Raptors 3rd Battle Co. ‘First Born’

[Yosef Hausakluif]

Once time allows will be posting pics of my Raptors project. Edited July 15, 2020 by Yosef Hausakluif

[Yosef Hausakluif]

Raptors 3rd Battle Co.

1st Tactical Squad:

First squad will be 10 marines strong; las cannon and plasma gun; Sgt with power fist; with a marine specialized in comms, one as a target designator close air support specialist, a sharp shooter, and one as tech marine demo expert; and overall a spec ops feel to their kit and what not; suppressors, heavy on firepower; lots of gear and ammo, etc.

idea behind the project is that the Raptors first born marines remaining start to distinguish themselves from the newer primaris recruits and the extensive experience they have by individual squad liveries. I’m basing these symbols off of US special forces units past and present.

This particular squads symbol is the US special forces colors ( the US ARMY 5th SF GROUP, without the dagger and arrrows icon; and they’ll all have a shoulder pad or tilt shield painted as such:

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Idea for individualized squad insignia instead of typical battlefield designation symbols came to me, as over time, what remains of the ‘first born’ marines of the chapter/making them stand out now post-40k and the primaris rubicon. I’ll have some primaris as a part of this force too, so thought a great detail and fluff piece to draw a distinction between the ‘old’ bothers and the ‘new’ of the company. Some of my first born will also have ‘serfs’ or attendants in the form of a loan scout carrying their weapons and learning all that there is to know from the first born mbr; since scouts are no longer being truly utilized within chapters. Figure those left over had to go somewhere due to the high rate of their squad attrition and primaris now being standard. And who better to learn form than a fully fledged ‘first born’ marine.

Basically rule of cool tactical squad; modeled after US special forces A team detachment; chew up and handle anything that comes its way with overwhelming firepower and if not they call in heavier fire support assets with extreme precision;

Heavy weapon specialist with las cannon, commendation for Taros Campaign; persecution and elimination of numerous Tau battle suit cadres;

Brother ‘ you can never have enough ammo and kit with you’; and why not when carrying it isn’t an issue ( his favorite saying, “ounces equals pounds, and pounds equals death for the enemies of mankind!”):

Brother returned from his long stint with the Deathwatch; also a fan of having all he needs to persecute the enemy and be well supplied on longer missions. Bolter chained to his arm as will only part ways with it once pried from his dead ceramite grip:

1st Squad Sgt., upgraded comm/sat link with assets in orbit, modified ‘hungry ghost’ pattern reduced thermal signature power plant, and a melta bomb tucked away for dire circumstances, pistol also chained; for same reasons of retention:

Squad designated marksman; which says a lot considering the Raptors’ penchant and know skills for long range accuracy. Modified stalker pattern Bolter, firing heavy Bolter caliber shells over long distances; tasked with elimination with extreme prejudice of enemy heavy weapons teams, headquarters, and any large xeno forms encountered:

Squad auspex handler,and designated squad automatic weapon specialist, tasks with suppressive fire with heavily modified under slung Bolter pattern of unknown origin, also fires slightly larger caliber than 0.75 rounds for weapons size with a reduced cyclic rate of fire intentional for better control:

Squad plasma gunner; old MK III for added protection against any plasma backsplash upon critical overheating during extensive usage; custom extended directional nozzle for plasma discharge; effectively increases accuracy and range/distance of lethality by 25-30%:

Squad commo specialist and target designator for orbital and suborbital assets; unknown pattern slaved laser geo sat nav target designator on larger than usual for size caliber Bolter:

Brother, ‘ he who always guards the flanks’; often ignoring any incoming rounds off of his hardened and larger than usuals tilt plate/breach shield; he took a glancing shot off of his helmet not long ago and between the apoth and the tech marines; now has enhanced optics both internally and externally with a wide range of targeting spectrums; since that day always keeps two special issue adamantium tipped rounds handy for extra nasty resilient critters/targets they may encounter :(I do need to tidy up that drum mags paint job a little)

Squad tech and engineer specialist; makes infield repairs and adjustments to all squads gear and armor; demo and explosive expert; carries shield to protect himself when acting as a Sapper; also has modified reduced thermal emissions power plant with incorporated teleport homer:

http://bolterandchainsword.com/uploads/gallery/album_16116/gallery_69148_16116_193403.jpeg

[WAR]

Welcome to the Ravenspire!

 

Liking the individual flair you are putting into each member. Keep it up.

[Sergeant_Angle]

That underslung bolter guy is awesome. I like having a marine checking an auspex! I have one in a tactical squad too :) also do I  see a heretical powerpack on your deathwatch member? ;)

[Yosef Hausakluif]

Thanks war009; next squad in progress pics to be posted shortly. I have always loved the olive drab green color scheme for its real world comparisons. Finally at a point where I can paint it halfway decent. If only I could get a good feel for painting Vietnam era tiger strip camo!

 

Sgt. Angle; I usually have at least one marine with an auspex per squad; directing fire or looking out for the enemy. The Bolter was from Anvil Industries, and added a high capacity Mag conversion of my own. The deathwatch brothers pack was fully reconstructed and reconsecrated by the proper devotions to the omnissiah; and benefits the MKVI armors low signature capabilities further with more thermal heat signature dispersion than usual; yet the suits machine spirit still detests it from time to time!

[Sergeant_Angle]

Thanks war009; next squad in progress pics to be posted shortly. I have always loved the olive drab green color scheme for its real world comparisons. Finally at a point where I can paint it halfway decent. If only I could get a good feel for painting Vietnam era tiger strip camo!

 

Sgt. Angle; I usually have at least one marine with an auspex per squad; directing fire or looking out for the enemy. The Bolter was from Anvil Industries, and added a high capacity Mag conversion of my own. The deathwatch brothers pack was fully reconstructed and reconsecrated by the proper devotions to the omnissiah; and benefits the MKVI armors low signature capabilities further with more thermal heat signature dispersion than usual; yet the suits machine spirit still detests it from time to time!

Hey that's kind of funny as both my tactical squads I currently have made both have an auspex user. Anvil makes some excellent conversion stuff. Gotta feed that back  pack blood to appease it's spirit! (just don't tell the Chaplains) 

[Yosef Hausakluif]

Raptors Tac Sq., 3rd Co., 2nd Sq.

Finished 1st squad is over in the Ravenspire forum and also the Hall of Honor.

Here I give you the WIP of 2nd Sq., 3rd Co.

will be a pretty straight forward load out and some rule of cool to go with back story prev mentioned. So, missile launcher, plasma gun, Sgt. With L. Claw and Bp. As well as his serf/scout attendant with bolter. Apoth attached to squad just a regular marine for game purposes, but modeled with a chain sword for looks. No engineer/demo expert in this squad, but may change that as I go to keep with theme...I have the old running blood angels tech marine torso that may be perfect fit for that look. Question is; who gets cut from the current line up!? Any recommendations for editing the squad composition greatly appreciated!

Liked the look of ALL MKVI and befitting for the chapter. Even bare headed marines have a helm mag locked in belt. You might notice some pretty old helms in this squad and old metal models as well. Used base height to compensate for scale creep!

Trying to settle on squad symbol and leaning towards something like these,

Or this behind skull and or tilt plates:

Here’s some very WIP shots of the squad:

[WAR]

Nice my favorite thing s the first guy with eye suppressed mp5 bolter Edited July 17, 2020 by war009

[Yosef Hausakluif]

Finishing up the bases and extra kit and trophies. Will post some individual pics once done. Thanks for feedback!

[Yosef Hausakluif]

Finished working on the bases. Inspiration for this guy was a veteran of the Taros Campaign and a returned battle brother who had been prev seconded to the Ordo Xenos.

[Yosef Hausakluif]

All models of 3rd Tactical Sq., 3rd Battle Co. are based and ready for undercoating. Just need the temps here in the states to cool off a bit first. Squad personalized heraldry will be based off of US Army 3rd Infantry Division; one of the most highly decorated outfits with the most Medal of Honor winners of any such division in history I believe. Their colors look like:

Plus I’ll have a skull campaign badge for these squad members; denoting their participation in the Taros campaign against the Tau. Other than that similar rule of cool based on prev idea of some squad members being specialists in comms, apoth., demo/combat engineer, marksman, squad automatic weapon, etc.

Sgt. Front:

Sgt. Back:

First born Scout assigned to Sgt. For final training:(counts as his WYSIWYG bolter):

SAW:

Plasma gunner;

Bolter marine

Heavy weapons specialist:

Squad designated marksman:

Comms specialist;

Another angle;

Combat engineer;

Sq. Medic;

2 guns;

Next step base cost and block in basic colors.

[Yosef Hausakluif]

Little update on my Raptor scouts in cover project. Next layer of colors done on armor and leathers. Also worked on mimicking the US Army 1st Cav Div heraldry on their shoulder pads. Should I attempt a horse head style shape in black to be more distinctive? Do they look too much like Mantis warriors with the yellow and black and side of green!?

Any comments appreciated. More to come.

Edited July 20, 2020 by Yosef Hausakluif

[Sergeant_Angle]

I love how individual they all are. Could you please share where you got those moulded shoulder pads?

[thewarriorhunter]

Very cool project. Are you using the SF iconography as inspiration or is it something more personal? I love how you've put a lot of work into each model and can't wait to see them come together all painted up.

[Yosef Hausakluif]

Thanks guys; I appreciate the words of encouragement.

 

Sgt. Angle: with this project I’m striving to make every marine both an individual and also a part of the squad/team. They’ll be similar roles filled throughout the separate squads, but will still try to keep them unique (i.e. each snipers rifle and or kit will be different). Gives the impression that after 1,000s of years in the chapters inventory and possibly 100s of years personal sized by that Mbr; each weapon and gear or ‘battle rattle’ is unquestionably specialized and unique! The Raptor symbols came from shapeways. Great source, while expensive they can be applied to pretty much any style pad or model you may already have built.

 

WarriorHunter: thanks agin. Lots of my family and friends have served, but I never had the honor myself. That being said; I was tired of painting tactical arrows and thought it’d be neat to have each 1st born squad left in this company have the honor or taking on a unique squad heraldry. Setting them apart form the Primaris inductees. I’ve been around for a while and remember when captains and old school LTs and Sgts had personal heraldies as a mark of honor.

[Yosef Hausakluif]

At the point we’re in slowing down and finishing the details on one model at a time. Still have to add some metal for closures on the pouches and buckets, final Agrax wash of leathers, optics, etc.

really happy with how the 1st Cav Div symbol came out. Now to replicate it X10!

Also, totally realize that the spent shell casings on the rubble bases way to BIG for the

Firearms they’re using. Picked up the glass beads on a whim at hobby lobby. Will use for a dread base in future as probably good dreadnought assault cannon scale. More to come.

[Yosef Hausakluif]

Posted over in the WIP forge forum as well:

Progress on half the squad:

I still have work to do on the bases and done cleaning up to do on the white chapter symbol, but pretty pleased overall so far.

Behind cover:

Detail of ‘squad’ symbol; pretty happy with freehand on tribute to the 1st Cav Div. (fits with ‘elite’ US Forces theme for first born scouts and marines and a small tribute to my Father in Law who served with this outfit in Nam in ‘67):

Not crazy about how the flak vest came out, but overall really like the model and also attempt at camo face paint;

Heavy bolter;

Another scout in cover:

[WAR]

Very nice glad to see you continue to work in them

[Yosef Hausakluif]

THANKS for the encouragement war009. I haven’t gotten a lot of feedback nor many replies and wondered if I was missing the mark somehow.

Personally I’m pretty stoked on how they are turning out. First time attempting freehand so small and other small things like camo faces, such involved bases, etc.

next up 4 more scouts and one scout Sgt to go!

(Plus gonna keep cleaning up the previous 5 scouts)

[Yosef Hausakluif]

Thanks for all the likes brothers.

Yet more progress for the Raptors:

Worked last night with the squad.

Auspex scout:

Detail shot:

Still touching up the freehand chapter symbols:

Sgt. :

First attempt at urban camo on cloak:

(Need to thin these paints more!)

Another angle:

Group shot; with just two more to go at this stage of sorting and painting and details;

Pretty pleased so far as a lot of firsts for me with this project. Next step will be painting the bases and looking into using the technical GW which simulated rust for all the concrete pick marks and rebar. Think it’ll add a nice contrast point to the grey ruins. Always look forward to comments and feedback!

[Yosef Hausakluif]

And images with and without cover that will be perm once models completed painting wise

[WAR]

Those are really nice. Great to see them coming along

[Dracos]

I like the cornrow looking hair on that one model. I might actually try that instead of a helmet when I get to doing one of my next armies HQ. Would make a cool Lt

[Yosef Hausakluif]

Thanks. The wonders of green stuff. Not a big fan of the typical hair on the scouts so made my own. Long hair, corn rows, even dreads are easy to accomplish with anything pointy and some GS !

[Yosef Hausakluif]

Raptor Scouts update:

Working on finishing up their bases, some washes of Nuln and Agrax to go and paint details like spent shell cases and rebar / barb wire, but late last night had some time to take some WIP shots in black and white for fun. Better pics to follow once time allows. I think the black and white adds a cinematic feel to them all together!