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I am putting together a SM tactical squad at the moment and i quite like the idea of the helmetless models carying there helmet with them. I have cut off the neck of one of the helmets and the only place i can see where the helmet would fit is on the waistband either side of the backpack (depending on arm position).

I did wonder about having it stuck to the the backpack but it looks ridiculous.
Has anyone else done something like this?

I'm sure that out on operations your average SM would go helmetless sometimes but would still have it with him, but practically speaking with the model i'm not sure it can be done without looking a bit silly.

I've done that for at least one figure in the past, also using the metal "pointy" arm that used to come with one of the Devastator boxes. It looks pretty decent and fits in well.

There is no place it looks good.

Even on a slayer sword winningmodel it looks slightly off

I'll post a pic sometime, if I can find the guy, find the camera charger and so forth. But yes, it looks good.


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whatwhat wrote:There is no place it looks good.

See, I think that does look good. Barrington is asking about attatching it to a belt, which is a different look again, and mirrors a lot of real-world troops.

I would be love to see a pic when you get the time.


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I suppose when i say carrying i really meaning 'carrying on them' as they won't be in hands. My modelling skills only go so far.

I just put them at their belt, too. I think it does look fine.

Edit: oh, and it is 'their helmet.' 'There' refers to a location. Always funny when a German has to tell a Brit.

Is there a german equivalent of pedantic?

I understand you meant on their person rather than in their hand. I don't think there is a place for it which doesn't look silly. The helmet is huge.

whatwhat wrote:I understand you meant on their person rather than in their hand. I don't think there is a place for it which doesn't look silly. The helmet is huge.

That is what i'm finding, it doesn't look too bad on the belt, but yes the helmets are big.

Quite a few older Marine figures wear their helmets on their belts.

scipio.au wrote:
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whatwhat wrote:There is no place it looks good.

See, I think that does look good. Barrington is asking about attatching it to a belt, which is a different look again, and mirrors a lot of real-world troops.

Seconded, that figure looks fine.

As others have said, go for the belt. Yes the helmets are big but as long as you like how it looks, go for it!

On some of the Kevlar vests there's a strap on the shoulder/armpit region that I would always strap mine too. Might not work with some of the larger SM helmets but it worked fine for me in RL

From what I recall in the Space Wolf books they kept their helmets on their belts.

I've made a model with the helmet hanging from the belt, they are a little large and it's hard to find a decent place where it doesn't look ungainly but it's possible.

I actually found where the OP mentioned (around the rear, to one side of the backpack) to be the best place as it's out of the way and seems like a logical position, to me at least.

Another idea: put the helmet on the base, like he dropped it or something.

starsdawn wrote:Another idea: put the helmet on the base, like he dropped it or something.

I've done something similar to this for a model I call Brother A'om. Although, he's dropped it because it's damaged, and now he's none too pleased about that. Can see him here, he's the power fist wielding fella.

I have decided to put the helmet on the belts round the back near between the arm and backpack.

Next i am wondering wether to do the same thing with the sergeant?

He has the knarled battle damaged head which seems to be half cybernetic, Terminator (the film) style.
Question is does a bad ass sergeant feel the need to carry a helmet or does he go helmetless at all times to inspire his troops?

Hmmm i can't decide.


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Barrington wrote:I have decided to put the helmet on the belts round the back inbetween the arm and backpack.

Next i am wondering wether to do the same thing with the sergeant?

He has the knarled battle damaged head which seems to be half cybernetic, Terminator (the film) style.
Question is does a bad ass sergeant feel the need to carry a helmet or does he go helmetless at all times to inspire his troops?

Hmmm i can't decide.

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Nephilem wrote:

starsdawn wrote:Another idea: put the helmet on the base, like he dropped it or something.

I've done something similar to this for a model I call Brother A'om. Although, he's dropped it because it's damaged, and now he's none too pleased about that. Can see him here, he's the power fist wielding fella.

Good idea for my Sergeant

I agree with zombiejesus the helmet would likely go under the arm. That's where I carry mine too, it seems awkward until you realize that in armor you kind of keep your arms splayed out a little to keep the underarm area from rubbing. If it's under the arm that holds the weapon even better. There's no need to squeeze the arm into the body on the firing hand.

Hanging on the belt at the hip position looks good to me. When I was serving in the army and we took our kevlars off for a break in the field we'd hang them there by putting the chin strap over the top of our canteen

Has anyone else noticed 40k attracts a very large number of military?

Dynamic models look good, just don't overdo too much of one pose, or style. It looks like you couldn't come up with anything better, so I try and mix it up as much as I can. I'd say have two to three guys holding their helms, and beyond that, don't repeat it in the army.

AustonT wrote:Has anyone else noticed 40k attracts a very large number of military?

Single military guys get a lot of off time and can blow their money on about whatever they want since they are fed and housed. My first brush with GW games was watching an Epic game at Regiments hobby shop just outside of Ft Hood Texas. Everybody who played there was Army.
I play from time to time at my local store now and there are a lot of Chair Force guys from Wright-Patterson AFB

I always assumed that military guys wouldn't be interested in imitating (to a point) with toy soldiers. I didn't realise there was so many military personel into 40k.
I wonder if it is the same for military peeps in the UK?
I'm not sure that it is.

Brotherjulian wrote:

AustonT wrote:Has anyone else noticed 40k attracts a very large number of military?

Single military guys get a lot of off time and can blow their money on about whatever they want since they are fed and housed. My first brush with GW games was watching an Epic game at Regiments hobby shop just outside of Ft Hood Texas. Everybody who played there was Army.
I play from time to time at my local store now and there are a lot of Chair Force guys from Wright-Patterson AFB

That place still in business? Wow! Still across the street from the Home Depot?

Howard A Treesong wrote:Quite a few older Marine figures wear their helmets on their belts.

Well this is exactly what I was about to say...I have some of them and they actually bug me since I find it wierd that a genetically engineered super soldier of the far future doesn't protect himself from a quick bullet from a sniper rifle.

I've thought about putting helmets on ropes or chains from the belt before, kind of like the incense burners you get in some of the GW kits.

Barrington wrote:I always assumed that military guys wouldn't be interested in imitating (to a point) with toy soldiers. I didn't realise there was so many military personel into 40k.
I wonder if it is the same for military peeps in the UK?
I'm not sure that it is.

It is the same everywhere. Why do you think they joined the military in the first place? We are all just compensating for our damaged ego and our general feeling of insecurity by trying to be the hardest, toughest, meanest guy around - or by doing so in our imagination, and sometimes both. It does not really solve the problem, though, because there is always someone harder, tougher and meaner. That does not stop us trying, however. Maybe one keeps on playing with toy soldiers once one is healed, maybe not, I do not know.

wib wrote:I've made a model with the helmet hanging from the belt, they are a little large and it's hard to find a decent place where it doesn't look ungainly but it's possible.

I actually found where the OP mentioned (around the rear, to one side of the backpack) to be the best place as it's out of the way and seems like a logical position, to me at least.

Yep, that's the best place for it and most natural looking. I got the idea from some of those older metal figures with the helmets attached to their belts. I'll get a pic up of mine probably on the weekend, as I still need to find the charger for my camera.


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AustonT wrote:Has anyone else noticed 40k attracts a very large number of military?

Yeah, a lot of these hobbies do. I'm also into 1:6 scale modelling and figures and there is a huge number of military involved in that hobby.


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AustonT wrote:I agree with zombiejesus the helmet would likely go under the arm. That's where I carry mine too, it seems awkward until you realize that in armor you kind of keep your arms splayed out a little to keep the underarm area from rubbing. If it's under the arm that holds the weapon even better. There's no need to squeeze the arm into the body on the firing hand.

This is true, but unfortunately it doesn't work well on Space Marines, due to the nature of the armour, the sculpts and the "heroic" scale.

AustonT wrote:Has anyone else noticed 40k attracts a very large number of military?

heh.... heheheh I have noticed the only thing 40k does not attract in any large quantity are guidos and any type of woman.

40k does attract alot of Military, mainly because we all want a 20mm personal weapon (Bolter) because it would make life that much easier in the field. Aim? No just get the round within a few feet and the explosion will do the rest. Awesomeness..

On the subject of Helms and Helmets, the SM's always lack the Neck seal on the bare head. The Helm should snap down onto their neck ring with a seal and their neck should have the black carapace visible or at least the undersuit ? It seems to be lacking on alot of models.