Copper Oracle | 2. Rank and File Assault Squad (836 pts)

  The Fire Hawks took pride in their savage reputation, but even within their own,  the 8th Company was known for its bloodthirsty choler and eagerness for battle. On more than one occasion elements had been been censured for their habit of interpreting or ignoring orders to allow them to engage or pursue the foe and in one particular admonition they had been reminded that they were not World Eaters.  Captain Agni had responded;

'Only Worlds?! We are Eaters of Fire!'

- 'The Burning Chronicles, 8th Company Remembrances' 

For a new project, I have started this one about as organised and prepped as I could possibly be, all the figures based, assembled and undercoated along with a clear plan in my head of what to paint. 

I had even reset my painting table and hugely expanded on the inevitable front two inches of open space to paint as well as removing all my other WIPs to a safe distance out of sight to try and reduce distraction!

I decided to start off with the first of my Rank and File slots and took the Assault squad. As a unit they fit the particularly aggressive character of the Fire Hawks perfectly and I wanted to start of with the one of the big blocks while I still had New Year/new Project energy going!

I started by batch painting the unit with the base colours, this can be quite monotonous but I distract myself listening to Audiobooks (currently Horus Heresy/Big Finish) and its something I can dip in and out of as time allows just doing a colour at a time. For the later stages I tend to go back to a couple at a time to get the feel of the figures again and actually seeing figures getting finished helps the final push.

After a good start the batch painting was leaving me a little bored so I decided to start a couple of the characters for some variety. The Chaplain was equipped with a jump pack as well to support the Assault unit so it would be nice to have the whole lot done while the Medic was another one that was a little different. 

 

I ended up finishing the two characters quicker than I thought and started on my originally planned stretch goals, Dreadnought and Techmarine, but after starting the base colours I put them to one side to try and focus on actually finishing the unit

The Chaplains scheme is based on the Howling Griffons who are an Ultramarine successor chapter like the Fire Hawks (thought the Ultramarines have not confirmed the Fire Hawks claim...)

Chaplain Alarak

As with the Chaplain, I have based the Medics scheme on the Ultramarine pattern

Getting towards the end of January I felt quite confident in finishing the marines so looked at adding some more figures to the table. I couldn't decide on a scheme for the Dreadnought so put together some more marines to add to a Field Police Unit I had started at the end of last year for the army and I ran out of time to complete the Land speeder so will add this to February.

Chapter Badges and Standards I will add on as part of my Leader Month as I am waiting on decals

Field Police image from Rogue Trader rulebook

With five already painted, the other five would allow me to field them as a tactical unit and also gave me the paint scheme for my second Chaplain and a Rhino Transport

Chaplain Rhino paint scheme 

Chaplain Orloz

Field Police unit with Multi-Melta, Webber and duel Power Gloves for more Apprehension and Pacification than Eradication

Completed Assault squad

Fire Hawks force completed so far

 (including the five Field Police completed before the challenge begun)

Points so far:

1.  'The Fire Eaters' 8th Company, 2nd Squad

Assault Squad (10)

Flamer, Plasma pistol, Sergeant with Power sword and Bionic Leg, All with chainswords,  All with Jump packs = 282

2. 'Dominus'

Field Police Tactical Squad (10)

Melta-Gun, Web Gun, Sergeant with two Power Gloves. All with Bolt Pistols = 272 (136pts for this challenge, as half were painted)

(I have counted the Field Police as a tactical squad to allow them access to the heavy weapons options)

3. Chaplain Alarak

Champion, Bolt Pistol, Chainsword. Jump Pack = 23

4. Chaplain Orloz

Champion, Bolt Pistol, Chainsword = 21

Rhino Transport  = 373 points

5. Medic Lanac

Field Medic, Bolt gun, Chainsword = 34

Total Points: 869 pts