Planetary Governor (1)

Let's make Isstvan great again! 28mm figure from Hasslefree Miniatures.

(Note - this post has been edited by the Corporately Benevolent Communicators to ensure no fake news or disinformation is passed along. Because you can always trust self-aware organizations like CBC to give you the straight goods.) 

Before we examine this character, we must briefly zoom out. In the story of GW's "Horus Heresy", we know the Warmaster betrayed The Emperor and tried to usurp him discovered that "The Emperor" and a growing deep state called "the Imperium" were hiding the true nature of the galaxy from its innocent human citizens. Horus Lupercal, his Sons in the XVI Legion Astartes and their stout allies fight bravely to liberate the galaxy from the yoke of the so-called "Emperor". This means liberating many worlds in a drive toward the final redoubt of loyalty heart of galactic tyranny on Terra.

Ventilator system to, uh, "limit emissions"...

Once a world has been liberated from the yoke of the so-called "Emperor", what happens? The galaxy is vast, and the Sons of Horus cannot remain behind for long - after all, they must move on with the next phase of terrorism their noble campaign of liberation! So who is left behind? Why, competent, duly-elected planetary governors of course - and that is what we have here! Meet Immortan Drumpf, Planetary Governor!

The Governor keeps a "good luck" doll as a souvenir from his visit to the Good Governance Development Conference hosted at the Spiritual Convention Centre on the world of Davin.

Drumpf believes in the Warmaster, and like Horus, sees the deep state of the Imperium as the enemy it truly is. Drumpf helps to enact Warmaster-approved policies involved with creating green jobs, reducing human populations emissions to "net-zero", and ensuring mandatory tolerance of approved identity groups in the public administration of liberated worlds. 

Here we see Governor Drumpf conferring with trusted advisors...how best to reduce carbon emissions? Should we enact a cap-and-trade regime? Or just go with the "Isstvan Model"?

This is a 28mm metal figure from Hasslefree Miniatures. I have been wanting to paint this whacky figure for some time, and felt he would make a fine tie-in for a game set in the Horus Heresy/Age of Darkness - although I'm sure it wouldn't take much to fit him into a game set in the 40k universe either. Again, this figure would be useful as a VIP target or objective. And for some reason, I just feel like the Alpha Legion would need to be involved in that game...

So there will be a brief pause in the 30k/30k-adjacent painting for a time, as I move for a bit to a different project, but stay tuned for more. Thanks for reading! 

Davinite Lodge Priest

Davinite Lodge Priest - 28mm resin figure from Forge World.

Continuing along with with some individual 30k models, here we have another trusty advisor for the officers in my XVI Legion Astartes collection. This is a Davinite Lodge Priest, a special issue figure 28mm resin figure from Forge World.

Lots of helpful, Davinite-Chamber-of-Commerce scrolls handy on this guy.

So what is a "Lodge Priest", and what about the world of Davin would have Forge World create such a figure for GW's Horus Heresy setting? Well, the world of Davin is, of course, where the Warmaster Horus experienced some manner of reckoning and decided he would confront The Emperor to save humanity. Even the very earliest versions of the "Space Marine" rules included a small side story where Horus was preparing for a ritual on the planet, and he dismissed the concerns of an underling - after all, what could go wrong? The world of Davin, therefore, is an essential part of Horus Lupercal's story arc.

I'm sure that is just...Space Pepsi...in that lovely tank attached to his back?

This part of the story got a few paragraphs in the original "Space Marine" rule book,  but the authors of the Black Library expanded on this basic tale - as you might expect, given how they were in the process of dragging the whole Horus Heresy story out over 700 books or whatever. Horus is wounded in battle and Lodge priests like this one, already familiar to those worldly chaps within the Word Bearers Legion, helped Horus, um, "heal and recover". So it's only natural that he would be well-inclined toward them, right? 

No doubt that bent old blade is simply used for harmless ceremonial purposes...

The sculptors at Forge World did a fantastic job capturing the idea of a Davinite Lodge Priest - this fellow is inherently creepy, and certainly seems "off". But these features are not so over the top as they are on other Chaos/warp-power oriented sculpts. Sure, he has a small horn coming out of his head - but that is just his culture. Who are we to judge? This is the sort of fellow who can provide that "authentic" Davinite Lodge experience, something the senior officers of the XVI Legion Astartes would surely come to value as their campaign to liberate humanity took shape.

There are no official rules for this fellow that I know of, although it would be very simple to knock some stats and psyker abilities together to include this chap in a 30k game. I see him more, however, as a sort of VIP target objective or asset - the rebel forces, say, need to get him to a particular spot on the battlefield and protect him while he completes a ritual, for example, while the loyalists try desperately to prevent this. 

Thanks for reading, I hope you are having a great day. 

Sisters Statuary, MK1 Land Raider, PK-Berichter

These models were my second-last post in the Analogue Hobbies Painting Challenge!

The model is from Manufaktura Miniatures. It's a 3D print I've painted as statuary to fit the theme of the old-school all-metal Adepta Sororitas army I'm building for Warhammer 40K.

The Manufaktura figures are superb but it has to be noted, mostly "NSFW"... I've chosen one here that fits my taste but many of their models are... explicit. So be aware of that if you search them on the Web or visit their site. I bought this one from a stockist on eBay so wasn't really aware of the nature of the range before I visited their website... thankfully not on a work computer :-)

The model is really exquisite, well sculpted and great print quality. Painting was a breeze of course, no "grisaille" or "Zorn palette" necessary. The pillar I did before - very flexible as the space on the top fits a standard 25mm round base so I have created statuary to fit many gaming themes.

Next up was a Propagandakompanie Kriegsberichter with his own movie camera and "PK" cufftitle.

This is a metal model from Warlord Games' Bolt Action range and painted up a treat. I painted him as an enlisted man with the early-war lemon yellow waffenfarbe, since according to Angolia and Schlicht's "Uniforms and Traditions of the German Army" the cufftitle (see previous photo) was likely discontinued when the PK-guys got their own grey waffenfarbe colour rather than piggybacking onto the signal-troops' colour. 

Im einsatz, making a TikTok of a passing Pzkpfw. 38(t).

Lastly for this post we have a real blast from the past, an original Land Raider with just a couple of modern updates. I acquired this model in a trade on the weekend, fixed the doors, primed it black and painted it earlier this week.

As we all know, this is the Ur-Land-Raider first produced by Games Workshop back in 1988 and made available for retail purchase in a box of two models, for 12.99GBP no less!! 

But remarkably, although I've been playing 40K myself since 1989 or so, I'd never owned an original Land Raider model, until now! 

As I said, this model came to me in a trade (along with a MK1 Rhino) and needed some work. A previous owner appears to have replaced the sponson lascannons, it had Forgeworld Iron Warriors doors, and a modern exhaust stack and dozer blade has supplanted the originals. Still and all, not bad for a nearly 35-year-old model. 

I started by removing the resin doors and replacing them with standard modern Land Raider doors, cut out a bit to accommodate the big hinge. I also stuck on some very cool Heresy-era eagles from a modern Age of Darkness vehicle sprue.

The 'Raider accompanied by Iron Warriors Siege Tyrant Terminators.

I also put together a new hatch with storm bolter. Fortunately the modern 40K parts fits this old model to a tee.

Alternatively, this 'Raider can be fielded with a pintle-mounted multi-melta. This one is from the Forgeworld pintle-mounted weapons set. Handy.

A bit better view of the door, decals and weathering here.

It was a really straightforward paintjob, although I regret not having any Modelmates/Dirty Down Rust Effect for the eagle. Once I get some more of it I'll tune that up. In any event it's a really cool model and will fit in well with my Iron Warriors 30K force.

Now we're almost caught up!

Sons of Horus Esoterist Consul

"I shall assist with some esoteric knowledge, my lord!"

The Space Marine Legions of the 30k universe are sprawling organizations. They deployed tens of thousands of Space Marines on countless battlefields across the galaxy during the Great Crusade and subsequent Heresy, and all that is needed to support them. This includes a huge variety of specialized champions and niche mid-level command and advisory types - a LOT of different types. In the current "Age of Darkness" rules these fall under the catch-all title "Consul". That is what we have here - a Legion "Esoterist Consul", painted in the colours of the XVI Legion Astartes. This is a 28mm resin figure from Forge World.

As far as I know, I think this is the first 30k figure that Forge World has designed and released specifically to match the new range of plastic Mark VI "beakie" Marine models for the new "Age of Darkness" range. The sculpting is very nice, and you get a choice of either a hooded head or a helmeted head - and (no surprise) I went with the helmet here.

Some books are important enough that you have to keep them with you at all times...I assume one of these books is a codex, while the other is the rule book...

The "Esoterist" is on hand to help with, you know, "esoteric" things that can be encountered in the galaxy in the 31st millenium. While he certainly would not ever violate the Edict of Nikea and use "psychic powers", he does leverage, er, "esoteric knowledge and practices" and takes full advantage of The Warmaster's more liberal perspective on these sorts of things to help the Legion meet its objectives. These powers will come in handy as the XVI Legion mounts its assault on Rogal Dorn's doomed fortifications on Terra!

Lots of awesome details on this figure. Great sculpt by Forge World.

The sculpting is lovely on this figure. The pose is great, sort of mid-ritual, ready to unleash a power, summon and image or curse or something warp-powered benefit for the XVI Legion.

While this figure could, in theory, be used for any Legion, the markings and look make it pretty clear which side in the Heresy was more inclined to value these sorts of abilities in their forces. After all, just look at that symbol on the top of the staff...that said, if you want this to represent a more standard Librarian, you could make some conversions to put this figure more clearly in the Loyalist camp. Again, I think the symbol on the top of that staff would have to change for starters, but I'm sure it could be done. 

Sons of Horus Command Squad

Command squad for the XVI Legion Astartes, the Sons of Horus.

Well, "spring" is here - or at least it is on the calendar - and so while another edition of Curt's Analogue Hobbies Painting Challenge has concluded, the paint brushes continue to bash away. For me, there were a few things I "meant to paint for the Challenge", but never got to in time before the cut-off on the first day of spring. This post is one of those "supposed to be for the Challenge but didn't get to it in time" things - a command squad for the XVI Legion Astartes, the Sons of Horus.

One of the main project streams during this most recent AHPC was to create a Sons of Horus force based around the new range plastic "Age of Darkness" figures that GW has been producing over the past year. 

"Sure we are all wearing power armour, and carrying terrifying weapons, but this banner will be the thing to crush the will of our enemies!"

"Wait" I hear you asking "didn't you already have a large Sons of Horus collection?" Well, yes. But, I absolutely love the new "beakie" figures, and I have as a collection goal the idea of creating a force in Mark VI armour which somewhat mimics a complete set of "detachments" from the original "Space Marine" rules from all those years ago...yeah, it's bonkers, but...you know...

Not so much to see here, but I do continue to be addicted to the embossed legion symbols on the shoulder pauldrons.

Anyway, during AHPC XIII I finished a bulk of this - 40 tactical Marines, ten Tactical Support Marines and five heavy support Marines, as well as a few different command elements. The Challenge is over now, but I still want to conclude some elements for this sort of "phase II Sons of Horus" group, and the Command Squad is part of that.

"Chosen" Marines to protect the banner bearer in battle.

Command Squads in 30k are, at their base, a dude carrying a banner (as one does, of course) and a couple of bodyguards. GW has not released a banner-bearer figure in Mark VI armour yet, but there are, of course, great piles of plastic bits from earlier 40k eras which are available for conversion purposes, and that is what I went with here (just as I did with the Apothecary) - a combination of a core figure from the new Mark VI plastic sets, with bits from much older plastic Space Marine characters in GW's fading and older Space Marine range.

This combined pool of plastic bits allowed for the creation of these figures. We have a fellow hauling a banner, and two bodyguards ("chosen" Marines), who are equipped with fancy-looking bolters  (sourced from "Sternguard Veterans" - I love these bolt guns with big scopes and big box magazine). These guys will help "The Axehole" have much more of an obnoxious status/presence in the collection and on the gaming battlefield - and that Praetor seems just like the kind of guy who would focus on that kind of thing...

That's all for this post, but we'll have a couple of additional "accent pieces" for this XVI Legion command group to share soon - until then, thanks for reading!

Sisters of Battle Project Kickoff! Plus Wargame Exclusive and Troll Goodies

Howdy again! This will be the first post of many documenting yet another new insane project - my Sisters of Battle!

Like many projects, this one began with some idle browsing on Kijiji. I found a squad of ten original metal Sisters of Battle for a pretty good deal, so I jumped on it. I'd always really loved the Sisters aesthetic and their whole "warrior-nun" look, but had never painted any before. But with the acquisition of the first squad, I knew I had to build an entire army. But as they say in the collector car world, "there's nothing as expensive as a cheap Ferrari." To that I'd add, "there's nothing as expensive as a cheap squad found on kijiji." :-D

Having said that, I was also the beneficiary of a very generous deal from Conscript Dave V. on 15 of the 25 Sisters I painted for this post. Thanks Dave! But never fear, I'm doing my share of accelerating dollars through the economy, as you'll see in future posts...

Anyway, I quickly got stuck in with the Sisters and I think I've found a good formula for them. Armour is painted Vallejo Dark Rubber washed with Nuln Oil, armour edges Celestra Grey, the fleurs-de-lys are basecoated Celestra and highlighted Corax White, gold bits are Retributor Gold washed with Agrax Earthshade, cloaks Mephiston Red highlighted Evil Sunz Orange, gloves Doombull Brown highlighted Skrag Brown, pouches Mournfang highlighted Steel Legion, metal stuff (guns, armour trim) are Leadbelcher washed with Nuln Oil. Bases are Reaper Russet Brown, drybrushed up with Mournfang Brown, Steel Legion Drab, and Rakarth Flesh. I drybrushed a bit of dirt on the cloaks with Steel Legion.

The girls are all metal of course and these sculpts look great. Most of them have 1996 dates on the tags.

Lots of people paint their Sisters all with white hair but I decided on a bit of variety with mine. I did paint in all the eyes though!

Of course, Sisters need transport, and with an all-metal vintage army these had to be MK1 Rhinos. The first one I painted came in a package trade off Facebook, together with a very cool original Land Raider I painted for my Iron Warriors. It needed a bit of work but came out nice I think. Painting was very straightforward - working up the middles of the panels with Dark Rubber and edge highlighting with Celestra.

I'll pause for a moment here to plug a couple makers of conversion bits. The fleurs-de-lys emblems and purity seals are from a Czech concern called Troll Under the Bridge Miniatures, via eBay. They are metal and do require a bit of work, but they came out great - of course GW made Sisters-specific MK1 Rhino doors but try finding those nowadays! The Troll stuff is great, reasonably priced, and ships fast from the Czech Republic. Highly recommended! This second Rhino came from the UK, off eBay.

I used one of the Troll emblems on the back of Rhino 4 and handpainted the fleurs-de-lys on the top hatches.

The Rhinos were pretty lightly weathered - just dusted up along the tracks and lower hulls with Russet, Mournfang, and Steel Legion.

Of course, I left the top hatches unglued so they can be replaced, turning the vehicles into an Immolator or (as seen here) an Exorcist.

This is some good stuff from Wargame Exclusive, a purveyor of fine resin located in Ukraine. Great service from these guys as well, albeit a little longer in transit due to there being a war on. Still, ordering to delivery look a little less than a month.

This is the "Imperial W-Wind Missile Turret" and it's pretty impressive. It's a multi-part resin kit, very well cast. I love the servitor - there's one "crewing" the missile setup, visible at centre.

The other model converts into the infamous Immolator, equipped with twin heavy flamers. Yikes! I should mention that one of the great things about the WarEx turret sets is that they include a pair of awesome headlights, shown above. These really add a Gothic flair to the models.

How cool is that eh??? If you could find an original metal Immolator conversion kit you're looking at $50USD plus... you can get this turret kit from WarEx for twelve bucks. less when they go on sale.

The Gothic detailing on these is just superb! I also picked up a multi-melta turret to swap out.

One of the great things about the WarEx turrets is that they fit into the standard turret rings made by GW. Of course, the new MK2 Rhino turret rings don't quite fit the MK1, The plate on the left is made from a piece of plasticard with elements from a new MK2 turret ring. The one on the left (for the Exorcist) is also a piece of plasticard, with some added greeblies. It was important to get the mount for the Exorcist missiles as low down as possible on the hull, which required making a custom top plate.

So that's it for now - but what's next? Well, there's Seraphim, Retributors, Sisters Repentia, command models, and another Rhino. I'm inclined to take the army to ParirieCon for a demo game at the end of May so I'd better get cracking!