30k in 15mm (!?!)

30k models in 15mm size/1-100 scale - 3D prints courtesy of Byron M; decals from GW

How many scales can one employ in order to enjoy GW's Horus Heresy setting? The figures are already available in 28mm, and GW used to do it in 6mm too. But thanks to 3D printers, and the people willing to employ them, at least one more option: 15mm! Yes, here in this post we have some 30k figures in 15mm size/1-100 scale. These are all 3D prints provided by Byron (thanks Byron!).

I had no idea 15mm 30k was even "a thing" until Byron started doing some 15mm 40k and 30k figures and vehicles as entries in Curt's recent Analogue Hobbies Painting Challenge. His squad of Iron Warriors instantly got my attention, and he was kind enough to print up a selection of models for me to have a go at setting up a couple of small forces of my own.

Veteran tactical squad and Rhino APC from the VII Legion, the Imperial Fists.

Why? Why another size and scale? Well...why not? Leaving aside my fairly consistent interest in GW's 30k setting, the appeal of different scales works its magic on all of us in the hobby. The appeal of 15mm sized figures in the 30k setting is the same as those for WW2 or Team Yankee or any of the 15mm sci-fi gaming done in other settings...at that size and scale, options open up on the gaming table to involve a lot of stuff - even more stuff - without unduly crowding things. 

That is, after all, part of the appear of the original "Space Marine" game, right? A detachment of six Land Raiders, and a company of Marines in Rhinos...all fitting just fine on a 6' x 4' table, with plenty of room to spare! Of course, "Space Marine" (later "Epic") was played in 6mm/1-285 scale. 15mm stuff was not really possible unless you were some kind of ace at conversions...but that seems to have all changed now, with 3D printers - as well as canny designers of the design files - providing options for great-looking models and allowing people to set up games with a lot more "room" on the table. 

The Warmaster's Sons! XVI Legion Astartes veteran tactical squad and Rhino APC.

A further consideration is the weapon ranges...you can shorten them up in proportion to the smaller size of the figures, but it is often just as fun to leave them as-is, and get engagement ranges that have a much better "look" on the tabletop. The 24" range of bolter fire just looks better with 15mm figures.

Characters for the VII Legion, including a techmarine.

For this first tranche of 15mm 30k figures I asked Byron to provide what I considered to be two fairly basic forces. There are enough prints for three classic tactical squads (what would be considered "veteran tactical squads" in the current version of the game), a couple of Rhino APCs and one Land Raider to drive them around and support them. He also added a few character type figures. 

Assortment of characters - including a Chaplain I painted in the colours of the Word Bearers - providing faith-based consulting services, I expect...

As you can see in the pictures, for this little project I am painting Sons of Horus and Imperial Fists. In part this is because I am already using the relevant colours on 28mm figures, but there is an added advantage that the decal sheets from GW's recent "Age of Darkness" edition has decals for both of these legions AND several of them are small enough to fit on the shoulder pauldrons of the 15mm Marines! 

Watch for followup posts to profile both of the forces as they develop - and hopefully keep growing if I can manage to pester Byron to keep firing up that 3D printer! That's all for now. Thanks for reading!