40K 9th Ed Turn Tracker, Firstborn Tank Hatches, and Devastator Decals
Normally, I alternate between Firstborn and Primaris projects, and it’s the Firstborn’s turn. I had a lot of options, but in a recent game, I found myself not able to take Hunter Killer Missiles on some tanks due to lack of appropriate bits. So, I decided on a very short project:
Now I have more missile-y goodness and a blank hatch for a placeholder. However, this update was a bit light, and luckily I’m supplementing it with a Turn Tracker from littlepri_16 on Ebay. It’s 3D printed and awesome!
The dials are separate pieces which I will later magnetize once my order from K&J Magnetics arrives. My only gripe is that this font has a weird upwards serif on the upper left of the capital T, but I can live with it.
Finally, as with every project, a touchup and decal! This is the last of three Devastator Bolter units:
Next: a special feature! Longtime Fourstrands contributor Thomas is coming over to break my dry streak for some (socially distanced and safe) gaming! Expect battle reports galore and some awesome times!
Razorback Assault Cannon Turrets and Devastator Bolter Touchups
For a while, I’ve had to cannibalize the twin linked Assault Cannon from my Land Raiders when using that option on a Razorback.
No more.
With these Forge World beauties, I can now take another extremely viable weapon option as a support!
For touch ups, I decided to keep it simple. I chose five Devastator bolter marines painted recently, so they shouldn’t need too many touch ups, right?
HA HA. NOPE.
It is amazing how these models that I painted for 7th edition (to better fill out a Demi Company) has so many mistakes, mould lines, and missed details. One was even overprimed and a little stay-puft-y. But they are in much better condition.
That’s not to say great. These are the Assault on Black Reach snap-fit marines. They are actually kind of awful sculpts. The collar on the back of the head is too high and blends into the head. There are a lot of 3D modelling errors such as cables on the arm/shoulder junction that look distorted. The poses leave a bit to be desired.
But they’re good enough for Tabletop Standard!
Next: The Judicar, last of the models in my Indominus Project, and another five Devastator Bolters!
Zeraf Antonius as an Imdominus Primaris Captain (also Assault Squad decals)
Zeraf Antonius, Captain of the 4th Company of the Azure Flames, Scion of Atrus, Hero of Tenkath Hive, the Laurel Crowned.
Bearing a shield made from the Sarcophagus of his fallen gene-father, Atrus, and wielding a custom made sword (as The Burning Blade). Antonius has crossed the Rubicon Primaris following the events of the Omega War, and the subsequent discovery from the Indominus Crusade. Antonius will be the main character of the upcoming web novella Home Fires: An Azure Flames Story.
Additionally, I updated another squad with decals! These Assault Marines without Jump Packs are a cheap and effective addition to several of my lists.
Gotta love that classic pewter sergeant. This squad was originally painted for my first Golden Rhino tournament. However, due to the unfortunate events of the Omega War, they have joined the Third Company.
Next: Razorback Turrets with Assault Cannons!
3rd Company Standard Bearer and final Tactical touch up!
This fine gentleman has featured in a lot of my lists:
An Ancient (Standard Bearer) adds versatility to a gunline and a drop pod storm, and with this Bolter-Melta, now I get an extra Melta shot.
In addition the fourth of my four Tactical Squads are updated and have decals!
Next: Zeraf Antonius, Captain of the 4th Company, Scion of Atrus, Master of the Marches, Hero of Tenkath Hive, The Laurel Crowned. Stay Tuned!
Second half of Assault Intercessors and Tactical touch-ups
Five more Assault Intercessors ready to go!
In addition the third of my four Tactical Squads has been retouched and updated with decals.
Next: Third Company Ancient (Standard Bearer) and the last Tactical update!
Tactical Sergeants and Tactical Squad Retouch and Decals
The last of the Tactical Squad Sergeants are finished!
Additionally, another Tactical Squad has been retouched and given fresh Decals!
Next: Five more Assault Intercessors, a Company Ancient, and then a special surprise!
Indominus Assault Intercessors part 1, and 1st Squad 3rd Company Tactical retouch and decal
I chose to split the Assault Intercessors in two. The first half, including a custom Thunder Hammer conversion is complete!
Following that, I went back to the very first Tactical Squad I ever painted to do some quick touch ups and add decals.
They were a mess.
I’ve touched up squads, especially for Big Games, but never this one. This had a 19 year old paint job. Details were ignored, mould lines were still around, and paint was a bit cakey.
I did what I could. They look much better now, especially with the new decals.
Long time Fourstrands veterans will recognize Brother Jonathan as the lone Tactical marine who stood against a heavily armed Guard commander and Commisar for THREE ROUNDS of close combat, holding up their army and turning a loss into a win. He was the first Marine I named.
He used to be in 4th company, but this squad is now clearly part of the 3rd.
Well… the 4th Company is going to have something bad happen to it. You’ll see in future updates to the Big Game VI storyline.
Next: The final two Tactical Sergeants and another Tactical squad update! Hopefully this one will be less… intense.
Indominus Primaris Lieutenant Sandeep, leader of the Lightguard, and Shotgun Scout touchups with decals
My Primaris lieutenant is complete! Formerly Sergeant Sandeep of the Lightguard, now Lieutenant of the 4th Company, seconded to Captain Antonius.
In addition, I spent a while fixing up my old shotgun scouts! I used them all the time in 3rd where they were the superior choice to Bolter scouts. Indeed, in Antonius’ backstory, he used a Shotgun as a scout, meaning these august and weary models represented him and his squad!
These were some of the first models I painted and it shows. Almost two decades of wear made them a challenge to touch up. In addition, some of their faces made them look like they had just seen the Ark of the Covenant open. Why didn’t they get a touch up until now? Guess I just didn’t think about it.
Now, however, they have a nice touch up and snazzy decals! Next: Sniper Scout Sergeants!
Scout Sergeants and Close Combat Scout Touchups with Decals
First, five new Scout Sergeants to round out the weapons options for Scout Squads. As I use Scouts a lot, these will be a way to maximize a squad’s effectiveness and possibly spend 5 extra points. These were kitbashed from plastic scouts and bits from the Vanguard and Sternguard veteran sets. I normally hate the Vanguard bare heads, but they’re perfect for scout sergeants! They look so 2nd ed!
…that was the easy part. The hard part was updating my old pewter close combat scouts. Earlier, when I touched up the Sniper Scouts, I barely had to do anything because I had already stripped and re-painted them for Big Game V. As such, their paint was much closer to my current standards.
I haven’t touched these close combat models in 19 years.
Their paint jobs were not only riddled with mistakes, missed details, and irregular colors, but were also severely damaged. All had at least some pewter showing thanks to chips.
But no more! They’re ready to rumble, complete with new decals!
The close combat scouts have 5 poses. Two of them have the pistol up, obscuring the right shoulder pad. I had to trim the decal for effect, which worked well thanks to Micro Set/Sol.
Next: the Indominus Lieutennant, the last of the reborn Lightguard!
Indominus Bladeguard as Lightguard Reborn, and Sniper Scout Decals
The next part of my Indominus project is complete! The Lightguard are reborn as Bladeguard Veterans!
Formerly the Honor Guard of Chapter Master Perseus, the Lightguard sought permission to cross the Rubicon Primaris en route to the besieged world of Altea, where Captain Antonius, Scion of Atrus, held with the remaining Primaris recruits from the Indominus Crusade. Arriving just in time to save Antonius, the Lightguard pledged loyalty to him, and officially joined the 4th Company (shoehorned into the 20th squad slot).
Also, as part of the ongoing decal project, I added decals to my old pewter sniper scouts. They required almost no touch ups! I’ve been using them pretty regularly for all of 8th, so they’ve really toughed it out!
Note that the kneeling version of this model has its right shoulder covered, and didn’t need decals.
Next: a bevy of Scout Sergeants to round out Scout Sergeant weapon options, and some close combat scouts get some TLC and decals!