WH40k - Mortifactors - Predators WIP

Today we continue our look at the Mortifactors Space Marine Army and in particular, focus on bringing some serious firepower to the table in the form of two Predator Annihilators!

Straight off the bat, I should say that I'm strongly considering swapping the Las Cannon sponsons for Heavy Bolters... I'd got carried away with the build and hadn't truly considered the effective strategic options the LC/HB configuration could afford:

• Mobility whilst maintaining rate of fire 
• Targeting flexibility 
• Threat versatility - Opponent won't want to expose many types of unit to this weapons combination
• Reduced overall points cost

I'd be interested to hear your thoughts on this approach. Anyways, with that all out the way, Let's take a look at the models...

'Adeptus Astartes? Are you sure?!...'

This was my first build and unfortunately it's clear that I've crossed the line between 'Loyalist but Brutal Imperium' to 'Spiky Traitor Chaos Death!'

I think one of the main issues is the use of the spiked ram. Annoyingly, this part is entwined (literally!) with the skeleton trophy on the front of the vehicle... I think the solution will be to retain the frame of the ram, carefully remove the spikes and replace them with something more in keeping with the vehicles of the Adeptes Astartes:

'... Ah yes, that's more like it!'

The skeleton trophy itself was made up from the now out of production Skeleton Warriors box set (the one with the three chariots) - a fantastic bits box resource of bare bone loveliness... 

'You! Yes you in the tank! You're far too chaotic, get out!!'

So, overall, Predator 1 is looking ok if a little too Chaos influenced. I'll have to take this fella back to the workshop for a re-fit...

Let's see how Predator 2 is shaping up:

That's better, much more to the Emperor's liking. This Predator has had the 'extra armour' upgrade represented through the addition of new armour plating converted from the Basilica Administratum building set.

Imperial and no mistakin'...

Over-charged exhaust casings...

Overall I'm pleased with how these two turned out. Predator 1 certainly needs a bit of attention and they're both due a Heavy Bolter re-fit, but otherwise they'll be good to get ready for their imminent paint job...

Next time we'll be looking at another Fast Attack choice - The two wheeled angels from hell that are the Mortifactors Bike Squadron ;)

WH40k - Iron Warriors Warsmith WIP

Whilst beavering away on the Iron Warriors Kill Team I got sidetracked and knocked up this Iron Warriors Warsmith…

'Flail or Flamer, it really doesn't matter to me... You'll all die in the end!!'

The main bulk of this model was made from the CSM Terminator Lord kit. I wanted however to give this guy some unique and brutal looking weaponry and so decided on modelling him a Custom Power Flail and a new, more archaic looking Heavy Flamer. The flail itself was taken from the Chaos Marauder Horsemen sprue, cut at the top and then re-attached. 

The Heavy Flamer’s original twin barrel has been removed and replaced with a single barrel flamer casing lifted from the Ork Nobz sprue. A small amount of plastic rod was inserted for the lower valve pipe. I’ve retained the original hose feeds from the Nobz flamer and still need to position them onto the fuel tank housing.

To further enhance his Iron Warrior status, I decided to add a shield from the Chaos Warriors sprue. He’s not far from finished – he probably needs something spiky added to the top of his back and maybe some fine chain link here and there but all in all, looking good.

For the time being I’m going to leave him on the workbench until GW release the updated and much anticipated Codex: Chaos… (And it better be good GW or Khorne help me...)

Inquisitor Lord!

It's clear that there's a lot of talented hobbyists out there. None more so than my friend and long time hobby muse, Pete James.

Pete get's ready to go to work...

So, sit back, relax and head on over to the home of Inquisitor James for some good ol' hobby lovin. You're sure to be inspired.

I'll leave you with a taster of some of the great things you'll see when you get there...

WH40k - Mortifactors - Land Speeder WIP

Hi there, here we continue our look at the Mortifactors Space Marine army WIP.

Today we're going to be looking at the mobile air cavalry that is the Land Speeder Tornado.

Death From Above...

Not to be outdone by it's big brother, the Storm Talon, the Land Speeder still packs a nasty punch and with it's varying weapon load out options, is just as adept at mowing down infantry or engaging more heavily armoured targets. Just don't get stuck out in the open for too long ;)

For my Tornado I opted for the assault cannon / heavy bolter combo. Although I'm toying with the idea of saving 30pts on the build by swapping out the assault cannon for another heavy bolter...

'Is that an atomic explosion I can see in my wing mirror?'

The front and sides of the Speeder have been adorned with trophy skulls and chain link to help add additional presence to the model. The bonnet (!?) also has the addition of a new skull motif, lifted and filed from the Basilica Administratum building set. Whilst an imperial eagle has also been added just above the rear air intake.

The most prominent conversion comes in the shape of the new wing design. These side foils were carefully measured and cut from plasti-card before gluing into place. The small addition of another skull motif helps tie the conversion together as part of the original wing design.

'Rollin in my 5.0...'

The model's base was built up with various scenery building bits and assorted grades of sand and stone chippings. Prior to adding these, I'd already marked the center of the circular base and glued in a length of coat hanger wire to act as the model's flight stand. This enables the model to be easily placed on or off the stand for ease of transporting.

So, the lads have now got some air cover with which to support the advance and assist in securing objectives. But they'll also be wanting the tools to be able to crack open enemy heavy armour and what better way to do that then with a pair of Predator battle tanks?!

Until next time :)

Dystopian Wars - Schwarz Habicht! pt.1

+++++ This is Admiral Sir William Bainbridge-Rochester of Her Majesty's Pacific fleet. +++++

+++++ We have engaged and captured Prussian vessel designation 'SMS Oldenburg' +++++

+++++ In securing the vessel we have acquired enemy intelligence of the highest importance +++++

+++++ It appears our worst fears have been confirmed. The Prussians are developing long range inter continental aerial capability. Namely, Project: Schwarz Habicht.... Project: Black Hawk... +++++

+++++ It is understood that a research facility located somewhere in the South Pacific holds the key to stopping this menace +++++

+++++ It is the request of the fleet that re-enforcements be sent with due haste to this position, so that this Prussian menace may be removed once and for all +++++

+++++ Awaiting Orders. Stop. +++++

To be continued...

The Good, The Bad and The White Dwarf! - Issue 391, July

Despite the cover price and c.30% advertising ;)  we all love our monthly fix of White Dwarf. With it's shiny new releases, army show cases and battle reports it's just like having an old friend round for tea!

But what if you were pushed to choose a single best bit, worst bit and down right ugly bit in each month's issue?

Welcome to the 'The Good, The Bad and The White Dwarf!'- Issue 391, July

'...And Shareholder Expectation'

The Good...

Maybe it should have been the release of Warhammer 40k 6th Edition, but Chris Peach's baroque style Imperial Guard are just too magnificent to ignore!

Like a Nyotaimori Natalie Portman lying on a Realm of Battle board, they truly are a thing of beauty. Offering solid and effective conversion work, coherent and sharp use of colour palette and a flawless execution of a Guard styling often attempted but rarely mastered...

The Bad...

The Cost of Tanglewire these days. It was a close run thing between this and the £80 WH40k 'Collectors Edition'...

I'm not talking about GW pricing policy in general, we all know the issues there... More specifically, that certain releases are overtly overpriced for what they are. In the case of Tanglewire (I assume the GW public relations team considered 'Razor' too risky a term for the kids), you could head over to somewhere like Maelstrom and pick up 3 x the length for half the price...

Tangley, Wirey, Frighteningly Over Pricey

The Ugly...

John Blanche's brown leatherette waistcoat. Even hobby gods have their off days...

Don't look at it for too long...

Did you have any personal best bits, worst bits or down right ugly bits from this month's edition of White Dwarf? Leave a comment, it would be good to hear from you :)  See you next time for Issue 392...

WH40k - Mortifactors - Terminators WIP

"The Mortifactors are a Space Marine Chapter recruited from the feral world Posul, which is shrouded in almost perpetual darkness. The population of the planet is broken down into tribes, the mightiest of which is ideal for recruitment into the Mortifactors. They are a successor chapter of the Ultramarines..." [source: Lexicanum]

The Mortifactors have all the makings of a Marine Chapter begging to make it onto the table top. This has clearly struck a chord with several other hobby gurus who have posted their take on Posul's finest for all to enjoy:

Their take. Smexy.

But I suspect like anyone inspired to develop the Mortifactors into table top reality, these hobby gurus all started in the same place as I - Graham McNeill's 'Warriors of Ultramar'

Mortifactors: Start Here.

Apart from being a great read, 'Warriors of Ultramar' is probably the most informative source of  Mortifactors fluff available - Primarily thanks to the part played by Chaplain Astador, who accompanies the Ultramarine Uriel Ventris in battling the Tyranid menace of Hive Fleet Leviathan. The Mortifactors are also note worthy for their role in the 3rd War for Armageddon and for Captain Artemis' shenanigans as part of his role in serving with the Deathwatch.

So, with some tantilising and inspiring background to wet the appetite, I started in the best place possible: a solid 'Troops' choice.........Yeah right! Bring on the Terminators!

'Yeah??!...

You...

...And...

...Who's...

...Army?!!'

These guys are fairly straightforward builds - You'll note the use of Warhammer Chaos Warrior heads which help give the suits a darker, more archaic feel. Alongside this, the odd skull has been added to re-affirm the Mortifactors tradition of taking the skulls of the defeated as trophies - That'll be anyone who gets in their way then...

I also wanted to mark the Terminators out from the rest of the units in the force with the addition of a 1st Company honour badge. Positioned on the right shoulder guard, the skull and wing motif was created by cutting away and filing off the left wing from the space marine banner top.

The guys have been based using cork tiling to simulate the rocky elements and have been given a primer of Chaos Black undercoat.

You may have noticed that the 5 man squad's twin assault cannons render it void from a list building perspective. But fear not good friends! here's the rest of the guys below who will eventually round the unit up to 10...

This one needs his nails filing...

'What you lookin' at?!...'

While I was on a roll, I created a further heavy weapons alternative for the squad should they need to fire off something a little more, explosive... a set of Cyclone Missile Launchers:

There's still a fair bit of work to be done, but the foundations have been laid for a squad that will hopefully do the Mortifactors 1st Company proud...

Next time we go back to the workbench to take a look at some further Mortifactors reinforcements - The Land Speeder Tornado!

WH40k - The Lost and the Damned

The web gods suggest that alongside the imminent release of 40k 6th, a new Codex: Chaos is also on the cards...

Alongside our favourite Traitor Marines, it will be interesting to see how the Codex represents, or not, the options to include cultists, mutants and other hangers on to the party - collectively: The Lost and the Damned...

'To the book shelf Batman!'

Bad Boys.

Whilst getting on in years, these two bad boys still provide an inspirational and informative read. Eye of Terror in particular contains an army list for The Lost and the Damned, providing the option to field units such as Traitor Guard, Big Mutants and Plague Zombies.

The book also contains an inspiring modelling section that showcases a whole gang of shambling, bum faced mutants. Most of which are made through utilising parts from the old Chaos Mutations sprue:

I had quite a few of these in the bits box and decided to get to work...

This fella's a four armed, heavy stubber totting, horn head of a mutant. When he's not tearing up the universe on yet another Black Crusade, his interests include playing himself at Fifa and using his tail as an impromptu lady stick...

If at all possible, it get's even uglier:

Both mutants were fun to make and made use of pieces from the bits box that were no doubt destined to go unused. I'll make some more from time to time and see if I can't make a unit out of them. Hopefully the new Codex: Chaos will give me the army list I need... ;)