Lilibet: Potentate of Terra (Print Courtesy of Kirton Games)

Bordering on a bit of treason as a British subject perhaps?

Lillibet: Potentate of Terra was a  free download stl made available on Youtube prior to Queen Elizabeth II's Platinum Jubilee.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y_xoSNluXgg

I downloaded the file but the first attempt I made to have it printed came to nothing as the ebay seller didn't possess the right sort of printer to smash the model out.

Fortunately, one of my favourite retailers, Kirton Games, now run a 3d printing service.

https://kirtongames.co.uk/pages/3d-printing-services

Send your file using the link provided, wait for the quote, decide if you want the model and boom!, wait for delivery.

Lillibet cost me just over £9.00 for printing plus the P&P on top and took less than a week.  As a bonus, I even received the misprinted version from Kirton Games' first attempt at printing the model so have some bits for mucking around with. Lillibet may even be assimilated with a Baneblade in the future.

 Next up, I may be looking at buying some stls from Wargames Atlantic, and obtaining quotes from Kirton Games for printing.

https://wargamesatlantic.com/collections/atlantic-digital

Imperial Breachers

I fought the temptation for a while but finally relented when Kirton Games was down to the last of the Imperial Agents Boarding Patrol boxes.

I've built up the first of the two Breacher squads that was in the box.  The nail colours are Contrast paints namely Space Wolf Grey and Ultramarines Blue.

 Why would they be on a planet?  

Bodyguard for the Fleet Officer maybe?

Honestly, This Is A Praetorian Blog!

My new Lightyear Armadillo dropships need to drop some troops.

Step forward another brave 55 Praetorian troopers.  This time, they are uniformed using a colour scheme inspired by 19th Century Royal Marines.  

This scheme uses Contrast Ultramarine Blue, Black Templar, Basilicanum Grey, Aggaros Dunes for the helmet, Snakebite Leather for webbing, Fleshtearer Red for piping and Nazdreg Yellow for epaulettes.

 I may run another figure through using Apothecary White for a Boxer War era tropical uniform before going for a batch painting extravaganza.

Ventrillian Nobles Field Ordnance

Seeing as I still have some sets left and because the six crew exactly matches the number of Pistoliers heads I have left, my Mk II Ventrillian force is receiving a pair of Malleus rocket launchers.

 Something I may look at is creating some additional pieces using the weapons mount for the Malleus launchers with a pair of lascannon mounted instead.  Some form of Tarantula or Sabre platfoem maybe? 

What To Do With A Growing Wargames Atlantic Bits Box?

I have dipped into my Les Grognards spares to come up with five converted seated gunners.

Why?  The answer is below.

First up though, I'll show the slight change I have made to the models.

I have cut a chunk out of the backside of the seated part before gluing the torso to it. For the purpose required, the model had to be in a semi-standing position.

This will allow these models to become pilots for the Lightyear Armadillo toys.

I haven't decided on the heads to use yet.  I have some of the 40K Imperial Breachers but I also have a fair few of the enclosed hazmat helmet heads from the Cannon Fodder sets.

 

I Completely Forgot About This Post

The Contrast paints work well on the Infantry models but I wasn't too sure about larger kits.

So far, this Dreadnought is the larget model I have used Contrast on. I'm not too happy with it and will have to consider using it with multiple thinner coats.  It's not that much of a problem. I'm not planning on giving my Howling Griffons any of the tanks seeing them as more of a faster strike force using Outriders and Invaders.

The Contrast paints have worked out fine on the Outrider and an Invader I have completed since.

 

Wargames Atlantic/ 40K Mashup: Plan For A Diorama Scenic Piece

As well as their plastic sets, Wargames Atlantic have a growing digital catalogue of 3d print files, some of which can be purchased as a physical product from Only Games (https://only-games.co/collections/wargames-atlantic). 

One of these sets is for civilian Cannon Fodder providing three new body pieces (seen below) and multiple tool carrying arms.

I plan on creating a scenic piece using Cannon Fodder to represent an Imperial Guard motor pool.  Basic upkeep on armoured vehicles being conducted by Guardsmen with an Enginseer looking over.

The Ridgehauler models came with tools as did the recent Rogal Dorn kits. Add in some ammo boxes, fuel drums and so on and I'll see what I can come up with. 

I may even look at converting a Munitorum Container to be the tool shed.
 

The Last Two Last Chancers

It was back to the Cannon Fodder sets to complete my last two Penal Legionaries.

First up is Warrior Woman.  In homage to the original 40K metal model, I have given her a Cannon Fodder female helmeted head.

Inspired by Ox, this model is carrying a Heavy Bolter from the new Cadian Heavy Weapons team which is nicelt scaled down from the previous versions. The drum magazines are from the Cannon Fodder set rather than lugging around a the original kits ammo box. He also has a backpack to carry spares.

 

Who Leads The Imperial Guard In The Grim Darkness Of The Far Future?

Why, Lord Commander Solar Arcadian Leontus of course.

To face the horrors of the Universe, nothing says bat-poo crazy like a Boss on a cyber horse (called Konstantin no less) urging soldiers on with a sword.

 I really need to find the time to throw together a new Army photo.

I just have to finish painting fourteen Ventrillian Nobles and consider starting 50 Praetorians based on a 19th century Royal Marines colour scheme to be transported by the five Lightyear Armadillo dropships.

Howling Griffons Reinforcements

I decided to jump back to some Marines as I continue the Imperium catch up.

As such, I speed batch painted a Combat Squad of Assault Intercessors using Contrast paints.

 I have an Invader ATV, a squad of Infiltrators and some Outriders to paint up and need to build a Firestrike turret.

After that, I may be in a position to do z Howling Griffins photo session and then, maybe, an Astartes Crusadd session with the Griffons, Silver Templars and Ultramarines. 

Space Marine Kitbashing

Following on from my subs to both Conquest and Imperium, I have a fair few Space Marine models kicking around.

I dipped into the Silver Templars following their creation and featuring in Conquest.

As Imperium has concluded, I found myself with a couple of sets of Marneus Calgar and Honour Guard. I bought these kits on initial release so my Ultramarines have a Primaris Calgar. 

As a result, I decided my Silver Templars could do with a Chapter Master and I have used Marneus Calgar as a base for the model.

The shield is from a spare Lieutenant and the sword comes from a spare Imperium exclusive Primaris Captain.  This reflects the Templars' background that sees them revering master crafted weapons and being good with a blade.