Yeti's Old Valhalla Army Overhaul Blog

[Gabriel Lupus]

I think the red would have been fine if his coat had been darker - closer to, though not neccessarily, black. As for the yellow/gold frogging of the commissar's coat, I find it works nicely to blend into a bit of bleached bone towards the ends.

After all, you should remember that Commissars are supposed to stand out a bit, so the troops can easily see (and fear) them

[Yeti's Yell]

Oct 23, 2010 5:03:18 GMT -5 Gabriel Lupus said:

I think the red would have been fine if his coat had been darker - closer to, though not neccessarily, black. As for the yellow/gold frogging of the commissar's coat, I find it works nicely to blend into a bit of bleached bone towards the ends.

After all, you should remember that Commissars are supposed to stand out a bit, so the troops can easily see (and fear) them

Good points, thanks Gabriel Lupus. I think what I'm going to do is get another commissar primed up and try a different scheme. Whichever looks better, the other gets the strip bath.

[Yeti's Yell]

Ok, as promised, here is a "before" shot of the Hardened Vets. They are armed with lasguns, shotguns, meltabombs, a vox and a demo charge (on the back of one of the shotgunners.)

Nothing terribly special here, save for the Necromunda bodies and pig iron heads. I have to say, the casts on these were terrible and tricky to get clean. Even after filing I noticed that I missed some mold lines. Ah well. I'll be staining them tonight and hopefully they'll come out like the rest. I do intend on giving them some glowing eyes but haven't decided on red or green.

[Dedrier]

I vote for green.

I can't wait to see how they look after a good wash.

[Yeti's Yell]

Green it is, Dedrier.



Ok, first round of the vets are done. I say that becuase they don't look finished to me, even after stain. I think it is the chests. Their coats are obviously open and so I'm thinking of continuing the grey of the headcoverings down, like they have on bodygloves underneath.



All together, they aren't bad and I'm satisfied. I do have to say, they didn't pop the way I thought they would. Also, these Necromunda models are smaller than their 40K brothers and that irks me a tad. I thought by bulking them with pouches and packs they wouldn't seem so small. It isn't a deal breaker but is still slightly disappointing.






Up next: basing the lot and then priming another squad as well as a look at the Company Command Squad.

[Gabriel Lupus]

They certainly work as an additional source of "Valhallan"-esque models though - the coats being open just helps set apart the squads unique side. I do agree with the bodies though. Nice dark/drab grey to give the impression of some form of thermals would look groovy.

[Dedrier]

Yes, keeping going with the gray. Other than that they look great! The eyes pop right out of the miniature. It is a nice change to see Vets that aren't a huge departure from the normal troops in an army.

[Trooper One-Nine-Seven-Four]

I love how the old Delaque gangers look with the head swaps! Totally subtle, yet amazing conversions!

With your Commissar, I'd also suggest darkening his coat, maybe even making it black, and doing some black washes to tone down the red if you aren't happy with it. However, I think that the red you have now would look really good trimming a black coat.

[Yeti's Yell]

Thanks Dedrier and G.L. I appreciate the feedback. I will definitly take the grey down their chests, asap. I think that may fix them up and maybe make them look a bit bigger too.

Sidetrack: So I herniated a disc on Sunday night, rendering me down to bedrest, muscle relaxers and physical therapy staring tommorow (Thursday.) It galls me to be off of work so much and yet not be able to build/paint at all.

Besides the vet I have in progress for the painting comp (not like those almost completed above) I have a few things on the table.

When I can get back to painting, perhaps next week dependant on the tremors in my limbs, I can either start work on:

A. The Platoon Command Squad
b. Slightly converted Eversor Assassin.

You guys call it and I'll hook up whatever you guys say. Remember, my goal is 50 painted guardsmen by Christmas and I'm already at 35, so no sweat on taking the sideline for injury...

[Yeti's Yell]

Oct 27, 2010 17:48:41 GMT -5 Trooper One-Nine-Seven-Four said:

I love how the old Delaque gangers look with the head swaps! Totally subtle, yet amazing conversions!

With your Commissar, I'd also suggest darkening his coat, maybe even making it black, and doing some black washes to tone down the red if you aren't happy with it. However, I think that the red you have now would look really good trimming a black coat.

Thanks for the crit. Trooper! One thing I'll say for the grey as far as choices go, it is easier for a model to look cold when it is grey than when it is black, hence my decision, but so far people seem to want to see it darker so I'll see what I can do. I have 4 more commisars and Yarrik in the wings too so the time is now to get it right. Thanks again!

[Trooper One-Nine-Seven-Four]

My vote is for the Platoon Command Squad! I want to see more of your Valhallan troopers. I just went back and looked through the rest of the thread, and your vehicles are particularly stunning. The rest of your minis look great too--I love the old Valhallan minis.

I'm sorry to hear about your injury, and I hope that you heal up as quickly as possible, do well in PT, and get back to painting amazing models soon!

[Dedrier]

Oct 27, 2010 17:54:33 GMT -5 Yeti's Yell said:

Thanks Dedrier and G.L. I appreciate the feedback. I will definitly take the grey down their chests, asap. I think that may fix them up and maybe make them look a bit bigger too.

Sidetrack: So I herniated a disc on Sunday night, rendering me down to bedrest, muscle relaxers and physical therapy staring tommorow (Thursday.) It galls me to be off of work so much and yet not be able to build/paint at all.

Besides the vet I have in progress for the painting comp (not like those almost completed above) I have a few things on the table.

When I can get back to painting, perhaps next week dependant on the tremors in my limbs, I can either start work on:

A. The Platoon Command Squad
b. Slightly converted Eversor Assassin.

You guys call it and I'll hook up whatever you guys say. Remember, my goal is 50 painted guardsmen by Christmas and I'm already at 35, so no sweat on taking the sideline for injury...

Whatever you do, don't push an injury like that. Worst thing that can happen is that it doesn't heal properly and you end up having tremors and pain for the rest of your life. Take it easy buddy!

[Gabriel Lupus]

Pain for the rest of your life is not good. In ANY way... believe me.

My advice/suggestion: Paint the command squad - As much as I'd like to see the conversion of the Assassin, it always seems best to save such "treats" for after you've finished the "less interesting" stuff (not that I'm suggesting your Valhallans are less interesting, just that "characters" are more fun to paint than "rank and file"...)

But first off, make sure your better or at least well on the way to being better.

[Yeti's Yell]

Thanks Trooper, Dedrier, D.L. and everyone for the well wishes. No worries, I'm taking it easy. PT is going well already.

I haven't painted anything after these vets but pulled out what I'll probably use as the PCS for the next paint session. In all, not many models needed there so I should be able to hammer through them in the next two weeks.

In the meantime I'll keep lurking around the forums since I'm mostly in bed now.

Here are a few shots from that first shoot with the vets... pics came out good but this is where I could see they needed grey shirts...

FLANK LEFT!

CONTACT FRONT! (w/ Pig Iron pouches and Tamiya vehicle stowage pack)

On Point w/ Demo charge

Racked and Ready


So this should be it for these guys for now. I may do another group shot when I touch up the shirts later but for now, on to other thiings.

[Dedrier]

Thanks Trooper, Dedrier, D.L. and everyone for the well wishes. No worries, I'm taking it easy. PT is going well already.

I haven't painted anything after these vets but pulled out what I'll probably use as the PCS for the next paint session. In all, not many models needed there so I should be able to hammer through them in the next two weeks.

In the meantime I'll keep lurking around the forums since I'm mostly in bed now.

So this should be it for these guys for now. I may do another group shot when I touch up the shirts later but for now, on to other thiings.

[/quote]

They are looking good, Yeti! And don't just lurk, put your $.02 in. It is always appreciated unless you are a troll. I don't think you are though. Unless I am mistaken, Yetis are in the same genus as Sasquatchi.

[Yeti's Yell]

Oct 29, 2010 20:30:07 GMT -5 Dedrier said:

And don't just lurk, put your $.02 in. It is always appreciated unless you are a troll. I don't think you are though. Unless I am mistaken, Yetis are in the same genus as Sasquatchi.

Classic!

[Yeti's Yell]

Just a Halloween update on some WIP stuff since I’m not painting this week.

Mock Ups/WIP

2 Commanders, the one on the left is intended to be a Company Commander and one on the right, the Platoon Commander. The former will probably end up a second Platoon Commander when my “real” Company Commander is done being converted/updated. Both of these guys will get the strip bath before priming.



Here is a Salamander variant for the PCS. I mounted the observation deck above the Chimera’s troop bay instead of in it. It looks like it can hold about 6 guys in the bay, perfect for the PCS. There is a mount for the old style box HK system on the starboard side. The multilaser is kitbashed and the Valhallan gunner is part heavy weapon crewman, part trooper and some greenstuff. I modeled some pouches to hide the seam at his waist. I’m still torn on what hull weapon it should get.






Here is my Ministorum Priest with Eviscerator all mocked up. I had to use this guy because I had used him previously in games last codex (unpainted obviously.) He was always the last guy alive in his squad and killed so many clutch things I can’t even begin to list; can’t leave the old coot behind. Yup, he’s mostly bionic.




Two Leman turrets built and primed; I have 3 Lemans already painted but only one had a standard BC turret. You can see my “Pask” in the cupola. He’ll be holding binocs when he gets painted. He can come out of the turret too.




And here is my scratch built Thud gun, made out of old bitz. I really wanted one of these as a center piece to my mortar-heavy theme in my infantry company. I planned on using this as a “counts as” mortar heavy weapons squad, that being the gun itself and 6 troopers. I'll probably rebase this or skip it and just get the sweet FW model. BTW, the guy with the stick will have a pennant attached to it. I have a bunch of these guys built for the various squads to differentiate them and add some WW1-WW2 flavor. His "big" hand is exaggerated in the pic since it is right at the lens... it doesn't look nearly that big in person.



Finally, some mortars knocked together. A question: Is it still generally acceptable according to the rules to have the squads based like this or am I supposed to be putting HW squads on the bigger bases?

[Gabriel Lupus]

Nice update - and some groovy looking models as usual

As for heavy weapons teams, technically they're supposed to be on a single large base, but as usual, if you explain it to your opponent they shouldn't have a problem. You can always move them onto larger bases later (plus I figured with mine that I'd keep the loader on a second base on top of the large base - that way he can be removed when the team takes a wound). It's one of those daft issues that has arisen with the new codex...

[fatuous]

Wow, seems I've missed loads of updated All looking really good.

1st off, commissars. really like teh one that you have done, but I'd rewash the coat with a blackwash or even 2 or 3 coats, till it dulls down and goes a bit blacker, butthat is just me. The red I thought looked pretty cool.

Love the tank turret that heavy stubber looks ace!!!!!!!

The slightly slammer modesl that is annoying. Only real options are like you say bulk them out a bit, or...... You can build up their bases as little so at least they look the right hieght, but that may only half fix the problem....

More nice work there tho

[Trooper One-Nine-Seven-Four]

I am loving your vehicles! The Salamander is especially sweet looking, and on your Leman Russ turret: is that an Escher heavy stubber that I see? Awesome conversion!

[Yeti's Yell]

Nov 1, 2010 4:42:53 GMT -5 Gabriel Lupus said:

You can always move them onto larger bases later

Great point. I'm doing that, nice and simple, thanks!

Nov 1, 2010 9:56:24 GMT -5 fatuous said:

1st off, commissars. really like teh one that you have done, but I'd rewash the coat with a blackwash or even 2 or 3 coats, till it dulls down and goes a bit blacker, butthat is just me. The red I thought looked pretty cool.

Yeah, I hear you. As I said before, grey looks colder than black but I think you guys are convincing me it has to be darker. Maybe I'll play with that this weekend. Thanks Fatuous.

Nov 2, 2010 19:02:19 GMT -5 Trooper One-Nine-Seven-Four said:

I am loving your vehicles! The Salamander is especially sweet looking, and on your Leman Russ turret: is that an Escher heavy stubber that I see? Awesome conversion!

Good eye, Trooper! I have all of my heavy stubbers like this, all from the first time you could take them in a codex. I bought about 20 of them as bitz on Games Day long ago. They are small compared to modern, plastic stubbers but I think they still look cool. They are part second gen bolter, marine backpack, stubber and paperclip.

As a short update, I textured the bases of all of the 35 painted models I have done so far, I should have them finished with snow soon. Platoon Command squad models were soaked in Pine Sol and based again, ready for priming.

Best,

Yeti

[Gabriel Lupus]

It's little details, such as home made/converted stubbers that help to individualise your force - and those are certainly tasty looking effective versions you've got there.

[Trooper One-Nine-Seven-Four]

Yup! I have an Escher heavy stubber on each of two Rocket Girls from the Last Chancers set. One is a platoon commander, and the other is my Executioner tank commander. I love the look of the old Escher heavy stubber--it looks pretty much just like a German MG-34!

[Yeti's Yell]

Ok, I took the recoup time I have to base all of the minis I have painted so far, so that makes 3 squads done plus change.

You’ve seen pics of these guys already; here are a few fast group shots with the bases done…

A Squad

B Squad

Demolition Vet Squad ( I gave them the grey bodygloves beneath their warcoats as I said I would)

Primaris Psyker

Commissar (I darkened him as suggested)

V.I.P. (Objective Marker)

Valhallan “Sly Marbo”


Up next, my updated Hellhound. On the painting table: Platoon Command Squad.

[Gabriel Lupus]

Commissar looks so much better!

In fact, the whole lot looks really good... they're going to be really striking as a whole army.

_{curse you for living in Philadelphia and not the UK}