A New Chapter: RT Space Marines +++Reinforcements!+++

[Shadespyre]

Thanks very much for your supportive words, much appreciated.

 

Been digging around the bits boxes and I think I might try something like this...

 

http://i1147.photobucket.com/albums/o541/Shadespyre/WARHAMMER/Space%20Marines/LR20mockup_zpskjki3j4t.jpg

 

Excuse the mock up, I don't want to cut up my lascannons until I'm sold. Basically, a solid looking sponson with the guns sticking out. I may add an additional armour plate to the outside of the guns, to make them look even butcher without hiding them completely.

 

There's enough depth to allow the guns to swivel away from the hull. I think mounting the grey block on a round plate will imply freedom to elevate the guns. Undecided whether to actually do the engineering to allow everything to move? What do you think?

 

Not much progress on the Crusader, but I'm broadly happy with where it's going and there's mainly details to sort out now. 

[Major_Gilbear]

Looks pretty good! :)

 

If you don't want to cut the guns up at all, would you have enough space to make something like the FW Deimos Predator sponsons?

[Shadespyre]

I looked at those, but felt they have that same vulnerability that I don't like about the existing set up. 

 

Anyway, once I was happy with the concept I got the razor saw out, and now I have this:

 

http://i1147.photobucket.com/albums/o541/Shadespyre/WARHAMMER/Space%20Marines/DSC09081_zpsbenr6cee.jpg

 

Held on with magnets at the moment, so you can elevate the guns, though it does look a little strange?

 

http://i1147.photobucket.com/albums/o541/Shadespyre/WARHAMMER/Space%20Marines/DSC09082_zpswyowayua.jpg

 

I think I can either use magnets or just a simple pin to allow the guns to pivot outwards maybe 30 or 45 degrees without looking too silly.

 

There's also the option to add more armour, maybe something like this:

 

http://i1147.photobucket.com/albums/o541/Shadespyre/WARHAMMER/Space%20Marines/DSC09083_zpsrafgghss.jpg

 

Regardless, I feel like the finishing post is in sight now. Might be able to get both LRs ready for paint this weekend :)

[Bjorn Firewalker]

Up-armoring the sponsons is a good idea. To avoid having them look silly when elevated, maybe the mounts should be moved forwards to clear the side doors?

[Shadespyre]

Ah, they shouldn't actually foul the side doors, I think that's a mixture of perspective and hasty assembly for the pictures ;) At the moment the sponsons can "wander" a bit, rather than only move around one point, because there are large flat magnets holding them in place. I need to monkey with that a little to provide more stability and extra "grab" to support the weight of those armour plates.

 

I'm not sure a LR would have quite that much elevation on its guns, anyway. For me, the elevation and depression is more to compensate for moving over rough ground and for shooting at superheavy targets, not for anti-aircraft fire!

[Shadespyre]

Ready for painting, I think!

 

http://i1147.photobucket.com/albums/o541/Shadespyre/WARHAMMER/Space%20Marines/Land%20Raiders/DSC09210_zps4ywclowc.jpg

[Mechanist]

Nice. That little lot will be a great addition to the army.

[Ascanius]

I've got no nostalgia for this era of models, but I'm really impressed by your dedication to the project. Great work!

[Shadespyre]

Thanks, both, for the encouragement! I've been snowed in for two days (I'm in the UK, so that takes a mere 6 inches of snow!) so there's lots of progress - maybe some new pictures soon!

[Shadespyre]

Pictures! Not the best pictures of not quite finished tanks, but I am very impatient to show you these!

 

http://i1147.photobucket.com/albums/o541/Shadespyre/WARHAMMER/Space%20Marines/Land%20Raiders/DSC09235_zpsmkgveskm.jpg

http://i1147.photobucket.com/albums/o541/Shadespyre/WARHAMMER/Space%20Marines/Land%20Raiders/DSC09236_zpskzzmu2f6.jpg

 

One Predator Destructor, and one Razorback. I can swap the heavy bolters for lascannons on the latter, and there is a spare Annihilator turret for the Predator.

 

http://i1147.photobucket.com/albums/o541/Shadespyre/WARHAMMER/Space%20Marines/Land%20Raiders/DSC09239_zpspz4ywa6h.jpg

http://i1147.photobucket.com/albums/o541/Shadespyre/WARHAMMER/Space%20Marines/Land%20Raiders/DSC09240_zps8dadpqk6.jpg

 

"Standard" Land Raider. Obviously, the lascannon mounts are new, and it has more overall fire power than the original model, but 95% the same parts.

 

http://i1147.photobucket.com/albums/o541/Shadespyre/WARHAMMER/Space%20Marines/Land%20Raiders/DSC09242_zps6eqhjfw0.jpg

http://i1147.photobucket.com/albums/o541/Shadespyre/WARHAMMER/Space%20Marines/Land%20Raiders/DSC09243_zpsy32epa8b.jpg

 

"Assault" Land Raider. Not many original parts outside the track units and engine! Also it doesn't have as many parallel lines as I'd like, it's bordering on Orkish in places! But I do see this as a "homebuilt" solution to a problem that perhaps my Chapter doesn't have the STC answer to...

 

All these need a little more work, they are slightly less finished than the other tanks. BUT as you may recall, none of the models are *quite* finished. The next big task is to work out what extra details and markings I want to add to each unit, drawing on various versions of the Codex and the big stash of assorted decals I have...

[Bjorn Firewalker]

You put noble efforts in kitbashing upgrades for 'Rogue Trader'-era models, and painting them.

[Shadespyre]

My noble efforts have stalled again, sadly. But here we are, 95% done like the whole army is:

 

http://i1147.photobucket.com/albums/o541/Shadespyre/WARHAMMER/Space%20Marines/DSC09263_zpssciuvje8.jpg

 

I am struggling with the last stage - company markings etc. I'm struggling to choose what colours to use, I'm struggling to find useful decals, and I'm struggling to care a great deal to be honest. Definitely at the stage where I need this project to be over!

[Mechanist]

White dwarf had a bunch of articles talking about finishing armies in stages and then going back later to add more details as you want. If your burning out then maybe get what you need all to the same level and take a break, play some games with them or start a very different project and come back when you feel like it and add the extra stage or two. 

If you do play you can always squad mark up say 500 points at a time as and when you use them starting with any squad or tank that does well in games.

 

Edit

I should also say how great they all look so far and it's been a real treat to see the force build up.  

Edited March 19, 2018 by Mechanist

[Shadespyre]

All good advice! I really don't want to get sidetracked by something else, I'm pretty busy with other things for the next month or two as it is.

 

To keep a bit of momentum going, I have broken out the new Unicorn transfer sheet and started adding the smaller Unicorns to those Brothers who need them. It's a fiddly job but requires no extra thinking, so it's a good way to use some hours while putting off any more difficult decisions. ( I have to tell you, the smallest decals are sooooo cute! )

[Shadespyre]

I think I'm going to simplify things to make the job seem do-able.

 

Putting company colours and numbers and unit type markings on every model just seems like too much work. The available decals are just too big to adapt to shin guards instead of shoulder pads. I'm not hand painting all those little arrows and crosses and so on, I'm just not interested enough! I think I can put a squad number on every marine using decals, though. So that's something.

 

Each sergeant with a back banner will get the company colour, unit designation and so on on that. That reduces the design problem to manageable size, and I should be able to cover most of it with decals. The same for various characters with banner poles, and to vehicles, which again have plenty of room to work on.

 

It's a big compromise, but I hope this way I'll end up with something that looks like a proper Chapter but is also a project that I can FINISH!

[Mechanist]

that sounds like a fine solution, ultimately if in a couple of years time you feel like it and fancy getting some decals printed for the smaller bits there is nothing stopping you from revisiting. rushing ahead when your not feeling it now however could lead to mistakes and spoiling the work you've put in which is best avoided.

[Punk possum]

Mechanist speaks words of wisdom on this and way back in 1988 when I started mucking around with the 40k sandbox company markings really weren't much of a thing. My first 1000 point army had such a small model count the the very idea of a full battle company was unimaginable. I can remember being overwhelmed by having 2 rhinos 2landraiders and a landspeeder in one list....

[Shadespyre]

Thanks Brothers. This is such a supportive community, it's great for encouragement and helpful ideas and constructive criticism.

 

So, here are some WIP / prototype back-banners for the 5th Company 2nd and 3rd Tactical Squads

 

http://i1147.photobucket.com/albums/o541/Shadespyre/WARHAMMER/Space%20Marines/DSC09280_zpsft5i28zr.jpg

 

A very simple design. all decals of course. Should be able to pull this off for every squad with ease...!

[Bjorn Firewalker]

Well done.

[Brother Lunkhead]

I absolutely love your RT Marines..... inspiring 

[Shadespyre]

Cheers!

 

Pushed on a bit with these - here's a whole bunch more in similar format. 

 

http://i1147.photobucket.com/albums/o541/Shadespyre/WARHAMMER/Space%20Marines/DSC09281202_zpsonrastcp.jpg

 

I think the same style are going on the Land Speeders and a couple of command models, but I'll need a different layout for the company standard, and the few things that hang down rather than fly from a flag pole.

[Shadespyre]

Here's a humble Rhino demonstrating the basic markings I've added to my vehicle fleet so far

 

http://i1147.photobucket.com/albums/o541/Shadespyre/WARHAMMER/Space%20Marines/DSC09405_zpsguqgf6ok.jpg

http://i1147.photobucket.com/albums/o541/Shadespyre/WARHAMMER/Space%20Marines/DSC09404_zpsarahkabu.jpg

 

This is the transport for the 3rd (Tactical) squad of the 5th Company. I'll probably add more squad / vehicle numbers and tactical arrows once I know what decals I've got left over from the basics.

 

You may notice I'm using the Devestator / Fire Support arrow upside down as the 5th Company "V", I like how it looks different from the unit / vehicle number numerals.

 

All the transports are numbered and typed according to the squads they carry (so the Land Raiders are marked as Veteran, the Rhinos as Tactical or Devestator, and the Razorback as Command).

 

I'm going to number all my tanks with numbers higher than 10 / X (because my squads will all be 1 to 10, of course)

 

But what "unit type" is a tank? I can't decide whether to label Predators and Vindicators as "Assault" or "Fire Support" (the Whirlwind is definitely the latter, though). Any guidance is appreciated!

 

I've also picked up a second-hand drop pod (before I realised how cheap new ones are, to be honest). It's built okay, but not painted, Thinking of ripping out the harnesses etc to make it multi-purpose and to save trying to paint them after assembly... or is that just lazy?

[Shadespyre]

Brothers! I promise progress is being made, I just haven't taken any pictures lately. Mostly because all these decals will look much better with a couple of coats of spray varnish, and the weather is constantly damp here this week :(

 

Mostly, it's just some detailing and odds and sods to do now. I've ordered some more bits to help decorate the vehicles and dreadnoughts, and I'm not 100% happy with the markings on the Land Raiders so I want to go back to those.

 

I've squad numbered EVERYTHING. It took two nights and hundreds of tiny decals, but I think it was worth it. I had to assign some of the "spare" models (heavy / special weapons mostly) arbitrarily to squads even though they might appear elsewhere in games, but that's a small concern.

 

Two main models left to do - a DROP POD and a STORM RAVEN. Yes, I treated myself to ONE brand NEW model for this army! If I like how the drop pod looks I might grab a second, possibly to configure for a Dreadnought to deep strike in? I just think they might look nice as a pair, to be honest. I'm looking forward to playing around with the base for the Stormraven, too, as it'll be the biggest piece of "scenery" I've made, so far.

[Shadespyre]

Still lost in the Warp Storm which is the spring live music schedule. Actually just taking a breather during a music festival (Handmade, in Leicester UK, for those interested) and then have a gig I'm organising / promoting next week. Hope to find a few days after that for some hobbying!

 

Progress has been made - there is a Storm Raven assembled into sub-assemblies, nearly ready for painting. I just need to do some magnetising of weapons, and then the painting can start. New method for me - part assemble, paint and assemble - so that I can spray paint the interior and then exterior without messing either up. At least, that's the plan...

 

The drop pod is also finished, but you'll have to take my word for it for now... will try to get a proper update done later next week... 

[Shadespyre]

Just popped in with some pictures (I think my camera lens needs cleaning, looking at these)

 

That drop pod which I did an age ago, and my Stormraven pretty much finished. Pretty good kit, had some trouble with the rear door (the clip on hinges don't work once you paint it) and the cockpit transparancies (which I couldn't get to fit neatly at all) but the rest of it is great fun to build. The turret guns are magnetised, the side mounted hurriane bolters likewise, and the front weapons are push fit but this missile launcher looks good and is tough to pry off to be honest!

 

Next is to make a stand for the Stormraven and take some better pictures of it.

 

http://i1147.photobucket.com/albums/o541/Shadespyre/WARHAMMER/Space%20Marines/DSC00191_zpshx759lg1.jpghttp://i1147.photobucket.com/albums/o541/Shadespyre/WARHAMMER/Space%20Marines/DSC00193_zpsgnsumpyo.jpghttp://i1147.photobucket.com/albums/o541/Shadespyre/WARHAMMER/Space%20Marines/DSC00189_zpssvjunf8d.jpg

Edited May 20, 2018 by Shadespyre