If the new Plastic Heresy Sprues look familiar this is why. Checkout the original Rogue Trader plastics from 27 years ago.
Via Larry Vela
In 1988 Jes Goodwin, Aly Morrison and Bob Naismith produced a set of miniatures that catapulted then small Games Workshop into the Grimdark and defined the iconic Space Marines for the world. The Iconic plastic RTB-01 plastic set was released!
Yes, your eyes are not deceiving you – £9.99 got you 30 plastic Space Marines! Now feast your eyes on the sprues. The Missile Launchers, the Mk VI Corvus suits (the “normal Mk.VII Marine, came waaaaay later), the funky flamers, the bayonets everywhere, the riveted shoulderpads, and all the little pouches and bits to glue on. Rogue Trader gamers were in hog heaven!
Fast forward 27 years and we see sprues of plastic Horus Heresy Space Marines. While there are certainly a bunch of differences, There are enough similarities that the new models really feel to me like the if not literal – spiritual successors to that original RTB-01 kit, all gussied up for a new generation of eager Grimdark gamers. From the missile launchers, to the Mk IV armor (like Mk. VI still a forebearer to the standard Mk.VII models), to the flamers, to the pouches, the bayonets, riveted shoulderpads, the command figures – it’s all there. Plus with modern technology, we get the meltas, the combis, and and more close combat options.
I am not exaggerating when I say that folks have been dreaming of these sprues for over ten years now. So on this most special day, let’s a take a moment to look back at the RTB-01s, and thank the work of Jes Goodwin, Aly Morrison and Bob Naismith who made it all possible!
via Waaagh Studios on Facebook
Heresy is coming, what side will you choose???
About the Author: Rob Baer
Rob Baer
Job Title: Managing Editor
Founded Spikey Bits in 2009
Socials: Rob Baer on Facebook and @catdaddymbg on X
About Rob Baer: Founder, Publisher, & Managing Editor of Spikey Bits, the leading tabletop gaming news website focused on the hobby side of wargaming and miniatures.
Rob also co-founded and currently hosts the Long War Podcast, which has over 350 episodes and focuses on tabletop miniatures gaming, specializing in Warhammer 40k. and spent six years writing for Bell of Lost Souls.
Every year, along with his co-hosts, he helps host the Long War 40k Doubles Tournament at Adepticon and the Long War 40k Doubles at Las Vegas Open, which attracts over 350 players from around the world.
Rob has won many Warhammer 40k Tournaments over the years, including multiple first-place finishes in Warhammer 40k Grand Tournaments over the years and even winning 1st place at the Adepticon 40k Team Tournament.
With over 30 years of experience in retail and distribution, Rob knows all the products and exactly which ones are the best. As a member of GAMA (Game Manufacturers Association), he advocates for gaming stores and manufacturers in these difficult times, always looking for the next big thing to feature for the miniatures hobby, helping everyone to provide the value consumers want.
While he’s played every edition of Warhammer 40k and Warhammer Fantasy (since 5th Edition) and has been hobbying on miniatures since the 1980s, Titans of all sizes will always be his favorite! It’s even rumored that his hobby vault rivals the Solemnance Galleries, containing rulebooks filled with lore from editions long past, ancient packs of black-bordered Magic Cards, and models made of both pewter and resin.
