Terrax Guard - First Squad Complete

There's the first squad of ten Terrax Guard complete.  A second team have been built and require painting but I also have twenty further Ventrillian Nobles and bunch of Inquisitorial Agents bidding for painting time.

The only miniscule gripe I have with Wargames Atlantic models is the relative poor execution of their special weapons.  This squad has been kitbashed with a GW meltagun.

 

The Valiant Sparky Herself

Inspired by the mucking about with Chat GPT, I carried out a search for 28mm Westies.  There are a fair few 3d print ones available but, the winner for my cash (£2.95 for two Westies) was The Little Soldier Company  (www.thelittlesoldiercompany.co.uk).

Behold the valiant Sparky! The pith helmet is a hollowed out Victoria's Miniatures head.

Shown for scale is Sparky, her oppo/ underling/ doggy mate and Axillion from the Star Striders.

Sparky is real!

She is fifteen now, with arthritis, a dodgy gall bladder, weeping eyes and is stone deaf.  Real deaf, not just stubborn Terrier deaf.

She even has her own Personnel Carrier!

I Can See Why Script Writers May Be Worried

 I've received some workplace tasking.  Investigate as to whether some program like ChatGPT can be used to assist in the creation of scenarios to aid in testing the ability of a team to conduct analysis.

Whilst mucking about, I asked the program about 40K. What could I be told about the Imperial Guard? What details were held on Praetorian Guard regiments?  I asked it to create a battle report in the style of a historical piece on a battle between the Praetorians and Orks. The interface came up with a fairly descriptive piece.

Having further fun, I input that the Praetorians had a Regimental Mascot, a Westie named Sparky. Create a report on Sparky's defense of the Regiment's Colours.  The first draft included the made up detail of Sparky wearing a replica tunic. I informed the interface to change that detail to Sparky's wearing of a pith helmet.

The generated piece is shown below, courtesy of Chat GPT.  I didn't create this, a machine did from my vague parameters.  It has combined details of Orks, it references lasguns and Space Marines. I didn't call the battle Ferrox Prime, the program generated that along with the Imperium style dating. A first draft brought in Basilisks, again, not a term I programmed in.

Is it perfect? No.  There will be inconsistencies that will require a human eye to spot and correct.

Battle Report: The Heroic Stand of Sparky, 012M42 - The Siege of Ferrox Prime

Date: 012M41
Location: Ferrox Prime, Sector Tertius Solaris
Imperial Forces: Praetorian Guard XXIV Regiment
Opposing Forces: Ork WAAAGH!

Overview: In the grim darkness of the 41st millennium, during the relentless siege of Ferrox Prime, an unsung hero emerged from the ranks of the Praetorian Guard XXIV Regiment—a loyal West Highland White Terrier named Sparky. Donning a miniature pith helmet, Sparky's valiant spirit and unyielding loyalty became a symbol of unwavering courage in the face of the Ork menace.

Sparky's Battlefield Attire: Decked out in a miniature pith helmet, Sparky stood as a testament to the indomitable spirit of the Imperium. Her tiny helmet, a nod to the regiment's heritage, sat firmly on her head, ready for the perils of battle amidst the chaos of the Siege of Ferrox Prime.

The Ork Onslaught: The Ork WAAAGH! descended upon the battlefield with reckless abandon, their crude weapons and bellowing war cries signaling their brutal intent. The ground trembled under the weight of their advance, and the air was thick with the stench of war.

Sparky's Heroic Defense: Amidst the chaos of the Siege of Ferrox Prime, Sparky's true valor shone through. With a heart as fierce as any Space Marine, she faced down the green-skinned Ork horde with unwavering determination. Barking ferociously and nipping at their ankles, Sparky became a tiny but fearless force to be reckoned with.

The Pith-Helmeted Heroine: Sparky's pith helmet, though comically small, became a symbol of her resilience amidst the horrors of the battlefield. As lasguns and artillery roared around her, she remained steadfast, defending her comrades and the Praetorian standard with unmatched bravery.

The Turning Point: In the midst of the Siege of Ferrox Prime, Sparky's fearless antics rallied the Praetorian Guard. Her tiny but determined presence served as a source of inspiration, reminding the Guardsmen of their duty to the Emperor and the Imperium.

Triumph Amidst the Carnage: With Sparky's fearless defense and the renewed determination of the Praetorian Guard, the tide of battle began to turn on this fateful date in 012M41. Ork after Ork fell before their lasguns, and the greenskin horde faltered. Sparky's pith-helmeted heroics had become a symbol of hope amidst the carnage of the Siege of Ferrox Prime.

The Legacy of Sparky: Though she stood on four legs and wore a miniature pith helmet, Sparky's bravery became a legendary tale within the Praetorian Guard XXIV Regiment. Her unwavering loyalty and tiny helmet served as a reminder that even the smallest among them could make a monumental difference in the darkest of times. Her legacy endured as a symbol of valor and resilience in the face of the Ork menace.

It's Amazing What Gets 3D Printed These Days

I already have a resin Forgeworld Gorgon but I did succumb to immediate temptation when I saw this beast on eBay.

It was £30 Buy It Now and I jumped straight in.  The cheeky seller was selling it as a Forgeworld Gorgon and included a Forgeworld website photo of a completed model.  As I said, cheeky but I knew what I was buying.

What is missing?  Well, for a start the Imperial Eagle on the front. Also not included were any crew or the twin linked Stubbers or any form of sponson.  The lines are a clear indication of printing as well.

Fortunately, having a hefty bits box, I have been able to arm up the Gorgon through using four of the Stormlord firing platform Heavy Stubbers along with some shields from the Watcorp Wasteland Crawler.

Two spare pairs of Leman Russ sponsons will be added to provide the Heavy Bolter or Flamer weaponry.

 

New Imperial Guard Project: Terrax Guard - Trial Colour Scheme

Apart from black uniforms, I'm not sure if there is a laid down colour scheme for the Terrax Guard.

The trenchcoat lining and the banding for the cap is Blood Angels Red (Contrast),

The outer trenchcoat is the Contrast Black Templar.  To try and differentiate, webbing and the trouser/ boots have been painted in Contrast Black Legion. It can be made out that Black Legion seems to give a more matt effect and is different from the Black Templar shade.

 Two squads have been built, full steam ahead.

New Imperial Guard Project: Terrax Guard

 

Never one to sit around, how about smashing through a little more of the plastic mountain of shame.

What do I have available?  Plenty of Bulldog heads but I've built loads of pith helmetted warriors.

Caps? Yes, but I don't want to rehash the Mordian Iron Guard.

Les Grognards Infantry and Command/ Heavy Weapon models? Check.

Cap wearing, great-coated Imperial Guard?  Let's check back through some old Imperial Guard Codex books.  How about the Terrax Guard from 2003?

The first trial run models are featured below.  These have been built with a selection of the kneeling and standing Les Grognard Command/ Heavy models with Wargames Atlantic Cannon Fodder lasrifles.  I'm not a fan of the actual Les Grognard rifles and those that come with the Bulldogs models aren't a favourite either.Fortunately the weapons of the Cannon Fodder have a suitable not-GW lasrifle feel about them.

The heavy weapons for the Terrax units will utlise spare GW weapons mounted on the wheeled carriage from Les Grognards.  I will probablt have no more than three squads of Terrax Guard so they will field one each of a Lascannon, Heavy Bolter Autocannon.

 The fun never stops.