Helbrute by Anton Solovianchyk
Hi folks,
The challenge deadline is swiftly approaching. I am getting my lightbox ready to take some final photographs with my new camera; hopefully it is less potato in nature than my usual device. Over the weekend I will put all of the final photos together and I hope to get the last post out on Monday. That gives you a couple of bonus days to finish if you are cutting things close...
In the meantime, I recently put out a call for challengers to answer some questions about their favourite Dreadnought. Dave Weston from Confessions of a 40K Addict, who is responsible for our blog banner and other DreadTober-themed designs, has provided some insights into one of his awesome projects.
1) In what year did you first join the DreadTober challenge?
2017 was the first year I’d managed to clear my hobby schedule in such a way as I could plan to join in. I think I’d been aware of it at least for 2016, maybe even 2015 when it began. But in 2016 I was focused on my Armies on Parade board, which didn’t allow me to participate. It’s crazy now to look back and see so many 2025 participants who were taking part in 2016 - Siph, DAM, thousandeyes, even yourself. Obviously we credit Greg and Todd for starting it way back in 2015.
Indeed; we stand on the shoulders of giants - Marc
2) What is your favourite Dreadnought?
I’ll be controversial by nominating a ‘dread-sized’ model, rather than an actual Dreadnought. My favourite is the ‘human-dread’ the plastic Imperial Guard Sentinel from the 1990’s.
3) What is it about this model that resonates with you?
Well it was a complete surprise to me how much I liked it that I only discovered painting two of them for my first DreadTober in 2017. The kit was incredibly simple yet still created a posable robot, with options for loadouts and if it was a scout or armored sentinel. Throw in they were relatively cheap on ebay and I just loved how you can scratch that ‘giant freaking robot’ itch for a bargain, if you were so inclined.
4) What can you remember about the modelling/painting process?
That’s easy enough as I enjoyed painting them so much I got another two and they were part of my pledge last year. Although, I didn’t quite get them done alongside my main pledge of a Norn Emissary. But it was still a fun experience. They were painted for my Genestealer Cult, whose vehicles are all ‘construction vehicle’ yellow. They’re rusted and oily, with flaking paintwork. Absolutely perfect for hiding how badly these ebay rescues had been put together. They also were all supposed to come with Flamers as I wanted the auto hits to mitigate the low Ballistic Skill of their Genestealer hybrid drivers.
Lots of rust and weathering effects gave me plenty of practice. I can’t tell if it’s realistic or a cartoon recreation of weathered vehicles but it was a lot of fun to do. One of the Sentinels is actually armoured though. I was short a 4th Flamer, its chainsaw and its armour. It came with a multi-laser so I decided to armour it up using plasticard and cardboard. Again, the battered nature hides a multiple of hobby sins. The chainsaw was actually a 1st Edition Adeptus Titanicus Warlord Titan Chain Fist!
5) Tell us about the base of the model.
I’d got some resin urban/mechanicum bases full of cogs and broken mechanical bits. I used them on all my GSC models, so it was great to have some in the same size for Sentinels. Adding rust and weathering to the bases helped link the battered walkers to their environment. I’d also got a spare Dreadnought base that helped round out the group.
6) Does this model have a background story?
Armed with Flamers and Sentinel Chainswords I envisaged them going about their business clearing forests with a scorched Earth policy. The GSC Hybrids are called Turqs, they’re vat grown worker clones, made using Genestealer DNA. It’s based around the clones from Space Above and Beyond. I liked the idea that they were turquoise skinned to connect them to my Tyranid army but also create a bit of variety and unique alienness about them.
Ahhh, I used to love that show! Hawkes (a "tank") was my favourite character - Marc
7) Have you used this model in a game? How did it go? How would you use it, if you got the chance?
Back in the day when I went to 40k Tournaments regularly I went to a random double’s tournament where each round you were matched up with a stranger, so you got to pair with a mix of people and just enjoy playing weird random games with random allies and opponents. I used my 2 original Sentinels in Double Trouble 3. My reports say they died in at least two games with 3 out of 4 explosions! Not sure what happened in the 3rd game. I think I suffered from the double edged sword that is the ‘scout’ move. Sure, it’s great to be able to put your models right up in your opponent’s face. But they’re weak and exposed so inevitably unlikely to survive. I think by game three I just had them baby-sitting an objective. They did nothing, maybe survived, but we didn’t win the game.
Never really played them since and I’m not sure I probably will. But the first pair have featured in a couple of Armies on Parade fighting my Deathwatch and maybe one day I’ll have added enough to their numbers that they get their own Parade. I’ve a lot of Hybrids and a Chimera that I can’t wait to paint in the same yellow rusty style with a bulldozer blade for ‘clearance actions’.
That top Sentinel is levitating!! - Marc
I think we can all agree that these Sentinels look fantastic. It was great watching them come to life on Dave's blog, so if you get a chance, swing by and take a look at what he is up to this week.
There will be more opportunities to share your favourite Dreadnought next year, assuming the fates align and I can get the challenge up and running in 2026. Until then, let's make sure we finish the challenge strongly in 2025; eternal glory awaits!!
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