Painting an Imperial Guard Minotaur.

In the crazy and care free days near the beginning of Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader, there was an almost "anything goes" attitude towards the universe that Games Workshop and Citadel Miniatures were creating. Since 40K was based around the same Tolkienesque races as Warhammer Fantasy Battle there was some attempt to add other fantasy races into the 40K sci-fi setting by adding them to the Imperial Army and then the Imperial Guard. Dwarves were Squats, Halflings were Ratlings, Ogres were Ogryn, etc. Of these three races the squats have been all but excised from 40K with the ruthless efficiency of an Exterminatus bombing. But in these early years there was also a brief glimpse of another race: the Minotaurs.

That I know of there were only two 40K Minotaur minis cast and given very limited release. It seems obvious from these minis that they were meant to be part of the Imperial Guard. They carry Imperial issue weapons and have Imperial las-guns attached to their horns. But as far as I know there were never any official rules or release planned for these fellows.

Inspired by these two early figures, sculptor Diego Serrate decided to have a go at creating his own Space Minotaur. You can read about his sculpting process here. Diego made some castings of these available, along with another lost 40K mini concept of a fish race called the Pisceans, and I picked one up. I was really happy with everything about this mini. It has been re-designed to get rid of some of the cartoony feel of the originals but still feels like it fits into the Rogue Trader universe. You can contact Diego at bobilero@hotmail.com if you'd like some of his minis. Buy lots so he'll make more.

I've had a nagging desire to build a mixed race Imperial Guard just as an fun exercise. Diego's Minotaur, who is now Sgt. Del Toro of the 4th Abhuman Legion in my little world, will form the basis of the assault section that will feature both Minotaurs and Ogryns. 

Showing the Imperial Guard indoctrination tattoo which proves his purity and allegiance to The Imperium.

Tattoo of the 4th Abhuman Legion "The Fighting Fourth".

The miniature has been sculpted to be more current with modern trends with items like bendable cables. But the assembly is still very quick and easy.

And there might be a unit of Chainsaw Warriors in The 4th as well. They look like half-Ogryn anyway.

Diego's Minotaur is a really fun figure and looks right at home alongside the Broolian Beastmen minis that Victoria Miniatures is producing. It would be great to see more of both.