1313th Lignum Iugo Imperial Guard Force

[millest]

Hello Folks,
welcome to my first completed force in so, so, so, so many years! I know it isn't huge, it is only 500 points after all but after picking up a brush for the first time in years it feels great. I must say not only am I pleased with the overall results but I'm very pleased with myself for meeting every aspect of the challenge, from fluff and list to the models and the terrain. I must apologise for the pics though, at present it's very overcast and the light isn't great, dont worry though this is something I will be looking to remedy for future picture taking.
As I say I am pleased and when it comes to the 750 expansion there are somethings I'd like to add to these guys or change, chief amongst them is backpacks all round, replace flesh heads with gas masks, pick out the icons etc in white and finally see about adding some litanies and text to discreet areas of the vehicles. They aren't big adds but I think they will add to the feel and fluff more.

The overall aspect of the army really does please me. I have tried to follow the same patterns and schemes all the way through and I think the very limited palette works well, especially when used to mimic the Tank camo on things like cloaks and gun Shields. The other thing that ties the force together well is the use of the Secret Weapon Minis bases, these are great and will be getting a review later. I also found that only having a limited choice on some of the bases (mainly the 60mm ones) meant I had to be creative and convert them, something that actually was more fun then I anticipated.

Other little nods are the small conversions dotted through out, like the chimera (virtual cookie for those spotting all the work), the bits and pieces in the Veteran Squad as well as the HQ choice. There are lots of little things here and there and there is a virtual cookie for the first person to spot the one and only metal GW component used in the Infantry (the Secret Weapon Packs don't count).
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The 1313th Lignum Iugo Expeditionary Force


The 1313th Lignum Iugo Expeditionary Force History
Currently Operating on the Eastern fringes the 1313th Lignum Iugo Expeditionary force was initially tasked with the exploration and eradication of Tau enclaves and inroads in to the region of space to the galactic north of Quintairn. Under the direct control of the Ordo Xenos for the duration of the campaign the 1313th were tasked with stamping the Emperors authority on worlds that were only nominally under the control of the Eagle, eradicating those worlds infested with tau and persecuting those that openly consorted with the alien.

It wasn't long however before on the outpost world of Troya Majorus that a greater threat came to light in the form of a genestealer cult.

Upon discovery the cult threw themselves at the members of the Expeditionary force with tooth, claw and more conventional weapons. This single horrific attack which resulted in the complete destruction of the capital, Hawkesfall, soon revealed an infestation covering a number of neighbouring systems and only hinted at the horrors to come. The Campaign on Troya Majorus dragged on in to the close of 881.M41 when Troya Majorus fell.

Pre-empted by the screams of Astropaths, Navigators and psykers alike the Tyranid reinforcements arrived. The invading tyranids were identified as Splinter fleet Tenebre and the full menace of the Xenos threat, both Tau and Tyranid, was revealed and all out war reigned.

Since this time more attacks have come to light and the marauding destruction of the Splinter fleet has shown to cover a vast swathe of planets on the periphery of both the Human and Tau empires. It is here that the 1313th is now engaged in an all out war on two fronts with two of the most dangerous foes the imperium faces.

The 1313th Expeditionary Force are currently on permanent detachment to the Inquisitional Enclave at Quintairn, the forces of the Lignum Iugo are proud to serve the Inquisition with distinction in campaigns across the region. Originating in the Eastern Regions of the Britarius Sector the world of Lignum Iugo is a careful balance between Industry and Cultivation providing many local systems with large quantities of food and technology. The regiments of Lignum Iugo are known for the dual specialties in Air Assault and Scouting but amongst these regiments the 1300's stand apart from the rest.

The 1300 regiments, those bearing the numbers 1300-1399, are considered by many in the sector as a guard force without peer, of particular note are the regiments of the 1313th, 1349th and 1373rd. Selected only from the best men and women of the planets many regiments and the brightest and most martial students from the planets Scholams the 1300's are some of the best in their fields.

Referred to as Expeditionary forces the 1300's are forces that are sent on either the most critical of missions or campaigns where a hard hitting strike force is required. Their most common role however is acting as a fighting force whilst assigned to Rogue Traders, Adeptus Mechanicus Exploratory forces or, given their proximity to Quintairn, as Inquisitional Troopers. The 1313th is one such regiment who by their deeds has seen the regiment seconded permanently to the Quintairn enclave. It is here where they have fought under the Insignia of numerous Inquisitors of various Ordos before the current assignment which sees them battling the dual threat of Tau and Tyranid incursions on the Eastern Fringes.

Members of the 1300s, rarely return to Lignum Iugo as the troopers they once were, scarred and decorated they often go on to lead other regiments raised from the planet. Some are requested to serve as bodyguards and retinues for inquisitors, and even other members of the imperial hierarchy should they be deemed deserving. The rarest and most sought after path is that of the honoured few who even join the ranks of the inquisition where the free thinking and autonomous nature of the 1300s shines through and prepares them for the darkness they fight. The knowledge and skills of the 1300s is without peer in the region and is one that the Inquisition is more than happy to encourage, cultivate and utilise.


Army List
The 500 point force was based off the following Army List (any Caveats or errors are explained through out this post) created to represent a similar force and is based on 5th edition - a 6th edition version will come soon:

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500 Point Challenge Images
Below are Images showing The 1313th Lignum Iugo Expeditionary Force at the outset of their expedition in to the Quintairn Sub-sector.


Complete Force
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HQ
Interrogator Ratner (Counts as Psyker)
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Troops
"Custos" Platoon (Troops choice 1)
Platoon HQ
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Squad 1
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Squad 2
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"Subruo" Hardened Veterans Squad and Chimera Transport (Troops choice 2)
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Fast Attack
Sentinel Unit - "Argentum Steed"
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Heavy Support
Medusa (counts as Griffon) - "Semotus Mortis"
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Additional Images of the units and terrain above can be found here:
[URL=http://s1034.photobucket.com/albums/a423/MMMblog/TOTG%20-%20Millest/Complete%20Force%20Round-up/]Millest's Complete Force Round-up Album[/URL]
please be aware these are un-editted so could well be "massive" hope there is something in here you like.

This post is to log the building of the Army rather then the random projects of my Tale of some gamers post

[millest]

Like a Phoenix - The 1313th rises again!

So after my stripping experience (I'm still finding notes in my underwear) and in preparation to our road trip to Nottingham in just over a week I have dusted off the 1313th and have started working on a few models towards my 500pt force. Here are some sneak peeks before they get some paint, once finished and back from Nottingham I will get proper pictures up because I don't want my opponent to know too much.





things are moving forward at least and hopefully once painted it looks like I will actually have achieved a goal on my project tracker - only 4 years after it was conceived!!!

for those interested my mini article on stripping can be found here:
[url]http://millests.blogspot.co.uk/2015/09/paint-stripping-removing-colours-of-war.html[/url]

[millest]

Reinforcements inbound - adding HQ elements and Vets to the 1313th

well folks today really is a day of firsts! Gw listens to the fans, I post a second post and I also appear to have done some modelling..... shock horror.

Today was spent either rebasing models to match the new standard I am using for the army or modelling up bits to fill out some of my options, so with out further ado here's what I have been up to.

up first is the yet to be named commander and his basic command squad, some slight conversions and some brass etch as well as new bases.


next up is my command unit extras, a couple of flamers and meltas to give me options and a nice Standard bearer to represent Kell when I decide to run my commander as Creed, hence the impractical power fist.


this is my Kasrkin command squad with the final conversion work done and finally mounted on 32mm secret weapons miniatures urban streets bases to match the rest of the force.


Final HQ squad element is this autocannon team, two plasma gunners and the scanner operator, basic work but just gives me more options should I fancy swapping out models.


next we have two heavy bolters for use with my veterans when I fancy swapping out my lascannons for a more target rich opponent, I like heavy weapons squads as I like to have them almost acting out a scene and hope that works with these guys.


final models for my veterans are these three melta gunners, as with everything else only modelled up to provide options for me to swap around a bit.


I also dug out my advisors and based them up ready to paint, I love these models and they are some of the very few bare headed models in my force, I love them but I forgot how much of a pain in the arse metal is to work with.


final part of the HQ and Elites for today was this Wyrdvane Psyker squad, not much done to it apart from rebasing but chopping off the tags and little spurs was a pain in the ***.


so that's some of today's work, hope you enjoy and who knows might even get paint on them once everything else is built

[millest]

Ad Mech Thallax - The 1313th Ogryn detachment proxy

another post on my progress and one which I enjoyed doing a little more than normal.

I personally don't like the ogryn models GW produces, either past or present. So I decided to take a slightly different route and as the 1313th are accompanying an Inquisitor I thought he would have access to some awesome toys so decided to use the Forgeworld Thallax.

I decided to give one of the Thallax a MKIII breacher shield just to mark him out as the Bone'ead upgrade when I run using them as Ogryns, nothing fancy but just think it works really well and adds something to the squad.




the other four (five when the replacement leg arrives) are all in various poses and one is modelled with the beckoning hand so I can use him as a second leader should I split the squad and field them as Ad Mech forces or smaller squads.

These are links due to their size! I will learn to resize images one day!
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[millest]

Guards! Guards! - More warm bodies for the 1313th

So today was a good day for the 1313th as they finally on Friday the 13th got some warm bodies to swell their ranks! Todays build consisted of a whole platoon, some extra weapons and some additional command units. Additional work was made for myself by swapping out all the heads that had bare faces for gas masks but all in all was a good day.
Downsides however included running out of bases, running out of gasmask heads and how the hell I managed this one I don't know, I ran out of guardsmen!! Oh, and my chair broke still a productive day that left me putting this lot (and some others not pictured) to bed

[millest]

Tanks again! - Armour for the 1313th
today sees more building of the 1313th and this time we are on armour, mainly chimera based to start with but other heavier stuff is on the horizon!

First up is the ride for my Inquisitor with a Machinator 248 rear body to make it stand out and some own cast/sculpted details I think this is a nice change to a standard chimera.



speaking of which here are three standard chimeras for if I run an armoured platoon or veterans force, given the chance I would put everything in armour!


Hellhounds next and all are magnatised ready for the various weapons but I am in two minds about this and might just build them stock (not sure on the hull weapon though) and just change the list should I decide to run a different variant.


finally some true heavy support in the form of the Manticore, a nice little model but not one I am really sure will get the attention or use it deserves.

[millest]

Send in the Heavies - Super Heavy Armour for the 1313th

So once again on to tanks and as promised today is something a little heavier with a whole plethora of super heavy tanks for your delectation!

first up is every ones favourite and go to super heavy the good old reliable Baneblade, still one of my favourite plastic kits from GW.


Next up is my Macharius Vulcan Super Heavy, bought on a whim and not built for ages through fear of how difficult it is I finally did it, and let me tell you it was much easier than I feared. My only annoyance is the autocannons on the front as they are bent and any attempt to straighten them snaps them, does anyone have any alternatives or ideas I could use?



whilst on a roll with the Vulcan I decided I might as well tackle the Vanquisher too, this one was equally as simple to build but needs some serious filling on the rear as there is a 5-6 mm gap between the lower and upper hull, more pics for this once I get round to doing it



The Twins in their full glory, and nicely highlighting the colour differences in FW resin, not only between kits but sometimes within a kit!


I also thought I might as well tackle the Crassus whilst at it, and whilst it took more sanding than the others combine I think the final result is worth it, now to find an excuse to use it!



there is also a crassus praetor in the pipline but that needs a tad more work then first thought but she will be joining the ranks soon, once my six russes and more turrets than you can shake a stick at are done.

[Mud Duck]

How close is the turret size between the Baneblade and the Vanquisher? IE could two Vanquisher turrets be used in a Stormhammer superheavy?

As for the autocannons, cut the barrel between the recoil spring and flash suppressor and replace with brass rod?

[Kirsten]

hard to fix now, normally you would warm them up before they are attached and straighten them when soft, then let them cool down again. otherwise perhaps replace them with plastic autocannons or third party weapons.

[millest]

mad duck, in theory would work for the turrets, I might have to look in to that

as for the cannons, cheers for the info guys, ive ended up ordering some small metal parts that have been recommended to me