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Miniatures Adventure => Future Wars => Topic started by: Grumbledook on December 26, 2017, 09:01:47 PM

Title: An Alpha Legion project - Now in Glorious 3mm
Post by: Grumbledook on December 26, 2017, 09:01:47 PM
The inglorious 20th Legion, the Alpha Legion, are one of my favourite Heresy Era concepts. They are devious, dishonest, scheming and duplicitous to a hammy and entertaining extreme – to the extent that no one knows which side they are on (perhaps they don’t even know themselves). I was lucky enough to have my wife and daughter buy me the Dark Imperium boxed game for my Christmas treat and I’m very keen to start messing about with some of those new big marines – who I hope to be using as Alpha Legion.

Since there seems to be no real consensus as to an actual legion colourscheme I thought I’d go with a bit of a mixup and painted this fellow as a test figure:

(https://hobbynotaddiction.files.wordpress.com/2017/12/alpha-test-one.jpg?w=313&h=460)

(https://hobbynotaddiction.files.wordpress.com/2017/12/alpha-test-two.jpg?w=339&h=460)

I’ve tried to give a him a pretty weathered look, I like the idea of Alpha Legion operatives being infiltrated for months/years causing trouble (also I hate painting flat clean colours because I always screw it up and muck hides a multitude of sins), so I really went to town on his armour. I’ve used washes of greens, purples and blues over the azure as tests but I think they look alright together and neatly avoid me having to commit to a solid colourscheme (which I won’t be able to exactly reproduce!). I also gave him solid metallic arms, one with a wash over it, since I like the effect it gives on the cover of the Legion novel.

So, a pretty chilled out (read scruffy) paintjob which will hopefully transfer over to the big Primaris fellows and it would be interesting to hear any thoughts on the colourscheme.

More to come soon…

Promises, promises.
Title: Re: An Alpha Legion project
Post by: Manchu on December 27, 2017, 03:21:37 AM
Grim'n'grimy - I like it!
Title: Re: An Alpha Legion project
Post by: von Lucky on December 27, 2017, 05:06:06 AM
Liking the color scheme, and the same reason I started off with Nurgle marines way back when. Will he get any decals/symbols?
Title: Re: An Alpha Legion project
Post by: Ultravanillasmurf on December 27, 2017, 09:02:47 AM
Nice paint job. I look forward to seeing more of them

They probably alter their look depending on the nefarious scheme(s) they are undertaking.

"Hi, we are the Hydra Legion. We are here for a surprise inspection of this key communication nexus. Of course we are on your side, Look at our bright shiny armour".

http://ultravanillasmurf.blogspot.co.uk/search/label/Alpha%20Legion (http://ultravanillasmurf.blogspot.co.uk/search/label/Alpha%20Legion)
(Still not painted/finished).

If they are working in the shadows, they are going to be grubby. They probably pre-weather their armour.
Title: Re: An Alpha Legion project
Post by: Grumbledook on December 27, 2017, 12:18:05 PM
Thanks for the feedback chaps.

Von Lucky - This chap is just a paint test so no decoration for him, since I don’t fancy buying transfers and I think I’ll be having a go at hand painting on some numerals and obscure markings.

Ultravanillasmurf - I think you’re right about their MO, whatever is appropriate for the job. Basically they’re the Astartes version of Method Actors! Oh, and I like your Terminator and the  sniper particularly, made anymore progress on them?

One Alpha Legion feature that I particularly like is the exploitation of ‘assets’ and I’m in the process of throwing together some bonded mechanicum and general purpose saboteurs and ruffians to make up a good proportion of whatever it is I will try to come up with first...... perhaps a Shadow Wars team?

Thanks for looking.
Title: Re: An Alpha Legion project
Post by: Grumbledook on February 01, 2018, 12:10:31 AM
Now in glorious 3mm!

From the excellent Vanguard Miniatures I have activated the shrinking ray and have a bases of teeny tiny Infantry along with their adorable transports. They are accompanied by a First Order Transporter (which scales beautifully - the little apc tanks can actually fit inside) which has been dressed appropriately:

(https://hobbynotaddiction.files.wordpress.com/2018/01/3mm-alpha-legion.jpg?w=660)

I've painted them a bit of a richer blue, it's got a green tinge but that hasn't come out much in the photo, which I think helps them stand out a bit.

Thanks for looking.

Title: Re: An Alpha Legion project - Now in Glorious 3mm
Post by: Jagannath on February 01, 2018, 12:26:06 AM
Well those are pretty! They look fantastic matey - that first order transporter has just jumped straight onto my list! What range is it from?
Title: Re: An Alpha Legion project - Now in Glorious 3mm
Post by: Grumbledook on February 01, 2018, 12:33:22 AM
Cheers!

The transporter is from a range of die cast toys called the Black Series Titanium, I bought a few from a toy shop in a sale just knowing they would be perfect for something.
Title: Re: An Alpha Legion project - Now in Glorious 3mm
Post by: robh on February 01, 2018, 12:45:15 AM
Those 3mm guys look great. The brighter blue against the red/brown base works really well and the posing of the figures on the base is excellent.
Nicely done.
Title: Re: An Alpha Legion project - Now in Glorious 3mm
Post by: Suber on February 01, 2018, 10:37:10 PM
 :o
That's as insane as insanely good! Bravo!
Title: Re: An Alpha Legion project - Now in Glorious 3mm
Post by: Quendil on February 02, 2018, 09:11:19 AM
Wow  :o

Outstanding work. I'm having enough trouble with epic at 6mm  o_o
Title: Re: An Alpha Legion project - Now in Glorious 3mm
Post by: Grumbledook on March 20, 2018, 09:44:17 PM
Thanks for the positive feedback folks. It's been a long time coming but here are some pictures of the force so far:

Mechanised Infantry
(https://hobbynotaddiction.files.wordpress.com/2018/03/alpha-1.jpg?w=660)

Command Unit
(https://hobbynotaddiction.files.wordpress.com/2018/03/alpha-command.jpg?w=660)

Some Tanks
(https://hobbynotaddiction.files.wordpress.com/2018/03/alpha-tanks1.jpg?w=660)

There are lots more tanks based and ready for painting including rocket launchers and anti tank sniper tanks, as well as a super mega tank (from the 6mm range).

Thanks for looking.
Title: Re: An Alpha Legion project - Now in Glorious 3mm
Post by: Ultravanillasmurf on March 21, 2018, 07:59:29 AM
Those are amazing.
Title: Re: An Alpha Legion project - Now in Glorious 3mm
Post by: Ockman on March 21, 2018, 10:17:32 AM
Wow, those are really cool! Lovely work!
Title: Re: An Alpha Legion project - Now in Glorious 3mm
Post by: Grumbledook on April 10, 2018, 09:14:13 AM
Thanks chaps. These little fellows continue to be a absolute joy, so here are another four bases of adorable tanks:

(https://hobbynotaddiction.files.wordpress.com/2018/04/alpha-tanks.jpg?w=660)

I've swithced to using the snappily named Baharroth Blue for the edge highlighting on the anti-tank tanks and am very happy with it. Much quicker than mixing a highlight! The more of these I paint the more I want, I reckon that the opposing force should be in the super jazzy pink and gold of the Emberor's Children. Lots more Blue Green to paint until then though.

Thanks for looking.
Title: Re: An Alpha Legion project - Now in Glorious 3mm
Post by: Ockman on April 11, 2018, 12:46:46 PM
Lovely little tanks!
Title: Re: An Alpha Legion project - Now in Glorious 3mm
Post by: Samsonov on April 13, 2018, 10:17:40 PM
Great stuff as always.
Title: Re: An Alpha Legion project - Now in Glorious 3mm
Post by: Grumbledook on April 29, 2018, 09:17:21 PM
Cheers chaps. Some additions in the form of Rocket Tanks:

(https://hobbynotaddiction.files.wordpress.com/2018/04/rocket-tanks.jpg?w=1024)

And a re-purposed 6mm megatank:

(https://hobbynotaddiction.files.wordpress.com/2018/04/mega-1.jpg?w=1024)

For those of you wondering what the scale of these diminutive chaps is like in comparison to their larger peers I thought this might be helpful. Here they are with a 6mm, 15mm and 28(ish)mm figure:

(https://hobbynotaddiction.files.wordpress.com/2018/04/mega-3.jpg?w=858)

Thanks for looking!
Title: Re: An Alpha Legion project - Now in Glorious 3mm
Post by: DivisMal on April 29, 2018, 09:45:37 PM
This is bloody awesome! It’s like the scale was made for the grimdark future of the 41st (31st?) millennium.
Title: Re: An Alpha Legion project - Now in Glorious 3mm
Post by: Grumbledook on April 30, 2018, 04:16:46 PM
It’s like the scale was made for the grimdark future of the 41st (31st?) millennium.

Cheers man. It’s also the only scale at which I can be bothered to paint a unit of tanks!
Title: Re: An Alpha Legion project - Now in Glorious 3mm
Post by: DivisMal on April 30, 2018, 05:00:51 PM
Cheers man. It’s also the only scale at which I can be bothered to paint a unit of tanks!

Like I said, man, the scale was made for gaming the Horus Heresy  lol lol i failed doing the same in 6mm... o_o
Title: Re: An Alpha Legion project - Now in Glorious 3mm
Post by: fred on April 30, 2018, 09:26:45 PM
These are really great, missed them earlier.

I've got the 'mega tank' (or the turreted version)  for my 6mm HH forces and its pretty big in 6mm, so against 3mm stuff it must be huge.
Title: Re: An Alpha Legion project - Now in Glorious 3mm
Post by: Ultravanillasmurf on May 01, 2018, 08:56:57 PM
Neat.
Title: Re: An Alpha Legion project - Now in Glorious 3mm
Post by: Samsonov on May 01, 2018, 09:08:55 PM
The 6mm model fits wonderfully. I need get one I think, perhaps as some type of mechanicus ordinatus. Great stuff all round.
Title: Re: An Alpha Legion project - Now in Glorious 3mm
Post by: boywundyrx on May 01, 2018, 09:52:24 PM
Very cool stuff, have you seen some of Oddzial Osmy stuff that could fit in with this too?

I did want to ask how you got the basing effect of the baked and cracked earth - carved in or overly dried clay?

Thanks,
Chris
Title: Re: An Alpha Legion project - Now in Glorious 3mm
Post by: Grumbledook on May 01, 2018, 11:14:50 PM
Thanks folks, the big tank is rather fun. There is a vanguard 6mm ordinatus type tank, basically with the same tracks but with a cab on the front and a selection of massive weapons to stick on the top. I’ve got one of those  :D

Chris, I haven’t really had a proper look at the Oddzial Osmy bits, but what I have seen I think looks rather good. Still have lots to paint though, but I may have to get some self propelled artillery at some point.

The cracked earth is simply a few generous splodges of Martian Ironearth (I always poo-pooed the technical paints, but it is so simple and effective) onto the red painted sand and allowed to dry fully, then a generous  sepia wash followed with a dry brush and ta-daaaa!

Thanks for the comments.
Title: Re: An Alpha Legion project - Now in Glorious 3mm
Post by: Lolbat on May 01, 2018, 11:27:20 PM
What bases are you using?
Title: Re: An Alpha Legion project - Now in Glorious 3mm
Post by: sniperjack on May 06, 2018, 08:41:13 AM
Crazy scale ;)
Title: Re: An Alpha Legion project - Now in Glorious 3mm
Post by: thenamelessdead on May 06, 2018, 02:30:35 PM
Looks superb. Appreciate the pic for scale.
Title: Re: An Alpha Legion project - Now in Glorious 3mm
Post by: Grumbledook on May 09, 2018, 04:09:12 PM
What bases are you using?

Apologies for such a late response! I’m using 60mm x 40mm rounded corner bases in 2mm thick mdf from warbases.co.uk. I used a 40mm x 40mm one for the command stand.

Cheers for the positive responses, I thought a comparison picture would be useful since I had no real idea what the scale would be like when I was initially contemplating buying some.