Updates!

Well, the Summer Holidays have arrived, and this makes my world much busier - despite the time off...

However, I can report that I managed to paint 20 Boyz and 1 Warboss, which was exactly half my target. To be honest, I've been indulging myself with some girly Eldar tanks through the last week of July. However, I was enjoying painting and I was beginning to feel daunted by the sheer number of boyz - I think I need to downgrade the monthly target, which will keep the enjoyment up and also fit in something else in the month too!

Sadly, a lack of functioning cameras means I can't show off all those lovely models, but according to Lee they are "really nice"...

Paintjobz and bigger mobz

Well, as the lovely Rich has said, we had the first skirmish with our embryonic forces...needless to say my boyz came second, but Orks on Orks is a really enjoyable game! The Ladz got stuck in, but were overwhelmed by the sheer number of attacks that a big boyz mob can kick out, and the boyz that charge in get to go first! 


So, some lessons learnt; 

1. converting a skorcha onto my warboss was a Good Idea,
2. a battlewaggon with a deff roller is also a good idea, but will do really well against other vehicles - I might want to add a grabbing claw or boarding plank to make sure,
3. the power klaw on the warboss makes him vulnerable, but I could add some plasticard mega armour to make him more durable.
4. Ork characters need to have lots of boyz around them, otherwise they get a reet kickin',
5. Shokk attack gunz are good fun, although warbikes' cover saves are dead handy.

Here's the first five boyz, which took about 3 nights. However, I now have a colour scheme (which looks suspiciously similar to Fil Dunn's from White Dwarf), and might be able to get 5 boyz done over 1 or 2 days painting, which means I could get the ladz done by next Thursday! 

Don't tell me the sky's the limit when there are footprints on the moon...

Step 2: Getting the models ready...

So, I don't like the posing for the Black Reach Orks, which is a bit flat and awkward for me. However, Games Workshop did at least have the decency to sculpt them for easy conversion.

I've moved the arm into a more dynamic forward pose, which wasn't that bad (even for the 25-odd boyz I've done this morning).

With a quick amputation in da Clinik, this boy is ready to have his forearm reattached, facing forwards. It looks complicated, but was quite simple with a wire saw (at around 45 degrees).

Looking meaner already...

Here's a simple Nob conversion that I'd put together before (and has sat around in a box for about a year!). I think the head was from the fantasy Orc sprue, but might be from the 40k Boyz frame. Here's another cross-genre swap...

This afternoon I've finished converting 39 boyz (and some extras on the warboss's bosspole).

Time to start basing, which I think will be wholly sand, and then I'll basecoat with Chaos Black.

Step 1 - find models...

This afternoon I dug out all the Ork boxed sets - this is the mountain I have to climb...

And this is the Big Mek that I painted in time for Golden Daemon last year - the head is from the Kommando Nob.

It begins

This will be the first in a hopefully not-too-irregular series following my wrestles with a seemingly insurmountable horde of bare plastic Orks. I've spent the last 2 years busily training as a teacher, but with summer fast approaching I've got time with paintbrush in hand to get stuck in, or at least look busy. The sheer amount of models needed to get an Ork army up and running has always dauted me, but didn't stop me collecting a fair few models..

Over the last two years I've accumulated 3 Black Reach boxed sets (of Games Workshop), so I have over 80 of the little blighters to go.

The list:

• Black Reach box set
• Black Reach box set
• another Black Reach box set
• another 20 Orks
• 7 kommandos, including 2 burnyboyz
• a shokk attack gun with accompanying big mek
• a deff dred
• 3 killer kans
• a battlewagon
• and a stompa

The big mek, battlewagon and stompa have all been painted. Well, the stompa was more covered than painted, so I've already got a transport and HQ choice.

This first month will be dominated by a box set (which will also take up most of August and even September - by then I should know my way around the 40-odd orks therein). To spice things up I plan to break the monotony with a deff dred or killa kan here or there..

July's target:

40 Orks (from the boxed set)
1 Warlord
1 Deff Dredd.

That's 1 HQ, 2 troops choices, and with the Big Mek another only-slightly-cheaty troops choice!

Combined with the battlewaggon, I should have the basics for a simple 750 point list. Rightho, that's enough procrastination for now...