Blackjack13's Dark Angel Kill-Team

[Blackjack13]

This isn't going to be that exciting so I'd temper all expectations before we get started. Anyway, Asmodai is probably watching and we don't want to be sentenced to a year in silence for enjoying ourselves...

Now although I'm an ardent son of Corax these days I'll always have a soft spot for Dark Angels. They were my first and most played army when I originally started 40k back in 3rd Ed., seeing me to mediocrity in many a tournament. Now, I haven't played since around 2005 and the game has changed a lot. The plan here is to use the Heralds of Ruin Kill-Team ruleset to reacquaint myself with my favourite setting and get me playing 40k again without the time/investment of getting a whole army together. Speaking of; I'm nearing 5000pts of Raptors that I really need to start building...

List/Fluff wise it's loosely based on 'Angels of Darkness' book; a small team of Dark Angels deployed to capture a member of the Fallen or neutralise Chaos insurgent leadership where deploying a full Battle-Company would either inefficient or ineffective. What I'm actually doing in using it as an excuse to build some models I couldn't otherwise justify!

The majority is built from bits I already had lying around. I think I spent maybe £30 on the funky shoulderpads, some 32mm bases and a few bits. This is what I'm working with:

http://i258.photobucket.com/albums/hh242/Blackjack13pUnK/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_20160422_135538_edit_zpsbnfbzcru.jpg

...and divided into the component members:

http://i258.photobucket.com/albums/hh242/Blackjack13pUnK/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_20160423_141329_edit_zpsmchedxaz.jpg

The Veterans are now equipped with the 'official' Dark Angel Combat Shields due to popular consensus. Originally I was going to have every Marine loaded up with pouches, but I found that they didn't actually fit that well due to the squat poses. I'm trying to spread the use of Dark Angel bits across all the models so none are more 'bling' than the others.

Sub-assembly done on the Tacs ready for priming:

http://i258.photobucket.com/albums/hh242/Blackjack13pUnK/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_20160424_204527_edit_zpsjkuzhtw6.jpg

When I stopped to think about it this was the first Space Marine I've built in nearly 10yrs...

http://i258.photobucket.com/albums/hh242/Blackjack13pUnK/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_20160423_212204_edit_zpsvtgqts58.jpg

I do have a question though: I'm undecided as to whether I should keep the below model or build a replacement. I was aiming for a relaxed / surveying / contempt / 'I ain't got no time for your heresy' look whilst giving the bolter a sense of weight, however I'm not sure as to whether I've managed to capture that or just made him look a little awkward. Opinions?

http://i258.photobucket.com/albums/hh242/Blackjack13pUnK/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_20160424_201508_edit_edit_zpsr6zhwzx8.jpg

http://i258.photobucket.com/albums/hh242/Blackjack13pUnK/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_20160424_213742_zpsje4ijyum.jpg

I start my new job in two weeks, so that's the deadline to get these chaps done in. I'll be trying to update regularly over that period, as I enjoyed my last project log. Thanks for looking and hopefully this will prove to be mildly entertaining to someone!

- If you're interested in otherstuff I've painted, and what to expect this is my Instagram.

[brother tycho]

nice mk6 pose, always up for the more deferred poses.  more of a 90 degree for that heavy weapon sense?  

 

like the dark angel icon on the helm, subtle

[Thousand Eyes]

Good start man, looking forward to seeing it come together.

[Soric]

The MkVI guys looks okay to me, but could maybe do with a set of the newer tactical legs to bring him up a little taller than the rest of his brothers. Apart from that they're looking great. Good luck in hitting your deadline.

 

The parts you've chosen for the other minis will look good when they're put together. I am curious about the combat shields. Where are they from?

[Blackjack13]

Cheers folks! Based on this feedback I've decided to keep the Mk.6, however I've decided to swap out the Combat Shields for a Bolt Pistol/Plasma Pistol on the Vets. Overall the aesthetic isn't quite what I was hoping for, I couldn't decide how to paint them and I could probably do with a bit more hitting power in order to deal with higher toughness/armour models. I was also a little disappointed to see that the shields are now just a straight 6++, rather than 5++ in combat like they used to be...

@Soric - The original shields I was going to use are from Anvil Industries 'Afterlife' range. They're intended as full size pavis/riot shields but do to the slightly different scale come up a little small on Marines. They probably look a little too small on the plastic Space Marines, but should work perfectly as combat shields on the skinny Forgeworld guys. Everyone else has said it, but it bears repeating; Anvil Industries are faultless when it comes to their service and casting.

Anyways, I managed to get the Veteran contingent of my force built yesterday:

http://i258.photobucket.com/albums/hh242/Blackjack13pUnK/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_20160425_125251_edit_zpsv7wh1x6a.jpg

Apothecary, for that 6" FNP bubble of goodness. They're probably my favourite Space Marine unit so I had to include one. I love the idea of them being a little like USAF PJs; they're brave to the point of crazy, willing to run into the most dangerous areas of the battlefield in order to save the life of their brothers. If memory serves there's one attached to the Tactical Squad in 'Angels of Darkness' in order to protect their geneseed should one fall, which is a detail I rather liked.

http://i258.photobucket.com/albums/hh242/Blackjack13pUnK/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_20160425_155132_edit_zpsqv7b3clh.jpg

http://i258.photobucket.com/albums/hh242/Blackjack13pUnK/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_20160425_140545_edit_zpswtq6h9uz.jpg

Some CCW armed Veterans, because nothing says repent like a chainsword to the face. As mentioned above; I've ditched the shields in favour of a bolt pistol on one and a plasma on the other.

Today is going to be dedicated to cleaning up the Scouts and preparing the Chaplain. The latter being my first ever experience with using Finecast; I've given up counting air bubbles and trying to understand the seemingly random porting. I've mocked up the Chaplain below; I'll admit now that the pose is shamelessly stolen from SickSix, who managed to make an awesome but static sculpt look suitably menacing and imposing.

http://i258.photobucket.com/albums/hh242/Blackjack13pUnK/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_20160424_122437_edit_zpsdhdk6ku7.jpg

[AlexCrute]

Can we all just take a moment to appreciate how nicely drilled those bolter barrels are? Oooooooh. Aaaaah.

[Blackjack13]

More progress:

I got these chaps primed yesterday. By the Emperor that was an absolute pain; three cans ran out as I was using them (two of which I thought were near full, one was me trying to get lucky) and doing that lovely 'spitting' thing they do. Thankfully I found an 8 (?) year old can of Skull White that worked perfectly, but it was a little strange undercoating dark/black Marines in white. As such I've just finished blacking out the metallic/black areas ready to start painting.

http://i258.photobucket.com/albums/hh242/Blackjack13pUnK/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_20160428_110120_edit_zpshq5fpcqs.jpg

I've also made some more headway on the bases; the details have been painted and the Agrellan Earth is drying. I might need to build them up around the details, but that's easy enough. The plan is for them to match the Devour of Vile-Tis I recently painted, so that the light bases contrast nicely with the dark models. I'm uncertain as to whether or not to add a wee spot of static grass though; opinions?

[Race Bannon]

My opinion is that you drink too much ;)

 

Go for the grass :tu:

[Blackjack13]

So far so unimpressive; I've got the armour nearly done, I just need to edge highlight and damage. This will be my first attempt at sponge weathering (I also realised that these are the first non-Rogue Trader era Marines I've painted since 2009!), so we'll see how that goes. The below picture is of them with the very base green down, it has been subsequently highlighted up, however I'm trying for a more drab/muted green than that which is normally seen on Dark Angels; more akin to the 7th Ed. Rulebook sleeve. 

http://i258.photobucket.com/albums/hh242/Blackjack13pUnK/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_20160430_110330_edit_zps7kuvtfvm.jpg

 

I've also got the bases provisionally finished. For simplicity I've kept them barren and am hoping that they will provide a nice contrast to the otherwise pretty dark miniatures. I absolutely love Agrellan Earth; it produces fantastic effects, especially when used in conjunction with other basing materials. Here I've applied it over dried wood filler, that not only gives the ground some texture/topography, but also adds a little height to the miniatures. Throw some powders on and you're done. I'm planning on using this for any of my larger projects too, from 40k to Warmachine, as it so easy to do/reproduce.

http://i258.photobucket.com/albums/hh242/Blackjack13pUnK/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_20160502_102033_edit_edit_zps7oagh7yf.jpg

[Bmseifer]

Wow, I've never been a fan of the crackle colors from GW, but seeing them done on an uneven surface like this makes me really consider using this method. Great job brother!

[Ch@oZ]

That basing is brilliant. I shall steal this method for some bases of mine (in rust red). Here, hold my props.

[terminatorAM]

Very awesome basing. Can't wait to see the kill team painted on them.

[Blackjack13]

Cheers fellas, I'm glad you like. I'd like to take credit for the basing, but I just stole the idea off of Dr.Faust on Youtube! If you do want to copy it may I recommend using wood filler specifically over something like spackle/light weight filler. With the latter the crack effect paint can sometimes cause it to lift. Plus it comes in dark brown, so provides a realistic colour for the ground beneath.

So yesterday I spent the entire day listening to Danzig and applying decals. I got all but the squad numbers down, purely because of how many coats and how long it took to get the Tactical symbols to conform to the shoulder pads. Much MicroSol was used but was totally worth it. A thin gloss coat was applied over the top and I'm about to add the numbers now. Due to the size of the 'free' decals that come with the Space Marine boxes I couldn't use the Dark Angel one on the Scouts so I ended up with the small white wing and the need to freehand on the right pad. 

http://i258.photobucket.com/albums/hh242/Blackjack13pUnK/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_20160503_160228_edit_edit_zpsuzeb913l.jpg

I also managed to get the base coat down for the white (Apothecary/symbols) and the black weapon casing. I've decided to go with black over the conventional red as part of the more 'realistic' aesthetic I'm aiming for. Unfortunately I've been somewhat slowed by the decals and needing them down before any battle damage can be applied. I am a little concerned there's not enough  distinction with the greens, but that should hopefully change post washing.

[Blackjack13]

So after carefully applying the squad markings and a wee bit of freehand to the Apothecary (I tried some on the Vets but it didn't work out) I decided to go a bit mad and try  some weathering. Part of me likes how it looks, part of me remains a little undecided. Hopefully it will all come together once the whole model is assembled and appropriately weathered. 

http://i258.photobucket.com/albums/hh242/Blackjack13pUnK/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_20160504_160138_edit_edit_zpsbxzfo7dc.jpg

 

That basically sees the armour completed so I can move onto the details like soft armour and pouches. Metallics will be the last thing done. Instead of trying to get everything done at once I'm now splitting it down; Tacs are getting done first, then Vets, Scouts and the Chaplain last. I won't get everything done on time, but hopefully there will be something finished soon.

[Blackjack13]

I made a little more progress yesterday. All I need to do now is add the silver/steel metallics before I can start with the washes and all that ensues. If I'm lucky I *might* get the Tactical Marines done this weekend. We had plans, but my girlfriend is currently dying of death, or leprosy, or something like that, so I'm morally obligated to care for her... which basically entails going "Babe, are you alright?" whilst painting in the other room and trying to limit all contact!

The colour is way off in the picture; it's a lot closer to the above picture. Once the washes go on it will change again and hopefully come out alright. 

http://i258.photobucket.com/albums/hh242/Blackjack13pUnK/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_20160505_162213_edit_edit_zpsakrrfb7m.jpg

[thamier]

really like this have a question and a comment.

 

first the question is that terminator leges in the sprue above?

 

also love the green but really think it be much much better with a highlight on the green before the battledamage :)

[Blackjack13]

@Thamier - Yeah, there's a set of Deathwing legs on there, along with a Terminator sized (hand wise) Storm Shield/Sword. I fully agree with you though, and that's probably been a lesson learnt with these minis. I didn't put enough distinction in with the base coats, for example there is edge highlighting on there, not that you'd know... Normally I basecoat everything, double wash and highlight up, but due to the armour I went with highlighting that first. It's all an experience, and this project is helping me prep for the larger one.

Anyway, I managed to hit my amended deadline and got the Tactical Marines finished. Below are some photos as best I could, but there's a reason Blackberry are going down! The actual green is a lot more drab in person, a lot of the highlighting/details have been washed out in order to get the pics bright enough and they're not as glossy looking (that's the dullcote messing with the light).

http://i258.photobucket.com/albums/hh242/Blackjack13pUnK/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_20160508_121254_edit_edit_edit_zps5yot1c7r.jpg

http://i258.photobucket.com/albums/hh242/Blackjack13pUnK/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_20160508_121239_edit_edit_zpsyqo1j3rg.jpg

http://i258.photobucket.com/albums/hh242/Blackjack13pUnK/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_20160508_121312_edit_edit_zpsixulnjo0.jpg

 

http://i258.photobucket.com/albums/hh242/Blackjack13pUnK/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_20160508_121715_edit_edit_zpskk1lctxm.jpg

http://i258.photobucket.com/albums/hh242/Blackjack13pUnK/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_20160508_122305_edit_edit_zpszwabpbnr.jpg

http://i258.photobucket.com/albums/hh242/Blackjack13pUnK/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_20160508_121347_edit_edit_zpsjclsdpav.jpg

I tried for a group shot, but couldn't get one good enough. Maybe once everyone is finished. I did snap a pic versus the rulebook sleeve though, as that was the art that inspired me:

http://i258.photobucket.com/albums/hh242/Blackjack13pUnK/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_20160508_124431_edit_edit_zps6cpa4con.jpg

Also it turns out my maths has become atrocious and I can't add up to ten. As such I have a spare 32mm base and am thinking about what to use it for. I don't want to try and replicate the green, so that's a no to another Tactical Marine or Sergeant, so I was thinking either a power armoured Chaplain (based on the Deathwatch: Overkill chap) or a Librarian (either the AoBR one, or a slight conversion to the standard one with staff). Points wise I can't fit every model I currently have in the standard size game, so if I want to use everyone I need to get a cheaper leader. I'm leaning towards the Chaplain as I think he'd be more fun to model, but the Libby would probably be tactically better. Any feelings either way from you guys?

[Soric]

These tactical marines look awesome Jack. Really like the drab green you've gone with them. I'd go with the Chaplain, as leader of the force he'd be the one who knows truth of the Kill team's objectives.

[Brother Pheidias]

Gorgeous green on those Angels! A Librarian would be quite the visual divergence...

[Blackjack13]

Thanks for the kind words guys! It's really motivating hearing feedback (positive or otherwise) from a forum that has inspired me so much! 

Sorry for being quiet; I'm back working after 6 months of unemployment and it's reduced my productivity. Plus side is I might be able to start getting down to my local game club (Southampton Sluggaz) soo and playing some games. I'm still getting about 10-20mins a day before I head to the box though and have almost got my Veterans done. Unfortunately my VMA Bright Brass decided to die a death and I'm now stuck until a new one shows up.

At current standing this is where I'm sat:

http://i258.photobucket.com/albums/hh242/Blackjack13pUnK/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_20160514_123853_edit_zpsn45ygdbj.jpg

I decided to go with brown habits for the Veterans rather than the typical bone white. It ties in nicely with the drab green, but I also quite like the idea of Dark Angels being vary monkish and penitent. The idea of them being angellic is a little ironic given their dark past and penchant for torture. I'm leaning towards the power armoured Chaplain as the additional member; the modelling/conversion opportunity seems too good an opportunity to pass up. He will probably come at the end of the month though.

Until I get some new brass and am able to polish of the veteran contingent I'm going to start laying down base coats on the additional members. There's a lot of details on the metal Scouts so they will probably take a minute.

 

[Blackjack13]

With my girlfriend away in Iceland I managed to get a little more done. With the exception of the brass the base coats are down on the Scouts. I absolutely love the classic models and all the details on them, although I don't understand why everyone has shotgun shells despite the lack of shotgun... 

http://i258.photobucket.com/albums/hh242/Blackjack13pUnK/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_20160515_125128_edit_edit_zpsiuq2ve78.jpg

The colours are way off in the photo, but the green matches the Tactical Marines and everyone else.

[Blackjack13]

So it appears the Dark Gods of Chaos not only taint the Chapter I paint but also strike to halt my progress; the replacement VMA Bright Brass turned up earlier in the week and, despite being the exact same colour that I was replacing, was completely different in every way. I've hunted high and low for one that will match what I have used previously but so far to no avail. There's a VMC Brass en route though which I'm hoping will be close enough to use. As such I've unfortunately made no progress on the painting front.

However my girlfriend got me the Chaplain model from Deathwatch: Overkill for my birthday and I spent this afternoon converting him to the Lion's cause. There's a little bit of greenstuffing to be done on the purity seal, and he's only tacked together here, but otherwise he should be good to get undercoated soon. You can't tell but the backpack is the Dark Angel Veteran one with the skull exhausts and the sword tied to it. I'd have liked a proper skull helm but I'm not good enough to convert and finding one is to happen. I'm really happy with how he looks but I'm a little bit scared that the dangling chain on his Crozius will break off.... again.

http://i258.photobucket.com/albums/hh242/Blackjack13pUnK/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_20160522_204047_edit_zpsg2lrmnij.jpg 

Also conveniently he turned up with a 32mm base, so I might end up throwing together a Librarian too!

[Blackjack13]

I gave up trying to find a suitable replacement brass and conceded to just mixing my own. This allowed me to crack on and finish off the Veteran contingent of my Dark Angel Kill-Team. So, without further ado:

http://i258.photobucket.com/albums/hh242/Blackjack13pUnK/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_20160529_204508_edit_edit_zps0roxzysi.jpg

http://i258.photobucket.com/albums/hh242/Blackjack13pUnK/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_20160529_204637_edit_edit_zpsuv4hljsn.jpg

http://i258.photobucket.com/albums/hh242/Blackjack13pUnK/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_20160529_204648_edit_edit_zpsqtcntlb6.jpg

http://i258.photobucket.com/albums/hh242/Blackjack13pUnK/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_20160529_204704_edit_edit_zpsyi9qmhby.jpg

http://i258.photobucket.com/albums/hh242/Blackjack13pUnK/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_20160529_204710_edit_edit_zpsd8mmj2vc.jpg

I'm really happy with how the Apothecary turned out, especially as I've never really painted white or lights before. I'm less happy with the Veterans, but that's more to do with their build rather than their paintjob. I wish I'd gone with the open habbits and 'hoodless' heads just to add a bit more variety/detail to them. Fluff wise they're intended to be twin brothers who have been tasked with protecting the Warden/Chaplain on his mission, hence why they look quite similar. 

I'm hopefully going to be able to at least make some progress on the Scout tomorrow although I doubt I will finish them. Next weekend I've got a Crossfit doubles comp down my box on the saturday but should hopefully be able to get them done on the Sunday. Then onto tidying the power armour Chaplain and painting the boys in black!

[Pearson73]

Nice weathering, the chaplain conversion is looking good too.

[The Yak]

I really like what you are doing here. Nice little project and the Cassius conversion is Excellent. I like the weathered look and it made me realise that you don't see that many Dark Angels done in a weathered/battle worn style.

 

Looking forward to seeing what you do when you start painting propper marines. See you back at Prime Brother, Issodon awaits.