Star Wars Legion Rebel Troopers and Pathfinders - Hoth Style!

Rebel Troopers

So after having painted two units of Rebel Veterans for my Hoth Rebel Alliance crew, I wanted to introduce some variety with some other models. The great thing about the Rebels is that they're somewhat rag-tag, so some differences in uniform and kit are certainly OK. I've tried to minimize any jarring effects by painting these models in a "Hoth palette" (lots of Corax White, Rakarth Flesh, Zandri Dust, Steel Legion Drab, and XV-88) - the reader can be the judge of how well this worked.

Here's the squad leader with a Rebel rifleman.

Gatling blaster trooper and a dude with a grenade launcher (?) of some kind.

Some diversity introduced into the bunch with a Duros trooper.

Backpacks are similar to those included with the Rebel Veterans, that's good.

Rebel Pathfinders

The other unit I just finished was the Rebel Pathfinders, a very thoughtful birthday present from Conscript Dave (thanks Dave!) I enjoyed painting these guys as well, but there are a couple things to note on this box - most notably that there are only six figures in the unit, rather than the standard seven. You do get a variety of weapons here too - a long sniper rifle as well as a heavy blaster (wielded by the alien Bistan, at right) and another strange blaster in the hands of the alien Pao, at far left. These two guys are from Rogue One, of course. 

These are my favourite models from the set - especially the leader, who looks very Hoth-like with his winter hat and goggles.

The leader also sports an interesting set of body armour which I painted in Mournfang and Skrag Brown. The crouching sniper also is so equipped.

Here's the sniper with Pao and Bistan. I like Bistan and his heavy blaster - he's dressed in some sort of spacesuit which I could have researched, I guess, if I weren't so lazy. Anyway it got painted in Steel Legion Drab mostly. Not a huge fan of Pao as the pose is a bit meh, but another heavy weapon of some kind I suppose.

Well there you go - I reckon the Rebels are all set now with 30-some models ready to fight it out on Hoth. Just waiting for one last squad of snowtroopers from a 3D printing operation (and a special surprise addition) to finish off Blizzard Force, then we'll be ready for a game!

15mm "Gvozdika" (Carnation) 122mm SP Gun Battery from Zvezda for Team Yankee

I got a real surprise in the mail a couple days ago. Back in early July I'd ordered some Zvezda models from Evgeniy, a Russian eBay vendor. By late September it seemed clear that the models were lost and weren't going to arrive, so I sought and received a refund from eBay - at the same time promising Evgeniy that if the models ever did show up, I'd pay him again for them.

And can you believe it - they finally did show up - three 15mm (1:100) 2S1 "Carnation" 122mm SP howitzers. They're push-fit models that go up very quickly, but of course have the standard drawbacks of push-fit models - they can be a bit fragile in assembly. (Yes I did send money to Evgeniy for which he expressed deep gratitude)

The models themselves are reasonably detailed and paint up quickly. The surface detail takes well to the standard Magic Russian Spraycan + Agrax Earthshade + Ushabti Bone drybrush. 

I added some weathering with Doombull Brown rust marks and Leadbelcher chips, plus some spare Team Yankee Russian decals of course.

In terms of cost, the three vehicle kits cost me $21.70 USD including shipping from Russia. This compares favorably with the Battlefront box, which tallies at $41.50 USD (before shipping) but includes unit cards. The battlefront models are resin and metal multimedia kits which you may prefer, or not, to injection-molded plastic kits. The barrels on the Zvezda models can be elevated though, unlike the Battlefront resin. Delivery from Battlefront may or may not be speedier and more reliable than Russian post...

The Zvezda kits will be perfectly useable when if we can ever have games again. Game stats for the models are included in the current Red Thunder book and the forthcoming Soviet army book, of course. Let me just say that an artillery template combined with direct fire anti-tank capability (a very respectable AT21 at up to 24") can come in quite handy.

So that's another Soviet unit for the shelf. Hope everyone is staying healthy and sane.

T-80s and BMP-3s for Team Yankee

As Team Yankee fans are probably well aware, Battlefront has re-jigged and re-branded the game - it's now "World War III Team Yankee". No big deal really, but the exciting thing is the new value-priced "Starter" box set with two new types of Soviet armoured vehicle - the T-80 tank (four models) and BMP-3 infantry fighting vehicle (two models) - plus T-64, M60 and Abrams tanks and Bradley IFVs. Sixteen vehicles come in the box for $60 CAD - that's a steal.

Anyway, I've now assembled and painted the T-80s and BMP-3s as part of continuing Soviet escalation. Both models are simple and straightforward to assemble, as usual from Battlefront. I basecoated the T-80s with Krylon camo spray (a can bought on eBay arrived last last week) and applied a camo pattern with stippled Zandri Dust. As usual the vehicle was washed with Agrax Earthshade and lenses picked out after that. Decals were applied to the turret and some Ushabti Bone applied - done. As these vehicles are the Soviets' latest and greatest I didn't do any significant weathering. They're fresh to the front.

And wow - the game stats for these beasts are staggering. Not only are they equipped with an excellent 125mm main gun with an Anti-Tank rating of 22 and Firepower 2+, they can also deploy an optional AT-11 "Sniper" ATGM, also with AT of 22. The Sniper also incorporates an ERA-defeating tandem warhead. Both weapon systems can be fired on the move.

The T-80's armour package also represents a significant upgrade over the T-64, with front armour of 20 and explosive reactive components that upgrade side armour to 16 versus HEAT munitions.

They're certainly not cheap though, at around 8 points each.

I'm no expert on Soviet armour, but from what I've read a consensus appears to be that the T-80's game stats may be somewhat optimistic when compared to reality. However, I can certainly see Battlefront's point in doing this - presumably not all Soviet players want to always field hordes of T-72s or T-64s, and upgrading the T-80 gives them a viable option to field against Leopard IIs and Chieftains/Challengers in a non-horde list. This is OK by me, as after all, it's just a game.

The other new vehicle model included in the box is the BMP-3. This recon vehicle brings some neat capability to the table as well.

Armed with a 100mm gun (meh) and even better, an AT-10 Stabber ATGM (AT of 21!) the BMP-3 can ambush NATO tanks with the best of them. However one cool carryover on the BMP-3 is the 30mm 2A42 gun with ROF 3/2, AT10 and anti-helicopter capability.

The two BMP-3s in the box were also basecoated with Magic Spray and weathered with some watered-down Doombull Brown rust streaks and Leadbelcher chips.

Generous amounts of crew were provided in the box as well - but no decals. However if you're a regular purchaser of Soviet Team Yankee models you'll no doubt have plenty of spares on hand.

The BMP-3s have some very clever antenna mounts cast into the turret (I think they would just fit broom straws perfectly) but I haven't decided yet whether to employ them.

Great detail on the BMP-3 as with all Team Yankee plastics! Like the T-80, it seems that Battlefront has prioritized bringing out some new toys for the Soviets despite thin historical evidence for their use...  while it supposedly entered service in 1987, the BMP-3 only broke cover in deployment with the Soviets in 1990. I guess that's close enough to our time period.  

Anyway I hope you enjoyed the post. Get out there and grab the new Team Yankee starter box if you want to be the first on your block to get the new Soviet goodies... I got mine from Tista Minis in Hamilton, Ontario.

Imperial Fist - Dreadnought Escalation

No fancy photo booth here so you'll have to suffer through these photos. I managed to complete 3 Dreadnoughts for the Fist. First up is a leviathan with Grav-Flux Bombard and siege drill.

A Contemptor with Plasma Cannon followed by a Contemptor Mortis with Lascannons.

I started these during the summer, but neglected completing them in favor of some mini projects, so they do not count towards the Painting Challenge. I decided to get them done for the mega game today. The paint is still curing so their demise on the table should be all but guaranteed.

From Will, Cometh Faith - Heresy Era Iron Warriors Deimos Rhino and Legion Medusa

Back again with another Iron Warriors update... this time it's some vehicles: a Deimos-pattern Rhino APC and a Legion Medusa self-propelled gun.

First up, the Rhino... I really like Forge World's modern take on the old MKI Rhino. Callbacks to the original design include the front glacis shown above...

...as well as the external exhausts and round side doors, as well as the hatch-mounted storm bolters. Tasty!

This model actually assembled quite easily and quickly. The only real challenge I had was sticking together the top doors - I didn't glue them down, as I wanted to be able to paint the passenger compartment of the vehicle, or use the vehicle as the "Razorback" variant by substituting another plate and adding weapons.

I assembled the model so the back door could open, also.

Here's a great view of the original detailing.

Top doors are detailed with chevrons.

Next up was a bit more challenging build - a Legion Medusa SP gun.

While I used to really prefer the Armageddon pattern, the Legion variant does have its own appeal as well. Those side exhausts are pretty cool...

...and the exposed crew compartment to accommodate the included Space Marine gunners in MKIV armour is a great detail.

Just for the record (and as an aide-memoire for me) here's how I painted both vehicles:

• Basecoat of Leadbelcher mixed with craft black
• Brass details with Brass Scorpion
• Chevrons craft black and Averland Sunset
• Allover wash of Nuln Oil
• Sponge with Ironbreaker / craft black on chevrons
• Tracks Leadbelcher, washed with Nuln Oil and Agrax Earthshade
• Rust streaks with watered down Doombull Brown
• Hull/tracks weathered with dark brown craft paint and Steel Legion Drab
• Lenses done with Ice/Lothern Blue
• Decals chipped with hobby knife

Love these crew models!

Just a bit of detail to paint in the crew compartment.

"Though my guards may sleep and my ships rest at anchor, our foes know full well that big guns never tire."

Well, it was fun to get these vehicles done, but IW production is a bit bottlenecked because I've gone and lost my FW decal sheet... likely taken out with the recycling at some point - grrr. Anyway there's a few Marines stacked up that need decals but are otherwise done (including a lascannon heavy support squad) and it'll be good to get those into the roster. Next to be painted will likely be more tactical Marines. 

Legion Rapier for the Sons of Horus

Vote Horus - or else!

 Collection escalation is a lot of fun.  I've been working on Legion 30k figures since late February in 2014, and in the time since both Byron and Dallas have jumped in too.  As a group we've been adding more and more stuff, and that's great.  Dallas has continued to add reinforcements for his Blood Drinkers, while Byron has added more vehicles for the Death Guard.  All in preparation for a very, very big game (more on that soon).  The Sons of Horus had to match (and try to exceed!) the escalation - a new Rhino barely counts. So here are a couple of posts on new additions to the 16th Legion.  Up first is this Rapier Laser Destroyer from Forge World.

16th Legion Rapier with two-man crew

Rapier commander in MKIII armour - my favourite Horus Heresy kit...

This model, like many parts of Forge World's Horus Heresy lineup, is a nice-shout out to GW's Rogue Trader history, and really screams out to nostalgia-primed dorks like me.  A tracked carrier for various heavy weapons, the Rapier was once a metal model from the late 1980s.  The model available today is a lot bigger than the original, and comes with two crew figures.

As I have said before, the embossed shoulder plates are a god-send, and an expensive addiction

This particular weapon system is a "Laser Destroyer", a scary energy weapon useful for blasting vehicles or heavily armoured bad guys. It is a twin-linked, ST 9, AP1 ordnance weapon - 30k-speak for "ouch".

The "driver", using analogue-style technology to operate the Rapier

These are very nice figures, a lot of fun to paint.  I like the comb on the officer, and the little extras like the scope and lens on the backpacks, etc.  Great work by the sculptors at Forge World.

Lots of nice details on this model, another great piece from Forge World

In keeping with the theme of excess running through the 30k Legion army lists, these things are actually meant to be deployed in batteries of three guns (!).  I'm not sure I will get that level with these guns, but I'm sure that would be a fun way to take out enemy armour...

Whoever that guy on the left is pointing at is probably in a lot of trouble...

Up next - more Sons of Horus...