it and instead buy the next must have something for another project!

I realised with the painting I made an elementary simple area rather than shading with a darker wash I used a lighter wash by switching to a darker wash I should be able to massively improve these easily!

They'd look a little silly IMO. Also, the Assault Groups miniatures are very small. Smaller than 28mm true scale I would say.

I think it would look fine if you used normal commisars, tbh.

Cheers Get to the Chopper! Currently I'm moving away from it as it was a spur of the moment idea. While I agree that normal Commissars will work fine and I'll be using them in Platoon Command Sections, I have a problem with the Assault Squads. This is as each Battle company has 2 Assault Squads and 2 Platoons for 4 Commissars, thats fine 4 in the regiment thats 16. 2 Each for the 1st Veteran Company, the Tactical (6th & 7th) and Devestator (9th) Reserve Companies as well as the 10th Scout Company giving another 10. Then we come to the Assault Company with 2 Command Sections and 10 Assault Squads giving 12 Commissars. I can't quite justify a highly loyal well trusted standard line regiment having a total of 38 Commissars. But more to the point I can't imagine the Schola Progenium providing or the Departmento Munitorium allowing a Commissar for each squad in the Assault Company. I therefore need an alternative and Burbledwar's suggested Shamans work well!


Automatically Appended Next Post:
Sorry for the lack of a true update this weekend. Next weekend should be a good one however. I can promise Heavy Weapons Teams at the very least!

OK this is last weeks progress update! Thats as I have to head off to where I'm staying for my current job early on sunday evening......For general stuff I've worked out precisely what I need for the Tactical Platoon. I've also decided that for the next batch I'll use an experimental black wash and maybe consider the Army painter strong tone.

For the far more exciting update I've got my first two heavy weapons.
A Missile Launcher team who's pose I'm really happy with. The two Guardsmen cautiously advancing among the rubble. The Wrenching Distortion between the traditional tribesmen, their high technology weapons and the futuristic derelict cityscape really appeals. I'm happy with the basing as it adds the Sci-Fi element these models require!



The next model is a Lascannon. The base on this one was a pain as originally I figured the Gunner could stand unfortunately after assembling I realised that the gunner must kneel. This naturally lengthened the model and mean't I had to remove the pipe and place it beside the gun. Which is a shame as I was really happy with the original gun nest! I'm really happy with the clambering spotter which was one of those surrendipitous coincidences which happened after assembly I realised he looked as if he was clambering about. One of the bizarre factors of combining the Wargames Factory and GW bits meant there is no way the binoculars will look right if their actually held to his eyes the spacing between the lens and his eyes are far too wide! This is one of the odd things which happens when your combining heroic and true scale!

These would be great fighting against Praetorian Guard, it is always great to see unique armies.

Cheers Kung Fu Jim as a mate of mine plays Praetorians this will probably happen sooner rather than later!


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Just been on Wargames Factories website and they've mentioned my Laser Cannon team in some of their blurb for a new product! That is if you know of any other Far Future Laser Cannon Wielding Zulus! Heres a link http://wargamesfactory.com/AnnouncementRetrieve.aspx?ID=27065. Yes I know a company encouraging you to combine components from several firms!

Thanks a lot for peoples advice on painting. I've stopped painting the eyes and changed to a darker brown wash using Privateer Presses Brown Ink I've finished painting the next 3 who along with the ML team will make up a squad with those already done.
I've also got the 2nd squad assembled except for the heavy weapons. This is as I need my FLGS to get in the 60mm bases I've ordered through them from Gale Force 9. I've also actually successfully completed the order form on the The Assault Group website originally I'd missed the second confirmation button like the idiot I am. Tomorrow will have images of the painted models as I want them to dry fully and get based tonight!

A very interesting idea. I look forward to seeing how your painting style has improved since the first few.


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I also love how you've made urban bases from chunks of sprue. I may have to steal that idea...

To be honest Owain that ideas been around for years I took it from a White Dwarf about 10 years ago so feel free . I wouldn't say my styles improving significantly what however has improved is my choice of shade and the decision to take the advice of others in particular Xhemunqui and abandon the eyes . Rather than use a Vallejo Flat Earth wash instead I used diluted Privateer Press Brown Ink. This is as my orginal models show a stupid error I attempted to shade and wash a model with a LIGHTER colour . I stupidly forgot that you highlight LIGHTER and shade DARKER therefore when I applied my wash all the parts which should be darker became lighter making them look much worse !

Heres the pictures any advice and comments much appreciated......This time I only painted 3 as I wanted to combine them with a heavy weapon team which I'm considering as a batch and the 5 I've already done to make a squad. Although I have to admit it looks like I'll be taking Metallifan's advice about stripping the originals

Any reason why you keep referring to them with Space Marine names? (Tactical, Assault, Devastator, Scout company, etc....)

Yes the idea is that their mimicing a Space Marine Chapter in composition and organisation. They venerate the Ultramarine chapter who rediscovered them and who have a huge importance for their cultural and religious life. Its based on the Pacific Cargo Cults and is carried on into the markings this allows me to tie them into the 41st millenium obviously and blatantly. Its also partly inspired by Polynesian Shield designs. I'm working on and off on a short story that describes this meeting although its nowhere near release worthy yet!


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Is the paint scheme any better by the way?

Good news my bits and pieces from The Asssault Group have arrived and I'm hoping to get a lot done modelling wise tomorrow!

Which bits did you order? Were you as impressed with their service as I have been, btw? Usually its about a two day turnaround when I've ordered from them, and they even threw in some free stuff last time.

Yes they are good they were far faster than I expected once I remembered to submit the order again after doing the paypal bit. I ordered several odd bits. Officer Laspistols (SOCOM Pistols), Durgenov Sniper Rifles, Maquahuitl (Aztex CCW the Obsidian Blade thingies), Mines, M60E1 Machine Guns (Plasma Guns) and PTRD Anti-Tank Rifles for Melta Guns.Originally I was planning to bits order the special weapons from a spares site but I refuse to pay a tenner for 10 tiny bits of plastic! With a bit of bodging together I'm quite happy with my first pair of models.

Heres the Melta Gunner using a PTRD and some styrene pieces;


Heres Lieutenant Ezana getting his men into position to face the enemy;




If anybodies interested I'm more than willing to describe the process of the PTRD conversion in greater detail.

This is a really unique idea... I like the creativity.

Rico.

Cheers Rico thanks a lot!

Lol I saw a guy with a zulu themed Psyker battle squad and sly marbo the were with his pretorian army it was pretty cool haha.