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 Painting: Skyrangers XXI

A Deathstrike Missile Launcher is as much a display piece as it is a gaming piece so I decided it needed a decent paintjob immediately. Usually a plastic conversion is knocked up pretty quickly but I soon leave it to one side. However my Guard army is my only fully painted army (bar this model!) so I just had to get the Deathstrike finished! Last post was its conversion, now the painting.

The paint scheme is my usual Brundark urban camo, inspired by the 122nd Cadian infantry uniforms. The 122nd Cadian tanks were simply drybrushed but I liked the scheme so much on the infantry I decided to carry it on onto my armour and air-support.

I started with one base coat of Fenris Grey Foundation Paint on the Missile Launcher. This was followed by two coats of Shadow Grey. The splinter/dazzle camo is simply Astronomicon Grey Foundation Paint followed by two coats of Skull White. The lines are not that crisp at the moment, I will clean them up at the end. Next up is the black splinters and the finishing touches.

The Deathstrike Missile itself was spraypainted Chaos White (with the spray can, not the spray gun). It took about 4 light coats to cover the dark green plastic of the Revell kit with a smooth white coat. I'm looking forward to adding some official (and unofficial!) decorations to it!

So that's all for this evening. Hopefully I'll get a chance to finish the painting soon and get the chance to deploy the dreaded Deathstrike Missile on the battlefield. I'm not expecting anything amazing as it will no doubt be a fire magnet but that means less fire on the rest of my army!

Has anyone used a Deathstrike Missile Launcher yet? I actually saw someone using one in a local GW yesterday but I don't know if it did any good...

As always, C&C welcome!

Skyrangers XIX: Finished Imperial Advisors

Well I'm finally back. Things have been very busy at university these days, I've started a PhD and I am up to my ears in books, articles and archives. There hasn't been too much time for the hobby but I've been following everyone else still. I did however get some games in over Christmas and lo and behold, I even got some figures painted this weekend! As you can see, it's been a while since I assembled my Imperial advisors and they've been glaring at me from the paint box since!

First up is the Master of Ordnance. The extra blast template is useful. He may not be a regular addition to my list but it's good to have the option.



Painted exactly like the regular infantry; Shadow Grey with white and black stripe camouflage.

Next is the Astropath. Helping a reserve roll is invaluable. I miss Improved Comms but using this very nicely sculpted model is not too bad.



Paint wise I used a couple of coats of Dark Angels Green for the cloak and then picked out details in Blood Red, Burnished Gold and Boltgun Metal. Skin was Tallarn Flesh followed by Elf Flesh. No shading as I want him to appear pallid, he's not one for the fresh air usually.

Lastly is the Officer of the Fleet. As I've said before he's not as sharp as the official model but the Skyrangers will take what they can get. Interfering with your opponent's reserve roll is very useful if the scenario involves it. Like the Astropath if the mission doesn't involve Reserves then you may want to spend your points elsewhere..



The uniform was basecoated Astronomican Grey, then multiple layers of Skull White. Can anyone recommend a good way of getting whiter than white on a figure? Details picked out Burnished Gold, Chaos Black, Blood Red and Boltgun Metal.

As always C&C greatly appreciated.

I've been busy experimenting with the new Skaven book and hopefully I'll begin to post on my WFB armies soon too. Also I have more historical stuff in the pipeline, watch this space.

Hopefully I will be back soon with pictures of my next Imperial Guard project, something rather special. I made a purchase yesterday and I now have to get kitbashing. You have been warned! Mwah hahahah!

Skyrangers XVIII: Valkyrie Urban Camo Painting Finished

My Skyrangers finally have fully painted air-support! After parts 1 and 2 where I basecoated in Fenris Grey and Shadow Grey and started the splinter camoflaugue I now painted Skull White over the Astronomican Grey splinters. Even with the foundation paints it took at least two coats of white to get an even coverage.

The crew were painted along the same lines as the Skyrangers, Shadow Grey helmets with white and black stripe camoflague.

Top down shot.

Some hitting power. I chose the rocket pods as much for their aestetic appeal as their usefulness (better than a one shot non blast ordnance missile).

You can't really see but the side gun is the Multi-Laser. The Aquila is Burnished Gold and highlight of Shining Gold.

The splinter camoflague is designed to disrupt the outline of Valkyrie and make it a harder target as it flies between buildings. The Skyrangers specialise in urban drops you see.

The splinters are plain Chaos Black painted over the Skull White. Less is defintely more when painting this style. It's always easier to add a few more than stand back and realise you've gone overboard.

This ramp will be used by either my Command Squad or my shotgun demolition vets.

Interior shot. The gunners are painted the exact same as the infantry.

A steady hand is needed to keep the lines crisp. This works for the urban splinter camoflague. More rounded stripes/blobs are more suited to jungle or temperate camoflague patterns.

The final piece is the base. Sand was glued to base and then undercoated with Chaos Black spray. This helps seal the sand onto the base. I made sure to leave a cross section for gluing the flying stand onto. After that I painted the base Scorched Brown and drybrushed Vermin Brown to tie them in with the earth bases of the rest of the army.


Well that's the biggest piece I've painted in quite a while but it was great fun!

All C&C greatly appreciated.

Can't wait to give her a spin on the battleflield!

And not playing Wagner while doing so would be just criminal...

Skyrangers XVII: Valkyrie Urban Camo Painting

Work continues on the Valkyrie. Just a small post tonight on how I've started the camouflage.

The urban coloured splinter camo ties the Valkyrie in with my tank and half-track.

I first of all painted the splinters in Astronomicon Grey.

Next up will be a few coats of Skull White over the Grey.

Paiting white over grey is a bit of a pain in the derriere but c'est la vie!

Skyrangers XV: Shotgun Vets Finished.

I finally got round to putting the final touches to my Demolition Hardened Veterans (with shotguns!)

I started by painting the black stripes on the trousers and sleeves of the models.

I then gave a drybrush of Boltgun Metal on the weapons and other metal details.

The skin was given another coat of Elf Flesh followed by a wash of Brown Ink. They may look a little tanned but these guys are demolition veterans. They've spent a lot of time around explosions...

And here's Guardsman Cortez! Still no-one getting the ref? ;)

Here's the cook (with some fresh kroot for the camp-fire!)

The bases were painted with Scorched Brown and drybrushed Vermin Brown.

And finally Sarge!

Next up is a small Tactica on using these bad boys.

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 XII: High Command

The Brundark High Command is an integral part of the armed forces that serve in the Imperial Guard. They co-ordinate the various elements of the Brundark forces: The airborne infantry Skyrangers, the special forces Sky-Commandos, the heavy infantry Dragoons, the armour and the air support.

These elements are grouped together into ‘Combat Battle Groups’ which are commanded by high ranking officers called Lord Marshals. These men are picked from the most promising officers from the various branches of the military.

The Brundark 52nd Combat Battle Group is commanded by Lord Marshal Oskar Sormund.


(Painting: The coat was a basecoat of Mordian Blue followed by Enchanted Blue. Armour: Mithril Silver and Shining Gold details. Hat was drybrush of Codex Grey. Sash was Blood Red with Shining Gold detail. Sormund’s moustache is Scorched Brown and a Flesh Wash. Boots and gloves are Snakebite Leather with a Flesh Wash).


Flagman Spears carries the Regimental Banner of the 52nd.

(Painting: Same as the Lord Marshal. Banner: Modian Blue followed by Enchanted Blue, with details of Blood Red, Tallarn Flesh followed by Elf Flesh and the skeleton is a drybrush of Beached Bone, along with Bleached Bone on the banner roll).


Commissar George Cane has been attached to the 52nd CBG for 2 years now.


(Painting: The coat was painted Chaos Black with a Blood Red trim. The lining is Codex Grey. For the gun and armour I used Mithril Silver and Shining Gold for the detail, Dark Angels Green for the laurels.

Pants were a drybrush of Codex Grey, holster: Scorched Brown, the cane of Commissar Cane: Calthan Brown and Shining Gold. For the face I used a basecoat of Tallarn Flesh highlighted with Elf Flesh and a light Flesh Wash. For the scar I highlighted with Vermin Brown).

As always, C&C welcome!