Welcome to "First Rank - FIRE!"

"First Rank - Fire!" is the chronicle of two long-time hobbyist and their quest to budget their time and money in order to participate in the in the hobby of tabletop wargaming.

We hope you like our blog. We know your support and enthusiasm will keep us motivated to complete our armies and continue to grow in the hobby (In spite of our hectic schedules).

Thursday, October 29, 2009

Task 4 - Imperial Navy Paint Plan - TEASER

Here is a teaser of the paint plan for the First Security-Assault Group.  The full paint plan will be uploaded as a .pdf file for your downloading enjoyment.


Sunday, October 18, 2009

Task 1 - Imperial Guard - 453rd Pelean

The 453rd Pelean is an amalgamated unit composed of the 53rd Pelean and the 4th Mechanized Pelean. With the 53rd lacking an upper command structure and the rank and file of the 4th having been decimated after a protracted siege at , the union of these two units seemed like a rare perfect pairing to the Munitorium. This was not the case.

Pelea is a world located in the galactic north-west of Ultima segmentum. Approximately 1.7 times larger than Terra its surface is dominated by a single vast ocean. Volcanic hotspots abound in the equatorial rim, creating island land masses that trail away as the eons pass. The islands range from newly risen expanses of molten rock to verdant tropical and subtropical rain forests. A colossal network of reefs encircle the planet. This feature is so profound that they are plainly seen from orbit. Initial surveys showed little of interest, while precious minerals exist deep within the planet, it deemed cost ineffective to gather them from the ocean depths as the islands are rather devoid of heavy elements. Nothing is known of the first settlement of Pelea other than the large stone foundations that date to a time well before the Emperors Crusade. These locations are shunned by Pelea's current inhabitants. Dark and foreboding stories are associated with the time worn stones of the old ones.

The first recorded colonization occurred sometime in late M34. Colonists were settled in hopes of producing sufficient fish and other sea fauna protein for the nearby hive world of Upsilon Fortis. Terrestrial bio-stocks took hold but did not establish dominance over local species. Forming an unusual dual biotic system, crossover of chemical material only happens at the amino acid level and below. After 300 years this resulted in only enough food production to support a slow stable growth of the settlements. With no immediate expectation of export or of a near term, some would say heroic, re-engineering of the planetary biocycle by the Adeptus Mechanicus, support for the colony was abandoned. The colony grew slowly eventually rising to sufficient size to support levies of troops for the Imperial Guard. The Peleans support a tithe of one Regiment every other generation. This slow trickle of troops is more than made up for fact that Pelea has a relatively heavy gravity for a human colony. Peleans from the first colonization are a hardy lot possessing great strength and endurance. While troops from Pelea bear some resemblance to deathworlders their size is the result of relatively good nutrition and the population gene shift resultant from an HG environment. This good fortune was tempered for the munitorium by the fact that Peleus had no means of producing any armaments aside from melee weapons and bows.

Early in M39 the exploritor ship Coherent Light of Olympus and her attendant fleet arrived in the Peleas system. While it was possibly responding to the initial request for assistance from millennia past we will likely never know as the Adeptus Mechanicus loves to keep its secrets. What is known is that Mechanicus teams scoured the planet while the fleet stayed in system for nearly two decades. When they left unexpectedly, the Peleans the breathed a sigh of relief. They would retain their ocean world, it would seem, as they had known it for four millennia. Four years later the Olympus returned with a host of bulk personnel and construction carriers.
Within three years a city was built upon the largest reef of the planet. Workers were brought in the millions, industry flowered on the barren ocean. Mechanicus devices spread throughout the reef like the tentacles of the indigenous hey-ey creature. To the surprise of all the original Peleans the city was producing metal.

Today in M42 there are two cultures on Pelea stoic island dwellers clinging to ways that had once served their forebears well and citizens of the reef Hive toiling away in manufactoriums and forges producing ever increasing wealth for the subsector. Small but vicious wars have broken out time and again between the two. Leaders from the administratum and ministorium fight to retain both vital resources for the Imperium. But there is as much animosity and resentment between the two as there is water on Pelea. Meanwhile half a galaxy away an anonymous munitoruim clerk enters the code that places the 53rd under the command of the 4th.

Wednesday, October 14, 2009

Task 3 - Imperial Navy Test Model


This is my test model of my Imperial Navy Infantryman assigned to the 1st Security-Assault Group.  The paint plan for these guys will follow soon.

Task 2 - Imperial Navy 1500 point Army List



Unit entries are the basic units from Codex Imperial Guard, 5th Edition.  Options are noted as well as point costs.

HQ Choice

First SAG Headquarters (165pts.)
SAG Command Section 005 (165pts.)
Lieutenant Barnes: Krak Grenades, Melta Bombs, Plasma Pistol, Power Weapon
Petty Officer Gates "Unit Duelists" (Bodyguard): Krak Grenades
Squad: Krak Grenades, Medi-pack, Regimental Standard, Vox Caster, Heavy Flamer, Laspistol(x3)

Troops Choices

Assault Platoon (282pts.)
Command Squad 3-6 (125pts.)
Ensign Conrad: Krak Grenades, Melta Bombs, Bolt Pistol, Power Weapon
Squad: Krak Grenades, Medi-pack, Vox Caster, Laspistol(x1), Grenade Launcher(x1), Meltagun(x1)
Squad 144 (65pts.)
Vox Caster, Flamer(x1)
Squad 609 (65pts.)
Vox Caster, Flamer(x1)
Squad 541 (65pts.)
Vox Caster, Flamer(x1)

Fire Support Platoon (457pts.)
Command Squad 4-9 (85pts.)
Ensign Wright: Krak Grenades, Melta Bombs, Bolter, Power Weapon
Squad: Krak Grenades, Medi-pack, Vox Caster, Laspistol(x1), Grenade Launcher(x1), Sniper Rifle(x1)
Squad 317 (90pts.)
Vox Caster, Flamer(x1), Missile Launcher Team(x1)
Squad 450 (90pts.)
Vox Caster, Flamer(x1), Missile Launcher Team(x1)
Mortar Section 1 (60pts.)
Mortar Team(x3)
Anti-Armor Section 1 - Lascannon (105pts.)
Lascannon Team(x3)
Anti-Armor Section 2 - Autocannon (75pts.)
Autocannon Team(x3)

Fast Attack Choices

77th Vendetta Gunship Squadron (130pts.)
Vendetta 01 "Helen Back!" (130pts.)
Twin-Linked Lascannons(x3)

812th Valkyrie Assault Carrier Squadron (465pts.)
Valkyrie 01 "Slow Ride" (155pts.)
Lascannons(x1), Multiple Rocket Pods(x2), Heavy Bolter Sponsons(x2)
Valkyrie 02 "Low Rider" (155pts.)
Lascannons(x1), Multiple Rocket Pods(x2), Heavy Bolter Sponsons(x2)
Valkyrie 03 "Barracuda" (155pts.)
Lascannons(x1), Multiple Rocket Pods(x2), Heavy Bolter Sponsons(x2)

Statistics

Points: 1499 out of 1500
Composition:
HQ:  1/2 (11%)
ELITE: 0/3 (0%)
TROOPS: 2/6 (49%)
FAST ATTACK: 2/3 (40%)
HEAVY SUPPORT 0/3 (0%)
Model Count:
INFANTRY: 73
VEHICLES: 4

Monday, October 12, 2009

Task 1 - The Imperial Navy - First Security - Assault Group (1st SAG)


While transporting the 21st Mordian Air Assault Regiment near Rynn's World  the orbital strike cruiser Uncommon Valor was boarded by orks .  The Uncommon Valor's Security/Assault Division rallied and fought bravely to stem the green tide as it poured into the ship from their ramshackle assault boats.  As orks overwhelmed the Navy crewmen the 21st Mordian moved into position to reinforce the defense of the ship.  The skill and iron will of the Mordians halted the and eventually repelled the ork boarding parties.  Captain Liscomb of the Uncommon Valor was  so impressed with the skill, tactical proficiency and courage of the Mordians that he petitioned the Officio Munitorium to have a three companies attached to his ship as replacements for the losses the Uncommon Valor had sustained in the attack. The Munitorium approved the request and some 350 Mordians were transferred from the Imperil Guard to the Imperial Navy.  Inspired by the parade dress look of the Mordians Captain Liscomb ordered them keep their blue dress jackets and had them take the white trousers and caps of Navy crewman. The Mordians kept their positions but changed to Navy Rank equivalents. (ie. Sergeants became petty officers and lieutenants became ensigns)and integrated into the Uncommon Valor's
crew.   The former Mordians have proved themselves many times over in combat and embrace and excel in their new role in the Imperial Navy.

  The primary role of the 1st SAG is to secure and defend forward airfields for an orbital strike cruiser's Atmospheric Combat Division.  The organization of a Imperial Navy SAG is modular lends itself to an incredible amount of flexibility. It is not unusual to have one combat platoon made up of two infantry squads and all of the mortar and heavy weapons sections while the other Combat platoon consists of three infantry squads and a command squad mounted in Valkyries.  Any number of tanks from the Armored Support Group or Anti-Aircraft Group may also be attached to the SAG. The 1st SAG is organized under the Assault Security Division of the strike cruises Orbital Strike Department of the Orbital Strike Cruiser Uncommon Valor.