Tactical Squad Complete!

So last October I discussed the new paint scheme that I'm pursuing with my Dark Angels. I started with a tactical squad from one of the box sets and have finished it. Since then, I've also bought a Vindicator, which is currently outfitted as a Rhino and included below.



The paint scheme has really turned out to my pleasure, though it looks a bit brighter in these camera shots than it usually does in the grim darkness of my home. I find that the mixed, heraldic look has nice table presence, also.



Above and below, you can see that some of the power packs are Dark Angels-specific bits that I scored from a buddy down here who got the DA sprues to liven up his chaos marines. Particularly with these rank and file, simply-posed marines, the packs bring just enough variation without being gaudy. (At least not within this context - golden skulls with swords through them are unfortunately not everyone's cup of tea.)



Here, we have the sergeant, who I've named for Sgt. Tarkus, in 40k's Dawn of War II. Bald, pragmatic and effective, I hope my Sgt. will take after his namesake on the table. It's not very clear here, but this is probably my most successful face paint job.



Next up are a couple pics of the Rhino. It's taken a lot of work to get to a point where I dig it. Color choices and patterns really weren't doing much for me at first, but some of the painted-on effects such as the tactical arrow and heavy weapons blast in red and the caution stripes, along with the large purity seals on the front, have brought it together for me. Even now, it may have some work ahead of it, like throwing some dirt onto those treads.



A cool thing about this model is that it is actually a Vindicator tank, which happens to come with all of the necessary Rhino bits - as well as the body modifications to turn it into a Predator - though it is missing a turret. I'll post soon about the magnetizing and prep that I've gone through to make this body an interchangeable base for either tank type.



Next up, you may have noticed the downed imperial ship in the background. This is one of five pieces included in the Battle for Macragge box set. It's turned out very well, though it looks a bit like a spacewolf ship without my intending to do so.



It offers a bit of detail work here with the port engine laid open. Again, the caution stripes do a lot for me in this piece by drawing the eye from the body and rubble, right into the heart of the model.



Lastly, I have finished the first five of my Deathwing terminators, first seen last October. I'm only now realizing that I never put anything on the scroll of my Sgt's chest.... I guess I'll have to give that some thought, or at least give it a weathered look. I'm trying to minimize the number of gaunt, bald, white guys I bring to a game, so I gave this Deathwing officer some style.



I'll check back soon with the Vindicator and some other forms of transport!