Rogue Trader Imperial Army

I’m going to be catching up on a few posts from before Christmas here and there, and this is one of them.

Going back to that conversation I had with Matt about whether I had any old Imperial Guard models (just a few, it turns out), I dug out my old first edition collection for review.

I had some I’d picked more recently that had been painted in one scheme but not based, loads in an old scheme I painted in the late 1980s, and some never touched. What else could I do but spend some time updating them, getting them consistent, and basing them!

 The first challenge was finding a match for the OOP GW Codex Grey - got there in the end, but you may notice the odd slightly lighter or darker mini here and there. I went for speed and simplicity over quality, but I’m pleased with how they look as a group.  Where faces or other parts were OK, I left as is, to get some variety in skin tone.  

Sneakfeet

Thanks to another Wargames Illustrated/ Wargames Atlantic freebie, I ended up with one of the ‘not Ratling’ Sneakfeet, and couldn’t resist assembling and painting them.

As usual with Wargames Atlantic there are loads of fun options and they go together pretty well.  Also really easy to paint, with nice definition and not too much fussy detail.  Reminded me of Copplestone’s sculpts in that regard.

Armament wise there are enough sniper rifles and SMGs for everyone to be armed the same, or to mix and match.  There are also a couple of really characterful options like a frying pan with eggs cooking, a thermos flask, and a head smoking a massive pipe.

I would make a couple of really minor points - definitely test out the fit: you may need to try a few left arms before finding the right one for a particular weapon; I’d have quite like to have the option for a sling weapon on the right shoulder, to pair up with the pointing arm; and there is a fantastic overstuffed backpack on the frame, but it won’t work with any of the slung weapon options, which seems a shame, as it would make for a nice marching model.  But these are really minor quibbles.

For anyone interested, here are a few comparisons.  They’re fairly chunky. Definitely bigger than my old GW Ratlings; comparable to an old style Squat.  Sizewize they’re also a good fit with Wargames Atlantic’s Einherjar, which raises some intriguing conversion possibilities.

Werewolves!

 Wargames Illustrated frequently put Wargames Atlantic sprues on their covers at the moment.  It may be a marketing ploy, but it works on me - it’s a great way to try out minis I might not otherwise pick up.

And that’s my excuse for why I now have four werewolves.

These assembled easily and were really quick to paint up, especially with judicious use of some contrast paints.  Loads of options on the sprue, although some parts fit better than others, so try them out dry first.  Detail could be a bit better - fangs and eyes aren’t very clear, even though arguably key features to get that monstrous look -  but they’ll look just fine on the tabletop.

Not sure why they sell them in a box of 20 though - not sure who will have a need for that many.  Perhaps folk will split boxes.

Colours inspired by the not so little miniature, who thought they should match the ones in her sticker book!

Even more Space Dwarfs - bring out the BFGs

 Just a few more old GW Squats to keep my brushes warm.  A couple of these were more touching up and improving old paint jobs than completely new. It shows in places but I don’t mind.  It’s nice to be reminded how I’ve improved.

Two of these are from the old Squat Heavy weapons range: Gunner Keif on the left and Gunner Karl on the right.

This chap is from the old metal range that came with sprues of plastic arms and weapons.  Except his arms and flamer are from the Wargames Atlantic EinherJar sprue Instead.

Building up to be a small but very nice collection.  I’m sure I have a few more around, but can’t find them at the moment.

Tyranid Paint Guide

I’ve already posted about painting Tyranids, so I’m posting this mainly to have a clear record for myself of the method and paints used.  If it’s useful to Someone else, that’s an added bonus.

Step1: undercoat/basecoat of Khemri Dust from a can.

Step 2:  wash with GW Reikland Flesh Shade.

Step 3:  drybrush with Vallejo Iraqi Sand

Step 4 & 5:  apply contrast paint.  Blood Angels Red for exposed muscle, joints and ‘tubes’; Black Templar for the carapace and talons/hooves.

Step 6 & 7: two layers of GW Athonian Camoshade on the Fleshborer.  Finally teeth pick out in off white/ivory, and yellow for the eyes.  I also added a little Carroburg Crimson shade around the jaw where the softer tissue would be.

The usual basing technique (but using ‘winter’ static grass, to suggest the Tyranid presence is corrupting the biosphere), and he’s ready to terrorise the enemy with his pals.

I also did a few Genestealers (from 2nd edition Space Hulk).  Same technique, except the heads and hands had a liberal wash of Carroburg Crimson shade to get that classic pinky purple look.

More Space Dwarfs

I’ve been painting up a few more Rogue Trader Era Squats.  Some of them got a preview in the jungles a post or two ago.  I actually started them a couple of months back, but I wasn’t feeling it and put them on the back burner.  Something about painting the Tyranids unlocked them, and I finished them in an evening or two.

They’re all from the era when 40k didn’t take itself too seriously and were named accordingly in the adverts at the time

Smoothbore Sten, Heckler Smith, maxim bang

Barry Schmeisser, Mauser Von Dreyse

Next up, a couple from the command, and heavy weapons packs.

Sgt Bylcow, Brew Ithica

Loader Powl

Make it Dirty! (Scatter terrain)

 Looking at the photos I took of my 40k game, I concluded that some of scenery pieces just looked too neat.  Some muck was needed urgently!

Cue weathering being added with a mix of washes, dry brushing, and torn up sponge.

Much better!

The barrels got a liberal wash of Agrax Earthshade, then Rhinox hide applied with a torn up washing up sponge.  The crates are VJ Luftwaffe Camo Green, Athenian Camoshade, then very light drybrush of Elysian Green, before having some chain mail applied with a sponge on corners and wherever they might get bashed.

The  container got a subtle application of Earthshade to recesses - bolts, hinges, joints etc - which was immediately wiped down with a sponge; always going the same direction so that any shade that remained looked like streaks.  The floor and ceiling inside was painted with Black Templar contrast.