Lexington's Aurora Chapter - New Sternguard & Chapter Champ

[Lexington]

http://aurorachapter.com/images/title.png

Hey all,

My Aurora Chapter Marines have been in the works for some time, so with the new year and a new 40K Escalation League starting up at work, I've got real-world motivation to get this long-in-progress army up to snuff.

The Aurora Chapter's been mentioned in GW publications since the days of the 2nd Edition Ultramarine Codex, but has never gotten much background, so I cooked up an Index Astartes for them some years back. It should give some idea of what's planned for these guys - standard, low-frills Marines. I've been pretty inspired recently by threads from B&C rock stars like BCK, Inquisitor Eisenhorn and Veteran Sergeant, who have created striking models that often have more of a real-world military bent. I'd like to achieve something like that mixed in with a somewhat more heroic feel for certain minis. It's a balancing act - let's see how far I can get before plummeting to the floor.

Sternguard

This unit's been in some form of progress for nearly a year now. I like to think of the Sternguard as the ultimate special forces unit within the Space Marines - to steal an annoyingly overused metaphor, they're the fine scalpel to the Vanguard's wrathful hammer. To that end, I wanted to give every squad member a role, with corresponding equipment and a pose that communicated just what they're supposed to be doing within the unit. Quite a lot of work for a squad that typically Drop Pods in, fries something large, then gets turned into Marine Sauce during the opponent's turn. Ah, well.

These guys will end up filled with magnets once they're finished, to allow for varied weapon options. Here's some in-progress photos:



The Vet Sarge, equipped with a chainsword that looks like it's about as likely to club you as cut you. That arm's magnetized, so he can be equipped with whatever else he might need.



The Squad Leader/"Veteran," a rank that hasn't really been mentioned since 2nd Edition, I think. They act as a secondary squad leader, and run the second Combat Squad when that comes up.



Close combat specialist. You can just tell that this guy wakes up in the morning and eats a bowl of spent bolter casings.



Comms/Nav Specialist.



Weapons Specialist #1. He and his unseen (and currently-headless) partner will handle any Special or Heavy weaponry that the squad happens to be using - thus the magnetized shoulder.



I don't really have a specific role for this one. I like the idea of one squad member being so bad-assed, he can have no given role within a squad of top-tier, superhuman specialists. Let's call him the Troubleshooter.

More soon!

[chaplainmikey]

Those are some great conversion, each model just has so much character. Looking forward to an update. :)

[GrandMagnus]

You have my attention. 

[Dosjetka]

The subtle conversions you've slipped in, coupled with the very well chosen mix of bits make this squad a sight to see. The only model I don't like is the Sergeant, because of the over-sized chainsword he's carrying. But then again, that's my own little opinion on the matter and doesn't matter all that much ;)

 

Quick question: the bare heads you've used are from the Centurion kit and that limited edition webstore Captain, yes?

[Lexington]

Those are some great conversion, each model just has so much character. Looking forward to an update.

Thanks! There should be more very soon - the rest of the squad is in progress, just not quite up to the point where they're ready to be shown off.

You have my attention.

Uh-oh. Does this mean I actually have to follow through on updating this thread?

The subtle conversions you've slipped in, coupled with the very well chosen mix of bits make this squad a sight to see. The only model I don't like is the Sergeant, because of the over-sized chainsword he's carrying. But then again, that's my own little opinion on the matter and doesn't matter all that much

Quick question: the bare heads you've used are from the Centurion kit and that limited edition webstore Captain, yes?

Yeah, that chainsword definitely looks oddly bulky in that photo, but it's mostly just perspective and angle tricks. The bit's from the Sternguard box, and looks like this from the side, so really only the end is thick. Looks much less awkward in reality.

Also, yes on the Centurion bare heads, no on the webstore Captain - the Sarge's head is from the Dark Angels Deathwing Command/Deathwing Knights box.

[Lysimachus]

Very, very nice. Lots of character and the conversions to the legs are well done. My only nitpick would be that the foot on the CC specialist looks slightly off centre, although that may be angle of pic issue.

 

Looking forward to more, will this be 'traditional' Aurora Chapter with as many tanks as possible?

[Argent aquila]

A bit late to the responding party, but oh well!

Top notch work, I'm curious as to where you got the torso for the CC specialist?

And although I usually don't like marines with their heads open begging for a sniper shot, I have to say that you did a fantastic job conveying more character with the head choices.

 

How large do you plan on expanding the force? And what style can we be expecting? Tank shock, STEEL REHN, stormraven party?

 

 

 

 

Followed!

[Dosjetka]

Oh, I know that bit very well. It looks gorgeous, but I find that every time I try to use it on a model, it just looks far too big. If ever I meddle with some kind of True/Art-scale project, it will be a perfect bit to have :)

 

And thanks! Almost guessed them all correctly :P Must say that I'm rather surprised that those Centurion heads look so good. Didn't expect that much from such a... well... ugly-looking kit.

[Brother-Chaplain Kage]

I'm a rock star? O_o

 

Very characterful kitbashing and converting, Lexington! I'm liking where this is headed.

 

Argent Aquila, it's a Khorne Berzerker chest on that CC guy.

[Argent aquila]

Thanks for that!

[Candleshoes]

Fantastic work Lex, so much character and thought in those poses.

[The_Chaplain]

An auspicious beginning to your marine force, that's for sure. I will be keeping a close eye on this thread.

[Marshal Rohr]

Very, very characterful conversions!

[Bryan Blaire]

Lexington, all I can do is echo the above, they are looking very badass and you have done a great job with the poses. For the specialist that is just so special he doesn't have a specialty, I would humbly suggest maybe he's the unit's sharpshooter? Which would really be saying something in a unit that is supposed to have so many marksmanship awards already. Perhaps a barrel extension and larger muzzle brake/flash suppressor?

[hushrong]

Awesome in the truest sense of the word!

[Grizzly_bear]

Fantastic members of your squad fella, really nice poses.

[Lexington]

Damn. Big thanks to the lot of you for all the kind words. It's hugely encouraging.

Very, very nice. Lots of character and the conversions to the legs are well done. My only nitpick would be that the foot on the CC specialist looks slightly off centre, although that may be angle of pic issue.

Looking forward to more, will this be 'traditional' Aurora Chapter with as many tanks as possible?

I went and took a look at the miniature after seeing this, and you're totally right about the foot. Dunno how it got in there that way, but I'll be fixing it up ASAP. Thanks for the catch!

As for army composition, I'm actually not overly interested in tanks (been using the Aurora Chapter since before that bit got written into the 5th Edition Codex: SM), but they'll be present. I've got Land Raiders and Predators in various stages of assembly - plus, what self-respecting Michigan State alum could build a Space Marine army without a Spartan?

How large do you plan on expanding the force? And what style can we be expecting? Tank shock, STEEL REHN, stormraven party?

The army's actually already pretty massive in theory - I've got tons of troops, armor and vehicles that are half-assembled or sitting in parts awaiting creation. There's no particular theme to it, tho.

And thanks! Almost guessed them all correctly Must say that I'm rather surprised that those Centurion heads look so good. Didn't expect that much from such a... well... ugly-looking kit.

Shocking, right? The Centurions are a goal for this project, and I've already got plans for how to make a "Firestorm Pattern" Centurion that's less gawky and bumbling. Stay tuned for that.

I'm a rock star? O_o

Very characterful kitbashing and converting, Lexington! I'm liking where this is headed.

Thanks a ton, BCK, that's a huge compliment to get from you. Your dedication to making unique, communicative minis been a huge inspiration for me. There's actually an upcoming Sternguard squad member that's an homage to one of your models. Should be pretty easy to spot.

And, yes, you're a rock star when I say so.

Lexington, all I can do is echo the above, they are looking very badass and you have done a great job with the poses. For the specialist that is just so special he doesn't have a specialty, I would humbly suggest maybe he's the unit's sharpshooter? Which would really be saying something in a unit that is supposed to have so many marksmanship awards already. Perhaps a barrel extension and larger muzzle brake/flash suppressor?

That's a great idea! Think I'll steal it. Thanks, sir.

No more work to show on the Sternguard, but look out for some in-progress shots on new members this weekend. Instead, here's a completed character to show off:

Captain Leto, Aurora Chapter 1st Company

Speaking of "wrathful hammers"...

I don't have much background for Leto cooked up, but he's the uncompromising, no-nonsense lead of the 1st Company. In-game, he's a stock Terminator Captain w/ the Shield Eternal and a Master-Crafted Thunder Hammer. I like to run him around with a retinue of Terminators inside of a Stormraven, and watch them wreck face on most anything they come into contact with. Theroetically, anyway. In practice, he has the unfortunate tendency to run into Mindshackling Necron Lords, Abbadon, etc., and become a fine green mist.

I'm pretty happy with the model, however. The pose took me forever to get right, but I like the "dragonslayer" vibe he gives off.

'Till next time, fellows.

[KrautScientist]

Oh man, those guys look tough as nails! You really have a talent for creating excellent poses, mate!

[Badaab]

Hey, someone else with Aurora Chapter...

[deathspectersgt7]

Cool Beans!!!

[Brother-Chaplain Kage]

 

Thanks a ton, BCK, that's a huge compliment to get from you. Your dedication to making unique, communicative minis been a huge inspiration for me. There's actually an upcoming Sternguard squad member that's an homage to one of your models. Should be pretty easy to spot.

 

Your figures are a perfect example how a little care and time with the posing and parts choices for a figure can really bring a little bit of plastic to life, and the termie captain is another great addition. Speaking of him, can we get a pic from the left side with him glaring over the top of the shield, like what an opponent might see?

 

Can't wait to see the homage figure, and I was out of likes yesterday for your first post, so that's been remedied.

[RayGun924]

Very characterful conversions. Love them. Where is the sergeant's tabard from?

 

~Ray

[Lexington]

Oh man, those guys look tough as nails! You really have a talent for creating excellent poses, mate!

Thanks, KS! I'm a big fan of the Eternal Hunt and all the imagination you put into your models. Awesome to hear this from you.

Hey, someone else with Aurora Chapter...

Yep, that's me. Cool to see you on here, Badaab - your Auroras have been the standard everyone else has to live up to since I started playing them ages ago.

Speaking of him, can we get a pic from the left side with him glaring over the top of the shield, like what an opponent might see?

Ask and you shall receive...

Very characterful conversions. Love them. Where is the sergeant's tabard from?

Thank you! The tabard, if I'm not mistaken, is from the Eldar Dire Avengers sprue.

Unfortunately, I didn't get to put almost any work in on the Sternguard this weekend. As it turns out, moving a significant other (and her enormous cat) into your apartment can actually take some time. Oops. Rather than let the thread rot and be forgotten by my ever-distractable brain, tho, figured I'd show off a few more in-progress pieces of the army.

First up is a sort of practice run for normal Tactical Marine assembly, in the form of some Devastator Squad Marines, of the non-Heavy Weapon toting kind. Mostly normal guys for test posing. Only now, looking at this photo, do I realize the kneeling Marine is about to fall on his power-armored butt...

The Sergeant is my favorite of the bunch. As the old-timers among you may note, he's something of a plastic recreation of an ancient Command Squad Veteran from early 3rd Edition. His armpit needs some gap filling, but he's otherwise finished, I think.

Think tonight will actually see me working on the Sternguard again, so check back tomorrow for more.

[The_Chaplain]

I love how you've managed to recreate that iconic sergeant model-- fantastic job brother. 

[Brother-Chaplain Kage]

Ask and you shall receive...

Heck yes. Very nice!

Oh man, that old sarge... he's been a Blood Angel, a Salamander, a Crimson Fist, an Imperial Fist:

http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x5/Kageboshi/SMTacSquad1-1-SGT.jpg

And most recently, the test figure for my Crimson Sons paint scheme:

http://i.imgur.com/12nAf9n.png

A good Marine serves loyally regardless of the color he wears.