"Rynn's World" - a Rogue Trader 40k campaign: Crimson Fists Support Squad WIP#1

After being away from the painting table for two weekends, I managed to finish the first few models of what's going to be two support squads for the Crimson Fists army.

A mix of Lascannons and Heavy Bolters - still missing are the Missile Launchers and the Sergeants.

Four Lascannons and two Heavy Bolters for starters

 

 

"Rynn's World" - a Rogue Trader 40k campaign: more beakies WIP

In a forum someone asked for a pic before the paint was applied. Here you go - the servitors are working hard and mindless to produce even more WH40k RT era Mk. VI power armour ;-)

I use "UHU patafix" strips (I think you guys in the English speaking countries know it as "blu tack") to attach my figures to that piece of wood - its an easy way to use spray primer on them because you can turn them without falling down and get the primer everywhere. The weapons have been temporarily pinned to old flight bases to handle them while painting.

"Rynn's World" - a Rogue Trader 40k campaign: Crimson Fists squad #2

After a little delay (its called real life I guess...) here is squad #2 of my Rogue Trader Crimson Fists:

Squad #2, all metal from 1987

Sergeant's helmet in appropriate markings

Free hands for chapter badge and rank emblem

I just love that aiming squad leader figure!

..so here he is close up.

There were two more figures I finished at the same time. One is a lascannon that one day will be part of a support squad and the other miniature is going to be Veteran Sergeant Huron Grimm who is going to see action in the "Battle for Jadeberry Hill" scenario.

I wasn't sure about adding gems to a space marine but in the end I think it looks not too bad.

 

Power pack :-)

Veteran Sergeant Huron Grimm

One of the cool things about RT era miniatures is that their guns don't have that heroic scale. A bolt pistol actually is small like its supposed to be compared to the guy wielding it.

More to come guys. I promise!

"Rynn's World" - a Rogue Trader 40k campaign: Crimson Fists squad #2 WIP

Some work in progress on squad #2...

"Rynn's World" - a Rogue Trader 40k campaign: Crimson Fists squad #1

Just like I have announced on my blog on February 28, I am planning to run a campaign set on "Rynn's World" - home of the Crimson Fists chapter of Space Marines and target of an invasion of brutal Ork forces.

These are my first painted up Rogue Trader 40k era models that I've finished. A squad of Crimson Fists Space Marines with a rocket launcher.

When I decided to only pick models from that era of Citadel's miniatures that I wanted to use for this project, I also came to the conclusion that they need to have that old school 40k look. In other words: painted on rank insignia and chapter emblem and helmet stripes - no decals whatsoever (these are my first free hand painting attempts ever in 22+ years of table top wargaming!)

The squad consists entirely of models made from the sprues included in RTB01, these were the first ever produced plastic Astartes. The only exception being the Sergeant's head, which is a trimmed down Veteran Sergeant Culln from Forgeworld. Another premiere in my hobby history is that I have also painted the eyes of the bare headed marine. I am getting more confident about painting such details now that I can see the result which in my own humble opinion is not too bad for someone who never bothered doing so before. ;-)

This project is going to get my very best of painting skills ever. I am absolutely in love with Citadel's early range of Beakies. Enough of the words though, I know without pics it didn't happen. ^^

Squad #1

Sergeant, three Marines with Bolters, one rocket launcher.

On the Sergeant I made use of the bits that are included on the sprues.

Hand painted Crimson Fists chapter emblem and Sergeant rank insignia.

Squad leaders have a red stripe with yellow trim on their helmets.

One could argue that a veteran must have a red diamond in his rank insignia but I am only going to give that to those who have better stats (so, those that are veterans by profile).

In addition to the first plastic squad I have painted up another squad leader. This one will see action in a mission out of the second edition 40k starter set (part of "Battle for Armageddon" booklet). This is a pewter figure whose only mod was to update the Chainsword with a modern plastic Cadian Shock Troopers one. This looks better IMO.

I love that dude, the pose is just awesome. Finally a model that looks like its fencing in close combat - and he's from 1987!

The new sword does improve the model a lot. I had to use a Chainsword from the Cadians though - a modern plastic Marine sword is just too tall.

Since he doesn't have the stuts in his should pad I decided to use the blank space for a Crimson Fists symbol. Note the yellow trim on the helmet, just like the plastic squad leader above.

Rank insignia of a Sergeant.

Stay tuned for more updates.

Chris

A project of epic dimensions: Piranha light attack speeders finished

"The Piranha is a lightly armoured vehicle used by the Tau in a range of capacities, including rapid response, support of pathfinder teams and even as battlefield transport for high-ranking dignitaries."

Those are Forgeworld's (unfortunately OOP) Epic 40k Piranhas. I just finished nine of them :-)

 

 

 

Treasures from the past: a dive into (WH40k) Rogue Trader skirmish games

I've started to follow a whole bunch of "Oldhammer" blogs within the last two or three months. The more I saw of other people's work on some of the very first miniatures that were ever released for 40k, the more I wanted to join them and add some of this to my own collection. It's amazing how impressive these old sculpts can look if they are treated with modern painting techniques and basing materials. I really don't know why in my earlier days I disliked the original Rogue Trader miniatures. Some of them are having such beautiful poses while others just look mean and brutal (man, I like the old Space Orks!)

Anyway, I have started to browse the web and bought stuff here and there to create two little skirmish armies for games of Rogue Trader 40k. One will be "beakies" only, the very first incarnation of Space Marines, made with plastic and metal miniatures. The other force will be Space Orks and those will most likely consist entirely of metal figures from the first edition of 40k, with some Goff Boyz from 2nd edition's starter box for slugga boyz.

Planning on missions around the "Wolf Time" campaign published in "Book Of The Astronomicon", I have also been searching the net for Games Workshop's dungeon floor tiles and the like.

Luckily I was able to pick up four boxes which to my total astonishment were all four complete! Mind you, these were released between 1980 and 1987! All are in near mint condition.

I am planning on painting all forces on my own and then game-mastering the whole campaign of "Rynn's world" (Battle at the farm, Jadeberry Hill, Krugerport as in WD articles and core rules), "Wolf Time" (found in Book Of The Astronomicon) and the "Battle for Armageddon (2nd edition starter set)". I might have some side stories available loosely based on "Piscina IV" (a scenario set for 2nd edition) and some other minigame rules from very old White Dwarf issues.
Hopefully I can achieve something that makes sense while using a whole bunch of stories to create a  long lasting Adeptus Astartes crusade to crush an Ork empire. While the Orks more or less won't mind having casualties, the Marine player is going to have only a preset amount of forces at his disposal to succeed.
We'll see how well he's going to do. If they are going to be destroyed a long time before my planned end of the campaign, the chapter might end up getting help from their brothers of the Red Scorpion Chapter, which you can check out HERE (another blog of mine).

I'll keep you posted on updates to this idea.
Chris

A project of epic dimensions: Tetra scout speeders finished

Ta-daaa! Finished Forgeworld  Epic 40,000 Tau Tetra scout speeders. This time completely with squad markings, sensors and painted "ruby" effect on the markerlight discs on top of the vehicles.

A project of epic dimensions: Tetra scout speeders WIP

I am alive. ;-) Yes, its been a while. Nonetheless work continues on my 6mm Tau army.

Some WIP shots of Forgeworld's Tau Tetra Scout Speeders.

I still need to add the final highlights, squad markings and sensor colours.

A project of epic dimensions: battle suit cadre

After way too much time since the last post here is the completed Crisis Suit Cadre:

5 units of Battle Suits, one upgrade to a Shas'el Commander (for a total of six), Shas'O Supreme Commander up front.

Shas'O (haven't come up with a good name yet - any suggestions?)

The whole units is made with Onslaught Miniatures, except the two commander's shield drones which are Forgeworld's.

The Tau lettering on the back banners is made with parts from old WH40K decals sheets.

I probably spent too much time on these tiny figures, but I am always satisfied when it paid off ;-)

The amount of detail that Onslaught has put on the miniatures is just stunning. I love them.

The Shas'el Commander, leading the Battle Suit Cadre.

Given the close combat weapon that he was modelled with, it probably also could be used for Commander Farsight - but I have no intentions to do so.