Eagle Themed Marine Army, Need Ideas & Help

[Hessenth]

So I am going to start an eagle themed marine army, and am planning on spending alot of time on it. So far my ideas are as followed,

 

Wings instead of jump packs for the marines (a mutation, fluff wise!)

Instead of Powerfists, I was hoping to do like an eagle talon, much like the emperors power claw.

I was going to use Raptor transfer sheets and simply steel their iconography.

Beaky Helmets for assault marines as well.

 

The trouble I am having is finding the right wings to buy and fit onto marines. I'm sure I am not the first person to think or do this idea.

The Powerfist conversion seems even harder and I don't know where to start.

Anyone know where I can just buy the beaky helmets en mass?

 

And of course any suggestions would be GREATLY appreciated.

[Antarius]

If you're willing to go for a non-mutation solution, the BA Sanguinary Guard have some nice winged jump packs :)

 

Apart from that, assuming you're going to have non-jumpers in your army, Forge World does some nice imperial eagle-doors (that, incidentally makes for nice Storm Shields too) for both Rhinos and Land Raiders: linky

Whether this works for you depends a bit on how "stylised" the theme is going to be, of course.

 

As for beaky helmets, try the different bits shops out there (bits and kits, let the dice decide and probably a million others). You'll probably need to be on the lookout for when they restock them though, I imagine they sell out pretty fast.

[simon-042]

I'm slowly bringing together an Eagle theme Marine force too and I've come across most of the items mentioned during my extensive Googling :)

 

I have however stumbled across Shapeways, which is a 3D printing service where users upload designs and anyone can order them. Naturally there are a fair few designs for 28mm minatures and a user called Dynath40k has developed some eagle shoulder pads and helmets plus loads of other weapons and bits worth checking out.

 

Pads: http://www.shapeways.com/model/404044/eagl...der-pad-x2.html

Eagle Helm: http://www.shapeways.com/model/335873/eagle-helm-x5.html

Beaky Heads: http://www.shapeways.com/model/447942/star...6b-helm-x5.html

 

I've not ordered any yet so I can't speak to the quality but might be worth a shot if trawling through Ebay and bits sites isn't your thing.

 

I have also found a cool eagle storm shield from Chapterhouse Studios

 

http://chapterhousestudios.com/index.php?r...;product_id=159

 

Let me know if you find anything else eagle related, I'm always looking out for ideas!

[Captain Hwarang]

Sounds like a cool project. It's also a good choice of animal, as there are loads of resources for conversions.

 

First, in addition to the eagle doors on Forge World, there are accessories for the Raptors, a bird of prey themed army. THey have terminator shoulder pads, which lok awesome in my opinion. They are here:

 

Raptor Terminator Shoulder Pads

 

There are also a number of door options from Forge World:

 

Raptors MKIIB Land Raider Doors

 

Raptors Land Raider Doors

 

Raptors Rhino Doors

 

Any Raven Guard accessories you come across might also work, but their icon is pretty recognizable as belonging to them.

 

For jump packs, I second the idea of Sanguinary Guard jump packs, which come with the wings. Be aware, however, that this may give more of an angelic feel than an eagle feel.

 

You can find slightly eagle-shaped helmets at Puppets War:

 

Eagle-Head Helmets

 

You could also use the Eagle-headed backpack from the commander sprue, which is available from bits dealers.

 

Eagle-headed Backpack

 

Finally, your talon idea can probably be pulled off with this piece, from Anvil Industries, scultped by the amazing Lamenter:

 

Large Mechanical Talons

 

Of course, this is quite an expensive army, but it will definitely look cool. Hope that helps.

[fivepointedstar]

^ those large mechanical talons from Anvil Ind. are wickedly cool, and would be perfect for an emperor-like character.

[Hessenth]

Thank you guys so much for the help! I'm excited for the help. The Talon claws are ESPECIALLY an awesome find as its much cheaper than buying huron 5 times over just for his hand. The Storm Shields as Eagles are a good idea too. I'm still open to ideas and am looking for weapons with maybe some sort of wing or talon iconography. Also I am going to avoid the Sanguinary Guard Wings simply because they are too angelic and I am going for a mutation fluff wise.

[Anvils Hammer]

Hey,

 

Bear in the mind that the talons are HUGE. Too big to use with power armoured minis, but a smaller version is in the works.

 

You will also be pleased to hear that Lamenter, creator of the claws, is currently working on some new Marine scale feathered wings, a commission for Anvil Industry.

 

I have no idea when I will be able to release these or what the price will be, but they are on the way! I will upoad a WIP photo tommorow.

 

Cheers,

 

Joel,

 

Anvil Industry

[Hessenth]

Will they work on Terminator armor? What is the ETA on the new wings and smaller talons? I need me my conversions! Im super eager to buy.

[simon-042]

Good to hear smaller versions of those talons will be made, saw them the other day, along with the size warning! Those feathered wings sound interesting too...looking forward to those WIP pics!

[Anvils Hammer]

@Hessenth,

 

They are still quite big on terminators, but I assume that is what most people who buy them use them for. Im strongly considering making a "large claws with arms" product to make converting with the claws a lot easier!

 

Im afraid I cannot give any ETA on the new claws/wings, far to many variables!

 

But here is a WIP as promised-

 

http://i1215.photobucket.com/albums/cc508/AnvilIndustry/wipwings.jpg

 

I will probably be casting the wings totally flat to keep the cost down, and then do a "how to" on using hot water to bend the wings into custom shapes.

 

I will be releasing these in both "plain" and "built in rocket pack" versions.

 

Cheers,

 

Joel

[simon-042]

Thanks for the pic Joel, looking good. Scale-wise the wings would definitely be better for Terminators!

[reckoning]

Those wings are awesome. The 'rocket pack' themed ones sound really cool.