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Hmelrose wrote:Briancj, thanks for commenting on my page as it led me to the links in your gallery and your P&M blog, your work with plasticard is awesome and inspiring. The Chimera's may be a possibility, I've put a lot of work into recovering them and will have to think on it. I too buy vehicles off of ebay to save money and to have something I can craft up into something unique. The extended Russ you have is awesome.

Thanks for the kind words!

I made the offer because I didn't want you to feel 'stuck' with the Chimeras, if the paint stripping doesn't work out for you.

How do you feel the Perry Miniatures horses stack up? Are they about the right size? I need about 20 Horses for my Pretorian Rough Riders...

--B.

Briancj wrote:

Hmelrose wrote:Briancj, thanks for commenting on my page as it led me to the links in your gallery and your P&M blog, your work with plasticard is awesome and inspiring. The Chimera's may be a possibility, I've put a lot of work into recovering them and will have to think on it. I too buy vehicles off of ebay to save money and to have something I can craft up into something unique. The extended Russ you have is awesome.

Thanks for the kind words!

I made the offer because I didn't want you to feel 'stuck' with the Chimeras, if the paint stripping doesn't work out for you.

How do you feel the Perry Miniatures horses stack up? Are they about the right size? I need about 20 Horses for my Pretorian Rough Riders...

--B.

Thank you, I really appreciate that! I'm going to plug away at the chimeras a little bit further and make a decision in about a week. I can send you a screen shot of what I paid for them and we could go further from there. I'd still need to locate four more at minimum to add to my force, whether it be ebay or game store.

The Perry miniatures are 28mm vs GW's 30mm-ish models, They're close enough that I don't see a problem with using them. Of course, the only GW horse I have to compare them to/with is the High Elf Silver regiment horse/mount.


Now on to the conversions!

I wanted a standard for my Rough Riders and liked the look of the Catachan flag from the Catachan command sprue, but I needed it on a Mordian Style arm. The officer arms from the Cadian Command sprue have the correct sleeve type, though the wrong shoulder


You can see where I've made the cuts with an xacto knife and then used a pin vise to drill out a portion of the hand and arm so I can pin it with a bit of clipped paper clip to add stability to the join.






I wanted to give the Rough Riders more weapon options and so I've attached to this guy a Catachan 'long knife' from the Command sprue. I drilled a hole in the hip and through the sword so I could pin it to the model.






I'm mounting a lasgun to 10 of the models and a plasma or melta gun to two of the models so that I can have a WYSIWYG style of force with the optional weapons for Rough Riders. You can see I've done a similar drill/pin job here. Its simple and creates a strong join/bond for the two pieces.


I think they're coming along nicely and I might try to run two units of 7 in a 200pt Kill team tournament at my local GW store, they'll probably die fast, but will look good on the table doing so!

Those rough riders look great. Great little conversion on the banner bearer.

Flying Pooo wrote:Those rough riders look great. Great little conversion on the banner bearer.

Thank you!

Now, I need to come up with a Kill Team list for these guys:


Something to shoot for getting some models completed.

I love the conversion, but if I can nitpick a moment, the ONE Cadian shoulder pad in the entire unit kinda throws it off. Mayhaps a tank commander arm or an officer arm would have been better?

I know, I'll shut up now.

Also, that 'kill team' event looks sweet. Dunno if they can drag it out for a full year.

--B.

Briancj wrote:I love the conversion, but if I can nitpick a moment, the ONE Cadian shoulder pad in the entire unit kinda throws it off. Mayhaps a tank commander arm or an officer arm would have been better?

I know, I'll shut up now.

Also, that 'kill team' event looks sweet. Dunno if they can drag it out for a full year.

--B.

Thank you. I know I know, I was trying to get the conversion done. At the time I didn't have another option for the arm. I could have trimmed off the Cadian shoulder pad and then tried to green stuff a Mordian Shoulder board. I've been trying to gather bits and bits, my only real options are to purchase new kits to get bits/weapons and other items I need for conversions. I'm hunting up plasma rifles like a madman, but they're very popular with players around here.

I'm trying to figure out a kill team list with either the Mordian IG force I'm building or with the Space Wolves Battleforce box I picked up for bits on a whim. I've thought about using the rough riders in two squad force of 7 models each, i.e. 1 Sergeant + 4 Regular lance/lasgun + 2 additional w/ special weapons (lance/plasma or Lance/meltagun).

Not sure how effective they'd be, but I think I could take the conversion/paint categories.

basing in progress, used Gorilla Glue and a mixture of gravel, sand, sawdust and other particulate matter.



After checking on this later in the day, the basing material seems to have sunk below the gorilla glue used on the bases, so instead of a gravelly base, I've got this raised glue smooth slighty gritty bases. I've thought about carving it off and starting over using basic super glue and the basing to see if that comes out better.

I've located a retailer in Houston that carries plasticard and am excited about that, both Fat Ogre in the Woodlands and Larry's Hobbies on FM 1960 near I-45 carry plasticard, though larry's has a bigger selection as it is more of a train/plane & RC car shop. There is another store in Spring, TX simply labeled 'Trains' on the outside that I haven't been to yet, but I have hopes for the hobby tools available there.

I've been tossing around some ideas in my head for varying up my IG models. I've got the Space Wolves battle force box, two boxes of the High Elf Silver Helms, a Cadian Battle force box and some Catachan bits. Some of the space wolves heads aren't Space marine size, they're more of a normal IG model size. So I was looking at creating a squad or platoon of Fenris IG conscript/veteran models with Cadian Legs, the Torso armor from the High Elf Silver helms, arms from the Catachans and the head from the space wolves. These guys would then need some more wolf iconography and some greenstuff fur. Its an idea I've been tossing around in my head as well as using a similar body combination with the Perry Miniatures French army heads to create a Roman style of IG. I could even use the High elf helmeted heads for a conehead squad. Heh.

I love converting models and finding new and creative ways to build them.

that new idea of yours i find really intriguing... i would love to see the described fenris IG...would be nice to see a test model of yours for this...

For Fenris IG I'd probably just use Vikings there are several manuufacturers who do them in Plastic. Have to admit High Elf Lances on IG caused me to smile I used one as a banner in my Catachan army way back when.

Those bases look really nice. That's a nice texture you were able to create there.

Viktor von Domm wrote:that new idea of yours i find really intriguing... i would love to see the described fenris IG...would be nice to see a test model of yours for this...

Thank you, I will work on a test model and see how it comes out, it may take me a few days to complete as I've got a few things going right now. I can picture it in my head, but actually making a working model will be different.

Llamahead wrote:For Fenris IG I'd probably just use Vikings there are several manuufacturers who do them in Plastic. Have to admit High Elf Lances on IG caused me to smile I used one as a banner in my Catachan army way back when.

Yes, I can see that Viking models would work, but I don't think they'd have the wolf iconography that the Space wolves will give them. The High Elf lances were not part of my suggestion, someone else suggested them to me and after looking through the available GW options, those were the cleanest and most accurate with what I was trying to produce. I'm glad you like them.

Flying Pooo wrote:Those bases look really nice. That's a nice texture you were able to create there.

I am happy with the particulate I had before for basing, yet I tried to stretch it out by adding ash/dust/grit from my BBQ pit, I think this has decreased the 'grit' and weight of the basing, so while at first it looks good, when used in combination with the Gorilla Glue, it sinks below the glue and thus is a smooth'd top basing with a little grit from what sticks above the glue. I don't like that. I'll take a picture some time tomorrow and see how it has ended with more than 12 hours of drying time.

can picture it in my head, but actually making a working model will be different.

hah! who doesn´t face realism on that battlefield...yep...totally with you there!

Viktor von Domm wrote:

can picture it in my head, but actually making a working model will be different.

hah! who doesn´t face realism on that battlefield...yep...totally with you there!

Indeed! I've got so many ideas in my head, that I'd want my first test mini on this to be awesome, but making it so will be a challenge. I know the first part of that will be the High Elf chest torso, it is a hollow bowl on the bottom rather than a flat surface similar to a 40K catachan or cadian torso, so I might wind up using the cadian torso since I have so many of them, but then it will look like a Cadian/Catachan mixed model with a space wolf head and maybe some more space wolf bits.

Here are some pics I took tonight of the Gorilla Glue + basing mix I had previously posted about, you can see how the glue seems to rise up above the particulate grit basing, I'm not sure if this is an expansion aspect of the glue or if the basing was too light to cause it to sink. I'm leaning towards an expansion of the gorilla glue. I'm not sure if trying to dilute it or spread it around thinner on the model would help.

if i make a suggestion... GS the bottom of the chest of the elven and not use any cadian or catachan parts... the cross between those two is all to often seen around here... heck i just work with a squad of those myself for some highlanders too...

but that is just my 2 cents...^^

Viktor von Domm wrote:if i make a suggestion... GS the bottom of the chest of the elven and not use any cadian or catachan parts... the cross between those two is all to often seen around here... heck i just work with a squad of those myself for some highlanders too...

but that is just my 2 cents...^^

I feel the same exact way! Everyone wants something new and unique when it comes to IG models. There are currently only three options: Cadian, Catachan or Cadachan/Catian. If you want something that looks different you're going to have to get creative or try to purchase a lot of the older models via ebay/swap shop/or GW's collector series.

The Space Marines have a larger diversity of forces and yes, I can see the draw of massive power armored marines, but some players enjoy fielding our massive gun line blobs of starship troopers and vehicles. Thousands of worlds in the Imperium, give me some diversity!

So we will convert, rebuild and create newer human type models in the hopes that we'll be allowed to play them.

I was looking at the space marine scout legs with the high elf silver helm torso, but I've only got 5 of those with the battle force. The high elf chest/torso is what I really want to use with the space wolf heads or the perry miniatures heads, its just a slightly different armored chest piece that is unique. I was thinking I'd need to locate some axes and other bits, so I'm looking for Viking kits as well as barbarian kits, I don't want to get too far away from GW bits so it will most likely be chain swords and lasgun/etc arms from catachan bits with some GS in there for bracers & fur effects.

Lots to do!

I think you may need to thin your paints a little, chap.

Eiríkr wrote:I think you may need to thin your paints a little, chap.

Thank you, do you have a specific painted model/image in mind? I haven't tried to thin my paint before using it, I generally wet the brush and then paint it on thick. I'm brutal on brushes like that, but I think I get the job done faster.

If you have tips/tricks or techniques to share I'm always on the lookout to improve and develop mine.

I'm still progressing with the Mordian Iron Guard conversions and working to complete that force. This is a Fenris IG Concept, I came up with an idea to use some heads from the space wolves sprues with high elf chests or cadian/catachan chests to create a unit of Imperial Guard from the Space Wolves home world of Fenris. I'm looking for axes and planning to green stuff some fur on these guys as well as trim down the symbols from the high elf armor.

Though after looking at the High Elf armor torsos, they look like they'd be better served on a 'female' IG model as opposed to a large burly viking/norse type of male IG model.

The fluff would be that during the high heat of the summer an IG force was traveling near Fenris and rather than loose potential conscripts/troops they swooped in and saved a Fenris longship crew from a fiery molten death and have since thrown them into battle for the Empire.

Thoughts?

i think the bits look very good even now... the heads i am a bit split about... the pony tail i think could work...maybe heat it slightly and then bend it to be rather like hanging then standing upright... the iro hairdo of the other two ones i think is a bit too much...but that is just my taste here... if you go for a more viking look i would rather use bald or really hairy heads...

fluffy bit is also quite good!

Viktor von Domm wrote:i think the bits look very good even now... the heads i am a bit split about... the pony tail i think could work...maybe heat it slightly and then bend it to be rather like hanging then standing upright... the iro hairdo of the other two ones i think is a bit too much...but that is just my taste here... if you go for a more viking look i would rather use bald or really hairy heads...

fluffy bit is also quite good!

Viktor, you always have such great advice and comments, I really appreciate it. What do you mean by iro hairdo? For fluff wise, I was thinking of going with a lost vikings/crazy loaded/equipped out berserker IG Veteran squad.

Here's a few of the concept models for a possible Fenris IG squad/force, there are a few more in the gallery I've set up for these guys.
http://www.dakkadakka.com/gallery/images-50179-21946_Fenris%20Ig%20Concept.html

I utilized primarily Space Wolf Heads, Catachan torso & arms and Space marine scout legs, Also the bits were scavenged from our local GW store's unofficial bitz bin, I grab a lot of fantasy dwarf bits and a few others as their axes and shields I thought could fit the theme.

I'm still debating Green stuff'n some fur on the models, reading around dakka to see if I can find a good tutorial or at least some hints to point me in the right direction.






Rulf the Blind

i didn´t remember the right word for the hairdo... no i know... i menat mohawk...


and this guy is the only one i think looks actually good with that hairdo...


but your current work looks very good and sound to me!!! i would maybe just trim the hair of the last portrayed guy a bit... and then you have a very cool force with you...


the only force i know to be using fur on imperial minis is the vostroyans... and if you look into

ezekiels thread here
http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/406890.page

and rawsons thread here

http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/370649.page

you will see a great step by step or maybe a good how to on making fur... even a GS noob like me thinks it is quite easy to be achieved...




removed ^^

also a big thank your for that heavy compliment^^

Is there some SW heads that you can use for those mohawks? I remember seeing some ads on DakkaDakka where there are studios that sell resin heads.

Anyway, keep up the good work sir.

Awesome work, I'm loving the Mordians!

looks awsome man, i can see some empire bits in there and i love it

Viktor, yes please remove those images, they are indeed hideous. lol well, all except Mr.T

leohart wrote:Is there some SW heads that you can use for those mohawks? I remember seeing some ads on DakkaDakka where there are studios that sell resin heads. Anyway, keep up the good work sir.

Thank you for the compliment, Leohart, yes those are almost all space wolf heads from the battle force box, I'm not sure if they exist on the other SW sprues, but I'm sure they do. There are other companies that sell heads for all types of GW models, the amount that is out there is awesome for customization and conversion.

James23105 wrote:Awesome work, I'm loving the Mordians!

Thanks James! I need to get back to work on them and stop creating more work with all these conversions.

Rogue Wolves wrote:looks awsome man, i can see some empire bits in there and i love it

Oh yeah, there are bits from all over on those Fenris IG guys, Empire, Dwarf, High Elf, Cadian, Catachan, Space Wolf, Space Marine etc.. its been fun bashing these bits together to create something unique to put on the table.

I've picked up some alternate tanks again to try some kit bashing with the chimera treads, some plasticard. The chimeras have been sitting in the simple green solution for a couple of weeks now, hopefully they're still good to go, but they are beat up.

I'm still up in the air about buying new chimeras over trying to rebuild/rework these old ones.

For the Mordian Iron Guard, I need to convert more lasgun to plasma rifle to have those models available. I've also looked at making a couple more sniper rifle conversions, again just to have the models available.

I've got a ton of Cadian and Catachan bits as well to throw some more figures together for force diversity. I will most likely try and pick up at least a squad from each of the other IG forces and paint them up at a later date. I really need to finish up the Mordian Iron Guard.

Waiting on my Battlefoam 1520 XL to arrive, in the mean time this is how my models are traveling. All this sliding around is causing the basing to come off and the primer to chip a bit, luckily I can just touch it up with some Skull White. I've thought about cutting cardboard up to create slots like an egg carton or a bottle case so that the models don't bounce around so much. I've got a lot of family stuff going on right now so my hobby time is limited.



I was able to get in some paint time tonight and at first I was only going to try to work out my assembly line technique on about 5 to 10 models, but I wound up hitting about 29 models before I started to pay attention, I kept getting too much paint out and needed to thin it up with a bit of water which then created more paint to work with. I hit the models with a base coat of Mordian Blue.



I'm beginning to realize I need better lighting and a better camera, I've been using my cel phone for all of my pictures and without a flash or good lighting, then my pics are sucking hard.







I've separated the painted models from the just plain primer'd models both for drying and preventing them from getting chipped. I'm definitely reconsidering the cardboard tray option now that I'm starting to paint multiple models.





If you look closely at the banner in the image, I've painted the skull on the flag Red. I just couldn't help myself and have started thinking of these guys as the "Red Skulls of Mordia" Though this may take some time to sink in and create fluff for. My use of yellow in the color scheme now instead of the standard Red is mentally causing me to pause.


And, lastly I've picked up a couple of cheap tank kits to attempt to help with salvaging the chimera body kits, We shall see if I can utilize the tops of these tanks with the chimera tread bottom and the bottom of these tanks with the chimera top, thus spreading out my 40K vehicle kits.


Thats my latest update! What do you think?

removed the `orrible pics as requested!

the batchpainting looks better than mine^^
i would search for those big eggtrays for at least 24 eggs each... do your stores sell loose eggs too? if that fails i bet the cardboard box idea you described is doable...

the idea of red skulll force sounds quite cool...tho i think if you mainly think of your guys as a marine /navy force...then the archenemy of america..red skull could get tricky... but that guy would make an exellent leader or evn a good commissar! maybe get yourself one mini and make a headswap... i bet there are pics of that idea around...

the tanks look very suitable for your scheme...nice idea to use old WWII american tanks if i see correctly...

Viktor von Domm wrote:removed the `orrible pics as requested!

the batchpainting looks better than mine^^
i would search for those big eggtrays for at least 24 eggs each... do your stores sell loose eggs too? if that fails i bet the cardboard box idea you described is doable...

the idea of red skulll force sounds quite cool...tho i think if you mainly think of your guys as a marine /navy force...then the archenemy of america..red skull could get tricky... but that guy would make an exellent leader or evn a good commissar! maybe get yourself one mini and make a headswap... i bet there are pics of that idea around...

the tanks look very suitable for your scheme...nice idea to use old WWII american tanks if i see correctly...

Thank you for removing those images, they were 'orrible.. Haha

Great Idea for the egg tray/carton! I just finished off cooking a batch of eggs for breakfast right before reading this post, so I rescued the tray from the trash and will be using that once it dries and I can clean it up a bit.

I'm pretty sure my batch painting devolved from careful brushing to just slapping the paint on as the night progressed. But Thank you!

I agree with the difficulty of using a 'Red Skull' theme for the force with the U.S. Army Cavalry colors would be a bit difficult, yet I see a skull and I want it painted red! I've looked up some images on Google and there are some red skull commissar conversions out there.. It is very tempting, I'd have to create a steve rogers/Captain America conversion as well. So dang tempting!!

As for the tanks, I keep looking for interesting ways to convert models for use with my force, I want it to look unique and cool on the battlefield as well as save a few bucks, if anything I can cut them up and use the pieces to add to existing GW models for a new effect. Not every world in the Imperium builds the same.

is skull white priming easier to paint than chaos black ones?

Lone Cat wrote:is skull white priming easier to paint than chaos black ones?

I primed with P3's white primer, I just like how it goes on. The reason for this color choice was mainly due to the fact that I was going to use yellow on the model. For me, its easier to build up to the yellow I want from a white primer base than it is from a black primer base. Yet, I know painters that can do yellow on a black primer'd model.