Fighting Tiger Troops (Part I): Tactical Squads
Unlike Codex Astartes Chapters (such as the Ultramarines), the Fighting Tigers do not organize themselves into companies. Instead, the Tigers divide themselves into two castes, or jatis, one based on each of Veda’s continents, Mahaduyana and Ghuyarashtra. Each jatis is identical in size (about 500 Marines, plus attendants) and organization. Each jatis takes its name from its home continent and its markings from the tigers found there.

Fighting Tiger Troop units are either Tigers of Rudra (Tactical Space Marines; Rudra is the Vedic god of battles), or Tigers of Puchan (Space Marine Scouts; Puchan is the Vedic god of guides). Currently, my army has six squads of Tigers of Rudra and six squads of Tigers of Puchan. Basic colors are Fiery Orange and Chaos Black for Jatis Mahaduyana, Bubonic Brown and Bestial Brown for Jatis Ghuyarashtra. 

As you can see from the photo above, one of the benefits of painting Marines in different color schemes is that it's easy to tell squads apart. The orange and black Marines are obviously members of one squad, and the mustard and brown Marines are obviously another squad. 

You will also note that my models have different styles of armor and even different shades of colors. I began painting Fighting Tigers in 1987 with plastic RTB01 Space Marines that came 30 to a box. As the years went by, I deliberately used different figures and shades to keep myself interested--it would be dull to paint the same old thing over and over. I also think that the "mixed" look of the troops nicely reflects the ancient age of the chapter. Surely, in the thousands of years that the Tigers have existed, there would have to be at least small changes in appearance.

This Tiger carries a flamer made from bits of old models. The black part of the gun is a lascannon from a "Rogue Trader"-era Tarantula. The nozzle is a bit from the plastic RTB01 flamer. The two larger fuel tanks are from a tank accessory sprue. The Marine himself is also a conversion: the head and torso are from a biker figure.

Simplified paint scheme
Recently, I've added some more Tactical Marines to my collection and decided to use a "simplified" paint scheme. Basically, I only put tiger stripes on the helmets and shoulder pads. Here's how they turned out.

The new scheme is certainly easier to paint and I think it looks just as good, if not better, than the old scheme. The differences between the old and new Marines are subtle, and if you're not looking for them, you'll probably never notice. 

You may notice in the photos of the Ghuyarastran Marines (like the fellow above) that I've given the brown portions of their armor what I call a "natural" highlighted effect. Rather than paint a lighter shade of brown on the edges of the armor, I simply applied two very thin coats of Bestial Brown over a white primer coat, and the paint just happened to dry like that. It was much easier than trying to do it the way I've read about in White Dwarf painting articles. 

You may also notice the red bars painted on the shoulder pads of some of the new Marines. I like to incorporate actual games I play into the background history, or "fluff," of the Fighting Tigers. In this case, I was inspired by the Blood Deserts of Auros IX Campaign to mark some of my troops with a badge commemorating the failed crusade against the Orks of that world. Red is the color of the soil of Auros IX, and red also recalls the many casualties the Tigers suffered there. The shoulder badges honor the dead and remind the Fighting Tigers that one day they must return to Auros IX and fulfill their mission. 

Veteran Sergeant conversions
I like to include Veteran Sergeants in my army, which allows me to do lots of what I think are cool conversions. Here's a few I'd like to share.

This miniature above is one of my favorite figures from the "Rogue Trader" era, the First Edition of Warhammer 40,000. This miniature is made of lead and carries a shuriken catapult, which I imagine he took from a Dire Avenger Exarch. For 3rd Edition I treat it as a storm bolter. This figure was originally wearing a helmet, but to give him more character I replaced it with a plastic 2nd Edition Imperial Guard Stormtrooper head (gotta love that beret!) and painted on a white beard and mustache (now his nickname is "Papa Hemingway"). The red sensor on his left breast is a piece from a plastic sprue.

The upper half of this Veteran Sergeant is from a Space Marine biker sergeant; the lower half is from a lead "Rogue Trader" Terminator. I've hung all kinds of things (his helmet, extra weapons, belt pouches, and a big insignia) around his waist to disguise the join. Because this figure has Terminator legs, he stands more than a head taller than the Marines he leads and, with his sword held aloft, is very imposing! 

I've also added a Veteran Sergeant using the "simplified" paint scheme. This guy below was originally a figure from another gaming company. My friend Paul Hill didn't want it, so he gave it to me. 

Hey, "one man's trash is another man's treasure": I sawed off the goofy-looking helmet he had and replaced it with a plastic Games Workshop one I had lying around. I clipped off the weedy pistol-thingy he was holding and substituted a moy macho bolter-flamer. To make him look more "Imperial," I glued a winged skull (from a back banner pole) to his chest. The red cloth hanging from his belt recalls the blood shed by the Tigers in their failed campaign for Auros IX. 
 
 

Next page (pg 6): Troops, Part II Previous page (pg 4): Gray Tigers

Related Pages
Fighting Tiger Troops
Tactics: Fighting Tiger Troops
 

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© Copyright Kenton Kilgore April 2002 

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