mustardParty Posted January 9, 2014 Author Share Posted January 9, 2014 Morning Gents, Thank you all for your encouragement! Vehicles are definitely an area of the hobby that I feel is a weakness of mine. I just don't 'get it' like I get infantry minis. Another quick update: http://i.imgur.com/FbHNcfk.jpg I attempted my layering technique on the side of a Leman Russ I have lying around, to see if it's worth attempting to integrate these bad boys into my army or go with something off-brand like more Spartan Games stuff. I feel like the experiment was a success, mostly. I feel like this technique serves me decently, but it takes a while. This side took about 2.5 hours from basecoat to highlight. I'm not sure if that's a long time or not when it comes to vehicles. I have some other thoughts I'm noodling. I haven't started any color bearers yet, because I'm not sure how I should represent them! Now Federal Civil War infantry regiments usually had two sets of colors they brought into battle, the National Colors, and the Regimental Colors. I'm not quite sure how to represent these yet so I've been making some mockups. The national colors should be the flag of Nocturnium, but I'm not sure how to do it yet. I feel like it should represent both Nocturnium and the IoM, and I want it to feel inspired by the old Stars and Stripes. Here are some examples: Version 1: http://i.imgur.com/YtLjhNh.jpg Version 2: http://i.imgur.com/OtUUusQ.jpg Version 3: http://i.imgur.com/JWYuNda.jpg Version 4: http://i.imgur.com/40XHU6c.jpg Version 5: http://i.imgur.com/XxVDPui.jpg As far as the unit colors go, this is a little less hard for me - the unit colors should be inspired by the Civil War era Regimental Colors: the US coat of arms over a blue field with a banner bearing the units name. Here are some mockups: Version 1: http://i.imgur.com/eyqx2mM.jpg Version 2: http://i.imgur.com/71zzNZx.jpg Leaning towards the second. Simple and striking. But, there's a lot of freedom here, as regimental colors tended to vary greatly from unit to unit. Cool stuff. This isn't even getting up the chain of command either! Brigades had triangular pennants that marked the headquarters: http://tmg110.tripod.com/federal/us-2c1d2b.gif Divisional headquarters had a square standard: http://tmg110.tripod.com/federal/us-2c1d.gif And corps command had swallow tailed flags: http://tmg110.tripod.com/federal/us-2c.gif All of which bore the symbol of the corp itself - simple geometric forms associated with the corp's number - the system of which was invented during the war by Dan Butterfield. Each division had it's own color for the field with the corp symbol overlaid, and the brigade pennants had the same color field, with different borders to signify which brigade in the division. Anyhow, I want to incorporate some of the same heraldry in the command structure, just a matter of representing what where. I could really use some feedback on the national colors though, that is where I'm weakest at the moment I think. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Captain Antonius Posted January 10, 2014 Share Posted January 10, 2014 Loveing your work so far. The aftermarket bitz you've used on your infantry is outstanding. Keep it up! I can understand your hesitance in including vehicles in this army. Horse drawn artillery and light gun carriages are one thing, tanks are completely different . However, the IG rarely are deployed to active warzones without several regiments from different homeworlds. So there in lies your solution. Just add the tanks as if they are from an entirely different planet. Would allow you to field current STC template vehicles and add in a completely different paint scheme. Could work for you. Also, I don't think you would necessarily need to exclude the current IG line of vehicles. Adding a few bits and an appropriate tank commander with calvary trimmings could probaly convey the appropriate scheme. As far as the national colors go, I like version 2 with a few changes. I thing that you should look at changing the colors. Please take this suggestion with a grain of salt. Change the blue field to red, change the red to grey, change the white to blue, and the Imperial Eagle to black or gold. The field to represent the blood all have shed for the Imperium, the stripes to represent the different factions who once fought for themselves but are now united. Keep it up, loving all your work! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kierdale Posted January 10, 2014 Share Posted January 10, 2014 For the National Colours I really like 1 and 3 2 is too close to the Stars and Stripes for my taste, and in 4 and 5 I feel the star is too prominent. For the Unit Colours I prefer number 2. Or how about having the star clutched by the Aquila's claws? It would take a bit of editing of the Aquila... And your painting on that Russ side is excellent! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WarriorFish Posted January 10, 2014 Share Posted January 10, 2014 I am of the same opinion as Kier - 1 and 3 for National Colours and 2 for Unit Colours. The Russ looks great too, but that's quite a bit of time just for one side of a tank so perhaps you should stick to your original method? The aquila you have looks like it might be a little low res? I have a large aquila png with transparency that might be better, I've uploaded it to my gallery Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mustardParty Posted January 15, 2014 Author Share Posted January 15, 2014 Guys, really great feedback! I'll have to stew a little on the national colors - these are the kinds of little details that are easy to agonize over. ...I can understand your hesitance in including vehicles in this army. Horse drawn artillery and light gun carriages are one thing, tanks are completely different . However, the IG rarely are deployed to active warzones without several regiments from different homeworlds. So there in lies your solution. Just add the tanks as if they are from an entirely different planet. Would allow you to field current STC template vehicles and add in a completely different paint scheme. Could work for you. Also, I don't think you would necessarily need to exclude the current IG line of vehicles. Adding a few bits and an appropriate tank commander with calvary trimmings could probaly convey the appropriate scheme... Thanks Antonius. Others have mentioned perhaps adopting off-world schemes for such things as armor. I think I'm going to attempt something along those lines. I have a couple of Russes - I think I'm going to use a pair of my older Russ models and paint them up in Nocturnium sky blue. They'll be more, 'low-tech.' They will only have battle cannons and vanquisher cannons, and no sponsons. To go with these, I'm going to cook up a pair of 'high-tech' Russes, to be my off-world advanced armor. I figure a pair of sexy executioners will do the trick. Taking suggestions on which scheme they should be painted up in! So, saying all that, I started on my pair of low-tech Russes, since I have two old-style LMBT's handy. The only thing is, they need a little barrel swap. I'm sorry to all those IG tread heads out there in love with your LRBT's - I have just always found them to be awkward beasts. Small turret with massive barrel - the old style Russes are by far the worst offenders with the battle cannon - at least the new style turrets are a little larger. So, to suit my own tastes, I swapped the normal plastic barrels on my Russes with some graduated brass tubing: http://i.imgur.com/F3OrGQF.jpg Looks promising so far. Made a vanquisher varient barrel too: http://i.imgur.com/eAwicZE.jpg Then, I painted up one of the low-tech Russes with the layering style I've been trying to adopt for vehicles with some base coating. Overall, results are OK it will be one of those things that takes time for me. http://i.imgur.com/5ns9GMB.jpg Lastly, attempted some weathering: http://i.imgur.com/xM54oNg.jpg Now this is really out of my comfort zone - I know there are some traditional scale miniature weathering techniques out there involving weathering pigments and oil pin washes. I want to learn those, because I'm trying to use this project to push my boundaries a little. But baby steps. So I have a couple of rust and soil colors that I'm attempting to use to add surface grime and rust effects with. I put floor cleaner on a panel and then dab some pigment onto the wet surface - the floor cleaner kind of softens up the pigment dab and lets me swoosh it around the surface, and gives me some decent working time. Also doing some edge weathering with blackened brown to so paint chipping effects. I'm open to lots of suggestion on weathering techniques for any of you armor fist company commanders out there. It's all super new stuff for me. I think the hardest thing for me is just getting in there and going for it - after painting up all those layers, I'm pretty timid when it comes to laying down weathering effects. Anyhow, that's all for now, hopefully I'll be able to get a little more in on it tonight. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hendrik Posted January 15, 2014 Share Posted January 15, 2014 may i just say that tank looks awesome!? the weathering is really nice too! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WarriorFish Posted January 15, 2014 Share Posted January 15, 2014 Very nice indeed, the barrels look great as does the tank's paint so I'm not sure what you're worried about! This treadhead forgives you, but only if you paint more tanks ;) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pegasuswarlord Posted January 15, 2014 Share Posted January 15, 2014 this army has inspired me , my old catchan figures are being hacked up and green stuff applied - the soldiers look a bit more confederate style but im happy with will post some pics soon . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WarriorFish Posted January 15, 2014 Share Posted January 15, 2014 Inspiration is surely the loftiest praise there is, I look forward to seeing your topic pegasus! :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mustardParty Posted January 15, 2014 Author Share Posted January 15, 2014 Thanks guys! Big flat surfaces intimidate me - I'm really trying to make the whole thing visually engaging. Anyone have any suggestions on what world/regiment to paint up my off-world Russes? Very nice indeed, the barrels look great as does the tank's paint so I'm not sure what you're worried about! This treadhead forgives you, but only if you paint more tanks Thank you for your forgiveness! I walk the thin line between radical and heretic with my questioning of Imperial dogma! this army has inspired me , my old catchan figures are being hacked up and green stuff applied - the soldiers look a bit more confederate style but im happy with will post some pics soon . Truly a high compliment indeed if my work can inspire someone else! I'll be looking forward anxiously for some pics Pegasus. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hendrik Posted January 15, 2014 Share Posted January 15, 2014 actually, i'm not sure you need to make those executioners "off worlders". can you post a picture of the tank, surrounded by some of your infantry? personally i don't think it stands out too much. perhaps you could convert them similar to the death korps of krieg tanks which in my opinion look much older! http://www.forgeworld.co.uk/Images/Product/DefaultFW/xlarge/dkkvanqcomp.jpg Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kierdale Posted January 15, 2014 Share Posted January 15, 2014 Fantastic work on your tanks! I too recommend simply having them from the same world as your troops. Decorations such as flags/banners, stowage and the like will help tie them together. For example stow some rifles of the kind used by your infantry, along with packs...cooking pots and pans etc. if you can. Have a similarly-dressed tank commander in the top hatch. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WarriorFish Posted January 16, 2014 Share Posted January 16, 2014 I agree with hendrik and Kier (feels like I should have that in my sig lately...), with all that effort you've put in you may as well attach them to your Regiment to unify the army completely :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mustardParty Posted January 20, 2014 Author Share Posted January 20, 2014 Yeah, good stuff guys! When I get my LR Executioners, I'll think about how to paint them up, but these tanks should definitely integrate well with the main body of troops. More WIP shots of the Russ, with the Vanquisher barrel in place: http://i.imgur.com/0PfL07t.jpg http://i.imgur.com/kHKnTBb.jpg http://i.imgur.com/cTwAFw1.jpg Still some detailing left to do, searchlight lenses, details on the tank commander, and I need to decide on unit markings - stripes, numbers, etc - and a little more weathering effects on the main hull. The flag attached to the hull is held in place by magnet. The flag is a piece of cut out brass shim. I'll have two flags - one, a normal style cavalry guidon of the time: http://www.cavhooah.com/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/f/g/fg-6-22b_w_guidon_1.png When I use the Pask upgrade for the tank commander, I'll swap the normal command flag out for 'Custer's Guidon:" http://www.guidonrus.com/images/products/1089_img.jpg Should look pretty sweet, hopefully I can do the flags tonight. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WarriorFish Posted January 20, 2014 Share Posted January 20, 2014 Looking good, the commander is great and will tie your tanks in with your force even more all by himself. The pipe is a nice touch, there's something about tank commanders that lends them to displays of indifference and general disdain for enemy action :P How about some kill markings or some such on the barrel to make it stand out more? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lionofjudah Posted January 20, 2014 Share Posted January 20, 2014 Man...those are looking awesome!! Love the weathering and chipping on the Vanquishers turret and barrel! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kierdale Posted January 21, 2014 Share Posted January 21, 2014 Excellent work! Really good weathering. We should start a thread for pipe smoking tank commanders. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
walter h Posted January 21, 2014 Share Posted January 21, 2014 Sweet!!!!! These are great. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mustardParty Posted January 22, 2014 Author Share Posted January 22, 2014 Just a quick update, WIP shot of the two flags for the command Russ: http://i.imgur.com/skQGc8L.jpg More to come soon hopefully! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mustardParty Posted April 7, 2014 Author Share Posted April 7, 2014 Howdy Gents, Been a while since I had an opportunity to post a proper update. Unfortunately this won't be one! Just another quick blast. Real life and all. Been thinking about my Russes more and more, and I found a pair of Forgeworld executioner turrets on EBay. I think they fit very nicely with the theme, with all those exposed pipes and jiggers and jobbers: http://i.imgur.com/xHUvWu2.png http://i.imgur.com/9kQRgOT.png What do you guys think? Hopefully this week I'll be able to get the other Russ finally painted up. Speaking of the Leman Russ - new Guard codex due out brothers - anyone have any word on if the Russ will get anything like its Lumbering Behemoth rule back so ordnance weapons aren't so limited? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lionofjudah Posted April 7, 2014 Share Posted April 7, 2014 Lookin good man! I like the weathering on this one a lot. The barrels of the vanq and the reg russ might look good with some scorching at the muzzle. Ive enjoyed checking out your army from the get go and ordered from Victoria after seeing the quality of your dudes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kierdale Posted April 8, 2014 Share Posted April 8, 2014 As always, fantastic work. The latest rumour I heard was that Russes will continue to be Heavy vehicles. No change. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kilofix Posted April 8, 2014 Share Posted April 8, 2014 Mmmm weatheringness. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WarriorFish Posted April 8, 2014 Share Posted April 8, 2014 Great stuff, I particularly like the bits shoved in storage on the back and all the weathering. Executioners do a good job on the table top, and they will look good doing it too :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mustardParty Posted April 9, 2014 Author Share Posted April 9, 2014 Lookin good man! I like the weathering on this one a lot. The barrels of the vanq and the reg russ might look good with some scorching at the muzzle. Ive enjoyed checking out your army from the get go and ordered from Victoria after seeing the quality of your dudes. Hey thanks! I still have to weather the turret section and give it a few more details, it will get the same treatment as the hull. I'm glad you decided to try out VicMini's! I think they are some of the best 3rd party pieces of kit around, they shouldn't disappoint. But yeah, I do need to scorch those barrels to complete the effect. As always, fantastic work. The latest rumour I heard was that Russes will continue to be Heavy vehicles. No change. I have to say, if that's true that is pretty disappointing. It's easy to judge from the outside looking in I supposed, I just can't make sense of it. The only way it makes sense is if they deliberately wanted to make standard Russes less useful. That's frustrating. Great stuff, I particularly like the bits shoved in storage on the back and all the weathering. Executioners do a good job on the table top, and they will look good doing it too Thanks!! Yeah, that's what I'm hoping for, my squishy Volunteers will need something robust to back them up and draw fire. Hope to have more updates soon! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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