SADOUKAD 16

Cool Idea for Basing

2011-11-17T10:11:00.000-06:00

Here's a video from Anvil Industries that is worth checking out. I think he may have something here...

DKoK Update 11/06

2011-11-06T11:47:00.000-06:00

After a few weeks of procrastinating and trial and error, I finally finished a full test Krieg Guardsman from the HQ Squad. I've decided to try and avoid using black on any figure I paint from now on, instead relying on various darker shades of grey and charcoal. Just a personal choice but I find black to be unmanageable. Once it's there, there's not much you can do to it or with it.

Here's a pic...

The picture's a little shadow heavy but I'll post better shots once the squad is complete.

As usual, C&C are welcomed.

The war goes on,
Hessler

New Projects

2011-10-04T18:55:00.001-05:00

Man, after being away for too long, I have finally come to a point where I can start doing some hobby projects again. Here's some pics of what arrived in the mail this afternoon:

I finally took the plunge and ordered a command set from both Death Korps of Krieg and the Elysian Drop Troops. Here's a breakdown of what was in each kit:

While I can't promise I'll be building entire armies of these guys, I thought it was an appropriate way to get back into the hobby I have missed for so long. Next step will be assembly and deciding on paint schemes. I also plan to post some definitive comparison photos between the various IG lines I have.

In my absence I became fascinated with 15mm sci fi figures. I purchased some recently from Ground Zero Games and here is a quick pic of what I've accomplished so far. More on that to come in the future.

Anyways, great to be back and hopefully some folks will still tune in and tell me what they think. I look forward to hearing from you.

The war goes on,
Hessler

Check This Out

2011-06-14T09:02:00.002-05:00

Hello, fellow bloggers, gamers and hobbyists. It's been a while since I posted something and that is a damn shame. But things are in a state of flux right now and I have to keep most of my life packed up in boxes for the foreseeable future.

In my absence, I have become intimately involved with Mad Robot Miniatures and I have jumped on board with their efforts to release some kick-ass resin miniatures. The process has been consuming, to say the least.

I would like to point out 2 nice places to visit if your are interested in resin miniatures, molding, and casting. Number 1 would be Mad Robot Miniatures, we are almost finished with design work on our Greatcoats and you can follow our progress there.

Number 2 is a great forum called Resin Addict. This is a cool gathering place for people interested in discussing and learning more about making molds and resin casts. They welcome all skill levels. It serves as a great source of information if you have any questions and the members are knowledgable and very friendly.

Anyways, thanks for reading this and I hope the summer provides hours of blood and mayhem!

The wars goes on,
Hessler

Mad Robot Miniatures

2011-03-18T17:26:00.002-05:00

I've been asked by my friend over at Mad Robot Miniatures to make a shameless plug since FTW is no longer accepting new members. These guys are just getting their feet wet in the community and they are anxious to do some good things.

Their primary focus will be custom bits for 28-30mm sci-fi miniatures. They are also planning their own line of miniatures in the same scale. They are open to feedback from anyone who is interested. They will not be throwing a sales pitch anytime soon, this is NOT an advertisement. Right now they just want to know what people think.

That's about it...please check them out and see if your interested.

The war goes on,
Hessler

Grey Knights Incoming

2011-03-09T06:52:00.000-06:00

Sometimes a man just can't help himself. Feel the...uncontrollable...urge...to kill...daemons...

Can You Sculpt?

2011-03-07T16:42:00.002-06:00

Without giving too much away, I am putting out a call to any sculptors who might be interested in working on some 28mm "heroic" scale projects. Here's what I would need from you to start with...

Clear, viewable examples of your work
A willingness to be part of a long-term endeavor
Flexibility to work with & interpret directions from "non-sculptors"

People in the U.S. are better suited to this but, at this point, it's not required.

If you are interested, please respond in the comments below or email me HERE.

Cheers,
Hessler

A Brief Change

2011-02-25T09:24:00.001-06:00

So I log on today to find that my blog template has been altered and Blogger's new editor will not let me post the background image I had. There's got to be a better way...

Pardon the changes while I figure it out.

Hessler

It's Been Too Long...

2011-02-16T10:39:00.002-06:00

Hello friends and fellow bloggers. It's been way too long since I have posted something but I have been focusing on other things for a few months and painting has taken the back seat. I certainly haven't lost my passion for the hobby but my condo is going up for sale in a month or two and I have been busting my tush to get it cleaned up, straightened up and ready to show to potential buyers. Hopefully someone will be interested...I'm not holding my breath.

I appreciate those who still check out the blog every day and I am lurking in the shadows, enjoying all the great work everyone else is doing. I will soon be at a point where I can unpack a few Space Marines (yes, it's ALL packed up right now) and continue work on my Screaming Eagles chapter. I also re-discovered some IG creations that I have never shared here that I will continue work on as well.

Here's a few snaps to wet the appetite...

The war goes on,
Hessler

Space Marine Update

2010-12-04T19:12:00.001-06:00

I managed to finally finish my SM Sgt. today. I swapped out the head with one from the Space Wolves Wolf Pack kit. I have really started to make painting a more involved process and I am putting different highlighting and shading techniques into practice. I'm not there 100% yet but I am close to what I want these guys to look like. I am still deciding if weathering will add or detract from the look of the mini. What do you guys think?

Comments, constructive criticisms are welcomed as always.

The war goes on,
Hessler

Alas, Parting Is Such Sweet Sorrow...

2010-12-01T11:31:00.000-06:00

In a nutshell, I am never going to put my IG on a table to play a game. As I've said before, I am in this hobby for the hobby, not the game. That being said, I will be putting a large part of my Imperial Guard force up for sale on Ebay in a few weeks. I guess I'm putting this up here just to let folks know to watch for it, in case they're interested. More info to follow.

The war goes on,

Hessler

Small SM Update & 100 Allies!!!

2010-11-23T14:59:00.002-06:00

First off, HUGE thanks to the 100 folks who have committed to following what I try to do here on the blog. I appreciate everyone and it really keeps me motivated. THANK YOU!!!

Moving on, small update on the Space Marines project. I have finished one mini completely and have made some headway through the other four. I am still wrestling with the color, it's not quite where I want it. I am also taking a lot of time to try and educate myself about more advanced painting techniques. I have told you in the past about Hot Lead. I have recently picked up the Todd Swanson Master Class video from Miniature Mentor. And I also got the Miniature Painting Secrets with Natalya from Cool Mini Or Not. Both are examples of incredible techniques. Ultimately, I have to start trying to put these ideas into practice and that is where I am being stupidly slow. This will probably be the only post for this month, due to Battlefront Games really kicking into high gear.

Anyways, here's a few pics...

Thanks for checking this out and to all my fellow Americans...HAPPY THANKSGIVING. To everyone else...ROCK ON!

Hessler

Space Marines Project Continues

2010-10-31T18:32:00.001-05:00

Here's an update on the SM project, unofficially dubbed the "Screaming Eagles". The pics that follow are meant to show where I'm going with the color scheme and the chapter iconography. The marine on the far right is the one most finished.

I'm looking to my fellow bloggers for opinions on color for the cloak.
I'm thinking brown or possibly black. Any suggestions?

I also went back and did some green/highlights on what turned out to be moss on the bases. They look better to me with a bit of color to offset the drabness. Picture looks kind of washed out but there you go.

That's all for now. Please leave comments or constructive criticism. I am now retiring to the couch to watch the live Ghost Hunters event and then topping it off with the premeire of The Walking Dead on AMC. In case you don't know, it's a new series about something that is bound to happen one of these day...The Zombiepocalypse.

The war goes on,
Hessler

Base...How Low Can You Go?

2010-10-28T06:00:00.003-05:00

I decided to up the ante on bases for my Space Marines project. Lot's of good options available but, after seeing them in person, I decided to go with Secret Weapon Miniatures. I opened a pack of 10 straight side bases from their Flagstone line.

While I was happy with how they looked, it wasn't until I started painting them that I really began to appreciate how go nice they really are. Here's how my first batch ended up...

After a white prime coat, I started with a wash of Denheb Stone and then followed up with a wash of Charadon Granite. Both washes were 2 parts paint to 1 part water to 1 part Vallejo Glaze Medium. I followed up on the "rubble" in between the flagstones with some Grey Liner from Reaper. It works like a wash but seems to be a little more intense than a standard wash.

I think that's all I'll do with these, I haven't ruled out some tiny bits of flock to add some interest but that will probably wait until the minis are positioned and attached.

That's all for now, thanks for checking this out.

If you're looking to purchase these fine bases, we sell them at Battlefront Games...CHECK IT OUT

**Can anyone tell me what 80's metal band the title of this post relates to? Bonus points for the first to get it**

The war goes on,
Hessler

Space Marines Project Continues

2010-10-25T13:39:00.003-05:00

Here are some pictures of the process I went through in putting a Hero/Captain together. I'll start with one of my most trusted conversion tools...the dremel:

Using the above tool/bit allows precise control over removing larger areas of material/plastic from bulky figures. Most of the time I use it to hollow out capes and cloaks, like the one on this figure...

I also used the Dremel on the shoulder pad to make room for the metal one used here. The Dremel takes some strong hands to use, it can buck away from you if you're not holding on tightly, but man it really does a great job.

Up next is the legs, a set from the WHF Chaos Warriors sprue. They have a good amount of bulk, something I think SM Heros should have to set them apart from standard marines. Again, using the Dremel, I sculpted away quite a bit of the legs...

I filled in the cavities with pro-create and worked with the position of the legs until I was happy. Here's the result...

I found an appropriate head(big & bulky), I believe it's from a Chaos SM kit...

Thus the marriage was complete...

All that's left is to decide on is a weapon for the right arm. I don't like the way the standard AoBR arm cuts across the front of the mini so I'll figure out some kind of replacement. I think another dip in the bits box is needed...Anyone know of a kit with a right handed power fist?

Thanks for looking and feel free to leave comments & constructive criticisms.

The war goes on,
Hessler

Adepticon Classes...

2010-10-24T21:07:00.000-05:00

As I have finally started to get serious about improving my painting skills, I am looking at some of the painting classes going on at next years' Adepticon. I live a stone's throw from Lombard so it's nice and convenient. I'm curious about the content of the classes. How much does a person really retain from them? If anyone has feedback please let me know.

The war goes on,

Hessler

Space Marines Project Begins

2010-10-23T18:39:00.005-05:00

I've made a little progress on my new Space Marines project. I'm starting with a tactical squad from the AoBR set. It's all I had on hand and I plan to massacre these models anyways. The chapter icon is an eagle so the Mentors shoulder pads from GW will work perfectly for my needs.

Above is what I was able to capture in a picture before my camera lost power(naturally). Today I spent a few hours working on a Hero/Captain. The AoBR fig really needs some attention...more on that tomorrow, including pics.

My color scheme is a U.S. military green with some weathering thrown in for good measure. The rest of the colors will fall into place as I progress. This project is really for creative enjoyment. I don't plan to ever play Space Marines but they are interesting to paint and customize.

The green you see in the above photo is a little darker than what I will be using so those will get a light re-prime before painting starts. The Sgt. will get a suitable head swap...maybe something from the Space Wolves kit.

That's it for now. Thanks for checking this out; comments & criticisms are always welcomed.

The war goes on,
Hessler

Giveaway...AND THE WINNER IS...

2010-10-08T07:16:00.001-05:00

*** Papa JJ ***

Congrats on the win! Please send me an email, sadoukad16 "at" comcast.net , so we can coordinate all the prizey goodness!

I'm sorry to see my creation go but it would have been ages before I gave any more attention and it needs a proper home. Thanks to all who entered, there may be one more interesting giveaway before the year is over so stay tuned.

Moving along, here's a picture of some bits I just received from GW for my new Marines project:

I'm looking forward to mixing it up with some SM and possibly some Orks as well. Painting mode has kicked into full gear and I am stoked!

The war goes on,
Hessler

BFG New Bits & A GIVEAWAY!!!

2010-10-04T14:00:00.000-05:00

Battlefront Games just received more Wargames Factory Sci-Fi Greatcoats yesterday and they are up in the store ready to purchase. In bits-related news, we will soon be offering the WGF Greatcoats BITS! That's right, you'll be able to purchase the bodies, heads, guns, etc. ala carte from our webstore. Look for these to be up and running by the weekend. As always, our prices will be low and our service fast.

Check out our store HERE

Also, in conjunction with Battlefront Games, SADOUKAD 16 is having it's first drawing! I will be giving away my custom designed and built Copperhead Valkyrie:

The bird will be fully primed gray
It will include the cockpit bits and pilots separately, they are not attached so you can paint easier
It includes the magnetized Rocket Pods, glued multi-laser, no other weapons
The top of the cabin comes off so you can paint the interior or add door gunners
Any other questions? Email me.

Here's a picture and link to refresh memories:

Contest Rules? You must be an ally of this blog and you must make a comment on this post. That's it really.

I will randomly choose one lucky person and announce the winner on Friday, October 8th. If you leave multiple comments, you'll be disqualified.

Expect the announcement sometime in the morning as I will be headed out of town later that day.

Well, that's it for now!

The war goes on,

Hessler

WGF Greatcoats BITS for SALE!!

2010-10-02T19:14:00.000-05:00

We work hard at BFG to bring the best and latest bits to our customers. With that in mind I am happy to say that we now have Wargames Factory Sci Fi Greatcoats BITS in stock!

You don't like the heads? Just buy the bodies!
You don't like the bodies? Just buy the guns!
You don't like...you get the idea.

CHECK THEM OUT!!!

SHOTGUNS


HELMETED HEADS

BODIES

HAPPY MODELING!

New Lander Takes Shape

2010-09-26T07:17:00.002-05:00

I raided the Valkyrie bits last night and, after some major tinkering, I reached a rough design that is starting to work for me. I am going for a "box-style" lander, as opposed to a "plane-style". The design is meant to be chunky and armored looking, relying more on protection of passengers than providing firepower.

Ideally the lift jets will face down, perpendicular to the ground


I snagged some bits from an old Cities If Death kit to support the sides.

That's it for now another update maybe be coming up later today. As always, criticisms & comments are welcome.

Just as a side note: I don't know what anyone else has experienced, but working with the Blogger system is frustrating and very buggy. It took me almost 30 minutes to get this simple post completed. I kept having to deal with spacing issues, mostly related to the photos. Damn frustrating.

The war goes on,

Hessler

Family Picture

2010-09-19T15:17:00.000-05:00

After finishing my Tiger Russes today, I gathered up the toys for a group photo. Sometimes you really don't know how much stuff you have until you do something like this. Anyways the big picture...

Just 2 Vet Squads for Troops so far, the Stormlord may be a possible home for a bunch of conscripts. I'm sure I could figure out something interesting for them, although it's a lot of work for 20-40 models that will just sit on display. The other "lost" unit is a squad I intend to use as Stormtroopers; I will task them as infiltrators and they are all meant to be viewed as "in motion", on the move. Also the "fast attack" Chimera still needs paint and some solid stats.

Here's a close-up of the Stormies...

I will be starting on the Valk-based transport just as soon as I can pick up another kit to bash. After that I think I will be jumping into some some Space Marines. Thanks for taking time to check this out, any comment or constructive criticism is appreciated.

If you are looking for any bits to complete your projects, be sure to visit us at Battlefront Games.

The war goes on,
Hessler

It's Hobby Time!

2010-09-09T18:01:00.001-05:00

I am back from an extended hiatus, during which we have finally got the new Battlefront Games website up and running. Some fine tuning is needed but most of our bits are listed and ready to sell. If you have time, check it out and let me know what you think.

On the hobby front, I am pleased to say that I see some time freeing up in the immediate future to get back on track with my painting projects. I still need to finish some details on my Tiger Russes and then I may switch gears and bang out a new idea for a Valkyrie-based lander I have been toying with, in my head at least. I want to try and put together a proper lander, as opposed to the Valk-style "plane". I am picturing something like what we see in the movie "Starship Troopers", a little boxy, not a ton of weapons. Something clunky but solid and functional. We'll see how it comes together.

The war goes on,
Hessler

New Bits In Stock at Battlefront Games

2010-08-27T16:41:00.001-05:00

BFG received a restock of IG bits for the weekend...

IG LEMAN RUSS DEMOLISHER
IG CHIMERA
IG BASILISK
IG VALKYRIE
IG CADIAN SHOCK TROOPS

Also received a few Vallejo Weathering Pigment: Set 1 - Rust & Oil

We still have 1 Hot Lead DVD left as well. Get it while you can...awesome stuff.

Check it all out HERE.

Hessler

Wargames Factory Greatcoats In Stock

2010-08-24T14:42:00.000-05:00

BATTLEFRONT GAMES has just received an order of WGF Greatcoats and they are ready to ship anywhere in the world.

Click HERE for all the details.

Also in this week:

Ork Bits
Chaos Space Marine Bits
Tyranid Bits
Vallejo Weathering
Hot Lead Painting DVDs

Click HERE to check it out.

-Hessler

Good Things Coming Soon

2010-08-18T10:52:00.005-05:00

Many people who come here and check out this little blog see the graphic for Battlefront Games off to the left. They click on it and are taken to an Ebay store that specializes in 40K and some WHF bits.

Well, in case you hadn't figured it out, the Ebay store is mine. We've been going strong for about a year now and we try to offer any bit you might want. I have made a conscious effort to not mention it here because I really wanted this blog to be more about my love of the hobby. But in the next month we are launching a new website, complete with its own shopping cart. So I have decided that now is the right time to start integrating some posts about the business and the products that we sell.

For instance, I can tell you that we hope to be getting a bunch of the Sci-Fi Greatcoats by Wargames Factory in next week. We also started to carry a bunch of different conversion bits and weathering pigments as well.

If you're looking for something specific, send me a message, or email me and we'll do our best to get it for you.

Thanks for looking and if you've been an Ebay customer of ours in the past, be on the lookout for battlefrontgames.biz...coming soon.

Cheers,
Hessler

Tiger Russ Progress

2010-08-15T15:25:00.002-05:00

I made some headway on my Tiger Russes. Here's the pics...

That's it for now just a quick update. Comments & constructive criticisms are welcome.

The war goes on,

Hessler

Heli Sentinels Finished

2010-08-07T20:23:00.002-05:00

Finally got these finished today. Let the photo madness begin...

This project has proven to be one of the more satisfying I have done. The way it first came together and then grew from there to this point has been a real blast. Hopefully some folks have seen this and been inspired to something just as off the wall. I certainly hope so...

Well, next unit up on the paint block will be my 2 Panzer Russes. You can check them out HERE. I think I'll try to get a "family photo" up tomorrow with everything I've finished up to this point.

Thanks for checking this out. Comments & criticisms are welcomed.

The war goes on,
Hessler

Musings - New Armies

2010-07-28T19:41:00.002-05:00

As I continue through these IG painting projects, I realize that I will probably start doing some more "building" before they're all completed. In the interest of keeping things interesting I think I will do one unit/squad at a time, bouncing back and forth between different armies. Not sure if it will work but I thought I would share a few of the ideas that are brewing in the ol' noggin'

SPACE MARINES: I did some a long time ago but this new army has a very specific vision. They will be called The Liberators. Yes, there is already a chapter by that name but oh well, bear with me. Inspired by the WW2 Liberator bomber, these marines will be down and dirty marines, painted in OD and bearing lots of character. The chapter symbol will be an eagle head and the Chapter banner will be a variation on the classic Japanese flag but with the colors of the American flag. These guys will be a very "gung ho" "can do" kind of group, very "John Wayne". The challenge for me here will be the composition of the models, using unique poses and customizing whenever possible.
ALBINO ORKS: Still in the conceptual stages, it may have already been done. I am thinking Orks painted from a shade of light pink up to pure white, pink snouts and red, beady eyes.
TYRANIDS: I want to have a crack at building a 'Nid army using the color scheme made popular by Simon Egan. Below is a pic for reference...

So that's it for now. Do you guys have any cool ideas for future projects? Just brainstorming? Share with the group...

The war goes on,

Hessler

Heli Sentinel Progress (1)

2010-07-26T18:40:00.000-05:00

I progressed about 95% on my Heli Sentinel Squadron leader:

As with most painting, this 1st model took a little longer due to some re-working on the paint colors. Sometimes you just can't see how colors will work together until you get some paint down. Vehicle numbers will be in single digits. These crazy SOB's are very much a voluntary unit with heavy turnover due to the experimental "heli" technology.

Please leave comments and criticisms, both are welcomed.

The war goes on,

Hessler

Mech Rough Riders Complete

2010-07-22T18:02:00.001-05:00

Please excuse my over indulgence with the photos but I couldn't help myself. I will probably make another 3-5 of these but that will be further down the road. I must admit that these bike tested my patience while painting them. I will consider assembling & painting them in sub-assemblies next time so I can get to some parts easier.

Thanks for looking and feel free to leave comments & criticisms.

Next up on the painting block...Heli Sentinels

The war goes on,

Hessler

Mogul Kamir...Biker Style

2010-07-15T20:15:00.001-05:00

So I finally completed some painting. This is my "biker" version of Mogul Kamir...

Not much to say here, I kitted him out as best I could. This being my first real return to painting in sometime, some of my shortcomings as a painter have come to the fore. Oh well...I can only get better from here on out. I hope to have the rest of the squad done this weekend. And yes, I saw the mold line on the arm when I posted the pic...it will get fixed ;)

Also, I received a few "triads" from Reaper paints. Overall the paint seems to be a little watery compared to Vallejo. Not a big deal, you just need to adjust how much you water them down. As for finish, I found the Reaper to be a bit blotchy compared to the Vallejo, even after a couple thin coats. I still have a few flesh triads to test out but I think I'll be sticking with Vallejo for now.

C&C is always appreciated.

The war goes on,
Hessler

A Call To All Painters...Flesh Tones

2010-07-08T17:56:00.006-05:00

Lots of good ideas here...go to the comments and ad your input.

After the better than expected response to my last post, I have decided to pursue even more ancient knowledge by asking about flesh tones.

Here's your chance to contribute to an eternal database of painting formulas and techniques that will benefit generations to come.

What are your color choices? Does one manufacturer have better flesh tones than another? How many layers? Washes? Shading? Highlights? Eyes? No eyes? Do you know of any good resources on the web for painting skin?

The deeper question...do you use a technique or formula you consider to be unique?

Let's have it...

Musings - Paint Before Glue?

2010-07-07T10:11:00.010-05:00

Good tips here...check out the comments. Feel free to add your own input, as well.

Just a question today, for all the hobbyists out there. Many have often wondered if it might be easier, more economical, to paint components on the sprue before they are assembled. Has anyone ever tried this? What were the advantages? The disadvantages? Some are more obvious than others.

A deeper question...has anyone done this for more than just a squad, over the course of an entire army?

So let's have your input. Leave your comments and let's attack this subject like the devoted Imperial subjects we are.

Workspace

2010-07-05T17:37:00.004-05:00

I just got back from a great weekend in the country and I figured it might be a good time to snap a few pics of my hobby area before it gets completely trashed again.

This left side is used for all the assembly and tinkering...it's all tools and bits.

This side is my paint station. The full spectrum lamp is my most recent purchase. Thanks to Les at AwesomePaintJob.com for the tip. I mostly use Vallejo and Wargames Foundry paints. I like the WF paints because they are sold in triads...a base color, a shade, and a highlight. The drawback is that they don't come in dropper bottles, which I absolutely love. I think I will either gradually switch over to Reaper, as they offer the triad sets and come in the dropper, or transfer my Wargames Foundry paints to dropper bottles. Either way...a daunting task, no doubt.

That's all for now. Thanks for reading, I hope to have an actual hobby update for you in a few days.

The war goes on,
Hessler

Radical Change

2010-06-29T06:29:00.003-05:00

After looking at how my armor has turned out, I realize that I am really unhappy with the colors I have chosen for the infantry. My veterans are coming along great but my basic troops are not happening for me so I have decided to start them over from scratch with a new look & paint scheme. It's not as much of a loss as one would think...only a couple squads.

Besides the colors, I am a little unhappy with the way the replacement heads from West Wind have turned out. They aren't as detailed as GW heads and are a pain to paint properly. I'm not knocking West Wind, in this case their heads just don't inspire me.

The mech rough riders are coming along but will be delayed a few days while I re-tool the paint a little.

Also, I picked up a copy of the 3 DVD set called Hot Lead. Most of you are probably familiar with this item but I have to sing it's praises. If you are new to the hobby, buy it. If you are a painting veteran, buy it. It has great info for painters of all skill levels. It's organized & indexed perfectly so beginners can go through each section while veteran painters can skip forward to the advanced parts. Like many of you, I have danced around buying this set for over a year. I always wondered, "What's the big deal?" Now, I know...

That's all for now. If you know of any cool resources that others might find useful, leave a comment and/or a link and I'll compile them into a database that people can access from this blog.

The war goes on,
Hessler

Ragnarok Finished

2010-06-24T18:28:00.001-05:00

I finished the Ragnarok today. Paint color is Vallejo US Green, which is similar to Catachan Green. I did some sponging with boltgun metal, I might try something darker next time, like a rust-brown. I applied Tamiya weathering powder (soot) over the entire hull and then came back over with a dry brush of the green to blend it in. I didn't find much room for stowage on this tank but I at least found space to hang a rolled up tarp. The camo netting on the gun is made by Verlinden, it comes in a huge sheet and is pre-stained. I applied it the same way most do, with some watered down white glue. Here the pics...

I might still do some more detailing on the battle damage on both sides to make it stand out more. Here's pick with the armor skirts removed, I'm partial to this look, I think...

That's it for now. Up next are my mechanized rough riders. C&C is always appreciated.

The war goes on,

Hessler

War Walker Finished

2010-06-20T19:06:00.001-05:00

Basing is complete my war walker, which means it is finished. Pics...

The barbed wire shown in my previous post worked out great. I base coated it with Boltgun Metal and then applied a wash of Badab Black and then a very thinned layer of Macharius Solar Orange for a rust effect. The wire itself hold its shape but it is still a little "bouncy" to the touch.

Thanks for looking, C&C is appreciated. Next up on the painting table is my Ragnarok.

The war goes on,

Hessler

War Walker (3)

2010-06-14T21:55:00.000-05:00

I visited my FLGS and picked up some supplies today, including this...

Almost 30 feet of barbed wire and posts! For only $9, that's an awesome deal. I'll be using this on the base of the war walker and I'll have plenty left over for tons of other projects.

The posts are more along the 1/35 scale so I had to trim off the top 1/3 of the posts.

The wire itself is very easy to work with and it bends and hold shape wonderfully. That's all for now, more updates coming soon.

The war goes on,
Hessler

War Walker Painting (2)

2010-06-11T18:59:00.000-05:00

I was finally able to put some camo on the war machine. I stuck with the colors I used on previous tank but added in some brown for more interest. On such a large model, everything has to be that much bigger to keep it looking good. Anyways, here's a few snaps...

I tried to marry the colors better by using my airbrush to apply a wash of Badab Black. The result was a little dark but I'm looking for a gritty, well-used look so it's not all that bad. At this point I will give it a coat of gloss varnish and proceed with paint chipping and weathering. I'm thinking the base will lend itself to something cool...possibly something involving water effects.

As for the Ragnarok, I will be applying a totally different color scheme to it and to the Panzer Russes. I have decided that I want my tank squads to represent different looks so the Ragnaroks will get some Catachan green and heavy weathering.

That's all for now, C&C is always welcome.

The war goes on,

Hessler

War Walker Painting (1)

2010-06-07T18:34:00.001-05:00

I finally found time to unpack my airbrush and compressor this afternoon. I was able to throw a solid base coat of Vallejo German Grey (Air Color) on both the walker and my Ragnarok. I will be taking a similar approach to the camo style as I did my last tanks, shown HERE. No pics today, just a quick update to keep readers "in the know".

I have also decided to re-classify my "monster" as a war machine, as opposed to a Titan Knight. I have been trying to read up on the fluff and background of the Knight Households and it just doesn't fit in with the theme of my army. I will still apply the rules found in the BOLS "Lords of Battle", but I will be calling it a War Walker and treat it more like a precious gift from the Tech Priests of Mars.

Thanks for reading...more updates and pics are on their way.

The war goes on,

Hessler

Finalizing The Loose Ends

2010-05-22T15:16:00.007-05:00

Well, after finishing the build and priming of a 5-man Rough Rider squad, I am finally caught up on all my unfinished builds. That means one thing...paint time. I will go back and work on the vehicles first, followed up by infantry.

The first painting project will be a big one...

I pulled my Titan-Knight out of the display case and it needs some touch up work (some rivets, some filing, etc.). Please pardon the dust, as well. I'll make good use of the airbrush for this monster and I will be adding banners to the undersides of the arms. I will be researching color schemes this afternoon and hopefully get some paint block out by tomorrow.

If anyone has suggestions for colors for the households, please let me know. To check how this build progressed, check the sidebar to the left under Started Projects.

1 Year Gone By...

I would like to thank everyone who subscribes and /or reads this blog. I have been at it for a year now and my love for this hobby has only increased. I set out to make this a place for people to get ideas and be inspired. Hopefully I have been able to spark someone's imagination to try something new or different. Rest assured you have inspired me. Thanks to everyone!

The war goes on,
Col. Hessler

Ragnarok & Rough Riders

2010-05-20T13:27:00.006-05:00

I refined my design on the armor skirts for the Ragnarok and I'm pleased with how they came out...

And, in case I get tired of the battle damage look, they are magnetized...

I have completed 3 of my mechanized rough riders. As I indicated in a previous post, the hunting lance is represented here by a high-powered spear gun. A fellow blogger suggested this idea and I forgot who...so thanks, whoever you are.

This is my biker version of Mogul Kahn...

Received two more riders today in the mail so they will be armed with meltas and my squad will be complete.

Has anyone ever fielded a full 10-rider squad of these? How do they fare on the battlefield?

C & C is always appreciated.

The war goes on,
Col. Hessler

Ragnarok Tank - Opinion Needed

2010-05-15T10:46:00.011-05:00

After going back and consulting the picture of the Epic Armageddon Ragnarok, shown here...

...I decided to revisit my Ragnarok and add some side armor. What I have come up with is this, just roughed in mind you...

Here is the tank without the side armor...

which should I go with?

Input is greatly appreciated.

The war goes on,
Hessler

Ragnarok Tank

2010-05-11T17:02:00.006-05:00

Finished up on the first of three of these. Here's pics...

This thing even looks cool from the back. Yeah...the backs of tanks never get enough respect :-)

As I haven't started the second & third of these, I will take the opportunity to move on to my next unfinished build...Mechanized Rough Riders, first revealed HERE.

That's all for now...C&C is always appreciated.

The war goes on,
Hessler

Unfinished Projects...There Is Hope

2010-05-05T12:11:00.008-05:00

Sitting down to finish projects can really be a challenge for me. Fortunately, I have found the strength to attack it with full force and I made some good progress.

Here are some pics of my "Copperhead Valkyrie". The canopy will be added after everything is fully painted. Also the top of the body is removable so I will be able to paint inside.

One of the things I notice right away as I post these pictures is that the rivets on the lift jets look too big. There is one size smaller on my rivet press that I started using and if I make another of these, I will use the smaller rivets. Also, I have a tool that allows you to make "dimples" in your surfaces, very similar to the GW rivets on the original wing surface. Here's a pic and an example of what it does. I used .20mm plasticard for this example.

Next are two "Tiger Russ" tanks from my armored column. These were based on the Tamiya 1/48th Tiger I kit and turned out really sharp. Again, riveted and 40k'd up as much as I dare and primed and ready for the paint booth.

Finally, I will put up another pics of my hobby assistants. They are very quiet and have a great disposition. I never would have thought a pet could so perfectly mimic my own personality...but they have succeeded.

Well, that's it for now. Up next on my hobby "to do" list is completing 2 of my Ragnarok Tanks and after that, it's time to tackle my mechanized rough riders.

The war goes on,
Hessler

Movies To Work By

2010-04-30T12:09:00.008-05:00

Like many of you, I like to throw a movie into the laptop and have it playing in the background while I build my little Imperial servants. Here's my Top 5 list...

Aliens
Starship Troopers
Zulu
Saving Private Ryan
A Bridge Too Far

Now...there are many other movies I can name, but these are the 5 I tend reach for over the others. Also, I don't think it fits in this list, the Starship Troopers Roughnecks animated CGI series is very cool as well.

My musical choices would include Ozric Tentacles, Flower Kings, and Miles Davis.

So, now it's your turn. Tell me your Top 5 lists. What about music? Give your musical choices for both hobby time and during games.

The war goes on,
Hessleer

Musings - Amphibious Landing Force

2010-04-28T06:07:00.010-05:00

In an effort to keep focused on hobby things while I get consumed with work, I have decided to record some ideas I have floating around in my head. What I really hope is to maintain some dialogue with you guys and make this blog something you can look forward to checking out every day.

So...here is the first idea I have come up with:

Amphibious Landing Force - Thanks to Col. Corbane for the inspiration.

The hobby potential here is off the charts; water-born versions of any and all IG vehicles...including a Gorgon...

I can see little floating sentinels similar to the PBR from Apocalypse Now...

Don't forget that Chimeras can float...

I am partial to the LVT from the Pacific theatre of WW2...

Don't forget troops...

So here's your chance. What are some of your ideas? Leave some comments and tell me what cool ideas are floating around out there.

The war goes on,
Hessler

Copperhead Valkyrie (2)

2010-04-24T18:25:00.000-05:00

Here's a progress update on the Copperhead Valykire...

I took what Matt said about the lander from the movie Aliens and decided to try a similar look by placing the weapon mounts on either side of the fuselage.

Finally, I magnetized those mounts for maximum killing variety.

The above photo also allows you a glimpse of my giant man-hands. Notice how they threaten to engulf the entire missile-pod at any moment...LOL. Oh well.

C&C appreciated...more updates tomorrow, hopefully.

The war goes on,
Hessler

Copperhead Valkyrie

2010-04-21T21:26:00.005-05:00

Work has progressed on the Copperhead Valkyrie. I did a quick mock up just to see what the wings would look like. I considered keeping the wings turned right side up, but it just didn't work for me.

I am a fan of the way the side doors are now cleared and able to provide a full field of vision/fire.

Anyways, work will continue. Comments and ideas are both welcomed and appreciated.

The war goes on,
Hessler

So I Lied...

2010-04-21T10:11:00.008-05:00

Only days after committing myself to only work on existing projects, I was moved to start tinkering with another idea that's been bouncing around in my head for quite some time. My hands went to plastic and after a few hours of working with plasticard and some putty, I came up with these...

I carved up some Tau jets from the Devilfish kit and I will be turning the wings of the Valkyrie upwards, essentially flipping them upside down. The Tau thrusters are much more believable to me in terms of being able to deliver enough power to get that bird off the ground.

I think I was originally inspired to start this when I was watching Final Fantasy:Spirits Within way back when. I remember really liking the bird-like design of the Copperhead transport they had flying around. Here's a picture of that...

I went back and forth on this Valkyrie design between these upgraded thrusters and a wingless version with rotors, more like a helicopter. Although the heli would fit in with my Sentinel variants, the Tau thrusters are much more appealing to me. And, in the end, that is what it's all about.

So NOW I will recommit myself to only work on projects that I have already started...at least until my next late-night idea comes along...

The war goes on,
Hessler

Greatcoat Trenchers Finished!

2010-04-19T14:18:00.001-05:00

Wow, I finally got this squad finished. I'm extremely happy with how they came out and I see this as the beginning of a long-term army project. I will do some Vickers-style heavy bolters and this might actually be the proper army for the GW version of the Leman Russ(maybe...). All of that, however, is far down the road. Here be some pics...

I will now move on to the task of going through all the incomplete builds and projects I have started but never finished. I will force myself to do this before I start one more new project.

Anyways, thanks for checking this out and please feel free to leave comments or criticisms.

The war goes on,
Hessler

Blessed Easter

2010-04-04T11:21:00.002-05:00

I wish everyone out there a blessed Easter. No matter who you are, I pray that you will take a moment to contemplate the real meaning of this day.

Thanks for being a great community of bloggers, gamers, and nerds.

Cheers,
Hessler

The Greatcoat Mystery pt. 5

2010-04-03T11:59:00.011-05:00

I've painted up one of the greatcoats just to test my color choices and I am happy with how it came out. Here is a pic...

Colors used are:

Vallejo English Uniform
Vallejo Khaki (webbing)
Wargames Foundry Drab B (flak armor)
Vallejo Black
Vallejo Gunmetal
Washes of Badab Black & Ogryn Flesh

It would appear that some of the colors have washed out thanks to my photo processing software. Overcast skies are not producing a great deal of sun right now so I had to make do with some lamps.

I do want to present these as dirty, muddy trenchers so highlighting will be minimal.

Anyways, thanks for looking and please leave me your comments and/or criticisms.

The war goes on,
Hessler

The Greatcoat Mystery pt. 4

2010-04-01T13:36:00.003-05:00

Here is an update on my greatcoat squad. Not much to add here in terms of a comment. Some pics...

The sgt. head and weapons are from the Forge World Cadians w/respirators upgrade kit. Below are a few snaps to show the variations I got in the greatcoats.

That's it for now. Primer will be sprayed by tomorrow and I aim to get these painted over the weekend. C&C is welcomed.

The war goes on,
Hessler

The Greatcoat Mystery pt. 3

2010-03-28T13:23:00.004-05:00

Just a quick update here. I finally finished my first test figure. I plopped a West Wind head on it and I am very satisfied...

Tell me what you think. I am back to the workstation to continue on with the rest of the squad.

The war goes on,
Hessler

The Greatcoat Mystery pt. 2

2010-03-27T14:29:00.009-05:00

I worked through my apprehension this week concerning this foil/greatcoat project and decided to approach it from a different perspective. Instead of looking from an artistic point of view I have instead gone with the scientific approach.

First, the material in question...

After doing some preliminary measurements, I "deconstructed" the shape I needed and made a template from plasticard...

This allowed me a fair measure of consistent results...

For those who are thinking this material is too flimsy, allow me to demonstrate. Below is a piece to be used as a greatcoat, just like the ones shown above. It easily stands up to the weight of the figure. It is designed not to tear if dropped.

Before doing anything else with the metal, I trimmed down the legs. I start with the pockets and then move on to the bottom part of the tunic. NOTE: Please be careful when doing this kind of trimming. Most of you don't have my huge hands but it can still be dangerous when working with a sharp hobby knife. The result looks something like this...

After consulting some images I have gleaned off the internet, I tried my hand at some bends and curls and came up with this...

All in all, not too bad I think. I don't know if I want to get any deeper into the detailing for fear of getting frustrated again. I have been known to obsess over small details. Here is a comparison to everyone's new favorite greatcoat from the Cadian command kit...

The Cadian command piece does, in fact, stand a few mm taller than the standard Cadian trooper. Still, I think I am definitely on the right track. My biggest concern now is how to go about securing the coat to the legs. Superglue is about the only thing I can think of and it can get messy sometimes.

Any ideas out there? Let me know.

The war goes on,
Hessler

The Greatcoat Mystery

2010-03-23T16:10:00.007-05:00

Here are a few hobby realities that I deal with every day...

1. I have no sculpting skills or patience to gain any
2. My giant hands make fine detail work a challenge, at best.
3. I am too poor to purchase Forge World models.

In light of these facts I have, nevertheless, found myself wanting to have some troops with greatcoats. In fact, almost every 40K related forum out there has at least 1 "plastic greatcoats" rumor thread, so I know I am not alone. In my constant search for some cost-effective alternative, I came upon an idea the other day that I was finally able to bring to life.

I went to my local hobby/craft store(here, it's Hobby Lobby) and purchased a 12" x 30" roll of soft aluminum.

After some persistent tinkering this afternoon, I believe I have achieved a result that will allow me my greatcoats, on a budget. Here is a picture of what I came up with...

I do realize there needs to be some fine tuning. This product is used in floral treatments and in embossing so it is very workable. My next step is to try and add some folds and details.

Please leave me your reactions and input and tell me if you have come up with a similar idea that you where happy with. I'm interested in what you readers think of the result and the potential.

The war goes on,
Hessler

Tiger Russ

2010-03-23T12:36:00.008-05:00

Here is some progress I am making on the second of my Tiger Russ MBTs. It still relies heavily on the Tamiya 1/48 Tiger 1 model but I have incorporated more of the Leman Russ turret this time to achieve, what I think, is a better result. Pics to follow...

Above is a pic of the first tank I did, provided to show the difference in the battle cannons.

I have built the LR turret directly into the structure of the Tiger model. I covered the gaps with plasticard and extended the cannon. To the immediate side of the cannon is the co-axle heavy bolter. I still need to do a little patching around the HB.

This shows the detail of the bottom of the turret housing. You can see how the GW turret fits into the other turret. I used thin shims of cardboard to stabilize it in the rear.

Below are some more comparison pictures of the Leman Russ and the Tiger Russ. While I can't say the GW design is bad, it definitely doesn't suit my tastes. I guess I just want to be able to have some variety.

That's it for now, C&C is welcomed.

The war goes on,
Hessler

We Have A Winner

2010-03-19T19:12:00.005-05:00

I have finally made some strides in the war of the heavy tank. After some preliminary mods to a 1/35 Merkava tank kit, I have found the design I am looking for. The main design element that ties it in with GW super heavies is its dimensions. It has a nice wide chassis and is relatively short in its height. Some pics...

I have mounted two heavy stubbers to the turret. They are from the GW Stormlord kit and are mounted on swing arms that I scrounged from a Valkyrie. An additional heavy stubber has been mounted on the co-axle of the turret. Rules wise, I may consult the VDR on this one.

I'm still in the building stages on this one but I couldn't help myself and decided to post a few pics anyways. Work continues on my next to Tiger Russ variants and I am hoping to post an update for those this weekend.

The war goes on,
Hessler

Heavy Tanks

2010-03-15T20:04:00.006-05:00

My lack of posts recently hasn't resulted in less tinkering...

This will be the first of a few different heavy tanks that I am putting together. The FW Macharius & Maclador are both superb but are far beyond my spending limit for a single model. In order to stretch my dollar and my modeling enjoyment I am continuing to turn to the world of plastic scale models.

This first experiment is with a Tamiya 1/35 King Tiger. It fits in with the "Tiger Russes" I already have and gives a nice middle ground between a standard MBT and a Baneblade. Here's the visuals...

Close-up showing armor plate detail

Shows twin-linked heavy stubber

Shown for a relative scale

And more scale...

Progress on the turret, crew, and heavy bolters

Yeah, a twin-linked battle cannon...

It might be hard to believe, but I am not entirely happy with the way this has turned out. In comparison to the GW Super Heavies, it is all-around taller and bulkier...a rather unfortunate dose of 40K reality. In order to maintain some sense of continuity in the feel and look of my tanks, I may have to go with something modern.

Does anyone else wish that GW would come up with something else in the way of tank design, especially in light of the newer super heavies and the lastest FW designs?

More to come...

C&C is always appreciated.

The war goes on,
Hessler

Death From Above

2010-03-14T14:35:00.004-05:00

I finally have had a chance to get some pictures taken of my Sentinel Copters. Without further ado, here they be...

These 3 have been armed with 2 Lascannons and 1 Multi-Laser. If I ever get around to doing another 3, I will even it out and end up with 3 of each weapon type. The idea there is being able to field both anti-armor and anti-infantry.

This last pic shows the differences in they way I approached building these the second time around. The first model is on the right, the final design is on the left. The main difference here is that I decided to keep more of the original engine and rotor structure from the Deff Kopta. This allows for a quicker build time and what I think is a little sleeker look.

I really enjoyed putting these together and I think this may be the first seed of a future airborne army, complete with Valkyrie/Vendetta copters and drop troops...maybe an airborne Heavy Support option...???...hmmm...

Anyways, thanks for checking these out and be sure to leave me any comments/reactions/ideas you may have.

The war goes on,
Hessler

Cry Havoc...

2010-02-23T16:46:00.007-06:00

...and let loose the dogs of war! I have returned, dear readers, with more tanky goodness from the forges of Sadoukad 16. I am working on 2 test models to use for my Russ MBTs. Here is the first one...

The base for this is a Tamiya 1/48 Tiger Tank. I am a new fan of this line, as it seems to match up great with GW minis. In addition to the size, these 1/48 scale kits include a die-cast bottom hull, with axles. Not only does it allow for fewer steps when building, the hull gives some real weight to the model and makes it feel extremely TANKY.

I did my best to work in some 40k-ish details...rivets, larger cannon, imperial icon, etc. I'm pretty happy with the way it's come out and I have 2 more on the way.

Here are some pics of my second test model...

It's based on the Russian KV-2 Heavy Tank. The kit is from the same 1/48 scale series by Tamiya. I have gone and started to do some additions to this tank to make it simillar to the DKK Ragnarok.

Another pic to show scale. I think this 1/48 scale works really well with my IG foot sloggers.

A close up of the front. I "boxed out" the front of the chassis to allow for installation for a heavy bolter and I have completed one of the front remote turrets as well.

Here's a comparison to the GW Russ...

(BLURRY...sorry, it's getting dark here...)

So that's it for now, priming will happen as soon as this current system of snow goes away. I will also have pics of my Senitnel Helis.

The war goes on,
Hessler

Sentinel Stand In Progresses...

2010-02-16T15:37:00.002-06:00

No pics today but I thought I would post an update anyways. I have finished my 3 Sentinel Helis and priming is coming soon, hopefully. As for the future, my house is going up for sale in a month so painting will be put on hold indefinitely as I start to pack everything up. I will continue to build anything I have laying around and will try to get as much of it primed as possible. Painting will resume once I have set up shop out in sunny Phoenix, Arizona.

Since I recently finished a squad of Vets, I have also been working on their transport and I will hopefully have pics up of that and my Sentinel Helis this week.

The war goes on,
Hessler

Sentinel Stand In 3

2010-02-06T12:41:00.005-06:00

I think I finally have this first Sentinel Copter where I want it. Work should progress quicker with the next two since I made all my flubs and tests on this one. I still am unsure about the length of the rotor blades but they will suffice for now.

I will be starting on a 2nd squad of these at a later date. Here's pics...

I've finally added the pilot and some more little bits
to make it look as Imperial as possible.

I sawed off the slightest bit of the rotor arm so it
sits level now over the cockpit.

Some plastic from a blister was scrounged to serve as a windshield.

And, in the interest of flexibility, I took the time to
magnetize the weapon options.

I think the final thing I need to add is a healthy dose of rivets, which will happen as soon as I get my rivet tool in the mail. That will be followed by a final clean-up and then it's off to paint.

Of course, C&C is welcomed and appreciated.

The war goes on,
Hessler

Sentinel Stand In 2

2010-01-23T17:06:00.006-06:00

Work continues on this protoype. I have added a tail and fin and tried a 1st attempt at some proper legs...

At first I liked it but it soon became obvious that the rotors would have to be lengthened in order to maintain a consistent look. So I scrapped the legs (damn...) and went with this instead:

I scrounged a landing foot from my Valkyrie kit and it seems to be the winner. I like it most because it helps maintain a nice, compact look...which is what I wanted from the start.

This does not complete my work, I am still considering how to address the rotors. I am looking to straighten them out a bit or maybe build new ones from scratch.

Please feel free to comment and leave thoughts, your feedback is much appreciated.

The war goes on,
Hessler

Opinion Needed - Sentinel Stand In

2010-01-21T11:52:00.005-06:00

I have done some more work on my "counts as" Sentinels. It is a mutation of Deffkopta and Sentinel parts. Because of the shape, I have un-officially dubbed it the Scorpian.

Obviously, this is very much a work-in-progress. Feel free to offer suggestions or criticisms. The design isn't written in stone so I can always make adjustments to the prototype.

I am interested to read your feedback.

The wars goes on,
Hessler

Hardened Veterans & More...

2010-01-19T18:09:00.009-06:00

I finished 5 of my first 10-man Vet squad. The next five will have some helmets without camo to offer some variety in the look of the unit. I want these guys to look like they are allowed to fine tune their uniforms to their own tastes.

I have started some work on the squads Chimera, as well. I wanted to go open topped, with a canopy of some sort. This variant is designed to be more of a fast attack transport than an AFV. I'm not sure about the wire "supports", I'm still considering something a little more substantial...maybe some lengths of sprue(?)...not sure.

The multi-laser has been converted to an automated turret that responds to the HUD of the driver.

Finally, I was inspired by the Sentinel stand-in that a fellow blogger did HERE. Although I tried his method, it wasn't enough for me so I am revamping the concept and have started clean with the cockpit/engine.

I will be using some of the frame from the AoBR Def Kopta but it will be scaled down and cleaned up a little. I am still deciding between a gyrocopter design or a helicopter deisgn, the main difference being the tail rotor.

More pics to come. C&C is welcomed and appreciated.

The war goes on,
Hessler

Hardened Veterans 01

2009-12-29T17:42:00.005-06:00

Well it was great taking some time off and I hope everyone had a blessed Christmas. I painted up the first of a 10-man Vet squad; the 1st of 3 such squads I will be painting over the next months.

This veteran trooper, armed with a shotgun, is wearing a camo pattern from the Boadasil Campaign. Like all Sadoukadi veterans, has has adapted his camo to reflect the particular foliage and season of the battle. In this case it was late autumn during the battle for the Salinese Valley, just outside of the capital city of New Carson.

It was there that elements of Battlegroup Hessler, under the command of Col. Stephen Hessler, first clashed with the forces of Chaos. Using an elite, handpicked force of veterans and mechanized troops, Hessler brought the Emperor's wrath to the dogs of Chaos in what would turn out to be the first of many bloody, hard fought battles.

Anyways...hope you like. More to come as I continue to re-connect with my paintbrushes.

The war goes on,
Hessler

I Went Down To The Crossroads...

2009-11-28T15:33:00.012-06:00

I have come to a rather unpleasant crossroad, in regards to my Guard forces. From time to time I will look through an image archive I maintain for some painting inspiration. Today, as I was looking, I came upon and old painting commission I did for someone. The color scheme was meant to capture the look of Steel Legion, only the models were Cadian. Here's an example...

As I happily reminisced, my thoughts turned to my current troops project and my heart dropped. Bottom line...I don't like them. They have become overwhelmingly boring and it has been taking way too long to get even a squad completed. I suppose I brought it on my self, deciding to trim off ALL the shoulder pads and going with a certain direction with other details, like different heads that are metal (details are less defined) and trying to achieve a specific effect with some of the painting.

I am wondering whether I am simply bored with this color scheme, or if I am bored with painting all together. I had an idea is to start a different army for a spell but that doesn't sit well with me because I don't like to leave something unfinished.

And that's were I am right now. I am 80% done with my 2nd squad of troops and I still have the Command squad to finish. I don't really force myself to finish a painting project, but today I noticed I was becoming sloppy with the paint in an effort to get these done. I was trying to rush the process and it annoyed the hell out of me.

I will be taking a few weeks(maybe a whole month) off from painting to clear my head and get a better idea about what I will work on as I move forward. Ultimately, I want to be able to complete a project that I can set on the table and be happy to just look at it and know I did a good job. Maybe I will swicth between 2 different armies, possibly breaking things down into small, achievable pieces. Hmmm, not sure.

Has anyone out there ever come across this before? How do you deal with it? Should I go ahead and finish what I started before moving on? I am interested to know people's opinions.

The war goes on,
Hessler

The IG Laboratory Bubbles To Life...

2009-11-22T21:20:00.036-06:00

I have to admit it, lately I have been in more of a building mode than painting mode. Although I did get my 2nd squad primed, I was drawn back to the creativity of the workshop. I must confess, I really love the hobby aspect of this obsession of mine. So here is my latest creation...

These are 97% Pig Iron, bodies are the Ferals and the heads are the Kolony Militia with covered helmets. For the sake of something "official", I transplanted some DKoK lasgun barrels onto the ends of their weapons...I never really liked the Pig Iron weapons so there you go. In case anyone is wondering, I did try some Cadian heads on these and they were too big.

To me, these models scream Veterans with camo cloaks. I picture them as the vanguard of a Death World unit, infiltrating hazardous terrain and environments while looking for any and all targets of opportunity.

I think I will go with a Vietnam style camo/color palette. I might try my hand at some water effects to add that "I've spent the last 30 days in the rainy jungle" look. Here's a close up...

Also, just for kicks and giggles, I thew together a few more officers...

This one will either serve as my Platoon Commander or possibly as a Sgt. for a Vet squad. He just has that "veteran" look about him.

I've never had cause to build this "classic" greatcoat officer so I made one, just so I can say I did. He needs something more...just not sure what.

I raided a few different kits for this Vox Operator. He will serve well, whether at the Platoon level...or higher.

Guess that's it for now. Cheers to my fellow bloggers across the pond and Happy Thanksgiving to my fellow Americans. Here's to turkey and more turkey.

The war goes on,
Hessler

Drop Troops Test Mini

2009-11-13T20:53:00.004-06:00

Assembly on my 2nd squad of troops is finished and I have completed the test mini for my new drop troops. Here's a pic to get things going...

I have used Pig Iron Heads, but gone with a lesser used style...they all have a bulkier helmet with mouth pieces. The grav-chutes are from Hasslefree. Legs, torso, and arms are Tau and the Las Carbine is a modified Catachan weapon.

I went with Tau components for several reasons. They suggest a slighter physical build than the Cadian models; this fits in perfectly with the fluff for this unit. The poses seem to convey a sense of alert, which is how one would be when dropping through the sky into the middle of a battlefield. The leg and shoulder "pads" represent a lighter version of flak armor, something that airborne/drop troops would favor.

I did some minor surgery on the Tau scanner and added some wire to make it more Imperial...at the very least, less Tau.

And, as an added bonus on this fabulous Friday the 13th, I received 3 Cadian Command Squad kits. These will be put through some serious paces this weekend...I intend to finish my infantry platoon and possibly start to work on some other unfinished elements of my army, namely more tanks.

That's it for now, everyone have a smashing weekend.

The war goes on,
Hessler

Still, I Walk Among You

2009-11-05T09:32:00.002-06:00

I am still alive and still working on my precious IG. My business has swelled recently and I have been overloaded. I relax from that by watching zombie movies and, unfortunately, 40K work proceeds at a very slow pace. My second squad of troops is assembled and work on the Command Squad will proceed in the next week or so. Also, I have finalized my plans/designs of my drop troops and have finished work on the first "prototype". I will be posting some pictures just as soon as I can.

Cheers to all and keep fighting the good fight.

The war goes on,
Hessler

Tanks & Troops

2009-10-20T17:48:00.012-05:00

I have finally got caught up and was able to get some stuff painted and pics taken. The bits market has been blowing up and I am just able to keep myself caught up.

First, a few pics of my Vanquisher. She features the GW Tank Commander from their website that will serve as my version of Pask. Also featured are the Mars Alpha hull and Gryphonne Vanquisher turret, both courtesy of Forge World...

Up next is my first infantry squad. I will field a 2-3 squad platoon, supported by 2 heavy weapons squads and a special weapons squad.

I give you the Sadoukad Terror Troops...

I used heads and packs from West Wind Productions and I trimmed off the shoulder pads to give a more basic style. This will be offset by my Veteran squads, who will have the full carapace armor.

Anyways, that's it for now. C&C is much appreciated.

The war goes on,
Hessler

A Tank Builders Dilema...Sponsons?

2009-10-04T15:15:00.007-05:00

I have seen evil and it's name is Forge World resin...without a doubt, the most frustrating modeling experience I have had. The Mars Alpha pattern Vanquisher fought me every step of the way but I have prevailed.

The Mars Alpha hull comes with the heavy bolter built in...so it stays there. The question now becomes: Since I already have some limited anti-personnel firepower, should I add sponsons with more bolters? Or should I leave the sponsons off altogether?

Here's some pics...

Below we see my answer to the turret being to small for the hull...layers of masking tape held in place by a coating of zap-a-gap...perfect fit.

Thanks in advance for your input.

The war goes on,
Hessler

Tanks...Now With Weathering!

2009-10-02T16:22:00.014-05:00

My first 2 tanks have finally been moved to the "completed" column. All in all, I highly recommend the Tamiya Weathering Powders. They come 3 colors to a pack and there are 6(?) packs available, but I only use 4 of them...A,B,C, and D. The applicator looks like something from a make-up case, in fact I purchased 50 disposable make-up applicators off Ebay to make the process easier. The cost was $4. The weathering powders can go on very streaky so they need to be smoothed out with a larger, dry paintbrush.

I have listed the basic colors of my camo scheme in a previous post. The treads are painted similar to WW2 German forces...a dark red primer(Vallejo Cavalry Brown), followed by a dry brush of Gunmetal Grey, followed by a generous dry brushing of Tamiya Weathering Powder (in this case, Mud).

Other Tamiya powders used were Oil, Rust, Soot, etc. It warrants mentioning that there is really no correct way to apply these. I sprayed the whole model with Testors Glosscoat to make the weathering a little easier to manipulate. I also made some good use of GW Delvan Mud wash to create the rain streaks. My steaks are a bit longer than other examples I have seen, but they seems more realistic to me. Again...no real correct way to do this. After all the weathering was finished, I applied a spray of Testors Dullcoat to finish the entire process.

Anyways, enough of my yappin...

OGRYN CHIMERA TRANSPORT

LR COMMAND TANK

In my opinion, weathering needs to be approached in layers and you'll find that the only way to really get these techniques down is to pick up a tank and try it.

That's about it for now. Of course, C&C is appreciated and I'll be posting some more tanky goodness this weekend.

The war goes on,
Hessler

Tank Madness

2009-10-01T16:51:00.004-05:00

The forge masters of Mars have laid a blessing at the door of Sadoukad 16...

The Sadoukadi tank engineers will be hard at work this weekend to get these new components welded into a lovely Vanquisher. I think this one might have to include a certain "special" commander...

While I was snapping these pics I thought I'd share a snap of my two pals. Their full names are Jedi Master Obi-Wan Kenobi & Jedi Master Qui-Gon Jinn. Around here they are humbly referred to as Obi and Jinn-Jinn.

In other news, weathering is done on my first 2 tanks...pics to come tomorrow. Also, the Titan-Knight has finally received a coat of primer as well as 2 more tanks. It looks to be a BUSY weekend here in Sadoukad.

The war goes on,
Hessler

Tank Update (2)

2009-09-25T13:20:00.007-05:00

Painting is coming along on my first 2 vehicles. I am trying to follow the steps laid out in the Forge World Masterclass book. I cannot recommend this book enough, it is full of techniques and tips that will help to elevate your painting. I also recommend the GW How To Paint Tanks, as well. I consider it a Masterclass "lite".

Anyways, the camo is done and all the small stowage has been painted. I also did a small base layer of paint chipping, using the sponge method. It took a few tries to get the technique down but practice makes things easier. Since my base color is so dark, I went with Vallejo Gun Metal for the chipping color, as opposed to a dark grey.

A coat of Testors Gloss Coat has been sprayed to facilitate the next weathering steps. I will be applying decals next and then begin weathering.

Here's some pics...

Here's some close ups of the "sponge" weathering I did. Overall, I'm pretty pleased with the way it has come out.

My next 2 tanks have been primed black and are awaiting the airbrush. The usual C&C is welcomed.

The war goes on,
Hessler

Tank Update

2009-09-19T15:50:00.012-05:00

The airbrush is working and although I am still learning to wield it properly, I can already see it's potential. I have posted some pictures below of the Ogryn Chimera and the LR Command Tank. This is based coated with Vallejo Air Color German Grey and the camo-stripe is Vallejo Model Color Dark Sand.

The airbrush allows for VERY exact control and precision, when used patiently. Because the paints must be thinned, they require several light coats. Trust me when I say...patience, patience, and more patience.

Anyways, some pics...

Overall, I am pleased with the result and in time I will have fewer mistakes. On these two I think I will have to go back and try to clean up some of the over spray and splatter. A few specks here and there of the tan seem to have gone to far into the grey areas.

Thanks for looking and C&C is always welcomed.

The war goes on,
Hessler

Tanks...Sadoukad Style

2009-09-08T17:55:00.012-05:00

Presented here for your review are 3 additions to the armored forces of Battlegroup Sadoukad.

First up is simple, yet deadly Leman Russ Battle Tank. It's the first tank I have put together in a while so I went with the straight forward build and added some bits & bobs after its completion. Anyways, pics...

Next up is a LR Executioner. While I will always keep the main weapon as it is, I like the fact that I can interchange the front and sponson weapons as I see fit. I have magnetized the sponsons on this tank and I will be doing the same for all of my tanks in the future, as well. The new kit makes this easier as the side doors are almost flush with the side of the tank.

Last up is the command tank. It's meant to be a modified Land Raider chassis with a Leman Russ weapons loadout. The larger hull allows for the commander to coordinate the operations of his tanks and supporting troops. Because of the extra space needed for logistical equipment, the tank still only supports the LR Battlecannon and a forward heavy bolter turret.

As usual C&C is appreciated. These will get primed tomorrow and then I can finally bust out my airbrush and put it through its paces. Sorry for the long post but I have been stingy with the updates lately and I felt it needed to be done.

The war goes on,
Hessler

WIP Update

2009-09-05T22:18:00.003-05:00

Sadly no pics this time. I recently had to take my condo of the market and I have been busy unpacking a bunch of boxes. Good heavens, what a pain. Anyways, progress is slowly coming along on my 1st squad of guardsman and my Rough Riders and I am finishing up some construction on a few tanks as well.

I have put together an Executioner, a standard LR Battle Tank, and I will begin on a Vanquisher soon. If anyone has a good method for extending the barrel of the LR, please let me know.

I'll post some pics right before they go in for primer. By the way, if anyone hasn't checked it out yet, the new GW book, "How To Paint Tanks" is worth a look. It doesn't cover things like the Forge World Master Class does but it offers a few good tips here and there. You can never have enough resources for ideas.

The war goes on,
Hessler

WIP - Quick Update

2009-08-30T17:48:00.005-05:00

First off, thanks to all who contributed votes and comments on the drop troops. They are in the "to do" stack, with more to be revealed at a later time.

I have been making progress on my first squad of standard guardsmen. I have some highlighting to do and then I can get some pics up. I have also been working on my own version of Mogul Kamir. Keep in mind the motorcycle theme for my rough riders and you may have an idea of where I'm going with it. Here's a tease...

So much fun. More to come.

The war goes on,
Hessler

WIP Drop Troops - Feedback Needed...Again

2009-08-23T12:06:00.016-05:00

I have refined the design of my drop troop concept today. I filled in the backs of the Tau feet and have tried to smooth them out as best I can. Apparently I need some smaller files...what is smaller than "micro" LOL??

The pulse rifle is from Hasslefree, I think it looks exotic enough for an elite airborne regiment.

The grav chute is just roughed in for now. I will either add some wires and bits & bobs or I will just break down and by the FW grav chutes.

I have also presented 3 head choices, 2 you have seen previously, 1 was inspired by someone I saw on a forum somewhere. It's meant to look like WWII Fallschirmjager helmet.

To make things easier, I will try putting up a few polls over in the right column. Thanks in advance for your input and feel free to leave other comments or suggestions below.

Cadian with Respirator

SM Scout

Cadian Variant

The war goes on,
Hessler

I Need A Quick Opinion

2009-08-22T15:51:00.006-05:00

I'm playing around with a jump-troop concept and I need some opinions on a head.

a) Cadian with respirator

b) Tank/Sentinel driver

c) SM scout

d) IG Catachan

I think I may have seen some ideas like this before but they look cool and I am eager to do some jump troops. Also if someone has better ideas for heads or even bodies, let me know. I did see the conversion someone did with the Chaos Marauder legs...I tried it and I can't cut them that well.

For those who are wondering, these will end up being much more than just Tau with different heads. I am working on ideas for a drop chute/pack and I will be moding the weapons to reflect a more Imperial look.

C&C is really needed on this one...tell me what you think.

The war goes on,
Hessler

Ogryn Chimera, Rough Riders, & more

2009-08-21T16:03:00.007-05:00

Work has progressed quite well on the Ogryn Chimera, adding a top component to house the turreted multilaser. I also added some crude armor plating and rivets, crude because I suck at working with plasticard. Oh well, practice makes perfect...

My motorized rough riders have received some attention, as well. I have overcome my aversion to the hand held hunting lance with a speargun-style launcher that is mounted on the handlebars. This as easy as drilling out the GL and sticking the end of a lance into it. Simple but effective.

Last but certainly not least, my latest hobby toy arrived in the mail today...

This weekend will be filled with airbrushy goodness, assuming it's not too humid (thank you very much Lake Michigan).

The war goes on,
Hessler

Ogryns Need A Ride

2009-08-19T11:07:00.004-05:00

That's right...it's a new WIP...

More to come...

Psyker Battle Squad (2)

2009-08-15T14:24:00.006-05:00

I have finished my Psyker Battle Squad, known as the Wilde Männer. See my previous posts for more background on these wild men.

Although I committed to finishing this squad, I am unsure how happy I am with them. I am partial to the fluff I came up with for them but I'm not sure they fit in well with the rest of my army. They almost look "non-imperial"...although they present quite a sight to an opponent as they charge wildly towards their foes, destroying the psyche of all who oppose them.

What do you think? As always, C&C is welcomed and appreciated.

The war goes on,
Hessler

Works In Progress

2009-08-09T10:31:00.015-05:00

As I try to strike a balance between building models and painting them, I find it easier to go back and forth between the two. The logic is to feed both sides of the addiction at the same time, therefore keeping them both in check. I have been tempted to adopt the painting points system that many of my fellow bloggers use but I'm not quite there yet.

Rough Riders
I have wanted to do some rough riders on scout bikes for a while but was never quite liking the marriage of motorcycle and hunting lance; at least not the idea of the medieval style lance that is held under the shoulder. What I have come up with seems to be a satisfactory answer but I really would like some feedback. Please let me know what you think of the design. As the title says, it's a work in progress...

Veteran Squad
I have also started another squad of veterans, this time based on the Forge World Veterans upgrade kit. I managed to assemble everyone except the special weapons.

Thanks for looking, any C&C is appreciated.

The war goes on,
Hessler

Ogryn (2)

2009-07-26T14:59:00.011-05:00

I was able to finish up my Ogryns this afternoon. There are a few small details I may still address. I think the front stomach plates need something, I'm just not sure what. Maybe an army badge or the standard Imperial Aquilla; maybe some graffiti.

Well that's it for now. As usual c&c is welcome and encouraged.

The war goes on,
Hessler

HQ Command Squad (4)

2009-07-15T12:14:00.018-05:00

After a final push I have finished my first Command HQ squad and I am quite happy with the way it came out. I learned a ton about how I want to proceed with the rest of my army.

Here's the points breakdown:

HQ COMMAND SQUAD	235 pts.
Company Commander	Plasma Pistol, Power Fist, Carapace Armor
4 Veterans	Vox Caster, 3 Plasma Guns, Carapace Armor
2 Bodyguards	Laspistol, CC Weapon, Carapace Armor
mounted in Command Chimera	HF, HF, Extra Armor

The war goes on,
Hessler

Ogryn (1)

2009-07-12T20:28:00.015-05:00

I have fallen out of paint mode already and got bit by the Ogryn bug. I went to the WHF Ogres for the base models. The bodies offer very little variation but in my opinion they are better scaled to your average guardsman than the metal 40K Ogryn models. It's a stretch to think you could fit 6 of the WHF Ogres in a chimera, it's impossible for me to even imagine fitting six of the metal ones.

I was able to do some modeling with both pro-create and plasticard on these. My skills are not where they ought to be but I am happy with how things have turned out. I threw the gut-plates on their heads to use as helmets. Also the weapons are all from the Ork Boys box set, the hands are a perfect fit.

For the armor plates, I cut out the rough shapes with plasticard and then cut slits to allow the material to "bend". Afterwards I went back and filled all the little gaps with green hobby filler.

Yet another can of fuel for the 40K fire!

The war goes on,
Hessler

Airborne Troops (1)

2009-07-12T16:39:00.007-05:00

After completing my guide to painting Splittermuster camo, I decided to keep going and work on a secondary unit of my army. Based on Steel Legion models, this force will consist of a basic infantry platoon (ie, command sqd, 2 inf sqd, hvy wpn sqd) that will be completely mounted in Valkyries. In larger battles they will serve as a sort of MIKE force, supplying relief to units being overrun. Serving under a second HQ choice, this force can also roam the field looking for objectives to capture/hold. Another use would be to start in reserve and act as a flanking element.

I am almost finished with the other 5 troopers in 1st Squad. Sadly I have not opened my new basing kit yet...but soon. More to come.

The war goes on,
Hessler

Busy, busy, busy

2009-07-02T22:06:00.007-05:00

Alas, I have been absent from the front lines as of late. I received my ginormous Gale Force 9 Master Basing kit today. That means I can finally finish up my Command HQ squad and start focusing on my latest random squad...Steel Legion. I am painting them up to be used as an airborne strike force. For a hint as to how I am painting them, see my previous post.

The war goes on,
Hessler

Splittermuster Camo Paint Formula

2009-06-25T13:41:00.041-05:00

These posts will serve as an online reference for the various camouflage paint schemes that I use. While I do not claim to have developed these all by myself, I have tried to present them here as simply and clearly as possible. I remember spending hours searching the Internet for a decent technique or color reference and hopefully this will serve to hasten the efforts of others.

Unless otherwise noted I use Vallejo Model Color almost exclusively for my Imperial Guard.

Copyright note: Unless they are mine, I make no claims of copyright to any pictures or examples, nor is it my intention to do so. They are used here because they represent the best examples I could find of a particular paint or camo style. If a picture belongs to you and you don't want it shown here, I'll take it down...just let me know

Splittermuster

This pattern is usually associated with the German airborne, the Fallschirmjager. I think it works pretty well on GW Steel Legion minis.

BASE COLOR ratio 6:3:1	819 Iraqi Sand	986 Deck Tan	872 Chocolate Brown
RED BROWN ratio 7:3	846 Mahogany Brown	872 Chocolate Brown
MEDIUM GREEN ratio 5:3:2	888 Olive Grey	808 Blue Green	986 Deck Tan

I've found that the key to this pattern is to keep the brown and green in geometric shapes. Avoid round edges or clumpiness. Follow up the shapes with small, defined lines of the green. I use the pointed tip of a 20/0 brush for this. Whereas some would stick to putting these lines only over the tan areas, I like to go all the way through with very thin, controlled streaks that run the length of the model. Don't clump the lines too close together, from a distance it will still look cohesive. Remember, you cannot achieve the same detail on these camos as in real life. Shoot for a good, consistent paint job. Below are some very good examples.

Lastly, don't be intimidated by the complexity of these paint schemes. With patience and persistence you will be able to do it.

The war goes on,
Hessler

Titan Knight (5)

2009-06-25T13:13:00.013-05:00

After some constructive input from Itkovian, I took another look at the whole "turret thing" and decided to go for the chin-mounted HBs. I covered the turret opening with another piece of thin plasticard and removed the headlamps on the front of the chassis.

I borrowed the exhaust from a Catachan sentinel and plopped it on the back of the chassis.

So here it is...again...ready for primer...I think...

I will prime this black as I intend to then go over it with a base coat of Fortress Grey. This model will also be my first attempt at some of the fun weathering techniques shown the the Imperial Armour Masterclass book. I HIGHLY recommend it. But first, I will need to look into an airbrush...

The war goes on,
Hessler

Titan Knight (4)

2009-06-24T08:17:00.017-05:00

After a long weekend in the country, I am finally focused on getting some of these projects built and painted. Here is the final production post on my titan-knight. I finally settled on a lesser known variant called the Castellan. It boasts a battle cannon, twin-linked autocannons, and a chin-mounted, twin-linked heavy bolter.

What I've done above is create a cover plate out of plasticard to facilitate the smaller Predator-style turret. The whole was basically hand cut until the turret fit snugly.

This is the left arm, kitted out with the twin-linked autocannons. Just a simple job of taking a couple ACs(I finally have a use for these) from an IG Heavy Weapons sprue. The existing ports in the arms allowed them two fit almost perfectly.

I did the old "snip, snip" on the Predator lascannons and swapped in a couple heavy bolters. My only thought about the turret is that the stats on the Castellan call for the HB to be chin-mounted, indicating that they are fixed in position. So should I ignore that and keep the turret in a "fixed" position? The other option would be to literally mount the HB on the chin of the model, which would also look good.

My officer of the fleet serves as an example of the scale for all the weapons and upper body of the titan-knight. I think all is done with possible exception of some banners on the arms.

As always, C&C is welcome...

The war goes on,
Hessler

From The Workshop: Magnifier

2009-06-16T06:43:00.009-05:00

How can anyone not love this little beauty? For years I struggled to see the finer details of my 28mm friends as I painted them. I would see these magnifiers in the store and think "someday..."

I finally went for it and WOW, what a huge difference. Where as I used to hold a mini up close to my face, I can now hold it at arms length with the same detail revealed. That, in turn, allows me to capture more light as I'm painting. Also, for what its worth, sit by a window when you paint. Painting in the sunlight offers a much truer sense of how your colors look.

I cannot imagine doing this hobby with out these. I challenge you to try them, you may not ever take them off. Also, they kinda look like the goggles from the SM Scouts (oh yeah!)

The war goes on,
Hessler

Mini Test : Pig Iron

2009-06-16T05:59:00.010-05:00

This time I have tinkered with the Kolony Rebels from Pig Iron. The first thing that appealed to me was the "greatcoat" look of the figures. To date, these are the best non-GW option for a 40K greatcoat army. As you can see in the pictures below, the detail is great.

In order to give these an acceptable level of 40K'ness, I have snipped off the front 1/4 inch of the gun and replaced it with the barrel portion of a IG lasgun. On the left I have used a Catachan barrel and the right sports the Cadian barrel. I can think of no better IG icon than the trusty lasgun, it really makes the figures seem easier to accept.

Also I have swapped out the heads with the Pig Iron Kolony Winter heads. These guys are primed and ready to get in the painting line (good lord, that line is getting long).

All in all, I give these a thumbs up. At some point in the distant future I will be making a full army from these, as they have officers, assault weapons, and heavy weapons figures that match up rather nicely with IG loadouts. But that will all have to wait for now.

If you have any comments or questions about these minis, please feel free to let me know.

The war goes on,
Hessler

Mini Test : Wargames Factory

2009-06-16T05:56:00.013-05:00

In my never ending quest for cool looking minis and potential IG regiments, I am willing to experiment with anything. This first mini test looks at the British Firing Line from the Zulu War range by Wargames Factory. The hint at the Praetorian Guard is obvious but how easily can one "40K" it?

Below I have assembled one of the figures in question. The main challenge from a modelling perspective, is that weapon swaps are rather difficult. The positioning of the hands doesn't allow form any "pistol grip" type weapons, like the standard IG lasgun. I added a lasgun from the FW Kreig Weapon pack and it fits rather nicely. The tricky part there is to be mindful of where you make your cuts on both the weapon and the figure.

A pack from the FW Cadian Squad upgrade kit fits in very well with the overall style of the figure and bulks it out a little so it can stand up to a GW guardsman. However, while it might be as wide as the real thing, it is not as tall. A side by side comparison proved our stand-in to be noticebly shorter.

All in all, these are a reasonable route to go if you are looking to field Praetorian Guard. Another option this kit offers is snipping off the heads and doing a head swap on a Cadian figure. It might be worth a try but I think it may be a little too small. If you go with at least a full squad or two, the numbers may offer some distraction from the shortness. And who can't use a few extra IG squads? I know I love 'em!

If you have any questions about these minis, feel free to comment or send me an email. I'll answer everything to the best of my ability.

The war goes on,
Hessler

Army Fluff: Wilde Männer

2009-06-16T05:48:00.007-05:00

You can click Wilde Männer to hear the pronunciation

(this will take you to a different web site)

The Wilde Männer are a Germanic, tribal people that live in the untamed, forested areas of Sadoukad 16. They interact regularly with the civilized majority of the planet but manage to retain their own relative Independence, something they are fiercely proud of. Looked upon as simple, uneducated tribesman by the Imperium, the Sadoukad generals(and the Inquisition) have long known and respected the Wilde Männer as powerful psykers, capable of unleashing fearsome waves of warp-spawned destruction. When driven into the heat of battle, the Wilde Männer become so frenzied that they are able to ignore wounds that would bring a normal man to his knees. Often led only by their psychic powers, some Wilde Männer will cover their eyes or mouth in order to be guided by the mysterious energy that overtakes them on the battlefield. In spite of their great power, they rarely fall to the perils of the Warp, a fact that has been observed and pondered for decades.