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Those guys look great; far better than any of the ones I've spent ages painting. I think I need to revisit the grand painting plans, thanks for the inspiration

Loving the Penal Legion and Hive Gangers, it's amazing that just a simple head swap can completely change the look of a model range.

Lennysmash wrote:Personally I think from a fluff point of view Rough riders definitely have a part to play. I can't imagine a force without a fast recon or flanking element. Game-wise no idea I'm afraid.

On the rest of the army absolutely stunning progress mate, you certainly are a braver man than me to take on a foot slogger guard army.

Finally where is that bike from, its fantastic. I may have to pick one up just to paint for display.

The bike comes from http://www.maxmini.eu/store/

They have some great stuff. I am really thinking of getting a unit of these. They just look so damn cool and they fit in with the look of the army perfectly. Otherwise I was thinking of converting some actual riders. They are bleedin' expensive though


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endtransmission wrote:Those guys look great; far better than any of the ones I've spent ages painting. I think I need to revisit the grand painting plans, thanks for the inspiration

Glad you like em. Quickshade does a fine job shading minis that are painted in a base color. I recommend using a brighter color than you want the final product to look like because it darkens the model quite a bit. Take a look at the pre and post dip minis to see what I mean. I am considering using this technique on Lizardmen, Beastmen or Skaven. I am debating on a fantasy army. Some of these I would use the quickshade and on others I would not. I am also considering Dwarves, WoC or empire...

Yes to quickshade: Skaven, Lizardmen, Orcs and Gobbies, Beastmen, Vampire Counts, Tomb Kings

Maybe to quickshade: Empire lots of models and I have seen some good results here http://www.thearmypainter.com/gallery_presentation.php?GalleryId=71&Gallery=Hobby%20Hero:%20Warhammer%20Empire%20Army , Daemons

No to quickshade: Warriors of Chaos (Small model count usually), Ogre Kingdoms (Large models and small model count reduces the usefulness), High Elves, Wood Elves, Dark Elves (Although quickshade Dark Tone might look good!).

It is a pretty cool product though. Check it out.


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Snarky wrote:Loving the Penal Legion and Hive Gangers, it's amazing that just a simple head swap can completely change the look of a model range.

Yeah it can make a world of a difference. Torso swaps as well... you can find lots of simple and easy ways to make guard look unique. Glad you like em!

Rabid wrote: I am really thinking of getting a unit of these. They just look so damn cool and they fit in with the look of the army perfectly. Otherwise I was thinking of converting some actual riders. They are bleedin' expensive though

£7.70? That's ridiculous and whats more they're still the same models as 20 odd years ago. I got 5 of them when I was younger for £10. They used to be only £4 and GW used to have sale day where you could pick up loads of things at half price or less. Then of course they became chronic douches.

Anyway I digress, have you seen another recent thread on dakka regarding jetbikes. Back in the RT days guard used to have speeders, not sure about jetbikes but its not such a stretch. I'll try and grab the link for you in case you want to look into it as an option.

I was even thinking more around the lines of Death Korps of Krieg ones from FW. Otherwise I am not sure of what I would convert from. I have seen everything from pistoliers to cold one riders converted into RR.

Lennysmash wrote:Back in the RT days guard used to have speeders, not sure about jetbikes but its not such a stretch.

They did indeed have jetbikes and normal bikes. I can kind of understand why they lost the jetbikes, losing the landpseeders was a bit of a push, but I've no idea why they lost bikes...

I quite like the Tallarn rough riders that Forgeworld do as they look much more menacing than horses in gasmasks.

Rough Riders:

Game Wise: The camps seem to be fairly divided, some people think they're crap, others dont leave home without them. I myself think they have a place in my horde army, but if you're going for something super-competitive don't bother.

Modeling Wise: I'm modeling mine with scout bikes. Pretty cool stuff.

That's... about it

You are a machine. I am beyond impressed. The quality and detail you achieved in that short period of time on such an insane mass of troops is nothing short of amazing. Your IG ranks amongst some of the best I have seen on Dakka so far.

This entire thread is 100% win every time.

Skalk Bloodaxe wrote:You are a machine. I am beyond impressed. The quality and detail you achieved in that short period of time on such an insane mass of troops is nothing short of amazing. Your IG ranks amongst some of the best I have seen on Dakka so far.

This entire thread is 100% win every time.

Wow... High praise! Thank you. It has taken a lot of discipline. I went through about 30 beers and 1/2 a season of Star Trek the Next Generation painting the infantry..

I am working on four chimeras next. Gonna post some progress shots on these tonight.


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Here are the 4 chimeras as they stand. All airbrushed and ready for detailing. Going to complete them as a group.

Oooh! NextGen, nah its got to be DS9 Season 4 onwards

I've just started looking into the old crow stuff again, it really does blow me away. I'm looking at some of the lighter grav tanks as counts as speeders for my marines. But as we said earlier IG used to have speeders as well so you could easily come up with some in house rules for adding some to your own force too.

I am currently brainstorming ideas for my Psycher Battle Squad. Not sure how they will end up. Also there will be a few 'counts-as' special characters that I will be adding to the army. I will be tying in a rogue trader and his entourage to the mix. Word has it that he has an "arrangement" made with the planetary leadership for "assets" human or otherwise. In return he hunts down escapees and brings in hard to catch criminals as well as acting to boost the Planetary Defense Force in times of need. It has been rumored that he one was a "guest" of the supermax division of Alcatran on the moon of Ophan...

seeing all those well done chimeras with awesome turrets brings a tear to my eye

Do you mean the tamiya weathering powders? If so, how areyou using them, it looks really nice!

I am using one of their three pigment sets. It includes 'mud', 'sand', and 'light sand'. I am using the built in applicator. One side is a fine horsehair brush and the other is a sponge tip like you would find in a makeup kit.

Ok so I have been sporadically working on these when I get time. The four Chimera transports are nearly complete. I did my usual weathering method for this army: Tamiya Weathering Powders and a rust wash along with a thinned down Devlan Mud.







I cannot seem to get the photos to look right... They look better in person. I wish there was a way to show that on Dakka however. I think I need to do some photography tutorials. Of the models that I have currently, I need to finish my Medusa and I need to build and paint my Valkyries/Vedettas. Last will come the command squad. This is so far the largest army I have been able to focus on. I have around 140 models painted and climbing.

I am picking up some Orks for a new project I think. I am torn between a Deathskulls Kan Wall, a fast striking Blood Angels formation, or a Loganwing low model count army. Any thoughts?

I also want to add some more to this army. Looking for a good PBS to convert along with a Primaris. I need my Comissars and I will be adding some more Hive Gangers for my Tarpit. I also need more armor. Thinking of a trio of Hellhounds and a couple more Leman Russ variants. Really would like some Hydras as well. Thoughts?

This is your best way to improve photo quality. Cheap too.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/eSecure-Photo-Light-Colour-Backdrop/dp/B003I6AJY0/ref=wl_it_dp_o?ie=UTF8&coliid=IAE90EUAJJXMX&colid=TPU53SU2C99E

More armour would be good, would you be adding the old crow magic to those tanks too?

Thanks for the tip about the lighting.

Yeah I think I will be using some more Old Crow bits. What do you think I should use as my Hydras? I am considering some unconventional stuff...



Gatling turret from Armorcast.



Missile turret from Old Crow



Support turret from Old Crow (I would use the Gatling version)

Which of these do you like the most? I am trying for something non-standard to go along with my Chimeras.

I was just thing of the same question UnDeAd, the texture of the base paint looks really nice.

I like these figs A LOT, I like the painting style on 'The Warden'. Looking forward to seeing more stuff!

hmm, I think the Old crow support turret is too small, you need to be going for Anti-aircraft and that is more anti-infantry.

Same with the Gatling Gun, it would make good anti-aircraft gun but I don't think it matches the profile very well.

Finally the missile turret is good not really the same kind of system but it matches the profile of the Hydra best I think.
If you had the autocannons from the Bastion you could make a fair conversion along the lines of a rifleman dread. I'll see if I can get you a link.


EDIT:
Here you go:

http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/352102.page

Well... I found this guy and I think I may pick these up. Especially considering I think the fit the base of the other kit that Maxmini has for the Medusa.



Goes well on



Which fits snugly into the back of a Ghimera/Basilisk. I think I may get some Basilisks and these turrets for some convertible hydra/Medusa/Basilisk fun!


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BTW the Sandbags are separate and usable in terrain making.

Also TY to Lenny for the linkage. I like dakka dreads.

I almost went with the missile turret for mine, but much prefer the tactical missile turret. The other two turrets you posted don't really ahve the right ability to elevate to act as an AA vehicle. I also made use of Old Crow's excellent range of random RFAC barrels

So I have not posted in a month... Sorry. New puppy has been keeping me occupied but I am back on track to keep posting and complete the Alcatran Guard army.
Not much to look at today. Just a quick VERY shoddy pic from a VERY WIP Autocannon HWS.



Only thing I have experimented with this one is using the airbrush for the base blue. It worked so well that I have used it on my forthcoming Ratlings and my Stormtroopers. I ended up buying the Maximini Medusa Kit and the Hydra kit so those will be on their way soon as well. Also picked up a Demolisher. I hope to have this squad finished in the next day or two.

TTFN!

It's good to see you back on this project! I referred to it just today on another thread (re: dipping models). This thread is still 100% win.

HWS is done being painted and has been dipped tonight.

Here is how they looked before they got the dip.



I used a brush on method for the dip. I got carried away and brushed one of the loaders off of the base... he is drying separate from the others now. They look pretty good. I am nearly done with the dipped infantry now. I just have my storm troopers and ratlings to do. (low priority for sure!)
I think my next step will be to work on the Hydras and Medusas. Then I have a pair of Valk/Vends and a LR Demo and I am good to go. Brainstorming a Marbo conversion as well. I am thinking of going for a Riddick/ Jack from ME2 sort of bad-ass inmate to use for this mini. Any thoughts?

Ok, got the AC squad dipped and matte varnished. They look decent I think. Probably better in person as my photography skills are still lacking.





I also built the chassis of one of my new converting artillery pieces and I test fit the Hydra and Medusa carriages I got from Maxmini. They look nice. Both need a lot of work as is to be expected with resin but I am already impressed with the quality of these kits over FW. I will post some pics of these as I work with them and give you an idea of the quality and assembly of these kits. They fill the gap of Hydras and Medusas in the line without making you sell the farm at FW. From my work with resin so far I am curious as to hot the Citadel Finecast minis will work out. Anyways, more to come. It is good to be back on this project.

I'm always amazed at how good this stuff looks after being dipped. Especially the way that the skin remains decent looking...maybe I should try it...
What do you use?

Imperial Monkey wrote:I'm always amazed at how good this stuff looks after being dipped. Especially the way that the skin remains decent looking...maybe I should try it...
What do you use?

I use The Army Painter Quickshade. For the Alcatran 88th Regiment IG I used Dark Tone which is the black shaded version. They also have soft tone and strong tone which provide different levels of shading. I use their matte varnish as well. If you do not use some kind of dull-coat they will be VERY glossy. I have seen some remarkable results from the Strong Tone but I have not personally used it. I HAVE tried minwax and similar floor varnish products and contrary to what people have said there IS a difference. The viscosity and the pigment of the Army Painter products are more suited for miniatures use.

An upside to the dip is that it protects the miniatures as well. I am not a dip-only kind of guy. This was a project to see what a clean painting style combined with dip on a horde army could produce and I am quite pleased with the results. Thanks for watching and commenting!

This thread has been amazing from the start. I've referred back to it many times in other threads for things like PIP heads, dipping, conversion, etc. I really enjoy your work and respect your craftsmanship.

Looking forward to more.

Rabid Ferret wrote:

Imperial Monkey wrote:I'm always amazed at how good this stuff looks after being dipped. Especially the way that the skin remains decent looking...maybe I should try it...
What do you use?

I use The Army Painter Quickshade. For the Alcatran 88th Regiment IG I used Dark Tone which is the black shaded version. They also have soft tone and strong tone which provide different levels of shading. I use their matte varnish as well. If you do not use some kind of dull-coat they will be VERY glossy. I have seen some remarkable results from the Strong Tone but I have not personally used it. I HAVE tried minwax and similar floor varnish products and contrary to what people have said there IS a difference. The viscosity and the pigment of the Army Painter products are more suited for miniatures use.

An upside to the dip is that it protects the miniatures as well. I am not a dip-only kind of guy. This was a project to see what a clean painting style combined with dip on a horde army could produce and I am quite pleased with the results. Thanks for watching and commenting!

No, thank you. I've been wanting to do a horde tyranid army but have not looked forward to all the figures...this has solved my problem!! Strong tone would probably be best for Nids though...

Imperial Monkey wrote:

Rabid Ferret wrote:

Imperial Monkey wrote:I'm always amazed at how good this stuff looks after being dipped. Especially the way that the skin remains decent looking...maybe I should try it...
What do you use?

I use The Army Painter Quickshade. For the Alcatran 88th Regiment IG I used Dark Tone which is the black shaded version. They also have soft tone and strong tone which provide different levels of shading. I use their matte varnish as well. If you do not use some kind of dull-coat they will be VERY glossy. I have seen some remarkable results from the Strong Tone but I have not personally used it. I HAVE tried minwax and similar floor varnish products and contrary to what people have said there IS a difference. The viscosity and the pigment of the Army Painter products are more suited for miniatures use.

An upside to the dip is that it protects the miniatures as well. I am not a dip-only kind of guy. This was a project to see what a clean painting style combined with dip on a horde army could produce and I am quite pleased with the results. Thanks for watching and commenting!

No, thank you. I've been wanting to do a horde tyranid army but have not looked forward to all the figures...this has solved my problem!! Strong tone would probably be best for Nids though...

I would agree with that. I find soft tone too light and dark tone works better on armor/clothing. The strong tone is best for a more organic look for nids.