Siege of Terra; IX Legion, 83rd Company "Crimson Thorns"

[OakRiver]

So...rather than actually put paint to plastic as I intended to do I started on converting Sergeant Chronus. I present the newest member of the 83rd; Sergeant Constantin, leader of a Legion Support Squad

 

http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w213/mp7a1/0418171618_zpsfjubiaw3.jpg

 

Some quick and dirty background inspired by the armor;

'Sergeant Constantin had served the IX faithfully before the Heresy. He rose through the ranks before finding his niche as a specialist serving in the 83rd’s Breacher Squads. Like many Brothers of the IX who preferred close quarters combat to a more ranged affair Constantin was cut from that same cloth. Constantin however preferred bringing his plasma gun to bear in close ranges to devastate the enemy and allow his squad mates to advance through narrow corridors during boarding actions. During one assault on a hostile vessel the hull ruptured and Constantin was blown into the frigid embrace of space, being recovered by the 83rd just before his war plate failed from the battle damage and the trauma it suffered from the rapid decompression. The almost complete failure of his armor caused near irreparable damage to his gene enhanced respiratory system, resulting in a rebreather mask and artificial respiration system being incorporated into his body."

 

This was my first finecast mini and I can honestly see why it was unpopular. Out of the two miniatures my FLGS had this was the best cast (the other was missing details including the pointing finger in its entirety) and there were a lot of vents that obscured details or otherwise seemed strangely placed. The targeter was very brittle and came away completely under almost no pressure. I am still debating what to do with that piece. Thankfully there were no gaps to fill and the Ultramarine details came off easily, so that was definitely a bonus.

 

The plasma gun is one of the ones in the B@C set, but with the hand cut away and a handle added from the knives in the set that had been cut away at an angle.

Edited April 18, 2017 by OakRiver

[OakRiver]

Looking really good so far, great work on the Calth-temptor. Always impressed by people with the perseverance to make it a worthwhile model!

It is certainly a challenging mini, but I'm grateful that there are enough plastic bitz that can be used to decorate it so that my sub-par GS skills are not being displayed.

 

Now I have my hobby area I will try to get better pics of it. First I want to get get some AK Interactive fixer to keep the weathering powder in place because using Lahmian Medium just washed it all away.

[Bjorn Firewalker]

Well done.

[OakRiver]

Some WIP for Captain Ennius

 

http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w213/mp7a1/0503171839_zpsri3jkr1f.jpg

 

 

http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w213/mp7a1/0503171838_zps5tj4tbbl.jpg

 

 

The main pieces are painted, along with some smaller pieces that were kept separate, and are now glued together and attached to the base. The left arm is still a work in progress. I had started to paint the sword a dark blue but the paint dried incredibly grainy so I had to scrape the paint off and start again. Then to make matters better when I was dry fitting the arm it was no longer going into place so I had to shave more plastic off, but at least now it should fit with little issue.

[OakRiver]

So this happened;

http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w213/mp7a1/0504172102_zpsaimfblph.jpg

 

Scraping the paint off the original sword had removed just enough detail to make painting the blade a serious issue. So it went and a new blade is in it's place. Sadly the piece is too thin to pin so we shall how how this survives.

[Charlo]

Really nice colours on him - will look like a beast once he's together.

[OakRiver]

My overly ambitious plan is to try this technique

 

But using the paints from this video;

 

Because I think the more turquoise base would be too jarring against the lighter red armor of my captain.

Edited May 5, 2017 by OakRiver

[OakRiver]

Following the tutorial using water as a thinner lead to disappointing results, so I tried it again with Lahmian medium instead;

 

http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w213/mp7a1/0506171555a_zpsqczgq2kz.jpg

 

http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w213/mp7a1/0506171555b_zpsxnkvnazh.jpg

[OakRiver]

The Anvil of the 83rd, Captain Ennius

 

http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w213/mp7a1/0506171743b_zpstjnxwyuv.jpg

 

http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w213/mp7a1/0506171744_zps73ogknni.jpg

 

http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w213/mp7a1/0506171744a_zpstpfrukqr.jpg

 

http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w213/mp7a1/0506171745_zps8s9gkc9w.jpg

 

 

"Captain Ennius was widely considered to be distant, cold and ruthless by the Brothers of the 83rd prior to his leadership of our Company. Some of the less charitable saw him as calculating and aloof.

 

Those few that he let see past his frosty exterior knew a different man possessed of a razor sharp wit and warm to those he trusted. 

 

Eco had trained Ennius since the latter was inducted into the IX Legion, acting as a mentor to him. Captain Eco and he had a bond stronger than that between most blood kin, their personalities and strengths complemented one another’s weaknesses. Were Eco was a natural diplomat who could speak with anyone regardless of their station, Ennius was a natural strategist more focused on the end rather than the means.

 

He was a veteran of our Terminator elite and he was always at the forefront of their implacable advance into the heart of the enemy. His chainfist making short work of any enemy armor that barred his way, his mind dismantling their strategies with equal ease. He acted as the anvil while Eco was our hammer. In the void over Amaranthe when Eco sentenced the world to death it was Ennius who commanded our flag ship. It was he who gave our supporting Imperial Army ships the order to pull back to prevent synthetic infiltration, scattered the opposing fleet, and who coordinated the waves of reinforcements onto the planet to support the small vanguard that Eco had taken to the surface on the ill fated diplomatic mission.  

 

He spoke with me in private when Eco fell. He came to me seeking Brother Tobias to personally thank him for keeping Eco alive until he could be tended to aboard our vessel. While many Brothers were struck by the lack of emotion he showed with the loss of his friend I saw different. When we spoke that day I could see the silent burden on his shoulders. The man who was like a father to him was mortally wounded and he had just inherited our Company as the galaxy burned and madness raged across the stars like the laughter of mad gods. He knew all too well of his reputation within our Brotherhood, but he also knew the enormity of the task he faced in keeping strong the bonds of our Company. Like the broken blade of Eco that our Techmarine brothers now toiled on to repair the Anvil of the 83rd had to reforge our Company so we would weather the coming storm." - Veteran Sergeant Alessio

Edited May 6, 2017 by OakRiver

[Charlo]

Sword looks awesome! No idea what you're on about ;)

 

I'll have to give that technique a go.

 

Captain looks expectedly quality all painted up.

[OakRiver]

Thank you very much. Maybe it is the harder water here but when I first painted the sword the paint had dried patchy rather than smooth, but at least it was thin enough that I could paint over it without loss of detail. I am much happier with the sword now. I do regret not getting some pictures of the head before assembly.

 

My challenges with photography continue. Using a white background causes the camera to make the red much darker, so I used the wood from the desk as a background.

[Sagentus]

Very nice work on that sword, tempted to try that my self. Great model all round !

[Bjorn Firewalker]

Excellent work on the Terminator.

[OakRiver]

In a record breaking week I have a second member of the 83rd to share with you all - Sergeant Constantin, Tactical Support Squad

 

http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w213/mp7a1/0510171435a_zpsulocqm1i.jpg

Pic Capt. DZ7120-5-10; Sergeant Constantin seen directing his squad's fire against Traitor elements during the Siege of Terra

 

http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w213/mp7a1/0510171430c_zpsganjdsbk.jpg

Pic Capt. DZ7120-5-11; Note the mixing of armor patterns typical during late Heresy fighting. The majority of Constantin's armor is heavily modified MkIII Iron Armor, with the left arm being MkIV, and the left shoulder being an experimental pattern with reinforcement. Sergeant Alessio's records show that these shoulder pads were produced in limited number, and at Captain Ennius's instructions were given to Constantin's squad. As a plasma gun armed Tactical Support Squad it was anticipated that they would be prime targets for rebel forces.

 

http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w213/mp7a1/0510171430a_zpsfyd92dep.jpg 

Pic Capt. DZ7120-5-15; Of note is the Cherub pattern targeting matrix integrated into Constantin's armor. This allowed the bearer to better designate targets for his squad, as well as assisting in calculating target vectors.

[OakRiver]

**blows dust off thread**

Seems real life has a habit of eroding hobby time, but I managed to get a few hour in today and started work on Enigma and two members of Vizioso's Squad; Egidio with his sword and shield, and Gilberto with his power fist and bolt pistol;

http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w213/mp7a1/0615171744a_zpsfd6woy5p.jpg

 

The red recipe has changed a little. For these I am trying to shade at the 3rd or 4th layer of red, and then using the last few layers to cover any mistakes. I'll also be weathering as soon as the highlights are added, that way there is less chance of applying it to the wrong areas.

[Verger]

A thread like this is hobby fuel gold. Excellent.  Almost makes me want to paint some red marines. ;)

[OakRiver]

Thank you very much :D  I'm pretty sure photographing the red is harder than painting it....even if it does take 7 layers before washes and highlights

[OakRiver]

I managed to get a half day off work, so I spent it the best possible way; weathering and painting details on three plastic toy army men

 

http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w213/mp7a1/0616172147a_zpsmtramve9.jpg

 

The head for Gilberto and shield for Egidio. The minis themselves are close to completion so I won't spoil their reveal.

[OakRiver]

"The Unknown Brother, known to us as Enigma, was a boon as we fought back against the Traitors at the breach. He found good company in Vizioso's squad where he could add his twin pistols to the close range carnage they dealt. Like a vengeful spirit he carved his way through the opposition, perfectly placed shots slaying our enemies.

 

What happened to him after the Siege I cannot say. None that I spoke too after remember seeing any sign of him, but we remember the crack of his twin plasma pistols. Whether he was a true son of Sanguinius or not I will never know but he was a brother to us of the 83rd"

- Veteran Sergeant Alessio

http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w213/mp7a1/0617171744a_zpscc55uufl.jpg

 

 

http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w213/mp7a1/0617171739c_zpsuhyecmo5.jpg

 

 

http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w213/mp7a1/0617171744b_zpsr6judqdn.jpg

 

 

"Gilberto was a thorn in the side of our enemies, just as he swore he would be. As a foe would charge at him to strike a carefully placed bolt round would stagger them so he could crush the life from them with his power fist.

 

Against the power armored foes it was a perfect strategy. Against the Terminator elite he drew off from the main force it was a death sentence as their heavier armor absorbed his rounds. He gave good account of himself until he fell"

- Veteran Sergeant Alessio

http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w213/mp7a1/0617171735a_zpsogh6hdnl.jpg

 

 

http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w213/mp7a1/0617171737b_zps1pbmvzq9.jpg

 

 

 

 

"Egidio had taken Eco's death on the enemy cruiser hard. He had sworn an oath to be his shield and he had always felt that he failed his lord. All of us who fought in that boarding action knew he could not have fought harder. As we journeyed to Terra he repainted his helm black as a sign of mourning. His war plate had been extensively damaged as he fought with reckless abandon to get to Eco's side. The damaged pieces were replaced with experimental components that had not yet been field tested. While it resembled the armor he would later wear the materials were not as efficient and the servos required additional power which exposed cables provided. In those dark days necessity trumped many other concerns.  

 

I found him when the dust settled Kneeling over Gilberto's remains, his fingers gently closing the eyes of our fallen brother. Together we bore Gilberto's body back to the Palace on Egidio's shield. Over time as we took stock of our losses he carved the names of our dead to the inside of his shield, swearing an oath to avenge each of them."

- Veteran Sergeant Alessio

 

http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w213/mp7a1/0617171745_zpsdpv4vwyl.jpg

 

 

http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w213/mp7a1/0617171738_zps2v8lnwl1.jpg

[OakRiver]

And a quick picture of the current members of the 83rd

 

http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w213/mp7a1/0617171751_zpssdte8f9l.jpg

[Sagentus]

These all look great. keep up the great work :) 

[marine7312000]

I always love seeing IXth legion WIPs. These look great.

[Charlo]

Very characterful and looking like some true angels.

 

I like the noble take on a Moritat, as opposed to the mad man killer theyre normally portrayed as.

[OakRiver]

Thank you all. I found some time this morning to undercoat two more members of Vizioso's Squad so hopefully I can make some progress on them as time allows. The red is the most time consuming part;

- basecoat Abaddon Black

- three thin layers of Mephiston Red

- Agrax Earthshade wash

- three more thin layers of Mephiston Red

- edge highlight of Evil Sunz Scarlet

- targeted highlights of Wild Rider Red

 

Then sponge weathering, painting in heavier chipped areas, highlighting chips and adding metal to the deepest recesses, then all the other parts of the minis (gold, purity seals, weapons, etc.). I think the painting system is getting some nice results though.

 

For Enigma you may see more of him later. There is a clue to his origins in the posts above. When I am finished with the current minis I have I may put together a mini for him before he joined the 83rd on their mission.

Edited June 19, 2017 by OakRiver

[OakRiver]

Very characterful and looking like some true angels.

 

I like the noble take on a Moritat, as opposed to the mad man killer theyre normally portrayed as.

 

Thank you. Crazed killers are a stereotype I'd more closely associate with the World Eaters or the Space Wolves, and while they make sense in the context of those Legions it would be a stark contrast to the IXth.

 

Vizioso's background is closer to being stereotypical Moritat, as his name suggests, but his background helps explain that to an extent. I did want some characters that were not entirely in lock step with the stereotypes of the IXth, and also to enrich the backstory of the 83rd. More on this when he gets pained and joins the 83rd.properly.