Space Wolf Gallery (part one of probably many)

Still on the road until the end of the week, so it's time to dump some more photos on you guys! Here is the first part of my Space Wolf gallery. This first entry is a little small due to the how long it's taking me to upload the pics using the hotel Internet connection. Above is a work in progress Whirlwind. Only the launcher itself is finished, which I'm generally happy with. I'll finish this one soon enough along with a small fleet of Rhinos that I need to complete.

This is the first vehicle I have ever painted for the Space Wolves. It is a Rogue Trader era Vindicator, which at the time I painted this (late 2nd edition 40K...I'm thinking '96?) it did not have official rules, but the rules that Epicast provided with this conversion kit. Unlike future paint schemes, I was using another mid-tone between the Shadow Grey and Space Wolves Grey (Elf Grey) which I ultimately decided to drop from palate. Never-the-less, I'm still pleased with it.

Being that this was my first vehicle paint-job for the Wolves, I wanted to add some elements of epic glory. The idea of the scroll work being affixed to vehicles was nothing new when I did this, however having molded parts to represent it was. So I hand painted this, and adapted the 'pseudo-scripture' from a book I have on Norse mythology. Once I had the background painted, I hand lettered this using a rapidiogragh (sp?). I seriously sealed the hell out of this, as rapidiograph ink is not water-proof at all. So far, this has held up very well. Interesting note, having never taken photos of these tanks with such a high quality camera, I'm now finding mistakes that I just overlooked on the physical model, however I was pleased to also see details that I have forgotten about. The kill markings on the inner track assembles, no doubt recording kills that this tank crew must have racked up, were a delight to rediscover. I think I'll repeat this theme on the landraider when I get back to it.

This top view reveals the pin-holes on the hatches where I have converted two sets of stormbolters that I can insert and remove during the game. Also, at this time I was using a Ral Partha bronze metallic paint for edging a trimming on my Space Wolves but not long after this I ditched this style. Also, after painting this, and with the on-set of 3rd edition in '97, you'll start to see a withdrawal of the overwhelming pack marking styles that were all the rage in  mid-'90s Space Wolves chic on my models. Or as a local gamer kid recently remarked: "What is that? It looks like a circus cannon!" Yup, I'm still using this in my games!

More later in the week...