Finished: Battlefleet Gothic - retro style

Hi folks,

Attempting to catch up on my entries posted to to the AHPC blog. I've recently finished some more half-tracks, but prior to those I spent some time painting some models I've had for a long time!

I was a massive fan of both Epic 40,000 and Battlefleet Gothic when they came out - to me, that was the heyday of GW and my favourite time to pick up White Dwarf each month hoping for more cool battle reports and group shots of fleets/armies. 

I had a decent collection of BFG minis, which were sold around 15 years ago as I hadn't done anything with them. Fairly quickly I had sellers regret, and slowly started to pick up miniatures in order to regain my lost fleet. I've ended up with quite a haul of models, mainly 2nd hand at bring and buys or from eBay. However, these models have been left unattended - mainly as indecision and concern over how to paint them stopped any progress. 

Something I have to fight on a regular basis, if I'm honest. 

Anyway, as part of the challenge this year, one of the bonus rounds covered 'Space Opera', so I decided it was time to do something about some of these models. 

Now, two of the 'light' cruisers pictured above are actually reconditions Ork hulks:

These were rebuilt with the loving care and attention only the cold metal appendages of the Adeptus Mechanicus can show, using resin prows obtained from eBay and a bit of elbow grease. 

In true Battlefleet Calixis fashion these four vessels were immediately assigned to Passage Watch 27-Est. Mainly due to the very traditionally minded admirals of Battlefleet Calixis having no idea what to do with these unusual ships.

A light carrier and long range patrol vessel, the Retribution (below) comes equipped with a fighter and bomber wing. It carries extensive stores to allow for long deployments, and following its long service as an Ork pirate vessel has a reputation for being able to sniff out other ships at long ranges and accelerate into action with uncommon zeal. It's wings of strike craft are the bane of many pirate groups, who's raider ships have no easy counter to them. Meanwhile, the other two hulls provided the Imperial Navy 'Scout' Cruisers, one of which is named 'His Vengeance' (shown above). 'His Vengeance' is seen escorted by Cobra Destroyers from the 'Wrath of Saint Drusus' squadron (also shown above). 

Some of the vessels are non-GW ships (the large transport vessel shown below), bought from eBay. However the smaller transport ships are GW originals - these provide logistical support (and scenario objectives):

Also in this fleet is the Dauntless light Cruiser 'Aegis'. This vessel is based on one featured within one of the RPG adventure books 'The Frozen Reaches' which sees the players coming to the aid of a forgotten Imperial colony under attack from Orks, supported by a single Imperial Navy ship.  The Aegis is shown alongside alongside four Sword class frigates detached from 'Triumph Squadron':

I painted these ships up in as close an approximation to 'Battlefleet Calixis' from the old Rogue Trader RPG game. Technically forming part of 'Passage Watch 27-Est'. This standing force patrols the unexplored reaches of the Koronus expanse and guards the narrow safe route back to 'civilised' space. The force also has a secret role in guarding a warp gate to another distant part of the galaxy where an Imperial Crusade is being fought. 

This long standing detachment was often nicknamed 'Battlefleet Koronus', and attracted many of the ships not suited to 'traditional' Battlefleet tactics. I decided to paint up at least some of my imperial ships using the scant information available about this fleets paint scheme, and to add bits and bobs fitting their long range patrol and protection theme. 

These were painted with the red prow and yellow/gold trim, in true 1990's style. Most of the artwork available seems to show a blueish hull colour, which I duplicated using 'French Mirage Blue'. 

I do have a lot more to do with this collection, but now I've started I intend to chip away at it. I really enjoyed painting these - they were simple but look just how I wanted them to. A brief flashback to my teenage years staring with envy at the ships pictured on glossy pages!