Forge World Space Wolves Terminator Upgrade Kit Discussion

[Valerian]

Cool to see we're on the front page of Forgeworld, hopefully we get something swanky from them, but I think I'm gonna have to order that termie upgrade kit and slap it on my stormclaw legs!

 

or better yet I guess, order 5 leg bits off ebay then grab those bodies.  Up my loganwing to 35 models!

 

I wouldn't recommend it; that upgrade kit is a decade old, and built to fit the older, smaller, plastic TDA set.  The pieces are too small to fit contemporary Terminator plastic bits.

 

I, personally, had issues with the Forge World upgrade kit, with the bits too small to integrate well with contemporary Terminator boxed sets.  I thought that this must be due to their having been built for the older era plastic kits that were smaller, but I must be mistaken, based on the experience of several others here that have used them with no issues.

 

I'll be the first to admit that they look terrific, so if you decide to go for it and use the kit, please provide feedback of your experiences here.

 

V

[Leif Bearclaw]

 

Cool to see we're on the front page of Forgeworld, hopefully we get something swanky from them, but I think I'm gonna have to order that termie upgrade kit and slap it on my stormclaw legs!

 

or better yet I guess, order 5 leg bits off ebay then grab those bodies.  Up my loganwing to 35 models!

 

I wouldn't recommend it; that upgrade kit is a decade old, and built to fit the older, smaller, plastic TDA set.  The pieces are too small to fit contemporary Terminator plastic bits.

 

V

 

Er I'm confused here. The FW upgrade set is meant for the current Codex Marine Terminator Box, as far as I'm aware, and they worked fine when  I got mine (admittedly a good few years ago now). I've also never noticed as size discrepancy between the plastic Terminator kits, and there hasn't been a 'new' Terminator release other than the Chapter specific/assault ones since TDA went plastic, the SMs certainly haven't got a new, bigger kit. Using SM termies with FW upgrades and plastic SW ones in the same squad is fine, there's no noticeable size difference.

[Valerian]

 

Er I'm confused here. The FW upgrade set is meant for the current Codex Marine Terminator Box, as far as I'm aware, and they worked fine when  I got mine (admittedly a good few years ago now). I've also never noticed as size discrepancy between the plastic Terminator kits, and there hasn't been a 'new' Terminator release other than the Chapter specific/assault ones since TDA went plastic, the SMs certainly haven't got a new, bigger kit. Using SM termies with FW upgrades and plastic SW ones in the same squad is fine, there's no noticeable size difference.

 

 

 

The FW Upgrade set was built ages ago, and because the bits seemed small to me, I assumed they were built for the first plastic Terminator Boxed set, seen here:  

 

http://www.warchyld.com/warhammer/imgs/9288.jpg

 

It was my impressions that these models are just a bit smaller all the way around from the contemporary Space Marine and Space Wolves Terminator boxes.  You can still get them to work, and once you've got them glued together and painted, probably nobody would notice, but they are different sizes.

 

 I just grabbed one of the shoulder pads from the FW upgrade pack, and tried to fit it onto the shoulder of one of the arms that comes with the Space Wolves Terminator Pack, and it just simply doesn't fit on quite right.  I'm sure I could make it stay on with superglue, but it doesn't fit the same as one of the larger plastic Shoulder Pads that also comes with the Space Wolves Terminator Pack.  The FW shoulder pads are definitely a bit smaller.  Same goes with the torsos.  You put the FW ones side-by-side with an assembled torso from the newer plastic sets and you can see the difference.

 

V

[Leif Bearclaw]

 

 

Er I'm confused here. The FW upgrade set is meant for the current Codex Marine Terminator Box, as far as I'm aware, and they worked fine when  I got mine (admittedly a good few years ago now). I've also never noticed as size discrepancy between the plastic Terminator kits, and there hasn't been a 'new' Terminator release other than the Chapter specific/assault ones since TDA went plastic, the SMs certainly haven't got a new, bigger kit. Using SM termies with FW upgrades and plastic SW ones in the same squad is fine, there's no noticeable size difference.

 

 

 

The FW Upgrade set was built ages ago, and was built in the era of the first plastic Terminator Boxed set, seen here:  http://www.warchyld.com/warhammer/imgs/9288.jpg

 

These models are just a bit smaller all the way around from the contemporary Space Marine and Space Wolves Terminator boxes.  You can still get them to work, and once you've got them glued together and painted, probably nobody would notice, but they are different sizes.  I just grabbed one of the shoulder pads from the FW upgrade pack, and tried to fit it onto the shoulder of one of the arms that comes with the Space Wolves Terminator Pack, and it just simply doesn't fit on quite right.  I'm sure I could make it stay on with superglue, but it doesn't fit the same as one of the larger plastic Shoulder Pads that also comes with the Space Wolves Terminator Pack.  The FW shoulder pads are definitely a bit smaller.  Same goes with the torsos.  You put the FW ones side-by-side with an assembled torso from the newer plastic sets and you can see the difference.

 

V

 

I thought those were metal. While I've never personally owned them, all Terminators of that style I've ever encountered have been metal heavy. The only other plastic termies I'm aware of are the ancient one piece ones from Space Hulk.

 

Plus the current SM Terminator box (the one the FW kit is combined with in the FW promo), is also a decade old (iirc), which would make it the same age as the FW kit, if your first post was accurate.

 

Having gone rooting thorough my case, while there may be a slight difference, the principal thing that seems to add to the SW TDA size is the ornate nature of the kit, stuff like the raised edges of the shoulder pads make the SW kit look bigger compared to the more Spartan FW/SM ones. Is there a size difference between the SW and SM kits then? Because the FW stuff fits fine on the SM Terminators.

[Valerian]

 

 

Er I'm confused here. The FW upgrade set is meant for the current Codex Marine Terminator Box, as far as I'm aware, and they worked fine when  I got mine (admittedly a good few years ago now). I've also never noticed as size discrepancy between the plastic Terminator kits, and there hasn't been a 'new' Terminator release other than the Chapter specific/assault ones since TDA went plastic, the SMs certainly haven't got a new, bigger kit. Using SM termies with FW upgrades and plastic SW ones in the same squad is fine, there's no noticeable size difference.

 

The FW Upgrade set was built ages ago, and was built in the era of the first plastic Terminator Boxed set, seen here:  http://www.warchyld.com/warhammer/imgs/9288.jpg

 

These models are just a bit smaller all the way around from the contemporary Space Marine and Space Wolves Terminator boxes.  You can still get them to work, and once you've got them glued together and painted, probably nobody would notice, but they are different sizes.  I just grabbed one of the shoulder pads from the FW upgrade pack, and tried to fit it onto the shoulder of one of the arms that comes with the Space Wolves Terminator Pack, and it just simply doesn't fit on quite right.  I'm sure I could make it stay on with superglue, but it doesn't fit the same as one of the larger plastic Shoulder Pads that also comes with the Space Wolves Terminator Pack.  The FW shoulder pads are definitely a bit smaller.  Same goes with the torsos.  You put the FW ones side-by-side with an assembled torso from the newer plastic sets and you can see the difference.

 

V

 

I thought those were metal.

 

Nope, plastic.

 

 

Is there a size difference between the SW and SM kits then? Because the FW stuff fits fine on the SM Terminators.

Don't think so. The most modern Space Marine Terminators (regular/Tactical and Assault boxed sets) and the Space Wolves Terminator boxed set all seem to be of a like size; I've never had any issues mixing and matching parts between them. I have, however, had issues with getting the old Forge World Space Wolves Terminator upgrade kit to fit.

[Firepower]

Hm.  Templar Terminator bits fit fine, but I don't know how old they are compared to the Wolves' bits.

[Valerian]

If I recall correctly; they made the Wolves upgrade kit first. They sold well, so a couple years they started making the specialty shoulder pads for other Chapters.

[Firepower]

Seems likely.  Templars certainly wouldn't be among the very first releases.

[Valerian]

Seems likely. Templars certainly wouldn't be among the very first releases.

Yeah, y'all probably didn't even have your own army yet, when those first came out.

[Nrthstar]

wouldn't mind taking this particular discussion to another thread, since this is intenstly interesting to me since I have a credit card sitting next to me, calling to be used, but I don't want to do it if it's true.  I play against/with a guy that has those old termies (his ARE metal though) and they are grossly undersized.

[Valerian]

All I can tell you, Nrthstar, is about my experience with the kit.  I bought the kit from Forge World a couple years back, with the intention of wolfing up some models from both the regular Space Marines Tactical and Assault Terminator boxed sets (I had a spare box of both kinds at the time).  They didn't fit well together at all, so I ended up selling the Forge World kit to another Wolves player that was willing to mess with it, and sent the Terminator boxes to an old buddy who collect Ultramarines.

 

If anyone else has had good luck with that kit, please post pictures for Nrthstar, and other interested players' sakes.

 

V

[Rift Blade]

I bought the kit like 3 or 4 yrs ago they fit just fine with the current WGTDA. Sorry I can't post pics, bit I can't seem to get my gallery to load since the board went down a while back.

[Nrthstar]

Thanks for moving this Val!  Please do let me know good experiences/bad ones.  It would be nice if foregworld would show us some love.

[Rune_Priest_Rhapsody]

Here's the only 3 pics of mine I have atm:

http://i899.photobucket.com/albums/ac194/Khyron666/40K001-12.jpg

http://i899.photobucket.com/albums/ac194/Khyron666/40K002-12.jpg

http://i899.photobucket.com/albums/ac194/Khyron666/40K003-12.jpg

 

I elevated the torso and used the chaos termi lord legs.

 

End of Line

[Wraithwing]

The a Forgeworld TDA kit was designed to go with the current plastic TDA kit.

 

You can tell his because the old plastic TDAs didn't have seperate shoulder pads.

 

Whether or not they fit properly is a different matter. Valerian, I suspect you had a duff batch if you had a lot of trouble with them.

[Bulweih]

Hyá brothers,

now I don't know for which TDA sprue the FW kit was first produced, all I can provide is a pic or two of mine and some experience report.

 

It must be admitted that the FW torsi are a whee bit slighter by comparison to the plastic counterparts, but as stated before this fact ruining their appearance as too small is negated by our shoulderpads -either they're plastics or FW- "hulking" our armour out.

 

 

 

This last is a group shot of a painting vow from around the aett and I think it proves the point.

[Valerian]

Whether or not they fit properly is a different matter. Valerian, I suspect you had a duff batch if you had a lot of trouble with them.

That is a distinct possibility.

 

EDIT:  One upside to this thread, is that it is convincing me to order the upgrade kit again and giving it another try with a different batch.  They really do look good.  Of course, I don't really need any more Terminators, so I suppose it will depend on what happens in the upcoming codex.

 

V

[Dantay VI]

You can never have too many terminators V!

[MeatGrinder]

Well it was definately designed to fit the sm plastic terminator kit. The current one that is. It should be the exact same size.

[Nrthstar]

Hel though, I order the kit, order a set of legs off ebay for 10 bucks, use my existing supply of bits, 5 more fantastic termies to add to my 30 man strong loganwing for apoc.

[muggs]

I bought a set at the HH weekender, they fit fine with both the WG and SM TDA sets. I hadn't noticed them being much smaller torso wise. The heads are a little bit smaller (but no different to the size of Arjac's head) than plastic ones.

[CatSmasher]

I am planning a FW purchase soon, so this discussion was wildly unhelpful. hahaha

[BrotherJim]

Ok so I didn't read every reply, but the FW kit is fine. It was made to suit the plastic imperial tdas. The new space wolves plastics are a touch bigger, but not noticeably. The new plastics have more detail. The FW have the cool heads, however they cannot be moved.

I reccomend using the forgeworld on imperial plastics.

[Inquisitor Kravin]

After liking them ever since they were released I finally bought the FW torsos/pads upgrade kit in May this year. I think overall size wise they seem alright. What is a bit odd is that the bare heads/faces seem smaller than the standard plastic wolf bare heads so if you mix them with helmeted termies they look okay but next to plastic heads the faces look a bit strange (to me).

[shabbadoo]

The new space wolves plastics are a touch bigger, but not noticeably.

Utterly untrue. The generic plastic Terminator and the plastic Space Wolf Terminator bits are EXACTLY the same size.

Cool to see we're on the front page of Forgeworld, hopefully we get something swanky from them, but I think I'm gonna have to order that termie upgrade kit and slap it on my stormclaw legs!

or better yet I guess, order 5 leg bits off ebay then grab those bodies. Up my loganwing to 35 models!

I wouldn't recommend it; that upgrade kit is a decade old, and built to fit the older, smaller, plastic TDA set. The pieces are too small to fit contemporary Terminator plastic bits.

I, personally, had issues with the Forge World upgrade kit, with the bits too small to integrate well with contemporary Terminator boxed sets. I thought that this must be due to their having been built for the older era plastic kits that were smaller, but I must be mistaken, based on the experience of several others here that have used them with no issues.

I'll be the first to admit that they look terrific, so if you decide to go for it and use the kit, please provide feedback of your experiences here.

V

The upgrade kit bits were originally scultped to fit the generic plastic Terminator models perfectly, and so will fit the Space Wolves Terminator bits perfectly too (as they are EXACTLY the same size). The first molds of the Space Wolves Terminator Conversion Set were made off of the masters (i.e. the original sculpts), and so the part shrinkage due the molding process was almost unoticeable. Later molds were apparerntly not made using the masters, but were made off of copies of copies of copies of who knows how many copies. Every time a copy is made from a copy, there is a minute amount of parts shrinkage. Do this enough times and you get parts with a *noticeable* amount of shrinkage. We see this on many, many, many Forgwoeld kit parts. Why? Because Forgeworld really doesn't care enough to ensure that only the masters (or at least first generation castings of them) are used in the making of replacement molds.

The end result is parts that are noticeably too small to properly fit on the kits they were made for. And yet people still buy them, often doing so unaware of the "quality" of the product they will be getting. That is why you are having issues with the Forgeworld bits not fitting properly. They are simply too small, which is unfortunate as they look very good. And so "the batch" may very well not matter at this point...unless somebody at Forgeworld was decidely not lazy and sought out the masters (or first generation castings of them) to remake the latest molds. You can always get a refund if you are unsatisfied, and be sure to mention why. If enough people do that, somebody at Forgeworld might actually institute a mold remaking protocol so as to remedy the problem of parts shrinkage.

And I hope you lads get some cool Forgeworld stuff (in addtion to Leman Russ that is) sooner rather than later.