Deathwatch Marines

I've had this project on my table for about 3 years. In that time two versions of 40k have been born, and two Space Marine Codexes have also popped up. Sadly the Inquisitional codexes have gotten crappier, with less "canon" being followed, and more game play emphasis creeping in.

Also in that time, my club-mate Nick has built and played with his Deathwatch army quite a few times!

Well now it is my turn...

With the Ordo Fanaticus Club Challenge just a few weeks away (literally), A-Club Overachievers will be representing again. We'll talk more about our theme after the tourney, but I'm anticipating a fun team event in Portland.

My idea is to go with a Iron Hands themed list, that is fast and hard hitting.
In the Deathwatch, Marines are recruited from many chapters, and are lead by a Captain. That Captain's background often dictates the tactics the squads employ (DW Marines are usually deployed in small highly specialized units, but for the tourney these guys are responding en masse to a larger threat). As you can tell from the pictures I have used shoulder pads from just about every (loyalist!) chapter that FW and GW has produced them for. I have also used a couple of 3rd-party pads to represent chapters I have an affinity with.

(please forgive the poor photo quality. With my lens in the mail to Canon I had to resort to my iPhone which lacks the depth of field capacity, and was attached to my slightly shaky hands!)

My commander; converted from a FW Praetor, the Command backpack, the Storm-shield from the Games Day Boarding Marine a few years ago, and a terminator fist to attach the shield to the chopped (oh, it hurt cutting that gun off!) arm.

Troops are basic marine squads, led by Iron Hands sergeants.

 

I'm using Sternguard Vets in Drop pods, with Heavy Flamers and plenty of combi-weapons!

Heavy support comes from the Thunderfire Cannon, which I have learned to love in game play almost as much as I hated putting the horrible thing together!
There are also two Deathstorm drop pods (which were actually the inspiration for the army).

Fast Attack comes from Stormtalons and a Land Speeder.

As you can tell, I have gone with a resin base, using the fantastic Wastelands ranges from Dragon Forge Design. The Stormtalons are mounted on a flying kit (mount under the flyer and rod), and DFD will drill out the base to take the plexiglass rod.

As OFCC is a team event, with theme encouraged, we have done special objective markers....
... but you'll have to wait until after the event!

Hope you enjoy the images. Feel free to drop comments and ask questions.