Luna Wolves and Mk IV armor

[Moonstalker]

So, I've got something of a timeline question.  Was Mk IV armor in wide enough usage before Ullanor that a small Company (preferably of terran vets and not Cthonian recruits - I'm thinking loyalist here) may have been outfitted with it?  Or would they more likely have been in Mk II/III armor?  Similar question for Tigris vs Phobos vs Umbra pattern bolters.  Visually, I prefer the Tigris pattern, but would prefer to try and keep things period appropriate.

[Jim AMM realgenius]

There's ample evidence from the first three Heresy novels to assume that Luna Wolves used Mk IV widely. I don't think it is unreasonable to assume a small company of Terrans could be outfitted in Mk IV and Tigris bolters. I am doing a Mk IV Luna Wolves army, so perhaps I'm a bit biased.

Anyone remember what armor Iacton Qruze is said to have worn? I think that would be a good indication.

[Drale]

I believe that Mark IV was in the process of be spread throughout the legions at the time of the Heresy and while he was building up to Isstvan Horus manipulated the Mechanicum to make sure that the traitor legions received the most of it while the legions he was not sure of or that would stay loyal got the least amount of it.

[Moonstalker]

I believe that Mark IV was in the process of be spread throughout the legions at the time of the Heresy and while he was building up to Isstvan Horus manipulated the Mechanicum to make sure that the traitor legions received the most of it while the legions he was not sure of or that would stay loyal got the least amount of it.

 

I was certain the Sons of Horus would have the lion's share of Mk IV suits, but I can't tell how widespread it was before Ullanor/when they were still the Luna Wolves.

[Excessus]

Isn't it mentioned that Loken had repainted his armour to the new colours after Ullanor? Loken has IV armour, albeit stylished, but still Mk IV. So at least on command level it should be a bit spread...

[Kol Saresk]

The way I see it is if the Raven Guard were firld testing Mk VI armor(Deliverance Lost) well before the Heresy, then Mk IV was definitely in the process of being phased in, at least at the command and "elite" levels with perhaps the Companies in desperate need of new armor getting it first to replace losses as well as the recruits since the Heresy Marines are as "connected" to their armor the way 40k Marines are.

[Marshal Traben]

Isn't it mentioned that Loken had repainted his armour to the new colours after Ullanor? Loken has IV armour, albeit stylished, but still Mk IV. So at least on command level it should be a bit spread...

The 16th Legion repainted their armour after the war with interex, when they changed the legions name.

[Kol Saresk]

Yes but Horus Rising started out with Loken repainting his armor white.

[Marshal Traben]

When did Mk IV armor first appear?

[Caran Lyg]

I believe it is said of Hastur Sejanus that there was "no finer figure in Mk. IV plate". To me, that indicates that the Luna Wolves definitely had access to it well before the events of Horus Rising and on from there. Also, seeing as they were the hot shots of the Imperium I would imagine they would have had many suits. IIRC the art for the first three books shows a good amount on mk. IV love. 

[Marshal Traben]

That's what i think too.

[Moonstalker]

Alright, so it sounds like I could definitely put my Company in Mk IV, and the Tigris bolters may be reasonably appropriate as well.  I was dreading having to try sculpting all of those overlapping plates for Crusade or Iron armor.  Plus, I like the look of the Mk IV chestpiece, particularly without the x-shaped power cables (as seen on the Veteran Sergeant Haas model, or the Mk IV assault squad).

 

As a bit of a follow-up/aside, I'd like some input on the fluff and list for my pre-heresy army.  Would it be best to just discuss that here?  Break it up into seperate topics for the Army List and Liber Astartes forums?  Something else?