Monday 23 February 2009

Helblade Turret (Part 3) and Heavy Weapon Rebasing

Well tonight has been productive! First up the 1st Lascannon Battery has now been rebased, for those of you hav'nt yet twigged on, following the leaked French IG Summary sheet we now have confirmation that Imperial Guard Heavy Weapons teams are no more, instead we'll now have single two wound models for our heavy weapons, so now my hoarded 60mm bases come into play.

1st Lascannon Battery


Lots more rebasing to come, I've only been slowed by running out of Badab Black (opps)!



Secondly more progress on the Helblade, okay it's far from finished still, with many loes ends still to tie up, and more work on the turret itself (not to mention a paint job!) but it is at least ready to put to the field tommorrow, I do of course expect it to suffer from 'New Model Syndrome' aka, it wont get a chance to fire the Inferno Gun obviously!

Helblade Turret (Part 2)

A while back I started work on a Baneblade chasis, this was all magnetised so as too allow lots of options from just one tank, as part of this I started construction of an Inferno Gun armed vehicle, which would follow the stats for the Plague Reaper, dubbed the Helblade - and yes I still know it's a Chaos Aircraft's name!

At my local GCN Club, the Exeter Inquisition, we'll be playing a big Apocolypse Game this Tuesday, a king of the hill style game with the Dark Angels holding an objective (could well be Cypher!) and 'the rest' largely an Imperial force lead by an Inquisitor trying to take the objective out from under them. With orbital bombardments around the objective out of the question (the attackers want the objective intact!), we'll have to do it the hard way, personally I'm fielding my sisters, but to back them up with some heavier firepower what better to cleanse the objective then a big flame tank?!

So heres a little progress, with hope that I'll get the conversion itself finished tonight, to get the holes in the barrel I bought a leather hole punch, this handy little tool can cut a selection of pre-set hole sizes, I cut a piece of thin plastic card to size as the sheath then used the punch to create an appropriate pattern of holes.



This was then wrapped and glued around the barrel.




The next stage is to tidy around the sheath and then add some igniters taken from plastic Cadian flamers, then I can construct a turret around it.

Saturday 7 February 2009

Imperial Guard Rumours - Latest

This has recently been spotted on a foreign language forum, certainly sounds juicy though I have to say I suspect some of the details, here is a translation from aka_mythos on Warseer.

Summary:
Troops:
Penal Legion: LD 8; Scout, Stubborn, Desperados

Chimera 55pts; 12/10/10; Standard with Multilaser and hull heavy bolter; Upgrade Multilaser to Heavy Bolter or heavy flamer for free; storm bolter or heavy stubber +10pts; Hunter killer Missile 10pts; Dozer Blade +10; extra armor +15; camo net +20.

Hellhound 12/12/10 Tank, Fast (Inferno Cannon R12 S6 AP4 Heavy 1 Template no rolls to hit on partials)
Devildog 12/12/10 Tank, Fast (Fusion Cannnon R24 S8 Ap1 Heavy 1 Blast)
Bane Wolf 12/12/10 Tank, Fast ("Chemical Cannon" S1 AP3 Heavy1 Template; Always hits on 2+)

All Leman Russ: Move 6" and fire all weapons or fire nothing and move 6" plus roll 1d6 and move 3,5,8,12,15 inches more.

LR Battle Tank 14/13/10
LR Exterminator 14/13/10 (Autocannon, Twin Linked Heavy 4)
LR Vanquisher 14/13/10 (AP2 Heavy 1 +1d6 to penetration)
LR Eradicator 14/13/10 (Nova Cannon, 36" S6 AP4 Ordnance, Ignore Cover Save)
LR Demolisher 14/13/11
LR Punisher 14/13/11 (Punisher Gatling Cannon 24" S5 AP- Heavy 20)
LR Executioner 14/13/11 (Plasma Executioner Cannon 36" S7 AP3 Heavy 3)

Basilisk 12/10/10 Tank, Open Topped
Medusa 12/10/10 Tank, Open Topped (Medusa Cannon: 36" S10 AP2. Ordnance, or 48" S10 AP1 Blast Melta)
Colossus 12/10/10 Tank, Open Topped (Colossus Cannon: 24-240" S6 AP3 Ordnance, Ignores Cover Saves)
Griffon 12/10/10 Tank, Open Topped (Griffon Heavy Mortar: 12-48" S6 AP4 Ordnance, Re-roll to hit)

Manticore 12/10/10 Tank (Only 4 shots) (Eagle Missile Storm 24-120" S10 Ap4, Ordnance 1d3)

Deathstrike Launcher 12/10/10 Tank ("Heavy Artillery" Only 1 shot, may not fire turn one, each turn roll 1d6 +1 for each turn not fired, -1 for each crew stunned or weapon destroyed sustained on a 6 the missile fires) (R12-1000" S10 AP1 1d3+3 "areas" each area is 6"+1d3(3,5,8") in size)

Ogryn are 25pts, S5, T5 A3 Sv4+ with furious charge(?)

Valkarie: If it moves more than 24" troops maynot embark or disembark; 12" or less troops may diembark with a dangerous terrain test

Conscripts are gone. (This seems contradictory to the first part, but they maybe changing the unit up and the name, and the original poster sees it as that different).

Leman Russ 2 (Part 2) and whats on the Bench...

Just taking a bit of a lunch break while the green stuff cures in my fridge (no you did read that right, as ever I speed up the process by putting work in a mini-fridge with a heater function), the weekend so far has been pretty productive by my standards, with most of the time being focused on my second Leman Russ. While I waited for a couple more bits I happend upon a thread on The Ammo Bunker, an excellent hobby forum which I lurk on a fair bit, there's a hell of alot you can learn from the guys over there! It's one of those 'whats on your bench' post's and I thought, why not?

First though, progress on the Leman Russ.

Work on the hull is finished for now, well a couple of small gaps need filling but that'll get done in due course, with lights and vision slits now added.



Likewise the turret is in a similar state, a couple of gaps still to fill but otherwise ready for undercoating.



For now the main focus is on the Heavy Bolter assemblies, the greenstuffing needs finishing on these, which is work in progress at the moment. Once finished I'll get them painted and varnished so they can be inserted into the vehicle and painting can commence on the bulk of the tank proper.



Otherwise, here's what's currently on the work bench, I'll leave you to figure out whats what, most of it's fairly obvious, only one may be a little decieving.



So then, whats on your work bench?

Friday 6 February 2009

Ork Warboss (Part 1)

Okay, okay, I did'nt plan on doing any real conversions for my Orks, and by my strandards I guess I'm still not(!) but I had to do a few things none the less and it snowed today, alot, so I've been busy, mostly on Praetorians it has to be said, but I also decided to do a little work on some Orks.

The core of my force will be built around the contents of three Assault on Black Reach box's, including the excellent plastic Warboss. While the models construction, though nice, does'nt lend particuarly well to changes a few simple swaps personalise him a little. In this case Ive simply opted to use a WFB Black Ork head, though I may yet modify this a litlte more, and turning his twin-linked shoota into a kombi-rokkit by replacing the lower barrel with an old Epic Ork Pulsa Rocket which was in my bits box.



Simple, but I'm fairly pleased! He just needs an Attack Squig, and I've got one lined up from the Night Goblin Fanatic sprue.

Thursday 5 February 2009

Leman Russ 2 (Part 1)

The next Praetorian project for me will be a second Leman Russ Conqueror to join the existingly finished one. Basic assembly is done with gaps filled, a little added detail including and the drivers vision slit replaced with another Space Marine Dreadnought Sarcoughagos.



As with the previous vehicle I'll be using some press molded vision slits and lights (taken from Space Marine Dreadnought Sarcoughagi and Rhino respectively). I was'nt able to find the mold's I used previously, so I made some fresh ones, pressing the pieces into a base filled with greenstuff. I'm about to make the first cast's now, I'll use a little cooking oil to act as a lubricant and use more greenstuff.



I'm also working on the turret, this is the standard Forgeworld Conqueror turret with a few added bits (again press molded vision slits) and the Storm Bolter which I've cut away to be replaced by the repeater handgun from the WFB Empire Outriders.

Monday 2 February 2009

Imperial Guard Rumours - Summary 2nd Feburary

A little while back I did a rumour summary for the new Imperial Guard codex, things have changed a little since then with the rumour mill grinding slowly up to full speed as we near the point in time where advanced orders will start appearing for the Codex's May 2nd release. I'm gonna take the opportunity now to do a revised summary dumping out some of the chaff which appeared earlier and in fact still does pop up now and again - there will no doubt be more to come of course in future weeks, I'll probably do a further update at some point.

Before I do get into anything though a big hand has to go to The Dude on Warseer, who has done an excellent job of keeping tabs of many of the rumours which have appeared in his Rumour Summary Thread, much, much kudos to him for such an undertaking!

To try and bring some form of order to the summary I'll break the thread down into FoC categories, with models tacked on the end.

HQ

Command HQ - With doctrines almost certainly gone there has been extensive talk of 'Special Orders', this appears to have come from various sources but most broadly speaking tally as being the same thing. The jist is that Officers are able to give Guard Squads special orders, it having been suggested that this is achieved either directly to unit's within 12" (much as with the current Leadership Special Rule) or via a Vox, to benefit from the orders success the squad is then rumoured to then pass a leadership check, though whether this is based on the squads leadership or the officers is unknown. There appear to be a number of different 'Special Orders' available, some specifically rumoured one's include; Ignoring Cover Saves conferred by unit from the Squads own Platoon, some form of 'Overwatch' Rule which allows shooting during the enemies movement phase at the cost of shooting and assault in the Guard players turn, one which reduces cover saves, one which improves there shooting ability and one which allows the unit to recover from pinning or going to ground.

Advisors - The Advisors rules are rumoured to have at least undergone some major changes if not outright dropped, no further rumours have yet been offered up relating to Commissars, Sanctioned Pyskers or Priests.

Commissar Lord - Rumours of the inclusion of a Commissar Lord started with the appearance of a green model at Gamesday Baltimore 08, these have persisted with the rumour that it is to be a HQ choice.

Primaris Pysker - A relatively new rumour, in a similar fashion to the Commissar Lord this rumours origins come from a fairly reliable source in a price list from Bell of Lost Souls. It is speculation to say that it is a HQ choice, however there is no reason to believe this new model release is replacing the existing Sanctioned Pyskers, rather that it is a new category of Pysker (or rather the welcome return of an old one for those of us who played 2nd edition 40k!).

Fleet Liaison - Rumour of this character also appeared relatively recently, it is suggested that he allows the Imperial Guard player to call down Orbital Bombardments of some description, it has been suggested he is also a HQ character, though likewise it has been suggested he may be an Advisor type character rather then a standalone HQ choice.

ELITES

Storm Troopers - Many people supposedly in the know have repeatedly suggested that Storm Troopers are getting a nice buff, however this has typically been about as specific as it gets. It was speculated that they will gain access to Shotguns based on a green model spotted at Games Day Baltimore 08, though if this was actually a Storm Trooper is unclear given persistent rumoured of plastics being in the pipeline new metals which this would seem to have been is unlikely. A recent post on Warseer by Bestiaparda however has suggested that Helguns may become AP3 weapons, that would certainly qualify as a 'nice buff' don’t you think? It should also be noted that they may have access to the Valkyerie as a Dedicated Transport.

Ratlings - Much to some players despair the Imperial Guards stunted hairy footed snipers are almost certainly remaining, rumours relating to the new models suggest they may benefit from Camo Cloaks similarly to Space Marine Scouts.

Ogryns - Ogryns are similarly to Storm Troopers repeatedly rumoured to be receiving a substantial buff, as indeed T5 with a 4+ Save and the Feel No Pain USR would be, this rumour apparently originated on Warseer though I've not found the first post to suggest it as being the shape of things to come.

TROOPS

Infantry Platoons - Infantry Platoon Command Squads are rumoured to benefit from the 'Special Orders' rules as already covered earlier in this summary, however there is rumoured for Platoons.

While Doctrines have gone it has been rumoured that a Platoon may be able to upgrade with additional equipment and so taking on further special rules etc, such upgrades have been suggested to include access to Chimera's to make a Mechanised Platoon, Carapace Armour to give Heavy Infantry and grav Chutes to give the Platoon the ability to Deep Strike.

A solution to the kill points issue has also been rumoured, one which allows individual Infantry Squads from a Platoon to merge into single larger units in a reversal of the Space Marines Combat Squads rule.

Heavy Weapons Teams are also rumoured to be undergoing a change, all that has been suggested so far is that those modelling teams now should use the single supplied 60mm bases rather then having them based separately.

Finally, and perhaps most importantly is talk of a reduction in cost for basic Guardsmen, 4-5pts is the bracket given, though if you'll forgive my own input here, Conscripts (which are rumoured to remain) are very unlikely to drop below their current 4pts, leaving 5pt standard Guardsmen.

Veterans - The only rumours to emerge regarding Hardened Veterans is that they are to become a Troops choice, though many of these rumours do suggest they may simply become a 0-1 upgrade for Infantry Platoons.

Conscripts - Rumoured to remain, with no other suggestions offered apart from the possibility of them gaining a Command Squad or attached Officer.

FAST ATTACK

Helhounds - Three variants of the Helhound have been rumoured including the existing Inferno Cannon armed model, one suggestion being that one will be earned with a Multi-melta, it has also been suggested that they will be available in Squadrons of three vehicles.

Sentinels - Additional weapons options have been rumoured for the Sentinel, mostly notably the Plasma Cannon, with 'Heavy' and 'Light' version a possibility one armed with heavier weapons, one retaining the Scout USR. This may or may not be inspired by a recut Sentinel box on the release list from Bell of Lost Souls, though it is possible this recut is simply one including all the existing weapons options in plastic rather then the current composite kits.

HEAVY SUPPORT

Leman Russ - The Leman Russ and Leman Russ Demolisher are strongly rumoured to be joined by a number of other variants as part of the 21 rumoured tank variants in the codex. It is widely accepted that the twin-autocannon armed Exterminator and the tank busting Vanquisher which appeared in the 3rd Edition codex will make a welcome return, the Plasma armed Executioner is also widely regarded as being included given the presence of what appears to be an Executioner's Plasma Cannon on a CAD picture spotted at a Games Day last year. It is also reasonable to assume a new variant of Leman Russ based on the small sketch icons in the Imperial Guard section of the 5th Edition Rulebook, these seem to show an unknown four barrelled variant with what may be Multi-melta sponsons.

Another repeated rumour suggests a new Special Rule for the Leman Russ, there have been two takes on it, firstly that Sponsons will count as Defensive Weapons (this seems unlikely in my opinion as that would include presumably such heavy weapons as Multi-meltas and Plasma Cannons) or alternatively that you will be able to fire the main weapon in addition to normal shooting.

Basilisk - The Basilisk has not been suggested to be undergoing any changes itself, however it is widely rumoured to be joined by the Griffon Mortar Carrier, another suggestion based on CAD images from Games Days over the year is the inclusion of the Medusa Siege Gun, effectively a longer ranged Demolisher Cannon with an indirect capability.

Hydra Flak Tank - The Hydra Flak Tank is also rumoured to be in the codex.

TRANSPORTS

Chimera - The Chimera received probably the earliest solid backing when FW released an Imperial Armour 2 update, this included new stats for the Inquisitorial Chimera. These rules are believed to be those which we'll see repeated in the Imperial Guard codex with an effective price drop of 34pts with a basic weapons fit of Multilaser and Heavy Bolter as standard and with Smoke Launchers and a Searchlight, this entry also points towards updated rules for the Camo Netting Upgrade though exactly what these will amount too is unknown.

Valkyrie - The Valkyrie has been rumoured for quite a while, initially it was believed that a plastic kit was being produced for a 'Planet Strike' expansion for 40k, something which had weight added to it when CADs were spotted of what appeared to be the interior of a Valkyrie at a Games Day last year. However it is now believed that the Valkyrie will be a Fast Skimmer Transport in the Codex, the only real question is who will have access to it with conflicting rumours that it will be a Dedicated Transport option as with the Valkyrie, that it will be a Fast Attack choice or that it will be a Transport option only for specific squads, notably Storm Troopers.

MODELS

The following was posted originally on Bell of Lost Souls with further information from O:nk.

First Wave rumoured to be as follows (US$/GB£):
IG Codex $25/£15
IG Primaris Psyker $15
IG Ratling Snipers (Blister) $20
IG Sentinel $25/£15
IG Cadian Command Squad $25
IG Catachan Command Squad $25
IG Valkyrie $50/£35
IG Cadian Shock Troops $22
IG Catachan Jungle Fighters $22

Ratlings - Probably metals, these new models are rumoured to be equipped with cloaks.

Cadian & Catachan Command Squads - Multipart plastic sets, these are rumoured to be full of extra pieces to customise your squads, suggestions have been made that things such as Swagger Sticks and Great Coats are to be found on the sprue.

Cadian & Catatchan Squads - These are rumoured to be ten man squad recuts, it is likely that they will include all special weapon options, however if Heavy Weapons are included is unknown. It has been suggested that the Catatchans may have had some revisions to bring them more in line with the newer plastic Catatchan Heavy Weapons Team (i.e. new arms).

Valkyrie - CAD from an unknown Games Day 2008.


A second wave is believed to follow, a number of greens and CAD's have been seen which suggest possible models for the second wave (or indeed further waves), these include;

Commissar Lord - Greens from Games Day Baltimore 2008


Plastic Storm Troopers - Possible Greens from Games Day Baltimore 2008


Recut Chimera - CAD from Games Day UK 2008


Recut Helhound - CAD from an unknown Games Day 2008

Sunday 1 February 2009

Hobby Fund (1st February) and 100,000 Hits

First off, well buggar me, a 100,000 hits, I dont think I could ever have imagined getting so many when I started the blog, a big thankyou of sorts to everyone who's popped by to have a look!

My attempt at making my hobby cash netral through a hobby fund has done okay in it's first month, with my clear-out proper started, one lot of sales has already been an gone and the Death Korps are on eBay at the moment on the search for new homes, however sales fee's left me in the negative for this month. In terms of purchases in January the main buy was a set of three WFB Gallopper Guns for their carriages (these being quite a hefty price unfortunately) as well as some older Sentinels and a few other various bits and pieces, I dont antipcate Feburary being quite so expensive!

  • Starting Balance 1st January (Previous Sales) = £37.85

  • Sales in January = £84.00

  • Sales Fee's in January = -£7.99

  • Purchases in January = -£78.60

  • Misc Income/Outgoings = £1.22

  • Balance 1st Feburary = £35.26


This month will likely be lower in terms of expendature, and hopefully higher sales which will set the scene in March for a little experiment in terrain making, and then following a two week American Road Trip at the start fo April, selling some basic terrain pieces.

Super Heavy Armoured Corps


Malcador Defender "Dauntless"