The Lionsguard - KrautScientist's Legio Custodes project

[KrautScientist]

Hey everyone,

 

one of my new year's resolutions for 2015 has been to devote some more time to a couple of hobby projects that have been sitting on the backburner for quite a while. One of the projects in question is the one that will be detailed in this new thread of mine: My kitbashed Legio Custodes army, the Lionsguard.

 

So what we are looking at here is a small army of Pre-Heresy Custodes, the Empire’s personal bodyguard. I have been in love with the Legio Custodes ever since I read through German WD 112 (from April 2005): Not only did it feature rules for a Horus Heresy campaign, but it also marked the first time I ever saw Dave Taylor’s spectacular Legio Custodes army. There was something about those guys that really clicked with me. And even now, quite a few years later, Dave’s Custodes are still easily one of my favourite armies ever.

 

So the seed was planted, and when I took a at all the fantastic Space Marine kits, my love for the Legio Custodes was rekindled. I wouldn’t even have to work nearly as hard as Dave, since all the cool new bits would allow me to build the models by mostly sticking to kitbashing. So I did a bit of research and discovered some more great Custodes armies (Kaleb Daark’s Custodes thread here on B&C and Hashashin’s blog The Buddy Times come to mind, above all else). And so everything was in place.

To make things a little more challenging, I wanted to kitbash the entire army from GW (plastic) parts. I also wanted to explore several different unit types: The iconic Praetorians with their conic helmets as well as Custodes in older pattern Astartes armour (again, a callback to Dave’s army), Cataphractii Terminators, jetbikes and maybe even Sisters of Silence.

I started by building a small squad of Custodes Praetorians, using parts from the Grey Knights, Dark Angels Veterans and the Sanguinary Guard (and the occasional Tac Marine bit). I also used heads from the WFB White Lions of Chrace:

 

http://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2012/8/3/397563-Adeptus%20Custodes%2C%20Conversion%2C%20Custodians%2C%20Guardian%20Spears%2C%20Kitbash%2C%20Legio%20Custodes.JPG

 

http://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2012/8/3/397564-Adeptus%20Custodes%2C%20Conversion%2C%20Custodians%2C%20Guardian%20Spears%2C%20Kitbash%2C%20Legio%20Custodes.JPG

 

http://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2012/8/3/397569-Adeptus%20Custodes%2C%20Conversion%2C%20Custodians%2C%20Guardian%20Spears%2C%20Kitbash%2C%20Legio%20Custodes.JPG

 

http://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2012/8/3/397570-Adeptus%20Custodes%2C%20Conversion%2C%20Custodians%2C%20Guardian%20Spears%2C%20Kitbash%2C%20Legio%20Custodes.JPG

 

http://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2012/8/3/397567-Adeptus%20Custodes%2C%20Conversion%2C%20Custodians%2C%20Guardian%20Spears%2C%20Kitbash%2C%20Legio%20Custodes.JPG

 

As you can see, this recipe allowed me to create a couple of pretty convincing Custodes models. Here’s a look at the whole squad:

 

http://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2012/8/3/397571-Adeptus%20Custodes%2C%20Conversion%2C%20Custodians%2C%20Guardian%20Spears%2C%20Kitbash%2C%20Legio%20Custodes.JPG

 

Squad Heraklion

One of the Praetorian squads in the Legio Custodes’ elite Lionsguard, squad Heraklion consists of warriors as fiercely loyal as they are accomplished. Clad in the traditional Praetorian plate and wielding an array of mastercrafted weapons, the members of the squad know no goal more important than guarding the life of their Emperor. Leading the squad is Centurio Jastilus Petrarca, a relatively young but  exceedingly talented officer. In spite of his young age, the inside of his ceremonial plate already shows an astonishing number of engraved names and titles, earned through great feats and deeds of honour.

 

 

As my next project, I started building a squad of Custodes in regular power armour. I am not sure whether there is any precedent for this in “official” HH artwork, but the fact that Dave Taylor had also done a squad like that was definitely a good enough reason for me ;-)

I tried using different plastic parts to make the armour resemble various, older patterns of power armour that would have been widely used during the Heresy. My background for this squad is that they are basically “field-testing” different marks of armour before they are adopted for mass production for the Space Marine legions (and they sticking to their older armour even after the testing phase is completed, as a way of showing the pride they take in their task). Now I do of course realise that trying to kitbash this squad using "regular" GW plastic parts rather than actual Heresy era stuff by Forgeworld may seem like a pointless (and futile) exercise to many of your, but it was a part of the outline I had set for myself on this project, and also part of the fun

First up, a model in armour resembling the Mk. III “Iron” pattern:

 

http://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2012/9/7/409516-Adeptus%20Custodes%2C%20Conversion%2C%20Legio%20Custodes%2C%20Paintjob%2C%20Space%20Marines%2C%20Tactical%20Squad.JPG

 

Next, a model wearing armour resembling the Mk. V “Heresy” pattern:

 

http://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2012/9/7/409514-Adeptus%20Custodes%2C%20Conversion%2C%20Legio%20Custodes%2C%20Paintjob%2C%20Space%20Marines%2C%20Tactical%20Squad.JPG

 

This next model was rather easy to complete, wearing straight up Mk. VI “Corvus” armour:

 

http://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2012/9/7/409517-Adeptus%20Custodes%2C%20Conversion%2C%20Legio%20Custodes%2C%20Paintjob%2C%20Space%20Marines%2C%20Tactical%20Squad.JPG

 

There’s no actual precedent for the next model’s armour design. Still, I think the rather classical, almost "hoplite" look, makes it fit in rather well:

 

http://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2012/9/7/409519-Adeptus%20Custodes%2C%20Conversion%2C%20Legio%20Custodes%2C%20Paintjob%2C%20Space%20Marines%2C%20Tactical%20Squad.JPG

 

And finally, the squad leader in mastercrafted armour (actually measly Mk. VII, but that hadn’t officially been invented during the Heresy, so…):

 

http://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2012/9/7/409521-Adeptus%20Custodes%2C%20Conversion%2C%20Legio%20Custodes%2C%20Paintjob%2C%20Space%20Marines%2C%20Tactical%20Squad.JPG

 

All of the models in the squad were built using parts from different Marine or Chaos Space Marine kits, with a bit of deft cutting involved in places. Here’s the finished squad:

 

http://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2012/9/7/409523-Adeptus%20Custodes%2C%20Conversion%2C%20Legio%20Custodes%2C%20Paintjob%2C%20Space%20Marines%2C%20Tactical%20Squad.JPG

 

Squad Asklepian, “The Artisans”

The members of squad Asklepian forego the classic armament of the Legio Custodes and are instead clad in different marks of power armour. But this is no token of shame, for the squad’s honoured veterans are tasked with testing newly developed armour patterns in combat. That is why their armour is highly individual, with many different patterns across the squad. Some of its members are even wearing patterns that were never approved for mass production, yet they maintain their plate with utmost pride, sometimes even further embellishing it. For it is due to squad Asklepian’s diligent work that the legions of the Imperium may be armoured to the best possible standard, and Centurio Kletian Varios and his men take pride in that knowledge.

 

 

Putting these guys together proved to be so much fun that I decided to add additional models to the squad until every armour pattern from Mk. I to Mk. VI was represented. Here’s a sneak peek at some additional models:

 

http://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2013/7/24/520121-Adeptus%20Custodes%2C%20Conversion%2C%20Legio%20Custodes%2C%20Power%20Armour%2C%20Pre-heresy.JPG

 

After having built these two squads, I wanted to add a commander to make the models I had so far  “legally” playable as a very small army -- at least in theory ;-)

 

http://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2012/10/17/422243-Adeptus%20Custodes%2C%20Conversion%2C%20Custodes%2C%20Legio%20Custodes%2C%20Paintjob%2C%20Shield%20Captain.JPG

 

Shield Captain Fennias Andronicus, “The Old Lion”

One of the commanding officers of the Lionsguard, Fennias Andronicus is a veteran of the Legio Custodes: Many are his honorary titles and names, and they cover every inch of the inside of his master crafted armour. Called “The Old Lion”, Shield Captain Andronicus’ age and experience make him a skilled and levelheaded tactician, yet his name is also synonymous with heroism and prowess in combat.  When the Legio has to face an enemy on the field of battle, Andronicus leads from the front, relic blade in hand, and becomes and instrument of the Emperor’s wrath.

 

 

So far for my first post about the Lionsguard. There's more to come -- much more, in fact: Since this project has been ongoing for a couple of years, I have lots and lots of additional models. Sadly, most of them remain yet unpainted, but I hope that I'll be able to change that sooner rather than later -- after all, once Forgeworld gets around to releasing "official" Custodes models, nobody will want to take a second look at my own effort

 

So yeah, thanks for looking and stay tuned for more! And, as always, let me know what you think!

Edited February 7, 2015 by KrautScientist

[ixzion]

These look really awesome! What rules will you use when you run these guys until Forgeworld gets around to do the Custodes?

[KrautScientist]

Cheers, ixzion! :)

 

To be honest, rules weren't much of a consideration at all when building these guys. Since the project was started back before FW started releasing Horus Heresy rules, I always kinda imagined these guys as a "reskinned" Space Marine army, and I suppose they would still work as such. Probably an alliance of Marines and Grey Knights, I suppose, since that would probably be the best way to incorporate some of the more "esoteric" squads. But, like I said, this is a painting/modeling project, above all else.

[oldschoolsavant]

Loving the typical Custodes, not entirely sold on the standard marks, but certainly great work all round.

 

As for inspiration, Logan_the_Grim's thread here on the B&C stands out, if only for the spectacular Dreadknight conversions. I do recall someone else attempting something similar, with conical heads, but I haven't been able to track it down.......

 

Keep it up though !

[KrautScientist]

@ OSS: Oh yeah: I remember Logan's thread -- those Dreadknights are certainly astonishing, and much more involved than anything I would try myself, I'll have to admit.For me, this Custodes project is mainly a fun romp in order to see how far kitbashing can possibly take me ;)

[Red Skullz]

I remember this army well as this was the first work I saw from you. I really liked it then and I think it's holding up really well still :)

 

As I'm a nostalgic git I'll follow this nae doubt and I know that since your skills set has improved leaps and bounds since the originals this is bound to be great.

[KrautScientist]

Thanks, Red Skullz! While some of these models may indeed be considered as "older work", there are some kitbashes and conversions in this project that I am still really proud of! Will post some of them soon, after I've taken some new pictures.

[Kongou]

Dang, those look nice.  I wish I could kit bash as well as you.

[KrautScientist]

Cheers, Master pendragon! It's not really that difficult, though: All you need is a fairly solid bitzbox and a certain adventurous spirit when it comes to cutting apart stock models ;)

 

So, here are some of the pictures I promised:

 

First up, in addition to the five painted models, there will be another five Custodes in different marks of Astartes power armour. In the end, this will give me a squad with power armour marks I to XI, plus one or two models with a more general Heresy-era look to round things out. Again, all of these will need a certain amount of suspension of disbelief, since they are not 100% accurate translations of Forgeworld designs, but rather the closest I could come to the respective designs using plastic parts. So let's take a closer look.

 

First up, a Custodian wearing Mk I "Thunder" armour:

 

http://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2013/7/24/520114-Adeptus%20Custodes%2C%20Conversion%2C%20Legio%20Custodes%2C%20Power%20Armour%2C%20Pre-heresy.JPG

 

Event though I played a little fast and loose with the conversion, this is still a model I am immensely happy with!

 

The next model is wearing Mk II "Crusade" armour:

 

http://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2015/2/8/685380-Adeptus%20Custodes%2C%20Conversion%2C%20Heresy%2C%20Kitbash%2C%20Legio%20Custodes%2C%20Lionsguard.JPG

 

This guy took several tries to get him right, but I am really happy with the finished model now!

 

Next up, a Custodian in Mk IV "Maximus" armour:

 

http://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2015/2/8/685381-Adeptus%20Custodes%2C%20Conversion%2C%20Heresy%2C%20Kitbash%2C%20Legio%20Custodes%2C%20Lionsguard.JPG

 

There are enough Mk IV parts available in plastic to get this right. Moving on.

 

The last two models weren't based on actual armour designs, but I still tried to make them look the part.

 

There's the plasma gunner from the DV boxed set, which I thought would make a pretty cool standard bearer for the squad:

 

http://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2015/2/8/685378-Adeptus%20Custodes%2C%20Conversion%2C%20Heresy%2C%20Kitbash%2C%20Legio%20Custodes%2C%20Lionsguard.JPG

 

http://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2015/2/8/685379-Adeptus%20Custodes%2C%20Conversion%2C%20Heresy%2C%20Kitbash%2C%20Legio%20Custodes%2C%20Lionsguard.JPG

 

The banner from the Imperial Knight kit was actually used as the banner here!

 

And there's a model wielding a rocket launcher that I converted to resemble the Heresy era weapons of that type:

 

http://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2013/7/24/520118-Adeptus%20Custodes%2C%20Conversion%2C%20Legio%20Custodes%2C%20Power%20Armour%2C%20Pre-heresy.JPG

 

This is probably the squad member I am the most fond of, because converting a heresy era rocket launcher without resorting to Forgeworld bitz seemed like a pretty tough nut to crack. In the end, I used parts from an old Space Crusade marine (and felt mighty pleased with myself for thinking of that ;) ).

 

http://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2015/2/8/685382-Adeptus%20Custodes%2C%20Conversion%2C%20Heresy%2C%20Kitbash%2C%20Legio%20Custodes%2C%20Lionsguard.JPG

 

 

The other thing I want to show you today is the small squad of jump infantry I made for this project: When I was finished with the squad of Praetorians, the leftovers were used to make these, and two of them have already been painted:

 

http://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2013/1/16/453424-Adeptus%20Custodes%2C%20Conversion%2C%20Custodes%2C%20Jump%20Infantry%2C%20Legio%20Custodes%2C%20Warhammer%2040%2C000.JPG

 

http://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2013/1/16/453422-Adeptus%20Custodes%2C%20Conversion%2C%20Custodes%2C%20Jump%20Infantry%2C%20Legio%20Custodes%2C%20Warhammer%2040%2C000.JPG

 

http://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2013/1/16/453427-Adeptus%20Custodes%2C%20Conversion%2C%20Custodes%2C%20Eldar%2C%20Jump%20Infantry%2C%20Legio%20Custodes.JPG

 

Well, the squad obviously has more members, so these are probably the next Custodes models to be painted for the army:

 

http://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2013/7/24/520108-Adeptus%20Custodes%2C%20Conversion%2C%20Jump%20Infantry%2C%20Legio%20Custodes%2C%20Pre-heresy.JPG

 

I couldn’t bear throwing away the beautiful GK flamer, so I used him on this member of the squad: A little flamer action never hurt anyone, after all. On second thought, hurting someone is very much the whole point in this case ;)

 

Then there’s the standard bearer for the squad:

 

http://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2013/7/24/520111-Adeptus%20Custodes%2C%20Conversion%2C%20Jump%20Infantry%2C%20Legio%20Custodes%2C%20Pre-heresy.JPG

 

I used a leftover part from the WFB Empire Knights, which makes an excellent standard for the squad. You’ll notice that the rest of the model also looks fairly ostentatious, as befits a member of the Legio Custodes:

 

http://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2013/7/24/520112-Adeptus%20Custodes%2C%20Conversion%2C%20Jump%20Infantry%2C%20Legio%20Custodes%2C%20Pre-heresy.JPG

 

And finally, the squad leader:

 

http://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2013/7/24/520109-Adeptus%20Custodes%2C%20Conversion%2C%20Jump%20Infantry%2C%20Legio%20Custodes%2C%20Pre-heresy.JPG

 

Using mostly Sanguinary Guard parts, this grizzled veteran looks like the hero he is. I added a CSM Plasma pistol as well as a company champion’s power sword to make the model’s equipment look especially ancient and well-crafted.

A Venerable Dreadnought’s shinguard was used as the squad leader’s left pauldron:

 

http://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2013/7/24/520110-Adeptus%20Custodes%2C%20Conversion%2C%20Jump%20Infantry%2C%20Legio%20Custodes%2C%20Pre-heresy.JPG

 

The engravings are unfortunately the wrong way around, but there was really no easy way to fix this. I still like the overall effect, though.

While these models had been built for quite a while already, I have now cleaned and assembled their jump packs, so they are very much next in line for painting.

 

http://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2013/7/24/520113-Adeptus%20Custodes%2C%20Conversion%2C%20Jump%20Infantry%2C%20Legio%20Custodes%2C%20Pre-heresy.JPG

 

As always, let me know what you think! :)

[Pearson73]

These fellas are pretty darn good, nice use of parts!

[Adeptus-Alaska]

That rocket launcher is a special kind of madness. We'll done, fellow God of the Arena. Do carry on.

[KrautScientist]

Thanks a lot, guys! :)

[Flint13]

Oh... that action packed standard bearer. I loves him. 

 

I have also noticed that you get really great results out of using dread/hellbrute/drake shinguards for odd things. Awesome job there!

 

You know this counts as Heresy era though. Can't take it back :D

[miteyheroes]

I love Custodes armies, and these guys are excellent!

[KrautScientist]

Thanks a lot, guys! :)

 

@ Flint13: Yeah, those Dreadnought shinguards can be remarkably versatile ;) Oh, and you're quite right: As I've said elsewhere, this is the closest you guys will ever see me coming to running a Heresy era force, so you better enjoy it while it lasts ;)

[jimbo13]

Dumb question, do the custodies actually have rules or are you building this for fun?

[KrautScientist]

Not a dumb question at all! I am building these for fun, though, and would probably use a combination of Space Marine rules, if I ever were to play with them. That old issue of WD I mentioned in my first post had some (GK-based) Custodes rules, as does the Tempus Fugitives' "Age of the Emperor" expansion that should still be available online. As for the Horus Heresy, the Custodes will supposedly be part of the book that details the events at Prospero.

 

None of this played any role when I decided to start this project, however: I just wanted to convert and paint some Custodes models ;)

[That Guy Matt]

Beautiful seamless kit bashes and great paint jobs. Good work.

[jimbo13]

The assault ones are the bee knees

[KrautScientist]

Thanks for the kind words, guys! So here's another helping of kitbashes Custodes for you:

 

This next squad may be the one that has aged the least gracefully: I converted a couple of Custodes Terminators in Cataphractii armour that actually predate the release of Forgeworld's own Cataphractii. Which means they don't resemble those models all that much, rather taking the artwork from the Horus Heresy TCG as their design template. So don't be surprised if they don't look too much like "modern day" Cataphractii, alright?

 

Everything started with a converted AOBR Termie that I only built as a proof of concept:

 

http://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2015/2/8/685386-Adeptus%20Custodes%2C%20Cataphractii%2C%20Conversion%2C%20Heresy%2C%20Kitbash%2C%20Legio%20Custodes.JPG

 

I wasn't even sure whether I wanted to build any more Terminators, but then Dark Vengeance came around, and I had all those snapfit Deathwing Termies on my hands. So I decided to try and turn them into Custodes:

 

http://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2015/2/8/685384-Adeptus%20Custodes%2C%20Cataphractii%2C%20Conversion%2C%20Heresy%2C%20Kitbash%2C%20Legio%20Custodes.JPG

 

This was the first DV Termie I converted, complete with Guardian Spear and all. Like I said, the main inspiration for these came from the old Horus Heresy artwork (and from Dave Taylor's own Custodes Terminators, of course).

 

The second DV model is actually my least favourite of the bunch:

 

http://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2015/2/8/685383-Adeptus%20Custodes%2C%20Cataphractii%2C%20Conversion%2C%20Heresy%2C%20Kitbash%2C%20Legio%20Custodes.JPG

 

I should have made him look more like the first one. Oh well...

 

The Sergeant received a new breastplate, courtesy of the Venerable Dreadnought kit:

 

http://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2015/2/8/685385-Adeptus%20Custodes%2C%20Cataphractii%2C%20Conversion%2C%20Heresy%2C%20Kitbash%2C%20Legio%20Custodes.JPG

 

I also gave him a single lightning claw because I felt the LC from the Chaos Terminator Lord resemble the ornate claws from the old artwork (the one wielded by the Emperor himself, for instance).

 

And finally, I converted a Terminator with a flamer, because I wanted one model to serve as a shout out to the fire lances the Custodes Terminators are pictured with in the old artwork:

 

http://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2015/2/8/685388-Adeptus%20Custodes%2C%20Cataphractii%2C%20Conversion%2C%20Heresy%2C%20Kitbash%2C%20Legio%20Custodes.JPG

 

I am still pretty proud of that flamer, to tell you the truth ;)

 

So here's the entire squad:

 

http://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2015/2/8/685389-Adeptus%20Custodes%2C%20Cataphractii%2C%20Conversion%2C%20Heresy%2C%20Kitbash%2C%20Legio%20Custodes.JPG

 

As always, let me know what you think! :)

[Flint13]

Oh those are lovely! You get definite bonus points for a firelance. 

 

And I'm always happy to see more topknots :D

 

Question: Are you using bolt pistols for the Custodes gunglaives? They look so much better than full-sized bolters. 

[KrautScientist]

Thanks, Flint! I have actually used several approaches for the Guardian Spears, with different levels of success:

 

• All of the Guardian Spears use GK Nemesis halberds as their base, some of them grafted to chaos knight spears
• The spears on the Praetorians and jump troops were built with either the Sanguinary Guard wrist-mounted bolt pistols (which works great but is actually a rather wasteful way to go about it) or GK wrist-mounted bolt pistols (which ends up looking way too clunky)
• the best approach by far is to just use shaved-down (Chaos) Marine or Cadian bolt pistols (it's what I did on the Terminators).

My favourite Guardian Spear conversion so far is part of this guy -- a model I am really proud of. Chief Custodian Constantin Valdor:

 

http://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2014/5/17/613631-Adeptus%20Custodes%2C%20Constantin%20Valdor%2C%20Conversion%2C%20Custodes%2C%20Horus%20Heresy.JPG

 

http://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2014/5/17/613630-Adeptus%20Custodes%2C%20Constantin%20Valdor%2C%20Conversion%2C%20Custodes%2C%20Horus%20Heresy.JPG

 

http://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2014/5/17/613632-Adeptus%20Custodes%2C%20Constantin%20Valdor%2C%20Conversion%2C%20Custodes%2C%20Horus%20Heresy.JPG

 

http://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2014/5/17/613633-Adeptus%20Custodes%2C%20Constantin%20Valdor%2C%20Conversion%2C%20Custodes%2C%20Horus%20Heresy.JPG

 

This one uses the pistol from the Ordo Prefectus Commissar, though...

 

Anyway, hope this helps! ;)

[Flint13]

Heck yeah it does.

 

All the likes!

[The_Chaplain]

KrautScientist, would you mind showing off how you joined the Sanguinary guard halo to the back of the torso? That is a really inspired conversion.

 

Would you mind if I potentially yoinked the idea? 

[KrautScientist]

Cheers, guys! :)

 

@The_Chaplain: Yoink away! ;) As for the halo, I shaved off the actual deathmask head from both sides of the halo (which wasn't that difficult -- I even managed to salvage the mask) and filed the respective areas flat, which left me with a "sun disk", so to speak. That was then simply glued to the collar that runs around the model's head. The added backpack serves to cover up all the ugly little mistakes I made and the parts I had to shave off to make it fit -- pretty easy, all in all.