A Little Progress on the Sitnam Warriors

Seeing as I have not posted in quite so time I thought I would do an update.  I have still been working away at the Mantis Warriors.  As of right now I have three basic Bolt Gun Marines (BGM)  that need to be based and final details painted on, once I have those guys finished the squad just needs to have two more BGM and a heavy weapons Marine painted to finish out the squad.  The basic squad layout is a plasma heavy squad, plasma pistol, plasma rifle, and plasma cannon. I like the AP of the plasma and the blast template for the cannon also.

These are the first 4 finished

After listening to the Independent Characters Pod Cast, I have really been leaning towards getting the IA9 book, I figured that I would be getting the book sooner or later.  It now looks like I'll be getting it sooner they did a really good review of the book, and went over a boarding action game that they played and it sounds really cool.  I think I'll be casting more Hirst Arts models this month to try finish the Space Hulk / Boarding Action game pieces.

The mold cast count has not changed I have been lazy and not ordered a bigger box of dental plaster.

Kill Zone Team List

The first model that I have made for a possible member of  a Kill Zone skirmish army list.  The model was originally painted to be a Chapel Apprentice for a campaign that I was in.  After looking at the model and reading more and more about the Kill Zone rules at Galaxy in Flames. It looks like the model will be the first member of my Kill Zone, Kill Team.

The top torso and arms are black, the legs are green

Still showing Chapter Insignia on the left shoulder

The helmet detailing

So it looks like I'll be using this model as a Sternguard Veteran, for my Kill Zone List.  I do like the color scheme so I might use it for a whole squad of Sternguard Veterans later.

The List

• Devastator Sgt                26             Signum
• Devastator Marine          26             Med Pack
• Devastator Marine          20             Close Combat Accessories
• Devastator Marine          41             Heavy Bolter, Suspensors
• Terminator Sgt                40
• Terminator Assault Sgt    45             Team Leader, General Skill (+1 WS)
• Sternguard Sgt                35             Specialist Skill (Extra Shot)
• Scout Biker Sgt              40             Cluster Mines

                                              273pts

I have only played a few games with this list and it works pretty well in Kill Zone, however I figure the 275pts is a bit much for a quick game of Kill Zone.  However we are having a great time with that amount of points.

The Mold Casting is still coming.  Last week I received the other two molds in the mail so I have continued to cast.

Mold # 276 has 49 Casts
Mold # 277 has 6   Casts
Mold # 325 has 5   Casts

I ran out of Plaster again so I think I'll be ordering in bulk this that, 50lbs or so....


Also in the second Picture you can see the corner of the first Space Hulk section that I put together....

Interior Vehicle Painting

So to finish off one of my space marine armies I have to 2 rhinos, 1 predator, and 1 vindicator.  For the first rhino for my Sitnam Warriors I painted the interior on the rhino I went with a white interior and then added some detailing on the console and then dry brushed the floor to look like mud.

Up close shot

 If anyone has spent any time in the interior of a military vehicle they are not white, most have a mint green tint to them.  For the other marine army I'll be using the mint green look. 

Mint Green Base Coat

  This Rhino is going to be used as a Devastator Squad Rhino and I'll also be magnetizing it to be a Predator as well.  More on that later.

Here it is with the painted interior

I'll be adding more detail to the floor of the rhino later, but as for right now it is starting to shape up.  Side note you can see the Devastator Squad Marines at the top of the photo.

Re-Basing Models

I have an older Space Marine Army that has been just sitting in its case and has not seen the table for quite some time now.  The big problem with the army is the fact that when I finished painting them I did a different colored ring around the base so that I could tell the difference between the squads.  It was not a bad idea, but the theme of the army was a deck of cards so each squad was a different suit.  So why would I really need a diffenent colored ring for each squad, I don't.

As you can see the different colored bases

Here is a close up look at the finished bases

All of the models now have the same base and no more of those many colored bases so they don't look too tacky any more.  It is really cool how with a new base the army now has an all new look and feel to it.  I was planning on selling the army after I re-based them, but now I am not sure.  
 

Colored Blocks?!?

On Monday I ordered the other two molds that I will need to complete the project!!!  I am hoping that they will be here by the end of the week.  In the mean time I have been casting away!  This afternoon I thought I would try something new with the Hydrocal while casting, I added some drops of paint to the water before I added the Hydrocal.

So that was the first of the two colors that I tried, Black and then later a Green color. the goal is to add the color to the mix so that when I start basing the pieces it will be easier and go a little faster when it comes to painting

Side by Side with the standard color

Side by Side with the Green block

The Stash to date

The Cast Count Continues #276 is at 45 casts

Painting shoulder pads...

Anyone who has ever painted space marines has had to deal with painting shoulder pads.  This afternoon I thought I would try something different.  I thought that I would try to make a stencil with blue painters tape. 

Started with base-coated Shoulder Pads

Next I drew a tact squad arrow on the tape

Then I painted the color I wanted the Arrows on the Pads

After cutting out a couple of arrows I then placed them

I then painted over the stencil with the base color

After pulling the stencil off it looked alright

Finally a little touch up paint!

On the model

For being a first attempt at stenciling on the Tactical Squad Symbol, I think it looks pretty good.  questions and comments are welcome!

Space Hulk Project Continued ....

Back in business, on my last day off I went to the local art store and was able to pick up more Hydrocal FGR 95.  I still have not ordered the other two molds.  I have just been putting it off, hopefully I'll get around it is soon!

The casts have been coming out alright some with air bubbles, but nothing that is too bad.  I am counting on it giving the piece a little character when it is all said and done.

 The Cast Count Continues #276 is at 27 Casts