Celt Armoured Cavalry

I have painted up the Celt Armoured Cavalry - 3 Renegade (Essex horses) and 3 Victrix. 

Still some experimenting with various speed and contrast paints. 

Generally quite happy - probably not as quick as I would like - hand painting the shields is a bit of a pain - geometric and knotty aren’t that easy to get right. 

The tartan/stripey experiment isn’t quite there yet. I need to remember what brown speed paint I am using for wood colour. 

I have assembled the rest of the Celt infantry to be stuck on sticks for undercoating. I suppose I should assemble the rest of the army too …

Morts 

So bits have been painted

It has been back to work and still looking for a new job/career - basically source of income. However I have managed to finished some bits and bobs. 

A unit of Saxon cavalry - Roundway Miniatures (actually British Heavy Cavalry) for a GNW army. 

An ok job on these - not too happy with the flag, but the actual design is difficult to copy in 15mm. I will be basing the whole Saxon army when the imagination light infantry-skirmishers are painted in the next week or so. Just a few more bits to complete for the 15mm GNW are finished off. 

The final three Shieldwolf Valkyries have been completed - still experimenting with speed/contrast paints. 

Not sure they are speeding up the painting process - the speed paints. But I plan to do a whole army (celts) with them at some point. 

All done with bases completed - I think they’ll look ok on a battlefield. 

I my depressed state about missing out on UK GamesExpo, I picked up a pack of plastic cyclops by Dark Alliance - I have some of there not Lord of the Rings trolls. About a tenner for 12 minis - 3 each of 4 poses, not bad as they are the size of an ogre (mantic hero one for scale).

I would say that the quality of these is a step up from the trolls I have - sculpting and production. At least 6 of these will become monster infantry for a fantasy Greek army … and I am sure that I will find extra use for them in other games too. 

Planning a game this weekend - hopefully I won’t be ill this time!

Morts

Xenos Rampant - Space Marines versus Bugs!

So I finally managed to get Xenos Rampant to the table in a IP mash up as Space Marines checked out an abandoned outpost only to be set up on by Bugs from the Arachnid empire … not Tryranids! 

I had set up the forces as Space Marines - Lieutenant (Elite), Dreadnought (Fighting Vehicle, with Walker), Intercessors and Assault Intercessors in squads of 5 (but with enlarged squad size, so 2 hits to remove a mini). The Bugs were a Tanker bug, 2 units of 5 warrior bugs, 1 unit of hopper bugs and a unit of Firefly bugs - all the units of bugs had swam, so again 2 hits to remove a model. Due to the actual size of the bug models I think that 2 hits seem right) - also they would take up a lot of a space! The game was played on my 150cm by 90cm table, with deployment in opposite corners. 

The battle of Compound F162 was about to commence …

I won initiative, but the relative speed of the bugs meant that they were get to the compound first. I did forget to put some rough ground on that table - although I’m not sure that it would have made any difference. 

The advancing bug menace!

The bugs are over the wall and will be Wild Charging next turn - they do suffer some damage from the intercessors and dreadnought.

Bugs - thousands of them (9 or 10 actually but it doesn’t sound as good), trying to overwhelm the dreadnought.

Things looked a bit dodgy for a moment - but the armour 6 on the dreadnought made it a tough cookie for the bugs - but it sustained 1 strength point of damage. The marines lost a man. The lieutenant was wandering why he had send the assault intercessors around impassable woods - especially as the hopper bugs had redirected to flank the marines by the wall.

The bugs have fallen back from their assault - time for a breather… I must admit that at this point I thought the balance wasn’t quite right and the Space Marines would have this game …

But no! The lieutenant blasts at the sand bugs - but the hoppers swoop in on the marines - with devastating consequences!

The lone survivor of the intercessor squad cowers behind the lieutenant … then things got very cinematic!

DK activation roll was snake-eyes (blue), which cost him a lot. As I would be able to shoot next turn with the lieutenant. The double 6 is the rally roll for the single marine - he knew no fear! Then the lieutenant obliterated the 3 warrior bugs in front of him … simples, a ready cool moment in the game.  

DK again swoops in on the marine leader with the hopper bugs, and almost straight out of the most cliched 40k story the power of the Emperor of Mankind channels through the warrior and with the slashing of his power sword the hopper bugs are removed from the sky (and game).  Brutal DK and the bugs had now lost 3 out of 5 squads … the planet would be cleansed!

However the bugs had other ideas and proceeded to spit acid at the lieutenant and surviving intercessor, which tragically overwhelmed these heroes on the Imperium.

But all was not lost as the assault Intercessors finally get into action - destroying the firefly unit of bugs … but hilariously failing their courage test and routing from the field of battle … these marines knew fear!

All that was left on both sides were the Tanker bug and Dreadnought …

They briefly tussled, but it was decided that it was time on the game … and a draw was called. 

Walking away, nothing to see here …

The game played fast and fun - I think we made a couple of errors when counting hits to strength points and with some courage tests,  but overall pretty clean rules wise. I think I called it right but buffing the units with increased squad size/swarm, but not increasing the model count. It would have been too crowded. The elite was tough and I am glad that the standard space marines were classed as heavy infantry - I had read that a number of people were running this in their games - also it does give terminators (if I get any) much room to be the bestest. The armoured vehicle - dreadnought again was a tough nut - as it should be - I didn’t give the tanker the anti-tank trait as it didn’t seem to fit the army theme (I might use the blaster bugs for that …). 

 As it was both DK and I had fun and the game played smoothly on the whole. Now I need to do stats for some of the other 40k models I have. 

We then had go at Valhalla card and dice placement game - a quick run through the rules and we were away. A pretty close game but I ran out 25-19. I really would like to play this with 3+ players, as I am sure it would change the dynamic. 

Morts

Glorfindel - a hero of middle earth - the Christmas Elf!

In the push to complete stuff already to go - a GW Glorfindel foot and mounted version has been completed before Christmas - which means i might have forced this one a bit, as I’m not sure I have got the paint job quite right. I was keen to paint this chap, as I liked the figure and he will be used as an elf hero in more than one game system (Dragon Rampant, KoW, MENSG). 

But I’m not sure that I have got it right - I was hoping to get the painting done before Christmas and rushed some bits. I will have to sleep on it for a few days. 

If I don’t post for a few days - Happy Christmas!

Morts

More Blackstone Fortress Chaos ….

To make up a Blooded Kill Team and unit sizes for Xenos Rampant, I got hold of some more miniatures. They need varnish and in the case of the cultists some tufts too.

A couple of cultists of the Abyss. 

Traitor Marksman, Gunner with melta and Corpseman. 

Traitor Flenser (converted from a cultist), Trench sweeper and gunner with Plasma.

Traitor Ogryn and Enforcer as the muscle for the Blooded. I decided to match the bases to the ones for Blackstone guard for consistency. 

Quite happy with these - could be better, but good for the table. 

Morts

The last of the Starship Troopers

 So with a tad of effort I have painted the last of my Mongoose Mobile Infantry. They were done to match the ones which I painted for the first edition of Kill Team. 

The one in the middle is one of the originals - the 2 either side are the new ones - I do wonder if I should have tried to press mould the Cadian skull shoulder pouldron which I used on the unit a couple of years ago. Anyway they are done now - so 3 ten man squads of MI to fight the bugs!

Morts

Marauder Platoon

For Starship Troopers and obviously anything else I feel like (Xenos Rampant or Imperial Guard proxies in 40k) I have completed the M9 Chickenhawk Marauder Suits.

As a group of three models - 2 with utility claws and one with a flamer. I would like some extra warning transfers (I did try painting a few, but they were crap so I painted over them). 

The individual walkers - top is a complete Mongoose model and was painted a while ago (which is why the base is a slightly different colour) - I did add a little chipping when I was painting the other 2. The middle one is basically the same, but there was no rotary cannon on the sprue, so after a rummage in the bits box a bolter gun with magazine was stuck on as a proxy (the best option available). The bottom shows the flamer variant - here a Tau flamer has been used because the one in the original kit looked weedy and rubbish. I think the Tau stuff does match the SST ascetic quite well. 

Overall quite pleased with these - not the best kits in the world (need to do the feet on all of them), but they have turned out okay. Might even use them in a game sometime.

Not much sci-if left to paint … must resist the urge to buy more.

Morts

More Starship Troopers - nearly there

I have sat down recently and given myself a stern talking to about all the half finished projects that I have on the go - I response I have ploughed with some more Starship Troopers miniatures. To make the grey Mobile Infantry units up to 10 minis each some heavy weapons troopers.

For the red squad (on the left) a couple of plastic guys - missile launcher and a 40k flamer (because I had one and the actual SST one is rubbish). For the green squad a couple of metal minis (from the heroes of the federation box - which are ok, not a great match for their plastic brethren), another missile launcher (I think it’s meant to be nukes, but missile will do) and a sniper. Painting on this is ok - not a perfect match for the units they are joining, but close enough.

The command figures - well a lieutenant in the centre (another slightly suspect metal miniature) and then a couple of NCOs (in the SST game anyway) - conversions with some 40k bits. I need to put on a symbol so that their rank is identified on the table. So for Starship Troopers I have 2 mobile infantry which have to be painted in the green scheme and 2 marauder walkers left to go (one needing assembly). A challenge to complete before the holidays start properly, but I will give it a go!

Morts

Update - Starship Troopers, Kill Team and Combat Patrol.

With the hot weather it has been difficult to get much painting done, but I have managed the last 5 of the Mobile Infantry Light Armour troopers. This brings the total up to 42 - 4 squads of 10 and a command of a Lieutenant and NCO. 

There are a few more spares (including another LT and NCO, but I think I might see what eBay will bring me for those) - the squad sizes I have work for the SST game, 40k as proxy guard and Xenos Rampant. I have a few power armoured troopers to go and a couple of Chickenhawk Marauder suits and they are done. 

For the Blooded/Blackstone Kill Team I picked up a plasma and melta gunner - I will get these painted with the Traitor Command figures soonish.

The sprues are for 3 Kataphron Destroyers or Breachers for the Ad  Mech. This will mean using the tank as a proxy for a spider/crawler thing I have the figures for an Ad Mech Combat Patrol for 10th Edition 40k. Must stop looking at eBay now … but I think the Ad Mech could do with another command miniature … and the Marines need another vehicle … must stop the mission creep!

Morts

Some more Reivers for Kill Team or 40k or Something …

 I have now finished off the last Reivers for my Phobos Kill Team - and small 40k force of space marines.

A Space Marine NCO, as I had one extra miniature than I actually needed for my 5 man squads. I probably would have liked a better paint job, but as I was painting him with the rest of the miniatures, so possibly a little rushed. 

The newly formed VIIIth squad - the 2 marines at each end were part of the IXth squad but were transferred (with a literal change of transfer on the knee pad), so that both Reivers squads have a grapple launcher and a carbine. 

The new members of the IXth squad with grapple launcher and carbine. All that figures need some tufts which I hope to pick up at the show at the weekend. 

I have to paint up the infiltrator/incursor/eliminator squad to complete the members of the Phobos kill team (and obviously complete another 5 man squad of space marines for the force I have mission creeped. 

I plan to get a dreadnought for the force - hopefully it would be a playable force in the soon to be released free 10th edition of 40k - otherwise they will be playing Xenos Rampant. 

Morts

Ad Mech Tank

I have sat down and pushed through and completed the Ad Mech Char B1 tank thing. 

First up pictures without any decals - I tried some chipping on the edges, which look ok. 

Then we have the tank with some Ad Mech decals - I think I still have to do some dirt dry brushing. 

I am quite happy with the paint job, but don’t think that the kit bash was enough to get away from the origin of the model. 

Morts 

Nearly there with the Adeptus Mechanicus

 I have pushed on with the Ad Mech and I think that I have finished the Sicarians.

These look look a pretty good match for the ones I have already painted - I am sure that the quality of painting is getting worse, which is a bit sad. There are some bits which are good and others which are a bit, just ok. I’ll get the bases done and they will look fine in their units or in Kill Team.

With the infantry all done (apart from some decals to put on), I started putting some paint on the proxy (Char 1B) Ad Mech tank thing.

Of course I am now intimidated because Tiger-King has done a stunning job on a Panzer III. Also I’m not sure that I have done enough to make it look less like a Char 1B. 

I might have another look in the bits box to see if I can stick more bits of plastic on it, before I get going on the painting properly. 

Morts

Necrons - Deathmarks and Immortals

So after finishing the Skitari off, I was about to start on the Sicarians … but then thought hang on there we  have some Necrons hanging about - probably just needing a quick bit of work on the details, so I had a look and biff baff bop ….

And there are 5 Immortals, 5 Deathnarks and 2 bases of scarabs - just need to do the basing now. The necrons now have 10 warriors, 5 Immortals, 5 Deathmarks, 5 bases of Scarabs and a Royal Warden - enough for a couple of Kill Teams and a force in Xenos Rampant. 

Morts

Ad Mech - some more Skitari

 I have a few days to sort things out, so I managed to paint up the last 5 skitari (3 rangers and 2 vanguard - one surveyor). And the commander of the tank - hopefully I will start on that soon.

I didn’t need any of these for Kill Team - but now I have 2 ten man Skitari Squads (I also have 5 unassembled, which I should sell), so they will see more use in Xenos Rampant or the free version of 40k tenth edition when that arrives …

As a leader I have also painted an Enginseer Tech Priest.

I think I will put some transfers on this guy - for more detail. There are 4 Sicarians and the tank to go for the Ad Mech (unless I pick up any extra bits - like destroyers or robots at the Exeter show).

Just started to finish off the Necrons - which hopefully won’t take too long, then it is back to the Phobos marines.

Morts

Birthday Haul

It has been rather busy recently - walking and visitors taking up quite a lot of time. I have managed a game of Ticket to Ride (or the train game as the girls call it) and a two play go at Raiders of the North Sea with my brother. My birthday was in the last week and surprisingly I actually got some gaming stuff. 

Xenos Rampant and a couple of Kill Team sized game mats. 

We got lucky with the mats as the vendor had list a mat that wasn’t in stock so offered 2 as a replacement - we couldn’t say to that offer. 

Hoping to try out Xenos Rampant as a way to use the 40k stuff with the Starship troopers - always good to try and get some use out of everything. I also have a copy of the Fall of Numenor - Christopher Tolkien’s last run through his fathers notes - it will be a month or so before I settle down to read that one. 

Some pics of the moor yesterday - a good day out. 

Hope to post some more soon - probably pictures of the DBA armies before their sale. 

Morts

Blackstone Update and mischief....

 

So I have finished the first 7 of the Traitor Guard for Blackstone Fortress - taking the painted miniatures to 23 out of 44. So over 50% done. Will put together a couple of the heroes now (I did put together the Ad Mech Enginseer Techpriest). 

I have also started to put together this SST Arachnid mantis bug - I think I will be drilling and pinning it as it seems a tad delicate. 

Then after saying wouldn’t bay anything until I had completed Blackstone Fortress - Warlord Games were selling these at 50% off! I couldn’t let these go.

Something for Kings of War/Oathmark and Kill Team/Starship Troopers. 

Morts

Earth Elementals ....

Well a while ago I bought a couple of Nolzur’s Marvellous Miniatures earth elementals to support my Kings of War Dwarf army - however I really needed 3 models, so after a few months of pondering (thinking about buying more) I decided to make my own ... couldn’t be too hard.
Part1 - initial frame of milliput. A little small.

 Part 2 - bulking out the frame. Shoulders aren’t quite right.

Part 3 - More bulking out and changing the head position. 

Part 4 - base coat of dark earth. 

Part 5 - Washes of black, brown and green applied. 

Part 6 - Initial dry brushing 

Finished elementals (apart from the grass)

 Picture of the backs

I am pretty pleased with these paint jobs and the green stuff and milliput home made elemental, who fits in with the other two. Another package arrived in the post recently few more dwarfs ...

Morts