Rogue Trader era 40k Dominators.

At the very start of Rogue Trader, the first edition of Warhammer 40,000, there were all sorts of aliens and weird and wonderful troops. Some had their own rules and were covered in the rulebook, whilst others were prototypes, or random miniatures, often closely linked to the miniatures in Citadels 'Judge Dredd' range.

In this weeks blog update I have two miniatures from that early era: Dominators.

It is generally thought that they were a proto-type Tyranid control monster, similar to the (much) later Hive Tyrant. According to the 'Stuff of Legends' research website, they were released in March 1988, and were only avaliable, as far as I recall, via mail order. However I am sure that I recall seeing them before that, and one of them is pictured in the 1986 'Heroes for Wargames' book. Perhaps March 1988 was when they were finally released to the public? There were never any rules, and they seemed to have gone out of production quite soon after release. If I was to use them in gaming, I would probably use Zoat hero stats for them as they are also six-limbed, and about the same size, being slightly larger.

There were only two miniatures released, 'Hulendar' and 'Gorgravel'. I am not sure who sculpted them, but they have a Kev Adams look to them to me, but if anyone knows feel free to let me know. Both of them are three part miniatures, with both of them having the same upper torso, but different lower bodies which consist of a left and right half.

They were a challenge to put together. The two lower halves are relatively straight forward to glue together (with help from a little Green Stuff). However attaching the upper torso to the lower halves was trickier as it required holding in place, and filling, with a lot more Green Stuff. Considering this, I can understand why they did'nt make it into wider production as they are not too easy to assemble.

Painting wise I could only find two examples. One was from the 'Heroes for Wargames' book, and the other, featuring both of 'Gorgravel' and 'Hulendar', at the Stuff of Legends website, here:

http://www.solegends.com/citrt2/undominators/index.htm

I wanted to go for the classic red look for them, so I painted them a mid-shade between the two. They were fun and very quick and easy to paint. Whilst they have a lot of detail on them, the detailing is all of the same sort, mainly the Tyranid grown bone harness and guns. I am happy with the way they look, and glad to finally own them both and paint them.

Enjoy :)

 Catalogue page.

 The remains of my old March 1988 flyer, which suffered the indignity of having tea split on it about 25 years ago!

 Pre-assembly.

 'Hulendar' from the 'Heroes for Wargames' book.

 'Gorgravel' and 'Hulendar'. 

They are mounted on 40mm square bases (as they were in the flyer).

 'Hulendar'.

Front of the harness.
I have gone for a bone look for the harness, as the Tyranids use bio-technology.

Right side.
I painted the raised scales orange to add a little difference of colour. 

Left side of 'Hulendar'.

Rear view.

The bone harness looks very much like an extrnal pelvis and pair of shoulder blades, linked via something looking akin to spine vertebrae, as befitting Tyranid bio-tech.

'Gorgravel'.

Close up of the front of 'Gorgravel'.

Right side.
On 'Gorgravel' you can see the fringe of fur(?) on the middle arms, which I painted orange to match the scales.

Left view.

Rear view.
Again, is it the same harness design as 'Hulendar'.

Peek-a-boo!!!

Close up of the gun. I am not sure which one is meant to be the bolter, and which the flamer. I think that this is the bolter, as it has a combat blade on it. 

The other gun, the flamer (?).

'Hulendar' and 'Gorgravel' ambush a Piscean Warrior.

I have no idea what the next blog update will be on. Apart from the Dominators, I have'nt really been painting recently, but I have a lot of projects I could be starting.

134,591 views, and pre-slotta RR3 Grom's Goblin Guard Regiment of Renown.

I've said it before, but wow!
In the last few weeks the number of views to my blog has increased quite substantially, and as of this afternoon has reached 134,591 views. Thank you for everyone who has taken an interest in my blog. I have noticed looking at the traffic on my blog that people have been looking at all sorts of things I have posted over the years, which is very nice to see.

Now, after posting all the armies from Warhammerr Armies last week, I have got rather distracted with things. So I have decided to finally finish off my pre-slotta Grom's Goblin Guard Regiment of Renown. I had started painting them a while ago, but stopped to paint something else. In keeping with my the rest of my pre-slotta/Fantasy Tribes era Goblins, Great Goblins/Gnolls, and Dwarves, I have based them on 30mm round lipped bases, with attention paid to the bases.

Well, what can be said of Grom's Goblin Guard?
This is the first incarnation of the Goblin and his regiment, released in June 1984. They were released, as the first range of 'human sized' Regiments of Renown miniatures were, in boxes of nine; eight troopers, and one command figure. The troopers are pretty standard Goblins, although the sculpts do suggest a more mean, brutal, and stocky type of Goblin, which is alluded to in the background -"creatures who were half Goblin and half Orc"- . I am not sure who sculpted them, but I suspect it was the Perry Twins. If anyone knows, please let me know.

As for the command, Grom is a lovely sculped Goblin, fat and ugly with that slight Ogre look which is also suggested in his background. The sculpt works well, and he is fat, but not too much as in later interpretations of him.
His second in command, Crud Longbone, is a sculpt true to his name and background, as he is a lanky longnosed Goblin. He was, like several of the Regiments of Renown Champions, added slightly later to the range, and is actually an early slotta based miniature.
The standard bearer is,well a standard standard bearer! He is a slightly different style to the troopers, giving him a little added bit of personality,. The severed hand on top of the standard is a nice touch.
Finally, the muscian has a horn which curves all right around his body and to me look like a cross between a Alpine horn and a Gramophone.

I like this Regiment of Renown. Not just because they are Goblins, but becuase they work well as a unit. The troopers look fine in ranks, and the personalities have a great deal of individuality. I would recommend picking up some if Goblins are your interest. The background is great too, giving them a backstory and history. The background and history of Grom's Goblins can be found here:
http://www.solegends.com/citrr/1rr03groms/index.htm

Incedently, several of the Goblins are also similar Goblins in the C13 Goblin range, which I have commented on further down the blog.

Enjoy :)

Grom's Goblin Guard.
I have a unit of 25 of them, including the eponymous Goblin himself, and the full set of command miniatures.
Simialr to my Great Goblins, but slightly different to the pale green of my C12 Goblins, I have painted the Goblins in a more of a flesh tone, to hint at thier mixed ancestry.

The command group.

Grom. 

He a mean, moody,ugly, looking critter, who looks like he could slay Wulfrun Willowhand, King of the Northern Dwarfs in  drunken brawl, start a war, and bully all of the Goblins around him!

Rear view.

Crud Longbone. 

With my miniature, the end of his left arm had snapped off, something which seems to be a common problem with this model as a lot I have seen on e-bay and around have been damaged. I resculpted the arm and added an old wooden looking shield to strengthen the arm and to be in keeping with the Goblin troopers. 

He has a great deal of character to him, and of course, a big nose and long bones! 

Rear view.

Standard Bearer.

The writing is in Dwarf runes, from the appendix in the back of the Lord of the Rings, and says 'Grom'.

Rear view.

The severed hand, and close up of the standard.

Musician.

Rear view.

Troopers.

They are a standard looking footslogger. The faces look like that cross of Goblin with Orc/Ogre/Hobgoblin. 

The fur jerkin over the armour adds to thier bulk and guard look.

A selection of Goblins, with decorated bases.

Related miniatures.
There are several miniatures from the contemporaneous C13 Night Goblin range. The Goblins from the C13 range were released in August 1984, after Grom's Goblins, so it is reasonable to assume that these Goblins were sculpted from Grom's Regiment, not visa versa.
I have'nt found a a sculpt made from Crud Longbone, but if I do I'll update with it. It might be because many of the Champion miniatures were a later addition to the Regiments of Renown.
 Here's the Stuff of Legends link to the C13 Night Goblins ranges:
http://www.solegends.com/citc/c012goblins1/index.htm

Just to note, of my C13 Night Goblin shown here, only the archer is finished, whilst the others are awaiting re/painting and their bases to be completed. 

 Grom and Goblin with club.
The have the same body but the heads and right arms are different. Also, the Goblin has an added shield.

 Rear view.
The Goblin has long hair with discs attacted to the ends, but you can still see Grom's left arm under the shield.

 Standard Bearer and archer.
Again, the same body, but the arms have been reposed, and the archer has a bone through his nose.
Incidentally, this C13 Night Goblin archer was produced both in pre-slotta, and slotta form (I have both :)  ).

 Rear view.
Apart from the addition of extra hair and a quiver, they are the same.

 Musician and club wielding Goblin.
Apart from the obvious lack of a trumpet, the Goblin has dramatically repostioned arms and a club. Their faces are similar, but the C13 Goblin has a bigger nose and slightly wider head.

 Rear view.
Apart from the trumpet, they are basically the same.

 Trooper and archer.
The C13 Night Goblin has different set of arms. The head is the same, but the face is different.

  Rear view.
Again, the same, except for the quiver.

Dragon Gate.
I randomly painted an old resin scenery piece made by Scotia Grendel.
I am planning to update the background and scenery for my photographing.
Which brings me onto...

...I have been experimenting with backgrounds.
I saw on someones blog (sorry, I have forgotten whose) a battle using background from the vinyl sleeve of Hawkwinds 'Warrior on the Edge of Time', created by Rodney Matthews.
Now Rodney Matthews is one of my favourite artists, and I have a copy of his artwork book 'In Search of Forever'. The book is named after a piece of artwork of his, and is the one which was used by Hawkwind for their Album cover.
Here I have photographed a 1980's Citadel  Dwarf adventurer in front of the waterfall part of the art, very much a fantasy take on the Victorian explorers in 'Darkest Africa' or the Amazon. 

Slann in what could be the depths of Lustria (perhaps near Curtis Falls perhaps? ;)  ) .

On the subject of Slann, I am pleased to have finally completed my pre slotta Slann Cold One unit. I bought a broken Slann Rider, which will be converted into a standard bearer.

I also have a smaller regiment of Slann Cold One Riders too.

Despite all the fantasy things I have to paint, my next blog update will be on two specific Rogue Trader era miniatures I want to paint up and write a blog post on.

All twelve armies from the 3rd Edition Warhammer Armies book (including the Norse).

This September will the the 30th Anniversary of me starting to collect miniatures and gaming (I started off with Napoleonic ESCI and Airfix plastics the year before in 1985), and this thought has got me looking through all the different odds and ends which I have collected over the years.

Now, a few years ago I started organising a lot of my fantasy miniatures into properly painted armies, based on the army lists from the 3rd Edition Warhammer Armies supplement. I did quite well (if I say so myself!) and got eight 3,000 point armies done. However,  getting them 'done' was the problem. I essentially assembled the armies and painted them up just so I had an army completed. Recently I re-visisted the armies, tinkering with their compostion, and removing any models which are not what is sometimes termed  Oldhammer era (1979-1992) miniatures. In the case of the Orcs/Goblins and Dwarves, removing any old solid based minatures for a seperate project (my 'Goblin Wars collection, cosisting of pre-slotta miniatures mainly from the Citadel 'Fantasy Tribes ranges').

Over the last few weeks I resolved to sort out and paint a 3,000 point army for each of the eleven main army list entires in the Warhammer 3rd Edition Warhmammer Armies book (the supplement of army lists for 3rd Edition Warhammer Fantasy Battle), plus a Norse army from the extra list which never made it into the book, published in White Dwarf #107. As mentioned earlier, I have made a conscious decision to just keep the armies composed of miniatures from the 1979 to 1992 era. I have done this to keep the armies as they would have been at the time, and how, as I owned several armies even then, were at the time.

This is a purely personal choice, I have no problem with collecters who mix and match old and new miniatures, even for 3rd Edition armies. However I wanted to take a purest approach, and because of the size of my collection this is an option. The miniatures I used are all 1979-92 era Citadel, Marauder,Grenadier, Ral Partha, Alternative Armies, Asgard, Harlequin (now Black Tree) and MB Games/GW Heroquest. In addition I sort of cheated in that, for the human armies, I used some of the currently back in production ex-Citadel miniautres from Wargames Foundry.

So, for the fun of it, I have assembled and photographed a roughly 3,000 point army for each of the army list entries. Some of the armies are finished and exactly 3,000 points, whilst others are an approximate. I do however have enough extra miniatures to allow a certain level of tinkering. For several armies, which I will point out as I go, I also have enough miniatures for an extra army or two for a list entry (primilarly the Dark Elves, High Elves, Chaos, Orcs and Goblins, and the Slann).  But more on that in later updates.

Enjoy :) 

  Warhammer Armies (1988).

  Dark Elves.
I already have a later 1980's Citadel/Marauder, but decided recently to switch the army over to consisting of pre-slotta miniautres only (except one) as I much prefer them. 

 Crossbowmen and Warriors.

 More Dark Elves!

 Mounted Spectre.
I painted him with fluorescent paint and white, to give him that ethereal  look. 

 Wood Elves.

I wanted a change in style from the ususal green clad Wood Elves, so I opted for an Autumnal look.
I really had fun paiting these and doing the bases, and would like to expand the army at a later date (maybe Autumn! LOL ).

 Warhounds, Archers, Scouts, Treemen, and a Zoat.

 Skarloc's Wood Elves.

 

 General and Mage.

 

 More Wood Elf Archers and Scouts.

 High Elves.

This is just a token 3,000 point force. I have a lot more infantry, and some cavalry, which I intend to bulk out the army if needed, as well use to build a seperate 3,000 point Sea Elf army. 

In addition (after some e-bay shopping)  I have a enough Eternal Champion range miniatures to make a 3,000 point Melnibonean using the High Elf list.

 40 of the RR10 Elwing's Elf Cavalry regiment, destined to be the core of the army as Silver Helms.

 Mounted Archers, General, and Mages.

 Side view, with some of the archers.
I have a lot of the Wood Elves Archers for the plastic regiments set from the 1980's as well, but they may end up with the Sea Elves.

Elven Attack Chariots. 

Points allowing, they will ride with the army too.

 Empire. 

I have opted for a slightly different take on the Empire army. Instead of the full on early 1500's Landsknecht look of later Empire armies, I have gone for a more mid to later 1500's/Elizabethean style, using the old 1980's Citadel 'Wars of Religion' range which has been re-released by Wargames Foundry.

Some of the artwork from the mid 1980's suggested a 'later' look to the Empire. and some of the miniatures from the Townsfolk and Fighter ranges also have ruffs and puffed doublet and hose.  So I have combined the Wargames Foundry miniatures, especially for the pike regiments, with more Landsknecht looking troops.

 Helblitzen.

 Ersatzsolder with pike. 

I have painted up a couple of test models. The idea is to have the pike, handgunners, and cannon with crew from Nuln. In both the older and later background Nuln is the area which is famed for pike and gunpowder weapons. 

The pikemen are Wargames Foundry, ex-Citadel 'Wars of Religon' pike, with an old Citadel C46 Villager 'Noble' as one of the leaders of the regiment above. I have two regiments of 30 pikemen in the army, and they will provide a good solid core for the army.

  Helblitzen with 'Wars of Religon leader.  

These will be painted up in a different colour scheme to the Nuln pike to suggest Helblitzen from another province, as well give more colour to the army.

 Reiksgard.

 Army General (centre) and two Wizards.

The General is the old ADD 18 Bard. Also on the right is Een McWrecker, from The Tradegy of McDeath, who looks flouncy enough to fit in with the Empire army! 

From left to right, another 'Wars of Religon' miniature, this time to be used as a Hakbutschutzen.
Centre is Citadel F2 Fighter 'Gunnery Captain', which I actually intend to use as a Bombardier!
Right is a F2 Fighter Mercenary Crossbowman.

 Bretonnians.
I did intend to change the Bretonnian army into a purely cavalry army, but realised that I really needed a few infantry. I have expanded the number of Knights, and decided to replace the models spears with proper lances.

 Archers and Knights.

 Crossbows,Villains, Knights, and Rascals.

 Close up of the knights.
 I have converted an old female Fighter whose spear had snapped off to be able to sit on a Warhorse. I think it gives a Joan of Arc look to the unit, and she be the units standard bearer.

 Wizards, Villians, and Ribalds.

 Chaos.
This is my Beastman Chaos army, based on the army of the 'Soulflayer' in the Warhammer Armies book, pages 74-5. 

I do have enough Chaos Warriors from the 1980's to do a separate army, as well as a full 3,000 point Chaos Nippon Army made up of a mix of 1980's and later Samurai miniatures. 

I am also in the early stages of working on a Pan Tang army.

Dragon Ogre, Chaos Sorcerers, Minotaurs, Harpies, and Medusa.

I did have two Reaper Miniatures Harpies in the army, which will be replaced with a pair of  Bob Olley Iron Claw range ones, when I find out where I put them!
I also do have the other mounted Sorcerer used in the Warhammer Armies book photograph, I just need to paint him up and swap him for the Citadel CH5 Chaos Sorcerer I used instead.

 Beastmen.

 Close up.

 Minotaurs.

 'Manits Man' leading the beastmen.

 The Soulflayer.

 Skaven.

This army is a completed 3,000 point army and needs no tinkering. 

Army standard and General.

The Standard is based on the band 'The Stranglers' album cover 'Rattus Norvegicus'.

 Posion Wind Globadiers. 

Again I used the fluorescent paint, this time to suggest Warpstone.
I also used the fluorescent paint on the Skaven's eyes to suggest that they are infused with Warpstone corruption.

 Weapon teams and Rat Ogres.

 The Skaven Hordes. 

Quick quick...

 Skaven Mages, servants of the Great Horned Rat.

 More of the little buggers!

 Orcs and Goblins. 

This is a tiny fraction of the Orcs of Goblins I have.

Closer up.

 Wyverns and Orcs back up the Goblins.

 Goblins!
I like Goblins :)

 Trolls and Mage.

 Stone throwers.

 Down the line of Goblins. 

I worked out that it is possible to take all 400 Goblins in the Orc and Goblin list, and the 100 Chaos Goblins, in one 3,000 point army list. Now there's an idea! :)

Goblins.

 Three Orcs mounted on Wyverns, because I can :)
I won't be having all three in the army though, that would be too much! 

 Dwarves.

 Dwarven King surronded by his army.

 War Machines.

 Prince Uther's Dragon Comapny, used as Clansmen.

 Magically bound Dragon, with Wizard, and some somewhat incredulous Goblobber crew.

Slann.

This again is only a fraction of the Slann army. I have been collecting Slann since 2nd Edition, and have enough for a 10,000 point Slann slotta army (using a doubled up list as a basis), and a seperate 3,000 point pre-slotta Slann army.

 Blowpipers, Aligator Warriors, magically bound Pond Dragon. Eagle Warriors, and Bull Slann.

 Eagle Warriors, Mages, with the Bull Slann and Spawn Band to the rear.

 Bull Slann and Spawn Band.

 Savage Jungle Braves, from the deepest Jungles of Lustria.

 Venom Tribes.

 Undead.
This is another army which requires no tinkering.

Bound Ethereal Host.

Fom Left to right, at the rear, a Mounted Spectre, Spectre; front, a Wight, Wraith, and Ghost.

 Grim Reapers, er, lead by the Grim Reaper!

 Skeleton Warriors.

 War Machines, Mummies, and more Skeleton Warriors.

 Necromancers.

 Carrion Riders.

 Norse.
This army is very much a WIP. It is a half Norse Dwarf, and half Norse Human army. A lot of the Humans are ex-Citadel F4 Vikings. 

The army is based on the army list released in White Dwarf #107.

Huscarls led by Kremlo the Slann.

For those of you unaware, Kremlo was a Slann who was adopted by Norse and was the subject of a 1st Edition Warhammer campaign. So I thought it would be fun for him to led my Norse army. He will count as a Level 20 Human. for gaming purposes.

 Heroes destined for greatness in a Saga, or Valhalla (or both!)
Thrudd, a pair of Mages (which I selected to look like Odin), BC3 Dwarf Lord of Legend 'Uther', and a Night Horrors range Giant Werewolf (Ulfwernar hero).

 Human Bondsmen and Beserkers.

Dwarf Bondsmen, Norse Dwarfs, and Beserkers.

Next weeks update might be on the Dark Elves, as I should really get some painting done, or it might be a follow up post showing some of the other armies.