Wednesday 22 January 2020

Rogue Trader - Dominators


Hello, I have a real treat for you today from annals of Warhammer 40000 history, twisted freaks of the Oldhammer era, the massive piles of lead that are the Rogue Trader Dominator's.

'Gorgravel' and 'Hulendar' both listed as armed with Bolter/Flamer, these limited release miniatures featured on the March 1988 Rogue Trader Part 2 Flyer on page2 and were sculpted by Bob Naismith.

Dominators 'Gorgravel & 'Hulendar'

Dominators 'Gorgravel & 'Hulendar'

Assembly was an absolute nightmare these miniatures are not for the faint hearted, none of the parts fit together well, it's even worst than a Realm of Chaos era Keeper of Secrets, I filled massive void of space between join of torso and body with milliput and greenstuff and copious amounts of putty was needed on all joins, one of the miniatures horns were damaged which required reconstruction and the end of it gun and magazine were damaged so I filed the mag and added a Eldar plasma gun barrel which I think looks nice, a round base suited these miniatures well, they didn't sit right on the old 40mm square ones.  The problems listed above are why I think the miniature did not get produced for long, not the fault of the sculptor I'm sure miniatures get chopped up for casting.

Now the sculpting by Bob Naismith is interesting, the Dominator's seem to have some sort of twisted spiky bone harness with flesh strands joining them together with the occasional blister or orb all very organic and biomechanical in places, same goes for the weapons a combi Bolter/Flamer or just flamer and a close combat weapon or bolt pistol, you decide, it all clearly doesn't belong on the host beast who is like some sort of brute proto-Zoat enslaved for the purpose of destruction.

Colour choice I went for the classic red/brown scheme and hopefully did it justice, based with Vallejo Cavalry brown, Bone and others then washed with GW Null Oil, dry brushed  the bone and tidied it all up. I finished the orbs off with glossy 'ard coat.

Dominator 'Hulendar' - front

Dominator 'Hulendar' - front


Dominator 'Hulendar' - side

Dominator 'Hulendar' - back

Dominator 'Hulendar' - side

Dominator 'Gorgravel' - front

Dominator 'Gorgravel' - side

Dominator 'Gorgravel' - back

Dominator 'Gorgravel' - side

Dominator 'Gorgravel' - side

Dominator 'Gorgravel' - front

Warhammer 40,000 profile for Dominator's, there isn't one but if I made one I would use Space Zoat profiles and rules maybe a major hero which can viewed here.

The Dominators remind me of the 'Type 3 Battle-Orgot' from the 2000AD Slaine story Timekiller progs 411-434 that twisted mix of fantasy and technology, the multiple limbs, the brute strength the creature conveys, the Dominator could easy find a home in a fighting pit on some far flung planetary outpost.


Slaine vs Type 3 Battle-Orgot


Dominator 'Hulendar' from the classic 1986 'Heroes for Wargames' book Page 108


Size comparison - Dominators to a Space Zoat


Size comparison 2 - Dominators to a Space Zoat


Dominators advert from the March 1988 Rogue Trader Part 2 Flyer 

A recent addition to Warhammer World Exhibition Hall Dominators (taken by @Leaky_cheese follow him on Twitter)


If you want to see closer photos of the miniatures in lead form go here: http://www.collecting-citadel-miniatures.com/wiki/index.php/Tyranids_-_Limited_Release

If you want to see more well painted Dominators go here: http://www.solegends.com/citrt2/undominators/index.htm
http://goblinlee.blogspot.com/2016/06/rogue-trader-era-40k-dominators.html

Thanks for stopping by, lots and lots of drafts queuing up so stay tuned.
J

16 comments:

  1. Great work on the pair of these! I'm envious you've got not one but both of them! Always nice to see a super rare miniature that's been painted and enjoyed.

    I want to think there's a John Carter of Mars inspiration lurking behind these – large six-limbed horned beasts with exotic weapons feel a bit like the Green Tharks. Though Tharks didn't have hooves, and weren't as centaur. And used swords. If I get some I'd be tempted to paint them green and have them fight a super-jumpy human.

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    1. Thanks Curis, I think you are on to something there, I am sure you will go that way if you ever get onto one, I am sure there was John Carter Army lists in HOTT, I may have to go off now for a browse in the archives

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  2. I've got a my of these lads myself, but have put off painting for ages because of some of the issues you highlighted - the massive gaps that need filling, the uncertainty about the sculpted details. That said, this is an excellent advert for persevering- the pair look brilliant with that restrained colour scheme. Great work and lovely to see a pair painted up.

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    1. No two seem to be the same, hard work indeed you can do it :) thanks for compliments
      J

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  3. Awesome work on the Dominators!

    They do remind me of Tyranidised Gruffalos, especially with the orange eyes!

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    1. Ha! My boy has all the books you are so right it's uncanny , thanks
      J

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  4. Well you really gave those rarities a proper care, so good to see them with paint and an excellent job on top!

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  5. Well, these are pretty special! I hadn't thought of the John Carter connection Curis speaks of above, but the more I see them, the more I'm convinced they have that kind of feel.
    Splendid work.

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    1. thanks Suber, Curis has his finger on the pulse I can see the cogs in his brain going round and planning a project right now,

      cheers
      J

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  6. They look great, love the painting, and a great choice of colours.
    I like the replacement gun barrels. I sympathise with your assembly woes, they are not easy to put together, but they are fun miniatures.
    Thank you for the link to my blog.

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    1. Thanks Lee, only had to replace one barrel the other is original but looks like lego :D

      J

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