Painting Challenge Submission 3 - Space Marine "Cooking" Specialists

We're not here to negotiate...Space Marine "Eradicators" from the Indomitus box set.

My third submission to Curt's Analogue Hobbies Painting Challenge continued a theme...more scary Space Marines! These are multi-part plastic models for GW's "Warhammer 40,000" setting - they are "Primaris Eradicators", from the "Indomitus" box set released back in 2020. They are painted in the colours of the Raven Guard Chapter (or, I should say, my interpretation of those colours). The decals are from GW, but the embossed Raven Guard chapter symbols on the shoulder plates are from "Pop Goes The Monkey".

As ever, the Sergeant in the unit sports an old-style "beakie" helmet. 

In the setting of Warhammer 40k, space is full of dark, horrible things like rebels, aliens, monsters, accountants and other terrible monsters. Some of these terrors from deep space are so fearsome as to even give the fabled Space Marines a problem or two...or, at least they might, were it not for these sorts of Space Marines. Clad in very, very heavy powered armour (same as that worn by the Heavy Intercessors), these "Eradicators" carrying very terrifying fusion weapons that are quite useful for wiping out vehicles, monsters and other irritating gribblies blocking the great glory of The Emperor.

The "melta rifle" - for when it absolutely, positively has to be "eradicated"....

Yes, when the going gets tough for the Space Marines, they call in the Eradicators, ensuring The Emperor's enemies are rendered down to a few carbon atoms. I mean, the weapons are called "melta rifles" - truly, it's all in the name, as they say. Not much will be left of anything that gets hit with a few of these...

I find the little "explosion" symbol on the shoulder (used to denote heavy support-type elements) looks hilariously close to a Maple Leaf...maybe it is just the effect of the red lining on the shoulder plate. 

I quite like the OTT heavy armour these fellows wear - it is the same kit as the Heavy Intercessors. They are chunky, heavy figures, much taller and heavier than an "average" 28mm human, and in this sense the new range of Space Marine models aligns much more with the sorts of Marines described in the various stories published by GW's Black Library. Again, the design, look and feel of these models are very different to that of the classic Marine models of the Rogue Trader era, but these do have an appeal of their own. These are very heavy sci-fi infantry.

Rear view showing the heavy power packs and - naturally - holstered pistols in case things get a little too close for comfort...

 

Still more 40k Raven Guard in the Challenge painting queue, so watch this space - and also be sure to check out the amazing work by Mike F, Byron M, Dave V, Dallas and Frederick elsewhere on this blog! 

Painting Chalenge Submission 2 - Primaris Space Marine Judiciar and Heavy Intercessors

"Let's wreck some sh*t for The Emperor!"

Well, I have been asleep at the switch for January when it comes to blogging - but not for painting! The Analogue Hobbies Painting Challenge is well underway (as you can see from our blog), with a heavy Conscript presence making itself felt. I have been busy painting, and busy posting and helping with the Challenge blog - and thus neglecting my own posts here...time to get caught up! This was my second submission to the Challenge, I continuing with my 40k Raven Guard Project. This post includes a lone character figure from the "Indomitus" box, and unit of Heavy Intercessors, all Space Marines painted to be part of the Raven Guard Chapter. These are multi-part plastic models from GW, enhanced with shoulder insignia from 3D print vendor "Pop Goes The Monkey". 

Judiciar

The well-dressed aspirant to a Chaplaincy in the Raven Guard - the Judiciar.

This Marine - surely a 100% emotionally well-adjusted individual, not-at-all-total-psycho - is a "Judiciar", a new sort of character figure introduced in the "Indomitus" box set. As with all of the Marine characters from that box, there is an affectionate tribute to the OTT nature of 40k in general and Space Marines in particular. 

Walking along with a giant sword and a spooky hourglass. As one does. 

A Judiciar is a sort of Chaplain-in-training in the Space Marine chapter. Taking a look at his battle gear, that training seems a little...specific? Spiritual comfort via a terrifying two-handed sword and oversize spooky hourglass? Premium on confession, I expect...

Let's go for a walk!

I did make one minor modification to this figure, swapping out the silly original head (which made the guy look like a cosplay reject) with a helmet (which a Space Marine should be wearing all of the time, even if he walks around with a bonkers sword). 

Heavy Intercessor Squad

No sneaking around for these Raven Guard - let's smash stuff!

Intercession, the act of intervening on behalf of another...it is a testament to the imagined terrors of the 41st millennium that the main line Space Marines of The Imperium are called "Intercessors". And when stuff arrives that even they have a little trouble with, the Space Marines call in "Heavy Intercessors" - some of the heaviest infantry to be found. These are even bigger dudes with even bigger bolt rifles and even heavier armour. These fellows are deployed when The Emperor has decided to wreck your sh*t.

Love the heavy bolt rifles, with the huge drum magazines...now THAT is some scary sci-fi heavy infantry.

I love how they still have pistols, even with all of that armour, and those heavy bolt rifles.

These "Heavy Intercessors" are some of the latest new-look Space Marines from GW - quite a long way away from the original "beakie" Space Marine models from the classic RTB 01 box released all of those years ago. While those original models will always be close to my hobby heart, I find I do like the look of these new, ultra-heavy infantry. The layered armour, the heavy bolt rifles with the extra-large drum-style magazines...these guys are fun.

Sergeant on the right, subaltern (at least, I call him that) on the left.

While the unit includes 10 models, in practice it would often break down into two different five-man teams, so I used different colours on the knee-plates the differentiate between the to sub-units. Whether in groups of five or 10, these Marines will lay down withering sheets of heavy fire on the gaming table. Then, when the inevitable "close combat" gets going on the table, these fellows will absorb a ton of abuse, hopefully holding out until their buddies with swords and other insane bits of kit come to help. 

Let us intercede!

The sergeant, of course, still gets a "beakie" style helmet, a tribute to the history of the old Space Marine models. Seeing that old style of helmet on the new "Gravis" power armour certainly underlines how different today's figure designs are, at least for an old grognard like me.

Stay tuned for more posts as I get caught up - and be sure to check out the Analogue Hobbies Painting Challenge (while also keeping an eye on this space) to see so much excellent work from other Fawcett Avenue Conscripts!

Minotaurs Dreadnoughts

 More progress on the Minotaurs despite the Provinces best attempts to abolish public education! This offering is two more space marine dreadnoughts. These aren’t the fancy new primaris redemptor dreadnoughts or the relic Contemptor. Just plain old classic walking coffins. Back in the time of 4th and 5th addition these guys served me well. The twin lascannon and missile launcher combo was particularly effective. Subsequent additions were less generous. 9th edition has juiced up dreadnoughts considerably and should provide some solid support for the tactical squads. Unfortunately, their shiny new paint job probably means they have to get that first game out of the way! Whenever that’ll be.

The multi-melta and plasma cannon are both from Pop goes the Monkey as are the Minotaur icons. All the weapons are magnetized and all the polarities match so the weapon arms can be swapped between dreads!

The one on the left was painted a few months ago

Thanks for visiting.

Minotaurs Tactical Squad #2

 Painting progress has been slow since the Province suspended in class learning for elementary school kids. Despite this challenge, I've managed to complete another tactical squad for my Minotaurs Chapter. This includes a Multi-melta, meltagun and flamer alternative. The sergeant is armed with a plasma pistol and power fist. I also gave him a Mark IV helmet. The boltguns are from the Mark III space marine box. I had dozens of them left over from my Imperial Fists.

 Thanks for visiting.

Minotaur Chapter Terminators

 Back to my Space Marine Chapter repaint! This batch includes two squads of Terminators. One squad has Thunder hammers and Storm Shields and the other is standard with storm bolters and power fists. I also painted up a Cataphractii Terminator to represent the captain. The model used is from the Calth box I think and pretty common. I think I have at least two others. I added a helmet from an old Chapterhouse head and cut off the face/neck protector thingy. Finally, I added a few Minotaur Chapter insignia to the belt and shoulders. I was going to keep working on the Minotaur's, but I'm out of black spray primer and getting more is a bit more complicated in Manitoba at the moment. I guess I'll have to move on to something already primed.

For when every problem is a nail.

Shoulder insignia from Pop goes the monkey! Strange name, but nice product.

Though I'm happy I actually got him looking at where he's shooting, I think the severity of the angle means his neck is probably broken. Oh well, The future!

Another look at the Minotaur badge.

More ships for the Executioners

 I posted some ships I painted for Battle fleet Gothic back in October. One of the fleets belonged to the Executioners Space Marine Chapter during the Badab War. In the background, the Executioners had a seized (stolen) cruiser called the "Night Hag." It's described as having an assortment of weapons including lance batteries, launch bays and Macrocannons! Whatever those are. I found an interesting model on Shapeways that had a fairly unique, yet still Imperial look. It also had this weird cannon on top of it. I also ordered a Strike Cruiser to make the fleet look more space marine-y. Once arrived I added a set of lance batteries to the Night Hag and painted it up using the blue gunmetal color scheme I used for the other ones. The chapter insignia was again borrowed from the double axe transfer from Imperial Fist Forgeworld transfer sheet.For rules I will probably make it one of the battleships from the Armada expansion. Rumors that GW may relaunch BFG may rendered my efforts here obsolete. It's definitely a game I would purchase despite what I'm sure will be at an eye-watering price. Hopefully they don't change the scale too much.

I have two fleets now and had anticipated that we would be playing games soon. However, Winnipeg is now now entering a second lockdown and authorities are promising to take a hard line on violators of the Public Health order. With news that the virus is surging all over Europe and North America, I am not hopeful that we will be gaming any time soon. In the meantime, I'll keep plugging away at my stockpile of models in anticipation of the day we can resume in person gaming.

The Night Hag - 3D printed

I love how it's absolutely covered in guns!

3D printed Space Marine Strike Cruiser

Last Gasp of the Classic Space Marines

Games Workshop has released the latest version of Codex Space Marines and I decided to see what kind of army I can make out of my long dormant silver and green SM chapter. After looking through the units it became pretty apparent that, despite the vast number of units available, you're only going to be using a few of those units and they're all going to be Primaris. That's not to say that the classic marine units aren't good. It's just that Primaris are more efficient point wise and have waaaaay better guns. I don't have any Primaris, but I can read the writing on the wall and will probably collect a few at some point.

My current space marine army is a bit old, with the bulk of it dating form the late 90's and early 2000's. Now I know there are several readers of this blog who are rolling their eyes and groaning that I don't know what old is and that they have space marine armies from 1987 or that their knee swells when a new edition is about to be released! Ok, Boomer, take it easy! My stuff's still 15-20 years old which my 7 year old regards as some long lost before time. Anyway, my point is, the army's showing its age and never had a great paint jog to begin with. This led to the obvious conclusion to strip the models and repaint the entire army!  

Ancient models from a bygone era!

Why can't I focus on a project!

The army will remain an all classic marine army designed for 9th edition. I have always liked the Minotaur Chapter and Pop goes the monkey makes their chapter insignia through Shapeways. Their stuff is really creative and is higher in quality to some stuff on Shapeways. You can find just about any chapter insignia. I ended up buying enough insignia for the entire army and I managed completed my first model which is a Predator.  It still happens to be the least useful heavy support option in the codex, but it's a classic.

You can see the chapter symbols from Pop goes the monkey

Not sure how long the repaint will take, but I'll post the progress here!

20 Marine Imperial Fist Legion Tactical Squad

I finished this unit about a week ago, but only got around to basing them today. It took me a long time to complete this unit, but I'm happy with the results. Next up is a Terminator squad, Contemptor and terminator Centurion. I'm hoping they go a bit quicker.