Steal This Book

Specifically this one;

that  Orlygg at Realm of Chaos has scanned for us all. The photo history of the 1988 Golden Demon painting contest. Beautiful.

What's refreshing about this book, viewed through jaundiced 2012 eyes that is, is the way the hobby of modelling Citadel Miniatures was so much one of your imagination where the toys were just raw materials to match your inner vision of a fantasy or science-fiction. You did what you wanted, rather than what some codex or GW-approved image of what Warhammer is told you to do. As I sarcastically said in Orlygg's comments (and I meant it) this was when GW's customers were "allowed" to have an imagination.

How did we end up in this place where people have to ask about whether they will be allowed to play in tournaments with converted models or what the "official" company distinctions for the 3rd company of Space Buttfuckers is or whether neckbeards will refuse to play against them if they paint their Space Marines in camouflage?

Fucking spoonfeeding that's how.

Yes Mommy, more official colour schemes please!

 Chapter fucking Approved indeed.

(On a happier note, as the neckbeard who ripped off Full Thrust only with post-apoc cars rather than spacecraft wrote Axles and Alloys I am as pleased as punch to be reminded of the year when, inspired by the presence of Dark Future in the GW lineup, Golden Demon had a category for converted Matchbox cars. Get in.)

LATER EDIT - In the interests of fairness towards and even-handed treatment of a younger generation I feel I should admit that not five minutes after posting this screed I came across this in Chapter Approved - The Book of the Astronomican from 1988. Oh well.

(To be fair cut the words "in the uniforms shown on the box" from the question, along with "Is it permitted to use a Marine Chapter of my own invention. I ask because" and I can't disagree with the sentiments, Warmahordes players.)