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Made in us
Drop Trooper with Demo Charge






Hey everyone:

I have been getting back into the wonderful hobby that is Warhammer 40K recently and I thought that I would journal my ideas, progress and completed stuff here.

I see this log as having two goals:

1. Help me stay on task by creating some sort of accountability (as much accountability as the internet can give you ).
2. Open my work up to input and (constructive) criticism. I am inspired by so many hobbyist here and my only hope is that a few of them will stop by and pass on some sage advice or encouragement.

So now that you know my goals, let's get into the actual project and current state of things...


As you may or may not have guessed from the title, my goal is an Imperial Guard army that is WWII themed. Specifically after Easy Company of the 506th in the 101st Airborne as they are seen in the HBO mini series Band of Brothers.

To do this I intend on converting each figure to look like a paratrooper from WWII starting with the plastic Cadians as a base. This includes:
1. WWII American helmets
2. Airborne combat fatigues which involve...
a. Sculpting a new chest piece without the armor
b. Sculpting new arms for every gun position to remove the shoulder pads
c. Sculpting new legs to include the signature paratrooper boots and extra pockets on the bottom of the combat jacket
3. Sculpting new accessories to add character including- packs, entrenching tools, radios, medic bags, etc.

Now when I say "sculpting" I am not implying that I am sculpting from scratch. For many of these items I will be scraping down detail from the current IG plastics and re-sculpting over them or portions of them.

This has been a very thought out project that has taken lots of research (and continuing research). However nothing is set in stone and I am very open to suggestions and criticism (as long as it is constructive). Opinions are fine too I guess...

For an idea of the scale of project I want, take a look at Brother Argos' Project Log. I cannot list how many ideas he has given me for fabrication and creativity. I found his log a few days ago and spent a good day looking over his work. Not to ruin the read for anyone discovering it for the first time, but I was devastated to find out that he hasn't updated the post since August 2009. I sincerely hope that he has just been extremely busy and unable to post and that he will return to Dakka and provide me (and you) with more inspirational work. And if I am lucky, provide me with input.

Now I don't have nearly as much experience or skill as BrotherArgos. I also have quite the limited workspace. To give you an idea just how limited, here is a picture of my room:



The desk in the background is all I have for a work space. Just an idea of what I am working with.

I don't have any pictures of my current project/progress, but since I maintain that project logs are boring without pictures:

Here is the inspiration for this project. I wanted to do a DIY chapter of Space Marines with the same theme. I only completed one squad but this gives you an idea of where I am at in terms of painting.









When I find my camera again I will give you guys an update of my project status.

This message was edited 4 times. Last update was at 2010/08/26 21:49:01


- in progress
Easy Company Project Log 
   
Made in au
Leutnant




Australia

hey i recommend check out the assualt group they stock ww2 weapons and helmets.

"Conan What is best in life??" "To crush your enemies, see them driven before you, and to hear the lamentation of their women" 
   
Made in au
Storm Lance






Hey and welcome to dakka, now are you gonning to add the characters in from the show, such as the man himself, Winters.

Also what are you gonning to use for the american m1 helmets, and are you going to give your soldiers the m1 garand rifles they had at the time.

The cadian 45th

Games and Armies I play:
Warmachine: Cygnar.
Dystopian wars: Prussia.
 
   
Made in us
Legendary Master of the Chapter





Chicago, Illinois

Welcome and you remind me alot of my chapters colors!
Is dark green such a popular color?
Well anyway i wish the best of luck to you!

From whom are unforgiven we bring the mercy of war. 
   
Made in us
Drop Trooper with Demo Charge






@ Lextheimpaler: I checked their stuff out. Some of it seems pretty good. But their casting quality looks kinda questionable. Also an American so I would like to avoid shipping bits across the pond.

@ the cadian 45th: I am in flux about how much character I want to add to the army. At one point I was debating having every character represented. However I think I will only be using a few that are easily identifiable as conversions. A few of these include:

The man himself - Winters
Bull
Doc Roe
Nixon

@ Asherian Command: I actually mixed the color to give it that good olive army green. I'm still debating how I am going to do the colors for this army. Their fatigues will probably be a very worn looking green/kaki with the standard green helmets. But it is going to take a few test models.

Going to try to take pictures today. I am held up at the moment, waiting on an order of dentist tools to sculpt some more.

- in progress
Easy Company Project Log 
   
Made in gb
Lone Wolf Sentinel Pilot





where am I? *looks around* Well i'm...errr...I...I...don't know!

Welcome to the club brah... And that painting looks pretty neat and clean I lok forward to what you do with such a limited space




MAY YER BOLTER NAE FALTER!!!! 
   
Made in us
Decrepit Dakkanaut





The Battle Barge Buffet Line

you might want to take a look at these guys (white star chapter of marines) from 3rd edition. this and the ravenborn were my favorite painted armies from that era. the guy did a pretty good job of making them WW2ish.

http://web.archive.org/web/20011209095210/www.games-workshop.com/news/us/events/GT-2001-US/chic-cov/pa_40K_NathanComanse/pa_40K_NathanComanse.htm


We Munch for Macragge! FOR THE EMPRUH! Cheesesticks and Humus!
 
   
Made in us
Crazed Troll Slayer




Bohemia, NY

warboss wrote:you might want to take a look at these guys (white star chapter of marines) from 3rd edition. this and the ravenborn were my favorite painted armies from that era. the guy did a pretty good job of making them WW2ish.

http://web.archive.org/web/20011209095210/www.games-workshop.com/news/us/events/GT-2001-US/chic-cov/pa_40K_NathanComanse/pa_40K_NathanComanse.htm



Wow they look awesome.

 
   
Made in gb
Rampaging Reaver Titan Princeps





Earlobe deep in doo doo

Those do look great have you checked out the Westwind Seperate Head System they do various WW2 heads.....Also TAG mooulding quality is about par with GW as far as I can see, I own quite a few bits of theirs you see.

"But me no buts! Our comrades get hurt. Our friends die. Falkenburg is a knight who swore an oath to serve the church and to defend the weak. He'd be the first to tell you to stop puling and start planning. Because what we are doing-at risk to ourselves-is what we have sworn to do. The West relies on us. It is a risk we take with pride. It is an oath we honour. Even when some soft southern burgher mutters about us, we know the reason he sleeps soft and comfortable, why his wife is able to complain about the price of cabbages as her most serious problem and why his children dare to throw dung and yell "Knot" when we pass. It's because we are what we are. For all our faults we stand for law and light.
Von Gherens This Rough Magic Lackey, Flint & Freer
Mekagorkalicious -Monkeytroll
2017 Model Count-71
 
   
Made in us
Drop Trooper with Demo Charge






Well as anyone in college knows, when I say, "...try to take pictures today." What I really mean is, as soon as I remember to and have time to. Two very scares conditionals.

Anyway... I finally got a camera out and my shipments in so the pictures were taken, uploaded and here for you!

First off, my orders:

This is my new collection of sculpting tools. Which in a previous life were dentistry tools. They only ran me $20 when all said and done. My previous tools were old x-acto blades and the cuticle pusher tool from a nail trimming set.



Next are my two magnet orders. For anyone in the US, I have to recommend K&J Magnetics. The shipments come fairly quickly and are exactly what I was looking for. I actually bought the 3mm ones first, and discovered they were TOO big!!! So another 1/16" batch was ordered.




Now on to actually hobby stuff:

So I have already done a few renditions of the sculpted torsos. However, I wasn't 100% satisfied. I had used the standard Cadian chest piece. This required me to file down all the armor before re-sculpting the entire body. Now, after looking at BrotherArgos' thread, I used his idea of sculpting off of the tank commander torso. He also used straps made from plasticard that are glued into grooves instead of sculpting greenstuff straps.




You can see I still have to re-sculpt the front of the jacket to give him a center closing jacket and pockets. Started that before class but waiting on drying.

Just a quick shot of the back to show the straps:




Now I have also done some work on the heads. I am showing only one head, but have done 5 so far. They are in my gallery but this just gives you an idea.



Now here is a few test models to show you what I am going for. I will update you guys on the chest sculpt as I go on. Also these test models don't have the right boots or pockets on the bottom of their jackets:






C&C welcome.

- in progress
Easy Company Project Log 
   
Made in se
Stabbin' Skarboy





Malmoe, Sweden

Wohooow! lovely dude looks precise like WW2

monkeytroll wrote:
In the grim darkness of the future there is only boar.

Waagh Nazdreg!
 
   
Made in us
Imperial Recruit in Training




Amazing! You must post more I say!

Cadian 211th 1700 pts
DC:90SG++MB++I+Pw40k07+ID+++A+/aWD-R+DM+  
   
Made in us
Drop Trooper with Demo Charge






Llamahead wrote:Those do look great have you checked out the Westwind Seperate Head System they do various WW2 heads.....Also TAG mooulding quality is about par with GW as far as I can see, I own quite a few bits of theirs you see.


I actually was referred to Westwind awhile ago. They have some good stuff, but not quite what I was looking for. I ended up doing my own heads (as you can see from above post.)

@Rose_Mountainz and warmaster40k: thanks for the compliment. Again the completed (but not painted) models you see are using the one of the two first chest sculpts I did. This 3rd sculpt will be much better in my opinion. They will also have added boot detail and pockets. Still a long way to go.

Micro Update: Started work on the chest piece sculpting in GS today. Also getting used to the new tools. I already scratched the first attempt and the 2nd is drying. I have a midterm on Wednesday and a paper due the same day so progress will be slow for the next few days. But please let me know what you guys think and any suggestions you guys have. I am going to be working on a few lists on study breaks so I may give you guys those to look at.

- in progress
Easy Company Project Log 
   
Made in us
Apprehensive Inquisitorial Apprentice






Los Angeles

very nice! i think your guys look very WW2 ish...im really digging your sculpts

the only thing is that the proportions are a bit off...the body should be approx 8 heads tall...granted GW minis dont stick to those proportions but i figure if youre gonna make new sculpts might as well make em more proportional

id say make the chest/body pieces a bit longer so they dont look as squat...

awesome job so far!
   
Made in us
Abhorrent Grotesque Aberration






Hopping on the pain wagon

Looking great (both the marines and the guard!) can't wait to see more, and can't wait to see your vehicles.

Kabal of the Razor's Song project log

There is a secret song at the center of the universe and its sound is like razors through flesh. 
   
Made in us
Drop Trooper with Demo Charge






Antman677 wrote:very nice! i think your guys look very WW2 ish...im really digging your sculpts

the only thing is that the proportions are a bit off...the body should be approx 8 heads tall...granted GW minis dont stick to those proportions but i figure if youre gonna make new sculpts might as well make em more proportional

id say make the chest/body pieces a bit longer so they dont look as squat...

awesome job so far!


Yah scale is something that I really thought about when putting this together. The first issue was if the helmets were too big. After some careful examination my best SWAG is that they are closely proportional to the scale the IG minis are on.

As for lengthening the torsos: as I have zero sculpting experience before this project, and no art background (business major focusing in finance), I don't want to bite off more than I can handle. That may be something to do if I re-visit this army at a later time. I just don't have the confidence right now to do something like that. Granted I could just slap a sheet of plasticard at the base of the torso -biggerizing marines style- but that doesn't really do it for me. But something to consider. Do you think just putting the plasticard on there would do the trick?

- in progress
Easy Company Project Log 
   
Made in us
Apprehensive Inquisitorial Apprentice






Los Angeles

you know...if the proportions are buggin ya then id try to sculpt em right...cuz at least in my experience...if something starts to bug me about my minis it doesnt stop until i fix it.

i ended up trashing a whole deathwing army cuz it was annoying me so much.

its a pretty easy job to biggerize the torsos. I'd chop the torso's through the ribcage. put some pieces of plasticard in the gap and fill it with greenstuff. Sculpting cloth isnt too hard...i can give ya some tips in person if you are game
   
Made in us
Drop Trooper with Demo Charge






Well I hadn't noticed the scale until you pointed it out

Haha but really it isn't something that drives me crazy. As this project is developing, I have found that I need to be able to make allowances for what I want to be accurate and what is reasonable. For instance, I was going to convert the heavy weapons (specifically the heavy bolters) to their WWII look-a-likes. But have conceded to using the standard weapons.

However I would love to hear any input you have on sculpting. I really want to come to paint nights but I have a Thursday night class this semester.

- in progress
Easy Company Project Log 
   
Made in us
Been Around the Block






California

Man, this project looks like it's going to turn out great. It's an inspiration to get me going on an IG army and I'm only half way through a paint league.

Can't wait to see more... keep posting

~G3Spoon 
   
Made in us
Apprehensive Inquisitorial Apprentice






Los Angeles

ya for sure man...hit me up if you ever have questions about sculpting or what not (:
   
Made in us
Mechanized Halqa






Los Angeles, CA

Looking good...I always admire those that have the patience and skill to sculpt those tiny little figures..

Less QQ, more pew pew!  
   
Made in gb
Avatar of the Bloody-Handed God






Inside your mind, corrupting the pathways

These guys look pretty cool. Can't wait to see more.

Also, love Band of Brothers, so extra points for that

   
Made in us
Drop Trooper with Demo Charge






Well I am taking a break from Bond Valuation and Internal Rate of Return to ponder the structure of my army. I have a few ideas and would love your input on them:

1. Go all airborne with Vendettas and Veteran squads
2. Go all infantry with minimal armor (artillery only, no tanks)

However I have these thoughts regarding the two:
1. If I go all airborne, it fits pretty well with the theme of the army, dropping from the skies and all. However I really like the idea and structure of the Infantry Platoons and the HWS and SWS it gives me (as well as orders). The veteran squads also gives a more elite troop feel, which isn't entirely airborne. Yes I know how baller these men were in combat, but they also had replacements that were quite inept in the veterans eyes. Also, the Vendettas would obviously take a bigger role in the game, which is un-fluffy to me. The planes were more just a mode of transportation instead of actual backup.

2. If I go all infantry, I get the fluffy feel of an airborne army that has already been dropped into the combat zone. Remember that Easy Company only made 2 combat jumps, one into Normandy and one into Holland (Nixon being the only member to have 3 jumps because he was requested for another company's jump). Easy wasn't an armored force, and didn't have any armored transports or tanks attached directly to them, even though they did work with them from time to time (side note: maybe just 1 tank and do it in separate markings to indicate it is an attachment?). I figure I could use gryphons and basilisks to represent the artillery support that Easy usually had.

However in discussions with other gamers, I have heard that in 5th Edition, armor is the name of the game, and I would be quite disadvantaged on the battlefield. This isn't a total nail in the coffin because I am more about having fun and creating a beautiful fluffy army than smashing skulls. However I know I won't enjoy it as much if my painstakingly crafted army is swept off the table consistently.

I will also lack quite a bit of mobility, again something I hear is the name of the game in 5th Ed. My beta of a concept is that I will use Creed (Renamed to Major Winters in my army) which will give me quite a commander and lots of orders. I really like the idea of lots of my squads using the MMM order to get where they need to be. But I also understand that this isn't that reliable and once I get there, it isn't easy to hold positions with the common footslogger.

A compromise might be to mount the army in bare bones chimeras. To me they would represent the Duce-and-a-halves that Easy used to get around when not jumping. Not as fluffy as I would like but it would give me mobility and armor. However I would still like to use it for the common infantry platoon, instead of veterans.



Now there are endless permutations of combining these tactics. I am not opposed to these but would like to keep it as fluffy and coherent as possible. Let me know what you guys think. I hope I have some input to mull over on my next study break. Well back to flash cards and practice tests...

- in progress
Easy Company Project Log 
   
Made in us
Drop Trooper with Demo Charge






Well after finishing my midterm I came home and got a little sculpting done. I figured I would share the progress with you guys.

I was able to finish the front of the jacket and the two overhangs on the shoulders. I got the idea for the overhang from BrotherArgos. Because the shoulderpads on the Cadians normally cover the gap in between the torso and arm, I added the little overhang to hide it. This should also add to the jacket look.

On the front all I have left to do is add the big pockets. Then just touch up some work on the back and make sure the arms will fit with a few dry test runs. After that I should be able to cast the first one. I may then saw the first cast and insert a spacer to make it scale appropriate. Then cast the new spaced one. Dunno, will have to see how it looks.

Anyway here are pictures, enjoy!




- in progress
Easy Company Project Log 
   
Made in us
Apprehensive Inquisitorial Apprentice






Los Angeles

hey im diggin the jacket!

i do agree with ya...youre gonna quit the game sooner than later if you consistently get tabled (;

i think that you option of buyin chimeras for your platoons sounds like a plan. but keeping a big blob of 30 men with a commisar is a good idea. they are actually a pretty good unit as they can tie up dangerous units in CC and bubble wrap your artillery.

   
Made in us
Fresh-Faced New User




I second the feeling on the jacket. Your troops are coming along nicely. Are you going to try casting them or model them indivdually?

A question a little off subject, would you be so kind to give your technique for the green scheme you did on your marines? That is the color I have been looking for.
   
Made in us
Crazed Cultist of Khorne





USA

I served with the 506th in iraq and afghanistan. The idea of doing a WWII themed 506th was always in the back of my mind, but i just never got around to it. I like what you have done so far, keep it up.

CURRAHEE!!!!!!
   
Made in us
Alluring Sorcerer of Slaanesh





Union, Kentucky United States

Oppenheimer wrote:I served with the 506th in iraq and afghanistan. The idea of doing a WWII themed 506th was always in the back of my mind, but i just never got around to it. I like what you have done so far, keep it up.

CURRAHEE!!!!!!


you forgot Korea Had buddies in that unit when they were at the DMZ.

The stuff looks awsome and I think your onto something hot. A good idea if you hadn't mentioned it already would be make a set of chests and heads and cast them this will save you time, money, and TONSSSS of energy I really look forward to this.

Listen, my children, as I pass onto you the truth behind Willy Wonka and his factory. For every wonka bar ever created in existance, Mr. Wonka sacraficed a single Oompa Loompa to the god of chocolate, Hearshys. Then, he drank the blood of the fallen orange men because he fed them a constant supply of sugary chocolate so they all became diabetic and had creamy, sweet-tasting blood that willy could put into each and every Wonka bar. That is the REAL story behind willy wonka's Slaughter House!  
   
Made in us
Drop Trooper with Demo Charge






@ Antman677: Thank you! I like the chimera idea too. However I think I am just going to start building up an all infantry force first. Get in a few games with 500 pts and see how they perform. Then build up from there.

@ Death Korps: I would love to give you the technique. However I can't remember the exact technique. I believe it is under my old thread on the Bolter and Chainsword. But the forum isn't working at the moment. I'll let you know when I can access it again!

@ Oppenheimer: First off, thank you for your service and hats off to you.

@ Empchild: I kinda have hinted at it before but yes I will be casting these sculpts. I don't think I have the patience to individually sculpt a single CCS let alone an entire army! Just got up but will soon be at the work desk. I'll take a few pictures of my casting so far and maybe a few results. They are all in white plastic which makes it very hard to see tho.


Automatically Appended Next Post:
Thanks for the props man, I am really pleased with how they are coming out. For the green I first base coat in chaos black spray. Then I paint Catachan Green over all the armor. I really water this first coat down, not to the point of being like a wash, but to where it is very fluid paint. After that coat dries, I go back with Catachan Green again, generally with the same consistency. That usually gives me the coverage you see in the pictures. I then wash the crevices with Chaos Black, and touch up anywhere the wash went astray with Catachan again. For hi-lighting I did a custom mix of Catachan Green and Camo Green. However I think the pot of Camo Green I have is slightly brighter than it should be. Either way just mix it until you are happy with the contrast. I had to try 3 times before I liked it.

For my markings I first lay down a basecoat of Codex Grey in the shape of the icon I am painting (chevrons, spade, squad number, ect.) This lets me sketch out the idea, and it is easy to cover up if I mess up. Once I am happy I go over it with Skull White or Golden Yellow. I try to thin the paints pretty well on these and sometimes it takes a few coats to get it right. However the result is a nice 'chalked-on' look that fits my WWII theme perfectly.

For the rank markings I actually really like your idea and agree with you. The white on the trim might over do it. I'll try the first officer without it, cuz I can always add it later. I'm going to stick with white head vent for NCO's and white helmet for Commissioned Officers. The rank will always be on their left knee. Going to be fun painting the stars on my commanders


Direct quote from my B&C blog

This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 2010/03/11 17:01:07


- in progress
Easy Company Project Log 
   
Made in us
Longtime Dakkanaut





Holland , Vermont

Great stuff here, I am very impressed with the small details you are acheiving with the greenstuff, awesome work!

I was also going to mention that Warlords miniatures have a 101st AB model range in 28mm, if nothing else in may be worth a look see for you.

I am currently serving in the 509th AB battalion out of fort Richardson, and I had a urge to build a modern version of it for 40k, but became sidetracked by my Tau. ( oh well )

An all infantry force is actually alot of fun, and drives your opponents crazy when you put 120+ models on the table at a 2000k game. , invest in mortars they can be incredibly useful in leu of heavier artillery, even with their low strength its nice to put out 3 small blast templates a turn from them W/O los.
I built a "Red Devils " guard army in 3rd/4th ED, that did not have a single vehicle in it, but of course that was in the day when you could choose doctrines fro your army, like airborne or city fighters...ahh the good old days .

But as I said keep up the great work, I can't wait to see more of your stuff, and who knows maybe some day my Falschimjager IG force can lock horns with your 101st, that would be epic.

If you are interested in my P&M for my Unified Corp Tau check here ----http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/282731.page
My planetary profile and background story for my Tau is here------http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/351631.page
War Field Boss Marshul Grimdariun's Panzuh Korps http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/353354.page
Tau Prototypes Technical readouts and Data sharing (for all Tau players )http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/412232.page 
   
 
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