Starting in Service of the Warmaster

[General Zodd]

Hi all,

For anyone who’s been reading my Imperial Fists thread will know I’ve finally taken the Heresy plunge after years of contemplating it to various degrees. The abundance of plastic kits, particularly the larger vehicles and Dreadnoughts, has finally persuaded me to get amongst it. As someone who likes to be able to run intro games for prospective gamers, I’ve usually taken the approach of building two armies at once. As with my Fists, I’ve long loved the Sons of Horus, so it was a pleasant surprise to find my two legions were going to be the poster boys of the new edition, and I’d get loads of extra transfers!

So, without further ado, here’s the first unit I’m going to share, a humble tactical squad, complete with a smattering of gloriously ridiculous chain bayonets!

I’ve deliberately gone for a mix of armour plates in the unit. I like the idea of gradual replacement and repair over time, rather than an army wholly equipped at the same time. Maybe another project…

I’ve finished my first 1000 points, but rather than spam the page with loads of photos at once, I’ll share them out over the next week or two.

Thanks for reading!

[Marshal Mittens]

Love the battle damaged look! Really inspiring looking lads!

[Pearson73]

That's a lovely green, digging the colour of the spikes and head plates too.

[General Zodd]

40 minutes ago, Pearson73 said:

That's a lovely green, digging the colour of the spikes and head plates too.

Thanks! The green I adapted from Duncan Rhodes’ recipe in WD many moons ago, that I marked for future reference! It’s actually quite quick, Mechanicus Standard Grey basecoat, drybrush Dawnstone, very light drybrush Ulthuan Grey, then a couple of coats of Biel-Tann Green wash. The battle damage is Rhinox Hide, which I highlight, along with choice bits of armour, with Sons of Horus Green mixed with Ulthuan Grey.

[Fire Golem]

1 hour ago, General Zodd said:

Thanks! The green I adapted from Duncan Rhodes’ recipe in WD many moons ago, that I marked for future reference! It’s actually quite quick, Mechanicus Standard Grey basecoat, drybrush Dawnstone, very light drybrush Ulthuan Grey, then a couple of coats of Biel-Tann Green wash. The battle damage is Rhinox Hide, which I highlight, along with choice bits of armour, with Sons of Horus Green mixed with Ulthuan Grey.

That's really similar to my old SoH green, except I used Coelia Greenshade instead. I wonder if I got the recipe from the same place.

[Beerhammer]

Are you going for a full company with some 1st company sprinkled in or just a full optimal army?

[General Zodd]

6 hours ago, Beerhammer said:

Are you going for a full company with some 1st company sprinkled in or just a full optimal army?

That’s more thought than I’ve given it, I’ll be honest! I’ve been picking up things that felt right for SoH, or just things I fancied painting. Hopefully a theme will emerge over time! If an optimised army emerges it will be almost entirely by accident…

[General Zodd]

Speaking of 1st Company, and models I just fancied painting, here’s some Reavers!

 

 

I intend to go back and fill out the unit soonish, but that’s my small, but perfectly-formed unit for the time being.

[LameBeard]

Love the green, love the weathering, love the bases. Keep ‘em coming!

[Astartes Consul]

Lovely green & gold and the mix of armour marks in the first squad is very well done. Might be the angle of the photo, but the MkIII in the front row doesn't even look that much smaller than the MkVI on the same height base!

[General Zodd]

Here’s my Cataphractii squad, I also intend to do some Justaerin, because why would I not, but these are from the starter box, so thought I should use some up!

 

Although, this guy got a Carsoran axe from the Justaerin weapons kit which I ordered without the bodies because it was actually in stock!

Plus I have shared this guy before on here, I think, but I painted up the Calth terminator character before the starter box landed, so thought I’d include him here, too!

 

[Marshal Mittens]

Really lovely force! As always, great painting! Also that decal on the cape looks amazing, it does not look at all like a decal in the picture, getting it to look so good over all those folds seems difficult.

 

If you are alright with 3rd party models, Tortuga Bay miniatures makes 3rd Party Justerian as well, they are a bit big though. 

[GodEmperorOfMankind]

On 8/26/2022 at 6:42 AM, General Zodd said:

Here’s my Cataphractii squad, I also intend to do some Justaerin, because why would I not, but these are from the starter box, so thought I should use some up!

 

Although, this guy got a Carsoran axe from the Justaerin weapons kit which I ordered without the bodies because it was actually in stock!

Plus I have shared this guy before on here, I think, but I painted up the Calth terminator character before the starter box landed, so thought I’d include him here, too!

 

Wow, just wow! 

[General Zodd]

On 8/26/2022 at 8:32 AM, Marshall Mittens said:

Really lovely force! As always, great painting! Also that decal on the cape looks amazing, it does not look at all like a decal in the picture, getting it to look so good over all those folds seems difficult.

 

If you are alright with 3rd party models, Tortuga Bay miniatures makes 3rd Party Justerian as well, they are a bit big though. 

Hey Marshall, thanks!

The transfer was applied using the witchcraft that is Microset and Microsol, I cannot recommend these enough. Using gloss varnish, then Microset/sol, then matte varnish has revolutionised my use of transfers!

As for the Justaerin, tempting as it is to have Abaddon’s special boys all super chonky, I managed to get the torsos from FW, so they’ve joined my ever-growing queue… Thanks for the suggestion, though!

[GodEmperorOfMankind]

I've never used microset/sol ( never even heard of it) 

Well worth it then?

[General Zodd]

1 hour ago, Altis said:

I've never used microset/sol ( never even heard of it) 

Well worth it then?

Absolutely! There’s plenty of tutorials on YouTube for how to get the most out of it, the other thing I’d suggest is cotton buds (I think they’re called Q-tips in the US?), Tamiya make some good quality ones but regular will do in a pinch, for smoothing out transfers and removing excess solvent.

Edited August 29, 2022 by General Zodd

[General Zodd]

I thought the list was running a little light on anti-armour, so decided a unit of Meltaguns was needed;

 

[General Zodd]

Realised I never posted my other Tactical Squad, so here goes;

 

And here is my first 1000 points finished!

[brother_b]

Awesome stuff how many points is that?

[General Zodd]

Managed to get a couple of individual models finished. First up, my apothecary, which I’m not overly happy with, but at least he’s done!

And Maloghurst the Twisted, who I’m much happier with, hence more photos! Not sure how good he is in the game, but I couldn’t resist that model…

[Orange Knight]

Wow, some fantastic work here. I love the look of this force.

[Pearson73]

Fantastic work on Mal. 

[Pacific81]

Wow lovely work! Think the green is one of the nicest shades I have seen used for SoH, and I think the weathering is absolutely spot on. Nice characters too!

[General Zodd]

I decided what my Meltagun squad really needed was a Rhino…

[Pearson73]

Great weathering and variation across the Rhino. The lights are nicely done too.