WIP: Blood Angels tactical squad progress (another update)

As one of my major projects for 2015, I'm keen to keep the ball rolling on my Blood Angels. Having completed the first model for the squad (see my previous update), I spent this weekend assembling and basing the rest. I've already painted the bolters, so most are empty-handed. I've kept the weapons separate to make painting the chests / fronts easier. A couple of models also have bare heads, so I'll paint those separately too. This squad will have ten members when it is done. The remaining nine (pictured above) now await an undercoat before I can carry on with them. Read on to find out more...

The gamers among you may be more interested in what I have in the squad than what it looks like, especially at the grey plastic stage. I'm not a gamer. I haven't played a game since the mid-nineties when Warhammer 40,000 was still in its second edition (with, incidentally, Blood Angels on the box cover—more on that in another update). Nevertheless, I usually try to equip my models to be both game-legal and half decent. This ten man squad features a sergeant with plasma pistol and power sword, one marine with a heavy flamer and another with a plasma gun. The rest are armed with bolters. Assuming I can get the models I have for this project finished, I will consider another tactical squad in future so I'm open to suggestions as to what to arm that one with.

Blood Angels tactical marine in MkVI Corvus armour

Back on the modelling front, I really like this kit. I know I've said that before, but it's worth repeating, especially given my previous feelings towards Blood Angels. Colours aside, the models themselves are really good. They're well-sculpted, well-cast and a joy to put together. I love the number of options: four sets of arms with various weapon positions; several sets of 'spare' arms for when you don't want both hands on the gun; and a wide variety of components and accessories to personalise the models.

Blood Angels tactical marine in hybrid MkVII Aquila armour

I particularly like the armour variants. In this kit you can build models with MkVI and even MkIV armour, alongside your more common MkVII. In fact this kit encourages more hybrid patterns than anything else—with more sets of MkVI legs than bodies. There are also some more unusual pieces that don't belong to any of the standard armour variants, like the knightly helmet on the model below, that let you add some real variety.

I'm looking forward to getting these undercoated so I can crack on with the painting. At the time I photographed them, some of the bases were still drying. I don't expect it to be quick by any means—I'm still me—but it will be nice to keep the momentum going while I can. I'll probably paint them in batches of two or three at a time so I'll get to see some progress (and hopefully some finished models on the shelf!). Watch this space.