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Let's mount up! Heres the Catachans getting their permanent base assignments.

The army comes together! Here's a grimy group shot as I prime, make bases and finish up the final bits.

Base colors going down on the Devils. The grey of the fatigues are so dark that it doesn't look much different from the black undercoat but they are farther along than they look at first glance. Thanks for dropping in!

Continuing on with painting the layers of the Catachans. This part of the process is somewhat inglorious with lots of grimy batch painting. This post is mostly my armys fluff with just a few quick update shots. The colors in the pictures are a bit off because of the glossy finish to the skin but the idea is that the exposed flesh of the Catachans is wet with sweat.

TEXT WALL WARNING:
+++
The following is the requested command field report for:

+The Catachan XVIII "The Drake Bats": 2nd Company
+"The Drake Bats" we're once such a large regiment that it was split into 3 smaller divisions called "companys". However, decades of constant campaigns (perhaps due to a specific loathing of the Regiments XO, Col.Anders by high commands) has hardened the regiment into a very decorated and elite formation, even by Catachan standards. In his early sixties, Col.Anders is the oldest serving Catachan Infantry Officer and quite possibly the most decorated. Extremely sharp tounged, for an Officer of the Astra Militarum, the "Old Man" is known for two things besides his unholy temper; his regiments preturnatural ability to lay devastating ambushes and an uncompromising loyalty to his men and a steadfast refusal to suffer needless casualties. The later has frequently led to friction with campaign command and has earned Col.Anders a constant stream of freshly graduated Comissars sent to "rehabilitate" the unit. Inevitably these poor men are listed KIA. Very usually during their first field action with the unit.
+An excerpt of the average response from Col.Anders to orders from HQ: "Let them *deleted* grind my boys to meat? *deleted* NO! *deleted* THEM ALL! I'll *deleted* do it! But I'll be *deleted* in the *deleted* if those *deleted* are gonna *deleted* tell me how! You send that response! NO! Just like that! And don't you edit it Jenkins. You *deleted* you! Just send it. I don't give a *deleted*! Hit the send button! *deleted* *deleted* *deleted*
+Regardless, under his command the 18th regiment retains one of the lowest casualty:victory rates in the Astra Militarum, in spite of the seemingly constant suicide missions the "Drake Bats" are assigned by command Hq's.

+The Catachan XVIII 2nd Company, aka "The 2nd", is an Elite unit composed entirely of Catachan Devil Squads. Conspicuously this 'Recon unit is often tasked with spearheading assaults and is credited with many 'Titantic' grade enemy kills nonsensically via "snare mines and traps". Oficially listed as an infantry company, the unit is suspected to be in illegal possession of many non-sanctioned assets. Allegations include everything from possession of illegal narcotics and rations to stolen small arms, ordnance, vehicles and even a Vortex missle. One of the more grandiose accusations is made against the unit for an entire "Gunship Support Squadron" by the Aeronautica Imperialis. While the Mechanicum feverently maintains the unit is in possession of no less than 5 superheavy tanks. Representatives from either Departmentos reports include nothing but incomprehensible grunting and hostile stares out of the Catachans that invariably leads nowhere. Officially, the investigation into these allegations remains open however, as no Comissars have been able to officially conclude it.
+During a campaign, the 18th inevitably accrues as many accusations of theivery, banditry and looting as commendations of valor and duty for the 2nd Company who is frequently mistaken for the famed Catachan 2nd regiment. A confusion in identity that both units are reported to foster as a practical joke, albeit this may also be a means of covering up the units criminal activities. Despite the units ignominious reputation, it has amongst it's ranks some of the best snipers, special weapons operators and decorated non-comissioned Officers in the Regiment.

Catachan 18th, 2nd Co. 'Devil Sniper' (counts as Lascannon)


Starting Guardsman Marbo

Working on the Devils



There's a few other pics in my gallery, I'm back to diggin ditches boys and girls. As always C&C is appreciated. Thanks for stopping by my Cargo Bay. Happy Hobbying!

I'm starting to work on models individually to finish them and was hoping to get some opinions on color choices from you fine Dakka folks. First up is the Sergeants. I'm really favoring the classic yellow and black chevrons for their chainswords and possibly even the bolters too. But would that be "too much"? Maybe the bolters should be Mechanicum red, my 2nd choice? And while we're on the subject, What color should I do the eagles and skulls on chests and shoulder pads? Gold? Silver? Red? White? Bone? Bleh I can't make up my mind! Help!


I'm thinking about changing Sgt.Hicks' (right) helmet from red to camo. The more I look at it now and think about the character, the more I think he'd paint them like his Nid trophy shoulder pads ... did I say "Nid trophy", because xeno artifacting is illegal? ... I meant "non-standard stylised flakk"? Armor? ...
Also, thinking I'm going to paint Sgt.Mike's (left) glasses with red lenses to tie a little red in there. This is also one of the guys that has prominent eagles that I need to figure a color for... anyways, here's the rest of the officers. Thanks for your opinions in advance!



And guardsmen.


There's a red lasgun on that vox operator on the far right, which I kind of like and yet kinda don't. If i do go with hazard stripes on the bolters, I can't also do hazards on the lasguns can I? Also, I'm fairly certain the Catachans themselves would camo all of their weapons.... is that the answer? ... *rubs temples*

Hazard stripes on chainswords and guns both would definitely look cooler imo.

Thanks for your vote Sinnful Hero! Hazard stripes it is on the chainswords and bolters! I think it'll look good on the heavy and special weapons too. I don't know about the lasguns though. I just don't see Catachans marking out all the small arms with hazards but rather the dangerous ones kind of as a rank/bravery symbol more than anything. But lasguns ... just stock black right?

Painted some tank tops

I did a head swap on Guardsman Marbo. I decided that the Marbo conversion would stand out the most if it looked completely different thematically. And the theme of the drake bats is that its commander is the "old man". So i thought the old bearded veteran commando would be the perfect stand in for my army for Marbo. I think the bio-monicle Mohawk head looks better as a Tyranid Hunter vox operator, since he's not the only Mohawk in the army, it fits well with everyone else while still keeping the pose distinctive. Also it makes sense that a veteran vox operator would have that implant for comms while the commando is just a man... a man with a lasgun ... and a knife. What you think?

what brand of tufts are these, please?

 genom.cor wrote:
Got some work done on the bases for The Flyboys. I've decided to make this a different theme from the Hellraisers since the only time they'll be on the field together is for games over 4,000 points because the heavy armor is 2500. All my Chaos and Xeno armies are either these Urban Ruins or Badlands themes too so the boys here will match as opposing forces .... and I'm sure never as allies...

 Phobosftw wrote:
what brand of tufts are these, please?

 genom.cor wrote:
Got some work done on the bases for The Flyboys. I've decided to make this a different theme from the Hellraisers since the only time they'll be on the field together is for games over 4,000 points because the heavy armor is 2500. All my Chaos and Xeno armies are either these Urban Ruins or Badlands themes too so the boys here will match as opposing forces .... and I'm sure never as allies...

Those are army painter. I often use several of them clumped together

Here's a little pic tut of the hazard stripes. Takes only a couple minutes. I recommend going over your yellow several times as it can look fine until you take the tape off and see it next to the black.



After doing this so quickly I am considering doing all weapons in the army with Hazards. It'll give them some pop and old school flair I think. Any objections? Thanks for having a look! As always, any C&C is appreciated.

It looks great to me. It helps your models pop imho.

Thanks Sinful Hero! I think your right. Think I should do it for all the guns in the army?


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More hazards done. I think the whole army will have it. The hazards give the Aeronautica boys something high visability to look for so they don't keep being so friendly with their fire. *spits* *scowls*

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Keeping on with the Sarges. I've got lots of cleanup and details to finish throughout the army but I think the weapons are going to go a far way in making the army look completed, especially with finished bases which I want to work on asap. Im really starting to like these Necromunda looking guns on them! What do you think?

The daily update. Cheers!

Got a group shot of the Sargents for today's update. Just one more bolter and chainsword left of these fellas and then I'm going to move on to the special weapon groups.

The Captain and the Commando. Getting some hazard love in today's update

Well I flip flopped on the issue of painting weapons again folks. Not that I'm going against your input Sinful Hero, I like the hazard stripes but I think I like them on the officers to make the characters and such stand out. High visability wargear as a show of Catachan bravado. I just cant shake the thought that the rest of the devils would have their guns in matching urban camo to their fatigues.
So, this is what's going to happen I think. The base coat marches on. Any C&C is very appreciated, I know stuff is wip around here but I'm always down to chat.

Quiet around here. Got another quick and dirty update today. Starting to see light at the end of the base coat tunnel, so I've split the models back off into their respective units to finish them together.

Unnamed Sarge.

"The Banditos"

" The 'nid Hunters"


Thanks for looking. As always, I'm open to thoughts or suggestions. Have a good one!

It's always quieter in the summer months !
Nice progress, the pale fleshtones and the custom equipments are very fitting for inquisitorial elite guardsmen.

@KernelTerror: Thanks Buddy! Good to see you stopped in!

I have more of the Tyranid Veterans team. Still need to do skin, accessories, details and bases ... but the base coat is done! Thats something right?!

The red berets are also a nice touch that scream veterans, I think I saw an imperial warband for the new kill team boxes who also used it... Possibly more recruits for you ?

Yeah maybe but more likely for the Steel Legion side of the army Since I already have several squads of Stormtroopers I could get that box to finish off the 3 troops for a detatchment and pair them with the vendettas for an Airborne Stormtroopers list. I plan on sharing vehicles between the armies. ....or perhaps these Catachans are actually Armageddon Ork fighters?

Great conversions awesome

Thanks ghostmaker!

On the painting side of things, I got a couple pics of some of the boys I've been working on. What you all think about the tattoos?




And on the modeling side, heres a preview of the first Astartes in the blog. This man has distracted me from the Catachans for a couple days but I'm looking forward to getting to his retinue of custodes, sisters of silence and primaris Marines as I am close to finishing the modeling on my Imperial guard.



But today im back to the guard and I've gone a little mental with some head and gear swaps for the Tyranid Veterans squad! I'm in the middle of the surgery now but I'll post another update as soon as I finish up. Happy Hobbying folks!
Thanks for looking!


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These guys are out of surgery


And here's the whole squad with the team leader, who counts as a platoon officer.

Always nice to see classic models brought to the table

Cheers insaniak! I love these retro sculpts too!

I finally got the rest of the guard army back and was eager to get some progress on the infantry. So all told, with the Steel Legion and this Cadian infantry platoon I threw together out of left over parts from the Renegades, I've officially got over 200 guardsmen on my painting table! With this much naked plastic and metal infantry i felt it was essential to lay down some batch basecoats, just to get started. That said, I only got to taking pictures after fatigue set in. In general, the Cadians are going to be Airborne, the Steel Legion will be Armored Infantry (obviously) and the Catachans will be Heavy Armor, though the motor pool will be interchangeable since all the color schemes will match, for a united 10k point army of the glorious Hammer of the Emperor.

The Steel Legion



Sarges


And the whole Steel Legion family


The Cadians



Forwards you Dogs! FOR THE EMPEROR!

Only 205 to go......

Nice selection of minis indeed.

Liked that you went with full blown heavy tat's rather than just a single regimental tattoo on some of the guys.

@monkeytroll: Thanks man! Yeah, it's fun for me to come up with as many tattoos as possible and how to do them. I always thought Catachans needed to heavily tatted.


Needed someone to tend to the motor pool, so I made up a techpriest and his retinue of servitors.

I found a scion vox phone in my bits box and decided that this vox operator needed to be more ... voxy?

Also got a few more tattoos done