Modelling Veterans

[Gunmonkey88]

Good evening denizens,

 

I'm recently getting back into 40K after a years long hiatus and am interested in starting an astra militarum army (need to get used to calling them that instead of IG) with a core of veteran squads representing an elite regiment charged with protecting an important manufactorum world and has access to better arms, armor, and equipment than the average guardsman. They are all grenadiers and hopefully I'll be able to convert Chimeras to be wheeled to better fit the urban theme I'm trying to achieve.

 

My concept is to use the forgeworld hostile environment heads and torsos (http://www.forgeworld.co.uk/Warhammer-40000/Imperial_Guard/Cadian_Shock_Troops/CADIAN_HOSTILE_ENVIRONMENT_TROOPS_CONVERSION_SET.html), Anvil Industry Republic Commando Legs (http://www.anvilindustry.co.uk/AFTERLIFE/Conversion-Parts/Grenadier-Legs-Advancing), and standard Cadian arms and lasguns.

 

Alternatively, I could use the standard Cadian torsos, arms with lasguns, the Anvil Industry legs, and the Anvil Industry Republic Commando Heads (http://www.anvilindustry.co.uk/AFTERLIFE/Conversion-Parts/Republic-Grenadier-Heads). My concern is that the regular Cadian toros might not look armored enough to fit the legs. On the other hand, it would be substantially cheaper to do it this way and I love the look of those heads.

 

Either way, I want to use this (http://www.anvilindustry.co.uk/The-Armoury/Specialist-and-Energy-Weapons/M88-%22Negotiator%22) as a sniper rifle, this (http://www.anvilindustry.co.uk/The-Armoury/Specialist-and-Energy-Weapons/Fusion-Cannon) as a melta gun, and this (http://www.anvilindustry.co.uk/The-Armoury/Specialist-and-Energy-Weapons/Ion-Rifle) as a plasma gun because a.) they're cheaper and b.) they look a lot cooler than Gamew Workshop's offerings.

 

Anyways, what are your guys thoughts?

 

[Vel'Cona]

Welcome back!!! Don't worry about that Astra Militarum malarkey. They're still IG to us salty, beardy Lasgun-toting veterans!

As for the modding/converting question and aftermarket parts, this shouldn't be a problem as long as you don't tourney a lot. Even if you do, most TO's won't care as long as your army list is clearly written and you take the time to explain to your opponent (when deploying) what your models represent. Heck, I even do this when I play friendly games with 100% GW models (which is most of them, to be fair). As long as WYSIWYG is followed, you generally shouldn't get too much flak.

From a modeling standpoint, though, I think this is a cool plan. I'm looking forward to seeing what you come up with!

[Carraigf]

Welcome back to the hobby Gunmonkey,

 

There's quite a few of us working to keep the model count down with mech/armoured vets, and the range of 3rd party kits is great for making a unique force.

 

Have you looked at the Kromlech armoured torso's - they also come with backpacks which is pretty smart.

 

Vic Minis is another good source - they have a set of trencher torso's that might also fit though looks like you're going for more high tech look.

 

For wheeled chimeras I'm guessing you're using the Chapterhouse kit - Blood and Skulls also do a smart set back hull kit Capricorn Chimera.

 

Looking forward to seeing your pics, :)

[WarriorFish]

Vets are a great opportunity to do different stuff, so these are all great ideas :tu: As mentioned consistency is the main thing - if you do that most people will not have any problems :) I also look forward to the pictures ;)

[Ulrik_Ironfist]

I'm going for a WW1-WW2 era look, and I actually have a mix of Cygnar Trencher Infantry from Warmachine as my vets, with Tempestus Scions for my main force. My AM is an allied detachment to a MT CAD, to shoehorn a Vendetta Squadron in while the Valks come from MT. My Allied Detachment will be growing, and the trenchers will probably gett replaced with GW minis at some point as I expand that Allied Det into a full blown CAD.

[Gunmonkey88]

I appreciate the comments, suggestions, and encouragement. Carraigf, I hasn't actually heard of Kromlech, those torsos look good but holy cow are they pricey. I'm also concerned that using too much non-GW is going to disqualify me from games so I'll probably stick with the cadian torsos which I found I can get a good price on through eBay and other bitz dealers.

 

I've found the WIPs that others have posted to be pretty inspiring and motivating so I'll definitely follow suit when I begin in a hopefully not too long time.

[elmo]

Don't forget that a couple of us have combined Cadian and Scion bits to great effect :)

 

http://fc03.deviantart.net/fs70/f/2015/009/c/3/cadian_veterans__part_2__by_elmo9141-d8d76kv.jpg

http://fc06.deviantart.net/fs70/f/2015/009/e/9/cadian_veterans__part_1__by_elmo9141-d8d76gg.jpg

 

And from Vash's plog

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v378/VashDime/40k/Astra%20Militarum/Tempestusmeltagununit2.jpg

[Father Mehman]

Those are some great pictures, Commissar Elmo! Those actually have sparked some creative juices to flow.

 

Say hello to my Hellgun! That's right- I'm bringing them back!

[Ulrik_Ironfist]

I can't decide if those should be bedrolls or overwhites for my army... Those are some great looking models Elmo, I like the old 6 color Deserts, pretty cool idea to use that. Are your Vets like the old Desert Rats, and do you have pinkish tauroxes? Because that got me thinking of doing a Tallarn themed section of troops as pink panthers...