This article looks at the 1990 box set Space Marine Strike Force, as well as covering the contemporary colour schemes shown on the box which were expanded upon in the previous month’s White Dwarf magazine. So if you’re looking for info about the RTB15 box set or on Rogue Trader-era Ultramarines, Dark Angels or Blood Angels colour schemes read on.
In White Dwarf #129 (September 1990) there was an article by Rick Priestly with sketches from John Blanche detailing the various armour marks of the Space Marines. The following month we got to see Mark 7 armour in the form which would become iconic through the Rogue Trader RTB15 Space Marine Strike Force Box.
It contained 15 miniatures designed by Jes Goodwin, and while it wasn’t the first Mk7 armour sculpted (Mark Copplestone did the Death Eagle Marines previously) Jes’ style was to set the mold for Space Marines for decades to come.
The miniatures were painted as Ultramarines, Blood Angels and Dark Angels on the box. White Dwarf #129 gives us the credit for the cover art – Jim Burns:
Closeups of the colour schemes:
For more info on the contemporary paint schemes as suggested in WD129, see here.
Detail of the painted minis on the back of the box:
White bolters for Ultramarines rather than the later red, and silver for Dark Angels!
The metal torsos shown will be immediately familiar to anyone who grew up with 2nd. Edition Warhammer 40K. Copyright 1990 GW, made in the UK:
More painted minis on the box edge:
Not so much on the ends:
Dark Angels on the other side:
Some closeups of the box art. This face looks familiar:
Not sure if the below face is also one that can be found elsewhere or not:
Or this fellow. Anyone recognise him?
A menacing looking Apothecary:
Onto the contents! As was typical for the time there’s a polystyrene insert and the miniatures distributed between the compartments:
The bases have no markings under them:
There are three torso variants:
Closer of the arm sprue – note that it’s different to the more commonly seen 2nd. Edition 40K one:
The backpack/bolter/knife/pauldron sprue:
White Dwarf #130 (October 1990) featured the Strike Force box at the back – and in the ‘Eavy Metal section you can see the squads more closely – the Ultramarines:
Dark Angels:
Blood Angels:
The spiel in the ad is similar to what’s on the box:
