Millest’s Monthly Workbench - March Commitment

Millest’s Monthly Workbench - Febuary Commitment

So after last months success I intended to keep up the pace this month and expand the armour and airsoft gear, this however failed. Life got busy with odds and sods and working away for two weeks. Whilst I got two amazing weekends of airsoft in, i can highly recommend the UCAP sandpit site, so unfortunately no progress this month. This means though that March can be a busy month.

Workbench commitment for March 2013
So once again this month we have the tanks! I have a total of 4 Russes to build and magnatise. These are all Alpha pattern Forgeworld russes with the appropriate turrets, although I have 5 turrets as I plan to convert one for my commissar. In addition I have plastic Turrets as extras for them all to allow for some fun and games.
So this months commitment consists of the following:

• Build 4 x Leman Russ
• Build Additional Exterminator turrets
• Build Additional Russ turrets
• paint and reassemble mich

Overall i think a manageable goal so please do keep an eye on the blog for progress over the coming weeks.
Thanks

Millest’s Monthly Workbench - Febuary Commitment

Millest’s Monthly Workbench - Febuary Commitment

So after last months success I intend to keep up the pace this month and expand the armour and airsoft gear.

Workbench commitment for January 2013
So once again this month we have the tanks! I have a total of 4 Russes to build and magnatise. These are all Alpha pattern Forgeworld russes with the appropriate turrets, although I have 5 turrets as I plan to convert one for my commissar. In addition I have plastic Turrets as extras for them all to allow for some fun and games.
So this months commitment consists of the following:

• Build 4 x Leman Russ
• Build Additional Exterminator turrets
• Build Additional Russ turrets
• paint and reassemble mich

Overall i think a manageable goal so please do keep an eye on the blog for progress over the coming weeks.
Thanks

Millest’s Monthly Workbench - January Update

Millest’s Monthly Workbench - January Update

First update of a new year commitment and I think Ive managed it, was a struggle with work and travel but i think I've done well.

Workbench update
So this months commitment consisted of the following:

• Build chimera - completed
• Build Manticore - completed
• Build 3 x hellhound - completed
• paint and reassemble fast ops helmet - completed
• paint and reassemble mich  - partially completed

As you can see a pretty successful month with pretty much everything I set out to complete getting done, the tanks went together perfectly and the magnetisation was easy, as you can see below:

All the chimeras in the lower picture have not only their multilaser turrets but forgeworld autocannon turrets and out of shot a flamer turret each as well - for any eventuality. All the tanks have magnets in the front to allow for changing out the hull mounts should I need to. There is some small detailing i want to finish (when the bits arrive) such as track guards but all are ready for spraying once the Russes are complete.

The helmet after a brief sand down and buff didn't need painting and the finished article looks great, more on this in a future post, the only downside was that the Mich2000 didn't get completed. It got an initial coat of paint but then the weather turned and I couldn't spray, hopefully this weekend that might be rectified.
So overall quite pleased but really need to get it stepped up a gear for 2013.
Thanks

Millest’s Monthly Workbench - December Update and January Commitment - 08.01.13

Millest’s Monthly Workbench - December Update and Janurary Commitment

First update of the new year and first up, hope you all had a good Christmas or other holiday and that the new year was a pleasant start to 2013 for you all. So folks this months update and commitment will be a nice short one so enjoy and feel free to share your own hobby commitments. So time for the first realistic goal (I hope) of 2013.

Workbench update
So December was an odd month again hobbywise, got done mostly everything I wanted but the weather precluded spraying my helmets and being in the new house I didn't think stinking the place out with krylon was a good idea, so here is the brief round up:

• Tome of Fire - read
• The  Siege of Castellax - read
• Build 2 x chimera completed
• remove trades from 2 x rifle - turns out i had official G36 real steel trades on my Kv but only airsoft H&K style trades (very close to real thing) on my Cv
• assemble and complete fast ops helmet - the helmet was stripped and all parts test fitted but couldn't spray due to the weather.
• strip and start updating mich - the helmet was stripped and all parts test fitted but the rails didnt fit, now for sale and ordering msa rails, also couldn't spray due to the weather.
• sell no longer used airsoft kit - all done (apart from 2 warrior pouches in MC)

As you can see a pretty successful month with pretty much everything I set out to complete getting done, overall quite pleased but really need to get it stepped up a gear for 2013.

Workbench commitment for January 2013
So once again this month we have the tanks! I have a third chimera to build, once completed I shall be looking to complete my manticore and start on some hellhounds. Once built I will see about getting some pics on the blog.
Again more reading but I wont be adding this to the official commitments list as i will be doing way too much reading as normal so would fill the list.
Finally I intend (weather and shed space dependant) getting the two helmets prepped and painted prior to going to the sandpit on the 20th of the month.
Whilst I appreciate this doesn't seem like a huge goal for the month I unfortunately will be on jury service to two weeks of the month (maybe even longer but hopefully not) and if the jury service ends on time I will be away training people for at least a week, followed by a trip to nottingham at the start of feb (though only for work worse luck), with that in mind I think my plans are manageable and goes a good way to getting things moving.

So this months commitment consists of the following:

• Build chimera
• Build Manticore
• Build 3 x hellhound (potentially)
• paint and reassemble fast ops helmet
• paint and reassemble mich

Overall i think a manageable goal so please do keep an eye on the blog for progress over the coming weeks.
Thanks

Millest’s Monthly Workbench - 28.11.12

Millest’s Monthly Workbench

 

So folks after debating it on a few of the news groups, forums and facebook pages, as well as with some advice from some of you guys on the blog I have decided to drop the workbench commitments from fortnightly to monthly. It has been suggested by others using this format to get things done that fortnightly doesnt give time to get things dont and your more likely to become overwhelmed (and i agree) so I have decided to set more realistic targets for myself of monthly goals. So time for the first realistic goal (I hope).

Workbench update
Once again the previous two weeks for me were very busy with not only Dan's (the blogs resident ultramarine player) wedding but with general work. Happily all the reading slated for completion, Flesh of Cretacia, Old soliders never die and the Black Library Weekender Volumes 1 and 2, was finished as expected. In addition I have made a start on Tome of Fire  this week and am looking forward to completing it.
Unfortunately however the physical hobby side of things didnt pan out the way I wanted with only the additional turrets getting built. The main bodies of the tanks are still on sprues so this will roll over to this commitment.

Workbench commitment for December 2012
So once again this fortnight we have the chimera, once their completed I shall see about getting some pics on the blog.
Again more reading in the form of Tome of Fire and The Seige of Castellax on the horizon, not only that but i have just ordered the new campaign book and hopefully that should be here soon.

This month also sees some Airsoft action taking place. Not only will i be removing the airsoft trades from my toys, so expect some new pictures of my rifles for the airsoft armoury, but I also intend to Start work on my new helmet and bringing my old mich up to date with a new paint scheme and the latest accessories. I wont post pictures of them here but i will be posting some pre and post pictures over the week, This work is unfortunately dependant on parts coming from overseas for the Mich (and to a lesser degree on the fast helmet) but all being well we should have some progress soon. This does also mean i need to sort out my remaining kit and the parts from  my helmets etc i wont use and sell them (so if anyone needs anything let me know and i can let you have a list) to help cover the costs of other parts i need.

So this months commitment consists of the following:

• Tome of Fire
• Ther Siege of Castellax
• Build 2 x chimera
• remove trades from 2 x rifle
• assemble and complete fast ops helmet
• strip and start updating mich
• sell no longer used airsoft kit

Overall i think a manageble goal and one that should work well now we are on a monthly system. It also gives me a simpler way to check what i need to do. Next work bench update will be at the end of December but keep an eye on the blog for progress over the coming weeks.
Thanks

The Airsoft Armoury - M249 Project

As promised a while back here are some pics of the provisionally completed and upgrades M249 Para version. There hasn't been much external alteration, in all there has been the addition of the 552 holosight and a mk1 length external barrel. Externally I think she's pretty much complete though i would love to add a lower ris to her eventually.
internally she has a new longer tight bore inner barrel, that has almost doubled her range. she has a new piston, seals and hop unit. The final most important upgrade is a new M120 hi-speed motor, the rate of fire is now unbelievable and results in a solid string of plastic between you and the target when you pull the trigger, I will try to get some videos up eventually comparing the two!
so here's the pics, hope you enjoy and if you have any questions please let me know.

Storm Trooper Specialists - Squad Support Weapon - Conversion Corner

Following on from the Storm Trooper Command Medic next is the latest in my Kasrkin based conversion. This is my heavy weapon gunner for the squad, Heavy Bolter trooper, I intend to tie him in on a senic large base (with two small bases on) with a removable squad buddy.

This model uses a normal Kasrkin model tied in with a slightly modified Space Marine heavy bolter. There are some small modifications to to Heavy Bolter but nothing too major so it still looks like what it is. Using the Heavy bolter in this format was decided as I though if their Inquistion Inducted they are going to have access to the best kit, and what better kit could you want then a Heavy Bolter with suspensor fields. so folks here he is:

Squad Weapons Specialist Kraftig

A little more involved as a conversion but not majorly so. Once I've aquired some FW bits, CoD bits and a large base I should be able to mount this chap up with on a base with Trooper Barare and some ammo crates. Any veiws and thoughts would be great, hopefully once I've had some practice at digital camo painting I'll be able to make a start on this.

Also to answer a few emails, for the names of these Squad troopers I came up with them by sticking some appropriate words in to an english-swedish translator, just gives some extra spice rather then the normal latin names we get in 40k.

Storm Trooper Specialists - Squad Medic - Conversion Corner

Hi Folks

second post of the day, decided now was a good time to show you the first of my Storm Trooper Specialists. I've decided to run my Inquisitional Inducted Imperial Guard with a command sqaud all decked out in Carapace/Storm Trooper Armour to beef them up and make them stand out more from the platoon command squads. My theory being if the officers are that good the Inquisitor will give them the best equipment to stay alive that little longer.

So here is the first of my command squad specialists:

Medic Bota

I know its only a simple conversion thats not quite finished, just need to add a green stuff helix to the right shoulder pad and one to the pouch on the rear but for the most part its finished. I make no apologies for it being so simple as this models true identifying features to make him stand out more as a medic will be in the final paint work, once I get round to it.

Hope you like him and let me know any thoughts you have on him.

Storm Trooper Sergeants Part 2 - Conversion Corner

Hi Folks

As promised part two of my selection of converted Storm Trooper Veterans and Officers.

Vet Sergeant Telum - Bolt Pistol and Head Conversion

Vet Sergeant Procella - Storm Bolter, Scanner and Head Conversion

Vet Sergeant Saeta - Female Head Conversion

Thats the officers folks I pretty pleased with them over all and hope you all like them. I did get an email questioning how I came up with the names and if they related to anything in particular, lets just say if you want to know the relevance of them try running them through a Latin-English translator (suffice to say I may shortly be renaming Serg Thor!)

The Airsoft Armoury - Past Pictures

Hi Folks
Some time ago I promised to post up some pictures of my Airsoft equipment. For those of you not familiar with Airsoft here is a bit of background.

The easiest way to describe it is that it's similar to paintball. Two teams attempt to complete various objectives (such as capture the flag, defend the base, etc.), which invariably end up with them shooting each other. The games are often fast paced but longer lasting then paintball and in most cases tactics are more important and of grater value then in paintball.

The shooting in question is done by Airsoft guns or replicas which use either spring or air power to fire small plastic BB pellets at the opposition. These pellets do not cause any lasting damage, or break the skin (usually). You feel a stinging sensation, but it soon fades. Unlike paintball, these leave no mark (unless you're shot from a very close range) and the game relies on personal honour prevailing in order to keep things running. The guns and equipment used as usually replicas of real world guns, however in some cases there are replicas of some SCI FI guns, such as the M4A1 from Alien, available.

Now that's out of the way I though now would be a good time to show you some of the replicas I own in their past configurations, they are presently being upgraded and having new parts added both internally and externally, I hope you enjoy and if you have any questions please ask.

JG G36c - First Configuration

When I originally purchased the JG version of the G36c the only initially work completed was the addition of a mock Silencer, an M4 magwell and the use of M4 Pmags, this allowed me more versatility as it meant i could borrow mags from other players using the more common M4 during protracted fire fights.

JG G36c - Second Configuration

This is the second incarnation of my G36c with pmag, m4 adaptor, Acog red dot and zombie silencer.

The second picture also show it with the thermold M4/armalite mags I have now moved on to using and TM tracer unit.

Once again all the internals are stock apart from a new piston and piston head, considering the short barrel its spot on for range, though accuracy did suffer over the greater distance.

JG G36c - Third Configuration - The Magpul Experiment

At this point the G36c was used for a little bit of experimenting with some of the replica Magpul Industries parts that were available, in this case the Flip up Iron sights and the Magpul VN length 150rd Hi cap magazines. In addition a front grip, a torch and a flat sightless top rail were added.

The G36 looked OK and a bit different but in my mind using the sights and smaller mags was counter productive when give the plan of using the gun in a CQB (close quarter battle) situation means lots of ammo is needed. The sights were sold and the mags have been shelved until I have the cash for my DMR project.

A&K M249 SAW Para Version - First Configuration

My M249 with added Samurai Elcan, at this point its pretty much stock other then a CA hop unit that I don't thing is much better then the standard A&K one and a guarder advanced hop rubber.

The gun at this point was pretty spot on and the bonus was sourcing a cheap-ish small CA cloth mag reduces its overall size and make her easier to wield in CQB games. Also being able to use my M4/Armalite mags makes running her more practical as mags can be borrowed should ammo run out.
 
That's all the pics of them for now in their various guises. i hope you liked them and any pics please let me know.
Thanks

A Return.......... after a fashion!

Well Hi folks!

After what seems like an age I'm back! There has been a lot of soul searching and selling of models, components and pretty much all my 40K stuff in favour of my other expensive hobby, Airsoft, but in the end I have decided I like 40k a bit too much!

So now im back and it looks like I'm up to my old painting habits again! With new toys seeming to come out on an almost daily basis it seemed a silly time to step away. So I'm Back and over the coming weeks I hope to get more done on my various armies.

I've decided to go and concentrate on only two armies, I'm planning on completing my Imperial Guard, admittedly they still need a name, but I'm also considering a Red Hunters Space Marine force. The choice for that chapter is that it would tie in nicely for a future Inquisitional force as and when the new codecies (codexes, codexs, books!) come out.

So as a breif wake up to say I'm back and I'm starting again so keep an eye out and we'll see where this takes me.

Have fun folks!