[40K] Imperial Guard - 1st Kildrech Crusaders, 18/06/13 - New Leman Russ alternatives. Options Rating

[Dono1979]

Hi all,

So with the virtual completion of my Black Templars - Kildrech Crusade (only waiting on a few little parts to finish off some models), I have started work on the accompanying Imperial Guard force; the 1st Kildrech Crusaders.

The Fluff:

Under the command of Colonel Drache, a combined Imperial Guard force made up of the 84th Vengeance and 31st Brimlocks launch a campaign to begin reclaiming worlds lost to the Tau in the Damocles Gulf. Targeting Kildrech as an initial insertion point for the invasion the Imperial Guard forces decimate the unprepared Tau presence on the world, securing it within weeks and creating a beach head to stage further sorties into the surrounding system.

During cleanup operations and the securing of a base of operations, a reconnasaince force from the 31st Brimlocks discovers an abandoned Black Templar keep. Knowing that there are Black Templar forces on campaign in the Sector (Punishment Crusade) Colonel Drache immediately informs the Astartes Chapter of the discovery via Astropathic comms, thinking that an active Templar Keep would be beneficial for the defence of their own base of operations.

The communique is acknolwedged and within weeks two thunderhawks arrive, delivering a contingent of Marines to reclaim and reactivate their slumbering fortress. No more than three days latter, the Tau forces launch a surpirse counter attack, catching the Imperial forces completely unprepared and causing huge casulaties amongst the scattered Guard units.

Rallying to the Templar Keep, the remaining Gaurd forces form a defensive perimeter around the ancient fortress using it as a solid backing to their defence. Although few in number, the Templars within the Keep spread themselves amongst the Imperial lines, lending superior force to the fight. By the time the Templar Techmarine managed to coax the Keeps Machine Spirit into activity and bring the void shields online, the Impieral losses are huge.

Even with the mighty defences of the Keep and their Astartes allies, the combined regiments of the Imperial Guard begin to buckle under the continious Xenos onslaught. Weeks of sorties and defensive counter attacks reduce both Guard regiments to under quarter strength a piece and the Templars themselves have lost fully half their numbers, with no Apothecary in the the lose of the geneseed is devastating. Although the Tau took equal, if not more, losses their numbers seemed unending and it would only be a matter of days before they breached the citadels defences.

Five weeks into the siege, the Tau forces gather themselves for a final asaault, commiting all their reserves to the attack; the defenders brace themselves for the coming end. However, before the Tau assault gathers any momentum, the sky splits and rains black steel as Drop Pod after Drop Pod hammers into the midst of the Tau forces. Additional Black Templar Thunderhawks carrying heavy armour descends and releases their zealous payloads in hastily secured landing zones.

Siezing the opputunity the besieged Imperial Forces rally out and smash into the shaken Tau forces. Within hours the Xenos scourge is broken and flees.

Even as the last remaining resistance is being crushed the Templar Marshal summons Colonel Drache to his forward command post. Having recieved a full background report on the Imperial Guards actions in defending the Templar Keep, the Astartes Marshal thanks the General for his sacrifice for the Emperor and grants him and all his surviving troops the honour of baring the Templar Cross upon their herladry so that all would know of his valour.

Humbled but inspired by the mighty Astartes soldiers around him, the Colonel gathers the reamining Imperial Guard forces and reforms them into a new regiment, the 1st Kildrech Crusaders, the Templar Cross being the centre piece to the new regiments heraldry. Remaining on Kildrech along with the Templars, the Crusaders continue their original mission; to cleanse the Kildrech system of Tau and reclaim the worlds for the Emperor.

This post has been edited by Dono1979: Yesterday, 09:19 PM

[Dono1979]

The army


HQ

Company Command Squad
- Commander
- Regimental Banner
- 4 Veteran Snipers
- Veteran Mortar Team
- Chimera

Mobile Field Command (counts as Company Command Squad)
- Captain (counts as Company Commander)
- 4 Veterans with Melta/Plasma guns
- Veteran Autocannon Team
- 2 Platoon Sergeants (counts as Bodyguards)
- Chimera

Leman Russ Command Tank

Lord Commisar

Black Templar Accolyte (counts as Ministorum Priest)

ELITES

2 x Storm Trooper Sections [can split into Fire Teams]
- Sergeant
- Corporal
- 2 Meltaguns/Plasmaguns
- 6 Troopers
- Valkyrie

TROOPS

3 x Platoon Command (Counts as Veteran Squad)
- Lieutenant holding a banner (counts as Veteran Sergeant)
- 3 Veterans with Grenade Launchers/Flamers/Meltaguns/Plasmaguns
- Veteran Autocannon Team
- 4 Veteran Troopers
- 1 Valkyrie
- 3 Chimeras

1 x Recruit Platoon (Counts as Infantry Platoon)
- Lieutenant holding a banner (Counts as Platoon Sergeant)
- 4 Troopers with Grenade Launchers/Flamers
- Autocannon Team
- 3 Sergeants (Counts as Squad Leaders)
- 3 Troopers with Grenade Launchers/Flamers
- 24 Troopers
- 6 Mortar Teams
- 3 Autocannon Teams
- Crassus Armoured Transport (WIP)

FAST ATTACK

6 x Sentinels

2 x Hellhounds

HEAVY SUPPORT

3 x Leman Russ

3 x Hydra Flak Tanks

3 x Manticore/Hydra Platforms

3 x Earthshaker Platforms

SUPER HEAVY

1 x Baneblade

1 x Malcador Infernus

1 x Valdor Tank Hunter

1 x Praetor Armoured Assault Launcher

IMPERIAL NAVY

2 x Arvus Lighters

2 x Lightnings

1 x Thunderbolt



I will be using a variety of non GW components to try and add a little uniqueness to the army;

Veterans will be armed with pulse rifles from Kabuki Models and they will have the Torso's from Kromlech.

The recruits will have the Torso's from Maxmini.

The Ministorum Preists will be from Zealot Miniatures.

This post has been edited by Dono1979: Mar 18 2013, 11:21 AM

[Dono1979]

Some of the existing painted models which I am incorporating into the army build:

Astropath:




Officer of the Fleet



Master of Ordnance



Primaris Psyker




Psyker



Commissars





This post has been edited by Dono1979: Jun 29 2011, 11:37 AM

[Dono1979]

Ok started work on some of the easier models (as I am trying to watch a 10 week old puppy at the same time).

Company Commander with Bolter:





Veteran Trooper:





Veteran Sergeant with Power Fist and Bolt Pistol, plus a banner for the hell of it:





This post has been edited by Dono1979: Jun 29 2011, 11:38 AM

[Dono1979]

Vehicles



Ok started modeling some of the special weapon guys this morning while the puppy was sleeping and just trying to work out a way to magnetise the special weapons onto a single guy so I can just swap them out to whatever I need, rather than having 12 guys instead of 3.

I wasnt getting much luck because all the supporting arms are different depending on the main gun being held. I really didnt want to have to magnetise both arms as they never seem to line up nicely enough and if I am going to go to that much trouble, thinking of just making all the varities in full form anyway.

the other thing I was thinking was that the walking squad would rarely have Melta guns so I could just give them flamers and grenades. The chimera squad would probably only ever have flamers or meltas, same as the valk squad.

Not sure what to do.

-Dono

This post has been edited by Dono1979: Jun 24 2011, 04:26 PM

[korocite]

Not sure what the answer is to your weapon swap problem. But I am very impressed with the new torsos, packs and basic weapon. Good call!

Steve

[Dono1979]

Yeah I really like the Kromlech Torso's they scream Carapace Armour and the packs are just great. Really give the campaign look. I am hoping that the Maxmini Torso look equally as good in their own way as Flak armour, from initial pictures I have seen they look pretty good.

I am going to try and model some of the guys holding the pulse rifle straight up in the air to show off the torso a little more. The biggest problem I have at the moment is that I have an abundance of right arms to attach the pulse rifle to, but have hardly any left arms. there are many left arm option in the IG Cadian stuff, nearly all of them are molded support arms attached to the lasgun.

I am thinking of making one sqaud running and fully supporting their guns, another squad about to enter Close Combat so they are weilding chain swords and the last squad in firing stances. Hopefully that way it will take the pressure off finding enough support arms.

-Dono

[Dono1979]

Trying to think what heads to put on the Cadian Snipers (counts as Ratlings). I have a heap of the command sniper arms with the cloak and was going to use them along with the Space Marine Scout heads, the ones with the night vision goggles. What are peoples thoughts?

Cheers
Dono

[Dono1979]

Just did a quick mock up of the main banner for the regiment, the colours represent; white on the base for the recruits being drawn up into the Regiment, Red on the left to represent the Fire Support and Garrison elements of the regiment, Blue in the top for the airborne divsion, Yellow on the right for the mobile and recon units.

The black cross represents the command structure and homage to the Black Templars whom the regiments fights alongside.

I am then wanting the banner to be pretty weathered and decorated similar to the Cadian one below it.




EDIT: Got some mockups of the Platoon/Squad banners as well, The first three are the Veteran sqauds there division colour plus black for veteran plus the black cross. The last three are the recruiting squads, white shields, so their divisional colour over white with a blank white shield.









-Dono

This post has been edited by Dono1979: Jun 29 2011, 11:38 AM

[Dono1979]

Managed to get a little bit more done in between puppy training and suchlike, I really like the look of the Kromlech torso's on the Veterans, just something a little different to the regular old GW Cadian torso's.

The Pulse Rifles are getting a little difficult to pose, the supporting hands are few and far between. considering arming the recruits with normal lasguns with bayonets to seperate them out from the veterans even more.





-Dono

This post has been edited by Dono1979: Jun 29 2011, 11:39 AM

[Dono1979]

Started work on the Mobile Squad (all the models will be in motion) last night and managed to get a few done, now waiting on some more pulse rifles to be delivered and/or the maxmini torso's to start on the Recruits.

Tried to make the heavy weapons crew moving the gun to fit with the rest of the squad, not quite what I was picturing in my mind but I am pretty happy with them. Once Korocite paints them up I am sure they will look pretty good.






Also did the Overseer for the Psyker Battle Squad, I wanted to try and make him pretty haughty and arrogant, just my way of picturing him.




And lastly did a couple of the drill sergeants who will be leading the Recruit squads (counts as penal Legions), again I wanted to make these guys a little cocky like unlike the rough and dirty Veterans.





Cheers
Dono

[Ronin]

Once again dono, your work is of the highest standard.

You have captured some great ideas into miniature form and I look forward to watching this army evolve the same way your templars did.

On the weapon swap arms, maybe a simple pin would work?? Theres enough meat in the lower shoulder part of those arms that you could easily keep arms in place. Especially if you use a drill bit thats a bees d1ck thinner than the rod you end up using.

Just an idea, is certainly less mucking around than magnetizing guard.

Cheers dude, Ronin

[Lextheimpaler]

Wow you are going to have a massice 40k collection. Well done on all the work. I paticularly love the broken down auto cannon being carried .

[Dono1979]

Thanks for the compliments guys, I am really happy with the way the teams are coming together, I have a really really solid idea in my mind, and I am wanting to try and transfer that into the models as much as possible. Basically on top of the initial fluff at the start I have worked out a propoer Org Structure for the army as well.

My apologies to those who are not into the fluff side of things, this is mainly for my own benefit to try and get the structure and idea on 'paper' and for others to look at and see any errors I may have over looked.

Basically it is taking influence from the British military Structure for a Company, the Company is led by a Major (with sufficient support and staff) and is split into three platoons. Each Platoon is led by a Lieutenant with a combat team and is split into four sections. Each section is made up of 10-12 soldiers, sometimes further split into 2 Fire Teams.

1st Kildrech Crusaders
1st Company

Head Quarters -
Company Command: Major Drache with support staff and advisors (Black Shoulder pads)
Mobile Field Command: Captain Wilton with Combat Team and Platoon Sergeants (Black Shoulder pads)
Psyker Section: Primaris Psyker and Psyker Battle Section
Administratum Staff: Ministorum Priests and Commissars

Righteous Platoon Airborne & Air Support
Platoon Command: Lieutenant with Combat Team in Valkyrie (Charcoal with Blue Stripe)
Alpha Section: 2 x Storm Trooper Fire Teams (Blue shoulder pads)
Bravo Section: Valkyrie/Vendetta Airwing (this is a Virtual section, no models...yet)
Charlie Section: Hydra Anti Air Section
Pity Section: Recruiting Section (White with Blue stripe)

Zeal Platoon Mobile and Rapid Response
Platoon Command: Lieutenant with Combat Team in Chimera (Charcoal with Yellow Stripe)
Alpha Section: 2 x OGRYN Suit Fire Team Fire Teams (Yellow shoulder pads)
Bravo Section: 2 x Rough Rider Fire Teams (Yellow shoulder pads)
Charlie Section: Mechanised Section (Sentinels and Hellhounds)
Penance Section: Recruiting Section (White with Yellow stripe)

Abhor Platoon Garrison and Fire Support
Platoon Command: Lieutenant with Combat Team (Charcoal with RedStripe)
Alpha Section: Snipers (Red shoulder pads)
Bravo Section: Snipers (Red shoulder pads)
Charlie Section: Armour Section (Leman Russ and Artillary)
Penance Section: Recruiting Section (White with Red stripe)


Cheers
Dono

This post has been edited by Dono1979: Jun 29 2011, 06:12 PM

[Lextheimpaler]

Just a quick comment on the fluff, if you are following RL force org platoons are usually led by a LT and the Capt is usually the company 2IC

[Dono1979]

Just a quick comment on the fluff, if you are following RL force org platoons are usually led by a LT and the Capt is usually the company 2IC

yep, that's what I have, each platoon led by an LT and the Company command is led by Major Drache and the Mobile feild command is led by Captain Wilton.

didnt really go into the fluff of the Section leaders, from memory they are Corp's? and then the fire teams I cant remember at all.

cheers!

Dono

[Lextheimpaler]

Each Platoon is led by a Captain with a combat team and is split into four sections.

Was refering to this, But still its good fluff keep it up

[Dono1979]

Was refering to this, But still its good fluff keep it up

Ahhh nice pickup, should definitely be LT! Thanks for that!

Cheers
Dono

[coolishdan]

i like the free hand work

[Dono1979]

The first free weekend in a long time! Managed to get a couple of hours modeling done this morning and will hopefully get some more done after lunch as well, looking to try and get the Command Squads completed and maybe even one of the Veteran Squads.

Here is the Company Command Squad completed less some trimming of green stuff, attaching some sniper scopes on the three snipers and the trimming of the customised sniper rifles.






Moving onto the mobile command squad now.

Cheers
Dono