40k Dark Eldar Succubus Conversion

Dark Elf Cauldron of Blood Guards

Conversions is a fairly generous word regarding these models this time. I have basically taken the Warhammer Dark Elf Cauldron of Blood wych elf models and put them on round bases. That's it!

09:33:00 Read More +

Crimson Minotaur Elite - Warhammer 40k Showcase

Touching Up the Space Marine Elite

I have been going through some of the earlier models and conversion for my Crimson Minotaur custom chapter that I showcased a few months ago on my blog. Mainly I have been working on the jump pack engines and power weapons - areas I didn't have the stamina to complete at the time and was not entirely sure how I wanted to do them anyway.

18:56:00 Read More +

40k Showcase: Crimson Minotaur Tactical Squad & Rhino

2nd Company Tactical Squad

I have at last finished off my other Rhino/Razorback. It's been sitting around for a while mostly painted with base coats, a wash but without any highlights or details. My models often get stuck at that stage for a while. I still find edge highlighting takes a lot of effort (even more so when you have atrocious tennis elbow!).

10:15:00 Read More +

Power Armour in Style - Forgeworld Crimson Minotaur Squad

Fashionable Power Armour

The Forgeworld space marine armour variants still retain the icon shape and silhouette of a 40k era equivalent - in a mixed squad you would be hard pressed to pick them out from a distance. However there is something subtle about the design of the Forgeworld sculpts that puts them on a different level to the standard Games Workshop boxes. No matter which MK you look at, they have sharper lines, are better posed and possess more detailed. They are just far more stylish!

13:03:00 Read More +

Captain Estigon - Forgeworld Crimson Minotaur Conversion

"The Bastion"

Captain Estigon, Commander of the Crimson Minotaurs 2nd Company is now ready for battle. As I alluded to in my earlier post, Estigon is a level headed, reserved tactician. A calm mind to counter the oft daring and reckless actions promoted by Chapter Master Alcaeus. His quiet demeanour off the battlefield can mislead people into thinking he has nothing to contribute. However when he does speak he elocutes with precision and insight. He is rarely wrong. It is unwise to go into battle without first seeking Estigon's opinion on strategy. Where 1st Chaplain Kanaitkos endows a strike force with the reason to fight, Estigon gives them the method. He is rightly known as 'The Bastion'.

13:06:00 Read More +

Converted Space Marine Vanguard with More Alternative Parts

Crimson Minotaur Vanguard Veteran Space Marine Squad

This is probably my favourite Warhammer 40k box to be released last year, although the Tau Empire Broadside is a close runner up. The amount of detail and extra parts is fantastic. The poses of the legs are also excellent. I would love to have an entire army of Space Marines using a similar running pose, it just looks so dynamic and aggressive compared to the normal static pose.

13:02:00 Read More +

Crimson Minotaurs Tactical Squad Painting Progress

Colour Scheme Step by Step

As I mentioned in an earlier post I wanted to deviate from the standard Minotaur theme for a more traditional bright and traditional  'we don't need camouflage' style Space Marine colour scheme. I wanted I good table top quality but I don't quite have the patience, talent or time to spend doing dozens of steps of highlighting and blending.

12:48:00 Read More +

Showcase: Tau Forgeworld Broadside Conversion (Shas'vre Ob'lotai 0-9)

A Mix of Old & New

I managed to get hold of a cheap Forgeworld XV88 with railguns from ebay. However, comparing the Forgeworld railguns with the new 2013 plastic kit from Games Workshop and they are comically small. I also much prefer the side on two handed look of the new kit (it's the kit that attracted me to tau in the first place). The other factor was the head sensor unit. Although it is a gorgeous design, it's about 3 times the size of every other battlesuit equivalent. It's all or nothing for me, there needs to be some level of consistency and this breaks it. I'll hopefully find another use for it (It's big enough to be some kind of drone!)

08:38:00 Read More +

Crimson Minotaur Space Marine Tactical Squad Progress

2013 Tactical Squad Box

I'm very impressed with the new tac box GW released last year. It must be a difficult design brief to refresh a line of miniatures that are so iconic that there is little room to be too creative. However the sculptors have done a great job incorporating armour and levels of detail that we usually see from the Forgeworld Horus Heresy line. From the looks of things the Vanguard and Sternguard boxes take detail and options to a new level too, I can't wait to get my hands on those chaps.

I have been working on my back-story and after a few test paint jobs have settled upon almost reversing the Minotaurs colour scheme by taking the red shoulders and using that for the power armour whilst subduing the bronze/gold to edges and details. I have always wanted a bright marine army after all.

19:47:00 Read More +

A New Space Marine Chapter with Puppetswar Parts

Beginning A New Chapter

I have been inspired by the updated Space Marine kits to start a highly themed new army using some excellent conversion parts ordered from Puppetswar. I have been quite impressed with their range of parts that have clearly been designed with GW models in mind.

The selection of different shoulder pads could be used as alternatives for many classic chapters as well as pretty good versions of Horus Heresy legions too. There are also several unique designs that would also be effect for brand new chapters. As a bonus, they are slightly cheaper than the equivalent purchased from Forgeworld.

08:58:00 Read More +