Black Templars Armoured column

x2 Land Raider Crusaders, x2 Whirlwinds, x2 Predators, x4 Speeders and 2 Drop Pods.

Finally finished up some reinforcements for my Black Templars today, by completing some last weathering effects. Until yesterday, they had a light drybrushing of Calthan Brown to add some dust and dirt, but to match my other units, I decided to go all in with some heavier mud effects.

These followed the same technique I used elsewhere, (thank you for the excellent video MarneusAugustaCalgar) combining modelling sand and Calthan Brown with GW 'Ard Stuff (gloss varnish) to make a wet-look heavy mud. This was then painted (perhaps "applied" would be a better word!) onto the edges of tracks and armour. For some final variation to the mud, I did the same thing but with more Abaddon Black added. This breaks up the colours and (I think!) makes for a better overall effect.

Finally, I went with some light rust effects on some key areas. I actually am not happy with how these turned out. The blend of brown and orange I used is too light, making the effect too obvious. I might go back later and streak in some darker brown to break it up a bit.

Here are the vehicles now.

Based on feedback I received on my first Land Raider (the mud was too heavy on the tracks themselves, and it would principally be on the skirts of the vehicle) I went for much less on the tracks this time. Overall, I think it looks better.

With the two Whirlwind Missile launchers and the second Land Raider finished, I can move onto the last outstanding model for the Black Templars that I have, a Storm Talon flyer. 

Glad these three vehicles are finished!

Cheers,

Black Templars - new heavy hitters!

Hello everyone,

Following a Dust Tactics update the other day, I'm happy to report that my Black Templars force is getting some love with the arrival of some reinforcements at HQ.

Here they are:
1.) Airpower: Stormtalon Gunship.
My very first air unit! Believe it or not, I have never owned a flyer before. As I very rarely get in a game and my regular opponent doesn't use airpower too much, I never had a need when I was using Tau, but it seemed that it might be useful.

 It arrived undercoated, with magnetized weapons options, and the canopy separate for easy painting.

2.) Heavy support: Land Raider Crusader
My second Land Raider Crusader. A second Land Raider? Too much? I don't think so. The ability to deliver even my troops across the table successfully is a key tactic, let alone other hard-hitting units...

 

3.) Drop Pod.
Another second in this line up, this is my second drop pod. I don't think the single one that I have provides the opportunity to threaten my opponent enough. Two gives me the ability to make him think that he will need to keep his rear secure. I am not interested in going for an all drop pod force, although that would look great. I could put my Sternguard in here, or maybe a Dreadnought or other unit.
I was lucky to pick this one up cheap - nicely painted, and it won't be difficult to make this a bit more "Templar-y"!

I'm planning to work on my Dust Tactics Walkers first, but then I hope to get around to these.

Go Templars!

Black Templars Drop Pod WIP #2 and Finished

Moved from washes to highlights, so we are done for now. My first ever drop pod is ready for the tabletop I reckon!

Weathering and washes:

I fixed up all the paint spatters that were on the shell of the pod following getting the base coats done, then attacked the main parts of the pod with washes (Badab Black). 

After that, (and spending a while drooling over the really nicely weathered pods you can see all over the net) I got down to the weathering. I decided to stick with the "Packing foam on a stick" approach as I had tried this before (with my Riptide).

You can see the results of the weathering and washed below. These are before highlights were applied.

I stayed mainly to the edges, but also had a go at the large flat surfaces of white too, hoping that this might break them up a bit. 

I wasn't entirely happy with the results, so I found myself hoping that a bit of drybrushing/ streaking would bring the whole pod up to my liking...

...and it did!

Drybrushing:

The drybrushing makes quite a difference on the ramp.

...and on the top edges or the ramps, really adding some wear...

Drybrushing on the main engine also made a lot of difference.

Interior, with restraint emergency release buckle in red.

Interior. Radar display in green in the middle.

Voila! One Black Templars Drop Pod!

:-)

Cheers!

Black Templars Drop Pod WIP #1

Hi all.

With the weekend came a chance to address the growing pile of Black Templars stuff I have acquired recently. After spending ages putting together a large group of Sternguard from the bits I got, I wanted to take a break from them, so instead turned to a Drop Pod.

For Christmas one of the ebay purchases I made was a set of half-finished Tacticals and a Drop Pod. I already have plenty of BT Crusaders, so the purchase was designed to get my first Drop Pod, as I'd like to have the option to create a distraction in my opponent's back field (a Dreadnought or Sternguard?).

Of course, 2 Pods would be better, but I have to start somewhere!

So how is it going? Photos below:

Original state, with (unfinished) Marine for scale

After adding some Grey (to make the white easier)

External doors - grey ready to receive white.

Helbrecht!

As you can see, I have got the base coats done now - they took a LOT longer than I thought. I also added some yellow warning lines, which was a nerve-wracking freehand attempt to add some colour (I didn't have masking tape, so added some lines using pencil as a guide, and then worked to those). 

Now the basecoats are done, I need to think about washes, highlights and weathering. TBH, not really sure how to weather those large white panels effectively (and easily) so all advice is welcome!

Right, off to play some Planetside 2 (which would make for an absolutely amazing WH40K muliplayer game IMHO...)

Cheers,

*Squeek*

Templars for the New Year.

Squeek.

Not going to be able to get in any gaming or painting time over the holiday season unfortunately, and that is a REAL shame, as thanks to the generosity of some family members I was able to order some models on ebay.

The models in question?

More Black Templars.

As you can see here, this haul included a Drop Pod and a set of ten marines (approx half with bolt pistol and close combat weapon) and also a Dreadnought (a separate purchase). Everthing I read seems to indicate that to get across the table, some kind of distraction in the enemy backfield is going to be necessary, and one way to do that is with drop pods. I only have one at the moment, but I didn't want to go over budget...

I also picked up a load of Sternguard veteran parts (not shown) from some separate sellers, because I really liked the idea of how flexible they can be because of their access to different ammunication types (as outlined on this truly excellent post over at Dakka Dakka by Sir Arun - I nod respectfully to you sir!)

These additions should help me have a more flexible army. Over time, I will pick up more drop pods, but this is a good start. I'm going to have to stop acquiring, and start painting more, as once the Sternguard get here I really will have quite a backlog to clear, as shown by the image below.

As well as the new units I bought most recently, I still have to paint the two Whirlwind units I have. Although my opponents here won't mind me proxying them "as is", I'd like to add some parts so they can be played as Anti Air units too (or at least look a bit more like AA units!)

It is the end of the Hobby year for me, and overall, it has been a good year. 

As I have exclusively been a Tau player to date, it is quite a different ball game getting my head around Space Marines and the different units and play styles they have (although, for the aesthetic alone, Tau will probably always be my favorite.) As I don't get to play often, I am only at the beginning of understanding how to use the Space Marines, but it is still refreshing to try a new army.

I only wish I had time to play more games (of either 40K or WFB). Still, being gainfully employed allows me to feed my habit, even if it precludes me from playing very often. It has also been an adventurous year in terms of painting (at least for me) because I tried some new techniques and overall I was quite pleased with the results.

The Tau Riptide model was my first try at a diorama and some weathering techniques, and the armoured units in my Black Templars were a good test bed for getting my hands dirty with mud (and more weathering!)

Here is hoping for more time next year for more painting and gaming adventures.

I'll finish by wishing everyone in the gaming world (or actually, the world in general!)  all the best for 2014 - may the Dice Gods be on your side...

Play fair and Roll well!