Astra Militarum Platoon Command Squad Painted

First of the platoon of the production line

Reasonably happy with this lot, both on time/effort and result. definitely tabletop standard, but considering these are mostly reclaimed minis they've come up okay.

Leuitenant Barnes, or “old One eye” as his men call him, rumours abound in the platoon but the truth is he lost his eye in a smelting accident before he even joined up, has resisted augmetics and still somehow manages to score consistently well in his marksmanship. Perhaps the reason he carries a botgun is because the sighting of a longarm is less compromised than a pistol with his single eye…

 

 

Barnes’ signalman spends a lot of his time relaying orders in a more tactful way than his Veteran-yet-unpromoted commander has originally issued them. Barnes isn't a higher rank, because Barnes does not understand tact or diplomacy.

 

 

O’Neil has been with Barnes a long time. He’s still alive. there should be an award for that.

   

Magnetised heavy bolter. PFC Jenkins there gets the magnet. he dies. a lot. it’s okay though, there’s always another Jenkins.

Using a tripod form a scout heavy bolter in combination with the sandbags I think makes this look servicable without having to sacrifice another tripod. that means we can get four sets of heavy weapons out of a single box if we have the manpower. :)

(Mortars on stands, missile launchers handheld, autocannon on stands, heavy bolters prone)

UPDATE:

As per comment request, the view from above

I intend to do all three heavy bolters with prone operators, so was looking for some variety in pose – this guy got to be working the charging handle, maybe there's a jam, or he’s just reloading while his buddy keeps an eye out..

Oh, yeah the legs, – I cut up two pairs of cadian legs and swapped the “long leg” on each to give it a more prone aspect, I have the guy with the shorter pair lying prone with some binocs on another stand.

A word on Khaki

I was asked the other day how I do the khaki, its really very somple, and I wanted to run through it here, but also to mention a slight wrinkle, which most likely only I will notice. until I point it out, then everyone will see it.

My Khaki recepie:

Base with Vallejo Model Colour Iraqi sand

Highlight with Vallejo Model Colour Iraqi sand mixed with white

Shade with army painter strong tone, diluted and placed in recesses.

Thats it..

But

I used to use Vallejo game colour Khaki.

And it’s a slightly darker, slightly warmer tone. the Signaller on the left, has Iraqi sand, the Sgt on the right had Khaki. look how different they are!

I know, I’m deranged. In my mind I have it squared away because they are simply newer issue uniforms. ahem. trust me its clearer in real life. honest.