True-Scale Deathwatch (24/10 - Guardian of the Covenant)

[Commissar Molotov]

http://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd464/INQ28/Durav1_zpsdyjvxo5r.jpg

 

I've been able to carve out a little bit more space in the collar, allowing me to rotate the head. I think it has helped to enliven the pose, giving me more scope to make this guy. 

Edited May 2, 2015 by Commissar Molotov

[Commissar Molotov]

So, I managed to get a little bit more modelling time. Here's Durav Segesvar, Brother of the Iron Talons: 

 

http://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd464/INQ28/Segesvar1_zpssmc31vff.png

http://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd464/INQ28/Segesvar2_zpsgvalvmpa.png

Testing different arm configurations. The combi-bolter comes from Abaddon. As I explained to JackDaw, I like the idea of Segesvar unleashing a torrent of fire into aliens, bolter shells and grenades blasting Orkoid flesh into bits. Of course, after I took these pictures I lost the combi-bolter, so that's a slight problem... 

 

http://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd464/INQ28/Segesvar3_zps18le6uki.png

On the greave here, I've added a bolt of lightning from a thunder hammer. I figured it's a nice callback to the Iron Talons being related to the White Scars.

 

http://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd464/INQ28/Segesvar4_zps8fokpygl.png

 

Still a work-in-progress, but I think he has some potential here. 

Edited May 3, 2015 by Commissar Molotov

[The_Chaplain]

He has definite potential Mol, the use of the Red Butcher torso in conjunction with the MkII helmet is a nice combination.  

[Commissar Molotov]

Thanks for the feedback. I'm hoping to get some feedback from Jackdaw soon - I think this guy is going well. I thought about giving him a topknot in the style of the White Scars but I wasn't really very sure. 

 

With Segesvar taking shape, I'm looking at the rest of the second five of the Deathwatch Kill-team. One of the pairs of legs I've built previously have been a pair of Minotaurs legs from Asterion Moloc. However, the more I've worked on this project, the more I've decided that I don't really like the Minotaurs that much, or find them particularly interesting as a Chapter. Some of that is down to the Forgeworld depiction of them. 

 

http://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd464/INQ28/White%20Consuls_zps5xtkuiw5.png

 

I wanted to include an Ultramarine in my kill-team, but was leery of having too many First Founding Chapters involved. I then considered that it would be good to have the Black Consuls - but eventually, I've settled on the White Consuls. This ties in nicely with the fact that I wanted to include an apothecary in the kill-team. An Ultramarines successor - with all the organs intact - makes for a good apothecary. A few people had suggested a Red Scorpion but I'm not mad about them as a Chapter either. 

 

Here's my visual sketchpad for where I want to go with the Apothecary. The only thing I need to be sure of is not putting him into an identical pose to my Lamenter. 

 

My biggest consideration at the moment is what to do with the bull-head on his greave. Either I leave it there and play it that's a heraldic icon; perhaps he's some cantankerous 'old bull' type of character. Alternatively, I can scrape it off and try to replace it with something else - but what? 

 

All feedback would be gratefully received. 

[The_Chaplain]

Maybe you could hollow out some sort of banner topper or find a resin shield of some kind and wrap it around the greave?  Or perhaps an eagle head from the plastic captain backpack cut to fit and made into a gargoyle like protrusion?   I forgot whose thread it was, but someone used an Empire cannon bit on a pair of true scaled legs with ring style door knockers attached to them which would allow you to maybe dangle a lantern or something from it?  

 

That's a tough one.  I'd hate to see the otherwise gorgeous filigreed greave be shaved and sanded smooth-- aesthetically it's a great piece of leg armor, sans the bull head. 

Edited May 5, 2015 by The_Chaplain

[KrautScientist]

@ The_Chaplain: The guy with the door knockers on his greaves was mine, I believe. Cheers for the shout out

 

Mol, I may be a lazy git, but I really think the idea of playing the bull head off as some kind of heraldic device sounds like a great idea: The Ultramarines are so steeped in Greek/Roman heraldry and design that this totally seems like something they would do -- you could even name the guy Taurus or Torus or Tauran or something similar. The heraldic device on his leg armour just seems like a great way of turning him into a character, rather than just Ultrasmurf No. 101.

 

One small thing, though: You realise that the Sternguard Bolter in your mockup has the wrong hand attached to it, right? There's an alternate, right-handed bolter in the same kit, though (just used one of them on my Iron Warriors champ, but if you need Sternguard weapons, give me a holler).

 

That Iron Talon just looks like the perfect truescale Iron Warrior, btw, but maybe that's just me: I seem to be in full blown Iron Warriors mode at the moment...

 

 

EDIT: Aw, man, I should have read more closely: I just noticed this guy won't be an Ultramarine in the first place...

 

...

 

...You know what, I think you should make him an Ultramarine, after all.

Edited May 5, 2015 by KrautScientist

[Dragonlover]

Maybe he wears the bull icon to honour a member of the Minotaurs that previously served in the squad?

 

Dragonlover

[Commissar Molotov]

 

 

Mol, I may be a lazy git, but I really think the idea of playing the bull head off as some kind of heraldic device sounds like a great idea: The Ultramarines are so steeped in Greek/Roman heraldry and design that this totally seems like something they would do -- you could even name the guy Taurus or Torus or Tauran or something similar. The heraldic device on his leg armour just seems like a great way of turning him into a character, rather than just Ultrasmurf No. 101. 

 

One small thing, though: You realise that the Sternguard Bolter in your mockup has the wrong hand attached to it, right? There's an alternate, right-handed bolter in the same kit, though (just used one of them on my Iron Warriors champ, but if you need Sternguard weapons, give me a holler!

 

 

I've posted an alternative suggestion here with him holding the bolter in his narthecium. 

 

http://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd464/INQ28/White%20Consuls%202_zpss6axmefr.png

 

I want to get the gladius from the Honour Guard standard bearer - it looks suitably Romanesque, which I like. It also makes him distinct from the Lamenter. Perhaps it even looks as though he is directing the Lamenter into action. With the bits and pieces on the armour I've selected, this Apothecary would be the recipient of the Imperial Laurel (twice), the Iron Halo and the Iron Skull - this is a highly-decorated and long-serving veteran who has seen battlefields across the galaxy. 

 

At the moment, I think I would either keep the Minotaur head or replace it with a Prime Helix. A lot of people seem to be suggesting I keep it, so I'm leaning towards that at the moment. I will perhaps be thinking how to de-Minotaur it - perhaps by removing some of the Grecian elements, slightly. 

[Brother-Chaplain Kage]

 

At the moment, I think I would either keep the Minotaur head or replace it with a Prime Helix. A lot of people seem to be suggesting I keep it, so I'm leaning towards that at the moment. I will perhaps be thinking how to de-Minotaur it - perhaps by removing some of the Grecian elements, slightly. 

 

 

Keep it all. As mentioned, the Ultras are all about the Roman influences with their blinged out armor, and their mythology is full of references to bulls. The bull is one of the symbols for Zeus himself, who even took the form of a white bull to kidnap Europa (who would later give birth to Minos, leading to another white bull creating the Minotaur), and re-arranged the stars to form a constellation of a bull - Taurus.

[Grotsmasha]

How the hell have I missed this thread of awesomness for so long?!?!?  I really love how easy FW's Cataphractii and Tartaros legs make True scaling, my favourite has to be your Librarian.

 

Cheers,

Jono

[JackDaw]

Segesvars updated pose is looking good - that right arm is just the right angle and level I think. Bad news about the bolter though, hope it turns up.

 

Apothecary plan is looking sound - I like the idea of the gladius and narthecium combo, and the bull head should stay, it's a glorious piece of detailing and still fits the Greco-Roman stylings of the Ultramarines and the Consuls.

Edited May 7, 2015 by JackDaw

[Commissar Molotov]

http://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd464/INQ28/Segesvar2_zpsnonzw4y3.jpg

Segesvar is nearing completion - the last thing I need to do with him is shoulderpads. I've found Abaddon's combi-bolter (in a box I'd searched through five or six times...) and put it on. Debating whether or not to give him a strap for the weapon, to tie it in with the Deathwatch bolters. (Or a scope?) 

 

http://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd464/INQ28/Crimson%20Fist_zpsqb3qafkc.jpg

 

Some work on the Crimson Fist - heavily blu-tacked, so it looks a little wonky. I'm trying to replicate this artwork. I'm trying to find a balance between making him look too short and stumpy versus tall and gangly. Adding pouches around the waist might help a little. 

 

http://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd464/INQ28/Guardians_zpswticrttu.jpg

 

A concept I'm fiddling with and debating adding to the team - a marine from the Guardians of the Covenant; I would like to add green-stuffed robes to the legs, but not entirely sure how I'd go about that. 

 

http://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd464/INQ28/Second%20Five_zpspk3jepqa.jpg

 

Here's how the second five of the Kill-Team is shaping up; it's not perfect, and I had wanted to add a heavy flamer to this five (seems like the Guardian of the Covenant might have to wield it) but I'm not sure. 

 

[Tyrannicide]

You could try using Skitarii robes on the Guardian. Would look something like a duster. Full body enshrouding robes have never made sense from a practical standpoint.   

[Timotheus]

Awesome stuff!! When I saw the Tartaros Termis for the first time I knew they were perfect for this purpose. Still waiting for some to appear on ebay as single bits for my upcoming BT Castellan...

[JackDaw]

Late to the party? Me? Never.

 

So Segesvar is looking pretty damn boss. I don't think a scope would fit - that bolter is built for weight of fire, not accuracy. A strap maybe, but I think visually a chain would work better - echoing those chains on his breastplate. The little lightning bolt markings are lovely. 

 

Everyone else is looking great as well - If you were thinking about the flamer going on the Guardian, I wouldn't bother with more robes. Several reasons - I always think robed Marines look like they are wearing dressing gowns - from a practical standpoint, a robe isn't easy to run in - and would you want to be wearing something flammable and carrying something that produces flame? 

[Commissar Molotov]

Well, the Guardian of the Covenant has stalled, and may well be going into the bin. I really wasn't satisfied with where he was. 

 

In the meantime, I've made a bit of progress on the Crimson Fist: 

 

http://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd464/INQ28/Crimson%20Fist%202_zpsgmqnylwf.jpg

 

This guy isn't far off being done - I need to sort a Deathwatch shoulder pad for him and locate a suitable arm for the bolter (or bolt pistol?) he'll have at his side. 

[That Guy Matt]

Can't remember if I commented before (and can't be bothered to go back and check) but these guys are epic.

[Commissar Molotov]

Thanks for the comment!

 

So today I was able to put together a first pass at Cyrian Tarmon, my White Consuls Apothecary. I'm still waiting on a few bits from eBay, but here's where I'm at:

 

http://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd464/INQ28/Tarmon2_zpskugbm6zr.jpg

 

Putting the bolter in the Narthecium hand didn't work out, but I'm considering this old plasma pistol: 

 

http://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd464/INQ28/Tarmon3_zpsqeymi5yv.jpg

 

A hot-tempered, temperamental weapon - seems perfect for this storied veteran. 

 

http://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd464/INQ28/Trio_zps8poxpunz.jpg

 

I want to get the gladius from the Marneus Calgar honour guard standard bearer to give him, along with the Mk III command squad head (on its way to me now.) After adding shoulder pads, and a bit of green-stuffing, Tarmon should be almost finished. I do want to add a tabard to the armour - the groin area is a little messy. 

[Monstra Sumus]

These are looking fantastic fella. 

[Leviathus]

Amazing work. They look ace!

[JackDaw]

Man, Segesvar makes me so happy. You are a legend sir.

 

The Crimson Fist though...dammit he might be edging out the Lamenter and Segesvar as my favourite. That chestpiece is glorious and the implacability behing his advance is palpable.

 

I actually dont think the Consul Apothecary needs anything in his left hand, it is his doctoring hand after all, needs to be clear for grabbing that geneseed. If you were set on using the old-school plasma pistol, I'd consider putting it in place of the sword, but I think it might spoil the flow and height of the model.

[Commissar Molotov]

Well, maybe (maybe) I can tempt you back towards Segesvar? 

 

I got an eBay order through today, with some various bits: 

 

http://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd464/INQ28/Postal_zpsfl6491y9.jpg

 

The Laurelled head for Tarmon helps make him that bit closer to the image I had for him in my head. The Ultramarines pauldron is a placeholder until I can get hold of the Raptors set at Warhammer World. 

 

http://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd464/INQ28/Tarmon4_zpsiozj23ew.jpg

 

http://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd464/INQ28/Praetor_zpssiwf7ino.jpg

 

I got one of the Praetorian helmets - they're pretty cool! 

 

Perhaps the star of the show today is Segesvar. Using a Space Wolves shoulder pad (originally donated by JackDaw) and the chestpiece of an Emperor's Children Palatine Blade, I think I may have finally cracked the Iron Talons' shoulder symbol. 

 

http://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd464/INQ28/Segesvar5_zps9fipz4hk.jpg

 

I then added a haloed skull from the Centurions kit onto the shoulder pad. In my headcanon, this marks Segesvar out as a veteran of ship boarding actions. The skull-and-crossbones on the vambrace mark him out as having skill in close combat. 

 

What do you reckon, JackDaw?

[JackDaw]

Why can I only like Segesvar once? That's unfair. The Chapter pauldron is glorious mate, just spot on. Genius idea to carve off that Palatine symbol and the haloed skull is a nice touch. Absolutely glorious.

[apologist]

The torso on Tarmon looks fantastic – I think I'll be having a go at that, if you don't mind. Grey Knight Terminator I assume; is the back altered beyond trimming away the psychic hood?

 

Really beautiful detailing and posing on all of the Deathwatch brethren.

[Commissar Molotov]

Excellent stuff!

 

Apologist: I imagine this Apothecary is one of a long line of Tarmons in the White Consuls! You can see more pictures of the MonkeyBallistic torso in my Castigators thread. The back of the GK torso is smoothed somewhat, but I ended up clipping off the tactical backpiece he'd glued on because it made the Apothecary backpack sit too far off the backplate for me. 

 

I mentioned before that Tarmon's groin was bothering me. It wasn't until I'd taken pictures of it that I realised how wonky it was. Removing the original flappy bits from Asterion Moloc and replacing them hadn't gone well, so today I sawed apart a pair of Cataphractii legs and used the belt and flappy bits to try to repair Tarmon (and help make him a little more Romanesque/Ultramarines-esque). 

 

Although it sounds as though it'd be a simple and easy operation, it ended up being more involved as I intended, as I had to break Tarmon apart and then rebuild him, including re-gluing all of the items on his belt. He does have a bolt pistol holster on his waist, though - so perhaps he won't be getting a pistol in his doctoring hand. 

 

 

http://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd464/INQ28/Tarmon1_zpszem4mnd4.jpg

http://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd464/INQ28/Tarmon2_zpskrkhlhrf.jpg

http://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd464/INQ28/Tarmon3_zpsoirqwxu0.jpg