DreadTober 2026: The Grand Finale!!

 

This has been a bumper year for DreadTober, with 27 challengers signing up and plying their trade. In the year where Games Workshop has decided to retire the classic Castraferrum miniature (aka the "boxnought"), it has been marvelous to see so many old school gamers bringing them to life. In particular, it has been great to have a bunch of people from The Crown of Command podcast join in. It is such a supportive community that works hard (and joyously!) to keep old school warhammer on the gaming table. I would also like to acknowledge the tremendous efforts of our DreadTober veterans, who keep coming back year after year, serving up amazing projects; you know who you are and have truly raised the bar. Finally, to all of our newcomers; welcome to the DreadTober club. You have more than earned your place.

Let's take a look at some Dreadnoughts!!

Name: Wachtmeister and Wachtmeisterson
Project: 2nd Edition Chaos Dreadnought
Blog: https://wachtmeisterspatrol.com/
Instagram: @Wachtmeisters_patrol

Wachmeister has completed this finely painted Iron Warriors dreadnought. There is so much that I could talk about here that makes this project great. I'm particularly impressed by the hazard stripes, plasma OSL and verdigris on the metal components. Wachtmeisterson did not quite get his Ork Dakkarig finished in time for the finale, but I will include it in the 2026 participants gallery if possible.

Name: Adrian Bell

Project: 2nd Edition Imperial box dreadnaught (marines errant)
Crown of Command discord: https://discord.gg/3xjN9BvZ

Adrian has been working hard to create a free-hand banner to finish off this classic Marines Errant Dreadnought. Fantastic skills on display here!! 

Name: Dr. The Viking
Project: Rogue Trader Dreadnought
Blog: http://cowabungajournal.com/
Instagram: @oldhammer_c0wabunga

Dr. The Viking has done a wonderful job painting this truly sinister sculpt. It now takes pride of place in his "Death Leopards" chaos army; they go to 12.

Name: Tom
Project: Epicast Ork Stompa
Instagram: @university_dave

Tom has exceeded expectations (which were already sky-high) with this amazing Ork Stompa. An early decision to swap the green armoured panel for a checkered pattern was inspired. Simply brilliant work; the vintage 40K hobby at its peak.

Name: DAM
Project: Legio Custodes Galatus Dreadnought
Blog: http://262krieg.blogspot.com/
Instagram: @262_krieg

DAM's model is exceptional from every angle; it was hard to decide how to best represent it! I encourage you to take a look at DAM's blog to see some other angles and the details on the base. An excellent finish to the project.

Name: Dawe
Project: Parkouring Dreadnought
Instagram: @painted.to.play

I think I have mentioned before that when I saw the title "Parkouring Dreadnought" I didn't quite know what to expect. I had an image of a Dreadnought stepping over a wall or something. But not this. Show me a more dynamic Dreadnought pose... I'll wait 😅 In all seriousness, a still image doesn't really do this Dreadnought justice. If you can, head over to Instagram and watch the video of the finished product; pure awesome sauce.

Name: Julien
Project: 2nd ed. Boxnought
Instagram: @Delayed_painting

During the final stages of DreadTober, Julien managed to complete a drop pod to help his Long Fang Dreadnought get into the best firing positions. The paint job is exceptional, bravo!!

Name: Grant C
Project: 2nd Edition Chaos Dreadnaught of Nurgle
Instagram: OldMagicMusings 

Grant C got off to a good start, if a little late in the month. I am hoping to update the gallery when this Dreadnought gets finished.

Name: Grot-Cast Dave
Project: Lamenters Chapter Boxnought
Crown of Command discord: https://discord.gg/3xjN9BvZ

Grot-Cast Dave has completed a project with a ton of detail and free-hand work. I truly respect the patience it takes to paint so much of that checkered pattern; I can only stand painting a couple of rows of it at a time. Brilliant finish!!

Name: Ted & Erik
Projects: Metal Space Wolves Bjorn the Fell-handed & Horus Heresy era Thousand Sons Contemptor Dreadnought
Blog: http://oddgitshut.blogspot.com/
Instagram: @oddgits.hut
Crown of Command Discord

Ted has painted an exceptional amount of detail his Bjorn the Fell-Handed and the finished product is spectacular. Great use of decals as well. Erik didn't quite get his Contemptor finished, but I will include it in the 2026 participants gallery if possible.

Name: jabberjabber
Project: Saturnine Dreadnought
Blog: https://warpstoneflux.blogspot.com/

Jabberjabber has done an amazing job with this chonky Saturnine Dreadnought. Grim dark as heck, well done!!

Name: Agis
Project: First Legion Deredeo Dreadnought
Blog: https://agis40k.blogspot.com/

This is another project that looks great from every angle. The weathering, free-hand details and overall paint scheme are really well done. I encourage you to take a look at Agis' blog to see all of the details around this model, including the Dark Angel shield on the cannon arms. 

Name: Sachiel.
Project: Dark Angels Venerable Castra-Ferrum Dreadnaught.
Blog: https://sachiel-returns.blogspot.com/?m=0

I have been following this project fairly closely and it is wonderful to see Sachiel has managed to finish it. Sachiel has explored the exploits of his self-named character through many editions of the game. Here he is now, interred in the sarcophagus of a mighty dreadnought.

Name: Dave Weston
Projects: 2 Adeptus Titanicus Warounds [plus weapon options] and 2 Adeptus Titanicus Porphyrion Knights
Blog: 40kaddict.uk
Insta: @40kaddict.uk

What a stunning finish to DreadTober!! Dave has painted these to a beautiful standard with his trademark style and colour palette. All hail the blessed verdigris.

Name: Henry
Project: 2nd edition Legion of the Damned dreadnought
Insta: Dangle_Tactics

The combination of miniature casting, hand-sculpting and smooth blending on the flames sets this project apart. An excellent finish to a very challenging project.

Name: Neverness
Project: Ultramarines Ballistus Dreadnought
Blog: https://nevernesshobby.blogspot.com
Bluesky:‪@neverness92.bsky.social‬

An excellent finish to an imposing project. That sneaky highlight on the left torso decal is legendary; read the blog post for the full story.

Name: Chris
Project: Imperial Guard Sentinel Squad
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/dutcholdhammer
Crown of Command Discord

Chris has just about finished these Sentinels. I will update the 2026 Participants when the final shot is posted.

 

Name: XarfaiEngel
Project: Eldar Dreadnought
Blog: https://abutterflyshobbytally.blogspot.com/
Instagram: @XarfaiEngel

A truly beautiful finish for an elegant project. XarfaiEngel has included some very subtle weathering in the final stages of the paint job. I especially love the blue flames on the lower legs; very neat. 

Name: Vectis
Project: Blood Angels Librarian Dreadnought

Instagram @vectishammer

I know from first-hand experience how challenging it is to make a modern model look like it belongs in a 2nd Edition game. The vibrant colours and the addition of a banner are just perfect for selling that mid 90's aesthetic. Now I really want to see some house rules for it. Bravo!!

Name: Siph

Project: Necron (Imperial) Knight counts-as

Blog: https://weemen.blogspot.com/

Siph has broken the mold with this one. I was a bit skeptical when I first saw the idea of turning a larger toy figurine into a 40k model, but I needn't have worried. Siph had this in the bag. 

Name: Zamnil
Project: Horus Heresy era Blood Angels Contemptor
Crown of Command Discord

Name: TJM
Project: Rogue Trader Contemptor and Space Marine Boxnaught
Crown of Command Discord

It doesn't get more old school than this guy. Behold! The king on his mountain.

Name: Martin

Project: Megadeath Dreadnought

Crown of Command Discord

Name: OzMonster

Project: Tau Riptide

Oz left it right up to the last minute to finish his bonus model; a Tau Broadside. I am looking forward to getting wiped off the board by those guns next time we play 😬

Name: M4cr0Dutch

Project: Blood Angels Castraferrum Dreadnought

Blog: https://oldschoolg4m1ng.blogspot.com/

Instagram: @m4cr0dutch

Bluesky: @m4cr0dutch.bsky.social

In the end, it took me two days of solid painting to get my model over the line. I am very happy with how it turned out, I think all of the colour decisions I was stressing over have turned out for the best. I was aiming to retain the majority of the classic Furioso Dreadnought palette, whilst adding the critical details to fit the theme I was interested in. Balancing the two without it getting too busy was the main challenge. The yellow decals, each around 30 years old, were the biggest stress. I only had one of each, so couldn't afford to split any!!

That is all of our Dreadnoughts for DreadTober 2026!! What an amazing effort from everyone who was able to finish their projects. If you didn't quite make it in time for the finale, I encourage to contact me when you have completed your Dreadnought so that I can update the 2026 gallery. Your efforts were not in vain.

I mentioned in the previous post that I would be doing a prize draw for people who managed to complete their projects. The prize for each winner is a commemorative DreadTober 2026 mug, designed in collaboration with Dave Weston. 

Our prize winners for 2026 (in no particular order) are:

Sachiel 

Dawe 

Julien 

Agis 

XarfaiEngel

Congratulations!! To claim your prize please contact me through the Contact Form. I will get your mugs posted out to you as soon as I can.

Additionally, here are a couple of badges to display on your blogs to celebrate our achievements in 2026. The top badge retains the old Deff Dread face, whilst the bottom one features our new mascot "DreadKin".

I hope to see you all for DreadTober 2027!!

Marc