From DavidB - Catachan GrassSnakes, 1st Platoon (205 Points)

Finished the 3rd troop selection for the Catachan Grass Snakes. I only have a few more bits and pieces to paint for them now. Probably one of the perverse joys I get from 40k is playing imperial guard where a command squad and two or more squads of 10 troops takes one slot of troops on the force org. Granted the lasguns are just a touch more lethal than a flashlight; yet, these 41 troops occupy a slot of 10 marines. Being numerous and Deathworld Vets, they are not going to be easy to shift either! ;)

Above is 2nd squad 1st platoon, a standard vet Sgt leads a squad with a heavy flamer, flamer, and com-link. Due too my predictably unpredictable photography, 1st squad which has a similar load out save for a chain sword wielding Sgt has been lost to the camera gods.

3rd platoon has a standard vet Sgt, flamer, com-link, and a tread-fether.  I refuse to call it a missile launcher as it has the word MISS in it! Rocket launcher could work as a title, but Dan Abbnet's "tread-fether" has more charm.

4th squad has yet another bog standard vet Sgt, a flamer, and another tread-fether. They do not have a com-link....yet. I do have several in my box of reclamation that I can paint up and attach to some troops. I may wait till later as I really should see just how many points I have collected for this force.

Above are just a few of the more characterful models I made using bits from the command squad and weapon squad sprues. The lasgun camouflaged in leafy fronds, the kneeling legs, guardsman head with the flying bandanna, and the backpack all came from those sprues. I like the pairing of the head with the running legs as he has better movement. I also like the silhouette breaking lasgun and backpack as they really help bring stealthy jungle fighter theme to the force. The kneeling Commo troop has a catachan long tooth"knife" on his back in addition to the radio. He was going to be Commo for the Catachan Devils squad, but apparently, they are far too tough to be allowed radios. Still, according to fluff it is a "just" a knife, 3-4foot long with a hollow core filled with mercury to help with the downswing. Knife fighting via Catachan rules! :)

I just have the heavy choices, another fast attack choice, the command squad, and some extra Catachans to paint yet. Being Deathworld Vets, the squads do not have to be at full strength since they operate for long periods without supply. The extra troops will let me adjust the platoon strength to represent below strength squads.

41 Catachan troops...the photo shy PL and 1st squad did make it in the above picture!

We had several frozen days of sub zero since last posting and I was dong a lot of work outside for my job. A coworker who I saved from going outside bought me the above books from a Goodwill Store for a dollar apiece. I'm now going to have a nice gourmet coffee, put on some warm socks, and enjoy a bit of reading before I dive back in the jungle!

Is Catachan blindness a thing from the 40k rule books? I've seen so many of these little buggers in the Analogue Hobbies Painting Challenge I think I'm experiencing symptoms!  Great work on all of these guys - the size of this force continues to expand in leaps and bounds. It's a good thing that you appreciate the "quality of quantity" aspect of playing the Imperial Guardsmen in the 40k rules, as goodness knows they die by the boatload on every turn.  I have never tried the "death world vets" angle, however, and that certainly sounds cool.

And clearly I need to hit the Goodwill store fore books! What an awesome score! Well done David - we look forward to more next week.  That will be another 205 points for you today...