Gitsplittas Mantis Warriors.

[firedancer]

Has anyone got experience painting the tranquility pattern camo for the mantis warriors?
I could do with some tips on the spiky green patches as my first attempt was a disaster.
i used the wrong shade of green so it didn't contrast well enough and I didn't know how to finish the shapes.
Any help will be appreciated.

[Gitsplitta]

Here's what I've done with mine. The camo pattern is black, rather than green. This seems to work well and offers good contrast. I look at more like plant sihlouetts (sp?) rather than actual plant color.

I apologize in advance for the pile of pics...

http://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2010/4/29/101316_sm-Mantis%20Warrior%2C%20Snipers%2C%20Space%20Marines %2C%20Tranquility%2C%20Warhammer%2040%2C000.jpg (http://www.dakkadakka.com/gallery/101316-Mantis%20Warrior%2C%20Snipers%2C%20Space%20Marines %2C%20Tranquility%2C%20Warhammer%2040%2C000.html)

http://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2010/6/2/109646_sm-Mantis%20Warriors%2C%20Snipers%2C%20Space%20Marine s%2C%20Sternguard%2C%20Tranquility%2C%20Warhammer% 2040%2C000.jpg (http://www.dakkadakka.com/gallery/109646-Mantis%20Warriors%2C%20Snipers%2C%20Space%20Marine s%2C%20Sternguard%2C%20Tranquility%2C%20Warhammer% 2040%2C000.html)

http://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2010/7/8/118778_sm-Mantis%20Warriors%2C%20Snipers%2C%20Space%20Marine s%2C%20Sternguard%2C%20Tranquility%2C%20Warhammer% 2040%2C000.jpg (http://www.dakkadakka.com/gallery/118778-Mantis%20Warriors%2C%20Snipers%2C%20Space%20Marine s%2C%20Sternguard%2C%20Tranquility%2C%20Warhammer% 2040%2C000.html)

http://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2010/7/6/118298_sm-Mantis%20Warriors%2C%20Snipers%2C%20Space%20Marine s%2C%20Sternguard%2C%20Tranquility%2C%20Warhammer% 2040%2C000.jpg (http://www.dakkadakka.com/gallery/118298-Mantis%20Warriors%2C%20Snipers%2C%20Space%20Marine s%2C%20Sternguard%2C%20Tranquility%2C%20Warhammer% 2040%2C000.html)

And there's one more I can't seem to find at the moment...

When I paint them, I just set a copy of the original artwork in front of me to give me a sense of shape and scale and go from there. I run them as sternguard as that's where they seem to fit best in the current rule set.

[Gitsplitta]

Bit of an update...

Venerable Brother Dacennius, Tranquility Veteran of the Mantis Warriors

http://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2010/11/8/153515_md-Dreadnought%2C%20Mantis%20Warriors%2C%20Space%20Ma rines%2C%20Tranquility%2C%20Venerable%2C%20Warhamm er%2040%2C000.jpg (http://www.dakkadakka.com/gallery/153515-Dreadnought%2C%20Mantis%20Warriors%2C%20Space%20Ma rines%2C%20Tranquility%2C%20Venerable%2C%20Warhamm er%2040%2C000.html)

[evilamericorp]

You say tranquility "camo," but yellow+black and lots of jagged lines is about as far from camo as you can get...

[Porty1119]

Oh dear god...that's a yellow-black 'camo' Rifledread. God save all transports, and bee-haters.

Great painting nonetheless!!!

[Tynskel]

I love the Dread. You have taken the colour I least like on models (yellow), and made it into something cool. Awesome Sauce.

[DarkLink]

You say tranquility "camo," but yellow+black and lots of jagged lines is about as far from camo as you can get...

Well, you see, there's this rare, mysterious, exotic animal you may or may not have heard of called the 'Tiger'...:p

[Tynskel]

orange too

[emperorsaxe]

Quad auto-cannon I like that a lot very nice.
Respects, Emperorsaxe

[papa smurf]

How did you do the autocannons on the dreadnaught? I'm assuming you used the IG heavy weapons squads, but i'm wondering how you made good sockets/shoulders to connect to the main body.

[MasterSlowPoke]

Those are the Aegis Defense Line autocannons if I'm not mistaken.

[gcsmith]

Well they look like the FW autocannons, but I could easily be wrong.

[Snyderson]

Definitely Aegis Defense Line. Got the FW ones, they look different.

Greetz,
Sny

[negativezach]

What did you use for all the silencers and sound suppressors on the marines guns?

-z

[Gitsplitta]

Hey guys, thanks for the kind words!

The pattern for these units comes from the original RT rule book where there are two pics showing mantis warriors. One is in the traditional green, the next is in this striped yellow pattern. The captions underneath it says (and I apologize for not remembering the wording exactly), Tranquility Campaign sniper in camo... or something to that effect. This cryptic wording has always been fascinating to we MW players as I believe it was the first use of the term "sniper" in the world of 40k and it applied to an obviously fully armored marine. Now with the changes in the rules and the re-writing of most of 40k history over the last 20+ years since I started playing, it never looked like I would ever be able to truly portray this very unique looking variant in a way that would stand out (play-wise) on the gaming table. However 5th edition came along and the sternguard seemed a perfect fit. So I got out my original plastic beakies, did a bunch of modifications and started building some Tranquility Snipers. When it was time to add a venerable dread to the army, it seemed natural that he would have been a T-sniper, badly wounded in battle and encased in a dreadnought suit. The arming of that dreadnought also became obvious as this is essentially a sniper configuration. I do have a CCW arm for him as well though.

Which brings me to the questions & comments...

As has been correctly surmised, the two guns came from the Aegis Defense Line set. This was not my idea but suggested to me by an on-line friend. Converting over wasn't that difficult though I did not do that great a job... the guns don't quite align right but certainly for tabletop use the misalignment is not noticeable. I'm sure I could do a better job of it now (I started this project months ago).

The yellow is actually pretty straight forward... I use the Army Painter yellow primer washed with sepia. Then I slowly built the color back up towards the center of each plate through the range of GW's yellow paints (but quite diluted). Plates that are in full sun are blended through lighter shades than are those not in full sun. When complete, I reinforce the sepia wash on the edges with a brush... and that's it!

The hardware on these guns was removed from the standard scout sniper rifles, however in my newest builds I'm making my own extended barrels & scopes out of 0.064" wire and brass tubing. It's actually quite a simple process and looks really good, though they don't have the extra little nubbins that these do. My new challenge is to make a combi-melta based on Umbra-pattern bolters (the kind these guys carried when I first bought them). It's been quite a challenge as the original Umbra bolters are quite small and narrow when compared with a "modern" bolt gun, but I think I have it sorted now and am quite happy with the prototype.

[KINGS]

Big Red pointed this thread out to me. I made these for the BoLS Badab Campaign.

http://www.lounge.belloflostsouls.net/attachment.php?attachmentid=839&stc=1&d=1289961936

[Gitsplitta]

Very nice KINGS... love that razorback & the scouts cloak. I have some drop pods to do in this pattern and I haven't sorted out exactly how to handle the paint job on them. Do I do the same pattern across the whole pod, do I scale it up, do I invent an alien landscape from ground to sky? Not sure... but it's good to see your example... at least that gives me something to go on. Did you do any other pieces?

[KINGS]

Like you, I painted up a squad of marines with sniper barreled bolters as counts as Sternguard, but I dont have any pictures of them right now. I think if you paint a whole drop pod yellow (I think you are crazy I will never paint another model that color after the razorback lol) you should scale it up a bit. Bigger black jags or whatever those black camo marks are called.

[Gitsplitta]

O.K. KINGS, I'll definitely take that into consideration.... thanks! Never met anyone in RL or on the web who had attempted the MWs in any way, shape or form... much less braved the tranquility pattern, so I really appreciate your input. I've got a system for my yellow (at least on my marines) that is pretty repeatable.. but I'm not so sure how it'll hold up with the bigger stuff. I just got (yesterday) an airbrush and compressor, I'm hoping that'll help with getting interesting gradients on my vehicles, though the camo pattern will still have to be painted by hand of course.

Anyway, I really appreciate the advice... if you have any other comments or suggestions as I progress, please feel free to add them. I'm all ears!

[Gitsplitta]

Minor update: Finally got around to finishing the CCW weapon for my venerable dread, so I thought I'd post the result. Just about finished with 3 more tranquility snipers... will post.

Gits

http://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2010/12/11/162787_sm-Claw%20Arm%2C%20Close%20Combat%20Weapon%2C%20Manti s%20Warriors%2C%20Tranquility%20Sniper%2C%20Venera ble%20Dreadnought.jpg (http://www.dakkadakka.com/gallery/162787-Claw%20Arm%2C%20Close%20Combat%20Weapon%2C%20Manti s%20Warriors%2C%20Tranquility%20Sniper%2C%20Venera ble%20Dreadnought.html)

[archimbald]

camo on tanks is to break up the shape long distance, not allow it to hide in seven foot high grass



good lord :P

[Gitsplitta]

camo on tanks is to break up the shape long distance, not allow it to hide in seven foot high grass



good lord :P


Of course you have no way of knowing this from the picture, but my view on the camo in my Mantis Warrior army is that it signifies those who are veterans of the Tranquility Campaign... which is (in my fluff) one of the defining moments in chapter history. As a veteran of that effort, the marine in this dreadnought armor has the right to have it painted in this pattern. So it isn't functional camo anymore, it is instead a depiction of status through service in one of the proudest moments in chapter history.

Your point about real vehicle camo is well taken however. I always thought the "bright" paint schemes on some US warships during WWII was an interesting example on non-traditional camo on large vehicles.

[Meph]

Great paint job and basing mate!

[rustbucket]

Really like them!The light colored tall grass really makes the "yellow jacket" look work well. Reminds me of the Vietnam era "Tiger Strip" jungle camo. You could also add in brown stripes/tags along with the black to break up the pattern more and make it look more organic too.

[Gitsplitta]

Thanks guys, and I do appreciate the suggestions. I'll think about that.

OK guys, 2 more. Not as spectacular as the dread I'm afraid... but they work. The challenge with these figures is that I'm trying to stay true to my origins in 40k which go back two decades, so these are made with very old minis & modified (in the case of the combi-melta guy, with original bolter parts. In the past, I've have made the "sniper" bolters with modern bolt guns and they work really well. Using the original umbra pattern bolter does not look as good in my opinion as they are much smaller and the original casts were not very detailed. But, remaining true to the originals in important in this phase of the project so I will muddle through as best I can.

http://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2010/12/14/163515_md-Gms,%20Mantis%20Warriors,%20Space%20Marines,%20Ste rnguard,%20Tranquility%20Sniper,%20Warhammer%2040, 000.jpg (http://www.dakkadakka.com/gallery/163515-Gms%2C%20Mantis%20Warriors%2C%20Space%20Marines%2C %20Sternguard%2C%20Tranquility%20Sniper%2C%20Warha mmer%2040%2C000.html)

http://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2010/12/14/163516_md-Combimelta,%20Mantis%20Warriors,%20Space%20Marines ,%20Sternguard,%20Tranquility%20Sniper.jpg (http://www.dakkadakka.com/gallery/163516-Combimelta%2C%20Mantis%20Warriors%2C%20Space%20Mar ines%2C%20Sternguard%2C%20Tranquility%20Sniper.htm l)

[Kieranator K82]

Very nice. I also like how you managed to take someone else's thread and make it your own. Very sneaky. :cool:

[Gitsplitta]

I have been wondering when someone was going to call me out as I did end up hijacking firedancer's thread. I guess I figured since no one ever responded to the OP I would... & then I just kept posting.

Anyone? Should I get off this particular thread and start another one? I hate to re-post all the pics but then again it's not really right to jack the thread either.

thanks,
Gits


Edit: Query to Mods sent. Will let them direct me. Thanks for pointing this out Kieranator, been assuming everything was OK but I probably should have addressed it right away.

[Duke]

Since the OP was so long ago and the author abandoned the thread I renamed the thread to "Gitsplittas Mantis Warriors." Continue posting your great looking stuff... PM me if anyone has questions.

Duke

[Gitsplitta]

Thanks Duke, will continue to do my best. :)

[Meph]

lol, I actually had no idea that this thread was started by someone else. :D

Somehow I had to think of a cuckoo for some reason... :D

http://cnx.org/content/m34735/latest/graphics1.png


In any case, good painting all around! w00t

[Gitsplitta]

LOL! Apt...

[Gitsplitta]

Latest effort. Sergeant for the squad. Highly converted so I thought I'd add a before/after pic as well as a standard shot of the fig from various angles. His helmet is damaged and in pieces on the ground (though none of these shots show that well).

http://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2011/1/5/169822_sm-Mantis%20Warriors%2C%20Sergeant%2C%20Space%20Marin es%2C%20Sternguard%2C%20Tranquility%2C%20Warhammer %2040%2C000.jpg (http://www.dakkadakka.com/gallery/169822-Mantis%20Warriors%2C%20Sergeant%2C%20Space%20Marin es%2C%20Sternguard%2C%20Tranquility%2C%20Warhammer %2040%2C000.html)

http://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2011/1/5/169821_sm-Mantis%20Warriors%2C%20Sergeant%2C%20Space%20Marin es%2C%20Sternguard%2C%20Tranquility%2C%20Warhammer %2040%2C000.jpg (http://www.dakkadakka.com/gallery/169821-Mantis%20Warriors%2C%20Sergeant%2C%20Space%20Marin es%2C%20Sternguard%2C%20Tranquility%2C%20Warhammer %2040%2C000.html)

[Meph]

Oh, nice piece of work. Love the use of the old models, a trip down memory lane it is :)

[shrike]

;)
http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/2250/289929.page
Inushi painted!

[rustbucket]

Great use of that Rogue Trader Marine!! Love it!

[Gitsplitta]

Thanks Meph, Shrike, Rustbucket... here's the pic shrike linked.

Here is my latest. This is the very first "green" that I've done with my airbrush. It's got a custom pad that I designed myself (made by Chapterhouse) and helmet sculpted by a friend in New Zealand. He's for a trade with a friend which is why the base is not complete, just painted white to differentiate it from the figure. This scheme represents the chapter after it returns from crusade... I call them "Mantis Warriors Penitent" thus the non-traditional purple field on the shoulder pad which is the ecumenical color associated with penance.

The basic color and blending were done with my new airbrush, which was quite an adventure. Still crude but I'm sure I'll get better with time.

Gits

http://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2011/1/9/171621_md-Inushi%2C%20Mantis%20Warriors%2C%20Space%20Marines %2C%20Warhammer%2040%2C000.jpg (http://www.dakkadakka.com/gallery/171621-Inushi%2C%20Mantis%20Warriors%2C%20Space%20Marines %2C%20Warhammer%2040%2C000.html)

[energongoodie]

Love the helmet. Nice.

[OCdt Mephiston]

The wakizashi is also pimp.

[Gitsplitta]

Thanks!

I was casting about for good Japanese style weaponry in 28mm and discovered it's really hard to come buy. The closest I found are on this model. The katana is still too small for the "heroic" figure, at least compared to most SM swords, but it is a very "real" size for a normal human being of this scale... and it just looks right. It's supposed to be a power weapon but as I was painting it the sword demanded that it be painted proper metal colors with a proper temper mark. So, there it is...

[Súil Dubh]

Thanks!

I was casting about for good Japanese style weaponry in 28mm and discovered it's really hard to come buy...

Have you seen the Warzone "Mishima Mega-Corporation" line of 28mm Oriental SF figures?

http://www.princeaugust.ie/target_games/index_mishima.html

Some of the troopers come equipped with separate (sheathed) katana.

http://www.princeaugust.ie/target_games/tg9504pb.html

[Gitsplitta]

Thanks for the suggestion Suil, I'll check it out!

[Súil Dubh]

Thanks for the suggestion Suil, I'll check it out!

By the way, I forgot to mention in my post:

You did a fantastic job on those Mantis Warriors. You really captured the "old school" feel of Rogue Trader.

A year or so ago I won an entire box of Imperial Space Marines on eBay. I'm waiting until Forge World comes out with the inevitable "Badab War" transfer sheet, and then I'm going to paint up a couple squads of Mantis Warriors, Red Scorpions, and Carcharodons myself. This thread is an inspiration.

[Gitsplitta]

Thanks Suil, I appreciate that. I've gotten a lot of inspiration from others on BoLS as well as other forums... not to mention a lot of really solid painting and modeling advice. It's surprising to me how much my skills have improved in the last year. That being said I've got a lot to learn yet... so I'm looking forward to the future with great anticipation.

I've been working on a couple of Mark-1 Razorbacks (regular Mantis Warrior color scheme)... when I get them finished up I'll post them. I've never liked painting vehicles which is one of the reasons I pretty much wrote them out of my army list (aside from dreads). However I just got an airbrush and I must admit that it's completely changed my attitude towards painting vehicles.

[FastEd]

You also may want to look at the Nyss swordsmen (http://privateerpress.com/hordes/gallery/legion-of-everblight/units/blighted-swordsmen-unit) and legionnaires (http://privateerpress.com/hordes/gallery/legion-of-everblight/units/blighted-legionnaires-unit) from Hordes. You can get the bits through Privateer's bits service (https://store.privateerpress.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWCATS&Category=48), which has quite a few swords in 28mm, with a decent number of them being in a Japanese style.

[Gitsplitta]

Thanks FastEd, will give it a look!

[Gitsplitta]

Latest offerings: a pair of Mk-1 Razorbacks.

http://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2011/1/25/177733_sm-Mantis%20Warriors%2C%20Razorback%2C%20Space%20Mari nes%2C%20Warhammer%2040%2C000.jpg (http://www.dakkadakka.com/gallery/177733-Mantis%20Warriors%2C%20Razorback%2C%20Space%20Mari nes%2C%20Warhammer%2040%2C000.html)

http://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2011/1/25/177697_sm-Mantis%20Warriors%2C%20Razorback%2C%20Space%20Mari nes%2C%20Warhammer%2040%2C000.jpg (http://www.dakkadakka.com/gallery/177697-Mantis%20Warriors%2C%20Razorback%2C%20Space%20Mari nes%2C%20Warhammer%2040%2C000.html)

I'm trying to decide if I should try weathering them or not. I'm none too sure about my ability to actually DO the weathering properly and I don't want to screw them up, so I'm a bit nervous about the prospect.

[Fellend]

This is really some of the coolest converting I've seen in a long time, awesome job of making what would be ugly models like great

[Meph]

Repped for the most excellent use of the awesome old-skool models! :D

[Emerald Rose Widow]

This is just an awesome look, really well painted models.

[Gitsplitta]

Thanks guys, I really appreciate the comments. :D

Doing models like this is why I purchased an airbrush recently and these are really my first experiments in using gradients and zenithal lighting. I'll get a lot more practice on the Iron Clad and 3 drop pods which are coming up next!

[Emerald Rose Widow]

airbrush huh, very nice

[Gitsplitta]

Latest: Due to my use of the sternguard / Tranquility Snipers... using a Pedro Kantor "counts-as" for a chapter master was a natural fit. So here he is. *please note: I haven't read the IA books yet, I assume there is an "official" chapter master detailed there, please forgive my conceit in creating my own that fits my unique version of the chapter. No offense to FW/GW is intended.

The story of Phillipi Tarse, Chapter Master of the Mantis Warriors, Defender of Tranquility and Founder of the Snipers of Tranquility:

Phillipi Tarse, Chapter Master of the Mantis Warriors. Tarse was legendary in the Mantis Warriors long before assuming Mastership over the chapter. For centuries Tarse was responsible for the defense of the home world which, due to it's location near the Maelstrom and the many enemies the chapter had made nearby, was under heavy assault each time the chapter mobilized in any significant fashion. His hand picked, elite defense force were masters of defensive action... and while they used the full range of combat tactics they became known as the "Snipers of Tranquility" as their strikes against would-be attackers would have all the surprise and finality of a snipers bullet. All members of the Tranquility Snipers color their equipment in a unique pattern that is respected throughout the Imperium and feared by it's enemies.

Due to his unique responsibilities, Tarse was the only highly placed Mantis Warrior commander to not take part in any aggressive actions against another chapters during the Badab Rebellion (though he did defend Tranquility with unmatched tenacity, ferocity and guile). As such... he was the natural choice to lead his chapter through the darkness of the crusade in the hopes of eventually regaining it's status as a respected member of the Adeptus Astartes. He is also the only high-ranking Mantis Warrior commander who is fully trusted by the Inquisition or other Space Marine Masters.

http://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2011/2/1/180069_md-Chapter%20Master%2C%20Kantor%2C%20Mantis%20Warrior s%2C%20Space%20Marines%2C%20Warhammer%2040%2C000.j pg (http://www.dakkadakka.com/gallery/180069-Chapter%20Master%2C%20Kantor%2C%20Mantis%20Warrior s%2C%20Space%20Marines%2C%20Warhammer%2040%2C000.h tml)

[Gitsplitta]

Newest addition: Forge World Mark IV Iron Clad, with all the bells and whistles...

http://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2011/2/21/188080_sm-Iron%20Clad%2C%20Mantis%20Warriors%2C%20Space%20Ma rines%2C%20Warhammer%2040%2C000.jpg (http://www.dakkadakka.com/gallery/188080-Iron%20Clad%2C%20Mantis%20Warriors%2C%20Space%20Ma rines%2C%20Warhammer%2040%2C000.html)

http://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2011/2/21/188081_sm-Iron%20Clad%2C%20Mantis%20Warriors%2C%20Space%20Ma rines%2C%20Warhammer%2040%2C000.jpg (http://www.dakkadakka.com/gallery/188081-Iron%20Clad%2C%20Mantis%20Warriors%2C%20Space%20Ma rines%2C%20Warhammer%2040%2C000.html)

[Aventine]

Awesome.

[Cvife]

I love that dreadnought! It's no secret that I have a bit of a fixation on forgeworld dreads, especially the mk4 ironclad, and this is one of the best examples of that mini, Well Done, give yourself a smiley face!

[Gitsplitta]

Thanks guys! Well, the idea was for him to look heavily battle damaged, not neglected (i.e. rusty or dirty). I wanted him to look as if his life consisted of drop podding directly into hand-to-hand with the biggest, nastiest thing the enemy has to offer, while using it's higher AV to ignore gunfire along the way.

That FW Iron Clad is a really nice figure... but it was kind of plain in the shoulders. That makes it perfect for my uses as the tranquility pattern makes for a very "busy" looking model. Since the Iron Clad is rather plain to start with, the camo scheme and battle damage didn't overwhelm the model with detail.

[Gitsplitta]

Two new recruits... these will be the last of the Tranquility Snipers for a while as I need to move on to some other models (drop pods, troopers & MoTF). Have plans for more in the future though.

http://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2011/2/27/190199_sm-Mantis%20Warriors%2C%20Space%20Marines%2C%20Sterng uard%2C%20Tranquility%20Snipers%2C%20Warhammer%204 0%2C000.jpg (http://www.dakkadakka.com/gallery/190199-Mantis%20Warriors%2C%20Space%20Marines%2C%20Sterng uard%2C%20Tranquility%20Snipers%2C%20Warhammer%204 0%2C000.html)

http://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2011/2/27/190200_sm-Mantis%20Warriors%2C%20Space%20Marines%2C%20Sterng uard%2C%20Tranquility%20Snipers%2C%20Warhammer%204 0%2C000.jpg (http://www.dakkadakka.com/gallery/190200-Mantis%20Warriors%2C%20Space%20Marines%2C%20Sterng uard%2C%20Tranquility%20Snipers%2C%20Warhammer%204 0%2C000.html)

Just love the melta guy...

[Gitsplitta]

First drop pod complete. This will be used by the sternguard (tranquility snipers) even though it is not in tranquility camo. Based on the ephemeral nature of the pods I felt that all the pods would be in standard Mantis Warrior patterns irrespective of their occupants.

Each pod will have a litany or motto, (on the plates on the lower part of the doors) which is added by the engineer/tech marine that gives it it's final check before deployment. Some are inspirational, cynnical, humorous... it all depends on the mood of the engineer at the time. Tradition holds that the motto is then adopted by the squad as their battle cry for that deployment, reinforcing the bonds between technicians and front line soldiers... as they are all brothers-in-arms. The technicians will often know which squad is assigned to which pod, and will chose a motto specifically tailored to the personality of the squad.

http://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2011/3/12/195634_md-Drop%20Pod,%20Mantis%20Warriors,%20Space%20Marines ,%20Warhammer%2040,000.jpg (http://www.dakkadakka.com/gallery/195634-Drop%20Pod%2C%20Mantis%20Warriors%2C%20Space%20Mar ines%2C%20Warhammer%2040%2C000.html)

I'm currently working on two more and hope to have them done in short order.

[Gitsplitta]

Drop Pods finished.

Mottos:
Pod I: MELIUS TARDE QUAM NONQUAM (Better late than never) - sternguard and MoTF
Pod II: AUT VINCERE AUT MORI (Either conquer or die) - Iron Clad Dreadnought
Pod III: IN HOC SIGNO VINCES (In this sign you will be victorious) - Rifleman Dreadnought

http://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2011/3/16/197701_md-Drop%20Pod%2C%20Mantis%20Warriors%2C%20Space%20Mar ines%2C%20Warhammer%2040%2C000.jpg (http://www.dakkadakka.com/gallery/197701-Drop%20Pod%2C%20Mantis%20Warriors%2C%20Space%20Mar ines%2C%20Warhammer%2040%2C000.html)

[doom-kitten]

These are awesome XD love the paint scheme and insignia, usually bright colours annoy me but wow.

[Gitsplitta]

I will eventually get around to weathering them... just no time before Adepticon to do it now.

[Gitsplitta]

I occasionally get asked to post pics of the entire army (not just the Adepticon stuff) and since I've been laid out by this cold for the last several days (can't focus well enough to paint), I thought I'd take a group shot. Here are my current Mantis Warriors... only the repainted models. Comes out to 2417 points, and there are more-or-less invisible upgrades I could give to push it a bit higher. The laugh is it's all troops and elites & once I add a MoTF, will be all legal to field. Granted with no assault troops or heavies it would get slaughtered... but I *could* field all but the extra HQs.

http://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2011/3/23/200697_md-Mantis%20Warriors%20as%20of%203/22/11.jpg (http://www.dakkadakka.com/gallery/200697-Mantis%20Warriors%20as%20of%203%252F22%252F11.html )

HQ:
Chapter Master (Kantor counts-as)
Libby w/ jump pack
Captain w/jump pack & relic blade

Elite:
8 sternguard w/ mixed weaponry
Venerable dread
Iron Clad dread
2 standard dreads (assault cannon & TL LC)

Troops:
10 scout snipers w/ heavy bolter & Telion
10 scout snipers w/ heavy bolter & PF srg
10 marines w/ plas & hvy plas (Inquisitional squad)
5 marines w/ las/plas razorback
5 marines w/ las/plas razorback

Operational Support:
3 drop pods

I think the Mantis Warriors will probably be between 5000 & 6000 points before I'm "done", this encompasses two different armies and either side of their penitential crusade.

[Gitsplitta]

Two tac squads to go in my Razorbacks...

http://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2011/3/28/202872_sm-Mantis%20Warriors%2C%20Space%20Marines%2C%20Tac%20 Squad%2C%20Warhammer%2040%2C000.jpg (http://www.dakkadakka.com/gallery/202872-Mantis%20Warriors%2C%20Space%20Marines%2C%20Tac%20 Squad%2C%20Warhammer%2040%2C000.html)

[Gitsplitta]

In case anyone is curious, our team "The Wardens of the Maelstrom", did participate in the team tourney at Adepticon last weekend & featured the 4 rebelling chapters of the Badab War. We hardly lit the world on fire with our game play but we all had a wonderful time. I did go 2/4 on the day and was actually quite happy with our performance in all 4 games win or lose. For a fluffy, vanilla force we put up quite a fight against some excellent opponents.

I was saddened by our painting score (35/60) but since I was manning the booth when the judges came by I have no one to blame for it save myself.

I am totally hooked on Adepticon however. It was the single best gaming experience of my life and I'm sure to be back next year!

[Gitsplitta]

So, I'm still tying up a few loose ands from the Adepticon army. Buddy make me a couple of power sword armed sergeants for the razorback squads that didn't make the final army cut, so my first order of business is to finish painting them. Here's the first, Brother Sergeant Paulus.

http://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2011/4/16/210609_sm-Mantis%20Warriors%2C%20Sergeant%2C%20Space%20Marin es%2C%20Tactical%2C%20Warhammer%2040%2C000.jpg (http://www.dakkadakka.com/gallery/210609-Mantis%20Warriors%2C%20Sergeant%2C%20Space%20Marin es%2C%20Tactical%2C%20Warhammer%2040%2C000.html)

I think the sword was made by MaxMini, as is the bionic leg... the head is from Chapterhouse.

http://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2011/4/16/210610_sm-Mantis%20Warriors%2C%20Sergeant%2C%20Space%20Marin es%2C%20Tactical%2C%20Warhammer%2040%2C000.jpg (http://www.dakkadakka.com/gallery/210610-Mantis%20Warriors%2C%20Sergeant%2C%20Space%20Marin es%2C%20Tactical%2C%20Warhammer%2040%2C000.html)

[Gitsplitta]

Couple of new additions:

First, the other sergeant for my Razorback squads in my Badab War era army. I've been experimenting with my airbrush for painting the sword and refining my OSL technique a bit... still needs work but we're getting there.

http://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2011/4/29/215980_sm-Mantis%20Warriors,%20Sergeant,%20Space%20Marines,% 20Warhammer%2040,000.jpg (http://www.dakkadakka.com/gallery/215980-Mantis%20Warriors%2C%20Sergeant%2C%20Space%20Marin es%2C%20Warhammer%2040%2C000.html)

And next up, a plasma cannoneer for my post-crusade Mantis Warriors Penitent. This is actually going to a friend in trade. More OSL experiments... still needs work but practice makes perfect. Have a bit of over-spray on the gun barrel I need to deal with (stupid camera).

http://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2011/4/30/216154_sm-Gms%2C%20Mantis%20Warriors%2C%20Plasma%20Cannon%2C %20Space%20Marines%2C%20Warhammer%2040%2C000.jpg

[Tynskel]

I am looking forward to seeing your master of the forge.

[Gitsplitta]

Holy cats I forgot to post a pic of it!


Well, this isn't quite finished... but this is how it looked when I took it to Adepticon & is how it remains for the time being. I will eventually get back to it and give it the detail and finishing touches it deserves.

http://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2011/4/4/205880_sm-Mantis%20Warriors%2C%20Motf%2C%20Space%20Marines%2 C%20Warhammer%2040%2C000%2C%20Work%20In%20Progress .jpg (http://www.dakkadakka.com/gallery/205880-Mantis%20Warriors%2C%20Motf%2C%20Space%20Marines%2 C%20Warhammer%2040%2C000%2C%20Work%20In%20Progress .html)

[Tynskel]

Doctor Octopus!

[Gitsplitta]

That was my inspiration... two limbs with magnetic pads for bracing and two with clamps for lifting machinery.

[Gitsplitta]

Update!

These Missile Launchers were badly damaged in acetone, but because it took me so long to accumulate them I couldn't just toss them. Been a long-time dream of mine to field a dev squad with the original plastic beakie MLs. To compound matters I had a primer malfunction, so they turned out really grainy. In spite of everything though, I did my best to make them look decent. Hope you like them.

http://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2011/5/28/227339_md-Devastators%2C%20Mantis%20Warriors%2C%20Space%20Ma rines%2C%20Warhammer%2040%2C000.jpg (http://www.dakkadakka.com/gallery/227339-Devastators%2C%20Mantis%20Warriors%2C%20Space%20Ma rines%2C%20Warhammer%2040%2C000.html)

[Gitsplitta]

Been quite a while since I updated... doesn't seem to be much interest but I'll post at least a few more times.

Got some old dozer blades done for my razorbacks. Shading is slightly different on them, the left one is the one I did second & I think I did a better job on that one.

http://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2011/6/19/236805_sm-Dozer%20Blade%2C%20Mantis%20Warriors%2C%20Razorbac k%2C%20Space%20Marines%2C%20Warhammer%2040%2C000.j pg (http://www.dakkadakka.com/gallery/236805-Dozer%20Blade%2C%20Mantis%20Warriors%2C%20Razorbac k%2C%20Space%20Marines%2C%20Warhammer%2040%2C000.h tml)

[BrokenWing]

Considering all that happened to the world's unluckiest missile launchers, I'd say they look pretty good.

Why the heavy use of 2nd edition models? Not a criticism, just curious.

[Gitsplitta]

I started playing 40k (and my Mantis Warriors) just at the transition from RT to First Edition (though was playing mostly Eldar back in the early days). This is my attempt to make the army I should have 20 years ago but never did... While all the models aren't from that era... they're as close as I can get in "feel" while still paying attention to aesthetics. I'll also be making a "modern" Mantis Warrior army, but this older project is my current passion.

[bloodangel 83]

Your army looks great keep up the great work.

[Gitsplitta]

Thanks bloodangel!

Have another one for you, hot off the painting table. My vanguard proof-of-concept: These are counts-as lightening claws arranged to mimic the preying mantis.

http://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2011/7/2/242137_sm-Gms%2C%20Mantis%20Warriors%2C%20Space%20Marines%2C %20Vanguard%2C%20Warhammer%2040%2C000.jpg (http://www.dakkadakka.com/gallery/242137-Gms%2C%20Mantis%20Warriors%2C%20Space%20Marines%2C %20Vanguard%2C%20Warhammer%2040%2C000.html)

[Dreadnought]

I think the wings came out beautifully on that last model. Nice job! That poor necron....

[bloodangel 83]

Nice!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Fellend]

Those are pure awesome...
More pictures please, I'd love some more close ups on the vanguards

[Gitsplitta]

Thanks friends, took a long time and a lot of experimentation to sort out the veins on the wings. Then I had him almost done but didn't like how I'd initially done the helmet, so he sat for a couple of weeks while I thought about it. Unfortunately my light box is down at the moment, and the rather crude set-up I have completely washes out the gradients on his armor so he just looks "green". :=(

@Fellend: When I make more... you'll get your pictures. ;-) At the moment, he's the only one!

[Tynskel]

what did you use to make the wings?

[Gitsplitta]

A friend of mine who is a very talented sculptor made them for me, along with a variety of helmets. They're cast resin.

[Gitsplitta]

A friend made me this "chaos mantis warrior". I liked the figure but was at a loss for how to use it on the gaming table, so I made it into an objective and mocked up an old Mantis Warrior rhino hatch as if he'd just dismantled it and dispatched the occupants & was now looking for his next kill. This is my first serious attempt at vehicle weathering. The pitting and such worked OK for a fist attempt. Have gotten a lot of good advice in response to this piece so the next will be better. I'll still do a little work on the rust around the edges (right now it's just a brown wash, will add some pigment powder effects before I finally call it quits.

http://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2011/7/27/251726_sm-Chaos%2C%20Mantis%20Warriors%2C%20Objective%20Mark er%2C%20Space%20Marines%2C%20Warhammer%2040%2C000. jpg (http://www.dakkadakka.com/gallery/251726-Chaos%2C%20Mantis%20Warriors%2C%20Objective%20Mark er%2C%20Space%20Marines%2C%20Warhammer%2040%2C000. html)

As always, thanks for looking. Hope to have a terminator libby done soon.

[Fellend]

You really make my day with this thread. I just love your army. I can't wait untill the rest of the vanguard vets come online

[Gitsplitta]

I know it's a long wait as I'm a very slow painter with too many projects going on concurrently. I do apprecaite your support though and hope you'll continue to stay involved by reading and commenting!

[Meph]

That's a nice looking bloody marine mate. nice job. i do love the use of the oldskool stuff. :D

[Thornblood]

Your army is amazing. Truly inspirational.

[Gitsplitta]

Thanks Meph, Disjointed Entity (on dakka) made the marine, I just tried to concoct a decent base for him.

@Thornblood: Thank you! I'm glad you're enjoying it.


I did finally get my terminator librarian done. Meet Epistolary Brother Marcus.

http://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2011/7/28/252494_sm-Librarian%2C%20Mantis%20Warriors%2C%20Space%20Mari nes%2C%20Terminator%20Armor%2C%20Warhammer%2040%2C 000.jpg (http://www.dakkadakka.com/gallery/252494-Librarian%2C%20Mantis%20Warriors%2C%20Space%20Mari nes%2C%20Terminator%20Armor%2C%20Warhammer%2040%2C 000.html)

[Meph]

Noice!

[SotonShades]

Love it. Especially the storm shield. Not usually a big fan of the older style terminators either :)

[Gitsplitta]

Thank you gentlemen. I wasn't sure about the shield myself originally but I added the crux and seals and the rim just panted up so nicely that it turned into a very gratifying bit of work.

[Gitsplitta]

Latest addition. Painted this normal marine as a Mantis Warrior for a friend.

http://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2011/8/1/253804_sm-Mantis%20Warriors%2C%20Space%20Marines%2C%20Warham mer%2040%2C000.jpg (http://www.dakkadakka.com/gallery/253804-Mantis%20Warriors%2C%20Space%20Marines%2C%20Warham mer%2040%2C000.html)

[Gitsplitta]

One more for you. Just finished this objective marker. It looks better in person as the scene is very 3 dimensional so the conversion to a 2-D photograph doesn't do it any favors.

http://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2011/7/31/253494_sm-Mantis%20Warriors%2C%20Objective%20Marker%2C%20Spa ce%20Marines%2C%20Warhammer%2040%2C000.jpg (http://www.dakkadakka.com/gallery/253494-Mantis%20Warriors%2C%20Objective%20Marker%2C%20Spa ce%20Marines%2C%20Warhammer%2040%2C000.html)

[Fellend]

Love the marine, He really looks like something has just hit him from the side and he goes "The fu..."

[Gitsplitta]

Thanks Fellend! Yeah, he worked out. Kind of a relief not to have to do some monster conversion for a change. Just a normal marine... didn't take me 2 days base and all... that's got to be a record for me. I'm adjusting my green so it shades up to yellow rather than white and I like it much better. The big experiment with this was was trying to make sheet cork look like pavement. I think it worked out rather well.

Thanks for looking!

[Meph]

Love the marine, He really looks like something has just hit him from the side and he goes "The fu..."
LOL :D


Yeah, the cork works really well. Very nice bases.
Your marines look good, I like the colour tones. Have you considered applying some thin, dark outlining for the armour plates and details? I think that might suit your style very nicely.
You have a bright and clear painting style, and some outlining might make it look more solid and make it pop. It might create an almost graphic novel look. Maybe something to experiment with. ;)

[Gitsplitta]

LOL :D


Yeah, the cork works really well. Very nice bases.
Your marines look good, I like the colour tones. Have you considered applying some thin, dark outlining for the armour plates and details? I think that might suit your style very nicely.
You have a bright and clear painting style, and some outlining might make it look more solid and make it pop. It might create an almost graphic novel look. Maybe something to experiment with. ;)

I do "line" the gaps between the plates with Thrakka green wash, though it may not show very well under the intense lighting of my photo booth. It's subtle though. Are you suggesting something even darker, or have I misinterpreted your suggestion?

[Meph]

You interpreted correct, good sir. :D
I mean some very dark green, near black outlines. Thin ones though, fine lines.

[Gitsplitta]

I'll give that a try Meph, thank you!

[Gitsplitta]

Latest work: Scout bike sergeant mounted on an old RT era jet bike (will run these as normal scout bikes). I really like the way these are turning out.

http://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2011/8/8/256197_md-Bike%2C%20Jetbike%2C%20Mantis%20Warriors%2C%20Rt%2 C%20Scouts%2C%20Space%20Marines%2C%20Warhammer%204 0%2C000.jpg (http://www.dakkadakka.com/gallery/256197-Bike%2C%20Jetbike%2C%20Mantis%20Warriors%2C%20Rt%2 C%20Scouts%2C%20Space%20Marines%2C%20Warhammer%204 0%2C000.html)

[DrLove42]

Lovely work!

[Gitsplitta]

Thank you!

[SotonShades]

I never knew Wesley Snipes was a space marine... Seriously though, great work as always!

[Snyderson]

I never knew Wesley Snipes was a space marine... Seriously though, great work as always!

That was right was I was thinking! :D

[Gitsplitta]

LOL! It's appropriate though, eh? I can see it...

The heads are done by Dragon Forge and several of them look familiar to me. They're beautiful sculpts though. My "spin" on them (fluff wise) is that the chapter recruits specifically for scout bikers from a group of hive world biker gangs which are predominately African/American in appearance. So we have an enclave of African/American looking marines in the bike corps amongst a chapter that is diverse, but heavily Caucasian (or later) Asian in influence. Of course I expect there would be a lot of blending of the races in the Imperium but I imagine there would still be ethnic enclaves in isolated areas leading to distinct racial types.

[DF3CT]

Hey guys, thanks for the kind words!

The pattern for these units comes from the original RT rule book where there are two pics showing mantis warriors. One is in the traditional green, the next is in this striped yellow pattern. The captions underneath it says (and I apologize for not remembering the wording exactly), Tranquility Campaign sniper in camo... or something to that effect. This cryptic wording has always been fascinating to we MW players as I believe it was the first use of the term "sniper" in the world of 40k and it applied to an obviously fully armored marine. Now with the changes in the rules and the re-writing of most of 40k history over the last 20+ years since I started playing, it never looked like I would ever be able to truly portray this very unique looking variant in a way that would stand out (play-wise) on the gaming table. However 5th edition came along and the sternguard seemed a perfect fit. So I got out my original plastic beakies, did a bunch of modifications and started building some Tranquility Snipers. When it was time to add a venerable dread to the army, it seemed natural that he would have been a T-sniper, badly wounded in battle and encased in a dreadnought suit. The arming of that dreadnought also became obvious as this is essentially a sniper configuration. I do have a CCW arm for him as well though.

Which brings me to the questions & comments...

As has been correctly surmised, the two guns came from the Aegis Defense Line set. This was not my idea but suggested to me by an on-line friend. Converting over wasn't that difficult though I did not do that great a job... the guns don't quite align right but certainly for tabletop use the misalignment is not noticeable. I'm sure I could do a better job of it now (I started this project months ago).

The yellow is actually pretty straight forward... I use the Army Painter yellow primer washed with sepia. Then I slowly built the color back up towards the center of each plate through the range of GW's yellow paints (but quite diluted). Plates that are in full sun are blended through lighter shades than are those not in full sun. When complete, I reinforce the sepia wash on the edges with a brush... and that's it!

The hardware on these guns was removed from the standard scout sniper rifles, however in my newest builds I'm making my own extended barrels & scopes out of 0.064" wire and brass tubing. It's actually quite a simple process and looks really good, though they don't have the extra little nubbins that these do. My new challenge is to make a combi-melta based on Umbra-pattern bolters (the kind these guys carried when I first bought them). It's been quite a challenge as the original Umbra bolters are quite small and narrow when compared with a "modern" bolt gun, but I think I have it sorted now and am quite happy with the prototype.

The pic is of a Mantis Sniper in the camo watching an orc buggy coming by or something, so it's a desert camo.

It would work for cover in oasis and other small brush.

[Fellend]

I love the face and the painting but his sword arm seems to be a bit ... off, it looks really uncomfortable.

[Gitsplitta]

Hello everyone. Thanks for the comments and thanks so much for reading!

Finally got my scout bike squad completed, have been carefully hoarding these bikes for 20 years. I'm quite happy with them. Made from modern scout bikers riding RT/1st Ed. jet bikes (but I'll field them as normal bikes).

The Squad:
http://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2011/9/1/265601_sm-Bike%2C%20Jet%20Bikes%2C%20Mantis%20Warriors%2C%20 Scouts%2C%20Space%20Marines%2C%20Warhammer%2040%2C 000.jpg (http://www.dakkadakka.com/gallery/265601-Bike%2C%20Jet%20Bikes%2C%20Mantis%20Warriors%2C%20 Scouts%2C%20Space%20Marines%2C%20Warhammer%2040%2C 000.html)

Sergeant Blade:

http://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2011/8/8/256197_sm-Bike%2C%20Jetbike%2C%20Mantis%20Warriors%2C%20Rt%2 C%20Scouts%2C%20Space%20Marines%2C%20Warhammer%204 0%2C000.jpg (http://www.dakkadakka.com/gallery/256197-Bike%2C%20Jetbike%2C%20Mantis%20Warriors%2C%20Rt%2 C%20Scouts%2C%20Space%20Marines%2C%20Warhammer%204 0%2C000.html)

Scout Morpheus: (who I just noticed needs some clean-up work on his left shoulder)

http://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2011/9/1/265602_sm-Bike%2C%20Jet%20Bikes%2C%20Mantis%20Warriors%2C%20 Scouts%2C%20Space%20Marines%2C%20Warhammer%2040%2C 000.jpg (http://www.dakkadakka.com/gallery/265602-Bike%2C%20Jet%20Bikes%2C%20Mantis%20Warriors%2C%20 Scouts%2C%20Space%20Marines%2C%20Warhammer%2040%2C 000.html)

Scout Barak: (Leaning to the right... *sigh*)

http://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2011/9/1/265604_sm-Bike%2C%20Mantis%20Warriors%2C%20Scouts%2C%20Space %20Marines%2C%20Warhammer%2040%2C000.jpg (http://www.dakkadakka.com/gallery/265604-Bike%2C%20Mantis%20Warriors%2C%20Scouts%2C%20Space %20Marines%2C%20Warhammer%2040%2C000.html)

[Gitsplitta]

Scout "George" Foreman: (Maybe I should model a little red grill on his back?)

http://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2011/9/1/265605_sm-Bike%2C%20Mantis%20Warriors%2C%20Scouts%2C%20Space %20Marines%2C%20Warhammer%2040%2C000.jpg (http://www.dakkadakka.com/gallery/265605-Bike%2C%20Mantis%20Warriors%2C%20Scouts%2C%20Space %20Marines%2C%20Warhammer%2040%2C000.html)

Scout "Simon" Phoenix: (His eyes are a little catiwumpas but I can't see well enough to fix them. At normal distance they are not noticeable.)

http://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2011/9/1/265603_sm-Bike%2C%20Jet%20Bikes%2C%20Mantis%20Warriors%2C%20 Scouts%2C%20Space%20Marines%2C%20Warhammer%2040%2C 000.jpg (http://www.dakkadakka.com/gallery/265603-Bike%2C%20Jet%20Bikes%2C%20Mantis%20Warriors%2C%20 Scouts%2C%20Space%20Marines%2C%20Warhammer%2040%2C 000.html)

Hope you like them!

[bloodangel 83]

nice looking bike squad.

[Gitsplitta]

Thanks bloodangel!


For your entertainment... I present you with my Mantis Warriors at 2700 pts (give or take, depending on war gear). I can field the whole thing in one shot minus one HQ as it all fits within the FOC, and the next two MW projects (LS Storms and Attack Bikes) will still fit within the constraints of a single army.

Since this represents my Badab era army, the only figure with Mk-7 armor is the chapter master (Pedro in the center there). Everything else is as original as I can get it. There are still plenty of other painted models, but they aren't painted up to my current standard so I've left them out for now. Hopefully, most will get stripped and re-painted so they can take their place amongst the brethren.

The current army stands as follows:

HQ: Chapter Master (counts-as Pedro Kantor)
HQ: Terminator Librarian
HQ: MoTF

EL: Sternguard (8) w/ pod
EL: Iron Clad Dread w/ pod
EL: Venerable Rifleman Dread w/pod
EL: Dread (assault cannon, CCW & HF)
EL: Dread (TL las cannon, CCW & HF)

TP: Tac Squad (5) w/ las/plas razorback
TP: Tac Squad (5) w/ las/plas razorback
TP: Scout Sniper Squad (10) w/ Telion
TP: Scout Sniper Squad (10)
TP: Scout Assault Squad (5)
TP: Scout Assault Squad (5)

FA: Scout Bike Squad (5)

HVY: Devastator Squad (6) w/ 4x ML

Two of the dreads can be fielded as heavies if I take the MoTF, which is how I can bring the whole thing in under a single FOC.

http://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2011/9/2/266070_md-Army%2C%20Mantis%20Warriors%2C%20Space%20Marines%2 C%20Warhammer%2040%2C000.jpg (http://www.dakkadakka.com/gallery/266070-Army%2C%20Mantis%20Warriors%2C%20Space%20Marines%2 C%20Warhammer%2040%2C000.html)
Still lots more to do, but I must admit the above photo is pretty satisfying.

[Gitsplitta]

Brother Abraham. Known amongst the scouts as "The Grill Master", the extra fuel canister is rumored to be filled with BBQ sauce instead of flamer fuel.

http://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2011/10/21/284027_md-Heavy%20Flamer%2C%20Mantis%20Warriors%2C%20Space%2 0Marines%2C%20Sternguard%2C%20Warhammer%2040%2C000 .jpg (http://www.dakkadakka.com/gallery/284027-Heavy%20Flamer%2C%20Mantis%20Warriors%2C%20Space%2 0Marines%2C%20Sternguard%2C%20Warhammer%2040%2C000 .html)

[Gitsplitta]

Latest addition: Sternguard w/ Chapterhouse combi-weapon w/ magnetized load-outs.

http://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2011/10/25/285697_sm-Combi-melta%2C%20Mantis%20Warriors%2C%20Snipers%2C%20Spa ce%20Marines%2C%20Sternguard%2C%20Tranquility.jpg (http://www.dakkadakka.com/gallery/285697-Combi-melta%2C%20Mantis%20Warriors%2C%20Snipers%2C%20Spa ce%20Marines%2C%20Sternguard%2C%20Tranquility.html )

[Gitsplitta]

This is a test, this is only a test. Had this been an actual post, you would have been directed to your nearest emergency station for further information.

(Sorry, internet troubles... need to do some guesswork.)

[theHman]

Beautiful yellows on those marines!