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[list]So, I've decided to start building a counts-as IA8 Elysian drop troops army. This is for multiple reasons: 1 - I absolutely love the valkyrie model & so the opportunity to build them is great. 2 - the valk was just screaming at me to convert one into a vulture. 3 - I played a drop troops army using doctrines in 3rd/4th Ed (drop troops, cameleoline, light infantry, grenadiers, veterans) & loved the style of dropping troops from the sky & relying solely on boots & sentinels to do the job so now that I can include buggies, valks & vultures it just became all that much better! 4 - c'mon, 1st Cav for the win!

All that considered, I put together a christmas list for my wife & sent her on her merry way (lol, no pun intended). Apparently she went through Neal at the warstore.com & between her & christmas $ from in-laws & store credit at my FLGS from our last tourney/painting contest we acquired the following:


That's 2 Valkyries, 1 each of cadian & catachan battleforces & 3 cadian squad boxes (which were originally ordered as 3 boxes of the snap-fit cadians but apparently through an error we got the full squads instead, score!).

Here's the backstory of my army:
Praxis is the only moon of the planet Tarsis Secundus in the Tarsis system. The entire moon has been setup as a base of operations for the navy & marine corps of Tarsis Secundus. The Praxis Air Corps is an elite regiment schooled in air assault & rapid insertion tactics. They saw action during the third war for Armageddon & the defense of Cadia during the 13th Black Crusade performing precision strikes against renegade & traitor operating bases. Unbeknownst to the Tarsian government, the Iron Warriors had sent spies & operators ahead to sew unrest & dissent among the populace regarding food & materiel being shipped off-world to supply the beleaguered defenders of Cadia which had created a shortage for the locals. Riots began at daily food rationing stations & before long a full-blown uprising was in effect. It was at this time that the Iron Warriors decided to attack the planet while such large portions of the systems military & navy were away. The Praxis Air Cav launched multiple surgical strikes against the enemy encampments & staging areas, inflicting heavy damage & casualties while suffering massive losses themselves.

Upon hearing of the potential loss of a manufacturing world to the enemy, Creed agreed w/ the Imperial commanders that such a vital supply line could not be cut & dispatched a fleet including a strike force of Imperial Fists. For the Imperial Fists, this was personal, never missing an opportunity to rub dirt in the eyes of the Iron Warriors. However, it would prove to be too little too late as, by the time the fleet had arrived, the planet's capital had already fallen & ultimately the war had become a fighting withdrawal by the remaining loyal soldiers as they had resigned themselves to losing, but making the enemy pay for every inch of ground w/ blood.

After only 4 years of fighting, the planet had been completely overrun & occupied by the Iron Warriors invasion forces including Iron Legion army infantry. However, despite numerous attempts at taking Praxis, the invaders repeatedly failed due to the moon being totally inhospitable on the surface & the underground caverns housing the Praxis Air & Marine Corps bases being too deep to be collapsed from orbital bombardment it forced the invaders to fight underground in unfamiliar terrain against troops who had spent their entire lives in the caverns training & living. Thus, Praxis became the home of the Tarsian resistance movement. The loyalists had to become very creative to move troops & supplies to & from Secundus as the enemy fleet had setup a relatively effective blockade. However, between the constantly shifting asteroid field around Tarsis Secundus & the cooperation between resistance & Imperial Navy fleets the blockading ships were kept on their toes.

The Praxis Air Corps is made up of several distinct unit types:
First & foremost the bulk of the Air Corps is made up of the Praxis Marine Corps, soldiers whose training encompasses shipborne & airborne combat, being trained & accustomed to being inserted from dropship & launching assaults out of them then pushing on while the Tarsian Army secures the ground gained.

Next up are the ODSTs or Helljumpers. Orbital Drop Shock Troopers - These men & women are specialists in covert ops warfare. They are tasked w/ carrying out more dangerous missions such as rescue or psy-ops. They are carried in via valkyrie or alternatively dropped from low orbit via drop pods into areas too hot for a dropship to get into. Only the best & brightest of the Praxis Marine Corps are offered the chance to train as an ODST. The job of the ODST is more than just a soldier, he's also a pilot, a weapons specialist & an expert in guerilla warfare. In fact, it was due to the presence of ODSTs in various resistance engagements that helped to turn many potential defeats into victories for the beleaguered freedom fighters.

Finally come the glory boys as they're known, the storm troopers. They're the best trained & equipped, their job is to insert from aircraft in high altitude via HALO/HAHO operations. There are far fewer of them as it takes years & years in the field to get the opportunity to volunteer for the storm corps & even then, volunteering is no guarantee of acceptance. In fact, most volunteers are former ODSTs.


Color schemes to follow as well as shots of the beginnings of the army.


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Ok, here's my planned color scheme for the troop models:

I'm open to suggestions on the aircraft.

I have assembled so far:
1 Vulture w/ TL Punisher Cannons
1 Valkyrie w/ MRPs

CCS - CO, grenade launcher, vox, mortar, 2 aux grenade launchers, FLO (fleet liaison officer)
LGS (long-range ground scanner) w/ 2 crew

Infantry Platoon
PCS - JO w/ lasgun w/ aux GL, grenade launcher, vox
30 Marine/Infantry troopers w/ 3 grenade launchers, 3 demo charges, 1 vox caster, 3 sgts w/ lasguns w/ aux grenade launchers
2 AT units w/ 12 crew, 6 missile launchers
1 mortar unit w/ 6 crew, 3 mortars
1 gun unit w/ 6 crew, 3 heavy bolters

ODST (veteran) assault squad - 1 sgt w/ powerfist/shotgun, 1 lascutter (w/ shotgun), 2 melta, 1 flamer, 1 demo charge, vox, 4 shotgunners, demolitions
ODST (veteran) sniper squad - 1 sgt, 3 snipers, 1 heavy bolter, vox, 5 aux GLs, forward operators

5 stormtroopers - 2 plasmaguns, 1 sgt w/ power weapon/plasma pistol

2 MM sentinels

In the process of scratchbuilding:
2 Tauros Venators w/ lascannons
1 Tauros w/ grenade launcher & homing beacon

Still have leftover - 10 infantry models w/ catachan bodies/legs/heads & cadian/catachan arms

I plan to order w/ my next major financial aid refund:
4 valkyries
1 cadian squad box

To build:
1Valkyrie Assault Carrier
2 Vendetta
1 Vulture w/ autocannons & MRPs
10 man ODST (veterans) support squad - sgt, 3 GLs, vox, 6 aux GLs

Here's the planned ORBAT of the force at about 2500 pts & my intended build-to goal:

it all looks and sunds good, my only gripe is that the IW do not employ "agents" they do not sow dissent, that's an alpha legion and word bearer trait.

Mecharius wrote:it all looks and sunds good, my only gripe is that the IW do not employ "agents" they do not sow dissent, that's an alpha legion and word bearer trait.

Perhaps, but I took this to mean that they're not above the nasty back-alley politics side of war:

Right after they set up their fortifications and before the initial bombardment, they will commonly send infiltration units ahead of the main force to disable the enemy's defenses and set up ambushes and flank attacks while the main force charges the fortifications.

First off here's a shot of the whole army assembled, as it stands right now. I'm hoping I can convince my boss lady to let me buy the other 3 valks I need sooner than Feb lol.

Left to Right: Back Row- Valkyrie Assault Carrier (Ml, MRPs), Multi-melta drop sentinel squadron, platoon AT squads 1 & 2, platoon mortar squad, vulture (TLAC, MRPs).
2nd Row - Demolitions Vet Squad (2 Melta, 1 flamer, demo charge, lascutter, shotguns, sgt w/ PF), platoon HB squad, Infantry Squad 1, Infantry Squad 2, Infantry Squad 3, Tauros Assault Vehicle (scratchbuild).
3rd Row - Stormtroopers (5 men, 2 plasmagun, sgt w/ PW/PP), PCS (GL, vox, Lt w/ aux GL).
Front Row - Ground Scanner Team (2 men), CCS (mortar, GL, vox, 2 aux GL, CO), Forward Observers Vet Squad (3 sniper rifles, heavy bolter, 5 aux GL, stealth, homing beacon)

Command Squad

Left to Right: FLO (fleet liaison officer), vet w/ vox & aux GL, CO, vet w/ GL, vet mortar team

Ground Scanner

From the front

Action Shot

Stormtroopers

2x plasma, Sgt w/ PW/PP. Their hotshot lasguns are meant to resemble drum fed shotguns

Veterans Squad 1

These are my forward observers containing 3 sniper rifles, a heavy bolter, a vox & 5 aux grenade launchers on their lasguns. They also have stealth & a homing beacon.

Veterans Squad 2

These are the demolitions specialists containing 2 meltas, 1 flamer, everyone has melta bombs, one vet has a demo charge, one has a lascutter, all have shotguns, the Sgt has a shotgun & PF.

Tauros Buggy


Scratchbuilt Tauros Buggy made from card, coffee stirs, lego wheels & bits.

Drop Sentinel Squadron

Converted to look similar to FW elysian drop sentinels.

Valkyrie Assault Carrier


Multi-laser, multiple rocket pods, heavy bolters.

Vulture


TL autocannons, Multiple rocket pods, heavy bolter.

Ok, that's it for now. I've still got the entire infantry platoon to post later on.



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Ok, here's the final installment of the army until I'm able to paint & then buy more aircraft & finalize some trades to build another vet squad & flesh out my stormtrooper squad not to mention scratchbuilding a pair of venators. Lots & lots to do.

This is my infantry platoon:
First up is the command squad -

Left to right: Vox caster, guardsmen, Lt w/ aux GL, GL, platoon standard

Fire Support Section for the platoon:
Weapons Squad (Heavy Bolters)



Mortar Squad


Anti-Tank Squad 1


Anti-Tank Squad 2


Now for the bred & butter of the platoon, the infantry:



All 3 squads have grenade launchers, demo charges & the Sgts are armed w/ a lasgun w/ aux GL. One of them has a vox caster. In game they're run as a single combined unit & use the vox to communicate w/ the long range ground scanner since a 30 man squad combined w/ FRFSRF & twin-linked is now a force to be reckoned w/ as that's 72 twin-linked flash lights at 12" or 48 at 24". Nasty.

Ok, first painting update, I've about finished the valk, save for decals which I haven't quite decided on just yet & the base.







I've about finished the vulture as well, I'll upload it tomorrow once the paint's dry I'll take some pics. Also, the platoon & company command squads & the ground scanner are about finished, pics of those tomorrow as well. You'll see, I've changed my color scheme a bit & I'm experimenting using just straight washes over the grey primer coat I used (also the first time I've ever done a grey primer, I kinda like it) & lastly, the Tauros which will be the only non-venator in the army is being equipped as the A-Company command Tauros as this allows me a cheap HQ & lets me use 2 FA slots for a pair of vendettas since they suffer w/ squadron rules IMO & then run a pair of venators as a squadron (just need to build them lol).

Oh & PS, watch this blog for an upcoming special drop troops related apocalypse project.

I like this a lot, but the straws for m203's isn't working for me. Having seen them in real life, the barrels are much narrower, but with the same length as you have made. I am loving the vendetta, the freehand (?) is spot on!

killykavekommando wrote:I like this a lot, but the straws for m203's isn't working for me. Having seen them in real life, the barrels are much narrower, but with the same length as you have made. I am loving the vendetta, the freehand (?) is spot on!

I know, I've handled them as well, however, being that 40K is so OTT on weapons I wanted them to be easily seen & identifiable to my opponents so there'd be no question who had em & who didn't y'know?

I tried to be a little more realistic w/ SM aux GLs for my honor guard but people kept saying "oh, I thought they were just flashlights"


And thanks on the valk, yes the diving eagle, crew names & aquila wings are all free handed which was not that easy to do lol.


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Ok, today's update will feature the mostly completed company & platoon command squads, respectively


Sans FLO, he's not done yet, I have to detail his map scroll & his decorations.


I obviously haven't painted the banner yet, nor have I decided what color hair to give the grenade launcher. I have to say, I'm not that pleased w/ his head anyway, it's a SM scout head so the chin is just... ugh.

@Redstar: I'm really digging the fluff. I like the injection of more reality (guerrilla warfare etc) and less GW weirdness (pitch battle on open fields). Must be tough for surgical strike forces and mounted space cavalry to fight underground though. Bummer. Also, I find it no coincidence that the Iron Warriors, Imperial Fists and Praxis figure prominently in it! Hmmm, I wonder why that is? Really great looking minis and congrats on the "Scratch Build" Category win at our FLGS tourney!

DrG

Fantastic stuff,both the backstory and colour scheme rock.

The Orkansaw Razorbax look forward to looting the caverns of Secundus. 'cause da Vultkaries wud look right orky painted red an' addin' some Orkansaw dakka!!!

Bring it on you filthy greenskins! If they can tangle w/ Iron Warriors, Orks are nothing lol.

You sir, do amazing things with a simple kit bash and that buggy makes me do the happy dance!

Fattimus_maximus wrote:You sir, do amazing things with a simple kit bash and that buggy makes me do the happy dance!

Thanks, I strive to make my armies as unique as I can but still able to get them built & on the table in a decent amount of time.

Ok, another update:

Firstly, shots of the Vulture:





Next up is WiP of the A-Company Tauros command vehicle:


Last, WiP Drop sentinels:

Great paint jobs!

That buggy build is epic!

Watch those missile launchers, heavy weapons teams should be on the large base. I get grief for it periodically because I have the old teams. Generally if someone calls you on it they are a jerk anyway, but still, new models new rules.

Andrew1975 wrote:Watch those missile launchers, heavy weapons teams should be on the large base. I get grief for it periodically because I have the old teams. Generally if someone calls you on it they are a jerk anyway, but still, new models new rules.

I know, but since it's an IA army anyway, most likely anyone I play against won't be such a y'know?

One can only hope.

The tauros is awesome work. This blog makes me want a banana shake from Maccy Ds though

i really like the vulture and the colour scheme looking forward to seeing more

Ok, here"s the surprise: A scratchbuilt marauder destroyer:
Front

Top

Top

Ball Turret

Tail Turret

And finally, a shot of all 3 aircraft thus far:


Further plans? 1 more valk, 2 vendetta, a TL punisher cannon vulture, 2 Tauros Venators, another squad of vets, 5 more stromtroopers & a thunderbolt or two as escorts for the big boy (and to take on all the lousy ork & DE flyers that seem to show up as well as enemy storm ravens & valks too).

I have purchased another valk just today, got 3 more on the way, next week I'll pick up another squad box of cadians to finish out my 3rd vets squad, week after that a final squad box to give me the needed torsos & weapons to finish my storm troopers up to 10 men. All the while going to college & scratchbuilding 2 venators & at least 1 thunderbolt plus trying to get it all painted & ready by march.

Thanks for stopping by.

one of the best scratchbuilt marauders i have seen well done good sir

Not stoked about facing these bad boys with my boyz!

Grover

doktor_g wrote:Not stoked about facing these bad boys with my boyz!

Grover

Well, if it helps, the IA:8 Elysians are not a super powerhouse list. They don't have any tanks, can't take autocannons or heavy weapons in infantry squads, plus the command squads only get 1 special weapon as opposed to the 4 of a 'normal' IG army. It's a more fluid army designed more for decisive action rather than reaction that IG do so well. Besides, the really big stuff will only be used in apocalypse games anyway lol.

your guardsman are awsome!

subd

That scratchbuilt Marauder looks awesome!

Thanks for all the kind words guys! This army, moreso than any other I've ever done, is a labor of love. It's not one of the best known or one of the most powerful but it is a 100% for fun army.

I'm working on the second valk right now armed identical to the first. For apocalypse I've got a thunderbolt in the works as well. Just not sure how to arm it. I'm thinking about bombs maybe?

For a scratch build that is remarkably well done. awesome job.

More pics of the marauder destroyer from multiple angles w/ detail & decals

Looking good, keep it up.

Just wondering how you built the whole fan and engine of the vulture. Would love to know if its easy to do, rather than spend a fortune on a Forgeworld one, already payed them enough ha ha.

Here's the second vulture conversion, this one w/ TL Punisher Cannons for mowing down hordes:





As you can see, the first vulture was a testbed prototype, this second one is even better. I felt more courageous knowing how the first one turned to make the second one even better!

Joker, it's a pretty easy build IMHO. The fan intake housing is a 2" PVC cap. From there I just picked parts that looked good & got gradually smaller. As you can see from the first vulture compared to the second, the first is alot heavier looking while the second is slimmer. The outriggers for the tail on the second were done using foamcore. I think the build was like $70 including the PVC parts and paying $66 for the kit from my FLGS. From there, the steps I use are:

1- build the engine/fan housing as one single piece, let it dry.
2- assemble each wing/tail boom piece as a seperate piece, including landing gear let dry.
3- build the cockpit as one piece, let dry.
4- once the cockpit's dry, cut the sides of it so that when looking at the assembly as a whole from the side it resembles a backwards L, as you can see in the side shot above.
5- I take a spray paint lid, lay it down on a piece of cardstock & trace it as it's almost identical to the interior diameter of the 2" PVC cap. I then cut that out & fold it into quarters & trim about.... 1/4" off of it, then cut a smaller circle in the center of this larger circle. I cut wedges from the edges (lol) in toward the smaller cutout but not all the way. Then I take each wedge & twist it individually to created the fan blade look. After this I cut a piece of dowel the interior length of the PVC cap & glue it in place inside the cap, dead center. This is the axle for the fan blades you just made. I then glue those on about midway down.
6- once that's all dry, glue the cockpit in place against the end of the dowel & the fan housing.
7- this is the hard part: level out the airframe fuselage w/ the nose gear on a flat surface & put something under the engine to hold it up flat. Now glue each wing in place & prop them up while they dry, keeping the landing gear level. Also glue the horizontal tail stabilizer on at this time to help you get it all straight & level, plus you'll probably need to push the sides in at the back to make them meet up for this piece anyway. I used the sensor/weapon housings from the sides of the valk to help attach the wings/struts to the engine housing as well. Leave this alone, walk away & let it dry & it will take a while to dry & set up firm.
8- while waiting, build your rear landing legs by taking the passenger compartment doors & the original rear landing gear pad (not the leg/strut, you don't need that). Turn the doors upside down. Cut the landing strut in 2, lengthwise. Now glue each seperate "foot" to the new door bottom, you can get an idea of this in the photo of the rear.
9- once everything is good & dried well, leaving the bird supported on the brace it's been on, glue the new landing skids in place & then glue the heavy bolter arms on them to look like hydraulics & also to provide them w/ more stability to support the weight of the craft if you choose to have it off its stand.
10- from here, the sky's the limit on detailing, I cut apart the valk engines & glued them all about to add to the looks.


Anyway, anyone has any questions, lemme know.

PS - I'm looking for suggestions what to do w/ the 2 passenger compartments from the valks I turned into vultures. Oh yes, 2nd Valk is about 80% painted, vendettas 1&2 are just finished being primed. Pics to come soon!


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Just for fun here's all the birds, just waiting on 1 or 2 thunderbolts which I need to scratchbuild.