My latest endeavor...

I have assembled and started to paint up a 10 man squad of Imperial Fists veterans.

Instead of buying the box set and/or individual models I started gluing together bits from the Space Marine Commander box set, Assault Marine sprues, Tactical Marine sprues, and whatever other bits I found in my bits box.

So, far they have been primed white and base coated yellow and some of them have had their weapons, belts, boots, and heads base coated with black.

I'm pretty sure this is the last time I'm priming a model white. It does make the model look nicer in the end (I think) but it is more time consuming because you have to paint all the little bits and pieces black, which you would have gotten for free by priming it black in the first place.

Also, for me, painting over white or black is "six of one, and a half dozen of the other", in other words, it's about the same amount of effort.

Also, with black, if you miss spots with the main colour (yellow in the case) it doesn't look bad. However, if you miss something on a white model it looks like crap and then you have to go back fix it up.

So far I'm pretty happy with the results and will post some pics when I get chance.

I'm back!

So, real life interrupted my painting and playing of WH40K, sadness, indeed.

However, I have started painting up a squad of Imperial Fists Veterans that have been built from several sprues, including the Commander sprue, Asssault squad sprue, Tactical squad sprue, and a Devastator squad sprue.

I'll take some pictures of the models before painting and then some WIP shots as things progress.

Hopefully, the posts will be a bit more regular.

One Cityfight building done!

So, I managed to finish drybrushing and add some details to this one ruined building.

I very happy on how everything turned out, especially the crater (with the Dark Eldar warrior buried in the side of the crater).

Cheers,
Sean.

New Terrain Update

So, last night I finished base coating the foamcore ruined building a crater in black, see pics here.

I apologize for the quality as I'm tired and well got lazy.

I need to finish add debris on the second ruined building and then basecoat it, then I will start drybrushing and picking out the details on all 5 pieces. This will give me a good start on the ruined building front.

Next up will be painting my Forge World road and bombed road sections that run down the middle of the table and terminate into another large building (pics to follow, see above note about being lazy), which still needs detail added and then painting.

One thing I have learned for future buildings, I will be buying black foamcore instead of white! Sure it is a bit more expensive but the time saved in the initial base coat will be worth it, even if it only saves having to paint the inside walls of the buildings.

Well, that's it for now.

New Terrain

So, I've been putting togeher some terrain for use as Cityfight Terrain. Most of it is base coated black, except for one piece which I'll take pics of and post tomorrow night.

These two pieces are made out of packing styrofoam that came with our daughters bedframe. The pieces were very big and I just threw them on the garage floor and jumped on them Godzilla style. I kept three garbage bags full and tossed the rest.

I used two different methods of adding texture to the foam:

1) Heating up and melting the edges with a braizing torch and a masonary trowel.
2) I spread Polyinstafil onto the edges and faces of the foam.

So, method one was the most fun, I mean hey, who doesn't enjoy firing up a torch, heating some metal till it glows and then placing the metal on the styrofoam. However, although the results were good I still like the texture produced by method two, plus the fumes were a bit much after 10 minutes or so, even though I was outside.

I also added a hanging zombie to the one piece, I put the zombie together (in the he is still missing his arms) and wrapped picture hanging wire around his neck as a noose and then wrapped it around a piece of plastic sprue. I then broke off a splinter rifle blade and stuck it in his stomach for added effect.

I also took a zombie arm & hand and burried it under some foam rock, this makes it look like the poor sucker was buried under the rocks.

I also added some popsicle sticks and more sprue for debirs and then more popsicle sticks to look like broken floorboards.

I have plans to add more details, some more body parts, a sewage pipe, grate and a sewage trail from the pipe into the grate.

While all the paint is drying on those, I have built some foamboard ruinded buildings. I still need to take some pics and post them, hopefully tomorrow.

All of these are being mounted on 1/8" masonite.

Father Gregori

So, I was chastised last week for not updating the blog. Truth be known, I burned myself out trying to get my Witch Hunters up to speed for the Deep Space Golden Marine Tournament on Oct 23rd, only to come down with a cold (which still haunts me) and not be able to attend, which left me in no mood to paint.

So, Father Gregori was the last model I had painted before the cold hit and stopped all work dead in it's tracks.

I am happy to say I'm now in the mood to paint and the next things up are some ruined buildings / City Fight terrain and then some painting attention to Markov and the rest of retinue.

Battle Report Witch Hunters vs Ultramarines

As promised, here is the battle report from the 1500 point Take and Hold from a couple of weeks back.


"My Lord."

"Yes?", replied Inquisitor markov.

"We have located the wreckage of the Aquila and the package seems to be intact. Shall we proceed with the recovery operation?" asked Acolyte Gregor.

"Yes, send in our recon teams and have them coordinate with The Reaper." ordered Markov. Markov could see by the facial reaction of Gregor that he did not know about The Reaper. Good, he thought to himself, Acolyte Alexandre can be trusted.

"The Reaper is in play?"

"Yes, the assassin moved into position yesterday on my orders. He found the wreckage today and also confirms that package to be intact." answered Markov. "We will begin the recovery once our scouts confirm the area secure."

"You are wise and cautious my Lord. Are you expecting trouble?" asked Gregor. He was wary of asking too many questions as it tended to annoy Markov but this was not a normal mission, and he himself wanted to be prepared.

Markov was amused by the line of questioning, not enought o irritate him but enough to pry the information from him. He could tell Gregor was seeing how close he push the questions until Markov become upset. "I'm not expecting trouble but that does not mean trouble will not find us of it's own accord. Remember, this was an Ultramarines transport NOT one of ours." replied Markov, "I can only assume they will also be looking for it, however, their reason for finding it will be to rescue their brothers. Ours is to locate and recover the package intact. No more questions! Go now and prepare for our landing."

"As you wish, my Lord" answered Gregor.

---
"Sir!, the area is secure we may proced with the rescue operation." reported Brother Sargius over the comlink.
Sargius was the Sgt of the Asault Squad and had positioned his unit in some rocky terrain over looking the crash site.

"Sargius, proceed to the crash sight and look for survivors." ordered the Captain.

"Affirmitive, proceeding. What the hell! Get down, find cover!" yelled Sargius as the incoming heavy bolter dropped three assault marines and the proceeding sniper rounds found two more. "Sir! We are taking fire, I repeat we are taking fire, the area is NOT! I repeat NOT! secure." Sargius spoke into his com.

"Do you know the source of the fire! What is your status?" replied the Captain.

"It is coming from some runes situated behind the crash site and some rocks west of the crash site. It is heavy bolter and sniper fire. I have 5 wounded and we cannot make it to the site without incurring further casualties, you orders Sir?" asked Sargius. He was not a coward but there was no way to cross the open terrain with several sources of incoming fire directed at him. Even with the speed of the jump packs, they would not make it.

"Fallback and tend to your wounded, we will deal with this." ordered the Captain.

---
"My Lord, our Scouts are engaging enemy targets as we speak!", Gregor informed Markov.

"How long before we arrive?",
"We shall be there within 10 minutes, my Lord.".
"Do we know the identity of the enemy combatants and their composition?",
"Yes my Lord. It is a rescue operation being executed by the Ultramarines. Presumably, to recover the bodies of their brothers from the transport.",

"Unfortunate that they should arrive so soon. No matter, the security of the package is the highest priority now.",
"My Lord, are we to continue engaging the Ultramarines? I am sure if we contacted them and explained the situation they would aid us in the search for the child.",

"Order the scouts to continue engaging any target of opportunity but not to leave cover and order The Repear to do the same.", stated Markov, ignoring the questions posed by his assistant. Sometimes, we must do things which would appear radical or unorthodox to outsiders, in order to do what is in the best interests of the Imperium.

"My Lord, Sgt. Vasquez has just reported a sighting of a Ultramarine Dreadnaught and a Rhino." reported Gregor.
"Order him to alter his course towards the crash sight and away from the Dread and Rhino.",
"My Lord, Vasquez is taking heavy fire from the Dread and reports that his Rhino will not last.",
"Order Vasquez to disembark and head on foot towards the crash sight and have Sgt. Antilla engage the enemy Rhino with Plasma weapons.",

"Yes, my ..., Sgt Vasquez has just reported that his Rhino has been destroyed and they held up by the wreckage. They will proceed to the crash site once they have freed themselves. Sgt. Antilla has confirmed his orders." reported Gregor.

"My Lord, the Exorcist Redemption has confirmed sightings made by Commander Taylor and his Predator. The sightings are of a Crusader pattern Land Raider, Predator Destructor and a Marine Tactical unit on foot. He wishes to know your orders", again Gregor reported. This recovery mission was not going according to plan and to make matters worse they were engaging the Ultramarines as they were trying to rescue their fallen brothers. No good can come of this, thought Gregor.

Gregor, inform the Redemption and Commander Taylor to engage targets as they fit. They must contain these threats until we can recover the package.

"Driver, proceed to the crash site." ordered Markov.

- - -
Sir!, our Predator has been immobilized by an Exorcist missle.,
An Exorcist? Why is the Ordo Hereticus here and more importantly, why are they engaging us? Open a com channel to Witch Hunters and find out why in hell are they doing this!,
Yes, Sir!, ..... Sir, they are ordering us out of the area and say they have priority in securing the crash site. If we do not comply, then they will do what ever is required in order to secure the site.
I am under orders to recover any surviors, bring back the dead and recover any cargo that was on board. We will fulfill this mission, understood Sgt?
Yes, Sir! I am ordering all units to engage at will in order to secure the site. We will not fail.

- - -

My Lord, the Redemption has destroyed the enemy predator and our scouts have wounded a tactical marine., Gregor informed his Lord.

However, we have lost three scouts in the cliffs west of the crash site to assault cannon fire from the Dreadnaught.,
Gregor, inform the scouts to stand fast and try to stop that Rhino, and remind Sgt. Antilla to support them, he seems to be dragging his heels getting to the front.

- - -

Sir, we have reports that our Rhino has blown a track due to sniper and plasma fire. report the Sgt., just a round impacted on the front of their Land Raider.

Damage report, Sgt?,
Sir, we have lost our assault cannon to an incoming Exorcist round.
Sgt. Tremanye is also reporting a wounded marine due to continuing sniper fire. We also have an incoming command Rhino with Ordo Hereticus markings, it is heading for the crash site and incoming Typhoon. Sir, you orders?

The Captain was impressed with the amount of firepower and armour this Lord had acquired to 'secure' a crash site.

Sgt. Target the incoming Rhino and make sure it does not make it to the crash site. We must make it there first.
The gunner of the Command Raider launched a HK missle and was pleased when he saw it impact the side of the Rhino.
Sir, the Command Rhino has been destroyed and the troops on board are piling out.,
Finally, some good news, thought the Captain. Sgt., once we reach the site you and your Terminators along with myself will disembark and secure the crash site. Understood?,
Yes, Sir!, replied the Sgt.



Plasma gunners take aim and remove that Rhino from my sight., yelled Sgt. Antilla.

The troopers opened fire with their plasma guns and Sgt. Antilla watched in horror as one of his best was engulfed in the troopers exploding plasma gun. There was nothing to do for him now, Antilla pointed his plsma pistol at the Rhino and let loose and was rewarded when the Rhino exploded into a ball of flame. He was less pleased when he counted a full tactical unit fleeing from the flaming coffin.

- - -

The Land Raider disgorged it's passengers into the crash site, while the tactical unit on foot managed to stop the Exorcist's deadly missles, at least for the time being.

Sgt. You and your Terminators secure this site, I will look for surviors.

In the distance the Captain saw the Dreadnaught mow down one of the advancing Storm Troopers and smiled to himself.
We may get out of this afterall.

- - -

Sgt. Vasquez and his squad managed to extricate themselves from their wrecked Rhino and saw their enemy in the same predicament. Seizing the opportunity, he ordered flamers to open up on the trapped marines and was pleased when he saw five of them go down.

Sgt. Vasquez now ordered his unit to assault the remaining marines. As they ran in, the threw frag grenades to keep the marines down. In the ensuing melee they cut down three more marines and suffered two casualties in return.

- - -

Captain!, yelled the Terminator Sgt., We have incoming

The Captain whirled around only to be hit by two rounds from the Reaper's Exitus rifle. The Captain looked down and saw blood pouring from the two wounds. At that moment, he heard the Sgt., yelling once again, Incoming assault troops!.

The Captain then turned again to see the Inquisitor Lord and his retinue charging him and his Terminatos. We shall make short work of them, he thought ot himself.

He raised his lightning claws and struck downwards on the charging Inquisitor and was rewarded with blood gushing from multiple slash wounds. He then saw the Lord's familiar smashed into the ground by another Terminator. What he saw next though would remain with him forever, two, TWO of HIS Terminators cut down by the power sword of the Inquisitor's Crusader.

He had two Terminators, his command Raider, a Dreadnaught and two remaining tactical marines. His options were few and he knew this, as he was about to engage the Lord's Crusader, he saw the Lord's Chirurgeons pulling him away to the safety of the cliffs and the Lord's Servitor hoisting a cargo canister onto his shoulder and head in the same direction.

He also noticed the hovering Typhoon and the Exorcist covering their Lord's retreat. The Sgt. Then informed him over his com that the Lord and his forces were leaving the area and the Captain and his remaining forces could now tend to the crash site. However, if they were followed during their withdrawl then they would be met with deadly force, again.

The Captain ordered his remaining forces to search the wreckage for survivors or fallen marines. All of this over a cargo canister? I hope it was worth it the Captain thought to himself.