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This being my first P&M blog I'm not sure how many images to post right off the bat, I've been working on these guys for approximately two months now so I have a ton of pictures of the progress.

The Mordian Iron Guard box I purchased which had approximately 60 models in it. I'm excited to get to paint these up, the story behind the models is an interesting one. The previous owner/gamer passed away and these sat in a garage for a long time after being passed to a family member, then they were brought in recently to Aero Hobbies in Santa Monica so that others may have the opportunity to enjoy them. I hope to do them justice and paint them up well.



So far after scrounging around the internet, buying off of ebay and purchasing through Aero this is what I'll have when everything gets together.

82 Lasgun models
15 Flamer models
1 Heavy Flamer conversion
2 Sniper Conversion models
8 Meltagunners (2 conversions)
2 Plasma gunner conversions
12 Grenade Launcher models
1 Lasgun w/chainsword conversion
1 lasgun w/grenade & standard/flag conversion
1 lasgun w/standard/flag conversion
4 lasgun w/vox

11 Lascannon (with 22 crew models w/lasguns)
4 Heavy Bolter (with 8 crew models w/lasguns)
1 Auto cannon (with 2 crew w/lasguns)
4 Mortars (with 8 crew models w/lasguns)

6 Sergeants
6 Lieutenants/Officers

1 Commissar Yarick
1 Lord Commander Creed conversion
1 Sergeant Kell
1 Commissar Lord

4 Chimera (beat up, but salvageable) - these will need a lot of work.
1 Leman Russ Demolisher kit - full magnetized
1 Sentinel kit - still in box
1 Baneblade Superheavy tank conversion/fully magnetized & primed

I'm looking for additional vehicle suggestions, I think I should have some more tanks, or a combination of fast attack and tanks. What do y'all think?

Next step is to begin priming the models and then to paint up an example model to work from.

http://photobucket.com/MordianIronGuard

http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.2489642646276.142317.1409017601&type=1&l=6cfe5fd006

http://www.dakkadakka.com/core/gallery-search.jsp?p=1&u=50179&ll=3&auction=0&unapproved=0&coolnesslow=0&coolnesshigh=10&paintjoblow=0&paintjobhigh=10&sort1=7&sort2=0&skip=30&en=&st=&utype=&start=0

http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/user/profile/50179.page




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This is a plasma gun conversion. The Mordian Iron Guard models did not come with Plasma, therefore I've taken to removing the majority of a lasgun from this model by using a combination of a saw, xacto knife and file to smooth it out. Then I cut a portion of the plasma gun off at the base and back of the gun. This took a lot of extra work and I was worried I'd carve too much out of the model.

The following models are easier to convert as they have their weapons upraised and separated from the model.

Well hello sir glad you started this finally

im interested i've never seen anyone do mordians before

Converted Mordian Iron Guard to hold the standard (Flag) for the unit. This model is from the Mortar team. The Standard was donated by Jeremy at Aero Hobbies in Santa Monica, Ca. I cut the arm away in sections using a small saw and an exacto knife, later I added grenades to cover up the scraped portion of the model where the hand rested.



Converted the other Mordian Iron Guard model to hold a chainsword rather than a fire switch for the mortar team.


Lasgun model to sniper conversion process.


Cut the end of the gun off and part of the thumb on the model to create a flat surface.


Next trim the top of the rifle's sight off to create a level top to the rifle. You barely need to trim anything off, be careful as you'll be working close to the head of the model.


Next cut a similar path in the sniper rifle. cut just after the left hand and then below the scope. The plastic is easier to cut than the metal so go slower.


Everything should line up, there may be some gaps, but nothing a little greenstuff or superglue won't fill in. Before super gluing the model make sure to trim off any excess plastic and smooth it out.









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bebopdrums2424 wrote:Well hello sir glad you started this finally

Dude! How are your Catachans & Tau coming along? I'm still in the process of unpacking after the big move from Cali to Tx. Trying to find a good hobby shop/game store near here to hang out/game at.

Rogue Wolves wrote:im interested i've never seen anyone do mordians before

Thank you, I hope to do them justice. I've got a lot of ideas, but I don't want to go too overboard. I've got more pics than what I've posted up and have been trying to keep a log of what I do for the conversions and painting. I don't have an army list built for them yet as I'm still relearning the game after being away from it for almost 12 years.

Really liking the blog so far. I've got a Mordian army too, and you've definitely shown some good ways of converting plasma guns that I will try.

Looking forward to more!

Mordian Iron Guard Standard conversion. I cut the hand holding the standard from just after the arm. Then I cut the hand from the Mordian Iron Guard model. Ideally, you'd want to pin the new hand/standard to the model, but I don't have any pinning supplies. So I settled for super gluing at the hand and on the back leg as a second point of contact.



I picked up the Cadian Command squad box and Lord Castellan Creed and went to work converting his head and a Cadian Officers head into a Mordian Looking Creed. I kept the officers head on the sprue and cut it from there. Then I shaved a small sliver off of Creeds head, set the hat on, eyed it, then cut some more.




Mordian Iron Guard, Veteran Sergeant Power fist conversion. This is the power fist from the Cadian Command squad sprue, I needed to cut the arm off the metal model and file the surface flat. After this I lined up the power fist and trimmed off the shoulder armor piece leaving the upper arm longer than necessary. lined that up and then trimmed it down to where it looked okay. I think the arm could have been repositioned in a more dynamic matter, yet I think it came out well.




Mordian Iron Guard Heavy Flamer weapon conversion. I began by cutting most of the lasgun away as well as a portion of the heavy flamer weapon. I used a combination of an xacto knife and hack saw with a vice to cut down the metal.




Tried to green stuff the hose, but the green stuff was too sticky and came out all messed up. superglued the gun in place and then attached the back pack.


Basing in progress. Basing is a combination of beach sand, gravel, some cork board and probably some rocks and cement from the parking lot outside of Aero.


The following images are of the models I had prior to leaving Los Angeles, CA and moving to Houston, Tx. I have since doubled the amount of models.









Pics I haven't uploaded yet are of the Hellhound, Leman Russ Demolisher and a few hundred more of the Mordian Iron Guard. As always, thoughts, comments, suggestions and anything else are always welcome!

Look at the link on my sig dude...I'm working on a new army of...catachans. Seriously.

Blacksails wrote:Really liking the blog so far. I've got a Mordian army too, and you've definitely shown some good ways of converting plasma guns that I will try.

Looking forward to more!

Awesome! Glad to hear you like my conversions and that you also field Mordians. I'll definitely be interested in any conversion ideas you might have!


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bebopdrums2424 wrote:Look at the link on my sig dude...I'm working on a new army of...catachans. Seriously.

Ahaha, You just can't get away from the Catachans! Those Genestealers look great man and congrats on winning the RTT, I really wanted to be there and see how it went.

Briiliant work Hmelrose, love these guys , glad you posted , i havent seen a Mordian blog before , hwta colour scheme are you thinking , and are you going to bother with fluff?

thanks for the P&M blog link mate... will keep an eye out for your progress^^

this is not Modernization but this is MoRdernization.

frankly. GW should do plastic versions of this. i've heard that GW began to replace any 'metal' troops with plastics due to the increasing-price of pewter materials.

but don't make a 'failcast mordians' please =^.^=

Very cool project. Always liked the mordians a lot. Thought about getting a dremel? Is probably worth it when you are working with so much metal miniatures

What color scheme have you planned?

neil101 wrote:Briiliant work Hmelrose, love these guys , glad you posted , i havent seen a Mordian blog before , hwta colour scheme are you thinking , and are you going to bother with fluff?

I have a color scheme in my mind, yet I'm still working out the color combination. As far as fluff, again, I'm still working that out, I don't know if I should base it off my own experiences while in the military or to create something new.

Viktor von Domm wrote:thanks for the P&M blog link mate... will keep an eye out for your progress^^

Thanks for stopping by!

Lone Cat wrote:this is not Modernization but this is MoRdernization.

frankly. GW should do plastic versions of this. i've heard that GW began to replace any 'metal' troops with plastics due to the increasing-price of pewter materials.

but don't make a 'failcast mordians' please =^.^=

Haha 'Mordernization' I like that. Plastic versions of the models would be cool and easier to work with/convert, yet I've always liked the feel of a metal model. You can still purchase Mordian Iron Guard through GW, they're in the Collectors section:
http://www.games-workshop.com/gws/catalog/armySubUnitCats.jsp?catId=cat1490651&rootCatGameStyle=

You can get Valhallans, Tallarn, Steel Legion as well as some other out of print models. They don't really cost that much more than an equal size squad of plastic Cadians, though they are all metal and require a little more ingenuity and elbow grease to convert to current rule sets. The Mordians didn't have plasma weapons, so I've had to convert models to that as well as a heavy flamer, snipers, standard bearers and more. I'm working to have a lot of models converted up to current weapon and vehicles.

Illumini wrote:Very cool project. Always liked the mordians a lot. Thought about getting a dremel? Is probably worth it when you are working with so much metal miniatures

What color scheme have you planned?

I'm still getting back into the hobby and a lot of tips/tricks have been lost over time so having knowledgeable people who are willing to share their skills has been awesome. I've just made a big move across the U.S. from Ca to Tx and I miss the camaraderie and level of skill that exists at Aero Hobbies in Santa Monica, CA, bebopdrums2424 and all the others there have a level of skill with painting, modeling, converting and plasticard that is beyond amazing. All the armies in the store are painted well above tabletop quality.

As far as purchasing additional tools, I'm on a slight holding pattern for that due to the move. The metal is soft enough that I can work with it using a saw and xacto knife, but something with more precision would also be nice.

I've been working on the paint scheme and trying to get a single model painted to the colors that I had thought I'd like, yet it just seems to me that there is too much yellow on the model. However, I was shooting for an Army dress blue style of uniform (I was in the Army for a long time). I'm evaluating what I can do to change it up. I think the combination of colors will work out nicely.

Coat: Mordian Blue (currently, yet I think I'm going to go with a either a different blue or even black)
Pants: Mordian Blue
Shoulder boards and leg stripe of yellow (not sure of the color), yet reminiscent of early Army Cavalry colors.
Boots: Chaos Black
Hands: I'm debating on dress gloves, either white, black or just a plain flesh tone.

This isn't the latest, but its the one I do have of the paint scheme:










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A shot taken last night 7 Nov 2011 of all the models I've got to work with.

I like the idea of the gloves myself. A nice practical idea that isn't seen on many models.

It's nice to see these old chaps again! Nice weapon-swaps!

Wow, haven't seen these guys in ages! I'm really liking the arm-swaps, very inspired!

Llamahead wrote:I like the idea of the gloves myself. A nice practical idea that isn't seen on many models.

Thank you! I thought it would both add to the dress uniform feel as well as reduce the amount of flesh I'd have to paint.

c0un7_z3r0 wrote:It's nice to see these old chaps again! Nice weapon-swaps!

zerosevensevenzero wrote:Wow, haven't seen these guys in ages! I'm really liking the arm-swaps, very inspired!

Yes, seeing that box come into the store was like a wave of nostalgia hitting me as I had some of these models when I was a lot younger. I'm glad people are enjoying the arm/weapon swaps conversions. Its been an interesting challenge to convert the metal models and I'm trying to see what other ideas or modes I can come up with or find on the internet.


I found a cool online tutorial about sculpting Mordian Caps from green stuff,
but I don't believe I have the skill to do so.
http://colgravis.blogspot.com/2009/05/tutorial-sculpting-mordian-style-caps.html

The same guy has Praetorian Rough rider kits for sale:
http://colgravis.blogspot.com/p/praetorian-roughriders-for-sale.html which could easily be Mordian Rough Riders with a different head or model torso top half.

Ramshackle games has bikes,
http://shop.ramshacklegames.co.uk/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=24&prod\
ucts_id=259 yet I'm not convinced that would be the best option for rough rider conversions. Perhaps Warhammer Empire horses or something similar.

I've been progressing with the basing and creation of large bases for the Heavy weapons teams from thick cardboard. I need to apply some more glue or adhesive to keep the particulate gravel/cork board /cat litter / basing mix on the bases. Over time I believe they'll separate and fall off. Though once I've primered, then painted the bases I think that will add a layer to keep the rest of the stuff from falling off.


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This conversion uses the sling piece and the catachan flamer gun to create a model using both a lasgun and the potential of another flamer. I'm going to try this with some melta & plasma guns for a greater versatility of model/troop types.



This is another image of my Creed conversion, I picked up the Cadian Command squad box and Lord Castellan Creed and went to work converting his head and a Cadian Officers head into a Mordian Looking Creed. I kept the officers head on the sprue and cut it from there. Then I shaved a small sliver off of Creeds head, set the hat on, eyed it, then cut some more. He's now been primer'd with P3 White.

Take a look at Colonel Gravis's Praetorian Blog on here. For cavalry personally I'd have a look at historical models. The Perry's French Napoleonic Cavalry would fit in perfectly or with a head swap be a great source for bodies. For a more irregular look there Union cavalry mgiht be the way to go....

Llamahead wrote:Take a look at Colonel Gravis's Praetorian Blog on here. For cavalry personally I'd have a look at historical models. The Perry's French Napoleonic Cavalry would fit in perfectly or with a head swap be a great source for bodies. For a more irregular look there Union cavalry mgiht be the way to go....

Huzzah! I had posted about Col Gravis's blogspot links yet did not know he was on here as well! Thank you for the resource!
http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/208605.page

I was looking at his praetorian rough rider conversion kits he has made, which is essentially the Mordian Iron Guard uniform with a different head. The mount is going to be the thing and he has a few suggestions and I'll be reading his P&M blog for more ideas!

I've also been looking at sites with links to other manufacturers to find a suitable mount type:
http://www.erichotz.com/miniatures1.html

i really like your conversions... that creed version of yours is looking bad ass!!! and the paintscheme now that i see it, is very crisp looking! all thumbs up mate!

Llamahead wrote:Take a look at Colonel Gravis's Praetorian Blog on here. For cavalry personally I'd have a look at historical models. The Perry's French Napoleonic Cavalry would fit in perfectly or with a head swap be a great source for bodies. For a more irregular look there Union cavalry mgiht be the way to go....

I looked up those Perry miniatures and they look sharp and 14 mounted figures right out of the box!. Their legs don't have the stripe, but the upper torso is perfect. I could use Cadian Officer and Tank Commander heads for the swap fairly easily. Then some 50mm pipe + something for lance head..hmm.. I'll just need to pick up a large bits order.

http://www.perry-miniatures.com/product_info.php?cPath=22_62&products_id=1990

http://www.arcanesceneryandmodels.co.uk/blog/?p=243

http://wabcorner.blogspot.com/2010/01/perry-french-napoleonic-heavy-cav.html

Now, I just need to find a US wargame store that is selling them.

Viktor von Domm wrote:i really like your conversions... that creed version of yours is looking bad ass!!! and the paintscheme now that i see it, is very crisp looking! all thumbs up mate!

Thank you! I'm still working out the paint scheme, but it won't deviate too much from what I've posted.

Yep Perry's are a range I've been promising myself to pick up unfortunately theres other projects to be done first. Glad to be of assistance

yep Catachan or SM Flamethrowers are more convertible than ones Cadian uses.
actually Catachan flamethrowers are based on original GW flamethrowers. just with its nozzle changed into zippo ones.

assembling Cadian flamers are a bad experiences.

I like the glove hand thought Mordians look like they have classy and classy dudes where gloves to take one off and smack the opponent to challenge them to a duel. haha great work on the conversions to.

Nice to see some old minis having a fresh life, can't wait to see some more!

Hmelrose wrote:

Llamahead wrote:Take a look at Colonel Gravis's Praetorian Blog on here. For cavalry personally I'd have a look at historical models. The Perry's French Napoleonic Cavalry would fit in perfectly or with a head swap be a great source for bodies. For a more irregular look there Union cavalry mgiht be the way to go....

Huzzah! I had posted about Col Gravis's blogspot links yet did not know he was on here as well! Thank you for the resource!
http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/208605.page

I was looking at his praetorian rough rider conversion kits he has made, which is essentially the Mordian Iron Guard uniform with a different head. The mount is going to be the thing and he has a few

Col Gravis did cast resin many of Praetorian heads and some other bits. ones that originally not available, not even by GW mew!
this is as good as it goes.... but don't forget to check out Cadian command section boxset. there's commander head with hard cap. ones that may make a modernized Iron Guard

this time they ain't no Line Infantry anymore are they?

=^.^=

Llamahead wrote:Yep Perry's are a range I've been promising myself to pick up unfortunately theres other projects to be done first. Glad to be of assistance

I tend to go all out when I build an army, gathering everything up, building it all, priming and then painting it all in succession. As can be seen in this pic where I Primed 100+ Mordian Iron Guard & some Warmachine models after assembling, converting, based them all:


I found a local (bout 75miles away) retailer online with the models and have placed an order, I also ordered some Cadian Officer & Capped Tank Commander head bits online. I still need to figure out what to use for the lances. I do have some plumbing/welding steel wire from a hardware store that I could cut down. Its fairly cheap, $1.00 u.s. for three 3 foot lengths.

Lone Cat wrote:yep Catachan or SM Flamethrowers are more convertible than ones Cadian uses.
actually Catachan flamethrowers are based on original GW flamethrowers. just with its nozzle changed into zippo ones.

assembling Cadian flamers are a bad experiences.

Indeed, though you can see from the earlier flamer conversions those are Cadian as is the Heavy flamer. I just need to figure out a better way to incorporate them into the model without too much work. Cutting up slings for weapons seems to be the easiest and fastest.

Aboucher wrote:I like the glove hand thought Mordians look like they have classy and classy dudes where gloves to take one off and smack the opponent to challenge them to a duel. haha great work on the conversions to.

I like the idea of gloves on a dress uniformed mini as well as the other models like Cadians, I for one wouldn't want to go to war on an inhospitable planet without gloves.

dark6spectre wrote:Nice to see some old minis having a fresh life, can't wait to see some more!

Glad y'all're enjoying my work! I have a lot ahead of me, but I believe in this project and will be having fun completing it. Thank you and as always suggestions, comments are welcome!

Received this model from Polonius, I didn't alter the arm, but I like the possibilities here!


Boxing the Mordians up to go to the local GW store in Spring,Tx(essentially North Houston, Tx) and work on them. There are now over 150 Mordian Iron Guard in my collection.




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Lone Cat wrote:

Col Gravis did cast resin many of Praetorian heads and some other bits. ones that originally not available, not even by GW mew!
this is as good as it goes.... but don't forget to check out Cadian command section boxset. there's commander head with hard cap. ones that may make a modernized Iron Guard

this time they ain't no Line Infantry anymore are they?

=^.^=

I have been looking at his work for awhile now and have been amazed at the possibilities as well as he is selling conversion kits and Yes, The Cadian Officer head is an excellent Mordian Capped head as is the Tank Commander Cap head. I've bought two of the Cadian Command section box sets, which is what most of the conversions are from above.

After I am done with the Mordians, they'll be more than a force to be reckoned with.

I used to think I had a lot of Mordians.

Then I started watching this blog.

I can't wait to see more.

Blacksails wrote:I used to think I had a lot of Mordians.

Then I started watching this blog.

I can't wait to see more.

Thank you! I'm still actively searching for them, especially the ultra rare Plasma Rifle Mordian, I was lucky enough to come across two lots of 50+ models and grabbed them up quick, the rest have been donations from friends who have had them sitting in a box for years or purchases online through places like ebay.

Post up your pics! I'd love to see what you've done with the Mordians you have!

I'd love to!

...

If I had any painted. I'm probably one of the slowest painters ever and I'm trying to get through painting all my tanks first. Then I have to paint 3x 30-man blobs with three 5-man PCS, and a CCS...so...110 Mordians. Plus spares and some lascannon teams. Maybe your painting will get me off my arse and paint a batch.