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I've been fiddling a lot more this afternoon...

This scout bolt gun has a barrel/suppressor thingy made from plastic rod. I also "turned" it a bit on my "Chopper" to put a groove in it. The magazine/clip is from a genestealer cults autogun. I don't like it in the picture. Might need replacing. The sight has a bit of rod which I cut off a short disc and then cut in half to make a mount. I now wonder if it needs a stock too?

The arms are from the Chaos Marauders kit. I think they originally held a flail. They have been pinned in position. Needs a little sanding on the greenstuff, but it is not too bad already. The shoulders had to be cut down to allow the pads to fit.



The main body has been pinned and reinforced between legs and torso. One of those shoulder pads is the one that comes loose with the Heavy Bolter from the Scouts box. The other was the solid arm the gun was on. I drilled it out with a very thick drill and carved at it with a craft knife. I need to choose a pistol and which packs to glue on. The axe is also from the Marauders kit, with any arrows removed, though I spot it is not perfect. It might be too big to suit the model anyway though.



I think I am happy with the greenstuff on the back.



Here is a more complete build with a temporary head. I have another head on the way from EBay that I hope will work.

Those kitbashes are amazing and you are evoking the feel from that cover art. And Bolters with surpressors look damn good and fit the scout aesthetic perfect.

Thanks

I found the perfect head for it too. I already had it on my Champion model!



Also been painting test schemes for my Primaris marines. Can't decide between Howling Griffons or my Storm Lords successors (who, of course, are White Scars successors)

Using this method, I think the Whirlwinds probably look better, but on the table, both look good.

I will probably do another Howling Griffon tomorrow starting over a pink base layer.

Ooft. Lovely Griffin. I've been using the pink method lately too, feel like I'm late to the party...

Okay, totally off track this week! I need to paint my Executioners characters, but I can't get into that careful painting mindset, so allowed myself a tangent.

These two models represent the start of a SMALL force of Mantis Warriors. I've long planned to have all four of the Badab Secessionist chapters available to me. The Lamenters are my first and painting them takes a long time. I will probably keep adding to them forever. The Astral Claws are easy to paint, so I have a huge force planned. I already have lots built and painted that I have never even posted here. You'll see them once my Executioners are done. My Executioners will top out at arund 2000-2500 points, but each is a custom build - not a single model in that army so far is unmodified, except for three drop pods. They are therefore a long slog! These Mantis Warriors wil all be stock models, unconverted and top out at around 1000-1500 points...

I have had about 45 marines and a Mortis Contemptor lying around for a couple of years because they are already painted Averland Sunset. I've long had a plan to turn them into Mantis Warriors using washes. I think it needs two washes, not just one...

I think Gitsplitta needs to tell me what to do! Gits, two washes, or one?

Damnit, accidental post...

Fifty,

The one on the left, when looking at the screen, with the darker Green is two washes correct?

Two washes.

My two cents,

CB

Yeah, that is what I decided too, in the end. I've knocked out ten of these today. They look good held up next to images in Imperial Armour. Five need more green on a couple of spots, but that is it. No bases yet, but they won't get anything fancy, so it won't take long.

Mantis warriors look cool, interesting color scheme. And a good head on your latest conversion, really fits perfectly.

I like it a lot. Mantis warriors were always masters of stealth, there's probably a couple hiding in everyone's blog

Sorry for being late to the party. Two washes!

 inmygravenimage wrote:
I like it a lot. Mantis warriors were always masters of stealth, there's probably a couple hiding in everyone's blog

I thought it was a requirement to blog here. I know I’ve got one lurking.

So, I've done a quick two day blast and started on my Mantis Warriors. It has been quite liberating to blitz and army where I genuinely don't have the same standards that I normally apply. I've also found a reciipe which, purely by accident, looks great. In my opinion anyway.

I started with way more than this, but sold some Centurions for a good price. I stripped some bikes and a drop pod as I did not see them as part of this force. I have a yellow rhino too, but can't decide what to do with it.

This force will come to around 75PL or 1500 points. If I don't get there, I'll add a few more bits, but I'd be happy to stick at 1500 points. It guarantees we'll have some Mantis Warriors for a series of Badab campaign weekends with strict chapter restrictions Arbitor Ian will be organising once lockdown relaxes, and all of it will be useable in Zone Mortalis for boarding missions, which is also necessary. As I will have 30 Tac Marines and 10 Assault Marines, I will probably add 10 Devastators if I add anything, as that would make a nice thematic demi-company.

I haven't painted any chapter symbols yet. I want to blitz the painting and leave them until last. I think I can paint something acceptable, but want to establish the correct painting order and practise a bit. I have also ordered a mountain of 32mm bases, and will be painting them on a very plain sand base. They should arrive in the next couple of days.

I will run them with -1 to hit at long range (or whetever the 9th Ed version is) and +3" range to help the Sternguard and flamer dudes out.



This Tac squad has three guys left who need a second wash and some detailing.


This Tac squad has seven guys left who need a second wash and some detailing.


I will take advantage of the shading already done on these guys to relayer the Averland Yellow, then add the black stripes for the Tranquilty Sniper Veteran look. I will also extend the bolter barrels and consider using my few remaining scopes to make them look even better.

I will magnetise the Kheres Assault Cannons in order to give me options. Don't know if I will ever use them.


The top five will be Vanguard Veterans. I will PROBABLY give them the same paint scheme as the Sternguard Tranquility Sniper Veterans. Unless anyone has better ideas that won't be complicated?


These remaing yellow guys will probably make a third Tac Squad. The metal dudes are from various assorted EBay job lots and date from Rogue Trader and 2nd Edition, I think. They'll be painted last. I will make a lieutenant in the mean time from plastics.

That escalated quickly!

Wow! That’s some solid progress on a sizeable force! The scheme looks really good and pretty straightforward too, perfect for a quick job. I like that you’ll be fitting the tranquility scheme in, even more so for using it to differentiate the Sternguard and Vanguard. You’ll be done by next weekend at this rate!

Those Mantis just sneak you on you don’t they . Great start to the army.

First you spy two humble Mantis Warriors just bimbling along, then suddenly there's fifty of the fethers with support....

Ok, that is a quick painted army and still looks really great. That color combination is quite striking and really fits these old sculpts.

Thank you everyone for your comments. More of them to come soon, much progress has been made.

In the meantime, that Crozius Arcanum is immense! Who could possibly need such a comically-oversized weapon?!




Automatically Appended Next Post:
So, today became DREADNOUGHT DAY!!!

I did a first pass on the Mantis Warrior Contemptor. More importantly I magnetised the arms. The base is the only one I've done so far, as my 32mm bases have not turned yet. As promised, it is super-simple. I will need to do some work on the yellow as it is too big an area to be left as just an undercoat on this model. Later, I'll build him at least one close combat arm alternative.




The rest of the day was spent on finally doing my Executioners Chaplain Venerable Dreadnought build. It is just a blu-tac fit right now, but I am very happy with it so far. I will be doing skulls in the recesses of the chest plate, like the faceplate on an Astral Claws one I did previously.

I do love a comedy dreadnought build, excellent indeed!

Today is a good day, because today is a dreadnought day! Chaplain Dread already looks great and heavily Skully, he’s going to look insane with his side panels filled with skulls

Quick note, Seventy - the Apothecary in your group of random metal dudes for the Mantis Warriors is from the Command Squad box, which I believe came out in early 3rd edition. The 2nd edition Apothecaries used one plastic arm, like the Techmarine and Chaplain in the same group.

Hmmm... that is midly irritating, especially as I just swapped out the two Rogue Trader librarians for what I think are 2nd Ed librarians. I am just using up models in my collection though, so I don't think I am bothered enough to buy a new model especially for this project. The plastic marines themselves range from 3rd to 5th edition, so not too stressed out about it.

Love how you "accidentally " started doing a Mantis Warriors force like that. The twice washed green looks great over the yellow, a really nicely done shade. It even looks great on the larger armour panels of the Contemptor, and that is not always the case.

The Chaplain Dread conversion looks great, that is my favourite Chaplain head in the Marine range and looks grand in the relic dread body like that.

I've been very, very careful about trying to do the green in one smooth coat only on the largest panels of the Contemptor. Even with that care, it is far from perfect, It'll do though.

I can't even remember what model that head is from, but it is an awesome one!

I can feel myself accidentally slipping into white scars. You're not helping with your accidental mantis warriors!

 inmygravenimage wrote:
I can feel myself accidentally slipping into white scars. You're not helping with your accidental mantis warriors!

You'd think all that white armour to paint would be a sufficient deterrent, wouldn't you?

So, I finished the second Tactical Squad just now. I think they look pretty good all lined up. Look closely at some of the individual models and you'll wince, but who cares, they'll look fine on the table. Still no bases yet, so they are blu-tacced to 30mm bases and will get transferred to sandy 32m bases, same as the Dreadnought, as soon as I get the chance.

The progress is despite the fact I spent yesterday digging a trench and filling it will rubble, then today power-spraying my old concrete patio and fixing the rubble in the trench with concrete ready to lay a proper bed and put patio slabs down on Sunday. Then on Tuesday, I will then be setting up my four sawhorses with some lengths of wood between them to support 2'x2' boards and play a game of 9th edition outdoors in the sunshine. This army will be my "outdoor" army. It will be transported in old ready meal/takeaway plastic tubs. I suppose I will probbaly varnish it eventually. Makes no sense not to, as it will be getting plenty of abuse.The models in this post will add up to a PL of 25, enough to start a Crusade Campaign.

The Contemptor is no further along, but I also have unshown progress on the Tranquility Snipers. They are the only unit getting special treatment - extended barrels. The barrels are cut, drilled, and ready for pinning to the weapons. After that, they'll be tougher to paint than the current models, but should not take long. Another Tac squad and five Vanguard Veterans and another HQ should then get me to 50PL.





Getting there with this squad. Quite a bit of work has gone into getting them to this state!


This will be a Lieutenant with Jump Pack. More work needed than the rest, but I am confident I will have him ready for Tuesday,

You’re flying through these guys! They look good together.

These guys look great en masse, perfect for an outdoor army. They’ll need varnish, with the UK “summer”!