WarFactory Ventolin Pirates

The classic Rogue Trader adventurers range is full of iconic miniatures. Most are individual characters, but there are a couple that are crying out for some companions. The Ventolin Pirate is a great example, and Aidan Boustred over at WarFactory has digitally sculpted some fantastic homage figures - the STLs are being made available as part of a fundraiser for Ukraine. Check out the details over at: WarFactory

5-man squad of Ventolin Pirates.

There are currently 11 different digital sculpts available for download - 6x troopers with las rifles, 1x laser cannon, 1x missile launcher, 1x sergeant and 2x leaders. I've painted up a squad of 5 and am currently working on the remaining 6 figures.

I went for a classic red and black combo - these guys will see action alongside my Khornate renegades and will be perfect pirate troopers for Stargrave. I don't particularly enjoy batch painting, but attempted to give these guys a quick but effective paintjob - steps as below:

1. Undercoat Citadel grey seer
2. Paint red armour with Citadel flesh tearers contrast
3. Drybrush red armour with a mid orange
4. Paint all remaining areas black
5. Drybrush boots, pack, pouches and helmet with a light grey
6. Paint guns, grenades and details dark metallic silver
7. Wash black and metallic areas with a black wash
8. Paint eye lenses with a pale blue (Citadel blue horror)
9. Add Citadel nihilakh oxide around lenses
10. Spot highlight metallics with a bright silver

All in all, I'm very happy with the results - the figures are nicely eye-catching, but didn't suck up a huge amount of time. I'm looking forward to finishing the other squad.

Comparison of the original 1980s physical sculpt (left) versus the digital sculpt.

Aidan has done a great job, not only in matching the details, but also matching the proportion and chunkiness of the original.