A h, welcome to my little sector of Armada virtual space. This is just a spot for a bit of painting and light reading about a small local campaign that's being played out in the far-flung reaches of the Sujimis sector in a spot called Ceknell. Always happy to hear your thoughts, and I hope you enjoy it.

If you're just looking for a few ship pictures, there are some here but any extras and tutorials etc from now on will be over in my shipyard thread.

~Vykes

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Index:

Optional Rules & Secondary Objectives:

Painting (Lore) links*

(Imperial Codex: 477 ^th Fleet)

First VSD (Codex: Dawnguard)

TIE Ln/TIE In (Codex: Cinder Knights)

TIE X1/ TIE Ln (Codex: Tibanna Bats)

TIE Sa (Codex: Lawbringers)

GSD (Codex: Dauntless)

Second VSD (Codex: Pegasus)

Raider (Codex: Waywatcher)

First GSD Minor Repaint (Codex: Banshee)

(Imperial Codex: 1134th Phantom Squadron)

TIE Ln/TIE In (Codex: Spire Guards)

Imperial Aces (Codex:Sirpar Dragoons)

First ISD (Codex: Nightmare)

(Codex: Lions of Korrell Fleet)

First Nebulon B (Codex: Pel Mondarr)

Second Nebulon B (Codex: Sparrowhawk/Mockingbird)

CR90 (Codex: Dagobah Tramp)

CR90 Squadron (Codex: Kazar Group)

A-wing/Y-wing/Dutch Squadrons (Codex: Coyotes)

Complete A-wing/B-wing/Keyan Squadrons (Codex: Dagger Squadron)

X-wing Squadrons (Codex: Red Squadron)

X-wing Squadrons (Codex: Blue Squadron/Ashtek Clanners)

Luke (Codex: Jericho Flight)

Wedge (Codex: Blue Squadron/Ashtek Clanners)

B-wings (Codex: Lost Gold Squadron)

A-wing Squadron (Codex: Cursed Flight)

First Converted Mk.II Assault Frigate (Codex:Janus)

Second Converted Mk.II Assault Frigate (Codex: Shrike)

Mc80 (Codex: Yrellion Skye)

Mc30 (Codex: Helios)

Mines/defence platforms

Campaign Entries:

Battle of Egression Rift , 29:03:04 skirmish , The Assassin , First battle of the Convoate Belt , Rebel Operational Shift , The Ashwargo raid, Hackett's Flight, Hunting Shadows in the Dark, The First Pillar Crumbles , Battle of Wissroe Straits , Imperial Operational Shift , Operation Due Diligence: Part 1, New Rebel Commander, Operation Due Diligence: Part 2, Operation Due Diligence: Part 3 , Hackett's Gamble , Azora Schism Part 1 , Prison Raid , Reylk's Rebellion , Operation Citadel: Part 1 ,

*Some are separate entities, and will be updated if the unit is further updated

Builder's note: current fleet

His Imperial Majesty's 477 ^th Fleet- “The Bleakhawks”

Codex: 477 ^th

T he 477 ^th is a secondary picket fleet stationed in the Ceknell subsector since its reorganization at the start of the Galactic Civil War. The fleet's name was inherited from its predecessor in the Ceknell defence militia, and is taken from a mythic bird of prey summoning the dead to the underworld.

The Bleakhawks were understrengthed and undergunned following a period of neglect in the opening days of the Imperial unification, and much of their pre-Imperial strength had since been syphoned off to the neighbouring subsectors in order to help put down a rash of pirate incursions. Nominally, the 477 ^th comprised a single line unit made up of the Victory I class Star Destroyer Dawnguard, the Victory II class Star Destroyer Ashmont and the Nebulon-B class frigate Sparrowhawk. The locally based 897 ^th Cinder Knights fighter group was allotted to the Dawnguard , while the 1105 ^th Lawbringers w ere attached to the smaller frigate. All the Ceknell forces were instructed to safeguard the local hyperspace lanes and mining outposts.

The VSD Ashmont struck a mine as it patrolled the borders of the Yenkurra traverse mere months after it received its commission. The blast crippled the vessel's reactors and caused an inordinate number of casualties among the engineering and critical support services sections. The nascent warship was stricken from the 477 ^th line of battle and transferred to more suitable facilities for extensive repairs. Despite this seemingly mundane occurrence, a number of discrepancies arose from the incident reports as stories made their ways through cantinas and mess halls. Contrary to the official record that the Ashmont stumbled across a derelict mine from the Clone wars, crewmen insisted that it was an explosion at the climax of a lop-sided positional battle taking place at the time. These were brushed off as fantastic tales told by the lowly ratings, and casually discarded by official news outlets.

Relegated to a reserve role, Admiral Kassik's forces ha d to frequently request assistance from vessels of the neighbouring Yenkurra subsector: the VSD Vindicator and the GSD Endless Resolve. Both ships have become common sights patrolling the desolate border territories in the troubled Yenkurra traverse. Coordinated missions were brief by necessity; outlying systems had reportedly sighted unmarked vessels departing from aged stations and known pirate havens. Several fighter skirmishes between unidentified forces and local Imperial garrisons proved inconclusive, and the supposed 'ghost fleet' couldn't be drawn into a pitched engagement. Reinforcements were requested as the scale of the operation was expanded. Help arrived in the form of the disarrayed 1086 ^th Tibanna Bats . Their hyperdrive capable craft were deemed suitable for long range patrols, but no capital ships could be dispatched for such an unremarkable subsector.

After only 8 months in service, the Sparrowhawk disappeared while responding to a dormant distress signal somewhere in the Lamia Reaches, a part of the dark regions abandoned for more than a millenia. The vessel transmitted a single open-frequency message: it was a garbled mixture of laser fire, incoherent screams, and a discordant choir lasting the better part of ninety seconds.

The Dawnguard was scrambled and sent immediately to the transmission's source: everything changed at Kyatu.

VSD I- Dawnguard

Painter's note: Yes, I know, the colours are reminiscent of a chicken coup on a sunny day, but I couldn't help but make it a dirty ol' heap. That said, I'm still not sure how much extreme highlighting and blacklining I can do on a ship this size and scale. It's been an interesting learning experience all the same, and I still think I should be adding some more windows to it. The lateral trenches, as well as the second picture below shows a few a little better. Any thoughts would be appreciated.

Additionl Angle: Bridge

Additional Angle: Engines

Codex: Dawnguard

The Dawnguard is an aged warship refitted with refurbished parts left over at the end of the Clone War. The ship served the Ceknell militia for a decade before the organization was dissolved and its vessels acquired by the Imperial Navy. The Dawnguard 's pedigree matches its verdigris: most of its battle honours were awarded before many of its current crew were even born, but it still stands as a bulwark against the chaos threatening the Galactic Empire.

The behemoth is a temperamental beast: its power core undergoes periodic fluctuations, its capacitors are prone to overloading and electrical failures, and its ill-kept parts have cost it in several of its past engagements against pirate forces. Despite its unreliable nature, its rust stained hull is space worthy and its ageing weapon systems still pack a punch.

Under its tireless commander Admiral Kassik, the Dawnguard serves ably as the flagship of the 477 ^th despite its technical limitations. The Victory-class destroyer has its detractors, and Admiral Kassik himself states that he has requested additional reinforcements in the form of the newer and larger Imperial-class, but he affirms that it is by no means an admission of the Victory-class's unsuitability in the region. Rather, it's simply easier to request the newer models from the admiralty than it is to procure and refit mothballed Victory's.

Builders note: It's grotesquely fun to use the Dominator title on a VSD I; they're like a short circuiting ISD !

897 ^th Cinder Knights:

Painter's note: It's not too bad for a single day's work. I am thinking about doing those inner wing brackets and going over the cockpit and egress lines that look a tad washed out. On another note, painting imperial squadrons isn't tremendously fulfilling given their mostly uniform nature. I'm very much thinking of having new 'batches' of fighters painted up in the RotJ blue just to break up the grey.

Builder's note: Regardless of how you view the whole big 'squadron number debate', the 897 ^th isn't going to change a ton. The composition is still going to essentially be to Imperial standard specifications by the end: 3 separate component units, 6:2:1 ratio of Fighters, to Interceptors, to Bombers. So whether it's a fighter group or a fighter wing, it'll be a standard unit. Each 'named group' will have an Ace, in the Knight 's case, it's Howl.

Codex: Cinder Knights

The 897 ^th fighter group is a local Alloden group originally tasked with deep space reconnaissance and pirate suppression. They are often seconded to local mining guilds and survey teams for the purpose of expanding Imperial influence in the region. As such, the Cinder Knights are typically the point of first contact with hostile forces, and they relish a pursuit role in the prospects of safeguarding the local populations. It was only by chance that the 897 ^th wasn't dispatched with the Sparrowhawk on its ill-fated mission, the Lawbringers didn't fare as well.

The history of the 897 ^th is relatively inauspicious, but it maintains a respectable combat standard. Their record is marred by accusations leveled by a visiting Yenkurra commander who questioned their loyalty to the greater Imperial cause, citing supposed instances where they displayed an unwillingness to execute the fullest extent of Imperial law. Such accusations may explain why the 897 ^th 's fighter pool was entirely made up of refurbished TIE Ln models until recently. The entirety of its TIE Interceptors were transferred from the stocks of the decimated 1105 ^th , and rumours persist that the transfer had more to do with Admiral Kassik's past procurement of personal favours than support from the admiralty.

Commanded by the irrepressible captain “Paladin” Alhonza, the Cinder Knights are an aggressive but principled unit, respected by most local militia and system defence force units. The 897 ^th is well-suited for the task of aggressive reconnaissance and anti-fighter protection.

1086 ^th Tibanna Bats

Codex: Tibanna Bats

Compared to the Cinder Knights, the 1086 ^th Tibanna Bats are a far more specialized unit made up of the stripped down remnants of a once-favoured Core system heavy fighter group. The 1086 ^th is made up of a number of TIE X1 experimental fighters and more common TIE Ln. They have seen a great deal of combat in the Core and were routinely transferred to hotspots in the outer rim territories as 'problem solvers'.

The 1086 ^th ' s fall from grace and subsequent transfer to the Ceknell subsector is poorly documented in the Imperial archives. All official references to any incident have been systematically removed, though several pictorial emblems of Kuat are still visible on the hulls and inside cockpits of several TIE advanced. The group's previous commander was recently replaced by the son of Moff Luchar Ozlanse of Hadreen: Riza “Cudgel” Ozlanse. Despite a career of almost ceaseless campaigning, “Cudgel” is regarded as an interim officer that is neither exceptionally intelligent nor suitably creative. Whether “Cudgel's” uninspired leadership or their proverbial exile from the cradle of the Core worlds is to blame, the Tibanna Bats are strangely demoralized for such a well-equipped unit.

Builder's note: Squadron composition is only staying like this until I get another fighter pack, then it'll be trying to figure out who to make their 'ace'. Mithal, Vader, and Fel are all strong candidates, so that's not an easy decision for me.

1105 ^th Lawbringers

Builder's note: Yeah, it's a minor unit right now, but it'll eventually take on the dimensions of a Ground Attack wing of the imperial fleet, so a unit of 3 including Rhymer par normal with one Interceptor 'scout/redirector' and then a minor fighter screen.

Codex: Lawbringers

The Port Eikron based 1105 ^th was decimated in the Kyatu incident and was in danger of dissolution. Not all of the pilots were killed: several survived emergency crash landings in the hanger of the Dawnguard and others were bartered back at the cost of a cabal of seemingly inconsequential political prisoners.

These actions helped bring the unit back up above the minimal personnel requirements, but Admiral Kassik had already acted under the assumption that the 1105 ^th and its stocks would be liquidated. The Lawbringers' entire reserve of TIE Interceptors was transferred from their base at Port Eikron to the Cinder Knights' hangars on the Dawnguard in an overnight shuffle. It was a costly move for Kassik. The admiral unwittingly planted a seed of enmity between the two groups and poisoned his own reputation among those connected with the 1105 ^th . The Lawbringers h ave taken to calling the 897 ^th 'the Grave Robbers' for this purported betrayal. In an attempt to alleviate the internecine friction, the unit has been promised first pick in any new Interceptors as they become available; but with growing hostilities in the region straining men and machines to the limit, this gesture is expected to be a hollow one.

For the time being, the Lawbringers will have to make use of the stocks of TIE bombers from the 1086 ^th s stores, as well as a number of re-purposed TIE shuttles.

----------------------------------------------------------

The Renegade Fleet: Lions of Korrell

Builder's note: Current fleet

Codex: Lions of Korell

C alled opportunistic pirates by some and unrelenting freedom fighters by others, the Lions of Korrell are a group of renegades by any definition. In practice, the Lions are closer to a patchwork syndicate of vigilantes, pirates, Imperial deserters, and genuine freedom fighters backed by the Achtet guild, House Agrippa in the Vendre sector. It's held together under the pretence of working for the Alliance to Restore the Galactic Republic, but in practice they scavenge, hunt, and swindle material and equipment from Imperial forces in order to further the independence of the Vendre star cluster in the Ebastion nebula.

The association with the Alliance has led to the Lions participation in several larger battles with the Imperial authority in exchange for relative free rein in their area of influence. Nevertheless, stories of attacks on Alliance personnel and bases have surfaced in the recent pasts. Casualties have been reportedly high and the targets are almost always groups with access to top of the line Rebel starfighters. To any observer, it is difficult to deny that the Lions of Korrell have obtained a disproportionate number of X-wing starfighters which have replaced their ageing Z-95's and R-41's.

In the months leading up to the Kyatu incident, activity in the border system of Korrell spiked sharply. The Lion 's backers offered a handsome sum for not only harassing, but diverting all available forces away from the Ebastion Nebula and into the astrographically dense, relatively uncharted expanses of the Yenkurra and Ceknell subsectors.

Escort Nebulon-B frigate- Pel Mondarr

Painter's note: Needs more windows, methinks. I'm still rather enchanted with the Salvation's paint job, but I wonder if there's not something better to do with it.

Additional Angle: Engines

Codex: Pel Mondarr

The nominal flagship of the Lions of Korrell is the Pel Mondarr . This Nebulon B Escort Frigate started life as the Imperial vessel Imminent Demise , before it was it was ironically wrecked after its fleet trials and final fitting of its hyperdrive system. The ship was boarded and its crew reportedly killed in the ensuing action. The Imminent Demise limped away and disappeared from public view for almost a year.

When it returned to the spotlight, it was rebranded and rechristened the Pel Mondarr . Acting under the guidance of Commodore “Deathmark” Lylent, it led a group of Z-95 Headhunters that engaged a supply fleet on its way to Lothal. The spacers aboard the five bulk transports were left stranded on Setti Prime V while the armed Imperial escort was destroyed in detail. The Pel Mondarr has since taken part in at least 5 notable battles before Kyatu, and is responsible for the destruction of several patrol craft in the Yenkurra traverse.

While rumours persist of another larger capital ship leading operations, all indications are that the Pel Mondarr is the wartime command ship of the renegade fleet. It remains a thorn in the side of the local Imperial authority.

Author note: I have no idea what a 'Pel' or a 'Mondarr' is, I just said it aloud in a moment of blind confusion as something vaguely alienish in the intro game and it stuck .

Support Refit Nebulon-B frigate- Sparrowhawk (Empire Designate: 'Mockingbird' )

Painter's note: I just wanted something to look more or less like the Imperial Neb's from TIE Fighter. It works well enough, I think.

Codex: Sparrowhawk

T he most recent development to the Imperial forces in the Ceknell sector has been the disappearance of the frigate Sparrowhawk as it responded to a distress signal from Kyatu, an abyssal expanse of unexplored space only incorporated into the Lamia Reaches by virtue of having no better designation.

Since then, a shadowy frigate has appeared alongside the Pel Mondarr . This new vessel sports far more scars on its hull than the Sparrowhawk had in Imperial service and lacks a number of its defensive emplacements. Imperial sector intelligence believes that this vessel is merely using the transponder of the Sparrowhawk , and that the titular vessel was destroyed in the Lamia ambush. Imperial identifiers have named this vessel 'Mockingbird' to distinguish it from its Imperial namesake.

Its captain is unknown, and it functions as a separate entity separate from the rest of the Lions of Korrell fleet. The only point of contact has been its liaison, a Bothan mercenary named Immule, who acts as a speaker for the vessel and its captain. Taken together, the nature and demise of the Sparrowhawk has caused a great amount of speculation and supposition from outside authorities. The matter is only made worse in that every surviving member of the Lawbringers fighter group was out on patrol at the time of the attack on the Sparrowhawk.

CR90B- Dagobah Tramp

Painter's note: it's not particularly inspired but I don't think it's insipid either. I have a red combination that usually comes out incredibly bright, so it never seems to work or blend well with a more used feel to the ship. But, that's what I get for using vermillion as a base colour. Now I'm thinking of dulling it down with some slate grey plates to give it an appearance of repair.

Additional Angle: Engines

Codex: Dagobah Tramp

The Dagobah Tramp entered the service of the Lions of Korrell under very different circumstances than either of their Nebulon B frigates. It was used as a local courier ship by the House Athon mining guild until it was sold off to a shipwright in Port Eikron to satisfy an outstanding debt. The vessel was inspected and put up for auction at the Jergall shipyards. It was purchased by the wealthy merchant Rynellis Giles, and from there it was transferred straight to the Lions of Korrell under the guise of a mistaken title transfer error. The shipwright refunded Giles the purchase cost of the Tramp , never suspecting the entire sale had been a ruse to procure a 'legitimate' vessel for the renegade fleet.

Since then, the Dagobah Tramp has acted as a vanguard element: running courier duty, outdistancing opponents intent on its capture, and picking up hijacking supply vessel. It's currently under the auspice of Shadrak Rochet, a jovial man noted to be a surprisingly cordial privateer. He and his crew have a good reputation in the local sectors, working for escort-strapped Imperial convoys and bounty hunting gangs alike. Rochet has done admirably in maintaining a discreet distance from the other members of the Lions of Korrell .

Coyote Group

Builder's note: While they are A-wings in every sense of the word, I'd still like to think of them as R-22's. That said, I can't find any differences aside from one cartoon instance of a dual laser cannon on the wing pivot.

Painter's note: The A-wings are a bit bland, but I did want to keep them in part like my collection, and for some reason, much like my earlier attempt at an X-wing squadron with white and green, they look too much like an American Football team. My 40K Sons of Medusa work; starfighters, not as much. I'll need to work on that. That said, Acegard has a terrific checked colour scheme on those A-wings that I'm really interested in trying my hand at. Seriously cool stuff!

Codex: Coyotes

The Coyotes are an old group of vigilante bounty hunters, flying out of date and decrepit starfighters. Their reign of terror, better categorized as a 'rash of minor irritation', includes a number of wildly misguided attacks spawned in the hope of collecting on outstanding bounties. Equipped with ion cannon armed Y-wings and escorted by R-22 Spearheads, their modus operandi has always been 'pursuit and capture' rather than 'seek and destroy'.

Under their surprisingly demure leader “Mister C”, the Coyotes are a boisterous and ill-disciplined mob as perfectly capable of crashing a pub in a loyalist system as they are scampering away when the local authorities are called to break up their carousing. Unsurprisingly, the Coyotes actively collaborate with the crew of the Dagobah Tramp. However, unlike the Tramp' s guileful captain, the Coyotes are well suspected of having ties with the Lions of Korrell : mostly through their inability to keep a secret in a well-stocked cantina.

Dagger Squadron

Painter's note: It's a gift squadron as a sort of ceremonial group, all based off the B-wing 'Dagger group' that I modified Technically it's rose Squadron, but they're already being used for an X-wing campaign too. As such, I won't have it for too long. I still like its clean look, and was considering some Z-95's along the same lines. A-wings and B-wings are shockingly fun to paint.

Codex: Dagger Squadron

In marked contrast to the rabble-rousing Coyotes , the pilots of Dagger Squadron fulfil a similar role with a far greater degree of humility and civility. This fighter group is one of a number of Alliance units loaned to the Lions of Korrell at various times, and is the newest semi-permanent addition to the fleet. Dagger Squadron consists entirely of new A-wing and B-wing fighters and is one of the propaganda tools of the local rebel cells where the distinctly clean look was chosen to illustrate the differences between the Imperial 'propaganda' and the Rebel 'message'. The group is tasked with providing protection and early interception in conjunction with the Pel Mondarr.

Their commander, “Thorn” is another quiet pilot, more interested in the after action reports and deep space recon than the serious fleet engagements. Despite their mandate, Dagger Squadron units a re frequently detached to indulge in 'tours' away from the fleet for the purposes of exploration masquerading as long-range reconnaissance. Still, it's better known for its holonet hijack signal showing the smoking remnants of the Ashmont next to a reported death toll in the Ceknell subsector, proclaiming: 'Free peoples, time to wake up...'.

Red Squadron

Painter's note: I painted the X-wings the traditional red colours because I think it's a rule somewhere that you have to. I dunno', probably one near the back. Anyway, I'm giving more consideration into repainting them as well, but I don't know what'll work. Suggestions or ideas are good to hear too.

Codex: Red Squadron

Despite the name and modelling after the famous Alliance Red Squadron of Dantooine, the Korrell Red Squadron is composed of a large number of newer recruits paid for by commodore Lylent. This group of excitable and altruistic recruits was lured to the conflict and inundated with the Alliance message against the Empire. They remain an over-eager and aggressive unit, ever striving to live up to the example of the Rebel Alliance's famous fighter pilots.

In their 4 months in combat, elements of Red Squadron have taken part in nearly every anti-Imperial action. Separate flights are routinely detached from their greater structure and indentured with other groups, notably the Coyotes , flying as escort and close support craft. When led in force by their headstrong commander, Lyssano Harmon, this group is a fearless assault unit spearheading most of the Lion 's fighter formations.

Author's note: I couldn't say 'heroes of Yavin' as the campaign takes place before then, yet after then. Basically, I'm committing the same atrocity as so many others by including A and B wings before they were supposedly invented... but if Rebels can do it, by the Horned Rat I'll do it too!

Ashtek Clan- Blue Squadron

Painter's note: at first I was entirely unhappy with them... they've grown into my favourite unit and I can't explain why. I'm even considering going back and repainting my X-wing scale stuff like the centre 3. Should I go that crazy?

Codex: Blue Squadron

Blue Squadron rounds out the last of the Lion 's fighter complement. Unlike the previous fighter groups, Blue Squadron – or the Ashtek Clanners as they call themselves- are a professional guild of hired bodyguards. They are part of a long term guild guard for House Agrippa, and have been in service for various Vendre lords for centuries.

Their entire compliment is made up of T65 X-wing fighters, suspected to have been stolen from outer rim manufacturing plants or pillaged from other rebel groups. Under their leader Giswynn “Blue Devil” Bacchus, Blue Squadron are the preeminent force used -along with the Sparrowhawk- against other Rebel sympathetic targets.

That's it for now, but l update as things progress.

Absolutely amazing detail work. Those Blue Squadron X-Wings are fantastic. Any tips on how you painted those? What kind of brushes do you use to get that fine detail. The cockpit canopies are awesome.

This is some of the best mini painting I have ever seen in my life. Your notes and codices were also a thrill to read, too. I am in awe!

love the vic star!!

Gorgeous models.

I demand more!

everything looks awesome! well done

I feel. . . So inadequate now. . .

So many techniques I don't know how to do. . .

I feel. . . So inadequate now. . .

So many techniques I don't know how to do. . .

Yes, officially hanging up my paintbrush, I am a noob :L

Your b-wings are inspiring... More pics please!

Those Y-wings are amazing!

Wow, thanks all, I really do mean it. I'm not used to a positive reception given that I'm used to a more.... caustic community. Needless to say, I really do appreciate everything. I'm no magician, so I don't mind revealing those 'secrets': Lets see what I can get too:

Righto Pedersen , and welcome aboard mate! Lets see, Blue Squadron took a lot of steady handwork, but the tools are important to. Paint-wise it's just a mix of the usual hobby acrylics: a bit of Citadel for the blue base (Enchanted blue/Altdorf blue now, something like that. I can't keep up with their changing names!) then Valljeo for the highlight colour (Typically it's a three shade mix, with the base going down, then being mixed with a bit of Valljeo Ice Blue, then straight ice blue for the upper most highlight along the outside of the blue panelling and along any raised edge such as the leading edge of wingtips). Then it was just Valljeo cold grey base and a careful lining of Stonewall grey using the flat of a brush on the edges. The majority of the definition comes from an artists pen (think of it like an ultra fine 1-0.5mm point marker with permanent ink: I use a Faber-Castell as that was the only thing in stock, but the Micron brand is more recognizable).

Brush wise, it's just a run-of-the-mill Citadel fine-point for my fighter 'base brush' but I impulse bought a Windsor and Newton 0000 brush a while ago just to see what people were on about, and I haven't used it on anything but Blue Squadron . Really, it's just about a little extra paint control, but it's not some magic item (My older citadel brush is 5ish years old and more ragged than I liked, but I used it on every other squadron and they're alright). The canopy was just a drop of black ink with a painted layer of light blue grey and some off-white on top of that where the ink showed a bit of a line (I used an ink to see where it ran off the high points for that very purpose), and finished it off with a single dot of white at the top left of the canopy as a reflective sun-spot (on larger surfaces I tend to do three dots for flat panels, or a build up of L-shaped blue-grey streaks for curvatures like the A-wing). It's really all about getting a thin enough paint to keep the pigment without beading up like water.

Thanks Rhinoviru, mate. Considering my background in wargaming I'm a fluff bunny so I like working with campaigns and stories and getting better at painting (of course, given what's happening at a certain -ahem- large company, I've been taking something of a beating this week from all sides.) Glad you like it, and there's certainly more to come!

Centrepoint , glad you like it. I thought I overdid it, but then just sort of shrugged thinking 'meh, they're from the Clone war. Thrawn might not be caught dead with such a grimy ship but I friggen love it.' Now it's just going to be an issue keeping the grunge brushes away from my ISD's when they come in. I have plans for that GSD, so hopefully I'm not too distracted.

No worries DWRR , noooo worries. There'll be more soon enough, probably a week-ish, unless I get anxious and repaint something again (I've got a horrible reputation for doing this. I buy a ridiculous amount of Simple Green for stripping models, Horned-Rat knows what the cashiers think I'm doing, buying so many bottles of cleaner week-after-week... )

Thanks TerrorScream , it means a lot, mate!

Ah, my good Lyraeus. ... I shall share a few secrets -looks around furtively and picks up little black box- Micron pens for the black lines, super-cheap craftstore ' Applebarrel/Americano ' for surprisingly good grungy watered down colour that can be wiped off with a paper towel or Q-tip, Valljeo transparent paints with that same Q-tip or a brush and a bit of water to blend it, and finally my secret weapon... a horrible, haggard, streaky drybrush for big ships! I have this 10 year old Citadel tankbrush that's like 3/4” across and it's in just appalling condition (I love it for vehicles), but it has this weird feathering texture on armour plates that make it indispensable.

More pics for the B wings hmm, Valdor ? And welcome aboard too! Alright, lets see what I can do. I'll append this as soon as I can get some 'all-around' shots. For now, might have to settle for what kinda happened to the Ashmont

Thanks Nickvr, Y wings are my favourite fighter frame (Tie Interceptors second). These are a little stark, but I was still getting used to the scale. I was always curious to see what people do for engines, though,

Additional Angle: Front

Thanks for the tips and insight, Vykes! Keep up the good work!

Amazing work!!! Very impressive and the detail is so rich! Its funny, but in the thread, I feel like the phrase "I did mine with sharpies" just sounds like a joke. lol Great job!!

Not a problem at all Pedersen . If there's anything else you want to know for specifics, don't hesitate to ask!.

And thanks Dramagod , I do appreciate it. -laughs- I suppose its how you say it, but every time I look at what sharpie's can do, I sorta feel like tossing away my brush and saying, "That's it, I'm joining the Sharpie bandwagon." Somehow, green and aqua always turns out better than I can do with a brush.

Well, I've got a package delivery notice in the mail for my Gladiator... right in the nick of time, too. I was having daydreams about repainting those Red Squadron X wings into 'Red-er Squadron' using a majority crimson and grey or gold scheme (it was only the debate around grey or gold as a secondary colour that kept them out of the Simple Green vats).

The Dawnguard had me doing a facepalm, and mixing a rust colored wash for my Victory 1. I still need to go back and retouch the windows, but THANK YOU,for the inspiration!

Just beautiful man. Very very nice. I also just 'aged' one of my victories, though it's not as nice looking as yours (which is ok). Imperials are so identical I feel that it really helps to make them visually distinct, especially for mirror matches.

Very nice. Next I expect a Bob Ross style video where you make this look easy and when I try it turns out like a 5 year old with parkinsons got into some water colors.

Very nice. Next I expect a Bob Ross style video where you make this look easy and when I try it turns out like a 5 year old with parkinsons got into some water colors.

GSD- Dauntless

Painter's note: This was a real mixed bag. On one hand, I'm a little meh on how the overall colouration turned out. On the other hand, I love the bloody blast marking. Still trying to get the technique right to do that again. I'd have added a few more, but you know the saying: less is more. In the future I think I'll switch from the umber wash I've been using, to a slate grey on newer ships. Now I need to start figuring out some additional markings.

Codex: Dauntless

After the damage inflicted on the Dawnguard in the Kyatu incident, the admiralty was finally forced to rush reinforcements to prevent a complete regional collapse. Miners guilds and local houses supporting the Moff put additional pressure on a reluctant admiralty to increase support for the 477 ^th despite the growing unpopularity of Admiral Kassik.

The GSD Dauntless , a Gladiator II Star Destroyer with one of the best rated hyperdrives in the SSD Event Horizon 's battlegroup, was dispatched to Port Eikron post haste. While the Dauntless neared the end of its usual supply replenishment cycle and lacked a suitable TIE escort, the ship was placed under the auspice of the bellicose Captain Marsstak “The Winter Witch”. It was suggested that her aggressive command style might offset the initial shortcomings long enough for more significant forces to be dispatched.

After Action Report: Port Eikron Raid

++Begin Transcript: 29:02:20 BrS++

The first alarms sounded at about O'three-hundred and kept blaring long after that. A pair of vettes [note: local pseudonym for Corellian CR90, see ref. #4201] approached from about eight clicks out. By the time we were trying to range them in at five, a few dozen attack craft dropped out of hyperspace. The vettes swung around and accelerated before plinking away at us with their turbolasers. Batteries one through three returned fire, but shooting that far out at a pair of jinking corvettes abeam was nearly impossible. We might have hit them two or three times before the proximity alerts started blaring in our ears. And wouldn't you know it, 'Graver Robber' Kassik took all of our TIEs with him, so we didn't have anything outbound to round up those strikers.

It didn't take a genius to figure out what was going to happen after that. The vettes pointed everything they had at our forward observation point just when their strike fighters got into range of our short range guns. They nailed it alright. The whole tower went up like someone popped the cork on a champagne bottle. Then the whole network went dead. I guess the feedback must have cut the generators or some of the gas manes, something. But targeting, astrographics, audio scopes, mid-range comms: everything, gone.

You just had to watch those heavy rockets start to pop off from those strikers. Battery Two got taken out first. The worst thing is they knew what hit them. Hell's teeth: Plank's boys in Battery Four went up right next to mine. The whole platform started to come apart. It was a lot of rippling explosions, you know, over a short period of time. So you can forgive me for not instantly noticing a single tiny Star Destroyer popping out of hyperspace, free as you please.

Short range transmissions came in from everywhere: fire teams were overwhelmed, a few of the lads over in Battery Six were trying to get us out as the vettes closed in. They could have made a run on the commercial shipping, but they didn't. They just turned, and that's when we got the first hint that something was giving us a few more minutes to live.

I've seen a lot of destroyers in my time: most captains translate from hyperspace, sit there as all the diagnostics and long range sensors kick in, and they can relay back their telemetry to a major star base to check that everything checks out. Then they scan, pick, and finally move after a mid-spectrum hail. It's procedure. That Gladiator just flipped over and rolls like a dog begging for treats. The whole dorsal battery opens up at max range, and you could see that little blue flash as its sublights kicked past the dampeners before the hyperdrive motivator could have shut off. It takes guts to rip the power away from your sensors and fly blind. That destroyer went after those vettes head on; every time they tried to yaw away to put some distance between themselves and that thing, the destroyer just cut to the side and brought them into line again. The vettes passed by and that Gladiator tried to slip between them. The first vette just lit up and tumbled from the missile volley. Shame the audio was out on the external pipes: I'd have like to hear that. The second vette broke and ran, but that Gladiator was on it like a shark on a minnow.

+++End Transcript: Ref. 2089.14L, Battery Chief Peloss, Koth L. +++

Player's note: played my first game with a gladiator, just meant to be a short 100 point skirmish sans commanders (Basically, just flying and getting a feel for the ship's flight characteristics) and I forgot my TIE squadrons... bleh, so we used some old BFG defences as immobile TIE bombers, and made it a modified hyperspace assault scenario .

The ring station of Point Eikron was heavily damaged in a swift renegade raid, but the shipping lanes were preserved and the assaulting forces retreated in disarray at the loss of one CR90. The Dauntless pursued the remaining forces, recording the transponder and identifying it as Penitence III, part of a squadron of notorious pirate vessel from the Yenkurra sector. The stricken corvette is believed to be the Penitence IV , but a second missile salvo destroyed the vessel with all hands before it could be physically inspected.

Captain Marsstak identified this far ranging enemy activity as a potential precursor to a more significant assault. She has elected to remain in-system and act as a temporary bulwark against future enemy attacks while the Admiral reorganizes the battered 477 ^th from Jump Point Prime station.

I'm just glad I could be of some help and inspiration Cynan! I love this rust coloured hue, but I'm tempted to do it on every ship I have and will have... which might look really weird on a new ISD. So now I'm trying to figure out a middling blue to make them a little cleaner.

Thanks Boardy, I couldn't agree more. Imperial vs. Imperial mirror matches can look remarkably confusing, even with all the chits and tokens. I mean, one of the most interesting things about the Imperials is their uniform look: they're a big faceless multitude of people fighting for the same thing. It's impressive looking. But it's painful to have to paint time and time again then try to make them look interesting. I really need to think of some Squadron ID marker. Maybe some sort of snow stripe across the hull, or figure out a waterslide transfer I can add.

I'll admit Swusn : I had a latte I was drinking and nearly choked on that one. It was almost a perfect spit-take. Admittedly, I know that feeling all too well. “Here, have a happy little laser burn. It's your Star Destroyer.” Terrific job and thanks a ton, mate!

Kill transfers? Like how many CR90's it has killed, Nebs, whales, etc

Kill transfers? Like how many CR90's it has killed, Nebs, whales, etc

Sounds like a good idea to me. Now I'd just have to figure out where. -ponders- Jagged tirangles on the sides, lateral stripes on one particular plate, I might be able to do stars that small.

Front hull in VSD's, you can get away with them around the stairs to section near the center front.

On GSD's the side areas just to the outside aft of the turbo lasers. As well as the bigger kills you can use the sender rectangle area. If you add the rancher then use a hobby knife and cut the transfer where the hull plates seperate you can use large tansfers