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I've never really been a fan of the " faces " that are seen on Venerable Dreadnoughts, and unfortunately there's a kit that I like that Forgeworld makes that uses this, I'm really fond of the overall design of the model but I'm just not too crazy about the face/helmet/thing.

The Ultramarines Venerable Dreadnought:



What I'm wondering is if anyone here has ever tried or succeeded with covering or removing the open face sarcophagi on any sort of Venerable Dreadnought kit, and replacing it with a regular one. I'm afraid to just try it myself since I don't want to butcher a $50 model. I imagine some extreme care with a hobby saw and knife could create a flat enough surface so that you can just replace the current set up with a regular Dreadnought faceplate, but I'm posting this because I'm wanting to hear your thoughts and suggestions. I also like the part that rests below the face ( with the Ultramarine's symbol in it ) and it would be nice to preserve that and try to build an enclosed sarcophagus on the upper half, but I feel like if I wanted to properly replace his face I would just have to clear all that away.

In the end if there's no real way to remove it without making it look like a mess, then it's no biggy. As far as Dreadnought faces go, I don't mind this one that much ( better than GW's imo ) but I'd still prefer it if he could have a normal faceplate.

As I type all of this up I'm beginning to wonder what the unbuilt kit looks like. I can't seem to find any images of it, but maybe the way it's built gives you the option to cover it up similar to GW's plastic kit, but I doubt it since FW kits like these don't really seem to give you much variety when building the models.

I take it, you're looking for something along the lines of this:



It's the sarcophagus faceplate off GW's plastic Venerable Dreadnought. Now, obviously, tacking this directly on would look... hideous I expect, however, I'm sure a similar alternative would be the way forward. I'd suggest that the best way for you to go, would be to create a sort of 'arched' section similar in shape to the arch behind the dread's head, and extending down to the main sarcophagus. I'm thinking of something in a likeness of the shape and feel of the Sallet style Medieval helmet:



Ok, this is the part where I had a long explanation laid out, to describe my concept - but I plumped for an example courtesy of MS Paint:



Of course,this is just a kinda off-hand design - I'm sure if you went with it, it would look much more... refined, shall we say? Hope this helps point you in the right direction, even if it's an indication of what NOT to do

That's a pretty good idea. Similar to what I was imagining, but I have no idea how I would go about doing it or finding a piece that would fit the job to serve as a decent cover that not only looks good but also fits the model fairly well, both in shape and style. I'm not much of a sculptor either, so that's out of the question.

I'm probably just going to have to end up leaving it be since I'm not really seeing many options. Thanks for the tip anyway.

Jam it full of blue molding putty, shape that close to what you want, rip that out and cast it with more blue stuff, greenstuff that mold, and then you can just tinker and file to your heart's content with damaging anything. When you are happy just glue it in.

E: I realise you arent a sculptor, neither am I, but if you go with that great looking medieval design, it is effectively flat and should be easy. It is also risk free to try

I like KB's idea.

Sculpting is not that hard, just take your time and do things in layers. It could be a great place to start your sculpting. With KB's idea you won't be in danger of damaging the model.