CommodusXIII Posted March 8, 2015 Share Posted March 8, 2015 I tossed this into the Hall of Honor, but Kierdale recommended sharing it here as well: My friends convinced me to sign up for the 400 pt Combat Patrol tournament at OH CON 2015. Unfortunately, my only functional army was my Imperial Knight Household – which certainly wouldn’t work! I decided instead to take the plunge into an idea I’d been kicking around for a few years. The Krasnyy 264th Rocket Army is about as stereotypically Soviet Russian as I could get. I sat down with my 4th Edition copy of Codex: Imperial Guard and went through the old Doctrines rules for inspiration. What screams Soviet Russia? Commissars, Conscripts for them to execute and nuclear missiles. THE LIST: Commissar with bolt pistol and CCW, bound to the Conscripts (or are they bound to him?) – 25 pts Platoon Command Squad, Commander with laspistol and CCW, one trooper with meltagun – 40 pts Infantry Squad 1, Sergeant with laspistol and CCW, one trooper with meltagun – 60 pts Infantry Squad 2, Sergeant with laspistol and CCW, one trooper with flamer – 55 pts 20 Conscripts with lasguns – 60 pts Deathstrike Missile Launcher with heavy bolter – 160 pts Total – 400 pts on the nose I can't make up my mind if this looks abusive or suicidal. I do know that it’s incredibly basic, incredibly fluffy, and so far has been pretty darn fun to see in action! The Deathstrike, in particular, suits my tastes for psychological lists. Whether or not it gets its rocket off, and whether or not it hits anything, are all added bonuses. What it does best is control deployment. THE MODELS: If you guessed Valhallans, you’re correct! Fortunately for me, GW is still selling off its remaining classic metal models at prices well below that for stripped figures on eBay. Unfortunately, the range of classic metal models was always limited. For example, there are only 9 individual Valhallan guardsmen with lasguns, and even then there are only 4 basic poses. This was more fatiguing than I originally anticipated. Anyway, I picked up five boxes of Valhallans and got down to it. I also tracked down classic models for the Commissar and Platoon Commander, and some other Valhallan-specific bits. I’d love to work Vostroyans into the lineup in the future – as Veterans or even Scions – but that’s a story for another time! http://i.imgur.com/v0X01bil.gif I did quite a bit of research into Soviet battledress, and finally decided on this color scheme for the Red Army circa WWII. It was the best mix of browns and greens, in my opinion, and would stand out against the snowy bases. Quite the opposite of effective camouflage! I generally hate basing models. For some reason, nothing sticks out as sorely as a model’s base not matching the battlefield you’re playing on. So, I tend to just use a flat black base. This time, however, I decided to flex myself a bit. Snow is very easy to do, fits the theme very well, and best of all – it hides some of my kitbashing blunders and the gaps in the slotted bases. I did more research on snow flock vs. baking soda, different glues, etc. I was set to dive into baking soda and PVA for my snow effect until I read that this combination can yellow over time. Apparently, that isn’t likely if you seal your models but as it’s winter I won’t be spraying sealant anytime soon. Instead, I went with a Woodland Scenics winter diorama kit I found laying around. Anyway, on to the models! http://i.imgur.com/uX6zZjLl.jpg Comrade Commandant Aksakov leads his Platoon Command Squad to glory. Gold hat pins mark the troopers as members of a command squad. The voxcaster was taken from a random terrain sprue, and has had its batteries removed for the purposes of the Combat Patrol list. I added bayonets (cut down Space Marine combat knifes) to every lasgun I could, as it makes me think of a Mosin Nagant or SKS rifle. http://i.imgur.com/Q0LTZ8ml.jpg Infantry Squad 1 includes a basic Sergeant and a second meltagun. I replaced the Segeant’s bolt pistol with a laspistol from the 2nd Edition CCW sprue for WYSIWYG and to keep it period with the rest of the army. The meltagunner in this squad received high honors for vaporizing a Striking Scorpions Exarch with a precision shot during the second trial game. http://i.imgur.com/hwikfskl.jpg Infantry Squad 2 includes another basic Sergeant with autopistol and a flamer trooper. The stripes on the Sergeant’s chainsword denote which squad is which. The flamer originally had a large plume of fire (from Armorcast) but it was damaged when I dropped it during basing. The flame bit was broken beyond easy repair, so I cut my losses and finished the model without it. http://i.imgur.com/KkY54ABl.jpg "The enemy is the other way, Comrade!" The squad of 20 Volunteers is led by Comrade Commissar Tyruska, who is happy to ensure that they keep volunteering. Red armbands are used to make the Conscripts visually distinct from regular troopers. Other than the Commissar, who was the first prototype for the army, this squad was spiritually draining to paint. So much time and effort over 3 pt meatbags… http://i.imgur.com/uTrwFIol.jpg Here's a very early WIP of the Commissar. The standard black Commissariate color scheme wouldn't work with the Red Army theme, so I decided to use red trim on his coat and hat to tie him to the Conscripts he'll be executing. http://i.imgur.com/Gn6y3tTl.jpg The Deathstrike Missile Launcher is the centerpiece of the army, so I saved it for last to motivate me through Conscript Hell. Sorry about the lack of focus. http://i.imgur.com/U2wDlmMl.jpg The Chapterhouse wheeled conversion kit yielded a look somewhat similar to the Topol-M launch vehicle. I used the same snow flock as with the infantry models. It was very helpful in hiding the ugly joints between the Chapterhouse kit and the Chimera body - it was definitely not an exact fit, nor an easy build. http://i.imgur.com/bnTq5x7l.jpg I tracked down some OOP Valhallan vehicle crew to tie the Deathstrike to the rest of the army. The icicles are old, broken flying stands that I melted over a candle. It's not exactly the same as working with glass, so my technique leaves something to be desired. http://i.imgur.com/N4KvFVJl.jpg The missile itself is meant to look like a Vostok rocket. The upper stage was taken from a 1:72 Topol-M detail kit, joined to the missile body with paper clips. I used a LEGO brick as the top of the fuel tank. It didn't come out as cleanly as I wanted (or even straight!) but it passes muster. http://i.imgur.com/ouA1736l.jpg This project was also my first attempt with magnets. The missile is removable for transport, and also for after it (hopefully) launches. http://i.imgur.com/CTODx93l.jpg You can make out the locations for the magnets. It was much more straightforward than I expected. I also used a leftover bit from the Topol-M detail kit as an exhaust pipe on the back of the launch vehicle. THE EXTRAS: http://i.imgur.com/YkmokBNl.jpg I couldn't possibly build an army centered around a nuclear warhead and not make an accompanying mushroom cloud. I didn't take any in-process pictures because, to be honest, I had no idea what I was doing. The cloud consists of the guts of a 60-lumen emergency LED lantern, a plastic vase, floral wire and a lot of cotton. http://i.imgur.com/oKZvGjkl.jpg The lantern has multiple settings and power levels. Here is the cloud at full intensity. http://i.imgur.com/kAM16Jxl.jpg And here is the cloud on the "red light" setting. http://i.imgur.com/K2Z3uqil.jpg While waiting for parts to arrive, I threw together some objective markers. They are a ruined monument, a subterranean ventilation duct, a missile preparing to launch, a subterranean hatchway, a weapons cache and the idiot son of some high-ranking officer who managed to get his ass lost in No Man's Land. The latter is especially good for The Relic, but the men have a tendency to just let the enemy have him. http://i.imgur.com/QuuBXsJl.jpg?1 I found a set of status markers from Flames of War, which will work nicely for WH40K as well. In retrospect, the hammer-and-sickle is more out of place than I originally envisioned. They should still help me remember who is (not) doing what each turn! If you happen to be at OH CON 2015 in April, stop by and say hello! And if you also happen to be in the Combat Patrol tournament, be sure to have your troops take their iodine pills! Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/304394-the-krasnyy-264th-rocket-army/ Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chefzilla Posted March 8, 2015 Share Posted March 8, 2015 I love this! Great back story and look to your army. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/304394-the-krasnyy-264th-rocket-army/#findComment-3971680 Share on other sites More sharing options...
scatmandoo Posted March 8, 2015 Share Posted March 8, 2015 Wow, that is an amazing looking army. Great detail and story behind it too. Especially like how it is all centred around the deathstrike. Love the model and look forward to hearing how it goes for you. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/304394-the-krasnyy-264th-rocket-army/#findComment-3971685 Share on other sites More sharing options...
wulfgar hammerfist Posted March 8, 2015 Share Posted March 8, 2015 I especially like the mushroom cloud. Great work and looking forward to seeing more of your work! Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/304394-the-krasnyy-264th-rocket-army/#findComment-3971687 Share on other sites More sharing options...
our_baz Posted March 8, 2015 Share Posted March 8, 2015 Wow, gorgeous looking army. Love those old Valhallan sculpts you have done an awesome job on them. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/304394-the-krasnyy-264th-rocket-army/#findComment-3971691 Share on other sites More sharing options...
SW1 Posted March 8, 2015 Share Posted March 8, 2015 Yeah ... This is a racking example of taking a simple idea and running with it. You end up with a very memorable army that looks the part and would be amazing to play with/against!!! Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/304394-the-krasnyy-264th-rocket-army/#findComment-3971693 Share on other sites More sharing options...
CommodusXIII Posted March 8, 2015 Author Share Posted March 8, 2015 Thank you all very much! I'm very happy with how it turned out, and I'm looking forward to a lot of trial matches before the tournament. Despite getting a bit burnt out on Conscripts, I think I'll keep going with this army. I've got some plans in the works for (what is now) a Ragnarok/Leman Russ with a full crew. Look forward to some Kill Team-style work in the future! Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/304394-the-krasnyy-264th-rocket-army/#findComment-3971711 Share on other sites More sharing options...
WarriorFish Posted March 8, 2015 Share Posted March 8, 2015 This is great! You simply don't see enough Valhallan armies :D The models have a great scheme and you've gone the extra mile with the additional bits, do you have plans to add more? Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/304394-the-krasnyy-264th-rocket-army/#findComment-3971744 Share on other sites More sharing options...
CommodusXIII Posted March 8, 2015 Author Share Posted March 8, 2015 Besides the Ragnarok project, I have a ML heavy weapons team, a sniper rifle special weapons team, some GL/demolitions Veterans and a Company Command Squad in various stages of planning. The Company Commander is a Russianized conversion of Creed. The Veterans include Demolition Man from Schaeffer's Last Chancers, who fits perfectly with the Valhallans. I pushed myself to get through this initial list for the tournament, so I'm going to take a break for a week or two before I dive back into them. I have some projects stacking up with my Imperial Knight army that I'm slowly working through, but I'll continue to post updates as I finish them! Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/304394-the-krasnyy-264th-rocket-army/#findComment-3971751 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bjorn Firewalker Posted March 9, 2015 Share Posted March 9, 2015 Impressive work. I especially like the mushroom cloud. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/304394-the-krasnyy-264th-rocket-army/#findComment-3971980 Share on other sites More sharing options...
CommodusXIII Posted April 18, 2015 Author Share Posted April 18, 2015 http://i.imgur.com/dQrsAWCl.jpg There is no higher praise for a man of Krasnyy than to say that he died well. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/304394-the-krasnyy-264th-rocket-army/#findComment-4012681 Share on other sites More sharing options...
WarriorFish Posted April 18, 2015 Share Posted April 18, 2015 Anyone can live well, dying well is that much more difficult ;) Well done! :D Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/304394-the-krasnyy-264th-rocket-army/#findComment-4012706 Share on other sites More sharing options...
elmo Posted April 18, 2015 Share Posted April 18, 2015 Very nice work. Well done. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/304394-the-krasnyy-264th-rocket-army/#findComment-4012711 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Father Mehman Posted April 18, 2015 Share Posted April 18, 2015 Excellent! You've done the Guard a great service and for reward, I would like to offer you a cookie. Oh, well, no I won't. Seems the basement rats have been eating them all. Crumbs on my beard? Surely, you jest ! Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/304394-the-krasnyy-264th-rocket-army/#findComment-4012824 Share on other sites More sharing options...
WarriorFish Posted April 18, 2015 Share Posted April 18, 2015 That can't be right, the ration cookies are so awful not even the rats want them. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/304394-the-krasnyy-264th-rocket-army/#findComment-4012836 Share on other sites More sharing options...
CommodusXIII Posted April 18, 2015 Author Share Posted April 18, 2015 Thank you, gentlemen! It was an excellent day: My Deathstrike whiffed every shot but one, when it blew the tracks off of a Taurox Prime. It actually proved more useful with its heavy bolter and Tank Shock. Game 1 saw my Commissar get sniped in the backfield in the first turn, with the Conscripts declining to help him out. They went on to kill a unit of Scouts and most of a unit of Assault Marines in melee, bringing glory to their motherland. Game 2 saw him force those dogs to hold the line on an objective, in the middle of the field with no cover, while getting cut down man after man by another AM army. Finally, one Conscript was left alone with the Commissar, who was holding a bolt pistol to his head and forcing him to stand his ground. Game 3 saw a desperate last stand, with all 46 men crammed into one section of ruins while a Biel-Tann strike force rained fire down upon them. Thank the Emperor that he didn't have any Blast weapons... It just goes to show that a pistol and a scowl are the best motivators. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/304394-the-krasnyy-264th-rocket-army/#findComment-4012858 Share on other sites More sharing options...
WarriorFish Posted April 19, 2015 Share Posted April 19, 2015 Yes they are :P Sounds like you had a blast, are there any changes to your list you'll consider after the games? Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/304394-the-krasnyy-264th-rocket-army/#findComment-4013162 Share on other sites More sharing options...
CommodusXIII Posted April 20, 2015 Author Share Posted April 20, 2015 A few pictures from Game 1 of the tournament: http://i.imgur.com/g9BRyPll.jpg Turn 1: The men of Krasnyy surge towards the sole objective. The Deathstrike lurks in wait. http://i.imgur.com/XMzRbNEl.jpg Turn 2: The surviving Conscripts avenge the loss of their Commissar with a suicide charge into the Dark Angel's specialists. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/304394-the-krasnyy-264th-rocket-army/#findComment-4014569 Share on other sites More sharing options...
CommodusXIII Posted April 20, 2015 Author Share Posted April 20, 2015 Yes they are Sounds like you had a blast, are there any changes to your list you'll consider after the games? I actually enjoyed this list quite a bit, and there isn't much that can be tweaked without scrapping entire sections of it. My first army, long ago, was Black Templar and my current army is Imperial Knights - being so used to low count, high effectiveness weapons, I wasn't prepared for how much damage a dogpile of lasguns could do! If I could go back, I would have printed the fluff of my regiment and label my Roster accordingly - this was my first competition, and I didn't realize that such things factored into the appearance scoring! Given more time I also would have made a quick display board. That's all just icing on the cake, though - I lead in every other category but appearance. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/304394-the-krasnyy-264th-rocket-army/#findComment-4014586 Share on other sites More sharing options...
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