+++ begin transmission +++
Ancient Mancine || 47th Company, 4th Chapter || Ultramarines Legion
Once a veteran breacher of the legion, Mancine continues to serve on the front lines of battle, entombed in a bulky Leviathan-pattern dreadnought. Each of his major victories is displayed as a tally on his frontal armour - a somewhat vainglorious tradition he had the company Mortificator continue from his days as a legionary.
Wrapping up the three year span of Horus Heresy 2nd Edition, I managed to squeeze in one last addition to my army - a Leviathan Dreadnought. I've always thought these guys were really cool models, and one day last year I just had a sudden urge to paint one. Until this point, I'd only fielded the classic box-shaped Castra Ferrum Dreadnoughts in my Ultramarines, as I thought they wouldn't have the resources for things like Contemptors and Leviathans, but I think I've change my mind on the matter.
Part of why I had never dabbled with Contemptors or Leviathans before was that they're almost too poseable. Trying to work out the best stance for the legs, the direction the torso should face, where the weapons should be pointing - all that stuff just stresses me out. Too get over this fear, I decided to find another Leviathan out there that I liked, and I copied the pose - my reference being raptorimperialis's Death Guard Leviathan. To pad out the base, I added a poor Word Bearer crushed under some rubble, although he ended up being pretty obfuscated by pigment powders.
A little odd thing of note is his weapon configuration - sporting his Cyclonic Melta Lance on his left arm, instead of the tradition right side. I did this so that the model would have a different facing to the previous dreadnought I painted, since I don't like all of my models facing the same way. This was the prompt for his name, 'Mancine', as I imagine he's just left handed!
Another aspect of the model I spent a long time deliberating over was the transfers. I went over several ideas, including some more ostentatious ones like an aquila or ultima symbol split across his front armour, or a large white stripe running down one side. I eventually opted for more subtle decorations, with a simple stencil style ultima on his chest as well as a wreathed heart. I imagine Mancine is a more brutish astartes, and doesn't really care much for gold trim or ornamentation, but perhaps the heart symbol means something special to him. He's also got a few kill tallies on the upper portion of his chest, which I thought were really fun. It gives him a bit more of a hard-edge feel than your average Ultramarine. Fitting for the pilot of a Leviathan, I think.
You may have noticed that the weapons for this guy can be changed out, and I have a spare Grav-Flux Bombard, Siege Claw, and a pair of chest Volkite Chargers to finish up. Probably something I'll do soon (unless they're really bad in 3.0...). That's all for now though. But more Ultramarines dreadnoughts soon!
+++ end transmission +++