Cadmus Tyro Xth and XXth blog: Terror Squad

[Vykes]

Lookin' superb, mate.  I'm a big fan of how dark it's looking yet how clear the hydras stand out.  The array of bits, bobs, and wires for the array sells it too.  Can't wait to see it with a few spot lenses and the tracks all done up (I put the tracks on mine after I finished the hull... then realized that they are mis-sized.  Oye). 

 

Can't wait to see how it looks in the end, dude!  

[Bjorn Firewalker]

Impressive work on the Land Raider.

[Cadmus Tyro]

Thanks guys, yes the tracks required some special attention......although not as difficult as the original spartan tracks......

 

Should hopefully have it done by the weekend in prepartion for game against Custodes....I need more plasma seekers, 15 is not enough....

Edited January 22, 2019 by Cadmus Tyro

[sockwithaticket]

Cheers for the comments all!

Real life’s been a drain on my hobby time recently, hoping to get a game in this week though!

The proteus is still on the work bench, but I did have a bit of time to revise the silencer length for my recon dudes:

I think it looks better, any thoughts?

Cadmus

Bit late, but yes, it does look even better. Those Anvil scopes are a good choice.

[Cadmus Tyro]

Thanks for the feedback mate, I’ve built all x15 recon marines now and some grav rapiers with scout crew to match the theme (although I appreciate its not WYSIWYG).

 

Expect a detailed post after the landraider is completed!

 

Cadmus

[Cadmus Tyro]

Evening all,

Well, the proteus has been a great project, I highly recommend the kit, although, expect a bit of work along the way!

I felt it deserved a little bit of a back story, told from the perspective of the Xth legion.

Spearhead centurion Garneus Aaron surveyed the city ruins from the command Sicarans cupola. The iron hands tank column advanced through the rubble, the black surfaces of their armour glinting in the fading sunlight. On the horizon, black smoke billowed in streaming columns marking the last known co-ordinates of Xth legions forward assault company.

The hab block occupied a key strategic position, a natural formation of volcanic rock provided both elevation and stability to the structures already occupying the outlook. At the top of the ridge the cliffs fell away in a steep drop, providing expansive vistas of the civitas below and, more importantly, Nakaeran port. A perfect vantage point for staging an assault on the port and for the legions artillery formations. Unfortunately the enemy knew this too.

The Sicaran ground it’s way through the rubble, Garneus noted the subtle change in engine pitch as the tank egressed the gradual incline. He had chosen a more convoluted route to their intended target, the more direct approaches were covered by enemy heavy weapon emplacements. Under the cover of high rise buildings the tank column advanced. Whilst the route afforded shelter from long range anti tank weapons, there was a heightened risk of close quarter ambush. A calculated risk, at close range the human PDF force was no match for the Astartes. Well, that was the theory, the probable demise of the Xth legions Assault company was evidence that this theory was perhaps not entirely correct.

The column approached the first wreckage, the slab like form of a proteus pattern landraider. Laser burns scored the tanks surface, the name of the tank just visible through heat blistered paint, “Oberus”. The side doors lay open, smoke poured from belly of the ancient tank, its occupants nowhere to be seen. Further ahead, the street was strewn with tank wreckage interspersed with the more organic forms of dead legionaries and the remains of PDF infantry. Multiple landraiders stood lifeless, their advancement halted in fiery demise. In the distance Garneus could see the crouched movement of humans moving heavy weaponry between cover.

“Contact forward” he voxed through squads channel. “Combat speed, infantry to the front, support tanks to the left, flanking movement”.

Within a second the Sicarans engines roared to life pulling the battle tank towards the smaller side streets as the accelerator cannons thundered into action, a hail of covering fire advanced up the street as the Rhino APCs pressed forward.

As the assault tanks pulled to advance up the left flank, one of the wrecked landraiders spluttered into life. Engines roaring, the immense bulk of the vehicle pulled itself free from the rubble. Plasticrete shattered under the tracks of the behemoth as rubble and dust cascaded from the sides of the tank. Garneus felt a sense of elation, the Proteus’ crew had waited for their arrival, not wanting to risk further exposure to the surrounding foe.

But something did not sit well with the centurion, the hull mounted lascannon configuration of the proteus was a rarity amongst the Xth legion. As the tank turned the last of the days light revealed a slight hint of blue, bleeding through the dust and black paint of the hull. He raised the magnoculars to examine its hull further, a short flash of light glinted from the hull of the tank, revealing, for a moment a dark three headed hydra....

“Contact right! Contact right” Bellowed Garneus, as the Landraiders lascannons ignited, turning the rear most predator to flaming phosphorus debris.

“Long range vox transmission to orbital command, the Alpha legion are active on the planet, repeat, contact with traitor XXth legion astartes confirmed”. It all made sense, the thought that a PDF force of mortal soldiers could stall the advance of a mounted assault company.

“Long range vox is being jammed sir, I can’t raise command” replied the tank driver. Garneus’ response was lost amidst the ensuing conflagration.....

Hope you enjoyed the pics and the short story! Next up, recon marines......

Cadmus

Edited January 29, 2019 by Cadmus Tyro

[Deadass]

You've done it again, man -- great job, I love your AL paint schemes! Can't wait to see that thing next to your seekers.

[Bjorn Firewalker]

Great job on the Alpha Legion Land Raider Proteus.

[Pearson73]

Solid paintjob and weathering, keen to see the recon squads.

[Marius Perdo]

Very pleasing.

[Cadmus Tyro]

Evening all,

It’s been great to see more HH discussion and WIP in the last few months. Keep up the good work everyone!

I’ve finally finished building the recon marines (and few other things in scout armour ;)), so I thought I would share the pictures with a more in depth review of the more interesting poses.

The recon marines are made from a variety of Scout kits including standard scouts, sniper scouts, landspeeder tempest scouts and a few pieces from the scout bike kit. These kits are really showing their age, but that’s part of the challenge right?

Overall I made several modifications to the original kits. The bolters were replaced with phobos pattern bolters, with the barrels removed and replaced with brass rod suppressors. Secondly, I used the “ravager” heads from puppets war. Thirdly, thermal scopes from anvil. Fourthly, forgeworld melta bombs and finally I replace the majority of the open pistol holsters (which are way to small) with plastic alternatives.

Enough talk!

So this chap was made from one of the landspeeder scouts (as are all the more interesting poses). He’s the sergeant holding a chainsword. I really wanted at least one scout with a slung bolter, this pose offered that potential. I used a piece of thin plasticard to create a strap fitted over his shoulder:

The green stuff on the face plate is filling a small air bubble in the resin.

So this next dude is made from the gunner of the landspeeder. A quick weapon swap and add something for him to kneel on, job done!

The next marine is the one rappelling from the landspeeder. I switched out his left arm for one of the scout bike arms and used the flat missile launcher hand, giving the appearance of him vaulting over the wall. His bolter was the hardest swap, it’s wrapped over with a strap, which took a while to carve out!

So, this guy was a standard weapon swap. However, the original scout has his left leg braced against the inside of the speeder. Just straighten the position and sculpt the top of the leg back with green stuff!

That’s all for tonight folks, there’s so much stuff to post in detail I’ve had to split it into three posts. Stay tuned for more!

C&C welcome!

Cadmus

[Bjorn Firewalker]

Your customized models are impressive, even unpainted. The dynamic poses look great.

[Cadmus Tyro]

Thanks Bjorn!

Next up, two graviton rapiers. Now I know they shouldn’t be in scout armour but I found the rapiers without crew on a good bits site and had four scouts left over. I also wanted to tie them into the recon theme. I figure if I’m open with my opponent before the game begins it will be fine and I have enough standard marines to act as a stand in if they don’t like the idea!

Graviton rapier 1:

Graviton rapier 2:

What do think guys?

Cadmus

[Brother Pheidias]

Looking friggin' baller, to be completely honest. Their armour is as good as PA because they shelter behind the Rapier obviously!

[Vazzy]

As someone who is doing an Alpha Legion recon Company, that is an awesome idea!

[Cadmus Tyro]

Looking friggin' baller, to be completely honest. Their armour is as good as PA because they shelter behind the Rapier obviously!

Thanks Pheidias, good to know you’d be happy to play them in recon armour!

 

As someone who is doing an Alpha Legion recon Company, that is an awesome idea!

Cheers! How are they coming along?

 

Cadmus

[Reyner]

They look ace Cadmus you have proven to me that the best bolter pattern is hands down the Phobos bolter :P they look so beefy. Those Recon Marines are amazing I love the extended barrels and those scopes fit really well. 

[Cadmus Tyro]

They look ace Cadmus you have proven to me that the best bolter pattern is hands down the Phobos bolter :P they look so beefy. Those Recon Marines are amazing I love the extended barrels and those scopes fit really well.

Thanks Reyner, yeah I like the contrast of the bulky phobos bolters against the more delicate proportions of the scout armour. I think it works!

The final member of the recon company in scout armour is my Vigilator. The plan is to use him as my compulsory HQ when using Alpharius in the recon company RoW. He will run with a five man combi melta team, allowing them to scout after their infiltration move and hopefully nuke an enemy vehicle turn one. Combining infiltrate, Scout and first turn manipulation can be brutal.....

He was made using Telion as the base model, it’s such a good sculpt, I wish they had redone the scouts based on this dude. I’ve used the same head and phobos bolter swap to tie him into the force. Just used the standard scope with an attachment from a GSC body on the side of the bolter. His pouches on the right were swapped for melta bombs and to finish him off he has a sheathed power sword slung over his back (from the dynat kit).

Hope you like him!

Cadmus

Edited February 21, 2019 by Cadmus Tyro

[Reyner]

That Vigilator is great the Telion model is one of the best marine sculpts but I've never got round to picking one up haha! It works very well here. 

[Brother Pheidias]

That shot of all of them together!

*swoon*

[Cadmus Tyro]

I’m itching to paint the recon scouts up soon, I’m pressing on with my Gorgons as well.

A good friend of mine managed to pick one of these up for me at the HH weekender:

Anyone want to see what’s inside?

Cadmus

[firestorm40k]

The Recon Company Marines are absolutely superb, the posing on them is really dynamic and characterful. I look forward to seeing them painted, I'm sure they'll look as superb as the rest of your army! :tu:

[Cadmus Tyro]

The Recon Company Marines are absolutely superb, the posing on them is really dynamic and characterful. I look forward to seeing them painted, I'm sure they'll look as superb as the rest of your army! :tu:

Thanks firestorm!

Can’t believe there’s no interest in seeing the new dreadnought drop, I suppose it is a fairly boring kit! My friend seems to be on good terms with the sculpter, apparently he designed it in his own time because he wanted to use the model in game so much. I’ll give you a few unboxing pictures brefore I build it:

As you can see the Aquila are separate, which is great!

There are also holes for 4x1mm magnets in the door and the central piece, to help hold the doors closed!

Here’s the instructions to give you a better idea of how it goes together:

Finally, some shots for scale. The Leviathan base doesn’t quite fit between the pipe work, but, it’s not hard to imagine the pod being able to transport a leviathan. When it’s built I’ll do some better scale shots:

My friend seemed to think the pod wouldn’t be on general release until April. But I can’t imagine them taking that long, although this is FW.

Hope the post is useful!

Cadmus

[Brother Pheidias]

Nice rundown there!

[Cadmus Tyro]

Evening folks,

This week I have mostly been building:

The new dreadnought drop pod is a good kit, the only thing that lets it down is the material. Building structures that require square/true lines to function is always going to be difficult given how pliant resin can be. I decided to fit the doors first (the instructions suggest you start with the fins) as they provide a good guide for the position of the central “engine” helping you to line up the fins. If anyone else builds one let me know if it’s easier just following the instructions!

The fins do not sit flush with the base of the pod, so a little green stuff work will be needed. I couldn’t quite work out why this was the case, even with lots of hot water manipulation of the fins they didn’t quite sit flush. The doors also needed a bit a filing down to get them to sit true.

A few pointers for any following my footsteps:

1) 4x1mm magnets fit perfectly and hold the doors closed, which is really helpful given the weight of the doors, they tend to fall open fairly easily.

2) if the doors don’t sit fully flush, try dipping the base of the doors and hinges in hot water, this allows the resin to bend so you can do small adjustments to the door alignment.

3) watch out for the wires/piping on the central engine, they break easily and this is the natural point to hold the (very heavy) model when working on the doors.

The pod fits a contemptor in fully (the first pic actually has the contemptor inside and closed):

Here’s my leviathan for scale:

Hope the post is useful!

Cadmus