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Bubble Helmet Marines @ 2020/07/30 23:40:40


Post by: McGibs


I've had this army in the works for about two years now, but I'm finally starting to get highlighted models done! I wanted to do an army that was clean and practical, making use of a lot of decal transfers and edge highlighting, which was something I've never really tackled before.
The helmets are from https://bombshellminis.com/36018-helmet-set-r8/ and consist of a clear plastic dome and pewter collar (I didn't want to paint faces, so I sprayed them with gloss black). Conversion was pretty easy, just removing part of the marine's collar. On some of the pushfit models with pre-attached shoulderpads, I had to trim the piping on the pewter collar down to fit, but its not very noticeable on the final thing.

Lore wise, I liked the idea of having an Ad Mech controlled Marine force where they function essentially as Marine Skittarii. They were orginially escorts for an Explorator Fleet, but have since been hijacked, mindwiped, and cloned by the Fleet Magos. The modified helmets are (on paper) to provide extra protection in hazardous environments, but really because the marine's heads have been horribly augmented with cybernetic shackles that they simply don't fit in Mk X helmets anymore.
Rules wise, I run them as Deathwatch to reflect their fleet's wealth of technology gizmos and total lack of regard for codex organization.

Intercessor Squad




Hellblaster



Aggressor:
I'm not a fan of the big bullet mittens, so I replaced his arms with Tartaros Terminator arms.



And bonus tagalong, my Ordo Xenos Inquisitor, who's sanctioning the whole Explorator Fleet.
The model is a Necromunda Van Saar with a Palanite Enforcer revolver.


He's very smol next to his bodyguards.




Bubble Helmet Marines @ 2020/07/30 23:51:06


Post by: The Newman


1) This belongs in the art section.

2) By the Emperor's left-most jewel that's gorgeous.


Bubble Helmet Marines @ 2020/07/31 00:17:43


Post by: McGibs


Oh whoops! I mustve had a brainfart when I made the thread.
Can one of the mods please move this to Painting and Modeling Showcase?


Bubble Helmet Marines @ 2020/07/31 00:36:29


Post by: bullyboy


nah! keep it here too, otherwise I may have missed this. Fantastic army.


Bubble Helmet Marines @ 2020/07/31 00:55:25


Post by: Nevelon


The terminator arm swap on those aggressors is genius.


Bubble Helmet Marines @ 2020/07/31 00:57:18


Post by: Vaktathi


 McGibs wrote:
Oh whoops! I mustve had a brainfart when I made the thread.
Can one of the mods please move this to Painting and Modeling Showcase?
Done

Also...love it. Great concept, beautifully executed. The bubble helmets work fantastically well and your painting is marvelous.


Bubble Helmet Marines @ 2020/07/31 02:15:14


Post by: insaniak


Yup, these look fantastic!


Bubble Helmet Marines @ 2020/07/31 05:19:29


Post by: KingGarland


Beautiful.


Bubble Helmet Marines @ 2020/07/31 05:21:24


Post by: Soul Samurai


They look fantastic! I love the "sinister astronaut" look you've got going. Especially as you've done such a great job of making such a dark and monochromatic colour scheme look cool and interesting - the pitch black but super glossy bubble is perfect!


Bubble Helmet Marines @ 2020/07/31 07:07:18


Post by: tauist


These look more like what I'd imagine "Space Marines" actually looking like! If these had a bit of grime/battle damage, I'd give them 9/10 - Good work! The only thing I'm not super keen on is the leaders gloss varnish appearance (I only like gloss varnish on the helmets)

Do those tartaros termie hands include the storm bolter with two distinct bolter barrels? I'm trying to conceive how I want my termies to look like and I'm desperately looking for ideas how to avoid the dreaded "cross-eyed" look the reg. storm bolters get if one messes up drilling both bolter holes 100% symmetrically..


Bubble Helmet Marines @ 2020/07/31 13:28:04


Post by: McGibs


Thanks guys!

These look more like what I'd imagine "Space Marines" actually looking like! If these had a bit of grime/battle damage, I'd give them 9/10 - Good work! The only thing I'm not super keen on is the leaders gloss varnish appearance (I only like gloss varnish on the helmets)

Do those tartaros termie hands include the storm bolter with two distinct bolter barrels? I'm trying to conceive how I want my termies to look like and I'm desperately looking for ideas how to avoid the dreaded "cross-eyed" look the reg. storm bolters get if one messes up drilling both bolter holes 100% symmetrically..


I was unsure about the gloss-red as well, but leaving it matte just didnt pop enough. On tabeltop, when not getting blasted by photobooth lights, I think the effect is a lot more subdued.
I also wanted to keep the battle damage pretty low, as the theme behind them is more "research aquisition" than trench fighters. They come down from space to beat up people and steal their gizmos for the Ad Mech. I doubt they're on a planet's surface for more than a few hours at a time if they can help it.

Both the Tartaros and Cataphract terminator kits have fanstastic 30k style stormbolters with full barrels that are vastly superior to the old "pig nose" ones. If you can get your hands on some I really recommend them.
You could also try cutting off the pigsnout and using some plastic tubing (or regular bolter barrels). I did this on my own chaos terminators here:
Spoiler:


Bubble Helmet Marines @ 2020/07/31 18:20:30


Post by: Mr Nobody


That is one hell of a polished gloss. Thanks for sharing your light-box set up with us!


Bubble Helmet Marines @ 2020/08/01 13:31:38


Post by: McGibs


Thanks for the kind words everyone!

I'm still undecided on a chapter name for these guys (though they're not really a chapter). Something to evoke tones of their space faring nature, their goofy retro-scifi-look, their mind-wipedness, or their ties to the admech/science/exploration/ordoxenos.
-Void Watch (or Void Watchers)
-The Lacuna
-SPACE FORCE (would be perfect if it wasn't a 'real' thing.)
-Acquisitors

I'm open to any suggestions you guys might have!

Also, I posted this Executioner a while ago, but I figure I could keep all this army's progress in one thread. I hope this thing still gets some play, despite going up to almost 400pts.
I might go back and redo some of the dark-bluegreen highlights with the new recipe I learned doing the marines.








Bubble Helmet Marines @ 2020/08/01 14:08:24


Post by: Mr. Burning


Oh lawdy!

Those Marines are great. A simple idea executed really well.

That executioner is ace as well. Love the turret scheme.


Bubble Helmet Marines @ 2020/08/01 17:43:02


Post by: Azathothsdream


These are amazingly grimdark.


Bubble Helmet Marines @ 2020/08/02 15:16:21


Post by: Voss


Love the inquisitor. Made me take a second look at the Van Saar kit, as I originally thought it was rather rubbish.

Turns out its just the crappy GW paint job!

Very well done.


Bubble Helmet Marines @ 2020/08/13 21:25:00


Post by: Ouze


I can't get over those bubble helmets. It's such a good idea, and it is incredibly well executed. Absolutely brilliant work.


Bubble Helmet Marines @ 2020/08/13 21:37:04


Post by: 416_SpaceWolves


Great job on all parts of this. I'd vote for SPACE FORCE.


Bubble Helmet Marines @ 2020/08/13 22:11:41


Post by: Super Ready


Wow... just... WOW. VERY nice work. And fantastic idea!

I too think you'd be fine with Space Force - failing that, how about Star Corps? Or as it's AdMech related, what about something like the Machine Guard?


Bubble Helmet Marines @ 2020/08/14 10:30:19


Post by: Fireball


looks weird but great at the same time!


Bubble Helmet Marines @ 2020/08/23 22:43:51


Post by: McGibs


Finished another Fortis Killteam. Not much different about them, except the sergeant has a stun-baton because power-swords aren't tecnho enough.


Also finished one of six Cyberbikes! I don't want any squatmarines in this army, so I'm having to come up with convincing alternatives.






Bubble Helmet Marines @ 2020/08/24 01:24:23


Post by: JNAProductions


It's gotta be witchcraft. I don't see how else you could make something so damn awesome.

Many props to you on the amazing minis! Fantastic idea, executed amazingly well!


Bubble Helmet Marines @ 2020/08/24 01:25:40


Post by: cody.d.


But now I'm curious. What would you do for dreadnaughts?


Bubble Helmet Marines @ 2020/08/24 02:11:32


Post by: dr_sarcasm


This is just ridiculously creative - love it. And like the above poster, I'm curious to see if you pump out a dread and your ideas for that...


Bubble Helmet Marines @ 2020/08/24 14:00:42


Post by: McGibs


As it happens, I have three dreads. This is the only finished one, though I may give him another highlight pass.


Bubble Helmet Marines @ 2020/08/24 15:40:23


Post by: Super Ready


*cries in admiration*

Unbelievable, you actually had one ready to go. I'll admit though, I'm not a fan of the little... mini shield thing... shielder-pad? The yellow looks just a little out of place considering the warmer orange on the gun barrels.
The idea and execution though, as with everything else here, is incredible.


Bubble Helmet Marines @ 2020/08/24 15:46:56


Post by: JNAProductions


The arms on the Dreads remind of the arms from Arms-the videogame.

Not in a bad way! They look phenomenal!


Bubble Helmet Marines @ 2020/08/24 19:04:57


Post by: Soul Samurai


Hah, I love the bendy noodle arms! Gives it that vintage sci-fi feel that's right at home with the glass dome. Kinda wish it had the "Lost In Space" robot claw hands to really go all in on the aesthetic. Well, I'm not sure if that would really look good though, just a thought.

Anyway, excellent work!


Bubble Helmet Marines @ 2020/08/24 20:22:44


Post by: BrookM


So awesome, cannot exalt enough!


Bubble Helmet Marines @ 2020/08/24 21:28:03


Post by: dr_sarcasm


 McGibs wrote:
As it happens, I have three dreads. This is the only finished one, though I may give him another highlight pass.


Oh, well played good sir, well played!

P.S. Yeah, this would be an army I'd be happy to play against.


Bubble Helmet Marines @ 2020/08/24 22:29:39


Post by: DarknessEternal


Why would they bother having armor on the rest of their bodies if they aren't going to armor their heads?


Bubble Helmet Marines @ 2020/08/24 23:00:55


Post by: Skinflint Games


This is awesome, absolutely beautiful work. 40k meets Lost In Space!

Incidentally, Latin for Space Force is Vi Spatium, that could work?


Bubble Helmet Marines @ 2020/08/24 23:53:32


Post by: McGibs


 DarknessEternal wrote:
Why would they bother having armor on the rest of their bodies if they aren't going to armor their heads?


*shrug*
What makes you think they're unarmoured?
Maybe it's transparent ceramite?
Maybe it's a sensor dome and not transparent at all?
Maybe the heads underneath the domes are so cybernetically augmented they're basically armoured anyways?

There's plenty of stupid crap in 40k, and the correct answer to 99% of them is "because it's cool".


Bubble Helmet Marines @ 2020/08/25 00:10:14


Post by: cody.d.


Heh, good on ya mate, love em. Though for some reason I imagine their arms waving around like Olive Oyl from Popeye. But yeah, the bubble helm really does improve the Kastelan. And the little antenna and dish is really fun too.


Bubble Helmet Marines @ 2020/08/25 00:55:26


Post by: Misclicking ork


 DarknessEternal wrote:
Why would they bother having armor on the rest of their bodies if they aren't going to armor their heads?

Well, like OP said, the rule of cool, and all those unhelmeted marines (and a lot of other things) are a thing.


Bubble Helmet Marines @ 2020/08/25 00:59:46


Post by: Dukeofstuff


Deep Recon Force?
Cause they look like they would be used on deep space installations

As always, I am in awe of things like this. My own army feels cheap and poorly done now, and my effort uncreative.

But .. Could those helmets potentially be used on scion bodies (or are they too big for gaurd?) Or for an officer of the fleet or an astropath, I think maybe for the guys flying in the vendetta cockpit, they look pretty awesome.

(Or even on the various martian admech bodies. I could easily imagine that if they didn't somehow fail to mate to the parts below.)


Bubble Helmet Marines @ 2020/08/25 01:21:47


Post by: McGibs


Dukeofstuff wrote:
Deep Recon Force?
Cause they look like they would be used on deep space installations

As always, I am in awe of things like this. My own army feels cheap and poorly done now, and my effort uncreative.

But .. Could those helmets potentially be used on scion bodies (or are they too big for gaurd?) Or for an officer of the fleet or an astropath, I think maybe for the guys flying in the vendetta cockpit, they look pretty awesome.

(Or even on the various martian admech bodies. I could easily imagine that if they didn't somehow fail to mate to the parts below.)


Brilliant thing is that the Bombshell helmets come in 3 different sizes and styles!
The ones I use for these marines are the R10 set (10mm)
https://bombshellminis.com/36021-helmet-set-r10/

There's the smaller R8 set with two different collar and dome types that fit human/guard scale minis and would be perfect for scions. The red inquisitor I posted uses an R8 helmet.
https://bombshellminis.com/36018-helmet-set-r8/
https://bombshellminis.com/36019-helmet-set-t8/

And finally there's the R12, which doesnt have a collar, but is big enough for vehicles (pictured on the dread I just posted)
https://bombshellminis.com/36031-plastic-dome-sprue-r12/

These guys should give me money for shilling like this.


Bubble Helmet Marines @ 2020/08/25 04:04:22


Post by: Dukeofstuff


The first thought I have is that it would work really well if its the right size, as the dome of glass on a martian style admech tank. Rather than a cover/metal door, give it a reflective dark dome by spraying the paint on the inside, to make it mirror-esque.
I think this would make a very nicely spooky martian feel to the crawlers and similar.

Anyway, ..
And thank you for the info, I bookmarked them in as pages to keep and hope r8 comes back in stock soon!


Bubble Helmet Marines @ 2020/08/25 07:39:04


Post by: Soul Samurai


 DarknessEternal wrote:
Why would they bother having armor on the rest of their bodies if they aren't going to armor their heads?
Why do you think the domes aren't armoured? Isn't the strongest conventional material (i.e. not white dwarf matter) known to man diamond, which in it's pure form is clear?

But more importantly, it doesn't matter: they look fantastic.


Bubble Helmet Marines @ 2020/08/25 16:33:18


Post by: Nurglitch


These are gorgeous. Now I want to collect some Space Marines.


Bubble Helmet Marines @ 2020/08/25 17:54:34


Post by: Blastaar


Terran Marines! I may have to copy you, here. Aggressors may make good Firebats, methinks.........


Bubble Helmet Marines @ 2020/08/25 18:58:28


Post by: Don Qui Hotep


Ooh, what a cool army concept! Great brushwork too. Subscribed.


Bubble Helmet Marines @ 2020/08/25 20:36:19


Post by: bubber


 Super Ready wrote:
*cries in admiration*

Unbelievable, you actually had one ready to go. I'll admit though, I'm not a fan of the little... mini shield thing... shielder-pad?

'tilting plate'

I agree with the general sentiment though, these look awesome, helped by the very smooth gloss black finish.
Love your work (gotta say I love your pig ogres a little bit more).


Bubble Helmet Marines @ 2020/09/18 23:20:08


Post by: McGibs


Small update: still chewing away at my hordes of intercessors. Got five more riflemen completed, and an officer (captain or lieutenant depending on the list).





Bubble Helmet Marines @ 2020/09/19 14:05:21


Post by: Soul Samurai


More great stuff!


Bubble Helmet Marines @ 2020/09/19 15:25:04


Post by: Max Moray


Impressive conversions and superb paintjobs.


Bubble Helmet Marines @ 2020/09/19 18:38:09


Post by: Don Qui Hotep


Great update. Cool to see more army progress. Love that servo arm. Which kit is it from?


Bubble Helmet Marines @ 2020/09/19 21:14:13


Post by: McGibs


It's one of the weedy arms from the Karaphron Destroyer/Breacher kit. Lots of cool gubbins in there.


Bubble Helmet Marines @ 2020/09/20 01:29:23


Post by: thesilverback


Super cool looking bubble headed Marines. I also like your VanSaar helmet swap, great job.


Bubble Helmet Marines @ 2020/09/20 08:29:46


Post by: Golem2God


This is amazing McGibs. You really sell the Bombshell Bubble Helmets with your work. Great conversions and paint job. What else is there to say?


Bubble Helmet Marines @ 2021/01/17 21:22:18


Post by: McGibs


Finished up my Bladeguard Lieutenant. I've got 5 more just like him for an actual Bladeguard squad.



And I re-jiggered my old flexo-arm dreads with some nice 3d printed arms and gun to be a bit closer to the "big robot marine" goal I was originally going for.. This fellow will be a contemptor with multimelta.



Bubble Helmet Marines @ 2021/01/18 13:38:45


Post by: Soul Samurai


Love the lieutenant! The Contemptor looks good, but to be honest I miss the flexy arms. They were fun, and gave the model a retro look that worked well with the bubble helmet.


Bubble Helmet Marines @ 2021/01/18 16:08:39


Post by: McGibs


Don't worry, I kept the flexy arms on the "character" dread (the one I posted before). I had flexy arms holding lascannons on these ones before, but the posing was never as good as I wanted it.


Bubble Helmet Marines @ 2021/01/18 22:35:10


Post by: Mr. Oddity


Absolutely in love with these. I remember back when you first posted your Executioner - great to see the rest of the force coalescing around it now! The retro sci-fi feel these give off is just too cool and really hits all the nostalgia buttons. I can pretty easily see a bodyguard covering the Inquisitor while belting out a monotone "Danger, danger Inquisitor Robinson!"

Modelling question (and I may have missed it): how did you do the handheld dread weapons? Are they also 3D printed?


Bubble Helmet Marines @ 2021/01/19 14:21:26


Post by: Tiberius501


Man, I hate you! In a good way of course, these are freaking amazing. Glad to see you do more, that LT is boss af.

I’m jelly.


Bubble Helmet Marines @ 2021/01/19 23:59:37


Post by: Don Qui Hotep


Love the bladeguard, is that a Bullgryn shield? The studded pauldrun also a nice touch, gives him a bit of heft.

I like these new arms, they a posed in a way that reminds me of old tin robots.


Bubble Helmet Marines @ 2021/01/20 01:00:55


Post by: r_squared


Concept, execution, imagination, painting, conversions all, this thread is full of win. Top notch stuff.


Bubble Helmet Marines @ 2021/01/20 08:56:43


Post by: DeadEyeDuk


Not taking anything away from the skill involved to achieve the look, but I love the simplicity of replacing the normal head with such a wildly different one. I know more has been done as well, but just that swap completely changes the aesthetic of the marines to something somehow more alien (is that heresy?) to the rest of the 40K universe. Love all of the models! :-)


Bubble Helmet Marines @ 2021/01/20 10:33:18


Post by: Shadow Walker


They look fabulous!


Bubble Helmet Marines @ 2021/01/21 04:27:14


Post by: thesilverback


True awesomeness.


Bubble Helmet Marines @ 2021/01/21 05:16:06


Post by: gameandwatch


Man gibs, this is what i call character! The bubble heads look fantastic, its the gloss finish that really sells it though. I do really like your teal/grey main color.

I like both arms for the contemptor, i do wish it had bigger pauldrons that were more flush with the armor, but the mixup of paint schemes is something i wish more would adopt

Oh, and thanks for showing a marine with the palanite shield, was going to use them for my deathwatch but wasnt sure until i saw this!


Bubble Helmet Marines @ 2021/01/21 08:21:45


Post by: Waaaghbert


Wow, what an amazing army project! The style perfectly walks the thin line between trashy (in a good way!) retro-look and grimdark realism. Absolutely adore what you've done here! I'm not into Space Marines usually, but I'll follow this closely!


Bubble Helmet Marines @ 2021/01/24 17:07:06


Post by: Soundtheory


Brilliant work, absolutely amazing with the bubble helmets conversion!

If you are still after a Chapter name, what about Astra Venators?


Automatically Appended Next Post:
Astra Venators would be ‘Star Hunters’ which I feel fits your theme!


Bubble Helmet Marines @ 2021/01/24 21:01:42


Post by: McGibs


Thanks for the suggestion! I've been flipping through chapter names for a while, but I've moved away from gothic-latin sounding names, specifically because you have to explain what they mean. I'd rather the point get across from the get go. "world eaters" "salamanders" "crimson fists" are all easy to remember and understand.

To that end, I think I've settled on the name:
"Void Gazers"
I think it plays well with the blank helmets that are sort of look like creepy eyeballs, fits with the space-scifi-theme I want, and it's got a "Z" in it, which is always a bonus!
I'll have to sit down and hammer out some cleaned up lore for them, but I've got a rough outline that also feeds into the name (they're all mindwiped)

-Chapter was founded for the Indomitus Crusade as an Primaris Ultramarine successor.
-Attached as a companion force to an AdMech exploratory fleet tasked with reclaiming imperial space lost in the Great Rift.
-Shortly after their mission started, the staunchly Codex compliant Chapter's leadership began disagreeing with the more radical leaning Fleet Magos.
-Difference in philosophies escalated, eventually resulting in a coup orchestrated by the Magos.
-The Chapter's leadership was entirely killed or captured in a disastrous mission designed to fail.
-The ExFleet systemically absorbed the remaining Chapter's resources and personnel.
-All the Chapter's marines were mind wiped and subjected to modified Skitarii cybernetics to impart control.
-Using the Chapter's captured Apothecarium, Gene Seed stocks and their own fleet based forges, new marines are able to be created from the fleet's resources.
-Ceremonial positions are kept in the Chapter's command for external optics when interacting with other imperial forces. On record, the Void Gazers are still operating as a sovereign Indomitus Chapter. In reality, they're essentially Primaris scaled Skitarii under complete control of their Ad Mech masters.




Bubble Helmet Marines @ 2021/01/24 21:10:40


Post by: Matt Swain


If there's a flaw with it, your stuff makes too much sense to be in 40k. Marines giving up their intimating red eyed helmets and vulnerable neck joints just for practical, technological, rational reasons?

HERESY!!!!!


On another note, it kinda reminded me of the mercury lined helmet jane fonda wore at the beginning of "barbarella".



Glossy enough for ya?

And yes, that was a double layer helmet and the space in between was filled with pure mercury for the metallic effect and the draining effect.








Bubble Helmet Marines @ 2021/01/24 21:16:57


Post by: kestral


Brilliant stuff - the helmet effect is wonderful. Gonna have to pick up some of those myself myself. Way to achieve something really unique!


Bubble Helmet Marines @ 2021/01/24 21:21:22


Post by: Matt Swain


Also these are what primaris marines should have been if we're going to say they represented a real tech advancement, but again, not 'cool' enough.


Bubble Helmet Marines @ 2021/01/25 10:15:18


Post by: Soul Samurai


I like "Void Gazers". But they should beware that they do not gaze too hard lest the Void gaze back!


Bubble Helmet Marines @ 2021/01/25 19:22:06


Post by: Frazzled


 Soul Samurai wrote:
They look fantastic! I love the "sinister astronaut" look you've got going. Especially as you've done such a great job of making such a dark and monochromatic colour scheme look cool and interesting - the pitch black but super glossy bubble is perfect!


Yes, they vaguely remind me of the space suits in the original Alien, but with bolters!

Excellent work and idea.


Bubble Helmet Marines @ 2021/01/25 20:48:51


Post by: PieInTheSky


Absolutely fantastic!


Bubble Helmet Marines @ 2021/01/25 21:37:33


Post by: IGtR=


A great new round of this awesome concept. I too thought of the Barbarella opening when I first saw these!

Thanks for sharing


Bubble Helmet Marines @ 2021/03/30 03:27:28


Post by: McGibs


Why settle for the clumsy meat-fingered Apothecaries when you can have the surgical precision of... THE DOCTOPUS!



Bubble Helmet Marines @ 2021/03/30 08:17:43


Post by: DeadEyeDuk


Lovely addition to the project. Wasn't sure on first viewing, but you had me at Doctopus!


Bubble Helmet Marines @ 2021/03/30 08:41:32


Post by: Shadow Walker


I really like these dreads.


Bubble Helmet Marines @ 2021/03/30 10:17:22


Post by: Soul Samurai


"Doctopus", lol. Very cool model!


Bubble Helmet Marines @ 2021/03/30 20:01:23


Post by: The Phazer


All very, very clever. Fantastic stuff. Also a big fan of the bendy arm robot.


Bubble Helmet Marines @ 2021/03/30 20:37:01


Post by: Skinflint Games


I see your Doctorpus and I raise you - Medibot!



In all seriousness though, fantastic stuff, keep it up


Bubble Helmet Marines @ 2021/03/31 21:09:21


Post by: Insectum7


This army is 100% awesome. Very cool aesthetic.


Bubble Helmet Marines @ 2021/04/04 02:58:40


Post by: Ssgt Carl


Really cool looking stuff


Bubble Helmet Marines @ 2021/04/04 09:02:07


Post by: IGtR=


Awesome work as ever

Thanks for sharing


Bubble Helmet Marines @ 2021/04/04 19:23:58


Post by: McGibs


Finished up a squad of Recon Marines to use as Incursors or Infiltrators. Was nice to change up the colour scheme a little bit and the phobos armour in genuinely cool.




Here's a comparison between the grey recon and the standard line infantry. It's subtle, but I think it goes a long way to differentiating the two.


Bubble Helmet Marines @ 2021/04/04 19:52:26


Post by: DeadEyeDuk


Love it! And really cool variation. Genuinely curious what they look like under those bubbles. Normal dudes? Skelingtons? Worse?!


Bubble Helmet Marines @ 2021/04/06 18:15:28


Post by: Scott


Good grief, these are amazing.

Flex-arm Dread and Doctorpus are the stand-outs for me, but honestly everything is brilliant.

Love the color palette.


Bubble Helmet Marines @ 2021/04/06 20:23:48


Post by: gameandwatch


WAIT A SECOND...doctopus has TEN LIMBS!?! How dare you hahaha


Bubble Helmet Marines @ 2021/04/06 20:24:45


Post by: IGtR=


The more of this phobos armour I see, the more I like it. Bubble heads seem to match up surprisingly well too!!

Thanks for sharing


Bubble Helmet Marines @ 2021/04/06 20:32:19


Post by: Rotgut


I love these!


Bubble Helmet Marines @ 2021/04/22 14:19:34


Post by: McGibs


Finished up my Command Bike (Chaplain on bike). Pretty simple conversion, as I think the outrider models are pretty cool to begin with. I found some tau bit that made a cool curved front cowling (I think from a ghostkeel?) and added some buttons and doodads to the dashboard to make it a little more... commandy.





Bubble Helmet Marines @ 2021/04/22 14:46:15


Post by: Nate668


This army is absolutely fantastic. Can we get your recipe for that light grey/greenish color?


Bubble Helmet Marines @ 2021/04/22 15:10:22


Post by: McGibs


Recipe's pretty simple, it's just Vallejo model air Pale Blue (71.008). Highlights are just some screaming skull mixed in.


Bubble Helmet Marines @ 2021/04/22 16:39:26


Post by: IGtR=


Biker looks awesome. Definitely the best model of the bunch so far, and the subtle conversion really makes it look the business

Thanks for sharing


Bubble Helmet Marines @ 2021/06/22 16:07:59


Post by: McGibs


Because GW did my poor Repulsor Executioner dirty, I decided to make a swap-out turret so I can also use it as a regular Repulsor.
I consolidated the weapons a bit into "bullets/ missiles/lasers", because frankly, no one can remember them all anyways.





Bubble Helmet Marines @ 2021/06/22 16:43:53


Post by: Nurglitch


Much better looking with the weapons on the turret!


Bubble Helmet Marines @ 2021/07/14 04:06:34


Post by: McGibs


Getting some characters off my painting desk.
Librarian giving the ol' lightning fingers!




And a slightly converted Mr. Handy (from Brother Vinni's miniatures) to stand in for a Primaris Techmarine




Bubble Helmet Marines @ 2021/07/14 05:50:11


Post by: Tiberius501


I am loving these conversions still, such a cool army concept. The new Librarian you’ve done looks ace, the pose is mint af. And the Tech Marine Mr. Handy suits the theme perfectly.

“And the Repulsor! How do you polish rust?!”


Bubble Helmet Marines @ 2021/07/14 07:17:48


Post by: Shadow Walker


Librarian is great, especially his psychic hood.


Bubble Helmet Marines @ 2021/07/14 13:57:38


Post by: LeeRags


Very nice I like your army.s style great paint work


Bubble Helmet Marines @ 2021/07/15 07:14:47


Post by: PaddyMick


I'll add my voice in praise of your modelling skills but also I love the fluff you came up with. Primaris controlled by ad-mech is a neat idea, and gives them an excuse to fight anybody



Bubble Helmet Marines @ 2021/07/15 14:45:05


Post by: The_Real_Chris


Is that a predator turret?


Bubble Helmet Marines @ 2021/07/17 11:46:05


Post by: Soul Samurai


I love the Librarian's pose and the extra apparatus on his back. The "techmarine" is very thematic!


Bubble Helmet Marines @ 2021/08/01 23:18:29


Post by: McGibs


Thanks guys!
The_Real_Chris wrote:
Is that a predator turret?

It sure is, though it's got some extra gubbins from other kits slapped on. And the lascannons are from Puppets War.

I got through my five man Blade(taser?)Guard squad. Obviously the blinged out stock versions weren't going to fit with my army's clean sci-fi theme, so I went for a pretty straightforward "breaching team" look instead. The shields are from the Necromunda Subjugator kit and worked out perfectly.






Bubble Helmet Marines @ 2021/08/02 08:41:11


Post by: Shadow Walker


As always amazing work you did!


Bubble Helmet Marines @ 2021/08/02 10:06:44


Post by: Snowcloak


Those are awesome man, really.

And the way you've gotten the rims to fit seamlessly to the marine torsos is excellent! Bravo.


Bubble Helmet Marines @ 2021/08/02 12:42:08


Post by: Pointer5


Excellent Excellent work. The whole army has such character and the lore is Excellent as well! I particularly love the doctpus and Mr. Handy. Keep up the great work.


Bubble Helmet Marines @ 2021/08/02 14:40:26


Post by: McGibs


 Snowcloak wrote:
Those are awesome man, really.

And the way you've gotten the rims to fit seamlessly to the marine torsos is excellent! Bravo.


The helmets actually come with pewter collars they fit into, so it's not actually too much hassle. I just have to cut off the existing gorget on the armour and sometimes trim down the cableing on the side of the pewter collar (the starterset intercessors with attached shoulderpads are a tight fit)


Bubble Helmet Marines @ 2021/08/08 15:48:39


Post by: McGibs


Big Daddy Dread ready for stompin!
The Redemptor kit is pretty great, I just replaced the sarcophagus with a Kharadron dome that happened to also perfectly fit one of the larger bombshell Mini's bubble helmets. Other minor changes were to swap out the teeny-tiny icarus rocket pod with something a little chunkier, and integrate the small gatling gun into the palm of the fist. Really happy with how this one came together!





Bubble Helmet Marines @ 2021/08/08 16:04:18


Post by: Shadow Walker


Dread looks great, and it really fits perfectly with the rest of the army. Cannot wait to see some gunship or speeder conversion!


Bubble Helmet Marines @ 2021/08/09 07:28:09


Post by: DeadEyeDuk


Well that's just fantastic!

And as you mentioned, I do love it when random bits from other kits just fit with little effort. Saves time and somehow makes you feel like you did something clever (maybe that's just me)

That KO dome just fitting on the Redempter body feels like when I put a Magmadroth head on a Trygon. May have clipped a bit here and there, but I really thought it would take ages to make it look right!


Bubble Helmet Marines @ 2021/08/09 12:30:42


Post by: Nurglitch


That Dreadnought looks fantastic!


Bubble Helmet Marines @ 2021/08/10 14:24:19


Post by: Soul Samurai


That dread is fantastic! It reminds me a little of Mike Wazowski, or a Beholder.


Bubble Helmet Marines @ 2021/08/12 22:50:22


Post by: thesilverback


The dread is so cool.


Bubble Helmet Marines @ 2021/08/21 23:36:51


Post by: Mutant Modifier


These bubble heads look absolutely amazing! Very unique with one of their most key features replaced, yet instantly recognizable as Space Marines. Exalted.


Bubble Helmet Marines @ 2021/09/09 16:18:07


Post by: McGibs


This dreadnought was one of the first models I converted for my army, but I had him go through a bit of an upgrade. New gun, some backpack vents, and extended torso to make him contemptor sized (he used to be a chaplain dread)




And I also did up a unit of Servitors, which are the guys that win games of 9th edition. These were just some fun robots I had kicking around and wanted to paint forever. The Fallout Securitron and Brainbot are from Brother Vinni's minis (possible out of print now), and the two floaty bots are from Bombshell minis.




Bubble Helmet Marines @ 2021/09/09 16:58:56


Post by: tauist


 McGibs wrote:
Big Daddy Dread ready for stompin!
The Redemptor kit is pretty great, I just replaced the sarcophagus with a Kharadron dome that happened to also perfectly fit one of the larger bombshell Mini's bubble helmets. Other minor changes were to swap out the teeny-tiny icarus rocket pod with something a little chunkier, and integrate the small gatling gun into the palm of the fist. Really happy with how this one came together!





You've just made a much cooler version of an AdMech Kastelan Robot! Much more imposing scale. Superb

All in all, this is such a piece of work, one of the coolest Primaris armies ever



Bubble Helmet Marines @ 2021/09/10 01:52:41


Post by: thesilverback


Everytime you post stuff, it is so COOL and I love it. Great job.