Inquisitor scale - jumppack vanguards

[Johnno]

Hey folks, thought I'd start a project blog of sorts here, I've been posting on dakkadakka but the response has been lukewarm at best.

I'm working on inquisitor scale (54mm) vanguards, the plan is to make a combat squad of 5 (at least). Scratchbuilt jumppacks and melee weapons, plus reposing and whatnot. Feedback welcome.

Vanguard #1 (edited post for a few more pictures)

http://www.lounge.belloflostsouls.net/photopost/data/717/WiP_Mockup_New.jpg
http://www.lounge.belloflostsouls.net/photopost/data/717/54mm_Vanguard_Front.jpg
http://www.lounge.belloflostsouls.net/photopost/data/717/54mm_Vanguard_Back.jpg
http://www.lounge.belloflostsouls.net/photopost/data/717/54mm_Vanguard_Left.jpg

[Johnno]

Vanguard #2, still WiP

http://www.lounge.belloflostsouls.net/photopost/data/718/medium/new_mockup_front.jpg

http://www.lounge.belloflostsouls.net/photopost/data/718/medium/new_mockup_left.jpg

http://www.lounge.belloflostsouls.net/photopost/data/718/medium/new_mockup_right.jpg

http://www.lounge.belloflostsouls.net/photopost/data/718/medium/new_mockup_back.jpg

[War Painter]

I love the Inquisitor sized models, allows for so much more detail work and painting decisions. That jump pack is coming along just amazingly. Keep it up.

[FireHazard]

Well, I hope you get a much better response here on BoLS because these are superb. I'm looking forward to seeing the completed squad.

[isotope99]

The conversions look fantastic, especially that hammer and angelus bolter.

I think there are a few too many colours on the one you have started painting, I count blue, purple, red, green, white, black and silver all in the armour which feels a bit much.

[SotonShades]

Very very nice! Deffinitely looking forward to seeing the other 3+ guys.

Are you doing these guys for any particular reason, or just because it's awesome?

[Johnno]

Thanks for all the kind comments so far! Shall reply to some of the specifics below.


I think there are a few too many colours on the one you have started painting, I count blue, purple, red, green, white, black and silver all in the armour which feels a bit much.

Oh he's actually finished. The number of different colours isn't really as apparent in reallife, as the parts that are in different colours are small enough. The overpowering majority of the figure is storm blue, and the extra colours are actually necessary to keep it from becoming too dark. Or so I feel anyway. There's also specific reasons for the different colours and I didn't want them all to be too uniform.


Very very nice! Deffinitely looking forward to seeing the other 3+ guys.

Are you doing these guys for any particular reason, or just because it's awesome?

Thanks! I've lately been pondering what weapons to build for them, and it's starting to look like I'll have to build more than just 5 total, as I can't decide what weapons NOT to build. On the list are power maul/storm shield combo, powerfist for the sergeant, twohanded powersword for one and likely a halberd for the last guy.

As for the reason, it's really just because they're awesome. I wanted to build one as a showcase figure (thunderhammer guy), but before he was finished I was already wanting more of them. I've actually managed to score several cheap off ebay, unpainted and unbuilt, so now it's just about putting the time in to get them done.

[Chris*ta]

http://www.lounge.belloflostsouls.net/photopost/data/717/54mm_Vanguard_Front.jpg

Studs on a right shoulderpad? That makes the pedantic old-timer in me sad :(

Good work. I really like the conversion work, especially on the jumppack.

I'd recommend maybe doing another highlight or two on the armour, as it's looking a bit too flat -- it's hard to say for sure, I'm not that used to looking at the big 'uns ;)

Can I also ask about the chapter for this guy? He has Dark Angel and Ravenwing symbols, blue armour, but Blood Angel Angelus bolter and funny jumppack (but without the wings). I'm confused :confused:

[Johnno]

Studs on a right shoulderpad? That makes the pedantic old-timer in me sad

To be honest I've not been into lore enough to know you couldn't have the studded pad on the right, I've been using the ravenwing shoulderpad on the left cause I want the sword pointing forward, then just slap whatever cool pad I can get my hands on onto the right shoulder. This was pointed out to me on Dakka as well, I went through my codex and found at least one drawing of a guy with the studs on his right, so not sure what the deal is, doesn't bother me enough to look more into it tbh, I've never been one for sticking to standard stuff and will rather go for what I prefer lookswise.


Can I also ask about the chapter for this guy? He has Dark Angel and Ravenwing symbols, blue armour, but Blood Angel Angelus bolter and funny jumppack (but without the wings). I'm confused

It's my vanilla chapter I've played for over 10 years, Intrepid Eagles. I started off without any emblems etc back then, but over the years I fell for the DA stuff and use the ravenwing emblem for my own, suits my chapter name and taste.

When the sanguinary guard came out I fell for the coolness of the angelus bolter and just use it as a wristmounted boltpistol for my guys, just for looks. Same reason for the jump pack, except as history has it you can now get it from Forgeworld's Mk IV assault squad pack, so I guess they're just regular Mk IV jump packs.

I really just go for looks on my guys, mixing and matching from different marine kits for whatever look I want for each specific guy.

[Chris*ta]

I went through my codex and found at least one drawing of a guy with the studs on his right, so not sure what the deal is, doesn't bother me enough to look more into it tbh, I've never been one for sticking to standard stuff and will rather go for what I prefer lookswise.

Yeah, fair enough. I saw a guy in WD (I think the Dark Vengeance one) that had studs on the right.

Basically, the first Space Marine minis always had the studs on the left and the smooth pad on the right. There should be an in-universe explanation, but frankly, I've asked Jes Goodwin on this, and there isn't a good answer.

[lobster-overlord]

He's left handed. 'nuff said.

[Chris*ta]

Haven't you heard?

In the grim darkness of the 41st Millennium, there is only righties!

[Cow]

This is very impressive, brilliant mate, keep it up

[Chris*ta]

Vanguard #2, still WiP

http://www.lounge.belloflostsouls.net/photopost/data/718/medium/new_mockup_front.jpg

You know, looking at this guy again. He totally reminds me of playing Space Marine on PS3. Mmm ... Power axe and plasma pistol.

Damn, I'm tempted to go play now :D

[Johnno]

You know, looking at this guy again. He totally reminds me of playing Space Marine on PS3. Mmm ... Power axe and plasma pistol.

Damn, I'm tempted to go play now :D

That's where I got the thunderhammer design from (except I played it on PC).

I still occasionally go back for a bit of hammertime...

[Chris*ta]

That's where I got the thunderhammer design from (except I played it on PC).

I still occasionally go back for a bit of hammertime...

Yeah, I hit that patch around level 27 or so where you don't get anything for about 8 levels, and kind of lost interest. It's still a better experience online than CoD. But anything without the nuke option is a better experience ;)

I never really got the feel of the hammer in multiplayer, I found I was always swinging at empty air :(

And then the guy'd shoot me to death :mad:

[Johnno]

Painting has begun. So far I've mostly finished the helmet (needs a tweak, late night painting). The bionic eye was built with milliput slapped onto the helmet, shaped and then covered in thin plasticard once dry.

Last additions before basecoat (aka bling) were grenades, studs, purity seal, some Black Templar bits canister (or so I think, found it in my bits box) and a pouch.

C&C welcome

http://www.lounge.belloflostsouls.net/photopost/data/718/helmet_painted.jpg

[Johnno]

Here's a few pictures to show my painting progress, been a bit slow but it's getting there. Pistol arm and head are pretty much done, axe needs lightning, axe arm needs tidying, jump pack needs highlights and another run with shadowing, after that I'll start on the body.

http://www.lounge.belloflostsouls.net/photopost/data/718/medium/right.jpg

http://www.lounge.belloflostsouls.net/photopost/data/718/medium/left.jpg

http://www.lounge.belloflostsouls.net/photopost/data/718/medium/rear.jpg

[Johnno]

And he's finished! Feedback welcome, as always.

http://www.lounge.belloflostsouls.net/photopost/data/720/Front2.jpg

http://www.lounge.belloflostsouls.net/photopost/data/720/Left1.jpg

http://www.lounge.belloflostsouls.net/photopost/data/720/Right1.jpg

http://www.lounge.belloflostsouls.net/photopost/data/720/Back2.jpg

[Johnno]

Here's a quick snap for size comparison.

http://www.lounge.belloflostsouls.net/photopost/data/720/Size.jpg

[Chris*ta]

Here's a quick snap for size comparison.

http://www.lounge.belloflostsouls.net/photopost/data/720/Size.jpg

Ha! It's so easy to forget how big they are without the comparison shot.

I'd say a lot of the armour panels could do with another highlight, they look a little flat IMO. Could just be I'm used to looking at the smaller guys though.

I really like the lightning effect on the axe blade, very understated (in a good way) compared to some of the effects that GW has been putting on its models lately (e.g. Grey Knights). I may have to steal it some time ;)

How'd you go about it?

[Johnno]

I'd say a lot of the armour panels could do with another highlight, they look a little flat IMO. Could just be I'm used to looking at the smaller guys though.


Yeah, I'm not comfortable highlight the big guys much, even on my small guys my highlights are mostly quite subtle. I figured it'd be safer to leave them until I've got my confidence/experience up, same for weathering. Going to look into powders and potentially an airbrush at some point down the road.



I really like the lightning effect on the axe blade, very understated (in a good way) compared to some of the effects that GW has been putting on its models lately (e.g. Grey Knights). I may have to steal it some time ;)

How'd you go about it?

I googled around for inspiration, when 40k miniatures didn't give me enough inspiration for a neat pattern I ended up looking at real lightning pictures. I tried to make it as thin as possible, but as I layered up to make it a bit more solid/bright it started getting a bit wide. I started with scab red and lightened it up until I was just layering pure white. Basically I wanted a starting point and the lightning eventually splitting up more and more, connecting at the blade edge. Not until afterwards did I actually stumble onto some good youtube videos, granted for canvaspainting, but still helpful. Turned out okay anyway I figured.

I've started on Vanguard #3 now, thinking powermaul and storm shield, just have to decide what shield design I want, leaning toward something similar to the boarding assault shields from Forgeworld.

[Chris*ta]

Yeah, I'm not comfortable highlight the big guys much, even on my small guys my highlights are mostly quite subtle. I figured it'd be safer to leave them until I've got my confidence/experience up, same for weathering. Going to look into powders and potentially an airbrush at some point down the road.

Yeah, you can always come back to them when you feel more confident. And get your practise in on the little guys, cos I imagine you're less scared about ruining them and having to repaint ;)


I've started on Vanguard #3 now, thinking powermaul and storm shield, just have to decide what shield design I want, leaning toward something similar to the boarding assault shields from Forgeworld.

I'd certainly say something big and largely rectangular (or at least taller than wide). I have a feeling on a pose that would look good (at least in my head). Hard to describe ... sort of crouching deep, elbows in close, but lower arms kind of open. Sort of a "come and get me" feeling. Feel free to use or ignore as you wish.

[Denied]

That is truly impressive sir. I am liking it a lot so far.

[KrewL RaiN]

That is some devoted work! They must be quite heavy too. Make sure they dont shelf dive :<!

Looking forward to seeing the group done!

[Johnno]

Yeah, you can always come back to them when you feel more confident. And get your practise in on the little guys, cos I imagine you're less scared about ruining them and having to repaint ;)

Not only am I planning on practicing on my lil' guys, but I'm often recruited to paint my brother's things (I only agree so that we'll eventually be able to play), so I test techniques on his things... not like he'll ever know, plus it's miles beyond anything he can normally accomplish so he's awestruck no matter how crummily my attempts turn out. Sneaky I know, so shhhhh... ;)



I'd certainly say something big and largely rectangular (or at least taller than wide). I have a feeling on a pose that would look good (at least in my head). Hard to describe ... sort of crouching deep, elbows in close, but lower arms kind of open. Sort of a "come and get me" feeling. Feel free to use or ignore as you wish.

As my latest guy was walking a bit idle, I wanted this next guy to be more in the thick of it, so I'm planning on having him running, with the shield up close in front of him, with the powermaul arm trailing making ready for a strike.
Shieldwise yeah I'm thinking large and rectangular, sort of like "modern day" riot/ballistic shields. A viewport gap is under consideration, alternatively the "far" top corner being cut off for easier peeking access.

When you say "come and get me", it makes me think of one of my 28mm vanguards... and yes, I'd love to make a 54mm version.... are you thinking anything like this?

http://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2012/7/27/395129_md-Vanguard.jpg

[Johnno]

That is truly impressive sir. I am liking it a lot so far.

Thank you kindly! Stay tuned for the next 3+ vanguards... although it'll take a while.


That is some devoted work! They must be quite heavy too. Make sure they dont shelf dive :<!

Looking forward to seeing the group done!

Again, thank you ever so kindly. They're heavy, but now that I actually think about it, pretty much any direction they fall, plastic will be taking the impact, so shouldn't be too bad. They're standing safely in a glass cabinet on my desk, pretty on the eyes with an ever so slight turn away from my computer monitors, yet safely tucked away so they shouldn't get dusty nor hit by anything/anyone moving around.

As for group, I'll likely end up obsessed with these guys, so wouldn't be surprised if I end up with a full unit of 10, with a 5man command squad, enabled by Captain Courbray. Would give me an excuse to do an apotechary.... dang, now my mind's racing with design ideas....

[Master of Asgard]

Really great work here, those big marines look amazing! Will you be using them for Inquisitor games or are they just for fun?

By the way, the latest guy looks like he's quite stubborn- he's already lost half his arm to plasma overheat and still insists on using a plasma pistol!

[Meph]

Dude! These are some amazing builds... great, great job.

[Johnno]

Really great work here, those big marines look amazing! Will you be using them for Inquisitor games or are they just for fun?

By the way, the latest guy looks like he's quite stubborn- he's already lost half his arm to plasma overheat and still insists on using a plasma pistol!

Thanks for the comments, I've actually never played Inquisitor, but from what I hear I doubt anyone would let me field a vanguard, even less several of them at once! I really just build these for fun, wanted a proper showpiece and decided to try Inquisitor scale, fell in love with it and decided to continue.

I've actually had someone else comment on the bionic arm / plasma overheat before, and to be quite honest, I didn't even plan it that way, it was mainly because the right arm needed more extensive work to change the pose from the original that I just figured might as well scratchbuild.

But seeing as that's where the mind goes for sure, I'm thinking the guy just figures bionics are replacable anyway, and plasma pistols are rare enough that he wants to hold on to his.



Dude! These are some amazing builds... great, great job.

Thanks! Vanguard #3 will have a running pose close to the original, but he's getting extensive work on his torso and weapons, so should look unique enough. I'll post WiP pictures once I start getting a bit more progress, right now everything is still in bits so doesn't look like much.

[Chris*ta]

As my latest guy was walking a bit idle, I wanted this next guy to be more in the thick of it, so I'm planning on having him running, with the shield up close in front of him, with the powermaul arm trailing making ready for a strike.
Shieldwise yeah I'm thinking large and rectangular, sort of like "modern day" riot/ballistic shields. A viewport gap is under consideration, alternatively the "far" top corner being cut off for easier peeking access.

When you say "come and get me", it makes me think of one of my 28mm vanguards... and yes, I'd love to make a 54mm version.... are you thinking anything like this?

http://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2012/7/27/395129_md-Vanguard.jpg

Certainly those arms are come and get me, or think the LC marine in the Space Hulk box, but I was picturing legs positioned similarly to the marine with heavy bolter in Space Marine, when he goes into the braced stance.

And I'm a fan of marines that are a posed a little bit like they're wandering casually around the battlefield, makes them look badass in a "I don't even need to pay attention" kind of way :D

[Johnno]

Thought I'd show off what progress I've made on vanguard #3 so far. It's all still very WiP but some feedback would be nice.

First off, torso. Doesn't look like much, but I thought I'd show where I plan to go with it. I haven't decided on a cable configuration or anything, but I'm going for the extra armour plate reaching down over his stomach and just below the belt.

http://www.lounge.belloflostsouls.net/photopost/data/721/medium/torso.jpg


I've reposed the legs ever so slightly, the foot he's supporting himself on as well has been adjusted so that he stands slightly more upright. The back of the legs with the cables and whatnot was filed down and filled with GS, and I've added studs to the back of the legs, as I do with my 28mm guys. There's no studs on the frontside, except two small ones on one of the kneepads. Legs are pretty much done except for whatever equipment or bling I decide on later.

http://www.lounge.belloflostsouls.net/photopost/data/721/medium/legs.jpg


And finally, powermaul. This is where I could use some extra input/ideas/opinions, I've been debating back and forth about how much I want on the striking blades/front of the maul. I've considered wires + nodes as on normal power weapons, I've considered the rings off the "original", thin plates bolted onto the cylindrical bit or just leaving the front as it is now. My idea for wiring+nodes would be two per blade, one on each side but offset lengthwise, so that one would be in front, the other in the rear. Thoughts?

http://www.lounge.belloflostsouls.net/photopost/data/721/medium/powermaul.jpg

[KrewL RaiN]

I am unsure what to say for power mace advice. It looks ace as it is. Sometimes when I am stuck on a design issue, I tend to let the ideas simmer for a while. Eventually one idea will scream in your skull and that's the answer hehe.

[Rev. Tiberius Jackhammer]

Wow, you scaled these up nicely - if I saw them without a size comparison pic it'd be a while before I realized what was different about them. Ever tried using them in an apocalypse game as monstrous creature space marines? :P

Adding some spin of the typical wiring/nodes to the maul could look pretty cool, would take advantage of the scale.

[Chris*ta]

For the power maul, how about some narrow cut-out sections near to the shaft? I have this recollection some of the ones in the Chaos Terminator set, have such cutouts.

If not, you could go for some small cutouts nearer the middle of each flange. Crosses or circles maybe?

[Johnno]

I've just about finished the powermaul, I've still mulling over if it needs more, quite satisfied with it as is, so it's laying on the side for now getting a glance once in a while to see if any ideas spring to mind.

http://www.lounge.belloflostsouls.net/photopost/data/721/medium/powermaul1.jpg


Working on the torso right now, going to slap on some putty and then cover it with plasticard for armor plating in the front.

http://www.lounge.belloflostsouls.net/photopost/data/721/medium/torsowip.jpg

[Johnno]

I've made quite a bit of progress on the chestpiece, still needs final touchups (lower part is still unpolished), I'm pondering if I want a emblem in the middle, there'll be studs at least though. It's still loose, only stuck it on with bluetac for pictures.

http://www.lounge.belloflostsouls.net/photopost/data/721/torsowip2.jpg

[Meph]

Looks good man, lovin' it!

[Johnno]

Gotten a bit more done:


Torso is just about finished..

http://www.lounge.belloflostsouls.net/photopost/data/721/torsowip3.jpg


Started on the shield.

http://www.lounge.belloflostsouls.net/photopost/data/721/medium/wipmockup3.jpg


And a mockup picture to show the general pose idea.

http://www.lounge.belloflostsouls.net/photopost/data/721/medium/wipmockup2.jpg

[Meph]

Looking good, although the shield feels a bit flimsy. Thicker would be better.

Also, here's some cool inspiration for detailing:
http://www.blacklibrary.com/horus-heresy/shadows-of-treachery-poster.html

[Johnno]

Looking good, although the shield feels a bit flimsy. Thicker would be better.

Also, here's some cool inspiration for detailing:
http://www.blacklibrary.com/horus-heresy/shadows-of-treachery-poster.html

I think the pictures are making the shield look thinner than it really is, I'm going to see about thickening it up though, just worried about crossing the line between too thin and too thick.

As this will be a counts as storm shield I don't want to make it too thick and unwieldy. Looking at the siege shields in your link there you'd think that those would give them a 2+ invo save, rather than just an armor reroll.. *chuckle*

[BigGrim]

My word! These are glorious!

[The Madman]

Have to say this inspired me to buy one myself to create a 54mm chaos chosen aspiring champion. it may grow to five but for now i will stick with the one.

Edit: i did not realise they stopped producing the helmets. so i'll need to find a solution for that. and i just checked on ebay and there a two single head auctions asking for 20£-30£ starting bid.

[Johnno]

Hey folks, I know updates have been a bit slow (ie nonexistant), I've been busy with other stuff. What little progress I've made on the latest vanguard is tiny bits here and there. The only real visible progress is the shield.

http://www.lounge.belloflostsouls.net/photopost/data/721/medium/shieldwip.jpg

Not visible is the thickness, which I've beefed up ever so slightly with an additional .25mm piece of plasticard.

As if I didn't have enough on my plate, my brother has been hinting for ages at wanting a display piece, so I'm working on an artemis figure for him as a christmas present, will be a ultramarine champion/honorguard of sorts. I decided to try my hand at scratchbuilding a helmet for him, depending on how well it turns out I may cast copies in resin or just take the experience and make a better one later. Perhaps something to consider The Madman, rather than shelling out £20 per helmet? ;)

Keep in mind this is still very WIP.

http://www.lounge.belloflostsouls.net/photopost/data/721/helmetwip.jpg

[Wolfy]

Loving your attention to detail! Keep up the good work.

[Chris*ta]

Wow! That helmet looks great!

I think maybe the faceplate should be slightly longer, but maybe that's because of the top-down photo.

[Johnno]

Thanks for your kind words and encouragement Wolfy.


Wow! That helmet looks great!

I think maybe the faceplate should be slightly longer, but maybe that's because of the top-down photo.

Yeah, it's a bit of both plus it's hard to tell from the picture because of lighting and colours. Comparing it to the 28mm version it should be a teeny tiny bit longer, however the 'original' inquisitor scale helmet is a bit more realistic and not as long as the 28mm scale one. Compared to the regular inquisitor helmet it's pretty well in scale, but I'm sure you can appreciate the difficulty of trying to mimic something perfectly when scratchbuilding. ;)

I'll try to get a comparison shot up a bit later today.

[Johnno]

Gotten a tiny bit more done on the helmet, here's some comparison pictures as promised.

http://www.lounge.belloflostsouls.net/photopost/data/721/helmets.jpg


http://www.lounge.belloflostsouls.net/photopost/data/721/helmetcomparison.jpg

[Johnno]

Been working on the Ultramarine 'artemis' I'm making as a present for my brother, thought I'd show off the progress (and post in this thread as they're somewhat related, rather than making a whole new thread).

It's still very much WiP, got a bunch to do, including finish off the helmet (with a shoebrush thingie ofc), leather 'loincloth' (one of those with several different long vertical pieces), belt/waist, bit more bling, grenades, etc.

Enjoy, C&C welcome.

http://www.lounge.belloflostsouls.net/photopost/data/724/Pose.jpg


http://www.lounge.belloflostsouls.net/photopost/data/724/Left2.jpg

[FxM]

I gotta say these builds are Great!

Going to pull up a chair and watch these to the end :)
In regards to the Helms, i too have had issues in requiring them, and the odd 1 that does turn up on ebay is usually past my budget.

The Champion style helm is awesome, Keep it up :)

Phill,

[Johnno]

Slight update WiP pics, haven't gotten much done but enough to show off I figured. Stomach/Belt is sorted, grenades and pouches will come later, also working on how to attach the sword scabbard to the belt. Both shoulderpads have gotten some studs, right one has gotten an emblem as well. Boltgun has gotten a boxmag and new shoulderstrap, the first version had a close encounter with a lighter when I tried to shape it. Also removed the cable bundle from his right arm, felt that it looked odd having both that and the shoulderstrap from the boltgun.

http://www.lounge.belloflostsouls.net/photopost/data/724/Front_WiP_2.jpg


http://www.lounge.belloflostsouls.net/photopost/data/724/Right_WiP_2.jpg