Ugezod’s Death Commandos

The Death Commandos in all their glory.

This is one of the few boxed sets that I actually bought back in the day. The originals have long disappeared into the mists of time.  Bought from Southsea Models in their original shop for those old enough to remember. Before it moved. 

Box Artwork

Character Description
(Both from Stuff of Legends)

One of the Regiments of Renown by Citadel and sculpted by Nick Lund. In fact, my favourite group of sculpts by Nick. I picked up Ugezod at the beginning of last year with a view to using him as King F’Yar (from Blood bath of Orcs Drift fame) and after painting him decided I would like to go back and have a go at the rest of the gang. This is only Citadel set of the era that I can think of where there were two different sets at the same time (Ugezod’s Death Commandos and Ugezod’s Mother Crushers). With Death Commandos being a character box featuring the Mighty Ugezod himself and the Mother Crushers as a standard Regiment of Renown.

The Mighty Ugezod a.k.a. King F’Yar

Ugezod was painted first and before I learnt the secret of the sculpting shields. However I don’t plan to go back and repaint this (yet!).

Not the original 90s paint jobs!

When I had the boxed set first time round, I only managed to paint three of them (Kudra, Gnar & Mormo). After picking the entire set up as a job lot. There was a definite difference in quality particularly between Ugezod and the first one picked up separately. Also, the originals (from the 90s) and single purchase Ugezod all had pointy shield bosses, and these have flat shield mounts. It could be these are recasts or that Citadel changed them at some point. However, since I already had Ugezod painted, I have decided not to over think this one and just enjoy the painting the figures.

I decided to keep Mormo for last but the other two would be done next. This has been a slow burn project with the aim of painting up one or two figures a month.  And I have actually managed to stick to that plan.

 

Kudra Stunty Smasher is probably the best posed of all of the figures. I really like the pose and the look.

The other three figures all got sculpted shields. However, I had to sculpt them twice as the originals got pinched by the Beastmen to finish their unit first.

 

Since starting to paint again, I had a go at painting stars on Mormo’s robes with mixed results.  This resulted in buying in some new brushes. 

Ok onwards to the next project. 

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.

Making Oldhammer Shields

 Making Oldhammer Shields

Two Chaos warriors with Oldhammer Sculpted shields. 

I have never really used Green Stuff much however after reading an excellent tutorial on the Lost & Very Damned Blog Quick-orcy-shields I decided to give it a go. As I have started building a WFB 3rd Ed. Chaos army and thought these would give it a nice Oldhammer vibe (More of this on a later post). 

I recommend that you have look at post on the Lost & Very Damned blog as it very good. The couple of points that I would add: i) is start with a main feature such as the nose as this helped to develop look of the face ii) add the Green Stuff in small amounts as it is easier to manage and iii) like most things it getter easier with practise!

The first two :  Fishman & Gonzo

First  two after painting

The nose on Fishman definitely went wrong and got pushed out of shape as I was adding the eyes. Which is why I find it easier to add the Green Stuff in small amounts. Gonzo worked a bit better!

I didn't have any small beads and so used some pre-prepared small balls of Green Stuff. Later I moved to using Milliput for the eyes which is a bit harder and stands out better whilst sculpting. 

Undeterred, I had a another go and found a it a bit easier the second time around.

The second batch in green

Second batch after painting.

Two of my Chaos warriors with their Oldhammer Shields.

I have carried on and plan to make one for each of my the Beastmen in the upcoming chaos army.