tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-211433162012-02-16T06:35:23.823ZNot the most imaginative title for this little E-window onto my modelling table, but it'll do until something better occurs to me. If you're interested, pop in frequently for pics of what I'm working on and hints about what I'm planning for the future. You can even tell me what you think of them if the fancy takes you.Izzyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12847138837933655378noreply@blogger.comBlogger721100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21143316.post-69925426140933195902008-08-01T12:08:00.002+01:002008-08-01T12:19:17.696+01:00

Sorry I've not done much to update this blog lately. My girlfriend and I have recently embarked on a joint project to accurately model human figures in approximately 1/4 scale - although I think they will probably come in a little bigger than that when they are finally finished. As you will be able to see, if you follow the link in the title, we have a lot to do just to get the two prototypes

Izzyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12847138837933655378noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21143316.post-41540212972645572312007-11-02T09:11:00.000Z2007-11-02T09:17:17.934Z

Here are some shots of the first member of an Ogryn squad I am making. I'm going to convert the members of the squad using plastic Ogre Kingdoms models from Warhammer Fantasy. This one has a variety of 40k Ork bits added, plus a lot of greenstuff and plasticard.

Izzyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12847138837933655378noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21143316.post-60674577967255870992007-10-01T08:44:00.000+01:002007-10-01T08:55:08.744+01:00

I picked this guy up the other day, mainly because I liked the figure and I've been reading the 'Gaunt's Ghosts' novels by Dan Abbnett recently, so I've got Commissars on the brain at the moment. Turns out they are really quite handy in a game as well :)The Plasma pistol is a minor conversion. The figure comes with a hand flamer, something which appears not to be covered by the current rule set.

Izzyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12847138837933655378noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21143316.post-78384541026437396412007-10-01T08:40:00.000+01:002007-10-01T08:52:46.975+01:00

I've finished the bases and added a few last touches since these photos were taken. Just got to do a couple more lenses on sights and then they are done.

Izzyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12847138837933655378noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21143316.post-69323706086345388322007-09-09T17:30:00.000+01:002007-10-01T08:51:58.861+01:00

At last, some new stuff to show you. After a long absence I have got the paints out again, Hurrah! Here is my squad of Storm Troopers. I was a bit scared of starting them to begin with, there are so many little fiddly bits on them.In the end I opted to undercoat them black, sloppy dry brush catachan green and then a light dry brush of cammo green followed by a binding wash of chaos black.That

Izzyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12847138837933655378noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21143316.post-7080024116062856962007-09-03T11:49:00.000+01:002007-09-03T12:07:35.836+01:00

Just a quick post to let anyone who is still stopping by here that I'm back. The latest period of Real Life that has conspired to keep me away from the modelling table, for various reasons, seems to have gone back from whence it came. Last night I set out my stall on the dining room table and made real headway in finishing off a squad of Carskin Stormtroopers.There may even be pictures by

Izzyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12847138837933655378noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21143316.post-6226072965919156232007-05-30T12:34:00.001+01:002007-05-30T12:39:48.792+01:00

I'm now using Picasa web albums to host all my images for this blog and my postings on work-in-progressThey've recently upgraded the functionality of the app to include slideshows that you can embed in blog postings and other website stuff. From now on I shall be using these in postings to this blog. I've edited a few recent posts to replace the one or more photos they used show with a single

Izzyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12847138837933655378noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21143316.post-37035023837787316272007-05-29T09:09:00.000+01:002007-05-30T14:30:06.867+01:00

Here is an album of pics of my latest project. A Leman Russ with detachable sponsons. The weapon mounts are also magnetised so it is fully customizable accoring to scenario and points limit.

Izzyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12847138837933655378noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21143316.post-35680482508416578092007-02-06T15:32:00.000Z2007-05-30T18:32:43.441+01:00

I decided it was time to finish this guy at the weekend. I think the figure is done now (can't promis I won't think of something else to add later). The base still needs a bit of work, but apart from that I'm very happy with what I have here.

Izzyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12847138837933655378noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21143316.post-9783319395545257902007-02-05T17:35:00.000Z2007-05-30T14:41:08.635+01:00

I've done a bit more work to this since the last post. painting some more detail on the stowage and adding some more metal chips around the place. I've also darkened the tarpaulins and the protective boot around the hull mounted flamer. My favorite touch are all the view ports which have now been given a nice red/orange lense effect.

Izzyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12847138837933655378noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21143316.post-67903226699478221412007-01-20T12:30:00.000Z2007-05-30T14:43:51.342+01:00

This is the Chimera from my Guard competition force. During the competition it was nominally attached to the HQ squad as a dedicated transport, but in reality it spent most of its time dashing about the board as a light tank.Its armed with a Multi Laser in the turret and a Heavy Flamer in the front hull mount.Before its finished there are various little details like lenses and viewports that need

Izzyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12847138837933655378noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21143316.post-71978867170055690582007-01-18T14:40:00.000Z2007-01-18T14:58:01.511Z

Last weekend saw my team mate Ben and myself spending the weekend in Nottingham at Warhammer World to compete in a 40k doubles tournament. 7 games over the course of 2 days and a great deal of fun. Thanks to Neil and Matt, Paul and David, Chris the ref, Steve and Pete (twice), Lawrence and Paul and Alex and David for being great opponents and making the weekend for us.The weekend began with a

Izzyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12847138837933655378noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21143316.post-90833105684716273482007-01-17T17:55:00.000Z2007-01-17T17:57:37.732Z

Here is the second of two snipers from the special weapons squad.From Special Weapo...

Izzyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12847138837933655378noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21143316.post-41522228075254314042007-01-17T17:47:00.000Z2007-01-17T17:54:02.669Z

This is one of two Snipers in the Special Weapons squad. As you can see, his cloak matches the camo pattern of the tunics of the rest of the unit. I think its looks even nicer on a large area like the cloak. I need to do some nice detail on the front view of this figure in order to finish him off. The cloack is such a large area that well executed small details become far more important in order

Izzyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12847138837933655378noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21143316.post-51705911300307721282007-01-09T13:25:00.000Z2007-01-09T13:28:39.257Z

Here is the grenade trooper for the squad. At some stage I will get round to drilling out the barrel of the grenade launcher, but not before the competition at the weekend.From Special Weapo...

Izzyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12847138837933655378noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21143316.post-19767637230671916552007-01-09T13:18:00.000Z2007-01-09T13:23:12.485Z

I'm toying with the idea of using Catachan heads on otherwise Cadian figures for my veterans and other special infantry types. I've built a few more than are shown here, but these are the first ones I've painted and I think they work really well. I've found that you need to trim the neck right down to almost nothing in order to get the heads to fit into the Cadian torsos. Sometimes a bit of

Izzyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12847138837933655378noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21143316.post-51895281751558595562007-01-09T13:07:00.000Z2007-01-09T13:15:58.034Z

Another Las Gunner for the Special Weapons Squad. The colour scheme is very loosly based on WWII german uniforms with the cammo bring an attempt at pea pattern on a very small scale. After under coating the entire figure was dry-brushed with a mix of 3 parts GW Codex Grey to 1 part GW Catachan Green. Everything else was then painted over the top of thisFrom Special Weapo...

Izzyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12847138837933655378noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21143316.post-56570340608278792392007-01-09T13:01:00.000Z2007-01-09T13:16:21.782Z

Here's a pic of the last model with a good deal of the painting done. He still requires a bit of work on the belt kit and the base needs finishing, but for the most part he won't look much different from this once finished.From Special Weapo...

Izzyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12847138837933655378noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21143316.post-1158502791713276942006-09-17T15:18:00.000+01:002007-01-09T13:44:12.822Z

Izzyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12847138837933655378noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21143316.post-1158501703857935892006-09-17T15:01:00.000+01:002007-01-09T13:31:47.500Z

Izzyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12847138837933655378noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21143316.post-1158501003222283162006-09-17T14:49:00.000+01:002006-09-17T14:50:03.233+01:00

 

Izzyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12847138837933655378noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21143316.post-1153209898395943652006-07-18T09:01:00.000+01:002006-07-18T09:04:58.406+01:00

I've just realised its been over two months since I posted anything. We are in crunch time at work so it might still be a few weeks till anything more appears, but I've not forgotten about it.See you later (thats assuming anyone but me is reading this :)

Izzyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12847138837933655378noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21143316.post-1147626834767906082006-05-14T18:13:00.000+01:002006-05-14T18:13:54.773+01:00

 

Izzyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12847138837933655378noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21143316.post-1147427622880120352006-05-12T10:50:00.000+01:002006-05-14T14:09:42.993+01:00

Grenadier 'Boomer' Hamfischt:Boomer is big.Boomer is dumb.Boomer can put a grenade down a Chaos Rhino's cupola from 100 yards.Boomer idolises the Sergent, and has been uncharitably refered to as 'Dorians Puppy' in the past - although not by anyone still carrying their full compliment of fingers. He may be a tad on the slow side, but he's a good boy who keeps his Grenade Launcher clean and loves

Izzyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12847138837933655378noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21143316.post-1147427102418642752006-05-12T10:44:00.000+01:002006-05-14T14:10:28.313+01:00

Lance Corporal Lucian 'Patch' Van Strom:Lucian is an idiot. He would be a half-wit, but he lacks the brain power. He is the son of some clueless brass hat at brigade HQ who sent his boy to a frontline unit in order to make something of himself or die trying.Dorian is not sure what marvel of administration delivered this hapless fool into his charge, but he can't help feeling it may be some

Izzyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12847138837933655378noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21143316.post-1147426987744250372006-05-12T10:42:00.000+01:002006-05-14T14:11:05.720+01:00

Trooper 'Hawkeye' Stern:Trooper Stern is possibly the single most tedious individual in the Regiment. At least one Divisional Commander is on record as saying he would rather 'run naked through a hive full of Genestealers than spend another moment in the vacinity of that soldier'.Trooper Stern's idea of free time well spent is an evening lining up his power cells and ensuring they are all

Izzyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12847138837933655378noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21143316.post-1147426905587825272006-05-12T10:41:00.000+01:002006-05-14T14:08:53.376+01:00

Vox Trooper Wayland:If you need to get through to HQ in the middle a raging electrical storm, while under heavy bombardment and pushing the limits of vox range, then Trooper Wayland is your man.Unfortunatly, if you need a trooper who regularly gets raving drunk and picks fights with all and sundry when off duty then Trooper Wayland is also your man. Not for nothing are the guard house cells

Izzyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12847138837933655378noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21143316.post-1147426867096198762006-05-12T10:40:00.000+01:002006-05-14T14:08:21.460+01:00

Melta Gunner 'Flash' Gunnason:Flash has been inhaling promethium fumes for far to long. On several occasions a normally stalwart quartermaster has fled the armoury in gibbering terror after catching him filing his fuel tanks with one hand and re-lighting his eternal roll-up with the other.Flash has performed extensive modifications to his Melta Gun, including shortening the overall length for

Izzyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12847138837933655378noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21143316.post-1147422728344076082006-05-12T09:31:00.000+01:002006-05-14T14:12:30.686+01:00

Veteran Sergent Dorian:A plain speaking man who has elevated being difficult to kill to an art form. Dorian rates a man by how well he looks after his lizard, his kit and his ability to kill the enemy. Anything else can go hang - especially if it raises the ire of the Company Commissars.Once on the way to becoming a Commissar himself, Dorian left the acadamy under mysterious circumstances and

Izzyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12847138837933655378noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21143316.post-1147335291827298572006-05-11T09:10:00.000+01:002006-05-11T09:16:43.230+01:00

This is how I have represented the advanced stabiliser system, which allows XV88s to move and fire heavy weapons. Its the fuel canister from a fusion blaster, attached to a sheild generator and then fixed to the battlesuit by a small piece of q-tip stem - about 3mm in length.

Izzyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12847138837933655378noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21143316.post-1147076952094835752006-05-08T09:23:00.000+01:002006-05-08T09:29:12.106+01:00

Here is the Tank Officer after a Sunday afternoons worth of painting. Skin, brown overalls and the grey of his hat are finished and I've blocked in all the areas that need a Catchan Green base.I'm going to paint all the non-metal areas first, spray a light coat of matt varnish then paint all the metal and varnish those areas with gloss by hand.Now I've had chance to look in the daytime I

Izzyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12847138837933655378noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21143316.post-1146951271115557152006-05-06T22:29:00.000+01:002006-05-06T23:07:07.983+01:00

Here is the lastest update, especially for Andrew G who was kind enough to remind me I have been lax in that area of late.I finally got round to opening up the Chimera kit I've had laying around for a while. Its waiting to become part of an Imperial Guard combat patrol I'm working on.Whilst casting an eye over the accessories sprue I couldn't help thinking that some of the bits would look nice if

Izzyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12847138837933655378noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21143316.post-1145358761544733342006-04-18T12:12:00.000+01:002006-04-18T12:12:41.550+01:00

This is the second of my XV88 suits. Both have Advanced stabilisation systems so they can Fire and Move with the Railguns. This suit has replaced the smart missile system with twin-linked plasma rifles which will lend a bit of close protection firepower to his team in situations where the enemy are getting a bit too close for comfort. The railguns are placed on the more traditional shoulder

Izzyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12847138837933655378noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21143316.post-1144052066393459862006-04-03T09:09:00.000+01:002006-04-03T09:14:26.393+01:00

Here is the first of three Pirahna skimmers. I'm thinking of two equiped with brace of seeker missiles and a burst cannon each and a third with a fusion blaster. This should make a rapid reaction unit with a nice balance between anti-infantry and anti-vehicle capabilities. 

Izzyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12847138837933655378noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21143316.post-1144051619251741022006-04-03T08:57:00.000+01:002006-04-03T09:06:59.260+01:00

I seem to be in a building rather than painting mode lately, Especially now the new Tau Empire codex is out. Here is the first of my XV88 suits. They've been in the cupboard for a while now and I finally decided to start putting one together. I've wanted to try mounting the rail guns on the arms since before the excellent Forgeworld models came out doing just that. While putting this kit

Izzyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12847138837933655378noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21143316.post-1142957313651635872006-03-21T15:55:00.000Z2006-03-21T16:08:33.663Z

Here is the Meltagunner for my Imperial Guard roughrider squadron. The meltagun came off the space wolves upgrade sprue. I used the sergeants right-arm-holding-pistol from the Cadian sprues. Its easy to lose the pistol using a sharp scalpel, but the melta required the but trimming down a bit to get it to fit. This led to me shortening the barrel and removing the fore-sight to create the

Izzyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12847138837933655378noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21143316.post-1142813490899000342006-03-20T00:10:00.000Z2006-03-20T00:14:31.363Z

Here is the fully assembled Sentinel. Undercoated and dry-brushed with tin bitz and bolt-gun metal. The next step is to decide on a colour scheme for the patrol before embarking on the painting proper.

Izzyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12847138837933655378noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21143316.post-1142688701070871862006-03-18T13:26:00.000Z2006-03-18T13:31:41.073Z

Here are the results of my first attempts to combine Dark Elf Cold Ones with Cadian plastics to make a more interesting Rough Rider. The rider is made from the legs of a metal Atillan rider while everything above the waste comes off the Cadian plastic sprues. The Mount requires a bit more tidying up and I need to figure out how to model a cool looking saddle from green-stuff and whatever I can

Izzyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12847138837933655378noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21143316.post-1142687815543704782006-03-18T13:09:00.000Z2006-03-18T13:16:55.560Z

And here's the top half. The folding-stock Lasgun and extra pouches I added seem to work ok. This is the first time I've experimented with modelling webbing and stuff from green-stuff. Cockpit interior, pilot and roll-cage have been painted already. The exterior has been undercoated and dry-brushed with Tin Bitz and Bolt-Gun metal. 

Izzyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12847138837933655378noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21143316.post-1142687149513040752006-03-18T12:53:00.000Z2006-03-18T13:05:49.550Z

The legs and base are now ready for spraying. The basic plastic base has been landscaped with fine-grade milliput and textured with modelling sand. A pulse-carbine, helmet and some tau grenades have been included to theme the patrol towards fighting Tau - my main army. I'm also experimenting with extending the texturing material (sand) up the lower legs to reflect a bit of weathering. I'll

Izzyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12847138837933655378noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21143316.post-1142528359026535922006-03-16T16:49:00.000Z2006-03-16T16:59:19.213Z

Real life conspires against the miniture arms race once more. Slow progress since my last entry. New bits arrived in the post the other day so I have begun experiments into roughrider conversions. So far I'm part-way through building a single rider mounted on a dark elf cold one and armed with a grenade launcher. his upper body is from the Cadian plastic sprues while the lower half is from the

Izzyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12847138837933655378noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21143316.post-1141636679743602772006-03-06T09:06:00.000Z2006-03-06T09:17:59.753Z

Here is a close up of some of the custom detail I'm working on for this model. Seeing as this unit is supposed to be an experienced scouting force I gave the pilot of this Sentinel his own customised lasgun and some extra kit pouches. The folding stock makes for easy stowing without compromising accuracy, and the scope makes it easier to observe the enemy from a distance. 

Izzyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12847138837933655378noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21143316.post-1141635860769019772006-03-06T08:56:00.000Z2006-03-06T09:04:20.776Z

The parts are coming together. Doing a detailed job on the painting means I'm going to have to paint the cockpit interior before putting everything together. The milliput and parts from the bits box will be coming out to doll up the base a bit before the undercoating stage. 

Izzyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12847138837933655378noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21143316.post-1141496057602895002006-03-04T17:55:00.000Z2006-03-04T18:17:41.860Z

I've just returned from the store with a new Cadian pattern Sentinel, the first major model for my Guard patrol. My aim is to make all the models unique in some way or other, so lots of conversion work and then top-class paint jobs to really show off the finished figures.As the title suggests, this is going to be the first in a series of posts that will follow the individual progress of this

Izzyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12847138837933655378noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21143316.post-1140959064061829272006-02-26T12:53:00.000Z2006-02-26T13:04:24.070Z

I pushed on and completed the remaining stages on this figure. Once I'd completed all the colour steps, but before I'd finished the base or done any weathering, I gave him a light spray with gloss varnish. On top of that I painted a layer of thinned matt varnish on the green and black areas of the Bolter, the pouches round the back and on the parchment of the purity seal.The dirt on the legs is

Izzyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12847138837933655378noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21143316.post-1140775371297191972006-02-24T10:02:00.000Z2006-02-24T10:02:51.310Z

Here is the marine thats most finished so far. The rest of the squad is not far behind him, but I pushed on and did a bit more highlighting on this one by way of a test piece. I tried to gem the eyes but I don't think it has worked and I don't like the colour now I've seen it on the model. I shall black it out and start again, a midtone blue with a more diffuse lowlight I think. To finish it

Izzyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12847138837933655378noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21143316.post-1140631466954904052006-02-22T17:44:00.000Z2006-02-22T18:05:03.366Z

Developments have been slow since last week. Life and visiting friends kept me away from the painting table all weekend, but I'm back at it now. The Marines should have progressed enough to be worth photographing again soon. It's a real effort to stick to my plan of balancing quality of painting with speed. I'm painting the two veteran sergents seperatly from their squadmates so I can lavish a

Izzyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12847138837933655378noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21143316.post-1140440964675009862006-02-20T13:08:00.000Z2006-02-20T14:22:57.133Z

I'm begining to collect bits for my planned Imperial Guard patrol. I found five of these Rough Riders on Ebay the other day which look like they are ripe for conversion. Seperate legs and torsos being their most sought after attribute, but the spru of guns looks like it will come in handy as well. I won the auction last night, so all being well they should arrive in the post in the next few days

Izzyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12847138837933655378noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21143316.post-1139924989739507932006-02-14T13:44:00.000Z2006-02-14T13:49:49.750Z

Here is one of the models that has already featured in an earlier post so you can get a better idea of the painting stages each one goes through on the way to becoming a finished model. I've painted the base texture in its basic brown colour as it gives a better idea of how the finished model will look against the finished base texture. 

Izzyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12847138837933655378noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21143316.post-1139924370427286012006-02-14T13:34:00.000Z2006-02-14T13:39:30.436Z

Here's a front and back close up to show the details better. I started out trying to come up with a paint scheme that would be quick and easy to paint individual models but still look good. As usual I think I have probably overly complicated matters - but seeing as most of what I do is painting and modelling I don't mind if it takes a bit longer to finish an individual project. 

Izzyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12847138837933655378noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21143316.post-1139923801298911072006-02-14T13:15:00.000Z2006-02-14T13:30:01.306Z

Here's an update on the progress of my Marine force. As well as these 10 Marines there are a pair of veteren sergents that need painting up. Once thats done I will be able to field two small tactical squads or a single big one, depending on available points and tactical considerations. There are still a few bits and pieces that need doing to each figure, but all the basic colours have now been

Izzyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12847138837933655378noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21143316.post-1139321974924242602006-02-07T14:01:00.000Z2006-02-08T14:53:52.250Z

Here is a small patrol of Tau models, some of which have already featured on this site. They are displayed at home on my gaming boards.The boards are made from 2' x 4' MDF boards from B&Q. I paint the board with a mixture of cheap white emulsion paint and fine sand to give it a textured undercoat. Next I spray it black (get a big can of black spray from B&Q, its much cheaper than using GW spray).

Izzyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12847138837933655378noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21143316.post-1138816394313752952006-02-01T17:52:00.000Z2006-02-01T18:13:53.770Z

Here are some close ups showing three of my slowly developing Space Marine force. So far they have had their initial drybrushing of Tin Bitz all over, Dark Flesh on the armour and Bolt Gun Metal on the weapons and other large metalic areas. The Marines armed with bolt gun and plasma gun have had a coat of Snake Bite Leather followed by a mix of SBL and Bleached Bone applied to various areas of

Izzyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12847138837933655378noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21143316.post-1138719254136616852006-01-31T14:26:00.000Z2006-01-31T17:07:17.833Z

I found a copy of Codex Imperial Guard going cheap last week, combined with the left over bits I shall have after finishing my human auxilieries, it's tipped the balance and helped me make a decision on my next project - An Imperial Guard Patrol Force for use with the 40k in 40 minutes game in the back of the new edition rule book.That means I have 400 points to spend and a few different force

Izzyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12847138837933655378noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21143316.post-1138708902098540212006-01-31T12:01:00.000Z2006-01-31T12:50:56.966Z

I had the rare opportunity of actually playing a game of 40k last thursday. An after work visit to see my good friend Bench at the wargames club he helps to run turned into back to his house for curry, beer and a pitched battle which lasted till well past 3 am.1000 points of Imperial Armour is quite an imposing sight when its eyeing you up from the other side of a 4 x 4 (ish) area of the lounge

Izzyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12847138837933655378noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21143316.post-1138125259045807672006-01-24T17:09:00.000Z2006-01-24T17:54:19.050Z

Naughty, naughty! Not much to look at yet, but I have great plans for this little chap. I added a few unique touches at the building stage, as well as a liberal dose of icons and purity seals. The various weapon options are all built and will be left unglued to the body so I can swap them out depending on what force I am fielding.He has obviously been in a lot of battles as there are quite a few

Izzyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12847138837933655378noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21143316.post-1138105821704090702006-01-24T12:29:00.000Z2006-01-24T12:51:00.300Z

This model mixes some Catchan, Cadian and Tau parts. The legs, arms and Las-gun are Catchan while the head and torso are Cadian.While building this figure I noticed that both the Catchan legs and the Cadian torso have a belt on them. If the two parts are combined as is it results in a figure with a disproportionatly long body. I found that of the two, it was easier to trim the belt from the

Izzyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12847138837933655378noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21143316.post-1138099467627495922006-01-24T10:40:00.000Z2006-01-24T12:29:16.256Z

This is the second member of my auxilliery unit, also armed with Tau weaponry instead of the Tau produced copy of the standard Imperial Las-Gun.This model is made from mostly Cadian Shock Troop parts, aside from the Pulse Rifle and a Photon Grenade dispenser.Like the squad leader he has no Imperial markings on any of his kit. Apart from the missing Eagles he looks to be well equiped with

Izzyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12847138837933655378noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21143316.post-1138099120518008782006-01-24T10:22:00.000Z2006-01-24T12:53:19.863Z

I couldn't resist the temptation to investigate possabilities with my newly aquired Catchan bits last night, so I now have four and a half Auxilieries on the work bench instead of being nearer to completing some Marines. Never mind. The next few posts show some quick pics of the squad so far. I took the pictures with my phone on the way out of the door this morning, so I apologies for them not

Izzyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12847138837933655378noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21143316.post-1138027369004306172006-01-23T14:39:00.000Z2006-01-23T14:44:31.976Z

Picked these up from the post office this morning. Enough sprues to make 20 Catchan Jungle fighters. I now have the supplies to get cracking on my Tau Human Auxilieries project. With the prospect of a game on Thursday I shall probably spend begining of this week finishing off my Hammerhead and doing some more work on my Marine force.

Izzyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12847138837933655378noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21143316.post-1137780627811020922006-01-20T18:01:00.000Z2006-01-20T18:10:27.816Z

Here is the Team Leader from my Pathfinder squad. He started out as one of the basic metal Pathfinder figures.I added a flash suppressor to his pulse carbine, fashioned from a short bit of the stem from a cotton bud. He also carries one of the plastic bonding knives from the fire warrior sprue.I still have a bit of work to do on the paint job but the basic colours have all been blocked in and the

Izzyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12847138837933655378noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21143316.post-1137771828388322622006-01-20T15:34:00.000Z2006-01-23T14:44:51.586Z

Doing a spot more tinkering at the modeling bench last night. I've now got two Human Auxilieries completed. The second one is armed with a Pulse Rifle and is again made from Cadian Shock Troop parts with a couple of extras from the Tau bits box. I also knocked up a nice looking Tau enhanced Vocaster using the basic Imperial model with two battlesuit antenna replacing the clunky looking standard

Izzyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12847138837933655378noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21143316.post-1137770714397509962006-01-20T14:58:00.000Z2006-01-20T15:31:50.096Z

This is a work-in-progress shot of my Hammerhead gunship. There is still quite a bit of work to do to it before it's finished. The secondary weapons are still witing to be painted, as is the commander figure. I'm using on of the Forge World Tau Tank Commander figures to add a little variety to the model.

Izzyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12847138837933655378noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21143316.post-1137768850290962412006-01-20T11:38:00.000Z2006-01-20T15:32:13.273Z

This is the first Tau vehicle I built for my army. It has a few extra features over the standard Devilfish model. The side hatch hinges have been drilled out and fitted with pins so they open and close properly. The interior detail has also been fully built and painted. The burst cannon s fully movable, as are the engine pods, and the two drones are detachable.The model is basically done, but I

Izzyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12847138837933655378noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21143316.post-1137690087491442692006-01-19T16:48:00.000Z2006-01-19T17:51:31.766Z

Here are the other two regular members of my Stealth Suit squad.The paint scheme for this unit is very quick and effective. First I undercoat with Chaos Black spray, followed by dry brushing with Tin Bitz then Boltgun Metal. Next I dry brush 3 or 4 succesivly lighter shades of green going from Catchan up to Cammo. If the green layers have made the model too dull I finish with a very light dry

Izzyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12847138837933655378noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21143316.post-1137680365389078512006-01-19T14:11:00.000Z2006-01-19T17:01:46.666Z

Here are a couple of pics of the Team Leader for my XV15 team. At the moment they normally take the field as a squad of three with a couple of drones controlled by the leader.Their main function is to harrass the enemy flank by jumping out from cover and straffing with their burst cannons before disappearing as quickly as they arrived. They also work quite nicely as a hard-hitting fast-attack

Izzyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12847138837933655378noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21143316.post-1137679806784077342006-01-19T14:05:00.000Z2006-01-19T15:34:38.026Z

Here is a pic of my Aun'shi figure. He normally takes the field as a generic Ethereal when I include him in my army

Izzyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12847138837933655378noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21143316.post-1137596467108964502006-01-18T14:56:00.000Z2006-01-19T15:34:08.983Z

Notice all the mess left by the last chainsword victim.

Izzyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12847138837933655378noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21143316.post-1137596108599882022006-01-18T14:44:00.000Z2006-02-17T16:35:01.196Z

This is the first finished model in my Marine force. He started life as a basic marine bike kit I got cheap on Ebay. I added quite a lot of stuff from the parts bin and ended up with the result you see here. I intend to use him as a free roaming special character to begin with, but if I get as far as adding a unit of bikers he might end up joining them as a squad leader.update - 17/02/2006 This

Izzyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12847138837933655378noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21143316.post-1137595452356188652006-01-18T14:34:00.000Z2006-01-19T15:33:06.250Z

And here is the rear view. I've removed all the Imperial Eagles from his kit, seeing as its all copied from patterns rather than being original Imperial Guard issue. As a Gue'vesa'ui he carries a Pulse Carbine instead of the standard Las Gun. His webbing is also a mixture of copied imperial stuff as well as a Tau backpack.

Izzyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12847138837933655378noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21143316.post-1137594683538389912006-01-18T14:16:00.000Z2006-01-19T15:32:42.190Z

This is a sergent, or Gue'vesa'ui, for my Tau Auxiliaries. I put him together last night using parts from the Cadian sprue plus some stuff from my Tau spares box.

Izzyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12847138837933655378noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21143316.post-1137583151837828832006-01-18T11:08:00.000Z2006-01-19T17:53:41.200Z

I thought I'd start things off with a shot of my workbench - also known as half the dining room table. Plenty of plans to keep me occupied in the coming weeks and months. On the worktop at the moment is a sizeable chunk of my fledgling Marine force. One Dreadnaught, 12 Marines and their Commander. The chapter is one of my own devising, although to date they don't have a name, a banner, or any

Izzyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12847138837933655378noreply@blogger.com1