Finished Deathstrike Missile Launcher Conversion: Skyrangers XXII

Last weekend I put the finishing touches to my plastic Deathstrike Missile Launcher.

The urban 'dazzle' style pattern on the launcher was completed by jagged strips of Chaos Black, like all my vehicles and aircraft.

The Deathstike Missile itself was given another coat of Skull White to make it smoother than its original spray-painted state.

I applied 5 transfers from the Imperial Guard vehicle transfer sheet to add some detail to the Deathstrike Missile, the Aquilae and some serial numbers. I didn't want to go overboard with details as I preferred the simplicity of the white missile.

Lastly I painted the Earthshaker Gun in the same colours as the Launcher. For the most part I will use the vehicle as a Basilisk but I always have the option for the Deathstrike Missile Launcher, if I feel a bit mad... :)

As always, C&C greatly welcome!

Plastic Deathstrike Missile Launcher Conversion: Skyrangers XX

(or how I learned to stop worrying and love the bomb)

Quite frankly the Deathstrike Missile has no place on the small battlefield of 40k, what with it's 80 feet (!) range and all. While it makes more sense to leave it for Apocalypse games I couldn't help adding a plastic conversion for my Basilisk. You know, just in case.... :)

As you can seen this was a fairly straightforward kitbash. I never glued the gun platform section of my Basilisk to the hull, thereby allowing it to be removed and used as a Salamander command/scout vehicle. Now it also functions as the Deathstrike launcher platform.


The model I used for the missile is Revell's Nike-Hercules Missile System. As you can see the scale of the missile is quite suitable for 40k and the Guard. The original model includes booster rockets but this made the missile a tad too long for the Chimera, so I left them off. These can be used for something else later (Havoc Launcher, Missile launcher etc.).



The main launch ramp was trimmed shorter to accommodate the new length of the missile. The base of the launcher was assembled as normal, leaving off the extra platforms at the front as they disrupted the line of Deathstrike. As you can see the ramp can extend up and down in order for the missile to launch.

The platform was then pinned with paper clips to the Chimera/Basilisk hull. Small drill holes are all that are left once the platform is removed, thereby allowing it to be normally used as a Basilisk.


The missile was also pinned to the launch ramp in order to keep it in place. It can be then removed once the Deathstrike missile has launched. I used one pin at the front and two at the rear for maximum stability.

I think the Nike Hercules is a good fit for the Deathstrike Missile. The Nike Hercules was a SAM that predated the more famous Patriot missile system. Whilst the Codex describes the Deathstrike as an ICBM the size of the missile in the picture is more in line with short to medium range missiles like the Nike Hercules, Patriot or Scud.

As I mentioned above the practical applications for a ballistic missile in a game of 40k is debatable but nevertheless the fun of bringing a doomsday device onto the table now and again, especially in themed games, is worth a little bit of converting, trimming and pinning. Plastic conversions are always a favourite of mine and I look forward to checking out my local hobby shop again for more kitbashing opportunities.

Oh and of course bringing a Deathstrike Missile allows for numerous Dr. Strangelove references!

Next up is painting! Stay tuned.

As always, C&C greatly appreciated.

Crimson Fists VII: Assault Squad Eos and Pedro Kantor

Death from above! Assault Squad Eos has been further depleted since the Battle for New Rynn City and now stand at 5 brothers strong. Their role is to counterattack rather than direct assault as they would usually become isolated. Of course if the situation arises they will deepstrike, usually behind the gunline of a static army (Tau, Imperial Guard, Eldar) to sow destruction and/or clear objectives. Otherwise they hang back, either behind terrain or in reserve, and attack the biggest threat to the rest of the army.

A very small conversion. I wanted to convey a bit more motion in the model so I bent the arm back around the helmet and filled in the space under the army with some spare sprue bits. The plastic glue sets it all together and the shoulder pauldron covers the work. Sort-ed!

Sergeant has a powerfist to help deal with vehicles and high toughness models.

And finally Chapter Master Pedro Kantor, saviour of the Crimson Fists during the darkest hour. Kantor is one of my favourite Space Marine characters and the model is great. It's not too ostentatious nor chunky nor ridiculously posed. Understated yet ornate, I really like the Classical references, such as the laurels and cingulum, the Roman legionary studded belt. I left the standard off the backpack as I'm really not a fan of them. The moulded standard is very nice though, so I may give it to another Marine a smaller handheld standard.

Kantor is not too shabby rules-wise either. He replaces 'Combat Tactics' with the 'Stubborn' USR.

Even better any unit within 12" get +1 attack. This ability swung a game for me a while ago, when the extra attacks brought down the critical number of Necrons for phase-out. Huzzah, Vote for Pedro! While I won't always use him I will certainly keep him in rotation.

That's the entire army folks. Now onto painting!

As always, C&C welcome.

One final thing. You may notice the new layout, which I must thank my wonderful girlfriend and her html skills for. Merci beaucoup!

Crimson Fists V: Plastic Sternguard Conversions

Ok more plastic conversion, hurrah! And who doesn't like grizzled veterans with some kick-arse firepower? May I present to you Squad Thanator!
I chose the name (derived from the Ancient Greek word for death; thanatos) from the excellent plate in the Planestrike Codex that depicts the remains of the entire Crimson Fists chapter prior to the Battle for New Rynn City (989.M41).

I knew I wanted Sternguard as soon as I saw Pedro Kantor makes all Sternguard scoring units. When I include him into the army I go from having four scoring units to five, which could make all the difference in a tightly contested battle. Ammo-wise I am a fan of the long range (30") rounds as well as the AP3 rounds.

Ok onto the models themselves. Like a number of people I decided to save on buying the expensive metals and simply assembled five Tactical Marines (spare from the Battleforce box) as normal, and then proceeded to convert them. To represent the specialist ammo used by the veterans I sawed off the drum magazines from Ork Shootas and spare Terminator Storm Bolter magazines and glued them onto the bolter, having snipped off the normal sickle magazine first. Telescopic sights saved from the sprues of the tactical squads were then attached on top. If you're using expensive ammo you'd better hit!

To emphasise their elite status I only used the Mk.VI Corvus (beakie!) pattern helmets and the Mk.V studded shoulder pads, both saved from numerous Tactical Squad sprues. It should help make them stand out on the battlefield. This particular Marine has been given a plasmagun but I'm already considering replacing it with a meltagun (if I have one spare) as the squad has decent ammo for all types of infantry but lacks anti-armour. If I plan on using these to hold/take objectives they'd better be prepared!

last is good old Sarge. To be precise this is Veteran Sergeant Huron Grimm. Some of you may recognise the name. He was a Space Marine Sergeant in charge of New Rynn City's defences before Kantor made it to the city during the Battle for Rynn's World. I decided he deserved a promotion (as well as an auspex!). Like the rest of the squad I also gave him a tabard. just the small classical style ones from the sprues rather than flowing Templar ones. If you look closely at the Sternguard three pictures up you'll notice his tabard is actually from an Eldar Dire Avenger(!).

Ok that's enough for tonight. On a personal note I handed in my Masters thesis today so feeling pretty darn good. Oh and I finally passed my driving test!

I'll leave the final words with Sgt Grimm himself (taken from Index Astartes: Crimson Fists, White Dwarf UK 288)

"Nothing ever assured me more that the Emperor truly watches over us than when I saw our Chapter Master return to us from death"

Have a great weekend everyone!

Skyrangers XVI: Plastic Officer of the Fleet and Master of Ordnance

Whilst in the midst of painting the camouflage on my Valkyrie I got distracted (as is wont to happen).

I was looking at my gaming table which currently has most of my Guard army on it and I noticed my rather lame stand-in models for regimental advisors. Therefore I decided to convert some (it made a nice change from painting too).

First up is the Officer of the Fleet. This was a pretty straightforward job; simply assemble the tank crewman from the vehicle accessory sprue. I gave him the fieldglasses from the heavy weapon sprue.

Now I know what ye are thinking. That guy is in baggy clothes and looks nothing like the admittedly very sharply dressed official model, complete with crisp tunic and lots of medals. My reasoning is that while a General might warrant the assistance of someone of the rank of captain etc my humble army would probably warrant a lower-level officer (eg a lieutenant). It ties him in better with the overall army too in my opinion. That said, I will still paint his uniform a nice crisp white to make him stand out.

Next up is the Master of Ordnance. A simple enough conversion too; a regular guardsman's body with vox helmet. This, combined with a backpack with extra antennae (florist wire), gives the sense of communicating with the heavy, off-table, artillery. The left arm is from a Sentinel pilot, which i think doubles nicley as a range-finder device/do-whacky.

Lastly is the Astropath which is not plastic of course, as I just used an old model of mine from the Inquisitorial Henchmen blister.

Since photos were taken I have undercoated the Officer of the Fleet and he awaits painting, along with the other two. I may add a bodygurad or two if I can rustle up the models...

As always, C&C greatly appreciated!

Crimson Fists IV: Plastic Librarian Conversion

Having previously only used Black Templars I've never had any experience with Astartes psykers. Therefore when I decided to don the psychic hood. Hopefully the Perils of the Warp do not await me....

When I got the Assault on Black Reach box I had this plastic captain. As seen in my first post I had already selected a Captain to lead my company (when Pedro isn't around). As I love converting plastics I decided to convert the Captain into a Librarian. Two main things were needed.

• Psychic Hood
• Force Weapon

I decided on using a staff as a force weapon (as opposed to my Captain's sword and Chaplain's Crozius Arcanum club). The staff itself is a WFB spear or standard pole (I can't actually remember which, either work anyway). The top is a banner top from the Terminator Command Sprue.

The psychic hood was made from a Space Marine shoulder pad that I trimmed in order to get 3 slim curved pieces of plastic that I used to create the protective hood.

My final piece was the book. The book would help differentiate the librarian from the other HQ choices. The book comes from the Skaven Plague Monk sprue (with the long rat nails shaved down of course, unless you want the book for a Chaos sorcerer!). I simply chopped off the bolter and glued on the book o'spells.

Regarding powers, I have yet to use the librarian on the battlefield. For his first go I think I'll try Might of the Ancients and Vortex of Doom.

What do people think? Any Librarian experiences/advice would be greatly appreciated!

And his mighty battle cry?

"Quiet! People are trying to read!"

Sorry...sorry....

Crimson Fists II: Plastic Terminator Chaplain

What's better than a zealous Space Marine Chaplian? A zealous Space Marine Chaplain in Tactical Dreadnought Armour!

Since I'd picked up some free Terminators from White Dwarf I was happy enough to chop it up a bit. Apart from my Captain and Pedro Kantor my entire army is plastic. I just infinitely prefer it for conversion purposes and less chance of the paint chipping.

Conversion was pretty simple. Firstly I needed to consider the essentials of the Space Marine Chaplain:

• Skull helmet
• Crozius Arcanum (ornate power weapon)
• Rosarius (for invulnerable save)

The helmet was simply the skull head Chaos Space Marine helmet (the one without any horns or overtly Chaotic symbols) that I pared with clippers to fit into the Terminator torso.

The Rosarius is represented by a banner top from the Terminator Command Sprue.


The Crozius Arcanum had to be pretty beefy to fit in with the Terminator armour. For the arm and handle I used a Thunder Hammer arm from the Terminator Assault sprue with the head of the hammer cut off. The top of the weapon is an eagle banner top, also from the Terminator Command sprue.
Since I liked the way the right arm pointed I had to put the storm bolter in the left hand. Therefore I had to chop up another arm and stick the Storm Bolter from the free terminator onto it.


I am looking forward to painting this guy, the black will stand out nicely against the navy.

Comments and criticisms welcome as always!

Skyrangers XIII: Valkyrie WIP II

Work continues (slowly) on my precious Valkyrie. I know it will be the biggest fire magnet as soon as it arrives on the table but for the sheer coolness factor it's more than worth it and it also ties in nicely with the airborne theme of the Skyrangers.

After painting the interior I assembled the rest of the Valkyrie. With hindsight I should have left the wings unglued, as they would still have probably stayed when slotted in, and now it's rather difficult to find a container to transport it in.



First was the standard undercoat of Chaos Black spray (making sure to close the wing doors while doing so).



Next was a coat of Fenris Grey Foundation Paint. This would make it easier to paint the main coat of Shadow Grey later.



Another coat of Fenris Grey was needed to cover up the brush marks (this can happen on larger models, I was also using a cheaper brush which may not have helped).


Finally I applied a coat of Shadow Grey. Next up is details on the cockpit and camouflage stripes like on my vehicles.

As always, C&C greatly appreciated!

P.S. I cannot wait for Saturday, Planetstrike looks awesome! Skyrangers incoming! ;)

Skyrangers Pt.9: Shotgun Vets WIP

Is there anything cooler than Hardened Vets with shotguns? Yes, actually. Hardened vets with shotguns who are demolition specialists!

Ye gods, over a month without posting but I'm back, with a bang (arf)! Ok first of all apologies for lack of posting, I was on holiday for a week in Rome and I've moved with my wonderful girlfriend and we've been busy making our new place our home. It looks great now (including desk for work and painting) but I don't want to see a paint pot bigger than 12ml for at least a year!

Anyway, back to the Skyrangers. To complement the Dragoons these veterans will be equipped for lightning assault; 2 meltaguns, 7 shotguns and a sarge with plasma pistol and ccw. Oh and since they are designated demolition experts they all have melta bombs and 1 has the honour (?) of hefting a demolition charge.

Onto the models themselves. These chaps are all based on Catachan legs and torsos than I had lying around (or part of now-disbanded heavy weapon teams).

For the arms on these two I used the arms and shotguns from the Space Marine Scout sprue. My Black Templar Neophytes are all CC-orientated so I have plenty of shotguns spare. The head on the left is a Scout head while the right is one of the old Sentinel Pilot.


Melta bombs courtesy of the Space Marine Assualt Marine sprue.

The shotgun on the right is from an old Necromunda weapons blister pack while the left is another Scout shotgun and head is another Sentinel Pilot (complete with bad-ass cigar!).

I think I'm gonna name this guy Cortez.... can you see the ressemblance?

Catachan body, SM shotgun and head from the infamous 'hairy head sprue' from the Empire Knightly Order box.

This model was originally a Kroot-Hunter (inspired by the WD article on Armageddon Ork-Hunters), now with added shotgunniness!

The 2 meltagunners.

Demo charge dude! At a range of only 6" he is one brave/stupid guy. Shotgun is again from Necromunda while the demo charge is a Tankbusta bomb from the Ork Boyz sprue.

The tough-as-nails Veteran Sarge, complete with SM chainsword and plasma pistol.

I've only used them once so far in a Sabotage games (from 4 ed rulebook) but mistimed their approach and they were spotted before they could open fire and were charged by 10 Kroot. So that was 30 attacks! Needless to say they didn't last long...

Since then I have undercoated the miss-matched models and I am going to paint them like the Sarge and melta gunner on the right.

More on them and the rest of my High Command soon. Now that the summer has come and I have a bit more spare time I intend to finish as many of my armies as possible. More on those ridiculously ambitious plans later...

Skyrangers Pt.5: Cerberus Half-track conversion

Ok here's the Cerberus half-track.

A fairly straightforward conversion; toy tractor wheels, SM Predator autocannon and gunshield (inverted) from heavy weapon sprue. Gunports are covered by the hub-caps from SM bikes (who uses these things anyway? :P ).

The back tracks are just the inner wheels from the Chimera glued onto the hull in the required shape with the tracks cut to fit onto the wheels. Some mechanical detail from other bits of sprue we glued in the inner space between the wheels so the hull wouldn't look so bare.

The Brundark Dragoon armoured fist squad (represented by Vostroyons) will use this to support the lighter infantry. You can't see from the photo but the back track wheels have been weathered a lot so look less plasticy.

Painting-wise it follows the same scheme as my other vehicles and also the infantry. Sprayed black and followed by:

Base coat: Shadow Grey (2 or more coats, I haven't used a foundation paint on them yet, Fenris Grey would be a suitable one for under Shadow Grey I think).

Camo: Black and White angular shapes. Make sure they overlap but not all the time and don't go overboard and obscure the Shadow Grey. Simple as that really. Don't worry too much about exceedingly straight lines, it'll look fine on the table! Details were picked out in their metallics (Aquila and fuel cans) and browns (shovels and packs).

Again, comms are represented by with florist wire. I'm not sure if this upgrade will still be in the new Codex (anyone?) but at the moment they are fairly important, as they allow a re-roll to your reserve roll. This used to be especially important when most of your army was deep-striking!

The autocannon is purely decorative, in games I just count it as a multi-laser. I'm just not that big a fan of the multi-laser look but the profile is fine. The Predator cannon just looks more beefy and dangerous and capable of laying down a decent hail of suppressive fire as the Dragoons disembark.