[sovietspace]

Well, its time for a new project and so time for a new thread...

After making it through to the end of the last Tale of Painters with my Dark Angels army, I jumped at the chance to have another go.

Originally I saw the new ToP as a great chance to redo my very old Praetorian Guard models, and fashion them into a good looking army. For those who don't know, the Praetorian Guard were a limited edition GW release in 1995, and are basically Imperial Guardsman sculpted to look like British readcoats, ala the film Zulu. I've had most of these models for years, so they are painted rather badly, as you can see in the pics below. I planned to strip the lot of them and start from scratch, painting them up using some of the tricks I have learnt whilst painting my Dark Angels force.

Well that was all well and good, until a friend and I started playing Epic. And dear god I'm hooked. I cannot recommend the game enough to anybody who is interested in it. However, the new problem was, I really wanted to paint my growing epic IG force instead of their 40K cousins.

What to do, what to do...

Ah dammit, I'll just do both.

To see both armies through to the end I realise I'll need a miracle. Specifically a short chamber Boxer-Henry point-four-five caliber miracle. And a bayonet. With some guts behind it*.

I'll see what I can rustle up...



Being the sort of person who likes army lists, I have written one up for each of the armies, and they will form my target for the ToP. They will both probably change, but I just like having a plan!

So, without further ado, here is what you can look forward to:

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Epic Imperial Guard - 4000pts Army List

IG Companies
Mechanised Regimental HQ + Hydra & 3 Demolishers
Infantry Company + Fire Support Platoon
Tank Company + Hydra
Super Heavy Tank Company (Shadowswords)

IG Support Companies
Storm Trooper Platoon & Valkyries
Vultures
1 Baneblade
1 Baneblade

Titan Legions
2 Warhound Titans
2 Thunderbolt Fighters

Total: 4000pts

Progress Key
Black = Yet to Buy
Red = Building Work in Progress/Boxed/Un-stripped/Built
Orange = Painting in Progress
Green = Finished


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40k Imperial Guard - 2000pts Army List

HQ
Company Command Squad (Standard, Medic, Officer of the Fleet & Master of the Ordnance)

Elites
7 Ratlings
Sly Marbo

Troops
Infantry Platoon 1
Cmd Squad (Standard, Commissar)
Squad 1 (Commissar)
Squad 2
Squad 3
Squad 4
Squad 5

Veteran Squad
Chimera

Heavy Support
Leman Russ Squadron (Leman Russ 1 & Leman Russ 2)
Ordnance Battery (Medusa 1 & Medusa 2)
Marauder Destroyer

Total: 2000pts

Progress Key
Black = Yet to Buy
Red = Building Work in Progress/Boxed/Un-stripped/Built
Orange = Painting Work in Progress
Green = Finished

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Right then, so thats the plan. Expect the first few test models up soon, and wish me luck.

For the Emperor and the glory of Praetoria!

* For the un-initiated this is a classic 'Zulu' quote. I command you to find that film and watch it!

 

[Lost Nemesis]

Consider my subscribed; I love any Imperial Guard armies that don't use the Cadian or Catachan plastics, they seem so unoriginal. The older metal models (or the FW models) are much more interesting!

 

[Tekore]

Looks like fun! Subscribed!

Tekore

 

[forumjayz]

Go Soviet!!

your Fan has subscribed!

Cheers CJ

 

[sovietspace]

Huzzah, I have a fan base! Wittiness the drawing power of the pith helmet!

Cheers guys

 

[Johnnysd]

Subscribed. Curious as to what this will look like

 

[sovietspace]

Well, there have already been changes to the army lists... After a discussion with Tekore, he has kindly allowed to use a Forge World model that I have been meaning to paint for years. I'm quite excited to announce that my Praetorians will be bolstered by nothing less than a Marauder Destroyer!

At around 425pts, its a big chunk of the 2000pt force but, given the fact that I will need to reserve at least one joker for it and that its such a large model, I don't think I'm giving myself much of an advantage. The model is currently in bits, but look forward to some pics as soon as its together!

Bring on the Imperial Navy...

 

[forumjayz]

That a very cool plan and yeah 425 points is a heck of a lot . Looking forward to some pictures of that model.

Cheers CJ

 

[xbanditsx]

This looks like fun - subscribed!

 

[_Mr_NiD_]

By god sovetie what have you got yourself into....I look foward to seeing both!!

 

[King Ulrik Flamebeard]

I always liked these minis, they capture the feel of the English army at that time and the film as well. I believe there was once a WD reconstruction of the film - or a last stand scene from it - once, with Orks representing the Zulu tribes. Was really interesting.

I will look forward to seeing how you handle these. You going for the traditional look - red and white - or going to do a more personal and unique scheme for them?

Kuffy

 

[sovietspace]

Thanks for the comments guys, very much appreciated

I always liked these minis, they capture the feel of the English army at that time and the film as well. I believe there was once a WD reconstruction of the film - or a last stand scene from it - once, with Orks representing the Zulu tribes. Was really interesting.

I was actually lucky enough to see that diorama, the Battle of Big Toof River at Warhammer World years ago, and it was awesome! I have a few old fashioned non-digital photos of it - I'll have to scan them in one day.

I can also agree whole-heartedly about the appeal of the Praetorians, hell its why I bought them at the time

I will look forward to seeing how you handle these. You going for the traditional look - red and white - or going to do a more personal and unique scheme for them?

Its an interesting question, but I think I'm going to stick to the classic scheme. Its such an evocative image, I figure why bother changing it! Ill be doing red tunics, regal blue trousers with black boots. And of course, bleached bone pith helmets for that lovely worn look!

Its also worth mentioning at this point that I'm planning on using the Army Painter dip to 'paint' most of the infantry. Now I realise that some of you might consider this heresy, but given that fact that I want to get two armies done at once and that I plan on adding a lot of infantry to the Praetorians, I want a pretty quick painting method. I also intend to go all out on painting the tanks, taking some tips from the forge world master-class book - the armour will be the real centre piece of this army. Look out for some dipping experiments in the next few days...

And finally.... I have some pictures!

Below are my first two completed bases of Epic IG infantry:

I had planned on painting the epic in the Praetorian colours but, given that the infantry are modelled with greatcoats, I didn't think the colours would lend themselves to it. I like the brown scheme I have chosen, I think its effective and easy to paint. I also reason that the Praetorians might have cold weather gear similar to British WWI kit (i.e. greatcoats and green tin helmets), so its not so much of a departure. I'd love to hear all your thoughts guys.

Here is what I have got done so far:

To make the 400pt Epic target I will need to paint 12 of these bases and 7 Chimera to get my Regimental HQ. Which just leaves 200pts of 40k to paint. Best get back to it!

Cheers guys.

 

[King Ulrik Flamebeard]

I was actually lucky enough to see that diorama, the Battle of Big Toof River at Warhammer World years ago, and it was awesome! I have a few old fashioned non-digital photos of it - I'll have to scan them in one day.

I can also agree whole-heartedly about the appeal of the Praetorians, hell its why I bought them at the time

That's pretty cool then. I believe there was a battle report based around that scene, as well. I think I've seen photos of that diorama.

Those minis look pretty cool. I look forward to seeing the army as it progresses.

Kuffy

 

[xbanditsx]

Nice looking Epic stuff. How is it painting on the smaller scale?

 

[Hive Fleet Ruina]

Looks like fun!

Subscribed!

 

[sovietspace]

Good lord has it really been a month since I posted? I really must apologise to the forum for failing to keep up with all the great projects that are floating around, life really has been hectic of late! Still, I'm going to try and make a renewed effort to read some of these project threads I have been eyeing up!

Anyway, to business!

As some of you will have noticed in the ToP thread, I have managed to get some thing done for both my entries, even if the Praetorians are rather lagging behind...

1. Epic IG

Mechanised Infantry Company - 400pts

At 400pts completed I have managed to stay on target with my Epic force, and I am really enjoying painting at the smaller scale. In particular it was great fun painting the Chimeras, and I do love seeing them arrayed out in a mechanised column.

The scheme itself is rather simple, a military looking grey with highlights, and then simple highlighted browns and greens for all the stowed kit. I want to convey and real utilitarian and military feel with my IG armies. These are not the glory boy marines, all polished and shiny, these are the grunts that bear the brunt of the galaxies fighting and suffer for it...

2. 40k IG

After only managing to complete one squad I am already 145pts behind where I should be with my 40k Guard, leaving me a lot of work to do next month! However, I am pleased that they are at least off the ground and that I am starting to get to grips with using the Army Painter.

Although I do consider it cheating slightly I cant deny that the Army Painter dip is the only way I could conceive of getting an IG army done in a reasonable time, and I pleased with the in ital results. The type of shading style you get with the Army Painter also reflects the more realistic and darker tone that I wanted for my IG - getting away from the heroic style of my Dark Angels. I have also added in some details, making sure that all the lasgun targeting lenses are painted properly, as well as detailing the eyes and adding a few subtle highlights here and there (the sergeants sword for example).

I am sorry for the quality of the pictures, it is becoming clear that my camera phone is not up to the job! This said, I would love to hear any comments or criticism that people have.

For next month expect to see an Epic Armoured Company, as well as 3 more Praetorian Squads. This, at least, is the plan...

Thanks for reading!

 

[Hive Fleet Ruina]

Congratulations with making it on time! I have finished but my camera has run out of batteries, I hope I get it on time!

Yes, it seems you are a little behind with the 40K troops, but the first month is the hardest I say!

The tanks look really nice, is there a possibility for close up photos?

One way or another, I hope you have a nice and calm September/October

 

[_Mr_NiD_]

Its the same for me soviet I can hardley find the time to post or do stuff on this sight now, my last post was also a little over a month ago

GJ on your stuff tho,

NiD

 

[sovietspace]

Cheers for the comments guys!

@ Hive Fleet Ruina - I'll try to get some close ups sorted soon, I am quite pleased with the Chimeras so they probably do deserve a close up!

 

[kobalt1974]

Gz on making the deadline, i rly love the 40k guard, i think a fat guard army dressed in that red will look great on the table.

i dont know what 'army painter dip' is, but i wouldnt have thought youd have cut any corners on their finish if you hadnt said anything so i'd say whatever it is it works a treat

I'd like to see a closeup on the chimera's too. its been loooong since i've seen any epic stuff