Modernising Terminators

[Rogue Trooper]

Hello Chaps!

 

Firstly, this is my first post on the B&C - I hope you'll forgive my cheek in asking for advice/help/c&c without having posted prior to this; I have lurked for a long time (which is in itself cheeky, I suppose) and finally have the courage to make a step into the forums rather than watching you all like a deranged voyeur.

 

To cut a long and tedious story short - I quit collecting about 7 or 8 years ago but always kept up with the fluff. Now I have a nice cash flow and a loving girlfriend who actually thinks WH40k is pretty cool I thought I'd restart my army. Originally I was working on a Blood Angels army but with this fresh beginning I wanted instead to create my own chapter. One massive advantage to this was a loft full of unused models.

 

Having brought you up to date with a not-so-short story, I have decided to use some Terminators in my army and actually found 4 of the guys sitting pretty in my loft, as well as a Terminator Captain I figured I'd use as a Sergeant model. Unfortunately I had clearly salvaged them for my Blood Angels all those moons ago and the poor blighters had not an arm between them!

 

I have ordered arms as Bitz from the glorious intrawebnet and have attached them all with only a few minor hiccups. However now they're attached I'm wondering how well they actually suit the old models (the Bitz are the arms for the new plastic Terminators).

 

So, I was hoping for any C&C on the terminators as they stand (I'm only using one for the moment) - one thing in particular I'd like advice on is whether or not the arms are too long for the metal miniatures as I cannot make my mind up whether I'm seeing things. Hence my desire for fresh and critical eyes! (Click thumbnails for bigger pictures).

 

http://img209.imageshack.us/img209/742/frontdr5.th.jpg

http://img116.imageshack.us/img116/2314/stboltersideqv8.th.jpg

http://img291.imageshack.us/img291/3736/pwfistsidevj6.th.jpg

 

Sorry about the blurry pictures. Again, my main concern is arm length versus overall body - if anyone knows the relative size difference between the metal and plastic terminators it would help no end to ensuring they're correct. This model is by far the best in terms of overall scale of parts, however it is also the best shot demonstrating the scales - some models the clenched fist, were the arm straightened, appears almost halfway down the shank.

 

Thanks for any and all help and I look forward to more posts in the B&C from now!

 

Rogue Trooper

[Irabrai]

I think its actually possible to get hold of some of the Terminator arms, the assault cannon arm, thunder hammer and terminator arms at least, as well as Imperial fist storm bolters.

 

As for the pictures you have, they dont look that bad, They might be a tad short, but im not sure.

[Rogue Trooper]

If you'll pardon the extra post:

 

Here is a second Terminator (excuse the badly removed paint) with a slightly clearer picture and more definate gorilla-arm syndrome:

http://img116.imageshack.us/img116/2975/2frontkl0.th.jpg

http://img291.imageshack.us/img291/9697/2stboltersidezb7.th.jpg

http://img291.imageshack.us/img291/3733/2pwfistsideot0.th.jpg

 

Irabrai: I haven't looked at getting metal components - I'd presume the price would probably quickly work it's way up (which, on top of the cost of the plastic arms would probably mean I'd be better off buying a set of plastic Terminators)!

 

If the arms are too short or too long I think I know a way to fix it, with a hacksaw and some guitar string!

[xXwarsmithXx]

I think that would probably work, someone else on here had some older terminators they were redoing. I think he said they were a little shorter so he elavated them a little. Hope that helps out.

[Durus]

I don't think your termies look bad. I kinda like the square shilouette the bigger shoulders give to them.

 

Before you cut the arms up, try to pose them differently. Right now they look like you were using the old metal components. If you raise the arms just a bit in a forward/backward swinging motion or to the side, the slightly off proportions should be a lot less apparent.

[Rogue Trooper]

Duras, I think you're right on the static poses. One of the models uses the outstretched Power Fist and pointed Storm Bolter on the walking metal Terminator - but I think my now ingrained annoyance at the gorilla arms are the problem! :)

 

I do think the squared shoulders look really good though, thanks. I always imagined Terminators as slow, dauntless mini-tanks - I may have to bulk out the rest of them (look below!) just to improve on that.

 

I did find a couple of references to the same problem, thanks xXwarsmithXx.

 

The main topic seems to be "Termies Old to New, Converting them" and "Terminator sizes, old metal / new plastic, need comparison pic" both of which have some pretty good points in them. The last is particularly helpful as it took me here (Terminator Comparison - WeeToySoldiers.com) which has exactly what I needed - a scale comparison for the terminators!

 

Looking at it there are several differences in the height of the models: torso (plastic has stomach/ab section), legs (plastic slighty longer with more bulk), extra plates of armour on sides (plastic) and a larger codpiece (better left unsaid).

 

I think some of this is fixable: some plasticard under the feet my remove leg issues (as well as a scenic base) - it may also be used to mimic the armour plating of the newer models. The chest itself could probably be sawn in half and given an ab section - interruption to the eagle could be fixed by simply sanding down and replacing the iconography (I think the ForgeWorld Brass Etched Imperial Eagles would probably suffice, along with some basic ribbing for the new chest shape, though I'd need a comparison of the back to make it work). As to the codpiece... I'm really not sure, but I'm sure we can always stick some greenstuff socks down there, can't we?

 

Would this, in everyone's opinion, work?

[Grand Master Raziel Secundus]

Hi there

 

The scale between the old metal and new plastic is small, but noticable. I had the same issue when I restarted collecting a couple years ago as I had around 30 of the old metal termies and have now expanded to over 100 (A complete Deathwing). There are trading sites you can check out to get metal arms for your guys, or you can use the plastic arms. Personally I kept the 2 types of termies seperate because the new plastics are larger and all have more dynamic poses.

 

Keep us posted as to which way you go :)

 

Cheers and good luck....

[madscuzzy]

IMHO getting the newer terminators would prollie be the cheapest, fastest and most efficient way of sorting this issue. The new arms on the old bodies do look a tad weird due to the length, and you said it before I did, the fact that you think you have issue means you prollie do; it's just a matter of putting credence to it and figuring out what is off.

 

The brass etch works, although it is expensive and is a bit difficult to work with due to the flex of brass.

 

You are able to order arms for the old terminators from the GW website if you wish to retain the use of these old babies. They released the lightning claw sets not too long ago IIRC.

 

The main differences between the terminators are:

shorter snout.

3 vents on the snout.

abs.

the new termis have longer legs too.

the shoulder pads, as they are separate, offer more bulk.

arms are longer

the targeter is different.

the back socket is connected to the upper body rather than on the belt.

the skirt armour.

 

Most of the height are in the legs and abs. In fact, the old plastic terminators are exactly the same size as the new ones and are prollie the base models for the new termis. If you look carefully, there is a slight ghosting of the vents where they have been filled up on the new termi heads.

 

Another option is of course, to get the blackreach terminators, if you wish to save money.

 

You could get your GF to play orks too...XD