This week we'll be focusing in on some conversion work! I wish I had the conversion skills of our DuskTillDawn compadre, Darth Murphy but I'll have to make do! We'll cover the final inventory update (that's right, i said FINAL!) and you'll, also, see my first attempt at the pre-heresy color scheme!
The main conversion work is around the Alpha Legion iconography, as seen here:
I'm good at free hand but we're talking about 100+ models, so I needed a quick solution that I could adapt to a production line. I like the chained icon but I found one that will suite my needs a bit better. Take a look at our friend Alpharius' shoulder pad in this rendition of him:
That style of the Greek symbol alpha is one that I can handle! I like it a bit more than the symmetrical version. So how does a lazy painter replicate this a lot of times? Conversions and green stuff may be the answer! Another part of the answer is to forget the chains! (To all those perfectionists out there: Don't hate me.)
Here is where we'll start:
I always loved the GW Dark Angels veteran sprues and now I love them even more!
Snip-snip!
A sword and wings....but does anyone remember the Fonzie from the TV show Happy Days??
...."AAAAAAAAAAAA"!
Speaking of conversion work, I'll show you the first application of the converted alpha "A":
This is the Forge World model of Asterion Moloc of the Minotaurs converted to a termy captain with lightning claws. On his right shoulder is an "A" where a Minotaur skull used to sit. As well, I added a pair of lightning claws.
Here's a Forge World pic of Asterion Moloc as he was intended to be built:
I will be adding the head-dress and cape after prime/base coat.
Here is the Ivanus Enkomi model which comes in the same pack as Asterion Moloc from Forge World; again, this picture is from Forge World and how he was intended to be built/painted:
I wasn't crazy about the lean back pose; the powerfist with Crozius Arcanum just didn't fit the Chaplain I needed either; so Ivanus now looks like this:
You'll see another "A" on his right shoulder where another Minotaur skull sat!
Now as far as my present Alpha Legion acquisition progress goes, here is my final list:
1 FW Armored Proteus Land Raider
1 FW Cerberus Heavy Tank Destroyer (en route)
3 FW Deimos Pattern Rhinos
1 FW Deimos Pattern Vindicator (used the 40k Vindicator bit on the front, as well as the original Vindicator dozer blade; I really like how this came out)
1 Deimos Pattern Command Rhino (used an assortment of modern 40k Rhino parts, a FW Deimos front face and original Deimos doors)
1 FW Deimos Pattern Predator Annihilator (en route)
5 FW Cataphractii Terminators (en route)
5 FW Tartaros Terminators; all with Thunderhammers and shields
5 FW MKII Tactical Marines (en route)
15 FW MKIII Tactical Marines (en route)
10 FW Recon Marines (en route)
30 FW MKIV Maximus Armor Tactical Marines
10 Scouts
1 FW Relic Contemptor with 2 TL assault cannons (See pic below)
1 FW Alpha Legion Dread body (en route and weapons TBD)
2 Dreadnaughts (weapons TBD)
8 MKV Veteran Marines (I acquired plastic MKV backpacks and converted 40k marines to suite; they are all helmetless, using the bald marine heads; luckily in the fluff, Alpha Legion Marines all went so far as to get cosmetic surgery in order to look exactly like Alpharius.....sneaky gits!)
2 FW MKV Maximus Armor Command models
2 FW Praetors (Chapter Masters); 1 termy; 1 MKV power armor
5 FW MKIV Devastators (1 las, 3 missile, 1 plas cannon)
30 FW MKV Maximus Armor Tactical marines
1 Space Hulk Librarian in Terminator armor (I know, I know....may be a little more 40k than 30k but do I look bothered?)
1 Chaplain in Terminator Armor
1 FW MKII Apothecary
1 FW MkIV Apothecary
1 Thunderfire Cannon (will be convertible to Legion Rapier Quad Heavy Bolter)
1 FW Ivanus Enkomi model converted to Chaplain with Crozius Arcanum and plasma pistol
1 FW Asterion Moloc converted to a Captain with dual lightning claws
1 Aegis defense line
1 Quad-gun emplacement
1 Communications relay station
3 Drop pods
3 Space Marine Attack Bikes with FW MKV bodies
3 Scibor Jetbikes with FW MKV bodies (2 en route)
10 Scibor Roman Legionnaire models that will be converted in to Legio Custodes
3 Landspeeders
Until the new Space Marine codex drops in August, I won't know if 100+ models is too many. After August I'll determine whether I sell off a few tactical squads or not. To remind you all of my evil plan; the idea is that I have a playable and competitive 2000 point list under the 40k rules using the Space Marine Codex and that I can add 1000 points of Forge World Horus Heresy: Betrayal models to that list in order to play 30k, as well!
What will my army look like, you ask?
Well, I know I said that the Praetors would be first to get painting love but the Relic Contemptor down right inspired me! There's still a little detail I need to do but this is the WIP:
I will need to lighten the blue; this is too close to their post heresy color scheme. I'm staying away from any real Chaosy looks, with the exception of the FW dread body I ordered....that one is way too cool to pass up! I will attempt to tone it down a bit but that will be hard to do with giant hydras on each side of the chest! Although, hydras were starting to appear even prior to the Heresy because it represented Alpha Legion's dirty little secret: two Primarchs!
From here it is just building, priming and painting.........well, then playing too I guess!!! With that said, my expectation is that the 4 Corners of 30k crew will have their 3000 point lists ready for GenCon 2014 where we will sort out this Heresy thing on the tables of GenCon!!! They don't know that I'll be proposing this yet but it will give them a year to acquire, build and paint (which is 11 more months than I will need; for those that know my speed painting skillzzz!) So, I'll have 11 months to practice! Mwuhahaha!!!
It's all about the Alpha Strike!
Swonkob Bo - OUT!
[Images acquired from http://warhammer40k.wikia.com and http://forgeworld.com; images were used for reference purpose only, not for monetary gain]
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