twopounder

One week left! I'll pull names Nov 2/3.

Still a couple of weeks left to register. I'm already cooking up some ideas

I can't believe we're already approaching the end of the year. Soon it will be Halloween here in the states and the leaves are falling off the trees (even if just because of the storms down here in Florida). We've had a long running tradition here in the Dark Angel forums, of firing off the Secret Santa as the year closes. What is the Secret Santa? Volunteers are put into a list that is shaken (never stirred) and randomly assigned another volunteer to paint a single infantry/cavalry model for. Its great to see what members cook up for their gifts each year. It can also be a great painting challenge to match the chapter colors of the participants (many people have custom successor chapters). I wanted to see how many people are interested this year and get an early start on the process so people have as much time to ship as possible. The rules are pretty straightforward: You'll be given a forum name and shipping details for one other volunteer. Secretly build and paint a single infantry/cavalry model that matches the army of your recipient Complete and ship the model by December 1st (or as close as possible). The target is to get the package on their doorstep before December 25th. PM me the tracking number (I'll forward this to the recipient so they can make sure to get the package when it arrives) Remember to take lots of pictures before sending. Feel free to post the pictures after the recipient has had a chance to open their box. If you're interested, PM me these details: Valid shipping information Marine chapters you play/collect Whether you're willing to ship internationally (I've had to pay $70 USD to ship before, so just be aware that it can be very expensive). Would you be willing to do 2 recipients in an emergency or if needed? Deadline for signup is Friday, October 31st so I can send out the PMs for Santas Quick FAQ Q: Do I have to run out and buy models? A: NOPE! In fact, the purpose is to use bits and spare parts you already have to kit bash a single infantry/cavalry model. Think of it as a way to find a home for that extra primaris without a squad. Q: Who can participate? A: We generally keep it to Dark Angels and their successors, but I'm open to any marine chapter with the understanding that legion/chapter specific modeling may not be possible. Unfortunately, its too hard to match up people with non-marine armies. All in these forums will have marine models though. Q: Do I have to ship internationally? A: Only if you volunteer to. International shipping can be expensive, so you'll only get paired with someone you're comfortable shipping to. Q: Is there specific a points/money value? A: Nope - its up to you to build what you'd like, but keep in mind that we can't promise you'll get something of the same value in return. Q: How well does the model need to be painted? A: Just do your best. Everyone is at a different skill level and participation is the most important part of the event. Q: Can we do something other than infantry or cavalry? A: The spirit of the event is to use spare bits and be creative. Infantry models tend to be the most plentiful (though bike hoarders like me have had a bunch of spare bike frames in the past). Its unlikely someone will have a spare leviathan dreadnought , and we don't want to spiral too far out of control with someone shipping $100+ Forge World models. Infantry/Cavalry keeps it simple and everyone on the same playing field. That said, feel free to embellish the base if you'd like: heads, desiccated bodies, tyranid skulls - have fun with the build. Q: What if I can't complete the gift? A: Emergencies do happen, but we would ask you do your best. If you're unable to complete, then let me know ASAP so we can get another Santa lined up with time to complete a second model.

More than slightly, quite feminine. They jumped out immediately. I suspect this was the reason there were so many bare heads vs helmets. Make of that what you will.

They aren't too bad to build and painting is easier than heroic scale. Lots of tutorials on YouTube. You can even paint them on the sprue then glue to the base.

One. They lack air power though, but one aircraft box can get you a full squadron of avengers.

I'm digging deep for the HH 3.0. I have parts soaking to strip the paint for my command squad and veteran assault squads, but in the meantime I'm restoring some old relics of another life. I do have a predicament. I normally do acrylic bases, but these aren't compatible with magnetic cases unless I custom make them. That would be about $6000 - $7000 for equipment and I don't feel like getting back into the lasering business just at the moment. The normal bases are boring, but I'm not confident that glued sand will hold if I remove the magnetized model - it might just rip up from the base. Resin bases are really expensive. Weighing options, but I don't like the way my customized bases turned out. Maybe I'll clean them and just reduce the debris.

I setup a camera rig to get better pictures. Still needs some work, but came out okay for the moment. Unfortunately I accidentally glued one of the sergeant heads onto the wrong body. Woops. I did take a couple with the cellphone though You can see a bit of the eye glow here

Thanks! UV paint is going to be on anything that glows - optics, screens, power weaponts, etc. I actually have another material that glows for a while after being exposed to any UV light source, so working that in as well.

Not trying to be difficult, but this is a bit confusing. What is the material difference between using BattleTech models for Titanicus game and using StarGrave for Kill Team? It appears from above that BattleTech is not allowed but StarGrave is in terms of models? Titanicus is allowed on the forums currently as its a 40k era/universe game. It is very specifically only allowed in the scope of 40k and not the specialist games?

Making slow progress on the 30k 1st Legion, but doing some interesting experiments. Hard to capture with phone camera because it doesn't let much light in. You can see it glow without the UV light, but I can't adequately capture it with my phone unless I use it. It has a dark glow, very similar to CGI stuff that has been released.

That's quite the Ironwing detachment to rollout.

I shifted to working on Heresy stuff (and have a way too big backlog now). I'm experimenting with the colors and how I want to do the legion. I had the idea to test UV reactive paint for parts of the model that technically glow. Its super hard to get a picture while holding my phone and the UV light, so I'll get a better picture later, but the effect is interesting. I think I may see if I can find a higher quality pain, as this stuff separated really badly. Though I did figure out how to do some basic glazing, it was ROUGH to work with. There is definitely an interesting effect when its under the UV light. I have more powerful UV lights to put under my display case for testing as well. I doubt it would be strong enough to really show on a board, but it could come through if they are in a building or shaded. I'll keep messing with it and see if I can make it cleaner.

In 3rd/4th it was common to see 6 rhinos on a table. It even carried into 5th, though drop pod assault + Sternguard made drop pods the new transport spam. I haven't seen a heresy army with more than 2. But hey, I forgot 6 is less than 2 whenever we have to defend GWs honor.

This isn't about providing a discount on something you need, its about moving inventory. The 2.0 box sold like crazy, so nobody is buying the separate mk6 boxes, especially with MK2 released. Rhinos are another thing that didn't move much, considering they were easy to pop and only carried 10 models. The leviathan is an interesting choice, but a powerful entry as an ally for sure. I think ad mech is the best value for someone just getting started or building a new army. Could easily snag two of those and then a magos to make a solid beginner army. Solar is weakest due to leman russ getting nerfed and needing a lot more infantry. Seems like they would have been better with two cohorts, command, and a leman russ (or ogryns). But again, its about moving models.