Serpentis Crusade

[Psykic_scribe]

Not really part of this Crusade, but as I already have a vintage Emperor's Champion, here is a resurection of Castellan (Captain) Draco, with some minor enhancements:
 
- An extra "Templar" cross on the right knee, chain for the bolt pistol (of course) and a more recent "veteran" back pack.
- Being an old school model, he also gets his own banner, whereas my other Black Templar ICs carry an icon or nothing on the backpacks
  (banners are now more of a Smurf thing?).
 
/image.bolterandchainsword.com/uploads/gallery/album_6132/gallery_23461_6132_681848.jpg

 

 

EDIT:  I have reworked the purity seal - as spotted by Brother Christoper, the white scar was too much and also dominated the eye. I have now used a mix of Pailld Wych Flesh and Ushabti Bone and increased the Scarlet.

Edited October 10, 2015 by Psykic_scribe

[Brother Christopher]

While I like the model in its entirety very much (the gold you used blends nicely with our regular blacks and gives the model, in my opinion, a different appeal than your ordinary Templar), I find the banner particularly cool. Incredible free-hand performance. The added chain is also a nice touch. One question, though: is it painted? Because it doesn't seem to be or you used a different shade of hold. My other remark is that the white trim of the purity seal attached to the belt looks kind of weird.

[Psykic_scribe]

@Bro Cristopher - thanks for the feedback. 
The purity seal definitely needs a rework to reduce the amount of white. Looks even more glaring now that I have a photo. 

 

For the chain, it matches the Gehennas Gold of the cross/purity seal on the pistol and I didn't want any paint to fill in the links. Gehennas Gold has a red base within, so I find that it is difficult to bring it on really thin.

For most of my Templars, their chains are in Boltgun, so I have no choice but to paint those; however GW Boltgun paint is easy to work with, whether lighter (with Mitril) or darker (with Nuln Oil or Abbadon).  

[Psykic_scribe]

ANTI-AIR DEFENSE FORCE:

In addition to the Hunter/Stalker completed in 2014, this Crusade now has two extra AA units to complete an Anti-Air Defense Force. Thus the Skyspear missile launch enhances the accuracy of the FOUR Icarus Stormcannons in this formation. The Hunter shown below is based on a Rhino chassis and a lot of styrene card as described in my recent WIP Post.

Two photos of the new units:

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One photo of the earlier unit, fielding the second pair of Icarus Cannons:

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Bring on the flyers !

[Psykic_scribe]

OK, if the heretics play crafty and keep low to avoid my anti-air, then they will have to face a new Stormtalon that will be providing top cover and fire support to my Landspeeder squadron. I have a choice of Typhoon (see my ETL V posting) and Skyhammer missiles (shown below) depending on the situation.

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For interest, the cockpit of the Stormtalon is built like an armoured bucket (shades of A-10 Warthog) but also drops out freely from the hull (just like an F-111 escape pod) !

I have used this to enable the battery to be extracted after use with the green cockpit and yellow searchlight LEDs.

[Marshal Mattias]

Looks awesome man - for once I'm digging the stormtalon look! Neat LED work too. Any chance of another vow for ETL? ;)

[TheOneTrueZon]

Any chance of seeing your LED setup from the inside? I want to put LEDs in my flyers that I have slated for prep later this year. Doing the wiring on your own or did you get a kit?

[Psykic_scribe]

@ TheOneTrueZon.

I am sure that this set up can be improved upon, as the pod of the Stormtalon opens up good possibilities, as well as easy battery access. My circuit comprises two LEDs (Green and Yellow), one CR2032 battery holder, one three-pin switch and the usual thin wires - all from Zinge Industries,

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The switch is embedded in the pod base ahead of the stand insert, while the battery holder is mounted on the back wall; the battery links to the centre pole of the switch and each LED to the other poles - a 3v battery will only fire up a single LED at a time unless there is better circuit designer than me (or two batteries are mounted?). I recommend getting the wiring working before the base of the pod (with the thrustors) is attached,

FYI - I would have preferred to put the Green LED between the pilot's feet, but I couldn't find room there.

Edited May 27, 2016 by Psykic_scribe

[Psykic_scribe]

Just bringing my Crusade up to date with my ETL-V completions:

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... and for the Techmarine Gunner, only my second bionic in the Crusade (the first being Helbrecht):

and a few Heavy Weapon Specialists, with a Veteran Sword Brother. The plan is that all my Sword Brethren should have capes (although I have some re-fits to perform after the ETL is closed.

For the Emperor !

Edited June 22, 2016 by Psykic_scribe

[Psykic_scribe]

Just updating the Serpentis Crusade with the latest addition - a Contemptor Dreadnought inherited by and cherished in my Black Templars Crusade:

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[Lippy]

Have just read through this whole post from the start for the first time and I'm really impressed.

Love all the armour and your Templars are stunning.

Looking forward to the next installment and relevant WIP's.

[Sete]

That Dread is awesome.

[Psykic_scribe]

I've aquired one of the old metal apothecaries, and this has enabled me to reconfigure the Crusade Command Squad into either a fully CCW team or a shooty squad. The first photo features the "new" apothecary with his chainsword, and the second photo shows the previous boltgun line up, with a veteran apothecary and plasma pistol.

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[Brother Christopher]

The squad looks impressive. Nice work on the capes. They'd benefit from some wash, however. That'd boost the detail on the tabards and seals.

[Psykic_scribe]

@Brother Cristopher - Thanks for checking in.  IMHO there is enough Devlan Mud on the tabards, given that I have blasted the models with a big LED lamp to maximise depth of field in the photos.

 

Next in line for capes are my Honour Guard.  Let's see how they turn out. 

[Psykic_scribe]

An emblem of their office/rank, all my Sword Brethren should have capes (in addition to tabards). The Black Templar Honour Guard are most definitely Sword Brethren, so I have finally got around to fixing their deficit with new capes. It helped a lot that they are magnetised at the waist, making it much easier to work the GS capes into shape and paint them woithout the legs getting in the way.

[Marshal Mattias]

Good use of running legs - I've got a set for the same purpose!

[Brother Christopher]

Great looking squad. Looking at this makes me want to start assembling my Honour Guard, though I'm still debating whether to paint them as Sword Brethren or create a distinct 'rank' (and associated paint scheme). I've also noticed that you got one damaged relic blade. I have the exact same problem with my kit (also a power sword and a storm shield was miscast).

[Psykic_scribe]

Apparently the damaged relic blade is a common fault.  I don't have a problem with it - one of the perils of combat and a Brother would be reluctant to lose such an artifact.

[Brother Christopher]

I totally dig it. After all, Aragorn's Narsil was a broken sword as well and it still was a great blade. And you can't get much cooler than that.

[Psykic_scribe]

Real life is going to bite hard over the next few months, so while there is an opportunity I have brought out ALL my Black Templar army into a single photo.

I should have included my Culexus assassin who accompanies to nail the witches down before the chainswords and flamers arrive, but he has taken a holiday!

The second Stormtalon at the back will be finished soon as part of my Stormcloud Attack wip blog, but I am not planning on any more BT models at this time.

Have fun trying to find the ICs amongst this lot.

Edited February 7, 2017 by Psykic_scribe

[Bjorn Firewalker]

The Sword Brethren look great. Excellent work.

[Psykic_scribe]

To the tune of "Ride of the Valkyries", please view my Black Templar Stormtalon Squadron .....

The left Stormtalon is new, having featured in my Work in Progress blog for "Stormcloud Attack". It features an Ace techmarine pilot who has lots of ZEAL and made enough kills to carry Sword Brethren status, reflected in the shoulder pad and red a/c markings. Both Stormtalons have LED search lamps to illuminate their target, enabled by magnetising in the cockpit pods.

Another view of the squadron:

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There will be a big pause in my Crusade now, whilst I address the second part of the Stormcloud Attack set (no name no

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heresy

pack drill).

[Honda]

Your Storm Talons turned out very nice. The Sword Brethren detailing is a very cool touch.

 

Well done.

[Psykic_scribe]

Black Templar Castellan

I have a lot of HQ choices for my Black Templar Crusade, but I realised that I did not have a “basic” 8th Edition Captain for any low points Detachment. Based on the Commander model, this one carries a master-crafted boltgun and chainsword.

Castellan (Captain) with m/c boltgun and chainsword:

OK, so I couldn’t resist a few magnetised weapon options:

Castellan with Storm Bolter and Storm Shield:

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Castellan with Combi-melta and Power Sword:

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