Saturday, November 16, 2024

Deathwing Terminator Squad 2 WIP - Part 2

 

Dark Angels Deathwing Terminators WIP
Greetings and welcome back.  As the title pic reveals, I resolved to complete the second Deathwing terminator squad which I had begun prior to DreadTober. These warriors got close to completion, but not close enough. So I put them back on the painting table and got stuck in.

Dark Angels Deathwing Terminators WIP

The bases are now complete to match my Dark Angels force. This is a simple basing scheme which I have used on my Dark Angels over the decades.  It's not snazzy, nor flashy, nor even imaginative. But it provides a good neutral backdrop for my force. The idea was born from the notion that battle fields in the 41st millennium are blasted wastelands and many the victim of countless conflicts dating back to the Dark Age of Heresy.

Dark Angels Deathwing Terminators WIP

These first two examples are the Sergeant and squad second respectively. If I broke the squad of ten into two five marine squads for a game, the second would lead the second squad of five. I figured at that point I would declare his chainfist a "power weapon" with power sword stats since sergeants can't take chain fists.

Dark Angels Deathwing Terminators WIP

 I ended up really liking the cyclone missile launcher, so iconic for the Deathwing of old. Might have to source another one or two of those...moving on though, details are mostly done at this point but I keep findings things that got missed or need tidying up, etc.

Dark Angels Deathwing Terminators WIP

They just aren't Dark Angels without a plasma boi, so that's why I don't have two cyclones. 💥

Dark Angels Deathwing Terminators WIP

And we'll stop the show and tell here.  Just a sample of the interesting models from the squad to show the progress. I'll probably call them done and post final pics late next week. Maybe. For me who have collected Dark Angels for over 20 years, Deathwing terminators hold a special place and I can't call them done until they match that special vision in my minds eye.  If you've collected a faction this long, then I'm confident you understand and have your own model or unit that just stands out from the rest.

So stay tuned for the final squad reveal coming soon! I'm excited to have (nearly) fifteen terminators done. In all these years, I haven't previously completed a squad; even when they were only in five marine units and that is now over eight editions form 3rd to 10th!

Cheers and Happy Gaming!





Saturday, November 9, 2024

On the Workbench [November] - Dark Angels Primaris Impulsor!

 

Dark Angels Impulsor WIP
Greetings and welcome back.  Coming off of DreadTober 2024, I needed a painting palate cleanser...a new build was just the thing!  I've been sitting on this Impulsor for quite awhile, including the 3rd party resin upgrades. I have always had a hard time accepting the open back of the Impulsor...so this was a must have upgrade for me.

Dark Angels Impulsor WIP

The details are great, though perhaps tough to see in the translucent resin currently. The back hatch even opens...

Dark Angels Impulsor WIP

The front armor is glued down, but the back has been magnetized so I can still paint and run the transport in it's original form.

Dark Angels Impulsor WIP

Having things this open will make painting the interior a breeze too! You should be able to make out two magnets at the back and two at the top where the roof meets the copula deck. This was a simple modification that helps maintain the original look while catering to my personal taste too. Win!

Dark Angels Impulsor WIP
The top hatch can take all of the Impulsor options.

Dark Angels Impulsor WIP

And then the full roof can be replaced with the original bits...

Dark Angels Impulsor WIP
Pretty cool!  The only sign of the mod is the two magnets at the back, but those won't show much after painting, I shouldn't think. I could go after them with putty and sanding until they were invisible under paint, I suppose...not sure it's going to be worth the effort since I want the roof on most of the time anyway.

Dark Angels Impulsor WIP
So that's what I've been up too. Next I will put this tank aside and finish the squad of terminators I was working on in September prior to DreadTober. They already look great so it shouldn't take too long I hope. Then I'm not sure where I'll go...this tank?  Tiny Horus Heresy models?  I really can't say. Something fun for sure though.

Cheers and Happy Gaming!


Wednesday, October 30, 2024

DreadTober - To Done!

 

Blades of Vengeance Invictor Tactical Warsuit
Greets and welcome back!  I'm pleased to share my completed DreadTober project today.  The Invictor Tactical Warsuit assigned to the 4th Company Blades of Vengeance is DONE.  Please allow me to celebrate with a big seal o' DONE before I continue...

OK, now on to how the final week went.  With the base built last week, I set to work painting it.

Blades of Vengeance Invictor Tactical Warsuit WIP

After a black primer coat, I decided to try out GW Agrellan Earth technical paint instead of my typical Vallejo Black Lava to cover the cork texture on the flat areas. As seen here, it gave a nice parched, cracked earth look.

Blades of Vengeance Invictor Tactical Warsuit WIP`

I used an airbrush to then add a brown base coat. Then after some shading and dry brushing the bases ended up like this.

Blades of Vengeance Invictor Tactical Warsuit WIP

I have a method, but typically go freehand here with "a little bit of this, and a little bit of that.".  Here I have chosen some GW Athonian Camoshade on the gravelly bits to hint at a bit of moss or other greenery trying to make a come back amidst the arid devastation. 

Blades of Vengeance Invictor Tactical Warsuit WIP

Then it was a simple matter of drilling a couple holes in the feet for brass wire pins, then drilling complimentary holes in the base to glue the Warsuit down permanently.  As I've mentioned in other articles, I have forgone superglue for a 2-Part 5-Minute Epoxy. Sure, it takes more time to set, and can be a bit more fussy to work with.  But it's flexible and provides a very strong bond.  This beats the brittleness of superglue.  When I inevitably drop this model, the base won't simply pop off.  Even with pins, I have seen superglue bonds easily separate under minor force.  Also, superglue doesn't store well...I can use the same tubes of 2-part epoxy for years (I buy big tubes 😁).

Anyway, enough of that. Once the model was permanently attached to the base, I painted the two daemon skulls on the base and went back to the Warsuit to complete a few details. That involved finishing the purity seals and oaths of moment; painting the Opus Machina on the power plant, detailing a few hoses and painting in the lenses and such on either side of the cockpit. Probably some clean up and a few other minor details were completed in the bargain.

Blades of Vengeance Invictor Tactical Warsuit and Allies

I'll leave off with family photo of the three Primaris Dreadnought/Warsuit chassis I have painted up so far.  Perhaps next year I'll add the Brutalis Dreadnought and complete the set. That Dread would look very good in Deathwing heraldry, no?

I have very much enjoyed participating in DreadTober this year.  We have so many great projects every year.  Follow the link to see more! If you are interested, scroll down after the break so see the final pics of my project this year.

Cheers and Happy Gaming!

Friday, October 25, 2024

DreadTober - week 4 progress!

 

Blades of Vengeance Invictor Tactical Warsuit WIP

Greetings and welcome back for week four of DreadTober.  I added a few more details, like purity seals, to the dread this week.  But the main task was building the base.  Nothing too fancy, mind, but something with more lift and interest than a simple plastic circle with some gravel on it...

Blades of Vengeance Invictor Tactical Warsuit WIP

Here, I have used my typical approach of gluing down cork pieces in (hopefully) interesting patterns. Then I used wood glue with my model railroad ballast mix to add some bits of rock here and there. In this picture, the glue is still drying. Later I go back and add Vallejo Black Lava to the rest of the exposed cork surface to hide the remaining 'corkiness'. A couple GW deamon skulls were added for good measure. I may use that as a theme for my larger Blades of Vengeance chapter models to distinguish them a bit form the Dark Angels chapter. Probably for some of the characters too?

Blades of Vengeance Invictor Tactical Warsuit WIP

Here's a close up of the driver in his seat.  I owe him some armor highlights and other fiddly bits to add interest. I'm happy the moving bits still move after painting, though, and the magnets are working great for attaching the driver.

Blades of Vengeance Invictor Tactical Warsuit WIP

Here he is all locked in for a fight.  Progress could have moved a long a bit more this week. However I'm still in great shape for finishing by the end of the month. Everything that is going to be glued has been, with the exception of the base.  I'm going to paint that prior to fixing the model to it permanently.

So that's me so far. A couple three day weekends away and a minor cold this week have slowed the pace, but not wrecked the goal.  I'll be there at the finish with y'all!

Cheers and Happy Gaming!





Friday, October 18, 2024

DreadTober - week 3 progress!

 Blades of Vengeance Invictor Tactical Warsuit WIP

Greetings and welcome back.  It was a short week for hobby this week, with only three short painting sessions. But as you can see, things are coming along well.  This week I focused on highlights and the space marine operator as well as base coating a few more details.

Blades of Vengeance Invictor Tactical Warsuit WIP

The green armor has been highlighted all around, along with the red weapon casings and the white shoulders.

 Blades of Vengeance Invictor Tactical Warsuit WIP

Some of that shows up in the pics and some does not. I took these pretty quick and they are a bit washed out.

Blades of Vengeance Invictor Tactical Warsuit WIP

Oh, I busted the original purity seal, and lost the broken off paper part.  So above, you can see the new grey plastic purity seal. I popped off the old bit and glued on this new one. Annoying, but at least I hadn't painted it yet?

Blades of Vengeance Invictor Tactical Warsuit WIP
Here's the pilot tucked away in the cockpit. I put a little time in on the head details.  However I haven't added any highlights to the operator yet. I'm away from the painting desk for a few days, so next week will be a bit of a rush to get things finished up...then in week five I'll complete the base.
The finish line is definitely in reach, but I have some work to do to get there!

That's it for this week.  Check back next week when things should be much further along.

Cheers and Happy Gaming!