55,000 views!!! ... and Squat shopping, and a double Genestealer armies project.

I am currently on holiday, but have been strangely busy doing all sorts of things, so alas not had time to update the blog as usual on either Sunday or Monday, or as of yet do much painting, only Skaven basing. With the few free days I have, I am going to sort out things for future updates, and paint.

However, I am pleased to report that as of today my blog has received 55,463 views since I started blogging in April 2013!
I would like to say a big thank you to everyone who has taken an interest in my blog, the random projects I have been undertaking, and my miniatures collection. I still have lots of things to post and lots of projects I still have on the 'to do' list, including several armies.

Currently I am still basing the Skaven army, which given the free time will be completed this week. Other than the Skaven I have been distracted by two things.

Firstly I have been shopping.
I have been doing a lot of overtime recently which has eaten into my painting time like a Tyranid attacking Squats :( . Now on the subject of Squats, I have consequently had some money to spare, so I have been buying more Squats. Those of you who have followed my blog may recall that at the start of the year I painted my Squat Army, compiled according to the Rogue Trader Space Dwarf/Squat army list from White Dwarf #111. 
The finished army can be found here: http://goblinlee.blogspot.co.uk/2014/02/squat-army-finished.html

I have always really liked the Squat miniatures and the background, but I have no real reason to buy any more Squats other than I like them, which I consider a good enough reason in itself. I will confess that I have probably spent about £130 on e-bay, including paying a little too much for the odd miniature here and there, but have managed to assemble another 44 metal miniatures and 21 plastic Squats in a couple of weeks.

So what to do with them? I did have an idea of using some of them to use as Squat troopers to accompany some of the old metal Imperial Army models to build a force according the Hylgar's Hellraisers, from the 1988 Book of the Astronomican. However I am more inclinded to either add them to the existing Squat army, or re-organise my current Squat army and the new models, and form a small Chaos Squat army in addition to my current army. I am also not a 100% happy with my Squat army's painting and might tinker with the organisation, and re-do the highlighting.

 E-bay haul: 

39 Metal Squats (the other 5 are still in the post) and 21 plastic Squats.

What follows is a selection of the Squats above, mainly 'new ones' I have never owned before.

 Medic, Standard Bearer, and Iron Claw Squat with Hand Flamer. 

 I love the character of these 3, I feel the Medic is one of the 'must have' models for a Squat army, wielding his dinky little chainsword; the Standard Bearer looks cool in the shades and the 'Eagle' has that early Rogue Trader feel to it; and the cigar smoking Iron Claw squat with the bionic eye looks like a crazy Pyromaniac!

 On the left is an old RT303 Heavy Weapon Squat, but carrying the old Grenade Launcher. I have another one of these Squats in the post with the first old style Heavy Plasma Gun, and I am going to swap weapons in my Ork army so I can field one of the first old style Heavy Bolters too. 

Centre another Iron Claw Pyromaniac with a full sized Flamer this time. 

To his right is RT 303 Loader Grigg, who will help crew to field gun later on in this post.

 3 more Iron Claw Squats, with pistols and Las-Guns. 

I was never a fan of Iron Claw Squat models at the time (I liked the Goblins though unsurprisingly!), and so avoided buying them. When it came to painting them up earlier this year I found to my suprise that they really painted up well, and that I actually quite liked them.

..and yet another 3 Iron Claw, looking mean and meaning business.

 ...and you guessed it, 3 more Iron Claw Squats.

 I really like the one on the left with the Auto-Gun and shades, I bought him from e-bay especially (£5.99 inc. P&P I think).

 Adventurers.

On the left is the RT601 Adventurers range 'Squat Engineer'. Not sure what I will do with him, he might end up as a crew member or in a Hearthguard. I liked the miniature, so I got him :) 

On the right is one of the 1989 release Adventurers.

 21 Plastic Squats, tided up and awaiting (literally!) re-arming. I have a pile of arms for these and a variety of weapons.

The Imperial Guard Auto-Cannon. 

I picked this model up second hand in the 2000's and know nothing about it. It has the Imperial Eagle on it (so it's likely to be Citadel/GW) and the gunplate, base, and wheels look Citadel and similar to the Thudd Gun. If anyone knows anythning about it, please let me know as I can't find out anything about it.

I have decided that I might use it as a subsitute for a Thudd Gun, and glue the Blood Bowl Dwarf Kicker (suitably painted of course) onto it, with his foot resting on the wheel. 

If the gun turns out to be perhaps very very rare or something, I might just mount him on a base instead.

  Looking down the barrel of the gun.

Now secondly, in addition to spending money on Squats and basing Skaven, I have dug out an old collection of miniatures I forgot I had.

Admiring the lovely (but really expensive!) new GW Tyranids got me thinking about the post Rogue Trader background of the poor Squats being eaten by those nefarious 'Nids. I recalled that although I have never owned a Tyranid army (at least not yet) but I did have a box of Genestealers somewhere. In addition several Oldhammer Bloggers have been re-visiting their Genestealer collections. So I thought I would go hunting Genestealers!

Looking at what I had found I checked the Genestealer army lists; the Genestealer Invasion Force list in White Dwarf # 115; and the the Genestealer Cult list in White Dwarf #116. Both armies looked fun, and I could not decide which one to do. The Invasion force did'nt have many Hybrids but lots of Purestrain Genestealers, whilst the Cult force seemed to have even fewer Hybrids and Purstrains, but lots of other options.

As I have enough Hybrids to cover the maximum number required of both Armies, and lots of Purestrain Genestealers, I thought I would do both lists. I have the concept of a Genestealer force answering the psychic call of a hidden Genestealer Cult, and invading the planet in support of the Cult's insurrection. I have a lot of spare Rogue Trader era Pirates and Imperial Guard to act as Brood Brothers, so I just have to work out a pair of army lists and role up the equipment, etc.

I though 1,500 point for each army so they would form a good 3,000 point together. I can always increase the points with more Brood Brothers, invading Purestrain Genestealers and vehicles.

I plan to make the Cult a Slaanesh aligned Cult, combining the idea of a Slaanesh pleasure/sex cult with the reproductive imperative of the Genestealers. It also means that I can paint a lot of purple and blue across both forces, linking the colours of Slaanesh and the Genestealers together. In addition, 6 is a good size for small battlefield flexible squads. Now all I need to do is source some Cult Limousines.

 Box 'o 'Stealers! 

I have 72 painted up, all from the Space Hulk era.

 

 Mix of Hybrids, the plastic Space Hulk ones at the top, and a mix of the metal ones below. I will use the plastic ones for 1st and 2nd Generation Hybrids, and the others for 3rd and 4th, and for the Magus.

 Some of the Iron Claw Imperial Guard/Mercenary miniatures which I think will fit in well.

 The rest of the Brood Brother will be from the early range of Imperial Army/Guard, of which these are just a few. 

 I also have a few Confrontation Gangers/Titan Crew which could work as Brood Brothers or Rogue Psykers.

Anyway, leaving all of the above aside, I still need to base the Skaven. 

I have opted for a grey coloured base to lighten up the look of the minatures, and two types of flock to suggest a mix of live and dying grasses.  

Here is a test model. Only 200+ to go ! 

Next blog update will be Skaven, probably Genestealers, and maybe more Squats. :)

Tom Meier's Troglodytes

This weeks blog update is focusing on one particular set of miniatures: the "Citadel Presents: CP3- Tom Meier's Troglodytes". 

Earlier in the year I posted an update in Tom Meier's Lizardman box set, produced in the early 1980's, which can be found here: http://goblinlee.blogspot.co.uk/2014/03/tom-meiers-lizard-warriors-box-set.html
I have always been a fan a Tom Meier's sculpting, and have collected a number of his Lizardmen, and occasionally, his Troglodytes.

After a recent e-bay win, I have now completed the set of Troglodytes which comprised the CP3 Troglodytes box set which was released as a companion to the Lizardman box, in 1984. I never set out to collect the set of Troglodytes, but after doing the update on the Lizardmen I gained a renewed appreciation for them. So, I decided to buy the final pair which I required as apart from being useful for gaming (and finding a home in my Slann army) and because they are beautiful miniatures. My only regret is that I have not, as of yet, got around to painting them, so apologies for the unpainted state of the models.

As with the Lizardman update, I have photographed the models to provide a more detailed record of the models and to introduce people to an often overlooked set of models which I personally think deserves more attention. 
Enjoy :) 

Citadel Presents: 

CP3- Tom Meier's Troglodytes Box Set.

 The miniatures themselves, mounted on 40mm square bases.

All of the bodies seem to be based on a single master model, and be variants of that.

The style of the miniatures are skinny, lithe, and wiry, rather than bulky as with later models. The heads look more Lizard-esque rather than the Crocodilian like the C19 series Lizardmen.

 Scale shot to give an idea of the size of the miniatures. 

Despite being larger than the dinky Tom Meier's Lizardmen, the Troglodytes are actually quite larger than the Iron Claw Goblin on it's right.

 1. Troglodyte with Halberd.

The first model in the set is a halberd wielding Troglodyte. As with all of Tom Meier's sculpts there is a great attention to detail, especially considering the age of the sculpts. The detail on the blade has runes and arcane writing on it, as well as the detail on the sword hilt, and the expressional face.

 The right hand side of the model showing the body and scales clearer.

 2. Troglodyte with spiked sword.

A Troglodyte armed with sword and shield, and although what maybe unlcear from the photograph the side end of the blade of the sword has a spike on either side of it, hence the name.

 The left side of the model shwoing the detailing on the shield. I love the esoteric runes which to me evokes the First and Second Edition Warhammer magical details of the background and adds an air of mystery and wonder. The ridges on the shield are also a great touch.

3.  Troglodyte attacking with Halberd. 

Another excellent sculpt, wielding another halberd. The halberd does not have the runes like the first, but a magical looking lightning design. The heavy armour looks perfect for the Troglodyte's frame. 

 Left hand side.

 4. Troglodyte with Axe.

Axe, heavy plate armour, and a solid looking shield with blazing sun device on it.

 Right hand side.

I particulary like the shape and design of the axe which seems to give the miniature an even more fantasy feel about it.

 5. Troglodyte with a Spiked Sword.

Another Troglodyte with a spiked sword, this time a double handed sword. The half-moon pummel of the sword is another great mystic detail.

This miniature is featured in artwork on page 28 of the Warhammer 2nd Edition Battle Bestairy.

 Left side showing more scales, and a clearer look at the spiked sword end.

 6. Troglodyte with Cleaver.

Perhaps my favourite looking of the weapons in the set, a hooked and curved sword. It does'nt look much like a cleaver, but has the feel of something which could lob off a limb or head with ease. 

The armour is the same style of overlapping plate which is used throughout this set, and suits the models. I think it is nice that the armour cover the legs as well, rather than just the upper torso and arms.

 Left side.

 Close up of the shield details.

 This Troglodyte with a scythe is not part of the set, but is definitely a Tom Meier sculpt. I am not able to find a reference for it, but I am sure he is present somewhere.

Left hand side, with that great Lizard grin expression.

Not sure on next weeks update, I have several projects ticking over, but have now decided on which to pursue.

The Ork Assault Grenadiers.

Apologies for the brevity of this weeks blog post and that it covers some of what was covered last week, but I have had a very busy week at work, and a chaotic weekend (and not the lovely kind of Chaos which gives you rewards, followers, and the chance to Let the Galaxy Burn! :(  ) .

Given that, I was able to paint, varnish, and base the last of the Space Orks which I needed to paint to complete the small scouting force. The inital idea for painting these Orks was partly in line with the'Orktober challenge', that is to paint up some Orks or Orcs during October. For my part, it just gave me an excuse to paint up the last part of my Rogue Trader Orks (although I still have 3 unfinished Wartraks to do), rather than seriously compete for the prize.

The Ork force was based on the 'Ork Assault Grenadiers', the scouting force which were the protagonists in the Rogue Trader scenario "Skrimish on Rynns World: The Battle of Jadeberry Hill" published in White Dwarf #94. As I don't have a printer/scanner though, I cannot scan the scenario for the blog. :(

In the scenario the Ork force consisted of 4 squads of 5 Orks, armed with Bolters, combat-accessory, and  equipped with Flak Armour, Frag and Krak grenades. One of the Orks in a one of the squads was equipped with a Heavy Bolter and Bolt pistol in place of the Bolter.

This force was lead by the "moody albino Ork Captain Ulruk of Mergabenerga". He an Ork Minor Hero, and armed with a Bolt Pistol and Chainsword, and equipped with Flak armour and Refractor Field (but no grenades for some reason apparently). The Captain seems to be a humourful idea based on Elric of Melnibone.

The whole force is basically designed to be the same force as Thrugg Bullnecks force in the 'Battle at the Farm' scenario, and can be built using the RTB02 Space Ork Raiders boxset, and a few extra Orks. The only differences are that Ulruk does'nt have the Plasma Pistol Thrugg is equipped with; Thrugg's second in command has a Champion profile upgrade; one of Ulruk's Orks has a Heavy Bolter and Bolt Pistol; and none of Thrugg's Orks have grenades.

I painted them up to tie-in with the Wehrmacht look of the rest of my Rogue Trader Orks, Luggub's Drop Force, but still give them a slightly distinct look from the rest of the army. The fatigues and helmets/caps I painted black, the Flak armour I painted World War 2 German Uniform Green, to give a slightly SS feel. In addition I painted odd little different details as they are Space Orks and not always good at keeping to uniform and equipment regulations! 
The Luggrub's Drop Legion update, including Thrugg's force can be found here:
 http://goblinlee.blogspot.co.uk/2013/06/rogue-trader-orks-luggubs-drop-legion.html

Enjoy :)

 The Ork Assault Grenadiers, looking for trouble.

 On the left is the model I use as Ulruk (he was released under the name 'Buzzy Bazzacks' , and on the right Thrugg Bullneck.

Both are very similar models and one was probably sculpted from the other, although as they were released at the same time it's not easy to know which. I would have thought it was Thrugg as they are present in the Rogue Trader Rulebook photographs.

 Side/back views.

Note Thrugg's Plasma Pistol.

As there was never a Ulruk model, I chose Buzzy as he was very similar to Thrugg. As both forces are similar, I imagined both them being rival commanders of similar scouting forces. 

Think Father Ted vs Father Dick Byrne. ;)

 Keeping with the theme of the force being simialr to Thrugg's, I used the same basic Trooper models, the ones from the Space Ork Raiders box set minus Thrugg of course, although I did keep the Hruk model to serve as one of the Grenadier Squad leaders. 

  As the box set is a few Orks sort of the full number needed I added some of the RTO2 Space Ork models to act as squad leaders. I used the same one I used in Thrugg's force, which are the same ones used in the photographs of the battle scene of the 'Battle at the Farm' in the Rogue Trader Rulebook (page 65).

All of the Squad leaders, both from the boxset and those not seem to be based on the same inital sculpt. I think that adds a nice extra little touch of detail.

Here the squad leader model is 'Gog the Gogler'. 

The model on the front left side is the Heavy Bolter Ork from the Space Ork Raiders box set.

 Another squad, lead by 'Smiler Bogit'

 The final squad, lead by another model from the Space Ork Raiders box set.

 The 2 Squad Leaders from the boxset.

  The 2 Squad leaders from the RTO2 Space Ork range.

 2 bare headed (perhaps bone headed might be more apt) Ork Troopers.

 2 more Troopers, one with helmet and the other with a forage cap.

 Rear view of the Space Ork Troopers.

After the Orks, I still have the 3rd Edition Warhamer Fantasy Skaven army to base, so that will be my next thing to do.

Next weeks blog update will be a focus on a single thing. After an e-bay win completing the set, I will update on Tom Meier's CP3 Troglodytes box set, released in the early 1980's. It will be a companion update to the update I did earlier in the year looking at Tom Meier's CP4 Lizardmen box set.

Hasslefree Miniatures Kindred/Halflings.

Growing up in the UK in the 1970's and 1980's meant that there were always a lot of old World War Two films on TV. One of my favourites from the British 1950's era was Dunkirk, with John Mills as a British Corporal leading a squad of soldiers through Northern France to the coast, and being chased by the advancing Germans.

 Now when Rogue Trader was released in 1987 with the Space Orks looking very Wehrmacht in their in Stahlhelms, it instantly fired my 13 year old imgination. It was'nt a short leap of my imgination for the relentless Wehrmacht to be transformed into Space Orks. This is why I painted Luggub's Drop Legion in a World War Two fashion here: http://goblinlee.blogspot.co.uk/2013/06/rogue-trader-orks-luggubs-drop-legion.html

However, apart from actual World War Two historical humans, I never found a suitable looking opponents for the Orks. The Imperial Army/Guard always looked too 1980's or American (good for Kelly's Heroes) so I never bothered. However a few years ago now Hasslefree Miniatures started to produce a small line of World War One Halflings, known as Kindred: 
 http://www.hfminis.co.uk/shop?category=miniatures~kindred-%28weird-war-halflings%29

 So I thought when I get around to re-painting the Space Orks I will look at getting some of the Halflings. I finished the bulk of the Orks a couple of years ago, but never got around to starting the Kindred. With Orkober I decided to finish off the odds and ends of the Orks, and buy a few of the Kindred for the fun of it, which I purchased from Tritex Games as they had a few cheaper old stock from the initial release of some years ago ( http://www.tritex-games.co.uk/ ).

In line with the World War Two looking Orks, I painted my Halflings up in World War Two British colours, rather than World War One. The uniform cut with it's tunic rather than Battledress, although World War One, was similar to the early war uniform Battledress of 1937. And anyway, they are Halflings fighting Space Orks, so I was'nt too concerned with too much exact accuracy, as long as they looked about right.
I also bought a 1/72 scale Airfix kit of a 'Matlida II' tank to convert up and accompany them. 

In other things, I am continuing to paint up the Space Ork Assault Grenadiers, with only seven left to paint, and then base and varnish them all. Then onto the Wartraks and the Sleazy Rider.
However, I have not started on basing the Skaven, but will soon.
I did paint up 8 Halflings, a Tank, and 14 Space Orks this week though. :) 

Enjoy :)

 Eight Hasslefree Miniatures Kindred/Halflings. 

Painted using Vallejo World War Two English Uniform (unsupringly) for the uniforms. I used Vallejo Violet Brown (which is a Green!) for the equipment, and mixed a little with black for the helmets.

I am pleased with how they look, but they are really tiny, even for Halflings.

Scale size next to a UK Penny (about the same size as a USA 'One Cent', and a '10 Cent Euro').

Scale size next to Rogue Trader Ork (in Stahlhelm!).

The details of the Halflings are excellent, and they are very characterful, as are a lot of Kev White's sculpting. However when placed next to Space Orks, even old Rogue Trader ones, they really do look tiny. I had planned on buying a little (excuse the pun) army of them, but not so sure now. They really do suit their Toughness 2 characteristic.

 On the left, Captain Freddy Bagshott, officer in command. 

Next to him is Sergeant Stan Gammage, with a dinky 'Lewis Gun'.

 Rear views. 

I love the detail of the spare 'Lewis Gun' ammo.

 Left is Private Barney McGrew, right is Private C Dibble.

I like the little bolt action rifles.

 Left, Private P Yew, and Private H Yew on the right. 

Those who grew up in the UK might recognise the names given to them by Hasslefree Miniatures as similar to the Firemen from the children's TV programme Trumpton.

Rear view showing the equipment colour and detailing.

 1/72 Airfix 'Matilda II' British Tank, used from 1939 and all through World War Two.

I have converted it up to have a Las-Cannon, from the Catachan Heavy Weapons set, and added the power pack on the back, and some pouches on the turret.

I love the fact with tanks named 'Tiger', 'Panther', 'Sherman', etc, we named our main tank 'Matilda'! 

 Right hand side view with a Halfling for scale.

I wanted to convert up a plastic tank kit to accompany the Halflings in a Rogue Trader style. I did'nt use Rogue Trader parts as they Kindred are'nt Rogue Trader themselves.

 Bang!

 Space Orks of the Assault Grenadiers!

4 Orks from the Space Ork Raiders set being lead by Squad Leader 'Smiler Bogit'.

I have chosen a paint scheme to mathc the Luggub Drop Legion's Wehrmacht look, but also keep them slightly seperate. So I have opted for black uniform, but with Vellejo World War Two German Uniform Green for the flak armour and leg wrappings. Adding the green stopped them looking too bland and black, and also too much like the later Goff Clan concept.

 Second Squad, all from the Ork Raiders box set, including a Heavy Bolter Ork.

 Squad Leader 'Gog the Gogler' flanked by two Space Ork Raider miniatures.

  The albino Ork Captain Ulruk of Mergabenurga. leader of the Ork Assault Grenadiers from the Scenario 'The Battle of Jadeberry Hill' in White Dwarf #94. The miniature is the 'Buzzy Bazzacks' model I have used to represent him as he is similar to the Thrugg Bullneck model from the Space Ork Raiders box set.

I don't think it's too obvious to point out the similarity to Michael Moorcock's albino Elric of Melnibone?

 

Close up of two random Ork Assault Grenadiers.

Next weeks update will be on the finishing off of the Space Orks. I will be basing up the Skaven as I go, but I want to start a new project, and so will decide what to tackle over the next week or two and update accordingly. :)