DKoK Artillary WIP - the Base

 

Greetings and welcome back!  I've been absent with the posts of late...and 2025 trend that I hope to reverse.  As usual, I have not been idle at the workbench, just at the computer. I thought I'd talk a bit about the base for the Death Korps of Krieg artillery piece I've had on the painting table for a while since completing the heavy stubber team.

After gluing down the scenic bits for a base, I like to use a good quality wood glue to apply ground cover as I did here. In my experience, wood glue holds better to the plastic than PVA or white glue. Sometimes I'll use a product like Vallejo's Black Lava or similar.  But for 40K, I have for years used a simple mix of fine and medium coarse model railroad ballast. In the case of this artillery base, I considered that during a siege, this artillery piece might be in place for some time, so the ground around it might become beat down and muddy where the crew congregate to manage the equipment. I've used poster putty (blue tac, etc.) to mask the areas I wanted to appear well trodden then glued down the ballast/gravel.

After allowing the glue to dry, I removed the putty and applied GW Agrellan Earth technical paint. A note on removing the putty, this had to be done carefully because glue had been spashed and dried on the putty, so pulling the putty up did start to lift the glue in spots. Had I been more careful with the application of glue, i could have avoided this bit. But back to the Agrellan Earth, as this paint dries, it cracks and makes a nice dried mud texture. In hind sight, it might have been fun to take a troopers foot and make a tone of overlapping foot prints as this dried - but I'm not sure if that would have really helped or not in the end, at least at this scale.

Anyway, this looked pretty decent prior to painting.  clearly some dried muddy areas amid the rough ground texture. with the gun in place, you can see the well trodden areas as they appear around the field piece. 

 

At this stage I paused and finished the Heavy Stubber team.  When finally coming back to paint, I laid down the base colors, the washed everything with GW Agrax Earthshade.

I then added some GW Athonian Camoshade to the muddy bits and all around the edge of the base, though honestly, it ended up leaving only a very subtle dark green to the shading. Probably could have skipped that step, or gone in hard with a couple more coats.

Then it was time to dry brush the ground and sandbags, tidy up the details and add highlights.  The final results are above in the title pic and in this pic from another angle.

Now we're ready to glue the field piece down once it is complete enough to do so.  I'm currently working on it, and in my next post I'll share the process and the progress for painting the gun and crew.  I batch painted the crew to a point while painting the heavy stubber team, but did not bring them to completion at that time. The gun has sat before now waiting in the queue with only an initial prime and grey base coat.
 

We'll see if I can get back to my old posting rhythm, so expect another post later this week.

Cheers and Happy Gaming! 
 

On the Workbench [May] - Marines and stuff...

 

Hello and welcome back! While puttering away on the Death Korps of Krieg heavy weapon squad, I have been assembling various other nice-to-haves for my 40K Dark Angels collection.  Here we have a Gladiator Valiant tank.

It was just a stock build with some Dark Angels bling added on, but will paint up nice. Next I added five more assault intercessors with jump packs to bring an initial squad of five to full strength.

Then out of the blue I chose to assembled the Souldshackle kill team 'Hand of the Archon'. You just never know when those evil Xenos are going to make an appearance...

All joking aside though, these are fantastic Drukhari models. I realize they were really nothing new; just a Kabalite squad with an upgrade sprue.  But they are new to me!  Very characterful models, I thought.  I mounted mine on 32mm Sector Mechanicus bases I had in the bin.  Larger than the 25mm bases they come with, but more interesting (and stable) for kill team games.

Not done with the building itch, I also put together an Acastus Knight Porphyrion I picked up on eBay by mistake (I can't count apparently...). And then two Acastus Knights Asterius. The heat sinks (?!) are left off the weapons for future painting.

I have these knights in resin already in my Adeptus Titanicus collection.  However after some thought I felt it might be nice to have a couple for Legions Imperialis to support the Mechanicum. And of course that meant I needed some Cerastus Knights Atrapos.

The Questoris Knights box is still awaiting assembly to fill out the household. Though I haven't decided just what household that will be. It will likely be something other than House Taranis which I chose for my Adeptus Titanicus collection (not that I've put paint on any but a couple Questoris knights there yet...). It will be nice to have a different paint scheme to work on for the experience.

So anyway, that's what I've been working on from late April into May while not painting. I very much enjoy the process of snipping, cleaning and assembling the models - probably more than painting them if I'm being honest.  I'm definitely more deliberate these days as to what I assemble, but it's still hard to keep up. :)

For me, the goal is to hobby in general, not arrive at any specific set of painted miniatures.  Assembly for me is every bit as important as the painting, Maybe because I grew up with loads of unpainted green plastic army men?? At least I matured past lighting them on fire with loads of plastic cement and detonating them with firecrackers. The flamer dudes always got the upper hand in my games as a kid...
 

Cheers and Happy Gaming!!

DKoK Heavy Weapons Squad (Stubbers) - To DONE!

 

Hello and welcome back!  My how time flies.  I managed to skip at least a week of posts somewhere in there, but it's not because I've been lax in the hobby.  I've been poking away at these guardsmen and a few other things I'll share in good time.  But today's post is about for the Krieg.

It amuses me that this updated plastic heavy weapons squad will be the first that I have completed for the collection. I have several of the Forge World teams on Secret Weapon Miniatures bases as shown above.  Only my custom rocket launcher squad has anything more than primer on it. And that's a shames since that weapons option has been long gone from the army in the rules. *pout*

I took my time with the details - not in the name of care, I mean I simply took my time. 😂 I added what I hope look like topo lines and points of interest to the map the spotter is referencing.  In the close up it's messy, but I think it came out well for the effect at arms length.

In hindsight, I realize the map is likely folded so I could have painted more map stuff on the other side.  Perhaps I'll go back in at some point and correct that.

This squad is assigned to the 262nd siege regiment. I didn't take good angles to show the insignia, but all troops bear the regimental numbers on the right shoulder, and the Astra Militarum badge on the other.

It's a shame they removed the loader from each weapons team.  Not only will it cost time for these gunners to swap out the dual clips, but you can imagine these being too heavy to maneuver through the mire of a battle field with only one soldier. I liked the Forge World take on that with their model line, even if I didn't prefer the running soldiers for my collection.

The scenic bases painted up well, and I like how the addition of the shell casings played out. I might have liked to add a few more casings to each base, but this is fun and flavorful. Hobby pack-rat for the win!

Oh, I did get a couple side shots that show the regimental numbers and Astra Militarum badge with more clarity along with a closer look at the model detail.  These were great fun to paint up.

So that's another project in the DONE box and another completed squad for the Death Korps of Krieg (FINALLY).

When I was playing more, the rules just didn't seem to favor the guard and as a result I gravitated more to painting Dark Angels and other projects.  However, I love the look and challenge of painting up DKoK models.  I'll look to include a squad or two here and there as I continue with tiny dudes, super soldiers and other projects. Just so much fun stuff to get paint on!

I hope something here has inspired you with your own projects.

Cheers and Happy Gaming!

DKoK Heavy Weapons Squad (Stubbers) WIP - Part 2

 

Time to share some progress on the Death Korps of Krieg heavy weapons squad.  With the weapons mostly done, I turned to the crew.  Following the recipe from the tab on this site, I started making progress...

Here is progress on the spotter.  No highlights yet, and maybe 70% base coated?  I need to do webbing, backpacks respirators and other gear.

And the first gunner. I've been batch painting, so everyone is basically at the same point, progress-wise.

And here's the second gunner.

And finally the third gunner. Since I'm batch painting, I folded in the artillery crew as well.

Here is the trooper bring tools to the big gun.

Next the spotter/range-finder.

And the third crew member, standing over-watch. With the crew standing, it's easier to see some of the progress on the boots and pants that is mostly hidden in the pics of the heavy weapon gunners.

I also found these metal sprues of large caliber weapon shells from the Secret Weapon Miniatures that was. They should go well with the heavy stubbers.  I plan to scatter them about the bases to make it clear the heavy guns have been put to good use fending off the enemies of the Imperium.

Maybe a TO DONE pic next...or soonish?  These fellas are coming along well enough.  I'm balking at the details, but I'll set to them soon and bring the project home.  Then I will complete the big gun to put paid to these new DKoK models.  It has been very fun working on the new plastics over the brittle resin of old.

So until next time...

Cheers and Happy Gaming!

On the Workbench [ March] - Dark Angels Assault Intercessors w/Jump Packs

 

Hello and welcome back!  Wow, how time flies.  I let posting get away from me for a bit, but no worries.  We're building and painting as always here at 262Krieg. Today I'm sharing some Assault Intercessors with Jump Packs for the Dark Angels chapter.  Only minor customization here with Dark Angles chapter shoulders, fetishes, and hooded heads.  Oh, I also used a spare bionic plasma pistol arm for the squad Sergeant.

 As with many hobbyists, the Primaris range of space marines didn't sit well with me at first. However, I have to say that since embracing the range, I have very much enjoy building and painting the Primaris models.  These intercessors are no different.  The poses take some getting used to here, but I do like the motion and energy in each model.  Above, the squad Sergeant twists mid-jump to fire a blast of plasma at an unseen foe.

Next, a squad veteran takes a second plasma shot. I figure carrying plasma weapons is an honor amongst the assault intercessors bestowed only on those who earn it. As such, this veteran and the squad Sergeant bear distinct helmets under their hoods that stand apart from the standard issue.

I love all the war gear on these models.  Lots of pouches and grenades ready for the assault.

After the fact, I recognized that these probably weren't the best models to put hoods on.  You can imagine the hoods never staying put with the force of the jumps.  It does allow this small squad to stand out amongst the rest of the chapter where I typically do not use hoods for the rank and file.  Again, I imagine jump packs to be special issue and handed out only to those who earn the right.

Like any true assault warrior, drop the shoulder and charge!

It's a small squad, but very fun to put together.  Perhaps I'll bulk them out to full strength at some point.  Regardless, they add some more interest and tactical flexibility to my 5th Company Dark Angels. It's great to see the jump packs finally make it to the Primaris line. And I like that they incorporated the flight stabilizers seen first on the Reivers.

So there is my small building project for late March.  I continue to putter away on the Death Korps of Krieg heavy weapons, so more on that project soon. I've taken a much more laid back approach to the hobby recently which has lowered productivity somewhat.  But I'm still happily hobbying for a bit most nights.

Cheers and Happy Gaming!

DKoK Heavy Weapons Squad (Stubbers) WIP - Part 1

 

Greetings and welcome back.

As promised, it's time to paint some Krieg on 262Krieg!  I decided to start with the heavy weapons squad, which as you can see above is coming along famously. But it all started with a mass priming session...

 I love using double-sided scotch tape and a piece of stiff cardboard, or a paint stirring stick for getting lots of things primed quickly now.  I used to hand hold everything with gloves but it takes MUCH longer than this. I save pieces of good cardboard and other materials from the various packaging that moves through the house from time to time. Of course, it helps that I have a dry(ish) basement and a spray booth that vents outside

Bulk priming like this helps keep me moving.  It always seems harder to get a project going if the pieces aren't even primed. But this article is about heaving weapons, and you can see some resin bases above for my gun pits.  These are originally from the Secret Weapons Miniatures trench work line, when they were operating.  I definitely miss their bases...

Next up everything was sprayed with a rattle can using Army Painter Uniform Grey.  Thank goodness I had a couple cans left from the early days to match my paint recipe.  No idea if this is still around, or if it still matches.  I have a dropper bottle or two for these new plastics that will hopefully cover enough to get the project finished.  Using a spray on base coat makes these fellas so much easier to paint in bulk. I'm also spoiling my next project here.

I set to work on the heavy stubbers first. Nothing fancy at this point. Weathering and highlights will come last after final assembly. The guns and gunners are not yet attach to make painting easier. The guns have a black wash and transfers applied.

Next I started on the bases.  These need to be almost complete before the guns and gunners are glued down into their final positions. I intend to tie everything together in the end with some weathering powders and what not.

I'm pretty happy with the results so far.  Dirty Down rust was applied to the metals backing up the sandbags. That may be visible if you click through to the larger images. The upright wooden posts are painted in a different, darker wood color to pick them out as a different material than the duck boards.

 And there we have the progress so far. I paused to build an additional five Deathriders to fill out a full squad of ten. But now I'm back on painting full time and should be starting the gunners very soon, once I'm satisfied with the bases. I'm very happy to have found these resin bases for this squad lying about. I'm quite guilty of "over-collecting" to the point of hoarding, some might say.  But it's at times like this that it pays dividends.

I hope you've found something here to inspire your own projects.

Cheers and Happy Gaming!

On the Workbench [February] - Death Korps of Krieg!

 

Greetings and welcome back.  So I said to myself when the DKoK box released that I have all the resin Krieg I need and even some plastic thanks to Kill Team.  But then there was a little crack in my armor, in the form of one teensy squad of five engineers and their updated "cyclops" mobile demolition platform. Well the set only lets you build one of two options for every model (except the "cyclops") and a full squad can be ten soldiers, so yeah, a second batch of 5 were required. OK, I'm good.  It's just 12 more models.

They look real slick! I then realized I'd need the new rules and heck, this fella on eBay is offering the paper material from the box AND Lord Marshall Dreir in the bargain for a reasonable price - and of course I want the luachbox DKooK art on my codex! So yep, picked that up.

But this is the famed Death Korps of Krieg, right?  So the big guns really never do tire...so toss in an artillery piece - I mean what's the point of the rest without THAT? Yeah, you can see where this is going...

At this point you sorta HAVE to have the Death Riders too (and why didn't I just buy the damn launch box in the first place...I'm saving nothing by picking this stuff up piece meal on eBay...).  The models are pretty fantastic in plastic; never mind that I already have 9 or 10 in resin...nope, gotta have 'em. I couldn't sleep at night if I didn't pick them up.

What, only five?  Cheapskate...

Oh, and then what's that? A new DKoK themed command squad?  Seriously?! Well Lord Marshal Dreir isn't going to push this lot about by himself, now is he?! SO, yeah, put that in the cart...

OK, we're good. It's a lot, but it's Krieg and that's good stuff. Wait, no, no we're not good.  There's the new heavy weapons set and at this point we can't have all of this and leave just that one box on the shelf.  I mean I have 13 or 14 DKoK heavy weapon teams in resin, so I don't NEED three more (and a dude...?).  But at this point we all know this hobby isn't really about needs...

Wait...where's the spotter dude?

And that's how I ended up with 29ish new DKoK models in plastic, all assembled this month. I have no regrets; they really are well designed and great fun to stare at.  They might even be good in a game. But whether they are or not, this blog was inspired by the DKoK and I figured it's about time some more Krieg got painted.

The keen eyed veteran may recognize all the resin bases from the Secret Weapon Miniatures that was. I have a silly large collection of resin Krieg, and I bought many trench work bases early on to be sure I could mount the whole collection on them. So I dug out what was left to use while building these new models.  The heavy weapon bases are larger than the new bases, but the rule of cool, right? Besides, all the other teams are mounted on these bases and these new models fit like they were made for them.

As for the rest, there's a lot of scenic bits on the new models, so I'm leaving those on the plastic bases. I can add gravel and what have you to blend the plastic in to fit the rest of the look here.  And while I'm on that subject, I thought I'd share my process for building out the artillery gun base... 

I went ahead and glued down the plastic base components that came with the kit in a fairly obvious but pleasing configuration. Then I figured I'd vary the ground cover a bit.  Where the troopers stand and move about, the ground should get a bit trampled and packed down. Probably water collects there too when it rains. So I decided to use poster tac to mask off those areas when I applied my typical mix of basing gravel.

 

Then I pulled up the poster tac after the glue had dried.  Some of the putty is stuck in the glue around the edges, but this is taken care of during later stages. I chose GW Agrellan Earth texture paint to be my packed down, and now parched earth. But first, I needed some gloss coat to insure the Agrellan Earth cracked well.

 

Once that dried I went over all those areas with the Agrellan Earth. You lay this stuff on good and thick to get a good result.

 

Then I headed off to bed, so the magic could happen.  Watched earth never cracks, so they say...

And voila'! Some parched earth. I guess it's not as trampled looking as I might have liked...and I'm killing myself inside for not thinking to use a trooper boot to stamp a ton of foot prints into the earth prior to the crackling...but it's not bad at all for a homemade scenic base.  Should fit in with the resin stuff just fine once painted. You can see the fully assembled model in the title pic above.

With that, February draws to a close. I'll prime this batch and then see what I get paint on next.  With MonsterMarch looming large, I might have to go back to The Lion (cheating?  he is a beast...in combat...). Or perhaps tackle my first Tyranid since 3rd edition. I did promise a new faction before becoming obsessed with tiny troops and tanks. I dunno...but I think the Krieg probably wait for April.

Check back next week to see where the Changer of Ways points my brush. Until then...

Cheers and Happy Gaming!