My display board in 2018, “Sophie’s Garage” was well-received. I could have kept using it, but I decided I wanted to do something even better this year.
I started this year with the question: “What would a high-level bard be like in the #Warhammer40k universe?”
I figured it would be some sort of grimdark heavy metal band. That idea was galvanized around the special Noise Marine model that Games Workshop released in late 2018. But, I play loyalest, Imperial Forces, not Heretical Chaos corrupted fiends. I didn’t imagine many Codex Astartes compliant Chapters would wield electric guitars on the battlefield. But, then it struck me: The Legion of the Damned! They’re on FIRE already!
As for the rest of the band, I painted up a Sister of Silence as the drummer. It seemed appropriate; she won’t speak, but percussion should be right up her alley. And an old Primaris Psyker of mine with a fire motif is up front on vocals.
I called the band “Sophie’s Choice”. The name had several connotations: First of all, we call our infant daughter Sophie. And there’s the book and movie called Sophie’s Choice. And then there is the rather morbid decision ( the eponymous “Sophie’s Choice”) that is in the book and movie centre around.
Then I thought, this band can’t just sit in the corner of a battlefield; a high-level bard in the 40k universe would be riding on a parade-like float. Their “stage” is Mad Max-esque tank with skull icon, built-in speakers, and flame motif. It is a conversion featuring a Chimera and many parts from the Galvanic Magnavent terrain kit.
Work in progress on the “Party Bus” or “Stage”
And they are performing in a packed stadium with spotlights.
But it wasn’t enough for me to just have this vehicle: It needed a whole display. So, I made a display board that would look like a stadium. It would hold an audience!
Base foam for the stadium 
Foam with a first layer of drywall spackle 
After the first coat of paint
Sophie’s Choice are performing in a packed stadium. VIP’s are in the stands. The pit is packed with spectators. Spotlights are being carried my sentinel walkers.
I also entered this display as a diorama in the painting competition for Sword and Brush.
The screaming baby face is my infant daughter, who is named Sophie, after all. I wonder what she’ll think about that someday…
My family and I even wore matching shirts for “Sophie’s Choice: Galactic Tour 42019”
My family with our matching shirts 
Sophie’s Choice artwork
I wasn’t able to be there for the judging because I was participating in a concurrent tournament. When I set up the board, it got a lot of buzz. But I was a little disappointed that it didn’t get any awards. There weren’t even any photos of it on the official Sword and Brush photos of the competition.
Another change I made was to have my “Crusader” models act as the stage security. These “counts-as Crusaders” are actually heavily modified old Adeptus Arbites models carrying riot shields.
I was a bit disappointed. During the tournament, many people remarked on the flickering flame LED’s on my Hellhound tanks. I got the parts from Zinge. Since people liked them, I put them on the “Party Bus” too.
And I also added music! In the video it’s playing “Purging With My Kin” by Linkin Loyalists, a Warhammer 40k inspired band.
I entered the upgraded display board to #armiesonparade at my local Games Workshop at Heartland Town Centre, Mississauga, Ontario, Canada.
My Armies on Parade Display Board October 2019 
Family posing with the display board at the Heartland Games Workshop
I was surprised and honoured to win “Best Themed Entry” and “2nd place overall”!
I brought the display board to a local tournament in November 2019, and to my surprise I won best painted! I know my models aren’t super-well painted, but I think the concept and flashy lights impressed a lot of people.
How do I top this for next year? I have some plans already… 😉