DreadTober: Week 1 Progress

 

Hi folks,

My project for DreadTober this year is to build an old school version of the Death Company Dreadnought Moriar the Chosen. 

I have always liked the idea of a Dreadnought with two lighting claws, so much so that I built my own using the plastic Blood Angels kit and painted it as a Deathwing Dreadnought called "Hawk Talon". To make a version that would fit in a 2nd Edition army, though, I would need some rarer metal parts. The main part of the model was a "Furioso" Dreadnought from 3rd Edition that I hunted down on eBay. The weapons are all the old 2nd Ed. sculpts, e.g. the heavy flamer is the old double-barreled version. The rest of the model is indistinguishable from the older sculpt, apart from the additional close combat arm. I got the model fairly cheaply because it was missing the ends of the close combat weapons (which I wanted to replace anyway) and the feet (which I already had in my bitz box). To replace the feet I used some spare plastic parts which I drilled to fit the leg pegs:

To replace the "hands", I managed to get a full left arm from the old metal Bjorn the Fell-Handed model, as well as a second spare set of claws from the same model. It almost hurts to think that two Bjorn models will never have their claws, or that I have made it that much harder for Space Wolf players to secure these parts. I was very excited to make my dream project a reality, though!!

To fit the claws I used some spare plastic parts from my old Blood Angels kit to fill in the gaps under the wrist mount, after measuring them up carefully, cutting some pilot grooves with a hobby knife and using my razor saw to finish them off.

To "ease" myself into painting I took on (potential) the most challenging aspect of the model; the banner. I found a picture of the banner online and shrink it to size in a document. After printing I painted over the top to match the shades I'll be using on the model: 

I may add some blue/grey highlights to the black areas of the banner, depending on how the model itself turns out. Overall, I am very happy with how the project has started and I'm looking forward to getting the painting started in earnest. 

See you across the table,

Marc

Dark Angels 1000 point Army

 

Hi folks,

I have been chipping away at my collection of Primaris marines since the start of 9th Edition, and have finally reached the point where I can say I have an army ready to play with. 

The overarching theme of the army was Dark Angels recruited from the Plains World engaging in urban warfare against a Tyranid invasion. The bases I used were mostly from the Sector Imperialis collection, with some kitbashed bases thrown into the mix. I used Astro granite debris to cover problematic areas and added hazard stripes. I used a lot of painter's tape getting those done! The secret ingredient was a scattering of autumn leaves; the bases just didn't seem finished until they were added. I used a couple of "Native American" heads from Puppetswar to push the Plains World origin of the marines. 

Characters

The warlord of the army is Brother-Librarian Malakai, a Terminator Librarian armed with a combi-weapon. He is able to significantly enhance the survivability and lethality of my Deathwing squad.

I have also included Brother Hephaeston, a Primaris Techmarine, to get the most out of my Vindicator and/or Ballistus Dreadnought.

Battleline

Two 5 marine squads of Intercessors are included to capture and hold backline objectives. One will probably provide a bodyguard for my Techmarine and help support the Vindicator.

Infantry

I can't imagine a Dark Angels army without any Deathwing Terminators. My squad will probably teleport into combat with the support of their warlord. This should allow them to contest objectives deeper into the battlefield.

A squad of Infiltrators will also be able to contest objectives beyond my deployment zone and deny enemy deep strikers.

A small unit of Suppressors provides some mobility for capturing objectives. They can also lay down some heavy fire which will hopefully reduce the effectiveness of enemy ranged attacks where I need it the most. I am not planning on keeping them stationary to take advantage of the heavy keyword on their accelerator autocannons; they need to keep moving.

Vehicles

My two vehicles are fully geared towards heavy fire support. The Vindicator is very swingy in its performance; it can mow down anything or do very little! The Techmarine will mitigate some of this, but I am really leaning into the rule of cool. I love the model, so it stays! Also, I don't think any other tank fits the urban combat theme better.

I have also included a Ballistus Dreadnought for some more reliable firepower. I also love the way it pays homage to the classic Dark Angels Dreadnought with its twin-lascannon and missile launcher.

I have plans to add a good chunk of Ravenwing to this army and bump it up to 1500 points, but that will have to wait...

DreadTober beckons 🎃

See you across the table,

Marc

Dark Angels Vindicator TO-DONE!!!

 

Hi folks,

The school holidays have just started, which has given me just enough time today to add the finishing touches to my Vindicator. This tank is the last model in my 1000 point urban Dark Angels list, though in hobby butterfly style, I have already written a different version of the same list with some Ravenwing Black Knights 😅

The paint scheme is pretty standard as far as Vindicators go; the hazard stripes fit the style of my army perfectly. 

I used an old rocket pod from a Landspeeder sprue to represent a hunter-killer missile. I like it better than the strap-on missile launcher you usually get with vehicles.

I have a feeling I'll be painting some Orks with my young lad tomorrow, before getting stuck into my DreadTober project later in the week. Until then, time for a big stamp:

See you across the table,

Marc

DreadTober 2024 Planning

 

Hi folks,

I am gearing up to the run the DreadTober challenge again this year. It is hard to believe that October is just around the corner. Thankfully, knowing that these events tend to sneak up on me, I managed to get the parts for my project early. 

This year I am going to try and make an old school version of Moriar the Chosen, a Blood Angels Death Company Dreadnought. It will be the first model in a Blood Angels army I am hoping to piece together over the next 12 months.

The number of DreadTober 2024 challengers is fairly low so far, though it is great to see the veterans are back again for another year. If you are thinking about joining us, please check out the challenge website and consider posting about it on your own blog or social media. Hopefully, we can get some more people to join and make it a real party.

See you across the table,

Marc

Deathwing Librarian TO-DONE!!!

 

Hi folks,

I am laid up in bed at the moment with something fluey. In between marking school work and other odd admin tasks I have been tidying up the DreadTober blog in preparation for the challenge this year (more about that later).  I have been so busy with it that I forgot to post the final shots of my Librarian, which I finished on Saturday. 

Overall, I think he turned out quite nicely. The blue is a lot lighter than I originally envisioned, but I also like the shading and contrast that affords. The pose is a bit odd from front-on, in that you can't see the axe that I worked in so hard from the front!

I kitbashed him to carry a combi-plasma in his offhand. I think it looks pretty cool and provides some variety. Gaming-wise I think I prefer the stormbolter option, simply for the volume of fire it can dish out. Hopefully, this combi pings some wounds off and earns its place in the list 

I think I have one more project in me before DreadTober hits. I'm hoping to get my Vindicator done to finish off the first 1000 points of my list, and possibly get some pre-challenge construction done on my DreadTober project.

See you across the table,

Marc

Deathwing Librarian Progress

 

Hi folks,

Just a quick post today to share some progress I have made on my Deathwing Librarian. I have kitbashed him a bit to pay homage to the old 2nd Ed. figure, with the edition of a combi-plasma because I am a sucker for plasma.

I have been working in sub-assemblies because I simply could not figure out how to get to all the details any other way.

The blue of the armour is quite a bit lighter than I imagined it would be; I think I just got carried away pushing the contrast. 

I just have one more shoulder pad to go and I can assemble and finish basing him. I'll post the final product as soon as it's done, then get started on a Vindicator.

See you across the table,

Marc

2024/2025 To-Do List

 

Hi folks,

The start of the new hobby season snuck up on me and caught me off-guard this year. I am not going to do a review of the last 12 months, as I haven't done all that much; my hopes of blogging more frequently fell by the wayside pretty quick last year. Similarly, my plans to get stuck into my 2nd Edition Blood Angels never really eventuated. When Dr The Viking decided to take a break from blogging and the 2nd Edition Army Challenge changed management, I decided to double down on my Tyranids and finish them off instead. 

For my list this year, I would really like to consolidate some of the army projects I haven't quite managed to finish in previous years. There are a few odds and ends I have picked up for each of my 2nd Edition armies that I want to paint, particularly as I am playing more games of 2nd Edition at the moment than anything else. I also have a 10th Ed. Dark Angels army that is nearing completion, that could do with a concerted effort before the edition changes and more models get shunted off to Legends.  

Without further adieu, here is my new To-Do List as it currently stands, with some pics for fun:

2nd Edition 40K

Dark Angels

Ravenwing Squad

Ravenwing Attack Bike

Scouts with Needle Sniper Rifles

Master of Ravenwing

Assault Combat Squad

Apothecary

Tyranids

Zoanthrope

Ripper Bases

Legion of the Damned

Bike Squad

Techmarine

Librarian

Attack Bike

Chaplain on Bike

Imperial Agents

Inquisitor

Grey Knight Squad A

Grey Knight Squad B

Callidus Assassin

10th Edition 40K

Dark Angels

Chaplain with Jump Pack

Assault Intercessors

Infiltrators 

Eradicators

Ravenwing Command Squad

Black Knights

Vindicator

On a personal note...

 

Hi folks,

Something a little different today, so if you are just here for the hobby stuff, feel free to just skip to the photos.

In January this year I was diagnosed with a nerve sheath tumour, hidden underneath my shoulder blade and between my 6th and 7th rib. It was a relief to finally have an explanation for the intense chest pain I had been experiencing for 6 months. These tumours are usually benign, and mine seemed to be ok, apart from the awful, unrelenting, pain.

Most doctors didn't want to touch it, as the risks of surgery were worse than just keeping it where it was. It took 5 specialists and another 6 months to get a procedure that actually provided any relief. During that time I got my affairs in order and downgraded my hobby space, just in case. I also had time to reflect on what this hobby means to me, which resulted in cutting back on my social media presence in favour of family time.

I spent the last weekend before the procedure painting a bunch of Orks with my son, which was lovely. 

The procedure in July, which involved cryogenically ablating the nerve and tumour, was very successful. The pain relief has allowed me to slowly build back my health and I'm hoping to stay healthy for as long as possible. 

As soon as I had recovered enough, my son and I added the finishing touches to his Squighogs and "Unicorn the Attack Squig".

He's now 2 Kopters and a mob of 10 Boys away from completing his first 1000 point army. 

Needless to say, the last 12 months have been a mess. I have done a good job in some parts of my life pretending that I am ok but the reality has been more complicated. Painting and gaming, particularly with family and friends, has been a glowing beacon in the night. Similarly, my faith and church community, and the patient love of my family, have held me up when every physical and mental fibre gave way. I don't know what comes next (do we ever?), but I am planning on doubling down on the things that I love. 

Chances are, that means I'll be painting a Dreadnought sometime soon...

See you across the table,

Marc