The Unforgiven: Oldhammer Dark Angel

A Dark Angel amongst a decaying city scape (created by Totally Not Panicking).

I am continuing my quest to paint Dark Angels, and after talking with Koltti on our podcast I decided it would be fun to paint another Rogue Trader era model. It also marks a year since painting my first Oldhammer Space Marine for last year’s Olden Demon. Space Marine models from the 80’s are quite fun to paint, due to how simple the one-piece models are. Furthermore, it is amazing how inconsistent the old Space Marine models are, from different sized hands, feet, and even different helmet designs. I am really happy with how the model turned out, and hope to paint a few more to go alongside them.

Oldhammer: Rogue Trader Space Marines

A trio of Rogue Trader era Space Marines!

Earlier this year we interviewed Koltti on our podcast, where we talked at length about his various Oldhammer projects. Towards the end, he proposed a challenge where we all found a Rogue Trader era Space Marine and painted it. We are always looking for an excuse to get and paint new Oldhammer models, so we jumped at the opportunity to get some Space Marine models from the 80s. After scouring eBay, we were able to find three characterful Space Marines from the late 80’s, including one with a shuriken catapult! Although the models were in good condition, they took quite a bit of effort to prepare for painting. This required the careful removal of moldlines and sanding, as well as some sculpting work to fill in gaps and make elements of the armor more symmetrical. Now that the models are built we can consider painting them!

Oldhammer: Oldenhammer 2021

A Rogue Trader era Imperial Guard model next to an ork of the same era.

Although we are usually quite focused on converting models to improve their proportions and improve their weaponry, it is fun to put that aside sometimes and just paint an old Games Workshop model, celebrating a time before digital sculpting. In 2017, we found a small game store selling blister packs of Rogue Trader models and purchased a bunch of them and have been slowly painting them. Last year, I painted Slambo, and last month I painted an old Imperial Guard model to honor Commissar Molotov. Towards this end, we saw that chilvers_industries was holding a painting competition again this year called Olden Demon 2021, that asks you to paint an old metal model with a green base (as was prevalent in the 90s). Having not participated last year, we were eager to this year, painting another one of our collection of forgotten metal models!

Oldhammer: Commissar Molotov

The scale of models has changed a lot over the years!

Over the years, our blog has put a lot of focus on INQ28, from the Pilgrym to working on Zone Secundus. Its focus on creating characters and telling stories stands apart from the vapid battles that typify Warhammer 40,000. The INQ28 scene has been built and fostered by so many people since the release of Inquisitor some 20 years ago, but Commissar Molotov played a critical role in getting the idea to take root, with his forum presence and INQvitationals. He continues to be a huge proponent for INQ28, and in 2018 he started the #INQ28th initiative, where hobbyists share INQ28 models they are building on Instagram, using the aforementioned hashtag. Inquisitor_sharpe realized that on April 28th 2021, it would be the 28th month of the initiative, and reached out to us and others to help celebrate Commissar Molotov’s continued contributions to this dark corner of the miniature hobby. To do this, he suggested that people create miniature representations of Commissar Molotov himself. We thought this was a wonderful idea, and decided to paint an old Rogue Trader Imperial Guard/Commissar model in his honor!

Dragged into Turbolasers Episode 43: Warhammer Fest 2018, Adeptus Titanicus, Rogue Trader, Speed Freeks, and Sisters of Battle

The Age of Knowledge is Dead.

After a long hiatus, we are back to talk about the many announcements that occurred during Warhammer Fest 2018. We start by talking about the newly-released Adeptus Titanicus, and admire the upcoming warhound models. We then discuss the recently released Kill Teams game, and muse on what the upcoming Rogue Trader release means for the game. Next we talk about the upcoming redesigned Ork warbuggy model that will be released in the Speed Freeks boxed game. Finally, we wrap up the episode by analysing the 3D renders of many of the bolter designs for the redesigned Sisters of Battle.

Oldhammer: Rise of Rogue Trader

Confrontation on the red wastes!

Games Workshop has come a long way in the past 10 years in terms of miniature production, taking advantage of new technology to create more dynamic models that are easier to assemble and trim. You would have a hard time arguing that the older metal Keeper of Secrets holds up to the newer plastic one. Despite this, I often find myself looking back at many of the older models, from 2nd edition 40k and Rogue Trader, with special fondness. This is partially due to nostalgia from back when I started with the hobby, but also due to the wonky charm present in many of the earlier sculpts, sculpts that were not aided by computer design or even the internet for reference material. Recently, I have tried to incorperate some older models into some of my conversions, as a way to celebrate the venerable models, particularly with my my Pilgrym warband. You can imagine my excitement when I found a local shop that was selling a whole assortment of old Rogue Trader blisterpacks! It seemed to be an opportunity that I couldn’t pass up, and I purchased a whole bunch of them, ranging from Imperial Agents to Orks. I have long admired the work of exemplars in the “oldhammer” community like Don Hans (Realm of Citadel), Alex (Leadbaloony), Axiom (Magpie and Old Lead), and Warburton (Warhammer 40,000 2nd Edition), just to name a few. And having found all these Rogue Trader models I decided it would be fun to build two small warbands of the models, with the goal of playing some games of Rogue Trader in the future!

Index Astartes Apocrypha: Impressions

Index Astartes: Apocrypha

To help celebrate 30 years of Space Marines, alongside releasing the Imperial Space Marine model, Games Workshop also released a hardcover book, collecting a range of early Space Marine material called Index Astartes: Apocrypha.  I was fortunate enough to get a copy of the book, despite its limited print run (it is available in a digital format on the Black Library, however), and figured I would let you know what I think of it via pictures!