Chaplain's hobby misc. Red Gobbo!

[Argent aquila]

Wow, lots of good stuff, the conversions and kit bashing are coming together nicely, your army will be quite impressive as it grows!

I absolutely cannot wait to see the rest of what you have in store for us in the future, painting, further conversions, the whole lot.

[The_Chaplain]

 Well, once again, I have to preface this update by saying I haven't gotten as much done as I had hoped this week; I'm having a bit of a medical scare right now, and it's been affecting my sleep and general mood for several days- and the fact I can't see the doctor about it until next week, well, it kinda compounds the issue.  Still, I am determined to stay positive despite all of this; and have been working on models and other stuff when I can to get my mind off of things!

 

First up, responses to comments!

 

Wow, lots of good stuff, the conversions and kit bashing are coming together nicely, your army will be quite impressive as it grows! I absolutely cannot wait to see the rest of what you have in store for us in the future, painting, further conversions, the whole lot.

Well thank you very much, Argent Aquila! I don't work as fast as some of the people on this board when it comes to army building, but I try my best, and that's gotta count for something right?  I've already got some big ideas brewing for future projects, but I want to finish whats on my plate before I get too ahead of myself.

 

 

It's great to see some of your infantry coming together and based, keep it up dude!

Thanks Vash, I'll start things off with some small updates on the first crusader squad.

 

This Mk IV crusader (currently in my top 3 favorite models I've ever kitbashed/converted)

This week he received:

the beginnings of a custom bolter detail to match the one on his chainsword (this was made from a cut to fit detail off of a venerable dreadnought front plate.  It will be filled with green stuff and smoothed down)

Plasticard strip which are going to be made into holster straps for his bolt pistol holster.

And a tilt shield was fixed to his backpack, so I can add personal heraldry or a crusade badge marking to him when it's time to paint.  The tilt shield covered up a ravenwing icon I botched the removal of.

 

Smug McNasty here has had a bolter pinned to his leg so I don't have to worry about it snapping off- it'll be getting a bolter strap once I figure out a technique I like to accomplish it.  Rather than make 2 squads armed with BP/CCW or Bolters, I decided to model both options on a single squad- call it an homage to the True Grit trait you could take back in 4th edition codex: space marines. 

 

This guy has had a caged skull from the deathwing terminator box added to his scrollwork loincloth, alongside a length of chain.  It's there to primarily cover a bad flash scar from the finecast.  I'll need to add a back to the skull- something I'm sure I'll find a solution for after rummaging through a box of beads at my fiance's house.

 

This guy has a pretty rough week:

He fell off my desk and I didn't realize it- and I proceeded to roll over his original head with my desk chair, squashing it flat!  Thank goodness I had a spare!  

 

I'm thinking to make the head a little more interesting, I might add a small shock of hair, not a full on hairdo mind you, but enough of a 'do to make his tragic lack of half a face all the more sad.  What do you think going off this MS Paint concept?

 

The squad of 8 became 9 as I put together the last basic trooper for the squad:

A legion of the damned marine with the flames and other legionnaire haberdashery being filled in and removed, leaving a southpaw bolter marine (with a headswap)

EESH, now there's a face only the Emperor could love- but hey, if you're of the opinion space marines should be ruggedly handsome- you're either delusional or a blood angel/ emperor's champion pre-heresy player, haha.

 

Coming up in part 2? The flyers get pilots! ...And a little extra!

Edited March 21, 2014 by The_Chaplain

[The_Chaplain]

Now, I realize noone ever really looks inside a cockpit and admires the pilot model- but heaven help me, I loathe the stock pilot models for space marine flyers/vehicles in general; and it's something I could not stand idly by and let happen for my marines.

 

So, I set to work! First up is the storm talon pilot in progress:

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7309/13314454415_45688ba661_c.jpg

In my mind, an assault marine torso looks a bit like a super sized seatbelt harness, so it found a repurposing here in the cockpit.  A grey knight helmet from their terminator box gives off the impression that he's practically been integrated into the machinery or been through a number of accidents and needed some bionic work done.  In either case, he can shout at his enemies in style!

 

Or, if you're of the scowling menacingly fan club...

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7183/13314449395_cdc0809b17_c.jpg

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3820/13314443705_4f59e7c1ed_z.jpg

perhaps you'll prefer the stormraven pilot? Again, I used a grey knight terminator head; but the torso this time comes from the vanguard space marine box.  My thinking is, the stormraven is a venerated war machine, it only makes sense for the pilot to have an appropriate level of bling as well.

 

Now, for the little extra to end things off on a high:

http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2832/13314759874_f3365849a0_z.jpg

one of these is not like the other!

http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2838/13314542333_cbe3dcde8d_z.jpg

Yep, I decided to replace the stock multi-melta barrels with forgeworld one's off of a jetbike (just need a second jetbike MM to round off this conversion)

And yes, for the record I have the jetbike too. It's sitting on my desk at home, mocking, chanting incessantly that all too familiar motto "Part of the ship, part of the crew!"

And here she sits in the actual mount on the stormraven

http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2889/13314425535_d757990ee7_z.jpg

 

Well, that's it for today folks!  C&C is welcomed and encouraged!  Have a nice weekend, and stay positive! 

 

One final note:  I'm sitting here, positively gobsmacked, that this thread is now in excess of 20,000 Views!! I want to take a moment to thank you all for reading and/or subscribing, for leaving quality comments, and for contributing to the growth of this army.  I'd also like to thank all the outstanding members of this board, and the community as a whole for providing a constant, unending source of inspiration!  

Edited March 21, 2014 by The_Chaplain

[Lorenzen]

Nice work, I like the idea of the older pattern mm on the raven.. may steal that at some point for an eagle.

 

I highly recommend strips of brass from off cuts on brass etch for the basis of straps if you have any otherwise id use strips of resin and a hairdryer as ive never been a fan of plasticard for them its a pain to shape

Edited March 22, 2014 by Lorenzen

[Monstra Sumus]

I like it all, nice posing on your bods. I particularly like the encased skull. 

 

"The skull? Oh, Dave! Dave cleaned my bolter really well after every fight. His replacement just doesn't do it justice. I take Dave everywhere with me now to remind myself that you just can't get good help these days."

[Vash113]

I say go with the Angry face for an angry pilot, just cause he's behind the controls of an aircraft doesn't mean he's any less zealous or furious than his ground pounding battle-brothers!

[The_Chaplain]

Nice work, I like the idea of the older pattern mm on the raven.. may steal that at some point for an eagle.

 

I highly recommend strips of brass from off cuts on brass etch for the basis of straps if you have any otherwise id use strips of resin and a hairdryer as ive never been a fan of plasticard for them its a pain to shape

Steal away! God Emperor knows I've been inspired by you Lorenzen countless times as well as others on the board like BCK, Heathens, etc.  I'm honored that an idea I had may be borrowed by someone.  Ah, that's a good use of the brass too. and an equally good idea for the bolter straps, thank you kindly!

 

 

I like it all, nice posing on your bods. I particularly like the encased skull.

Thank you very much Brother Tyrax; I enjoyed your little blurb about Dave the henchman skull- so much so, I might run with the idea and integrate the practice of lugging around housecarl/serf/human servant bones around into my IA article wip- it seems like something a more morbid personality chapter might view the act as some sort of high honor- that is, if you don't mind?

 

 

I say go with the Angry face for an angry pilot, just cause he's behind the controls of an aircraft doesn't mean he's any less zealous or furious than his ground pounding battle-brothers!

Good thing I have multiple flyers so don't have to choose just one torso, eh?  Dang you must've either booked home or it took longer for me to take pics from today and upload them than I thought.  Then again, it takes a while to make these posts too haha.

 

Today was one hell of an adventure!  I drove up to Dropzone Games with Vash113 today (we've been friends for a friggin' dogs age- that is when we weren't scrappin' as kids), to get in on the Bizarre Bazaar they were having- both of us determined to walk out of there richer for the experience...and we made out like bandits!  Today's "update" as it were are pics of my haul after Vash and I divvied stuff up between us; along with explanations as to where the bits and bobs are going.  An unconventional update for an unconventional day!

 

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3711/13339400863_38a0697000.jpg

Got another set of 25mm secret weapons and a bag of skeleton bits for the price these bad boys would've cost me retail- minus shipping.  Score!

 

Got a set of Victoria Miniatures chem mask heads (9 total) and 12 chem tank backpacks for an absolute steal:

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7397/13339423633_7c156c1418_z.jpg

http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2834/13339283445_e901a9ec05_z.jpg

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3749/13339450313_c2754593f5_c.jpg

Now I can do some head swaps for old metal scout body types, without the scale being off; and with a little work the air feed on the respirators could be fed back into the backpack.  

 

Or this respirator head- picked up this biker scout...

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3788/13339714304_216d7f5b81_z.jpg

...when I picked up the stowage bags from his set for use on my reclusiam command squad (haha take that eBay!)

http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2863/13339334545_d93b77f499_z.jpg

 

From the same seller I got:

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7274/13339500903_be97cc3a37.jpg

the powerfist from the veteran set I was missing (had to buy the veteran, but not the set- so I call that a win)

 

And this bad boy!

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3755/13339766774_a1e5a5ec08_z.jpg

Always wanted this model, and up there for rarest find of the day (I was stooped over bins for hours rummaging through all the baggies of stuff- and boy did I hit paydirt)

 

Got these 2 plastic sprues for a buck a pop, get ready for the old school!

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3747/13339385485_110313268e_z.jpg

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3700/13339537403_c1b9fa0457.jpg

(Now I have chainswords to strap to belts that don't have premolded hands on them! Fabulous!)

 

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7233/13339792234_e6b7bed3c9_z.jpg

Oh yeah, old rhino accessory sprues! And the best part?

http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2829/13339408515_6c8683e4fb_z.jpg

I now have a few of these to start making chaplain oratory broadcast systems on all my future command tanks. Oh yeah!

 

But wait, there's more!  (In the next post)

Edited March 22, 2014 by The_Chaplain

[The_Chaplain]

Continuing with some retro flair...

 

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7389/13339813154_8c66bb5ef7_z.jpg

Rogue trader space marine bits! For chump change! 

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7365/13339576283_caea552965.jpg

Now, I may not be able to find a use for the old missile launcher and multi melta here, but all the old ammo bags and such will definitely be seeing use on some infantry.  Heck, I might even make a statue insert for a tank using the RT beakie marine in that pile.  

 

I picked up a whirlwind turret for a magnetizable, swapable option to turn my storm raven into a storm eagle

http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2876/13339260935_bd32c46d93_z.jpg

(the end conversion will be a little more involved than that- but at this point, that statement kind of goes without saying haha).  I wound up giving the rhino chassis it was on to Vash since he was tank hunting for his Imperial Fists, which he got matching forgeworld doors for.   He walked away with 5 tanks including a land raider, betcha he's a happy camper!

 

But, the deal of the day goes to me (sorry vash) for picking this beauty up, magnetized, for 30% of retail price.  Behold!

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3670/13339237885_10f3973976_c.jpg

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7319/13339395123_294f2306d9_c.jpg

He didn't come with the frag launchers or hunter killer missiles- but hey, I guess it just means I'll have to convert some of my own right?  Well, and the model on the whole, but again, that's a given. 

 

Well, that wraps up the report from my first Bizarre Bazaar- but if they are all as fruitful as today was?  You better believe I'm going to the next one!  

[deathspectersgt7]

Some cool buys and of course this was in Va.

[Brother Heinrich]

Oh damn, now you have me torn between two awesome dreadnoughts for my Executioners. I can decide between the Chaplain and the Ironclad, you make both look so awesome!

[The_Chaplain]

Some cool buys and of course this was in Va.

Nope, Maryland actually- Dropzone Games is in Glen Burnie MD, in the building the old MD battle bunker used to reside in.  This was my 2nd trip up to dropzone- and if it werent for the hour drive (which admittedly Vash does the driving), I'd go up there every week.  The atmosphere is fantastic, and the staff and customers (and store dog) are super friendly.

 

 

Oh damn, now you have me torn between two awesome dreadnoughts for my Executioners. I can decide between the Chaplain and the Ironclad, you make both look so awesome!

Well, to be honest- I haven't done anything to the ironclad dreadnought...yet.  He came touting this much machismo!  I do have a plan in mind for him though! (Chaplain dreadnought would get my vote though- with all the skully death he brings to the table visual wise)  I see you've changed your avatar Heinrich- was so used to seeing Nathan Explosion next to your posts I had to do a double take! 

Edited March 23, 2014 by The_Chaplain

[infyrana]

Liking the pose on the dreadnought... and your bits remind me of all the things I've been trying to clear up and make use of :)  Though I'm ashamed to say I got rid of a lot of it a while back.

[Brother Heinrich]

 

Oh damn, now you have me torn between two awesome dreadnoughts for my Executioners. I can decide between the Chaplain and the Ironclad, you make both look so awesome!

Well, to be honest- I haven't done anything to the ironclad dreadnought...yet.  He came touting this much machismo!  I do have a plan in mind for him though! (Chaplain dreadnought would get my vote though- with all the skully death he brings to the table visual wise)  I see you've changed your avatar Heinrich- was so used to seeing Nathan Explosion next to your posts I had to do a double take! 

I think I'm gonna agree with you on this one, Chappy Dread is awesome, I love the huge burning brazier on yours. As for the avatar shift, it's one of those things that when you notice anyone do it on the forum, it usually means something new is on the wind... ;)

[ephrael]

You keep the bar high with your marine conversions and posed I'm impressed as usual.  You also managed to pick up the one Dread that has constantly eluded my search to buy cheap.  I think that the FW Ironclad Dread is one of the best kits they make in the standard Dread body.  I just stuck my FW Da dread back in a box in frustration.  Excellent find Chaplain.

[Monstra Sumus]

Haha, go for it man, I'm happy I can contribute to the Confessors IA with my inane ramblings! 

 

That Siege 'naught looks meeeean. 

[The_Chaplain]

... and your bits remind me of all the things I've been trying to clear up and make use of   Though I'm ashamed to say I got rid of a lot of it a while back.

Thanks! Sorry to hear you got rid of the bits though.  

 

I think I'm gonna agree with you on this one, Chappy Dread is awesome, I love the huge burning brazier on yours. As for the avatar shift, it's one of those things that when you notice anyone do it on the forum, it usually means something new is on the wind... 

Well, feel free to yoink the burning brazier idea Lorenzen, share and share alike.  The smoke is from a skaven plague furnace/screaming bell kit (which I picked up 2 more of yesterday! woohoo!)  Oh goodness, I wonder what this new project will be- the avatar reminds me a little of soviet era space race propaganda; that's probably not where it's from though. 

 

You keep the bar high with your marine conversions and posed I'm impressed as usual.  You also managed to pick up the one Dread that has constantly eluded my search to buy cheap.  I think that the FW Ironclad Dread is one of the best kits they make in the standard Dread body.  I just stuck my FW Da dread back in a box in frustration.  Excellent find Chaplain.

Thanks Mikhail!  Oh man, don't put the dreadnought in a box, I am sure he'll turn out great!  I'm trying to inspire like others have inspired me, I don't want to scare people away from the hobby!  Personally, I love the stole vestments on the DA dreadnought, so much so that I bought some velvety suede paper so I can make some on the chaplain dreadnought once he's painted.  Roman catholics in spaaaace! 

 

 

Haha, go for it man, I'm happy I can contribute to the Confessors IA with my inane ramblings!

Thanks, much obliged Brother Tyrax! 

 

 

That Siege 'naught looks meeeean.

You say that now.  This is a concept for what I want him to look like:

Now imagine that running at you!  

 

Haven't gotten anything besides that MS Paint concept done today- been helping my fiance gather materials and place orders for parts for an Elsa cosplay.  Friggin' Disney is going to be the death of me...

Edited March 24, 2014 by The_Chaplain

[Vash113]

I think I'm gonna agree with you on this one, Chappy Dread is awesome, I love the huge burning brazier on yours. As for the avatar shift, it's one of those things that when you notice anyone do it on the forum, it usually means something new is on the wind...

 

So Conan? Going to join the ranks of the Space Wolves perhaps?

[Argent aquila]

 

i am loving the dreadnought, concept and as it is! (need to get me at least 5 dreadnoughts total, bare minimum, becuase, you know, you can never have too many old grumpy dead guys walking around wearing tanks with legs )

 

 looks like you made off like a bandit there chaplain! I'm sure some of those parts you have are older than i am!

[MagicMan]

Looks awesome. How'd you get that dread for 30% of the regular price?!

 

I've wanted one for ages, hah.

[The_Chaplain]

Normally I try to post when I have an update (and with any luck I will still do so tomorrow); but I'm updating to say that the doctor's visit yesterday went well- and pending the results of an ultrasound they are pretty convinced I don't have cancer, so life is good! That said folks- if you find a lump; go get it checked out.  Better to be safe than sorry.

 

I am loving the dreadnought, concept and as it is!

Thanks!

 

You can never have too many old grumpy dead guys walking around wearing tanks with legs)

True enough- and each dreadnought gives you an opportunity to convert and play around with it and make them unique and characterful.

 

I'm sure some of those parts you have are older than i am!

Maybe! Oldest stuff here is from 1992 (I would've been...5? When it came out)

 

Looks awesome. How'd you get that dread for 30% of the regular price?!

I got it at the hobby equivalent of a flea market.  I was hesitant at the idea initially; but once you got past certain people's ridiculous prices, I found a few diamonds in the rough.  (You should have seen the prices some people were asking for out of production stuff hidden under thick globby layers of paint. It was obscene.) 

 

 

Pictures *hopefully* up tomorrow guys, using my doctor ordered bed rest to get as much done as I can model wise as possible!

Edited March 27, 2014 by The_Chaplain

[The_Chaplain]

Alrighty faithful followers, I promised pictures of what I got done the last few days, and here they are! First up, a new look for an old concept I had on the chaplain dreadnought-- a confessional stole:

http://fc09.deviantart.net/fs71/i/2014/087/2/c/confessors_diy_chaplain_dread_vestments_wip_by_emo_catboy-d7byy7c.jpg

Hey, just because he's a dreadnought doesn't mean he shouldn't get dressed to the nines for battle; and so, the chaplain dreadnought has received the beginnings of some catholic style vestments- in this case a "stole".

 

At present, they (the vestments) are made of metal sheet, and affixed to the chassis with some "studded leather" made from epoxy and small glass beads.  The plan is to glue two strips of suede paper  on top of the metal sheet like a sandwich- once the dread has been painted; complete with a pattern, naturally.  In the end I'd ideally like for them to look a little something like these:

 

Smug here is having some gap filling done (like the flames on his repurposed legion of the damned legs).  He got a gun strap and a RT backpack out of the deal; not a bad trade off.  

 

"Heston" here got a gun strap and a spiffy new *half* hairdo:

I found having pictures of hair references while sculpting to be extremely helpful- and with his pry this chainsword from my cold dead hands pose; I went with Charlton Heston's "Planet of the Apes" 'do as the reference; although recreating the loftiness of heston's locks was difficult- I decided against the beard (for now at least).  Half a hair do was insult enough for this half-bionic commando; I can't imagine how mad he'd be if the enemy cut off half a beard as well, haha.  Suffice to say, I think he's about ready to get his hands on some damn dirty xenos! 

 

This guy from a few pages back is getting some cosmetic surgery. Here's the before:

And his "after" WIP:

He is going to be the first trooper in my 2nd crusader squad. 

 

There hasn't been an update on the biker captain for a while; let's remedy that shall we?

hair reference was Bernard Hill, no particular movie.  The goal for the thunderhammer is to add the "stamp" head with the skeleton from this model onto both sides of the head:

http://www.games-workshop.com/MEDIA_CustomProductCatalog/m1250043_99060108011_Confesskyrinovmain_445x319.jpg

 

Added a couple details to some reclusiam command squad members after a rummage through my various boxes o stuff:

skeleton arm made into a chapter symbol- replacing the BA icon on the pad.  Also started some scrollwork (not happy with it, gonna replace it next week)

He also got himself a nice little beat stick- this ain't no misericorde, that's for sure!

(It's the Blades of Reason from the new finecast Asmodai; with a scratch made strap)

Snatched this from the DV libbie from a few pages ago; I think it adds some visual cohesion to the unit because it looks like the mace head design on the chaplain's crozius. Which brings me to the last bit for today...

 

So, trawling around ebay the other night, I stumbled upon a Sons of Horus banner, and eagerly I snatched it up.  Obviously, I cannot use the SoH banner topper, it's gotta go.  But what do I replace it with?

My thinking is I can either go with a red scorpion command squad banner topper which is roughly the same shape as the SoH topper- or try to get the topper from a red scorpions dreadnought banner which looks like the crozius head and the backpack decoration.  Thoughts?

 

Now, I just need to start designing a banner design... craaaaaaaap.  

 

 

Small addendum to today's update- a good friend of mine sent me a package of ProCreate sculpting material a while back, and I broke it out for these projects.  I cannot recommend it enough, it is an absolute treat to work with.  I am seriously never buying Green Stuff again.

Edited March 28, 2014 by The_Chaplain

[Vash113]

Coming along nicely I see, keep it up.

 

As for the banner, I'd go with the Aquila and Skull topper... I mean duh!

[The_Chaplain]

Coming along nicely I see, keep it up. As for the banner, I'd go with the Aquila and Skull topper... I mean duh!

Thank you Vash, I'll try to keep it up as much as I can, haha.  Duh indeed. 

 

Well, I've managed to sneak an update in under the wire!  It isn't April just yet!

 

So, I wanted to keep this sort of under wraps until I got more information from the guy- but a contest was brought to my attention by a member of the board SickSix via his youtube channel (SilverSkullGamer) in the form of a liked video (Kiblams is the contest holders channel, a real nice guy).   The contest?  Enter a picture to have computer rendered and made into stencils.   Well, due to so few participants-  I, and everyone else who entered, won!

 

So, these are being sent to me soon(ish) from jolly old england!

 

20, 25 and 30 mm Confessors chapter symbols and circular color field templates to put them on.  Perfect for eventual airbrushing onto some vehicles!

 

Now, the race between the chapterhouse studios tank kit, GW Honoured Imperium basing set, SoH banner has received a 4th challenger.  What will arrive first?  Place your bets folks!  

Edited March 31, 2014 by The_Chaplain

[Argent aquila]

ooohhh, me likey the everything...

 

 great stuff, and a very unique army to boot. always refreshing to see the mastery you can afford on models! (i wouldn't wan't to be you on the custom banner though, yeesh that's a lot of freehand space.)

 

 

 you sir are lucky to have the design for a chapter symbol already for you. i'm going to be designing one in Rhino (sorta like autocad) and using a die cutter to cut out the basic shape to transfer via careful penmanship to something like a stencil....

[The_Chaplain]

ooohhh, me likey the everything...   great stuff, and a very unique army to boot. always refreshing to see the mastery you can afford on models! (i wouldn't wan't to be you on the custom banner though, yeesh that's a lot of freehand space.)  you sir are lucky to have the design for a chapter symbol already for you. i'm going to be designing one in Rhino (sorta like autocad) and using a die cutter to cut out the basic shape to transfer via careful penmanship to something like a stencil....

Thanks Argent Aquila!  As a collector rather than a gamer I can "afford it" so to speak because the game itself doesn't interest me that much anymore- but the universe lore and grimdark aesthetic keeps me buying models and working on things haha.  That said, I'm sure I'll play at least a couple games with these guys once everything is done.

 

Dont worry about it brother- to be honest, I went through about 4 different ideas for the chapter symbol before settling on this one; and even then I debated back and forth on it for a good stint.  But the imagery of the heroes of humanity only finding Dorns severed, skeletal hand and the tradition of chapter masters of the various successor chapters scrimshawing the bones  struck me both in the morbidity and the sacrificial symbolism it represented.  So the skeleton version of the Imperial Fist symbol came into being.   Long story short, it takes a while- but you will find a symbol you really like.  (That said I have NO clue what I'm going to do about the banner design. And it scares me)

Edited April 1, 2014 by The_Chaplain