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This is the sort of thing you can expect to see here...



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Original post

I've been reading the recent reissue of Eisenhorn and felt compelled to start an Inquisitor army. If you haven't read the series, all the characters are very varied and well realised, so I want to make a retinue full of totally unique personalities — so lots of kit bashing is going to be involved! I also want the Inquisitor himself to be in either carapace armour or power armour, and it's really difficult to find heavily armoured models that don't look like some kind of space marine. I picked up Deathwatch Overkill when it came out and decided the Primus would be the perfect base for an armoured inquisitor so I've already started hacking off the arms and sticking on purity seals etc. (see attached).

I'm undecided on the accompanying fluff, but it'll no doubt emerge as the models come together and hopefully the project will take on a life of it's own from there. Based on what I have so far, he's looking pretty Ordo Malleus.

I think that model is going to turn up in a lot of logs as an inquisitor, it's a great piece, the whole range of the cultists are ripe for conversion
Yours is looking fantastic so far, have you decided on an equipment load out yet?
Will he just be for 40k or will he feature in inq28? Can make a difference to how you arm him due to the less battlefront more cloak and dagger style of inquisitor

I've already got my eye on the 1st-2nd generation cultist with a full length cloak to convert into some sort of tech priest. I'm thinking I'll go ordo Hereticus or Malleus so perhaps a null rod or power sword. The model came with a really nice needle pistol but I might have to use that for something else. I like the idea of a slightly more understated firearm, heroic scale plasma pistols always look insanely huge. Perhaps just a laspistol or autopistol. I have been looking at Inq28 models quite a lot, but mostly for inspiration. I'd never played it before but I'm certainly open to trying it!

I've added the head and arms. I went with a Grey Knights terminator head, the GK stave as a null rod, and an autopistol from a Tyranid cultist. The gun isn't too showy but I really like the small drum clip. The arms are from Tempestus Scions sprue. I'm a little worried the head looks too big (I had to remove the hood from the torso to fit it on!) but it's heroic scale, perhaps pskyer energy has made his head swell up or something!

I also added a cherub that I think is from the Empire General sprue. It adds a lot of needed height and a lot of extra character. I 40k'd it up a bit by adding a cut up rebreather from the Cadian command squad sprue.

I hadn't mentioned it before, but I decided to greenstuff over the ribbing on the Tyranid cultist torso, as it was too big a giveaway to the original model. The additional wires are old guitar strings. They're surprisingly inflexible so a lot of shaping was required before putting them in place. Also worth noting I put a bunch of cable plugs here and there, which are made from cut up sections of plastic rod. I'll drill out the ends of these before I undercoat the model.

I need to settle on a name for this guy. So far, I'm thinking of calling him Inquisitor Erastus Oughton, but I'm open to suggestions.

I've made a member of the Mechanicum to join the retinue. Perhaps a Magos or Techpriest. I started with a Tyranid cultist torso and added a bunch of Skitarii bits. I liked the idea that he wouldn't usually be a combatant, so the bolt pistol and close combat weapons are all mechanical arms, as if they're working independently of him to protect him. The close combat weapon arm is some sort of probe that's made from power axe handles and the little drone thing from Space Hulk.

Here is the retinue's Glavian Pilot, complete with needle pistol. Although I can't really use him in 40k as an acolyte anymore, I couldn't resist using that left over gun from the Tyranid Primus. The model uses SM scout legs, a Skitarii torso with the cloak cut off, and a valkyrie pilot head.

Excellent conversions here - the different kits come together really well to make new and interesting characters. Particularly like the idea of the independent servo-arms on the tech-priest type figure. Looking forward to seeing where you take them!

Have you had many thoughts about a colour scheme? Something unifying or as eclectic as the models?

Thanks Scarper! I have thought a little about colour schemes. I'm thinking lots of red, white, and gold. However members of the retinue that have looser ties to imperium — like the pilot — will probably have a slightly less coordinated colour scheme.

Great stuff so far, can't wait to see more. You can always have the pilot counting as another Inquisitor so he can use the needle pistol.

Good point Kid_Kyoto. I guess he could also make for a nasty looking interrogator too!

I've got a DCA and a combat servitor in the works at the moment.

This DCA is mostly made of DE bits, unfortunately there isn't much choice for Imperial plastic female components. However I think a couple of purity seals really help make her look like a member of the Inquisition. I had a suitable torso front, but no back, so I ended up cutting a Empire militia torso in half and using that. The gas mask is from Victoria miniatures, I had some left over from my Renegade guard project.

The Battle Servitor is ready and the Inquisitor is painted.

The servitor is made with an Ork torso and legs, the arms are mostly bits of Imperial vehicle accessories and heavy weapons etc.

I'm mostly happy with the painting, however I may consider adding another highlight layer to some of the leather straps. I'm also considering adding some more detail on face, but it's so easy to get it wrong, and one slip up usually means starting again.

I think you've got some fantastic detail in the face as is - a lot to risk! Great work, he's clearly heavily armoured, but not a space marine. Pretty tough to do sometimes.

Servitor looks nice, but the ork legs are pretty recognisable - the stance is a little iconic in 40k. Should come together with a nice paintjob though, I'm sure.

DCA is a lovely fluid pose. I'm impressed you've managed to make the VM masks looks so good on a female model - I've always struggled with the fiddly straps.

Lovely job all round!

Thanks Scarper! I'm pleased with how the Inquisitor came out, avoiding that space marine look was the goal after all. I'll take another picture of the face, I always find the eyes the most difficult.

With the DCA I ended up moulding greenstuff around the gas mask so it sort of integrated into the torso armour, which I think helps make it look less oversized on a female model. I've applied a few gas masks before for my renegade guard army, so I had a little practise. I start filing off the nose and super gluing the mask to the face, then when it's dry I push the straps around the face using the back of a scalpel, then when I'm happy with the position I superglue the rest.

The servitor does look quite Orky, but I'm hoping that'll be less apparent with an absence of green when it comes to painting. I pinched the idea from KrautScientist, who made a chrono gladiator the same way.

I've uploaded another picture of the Inquisitor, his left eye looks a little weird, so as I said before I want to have another crack at it soon. Any advice?

I've started work paining other members of the retinue. You can get a sense of the colour scheme for each member. With the pilot I plan on layering over the orange to make a yellow, but I'm open to suggestions. It could look a little garish!

Also, some time ago Bits and Kits were doing a clear out where they sold pots full of random bits. I got a box of three pots for about £20 total, and they arrived on Monday. I wasn't sure what to expect, but as you can see, there was a lot, each of the three pots was full to the brim, I've since spread it out a bit (the stuff in the compartmented tin is my existing bits box). Admittedly there was a lot of useless components, but I'm sure I can make a lot of interesting things over the comings days/weeks — you can see from the last picture I've already made a start!

This is my Inquisitor's protege, Interrogator Rooke. Armed with a las-rifle and a lot of grenades.

He's mostly made of Cadian command parts but also features a bionic lower leg from a Skitarii model. The Las-rifle is made of a mix of a lasgun, a Kroot rifle, and Empire militia blunderbuss arms.

I'm working on 3 models using parts from my recents "box of bits" acquisition. I've got a brutish crusader and 2 acolytes. I think the bolt gun on one of the acolytes looks way too big, so I'll try swapping it for a lasgun soon.

I also have a very old Eversor assassin that's been missing an arm and backpack, until today!

While rooting around for older parts and models I dug out an old Eldar Aspect warrior from 1990! It was my first painted model but I decided it would make a good addition to the retinue. I was sentimental about paint stripping it, but I took a photo first and I plan on painting it again with the same colour scheme in tribute. I think my painting has come on a bit since then

I've noticed a lot of people add a space marine or two to their retinues. Having just one means you can spend a lot of time making them look extra special (not to mention much more intimidating compared to their puny regular human counterparts).

I've got a black templar army from a while ago, and I could use one of the characters from that (see attached), but I'd rather have a go at a true scale marine.

I've got an idea, but I'm worried it might be mad and maybe I'm delusional for even thinking it could be a good idea but... I have a SM centurion torso front that came in my bits box order. What if I take that, and add terminator legs, a regular SM head and also arms: would it look horribly out of proportion? I think it could work if I reduce/build up in areas as appropriate, it could look really meaty. I've done a very quick mock up in Photoshop. Please, do let me know what you think!

This blog is absolutely amazing. I'm definitely going to steal some of your ideas.

As for truescaling, I think the best and simplest ways to go about it are either my way, which you can see in my blog:
http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/694362.page

Or find Veteran Sergeant's blog. It's called Leave No Model Unconverted.

We both only use the standard power armour kits, so the models still look properly like Space Marines. There's also minimal greenstuff work involved (not that it looks like you're afraid of that!)

 thebuilder wrote:
This blog is absolutely amazing. I'm definitely going to steal some of your ideas.

As for truescaling, I think the best and simplest ways to go about it are either my way, which you can see in my blog:
http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/694362.page

Or find Veteran Sergeant's blog. It's called Leave No Model Unconverted.

We both only use the standard power armour kits, so the models still look properly like Space Marines. There's also minimal greenstuff work involved (not that it looks like you're afraid of that!)

Thanks thebuilder! Be my guest, I've already pinched a lot of ideas myself from weirdingway who has an amazing blog about his Navigator household.

I'm in awe of your true scale army, that must have taken forever!

I ended up ditching the Centurion torso idea, it was way too big compared to the other parts. I stuck with the Terminator legs and filled in the backs and cut off the plates around the hips. I took a standard SM torso and cut away everything below the Aquila and built it back up with green stuff. I used guitar strings to recreate the cabling between the waist and the torso. Then it was just a case of adding a normal head and arms. For detail I saved the belt buckle from the original SM torso, shaved it down and glued it back on to the Terminator legs. All that's left to do it greenstuff a few gaps and add some accessories.

You can see from the comparison shot below he's a fair bit taller than a standard SM model and a normal human.

I'm not sure what Chapter to paint the guy, however I know it can't be black. I've got about 1500 points of Black Templars and I'm desperate to paint with colour again!

Excellent conversions you've got here
Big fan of Interrogator Rooke. Tasteful conversion with a design that isn't too busy but still manages to have lovely detail. Crisp.

Every model in your blog is awesome, and your painting is fantastic. This is by far one of my favorite projects on dakka.

for me, the proportions are out on the SM. His torso is just too small for the legs, and the arms look too short...

 thebuilder wrote:
for me, the proportions are out on the SM. His torso is just too small for the legs, and the arms look too short...

Personally, I like the proportions. I can kinda see what you mean about the tosro/legs, but it doesn't bother me at all. The arms, on the other hand, I don't see it. They don't look even slightly too short to me.

Thank for the comments everyone, it's all really encouraging stuff!

 Heretic Tom wrote:

 thebuilder wrote:
for me, the proportions are out on the SM. His torso is just too small for the legs, and the arms look too short...

Personally, I like the proportions. I can kinda see what you mean about the tosro/legs, but it doesn't bother me at all. The arms, on the other hand, I don't see it. They don't look even slightly too short to me.

I was thinking the same thing! The legs are pretty chunky, I think I've managed to somewhat mitigate the bottom heaviness by padding out the body with accessories. I also like the idea that a SM would be capable of carrying a lot of gear (probably on behalf of his weaker allies) and not be remotely bothered by it, so he's got loads of bags, ammo pouches etc. I've added another picture with some regular humans for scale, he stands a good head and shoulders above them.

I think a power fist is never in danger of looking too small, but maybe the plasma pistol arm could do with beefing up. Perhaps if it still feels weird, replacing the gun with something bigger like a bolter would help.

Because I don't want to paint black again he can't be Deathwatch, so in terms of fluff I suppose he'll have to be "on loan" from a Chapter. Perhaps there's some cause of the Inquisitor that the Chapter is invested in, but is stretched too thin to offer anything more than a single marine. Maybe Crimson fists? What chapter would you like to see?

I also found some time to finish off a character I was using for scale in my previous post. This guy is a grizzled bounty hunter, very much in the vein of Harlon Nayl from Eisenhorn. I'm still thinking of a name.

The Star Phantoms would be cool for your marine and, in terms of fluff, they are a favorite of the inquisition, especially ordo xenos, outside of the deathwatc. This is mainly due to the fact that to get the job done they will kill anyone…allies, kids, their own grandma…no questions asked, and because they have a particular love of killing aliens, whom they are extremely knowledgable of.

 Heretic Tom wrote:
The Star Phantoms would be cool for your marine and, in terms of fluff, they are a favorite of the inquisition, especially ordo xenos, outside of the deathwatc. This is mainly due to the fact that to get the job done they will kill anyone…allies, kids, their own grandma…no questions asked, and because they have a particular love of killing aliens, whom they are extremely knowledgable of.

Good idea, I like the idea of a Gregor Clegane type character. Quiet, menacing, and fiercely obedient. The rest of the retinue would all be terrified of him naturally!

I like the colour scheme too, they have a Star Wars Storm Trooper kind of vibe. White would really stick out too. My only reservation is the Chapter symbols looks like it would be really hard to paint freehand!

Very cool thread.

Really impressed with the Inquisitor and the Tech Priest.

Looking forward to seeing more

 PDH wrote:
Very cool thread.

Really impressed with the Inquisitor and the Tech Priest.

Looking forward to seeing more

Thanks man, I appreciate it. BTW I'm a big fan of your Inq28 work

 juptrking wrote:

My only reservation is the Chapter symbols looks like it would be really hard to paint freehand!

It would definitely be challenging, but stylistically it matches the inquisition well. I am currently painting a Mantis Warrior and I had the same reservations about the chapter symbol, but I had an idea; just paint it to the best of my abilities and then do some weathering over the part of it that looks the weakest, leaving enough visible so as to convey the marine's identity while effectively hiding my mistakes as much as possible.