Stargrave Pirates or Star B**tards??

Hello out there! 

Back in the midsts of time, in the year 2018 there was a group project on the Oldhammer forum to create “Star Bastards”. The aim was to create a rag rag groups of Space Marines that had spent their entire lives caught up on the front line. As front line units they should have mismatched, patched up armour and equipment. The plan was to have them ready for Bring Your Own Lead 18 where a mass battle was planned as they invaded Helsreach for some RnR. 

As I like to use all my figures for my Post Apocalyptic setting Mattblackgod’s world I was going to rebrand them as the “Bunker Bustards” and have them as a team of bunker raiders, hence all the cool kit they sport. They will still see action on Mattblackgod’s world in this function.

Assembly begun but sadly I couldn’t get them finished in time for BOYL 18. They sat languishing in a box until last year when I finished assembly and conversion. There was a deep bits box raid grabbing heads and parts from many 3rd party bits suppliers. I even managed to get them primed.  

This figure was a metal beakie marine. I carefully shaved the mask off and trimmed a Iron Pig head to fit into the hole. I hated the pose of the original figure (a Rhino rider) so I lopped the offending arm off and replaced it with a spare plastic arm. 

Early this year I begun to see blog posts by about the forthcoming Stargrave game. I realised these guys would make great Space Pirates for Stargrave. I ditched the military colours and rust pain scheme I had planned and went for something more (40K) Space Mariney. As these guys are pirates I went for a mismatched colour scheme with a fair bit of owner customisation & graffiti. The shoulder pads have a stylised skull and crossbones painted on them. 

The guy on the left has a later Space Wolves head and a set of mechanical legs intended for a Ork. I can’t recall the manufacturer. The guy on the right has a aftermarket head and a wolf pelt from the space wolves. 

The figures are all classic Space Marines that I have converted. Mainly plastics with a metal figure thrown in. 

The dude with the skull face mask is a old favourite of mine, painted back in the midsts of time (c1988) with the old update over the decades. He is intended as the gang’s leader. 

Thanks for reading and stay safe out there. 

Wasteland Wondering -still alive.

Welcome back Wasteland Wanderers, 

Long time, no post. I am still alive and kicking. Mini painting has been going slow and not just because of the cats. We had a raiding run into the Lake District last weekend. 

It is one of the most beautiful parts of the UK and every time I visit it blows me away. 

My paint queue has been growing exponentially with various kickstarters dropping goodies on my door mat. Then I got some Blots Industrial walls for the Nu Necromunda boards. 70 of them.What have I done? *sob* As they are not too gothic looking they will also be useful for post apocalyptic games as walls and what have you. 

I have gotten a few figures painted. Some Vault Dwellers and characters for the wastelands. They are just waiting for me to finish the bases. Pictures will follow as soon as I get them finished. The Nu Necromuda Eshers are primed ready for paint. 

The Goliaths have gone in another direction. These guys are huge and remind me of the various bosses you come across in the Mad Max video game. 

So my twisted mind started off developing a post apocalyptic feudal army with each of the Goilaths as a Warlord with his own turf, serving under a Overlord. As such I am doing some Post Apocalyptic conversions on them. Each warlord will have a themed gang of warriors too. At least that is the plan until I get distracted.

As for the Overlord, I wanted something even more intimidating looking than a Nu Necromuda Goliath. I started converting a plastic GW Ogre but I wasn't too happy with how it looked. The pose on the figure is limited plus the muscle is more like an old school wrestler rather than a iron pumping chemed up meat head. For now I am looking at converting a Heresy Boris figure for the Overlord.

I have been looking at the Nu Necromuda Orlocks that GW has just released. They have a certain post apocalyptic warrior look. I am thinking of using them as road guards for merchant convoys crossing the wastelands. 

The Ten figures have arrived from Hysterical Games, so as soon as I get organised I will set up a sales thread over on the Post Apocalyptic Wargames Forum. Watch this space.

My Bunker/Star/Space Bastards are nearly assembled. Just some odds and ends to do before I get them painted. No idea what colours I should choose. I like rust. Does old power armour rust?  There is a request the vehicle for the gang. Something open topped. I believe last year's Bring Your Own Lead Helsreach table/game had some issues with gangs riding around in tanks. If I don't get time to build one I am sure my collection will have something suitable for my force. 

Not too sure on how the painting will progress. My good Lady is off for to hospital tomorrow for a operation, so I may have a busy week or two. 

Thanks for reading.

Take Care out there.

Wasteland Wondering Seasonal Blues.

Hello and welcome back to another Wasteland Wondering. 

Happy Belated Halloween. I hope you had a spooky time.

I have been neglecting this blog a little over the last few weeks. Real life likes to intrude on hobby time. 

My old bike's wiring has been causing many headaches. 27 year old loom and the great outdoors don't mix well. This has caused me to miss riding in September and October which are two of my favourite riding months. I think I may have to start looking for some new wheels. 

Then there was the build up to Halloween and Halloween itself (we are big on Halloween here). Decorating the house, binging on spooky movies and scaring the trick or treaters.

We also had a trip to the cat cafe in Manchester. We both enjoyed our visit and my wife didn't want to leave. If you like felines I recommend it. According to rumour they are opening one in Liverpool. I guess my good lady will be moving in.

One thing about the approaching colder season if the cats think that they are entitled to use you as a cat bed. As you can see in the picture below, Toffee has grown somewhat. 

I have some hobby updates to post (when I find my camera and kickstart the laptop) a few figures to post up, a drafted post for the forthcoming Necromunda 2 game and even some drafted posts for the Utopia city Magistrates who are stranded in ruins of Matt Black City. 

My Bunker (star) Bastards and Vaulties projects have stalled. The Bunker Bastards are still in hack and convert phase. The Vaulties are mostly painted. They just need the detailing to finish. Sadly I expect that will remain so until after new year, as Xmas looms in the distance. If you think we go nuts for Halloween, you should see us at Yule! 

To add to my collection of Wastelanders I have backed the Mini Gangs Kickstarter. I have been a fan of Curtis' work (Ramshackle Games) for a long time. There are many of his figures in my collection. I look forward to seeing these figures as well as trying to figure out how they will fit into my setting. Plus the rules look fun to play.

I have also been collecting the Mutant Epoch rpg rule book. Another planned post is to do a review of the game, background and mechanics. I love the detailing and fluff of this rpg setting.

For now, have a happy Guy Fawkes night! 

Thanks for reading and stay safe out there. 

Matt Black Data Report #10 - Bunker Bustards

A guy in a suit of old power armour walks into Wastetopia looking for a drink. The armour has come from several sets and has many custom painted parts. 

Meet Captain Bustard who leads the Bunker Bastards, a team of pre war bunker hunters. They find the bunkers and break in, looting what they can. They then move to the nearest town to spend their loot. Most of the team have suits of power armour. 

This figure is a slightly customised old plastic 40K RT era space marine.