The Holy Hand Grenade

     Here's a little sample of what I'm working on this week. I've set myself a goal of completing at least 8 models. I'll start priming tomorrow. Above are my two Sanguinary Priests. One with a Power Weapon (an Axe in this case) and the other with a Power Fist. I decided to model each of my priest type characters using some Black Templar bits to really make them stand apart. In addition to this, given that the Sanguinary Priests are typically holding a chalice, I thought I'd put my own chapter's spin on it. Each priest is holding a sort of "holy relic" if you will. The one on the left has the "Holy Hand Grenade" which is an orb from the Black Templar upgrade kit, and the one on the right has a thurible (incense burner). These priests will be painted black, to match the chaplain, with white surcoat. I choose the Death Masks from the Sanguinary guard because I thought they'd give the models a bit of a ominous look.

     Here's a look at my captain I'll be working on as well. He's modeled with a Thunder Hammer and Storm Shield, as you can see. Again, I mixed some bits from the Black Templar upgrade kit along with a Space Marine Commander kit, Assault Marine kit, Sanguinary Guard helmet, and some Terminator bits for the hammer and shield. I magnetized the back pack to be either a jump pack or a regular back pack, thus giving me some flexibility on how I field him. In addition to that I'm preparing a Librarian for the same purpose. Here's a look:

     I'll actually be painting him up first as I've never placed a psycher on the table, so I'm wanting to give that a go. I've got a week to paint all these models up, before I head home for some vacation time and thus some serious Warhammer 40K time as well. I have a friend that is frantically trying to complete a Grey Knights army in time for my arrival as well. Best of luck!

Get to the Koptas!

     I've wrapped up my Deff Koptas, and this brings my 1850 point Orks army to a close. I have plenty of other Ork units that I will work on in the future, but for the time being, it's time to move to my Blood Angels SM variant army. This will allow me to play my current SM army with a little twist. I'm very excited about some of the modeling I'll be able to do with the few models I'm adding to take advantage of the BA codex.

     I also reached an interesting milestone with the completion of these Koptas. I've now painted an entire Assault on Black Reach starter set! I think that's pretty awesome. I purchased that kit just about a year ago, and from it I've developed two 1850 point armies. I've got to say that it has been a great first year in a new and interesting hobby. I'm really looking forward to continuing my armies and playing a ton of games. Here are a few detail shots of my Koptas and my AoBR set:

Can you hear the distant thumbing of Koptas?

     Here is a quick shot of my Deff Koptas all ready for priming. I should have a few more ready for assembly in the future, but these six will be enough to fill out my 1850 point list. I'll be running them in two squads of three. I've really tried my best to make these six Koptas as different from one another as possible. As these are the last units for this army, I have a large selection of bits to throw around. I dug through some other random odds and ends and used those for the bases. Hopefully these will be properly interesting to look at.

     I didn't have a chance to get any 40K games in this last weekend as my wife graduated from college. Her parents and god parents came into town and we had a great few days of celebration and fun. It was  a ton of fun, but now I must focus back in on my army and get these Orks finished up. I had a goal of attempting to finish my Blood Angels variant of my Space Marine army before I return home on vacation, but I don't think that's going to happen. I would need to complete five Honour Guards, a magnetized Captain, and at least two Sanguinary Priests. Though that's not outside the realm of reality, I think I'd maybe end up rushing the job just a little too much. We'll see, I suppose. Depends on these Koptas.

     Stay tuned for the Blood Angels variant project, I promise there will be some truly interesting models and paint jobs. Until then, here are a few more closer shots of the Koptas, enjoy: