Finished: Battlefleet Gothic Chaos fleet

Hi folks,

Another catch up post from earlier in the year. During last years (2022-2023) AHPC challenge I'd had a lot of fun finishing converting, fixing and painting various Battlefleet Gothic ships. I'd planned to do a couple for this years challenge as well, but things quickly escalated. 

As a result, I ended up painting all the Chaos ships I currently own...

Sorting this collection out, I've ended up with one main fleet (generic Chaos faction, painted as per the oigional White Dwarf/rulebook), a Tzeench sub fleet and a Nurgle sub fleet. 

I'd love to get some additional bits for all this in the future. Possible some of the 3d printed light cruisers that are now available, and possible a proper battleship. In the mean time, the following will do:

Infidel class raiders

Idolator class raiders

Iconoclast class destroyers plus transports

My current flagship, a Repulse class grand cruiser

My heavy cruisers, a Hades class, a pair of Styx class and an Archeon class 

The cruisers - two Slaughter, one Devastator, two Carnage, one Inferno and one Murder class

In support, we have the Tzeench fleet:

A Slaughter and a Devastation class cruiser, backed up by six Idolator class raiders. The Devastator class cruiser has an unusual bridge, which might reflect a possessed ship rather than just fancy ornamentation.

And the Nurgle fleet. 

This fleet consists of a Death Guard Battlebarge - technically the famous 'Terminus Est' model - alongside two 'Murder' class cruisers, a trio of Iconoclast destroyers and six Infidel class raiders. My fluff for these is that this is a detachment of Deathguard Chaos Space Marines supporting my larger Chaos fleet. 

I've deliberately gone for a bit of a miss-match of shades on some of these models, aiming for them to be cohesive but non-standard. My own head canon is that the older the ship the more baked on blood and the darker it is. I tracked down or rescued the origional bases for these ships, which I've just gone with a matt black on. Other odds and sods which had been broken from years of poor storage or prior owners were repaired, and a few ships had their weapon loadouts changed. 

All in all I'm pretty pleased. I've still a good few stands of fighters and bombers to rescue, which is a tedious job. Then perhaps on to my main Imperial fleet so I can actually have a game!

Finished: Battlefleet Gothic - Stormwardens Fleet

Hi folks,

Having enjoyed painting some Battlefleet Gothic models for last years challenge, I promptly put everything back in a box and didn't look at any of it again till this year. 

However, I had reviewed my collection at some point, and decided upon a small Space Marine fleet. I had obtained a metal GW strike cruiser and some escorts at some point and added to this a couple of ships from Scourge Scenics with some conversion work, as well as an interesting conversion given to me by a friend a long time ago. 

The results are a slightly eclectic mix of vessels, as befitting a Space Marine chapter out on the verges of Imperial Space. 

For those not familiar with this particular Space Marine chapter, they featured in Fantasy Flight Games 40k RPG setting, being the Space Marine chapter associated with the Calixis Sector (mainly detailed in the Deathwatch RPG books, but mentioned in the other games set in the same region). They are a highly insular chapter that avoids where possible public acclaim. The chapter's lineage is unknown, due to an unfortunate incident with an enslaver psychic virus resulting in their entire 1st Company and all chapter records being placed in stasis 5,000 years ago. 

In keeping with my focus on the Koronus Expanse, I decided to build a fleet for them probably reflective of their efforts outside of known Imperial Space. 

First up, the 'Battlebarge' stand in for this fleet. Some of the Space Marine fleet lists allow you to use an Imperial Battleship, Battlecruiser or Grand Cruiser for an additional points cost, reflecting older vessels in the chapters service. This is a short term fix for this fleet, as I am likely to get a Battlebarge at some point, whereby this vessel will become a 'Venerable Strike Cruiser' using the BFGXR rules. 

In this case, I went for a conversion gifted to me some time ago by a friend, and repainted in appropriate chapter colours. This plastic GW cruiser hull had a metal broadside battery put in place, I believe from one of the early Grand Cruiser models. As such, it's pretty different from the rest of my Imperial Cruisers. I added an array of sensor towers under the hull, as well as some dorsally mounted turrets, and this ship became a Paragon class Battlecruiser 'Lamented Warrior'.

These ships, unusually, have bombardment cannons as broadside weapons - leading to them being yoinked from Imperial Navy service and promises made never to build more. How this vessel came to serve with the Storm Wardens is therefore unknown. 

Escorting this ship are Hunter class Destroyers of Ban'nokbrn Squadron.

Then we have two of the more unusual strike cruisers in my small fleet - likely unrecognisable by BFG aficionados:

'Pipers Glory', on the left, is my attempt at a Hoplon class Strike Cruiser with an unusual early Imperial prow. My head canon is that this prow is possibly a replacement due to battle damage in the ancient past, or possible an upgrade using a space hulk recovered STC component. I'd probably run this ship in my own games as having a prow mounted Lance weapon as per the Dauntless Light Cruiser rather than launch bays and torps. 

The other vessel (on the right), named 'Stir'ling Bridge' is my attempt at a Vanguard class Cruiser. These ships first appeared in the BFG computer games, and are long range independent cruisers designed less for planetary assault and more for ship to ship combat. My conversion of this vessel involved taking a Dauntless Light Cruiser from Scourge Scenics along with a Space Marine Strike Cruiser from the same place, and butchering both to swap prows. This gave a more 'stretched' and sleek look than the brawler looking Strike Cruiser hull. 

In the end, I gave the butchered Strike Cruiser a spare resin prow I had instead of using the smaller Dauntless one, giving me the Hoplon class. This led to the two ships featured here. 

Lastly, the Fal'kirk' Strike Cruiser and the Gladius class Frigates of 'DunBar' Squadron. 

These models are 'official' GW metal products, having been in my collection for quite some time. As such, they are fairly 'standard' additions to the fleet. 

Colours wise, I think I've gone a bit too blue - various shades have been used (which show up poorly on the camera), but I struggled to implement the paint scheme of this chapter without any visual clues as to what their ships would look like - the only ship based artwork is a poor angle with poor light. The artwork for marines shows dark and light blue, plus silver. The description is blue and light grey. I could possibly have used light grey on the ships more, however I was trying to avoid an 'Ultramarine' style paint scheme. 

I do have a few more bits to add to this fleet, to bring it up to the 1500-2000pt mark for games. To be added will be some 'regular' Imperial escorts and a few more capital class ships. 

Finished: Battlefleet Gothic - retro style

Hi folks,

Attempting to catch up on my entries posted to to the AHPC blog. I've recently finished some more half-tracks, but prior to those I spent some time painting some models I've had for a long time!

I was a massive fan of both Epic 40,000 and Battlefleet Gothic when they came out - to me, that was the heyday of GW and my favourite time to pick up White Dwarf each month hoping for more cool battle reports and group shots of fleets/armies. 

I had a decent collection of BFG minis, which were sold around 15 years ago as I hadn't done anything with them. Fairly quickly I had sellers regret, and slowly started to pick up miniatures in order to regain my lost fleet. I've ended up with quite a haul of models, mainly 2nd hand at bring and buys or from eBay. However, these models have been left unattended - mainly as indecision and concern over how to paint them stopped any progress. 

Something I have to fight on a regular basis, if I'm honest. 

Anyway, as part of the challenge this year, one of the bonus rounds covered 'Space Opera', so I decided it was time to do something about some of these models. 

Now, two of the 'light' cruisers pictured above are actually reconditions Ork hulks:

These were rebuilt with the loving care and attention only the cold metal appendages of the Adeptus Mechanicus can show, using resin prows obtained from eBay and a bit of elbow grease. 

In true Battlefleet Calixis fashion these four vessels were immediately assigned to Passage Watch 27-Est. Mainly due to the very traditionally minded admirals of Battlefleet Calixis having no idea what to do with these unusual ships.

A light carrier and long range patrol vessel, the Retribution (below) comes equipped with a fighter and bomber wing. It carries extensive stores to allow for long deployments, and following its long service as an Ork pirate vessel has a reputation for being able to sniff out other ships at long ranges and accelerate into action with uncommon zeal. It's wings of strike craft are the bane of many pirate groups, who's raider ships have no easy counter to them. Meanwhile, the other two hulls provided the Imperial Navy 'Scout' Cruisers, one of which is named 'His Vengeance' (shown above). 'His Vengeance' is seen escorted by Cobra Destroyers from the 'Wrath of Saint Drusus' squadron (also shown above). 

Some of the vessels are non-GW ships (the large transport vessel shown below), bought from eBay. However the smaller transport ships are GW originals - these provide logistical support (and scenario objectives):

Also in this fleet is the Dauntless light Cruiser 'Aegis'. This vessel is based on one featured within one of the RPG adventure books 'The Frozen Reaches' which sees the players coming to the aid of a forgotten Imperial colony under attack from Orks, supported by a single Imperial Navy ship.  The Aegis is shown alongside alongside four Sword class frigates detached from 'Triumph Squadron':

I painted these ships up in as close an approximation to 'Battlefleet Calixis' from the old Rogue Trader RPG game. Technically forming part of 'Passage Watch 27-Est'. This standing force patrols the unexplored reaches of the Koronus expanse and guards the narrow safe route back to 'civilised' space. The force also has a secret role in guarding a warp gate to another distant part of the galaxy where an Imperial Crusade is being fought. 

This long standing detachment was often nicknamed 'Battlefleet Koronus', and attracted many of the ships not suited to 'traditional' Battlefleet tactics. I decided to paint up at least some of my imperial ships using the scant information available about this fleets paint scheme, and to add bits and bobs fitting their long range patrol and protection theme. 

These were painted with the red prow and yellow/gold trim, in true 1990's style. Most of the artwork available seems to show a blueish hull colour, which I duplicated using 'French Mirage Blue'. 

I do have a lot more to do with this collection, but now I've started I intend to chip away at it. I really enjoyed painting these - they were simple but look just how I wanted them to. A brief flashback to my teenage years staring with envy at the ships pictured on glossy pages!

Unproductive? Maybe not.

Hi folks,

It's been a few weeks since my last update on the blog, and I do try not to leave it too long without posting something. No progress to speak of painting wise, once the AHPC challenge ended my painting mojo just went with it. I think this might be linked to it being my 3rd week in the house and 2nd week of full time working from home. I spend all day at my painting desk, and when it comes to evening time I'm struggling to pick up a brush.

Things I have done, however, include setting up a table in one of my spare rooms just to take some pictures of bits and bobs. I've since moved the setup as I wasn't getting a lot of light in it's initial placement, but I've not done anything else with it since.

I also spent a fair amount of time working on an article for the Flames of War site. I'm not sure if it will see publication as it was pretty heavy going - basically trying to focus a little bit on Anti-Tank unit markings and where the M10's attached to a formation might come from and what markings they should/might have.

On a whim last week, I dug out my old BFG ships, which have been languishing for some time. I sorted a few bits out and sprayed them last weekend, but beyond that have done nothing. I also bought a few bits for them off eBay, specifically some 3rd party ships in the same style. These came with spare prows, which I had the bright idea of using to fix up some 'reclaimed' Imperial hulls (which had been badly converted into Ork ships).

On a side note, if anyone has any Ork ships for this game they would like rid of, give me a shout!

The new ship - an merchant cruiser for my Rogue Trader fleet, along with the reclaimed hulls using extra prows and other spares. These will be based on 'Lathe-class Monitor Cruisers' - effectively light cruisers designed for long term exploration operations.  

You can see the state of the recovered hulls from the two at the front. I've ordered another of the merchant cruisers to do as a pure merchant ship, which will also give me the prows to sort out the other two hulks. 

This took a little work, which I actually really enjoyed.

The light carrier (rear left) needed some bitty work to replace a backwards launch bay and add some other parts, but was otherwise a simple clean up and then a fix for the engine area (detailed below).

The right rear ship took more work. The upper hull was so badly damaged I ended up turning the whole ship upside down. I swapped the gun bays to be correctly orientated (there is a narrow top and a thicker bottom, with the ship now being upside down, these were then wrong). I added a bridge in front of the previously ventral (now dorsal) fin. This was clipped out from a Chaos cruiser bridge I'd spare. The 'conversion' to Ork ships had included the crude cutting out of the middle of each engine area to add in a 'fin'. I replaced this fin with a section taken from the previously cut up Chaos bridge, to add a rear detail. Obviously a warm place to be on the ship, but it works visually. I'm planning to do the same with the other two hulls.

I may do some green stuff work when all four are done, just to tidy them up a bit, prior to spraying.

I also prepped and primed a unit of 10mm Camel riders and a unit of spearmen for my For Joshua project. I based some of the Orc's I'd been given by John, but ran out of bases so had to order more. Post seems to be slowing down, as it took a fair while for the bases to arrive, despite being posted fairly locally. In fact, I had several day's worth of mail arrive at once.

When these arrived, I started work on bases for all the stuff still on the shelf. I used 3 packs of 50mm by 100mm bases, along with a load of dice cell packs to make up 30 bases. I now need to paint these brown before I can start putting figures on them. Then they will need sanding and static grass. However, I am pleased to have made a start and I'm hopeful I can start showing peoples contributions again soon. I know there is more stuff coming, but appreciate international post (and getting to the post office) are all issues just now.

I also dug out the 15mm armoured cars which had been in the works prior to Joshua's death last year. These have been checked and a few broken off bits glued on, and they are now back in the painting queue. I'd like to make progress with these this year, but want to break the back of the planned 10mm stuff first.

I ordered the paints I think I will need for my Cruel Seas ships, which is another thing to do when I find my mojo again.

I've also started a new chapter of my ongoing DnD campaign, allowing my players to start with level 1 characters as a bit of a side game while their main characters do some town building. And now, based on the BFG ships, I'm thinking of also running a Rogue Trader game. Given no-one can go anywhere, seems the perfect time to run some games.

And lastly, I am taking part in a play by mail/social media 'Wild West' game being run by DaveD. Seems to be working out so far... more on this later!

So looking over all of this, while I've not been painting it's not like I have been idle - just not productive with the hairy sticks. I've still an article to do for the AHPC challenge, showing off all I've done over the 6 months. I've held off as I'd like to get a picture of some of the stuff I was also given during the challenge, but I may do that separately. As an aside, my 10mm human force hasn't been posted to my blog, which I also still need to do! It was nominated for 'challengers choice' and can be voted on here. To be honest, I thought my diorama I did for Dave was my best work of the challenge, but I am honoured to have been nominated.

That's it for now - hope everyone is staying sane and safe. If anyone wants a hobby chat, drop me a line - always happy to arrange a google hangout just to chew the fat.

James

York Show - Loot!

Hi folks,

A trip over to York today for the York Wargames show (Vapnartak). I was just on my lonesome, but did get to meet up with Steve one of my Tabletop Commanders paint and chat friends, and Roy.

Being on my lonesome did have some advantages - like no one there to talk me out of doing silly things.

Such as buying two Battlefleet Gothic fleets.

The usual story, Bring and Buy, high price, lots of visits back to the stall and the price kept dropping. Eventually the Imperial fleet was down from £200 to £75. So I grabbed it. The Chaos fleet was from £200 to £100, but I wasn't happy paying that, so I made the chap an offer and got that for £85.

Ouch! But still a good reduction.

 
The Imperial fleet has:

1 Battleship (£70+(?) on ebay)
1 x Grand Cruiser (Rare ship - £50+)
6 x Cruisers (£60 ish)
2 Sword Frigates (£15?)
4 Cobra Destroyers (£20?)
6 Fighter stands (£30?)
9 Bomber stands (£40?)

While the Chaos fleet:

Has:

1 x Terminus Est (Rare Chaos special Battleship - £80?)
1 x Grand Cruiser (Rare ship - £50+)
8 x Cruisers (£80?)
5 x Infidel raiders (£40?)
3 x Idolater raiders (£20?)
6 x Bomber stands (£30?)
6 x fighter stands (£30?)

So with all that I'm pretty sure I could sell some of the ships on ebay and make my money back. They will go into my painting pile - hopefully GW won't release new models any time soon and make the whole thing a pointless and valueless purchase.

I also bought a 2nd hand pack of German late war WW2 infantry. 83 figures (so enough for two more platoons?) - £10. Another good buy.

The rest of my spending was on terrain.

These are 15mm earthworks that looked pretty smart. They need to be assembled and then some sort of filler used to fill the gap. But they will do for flames of war. 

More tufts!

More small hedges - these will be used for around the town I have now acquired. I had hoped to get some sort of Church at the show, but no luck. Maybe next month!

Two small hills. These are smaller than the ones I bought last year, and should be useful for breaking up lines of sight. 

Another set of smaller hills. These are smaller than the ones above. More like ridge lines and the likes. 

Some random bases to use as the bases for forests, once I get my trees sorted. 

Cobbled surfaces - to use around town. 

Bases for my trees and some neat little plaster of paris gardens. There will be used once I start basing up my houses and such - I thought they would look really smart in gardens and the likes. I also got a pack of 15mm haystacks from the same supplier (timecast, I think).

So yeah, a good show and a good haul! The show itself was very busy but easy to find and on several levels. I'll definitely try to get back and maybe get some of the Scottish guys down (once I have my own place to put them up). I did have my eye on a couple of books, but they can wait.