Ein Posted January 30, 2010 Share Posted January 30, 2010 I'm going to preempt this blog with my usual warning that things I work on take a long time to get built. Abandon all hope [of regular updates], ye who enter here! The simple explaination behind all this is that I am making a Legion of the Damned army, and I wanted to throw an Ironclad dreadnought into the mix. While I was collecting parts to use for my Legion of the Damned army, I managed to get my hands on a pair of Forgeworld Chaplain Dreadnoughts through a couple trades. http://www.the-warforge.com/wp-content/gallery/legionironclad/chaplain3.jpg I picked these guys up because out of all of Forgeworld's line, they seemed the most Legion-themed; skulls all over, a ribcage motif on the torso, and bones in the leg armor plates seemed hugely appropriate. The aquila plates on the front were the only questionable parts, but as you'll see in a moment, that's no longer much of an issue. As is typical of Forgeworld, the quality was a mixed bag. One of the dreadnoughts was perfect - no miscasts, no bubbles, all the details were there, sharp, and lovely. The other? Not as lucky. There was a pretty blatant miscast on the front 'aquila' plates and the legs, and it just generally looked like hell by comparison. Both came new and mostly unassembled in their original FW baggies, so I think FW's Quality Control is more to blame than anything else. In any event, I wasn't quite sure what to do with the one miscast one. After a bit of brainstorming, I decided I would grind the front plates completely off and turn the thing into an Ironclad because, hey, an Ironclad in an army with Vulkan rules is awesome - hello twin-linked burny death! Of course, grinding the front plates off isn't quite as easy as it sounds. The skulls hanging off the front of the torso actually cover a bit of the aquila design, meaning that removing the design without mangling the skulls would be a bit of a challenge. I whipped out my trusty dremel, though, and with a bit of patience, sandpaper, and filing, I managed to essentially remove the entire front plate of the dreadnought. At that point, I grabbed some Apoxie Sculpt. This stuff is pretty fantastic if you need a putty you can smooth - a bit of water on your finger, and Apoxie Sculpt turns into a lovely flat surface. I let it dry, and sanded it down a bit more so that it'd be flat, and viola, I had a dreadnought with no more aquila plates! http://www.the-warforge.com/wp-content/gallery/legionironclad/legiondread001.jpg http://www.the-warforge.com/wp-content/gallery/legionironclad/legiondread002.jpg After a bit of deliberation, I've decided to add flames to the front torso. http://www.the-warforge.com/wp-content/gallery/legionironclad/legiondread004.jpg http://www.the-warforge.com/wp-content/gallery/legionironclad/legiondread005.jpg I went with this style of flame because it matched the general motif that can be found on Forgeworld Salamander Rhino and Land Raider doors, which I have and intend to use with a bit of modification on my later vehicles. I decided to add my own version of the Ironclad Assault Launchers by hacking up a Cyclone Missile Launcher and mounting them on each shoulder, since the torso was otherwise spoken for. http://www.the-warforge.com/wp-content/gallery/legionironclad/legiondread012.jpg (Ignore the brown sculpted flames, I've removed them since I wasn't happy with 'em.) I also smashed together what I think will be the Seismic Hammer for this thing - it's pretty simple, all told. A metal furioso dreadnought arm is the base; the standard Seismic Hammer head is the impact surface, and there's a part off the thunderfire cannon kit between the two that helps space the bits out a bit - joining the seismic hammer bit straight to where the dreadnought's fist would normally go looked too stubby compared to a stock seismic hammer. http://www.the-warforge.com/wp-content/gallery/legionironclad/legiondread009.jpg It's nothing too extravagant. I was having difficulty coming up with something that would fit as a seismic hammer on this thing, but still be thematic, so I figured simpler was better. This way, the weapon is obvious - I figure most people recognize the seismic hammer bit by this point - and because the hammer is recognizable, the fact that the dread itself is intended to be an Ironclad should be made clearer. The other arm I was looking at using, for the left side, is a standard dread CCW arm with a flamer slung underneath and a revised claw bit. This completes the wargear assembly I wanted for the Ironclad by providing lots of burny, close-range death. Because the old metal Furioso arm looked a bit weird alongside the current plastic, I added a styrene spacer and widened the arm out a bit so that they were roughly the same dimensions. With the legs, I decided to see if I could play on the skeletal appearance of the dreadnought a bit. I filed the groin plate down and puttied it smooth, and then used some of the newer skeleton plastics to make a pair of legs hanging off the front and curling down between the legs. http://www.the-warforge.com/wp-content/gallery/legionironclad/legiondread020.jpg http://www.the-warforge.com/wp-content/gallery/legionironclad/legiondread019.jpg I think it's a neat look with the ribs and skull right above it - better than the dodgy-cast purity seal that was there earlier. There were some bubbles on the underneath of that whole groin plate that I got to fill while doing all this. This all brings me to where I am now. http://www.the-warforge.com/wp-content/gallery/legionironclad/legiondread027.jpg http://www.the-warforge.com/wp-content/gallery/legionironclad/legiondread023.jpg http://www.the-warforge.com/wp-content/gallery/legionironclad/legiondread024.jpg http://www.the-warforge.com/wp-content/gallery/legionironclad/legiondread025.jpg http://www.the-warforge.com/wp-content/gallery/legionironclad/legiondread026.jpg I wasn't sure what to fill the top of the dreadnought in with, between the two launchers. After a bit of head-scratching, I dug a neat little iron-halo-esque bit out from god knows what kit (I'm pretty sure it's non-GW) and then spiked a banner on there behind it. The banner's from the Vampire Counts Skeleton Warriors box, with a flaming skull added from the Warhammer Fantasy wizard kit. I've been thinking it might be really interesting to paint the banner up as a burnt, tarnished, and otherwise mostly destroyed Fire Hawks standard, as a homage to the Legion's fluff background. Something to think about, anyway. I also added a couple bits to the sides of the hip joint, in those open areas that were bugging me. One is a sensor module, hacked free from a pintle-mounted hunter-killer missile launcher assembly, since most dreads seem to have some sort of sensors located around that area. On the opposite side, I just pinned some simple scroll canisters there. I added a second layer of flames overtop the first. It looks a little messy, because I did some pencil sketching right onto the model that since got smudged; primer will hopefully make the torso look a fair bit sharper. I riveted the top layer of flames, since it seemed appropriate. I like the current pose it's in; it's somewhat turned, which makes it less static, and more interesting. There are a couple areas I need to address before I'm happily done with this model. These are the arms, and the engine.I'm not entirely sure I know what to do with these areas - I could try hacking more flame designs out to glue overtop, but I don't want to turn the whole dreadnought into some sort of hotrod. Alternatively, I could try sculpting bone motifs, but I'm not particularly talented with greenstuff, or for that matter sculpting, and I'm leery about ruining parts of the model. Anyway! Work continues. I'm open to ideas and suggestions. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dizzy-xc Posted January 30, 2010 Share Posted January 30, 2010 Nice start! Wow Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WingsOfTheFalcon Posted January 30, 2010 Share Posted January 30, 2010 Firstly, bravo! This is an excellent job. I think there is a fine line with conversions and sometimes it's hard to know exactly when to stop. In this instance I advocate you stop immediately, this is a superb conversion and any further additions could over complicate it. Well done I'm really impressed by the flames on the torso plate and the banner. Cannot wait to see this painted up! :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lysimachus Posted January 30, 2010 Share Posted January 30, 2010 This is truly beautiful! Agreed with WotF, though, there is more than enough bone/flame on the model to make it perfectly clear what it is. Some plain black areas will make the details stand out more. Stunning job, can't wait to see it with paint! Lysimachus Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob_Loken Posted January 30, 2010 Share Posted January 30, 2010 That looks great. A good use of bitz and it doesn't look overdone. The cyclone launchers are a neat touch. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
warp spider Posted January 30, 2010 Share Posted January 30, 2010 Thats realy good use of the FW parts - the flame patterns look great, and I like the way that missile launhers and the head sit together to make it look like a deathwind terminator... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sword brethren Posted January 30, 2010 Share Posted January 30, 2010 wow thats looking great, a simple idea thats making a wonderful conversion. well done Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cain Tiberius Kondrad Posted January 30, 2010 Share Posted January 30, 2010 Very nice conversion Ein. Concider your idea stolen ;) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Justicar Valius Posted January 30, 2010 Share Posted January 30, 2010 ;) I love it. But I would remove the skele legs from the bottom, I don't like them Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brother Captain Cassius Posted January 30, 2010 Share Posted January 30, 2010 Dude, that's badass. ~ Brother Captain Cassius Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UltimateJake Posted January 30, 2010 Share Posted January 30, 2010 This is amazing. Keep it up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Honda Posted January 30, 2010 Share Posted January 30, 2010 This is an extremely impressive piece of work. I am in agreement with the others in that I don't think you need to add anything more. It is screaming, "Paint me Big Boy!" I've been thinking it might be really interesting to paint the banner up as a burnt, tarnished, and otherwise mostly destroyed Fire Hawks standard, as a homage to the Legion's fluff background. Something to think about, anyway. This for the win. Outstanding idea and something I'll file for later. Looking forward to some "color". :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Commander Remiel Posted January 30, 2010 Share Posted January 30, 2010 The finished product is eagerly awaited. I am interested in seeing how it turns out so I can shamelessly steal you ideas for my Legion army. Note #1 to self: Buy a Chaplain Dreadnought... Note #2 to self: Copy Ein shamelessly ... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ebsolom Posted January 31, 2010 Share Posted January 31, 2010 Beautiful! Really nice conversion, can't wait to see the finished mini. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terminatorinhell Posted January 31, 2010 Share Posted January 31, 2010 Man, this is even better than the FW dread! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ein Posted January 31, 2010 Author Share Posted January 31, 2010 Thanks for all the enthusiasm, guys, I really appreciate it. I'm not entirely certain I can stop tinkering yet. I'm not a particularly talented painter, so where I'm able to, I really prefer to add details to a model to help serve as a 'guide' for painting down the road. That's partly why I styrene'd the flames on there, for example, because I'm reasonably certain that if I tried to freehand them it'd be a mess. I'm thinking a spinal column down the center of the engine might be appropriate, with a rib motif, though since I'm not having a ton of ideas for the arms I may just leave them relatively unadorned. ;) I love it. But I would remove the skele legs from the bottom, I don't like them Thought I'd single this comment out for a minute. The legs seem to be something everyone I've shown it to either loves or hates, but I'm leaving them on. I thought it was a nice touch that meshed with the rib motif on the torso, and I think once it's painted, the whole skeletal visage of the thing will stand out in a nice way. If I'm wrong, well, there's always the second chaplain dread, yeah? :lol: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BulldogUK Posted January 31, 2010 Share Posted January 31, 2010 I agree with commander. This looks the dog's danglers and I too will shamelessly steal your fantastic idea, erm, I mean be inspired to imitate the same process so I can have some dreadnought lovin' to support my Legion ;) Keep up the good work! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Capt. Lysander Posted February 1, 2010 Share Posted February 1, 2010 Whoa! That is awesome work! At first, I doubted the sanding down of FW stuff ^_^, but once I saw the effect of the flames... Great work! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cyrl Posted February 1, 2010 Share Posted February 1, 2010 Absolutley awesome conversion, I say you keep the skeleton legs on the pelvis they break up an otherwise dull area. The idea for the banner is likewise excellent, what is the Fire Hawks chapter symbol? (and which publication is it in?). Despite being knee deep in Nurglings right now there's somehing appealing to me about the clean lines of loyalists... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Damned Posted February 1, 2010 Share Posted February 1, 2010 Looks great! Thanks for posting, it gives me some ideas of what to add to my LotD army. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ein Posted February 14, 2010 Author Share Posted February 14, 2010 I figured I'd get some paint onto this thing soon, so while I was messing around with the airbrush this morning I set about putting some color onto it. I primed black, and then used some Vallejo Model Air German Grey and US Grey to brighten the thing up substantially in the hopes that after a black wash or two, I'll be able to tone the greys down to a nice, richer-looking black armor. http://www.the-warforge.com/wp-content/gallery/legionironclad/legiondread028.jpg http://www.the-warforge.com/wp-content/gallery/legionironclad/legiondread029.jpg http://www.the-warforge.com/wp-content/gallery/legionironclad/legiondread030.jpg http://www.the-warforge.com/wp-content/gallery/legionironclad/legiondread031.jpg There's a couple places where I could have done better with the spray, but I figure the washes'll help blend it all together decently enough. I just wanted to kind've define brighter and darker areas on it to start with. Before I do those washes, though, I'm going to set about base-coating the colors on this thing properly, which means picking out the bones, metals, scrollwork, and any other details. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vaaish Posted February 14, 2010 Share Posted February 14, 2010 Too bad you've already started painting him. With added launchers at the top and the bulk of the GW seismic hammer on the right arm, I think you really need to extend the legs to bring him back into proper proportions so he doesn't look quite as top heavy. Other than that I think it's an excellent conversion of the FW chappy dread. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WAR Posted February 14, 2010 Share Posted February 14, 2010 Looks freaking awesome can't wait to see paint on it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kable Posted February 15, 2010 Share Posted February 15, 2010 That looks bloody awesome. Must fight the urge to build one! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ein Posted February 16, 2010 Author Share Posted February 16, 2010 So I was playing with this a bit. http://www.the-warforge.com/wp-content/gallery/legionironclad/legiondreadbanner001.jpg So I hit it with some paint. http://www.the-warforge.com/wp-content/gallery/legionironclad/legiondreadbanner002.jpg I'm not that great at freehanding, but I suppose it'll work after I'm finished touching it up a little bit. It doesn't have to look too terrific, since I plan on weathering the hell out of it to make it look centuries old. The back of the thing will look like parchment, which is why the parts that are hanging folded over are starting to be tan. Just for those who are unfamiliar, the Legion of the Damned are rumored to be the remnants of the Fire Hawks Space Marines chapter after a trip through the Warp gone horribly wrong. Their chapter symbol was a mushroom cloud, because as I understand it their homeworld was destroyed in a nuclear event. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.