Attilan Rough Riders Bring Horses to a Tank Fight – and Win

Games Workshop has just announced new Rough Rider models on their community page. 

It is time to resurrect the Macharian Thunder Guard Cavalry Division. 

Colonel Ackland is coming out of retirement. 

Reinforcements enroute.

Tally ho lads.

The Greatest 40k Hobby Adventure Ever Told [Part 2]

(Part 1 here)
[Please excuse my over use of Gifs. It was tough for me to write some of this out. Also sorry for the long post - I could not break this part of the story up. If you can make it to the end it is worth it!]

Our first few weeks in Sweden were hard. Nothing seemed to go to plan at all. Without all the details this was me:

Sharpe’s Duty - A 40k Narative Skirmish

Lieutenant Richard Sharpe 

Lieutenant Richard Sharpe of the 95th Praetorian Rifles, Imperial Guard, stood at attention in Major-General (Margrave) Chretzo Sigenandus’ command tent. The young lieutenant faced the old stern general seated at his desk, while Colonel Ackland stood casually off to the side interjecting from time to time with remarks that were more whimsical than of any strategical importance. Sharpe looked taken back on receiving his mission. “He specially requested me?” uttered Sharpe with genuine surprise. Ackland chuckled mostly to himself while twisting the end of his moustache “Yes my dear boy, Major Sutherland - you know, tall grumpy chap, big scar down the right cheek. He requested you lead the escort.”
“Aye sir, I know em” replied Sharpe, “It was me that gave em the scar!”
“Arrr yes” continued Ackland looking off thoughtfully, “And a dammed ungentlemanly blow too I must say. Well Sharpy, all I can say is if I were cut off 30 miles behind the line surrounded by angry Green Skins I’d want the dirtiest fighter in this man’s army to come rescue me too, ha ha!”

Major-General Sigenandus

The General shifted in his chair and grumbled, giving off the feeling that he wished he was somewhere else. “Hmmm errr, well Sharpe, you have your orders, if there are no questions you are dismissed.”
“Aye sir” the young Lieutenant saluted and about faced to leave when the general added “Oh and Sharpe remember I need the intelligence that Major Sutherland has so do not go starting any foolhardy duels on the trip back. Sutherland’s from the ‘old school’ and cannot be expected to mind his manners with a commoner raised from the ranks, so make sure you mind yours.” Sharpe stopped but did not turn to face the old general. “Don’t worry Sir,” he replied gruffly, “I’ll do my duty.” 

Lieutenant Sharpe exited the tent with such disquietude that he cannoned straight into a ‘tin belly’ cavalry officer who was about to enter. The large Brimlock heavy dragoon was an immovable object and Sharpe staggered clumsily to the side. “Wow, steady there… arr, Sharpe isn’t it?” The Brimlock officer queried. “Who’s asking” Sharpe replied finding his feet. The officer persisted, “I wonder if I might I give you some advice - lieutenant to lieutenant?” Before Sharpe could reply the officer continued shrewdly “Soap. By the Emperor’s holly name you stink horribly man - it is quite ungentlemanly.” Sharpe gave a half grin “Nar, don’t use it. The Green Skins can smell a rosy officer a mile off, me however; I have ta tap em on the shoulder before they know I’m coming. I’ll sleep in the dirt and stay alive.” The Brimlock officer looked appalled and then laughed shaking his cuirassier breastplate “I’d rather be dead, ho ho!” With that, the Brimlock officer past Sharpe and entered he command tent. “Be careful what you wish for tin man” Sharpe muttered to himself as he went to find his men.  Sharpe knew he had many failings as an officer and a gentleman, but he was good at leading his men and killing Orks and that was all his duty ever required.

Brimlock Dragoons and Praetorian Infantry Progress

Time for another update on the 1st Carabiniers, Brimlock Dragoons.

The background and first progress post on these guys are both back here.

Militarum Equester - A play through of the new supplement!

For those that have not been following this, I have been working on miniatures and rules for a Rough Rider Army for some time now -The Macharian Thunder Guard! Today was the proud day when I finally got them onto the table and trialled my unofficial supplement codex rules with fellow gamer and blogger Liam (aka Frothing Muppet). Here is a few sneak preview shots of my home brewed codex.

Mounted Storm Troopers - 1st Carabiniers, Brimlock Dragoons

In the interest of actually posting on my blog regularly, here is the 'work in progress' up date on one squad of my Mounted Storm Troopers. 

An Army of Rough Riders! - WIP Post

OK, a lot of people have asked to see them so here they are!

The Macharian Thunder Guard

The Macharian Thunder Guard
A cavalry division that was established in 400.M41during the Macharian Heresy. After Imperial order was regained on Macharia, many of the veteran ex-crusade regiments that maintained their loyalty to the Imperium were hastily formed up into battle groups to bolster the segmentum’s Imperial Guard. As was typical of cavalry divisions, they were issued a name instead of a number, taking their name from their planet of origin and the nickname of their senior regiment - the 12th Praetorian Hussar - ‘The Thunder Guard’. The 12th Hussar themselves had received the nickname in reference to the breed of their mounts- ‘Storm Greys’.

I returned to the model desk! and 'How a haircut = more cavalry'?

Wow, people in the blogging world have been busy –weddings, moving houses, new jobs etc etc LIFE!  But who would have thought that wargamers would have lives!? Aren’t they all nerdy single men that live in the attics of their parents houses? Apparently not, apparently there are girls, jobs, houses, kids, holidays, mates, and lots of cool accessories and distractions that the modern nerd needs in his life.

Yeah, I feel it. I haven’t been at my modelling desk since -ummm- the end of November -Ouch! This has been in an attempt to finish my PhD thesis. I had planned to get it out by February but that flew by, then I thought end of March. Well it’s now mid-April and there is still a lot more to do. The issue is I keep underestimating how much work goes into an 80,000 word thesis.

Anyho, on the weekend I through my hands (and papers) into the air and sat down at my modelling desk – just for a bit. Oooh hello cavalry.

How I did my Rough Rider helmet plumes

Colonel Scipio asked about my helmet plumes and I realised I never loaded up any pics of the wire plumes. So if anyone is curious here is how I did it.

Praetorian Cavalry Finished!

With Cavember nearly over I finally have my first 5 cavalrymen finished! I was origenally hoping to have many more done, but 5 is a start. In truth just getting anything finished is really good for me.

Cavember Update: My Praetorian Rough Riders WIP

Cavember has been moving on beautifully. Col Gavis has opened up his competition to any rough riders, Victoria Lamb has released her own Cavalry kits and I've seen a few really stunning Praetorian cavalry conversions. An honourable mention has to go to Col Winterborne, Check these out:

Cavember - Fifth and Sixth move- Conversions and Colour

Conversion and Extras

Obviously the options here are endless so I’ll just cover what I’m up to.

I have added head plumes (still a WIP), chainswords, pistol pouches, an ammo crate and bed roll. As well as making my own lances (as mentioned in a previous post), taking off the reins, chaos markings & spikes, and green-stuffing the horses and helmets.  

Here is where I am up to:

Cavember -Third and Forth move- Bodies and Heads.

Bodies

Easy move. It’s got to be col Gravis’s conversion kits. Hands down the best bodies you will find to match our Praetorian/Mordian armies.

Heads

A few choices here.

The top choice would have to be the secret weapon heads. Im going with these. But there are lots of other head options if you want to stay with pith helets or diversify a bit.

http://www.secretweaponminiatures.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=23&products_id=115&zenid=ufvd60g2c12uql2p10va225e46

Cavember -Second move- Mounts!

Mounts

I have already mentioned this in a previous post, but let’s investigate this again.

Col. Gravis designed his conversions to fit on to outrider horses so this is the obvious choice. But what are the other options?

Cavember -first move- What bases to use; Bike bases, terminator bases or fantasy cavalry bases?

Welcome to CAVEMBER!!

We had the Melbourne Cup (horse race) today in Oz, so it was a very fitting day to launch Cavember. While Victorians got a public holiday I went to work like the rest of Australia, but gambled, drank beer and knocked off early like a good Aussie.

On to the cavalry (tee the bugle call)! Let's start with the basics- bases!

-Advanced Warning. Praetorian Cavalry / Rough Riders: Standby for 'Cavember'. End Message-

Praetorian Expeditionary Officers and Imperial Allied Commanders of His most gracious Imperial Guard.

November is hereby declared "Cavember".

I will be doing my upmost to have my detachment of Cavalry (courtesy of Col. Gravis) ready for frontline duty.

I know many of your regiments have received your own supply of Gravis's elitist chaps, so i respectfully urge you to do the same.

Victory is imperative.

Sign up here to follow.

If you feel inclined to leave your command bunker and joining the heroic charge yourself, post below so we all can celebrate your conquest.

Prise be the Emperor and Tally Ho!

Col. Ackland

New beginnings; cavalry, an elite trooper and a fortess monastery

This month I moved house. Between that and work the modelling was light. Despite this there was some interesting progress…

Cavalry