More Classic Citadel Figures

 More Classic Citadel Figures

Once again pictures photographed last summer  in good light and warm days...

ME52 Olog-Hai Troll

ME71 Corsairs of Umbar

90s Marauder Wight

Sharkey & one of his Rogues

90s Marauder Wight

80s C34 Air & Water Elementals

Lone Wolf Giak Attack

Prince Penethor, Gourgaz & couple of Giaks from the boxed set

 

Building Chaos Dwarf Swivel Guns

The Artificer Swivel Gun battery

Having picked up a couple of chaos dwarf gunners, I decided that I would have a go and make the swivel gun. Having decided to make one swivel gun as a side project.   it seemed a good idea make up a small battery (in this case three).  I could then add some more gunners at a later stage.

After a bit of searching in the loft I found WD108 and rules for the swivel guns. Rules presented below.

I prefer to integrate the gun and the crew into a larger base but being able to remove the dwarves when casualties occur. This gives a bit space to give the base a bit of character.

Mock Up

So, step one make the base and start the gun. I had ago at making one gun first to get the design right. If I were doing these again, I would have made them a bit smaller.

After deciding to make three guns I decides I would need a few more crews and a unit leader. Prices for old chaos dwarves are generally a bit crazy but Ral Partha do some very nice chaos dwarves which fit in very well with the size and style of the old Citadel Chaos dwarves. I’m not a big fan of plain bases and I am going for a chaos wasteland vibe with strange stalagmites, toadstool patches and toxic pools. I edged the bases with card to give a neater finish and allow the bases to be sprayed. 

Halfling Conversion to Chaos Dwarf

I was still one short one crew member for swivel gun teams and decided to repurpose one of the halflings I got for Christmas. The spikes on the helmet/shoulder pads are cut down nail points and a little bit of Green Stuff to create a beard /shoes. I was able to create the beard using the end of a cocktail stick. More tools maybe required if I want to do more this sort of conversion. He is bit less stocky than the other chaos dwarves but overall, I am pleased with the effect.

After the Citadel Technical paint is applied

I have just started using some of Citadel’s technical paints and got Nihilakh Oxide (also a Christmas present) gives a very effective Verdigris (bronze corrosion) effect over the top of Warplock Bronze. I have decided to go for corroded / rusted look for the dwarves which represents them working in very toxic environments to make these machineries of destruction.

Two of the finished swivel guns and crews.

The Dark Artificer –Mir Helmdarkson and the beginning of his artillery brigade.

A mixture of old citadel (chaos dwarf and AD&D Duergar - middle front), plus Ral Partha and my converted figure. 

 

The first 1000pts

The army so far...

After deciding to paint up the unused chaos warriors from my chaos warband project (see earlier posts) as chaos undivided warriors in black. This sort of led on thinking about painting up a small chaos army.  I haven’t painted any actual armies for quite a while. I thought this might be quite a nice little challenge.

 Since Warhammer 3^rd (WFB) edition is my favourite version, I have used Warhammer Armies to generate the army (with a couple of tweaks). The plan was to build a core army which could be added to at a later stage. So, have decided to stick to 1000 pts, using heroes/unit limits without any magical weapons or items and following the 3^rd edition rules.

The Chaos Renegades of the Mighty Zog.

As a motif I am going to use skull/face painted half red and half white. Which is intentionally mirroring the Malal’s symbol. So Zog’s renegade may actually be disciples of Malal ready to turn on their chaos ‘allies’ at a decisive moment.

The Mighty Zog - Chaos Warrior (74 pts)

The Mighty Zog (Army General) – Chaos Warrior Heavy Armour, Shield & Hand Weapon

74

Army general. A late addition to the army as I was originally planning on using Kaleb Daark. But he is better suited a wandering killer. Leading a hand to those fighting chaos. The Mighty Zog Arkwright is one my favourite chaos warrior figures so no worries. A chaos warrior is reasonably powerful hero for an army of this size and can lend his skills to any unit in need. Still need to paint this miniature.

The Warlock – Chaos Sorcerer (85 pts)

Picture curtesy of Stuff of Legends

Level 10 Chaos Sorcerer Hand Weapon

85

I have had the classic Warlock (of Firetop Mountain fame) figure sitting on my painting shelf for some time and I thought this will make a slightly different chaos sorcerer. I still need to get at least one familiar for this mighty wizard. As this chaos army is quite light on long range firepower, he will help balance the scales. Which is why he has a number of long-range attack spells. Still need to paint this miniature.

Spells

Battle Magic: Fireball, Windblast & Aura of Resistance

Elemental: Assault of Stone & Cloud of Smoke

Demonic: Summon Familiar

 

The Doom Reivers – Chaos Thug Unit (160 pts)

Josef Grimheart Chaos Marauder – Doom Reivers Champion Heavy Armour & Shield	39
Doom Reivers - 9 Chaos Thugs inc. Standard & Musician Heavy Armour & 2-Handed Weapons	121

 Originally, I would have liked to make this a unit of Marauders, but ten Marauders (inc. Standard and musician) would have used up 480 of my 1000 pts. So, while might have made the painting pretty quick it would not build a very build big or balanced army. For now, they have to settle to be Thugs and will hopefully upgrade then at a later date.

This is the first unit to be completed. Based on the classic chaos warrior figure. I decided to modify each one of the figures to create an individual look. Most are simple weapon swaps and changes to the helmets with Green Stuff. I plan to increase the unit up to 15 and do some extensive conversions on the remaining figures or get some more metal figures to mix it up a bit. 

Shields later changed to Oldhammer ones once I learnt how to make them! The second one in is Josef Grimheart my unit champion.

Gor Charge – Beastmen Unit (284 pts)

(As much a chant as a s a unit name)

Bray  - Level 5  Beastman Banebeast Champion Light Armour & Shield	63
Gor Charge - 15 Beastmen inc. Standard & Musician Shield & Halberds	221

 The Beastmen form muscle to this small army, hopefully their toughness 4 and 2 wounds will give them the staying power whilst the other units get to grips with the enemy. With only a leadership of 7, I will have to careful they don’t get exposed too much missile fire before they get in to hand-to hand combat.

The majority of this unit are based on the classic plastic Beastmen figures with a number of modifications to swap weapons and move arms about. Just waiting for the musician to arrive and then the unit will be complete.

Baal’s Destroyers – Hobgoblin Unit (236 pts)

Baal - Level 5 Hobgoblin Champion 2-Handed Weapon & Light Armour	116
Baal’s Destroyers - 3 Hobgoblins 2-Handed Weapon	120

I have swapped out the minotaur’s for sme Ex-Grenadier Hobgoblins. These are some of my favourite Grenadier figures (sculpted by Bob Naismith I think) but don’t really translate that well in WFB. As there isn’t a separate goblin army (unlike Fantasy Warriors).  In Fantasy Warriors Hobgoblins are elite berserkers which I think the Minotaurs are good match. Also, I have wanted to get them painted for a while. I might get some Minotaurs at a later date but for now I will stick with the Hobgoblins.

Bert & Ernie – 2 Headed Troll (65 pts)

Bert & Ernie - 1Troll 2-Handed Weapon

65

Of course, there has to a troll who doesn’t want trolls in their army. I picked up one of Drew Williamson’s excellent Bog Trolls for Christmas. In this case a two headed troll which fits in well with the chaos theme.

Draeger’s Bows – Chaos Thug Unit (100 pts)

10 Chaos Thugs Bows & Hand Weapons

100

 Finally, I needed a bit of long ranged firepower to target any enemy units which try and keep out of the way. I still need to get these figures and plan to use Battlemaster’s chaos thug figures. If I can’t get any at a decent price, I might switch to the Ex-Grenadier Barbarian archers.

Final Thoughts

Army total so far 995 pts and 43 figures (30 painted so far). Next up some chaos dwarves. A group picture when we get better light. 

Apologies not a very good set of scans, many mumbled excuses…. Probably something to do with Brexit or Covid or Trump (take your pick). 

Nurgle Champion - Fester Rotten

 Nurgle Champion - Fester Rotten

Starting to get to grips with Green Stuff and am prepared to be a bit more adventurous with the changes.

So for the next Chaos Champion (Nurgle) I am have changed the weapon, made a custom shield (this was actually my first attempt sculpting a shield, before the Oldhammer shields seen in earlier articles) and given a suitably distressed look.

Again, starting from a classic chaos warrior.

I sculpted the shield directly on a sheet of thin plastic as it didn’t want to stick to card.  After removing the axe, I added a long sword from the bits box (Frost grave I think) and added a Nurgle symbol to the pommel. I also added some corroded parts to the armour with Green Stuff and drilled loads of small holes.

The shield was cut out and stuck a sheet of card before painting. It was painted separately and attached at the end. My completed Nurgle Champion – Fester Rotten. I am please with how he turned out. 

 Fester plus a couple of his warband.

More Oldhammer Shields

 More Oldhammer Shields

My favourite shield so far. 

After my first attempts at making Oldhammer shields, I have continued to make more of them. I have started adding horns & teeth using off cuts from the bits box such as spear points and small bits of nails cut down.

The shield on the right had a small plastic gem stone used as an eye. Which does catch light although it doesn't show up all that well in the photos.

The eyes (top right) were indented whilst the Milliput was wet with a cocktail stick. Which makes painting the pupil very easy and looks very neat.

My first attempt at creating a devil face.

My Beastmen unit so far with Oldhammer shields.

Pound Shop Giant Spider

 Pound Shop Giant Spider

This pound shop figure has been sitting on my paint bench for ages. It is part of a Halloween light set with eights spiders lit up by LED lights. I have been thinking for a while that it would be a useful giant spider.

I previously gave a black coat to make it a bit spookier for Halloween,

So, I removed LED light fitting which sticks out too much. Being careful not to damage the legs.  I have not had much practice with Green Stuff at this stage (this was before the Oldhammer shields).

But found it really easy to create a rough fur and stinger. I had been using Milliput which is not really very suited for this kind of sculpting. Just using a pencil to create the fur effect. 

I decided to cover the whole of the abdomen so the fur would match in.

Completed chaos wastes base. Classic sand and Milliput (to create the stalagmites) texture base with a black undercoat and dry brushed browns and purples. Satin varnish over the green goo, a few leftover scenic items and green flock to finish it off. 

The spider was given a straightforward black and white paint job. The spider is a hard polystyrene which takes acrylic paints well. A classic drybrush army finish and ready to creep out the enemy. Overall, the figure cost less than 20p and I still another seven if I want to create a little horde.  Currently as a pet from my Slaanesh warband Champion.

Classic Lord of the Rings Figures

 Some of my favourite Classic Lord of the Rings figures from the 1980s Citadel range. 

(Photographed with better lighting in the summer)

ME45 Dunlendings Hill Men

ME43 Half Orcs of Saruman

ME73 Barrow Wights

(Plus a Marauder Wight) 

ME75 Knight of Dol Amroth

ME35 Beorn: As Man & Bear

One Good Idea...

 

One good idea…

The decadent warband of Titus Vile

I came across an article on chaos warriors of the four different powers based on the old Hero quest chaos warrior figure (see FUNKY WENIS RODEO: Champions of Chaos).  I thought this would be a great idea to try.

After a little hunt of eBay I got a set of twelve classic plastic Oldhammer Chaos Warriors and as a bonus it also included five of the classic Beastmen figures as well.

As with many my projects they spiral off in different directions (& usually out of control).

After closer inspection I decided to use the existing paint schemes as the undercoat, because quite thinly applied and even (plus I didn't have Dettol or IPA to hand). So, a test figure painted in single session to get a feel for the miniature. 

In case you are wondering, my one is on the left.

But what good is Champion (which I have decided to call Titus Vile) without a warband and a banner for that matter.  Obviously a Beastman follower was added followed by a root around The Lead Pile for some followers. As I ease back into painting etc, I have gone for a straightforward paint job while the other champions will have a bit of conversion and varied paint jobs.

Titus’s pet spider is a pound store special (which I hopefully will cover in a separate article, as it the first time i have used Green Stuff to convert a model).

 

 That’s it for now. More warbands and what to do the rest of the chaos warriors?