Tuesday, June 14, 2022

The First Rogue Trader Miniatures: Part 2

I have a bad habit when it comes to collecting miniatures. Maybe two bad habits, if you consider collecting miniatures itself to be a bad habit.

Let’s say I decide to pursue a certain range of vintage Citadel miniatures (like the Terror of the Lichemaster). Accruing such a collection takes patience, and I have none. So I grow antsy and begin to despair when, after a few months, the miniatures I need don't appear on the market. A sane person would just wait it out, because all miniatures will eventually present themselves for sale in the ripeness of time. But do I just wait? No. 

Instead, I adopt a manic logic. I decide the only way to distract myself from the anxiety of completing my range is to start collecting an entirely different range. I tell myself that completing the second range will be a consolation prize if I am never able to finish the first range. In my mind, it makes sense. In reality, am doubling my trouble. Soon I will be anxious about completing two sets not one. Plus, the second set is inevitably even rarer than the original range (damn you, Osrim Chardz). It is a bad habit.

But, it’s an ill-wind that bloweth no good. My bad habit results increased fretting and the expenditure of much treasure. But it also means that I almost accidentally accrue some great sets. That’s what happened with the RT1 range consisting of the first Warhammer 40K sculps. My original purpose was to collect the RT06 range of Rogue Trader Adventurers. But when that project hit a wall (damn you, Imperial Assassin), I decided to pursue RT1 since it seemed in easy reach. It wasn't, of course (damn you, Pirate). But at last it's complete!

Last week, we looked at the first four miniatures of the range. Now I give you five more…

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First is the “Imperial Garrison Trooper”, later renamed “Kylla Condotti” for the RT7 Mercenaries range (Nov. 1987). This is another sculp by Bob Naismith. I’ve always loved this miniature because of the simplicity of the design and the apprehension on his face. He’s a conscript, and he knows it.

Imperial Garrison Trooper Kylla Condotti RT1 1987 Citadel First Rogue Trader painted miniature

Second is the “Space Goblin”, later renamed “Bogbag” in the 4404 Gretchen range (1988). I want my Space Goblins nasty, cross-eyed and leering, and this fellow hits the mark. Note that this early miniature represents a kind of false start for goblindom. He's well-armoured and carries some technological geegaws on his belt. Later gretchen are generally feral fellows with primitive muskets.

Space Goblin original Gretchen RT1 1987 Citadel First Rogue Trader painted miniature

Next we have the “Imperial Light Trooper”, aka “No-Face Fargo” in the RT7 Mercenaries range (Nov. 1987). He’s an unambitious variant of the Garrison Trooper, and was also sculpted by Bob Naismith.

Imperial Light Trooper No-face Fargo RT1 1987 Citadel First Rogue Trader painted miniature

And now the glorious "Imperial Bodyguard", aka "Adeptus Custodes". Drawings of this miniature appear in some striking illustrations from the Rogue Trader rulebook. It's a sculpt marked by a fine sense of design and intriguing details. I've always been attracted to the Eldar-like dimensions of his helmet. It puts me in mind of elite regiments in history (like the Zouaves) who adopt elements of the (outlandish) dress belonging to feared or respected opponents.

Imperial Bodyguard Adeptus Custodes RT1 1987 Citadel First Rogue Trader painted miniature

An illustration from the
Rogue Trader rulebook (1987)


Lastly, the "Imperial Psycher", aka "Imperial Psyker" or (in the RT06 range) "Astropath Yerl". Like the Adeptus Custodes, we can see him portrayed in several iconic illustrations. This is a large sculpt that stands strangely out of proportion with its fellows. But the tallness of the miniature at least accentuates the thinness of the face and hands, which is fitting for an Astropath.

Imperial Psyker aka Astropath Yerl RT1 1987 Citadel First Rogue Trader painted miniature


Next week, I'll give you my versions of the final minis from this range and review some of the other painters who have tackled them.

Bonus picture: Oldenhammer in Toronto just hired a new copyeditor.


17 comments:

  1. Wonderful painting on all these classic minis! My fave is the Imperial Bodyguard, and when seeing him in Rogue Trader back in the day my first thought was "why is the Imperium employing topless Eldar?"

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  2. Great work on these classic sculpts Matthew, I did have the Imperial Assassin you mention, I'll have a scout around to see if I've still got it.

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    1. Dave, that is so incredibly kind of you! But please paint him yourself and post your handiwork. I've now got my own copy of the little bugger. It just took me 10+ months to find one.

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  3. Re the Imperial Bodyguard, his strange getup reminds me of the character Severian and his colleagues in the Torturers' Guild from Gene Wolfe's "Urth" series of novels (starting in 1980). They were also running around caped, masked, shirtless, and wearing leather-daddy trousers.

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    1. I will never be able to expunge the phrase "leather-daddy trousers" from my memory.
      Can you please send me your address so I can forward my therapy bills?

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    2. The studded pants are more than a bit Slaanesh, honestly. Between that and the Eldar helmet, this figure is shockingly heretical by modern standards.

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  4. Lovely new little servitor :-))
    And a pure pleasure to see your new old stuff!
    Best regards

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    1. "New old stuff" is a great way to put it. It should be the new name of my blog.

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  5. Those poor troopers... they're barely equipped to handle a gang of local bandits, let alone, say, a drop pod full of Word Bearers 😬.

    Another fun bunch, the goblin is deliciously malevolent looking, but I think my favorite of these is the psyker. The sculpt is just so moody and melancholy. I'm sure there are other similar figures out there by now but I'd love to have a copy of this one just to enjoy on its own merits.

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    1. Wait until you see the conscripts I just painted (using old Troubleshooters from Citadel's Paranoia range. They'll make these troopers look like armoured deathbots.

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  6. Every mini is better than the previous one. I do love all of them, I have a soft spot for these ranges, you did a fantastic job!

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    1. Thanks Suber! I think I said it on your blog, but your work on the Servitors and Tech Priests is amazing.

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  7. We believe that on collecting (of all kinds) you have really hit the point! The secret is patience, but every collector is tempted to forge ahead and immediately have what is missing. We understand you very well!
    For the awesome miniatures of Warhammer 40k "prehistory", our favorite in this roundup is the "space goblin", both for expression and for detail. Do you know who sculpted it?

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    1. I really like the Goblin too. I don't think there's any public record on who sculpted him. We know it wasn't Bob Naismith, because he's identified which of the RT1 miniatures he designed. I suspect it was Aly Morrison because of the exaggerated facial features.
      If anyone knows for sure, please let me know!

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  8. Good stuff. I like the conscript and astropath. Never really been a fan of the custodes, though.

    Good to have you back! I would have commented sooner, but Blogger comments have been playing up for me.

    Those eyes are so blue...

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    1. Thanks Barks!

      I hope Blogger starts treating you better. I live in fear of Google just one day rolling up Blogger like it rolled up Google Music (which I used) and Google Groups (which I also used).

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