Why Ultramarines? Honestly, just a whim. I picked up a primed model and a brush after about a year long hiatus from painting and regal blue just happened to be the closest colour and the model happened to be a Space Marine. It could have turned into anything really, Crimson Fist, Eagle Warrior, Dark Hunter, Novamarine, but it ended up as an Ultramarine. I used to be one of those players who loved nothing more than to hurl taunts at the 'Smurfs', so it seemed pretty ironic the first thing I do after so long away from the brush is paint an Ultramarine. But after enjoying wielding a brush once more it was settled, a few clicks of the mouse and some google image searches confirmed that I wanted to do a force of Ultras.
Now I read that the 'blue rage' is higher than ever due to some pretty controversial 'fluff' in the 5th Edition Space Marine codex, this suits me fine, I feel that starting an Ultramarine force in the midst of this latest tirade of hate on the chapter will help atone for my past grievances against the boys in blue! But seriously, some of that stuff is pretty awful.....But I won't got there as it has been hashed to death countless times before, and I think nobody puts it better than d4chan.
So back to that mass of plastic on my desk, staring at it and trying to group it into squads it seems I have enough bits for 1 full tactical squad, a combat squad, 5 terminators, 2 vindicators, and 3 assault marines (a whole 3!) clearly there will need to be additions but for the meantime I shall see how I get along with what I have. First up a combat squad! Which I will eventually turn into a 10 man Tactical squad before taking to the table again.
First of all a group shot of the 5. I still have a few minor details to finish on these guys, namely more freehand iconography, small metallic details, and more base work. I'm aiming for an ash wastes type battlefield which will tie in with my ideas for a new home battlefield.
Brother Aurius: Has the honour of being the first completed model of the IV Tactical Squad of the II Company of Ultramarines. For my overall look I'm going for a slight battle-worn look. A muted blue, as I don't think dark blue suits Ultramarines very well, and dirty weapons. The new Citadel paint range made this really easy, especially the weapons, highlighting the bolter casing with skavenblight ding and storm vermin fur gave it an instant dirty/worn look. Just needed a suitable dirty metallic to finish it off.
Brother Strabo: All the icons on these models and future models will be freehand as I can't stand decals. Too much effort when a steady hand can produce much better results.
Brother Erasinus: Already has the honour of being nicknamed Beaker Boy as currently he is the only beaker helmed marine I have. Beaker Boy was coined by a particular 'witty' (Read: not at all funny!) friend of mine who also plays.
Brother Numerius: I love missile launchers. Previously I played Black Templars, in direct contrast to established fluff, the army was amassed with Missile Launchers. I will choose weapons a bit more tactically this time around, but for old times sake, there had to be a Brother Boom amongst the first completed.
Brother Quintus: So special he gets two shots. But no blurb.
Brother Quintus the Second.
So there we have it, a 5 man combat squad completed! Hooray for me. Next up, I have no idea. But I will be sure to flood this blog with WIP shots and the like, again mostly for me to track my progress.
