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Hi everyone, One of my aims when I joined B&C was to start a painting blog, as a means to motivate me to paint some of the growing pile of guard minis. I might even ramble on about some background, tactics and so on. So here we are, first post on a new plog! I'm currently playing in a 1k point campaign that gives bonus points if you field a fully painted force so the initial focus is to get paint onto my campaign force, which is roughly: CCS in Chimera Platoon, PCS, 2 Inf Squads Plasma Carapace Vets in Chimera x2 Wyvern Vanquisher Plasma Cannon Sentinel Pretty respectable amount of models! And here (assuming I can get the links to work!) are some really rough pics. Still working out which way to point the camera :P Going for a very simple paint scheme, table top quality. C&C welcome. Varchilde

711th Cadian Combined Arms Brigade (CCAB) The 711th CCAB is a mixed arms unit comprising of the 897th Infantry Company and their support vehicles, the 975th Armoured Battalion, the 201st Artillery Regiment (a mixed platform force), remnants of the 661st Air Support Squadron unit and a small force of Elysians. The 711th was recently dispatched to Eridanus Tertiary, also known to the local population as "Rivers End" as, due to it's close orbit to it's sun, it is mainly covered by rolling dunes and scrappy vegetation. A significant force of Orks under Warboss Sturtuk had attacked smaller settlements and the Astra Militarum had been called to help the Planetary Governor whose only forces where a ceremonial bodyguard and they where fully unprepared to fight off the green horde. Eridanus Tertiary On arrival, they discovered that due to a warp transit accident and extremely poor planning by the Departmento Munitorum, their full entitlement of desert adapted equipment had not arrived and they where only able to be outfitted in the distinctive camouflage clothing but not the equipment. Sgt Major Nesh was heard to joke that the clothing reminded him of his mothers biscuits and so the Brigade unofficially adopted the name "Chocochip Rats". The vehicles have adopted a mixed green/sand camouflage scheme which blends in well with the surrounding terrain although the constant abrasive effect of the wind blown sand does not take long to make a freshly painted vehicle look like it has been there for years. The Brigade is currently shaking out prior to full deployment on a seek and destroy mission. Units: 711th Brigade Command Company 2051st Kasrkin (3 squad detachment - assault and close protection duties) 975th Armoured Battalion "Iron Fists" 897th Infantry Company "Cadian Might" (Mechanised - light) 201st Artillery Regiment 661st Air Support Squadron Elysian 195th Company (reduced) 293rd Abhuman Company Munitorum and Ministorum support Structures and defence emplacements Battle Honours Battle of Ridge 582 North 37 days after the initial deployment of the 711th CCAB on Eridanus Teritary, High Command believed it was time to engage in a major battle. The Brigade was deployed in force to Smitts Plain, a large area of rocky outcrops rising above a firm sand surface. The main feature of this plain was a long, rocky ridge-line running east-west with the only available fresh water spring for 100 clicks. The defensibility of the ridge and availability of a water supply made it an ideal location for a staging base for further and farther reaching patrols to secure more of the Western Great Desert area. Unfortunately the orks had also seen the possibility behind this location. Aerial reconnaissance carried out by 661st Air Support Squadron showed a medium sized ork force in residence on Ridge 582 including infantry with vehicle support. A mixed force of infantry, artillery and armour was sent to destroy any ork resistance and occupy the ridge. On approaching Ridge 582 the Cadians where assaulted by the orks, who true to their nature had no intention of fighting a defensive battle and had decided to attack the column during it's advance. Unfortunately they had not considered that the flat, firm desert surface was ideal for armoured formations and although the orcs where destroyed, their numbers and fanatical attack made the Battle of Ridge 582 North a battle that was entered into the history of the 711th with pride and earned the unit a citation to add to the Battalion standard. Individual acts of courage where too numerous to recount in full. Sufficed to say that in the heat of battle the members of the 711th proved themselves worthy of The Emperor. The Chimera transports of the 897th Infantry Company where to be found in the thick of the action, multi-lasers and hull bolters glowing with the heat of continuous firing whilst the troops prepared themselves to deploy to winkle orks from rocks where they where too well hidden for the heavy weapons to have full effect. The Leman Russ variants (Battle Tanks, Demolishers and Vanquishers) targeted the fast moving ork Trukks and Buggies but the main force of the ork attack was aimed at the single Baneblade "Imperator" which had deployed directly opposite of the main assault, more out of luck than planning, and bore the main brunt of the orks anger.

Hi. I'm planning a new conversaion project with the Cadian kit. I am thinking about using Skitarii Vanguard heads for a simple conversion. However I have no experience working with the Skitarii kit. How well do the Skitarii heads fit with the Cadian torsos? How much filing would be required to make them fit?

Once a Cadian, Always a Cadian By Suspicious BLue Mind a.k.a. Riodan O'Duffy Art by Harri Osborn, Astra Militarum Portrait ‘Why didn’t you just shoot him?’ asked Commissar Rembault looking down at the prisoner. ‘Uh, we did shoot him ma’am,’ said Sergeant Demin scratching his forehead. ‘“Take no prisoners” is our company motto, right after “Cadia Stands!” But apparently, he just didn’t die.’ The dishevelled prisoner sat on the red sand with his arms bound in front of him. His xenos designed armour was a dark red colour; while his underbody suit was the same shade of red as the sand. His close cropped hair and scruffy beard were also red; and his age appeared to be somewhere in the vicinity of forty to forty-five years of age. Dried red blood covered the whole right side of his face and neck. An ample supply of red mud and sand finished off his attire. ‘Hmm, what’s your name soldier?’ asked the commissar getting down on her haunches. No reply. ‘Tabac stick?’ asked the commissar offering the prisoner one of the nicotine laced cylinders. ‘No ma’am. Don’t smoke,’ replied the prisoner. ‘Whoa, that’s the most he’s spoken since we captured him!’ exclaimed Demin. ‘I’ll ask again, what’s your name?’ said the commissar lighting the tabac stick for herself. ‘Sergeant First Class Rokken A. Tamaguchi. Ident number 456-789-22010,’ he replied looking at the commissar with his one good eye, the other having been glued shut by dried blood. ‘Unit sergeant?’ The prisoner took in a breath, coughed, and grunted out, ‘2nd Platoon, Bravo Company, 1st Battalion, of the 7th Mu’gulath Bay Regiment.’ ‘I guess it takes a commissar to get these traitors to talk uh, ma’am?’ said the sergeant. The prisoner turned and glared up at the sergeant with his one good eye. ‘Got a problem heretic? Want a boot up your arse?’ shouted Demin getting ready to kick the prisoner. ‘Hold on sergeant!’ shouted the commissar with the tabac stick still between her teeth. Getting up, she shooed away the small crowd of guardsmen who were gathered around the prisoner. Then pulling the sergeant aside she asked, ‘So, Sergeant tell me What-the-Throne is going on here?’ The sergeant straightened his back and looking off into the desert said, ‘There was a firefight. We over ran their position. Shot all the survivors, including the wounded. Then two hours later this heretic here…’ Demin pointed at the prisoner, ‘…Comes staggering out of the pile of dead bodies holding his head in his hands. He’s gibber jabbering away in that Blue-fish talk, “Tiki-tak ching-chang-chong oola-la-la!”. So we gave him a rifle butt to the stomach, bound his hands, and sat his traitorous backside on the ground.’ ‘Did you interrogate him?’ ‘We tried. But he just wouldn’t answer. So we gave up figuring he didn’t speak any Low Gothic.’ ‘Alright before we do anything else, let’s get him cleaned up and have the apothecary medic look at his wounds,’ said the commissar waving over the medic. ‘You said he was shot, does he still have any open wounds?’ ‘No, ma’am. He’s just got a one big old scratch that runs around the top of his head…’ answered Demin catching a helmet tossed to him by another guardsmen. ‘…Here’s his helmet. See the bolter round entered just left of centre; but then it was deflected around his head, and exited the same hole it made coming in. Bet he’s got a helluva headache right now!’ ‘Get me Lieutenant Mahin, and post a guard so that no one “accidentally” shoots the prisoner,’ said the commissar taking a long drag on the tabac stick. ‘He’s a curiosity. And I want to find out what’s his story is.’ ‘Yes ma’am.’ Astartes and Guardsmen, Inquisitors and Tech Priests, Soroitas and Voidsmen! Today in this dark hour where Papa Nurgle seems to have the whole world in his festering and putrid grasp; what is needed is good rip roaring story of heroism and daring-do! Therefore, I present to you the story of one Sergeant Rokk A. Tamaguchi and a platoon from the 1012th Cadian Regiment. I hope that this story will give you pleasure as you hunker down to wait out these grim-dark days. Here is the link to the complete story: Once a Cadiian, Always a Cadian You made view the story directly from DocDroid, but you'd probably enjoy it more, if you download the pdf file. Then you can read the story via you webrowser, Adobe Reader, or in Adobe Digital Editions. Then you can upload it to your iPad, Tablet, or Smart Phone! Note this is my first post on the premier website for Warhammer 40,000 fandom in the galaxy: The Bolter & Chainsword. And I hope that I will do all of you l credit here on the forum. Suspicious Blue Mind PS For our North American readers, I use UK spelling and grammar. So if something seems a "bit off", that's probably it. SBM

Greetings everyone. For the last year I have slowly being putting together a small Kasrkin force which one day Id like to use with the Scion rules. Because of my current location and work it may be a while before I get a game but I am enjoying painting, converting and writing fluff. I am aiming for a 1250pt list. I have not played a game since I was 12 when third edition had just been released. With that in mind Id love any feed back. To my fellow guardsman I wish upon you the Emperors blessings. +++++ Imperial Force Archives +++++ ++++ Force Description ++++ ++++++ Cadian Sector ++++++ ++++++ 171st Airborne Company ++++++ 171st Cadian Airborne Company (Kasrkin) The 171st were created out of the necessity for a quick deploying, rapid reaction force. Similar to the famed Elysian drop troops and taking inspiration from the Cadian 1433rd Airborne who fought in the Cryptus Campaign. It was envisioned 171st would allow the hard hitting Kasrkin Storm troopers take to the skies and become an air mobile unit. The Kasrkin are already considered the best Cadia has to offer and combined with the officially sanctioned Airborne assault formations they can rival even the mighty Tempestus Scions. Believing a unit never truly dies as long as the colours still stand this new airborne company was given the name and colours of the 171st. A Kasrkin unit wiped out to the last man during the 12th Black Crusade. The original 171st had been a mechanised unit that prided itself on its speed and bravery. Earning the motto "Celer et Audax", "Swift and Bold". A motto that encompasses airborne operations perfectly. The 171st were reborn, raining hell and fury from the skies. A fitting tribute to those who fell in the Gothic Sector. The 52nd Naval tactical squadron were chosen by sector command and attached to the 171st. An early emphasis was placed on intense cross training to ensure the two units could function as one. Similar to how Chimera crews and shock troopers become one entity in the more common armored fist units. The level of co-operation between the two units is such that the door gunners on the 52nd Valkyries are actually 171st Kasrkin members who fill the position on a rotation basis. Similarly all pilots and gunners of the 52nd are rotated through the Officer of the Fleet position with the ground forces. This ensures each unit has the upmost understanding of how the other operates and 100% trust can be placed in each. The aircraft of the 52nd have adopted the famous Cadian green colours and for all intents and purposes have been adopted as a Cadian unit. Summary: Home-world: Various worlds from the Cadian System. Colours: Standard Cadian green and tan, light green berets. Commissars wear a red sash and crush cap with a red band Unit Insignia: Cadian gate, Ace of Spades, Skulls represent squad command, Letters represent Platoon. Battle Cry: "3-48" "Swift and Bold" Adopted Unit Song: Lay me down in the cold cold ground, Where before many more have gone When they come I will stand my ground, Stand my ground I’ll not be afraid Thoughts of home take away my fear, Sweat and blood hide my veil of tears Once a year say a prayer for me, Close your eyes and remember me Never more shall I see the sun, For I fell to a traitor gun Lay me down in the cold cold ground, Where before many more have gone Current Strength: Under strength company folded into 1 platoon plus supporting units. Allegiance: Cadia, Our Savior and Holy light - The Emperor of Mankind. Doctrine: Air Assault, Deep Strike, Reconnaissance, Combined Arms operations. It should be noted where as larger airborne units such as the Elysian's and Catachan 22nd make mass airdrops the 171st is a lot smaller in scale. More comparable to the Tempestus Scions. Mass airborne assaults take time and resources to assemble. The 171st is based on speed, the key to their operations is rapid reaction to what ever threat may appear. Never the less the 171st can and do operate in more traditional airborne roles and can be fielded in a more traditional "Shock" role in larger combined arms detachments. Previous Activities: The 171st were heavily involved in the 13th Black Crusade. Their rapid reaction made them a valuable asset in quickly putting down cultist uprisings and quelling traitorous movements in and around the Cadian sector. However, over the weeks as these engagements became ever increasingly protracted, casualty rates began to rise. They were present on Cadia when the REDACTED made his final push on the planet. They fought valiantly as did all who were present. After the cataclysmic event resulting in the destruction of the planet the few survivors of the 171st were lucky to make it off world. Present Activities: After prolonged crusading in revenge for the loss of Cadia the unit is currently being withdrawn from the front lines for rest and re-organisation. Organisation (At full paper strength): 171st Cadian Airborne -A Platoon (4 Squads) -B Platoon (4 Squads) -C Platoon (C Squadron, Sentinel recon platoon) "Ghost Riders" -D Platoon (Heavy Support, Militarum Auxilla) -E Platoon (Intelligence, Logistics, Liaison, Medical, Maintenance support staff etc) 52nd Naval Tactical Squadron "The Preachers" (Attached to the 171st) -6 Valkyrie Transports -3 Vulture Close Air support Gunships -3 Sky Talon Heavy Transports -Various ground crews and maintenance staff Recruitment: All Kasrkin are automatically entitled to enroll. Also open to veterans and white shields who show promise and can complete the arduous training cycle. Unit rituals: - The company training regime is similar to a normal Kasrkin unit except with the obvious emphasis on airborne operations. The long training cycle culminates with a final week of tests. These tests are both physical and mental in nature. Challenges range from timed assault courses, live firing exercises and tactical problem solving. Designed to exhaust the men, the pace is relentless. During the course of the week each Kasrkin is also required to complete numerous simulated airborne assaults and extractions, along with 4 Grav chute jumps, followed by a night jump. The night jump signals the starting phase of the 3-4-8. The final of the tests, it is a 30 mile speed hike across the Cadian Steppes, carrying a full combat load and a 40lb day sack, to be completed in 8 hours or less. It is a right of passage for the members of the 171st. Awards, Honours and Ribbons: Imperial Awards: Crimson skull - Numerous Order of the Scarlet Wing - Numerous Medallion Crimson - Major Nixx (posthumously) Cadian Awards: Order of the eagles Claw - Unit citation presented by Battle fleet Cadia Unit Champions: Major Kephas Nixx - KIA. First company commander. Hailed as a hero in the company. He was a major driving force in the creation of the 171st. He was killed in action by calling down an orbital strike on his own position in order to save the majority of the company from almost certain destruction. ++++ Sub-file ++++ ++++ Unit personnel ++++ ++++1st Lieutenant P. Autumn - Plt Co Squad - A Platoon 171st Airborne Company++++ Autumn began like many Cadians as a trainee and then private soldier in the White shields. After graduating to a Shock regiment in his teens he quickly earned his Corporals stripes and went on to lead a 5 man section against the green skins. By the age of 20 he had made Sergeant. It wasn't until his actions against the traitorous forces around the Cadian gate that he caught the eye of his superiors. A young, yet experienced soldier with unorthodox methods, some noting with hesitation, yet a dedication to duty and honour. A perfect candidate for the new airborne formation. He rose from the ranks to join the officer class and entered the 171st training program gaining a commission as a 2nd Lieutenant. After proving himself in a number of combat drops he finally made the rank of 1st Lieutenant and took command of A platoon. Autumn takes great pride in the units Cadian heritage and ability of his men. With the loss of Company commander Major K. Nixx, Autumn is the acting CO of the 171st under the supervision of Commissar Rayne. ++++Sergeant R. Mayer - 1st Squad - A Platoon 171st Airborne Company++++ Mayer was one of the original Sergeants of the 171st. A Kasrkin since his earliest days hailing from Kasr Feros. Within the company he is known for supporting his Lieutenant in any action, earning the respect of the men. Although they had a shaky start Autumn and Mayer have become the closest of friends. A known brawler who likes nothing more than to get hands on with the enemy...and allies alike. Famed for being charged by a group of traitor rough riders and then proceeding to down 3 of them in 3 shots. ++++Sergeant L. Webber - 2nd Squad - A Platoon 171st Airborne Company++++ Webber is the leader of A platoons Plasma squad. Hailing from Kasr Viklas he has been wounded in action no less than 8 times, over half being plasma related. The most serious resulted in him loosing his left arm and a large portion of his face. For his troubles he was promoted to Corporal. Rumor has it under his beret he is as bald as the Big E. Out of battle he is a relatively quiet man but in battle he is a stout leader who always leads from the font. His reaction to his wounds, "the Emperor protects". Currently the subject of a running bet in the platoon to see which body part he will loose next. ++++Sergeant C. MacKenzie - 3rd Squad - A Platoon 171st Airborne Company++++ MacKenzie is a fairly recent transfer to the 171st. He sports his fathers close combat weapon, a family heirloom and has a tendency to get into melee combat at any opportunity. This has made him a little unpopular with the men as he tends to charge into battle, how ever he has shown on numerous occasions to go out of his way to safeguard the lives those in his squad. Further files regarding his father suggest dealings with the Inquisition leading to a MIA status. The truth is not known completely but some think he was falsely accused of heresy, tarnishing the family reputation and meaning MacKenzie cannot rise into the officer class. ++++Colour Sergeant D. Bourne - A Platoon 171st Airborne Company++++ By age "Colour" Bourne is the oldest member of the company. He refused a battlefield commission in his previous unit because he "works for a living". Whilst this earned the respect of the rank and file his officer was not impressed and had him transferred to the fledgling 171st, at the time considered somewhat of a suicide unit. Upon joining the 171st he accepted the rank of Colour Sergeant, a high honour in any guard unit and arguably the most respected of the non-commissioned ranks. His experience in numerous campaigns against various foes provides the unit with a solid backbone. Apart from the colours itself, his slightly graying mustache and bellowing voice makes him easily distinguishable of the battle field. He can often be found along side Commissar Rayne, keeping morale high and the men at their best. ++++Commissar Rayne - 171st Airborne Company++++ The profile of Commissar Rayne is somewhat sketchy at best. Little is known about her background but her violet eyes give away her origin as undoubtedly Cadian. Whilst it is rare to see female commissars it is not totally unheard of. Some often question why a Kasrkin unit would need a commissar. Very few dare to question Kasrkin loyalty however the due to the nature of the 171st they are often deployed into battlefields that would test the resolve of even the hardiest trooper. Operations against traitor units are common place and in these situations she has the authority to judge these heretics on sight allowing the Kasrkin to perform their duty without reprisal from Imperial command. ++++ End Archive ++++ ++++ Updates Pending ++++

Hello folks - welcome to 2023! If you read my last blog entry, which by the way was too long ago, you will know that the reveal of new Astra Militarum aka Imperial Guard minis had me quite excited, and I talked about trying to resist starting a Guard army, especially if other regiments were to get the same update treatment as the Cadians. The new stuff is fantastic, and following that last blog entry there were some other reveals too, such as the Lord Solar (BraveStarr) on his steed, the Rogal Dorn Battle tank, a new Castellan and new fancy Cadian upgrade sprue, so in true fashion for someone who has a plastic crack addiction, I broke, but not in the way you might think. Upon reading the title of this blog entry you may have thought I caved in and got the Cadia Stands army set when it released? Nope, I did not. Nor did I pre-order the new Guard stuff when it went on general release, although that was a factor. When the new Cadian Shock troops, Field Ordnance Batteries and all the other stuff that was in the army set went on pre-order, I saw the prices of everything and quickly released that the Cadia Stands army set was ridiculously good value. Not only was it good value, it was still available on Games Workshop's website and also with a couple of Third party retailers! I did some quick maths, let out an excited laugh and ordered the army set for £110. I took my wife to the theatre that same day, so its fine. I couldn't help it, and I don't care. Its been a rubbish start to the year in RL terms, so this was a nice treat to myself, retail therapy I guess you could say. So far, I've built and magnetised the Filed Ordnance Battery, and I'm halfway through building the Sentinel. Its a actually a really nice set, the shock troopers and command squad sprues are jammed with all sorts of options, so I'm looking forward to getting those built and I have an idea for my own custom regiment, the Joroduun Aces - more on those later. Anyway, looks like I am indeed doing a Guard army, though whether it will see a tabletop is anyones guess, as is the question of will I ever get it built and painted. I can say one thing for certain though, I fully intend to pull my finger out and do some serious hobbying this year, and not jump from project to project if I can help it. Oh and by the way, that half built Wyvern - it lives again! It was actually in the garage and half built as a Hydra, but with a broken peg. I've repaired it and re-done it as a Wyvern, as I thought it might be more use. Just needs track gluing on and then paint. So then, Imperial Guard it is. I'm off now to go and pray to the miniature gods that we see some plastic Tallarn, Catachan, Valhallans etc, then I can really have an old school Guard army. Thanks for reading.