Workin' on a small Space Marine strike force

[Myelinated Axon]

Hello,

I wanted to start working on a small, new project based on a intermediate number of models as a method for me to improve my painting and modelling skills. Considering that there are a regular number of free, small (~1000 point) tournaments in my gaming community, I decided to work towards a 1000 point list. I wasn't sure which army to go with, so I looked through my boxes of second hand minis and bits that I've collected over the years, and decided on vanilla Space Marines. I've never built a strict C:SM army, so I thought this would be a fun and challenging project.

Here's my breakdown of the list, and my plans for each unit.

HQ:
Librarian

• I've already built a plastic kit-bashed dude who is ready for paint!

Troops:
Tactical Squad w/ Meltagun, Missile Laucher, Power Fist

• This first squad is based off of mostly AoBR dudes. I've also built a Flamer guy, a Heavy Bolter guy, and a Plasma Cannon guy, so I can swap out individual members as a way to vary squad loadout. I might consider adding a Plasma Gun dude for further variation.

Razorback dedicated transport w/ Lascannon/Twin-linked Plasma Gun turret and Dozer Blade

• This is one of the 3 models that I will have to buy to complete this army (along with another Razorback and the Land Speeder), and my goal is to magnetize the turret weapons (to keep track of weapon destroyed results), as well as the dozer blade. I will also paint the Rhino top hatches, so I can exchange the turret for them in case I want to run them as Rhinos. I'm also considering painting the interior and making all the doors hinged/magnetized.

Tactical Squad w/ Meltagun, Missile Laucher, Power Fist

• This squad is going to be comprised of RTB01 marines for some throw-back, retro goodness. I plan on magnetizing the special weapon guy so the Meltagun can be swapped out for a Flamer. The Sergeant will also be magnetized in order to swap the power fist out for a power sword and plasma pistol.

Razorback dedicated transport w/ Lascannon/Twin-linked Plasma Gun turret and Dozer Blade

• Same as above.

Fast Attack:
Land Speeder Typhoon

• I plan on magnetizing all of the weapon options for maximal variation.

Heavy Support:
Vindicator w/ Siege Shield

• I hope to magentize the shield, as well as a pintle Storm Bolter and Hunter-Killer Missile.

Vindicator w/ Siege Shield

• Same as above.

My thoughts were that with all of the magnetization and weapon swaps, I can make a number of slightly different lists at 1000 points, and the army will provide a solid core to build upon, if I wish to take this project further. I'd love to hear your thoughts on my plan, as well as potential changes to the list (but I don't want this to devolve into a list-building thread!). The only things that aren't locked in already are the Razorbacks and Land Speeder.

Also, I haven't decided which chapter to paint them as! I was thinking of going pure vanilla and painting them as Ultramarines, but that decision hasn't been finalized. Thoughts?

TL;DR --> Pics!:
Librarian:


Tac squad 1 Bolter jockeys:


Heavy weapon haulers:


Special weapons and the sarge:


A close-up of the only real conversion of the squad, the sergeant's power fist (from the Sanguinary Guard kit):

[Myelinated Axon]

Oh, and also some physical evidence that there are RTB01 marines in this army:

[spikeyjim]

Looking good so far, I'm liking the idea of magnetising the special weapons. I reckon you go for your own chapter or choose one of the more obscure ones, howling griffons or hawk lords maybe?

[Dudde]

Myelinated Axon - Love the RTB01, and I definatly think Howling Griffons.

Can`t wait for more.

[Myelinated Axon]

@spikeyjim, Dudde: Thanks for the comments! Howling Griffons are pretty sweet. I love that quartered scheme, and it would definitely be challenging. It's the leading candidate, but for some reason I'm still attracted to the blue scheme of the Ultramarines. I've never painted a blue army, and I'd also get the opportunity to use some of those dang GW SM decal sheets that I've accumulated over the years.

Well, here are some pics of the RTB01 marines. First, here are the guys who are basically assembled straight out of the kit:


Next are some bolter guys that have had the magazine moved back, closer to the pistol grip:


Now here are some marines that have had various cuts and pastes to their arms, hands, and weapons:


Now the missile launcher guy:


More pics in the next post!

[Myelinated Axon]

Here's the special weapon guy. You can see the magnets in his hands. These are 1/16" diameter magnets, and it was a total pain getting them and the weapons to align correctly!


And here's a terrible pic of the weapons, with the magnet locations circled:


And here's the above guy wielding the flamer and meltagun:



Here's a quick and washed-out pic of the WIP sarge:


I haven't decided exactly how to magnetize his options, but here are a pic of the completed (except for the magnets) arms:

The options include a power fist, combi-flamer/melta, bolt pistol, power sword, bolter, plasma pistol. The plasma pistol and combi-flamer are from the FW SM character upgrade kit, and the power sword is a PAGK falchion.

I hope you all like it, and I'd love to hear your comments!

[spikeyjim]

Looking good dude! I'd love to have all that versatility on my marines but I hadn't even heard of magnets like that when I started putting them together. Loving the RT marines too. As an ultramarines player it would be good to see more of Guilliman's finest but Howling griffons also look amazing, although I wouldn't like to freehand that many symbols on them! Keep up the good work mate

[Aegius]

Eagle warriors would be a good option. Blue and white halved, yes please.