Raptors building and painting log.

[Sergeant_Angle]

I started this build log in the Ravenguard section but figured it would be more appropriate to post here.

 

I've dabbled in 40k since the start of 5th edition when I got my very first set, Assault on Blackreach. I was pretty young back then and over the next couple of years I built a modest space marine army and a small Sisters of Battle army (all that metal back then...) 

 

After a few years I sold all those models as they were poorly built and painted by me.

 

Since then I started building a new army around 7th edition and now have a sizeable marine army again. Although I never played 8th I did get some Primaris models around the time Dark Imperium released. Then I got rather disillusioned with the hobby as medical issues meant that I have trouble with my hands and painting is very hard for me. SO I ended up putting my army in storage unpainted.

 

With 9th here I've got excited again and have decided to push on and try my best anyway as the boys in green deserve to be fielded in full colour.

 

So I haven't painted many yet but I will share what I have done so far. My Raptors I've decided to go for a pretty dirty look, like they've been fighting in a jungle for a while. Please let me know what you think.

 

Here is my conversion WIP for Lias Issodon: The bolter is a conversion I made by chopping the upper receiver off a normal gun and attaching a new one from a sniper (an Anvil industries part i think)

 

 

WIP scout snipers: I did a smilar thing with some of their guns and gave them gas masks to give off a special forces vibe.

 

 

WIP tactical marines: I wanted to try and get as many scoped bolters as I could in their hands.

 

 

Almost complete Las/Plas razorback: This conversion uses plasma cannons (I know the rules are plasma rifle) because i think it fits a vehicle better.

 

 

Lastly a quick test for plasma as I want to paint some hellblasters after I finish these units.

 

 

UPDATE 1

 

So for my first update I feel that I have been quite productive (despite hand pain). I've managed to paint a full unit for the first time in years, I'm quite pleased with them.

 

 

Moving forward I'm torn between:

 

Another tactical squad

 

Or some Hellblasters

 

I think I'm leaning towards doing the hellblasters as painting another 10 tactical marines might feel monotonous. Onto a modelling project. I'm just playing with a Librarian from the Dark Vengeance box. Does anyone have advice on the best way to remove all that DA iconography?

 

 

 

 

[dicebod]

Always loved the Raptors and you captured their tacti-cool nature quite well!

 

As for the librarian - I feel that struggle!  I love that model but it requires a lot of chopping and sanding.  I'd recommend checking out some flexible sanding sticks to help get the curved areas nice and smooth.

[WAR]

Morning Sgt Angel

[Sergeant_Angle]

Always loved the Raptors and you captured their tacti-cool nature quite well!

 

As for the librarian - I feel that struggle!  I love that model but it requires a lot of chopping and sanding.  I'd recommend checking out some flexible sanding sticks to help get the curved areas nice and smooth.

I'll have to look into that. it's the left shoulder pad that's the nightmare :'( 

[Yosef Hausakluif]

Looking good! Love the Libby’s pose and way you depicted his psychic powers!

[Sergeant_Angle]

UPDATE 2

 

It's a pretty small update this time.

 

I have a large box of older metal GW models. I was looking through when I founds this old metal Vindicare Assassin. I couldn't help but paint him up immediately. As Raptors take pride in being marksmen it might make sense to have one of these guys on board.

 

 

I wasn't confident painting and highlighting the armour as black. So instead I primed grey, dry brushed black in one direction and then dry brushed again with deathworld green. I'm pretty pleased with the result. My Raptors are supposed to be jungle fighting so I think the assassin being camouflaged somewhat isn't too out there. 

[Sergeant_Angle]

UPDATE 3

 

It's time for another update. It's been just over a week since last time and i'm pretty happy with what I have got done.

 

First... Is a second completed tactical squad. I used the same method of painting my plasma on the power sword for the Sgt. I'm fairly pleased with the result.

 

 

Next up... Speaking of plasma. I have also finished a Hellblaster squad.

 

 

So I decided to turn 5/15 of my Intercessors into "Veterans" I gave these guys a bit more kit than the regular guys will have. They will also have veteran markings on one their knee pads when I paint them.

 

 

I gave the Sergeant a hammer. The internet says they are good  to add

 

 

And finally.. Though I have a fairly sizeable pile of shame. Inspiration struck and I bought this box.

 

 

If you notice the bag of heads. It's all beaks  my plan is to give every Phobos marine a beak (including 10 Reivers I already own) I found this image when browsing some second hand models that inspired me.

 

 

I am going to paint some stuff I have first before I get my teeth into this box (Well maybe i'll make one test model...) I also have some Ideas for the Supressors but that can wait for now.

 

I'd love to hear some thoughts. What do people think?

 

[Sergeant_Angle]

UPDATE 4 - It's Been A While

 

I had intended to stick with this but lack of motivation and general life just got in the way. Towards the end of last year, I made the pilgrimage to Warhammer World, with some friends. I got massively inspired to pick back up where I left this project. So, since the start of this year I picked up my paint brush and have made a lot of progress, so I thought it might be a good idea to finally update this post. So there may be a wall of images and text inbound.  

 

First of all we have my Chapter Master Lias Issodon that I finally got around to painting. Though I am feeling doubtful that he will get Legends rules for 10th edition, I plan to make an updated version of him in Phobos armour that will stick to the spirit of this first model of him I built.

 

 

 

 

Next up we have various Characters that I have completed. Including A tech marine I made using an old Gravis Captain I kitbashed with a Master of the Forge to create a tech marine. It was one of my first more ambitious conversions so it's not my finest work.

 

 

This next one is a Primaris Apothecary I made using an Intercessor as base and then I added Apothecary parts from the old command squad box.

 

Next Up is Phobos Characters. I fell in love with the aesthetic of Phobos (with beaks) and have leaned heavily into it for my army.

 

 

 

When Leviathan dropped I was fortunate to have a friend who plays nids. So swapping ensued leaving me with two marine halves of the box. One of the Phobos Lt's in the box was converted purely for looks and the second was fully converted into a Phobos Captain using various bits from phobos kits and some 3d printed beaky heads.

 

 

This is the character section done, overall I am pretty pleased with them.
I am beginning to realise this will end up becoming monstrously large so I am going to post this for now and add more of what I have completed later on today or tomorrow.

 

I'd love to hear what people think of them!

[Sergeant_Angle]

UPDATE 4 - Continued

 

So earlier today I posted my completed characters. Next up is my completed infantry and vehicles. I'll post the models I am currently working tommorow.

 

 

Like I have said before I have leaned heavily into Phobos with beaky heads. The second Infiltrator squad was converted from Reivers, with the coms antennae and bolt carbine scopes from the Infiltrator/Incursor kit. They need transfers and basing but i'd consider them complete as i'm doing that this weekend.

 

 

Some vehicles now.

 

 

 

Finally, something I am truly proud of, a fully magnetised Gladiator which has been converted to be on tracks. 

 

 

 

[Firedrake Cordova]

That's quite the update!

 

I have a strong bias towards beakies, so I love the "beaky Reivers", especially the lieutenant with the bloodied blade.  

 

It's also nice to see the older Vindicator kit - I remember when that was released!  

[Grotsmasha]

It's great to see those old tanks, I regret selling mine ...

[Sergeant_Angle]

UPDATE 5 - I Am Bad At Updates

 

Once again, I had intended to add to my progress more regularly. While I may have not been here for a while my hobbying has continued! Including my first ever Armies on Parade board which I need to finish soon.

 

So to start off I have continued my obsession with converting characters. Starting with my Leviathan Terminator Captain. I removed his Iron halo and botched together a radio beacon from a land speeder antenna  and some other griblies. Looking now i feel like it may be a bit oversized.

 

 

Now some Phobos characters. I really love the aesthetic of phobos and I feel it works great for Raptors. First is my second Phobos Librarian, I gave him a backpack form the eliminator kit and removed his sword blade in favour of a spare force axe to differentiate him from my other phobos lib.

 

 

Next is a Phobos Techmarine, I used a ETB Reiver as the base and added a backpack from the old metal techmarine, a metal arm with a bolter from the master of the forge, and an arm with an axe/ wrist mounted gravity pistol to keep him playable with the right kit.

 

 

Lastly I present a Phobos Apothecary. I aslo used an ETB Reiver as the base and gave him a backpack from the old metal apothecary,  a "helix gauntlet" from the infiltrator kit and a shoulder pad that was printed. I added a gaurd casualty on the base too.

 

 

Moving on, I have a bunch of terminators I painted. The first 5 are leviathan terminators and I made a cyclone launcher for one othe them using a missile pod from the land speeder set and making a mounting with other bits. Once again It looks a bit too large, but what is 40k if not over the top? Then there are 10 Cataphractii terminators who are sadly in legends now. I will still use them in friendly games are use them as proxy for norml terminators. One of the heavy flamers was converted into a reaper autocannon.

 

 

Last of the infantry is some Eliminators with the Las option. once again I have continued my theme of beaky phobos.

 

 

 To wrap up I some vehicles. A Land speeder (legends RIP) and a Whirlwind

 

 

That's if for this update. I'd love to know if anyone has any thoughts or suggestions. I'll definately come back soon with more and my finished Armies on Parade entry!

[Sergeant_Angle]

UPDATE 5 EXTRA - WIP

 

I decided to split the post in two to add some pictures of what i am currently working on.

 

First up are my "Recon" Heavy Intercessors. I chopped the barrels/scopes of eliminator bolt snipers and added them to their bolt rifles along with bits fro, other kits to gear them up.

 

 

Then we have my Supressors. I didn't really like the jump packs the have so I did a bit of chopping the merge the ammo belts with the old style jump pack.

 

 

Lastly we have the Phobos Company Heroes I have been working on. I used ETB Reivers as the base and used parts from practically every phobos kit and more the make them analogous to the new unit while still having some of their own flavour. From Left to right is: The Ancient, Veteran with heavy bolter, Company champion (with on shoulder and the shield from the old company attached to him) and the Veteran witha bolt rifle. 

 

 

I painted the banner as a homage to the Raptors Legion from the Rougue Trader days. Using both the original colours and emblem.

 

Once again thanks for checking out my work if you have dropped by!

Edited November 7, 2023 by Sergeant_Angle

[Firedrake Cordova]

Looks like you're making good progress.  

 

The netting on the Whirlwind is a nice touch ... although with it wrapping around the back of the launch tubes, is it a bit of a ... umm ... fire hazard?

[Sergeant_Angle]

UPDATE 6 - The End of Year Sprint

As we approached exhibition day at my local store I was pulling out the stops, to get the last few bits done, for my Armies on Parade entry. Sadly I fell particularly ill and I was unable to attend. I'm not detered, as my new goal is to get as much of my army done by the new year as possible! So with that in mind here are the converted and painted Phobos Company Heroes and "Deep Recon" Heavy Intercessors .

 

 

 

 

 

 

Next up is WIP conversion work on some Eradicators. I had a single random Heavy Intercessor a friend had left left over from his own conversion project. Then I though to myself if I buy a box of 5 and convert them I can get away with making 6 Eradicators for the cost of one box. I had plenty of firstborn meltas that I married to the bolt rifles and I threw in some forgeworld Iron warriors heads I've had in my bits collection for years (gives them a heavy look.) They still need a good bit of clean up but I am pretty happy so far.

 

 

Thanks for reading! Maybe I will assemble my parade board and post it here, later this week, so someone at least sees it :P

[WrathOfTheLion]

I hope you get better from being ill.

 

The miniatures look great, very nice progress 

[Firedrake Cordova]

That's some solid progress.  

 

Hope you feel better soon!

[Sergeant_Angle]

UPDATE 7 - Better Late Than Never

 

I had a bit of a disastrous end of year! Between missing Armies on Parade and now missing my end of year target due to sickness I felt pretty defeated. More recently I have been much better, so I picked up my brush and got stuck in once more.

 

So today I have more beaky Phobos marines and contingent of jump marines. I magnetised them to those awful flight stands and gave the Suppressors a conversion to have old school jump packs as the stock ones they have don't look powerful enough.

 

 

I also have my second Ballistus Dread painted up, and a WIP of my first Invictor Warsuit. I don't particularly like the rollcage style, so I swapped it out for a printed cockpit (I have plans for that pilot model still) I also magnetised the Warsuits primary weapon options. So to finish things off I have my Apothecary Biologis from Leviathan with a head swap and I made a second with a spare gravis body and parts from the Deathwing command Apothecary, there is also a little kitbashed jar I made for him.

 

 

 

If you've taken the the time to have a look, thank you! I had a very productive 2023 in terms of my hobbying and i'm hoping for the same in 2024. Next up i'm hoping to get my gravis forces complete and maybe I'll start my tracked Impulsor project.

[Firedrake Cordova]

The beakie Phobos guys look good, and the jump-pack swap on the Suppressors is effective.  

[Blindhamster]

man the apothecaries look badass, phobos with beakie heads works pretty well too - thats nice to see

[Sergeant_Angle]

On 1/22/2024 at 6:24 PM, Firedrake Cordova said:

The beakie Phobos guys look good, and the jump-pack swap on the Suppressors is effective.  

 

20 hours ago, Blindhamster said:

man the apothecaries look badass, phobos with beakie heads works pretty well too - thats nice to see

Thank you both for the kind words

[Sergeant_Angle]

UPDATE 8 - Marching Onwards

 

Although I'm a little late, in regards to the title of the update, I have gotten plenty of hobby done since the start of this year. I was gifted a Blood Angels combat patrol for christmas, which I built and painted fully for an event at my local GW. Of course, as usual, I couldn't leave the models as standard and I had to do some conversions.

 

First of all is my Librarian, I gave him a Grey Knight halberd (because they're cool) and a headswap.

 

 

Next up is the Intercessors. I didn't do too much to them, in terms of conversions.

 

 

Then there are the Incursors. I already have 10 painted up, so I wanted to make these stand out a little more. As per usual all my phobos get beakies, but I wanted to add to them, I carefully cut and grafted scopes, ariels and night vision goggles (from various spare marine heads I had spare) and used liquid green stuff to blend seams. These guys also have suppressors (which I cut from old scout sniper rifles) and I gave them extra kit.

 

 

For the Agressors I gave them a headswap and filed the aquillas away (only to add them back as a transfer for some reason) I have another 3 that are not fully painted yet.

 

 

Lastly, for the combat patrol, I have my Impulsor. Much like my Gladiator I had decided to put this tank on tracks too. I had the pilot from the Invictor kit spare and realised he would fit quite nicely in the back. This led me down the path of seeing what else I could add, leading to a model I am really proud of. I like to think of it as a resupply vehicle for the forward lines.

 

 

To finish off today here are some other bits I have finished for this update: First a load of monopose Intercessors I decided to get out of the way, my Leviathan Sternguard Vets and finally my magnetised Invictor Warsuit.

 

 

 

If you've had a look thank you! Please let me know what you think :) always looking for thoughts. I have plenty more stuff on the way, I would add some WIP but this post is already quite long enough. Thanks again!

Edited April 9 by Sergeant_Angle

[Firedrake Cordova]

That's quite a lot of models added!  

 

I like the halberd on the Librarian, and the suppressors on the Phobos marines

[Terminatorinhell]

I love me some raptors. I dig the halberd too, a lot of my special characters have that halberd too. 

[terminator ultra]

impulsor looks great with tracks! not sure about the cow catcher though