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Alphaecho- Thank you, great to hear the plasma gunner and the Heavy weapon teams look the part. I'm trying to spread the limited variety of models as much as I can, so any feedback is appreciated.

Dysartes- Agreed, they have a timeless charm that deserves some paint. Chenkov is on deck as we speak, I'm currently working to finish his command squad and pin his coat to his back, I'll post his progress in the next week or so

The promised armor update!

After finally getting the Manticore kit in I've been messing around with making a 40k style Katyusha, thinking the straight Manticore didn't really capture the feel.

Then I remembered my unused Goliath truck I had partially built for an Imperial supply struck...

After a bit of sizing, followed by a small amount of trimming/cutting and plastic-card I was able to get the launcher to fit in the truck bed, then placing an Ravenwing double barrel heavy bolter on the turntable we have a Katyusha. I think it looks the Katyusha part while keeping a foot in the 40k universe with 100% established 40k vehicles/parts.

I do need to strip the paint though on the truck though, it wasn't my best work. I can post up the methods used later, I still have to deal with the hand rails before I get it all together

Without further ado-

Valhallan Katyusha Manticore


"Artillery? Those Valhallans were never assigned any Chimera hulls, you must be seeing things"

What do you all think?

Looks like a cool build. The Goliath is a perfect civilian-ish 40k vehicle, so works well as a Katyusha

Chenkovs organ!

I like the concept, the design fits the vahallans very well.
I guess the only issue is a manticore doesnt have the same fir rate as a Katyusha

Nice! I like the idea of resourceful mechanics just making do -- strapping whatever weapons to whatever mountings they can. Very fitting for the setting and theme.

Illumini- Thanks, the oddly the models fit together really well, the layout is natural.

lordbickerstaff- Thats a great name, I might have to free hand it onto the side of the vehicle . If the rate of fire was the same, the Galaxy would belong to the Imperium after an afternoon!

brushcommando- Thanks, I was really aiming for the rugged/resourceful feel, I'm glad it shows through!

Sorry for the radio silence everyone, I've been busy these past few weeks putting the finishing touches on my entry to a great 2nd edition army painting challenge.

A few months back I came across Dr. The Viking [https://c0wabunga.com/] hobby blog during my time on oldhammer trading groups. After looking through the 1st 2 challenge seasons I decided to try entering for the 3rd. The jist of the challenge is that we create a 1,000 pts list using your factions 2nd edition codex, then over 6 months we commit to painting all the models in designated groups (slices). You get one month as a do over/free month to catch up on any models you missed in past slices or to paint more than you committed (bonus units).

Dr. The Viking has run two of these challenges before, with excellent results showing the spirit of older 40k models. Here are the links to the start/end of the 1st and 2nd challenges, they do a month by month breakdown on the site under Archives. Its really cool to see models go from unpainted/unbuilt to finished, with some really incredible painting/modeling, I highly recommend digging through past articles, its a nice trip down nostalgia lane.

1st Challenge- 13 participants- monthly progress is tracked under the archives tab
Beginning: https://c0wabunga.com/participants-of-2nd-ed-armychallenge-1/
End: https://c0wabunga.com/2nd-ed-armychallenge-1-final-month/

2nd Challenge- 24 participants split into 2 groups, they had a few people finish early/attrition out but the end result is impressive- monthly progress is tracked under the archives tab
Beginning: https://c0wabunga.com/40k2ndac-ii-the-participants-wave-1/ https://c0wabunga.com/40k2ndac-ii-the-participants-wave-2/
End: https://c0wabunga.com/40k2ndacii-final/

Seeing that I have a few hundred Valhallans that naturally meet the request for a majority of 2nd edition models, I decided to toss my entry into the ring. As the point is to paint models, I made my list with only one non-weapon wargear item (med pack for my Command squad medic) and committing to painting ONLY infantry. In total I'm looking to paint at least 59 troopers with converted models being present in every one of my entries. With that goal in mind I've spent the last few weeks cleaning, converting and basing my Valhallans, along with planning out possible bonus units to add if I get the time.

Luckily enough I was able to make it into the new members group!

2nd Challenge 24 participants split into 2 groups, 12 new entries and 12 veteran entries from the past 2 challenges
Veterans: https://c0wabunga.com/40k-2nd-edition-army-challenge-iii/40k2ndaciii-participants-the-veterans/
New Comers (I'm midway down the listing): https://c0wabunga.com/40k2ndaciii-participants-the-new-kids-on-the-block/

Here is my entry photo, I tried to keep things pretty even in the line up with about 200 points (2nd edition points) and 10-16 models.


1st Month is 2 command squads, one as the Captain/Major, the other is the Platoon command Squad with an LT.


Both of my officers are conversions, the Major is a Chenkov body I got without the arms/coat. I swapped the head for a Tank rider's helmeted head and supplied him with a Scion powerfist/old school bolter. I rounded out the model with a Knights of the white wolf fur cape. The Lt. is a normal commissar with cadian command squad head and hat/collar made from green stuff. The medic I've converted earlier is with the major's squad and the rocket team will be based like they're hiding behind some bushes and rockets in ambush (I've always disliked the standing straight up and down rocket team, I'm going to have to figure out a way to make them look more natural).



This challenge has been really great for my work ethic, since December 1st I've nearly gotten them to the washes stage along side the 10 man squad I started a bit back. In the next few nights I should have all 20 done, then I might knock out a bonus unit. Maybe a certain Valhallan character in the background...


I'll be posting updates on my challenge progress in addition to my other Valhallan activities, if you're interested I highly recommend checking out Dr. The Viking's work, there is some excellent stuff in there.

Much, much more to follow comrades

Hey everyone, I know I haven't updated since the start of December but had a decent reason, actually painting models!

I was able to know out the 2 command squads I committed too for the challenge, plus finish off the infantry squad I started back in October and a Priest model I've had knocking around for a bit now. This challenge has really gotten me into the flow of painting, its exactly like going to the gym, the more you do it as a routine the more it sticks.

Without further ado, here are my submissions:

Major Ivan Kordayev and his command Squad


I converted the Major from an Armless Chenkov model I got from a trade, with an head from a broken tank rider (his lasgun's barrel snapped), a pair of arms fashioned from Tempestus bits and an fur cloak from the Knights of the white wolf sprue. I feel the powerfist from the Tempestus Scions works will with the Valhallan aesthetic and the scale of powerfists in the 2nd edition range. Additionally I added the medic I had converted from page one, with a free hand medical symbol on his armband.

Lieutenant Anton Sokoloff and his command Squad


I converted the Lieutenant from a 2nd edition commissar with a simple head swap (cadian command sprue head) and a collar + hat made from green stuff. Funny enough, the rocket team is hiding behind a rock made from foam and green stuff, I had originally used a real rock but it became unsteady with the model's weight distribution. it was a surreal task to undertake, modeling a fake rock..... time to take a look at my sanity

Infantry Squad


Here is the completed infantry squad from a few months back, my work on these guys got side tracked when I had to gather and clean up my entry for this contest, so it only felt fair to get these guys over the line as part of the contest.

Father Abdulov


Here is an additional priest I had lying around, I thought the demeanor and trapping would fit well with these guys

For the next month I'll be tackling another infantry squad and a Heavy bolter squad with a certain flair to it if you look closely...



I'll be posting updates more frequently now that the holidays are over. I have several surprise bonus units in store for this challenge.

If you'd like to follow along with myself and the others, look up the #40k2ndac on instagram

More to follow comrades!

They look very good. I remember that priest in the first post from long, long ago. He's still in my bitbox somewhere, carrying a stormbolter instead of a laspistol as that was a thing back then.

I especially like space-russian Tony!

Edit: Father Abdulov needs a warm hat. Trust me, I'm bald myself.

Great looking updates, will be great to see the Heavy bolter squad painted!

Doctor Danny- Oh yeah, those priest models are just the best, a mix of zeal, stoicism and outright crazy. The one with a wooden club is the best, missing teeth and swinging a chair leg at the horrors of the galaxy, you know he believes in the emperor!

Space tony was exactly named for his facial expression, unconcerned with his scar.

I'll be winterizing up more of the advisors/support characters, though Father Abdulov will just be praying through the cold.

Olthannon- Thanks! I'm certain the heavy bolter squad won't disappoint