Blood Axe Boyz (Part 1)

Some time last summer I Spelled out my intention to create separate Ork detachments based on the clans. You can see some of this progress over on the Orks page. The Goffs have the biggest collection so far but the Bad Moons are starting to catch up also.  The only work done so far on the Blood Axes has been a single Rogue Trader era Dreadnought. I linked the first part of the project because I described my intended vision, and inspiration, for my Blood Axes in detail there.

Blood Axes assembled!

Due to the size-creep on the Ork range my original RT-era Orks are looking very small these days.  But the details on these old lead figures, and the character, is just unsurpassed by the later models, good though they still are. However I do think the older miniatures look so much better on 32mm bases. It will take me a bit of time to transition all of my Orks to the new bases, but for now this is a good start.

...yeah. 

In a recent comment on our FB Group regarding Rogue Trader era miniatures, we talked about using RT era models in Kill Team but also in trying to get a squad of RT era miniatures painted in a timely fashion. It got me thinking about my oldest unpainted miniatures, which are my Orks. I realized it was 30 years ago, almost exactly, that I got my first Citadel miniatures. I bought five random Orks from a kid at school for a couple bucks. Back then, each ork was highly individualized and unique, and crammed with details. A bit ironic considering their size vs. their modern counterparts, yes? These details intimidated the young painter in me and I never attempted to paint them.

Where it all began for me. 

But, to the best of my recollection, these are those first few orks! Definitely the one with a splotch of black paint on his face (in the middle of the group) as he came to me that way with that first purchase from a kid at school.

Later that summer ('89, indeed 30 years ago!) The Dr and I went on a bus tour around East Anglia  and I greatly expanded my metal orc collection. I don't recall the name of the shop in Colchester, but the one in Ipswich was called War and Peace.  This fellow below came from one of those blister packs. We always loved the character of this chap, and dubbed him "Da Mad Thunker" at the time, as he seems very much mired in contemplation.

"I wonderz if dat fing ov'a dare can blows up big?"

A few months later, the first multi-part plastic Space Orks box would be released and these would become the first Orks I would paint. I cut my teeth on those miniatures more-or-less teaching myself how to paint in the process. It took me a few years though and I didn't finish that set until '94 when I was living with The Dr in New Mexico!

Fast forward to 2019 and I decided to first prep a few of the Orks, four regular Boyz and a Nob, just to see if I like how they would look on the 32mm bases. Not much really to say at this stage other than I like them on these bases. Even these old miniatures seemed to spill off the old 28mm bases so the 32mm is a refreshing improvement.

Accept this guy, he still looks small. Da Yoof gone wild?

Don't know what he's thinking, but it looks menacing. 

They didn't make enough "Foreign Legion" style heads.

I love that serrated blade...wicked looking huh?

And finally the Nob: this model was originally released as a Blood Axe Warboss. He was very big at the time of release and absolutely spilled off of the 28mm base and still does a fine job filling up the space on his 32mm one. But with the size boost that the Warboss models got back in '99, this guy is now more fitting as a Nob.

Da Nob. 

And here they are with their bases gritted up and with additional bitz added on. One of the Boyz has a classic Dark Eldar helm on it. One of the blades was bent which reminded me of battle damage, so perhaps this was discarded during the fight? Or, maybe there's a head in there...?

"Weeze got grit!"

The next step is to prime these guys before the painting can begin, just keep your eye on this blog for future updates!.

Space Wolf Primaris Reivers (Part 2)

This trio is finally done! (I know you can only see two in the top pic, but trust me here...) Moving on from Part-1 was a slow undertaking. I dabbled on them a bit while painting the Stormhawk Interceptor but it wasn't until I finished with that model that I really gave these guys the proper attention.

The Space Wolf Grey stage. 

In April I replaced my old cutting mat with a new one by The Army Painter. The pics Ibhave been taking have been more interesting however it's not a self healing mat and it's already taking damage from the brutality that I inflict on surfaces while I build models. I will likely have to replace it soon.

Also in May our dog died. I bought a miniature of a wolf that I am going to paint as a homage to her, and this pic shows what the mini looks like next to one of these guys. (More on this in a future a post).

"You're about to piss, aren't you?"

Deciding on how to paint this guy's hair was an interesting challenge. I painted in FoltArt English Mustard before giving it a Brown Ink wash.

English Mustard hair.

After that I dry brushed on Mournfang Brow, highlighted with Averland Sunrise and glazed with Agrax Earthshade.

Hair by Chapter Serfs.

 I used Averland Sunrise for the banding on the wire that's on the back of his left arm.

Decals fun time. So using the technique I talked about in Stormhawk Interceptor Part 7 however that technique was done on flat surfaces for the most part. Marine pauldrons on the other hand...*sigh* ...these things are just a pain in the ass. I had to combine that technique with my previous method using Microset. After a few complications I got the decals finished.

A few touch-ups and some grass clumps, and these guys were indeed finished.

And, despite the cloudiness, it wasn't raining for a change, so out we went for some location shots.

Scout'n about.

Against the psychic attack fungi of Unicoius Prime.

What's next for these guys? I am tempted to expand them up to a 5 man team just so I can use them in 40k games, but for now they will likely see action in games of Kill Team if at all. If that happens I will do a Part 3. But this particular trio is now finished.

Venom #2 (Part 1)

Hello, and welcome to the start of my 2nd Venom project. I thoroughly enjoyed working on my 1st Venom last year and have every intention of building my second one whenever my attention returned back to the Dark Eldar. So probably not until like this Fall at the earliest? Well, that changed when Da Masta Cheef (he who trolls me), gifted me with this wonderful venom. For reasons that baffle me, he decided to part with it, and instead of selling it or repurposing it, he gave it to me after we had our recent Ork vs. Ork game.

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Knowing how speedy and random I can be about finishing a model construction / painting project he likely assumes that it will be well into the 2020's before I finish it. And that might likely be true if not for the fact that I keep fiddling with it!

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So some back story on this thing is necessary (I hope I don't screw this up, but I am sure Cheef will embellish in the comments if need be). He had intended this to used with his Eldar Corsairs but since their list was only given half-ass support from Forgeworld when 8th edition arrived he got rid of most of them. Regardless of all of that, the point is that this is not a standard or conventional Venom, but rather one that had been repurposed.

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Instead of the typical Dark Eldar weapon options we find instead that there are two Shuriken Catapults on the bottom of the hull. I am trying to figure out if these should stay or go...hmmm...

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Also the pilot is not the murder elf one would expect to find piloting a Venom but a well dressed fellow in a brown outfit with red hair (Screech?). The gunner was also going to another Guardian converted over to fit the Corsair role, but this chap was never assembled. He sits crooked for some reason (again, Screech?).

Is this where he gave up?

Now, I have no intention of keeping this model looking like this, and I have no doubt Cheef wouldn't expect me too considering that he never finished it either. I am going to paint it to match my paint scheme. However I intend to make a slight exception: I am going to leave the pilot alone! Call it a tribute to the Cheef and the origin of this piece, but that guy is done and I just don't want to alter him. Even though he sits crooked. Also if that is supposed to be Screech** I like the idea of him press-ganged into service for the Drukhari. (Cue sinister laugh).

A comparison of canopies.

Back when I was working on the 1st Venom,  I was Indecisive on which canopy to use so I painted them both. Now I have a purpose for the other one, and it will be used to enclose in this pilot. Below you can see the test fit and also get a possible sense on how this might look when I am done with it. Which hopefully won't be in 2020!

I think I might leave the display blue also...

See you back for part 2!



*Yes, I know, a photography student loses it's soul each time a photo is composed with a corner in it...*sigh*

**The Cheefs old ward and now Imperial Guard conscript. 

Wolf Priest Jorvik Blacktooth (Part 1)

Wolf Priest Jorvik Blacktooth has existed in my lore for a long time now, usually appearing as a correspondent. And those letters are usually in response to some treachery performed by Da Masta Cheef (a very treacherous fellow indeed). But he has yet to appear on the tabletop or even have a model to represent him. Well, we now have a solution for that!

Current WIP level.

This is the rather rare limited edition Wolf Priest model released in 2002. I believe he was a Games Day promo model. He was only released in metal. It took me ages to find this miniature at a sane price, and two years ago I did. But I have only recently got around to painting him.

Here he is primed black with a base coat on his base.

Primed.

And here he is with most of his base coats:

Mostly base coated. 

And here he is, in his base coated state, leading his Space Wolves to victory! Well, at this stage he is directing more than leading, but a leader never-the-less!

"Don't blame me, it's 8th edition!"

And here he is once again, truly leading now by making the decisive shot of the game that killed the enemy Farseer/Courier. Not too shabby for a first game, and being only base coated!

"This is how we Kill xenos boys..."

 Obviously with a show like that he need more paint, so to the front of the queue he went!

Brown base coats and a bit of blue.

I kind of went back and forth in these early stages of trying to decide how to paint his various wolf skulls. At one point I was just going to make them a metallic gold, but with so much stuff on this guy already picked out to be that color, I decided some contrast was necessary.

Brown base coats applied! 

So I followed the examples I have seen of this model online and went with making the winged skulls a bone color.

"I've gotta bone ta pick with youse." 

And this is as far as I have gotten on this guy so far. He is a far trickier miniature to paint than one would think, as I keep realizing more details as I progress. But so far I am pleased.

Kill the Courier

+++++++++++++++DATE ++++++++++++++++REF ++++++++TRANSMITTED +++++++++++++++++TO ++++++++++++SUBJECT +++++++++++LOCATION +++++++++++++SECTOR ++++++AUTHORIZATION ++++++++++++THOUGHT

3394819.M41 Inq/045678506/BI Wolf Priest Jorvik Blacktooth Wolf Lord Sven Axegrinder Campaign Update from Segmentum Warzones Segmentum Obscurus Tri-Cinci Sub, Hobbytown Secundus LETUS05.61.CLA Knowledge causes confusion. We must retrieve the artifact, the water bowl of Freki,the foul xenos scum stole it five years ago and have escaped our vengeance since that time. They must be brought to heel and the artifact must be retrieved at all cost. Lord Grimnar has added the following message to assure the importance of this mission:   "Extreme prejudice is sanctioned and encouraged.  YOU ARE EXPENDABLE, THE WATER BOWL IS NOT. -LG"

Finally, the Space Wolves get a (sorta) rematch against these foul xenos! Da Masta Cheef and I arranged this game shortly after the last one when I reminded him of the time his Eldar soundly defeated my Space Wolves back in 5th edition. Since that time he has sold off a lot his Eldar, both the Exodites and Corsairs, leaving only a scattering of each. I agreed to let him use some of mine to fill in the gaps. I lent him Fire Dragons, Swooping Hawks and Dark Reapers.

This game was one of many firsts! Most importantly it was the first time using Da Cheef's new awesome convertible gaming table (a.k.a. The Jasper). It was my first time using Space Wolves in 8th ed, and my first time using a few units with them. Such as the Intercessors, Stormhawk, and a Wolf Priest (it's true, in the decades I have played this game, I have never used a generic Wolf Priest). It was Cheef's first time using many of the Eldar units in this game as well.

Once again we used the Open War cards, pulling the  'long way' deployment and Kill the Courier as a mission. Note that I pulled out form the deck any of the missions that didn't have some sort of specific objective to fight over. The Twist card that we pulled (Double or Nothing) resulted in us not having any twists.

Open War!

After choosing our zones, we set up our forces on The Jasper. Clearly the Xenos scum, having traded the sacred Space Wolf artifact, the Water Bowl of Freki, many times over, were about to pass on the artifact to another group. Now the Space Wolves have cornered a band of Corsairs who have been joined by a detachment of Craftworld Eldar, no doubt sending the artifact to it's final intended, and debauch, destination. The Eldar Courier was identified as the Farseer. The Eldar have selected my Rune Priest as the Courier for the Space Wolves. What twisted vision did that Farseer see to select the Rune Priest as his target is not known at this time, only that the xenos sought his demise.

Eldar set-up. 

Our set ups were fairly straight forward,  with the scenery some what sparse there was still plenty of defensive positions to take advantage of.

Space Wolf Set-Up. 

TURN ONE

The Eldar advance. They fired a lot shots at the Space Wolves, but only one of the Sons of Russ was eliminated.

The Eldar are coming!

Space Wolves Turn One, and they did not take the loss of Brother Banebreath too well! The counter attack was intense, with the Eldar taking considerable losses, but it was the Stormhawk Interceptor that truly brought the thunder. I knew this thing has potential for fire power but damn! We were not expecting it to be this impressive! It destroyed a unit of Corsairs and a Dire Avenger unit! Cheef was livid at this thing and was determined to bring it down.

The wall of bullets is spat out by the Stormhawk.

TURN TWO

The Eldar counter attacked, killing a few Space Wolves with shooting. The Autarch on Jetbike (it only looks like a griffin) charged into the Stormhawk. he didn't knock it out of the sky like he intended too but he did get it down to 6 wounds remaining.

Bonzi!!!

Space Wolves Turn Two

Smoking but still aggressive, the Stromhawk turned it's attention towards the Vyper. After the 1st round, we expected this to be an ugly event, but no, the Vyper not only absorbed everything the Stormhawk threw at it, but managed to survive with 2 Wounds remaining!

The Vyper's escape!

In my 2nd Turn Movement phase my Drop Pod appeared, and out sprang my 2nd Grey Hunters squad who killed off the Dark Reapers.

Drop Pod assault!

The Intercessors charged into a Guardian unit while the Wolf Priest and the remaining Grey Hunters charges the Autarch.

Charge!

The Autarach was unharmed due to his invulnerable saves and would fly off in his his next Movement phase.

TURN 3, and the Autarch charged the Interceptor again, which by this point had been reduced down to 4 Wounds. The Autarch finished it off, and Interceptor bits rained down onto the field.

The last of the Corsairs killed off the entire 2nd Squad of Grey Hunters with shooting. Clearly they were getting too close to the Courier!

The Autrach in his glory. 

The Intercessors gunned down the Autarch on Jet Bike/Griffen, ending his reign of air supremacy.

TURN 4

Meanwhile the 2nd Autarch and a Squad of Dire Avengers was hunting down my Rune Priest, who, along with the Long Fangs, had just all but finished off a FIre Dragon squad (the Exarch still lived!). After failing to Wound him they charged him.

"We have you know Mon'Keigh!"

The Swooping  Hawks charged the Primaris Marines that had just finished off the Guardian, tying them up in melee.

Space Wolves Turn 4,

With the swirling Melee nearby, the two survivors of the 1st Grey Hunter Squad spotted the Farseer, and the Meltagunner took off all but one wound from the Farseer; leaving the Space Wolves only one wound away from victory! Naturally they charged the Farseer who managed to make all of his saves, yet failed to kill his attackers!

The Farseer (Courier) is wounded!

TURN 4, and we are running out of models! The Vindicator had been hunted down by the Vyper and the Fire Dragon Exarch they were  picking wounds off of it, and somehow it survived an assault with Melta Bombs, but it was down to only 2 Wounds!

Space Wolves Turn 4, and the Vindicator pretty much point-blank annihilated the Fire Dragon Exarch, thankfull that templates are no longer a thing! It then Turned it's attention to the Vyper, finishing it off with it's storm bolter.

The Vindicator, sticking it out to vanquish it's oppressors. 

Turn 5

The Farseer used Smite to kill off his Attackers! He then advanced himself to position of cover.

"I Smite thee!"

The Runepriest liked that idea and Smited the Autarch attacking him, kill him out right while the Dire Avengers continued to press the assault.

"I Smite thee!"

The Long Fangs, now out of targets, moved down to assist the Runepriest, who now only had one opponent.

We;re here to help boss!

Having bested the last of the Swooping Hawks in the Eldar Fight Phase, the Wolf Priest and surviving Primaris Marines found the hidden Farseer crouching in the ruins. With a blast from his Plasma Pistol, the Farseer's days as a Courier were no more, and the Water Bowl of Freki was retrieved!.

Victory!

That was a fast summary, and I know I left out a lot of details, but it was getting late and my memory is somewhat fractured and dependent upon these pics. But what a fight! In case it's not obvious, there was only one survivor in the Eldar army, and she was a Dire Avenger desperately trying to take out the Rune Priest, who was now down to just 3 Wounds himself. I like to think that the Runepriest and the Long Fangs took her as a prisoner. Likewise, Cheef likes to think that the Wolf Priest slagged the Water Bowl of Freki with that plasma blast...

It was a good, intense game! My MVP was easily the Stormhawk Interceptor due to it's first round introduction where it blew away two units! This thing has the potential to dish our a lot of death if the dice are hot! A definite honor mention for Wolf Priest Jorvik Blacktooth for staying alive, inspiring his troops (those re-rolls to hit are just divine!) and for the winning shot of the game. He definitely earns his pace in the hall of heroes!

Cheef's MVP was that Vyper, simply for the incredible amount of firepower it absorbed during the game!  it stood up the Stormhawk, survived and went on to pester my forces until it was eventually dealt with. It was very tough to kill! His Autarch on Jetbike (Griffin) was probably the 2nd place contender.

And that's a wrap, the Water Bowl of Freki has been recovered, and the Space Wolves have a prisoner! Will the Eldar attempt a rescue?