Penal Legion Progress

For me the penal legion troopers should wear parts of standard IG uniform. No one in their right mind would want to spend money on a bespoke uniform for the scum sentenced to the Penal Legions. If the squads continued to wear the uniform they were wearing when they were arrested, this could create a multicoloured rainbow legion, which to the military mind might not suggest punishment or proper discipline.

The IG would be unlikely to design and supply a bespoke uniform for these short lived troopers, yet the military would want uniformity of appearance if possible. The troopers would be unlikely too survive long enough for for than 1 or 2 to in any squad to be in rags.

In some legions as part of military discipline the Legion Quartermaster could have siezed  the uniforms from all prisoners as they arrived have them dyed a dark grey to hide the grime and dirt and then redistribute them in the wrong sizes to the newly arrive troopers. This is what I have attempted to achieve with this squad.

The Custodian has a different uniform to distingish him from the criminals. It would be unlikely but not impossible in some circumstances for the custodian to be a criminal of the same magnitude as the troopers as he will have access to the explosive collar controls.

There is still a bit to go before the paint job is finished.

Penitent Engine

Started a while ago. Paint scheme only recently decided on. Basically metallics washed with the new Games Workshop washes. Expect slow progress.

Off Topic Ratlings

Both Ogryns and Ratlings are two of the updated Imperial mini releases where I think GamesWorkshop have not done themselves any favours. I still prefer the old mid 1990s style. I discovered I had some surplus ratlings, here they are prior to going on ebay. 

Even a squad of only 3 ratlings in cover has caused distortion of an enemy's plans out of proportion to their points cost, a measly 30 and despite their relative fragility with low leadership and toughness only 3 and a 5+ save.

Battle Sisters Rhino and Squad Done or is it!

Here it is finally done or can you spot the omission? Look carefully and you will see that the upper bodywork on the rhino is still not fixed to the chassis. The two parts stick pretty well together without glue but the sem lines are just a little bit bigger without glue.

To get the rhino with the ecclesiarchial superstructure you need the immolator kit from games work shop and assemble without the turret. I preferred the flat hatch at the front of the model and the observation bubble at the rear but where they go and even if they are used is upto the modeller.

The dozer blade is held by magnets and so is easy to mount or remove depending on the role of the rhino. The purity seals are green stuff with little strips of photographic paper.

Almost finished Rhino

The first squad of Battle Sisters awaits their Rhino. Its almost finished. But I have not yet got around to gluing the top onto the hull!

Simple kit bashing for Chimeras

The Battle Sisters force assembling on the moon of Bubo IX uses indentured Imperial Guard and Ecclesiastical Storm Troopers to deliver a wide front for its attacks but the core punch naturally comes from elite Battle Sisters Units. This force known locally as the Emperors Breath combines Imperial Guard support units from a variety of sources. The mechanised elements therefore need to look can look different. 

Here are 2 of the looks that I hope add a bit of character to this force.

As supplied to the indentured Imperial Guard Light Infantry armoured fist units.

The basic chimera has been modified with the addition of a fascine carried in front as a rough terrain modification.
The hull mounted lasguns have been blanked off with spare track as extra armour. The glacis plate hatch has been modified by moving it higher on the hull. Sisters of Battle iconography has been added to the rear entrance to hull. The turret has been markedy modified. The turret I always feel is the weakest part of the Chimera. Here a twin linked heavy bolter has been mounted. The turret hatch has been raised and spaced added armour plates, derived from spare dozer blades and hull bits from the spares box have been added. Overall it gives the model a more substantial presence. The twin linked turret heavy bolters have been mightily feared by opponents when the rules allow them to be deployed. 

The Ecclesiarchial Storm trooper's Chimera
has have a simpler modification process. tracks have been added to give extra armour protection. The turret still sports a multilaser, this time one from a sentinel kit. Extra armour plates around the turret, a raised turret hatch and comms equipment give a slightly superior feel to this model. Remarkably this model is also on its second paint job. Originally it was a dark brown while serving with the Steel Legion but on transfer to the Stormtroopers and Bubo IX a lighter sand coloured scheme was required.

On the bounce Seraphims

To give these jump pack fast attack battle sisters a bit more oomph I have detached the thick toe tips from their bases and using a pin vice attached them to their bases with unfolded paper clips cut to various lengths. I have in mind to add vines or shrubs to these thin metal supports to hide them further. Anyone else done this to their Seraphims?

An older model

I have many older minis, and here is one that will be coming off the shelf when the witch hunter's rhino is finished.