Arnan 317th "Death's Own" - iPaint's IG Log

[iPaint]

Welcome to my Imperial Guard painting log. Below is my collection, organized into the Arnan 4th Army. I will use this first post as a guide to what has been painted, and to present how the army's fluff is organized.

Green - Finished
Yellow - Paint in progress
Orange - Primed
Red - Unassembled or Unprimed
Grey - Not yet purchased

Elements of Arnan 4th Army

Arnan 317th Mechanized Infantry Regiment - "Death's Own"

Headquarters Platoon, 2nd Company

Company Command Squad
- 1 Senior Grade Officer - Commander w/ Laspistol and CCW
- 4 Veterans - 4 Vets w/ Plasmaguns
- MkVII Chimera - "Bungaroo" Chimera w/ Multilaser and Heavy Flamer

Company Command Squad
- 1 Senior Grade Officer - Commander w/ Laspistol and CCW
- 4 Veterans - 4 Vets w/ Plasmaguns
- MkVII Chimera - "Bungaroo" Chimera w/ Multilaser and Heavy Flamer

1st Armored Fist Platoon, 2nd Company

Armored Fist Platoon Command Squad
- 1 Junior Grade Officer - Lieutenant w/ Laspistol and CCW
- 4 Guardsmen - 4 Guardsmen w/ Flamers
- MkX Chimera - Chimera w/ Multilaser and Heavy Flamer

1st Armored Fist Squad
- 1 Non-commissioned Officer - Sergeant w/ Laspistol and CCW
- 9 Guardsmen - 1 Guardsman w/ Grenade Launcher, 1 Autocannon Team, 6 Guardsmen w/ Lasguns
- MkIX Chimera - Chimera w/ Multilaser and Heavy Flamer

2nd Armored Fist Squad
- 1 Non-commissioned Officer - Sergeant w/ Laspistol and CCW
- 9 Guardsmen - 1 Guardsman w/ Grenade Launcher, 1 Autocannon Team, 6 Guardsmen w/ Lasguns
- MkIX Chimera - Chimera w/ Multilaser and Heavy Flamer

3rd Armored Fist Squad
- 1 Non-commissioned Officer - Sergeant w/ Laspistol and CCW
- 9 Guardsmen - 1 Guardsman w/ Grenade Launcher, 1 Autocannon Team, 6 Guardsmen w/ Lasguns
- MkIX Chimera - Chimera w/ Multilaser and Heavy Flamer

4th Armored Fist Squad
- 1 Non-commissioned Officer - Sergeant w/ Laspistol and CCW
- 9 Guardsmen - 1 Guardsman w/ Grenade Launcher, 1 Autocannon Team, 6 Guardsmen w/ Lasguns
- MkX Chimera - Chimera w/ Multilaser and Heavy Flamer

2nd Armored Fist Platoon, 2nd Company

Armored Fist Platoon Command Squad
- 1 Junior Grade Officer - Lieutenant w/ Laspistol and CCW
- 4 Guardsmen - 4 Guardsmen w/ Flamers
- MkX Chimera - Chimera w/ Multilaser and Heavy Flamer

1st Armored Fist Squad
- 1 Non-commissioned Officer - Sergeant w/ Laspistol and CCW
- 9 Guardsmen - 1 Guardsman w/ Grenade Launcher, 1 Autocannon Team, 6 Guardsmen w/ Lasguns
- MkX Chimera - Chimera w/ Multilaser and Heavy Flamer

2nd Armored Fist Squad
- 1 Non-commissioned Officer - Sergeant w/ Laspistol and CCW
- 9 Guardsmen - 1 Guardsman w/ Grenade Launcher, 1 Autocannon Team, 6 Guardsmen w/ Lasguns
- MkIX Chimera - Chimera w/ Multilaser and Heavy Flamer

3rd Armored Fist Squad
- 1 Non-commissioned Officer - Sergeant w/ Laspistol and CCW
- 9 Guardsmen - 1 Guardsman w/ Grenade Launcher, 1 Autocannon Team, 6 Guardsmen w/ Lasguns
- MkIX Chimera - Chimera w/ Multilaser and Heavy Flamer

4th Armored Fist Squad
- 1 Non-commissioned Officer - Sergeant w/ Laspistol and CCW
- 9 Guardsmen - 1 Guardsman w/ Grenade Launcher, 1 Autocannon Team, 6 Guardsmen w/ Lasguns
- MkIX Chimera - Chimera w/ Multilaser and Heavy Flamer

Reconnaissance Squadron, 2nd Company

1st Recon Squadron
- MkI Scout Sentinel - Scout Sentinel w/ Autocannon
- MkI Scout Sentinel - Scout Sentinel w/ Autocannon

Arnan 451st Infantry Regiment - "Blood and Glory"

1st Platoon, 17th Company

Platoon Command Squad
- 1 Junior Grade Officer - Lieutenant w/ Laspistol and CCW
- 4 Guardsmen - 4 Guardsmen w/ Flamers

1st Infantry Squad
- 1 Non-commissioned Officer - Sergeant w/ Laspistol and CCW
- 9 Guardsmen - 1 Guardsman w/ Grenade Launcher, 1 Autocannon Team, 6 Guardsmen w/ Lasguns

2nd Infantry Squad
- 1 Non-commissioned Officer - Sergeant w/ Laspistol and CCW
- 9 Guardsmen - 1 Guardsman w/ Grenade Launcher, 1 Autocannon Team, 6 Guardsmen w/ Lasguns

3rd Infantry Squad
- 1 Non-commissioned Officer - Sergeant w/ Laspistol and CCW
- 9 Guardsmen - 1 Guardsman w/ Grenade Launcher, 1 Autocannon Team, 6 Guardsmen w/ Lasguns

4th Infantry Squad
- 1 Non-commissioned Officer - Sergeant w/ Laspistol and CCW
- 9 Guardsmen - 1 Guardsman w/ Grenade Launcher, 1 Autocannon Team, 6 Guardsmen w/ Lasguns

Weapons Platoon, 17th Company

1st Special Weapons Squad
- 6 Guardsmen - 1 Guardsman w/ Demo Charge, 2 Guardsmen w/ Flamers, 3 Guardsmen w/ Lasguns

1st Heavy Weapons Squad
- 6 Guardsmen - 3 Mortar Teams

2nd Heavy Weapons Squad
- 6 Guardsmen - 3 Mortar Teams

Arnan First Assault Korps - "Excipium Imperium"

Veteran Assault Squad
- 1 Senior Non-commissioned Officer - Veteran Sergeant w/ Laspistol and CCW
- 9 Veterans - 3 Veterans w/ Multimeltas, 6 Guardsmen w/ Lasguns
- MkIX Chimera - Chimera w/ Multilaser and Heavy Flamer

Veteran Assault Squad
- 1 Senior Non-commissioned Officer - Veteran Sergeant w/ Laspistol and CCW
- 9 Veterans - 3 Veterans w/ Multimeltas, 6 Guardsmen w/ Lasguns
- MkIX Chimera - Chimera w/ Multilaser and Heavy Flamer

Arnan 82nd Sturmkompany - "Death From Above"

1st Stormtrooper Squad
- 1 Senior Non-commissioned Officer - Veteran Sergeant w/ Hotshot Laspistol and CCW
- 8 Veteran Stormtroopers - 1 Stormtrooper w/ Multimelta, 1 Stormtrooper w/ Hotshot Lasgun, 1 Stormtrooper w/ Multimelta, 5 Stormtroopers w/ Hotshot Lasguns

Arnan 3rd Armored Regiment - "Steel Might"

Command Squadron, 3rd Regiment

Command Squadron
- MkIV Leman Russ - "Arnan" Command Leman Russ Vanquisher w/ Lascannon
- MkIV Leman Russ - "Arnan" Command Leman Russ w/ Lascannon

12th Emperor's Fist Armored Company

1st Squadron
- MkVIII Leman Russ - Leman Russ w/ Heavy Flamer
- MkVIII Leman Russ - Leman Russ w/ Heavy Flamer
- MkVIII Leman Russ - Leman Russ w/ Heavy Flamer

Arnan 48th Heavy Tank Regiment - "Gloria Mortis"

1st Emperor's Anvil Heavy Tank Company

1st Squadron
- MkI "Mortian" Heavy Battle Tank - Mortian w/ Heavy Bolter
- MkI "Mortian" Heavy Battle Tank - Mortian w/ Heavy Bolter
- MkI "Mortian" Heavy Battle Tank - Mortian w/ Heavy Bolter

Arnan 2nd Super Heavy Tank Company

77th Steel Fury Super Heavy Tank Company

2nd Squadron
- Baneblade - Baneblade w/ Heavy Bolter and Lascannon Sponsons

Arnan 6th Assault Tank Regiment

19th Hellfury Assault Tank Company

1st Squadron
- Mk VI Hellhound - Hellhound w/ Heavy Flamer
- Mk VI Hellhound - Hellhound w/ Heavy Flamer

The goal for this log is to see all that red and orange and yellow turn into beautiful green.

Table of Contents:

Tutorials:
Veteran Camouflage Tutorial
Tank Painting Tutorial
Tank Painting Tutorial with Hellhound Reference Pics
MkIV Arna Pattern Leman Russ Construction Tutorial

Useful Tidbits:
Leman Russ Turret Comparisons
New Hellhound Kit Review
Leman Russ Cannon Dimensions
Arnan 317th TOE
Wargames Factory's Greatcoats Preview (courtesy of Predatorpt )

~iPaint

[Explodingboy]

All sounds promising,

look forward to the pics, and seeing this log grow.
Whats the colour scheme by the way if thats been decided?

I haven't played in some time but I always enjoyed mortars.. the more the merrier, plus the're the cheapest HW squad available, and the easiest to keep out of harms way. If it wasn't for the fact mortars aren't chosen under the Command HQ I'd still be planning them for my current guard army, (still no big loss, no mortars for my guard, mean more Man-o-Vores for my infected guard.)

I'm very curious too see the tank, I'm familliar with both the Macharius and Mortian, so it'll be interesting to see how yours turn out.

Explodingboy.

[iPaint]

Well, for the life of me, I can't find the camera, so I guess pics will have to wait until I figure out where it went.

For the paint scheme, I am torn between an autumn oakleaf pattern similar to Sheep's, or a much simpler and quicker dark gray tunic and light grey pants with black armor. I have some guys with helmet covers, so I am torn between a camo pattern for the smock and cover, or just leaving the cover the same as the tunic.

My one concern with the camo pattern is having the colors be bright enough that they do not become washed together if I decide to apply a wash to them later down the road. I have painted a test model in the oakleaf, but I think the orange is too dark.

As always, any input is appreciated. I'll find that camera eventually.

~iPaint

[iPaint]

Still no dice on the camera...

In the mean time, I have come up with a few painting schemes for the infantry.

#1: Dark grey armor, tan fatigues
#2: Light grey armor, medium brown fatigues
#3: Black armor, medium grey fatigues
#4: Dark brown armor, tan fatigues

Any thoughts?

[Explodingboy]

I like the sound of 3, but it really depends on how well you can highlight the black.

I can't say grey and brown combination appeals to me, but it may just be my mental picture that is wrong.

1 and 4 though sound like solid ideas though too, I just like 3 more.

[EmMeTt]

I think black/really dark grey with tan fatigues might look good. I think a bone colour would probably look better than tan, but that's just me.

[iPaint]

So, I've done a few test figs, and have settled on the medium grey with black armor. I need to figure out a color for the gas masks, and I'm thinking a tan to break up the grey. Also working on unit insignias. I'm thinking a skull on the left side of the bare helmets, and some form of colored insignia/shield thing on the right of the helmet, on that nifty range-spotter or whatever it is that Kolony helmets have. Shoulders I think I'll do left side with the regiment number, and right possibly leave blank.

Also, I've been looking over the new Demolisher sprue cuts, and I have to say, I'm liking the size of this new turret. It should fit well on top of the new hull I've been testing out for my converted Leman Russes.

Here's a quick MS Paint mock-up how the MkIV Arna Pattern Russ will look:



Side shot with the hull in light grey, and the side track parts in a dark grey. Tracks will most likely no longer be flush to the armor, and instead be exposed much like the Macharius tracks. I may also widen them as well, since the tracks on a standard Russ are way too small to support such a tank.

I think I can use the LR hull and just slide it back, filling in the gap with a piece of plasticard in the front. I my have to hack the back part where the engine block is in order to build up the turret area and new engine block with plasticard.

~iPaint

[iPaint]

Ok, finally I found my camera. Here's some WIP shots of the infantry and the color scheme I've chosen. The models are finished except for a gloss spray, decals, then a matte seal and basing, which I'm thinking will be a dirty mud with some sparse grass or some rocks. I may end up going darker on the base to fit the mud color I choose.

Without further ado:





And the mock-up Leman Russ out of LEGO I had mentioned earlier in the log. Much larger and more intimidating I think:





~iPaint

[Explodingboy]

Nice colour scheme, I really like how the infantry are turning out.

the lego tank is looking good too, It's a much nicer shape for the Russ overall, so I look forward to seeing the progress on that.

[iPaint]

So, I have made some progress on the test minis, including decals on the 4 infantrymen, and decals on the now-finished platoon commander. I have also based the five of them in a dark grey-brown mud/rock mixture, and will get the rest of the basing done tomorrow. I'll even toss in some pics. Keep an eye on this post for an update with said pics.

Also, in a fit of sheer brilliance, I decided (if you happened to see the edit on the first post) to renumber the regiment to the 317th. Yes, cutting decals off of the IG sheet, then cutting those decals up is more pain than pleasure. So, in order to maintain some fragment of sanity, I decided to go for the 317 decals to number the regiment, and I must say, I don't regret it.

Anyone doing decals on their figs should invest in 3 main things: a decent gloss coat, Micro Set, and Micro Sol. After spraying a finished model with the gloss coat, simply add some Micro Set to the desired decal area (remember to let the gloss coat dry!), apply the decal, let it dry, then add some Micro Sol on top of it and let the whole thing dry off for a while. The finished product is exceptionally stunning, and I can barely tell from a distance that I used a decal. Add some dull coat and a matte seal spray and it looks top notch.

PICS:
They came out a bit brighter than the other ones, since it was overcast a few days ago. I'll see about taking some later this evening after the sun gets lower in the sky or some clouds roll in.



Platoon Leader with magnetized arms, allowing me to use any combo I like. As of now, only the plasma pistol and chainsword arms are painted, but I was able to magnetize a few other options, so eventually I'll get around to painting them.



I decide for an ash waste basing scheme, since the mud effects I was going for looked too much like frosting on a cake. I like what resulted.

~iPaint

[Lionsbane]

Something like this?



They were still a bit taller than i'd have liked.

[iPaint]

Very much like that, though I think I'll extend the rear engine compartment a bit more to elongate the profile of the tank. Also, I've never been a fan of the old-school LR turret: it was way too boxy. The new one has some promise.

I'm loving the overall look of that tank though, and I must say, it is quite close to what I will try and do. Was it all plasticard work for the back part?

I'm also thinking that I'll be able to get everything I need from the new Demolisher kit: the Punisher turret looks like it is perfect to hold both the chaingun variant and a simple barrel for a Battle Cannon, that I can then add more length to for a Vanquisher.

[chaos0xomega]

If a leman russ sized macharius is what you're after: http://www.warseer.com/forums/showth...+guard+players

alternatively see the link in my sig if you're willing to wait a bit longer.

[iPaint]

If a leman russ sized macharius is what you're after: http://www.warseer.com/forums/showth...+guard+players

alternatively see the link in my sig if you're willing to wait a bit longer.

Yes, I have seen both of those tanks, and they are both quite stunning. It's amazing what you can do nowadays. I have even come close to buying a few of Mort's, but my budget is stretched thin at the moment. Maybe later this fall I'll have time to sit down and consider the options.

[iPaint]

Just a quick update here. I went out today and bought one of the new Demolishers, and I have to say, pretty sweet number of options you can run with just one kit. I've decided to use the gun mantlet from the gatling gun to double as the base for my Battle Cannon and Vanquisher variants. All I need to do is mount some plasticard onto the end of a plastic tube, and I'll be all set. Just magnetize the whole set of weapons, and I can field all but 2 of the variants with one tank kit and a little modeling magic.

The kit goes together quite well, and the track assembly is a breeze compared to the older model. One thing I have noticed, however, is that the depth of detail on the side of the hull is lacking, especially for the 2 springs at the front of the tank.

The tank commander is also quite stunning.

Overall, the kit is a 9/10 in my book. Lack of stowage/bits to customize the tank is the one thing missing. An extra sprue easily could have fit in the box, even if the older one just went in.

[Explodingboy]

I await the pictures,

I keep hearing allot about this new tank commander.. for the life of me I can't work out how such a figure could be so spectacular to warrant such merit, especially when he plays no role in the use of the overall kit.

I will say though, I do like the sound of the new track system, since the last one was a real bugger to get done, and the main reason I still hate assembling Chimeras to this day.

[athamas]

may i point you in the direction of:
http://www.warseer.com/forums/showthread.php?t=120264

Nice work... :P

[Lu&Pu]

may i point you in the direction of:
http://www.warseer.com/forums/showthread.php?t=120264

Nice work... :P

That was exactly what I was thinking of when I saw iPaints MS Paint mock-up. ^^

Oh and thank you for the link searched for it a longer time now.

Well I think this is way one should go for enlarging the Leman Russ BT.

[iPaint]

Very nice find on that link. While I don't think elongating the track sections now would be a smart move, it definitely adds more realism to the length of the tank. That's very nice modeling.

I'll have some pics up in a bit to show where I am with the new Demolisher.

[iPaint]

As promised, here is an update of the new Arna MkIV Leman Russ so far:

Upgraded battle cannon, using plastic piping.


Front view, nothing much here. I swapped the gunner and driver's positions, dunno why, but I like the way it looks.


Couple shots to show what left I have to do with the rear of the tank and the sides.




Please disregard the headless commander, he's just there for grins

~iPaint