Greco-Roman Themed Chapter WIP

[FireLizard]

Hey folks :ph34r: I'll prolly break this up in a couple posts... there really are a bunch of pics.

 

I started planning this army nearly a year ago and started work on it in May of 2009 with the intention of bringing to to the 2010 Adepticon in Chicago, IL.

 

EVERYTHING is built finally, and the first 30 are nearly fully painted. Work, a 2 year old and more has kept me from posting my progress, but I wanted to share as the BnC has done more for supporting and enriching my hobby than any place I can think of.

 

I'm a lover of Classical history, specifically the Greeks, Romans and Eqyptians, and as a good friend of mine (Chronowraith) is doing an Iron Snakes army, I decided to do a DIY chapter, combining elements of both Roman and Greek aesthetics. Why not just do Ultramarines? Cause I didn't want to paint that much blue, and after building a Black Templar army and later selling it, I wanted to do something different.

 

In rules terms, they use the SW codex (yeah yeah, surprise, surprise, I know) as it just... fit. Below are the first elements of the army... everything but my HQ, Cavalry, Iron Priest and vehicles.

 

I'd love to hear any thoughts or feedback on the models so far!

 

First up: 30 Grey Hunters. ALL my marines have the 'crusade' style helmets with crests of different types, depending on their rank and function in my army. in the 'hunters, 5 out of each 10 weird a gladius and shield, one is marked out for leadership, 2 special weapons, 1 plain bolter and 1 standard bearer. (these wip shots show 2 bolter and 1 special weapon.. in my painted pics, you'll see the change)

 

http://i957.photobucket.com/albums/ae59/Tims_Minis/Tacticals/SwordBoard_ex6.jpg

 

http://i957.photobucket.com/albums/ae59/Tims_Minis/Tacticals/SwordBoard_ex5.jpg

 

http://i957.photobucket.com/albums/ae59/Tims_Minis/Tacticals/SwordBoard_ex4.jpg

 

http://i957.photobucket.com/albums/ae59/Tims_Minis/Tacticals/SwordBoard_ex3.jpg

 

http://i957.photobucket.com/albums/ae59/Tims_Minis/Tacticals/SwordBoard_ex2.jpg

 

http://i957.photobucket.com/albums/ae59/Tims_Minis/Tacticals/SwordBoard_ex1.jpg

 

http://i957.photobucket.com/albums/ae59/Tims_Minis/Tacticals/Shooty_ex3.jpg

 

http://i957.photobucket.com/albums/ae59/Tims_Minis/Tacticals/Shooty_ex2.jpg

 

http://i957.photobucket.com/albums/ae59/Tims_Minis/Tacticals/Shooty_ex1.jpg

 

http://i957.photobucket.com/albums/ae59/Tims_Minis/Tacticals/PugniStandard_Side.jpghttp://i957.photobucket.com/albums/ae59/Tims_Minis/Tacticals/PugniStandard_Front.jpg

 

http://i957.photobucket.com/albums/ae59/Tims_Minis/Tacticals/MortisStandard_Front.jpghttp://i957.photobucket.com/albums/ae59/Tims_Minis/Tacticals/MortisStandard_Side.jpg

 

http://i957.photobucket.com/albums/ae59/Tims_Minis/Tacticals/IgnisStandard_Side.jpghttp://i957.photobucket.com/albums/ae59/Tims_Minis/Tacticals/IgnisStandard_Front.jpg

 

http://i957.photobucket.com/albums/ae59/Tims_Minis/Tacticals/IgnisSgt_Front.jpg

 

http://i957.photobucket.com/albums/ae59/Tims_Minis/Tacticals/MortisSgt_Side.jpghttp://i957.photobucket.com/albums/ae59/Tims_Minis/Tacticals/MortisSgt_Front.jpg

 

http://i957.photobucket.com/albums/ae59/Tims_Minis/Tacticals/PugniSgt_Front.jpghttp://i957.photobucket.com/albums/ae59/Tims_Minis/Tacticals/PugniSgt_Side.jpg

[FireLizard]

ANNNND... the Terminators and Dreadnought:

 

http://i957.photobucket.com/albums/ae59/Tims_Minis/Terminators/AxeTerminator.jpghttp://i957.photobucket.com/albums/ae59/Tims_Minis/Terminators/Hammer_Terminator.jpghttp://i957.photobucket.com/albums/ae59/Tims_Minis/Terminators/WolfClawsTerminator.jpg

 

http://i957.photobucket.com/albums/ae59/Tims_Minis/Terminators/StandardTerminator-1.jpghttp://i957.photobucket.com/albums/ae59/Tims_Minis/Terminators/StandardTerminator.jpg

 

http://i957.photobucket.com/albums/ae59/Tims_Minis/Terminators/SpearTerminator_Front.jpghttp://i957.photobucket.com/albums/ae59/Tims_Minis/Terminators/SpearTerminator_Rear.jpg

 

http://i957.photobucket.com/albums/ae59/Tims_Minis/Terminators/LoneWolf_Front.jpghttp://i957.photobucket.com/albums/ae59/Tims_Minis/Terminators/LoneWolf_Rear.jpg

 

http://i957.photobucket.com/albums/ae59/Tims_Minis/Dreadnought/Dreadnought_CropLeft.jpghttp://i957.photobucket.com/albums/ae59/Tims_Minis/Dreadnought/Dreadnought_CropRight.jpg

 

http://i957.photobucket.com/albums/ae59/Tims_Minis/Dreadnought/Dreadnought_CropFront.jpghttp://i957.photobucket.com/albums/ae59/Tims_Minis/Dreadnought/Dreadnought_ArmsOff.jpg

[FireLizard]

Group Shots!!

 

http://i957.photobucket.com/albums/ae59/Tims_Minis/Tacticals/SquadPugni.jpg

 

http://i957.photobucket.com/albums/ae59/Tims_Minis/Tacticals/SquadMortis.jpg

 

http://i957.photobucket.com/albums/ae59/Tims_Minis/Tacticals/SquadIgnis.jpg

 

http://i957.photobucket.com/albums/ae59/Tims_Minis/Terminators/TerminatorGroup.jpg

 

I'll post the vehicles (3 rhinos, 1 predator and 1 Pre-Heresy Mk2b Landraider) soon once I get some shots of them, and I'll post painted updates as I can :ph34r:

 

Not one model in this army wasn't touched with something custom or converted in some way :) My wife thinks I'm crazy... you be the judge :)

[savis]

These will look amazing with some paint on them. The shield/gladius are my absolute favourites they look very much action-hero-posing. My only gripe would be the helmets on the terminators, while they fit the style perfectly they still look too thin/small.

You're off to a great start though, can't wait to see how your vehicles will look.

[Crazy Eight]

yes u are crazy crazy not to finish a complete army of these these are just awesome i will be following this thread intently keep up the momentum

[dizzy-xc]

These conversions are fantastic, but what dropped my jaw was the chaplain. Simply stunning.

[FlamingDeth]

Any chance of getting some close-ups on the Terminator torsos? I've been considering doing some terminators "grey knight style" without the gigantic useless box on top, and since you seem to have done so fairly successfully, I'm interested in seeing how you chopped them up.

[Uncle Mel]

These look insanely fantastic,

 

I hope your paintjob will do these fantastic conversions justice

 

Mel

[sword brethren]

these are amazing! i love the termies, their head is in the right place unlike normal termies

 

 

well done

[Malanok]

Those are amazing; I can't wait to see the finished article, as it were.

:(

with termies like that you wouldn't need a dread!

 

I can see alot of work has been put into them, I can also see it was definitely worth it :lol:

[bareserker]

AMAZING work !

[Tristan Hoag]

Nice work - I like where you are going with this!

 

I think my only divergence in vision would have been to go with either Greek Hoplon shields or Roman Legionaire Scutums - either would have really brought the imagery full circle and completed it in my mind...

 

What colors are you planning to use?

 

Tristan

[Iacton Qruze]

Awesome work. You'll have something to be proud of when you get them painted.

 

One question. Where did you get that banner on the dreadnought?

[AL.]

quite possibly some of the best termies ive ever seen! it just looks soooo right!

[ShinyRhino]

Very good work, though I have to echo the "too thin" sentiment on the Terminator heads.

Nice use of bitz overall.

[Laeradex]

I have to admit, no thread has ever made me gasp audiabliy. Until now. That second termie on the first row blew my mind. I WANT MORE. :ph34r:

[Vlad III]

Quite possibly the most awesome Greek/Roman army ever. I mean....those are fantastic. They make me want to get you to make me some, I'd pay near anything XD

 

I'm quite interested to see some paint on them and to see how you're going to do Devs (well I guess Long Fangs :-p)

[Kid Famous The Punch]

Wow, such clean conversions. Clean, simple, effective.

I assume that the extra armored and detailed chests and should pads are from forge world?

All the poses are really nice. The terminators look good, they will probably look even nicer with paint.

 

The only thats a shame is that as nicely converted and stylized this army is, it's still as ubiquitous as the next "Roman-esq" space marine army.

It's unfortunate to say that you can't swing a dead servitor in any direction and not hit one of those.

It IS a testament to your skills with a exacto knife that I think you've pulled off this theme THE BEST I'VE SEEN.

But, it is a pretty common alternate theme for a space marine army.

 

Maybe some marauders converted up to be pit fighting gladiators? Or perhaps some chariot bike squads?

A few very different centerpiece units will really take this army further. And make you idea more realized.

[FireLizard]

Hola!

 

Thanks for the awesome responses all. Wow... I mean, I really appreciate the feed back and comments! More than text can accurately portray, seriously.

 

Using the Chaos Warrior heads on the terminators was something I did back for my Templars and I fell in love with them... however I won't deny that they are a bit skinny. The overall effect that I wanted is pulled off, and without bulking them up with GS, I'm not sure what other options I would have with them... though some creative bulking would have worked. I may have to try that next time!

 

@ dizzy-ac: I'm taking you mean the Terminator Chappy? Thanks! I'm glad you like my... Lone Wolf ;) Yeah, he's a lone wolf in the rules :P Well, he was built for that purpose at least. I wanted to give him a wild, gladiator feel to him, and when I was done he looked like a Chaplain. Ah well, he didn't make the 1850 point cut anyway, so I may just paint him up like a Chaplain anyway!

 

@ CardinalVirtue: Hey yeah, I'd love to post the Terminator Torsos. The main process involves clipping off the arch form the front torso piece, then clipping/carving off the back "hump" down to JUST above the venting on the back torso piece. Then you fill it ALL in with GS and smooth it out, let cure and then dremel out a divot for the head like on standard marine torsos. add some plasticard collar, rivets and filler plates towards the back and you're done. I'll see if I can't get some pics of one and a tutorial together. it's really easy once you get it down. :angry:

 

@ Tristan Hoag: You know... if MaxMini had come out with their greek hoplon shields when I was building these, I probably would have gone with those, truth-be-told. But at the same time, I wanted the feel of this army to be classical, but using Marine Technology.. you know? I can totally see where you're coming from though, and if you look at one of the 'sergeants' you'll see a round shield... makes him feel special.

 

As far as colors go, we're going classical with Bronze Armor, Red shoulder trim and Bone insets. The crests on standard troopers will be bone, squad leaders crests are red, and terminator and cavalry crests will be red and bone striped. The markings on the shoulder pads are: Left, Chapter badge. Spartan helm in red on a bone field. Right, the Greek Lambda on all marines in red on a bone field, with squad designations in roman numerals below the lambda. Left kneepad will denote Company designation. I'll post up examples later.

 

@ Iacton Qruze: Thanks for the compliments! The Banner on the dread is the Chaos Marauder Horseman banner from Fantasy, with some trimming and reshaping on the bottom to get to to fit. Nice, thick plasticrod for a pole, and then the clockwork cherub from the Empire General box (I think that's where that's from...a friend gave it to me). All pinned and put together :)

 

@ Vlad III: I've got ideas for the Long Fangs to use full tower shields (using the Chaos Warrior shields as a base) on their bases with them behind them, trying to give them a roman phalanx feel... they aren't in my list that has to be done in... 34 days (crud... i really need to punch up the pace), but they are in my plans for expansion.

 

@ Kid Famous: The main torsos for the marines are indeed from the Red Scorpion upgrades, but the cod pieces are plasticard and the terminator shoulder pads are actually from the Chaos Knights. I'm glad that you voiced your opinion in the realm of the commonality of the romanesque themed marine armies out there, and heck, I even agree with you! :) I just love the history of it, really, and thank you for the compliments in pulling it off as well. I'm thinking that if I put together scouts they will be more aligned with some gladiators using marauder bitz.... or maybe once the BA codex comes out, I might use that as an excuse to create some Death Company (and flip books when I choose to) Gladiators. I hadn't thought of Chariot bike squads though!!! THAT i will definitely do... I had the thought of adding some tanks to round the army up to 2k in points, but the chariots sound like a better idea to do so!!!

 

I'll get some pics taken tonight if my son gives me the chance to and get some painted figs in front of ya'll to see what you think. Maybe I can just take a bunch and show the vehicles and cavalry too.

[Brother_Israfil]

These conversions are incredible. I love the theme. Let me throw my voice into the chorus of, "Show us paint!"

[Terrible_Trygon]

Very nice. I personally like this army, even if the theme is common, but only because most of the time execution of this kind of theme is often done in a mediocre manner, or as a very subtle under tone. This generally looks like it has genuine promise for a unique looking army that is done to a high quality, but the painting will seal the deal here.

[Brother_Dan'l]

Really nicely done. The horsehair crests are perfect. And the posing superior to most conversion armies. But why such thick plasti-card chevrons on the shields? Are you going to shape them?

 

Regardless, I'm loving your creativity.

[High Marshal Sigfeird]

these are just superb!. You've really captured the romanesque nature of the ultras and their whole mythos, loving it ! cant say a bad word against it inspiring stuff !!.

[Power Hungry Monkey]

Using the Chaos Warrior heads on the terminators was something I did back for my Templars and I fell in love with them... however I won't deny that they are a bit skinny. The overall effect that I wanted is pulled off, and without bulking them up with GS, I'm not sure what other options I would have with them... though some creative bulking would have worked. I may have to try that next time!

 

I've found a really good way to bulk out the warrior helmets tho it is a bit fiddily (not that that seems to bother you). I've done similar with my old ultramarines (thers a pic in my Iron Wolves thread, link in sig), basically I got a normal marine helmet and chopped the ear-boxes off theose helmets and just stuck them to the side of the warrior helmets. I used slivers of computer-wire insulation (the rubber stuff around the actual wire) to make the tubes that go to the mouth grill and then added wires anywhere else I thought would work. You can also make bionics and targeters out of bolter scopes with a bit of cutting and a little GS. Also check out the WHFB Slaneesh Champ on boob-worm, he has a great helmet for this type of army aswell as a cool sheild and spear. Dire Avenger helmets can also be used for the cock's comb if you cut them up right.

 

Since I havn't already said this, amazing looking army. They've really turned out nicely with some great conversions and a really strong overall theme, just what I love to see in a marine army. Congrats on a beautiful army.

[Skirax]

I like your work so far, but the shield towards the beginning the screams 'DEVESTATOR SERGEANT!' to me. I hope you know what the Roman Shields used to look like?

Shield

And I hope you know the Legio Banners?

Banners

In case you aren't sure what's going on there, the Legion number at the top, their symbol or a animal representing where they are on campaign/stationed in the centre, and the General that commanded them/the Region that they were stationed.