The Lionsguard - KrautScientist's Legio Custodes project

[KrautScientist]

So, here's a look at yet another squad for my Custodes -- and one I am really very happy with, too: my Sisters of Silence.

 

I knew from the start that I wanted a squad of these in the army, and I was actually surprised by how reasonably easy it was to produce a couple of models that are very close to the artwork, using a mix of Dark Eldar and Imperial parts:

 

This was my first test model for the squad:

 

http://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2012/12/5/438009-Conversion%2C%20Kitbash%2C%20Sisters%20Of%20Silence%2C%20Sororitas%20Silentium%2C%20Warhammer%2040%2C000.JPG

 

http://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2012/12/5/438010-Conversion%2C%20Kitbash%2C%20Sisters%20Of%20Silence%2C%20Sororitas%20Silentium%2C%20Warhammer%2040%2C000.JPG

 

I was still finding my feet with the overall look at this point, but I think the model still works pretty well. I chose CSM bolt pistols for most of the squad, in order to achieve a slightly more ornate, bulkier look for the weapons.

 

Here's the squad leader, complete with bespoke (spliced together) power sword ;)

 

http://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2012/12/5/438011-Conversion%2C%20Kitbash%2C%20Sisters%20Of%20Silence%2C%20Sororitas%20Silentium%2C%20Warhammer%2040%2C000.JPG

 

http://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2012/12/5/438012-Conversion%2C%20Kitbash%2C%20Sisters%20Of%20Silence%2C%20Sororitas%20Silentium%2C%20Warhammer%2040%2C000.JPG

 

http://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2012/12/5/438013-Conversion%2C%20Kitbash%2C%20Sisters%20Of%20Silence%2C%20Sororitas%20Silentium%2C%20Warhammer%2040%2C000.JPG

 

http://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2012/12/5/438014-Conversion%2C%20Kitbash%2C%20Sisters%20Of%20Silence%2C%20Sororitas%20Silentium%2C%20Warhammer%2040%2C000.JPG

 

I came across one piece of Heresy era artwork depicting a squad of Sisters with slender flamers. To my delight, building a nearly identical weapon from a Dark Eldar special weapon and a bit from the WFB Empire Battle Wizard turned out to be really easy!

 

http://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2013/1/16/453412-Adeptus%20Custodes%2C%20Conversion%2C%20Custodes%2C%20Legio%20Custodes%2C%20Sisters%20Of%20Silence.JPG

 

http://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2013/1/16/453413-Adeptus%20Custodes%2C%20Conversion%2C%20Custodes%2C%20Legio%20Custodes%2C%20Sisters%20Of%20Silence.JPG

 

http://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2013/1/16/453414-Adeptus%20Custodes%2C%20Conversion%2C%20Custodes%2C%20Legio%20Custodes%2C%20Sisters%20Of%20Silence.JPG

 

Each and every squad I build always gets a standard bearer (a holdover from my WFB days, I suspect), and my Sisters of Silence are no exception:

 

http://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2015/2/8/685391-Adeptus%20Custodes%2C%20Conversion%2C%20Heresy%2C%20Kitbash%2C%20Legio%20Custodes%2C%20Lionsguard.JPG

 

http://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2015/2/8/685376-Adeptus%20Custodes%2C%20Conversion%2C%20Heresy%2C%20Kitbash%2C%20Legio%20Custodes%2C%20Lionsguard.JPG

 

And finally, the last member of the squad, only completed last week:

 

http://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2015/2/8/685390-Adeptus%20Custodes%2C%20Conversion%2C%20Heresy%2C%20Kitbash%2C%20Legio%20Custodes%2C%20Lionsguard.JPG

 

All in all, I am really very happy with the look of this squad:

 

http://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2015/2/8/685377-Adeptus%20Custodes%2C%20Conversion%2C%20Heresy%2C%20Kitbash%2C%20Legio%20Custodes%2C%20Lionsguard.JPG

 

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

[HighGothic]

Wow, I can't believe I missed this thread! I always love Custodes conversions.

 

Those sisters are really good, FW will probably get round to doing them when they do Prospero.

[KrautScientist]

Cheers, mate!

 

Yeah, the Prospero book was announced to contain Custodes and Sisters of Silence, among other things. So that's my deadline right there: I think I have the rest of 2015 to complete this army. Afterwards, everyone will be so crazy about the wonderful new Forgeworld stuff that this project probably won't interest anyone anymore...

Edited February 14, 2015 by KrautScientist

[Daemon2027]

Amazing work Kraut. Youv'e dipped your toes into the heresy :p

[KrautScientist]

@ The Hydra: As I've said to Flint earlier: This is the one Heresy era army you'll be seeing from me. Enjoy it while it lasts ;)

[Daemon2027]

That's what they all say :)

 

If your going to do one make, it amazing. Which have done so far.

[Augustus b'Raass]

Aw, man! I can't believe I missed this thread for over a month. It's pretty much super awesome.

 

Lessee, a couple miniatures spring out to me. The MkI Thunder Armour guy is by far my favorite pattern - although might I suggest giving him scout legs? The thunder armour was not powered and didn't have the same level of armour on the legs. The rocket launcher is wicked smart (and having had those myself you've made me relive the tragedy of me selling them in '05 - thanks for that). The termies are super smartly done - especially the guys with the Venerable Dread torso's. Constantin Valdor is by far the best conversion of him I've ever seen. But the prize goes to your sisters of silence - what an amazing squad is that. Well done, sir. 

[Red Skullz]

The Sisters of Silence are pure win. One squad is hardly enough ;)

[Teetengee]

Very nice sisters.

[KrautScientist]

Thanks a lot, guys! :)

 

@ Augustus b'Raass: I really appreciate the kind words, mate! I am really happy with Valdor and the Sisters, to be honest! As for the Mk I Marine, I did consider different legs, but in the end, I didn't want him to look too different from the rest of the squad -- and with the background I've given the squad, the discrepancies could always be exlained away as his armour not being Mk. I, but rather an intermediate variant between Mk. I and full power armour, I guess...? If you should ever find yourself in need of a Space Crusade Marine or two, just let me know, btw ;)

 

@ Red Skullz: Ah, but one squad is all you get. Sorry ;) Seriously, though: I did want to complete one "playable" squad, but since the entire army is basically a proof of concept more than anything, I think that's the amount of Sisters I'll realistically be building and painting.

 

@ Teetengee: Cheers! :)

[Greyall]

Kraut...you awesome awesome bastard...never lose them precious hands of yours...

[Battybattybats]

I'm really loving this thread! Everything is brilliant!

[KrautScientist]

Thanks, guys! Glad this thread is finally drawing some comments ;)

[Eberious]

Love the custodes, but those sisters are awesome. The flamer has to be my favorite out of the lot. ...and dam you and your endless bitz box you seem to have.

[Brother-Chaplain Kage]

Those Dark Eldar plastics are just the most adaptable kits. I had a go at some Custodes a while back using DE parts but my sculpting skill wasn't really up to the task then.

 

It's nice to see someone making progress on a Custodes and SoS army, as they're too few and far between. :)

[KrautScientist]

Again, thanks a lot, guys! The Dark Eldar plastics are indeed some of the most versatile kits available: They make for excellent Sisters of Silence, Death Cultists, Imperial Assassins, Inquisitorial Operatives, kitbashed Sisters of Battle,... quite the useful resource!

[Red Skullz]

Oh I don't need them, you can keep them all to yourself ;) I just think they click more than the custodes themselves. Though that's just my preference most likely. As far as versatility in the Dark Eldar / Eldar sprues you forgot SoB. I made a couple of power armoured gals a couple of years ago and I was very happy with the result. Maybe I should revisit them one of these days...

 

Back OT ;) plans for vehicles and/or walkers? Haven't seen a custodes themed knight for example.

 

Edit: you mentioned SoB. I'm blind..

Edited February 16, 2015 by Red Skullz

[Pearson73]

Love the flamer!

[KrautScientist]

Alright, guys: This is not really an update for my Custodes, but I really want to share this latest model I've been working on with the forum, but don't want to start a new thread, so bear with me, alright? If nothing else, the model's pretty golden, so it does fit into this thread from a colour perspective at least...

 

I am currently hard at work on a true scale Space Marine I converted for INQ28 (read "Inquisitor played at the 28mm scale", for those not in the know), one Praetor Janus Auriga of the Golden Legion Space Marine Chapter.

 

Here's the unpainted conversion. Suffice to say I've deliberated over this conversion for ages until finally getting it done:

 

http://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2014/5/14/612848-Adeptus%20Astartes%2C%20Conversion%2C%20Inq28%2C%20Inquisimunda%2C%20Inquisitor%2C%20Inquisitor%2028.JPG

 

In fact, Brother Auriga will even have his own small band of retainers, including a chapter serf (to carry his helmet) and cherub (to carry his bolter):

 

http://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2014/5/21/614866-Adeptus%20Astartes%2C%20Conversion%2C%20Inq28%2C%20Inquisimunda%2C%20Inquisitor%2C%20Inquisitor%2028.JPG

 

But back to the big guy for a moment: I've recently begun painting him. Here are the first few painting steps on the armour:

 

http://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2015/2/21/688981-Art%20Scale%2C%20Conversion%2C%20Golden%20Legion%2C%20Inq28%2C%20Inquisimunda%2C%20Inquisitor%2C%20Inquisitor%2028.JPG

 

Here's a PIP of the model a short while later...

 

http://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2015/2/21/688982-Art%20Scale%2C%20Conversion%2C%20Golden%20Legion%2C%20Inq28%2C%20Inquisimunda%2C%20Inquisitor%2C%20Inquisitor%2028.JPG

 

...and a bit later still:

 

http://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2015/2/22/689202-Art%20Scale%2C%20Conversion%2C%20Golden%20Legion%2C%20Inq28%2C%20Inquisimunda%2C%20Inquisitor%2C%20Inquisitor%2028.JPG

 

And then DexterKong dared me to paint one of his pauldrons in a checkerboard pattern, and things started to get a bit unreal:

 

http://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2015/2/22/689204-Janus%20Auriga%20PIP%2007.JPG

 

http://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2015/2/22/689203-Janus%20Auriga%20PIP%2006.JPG

 

For the record, I haven't tried anything like that for the best part of two decades, ever since my first checkerboard experiments on a couple of old Space Crusade minis turned sour...

 

And here's the model as it looks right now:

 

http://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2015/2/22/689377-Art%20Scale%2C%20Conversion%2C%20Golden%20Legion%2C%20Inq28%2C%20Inquisimunda%2C%20Inquisitor%2C%20Inquisitor%2028.JPG

 

http://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2015/2/22/689378-Art%20Scale%2C%20Conversion%2C%20Golden%20Legion%2C%20Inq28%2C%20Inquisimunda%2C%20Inquisitor%2C%20Inquisitor%2028.JPG

 

Regarding those checkers, those have become a bit of doublethink for me: I do of course acknowledge their lack of finesse and the need for more cleanup. And at the same time, I am also so massively happy with them, because this is really the first time that a handpainted design like that has ever worked for me -- is that weird? As another first, I've managed to paint my first red jewel that doesn't look like a cherry...

 

http://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2015/2/22/689376-Art%20Scale%2C%20Conversion%2C%20Golden%20Legion%2C%20Inq28%2C%20Inquisimunda%2C%20Inquisitor%2C%20Inquisitor%2028.JPG

 

So yeah, still a lot of work to be done, but I would love to hear your feedback on this guy all the same! :)

[Kizzdougs]

Really nicely done checks! The gold armour also looks great. 28mm Inquisitor is something I'd love to do at some stage. The conversion/customisation possibilities are endless :)

[The_Chaplain]

Brother Auriga is very imposing, he looks great.

 

Where did you get the lion knocker ornaments on his leg greaves though? I cannot recognize the bit. 

[KrautScientist]

Thanks, guys!

 

@ kizzdougs: I actually fear the day when you get into INQ28, because your outstanding models will make my own pieces look even more like the toys they are, mate ;)

 

@ Cheers, mate! The knockers come from the old plastic WFB Empire cannon/mortar kit, IIRC: That kit is pretty basic by today's standards, but it does come with a pretty characterful cannon crew and with lots and lots of amazing little lion ornaments (the ones on my Custodes are from the same kit, btw).

[Daemon2027]

He is looking really good so far. The checkerboard looks good, a bit uneven but in the first pic it's hard to tell.

[Pearson73]

Looking ace!

[Augustus b'Raass]

Truescaling seems to be getting a comeback! ;)

Dude, you've pretty much nailed his look of badassery. Pose, arms, look, I wouldn't change a thing. The brass looks killer and his checkered pattern looks neat - and rugged at the same time. Only nitpick I have is that the checkered pattern above the laurels don't match up with the pattern below. Or was that intentional?