+ inload: Third Company returns to base +

 + Blood Angels back on manoeuvres +

+ Had the happy surprise of receiving an email asking whether I'd be willing to put my Blood Angels [+noosphericinloadlink embedded+] on display up at Warhammer World again, as part of the White Dwarf issue 500 celebration. Needless to say that I'm delighted to do so, so keep an eye out for a squad or two appearing there shortly. +

 

+ While they're out of the case, and before I post them up, I thought I'd snap a couple of shots for the Ashes of Armageddon project – which, after all, was the storyline that hung around the force. +

+ I'll be posting up just a squad or two, so need to work out which ones would be most suited. Any thoughts? +

+ inload: Blood Angel remnants +

+ Those left behind +

+ Lurking at the bottom of the box in which I store my Blood Angels army [+noosphericinloadlink embedded+] are a few figures which were unfinished when I sent them off to be displayed in Warhammer World. For the most part, they're addenda to the main army – that is, they weren't amongst the models as the army appeared in White Dwarf 139 (the theme and inspiration for the force), but have some form of connection. +

+ Pictured here are four figures. The Terminator captain was never part of the army, but the model is inspired by a Rogue Trader-era figure who was part of the original Terminator box release. +

+ Beside him are two lieutenants – these were compulsory in the Rogue Trader army list, though as far as I'm aware, the GW studio army never had them... or did they? If you look closely at the list in WD139, you'll spot that the Lieutenant is present in the army list – but only ever appeared as the driver in the Land Speeder [+noosphericinloadlink embedded+]; hence the egregious yellow shoulder pads. +

+ Finally we've got a standard bearer. When I reimagined the apothecary [+noosphericinloadlink embedded+], I reduced the giant banner he was bearing to a back banner. While I think this was the right decision, I also think that banners are a key part of the overall aesthetic, and wanted to include a Ancient – this is the result. I had intended that he carry a large version of Captain Tycho's heraldry, as my version of the model follows the (back-bannerless) artwork. Sadly, blank banners seem to be a bit few and far between these days, so I've instead used one from the Sanguinary Guard kit, which at least is Blood Angel themed. +

+ All are at a fairly basic level. You'll notice that I've completed the bases and faces – a common way I start off, as it immediately makes things feel more interesting to me.

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+ Next up are the scouts. These were never shown as part of the army, but were knocking about at the same time, owing to the release of Advanced Space Crusade. I still have a quiet ambition to get that out of the garage and play that some day... And it'd be fun to use original models for it. +

+ Close-up of the faces. +

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+ And apropos of nothing beyond having the figures out to photograph, here are some close-ups of some others from the army. +

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+ The Mark of Khorne +

+ Finally, I'm very pleased to see Krautscientist return to the noosphere – go check out the ever-entertaining and inspirational Khorne's Eternal Hunt. [+noosphericexloadlink embedded+] +

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+ inload: White Dwarf 479 +

+ runcycle{trumpet blowing} +

+ inload: Blood Angels Third Company in White Dwarf +

+ What a lovely treat – my Blood Angels are making a splash in the hallowed pages of White Dwarf. Go pick up a copy to feast your eyes on some really lovely pictures of my daubings, which rather flatter the miniatures! My thanks to Dan, Richard and the rest of the White Dwarf team for their kindness, enthusiasm and encouragement. It was a treat to drive up to Nottingham to talk their ears off about the process. +

+ We started discussing this in the dark throes of the COVID lockdown, so it's been quite a while since the army has turned up here on the blog. +

+ In fact, checking back through the archivescreed, I was astonished to see that I'd started building the army way back in M2.000.017 – more than five years ago! The original inload-article is here [+noosphericinloadlink embedded+]. The inload there shows how projects can take new twists – in that first inload, I boldly state: 'I'm not going to be obsessive about the army composition. There'll doubtless be a few nods to old models (I'm particularly keen to have a go at updating the proto-Tycho Blood Angels Captain) and the paint scheme, but the force will be a more general homage to the Blood Angels of the time – so tying in bits from the tail end of Rogue Trader through 2nd edition; particularly the artwork.' – while by the time I'd really got stuck into them, I was making not just a specific copy of the army list, but altering the poses to better match the originals! +

+ If you'd like to read through the broader project, the [+ Insphere contentsieve +] search tool in the right column will help you out – enter 'Blood Angels' into the field, and you'll find all the previous inloads that relate to the army. In particular, here's my approach to painting the red I used [+noosphericinloadlink embedded+]+

+ If you'd like to have a go yourself at reinterpreting a project that has particular value for yourself, then I'd thoroughly encourage you to do so. I think everyone has that particular model that has particular nostalgic value for them – and breaking that down and creating your own version is really enjoyable experience. What's yours? Feel free to share in the comments below, or come join me on the +Death of a Rubricist+ Facebook group. +

Brother Engel (Narieal 4:10). The white kneepad is from the old White Dwarf illustration – simply labelled as an 'Honour Marking'. I thought this was fitting for an update of the oldest model in the army.

The original Brother Engel, a relic of the wars of 1991.

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