Admekrepairrume

Despite having built my Admekrepairrume almost 18 months ago, I didn't really get started on painting it until the beginning of this month. This meant that a model that should of had countless hours lavished on it received only enough work to get it done to a respectable level. I hope to get back to it one day and take a better look at the color choices, highlights, and shading (particularly on the brassy bits).

But it is done, and shall act as my Archmagos Prime for my Mechanicum list at the Old Line Massacre that starts tomorrow.

Wish me luck ; )

The cables that extend from many points on this model are from a variety of sources, and I describe those sources in this post HERE.

The base is a mix of GW terrain parts, plastic tubing, and some cool little vents and so on from Dragon Forge Design. The rusty weathering powder is from Secret Weapon Miniatures.

Cheers
Dave

Mechanicum - Krios Venator Tank Destroyer - Overhauled.

So, I'm pretty sure I've decided to go with my own Krios Venator Tank Destroyer for the Old Line Massacre this coming weekend. Yes, it will be the only piece of armor in my arsenal, but apparently the big gun is quite nasty, so if I can get a round or two of shooting off with it, I'll be golden : )

Anyway, I built this model way back in 2006 (or something like that) to accompany my Adeptus Mechanicus army of the era. It was based on a piece of artwork from the Horus Heresy Visions artbooks. Originally it was painted a military green, to keep to connected with my Genswick Rifles army. Obviously I've gone and changed that up.

I hope you like the red.

And here's the original scheme. This image can be found on the Sepulchre Of Heroes blog, and comes up as the number two image option on a Google search for "Mechanicus Tank". Regular visitor (and fellow blogger) Mordian 7th has an excellent tank that comes up as number four : )

Cheers
Dave

Mechanicum - Thallax Special Weapons

Continuing work for the Old Line Massacre : )

When FW first released the Thallax warriors, I quickly ordered three pack of three, unsure of exactly how special weapons would integrate into the squads. Once I'd seen the rules for them I decided to paint up six of the nine I had with lightning guns and wait to see how FW would release the weapons (as packs of weapons, as a set of three models with special weapons, etc). Of course, they chose to go for the best way to sell them for those folks who didn't already have nine sitting around : (

To that end I decided to convert weapons for my three unassembled Thallax.

Here's what I'll be using as a Photon Thruster. It is simply the bulk of a Space Marine lascutter (from the Boarding Marines set) to form the front end of the gun. Although it's not exactly the same as the one from FW, it does stand out enough for it to be targetable.

And here's my multi-melta conversion. It's the front part of a Space Marine vehicle multi-melta, with some extra putty work to clean up the joint. There's a canister underneath from a Space Marine meltabomb, and a few lengths of power cable from Dragon Forge.

Despite their converted nature, and the more than 12-month break between paintjobs, I'm pretty happy with the way they all fit together.

Cheers
Dave

Mechanicum - Myrmidon Secutars stand ready.

Preparations for the Old Line Massacre continue apace. This week I've finished off these kit-bashed Myrmidons that you may remember from this post HERE. I've also wrapped up a couple of other models too, but I'll post about those later.

The jury is still out on these guys as to whether or not they'll have sufficient survivability in a 30K tournament setting. Hopefully I can shield them enough to get them close and then unleash with their exotic Mechanicum weaponry.

I hope you like them : )

Cheers
Dave

Tanith - Gol Kolea's Platoon, Part Two

And here are some more detailed pics of the rest of Gol Kolea's Platoon. As we look a bit closer, I'd like to take this opportunity to remind everyone that this commission is really a "Best of the Ghosts" army, representing the characters at their best point in the stories and bringing them all together on Jago, in the high country around Hinzerhaus (from the 2008 novel Only In Death).

Here are Kolea's command squad. From left to right: Ayatani Zweil, Adjutant Rerval, Major Gol Kolea, Grenade Launcher, Junior Commissar Nahum Ludd, Flame trooper Lyse, Surgeon Ana Curth.

A mixed squad of Vergahstites and Tanith, led by Tona Criid (front & center) with fething Lijah Cuu kneeling to Criid's right.

Another mixed squad, this time led by Sergeant Ceglan Varl (front & center) with Belladon trooper Cant to Varl's left.

Details of Zweil, Kolea, Ludd, and Cuu. Zweil is converted from an Empire Flagellant and painted up to echo the colors worn by the infardi of his home world, Hagia. Kolea carries an axe-rake, from his mining days on Verghast, and sports the scars from his injuries suffered on Phantine. Junior Commissar Ludd is converted from the old Hero model from the Schaeffer's Last Chancers squad, his left hand is from a Rogue Trader-era commissar model holding a book (no doubt containing reams of infractions against Imperial Law). Finally, Lijah Cuu kneels down and plunges his straight silver through a ripe ploin (I've always imagined them to look like pomegranates), staring at the blood red juices spilling out and running over his blade and hands.

Details of Criid, Curth, and Lyse. Sergeant Tona Criid is converted from a Necromunda Escher ganger. Ana Curth was presented in this post here. Flame trooper Lyse is obviously a solidly-built woman, she has to be to lug around that heavy flamer and fuel. Her head is from the Victoria Miniatures female Arcadian set, and I added a scarf/bandanna to help bring the two together.

Details of Bragg, Cant, and Varl. "Try Again" Bragg is based on the Last Chancer's Ox model, his head is from an old Catachan Captain, and the two bottles of sacra strapped to his back are from the Empire Outriders kit. His heavily-laden loader is weighed down with quite a few belts of ammo from Dragon Forge Design. Belladon trooper Cant is a simple kitbash. Sergeant Ceglan Varl is also primarily a kitbash, but there's a little extra sculpting around is augmetic shoulder.

And here are some pre-paint photos of five of the characters.

I hope you enjoy them : )

Cheers

Dave

Tanith - Gol Kolea's Platoon, Part One

I'm meeting up with my client tomorrow to hand off the latest platoon for the Tanith commission. Above you can see the whole platoon, and there'll be more photos next week, but in the meantime, here are some shots of the Heavy Bolter squad, featuring "Try Again" Bragg and his heavily-laden loader.

Have a great weekend : )

Cheers
Dave

Infamy!

Tesla in his workshop.

I'm very excited : )

I just wrapped up a great chat with an excellent guy who has a clear vision and a passion for quality. Via the wonders of modern technology, I was able to sit down at my desk in my basement in Baltimore, Maryland, sip on a coffee and talk with James Griffiths (of Infamy Miniatures) in his flat in Nottingham, England. 

What were we talking about? Well, secret stuff of course, but suffice to say that Dave Taylor Miniatures will be working on some fun stuff with Infamy Miniatures over the next few months. 

I recently interviewed James for a Wargames Illustrated article that will appear in the July issue, and it was during this interview that I really locked on to what it is about James' range of steampunk miniatures that I love. For many, the steampunk aesthetic is about the stylish inclusion of a cog (or seven) into a Victorian costume. For James it's a much more practical aesthetic where function is just important as form (if not more so). If the cog serves no purpose, it is unnecessary. If it's and integral part of an important, or even indulgent, functional mechanism (a cigar-rolling mechanism inside a top hat may have been discussed) then by all means include the mechanism.

Anyway, the real purpose of this post is to encourage you all to head on over to the Infamy Miniatures' Facebook page and click on the 'Like' button (should you be into Facebook and cool miniatures, that is). Do it soon too, as this Saturday James will be selecting a winner from among the many folks who like his page. Not only could you win a great selection of Infamy miniatures, but the person who recommended you like the page will win the Uberprize. In this case, of course, that would be me! This Uberprize has been growing over the last few weeks, and contains lots of fun models, excellent artwork prints, and special bits and pieces. 

So, if you'd like to help me out, and possibly win some goodies of your own, get on over to FB and 'Like' Infamy Miniatures.

Here are some other cool images I managed to wrestle away from James. Enjoy!

 The concept drawing for one of Tesla's technological marvels.

 Crimelord of the Docklands, The Toad, painted by John Keys.

 Big Ben, under construction. I just love the visual feel of Infamy's London!

List for the Old Line Massacre, your thoughts?

So, I started putting together a list for the Old Line Massacre at the end of the month, you know, so I knew what I had left to assemble/paint. I've put together a list that has most of my favorite models in it, and something that's a bit of a mix of what I know (big, squishy hordes) and things I don't know (fierce, tough brutes that are few and far between).

Anyway, here is the list at the moment…

HQ

Magos Prime - 300 points (and finally a chance to field the big, floaty thing I converted last year).
     • Upgraded to ArchMagos Prime and Macrotek
     • Riding in an abeyant
     • Equipped with a cortex controller, and four cyber-occularii
     • Wielding a corposant stave, photon gauntlet, meltagun,
          and a graviton imploder (because that sounds cool)

Elites

Myrmidon Secutars (3) - 195 points
     • Four volkite chargers
     • One graviton gun
     • One phased-plasma fusil

Troops

Castellax Battle Automata (3) - 270 points
     • Three flamers

Thallax Cohort (6) - 330 points
     • Upgraded to Destructor
     • Two photon thrusters

Thallax Cohort (3) - 175 points
     • Upgraded to Destructor
     • One multi-melta

AdSec Covenant (20) - 110 points
     • Upgraded with Carapace Armor and Revenant Alchemistry

AdSec Covenant (20) - 80 points
     • Upgraded with Induction Chargers

Fast Attack

Usarax Cohort (3) - 165 points (I plan on using the models shown below for the Usarax, as FW hasn't made them yet)
     • One powerfist

Heavy Support

Myrmidon Destructors (3) - 215 points

     • One volkite culverin

     • One conversion beamer

     • One irradiation engine

Krios Venator Tank Destroyer (1) - 185 points

     • Upgraded to Destroyer

     • Two volkite sentinels and extra armor

This all comes to a grand total of 2,025 points - 175 points over the 1,850 limit.

My question to you is, what should I drop?  I'm leaning towards dropping the Krios, or the second Thallax Cohort.

What say you, sages of the interwebz?

Cheers

Dave

Medic!

I have a few adjustments to make to a couple of the models in my latest Tanith commission, so it'll be next week before you guys get a chance to see them all.

In the meantime I thought you might like to see my verso of Surgeon Ana Curth. Formerly an up-hive surgeon on Verghast, she shipped out with the Tanith following the destruction of Vervunhive in the novel Necropolis. She became an invaluable member of the Tanith medical team.

This model is actually the first of the Victoria Miniatures Arcadian female troopers I've had the pleasure to assemble and paint up. Once again, Vic has knocked them out of the park : )

Here's a look at her before paint.

More from this platoon over the coming week.

Cheers
Dave

The Old Line Massacre!

It's just a few short weeks until the Old Line Massacre, a Horus Heresy event held here in Baltimore!

My friends Ty, Marc, and Dan will be running this little shindig at Dropzone Games on the weekend of May 31 - June 1. I'll be attending and as I won't have 1,850 points of Death Guard ready to rock, I'll cobble together a Mechanicum list that will hopefully put up a bit of a fight.

Check out the the details HERE. : )

Cheers
Dave

FOW - German Volksgrenadier Army

Here are a few photos of a commission I worked on over April. It's a Flames Of War German Volksgrenadier force for the Late War period (these guys are equipped for fighting in the winter of '44-'45. I hope you like them : )

The command elements, including Major Moldenhauer and three panzerschreck teams

 The Schützen Platoon

 The Sturm Platoon

 The Machine-gun Platoon

 The Mortar Platoon

 The Warriors of Market Garden pack, these will be based by the client.

 Jagdtiger

Hetzers 

 Panthers, with Peiper on the left

Student Panthers, run-down training vehicles pressed into desperate service 

Panzer IVs 

StuG Gs 

And finally, Hans-Ulrich Rudel's Stuka 

I hope you like them as much as the client does.

Cheers
Dave