Rogue Trader Project Update - "Beakie" Test Models

"Bravo One to base - no sign of an Optex photo studio here - over."

Although I have been working on a fair bit of historical stuff recently as part of my vain attempt to crack the top tier of the Analogue Hobbies painting challenge, my sci-fi pile is still there.  In particular, I am working to create the classic detachment of Crimson Fists from "Battle At The Farm" so we can do a little Rogue Trader campaign in honour of RT's 25th Anniversary.

I tried to add to some stowage and bits to the all of the models.

Last month I acquired some classic "beakie" marines, gussied them up with some current aftermarket pewter parts, and I have finished a pair of test models from the group.  The pewter bits are from a Crimson Fist/Imperial Fist upgrade pack available direct from GW.  Getting them mounted on to the beakies took a bit of hacking, but they managed to sit eventually....

Sergeant is on the left, with the extra fancy shoulder pad, scanner/TV remote, and snobby helmet.

This is a very, very fun project. Working on these models brings back a lot of good memories - and also a lot of respect for the current Space Marine models. While I am not wild about the scale creep, and there are certainly some ridiculously stupid models in the current range, the current plastic Space Marine models are nice to work with, and they make you forget just how tricky it could be to get the poor beakie fellows assembled back in "the day". As you will see in later posts, the missile launcher guy I put together doesn't look quite right...but still looks better than the one I worked on when I was a kid painting them with enamel paints from Testors :)

One other super fun thing about these old models - NO SKULLS! Now THAT really takes you back...