Garradh
12-29-2009, 03:46 PM
Hi!
I'm trying to convert a model to use for "counts as" Iron-Hand Straken. I play Mordians and Cadians (modeled and painted as Jakart PzGs, http://brassangel.webs.com/apps/photos/photo?photoid=6371231 http://brassangel.webs.com/apps/photos/photo/next?photoid=6371231 no not my paint work, yes that is the Macharian Cross, sharp eye!)
Since Straken has a 3+ armor save I am looking for a power armored Guard officer, possibly to be a general or colonel, wielding a big two-handed weapon to represent the S6 and lack of bonus attack for pistol/ccw.
Unfortunately there aren't a lot of good human male models in power armor, only really having Toquemada Coteaz or Space Marines, which would have looked too . . . Coteazish or Marineish. I decided to go with a WHFB model in plate, and this guy caught my eye - http://www.games-workshop.com/gws/catalog/productDetail.jsp?catId=cat20002&prodId=prod20031
Clearly the head has to go, as do the twin-tailed comets on his skirt thingy and the prominent "Sigmar" on his left shoulder - even though I could say "oh it's Saint Sigmar the Magnificent or General Sigmar of Yaddaheim" it clearly screams "warhammer model" which I want to avoid.
In order to keep an "Imperial Guard" look to him, I intended to use the capped head from the Cadian plastic command box in lieu of the model's current head. This will take some drilling but the conversion should be rather simple. I don't feel the hammer fits - it calls into mind Thunder Hammers and Daemonhammers. However, I do want to represent a two-hander of some kind. My original thought was to use the axe head from the 3rd Ed Space Wolves sprue to create a two-handed axe, but that doesn't seem very Guard-like either. I'm thinking either a large two-handed sword (hard to pull off considering how long the weapon's handle is spaced between his two hands) or a polearm-style weapon like a naginata - long pole with a sword blade at the end. Any thoughts on how to pull off a decent-looking two-hander?
In keeping with 40K power armor themes, I feel there are two other things missing from the model - a backpack with rebreathers and power unit, and bulkier shoulders. For the backpack I considered a Guard vox-caster to maintain the IG look, with a banner pole or small aquila figure to top it off instead of the vox caster aerials. Rebreather I'm kinda stuck on. Just chopping off a Marine backpack vent and sticking on it seems cheesy - perhaps that on one side of the backpack and a shotgun strapped to the other side?
The shoulderplates on the model don't match the bulkiness of 40K power armor shoulders, IMO. Clearly not in line with Space Marine shoulder plates, but I would like to bulk them out a bit. I think this would add some strength to the look of the model. Any ideas on how I could accomplish this with Imperial Guard flare?
Finally there's a large book where a plasma pistol holster should be. I think this will be an easy enough cut-n-replace, but would that satisfy YOU to say "oh that laspistol-shaped holster is in fact a plasma pistol"? I suppose a Space Marine holstered pistol would fit better - I think I just answered my own question there.
So to wrap up, what to do for a backpack, should I buff up the shoulders, and what to do for the two hander? Advice or suggestions are welcome! Thanks!
I'm trying to convert a model to use for "counts as" Iron-Hand Straken. I play Mordians and Cadians (modeled and painted as Jakart PzGs, http://brassangel.webs.com/apps/photos/photo?photoid=6371231 http://brassangel.webs.com/apps/photos/photo/next?photoid=6371231 no not my paint work, yes that is the Macharian Cross, sharp eye!)
Since Straken has a 3+ armor save I am looking for a power armored Guard officer, possibly to be a general or colonel, wielding a big two-handed weapon to represent the S6 and lack of bonus attack for pistol/ccw.
Unfortunately there aren't a lot of good human male models in power armor, only really having Toquemada Coteaz or Space Marines, which would have looked too . . . Coteazish or Marineish. I decided to go with a WHFB model in plate, and this guy caught my eye - http://www.games-workshop.com/gws/catalog/productDetail.jsp?catId=cat20002&prodId=prod20031
Clearly the head has to go, as do the twin-tailed comets on his skirt thingy and the prominent "Sigmar" on his left shoulder - even though I could say "oh it's Saint Sigmar the Magnificent or General Sigmar of Yaddaheim" it clearly screams "warhammer model" which I want to avoid.
In order to keep an "Imperial Guard" look to him, I intended to use the capped head from the Cadian plastic command box in lieu of the model's current head. This will take some drilling but the conversion should be rather simple. I don't feel the hammer fits - it calls into mind Thunder Hammers and Daemonhammers. However, I do want to represent a two-hander of some kind. My original thought was to use the axe head from the 3rd Ed Space Wolves sprue to create a two-handed axe, but that doesn't seem very Guard-like either. I'm thinking either a large two-handed sword (hard to pull off considering how long the weapon's handle is spaced between his two hands) or a polearm-style weapon like a naginata - long pole with a sword blade at the end. Any thoughts on how to pull off a decent-looking two-hander?
In keeping with 40K power armor themes, I feel there are two other things missing from the model - a backpack with rebreathers and power unit, and bulkier shoulders. For the backpack I considered a Guard vox-caster to maintain the IG look, with a banner pole or small aquila figure to top it off instead of the vox caster aerials. Rebreather I'm kinda stuck on. Just chopping off a Marine backpack vent and sticking on it seems cheesy - perhaps that on one side of the backpack and a shotgun strapped to the other side?
The shoulderplates on the model don't match the bulkiness of 40K power armor shoulders, IMO. Clearly not in line with Space Marine shoulder plates, but I would like to bulk them out a bit. I think this would add some strength to the look of the model. Any ideas on how I could accomplish this with Imperial Guard flare?
Finally there's a large book where a plasma pistol holster should be. I think this will be an easy enough cut-n-replace, but would that satisfy YOU to say "oh that laspistol-shaped holster is in fact a plasma pistol"? I suppose a Space Marine holstered pistol would fit better - I think I just answered my own question there.
So to wrap up, what to do for a backpack, should I buff up the shoulders, and what to do for the two hander? Advice or suggestions are welcome! Thanks!