I kicked around the idea of starting loyalists for a long time. I've always thought Salamanders were super cool, in terms of their background and appearance. I really appreciate that they're not just about "FOR THE EMPEROR!" all the time, but actually give a about your average pathetic human - so much so that they're willing to die for them. The absolute antithesis of my beloved World Eaters and Word Bearers, who would gladly sacrifice or murder for fun any of their cannon/ritual fodder.
The plan is for a combined First/Second Company force with elements from the scout company and whatever else suits my fancy over time. I would really prefer, if you're so inclined, that you avoid any sort of "that wouldn't happen, that isn't in the fluff, that isn't right blah blah blah" type comments. Absolutely don't care, just so we're clear. Otherwise, please share your thoughts and suggestions!
I'm gonna be painting them with the standard GW Salamanders recipe: Waaagh Flesh, Warboss Green, and Skarsnik Green.
To start with, here's my unit of first company vanguard veterans and their chaplain buddy:
Love this chaplain so much! He was still for sale in his individual blister pack at my local Warhammer store, so I picked him up and magnetized a spare MK IV backpack I had. Didn't want to totally ditch his awesome stock backpack:
Here's where I need some help. Since the kit only comes with 4 hammers/shields, I've had to use space wolves parts for the sarge's hammer and shield. The hammer was no problem, but the shield is giving me trouble.
I've removed the wolfy details and made the surface flat with green stuff:
I sculpted these flames to glue onto the surface, but I'm not really sure I like 'em. I'd paint the flames gold, on the shield's green surface:
The other option is to use something from the FW Salamanders transfer sheet. There are many cool options. I guess I could also sculpt something else, if I so choose. I tried sculpting flames onto the shield surface directly, didn't like the results, then had a very hard time scraping them away without damaging my work (since green stuff is somewhat soft).
Thanks for looking! Please let me know what you think.