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Tuesday, September 25, 2012

Duel Con Bound!

Hello all!
Well the clock is ticking down to Duel Con. I myself am going to begin the 11+ hour drive to Mesa, AZ tomorrow morning. Of course I had some work to finish up for the event. I had to finish an Ultramarine Devastator Squad and 2 Rhinos. 

Here they are.
I know the Heavy's and Sgt. are not on bases the client has bases he is going to put them on before the event.

Continuing with the markings I have been going with on the squad shoulder pads were carried onto the Rhinos. The white squad type symbol with black roman numerals denoting squad number over. These Rhinos are thoroughly magnetized. The cupola, the rear ramp, smoke launcher and top bay hatch are all magnetized. So these can become Razorbacks with just a few quick pieces changed out.

I am really happy with how this project is looking. Over the past few years there has been an evolution in painting Space Marines with an ultra realism of wear and weathering on their armor and equipment. I think many of the techniques have come from serious model building and model railroading finding it's place here in our Hobby. 

For those of my Blog followers whom are not immediately aware of the lore of the Warhammer 40,000 Universe (The game is set in the 41st Millennium), Space Marines are genetic super-humans that are created from genetically modified adolescent males to be protectors of mankind against aliens and evil forces that would see them wiped from existence. Space Marines could be seen as the medieval equivalent of knights wearing powered armor and carrying large guns standing eight feet tall. 
I have been involved in this hobby for almost 20 years and painting styles have evolved quite a bit. from a comic book look to an ultra realistic paint style. I am all one for showing some wear an tear if that army has a "story" about not getting proper supplies or fighting a protracted campaign. 

However, The Ultramarines is supposed to be a well supplied Chapter of Marines. Even in The Horus Heresy series of books that is supposed to take place around ten thousand years before the game setting they mention that when the Space Marines are not in war, they are preparing for it. Maintaining their martial prowess, repairing their armor, and repainting over the repairs made.

Also the colors and markings of the Space Marines armor can be considered as their form of heraldry. Squad rolls have specific marks. For the Ultramarines an arrow denotes a Tactical Squad, a upward pointing chevron denotes a Devastator Squad, and crossed double headed arrows denotes an assault squad. I used to think, why are they not camouflaged? Well if I apply the thought that they are the futuristic Knights of Mankind and the armor they wear is the heraldry of the banners and caparisons on the horses of the medieval knights.

Enough of this early morning rant on the ultra realism that has made it's appearance in the hobby of Warhammer 40k. 

Stay posted I will be trying to update from Duel Con later this week. Until then, be good!