Waaagh the Dog

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**Briancj**

**Briancj**

Let us discuss the noble Leman Russ. I've seen other people who has stated that the Russ is the most reviled vehicle model in the range. And I tend to agree. The combination of World War One chassis with a World War Two turret is meh at best. But the tank is a squat little monstrosity.

I am truly sad that GW did not go the route they chose for the Rhino/Land Raider rebuild. A little sprucing up would have gone a long way. Alas, we ended up with the same exact tank for the Chimera and Russ, except 5% less, by volume.

So, looking at the new kit, I was initially struck by how much LESS detail exists. I understand CAD/CAM design is a little 'new' for Citadel, but the tanks kits do not hold a candle to the plastic sculpts of the infantry or even the walker models. And, of course, the loss of the removable doors, the engine hatch, and a few other things makes it very difficult to convert or kitbash. I do respect the designer, who crammed everything into a base sprue and then an option sprue. Clearly, a cost-reduction for GW. Knowing a little about how these things work, they had to put forth a sizeable chunk of change to make the new steel molds, so it is in their best interest to re-capitalize. Thus, less plastic and an increase in the kit cost.

Pros: Much easier to assemble. All standard weapon/sponson options on sprue. Easy to magnetize for swapping in and out.

Cons: Kitbashing/conversion options gone. Vehicle Armory options gone. In fact, the loss of an entire sprue of options and fiddly bits. The loss of which makes the increase in kit price that much more obnoxious. Kit 5% smaller which, thankfully is not THAT noticeable. Simpler details on these kits do not match the improved details of the rest of the plastic range.

And the #1 Con: Still a crappy-looking tank.

What to do? In-game, they're now awesome and fun! 5th edition finally matched the tank to all the illustrations showing the turret weapon firing along with the rest of the tank's weapons! Huzzah!

Well, we look to Forge World, and the actual World War one tanks. Clearly, the LR needs to be lengthened. Not by much, but enough to balance out the height and length of the tank. The width, especially with Sponsons, is a-ok. I will probably post a tutorial of this process, but with the loss of the 'fiddly bits' sprue, it is unlikely this conversion can be done with the contents of the box and some plasticard.

After examining the new kit, I decided it would be easier to cut forwards of the turret, instead of behind. The current lines/design of the kit makes this the easiest solution. Upon reflection of this stage, I think I would have liked to drop the 'nose' of the hull sooner, to prevent the hull secondary weapon from sticking out in front of the tank. This would be more in-line with the tranch/obstacle climbing design of the tracks. Alas! Perhaps the next one.

Here's a few shots of the WiP.

First, the cut-lines on the tracks and hull.

And the pieces that result.

The hull spacers.

And the track parts, with spacers.

Finally, the tank, with all the spacers and new hull plates.

All the pictures can be seen here, in the WiP directory of my gallery: http://www.dakkadakka.com/gallery/images-17738-9879_Wip.html

Automatically Appended Next Post:
The 114th Gryphonne, aka the 114th Red Guard Rifles, consists of three Platoons. This is a look at the Second Platoon, which is an Engineering and Support group.

Second Platoon, Able Company, consists of a Command Squad, an engineering squad, a commissary squad, and a full set of Fire Teams. Its role is to set up in the rear, building up a firebase to support the rest of the Company. A Techmarine is frequently assigned to this Platoon, as well as a Commissar. Specialized Chimera variants accompany the support squads, but these are assigned for roles, as opposed to giving the platoon mobility.

Work-In-Progress.

Command Squad:

First Squad:

Second Squad:

Heavy Weapons Squads (Third through Seventh)

**Briancj**

Soooooooooooo...

Let's talk about the Noble Chimera. I love it. I always have. It is the tank that brings the milkshake to the yard. It looks good, it can carry the models the rulebook claims, and is a deadly fighter on the field. I love messing with it, and my sig says it all: Leave no Chimera unmodified.

So, how do I feel about the new kit? I'm glad you asked.

Pros: Easier to assemble, slots and tabs left in place to allow for easy customization.

Cons: Loss of detail on the kit itself. Lost all the customization bitz. Lost 5% of volume, which means it can't carry 12 men. All the cool chimera conversion kits from FW no longer FIT. @$$h013s!

But, it is still a workable kit. So how's that Manticore kit? Well. I understand that, to save plastic, they did what they did. But to not be able to build a swappable MAnticore/Deathstrike? JERKS. Ah well.

Let's see what we did with it. I kept the 'cockpit', because it made the already tinytank look even STUBBIER, and I don't like the concept of this one-man-driving-a-massive-rokkit-barrage thing.

The hull:

The Manticore:

The Medusa:

The Full Monty:

I'm going to clean up an old Basilisk platform project for this hull as well. I figure I can build slide-in/drop-in platforms for all the Artillery Options. Storm Eagle rokkits will be magnetized, as a matter of course.

As noted in my previous plog, I already have a Deathstrike, which I feel captures the more 'Epic' feel that platform should have.

"Well, Brian, that's nice. But what about your Leman Russ project?"

That's where I ask you, dear viewer, for some advice.

1) Sponsons FRONT?
2) Sponsons MIDDLE?

Front:

Rear:

Thoughts?

--B.

**Briancj**

Hokay, a quick update after a week's worth of absence making the heart grow fonder. A quick side note, the interior width of the new Chimera kit is about the same as the old one. I am pleased as punch to find this out, because all of the conversion kits will still fit, as well as my Earthshaker cannon. Aces to GW for this design decision.

Here's the Leman Russ primed. I always worry about a conversion, until I see it under a coat of primer. I'm fairly happy with this, although my limited skills in squadron putty show under the flash. Ah well. In hindsight, I should have put the ladder rungs over the gap. Everything will be magnetized, including the tank commander.

Here's a shot of the tank with stuff installed.

And here's a shot next to a Chimera, for a size comparison.

Automatically Appended Next Post:

Flinty wrote:The engineering chimeras are nice bits of work. Also the Russ is an impressive upgrade.
I would tend to keep the sponsons at the back as it fits in with the Macharius type look you've ended up with. However for gaming advantage (or at least to reduce the penalty imposed by the new ultra-huge Russ) then the forward sponsons might be better.

Thank you. I thought long and hard about the gaming aspects, and then I threw it all out the window.

I'm definitely building for fluff and myself, as opposed to (say) an 'Ard Boyz tourney.

Llamahead wrote:Really liking your work on the Russ although your comments have definitely made me think that Paperhammer is the way for me to go with my guard. The 2nd squads Chimera looks great what is it meant to be? To me it looks like a field kitchen am I right?

I started building a paper and plasticard Titan, so I know Paperhammer works, and is definitely easier to convert! I wanted to work with the new kits, so I could have and present an honest opinion. GW's goal was to make it easier for kids to build the models. They succeeded on an incredible level. Unfortunately, this meant a big hit for the conversion grognards.

And, yes, it is a Field Kitchen! I'll be delving into more detail as I present the fluff behind the army and the individual squads.

**Briancj**

Okay, so, let's add some fluff. Here is the time line of the system I intend to inhabit, run campaigns out of, and explore the fluff out of.

+++++

9/------.M24 – Cygnus Solarii System settled by Humanity. The system will eventually develop a large Promethium mining complex on the first planet, a Hive world on the third, and an Agri-world on the fourth, as well as various mining complexes on the moons of the two gas giants.

9/---615.M33 - The cruiser Blade of Infinity re-emerges from the warp 20,000 years after its disappearance. The cruiser's databanks hold a wealth of information on pre-heresy human settlements. It will take hundreds of years to catalog the information, most of which will be lost in the Imperial Archives. The Cygnus Solarii system is part of this catalog, but will remain un-contacted by the Imperium until M41.

2/---401.M34 - The Howling

5/139401.M34 - Cygnus Solarii system engulfed in a Warp Storm triggered by The Howling. The system's population of a billion inhabitants is almost eradicated. The third planet explodes from within, to become a slowly spreading asteroid belt. The fourth planet is covered in ash and dust which coalesces out of the storms. Additionally, the planet's axial tilt is altered, causing an extreme change in climate.

3/144801.M41 - A fleet is dispatched from the Forge World of Gryphonne IV, after a Magos, perusing the back catalogs of the Imperial Database, discovers the possibility that the Cygnus Solarii System may contain pre-heresy STCs. The fleet contains elements of the Imperial Guard, Adeptus Mechanicus, and Titan Legions. While the project is kept as secret as possible, it is impossible to hide such an endeavor. The Fleet is advertised as being dispatched to join the Tyrannic Wars.

9---801.M41 - The Astronomican flickers, sending thousands of ships off course, most to be destroyed in the Warp. The Cygnuss Solarii expedition is declared lost when all contact is cut-off.

2/138997.M41 - Hive Fleet Leviathan invades Segmentum Tempestus.

9/---997.M41 - The Gryphonne system, including the Forge World of Gryphonne IV, is destroyed by Tyranids.

1/982999.M41 - The Great Awakening.

9/982999.M41 - In the midst of hundreds of thousands of psychic events, remnants of the Cygnus Solarii expedition emerge from the warp in-system. Battered and damaged beyond the capability of returning to the Warp, the ships settle into orbit around Cygnus Solarii IV. Exploration and descent to the now-Death World begins.

3/983999.M41 - Sporadic contact with the Astronomican is made, as well as contact with several Class-2 Astropathic Choirs. Updates of the general galactic situation is passed, including the destruction of the Gryphonne System, and the continued Tyranid threat. The expedition's leaders christen the planet "Requiem", and put out a call to survivors of Gryphonne, including the now Fleet-Based Space Marines Chapter Knights Gryphonne.

3/984999.M41 - System Reconnaisance determines that the eight moons of the sixth planet, a gas giant, are locked into a stable orbit outside the planet's ring structure, demarking the eight-arrow symbol of Chaos. While no Chaos presence is detected, surveillance is emplaced around the planet.

3/991999.M41 - Biel Tan activity detected in the Reductus Sector. Additional ships of the original expedition stagger into the system, bringing more supplies, men, and machinery. Small teams of Skitarii begin to sweep Requiem, searching for any evidence of Webway Portals.

3.995999.M41 - Exploration of Requiem begins in earnest as signals believed to be Necrontyr in origin are detected from the second planet of the system. A Cobra-class destroyer departs to explore the remains of the third planet, which is believed to have been a Hive World.

3.997999.M41 – Signal emissions matching the Space Hulk ‘Penitus Cruorem’ are detected. It is unknown what is bringing the hulk towards Cygnus Solarii. Imperial records indicate a high probability of the hulk containing an Ork infestation.

3.998999.M41 – A small, badly damaged Tau fleet limps into the Cygnus Solarii system. Communications indicate that the fleet was engulfed by a Warp Storm. Negotiations commence in light of the possible threat from the hulk, and the unlikelihood of the fleet being able to return to Tau-controlled space.

3.999999.M41 – The Dawn of the 42nd Millennium.

Work on the Leman Russ continues apace, it has been whitewashed and given painted treads. The artillery hull has been whitewashed, and all three optional platforms have been given base paint jobs. Storm Eagle rockets are magnetized and have their initial paint jobs. Time for detailing and decals!

**Briancj**

Okay, here's a quick layout of the state of the Motor Pool, thus far.

Front row, from left-to-right:
Ordinance Platform (Manticore, Basilisk, Medusa)
Leman Russ Heavy
3 Armored AC/HK Sentinels
3 Chimeras: Command (in back), Engineering, Field Kitchen

Back row:
Deathstrike Missile Launcher

**Briancj**

Was gone for Labor Day weekend in the states, now back to the job-search grind. Enjoy the update.

---

Excerpts from an interview with Staff Sergeant Petrovich, Supply Platoon, 114th Gryphonne Engineers.

"Yeah, we took it hard. They gave it to us straight, you know. But I don't really FEEL it. I guess I won't, until I see it myself. For me, it is all still there."

"Sure, maybe what we do isn't glorious. We don't have the toys, we don't drive the big guns. But, without us, this army would go nowheres, fast. We're proud to serve our boys the best food we can. Nothing boosts morale like a hot meal."

"Yeah, we've seen our share of action. Ole' Bessie here has taken her hits, but she's given 'em back, too. Took out a Heretic Rhino with her Multilaser on Bastius. We're not really here to fight, but we can when we have to. Our guns are just as primed as everyone else's."

"Oh, that's Buddy, our mascot. Can't remember where we picked him up, but he's been with us for a long time, now. He's our good luck mascot, and a great watchdog. We'd never leave him behind."

---

Field Kitchens are atypical in the Imperial Guard, but the ability to deliver hot food to the Front Lines is a serious bonus for any ongoing campaign. I haven't written up rules for such things, but I half expect Forge World to come out with a model and rules.

This platoon is the primary firebase of the Army, so any Chimeras are there for the purposes of defining the 'role' of the squad, or augmenting firepower, as opposed to mobility. They will anchor the lines.

Buddy guards an objective marker, a cache of food and water.

And here's a terrain piece I've been working on. I could have salvaged the bitz, maybe made another Artillery Platform out of it. But it was more fun to make a copy of GW's wrecked Chimera piece.

Ten guys fit inside!

**Briancj**

SilverMK2 wrote:I think the field kitchen needs more supply bins along the sides - although their stove is nice, it does not leave much room for actual food

Also, perhaps an awning/tarp to help keep the snow/rain/mud from getting over the food and cooker?

When I built the thing (o.m.g. almost 10 years ago), it was my second conversion, ever. First was a bridgelayer. There wasn't much in the way of sotwage, etc, even from the venerable Tamiya. Nowadays, there's buckets and buckets. Mayhaps you are correct, and it is time for an upgrade.

**Briancj**

While the cat's away, depression and angst will play!

So, been a really sucktastic couple of weeks, but I have made progress. Birthday cash came in (yay, unemployment!) and enabled two purchases:

I needed more bitz, my vehicle box was looking forlorn and empty. No propa Ork Mekboy...uh...IG Field Depot would have let such a thing happen!

Restock!

Plus, I picked up a pair of unloved Leman Russ Demolishers (old-style) off of eBay. I can't do much about weapon-swapping, but it gives me a full squadron to play with. I added some rear modifications to bulk them out a bit, and turned them into Siege Tanks. More stragglers from the forces of Gryphonne.

Note the style and size difference of the turrets, old and new. I think I like the old ones, but they have a TOTALLY different mount point design. Anyone know what Forge World has done about this? Have they re-designed their turrets?

Tanks and turrets:

Siege mods:

Three tanks:

Here's all three with their whitewashes:

Going very soviet on this, trying to get that feeling of 'hurried whitewash', and trying to get fores back into battle. May experiment with trying to find pictures of hasty battlefield repairs.

--B.

**Briancj**

monkeytroll wrote:Interesting, very interesting
Nice Russ conversion, love the field kitchen - marvellous idea, can't have our chaps doing their bit without proper scran now can we - and siege tanks look nice.

Egg Sarnies for everyone, lads! (/cheer)

**Briancj**

So, progress has been slow, but steady. Painted some marines for Pork, and have been going through and detailing up my tanks. A 'rivet'ing experience, I assure you.

Pictures forthcoming, but first, I need some help. Who is this? I've seen him before, and I know he's a librarian, but can anyone help me ID him and, perhaps more importantly, tell me what backpack and arm is supposed to be/was shipped with him? Thanks!

Picked up the new Cadian Command Sprues, totally in love. Working on an HQ squad now as time permits.

Now, tank progress. Leman Russi, Chimeras, Manticore, and the first Sentinel off the line. I'm still pondering what kind of stowage to add to the Field Kitchen. I have a lot of bitz to work with now.

That's it for now!

Automatically Appended Next Post:
Oops, almost forgot. I call upon the power of "Automatically appended next post"!

This is someone I painted up, well after I sold off my last Tzeentch army, but kept around because I lied how he came out:

A week ago, his bro's made the long trek over the pond.

Yeah, the Codex sucks. But I don't care. I <3 Thousand Sons.

**Briancj**

Sageheart wrote:thats a ton of thousand sons! i like the conversion work to make a bunch using plastic bodies and metal arms/heads. would love to see some closeups to see how well they work together?

what have you done with the bodies the arms came with, or did you just have/get the arms/heads

Is that going to be your army, or your brothers!

I bought them like this. I'm probably going to go in and tidy them up. The current 1K sons kit makes these, it comes with metal arms, a handful of metal bolters, and some loincloths and shoulderpads. Someone put a bunch of bolt pistols and chainswords on one batch, and built another one into a Chaos Biker. Not sure what I'm going to do with that one, maybe offer it up as a trade/swap.

These guys will form the core troops of a walking 1K sons force.

**Briancj**

So, with the holidays comes the usual downturn in activity. Trying to get things done.

I picked up a bunch of bits, backpacks, and whatnot, including a few more Tzeentch pieces. Not sure if I should also start a separate plog for that.

Finally, after many years of regret about selling off my collection, I stumbled upon an unopened/sealed copy of Battlefleet Gothic, and lucked out on the eBay auction. It went for about a third of what it should have, and it is on it's way to me.

So, here's the current work-table:

IG Gryphonne:
Most of the tanks are base-coated and detailed. I'm in the process of 'rusting' the final ones, and I'm working on adding stowage to the Field Kitchen. Squad-wise, I've got the Kitchen's squad finished, and I've got a smattering of the rest currently at 50-75% done. I have been inspired by several Dakkaites' work with the 'Voidsuits' using Kroot parts, and I think I want to copy this for my Veteran Squads, as they look like Bomb Disposal Squad suits.

It could also work for my Naval personnel. One good push should see most of my Basic Guardsmen finished. I picked up TINYMAGNETS, and I intend to magnetize some special weapons for each squad. I also need to figure out how many heads and arm sets I have leftover, and buy some torsos and leg bitz off of eBay.

Tzeentch:
Lots of bits with a few more incoming. I need to figure out a way to make good-looking Discs of Tzeentch. Any suggestions?

BFG:
Well, I saved one Battleship, I have a box set to open up, and a Blackstone Fortress on the way. 2011 is going to see a slow re-acquisition of my Fleets. Man, they really exploded the races and fleet options, but why the HELL are the Tau so damn expensive from GW?

--Brian

**Briancj**

Amusingly, the first game I played with my new IG was...Second Edition 40K.

So, here's a quick update for you good girls and boys:

Now I just have to add some more stowage to the Field Kitchen itself, and this squad will be complete!

Sadly, this means I need to seriously look into transport options for the army. Sigh.

--Brian

PS: Merry Happy Christmas-y Time to everyone!

PPS: I started a Battlefleet Gothic thread.

http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/335515.page

**Briancj**

Man, just haven't been having the mojo, lately. Trying to clear up my work area, which got dumped on over the holidays. Ah well.

Hey, look! A voidsuit! Which, to me, makes for an excellent Bomb Disposal Suit, which ties in nicely with my engineers, and makes for great carapace armor.

Win-win!

I am deeply indebted to Xanthos and Migsula, whose designs for their Voidsuits inspired this. And, of course, fortunate to have a pile of Kroot bitz.

Also...

I found this at a local Microcenter (a computer/gadget store). It cost $9.95 US, and came with two halogen lamps, a tripod stand, and the booth with a blue or grey background cloth. It all stores neatly in a travel bag. The lamps require power, but that's a small negative to an overall awesome product.

**Briancj**

So, got some more work done, this evening. Even painting slogs of IG to the 'three foot rule' is still a timekiller. Silly fleshy bits.

Here's what's on the deck:

Here's stuff that's either finished, or darn close:

I also finally buckled down, and repaired my fleet of spaceships. They had been damaged a year and a half ago from my cross-country move, and have been sitting un-repaired and ignored. All fixed now.

Including all the fiddly bits and antenna on this lady here:

Automatically Appended Next Post:

JB wrote:

Wow! That's a lot of awesome for just two pages of Plog!!

I really enjoy the vehicle conversions.

The difference in the turret rings for the old and new Leman Russes (and the old and new Chimeras) really are a pain. The FW kits were made for the old turret rings. I don't know if they are making any changes to adjust to the new kit.

I don't think the new Chimera is quite 5% smaller than the old one. As you noted, the interior width between the track assemblies is the same. The width of the track assemblies, themselves, is narrower but that doesn't affect the troop capacity. The overall height is only a hair shorter. The really noticeable height change is in the new LR and Chimera turrets which are definitely thinner than the older versions. I fully agree that the loss of bits and accessories was a kick to the groin, especially since the new accessory sprue had track guards.

I also envy you that photo set up. Now I will to go on a quest for a similar one that will probably end up poorly as I'm thwarted by the Knights who say Ni! I might as well just fetch a shrubbery now to take with me.

Thank you for the praise. There should be more plog, but I'm a slow mover and people get bored.

I'll see if I can track down the photo booth online, put up a link.

As for the Chimera, my 5% loss guesstimate is total volume, not any given L/W/H measurement. I do believe a millimeter or so was shaved off of the width betwee nthe track assemblies, as I had to shave down an old Basilisk Platform I had, to get it to fit. But, overall, I'm not unhappy with the kit, just the loss of bitz. The Leman Russ, however, is a total disappointment.

**Briancj**

Okay, time for some ADVISERS.

Commander Cain and his Adjunct Toland represent my Fleet Officer and Ordinance Advisers. They are both from the "Pegasus", the Mars-Class Battlecruiser which led the excursion to the system I'm modeling.

Since there's no real hard and fast rule or guidelines as to what the colors of the Imperial Navy are, I went with white jackets and blue pants with a red stripe, and black boots. Any Navy troops in my army (conscripts, typically) will follow this scheme in some way.

Toland on the left, Cain on the right:

Automatically Appended Next Post:
Okay, the last of today's work was to finish the two Leman Russ Demolishers, and add some mud and dirt to all thee hulls.

I only have the Deathstrike and a pile of Sentinels to finish, vehicle-wise, and then I can think about acquiring some more.

I'm making decent progress (I blame the 80 feet of snow that has fallen), and I hope to be able to actually play a game this Sunday!

**Briancj**

Time to ruse from the bowels of the earth (the basement) with another exciting (hah) plog update!

Today, SENTINELS. I love Sentinels. I hate the fact that they get one weapon. Come on, people. One heavy stubber can't hurt.

Here's the 14th Force Recon Sentinel Group in all its winter guard glory. Some of the pictures are a bit fuzzy, camera kept locking onto the black backdrop.

Command Element:

1st Element:

2nd Element:

I have also made heavy progress into my troops, I have only about a dozen more figures to finish detailing! Then, of course, I need to build a commander and a unit of Veterans. But, hey. That's why I get the BIG BUCKS.

Also, I have a job! Yay! I can BUY THINGS AGAIN. Oh, God.

**Briancj**

No-one wuves me! Ah well. ONWARDS.

So, this is the Engineering Squad that will accompany the Engineering Chimera seen previously. I'm using the krootbits style of Voidsuits for Carapace Armor, and to represent the brave lads of my UXB squad. Some of you Brits out there may remember that particular old tv show.

So far, I've worked up the Sarge (A Bastonne stand-in), Plasma, Melta, and Heavy Flamer. Yeah, I should have gone with a spam squad, but this is my army, and I'm going to lose in STYLE.

Anyways...the dudes.

These will be getting a higher-level of paint job than my normal boffins, as they are a full-character unit. Still pondering names, but the Sarge has an eyepatch, so he, clearly, needs to be be named "Fury".

The flamer has a cigar (natch), perhaps torch? Bobby?

I'm open to suggestions.

**Briancj**

Okay, I finished the squad. This week, I should be able to get them all painted!

Here's the ones finished tonight:

And here's the full squad:

Here's what the squad contains:

Sgt. Bastonne Stand-in w/ eye-patch
ML Squad, with a Catachan who got picked up along the way
Heavy Flamer with Cigar
Meltagun converted into a cutter
Plasma Gunner
Voxcaster/Technician
Demonlitionist
Lasgunner second-in-command (holding a map, pointing)
Lasgunner who likes knives.

As a note, all the lasguns have had a quicky conversion into autostubbers.

**Briancj**

So, here's the scheme for my vets. These are Engineers, Demolitions guys and Unexploded Bomb Disposal guys, which is why they get the heavy armor. I also modeled all their grenades (krak, frag, melta, and one demo charge!) They're very bulky.

Here's the sarge. I tried a couple of schemes, on gray, one more blue, but I settled on a medium green brought up from Dark Angles Green. The sarge is a Bastonne WYSIWYG using an old metal IG stormtrooper backpack.

And here's a close-up on the face I did for my Fleet Officer, of which I'm very happy with.

Cheers!

(Don't forget your Valentine's Day plans!)

**Briancj**

Working on a few more swappable vehicle hulls, and a little Empire Wizard conversion love.

New job's going great, hope to get some solid painting done to show off, as it is a 4-day weekend for me!

**Briancj**

I forgot to take a shot of the plasticard work, but the one on the left is a Razorback top hatch with the standard Aegis mount. It does not use the Aegis box mounting piece, just the razorback mount. On back is a part from the Aegis box.

The one on the right is the Manticore 'cockpit', with just plasticard filling in the sides, and bottoms. Bitz from the aegis line and manticore for details. The aegis autocannon mounting axle was cut down to bring the two sets close together, and then mounted to the side of the manticore cockpit with a set of plastic tubing through one side.

I've been thinking about this one for awhile, and I'm happy how it came out.

**Briancj**

Finished up the Astropath, back to work on my Vets and those two Hydra conversions.

And the full Naval Command Attachment, my Command Squad Advisers. Emperor protect them.

"Sir, we've exited the Warp. We appear to be within .00215 of our plotted course.", spoke the Navigator Secundus.

The Mars-Class Battlecruiser Pegasus Ascendant, with her accompanying escorts, materialized into existence in real space, almost perfectly on-target within the Cygnus Probatii system. It had, apparently, been an uneventful transit, something her Captain believed to be a good omen.

"Bring all primary and secondary auspexes online, scan for all activity. Dispatch Thunderbolts to scout the primary target's surface when in range. Navigation, All Ahead Full, communications, signal our escorts to begin screen pattern Delta One. Execute." The Captain leaned back in his chair, watching his highly-trained crew going about their business, ensuring his orders were followed to the letter.

It was at that moment when the On-Duty Astropath clutched at his chest, gurgled and died. A moment on the bridge of absolute nothing, before all Hell broke loose. Raimius, the primary Astropath on board the Pegasus for 40 years, appeared on the Bridge. "Captain Caine, something is horrifically wrong!"

The Captain stood up, cracking out orders to restore discipline. "Toland! Order Battlestations throughout the group! Continue onwards to the planet!" He turned to the Astropath, "What in the Emperor's name is going on?"

The older Astropath looked out through the viewports, before turning to Caine. "Captain, this vessel's chronotech is out of sync with the Imperial Beacons by more than 50 years. The echoes of a massive death scream are still reverberating throughout the Warp. I suspect we were screened by whatever maelstrom or shadow diverted our arrival time. We've lost half of our Warp Navigators. Captain..."

"...Gryphonne is dead."

The bridge fell silent, as if in the midst of chaos, everyone heard those words. Captain Caine, High Borne of one of Gryphonne's Noblest of families slumped back into his ornate command chair, finding no comfort. "Are you sure?"

"Yes. The Tyranid Hive Fleet has consumed it, there is nothing but their Warp Shadow, and no communications have been registered since our exit from the Warp."

A moment. Two moments. "Damn."

Caine stood back up, forcing himself into proper Imperial Posture. "Continue to ascertain the status of this system. Attempt communications with Tempestus Sector Command, and get our damn Datacores up to date! Toland!"

"Sir!"

"Arm all weapons, and launch the ready alert fighters. Inform all crew members of the situation, I'll brook no Chaos rumors Toland! Have the Guard Commander and the Explorator Magos come to the briefing room, we must prepare."

**Briancj**

A little progressssss on the Vets!

Sometimes, you have to send in the pros from Dover. No shiny Mechanicus armor, no heavy duty flashlights, no. Just some old ordinance disposal plates slung over your battered suit of Flak Armor. Maybe it'll be enough. It wasn't for poor Lucas, and Roberto certainly ate that Autocannon round. But, it'll give a good chance against bolter fire, and that's the way of the 42nd Millennium.

The men of the 114th know their lives are sold short, but these are the ones who go into the fight, who dispose of that ticking time-bomb of an unexploded Battle Cannon shell. A motley crew, with a collection of weapons scavenged from a hundred battlefields. Souvenirs and scrap, picked up from the bodies of friends and foes. An extra knife here, a few grenades there. You just don't know when you're going to be re-supplied.

Well...

...the veterans sure seem to know.

**Briancj**

Hey, I've cleared 200 messages posted! Let's drink to that.

Every Veteran Squad is made up of the men who have managed to survive the longest, apart from the lucky, or the REMF. They are the ones who will have the waterproof firelighters in the torrential downpour, or a crate of machetes on a Deathworld. Better equipment, better armor, better skills. And the men of Squad Bridgestone, of the 114th Gryphonne Engineers, are sterling examples.

Mitchell "Mitch" McKay is a master of the well-placed missile launcher shot. He can fuse, arm, and fire his ML, "Cody", before a green recruit can put a new B-Pack in their lasgun. His loader, who only goes by the name Kas¹ was rescued from under a pile of his Catachan squadmates. He may have a deathwish, as he's convinced he'll join his buddies. Soon. He's been convinced for 38 battles, so far. Kas, however, is also the squad's premiere scrounger. "Gear Adrift is a Grunt's gift!" Usually nearby is the squad demolitions expert, "Bonker" Barrington. Need to dispose of a bomb? Illicit crate of kaffstiks? A Body? Bonker will take care of that for you. Between Bonker and Kas, the squad never runs out of supplies. Ever.

The Fancy-Dancy Special Weapons Lads are the wise-cracking, party-making, practical-joke-pulling members of the group. "Cutter" McMain was 'assigned' to the 114th after a series of bank robberies on Gryphonne IV. After saving the life of a mid-ranking Officer of the line, he was pardoned for his crimes, pulled from the penal squad, and given the only tool he needs to do his job. Cutter has spent years modifying his Melta, with parts scavenged from a Tau crisis suit. Claims it is more effective. No complaints so far. Antonio "Tony" Chiccaro. What's there to say about a man who can drink an entire still of trenchrot, and still function the next morning? He would never use his heavy flamer's tanks to make alcohol on downtime. And, Sir, he's not really sure WHERE that three-star General's helmet came from, but he'll give it back the next time he's at the supply depot. Finally, there's "Shades" Thiereau. He's been burnt by 'Bessie' more times than he can remember. Scorched, blasted, zapped, popped. At least, now, with the Ordinance Disposal Carapace Armor... well, it doesn't hurt as much. Still, when she puts that ball of superheated death downrange, Shades makes it count.

"Skeet", "Pete" and Pierre. We call him "Lucky", of course. Skeet's the resident tech. Between his vox and the gear he's taken from a few Techpriests...they don't need it anymore..he's the one scrambling locks and altering records to show that, no sir, there are only four crates of frags in the depot. Sir. Ivanovosti "Pete" Petrovich. A dour, stern man picked up after working with a Valhallan army group. Like Kas, Pete was taken in because he had no place else to go. While the other members of the squad have switched to the lower-tech, but easier to maintain assault stubbers, he grimly holds onto the Phaeton-Pattern Lasgun that he claims is the only reason he survived. On the plus side, he gets all the B-Paks not converted into bombs or fuel cells or used for lamps or... Petrovich has become the squad's second in command, due to his uncanny ability to always have the right paperwork, map, document, or orders. And what about Lucky? Well, he's been shot seventeen times, and lived. He's been jumped by Ligers, mauled by beasts, and even survived a Catachan Devil attack. This may be due to the fact that Pierre like knives, and always has at least three on his person. That you can see. If someone's going to get hurt, it is going to be ol' "Lucky" Pierre.

And then there's Sarge. No-one really knows where the Sarge came from, or how old he is. All they know is that he's the one who takes in the loners, the survivors, and keeps them alive for as long as he can. When he bellows an order, you jump. When he tells you go get the hell down, you drop. The Sarge has been there, done that, and still dishes it out, every day. He carries an assassin's powerblade, a old hotshot laspistol (claims he 'found it', but people think he used to be a stormtrooper), and will always be the first into the lines, and the last to fall back. He's the Sarge. What else were you expecting?

¹ "Kas", as in "Kasualty", because that's all loaders are good for. Don't even know why I gave him a gun.

**Briancj**

So! Haven't been doing much in the way of modeling and painting, but I did play in a 1250 point 3-round tourney at PAX.

No matter how many excellent BatReps you may read (I'm looking at YOU, Ailiaros: http://www.ailarian.com/folera/batreps/blood-conquers-all/index.html), or tactics articles, until you play the game and remember to, say, use your orders? Yeah!

So, here's my 1-0-2 start. Yes, I'm aware that my army is not 'competitive'.

A campaign starts soon at my local club (Hobby Bunker, Malden, EvilDice 40K) I may join the fun.

The 'comp' score at this event was based on how many AV14 vehicles, how many special characters, and your ratio of troops to everything else. I set myself up with a good comp score, but there was just no way I could win against certain combinations thrown down. Missions were from Adepticon and typically involved 3 'mission objectives'.

I also learned that when I'm having fun, I take less pictures, as I'm really into the game. Practice, practice, practice!

My List:
CCS, MoO, Fleet Officer, Lascannon, Medic, Regimental Standard

An overly loaded Veteran Squad with Bastonne, Grenadiers and Demolitions in a Chimera
A much less loaded Vet Squad with a flamer, grenade launchers, in a Chimera

PCS, GL GL Flamer
PS1 Flamer Autocannon
PS2 Flamer
HW1 Lascannons
HW2 Mortars

3 Armored Sentinels, AC/HK

---------

Marios 13 - M42, Eastonia Ridge

The 114th has been hastily called in to assist with a sudden onslaught on Tycho's World. PAX Eastonia has failed, and the forces that oppose the glorious Imperium of Man has once again began to move forward. Rumors of various 'individuals of repute' have surfaces, including someone calling themselves Abbadon the Despoiler. As if someone like that would stoop so low as to come to this backwater planet.

We drop in a handful of lighters from the Cobra class destroyer 'Artemis', and the squadron stays in orbit to provide some additional firepower. With me is the Captain of that earnest vessel, along with his second officer, who will be co-ordinating the ship's firepower upon the enemy. I am confident of my men, and their ability to stave off any assault.

My opponent:

Abaddon and some Plague Marines in a Daemonically Posessed Land Raider
Plague Marines in a Daemonically Posessed Rhino
Berzerkers in a Daemonically Posessed Rhino

Note: Amusingly, this army scored just as high on composition as mine did. I am starting to side on the 'comp scores are pointless' side of the fence. Also, REALLY? Taking Abbadon in a 1250 point tournament? He, of course, won. I hate special characters, and the fact that we've returned to Herohammer.

I deployed first, and should have castled in a corner against an all assault army, but I wanted to try and pop his transports, lure him into chewing up low-value troops, and use my chimeras to take objectives. This would have worked a lot better had we actually laid down the objective markers.

Turn 1: I open up with all of my shooting. 4 lascannons and a MoO fail to do anything to the Land Raider. Forgot to lay down orders. My Sentinels, who will be the stars of this particular outing, fail to do anything to the Plague Marine Rhinos, so they unleash their HK's, ONE of which manages to wreck it. Mortar fire hits the Khorne Rhino, but fails to deliver any lucky fragmentation into the driver's brainpan. The autocannon and grenade launchers also fail to do more than scratch 5000 year old paint.

On his turn, he moved his Plague Marines against the Sentinels, Abbadon Deploys, and the Berzerkers take to a nearby forest to have some tea.

Turn 2 sees the absolute annihilation of my platoon for very little return against Khorne. Here is where I should have rushed my vets to claim objectives, but, as mentioned, we forgot to lay them down. Instead, I throw Bastonne into the plague marine mix. This was really, really stupid.

Also, this is the turn where I discover that when my officer issues an order, it will be followed up by boxcars.

Turn 3 sees some damage done by mortars to Khorne, who finish up their tea party in the forest, while Abbadon prepares to engage.

By turn 5, Abbadon has annihilated my CCS and firepower squads, Bastonne is paste, but I've managed to get a squad of vets toward the center objective. The Land raider has proven impossible to kill, thanks to a lot of really awful dice rolls on my part. Remember, kids: There are lies, damn lies, and statistics. Mathammer means nothing on the tabletop.

Turn six sees his remaining Khorne Berzerker take out the last of my vets, leaving me with a couple of Chimeras and one of Bastonne's finest to report on the awful, awful carnage...and that Abbadon has returned.

---------

I am resuscitated by a medicae team, searching the battlefield for survivors. Some of my remaining engineers are scavenging the various weapons that survived the carnage, loading them up into a pair of damaged Chimeras. My men have been slaughtered, even the veterans of the 114th cut down like chattel. The Emperor abandoned us to die, and I wonder what part of His grand plan we were a part of.

**Briancj**

Yggdrasil wrote:Wow, that seemed to be a tough one...

I know you want your list to be more "fluffy" than "competitive", yet I think you should find a few points to include 2-3 meltaguns to the force... That should help you up a bit with the vehicles, without going "all-melta" as most competitive lists do.

Agreed. I just have to figure out a good set of units to deploy. Admittedly, this game saw a return to my usual form of 'my dice hate me'. Probably because I've abandoned them in a dark cabinet for so very long.

I am, however, consoled by the fact that NO-ONE at the tournament could handle his army.

Development of the 'tournament' side of the Army List is on-going, but I still have to (re)learn how to play the game, remember to put orders down, etc.

**Briancj**

Saddle up, boys and girls, it is time to take a ride.

I believe I've given up on the idea of ever playing Warhammer 40K again. There's just too few like-minded people around me. Or, they exist, and I cannot find them. I want fluff and backgrounds, to be able to play the entries in the codex that are "Sub-Optimal". I want a reason to field my Deathstrike. The "Summer of Flyers" just pisses me off. I hate Matt Ward. The fact that GW's CEO is making decisions purely to line his own pockets, rather than putting the money back into the company, makes me wish for a Time Machine.

In short, I love the IDEA of Warhammer 40K, but I don't like the GAME.

Ah well. So, I'm going to focus on what I enjoy. Converting, creating, building.

Maybe I'll find those like-minded people. And they won't live in WISCONSIN.

--B.

**Briancj**

[EDIT: Had to replace the pictures, they wuz all purged.]

A little more progress. I find that the new CAD-built vehicles lack soul. It is too easy to make everything exactly the same. For example, the right- and left-side wall interior details in the Valk are just mirror-images of each other. THAT was lazy. I mean, you could have mirrored it, and added some tweaks to each side, make them unique. Nope. Ah well.

CHALLENGE: Use the two Valkyrie Rocket Pods to build a double-missile-launcher Dreadnought, ala a certain Macross series mecha...

Onto the pictures:

Test-fitting the ramp, hinges work, and the ramp slides up and down neatly. Has anyone had any problem with the ramp staying in it's upright and locked position? I'm fairly sure I have enough friction, but I won't know until I actually glue everything in place. I'm pondering leaving the roof removable, to be able to show off the interior detail fully.

Bolter mounts.

I really dislike how bulky everything is in 40K, but, that's the style, ja? You go with it.

Plus, WYSIWYG means that a Heavy Bolter had better look like a Heavy Bolter. So, I discarded the massive mount point for the bolter, and I feel a lot better about the look and feel. Also, this bolter can swing the full 180' the rules allow for a "Side Sponson", which makes me feel better about being able to fire them straight forward...or straight backwards should the need arise.

The next step is to build the second bolter mount, buff up the interior details, and then add the chair mount hardware. I'm going to use the chair support design from the Blackhawk helicopter. I will attach the gunners directly to the guns, since they'll pop in and out with the Bolters. I am unlikely to build a squad of men to go into the Valk. I do not like the Forge World one, because the center "bench" is really stupid. Sorry, Forge World guys, but the interior of the Valk is too small as is, and your troop bench blocks the ability for the door gunners to maneuver.

I know. "Stop applying reality to plastic gaming toys, Brian."

I'm out of the right-size of rod, so I need to visit my FLGS, and pick up some more materials. Helloooooo Hobby Bunker in Malden, MA.