I still have my original Compendium from the Rogue Trader days (but oddly not my actual copy of the Rogue Trader book which fell to pieces long, long ago).

Oh, that is 100% what they did back then. When introduced, the original Eldar dreadnoughts were still considered to have a living pilot while the Sprit-Warriors were like dreadnoughts but with the spirit of an Eldar in an Infinity-Circuit, and just a different head on the model.

While the unreleased Juan Diaz Farseer piece was a gift, this one I acquired on eBay around 2003/04 when I was hunting additional rare or unreleased figures. Here you can contrast the original sculpt and the later released version (photo credits on the right not mine - just images I found online).

#OldHammer Archive! ANOTHER UNRELEASED RARITY! This Space Marine was a test sculpt by Mark Bedford. A modified version was eventually released that replaced the grenade with a sword and made some other minor adjustments, but not this version. #warhammer #40k #warhammercommunity #nerdlings

#OldHammer Archive! REAL RARITY! This figure was an unreleased test sculpt by Juan Diaz when he was applying to be a GW sculptor. The figure was gifted to me from an early 2000s Golden Demon medalist, and painted by me around 2002. #warhammer #40k #aeldari #eldar #warhammercommunity #nerdlings

#OldHammer Archive! Old-school Eldar Dreadnought (before they were called Wraithlords) where I modified this one to carry a Plasma Cannon like a rifle. Back fin from a titan. Fist weapons moved to the head. And a head scoop. 1999 #warhammer #40k #aeldari #eldar #warhammercommunity #nerdlings

#OldHammer Archive! Another old warlock in the original lead alloy used for casting, painted 1999. #warhammer #40k #aeldari #eldar #warhammercommunity #nerdlings

#OldHammer Archive! This Warlock sculpt was still in production until a few years ago, but this one here was an ancient original lead casting and painted around 1999. #warhammer #40k #aeldari #eldar #warhammercommunity #nerdlings

#OldHammer Archive! Harlequins! All were modified at least a little bit (back then I painted almost nothing 100% stock). The last one started off as a Wood Elf Wardancer from WHFB - I decided it looked Harlequin-like enough. 😁 #warhammer #40k #aeldari #eldar #warhammercommunity #nerdlings

#OldHammer Archive! 3rd edition, when the Dark Eldar were new, I had thought to start a new army - but this was when I painted so very, very slowly. So this single Incubi was finished, and then the army was abandoned... (1999) #warhammer #40k #aeldari #eldar #warhammercommunity #nerdlings

#OldHammer Archive! An original Harlequin Shadowseer (lead casting). Converted - powerfist from an old Eldar assault weapon sprue, as well as the sword. The sword arm... may have been from a WHFB Dark Elf. Painted appx 1999. #warhammer #40k #aeldari #eldar #warhammercommunity #nerdlings

#OldHammer Archive! Storm Guardians - not quite as old, being from 3rd edition. There were no official kits for assault guardians in 3rd, so I cobbled together my own. #warhammer #40k #aeldari #eldar #warhammercommunity #nerdlings

#OldHammer Archive! Worked on an exodite squad back around 1997 or 1998. Built 2, painted 1, and a 3rd was started but never assembled. Obviously, I am excited for the upcoming Aeldari official exodites, after ALL THESE DECADES! #warhammer #40k #aeldari #eldar #warhammercommunity #nerdlings

#OldHammer Archive! Heavily customized Dark Reaper Exarch from 22ish years ago. Inspired by a rather famous Janet Jackson album cover from the 90s. Converted and painted in 1996 or 1997. #warhammer #40k #aeldari #eldar #warhammercommunity #nerdlings

OldHammer Archive! Eldar Exarchs in 2nd edition were kings of independent character cheese! This was a relatively simple conversion of a Howling Banshee Exarch. Powerfist, Power Sword, and Meltagun, painted appx 1996. #OldHammer #warhammer #40k #aeldari #eldar #warhammercommunity #nerdlings

I go with this guy in almost any major 80s/90s action flick. I want his background story as international mercenary for hire who has seen some serious shit. Bonus points if his story is a narrative that runs through ALL those movies. He is secretly an immortal who can't die.

Another 7 BattleMechs painted this week! That is also unfortunately the end of my unpainted mechs - a collection now of 38 painted mechs. Guess I will take a break from Mechs now until I buy the Alpha Strike and Aces boxes... #BattleTech #Mechwarrior #miniatures #nerdlings

Our two feral rescues continue to acclimate to their forever home. 6 weeks in, and they have discovered a love for the catio sunroom. #caturday

How warm do you want it? Sometimes one flamer just isn't enough!

100% relatable. It was how I dealt with any major trauma or upheaval in life - throw myself into work where there could be a sense of control and achievement. Since I am now someplace where that is not really an option, I pour that need into painting miniatures. 🤷‍♀️

This is a little idea I have had FOREVER - a Solaris mech done up like a sponsored NASCAR vehicle. The sponsorship decals are HO scale slot car decals I bought 35ish years ago for this very purpose. 😅 #BattleTech #Mechwarrior #miniatures #nerdlings

I also happened to see a video with some footage of Finnish armored vehicles in winter camo, and suddenly wanted to paint something inspired by that, so here they are! #BattleTech #Mechwarrior #miniatures #nerdlings

MOAR BATTLETECH!!! I found myself wanting to paint some ComStar mechs, but also didn't want just pure white, so I opted for this slate blue shade as an accent color. #BattleTech #Mechwarrior #miniatures #nerdlings

I have faith some other corporation or President will do so and continue this game of one-upmanship in our dystopian timeline shortly. Audacity is ALL they have anymore...

Followed by the Corsair Skyreavers. #warhammer #40k #aeldari #eldar #warhammercommunity #nerdlings

Beating the heat this week with more painting of my ever-growing Aeldari warhost! Finally making progress on the Eldritch Raider battleforce box set. First up, Kharseth, the void dreamer. #warhammer #40k #aeldari #eldar #warhammercommunity #nerdlings

Josette (one of our rescue cats we adopted earlier this month) has found a new spot above my hobby space to chill out. 🥰 #Caturday

If you see this, post a vampire that isn't Dracula.

I seem to be on something of a BattleTech roll! This lance color scheme is not as flashy as my previous two lances, but it just felt like colors that fit a Capellan unit. #BattleTech #Mechwarrior #miniatures #nerdlings

Another lance of BattleMechs, something vaguely Marik this time! I wish I knew anyone at all nearby who actually *played* BattleTech, lol. Perhaps I should check out the Aces box set for solo play options... #BattleTech #Mechwarrior #miniatures #nerdlings