The Unwinding Coil - Acquisition 042119

[NovemberIX]

As always it's an enjoyable time when Honda and I get a game in, I not only get to play the game, I also get to indulge in taking pictures of really well painted models in combat with my abrasively bright yellow marines Since the game was so heavily unbalanced with all my flyers, there's not a lot of direct combat pictures, but I hope I made up for it with artsy shots of the Unwinding Coil. So without further ado, the Recovery of the TRD.Z (AKA The Chronometric Chamber AKA TPDD Type-1 AKA  The Phone booth outside of Circle K [imperial K?] ):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And probably the image that has entertained me the most, I call it "Revenge for Dreaddy, the Lil'st Dreadnought"

 

 

Many thanks to Honda for coming out for the game and his always enjoyable company, like I said, it's always a great to see him, and maybe next time the Airwing will mostly stay in orbit

 

(on a side note, I laughed so hard when I rolled snake eyes on the wounds for the Storm Eagle, this is the second time the Elysians have shot one of my birds out of the air from directly below)

[Honda]

@Mo: I think you just got promoted to Chief Remembrancer. Those are awesome pics!

[Honda]

Ok, quick update as well as to admit to continuing shame.

I got a box of Reivers, but I didn't want to use their heads or skull helms. That just doesn't fit with the visual model I have for my Legion. I also wanted the Reivers to represent a lighter version of the Intercessor, but also to look like their armor was a little more advanced. If you've read "Praetorian of Dorn", then if you remember the guys who attacked the palace, then you get where I am coming from.

At the end of the day, I settled on using the Intercessor helmets and the carbines and got pretty close to what I was after. They have the sort of Force RECON look I was after.

Now to the "shame" part. I really wanted these guys to be a dark blue. In fact, the base color is Vallejo Game Night Blue, which is perfect. However, it doesn't go over black base worth squat or Demiurge if you're relatively new to 40K. To get my "Moonlight" highlights I added Vallejo Model Color Light Grey to Night Blue but that just gave me an "ultramarines blue" spot, which wasn't what I was after...again. So I sprayed straight Light Grey and ended up where I am now.

It's acceptable, but not what the target was supposed to be.

AL 1: Those aren't our Legion colors!

AL 2: Shsssh! The colors just aren't coming out right.

AL 1: What are we going to do, Alpharius is always interested in this kind of stuff?

AL 2: "You're" going to tell him this is the new "Ghost" scheme we're rolling out.

AL 1: B-but, that's not what he asked for.

AL 2: You'll tell him this is what the Alpharius we talked to asked for.

And now off to the pictures....

I'm also working on some Hellblasters which will be in fricking greens until I can figure out this blue thing.

Cheers,

[Aramis K]

The helmet swap looks good with the carbines.

 

I'd be tempted to try a second shoulder pad as well.

[Honda]

I'd be tempted to try a second shoulder pad as well.

 

 

Yeaaaah, I thought about that too. It seems like a natural, but while I was toying with the idea, time was passing and I had to move on. Looking back on it now, I should have.

 

I'm thinking the second squad will look a little different. :)

[Honda]

...and some green Hellblasters. The base color on these is VMC Black Green, then some Pastel Green + the Black Green, finally a straight shot of Pastel Green for the zenithal highlights.

Anyway, I like how the pale green came out.

Now I have plenty of things to paint before Christmas. :)

Cheers,

[Kordhal]

The primaris look so good as a basis for AL! Those helmets on the reivers look great as well, especially in combination with the boltcarbines, keep up the great work!

[Reyner]

Wow Honda your Alpha Legion look epic! I like the Trident squad scheme best reminds me of the marine on the front cover of Legion.

[Honda]

Brief update:

1. Love these Reiver models. Just love them.

2. They have a lot more recess detail on the legs compared to the Intercessors.

3. #2 means that they take a lot longer to do all the recess work.

4. I got an Ott light for Christmas, so I can "really" see all those nooks and crannies. :)

Alpharius

...and Alpharius

My photography is still pants, so better attempts later.

Cheers,

[Knight of the Raven]

I got flashbacks to the Tomberry of Final Fantasy fame upon seeing your Iffriete.

 

My first resin marine love was mk.V armor, but I've fallen out of love since then. And now I can say that I find their helmets to look much better on mark.X bodies than they ever did on their original armor mark.

 

I absolutely adore that sergeant with lightning claws. They look so much better than the silly oversized mittens I've had to deal with ever since I joined the hobby.

 

And man, do the skull helms drag down the reivers' looks. They look so much better with mark.X helmets.

 

This post was brought to you by Unoriginal Repetition Ltd.

 

Also;
 

AL 1: B-but, that's not what he asked for.

AL 2: You'll tell him this is what the Alpharius we talked to asked for.

I'm really not interested into the Team Fortress 2 Spy theme the Black Library has got going for the Alpha Legion, but reading this line in an official novel would totally make it worth reading for me. It's hilariously appropriate.

[hushrong]

Loved those battle shots posted earlier! Always great to see a everything painted and in action.

 

The Alpha Legionaires are still looking great! They also look massive next to that FW dune buggy.

[Honda]

They also look massive next to that FW dune buggy.

 

 

Well, the basing doesn't hurt, but they are still pretty darn massive and awesomely scaled.

 

And man, do the skull helms drag down the reivers' looks. They look so much better with mark.X helmets.

 

 

Yes, mine shall end up supporting any attempts at new chaplains. As an idea, it's not necessarily bad, but the Reivers do look so much better with the Intercessor helmet on them. It's a shame it isn't an option in the box.

 

Cheers,

[Honda]

+++

In the event that you have nothing to do tonight, I present to you a mild form a entertainment, absent any commentary related to your social life (or lack thereof) and with the assumption that your ocular nerves are functioning at the minimal level necessary to perceive mostly flawed imagery.

Oh, and Alpharius observes your feeble attempts at securing a Happy New Year with disdain.

He has other plans for you.

+++

This is first trooper from a RECON Cadre intended to portray current day elements as they were described in "Praetorian of Dorn) and the assault on the Investiary.

Cheers,

[Honda]

Ah, my first 2018 unit.

I present to you brothers, Deep Interdiction Cadre Foxglove

Also, should anyone be interested, here's a brief tutorial on the bases...well at least most of it...

First off, get yourself some bits. They can really be from anything as you can see. In my case, I used cut up plastic rod, plastic straws, the black grid thingie is what my socks come attached to, then I chop it up.

You'll also notice that I cut up some textured sheet plastic. This becomes the flooring that the models are attached to. Now, it would be easy to just leave it as is, but I take some needle nose pliers and then distress the edges just to give the drybrushing and weathering powders something to work with.

Basically, I just twist the plastic this way and that so that I get a rumpled look. After all, in the grim dark far future, there's a lot of rumpling going on.

Next you need something that's going to hold all your bits together. I use Milliput Whitestuff.

I know, it doesn't have a great reputation. I didn't know that when I bought it 100 years ago. But it does do a really good job of allowing you to make interesting urban bases. So, when this batch is done (almost), I'll get some more.

Next you want to basecoat them, I used black. Nothing fancy here except to say that I use the cheap brand of spray from Walmart or Home Depot. There's no reason to spend a lot of money on this kind of spray.

Yeah, nothing much to write home about. After that just drybrush a metallic color over everything. I recently got some Craft grade tin color that's pretty cheap and comes in a big bottle. Anyway, no pics of that because...I didn't take any. Just close your eyes and now pretend the bases are silver.

Next apply your favorite colors of weathering powders. In my case, I've gone with Secret Weapon Rust Brown, then Rust Orange.

Once that has dried, I then put PVA glue on some of the open areas, then paint with a Craft dark brown. Then apply SW's Ash Grey to get the look you see on the finished miniatures. It's pretty easy to do and yields a different look than my typical basing. I do like how it turned out though.

And now on to something green...

Cheers,

[Bjorn Firewalker]

I like the additional ammo pouches on Cadre Foxglove's armor, but why name them after a flower?

[Honda]

but why name them after a flower?

 

 

Foxglove is extremely poisonous and causes death by attacking the cardio vascular system, among others.

 

If a friend should ever offer you Foxglove tea, they aren't a friend. ;)

[Honda]

I'm finally getting back to these guys. I've been looking at them a lot, but the serpent is supposed to hypnotize it's prey, not get hypnotized. :P

I've got the chipping done on the full squad and here are a couple of them with recess shading. Not as clean as I would like, so there'll be some touch ups in spots. Also, plenty of detail work to come.

Support Cadre: Dragon

Sssseee you laterssss...

Cheers,

[Honda]

...or, I suppose this could have been titled "Weird Science".





For those who aren't quite sure what this is all about, here's an excerpt of the short story where it's relevant:

As the small group moved down a dimly lit corridor, they came upon a section where the left side was made of a clear, thick glass, approximately ten meters high. The glass wall revealed an area, heavily forested with tall trees, vines, low, rolling hummocks, and an occasional stream.

Puzzled, Magos Dexlan said, "This is quite an extensive...terrarium you have. I'm not sure I've seen one this large supported by an installation of your size. It would seem that amount of space could be dedicated towards other endeavors."

"Actually, this area is for a research project, outside of my primary interest. I found the most interesting species of Gastropoda while on a recent foraging expedition. Initially, I thought I had found two new species, but it turns out that the two species are one and the same. Very odd. I'm thinking of naming them Astraconus Hermes, after myself, of course. After all, why not grab a little bit of immortality when you can, eh?"

The Magos and his bodyguard offered no responses.

"Where was I? Oh yes, what I find most interesting about them is how one species could have evolved two completely different forms with related, yet different functions. The minor form seeks out prey and brings it back to the larger, slower major form to be digested."

Magos Dexlan interrupted, "Although it is possible that you find this discussion intellectually stimulating, I am not able to extract any usable content from our exchange."

Pausing briefly, Dr. Hermes then continued, "Of course you haven't, I haven't related the most important parts yet. Have patience my good man. What is most interesting is how the minor form conveys the prey back to the major form. Upon securing itself to the prey's back, which I might add, it can do quite rapidly, it then punctures the prey's brainstem with an armored proboscis and in some manner I have yet to discover, takes over the involuntary muscle systems of the prey. Then it uses the prey's locomotive abilities and transports the prey back to the major form. Now the question you are probably asking yourself right now is, "How does it know where the major form is?" The answer of course is, "It doesn't!" The major form continues to move as well as it has quite a ravenous appetite and must keep searching for sustenance."

Dr. Hermes looked back again expecting a response, but none was forthcoming.

Continuing, "At first I suspected that there was some sort of pheromone-based tracking mechanism at work, but I have eliminated that as an option. Which leads me to suspect some sort of psychic interaction between the two forms. Obviously, this capability would be quite extraordinary."

"Lastly, there appears to be some evidence that the prey remains conscious and cognizant throughout the digestion process. Again, very odd and I've no real explanation for that either."

Pausing again for a response, which was not offered, Hermes turned around and said, "In any case, shall we move on Magos?"

Magos Dexlan sniped, "Yes, let us move on, we have wasted enough time expounding upon useless biological trivia."

D. Hermes merely nodded.

Suddenly there was a shrieking cry from the terrarium that stopped as quickly as it started. The Magos and his bodyguards looked back at the terrarium while exchanging vox com clicks.

Dexlan turned to Dr. Hermes and snapped, "What sort of animal makes that sound? The audio profile indicates human vocal ranges."

Dr. Hermes looked up absently and said, "Oh, I have no idea what it could be. Human you say?"

Next, back to the Dragons.

Cheers,

[Vel'Cona]

This is disturbingly rad.  Bravo on the story and sculpt, sir!

[Honda]

Two down, three more on the deck...

I'm not completely sold on the VMC Iraqi Sand under highlight, but will see after I get the rest done. I can always go back and do a light grey over it. I also know that after I seal them, their colors will darken and that works as well.

Cheers,

[Honda]

It seemingly took forever, but Fire Support Cadre Dragon is now complete.

For some reason, it took nearly 60 days to finish the last 20 minutes of effort. I don't know if I just don't get excited about how the green turned out or it was something else. In any case, I was determined to finish them off before ETL kicks off.

And the whole squad.

Actually, that's not the whole squad. That's just what the whole squad wants you to see until they shoot.

This is the whole squad.

Alpha Legion - "We have the Emperor's trust."

[Honda]

Acquisition

+++

A father and his young son were standing on a balcony, overlooking a lushly appointed courtyard and staring out at the early evening sky.

As they looked into the heavens, the little boy excitedly pointed out a shooting star racing across the horizon.

The father squinted in the direction that his son pointed, paused for a second, then scooped his son up in his arms, turned around and ran. What his son did not see was several shooting stars appear in the same location. He also did not see that they immediately made a 90 degree course change and began heading for their location.

Once inside the building, the father breathlessly yelled the phrase, "Starbreak, Starbreak, Starbreak", triggering a series of actions, including metal shutters sliding over all doorways and windows. Not stopping, the father then yelled, "Sanctuary" and a thick section of a wall slid back to reveal a large metal door which quickly opened so he could place his son inside. Hitting a large button inside the safe room, the door closed and the wall slid back over the door.

Turning to face the shuttered door, the father unbuttoned his coat, pulled out an ornate autopistol and stood still.

Suddenly, the metal shutters burst violently inwards, with the light and heat of the sun.

In the next instant, the sun reached out a second time and touched the father as he slowly raised his pistol, instantly turning him to ash.

An armored monstrosity then flew through the ruined metal shutters and landed in front of the wall section, now only defended by the scattered ashes of the father.

The armored giant stepped to the back of the room, pulled the covering wall off its hinge,s and then wrenched the safe room door out of the wall in one fluid movement.

Looking inside, he said, "Come little one, the Legion has need of your talents."

+++

While it has been nearly a year since I have posted in this thread, the Legion has been slowly building its forces and adding to its capabilities.

In particular, Inceptors always seemed like a natural capability for the Legion and therefore I have decided to add a couple of squads to their roster.

As I developed the idea for a couple of assassination squads, I was thinking about how to paint them.

After getting the confirmation I was looking for: http://www.bolterandchainsword.com/topic/354110-feet-first-or-head-first/?p=5263560

and doing research on what Space Shuttle tiles look like after reentry...

I will attempt to paint them looking like they have had their armor burned up.We'll see how that goes as I also thought I would try to model heat shield tiles on their armor, but didn't like the overall effect I got.

So, I'll do it with paint.

Also, this caught my attention.

For some reason, this struck me as very AL-ish, maybe because its missions are always so secretive. Everybody seems to know it's up there, but not what it's doing...which is very cool to me. Plus it looks cool and could probably be painted up in interesting colors.

I may consider making them "counts as" Storm Talons. Not sure on that yet.

Anyway, the Unwinding Coil continues to unwind in the shadows.

Cheers,

.

[hushrong]

Glad to see the coil unwind and the awesome update(s)! I’m all caught up now and loving it!

 

I dig the look of the inceptor as a rapid insertion specialist. Looking at an older piece of rogue trader art they had depicted a similar jump pack and I had been wanting to use it. The extra brace/landing pad attached to the leg is an added detail I like. As if it could soften his landing from something akin to a halo jump (for an armored transhuman with a big jump pack).

 

Looking forward to more updates as I really want to see how you pull off the burn tile effect.