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So I've got a huge stash of those crummy Defiant Games USMC minis that I've been using as NPCs or generic Sci-fi grunts for a whole variety of wargames.

I finally decided that, seeing as I have about 40 of these models, I should convert them for 40k use since I could use the manpower and, of course, buying Cadians for that would run me a lot of dough. So I decided to seek out the cheapest bits I could find to outfit these guys into whatever regiment they'd fit the best with. Seeing that I could get about 40 chem backpacks for $20 (Westwind), 40 gasmask heads for around $20 (Pig Iron), and a slew of autoguns/shotguns bits for about $35 (GW), I've set to converting them into a chem-dogs themed regiment!

Here's my first prototype, now that all the parts have arrived!







I'll be doing some gap-filling with greenstuff on his left arm, I think the Defiance Game USMC torsos aren't wide enough to properly line up the left arm on the gun's hand (I absolutely loathe that design choice).

I'm not sure how I feel about the scale of the Pig Iron head on this mini, but the torso vest is purposefully bulky (They don't look any less bulky even with the official Defiance Game heads). I'm hoping to crank out building them in an afternoon since it should be relatively quick.

Let me know what you think!

That looks remarkably good. If you have a bunch together and all painted it should mask any slight disparity in scale between bits.

Thanks man!

You weren't kidding, he looks way better after he's primed





I have a full squad of 10 built, though the weather has turned sour (rain) so I can't prime them quite yet, and they're quite ugly without it so they'll remain to be seen. I may prime the remainder with my Krylon Sand camo spray to save time on the tunics (Right now I'm considering a very Steel Legion-esque color scheme, or possibly colors like the Disciples of Xaphan who I quite like) or Krylon khaki camo spray. I have two test models I'm washing with Agrax Earthshade to see which ends up looking better.

Those turned out great. The head, backpack, arms and gun really shine here. I bet they'd look great on a variety of torsos and legs.

I love the Kyrlon camo line. So flat! If I had to guess, the ligher colour is going to look better with Agrax Earthshade. More contrast from the brightest point to the darkest.

Looks pretty cool !

Looks ace ! Will you do a full army with vehicles etc ?
Where does the backpack come from ?

Thanks all! I hope to get the next batch undercoated and posted up soon.

 godardc wrote:
Looks ace ! Will you do a full army with vehicles etc ?
Where does the backpack come from ?

They are German Rebreather backpacks by Westwind Miniatures < http://www.westwindproductions.co.uk/index.php?route=product/product&path=59_86&product_id=204 >. You get 20 in a single pack, they're quite cheap and very good looking!

Not quite an army but definitely a Battalion detachment: I want to make 4 infantry squads with mortars and throw them two CCs. I might create some alternative Ratlings to accompany them. I plan on creating a Spearhead Detachment of either Basilisk or Leman Russ with a shared theme (My primary candidate for Leman Russ are some very cheap Bronekorpus tanks, so likely the Russ. I want to equip them with Executioner Plasma Cannons which I haven't quite figured out how to do cheaply) as the primary role of these infantry are going to be objective-holders.

Hobby boss do a great 1/50 scale kv2 tank that is a good cheap stand in for a Russ .
And blood and skull industries do chap Russ plasma cannons

Thanks for the tip! $8 for each cannon is quite good, though the entirety of a new Bronekorpus tank with a plasma-cannon-lookalike costs about the same. However I have to wait on a re-stock, so I may take my existing ones and stick the appropriate barrels on.

I was actually eyeballing some 1/48 KV2s. Ideally I'd like to get a WW1 MKI tank and stick a turret on it since it looks the most Russ-like as is. Though the Bronekorpus fit the aesthetic the best overall, especially after I add some barrels and supplies onto the hull and give it a ruddy metal paintjob.

The Bronekorpus tanks have the right footprint, but are really low. You'll likely need to raise the hull up where it mounts to the tracks as well as building up some sort of turret platform.

There's nothing wrong with playing them as is, but they're definitely not the right height for a Russ.

Yeah, I've already remedied that: The tank body has these convenient pegs for sticking the tracks on but in reality, all you really need to do is mount the side tracks just under the body's pegs to get roughly the correct height. There are some great examples online!

As far as this project goes right now I'm plagued by rainy weather and a serious case of being-out-of-town. The weather should be nicer soon I hope, and if worst comes to it I'll post some fugly non-base coat pictures of my other troopers anyways!