Vykryl's Great Company WIP

[Vykryl]

I've been working on my army for just over a year now. So far I have enjoyed assembly more than painting. My army and Wolf Lord have gone through several theoretical designs. Several attempts at painting were made and botched. Now I have a plan and a paint scheme I like.

I have decided to base my Great Company on my favorite book, The Long Ships by Frans G Bengtsson. This gives me some design direction. My Wolf Lord will be themed around Red Orm the Far Traveled, a Danish viking who wields an Andalusian sword and keeps a large pack of Irish wolf hounds. This means I need another box of Thunderwolf Cavalry, and maybe the Thunderwolf Lord kit. Orm will ride a Thunderwolf, wielding a Frost Blade and Storm Shield and accompanied by 2 of his hounds. I finally have a Wolf Lord idea I like! Now to get the TWC models to make him and a retinue. More Fenrisian Wolves are also required.

I have three TWC all ready. Tried to paint one Friday night and botched it, into the dip tub with him. Orm's best friend, Toke Grey-Gullsson, will be squad leader for my TWC. It is his mount I fouled up. Toke received his base coat before I started on his mount, then was forgotten. Pictures will appear after I paint one to my satisfaction, or at least get proper weapons on riders and some primer. Toke's equipment will be the same as Orm's, both were given rare swords as a reward in the Long Ships. Would like more TWC but I am trying to build within the fluff as well. To do this I need to keep it to 20-25 Wolf Guard. I have 9 TDAWGs, 4 PAWGs, 3 TWC. Want to add 2-3 more TDA to round out my shooty and assault packs. I have enough WGPLs with their price bump. If I add 3 TWC and 3 TDA, I will be at 22 Wolf Guard. I can fit another pack of TWC and be at 25. With 9, Orm and Toke can each lead a squad of 4 into battle, perfect.

Time for a picture! This is Rapp the One Eyed, shipmate from Orm's first voyage as a youngster. In the book, Rapp chooses to follow and becomes Orm's housecarl after their first voyage together. With his preferred weapon being an axe, he will wield a frost axe as he leads Orm's TDAWGs. Wasn't sure how to show he only has one eye under the helmet, so I blacked out the left lens. He will sometimes be used as a WGBL as well. The book does not cover how he lost his eye.

I plan on making two Terminator squads of 5 each. Rapp will run with the shooty squad, since he isn't allowed an axe and shield any more. I am thinking of making a one handed version of his axe so he can pack a heavy flamer when acting as a basic squad leader. While his pack mates are laying on my table waiting to have their ccw magnetized, these three are ready for paint. Want one more TH/SS in this pack. Only magnets here are in the Storm Shield, mostly for ease of painting than an other plans. The 5th member of this squad will either be magnetized as a 3rd dual claw wielder or the Assault Cannon from the shooty pack will move here.

Pack Leaders for Grey Hunters. Combimelta PAWG will see usage with my Grey Hunter Melta Pack. The other two were meant to go with packs carrying flamers. As these two went up 11 points, will have to think about what to do with them.

Painted one tonight. I think I got the primer can too close when I sprayed him. He had been painted once before and recently stripped.

A TDAWG with CML and Wolf Claw that is no longer allowed to escort Long Fangs. He will probably get his Wolf Claw magnetized, that way he can swap it for a Storm Shield or power weapon. He will now run with Rapp, since he has been banned from from his Long Fang buddies. This will free up an assault cannon to join the more melee oriented pack.

This model was intended to be my Wolf Lord, he now needs a new position. With me now trying to limit bare heads in my army to TWC, Lone Wolves and priests, he may end up a Lone Wolf. He is 80 points as a Lone Wolf. Had thoughts of him being my company champion with a Wolf Lord profile so he would have the 4++, that option adds up to 175. I can get 2 Lone Wolves for that. At 120 points, WGBL option doesn't compare well to WL or LW options. Still need to work on his Wolf Claw and change the color of the belt on his cloak. He may have to run as a squad leader for now, that way I can field two TDA packs of 5. Only until I get the models to fill out those squads though.

For Great Company emblem I have these two, if I can make my own transfers.

For infantry of all types

For vehicles and Dreadnoughts

That's what I have for now pictures of for now. A pitcher of Raven's Eye to the Brother that mentioned using boltgun metal as his base color. You helped me find a scheme I like and a can pull of ok. Also one for dantay_xv for jump starting me on my painting and being my sounding board. The two of you can collect if you ever come through Humboldt.

[Vash113]

I like the modification you made to the Frost Axe, swapping the Dark Angel sensor for the rune etched hammer head was a nice touch, you did a really good job on that axe it is an awesome looking weapon fit for a Wolf Lord!

 

I also like the symbol you chose, it's rare to see someone go with something other than a wolf head of some kind but I think it works, I went with a cresent moon besplit by a lightning bladed sword myself, because it was a lot easier to freehand than a wolf head. With some practice you could likely freehand the infantry version of the symbol, but the vehicle version would be fairly difficult.

[Vykryl]

Thank you Vash.

While the axe may be worthy of a Lord, it's wielder will achieve no rank higher than Battle Leader. Rapp prefers the roll of a staunch number 2.

What I could use is ideas for the special Frost Blades that will be wielded by Orm and Toke. I am starting to think I should go with Bloodletter swords. The chainswords in our kits are too small. I have one I'd put on a TDA Lone Wolf, it's rather over sized for TWC. Give me a minute to switch to my computer and I'll edit a pic in.

 

Edited to add a pic

 

Made this from a pair ow TWC chainswords, two fantasy axe heads, 2 pack ornaments, and a TDA Thunder Hammer arm. Rather big for a wolf rider.

[Vykryl]

I didn't get much time to paint tonight, so this one is just started. My question is, is the red shield too much red? If so what other color should it be, black or metal or another color? Any thoughts are appreciated.

 

[Thunder_god]

Love the heraldry idea. Wish I'd thought of it first!

 

This will help you:

 

http://www.ginfritter.com/index.php?route=product/product&path=71_81&product_id=270

 

I have some of their decals and they work well.

[Dantay VI]

Ah now your greatsword, that is my all time favourite chainsword and is what I would use to make a chainfist with!

 

A quick thought but what about these chaos raptor blades, remove any chaos iconography and they could be suitably different enough to be frost blades.

Otherwise maybe Grey knight broadswords much longer and ornate than a standard sword but not oversized that it cant be used one handed?

 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SWORD-ARMS-PISTOLS-Chaos-Marines-Raptors-Warhammer-40K-Games-Workshop-wsmm-/371034320869#ht_246wt_1037

Far right is my favourite, just using this as an example, dont have to buy them or anything... could be reconsecrated blades taken back from eveil Chaos champions and reconsecrated in the ice forges of Asaheim (a bit like Logan's axe).

 

That is unless their weapons have a backstory in the saga they are based on.

[Token]

Really cool big chainfist, the smaller one is cool too.

[Vykryl]

Thank you Thunder God, that site will make this easier. Will check them out more to see else they have that may be useful.

 

I've looked at Chaos Marine weapons before and probably will again. I hadn't looked at the raptor war gear though, thank you for the suggestion dantay.

 

The only story behind the blades is that they are high end, expensive swords. Toke and Orm receive them from a woman Toke took as plunder. She was then taken from Toke when a fleet of Andalusian warships caught them in a bay. The woman is gifted by this fleets captain to some official in Spain. The official suits the woman better than a match to one of her disagreeable father's course warriors. As thanks she helps get the two and their surviving shipmates off their slave galley and into the bodyguard of Almansar, the caliph's vizar. She also gives Toke and his young protégé (Orm) the highest quality Andalusian blades she can find, as thanks for helping her escape a distasteful life to one of luxury. I keep this up and you will get the whole book piece mill.

 

Thank you Token. I don't like the standard Astartes chainfist, not savage looking enough. The sword's hilt was started for a frost blade I gave up on. I did find a pic we here someone used two chainswords to make a counts as chainfist, the sword I posted is my version. It was on a Lone Wolf who will now go back to his Wolf Claw.

 

The chainclaw came about from me wanting to pair a chainfist with a Wolf Claw, +1 attack and can tackle anything. Again the Astartes chainfist doesn't match well, my giant sword doesn't either. The idea for a dual blade chainfist popped in my mind, 15 minutes later I had the prototype pictured with the sword. Cut the claws off a Wolf Claw, cut two notches in fist (I cut between 1st & 2nd claw and 3rd & 4th claw), cut chainswords to desired length and fit to notches, hide the hack job with the mini shield thing from TDA kit, 4 bits used. Sure beats the hours spent shaving the 9 pieces of the sword so they fit right. Some of that time includes figuring out how to assemble final design and designing attempts to find a blade I liked, I destroyed more bits than actually went into the finished weapon.

[Vykryl]

Finally got a little time to finish this one. He just got a nuln oil wash before the pic and is still wet. Its 2 hours past bed time, so I don't have time for him to dry tonight.

 

 

Edit: I'm still not sure on his shield. Wasn't happy with red or black, how does all metal look? Bolt gun base, trim and cross are brass, skull and bones chainmail.

[grouj]

I am really jealous of your dual chainfist, will have to make up a pair for myself =D

[Vykryl]

Thank you grouj. I find the standard chain fist rather underwhelming as the pinnacle in TDA melee destructive power. My chain claw is real simple to make and looks more savage.

 

The model wielding one came with 2 wolf claws. Got a partly assemble TDA kit for $25 on ebay and he was the assembled figure. I modified his left arm from WC to chain claw while fully assembled. Only fixes to the model needed was swapping the paldrons, the crux came on the right shoulder.

 

Edit: Don't pair chain fists, pair one with a Wolf Claw. Both are specialist so you get the +1 attack with option of s5 at initiative or s8 armourbane.

[Dantay VI]

Dammit now I need 3 boxes of terminators for all these new and naty builds... Looking good, sent you a pm.

.

Claw & Fist, Claw & shield, Shield and storm/combi-bolter

[grouj]

Thank you grouj. I find the standard chain fist rather underwhelming as the pinnacle in TDA melee destructive power. My chain claw is real simple to make and looks more savage.

 

The model wielding one came with 2 wolf claws. Got a partly assemble TDA kit for $25 on ebay and he was the assembled figure. I modified his left arm from WC to chain claw while fully assembled. Only fixes to the model needed was swapping the paldrons, the crux came on the right shoulder.

 

Edit: Don't pair chain fists, pair one with a Wolf Claw. Both are specialist so you get the +1 attack with option of s5 at initiative or s8 armourbane.

 

I am actually going to use the idea for the relic claws from the supplement =D

[Vykryl]

I've got two more finished. In the back is the hammernator I posted the other day. These three have a forth pack mate with assault cannon waiting for me to magnetize his left arm so he can wield a claw or shield. Need to make one more hammernator to complete this pack.

Tried to make a blue wash for the Wolf Claws, it's fading out as it dries. Maybe their claws need a second washing

 

[grouj]

Just to show you what I did with your idea :D

 

http://i60.tinypic.com/x5becj.jpg

[Vykryl]

Just to show you what I did with your idea

 

http://i60.tinypic.com/x5becj.jpg

Tell Canis to give the Terminators back their toys 

 

Your relic claws look good. I had thought about making a pair, but didn't see a good reason for double chainfists at the time. May just make myself a set with the new book having a set of relic Wolf Claws. 

 

I first wanted to use the bowie style Chaos swords for the claws. Scratched that because the chain teeth would go the wrong way. Are there any other chainsword options, besides bowie and straight, that could be tried?

[Rune_Priest_Rhapsody]

Your conversions, as mentioned several time already, are great!! I like the color to your armor as well!! Nicely done, I look forward to seeing more stuff as time progresses!!
 

End of Line

[Vykryl]

I'm not getting time to paint this week. Been busy getting the kid ready for school starting and my friend and his fiance's bachelor/ette parties. We are spending a 4 day weekend at Lake Tahoe. Don't think I'll have time to paint while there. So my lone accomplishment this week was to put a shield arm together and magnetize it over two nights. He isn't even primed, but here is a preview of my TDA assault oriented pack. Lone Wolf Krok will fill in until I get a second hammernator.

 

[Vykryl]

This pack looks a mess at the moment, just finished their base armor and first wash. Hopefully I can start getting the details painted tomorrow night. This pack is staying as is. My other Grey Hunters will be remodeled a bit, losing chainswords for pistols, grenades or two handed bolter pose.

 

A few of these guys have grenades on them, what color are Space Marine grenades typically?

 

 

Edit: changed pic

 

 

[Dantay VI]

I really like the look of the terminator pack and I'll reserve judgement on the Grey Hunters for nowas they are just starting off, but I expect they'll look great when they are done!

 

As for grenades, it's up to you, choose a nice spot colour and run with it. On belts I usually use a metallic colour on the knurled section and either green or blue on the upper part, for the smooth grenades, I use, green/blue or black depending on the colours around it.

[Vykryl]

Not gotten much done, basically shrouds on guns and chainswords. I have mostlycompleted two of the pack. I'm not sure how to finish the heads.

 

[FenrisWolf]

Vykryl, I think your conversions are great! I also like the choice of red. Too much blue is used with the wolves.  The ice thing does wear a little thin sometimes.  My colors are a bit unorthodox too - I'm still looking for the appropriate shade of dark grey for the armor.  I'm leaning towards Tamiya's German grey or even NATO Black.  What I like there is how dark the grey is plus it comes in spray cans for my tanks.  I'm using a darker purple (they changed all of them in the Citadel line, so I have to compare closely now) for their pack markings and deep blue with a crescent moon for the Great Company logo - Like Vash, it's easy to freehand with my meager skills.

 

Love what you're coming up with!

[Dantay VI]

The faces need a wash and a highlight to give them definition.

 

Otherwise they look ace

 

What colour hair are you going for?

[Vykryl]

Their hair color is a mix I made for painting skulls, it is also used on pelts. It turns a nice shade of brown with an earthshade wash. Will probably do about half the packs hair this way, will need a scattering of blond, red, black and grey too.

 

What wash is good for faces?

 

I need to get a new fine tip brush so I can try to paint their eyes.

[Dantay VI]

Painting eyes, thats easy!!

 

A bottle of tippex with its own applicator and a felt tip pen, then you're away!!   Just joking.

 

In truth painting eyes scares me, I usually never add them as the face and shadow helps hide them.

 

Does Mrs Vykryl, have any inks? Back in the day before washes, I'd use a chestnut brown ink to paint to coat the flesh.

 

If you have a darker skin shade of paint, then use that and apply the current colour as a layer leaving the darker colour in the recesses

 

Either that or add a touch of brown and red to your flesh colour to see if it makes a suitable dark flesh.... I finish work soon, I'll try some paint alchemy for you!!