Upgradin' The Smurfs: A massive Ultramarines 2nd Co. Repaint!

[Awken]

These are beautiful. I especially like the Terminator with the torso on a stick, and the dead genestealer on Castor's base. Do they represent armies you face regularly, or were they just laying around your bits box?

[ManusMarines]

These are beautiful. I especially like the Terminator with the torso on a stick, and the dead genestealer on Castor's base. Do they represent armies you face regularly, or were they just laying around your bits box?

Thanks, Awken. The Chaos guardsman on the Terminator stick was to represent my friend's Chaos marines, and the Genestealer was to represent my other friend's Tyranids.

Also, it makes it seem like my army has faced many foes. Yay.

[ManusMarines]

*UPDATE*

Here are pictures of the completed Devastator squad!



The whole squad:



From a different angle:



Now that squad is completed, I will be moving on to the requested Land Raider.
As I mentioned, it does need some repair work and such, but here are some BEFORE pics to whet your appetite.





Cheers!
~Manus

[ManusMarines]

Howdy friends!

After searching my bits box for extra Land Raider lascannon bits and striking out, I have decided to place an order to replace the whole right-side sponson.

It has suffered much battle damage over the years and needs to be replaced. Hopefully a stint in the freezer will soften the super-glue enough to remove it.
If not, then at least I can replace/repair the missing lascannon.

As far as painting goes, I have gone over the body of the LR with a new coat of Ultramarines Blue, and am currently working on the metals and such.
The reason you are not seeing a picture of my progress is because of this...



Presenting, Lucky! It's high time I showed off my pet after he has been out of the spotlight since we got him in February.
He has taken to using my light-box as a fortress of sorts, immediately going into it when I sit down at the computer or painting table.

Until later,
~Manus

[ManusMarines]

Alright guys,

No picture updates tonight, but I have been working on the land raider. I ended up ordering a new set of sponsons for the vehicle, and now I'm just waiting for them to arrive.
UK to US: Approx 7 days or so it said. We shall see.

In the meantime, debating knocking out a character model while I wait. Or should I just push forward on the LR until the bits arrive? Decisions, decisions.

Also, picked up a new pot of Ultramarines Blue...err, I mean, Altdorf Guard Blue. WTF, GW...

[ManusMarines]

*UPDATE*

Yay pictures!

Just to show that I have been working on this bad boy while I await my bitz shipment, here we go:

Post "Gutting" and removal of parts. 30mins in the freezer and a sturdy sculpting tool later, and the LR is now down two sponsons. Yay


The remaining bits and pieces: two cupolas, the TL-Heavy Bolter. I aim to get everything done besides washes so when the bitz arrive I can do that all at once.


EDIT: I'm a lazy marine player and haven't painted my interiors. /shame

LEFT TO DO:
- general cleanup on the LR itself
- paint the cupolas and TL-Heavy Bolter
- Highlight
- Vehicle markings and symbols
- Play the waiting game...

Unsure what I want to tackle after this Land Raider. Hopefully by the time I get back from vacation GW will have released the Storm Talon model.
While perhaps not exactly fluffy, I feel it will fulfill a much needed firepower support role that is lacking from my Fast Attack.

As always, comments appreciated.
~Manus

[Awken]

What does putting the model in the freezer do? Loosen the bonds of the glue or something?

[ManusMarines]

What does putting the model in the freezer do? Loosen the bonds of the glue or something?

From what I've heard (and experienced first hand), more or so "Yes."

Super Glue is actually pretty brittle. Cold makes it more so? Not sure of all the chemical reactions, but I've been able to rip off super-glued pieces easier after a Freezer Stint.

This is the first time I tried it on such a huge model, though. Normally I was doing it on smaller marines/orks.

[ManusMarines]

*UPDATE*

I've started/finished highlighting one side of the LR's armor plates. I've chosen to stick with my "extreme" style highlights as to keep the army uniform in appearance.


I received the replacement Sponson in the mail today. I will be building/priming that shortly, and hope to get that attached.
Unfortunately, I didn't realize that the auction was for only ONE sponson, so I needlessly ripped off the still "good" sponson. Oh well. Time to file, reglue, and move forward.


I also made a stop at my FLGS today and picked up a Storm Talon


Still on the sprues for now. Unsure how I want to arm it. Most likely going to go with the Missile Launcher option and magnetize the front to switch between missiles.
I plan to pick up another at some point, so I'll have that one be a Heavy Bolter/Las Cannon swap out.

Cheers for now.
~Manus

[ManusMarines]

*UPDATE*

So I spent a bit of time yesterday battling my "New Model Syndrome" and failed, and thus, we now have a mostly put-together Storm Talon!


Notes:
- I left as much as possible separate so I can do a better paint job this time around on a vehicle
- I did glue down the canopy w/o the pilot inside. I'm going to paint it like I did my Valkyrie: black glass.
- I do still need to fill in some gaps with Liquid Green Stuff.

That's all for now.
~Manus

[ManusMarines]

*UPDATE*

On this laziest of Sundays, I have found my painting stride once more. Huzzah.

Highlighting on the LR is finished, including both cupolas and the Heavy Bolter large cupola.


TO DO:
- Finish repaint of original good LasCannon sponson as well as finish the other new LasCannon Sponson
- Armored Division markings and Ultramarines freehand symbol
- Massive, heavy wash of Badab Black/Nurn Oil
- Finishing touches

I just might make my deadline of finishing this bad boy before I leave for vacation. We shall see.

Perhaps another update later after I take care of some domestic-type stuff (cleaning, lunch, spending time with the GF, etc...)
~Manus

[ManusMarines]

No picture updates today, but I thought I'd reveal the army list I'm inadvertently painting towards.

ULTRAMARINES STRIKE FORCE - 1750pts

[HQ] Captain - 130
- Power Sword, Combi-Plasma

[ELITE] Terminator Squad w/ LR Transport - 480
- Assault Cannon
- Land Raider

[ELITE] Dreadnought - 125
- Assault Cannon, Missile Launcher

[TROOPS] Tactical Squad - 230
- Missile Launcher, Flamer, Power Fist, Rhino

[TROOPS] Tactical Squad - 230
- Missile Launcher, Flamer, Power Fist, Rhino

[TROOPS] Scout Squad - 85
- 4x Sniper Rifles, Heavy Bolter (Hellfire Rounds)

[FAST] Storm Talon - 155
- Skyhammer Missiles

[HEAVY] Devastator Squad - 230
- 4x Missile Launchers

[HEAVY] Predator - 85
- Autocannon, Heavy Bolter Sponsons

This gives me:
- 2 S9 AP2 shots (TL-LasCannons)
- 7 S8 AP3 shots (Missile Launchers)
- 5 S7 AP4 shots (Skyhammer & Autocannon)
- 8 S6 AP4 shots (Assault Cannons)
- 12 S5 AP4 shots (Heavy Bolters)
- Multiple bolter, sniper rifle, and other shots.

Pros:
+ Almost all units are armored/have a transport
+ Scouts can infiltrate closer OR outflank and make use of the Storm Talon's "Escort" rule.

Cons:
- Low troop count for holding objectives (but I can combat squad)

Thoughts?
------------------------------------------

Assuming I don't tweak this list around too much, that means that after I finish the Land Raider and get back from vacation that I will be painting/purchasing the following:
- Scout Squad (need to paint)
- Storm Talon (need to paint)
- Predator (need to purchase and paint)

[ManusMarines]

And I'm back!

Just spent a lovely two weeks in San Francisco and Las Vegas. Time to get back to painting!

I will be continuing on the Land Raider, hopefully finishing that up rather shortly. With 6th edition looming rather soon around the corner (already ordered my Gamer's Edition), I want to get some things painted.

Cheers!
~Manus

[ManusMarines]

*UPDATE*

Sorry for the delay, ladies and gents, but I finally have some updatin' for you all.

The past two weeks have been a bit hectic with work and trying to learn and adapt to the new rules (liking them so far...)

But I did get a flash of painting juice, so-to-speak, earlier today and finally finished off the oft-delayed Land Raider.

Behold, "RIGOR"












I did skimp a bit on the squad markings (read: ALL), but I'm happy with the results.

I'm unsure what to move on to next. I will be base coating my Storm Talon either Monday or Tuesday, so that is an option.

Otherwise, I'm thinking perhaps refinishing one of my more recent pre-overhaul character models, then moving on to an assault squad and/or a Vindicator?

Any votes on what to tackle next?

Comments/Concerns welcomed as always.

~Manus

[ManusMarines]

*UPDATE*

I figured I couldn't let the new Land Raider be featured just by itself. It needed a picture with the cargo it would be delivering...




And I've decided to move on to my first Assault Squad. This doesn't change my plans of basing a bunch of models that have been hanging around for ages. I still aim to hit the Storm Talon next.

Test model for the Assault Squad (just missing his basing colors):






I went for a modified version of the traditional "Fast Attack" emblem of the crossed arrows. This one has a circular patch in the center featuring the squad number in black. And my freehand markings still suck

Anyway, hope you enjoy.
~Manus

[ManusMarines]

It's Spray Day!

The massive, long-lasting heat and humidity wave that has held sway over northeastern Ohio for the past two-three weeks is finally subsiding, which means, basecoating!

The following units shall receive their nice initial coat of base rather shortly:
- Storm Talon
- Forge World Dreadnought Autocannon arms (Left and Right: Rifleman, Ho!)
- 2x Marines w/ Plasma Cannons
- 1x Marine w/ LasCannon
- 1x Marine w/ Multi-Melta

As well as some other models of mine that have been sitting on the shelf, waiting to be based:
- Genestealer Brood w/ Broodlord
- Hive Guard
- 2x Necron Overlords
- 1x Necron Lord
- 5x Lychguard
- 3x Destroyers

My plan is to devote my time to painting the Storm Talon and getting that operational, and then going back to finish my Assault Marines.

~Manus

[ManusMarines]

*UPDATE*

I'm about to leave for a wedding over the weekend, but figured I ought to post what I've been working on thus far.

Presenting, the PIP of my first Storm Talon.






Again, I'm sticking with my heavy highlights for vehicles. They might not be the neatest, but I like the contrast.

I still need to:
- Do detail and metallic work
- Finish the weapons systems
- Mark and Wash the vehicle
- Finish the base.

See you all in a few days.
Comments always welcomed
~Manus

[ManusMarines]

Well, it has been a while, but I'm still here.

As usual, the wonderful medium of new video games has captured my soul for the past few months. Between Battlefield 3 and its expansions, Borderlands 2, and new Minecraft updates, I have been basically away from painting for almost 3 full months.

I did finally sit down and make more progress on my oft-delayed Storm Talon. The model itself is now 100% complete, and I'm just left with the base to finish.

Enough with the talk, though. Here are the pics!










And the base, which as I mentioned, needs paint badly.




Thoughts?
~Manus

[Gearhart]

lookin good! glad to see your still here keep up the great work!

[ManusMarines]

Hello fellow Warmasters!

It's time to start 2013 off the right way and update this log. I have two completed units, and the start of another unit to show you this fine evening/morning/whenever you may be viewing this.

First off, I finally finished the base on my Storm Talon. It is very minimalistic, but serves my purposes just fine.


Next up: I decided to tackle another vehicle to give my growing repainted army some more tactical flexibility. As such, I've painted one of my Vindicators!
While I don't have any "before" pictures to show you of this actual tank, I do have its sister Vindi to show you a proxied "before" shot.








I couldn't resist getting that lovely Str 10 template onto the table at some point Oh yea, as a bonus, it is currently nameless. I will entertain any and all ideas for the beast's future name.

Any finally, a teaser pic of my next unit: my first Scout unit I ever built (w/ 4x sniper and a missile launcher):


One word to describe that paint job: Blech!

Normally I would end this post with something like, "I promise to update this log more frequently!1!111!!!1!!!", but that usually ends up broken and discarded. So suffice it to say, I will update it when I can.

Sincerely,
~Manus