Warhammer 40K Whiteshields (Astra Militarum/Imperial Guard): Part 5

Whiteshields, also known as Conscript Platoons, are Imperial Guard units consisting of either normal Imperial citizens, with little or no military training, conscripted into service, or newly recruited Imperial Guardsmen/women, who have not yet received their formal training. Whiteshield units are typically formed out of necessity, when fresh bodies are needed for the battlefield. Unlike the standard Imperial Guardsman/woman, Whiteshields do not wear regimental insignias or heraldry; instead, they have a simple white stripe painted on their helmets to identify their position within the regiment.

Whiteshields (front)

Whiteshields (back) 

I finished painting a group of Imperial Guard Whiteshields using miniatures from the Cadian Quick Build kit.  When selecting a colour pattern to paint these miniatures, I drew inspiration from the combat uniforms worn by the British Airborne during the Second World War:  I painted a four-colour woodlands camouflage pattern for the combat jackets and selected a khaki tone for the pants.  As well, I used Vallejo ‘Russian Uniform’ for the helmets, shoulder pads and body armour, while painting distinctive white stripes on the helmets.  

For more images of these miniatures, please visit the Whiteshields section of the Old Guard; a website dedicated to Games Workshop’s Warhammer 40K miniatures, with a focus on the classic range of Imperial Guard models from the 1990s.