Heresy-Era Salamanders: Thunderfire Cannon Conversion

"Wait…Tim, I thought you were just using the Rapier Laser Destroyer for this model? What do you mean 'Conversion'?"

Yeah, I thought that too. Until I pulled it out of it's soap-laden bath only to discover that I was missing an entire side of track. And not only did I completely miss this glaring obstacle, I bought the dang thing over a year ago, and have no hope in hell of trying to make a claim on it with Forge World. I'm not sure if I lost the piece, or never had it to begin with it was so long ago. So what's a guy to do?

Well this guy decides to say !@#% it, and make his own tracks.

Heresy-Era Salamanders: Techmarine Conversion

With my list changing from 1000 points of punch in the face, to a more fire support style, I added a Techmarine and Thunderfire Cannon. Over a year ago, I ordered a Rapier Laser Destroyer specifically to use as a Thunderfire Cannon in the future, along with a tong of other Resin Crack, and I was finally going to be able to do so! However, that kit isn't technically meant to be used for that purpose as it doesn't come with a Techmarine.

So I did what every converter worth their salt would do. I made one.

Heresy-Era Salamanders Work in Progress: Tartaros Terminators

Apparently, I'm a more prolific blogger when I'm under the gun with a deadline looming rather than when I just meander around projects in my spare time. I've actually taken well over 100 pictures of in-progress shots of the Salamanders coming together, both from a modeling perspective and a painting one.

This time, we've got a squad of 5 Tartaros Terminators on deck!

Heresy-Era Salamanders Work in Progress: MkIII Marines

When we last left our heroes, they were soaking in a tub of water with an excess of degreasing soap added to it. With the Recon Marines built and pinned to cork stoppers for easier painting, and the Dark Elf Corsairs bought to pillage cloaks from, it was time to give these guys a quick scrub and rinse so they could join the budding 1000 point force.

Why in God's green earth did I have to buy an entirely resin army again?!?!

Maintaining Momentum During a Project

Motivation is all about keeping interest in a project, and staying on track with it without our hobby ADD kicking in. Momentum on the other hand, is all about just straight up getting things done, and getting them done in a timely manner. The two are tied together closely, but are distinctly different.

In the past we've talked about how to stay motivated during a build-out of a force, but we've not really broached the subject of how to maintain a good momentum during a project. Considering I have less than two months to finish 1000 points of Salamanders, much less anything for Crystal Brush, momentum is a fairly pertinent subject for me right now.

So how can we maintain momentum in our hobby?

Heresy-Era Salamanders Work in Progress: Recon and MkIII Marines

This year, my team for Adepticon has decided to go with the tried and true power armor for our theme. The bonus, you would think, is that many of us already own Marines as armies.

Huzzah! No Work!

…yeah, you know me better than that, right? I'm actually using this as an opportunity to use some of the Forge World resin-crack I've had for a while now, and move forward with a Pre-Heresy Era Salamanders Force! I've loved the story behind the XVIII Legion ever since I got back into 40K during 3rd Edition, and am looking forward to collecting them as both a playable force, and a labor of love.

I'm starting off with a squad of 5 Recon Marines, and a full 10-man unit of MkII Tactical Marines.

Airbrushing and the Hobby - First Steps

Well, my first steps at least. I know plenty of folks out there are already using the airbrush as a much-valued tool in their hobby arsenal. But how is a beginner supposed to…well, begin?

I've dug around the interwebz, and come up with an amazing amount of information on not only airbrushing within the miniature war-gaming hobby, but in the scale modeling hobby, and just airbrushing in general. Everything from forums, to blogs (surprising, I know) and YouTube are amazing sources of information, inspiration and material that are invaluable to the beginner.

So rather than make everyone else dig like I did, I've pilled it all together here!