2nd batch of models completed, back in 2015 . . .

Right after I finished my first model, I painted these five models all at the same time.  I think there was a pretty good improvement on these models over my first attempt.  Again, I cut the original 25mm bases off and replaced them with 32mm bases.  I also had to paint my first skin on the Flamer model, and I like how it turned out.  I have 4 more models in this squad, and many more "non-Primaris" models to complete when I get time.  For now though, I'll be focusing on the new Primaris and Death Guard models from the "Dark Imperium" box.  When I get caught up on all of that, I'll go back and get the older models done.

Ultramarines Tactical Squad

Ultramarines Tactical Squad

First Miniature completed - Back in 2015 . . .

I finished this mini a few years back, it is the first miniature I've ever built or painted.  It turned out pretty decent, and it was a good learning experience.  Obviously it needs some improvement, especially in the shading and highlighting, but on the table it looks pretty good.  I also had a very hard time with the decal, I had to re-apply it twice, but I think I got it now.  The decals on my next run of minis went much better.  I'm not going to change anything on this one, it's going down as a first attempt for historical purposes.

The base was originally a 25mm base supplied with the kit.  When GW decided to change the base size on these kits (to make way for the Primaris models), I decided to be OCD and cut all the 25mm bases off the models and re-base them on 32mm bases.  Overall, I like the way the bases turned out, again it was a good learning experience.  I'll be using Slate rocks for future models.

Base paint...

Using Citadel Macragge Blue Base on this Ultramarine. I thinned it with water in the palette, then applied with the Citadel Base Brush. This is just a first coat.

Mounted on dowels.....

I bought a 1" diameter poplar dowel at Lowe's for under 4 bucks. Then I cut it into 1 1/4" lengths on a chop saw. Ran some sandpaper over it to smooth it out. Then I used Blu-tac to mount each model on the dowel. Going to use these throughout the painting process.

Primed!

Astartes, primed for battle..... I mean paint. 

Painting!

Finally, painting begins. A full 10 man Tactical squad is up first. I've mounted 5 marines on each stick, I'll be using Citadel Chaos Black primer.

Devastators

Just started a Devastor squad, so far I like the kit. Devs are fun stuff!

Scouts infiltrating my hobby room!

Just moved my entire workstation to a new room and I like the new workspace much better.  This is my first model in a few weeks, so I am just adding more units as I delve deeper into the hobby.  Right now I'm basically putting together the more "basic"units, and you can't go too far wrong with a Scout Squad.  Scout's have never been terribly exciting to me, but after reading more about the Scout squad in Codex: Space Marines I think they do have a nice role in the game.  I like the look of the unit using Sniper rifles and Invisibility cloaks, I plan to replace the standard Sergeant with Sergeant Telion...mostly because I love the look of the Telion model, and his stats are very impressive.

Assault Squad built

My second squad built is an Assault squad. This kit took a lot longer to build than the Tactical squad I started with. The minis just had a lot more flash, mouldlines, and generally took a lot more effort to clean up. So this five man squad took almost as long as a 10 man, the improvement in the newer kits is significant. Happy with the results though, again I especially like the Sergeant, love the Power Fist and Combat Shield which makes him look like a formidable combatant.

Assault Squad and old molds.

Overall the quality of these molds is quite a step down from the newer 2013 Tactical kit. The newer kits are far superior on fit and do not have nearly as many mould lines to clean up. I don't remember dealing with any "flash" on the Tactical kit, just some very faint mould lines.  Even the quality of the plastic is better on the new kit, it has crisper details and the finish is more uniform and smooth.  Also, the plastic on the older Assault kits seems harder, so it's harder to file without using more pressure.

I also don't like the fit of the exhaust area of the jump packs.  The fit is just off, the side seams I just filled with Citadel Liquid Green Stuff and filed down a bit which worked great. Inside the exhaust port is a different story. I don't have the files it would take to clean those areas up. Looking around the web it seems a lot of folks don't even fill the sides of the jump packs, and just accent them instead.  I don't mind the look of the intake area lines, they look mechanical, the sides of the pack look better filled and cleaned up in my opinion.  I'm going with filling the sides and living with the ports for now.  Maybe if I had a file kit like this, I could have a go at cleaning up the very small ports on the back of the pack...for now it stays.

I'm still happy with the models once they are cleaned up and assembled.  Some pretty nice stance and gear options, I just have a hard time with the port area...it's hard to ignore.  Probably need to get to some painting before I build more.

Exhaust port seams.

Jump Pack sides filled with Liquid Green Stuff.

A Sergeant arrives!

The Sergeant is built, and I'm very happy with the end result. I went with a Chainsword and Plasma Pistol.  This Sergeant also carries a banner. I added a few extras like the scroll carrier and loincloth. This is my favorite Marine yet, no surprise. I'm glad I waited to build the Sergeant last.

Mark VI Corvus Battle Plate!

I decided to build my next Marine equipped with MK VI Corvus armor, in the past I wasn't a huge fan of the "Beak" helmet but after building this model I really dig the look of it.  I also used the alternate hand so he looks like he's getting ready to slam another full magazine in his Bolter.

Mark VI Corvus Battle Plate.

Slamming a full clip into his Bolter.

I made a small mistake on the Purity Seal on the shoulder plate, it will interfere with the Ultramarine decal that will be placed on this shoulder guard.  I'm going to have to cut it off and file it back down which shouldn't be too hard.  This is the first model that may require a bit of Liquid Green Stuff to fix some errors.

One thing I noticed that I was missing in this unit are Grenades, which are standard weapon load out for Tactical Marines.  This battle brother has both Frag and Krak grenades on hand ready to decimate foes that are closing in or behind barricades.  These things are so tiny that I lost the first on on the floor, and almost lost another which I found after getting on my hands and knees using a magnifying glass.  Going to head to the hobby shop today and pickup a hobby tweezers!

Krak grenades and a large finger!

Frag grenades.  Elbow mishap.

The elbow on this model had a small gash from getting a little "over zealous" with the clipper, this is the other spot I'll need some liquid greenstuff to fix.

And then there were four . . .

 That's it for now, tonight I build number five which when added to the others will form my first 5 man squad.  I think #5 will be wielding a Missile Launcher.

Burn the heretic!

My third tactical Marine is wielding a flamer, I also used the head sporting the special rebreather....certainly a good choice for a Space Marine bathing the unclean in holy promethium!  I wanted to be sure at least one model would have skin tones to paint even though I prefer helmets.  It will be good practice and it makes the flamer stand out, plus I like the look of it.

Battle Brothers....

So number two is put together and wow....doing a dry fit with putty along with gluing up the arms and bolter one at a time really made the whole process go much smoother. Plus, no glue smears!

Mounting arms and Boltguns...adhesive putty rocks!

Getting this phase of the marine together is giving me fits. I now realize that trying many different left and right arm combinations using adhesive putty is the key. Hopefully I can get a better fit this time.

I didn't see at first that many of the arms look identical at first glance, but there are minute differences like the angle of the wrist joint.....or maybe the angle is different where the arms meets the torso.  Time to work on my dry fit more this time around.

Adding adhesive putty to pose arms.

Full mocked up.

First miniature built!

Short post....it's a bit late. So there he is, my first Space Marine.  My plan is to start with the more "vanilla" space marines, then move onto some of the customization options, finishing up with the Sargeant.  It was nerve wracking and already a learning experience.

Going to do all ten in this squad individually, that way I can learn from each one and apply what I learned to the next model.  Overall I'm pleased with how it turned out, I had a bit of a problem gluing the bolter and two arms in place all at the same time.  I'm sure there is a better way to do it, I think I'll post for some advice on Dakka Dakka to what other modelers do at this stage.  I ended up with a bit of plastic cement getting on the trigger hand, hopefully I'll be able to do some filing to clean it up.  So that's it for now....it will be fully cured in the morning. Hopefully I applied the plastic cement correctly so I have a strong bond.