Product Review: Tannenberg Fusiliers

Hey everyone! So I'm going to do something that I haven't done before. A product review. Basically I want to talk about the new models I got from Victoria Miniatures, the Tannenberg Fusiliers. I went pretty balls deep into it, as I started out ordering 4 sets and got 40 guardsmen. I'm not sure if it was a mistake or just a bulk order thing, but I also got a pair of kneeling legs in with the bundle, bringing my total up to 42, with enough extra torsos and heads to make some extra guys if I get more leg bits. 

Now first up, let's talk about what you get. In this particular set, you get enough bits to build 10 guardsmen, including a sergeant. You get enough lasgun arms for a full squad to have them if you want, but you also get 2 swords and 2 pistols, as well as the Vic Mins version of a meltagun. You also get a bunch of pouches to put on them, as well as a whole bunch bayonettes that you could attach to the lasguns. Personally, I wouldn't put the bayonettes on, as I think that they would just break off, but it might be ok. My only complaints about the kit is that you only get the one special weapon option, when really it would be nice to get one of each thing you can have in a squad (the models are very clearly meant as counts as Mordians), or at the very least have an option when you order them to have whichever special weapon you want. While meltaguns are great, I would have liked to have gotten some grenade launchers and plasma guns in there as well. The other vital piece that is missing is a vox caster. This one makes a little more sense as they don't make a radio bit or anything, but it's definitely something that I would throw into the kit. My next beef is regarding the sergeant and meltagun arms. Neither of them have the epaulets that the rest of my guardsmen have. Now these bits are generic ones meant to go with any of the guardsmen they make, but it does make for a bit of greenstuff work, which I suck at. The last complaint I have is that the arms don't always got very well into the torsos, meaning that I had to fill a lot of gaps with greenstuff, which I did simply by just putting a blob in between torso and arm and then just trimming away the excess, but that meant that I had to have the arms on for painting, which has made getting into recesses with different colours much more of a challenge. 

Now as for the actual quality of these guys. The models are all resin, as are most 3rd party models in my experience, but there were almost zero flaws. There were a couple of tiny bubbles, but I've had more major problems with GW plastics. The resin is also a lot more durable than most other products I've seen, with much less bend, and no warping that I've seen. The detail is also fantastic. The faces are amongst the most detailed I've ever seen, and there are little imperial symbols here and there to keep the models looking interesting. I also really like the look of the lasguns over the GW ones. 

Overall, I think that Victoria Miniatures is doing a great job, and they fill a niche that nobody else is really doing right now (that is, alternate Imperial Guard Regiments). I'm hoping that they will continue to expand their range to include command squads and the like, but as it is, I would heartily recommend them to anyone looking to add some cool models to their armies. 

The 247th Mordian Iron Guard

Hey everyone! After a long absence, I'm back, with an exciting announcement. I have taken the first steps towards starting an Imperial Guard army. However, I have decided that I don't want just any guard army, as I find the Cadians a little boring. Instead, I have gotten myself some Tannenberg Fusiliers from Victoria Miniatures to be my Mordian Iron Guard force! This army is going to be very fluff-centric, using units, weapons, and even tactics used by the Mordian Iron Guard during battle. So far the army is small. Only 40 guardsmen, but I will be looking to expand it as much as possible over the coming months. Anyways, in the mean time, I'd like to outline the background behind this burgeoning army.

Founded in 748.M41 to respond to the ever increasing threat of Chaos, the Mordian 247th is primarily an infantry regiment that makes use of armoured support. The Mordian Iron Guard have always been known for their unwavering discipline and courage, and the 247th is certainly no exception to this rule. While many other guard regiments might turn and flee in the face of overwhelming resistance, the 247th will hold position indefinitely, unless orders from command dictate that they make a retreat. While many of the more prudent guard regiments, such as the Catachans or Tanith First and Only find this way of waging war to be foolish at best, the Mordians' faith in their commanders and the Emperor is strong enough for them to weather both the firepower of the enemy, and the jeers of their fellows. In truth, many of these claims stem from jealousy, as the Mordian 247th is renowned throughout the galaxy as one of the most effective and deadly guard regiments around. 

Currently, the regiment is led by Colonel Benedict Lockridge. A grizzled commander who has seen hundreds of different warzones, and survived them all.  While most Mordian commanders hold the Navy in contempt, Col. Lockridge greatly values the support that they can provide his forces on the ground, and as such, often goes into battle with Lieutenant-Commander Jedrik Baros, an Officer of the Fleet. 

The Mordian 247th Iron Guard specialize in urban warfare, and as such, the make use primarily of foot soldiers, who are less impeded by blocked avenues, collapsed buildings, and narrow alleyways. The Chimera APCs that they do use are generally reserved for their officers and veteran squads, allowing them to redeploy quickly, and offer a wider range of command. While most guard regiments make ample use of the ubiquitous Leman Russ Battle Tank, the 247th prefer the shorter range, but much more destructive Leman Russ Demolisher, the devastating Leman Russ Punisher, and the cover-destroying Leman Russ Eradicator. 

As an infantry regiment, the 247th prefers to rely on mid-sized platoons to do much of the army's heavy lifting. These platoons usually feature at least one Vox operator, a Commissar, and often a Primaris Psyker. Though most infantrymen have an innate distrust of psykers, the 247th trains extensively with them in their squads, and the presence of an ever-watchful Commissar makes them more accepting of them than most other regiments. Indeed the presence of a Primaris Psyker has often proven valuable to the men of the 247th, allowing them insight into future events, as well as protecting them from the cursed machinations of enemy witches. Along with their specialist additions, each platoon boasts several special and heavy weapons. Amongst common guardsmen, the Grenade Launcher and Meltagun are favoured special weapons, allowing a good amount of versatility or tank-busting power to a squad. Flamers are less common, but see use amongst the platoons on occasion, particularly amongst the Platoon Command Squads.  Plasma Guns are all but unheard of in regular infantry squads, their rarity and unpredictability limiting them almost exclusively to Veteran squads. For heavy weapons, the Lascannon issue favourite amongst the Mordians, the sheer power of the weapon allowing them to decimate vehicles, monstrous creatures, and heavy infantry with ease. Autocannons are also a common sight, as they can be used decimate infantry and medium tanks alike. Missile Launchers, Heavy Bolters, and Mortars are much rarer, but still see use where appropriate.