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Hi,

I'm currently building a tallarn army and have been working on their fluff. I want them to hail from Thoth, where Tallarns battled together with a native tribe called "N'go" against chaos worshippers during the macharius crusade. According to what I have read, the loyal forces on the planet were evacuated before virus bombing it and resettled there. I have not really found any Information on the N'go, but due to the name and the desert theme of the planet, I imagine them to somewhat resemble an african tribe and their general culture, looks and clothing. I think about including some of them in my army, but I'm quite new to the hobby and would like to ask, if someone has a few tips how to achieve this?

I already stumbled about the miniatures of wargames foundry for the game "darkest africa", especially the Massai (which have a really cool tribal look and who I could imagine as proxy for crusaders)
https://www.wargamesfoundry.com/collections/darkest-africa-masai-warriors

The Ruga Ruga (which whith their Turbans are not to far from the tallarn appearance)
https://www.wargamesfoundry.com/collections/darkest-africa-ruga-ruga

and the Pygmies, which I could imagine as proxy for halfling snipers
https://www.wargamesfoundry.com/collections/darkest-africa-african-tribal-warriors/products/da137-pygmy-archers




So here are my questions:
1. has anyone used miniatures from wargamesfoundry and could tell me if they would fit more or less in size with standard IG?
2. since these miniatures are made from metal: has anybody experience with modifying them (for example replacing the hands of the pygmy archers # 1,5,6 and 8 in the picture to hold a sniper rifle or putting power swords in the hands of the Massai warriors)?
3. I read in the wiki that MOST of the Crusaders are recruited from the Schola Progenium. Do I therefore understand it correctly that there would not be a big problem fluff-whise if I included some Massai warriors as crusaders and put some technological looking stuff on their shields to mimic a stormshield? (I don't want to stray to far away from the official background)
4. Could anybody give me a tip on which colors (preferably Citadel) to use to achieve a convincing dark Skin tone?

and finally: 5. Does anybody know of a good alternative to build some minis with a similar aestetic?

Foundry vary quite a bit in size. They're older models, but on the larger side of "historicals" normally. They use so many different sculptors you can't really be 100%. I do think they'll be notably smaller than average Guardsmen (and much thinner).

There are numerous 3rd part resin companies which allow you to custom build IG style models.

Have you considered something more colonial?





Warlord Games might make some suitable WW2 French Republique or Algerian/Congolese soldiers from that era?

Puppetswar does some turbaned heads that are compatible with current GW "human" sized sculpts.

https://puppetswar.eu/models-and-bits-46/fantasy/bits/heads/desert-troopers-heads.html

Could easily go for a Bedouin-like aesthetic with them.

I actually already use these heads (and the desert dweller heads from MaxMini) for my regular Tallarns. Therefore I would like to go a different road with the N'Go.
Thanks for the Idea @ Elbows, I will do a bit of research on the colonial troops of this aera. I would still prefer a more tribal look, but the guys in your picture would definitly fit smoothly in the IG uniform wise

https://madrobotminiatures.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=9_19&products_id=133
https://madrobotminiatures.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=9_19&products_id=134

+

https://puppetswar.eu/models-and-bits-46/sci-fi/mankind/bits/heads/african-heads.html

Mad Robot's guys fit in very well with 40k miniatures, though the heads aren't quite right, hence the addition of the puppetswar bits. You could build upon this by including tribal shields from whichever part of Africa you're feeling inspired by. Zulu shields are the easiest to get a hand on, either the Perrys or Warlord to plastic boxed sets of them (the models are too thin for 40k, but the shields on their own should work).

Alternatively, Wargames Foundry sells shield packs separately.

https://www.wargamesfoundry.com/collections/weapon-and-shield-packs/products/wp041
https://www.wargamesfoundry.com/collections/weapon-and-shield-packs/products/wp039-african-wooden-congo-shields
https://www.wargamesfoundry.com/collections/weapon-and-shield-packs/products/wp037-african-basketwork-azande-shields
https://www.wargamesfoundry.com/collections/weapon-and-shield-packs/products/wp038-african-large-zulu-or-ngoni-shields
https://www.wargamesfoundry.com/collections/weapon-and-shield-packs/products/wp040-african-arched-top-wooden-congo-shields

Wow,

thanks, that really helps a lot, especially the head recommendation and the single shield packs. But I have to say, the tribal legs and bodys of MadRobot are not my style.


I also looked into the range of Victoria miniatures and interestingly I think the Kilt legs and Highland Torsos (if painted very differently, maybe only in different shades of red)
https://victoriaminiatures.com/collections/legs/products/kilt-legs-x5-1
https://victoriaminiatures.com/collections/torsos/products/highland-torsos-x5
don't look to far away from some of the images you can find for Massai:
https://www.alamy.com/stock-photo-a-maasai-warrior-dressed-in-traditional-shuka-and-beads-carrying-his-54036378.html
Especially since on second thought I don't want them to be half naked, just looking really different from the conventional "Cadian Carapace" style

Combined with Victorias Bare rifle arms, Puppetwars Heads and Wargames Foundries Massai Shields and spears for the tribal fluff I think that might work out for me. I will give it a shot and try a small batch and if they work out OK, I do more this way.

So far thanks to this great community, your input was really helpful and valuable!



On the other questions: does anybody have some painting recommendations on dark skin?

Have you looked at Anvil Industries? They have a collossal range of resin guard components. While they have some nice Sikh turban'ed heads I don't think I recall any African themed bits. Worth a look though. They have a "mix and match" build-a-regiment option.

Yes, I already have Anvil on my "watchlist" ;-)
I already use their energy weapons, since I like them more than GW Plasma and Melter Guns. Their bionic parts are also awesome.


Looking around I found something else with a more colonial style (Askaris of different european colonial powers). Even if I don't want to go that road I'll post the links for further reference:
https://askari-minis.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=35
https://askari-minis.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=21_28
https://askari-minis.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=53
https://askari-minis.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=39

In case someone else finds this thread looking for a similar army I have found some other possibly interesting models for a tribal african themed regiment:

Here a potential Ministorum Priest/Missionary/Astropath/Psyker
https://mastercrafted.co.uk/shop/eden-the-game/bamaka-clan/sigujana-clear-spirit/

another potential Psyker/Astropath (but the third arm should be removed if you don't play GSC):
https://mastercrafted.co.uk/shop/eden-the-game/bamaka-clan/dhambizao-madness-weaver/

two potential Ogryn (Bodyguard) Proxy:
https://mastercrafted.co.uk/shop/eden-the-game/bamaka-clan/abama-large-belly/
https://mastercrafted.co.uk/shop/eden-the-game/bamaka-clan/tarar-long-strides/
The second one is 60mm high, which should fit as Ogryn proxy if I'm not mistaken.

The Mahdist Ansar from the Perry brothers is a good value plastic kit with plenty of conversion pieces that might suit your needs.

Here is what I have come up with as first try of a conversion and color scheme. Legs, Bodies and Arms: Victoria Miniatures (Highland Guard/bare arms), shields and spears: Wargames Foundry (Darkest Africa, Massai), Heads: Puppetswar (African Heads). Skin color: Rhinox Hide + Doombull Brown + Tuskor Fur + Nuln Oil Shade. Lips with a hint of Khorne red mixed into Rhinox Hide.

https://www.dakkadakka.com/gallery/1017332-.html?m=2
(how do I put a picture here? I tried with
[img], but it did not work)

Painting them was really fun, but I struggle a bit with flaking paint. And I apologize for my lack of camera skills. Special thanks again to Harbringervx8 for the great tip with the african heads.
So far I'm really satisfied with the result and they look great mixed between my Tallarn Guardsmen so that my army does not look so boring uniform.


Currently I'm working on some "not Ratling snipers" made from Wargames Foundry's Pygmies with Victoriaminiatures sniper rifles. I will post them too, when I'm finished.

Looking pretty good; easiest way to get the pictures in is to copy/paste the entire “forums” link, down in the bottom right hand corner of the gallery page.

Ah, thanks.

So there they are:

Thats a very cool idea - are you just sticking with humans or ogryns as well as they would be cool with their shields?

I'm currently planning to include at least two ogryn bodyguards in my list since I just love the story of Gav an Bob (https://1d4chan.org/wiki/Gav_and_Bob)
Since my regiment hails from Thot and will be a mix of Tallarn Guarsmen and N'Go Warriors, I'm planning on givin one of the Ogryns light skin, a Turban a big Scimitar (counts as Bullgryn Maul) and some arabic looking motiv on his shield while the other will be painted with dark skin, a Khopesh or african club and a shield in this style:
https://www.wargamesfoundry.com/collections/weapon-and-shield-packs/products/wp037-african-basketwork-azande-shields


I'm furthermore looking for a nice conversion idea to get fitting crusaders. What would be great would be something like this:
https://www.zinnfigur.com/en/Round-Figures/Blank-kits/Romeo-Models/Muslim-Warrior.html#&gid=1&pid=1
in 28mm heroic. But I'm also considering kitbashing something together with the Stygian shields (https://maxmini.eu/conversion-bits/melee-weapons-shields/stygian-shields-bits) and khopeshs (https://maxmini.eu/conversion-bits/melee-weapons-shields/khopeshes-melee-weapons-bits). Currently I'm looking for some armored torsos in a fitting scale that match the overall "arabic/tribal african" style of my regiment.

Looking really nice so far!

Next are my "counts as ratling snipers". Chief M'Gele from the reclusive Pygmy forest tribes of Thoth. Accompanied by his sons, the best sharpshooters of the regiment.



The bodies are from Wargames Foundry (Pygmy Archers from the Darkest Africa line), the sniper rifles from Victoria Miniatures.
I know, that is not how you would hold a sniper rifle, but I could not manage better with my conversion skills so far. The painting scheme on the weapons also follows more "rule of coll" than sensible considerations for camouflage. But I wanted to try something new. This is retributor armour with Terradoin Turquoise contrast paint.

Some further stuff I finished:



I can really recommend the "Tribals" box from Frostgrave: Ghost Archipelago http://www.northstarfigures.com/frostgrave-ghost-archipelago-tribals
They have really a great value for their price. 20 pound (~23 €) per box give you 20 bodies, 40 (!) african looking heads and a variety of arms with primitive close combat weapons as well as 8 shields and 20 masks. The bodies themselves are a bit smaller than the usual GW stuff, but it does not really spring in the eye if you make them sit a wee bit higher on their base. The heads on the other hand fit quite nicely on either Victoria Miniatures or GW Imperial Guard bodies (at least in my opinion). But they are definitly to small for Space Marines.

For further reference: I put photos of most of my conversions in this thread:
https://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/777465.page

On another note: here is some size comparison between the different miniature companies I use for my african themed IG regiment:

From left to right:
1. Victoriaminiatures + Puppetswar heads
2. Frostgrave Ghost Archipelago Tribals
3. Games Workshop + Puppetswar heads
4. Copplestone Castings Chiefs and Witchdoctors
5. Cooplestone Castings African Princesses.

Maybe this helps one or the other in choosing fitting alternatives for his IG project.

Just found this thread. That is some very nice work creating a completely different IG regiment. Great theme, greatcolor scheme. Those "counts as" ratlings are really awesome, and the simple little detail of the green line outlining the metal parts of the rifles is first class. I really hope you do go for more variety. Someone gave some Ogrynn ideas and I second the motion. Also, the options for an African themed unit of roughriders seems pretty darn good. Of course it's going to take some real work and searching, but Ostriches, lions, camels, pygmy elephants (is that a thing?) they all jump out at me! I have 5 tiny triceratops mostly converted to riders somewhere (I was for a while really good with GS).

Thanks for sharing, hope to see some more!

Glad you like it.

Regarding the rough riders: I plan on converting them using these:
https://www.blightwheelminiatures.com/error-bird-cavalry-02-1

But currently only 2 of 4 terror bird poses are in stock. I contacted the seller and he was optimistic, that they will bring back the other two poses at the end of the year. I think those will look great with some bodies from the Ghost Archipelago set.

Edit: or these guys here:
https://giveusyourmoneypleasethankyou-wyrd.com/collections/abyssinia/products/bosotho-cavalry
even if they are not really cheap...


Regarding Ogryns I set some hope in the new Ogryn set produced by Mortian:
https://mortian.shop/shop/?v=3a52f3c22ed6
Or if that doesn't turn out the way I want I will try to convert something from the less modern looking Ogryns from the other GW lines.

As for more pictures: I will continue to post pictures in my thread about the Thoth Askaris, but I guess I will stop posting here to not spam everything double. Thanks again for everyones input and manufacturer recommendations, they have been really helpful