Dr. Ruminahui's assorted conversions (previously renegade guard + defiler)

[Dr_Ruminahui]

After an evening experimenting with different settings on my phone and different backgrounds, I've found that the settings don't really matter and a dark non-matte background works best to prevent the desaturation problem.  We'll see how long it takes before I get fed up with this kind of kludgy solution and buy a new camera.

 

Anyway, on track and finished the next 7 guys for my Call to Arms vow - just 7 left.

 

 

 

Except for the rightmost radio guy (who is a kriegsmen with a blooded front torso and head) these guys are pretty much stock, though the cadian has a fantasy battles head and some scratch built shoulder spikes.

 

Interestingly, while the final products look fine, I did not like painting the enforcer and orgryn.  Despite their being character models, they are far worse sculpts than both the blooded kill team models and the original Blackstone Fortress guardsmen - they used cheaper molds with much "muddier" details.  I guess I shouldn't be too surprised, as originally they were a niche add on to a already niche product, but I am still kind of shocked from the drop in quality from the original blackstone models, which have really good detailing for being monopose snapfits.

[Dr_Ruminahui]

Finished painting my second CtA vow, which means I've gotten my last set of 6 guardsmen with character done.

 

Here's the guard:

 

 

And here is the rogue psycher - an outside shot, since I couldn't get a good picture indoors.  I'm really going to have to get a new camera rather than continue to try to work around my phone's weird desaturation issue.

 

 

He's not quite so buck-tooth in person.  He's done in enforcer colours so I can field him non-legends as another enforcer, as soon as I get him a big buddy bodyguard for him (I'm thinking this guy after he's available and I can de-niddify it a bit).  Incidentally, the rogue psycher's legends rules are really good, but oddly it can only attach to cultist squads and not traitor guard (probably because its legends rules predate those being an official unit) and I don't think paying 60 points to make 50 (or even 100) point cultist unit more survivable are points well spent.  That said, I'm not sure making him an enforcer is either, but it gives me more options, which is good, I guess.

 

And here is a shot of both of my CtA vows together.

 

 

Next up are the remaining 12 guardsmen I had already started painted and couldn't vow for CtA.  After they are done, I'll have 3 completed squads, which will be plenty given I have no immediate plans to expand into a bigger chaos guard force or the mortals-based CSM detachment.

[Dr_Ruminahui]

I've now finished up the three squads, so am now mostly completed this project.

 

Pink squad:

 

Pinker squad:

 

Pinkest squad:

 

And here they are all together with my characters

 

And finally, my entire Lost and the Damned "combat patrol" - so, the above with my defiler.  Its 525 points, though the rogue psycher's legends rules doesn't allow him to attach to traitor guard (only cultists of their various types) meaning it would need to be house ruled to let it work.

 

Incidentally, on the defiler front, I've always wanted to base it (measuring to and from it, especially for melee, is a bit of a nightmare) and bought the GW 150mm base, which is the largest base they have.  As can be seen here - not big enough.  So, if its going to get a base I'll either need to make my own or look elsewhere.

 

So that almost the end of my traitor guard project for now... only one project currently left in the pipe, involving this guy:

 

Basically, my intent is to turn it into a traitor ogrynn proxy to use with my rogue psycher to allow me to field it as another traitor enforcer and get around the whole unattachable issue (and also it being legends).  It will obviously involve some deniddifying just as did the defiler - for one, the crest has to go as its too obviously derived from the zoanthrope crest (fortunately, its a separate piece), as well as other changes.  That won't be for a while, though, as I want to get a bunch of models I've started but haven't progressed on done first to clean up my desk some.

 

That said, once I'm back on this project, I'll be sure to post the blow-by-blow on the conversion and deniddification here.

[Firedrake Cordova]

They look great together as a combat patrol.  

 

And, as you failed to do it, *in best Roy Schneider* "we're going to need a bigger base"  

[Terminatorinhell]

These are so cool. It sort it makes me want to make my old guard squad into a renegade kill team or something. 

[WAR]

Ooooooohhhh @Dr_Ruminahui cant wait to see what you do with that model.

 

[Dr_Ruminahui]

It will be a while yet, but I appreciate your enthusiasm.  The tyranid details that will need to go are the top crest (too zoanthrope, but conveniently a separate piece), the 3 "gills" at the top (the circles with the "grates") and possibly some changes to the sack over the head (potentially too spore mine) - there may be others when I look at the actual model more closely, which will occur when I wash it.  Not sure what details I will put in their place - I'll have to think about that.

[Dr_Ruminahui]

Renamed this thread again, as I'm turning it into my general conversion thread - there seems to be some interest in what I do to make models my own, and so I thought I would share that here.

 

I'm about to post here a maulerfiend conversion that I originally did in April 2022 and posted in the Chaos subforum then.  That said, I'm finishing up painting the model after having it sit on my desk partially done for 2 years, and if I am going to share that I thought people might also want to see how it went together.  This was originally a bunch of posts, but I've pasted them together here with some small edits to make them make more sense together and in the future, as it now is.

 

To begin, I am a big proponent in converting identical models (especially larger models) slightly to make them visually distinct.  I've done that previously with my obliterators (where I arm swapped + new heads for the repeat models) and my venomcrawlers (where I "squished" the second model).  So, while I had already reposed my first maulerfiend model (as I quite dislike the default pose), I decided to make a rather more ambitious conversion for my second.  So here is how I went about doing that.

 

Oh, and if there is interest, I can post the conversion process and pictures for the obliterators and earlier maulerfiend here as well.

 

 

Edited November 6 by Dr_Ruminahui

[Dr_Ruminahui]

For starters, I wanted to make the model have an open mouth as the head is very distintive such that any other model with the same head would already look to similar even if differently posed.  As well, my opinion is the head is too static and "contemplative" for any more active or agressive pose.

 

Change 1:

 

 

I will be rebuilding the teeth with toothpicks (in retrospect, a technique I probably overuse).  Previously, I had thought I would need to clip the cables on the neck to get the mouth to open wide enough, but was happy that I don't think I'll need to, as I think the mouth will open wide enough without further modification - though I'll have to see how it looks with teeth.

 

Change 2:  This is a picture with the head & neck with the body.  This is the straightest that you can make them, as the leftmost spike on the neck prevents the neck being raised/straightened any further without twisting it.  This is also a good picture of the magnet I put in to allow me to swap between the tentacles and meltacutters.

 

 

This is of how I would need to twist the neck to get it clear of the body so as to have the neck be more in line with the body.  It looks a bit wierd, so I ultimately I just removed the last spike instead.

 

 

This picture shows (its crappy but the best I could get) shows the strut I greenstuffed in place to stop the magnets from falling into the model (where it would never be recovered if fully assembled and likely difficult to replace).  I ultimately also glued a second strut in place as I was unhappy with the placement of the first.

 

 

Change 3: So, with the open mouth, I thought the most interesting pose would be in mid pounce, with both arms raised aggressively.  Doing so requires me either clip the piston attached to the arms so it fits in place, or (as I did with my previous model) remove it so that the piston fits into its original hole (just beneath the front of the arm) and then rebuild the rod so that it attaches to the arm.  Ultimately, I found that I couldn't rework it to go to the original hole, so just cut it down to attach as oriented on the arm.

 

 

Change 4:  This pose does pose a problem in that the two hands are doing different things - the left (your right) is clawing, while the other is giving a fist bump.  I will be cutting up the clenched hand and reposing it (with some pinning) so the fingers are in a similar pose to those of its left hand.

 

 

To get a pouncing look, I would need to straighten the legs.  These are rear legs, with paint brushes indicating where I would need to cut, pin, repose, and (to a small extent) resculpt them.  Given that all of the weight of the model would likely be supported at a precarious angle by these two legs, I'm concerned that the reassembled legs would be prone to breaking.  It would also be a lot of work.

 

 

Change 5:  So, instead I plan to use the larger front legs from the forgefiend, which will give me greater length without needing to cut them appart.  Here's what it might look like with them in a pouncing position.

 

 

Another option would be to put them more upright, and have it in a position used by the main character in Monsters Inc. when he is scaring people (see: https://i.ytimg.com/vi/9nPRAk4mWSY/maxresdefault.jpg ).  This postion would be more structurally sound, but maybe not as interesting.  Anyway, it would look something like this:

 

 

One thing that is interesting is that the larger legs are much wider set than the original rear legs, forming move of a "v" shape.  I think this is a boon as it will make either of the 2 poses more dynamic.  Here is a picture from the front showing what I mean:

 

 

Now, regardless of the pose, a couple of further changes need to be made to the legs.  

Change 6:  The leg (even if I used the smaller rear legs) has a strip across the front designed to have the leg attach to the foot at the appropriate angle.  This part is indicated by the paint brush, and would prevent the legs being attached to the foot at the angles required by either the pouncing or scareing pose.  So it will need to be removed.

 

 

As the larger legs attach at a different angle (discussed above), it leaves a large flat area at both the front at the back of the "hip" with no detail - the brush points this out. 

 

 

Change 7: Fortunately, the hip armor for the smaller leg mostly fits, but will need some trimming to make it look right - it looks stranger from the front. 

 

 

Next I converted the fist into an open hand.  The first picture is showing how I cut up the fingers at each joint and then pinned then as a straight finger.  Second shows the top of the finished hand - its a good thing its chaos, as those fingers are neither straight nor bend normally.   Third picture shows the palm side, where I have green stuffed the gaps (I will paint it like flesh) and built that round thing on the palm, which for some reason is on the other hand but not on the other.

 

 

I decided to go with the larger legs and the pouncing position.  Here it is with the legs, but not the feet, glued on.  Looks like I will have to do some modification to the feet to make them join naturally to the legs at this ankle.  Oh, it also neck glued on - I took off the rearmost spike and then trimmed a tiny bit off of the front tip of the body carapace to allow the fit.

 

 

Here it is from the front with its tentacles, with some copper wire sticking through it that I will use to pin the arms, as they will be held on mostly by greenstuff and need some support if anyone uses them to pick up or hold the model (as is bound to happen).

 

 

Here it is with one of the hip shields on - getting it in place required some trimming of the inside of the shield and the leg underneath and I had to flip its orientation from how I first intended it, and then did some tricky positioning so it didn't interfere with the tentacles.  You can see the greenstuffing fixing an area where I over trimmed.  The shield doesn't block the front flat area on the hip, but when the tentacles or meltacutters are in place that area isn't visible.

 

 

Then, after some plugging away at it for about a week, I finished the head and attached the arms.

 

 

I consider it a success and a failure - a failure in that I didn't quite get the look I was going for  - it has more of a  eating grin than a roar and its position is more of a lunge than a pounce - but a success in that it is still a very different and far more dynamic pose that makes a lot more "sense" than the original.  I think if I did the teeth shorter I would have gotten more of the open mouthed look I was looking for.

 

Anyway, I've finished painting it and will be basing it tonight - so you should get the finished photos before the end of the week.

Edited November 6 by Dr_Ruminahui

[Rusted Boltgun]

Whilst it may not be the pose you envisaged, it certainly demonstrates movement and malice!

[Dr_Ruminahui]

Thanks, RB!  Yeah, while the look isn't quite what I wanted, I can't complain too much as it is still pretty dynamic and visibly different from the base model, which was really my main goal.

 

Anyway, here it is painted - sorry for the glare.

 

 

Here it is with the little melta arms instead of the tentacles - as one might guess, they are magnetized.

 

And both my maulers together.

 

 

And all of my demon engines together - I have rather more of them than I would have thought, given that I've never gone out of my way to collect a demon engine force but just picked up the models as I wanted to paint them or when they came bundled with other models I wanted (that's how I got my second mauler and crawler).

 

[Firedrake Cordova]

That didn't take long, and they look great

[Rusted Boltgun]

I really like that the two maulers have distinct poses and I think the open hand on the new one works really well (amongst all the other really good stuff).

And what a force together! 

[TheArtilleryman]

Awesome conversion. I admire the time and attention to detail you give to your projects. One of the reasons I’ve never gone down the chaos route is because I would want to do stuff like this but don’t have the skills to pull it off. Bravo - great work.

[PHS]

Great stuff , you have an awesome collection of monstrosities

[Dr_Ruminahui]

Thanks, @Firedrake Cordova, @Rusted Boltgun, @TheArtilleryman and @PHS!  I'm glad you like it and its friends.

 

Firedrake, it wasn't quite as quick as the internet made it appear - I didn't post my "how I did it" post until just before I finished it.  I actually restarted painting it mid-October, so I guess it took 2-3 weeks (plus the time in 2022 it took to paint the base flesh colour and a bit of the armour) and I feel 3 weeks is about typical for me for a model of this size and complexity.

 

TheArtilleryMan, I'm really happy you like me setting out my thought process and procedures on conversions like this.  That said, no reason to get into chaos (though you totally should - we've got free tentacles! ) to start experimenting with your own conversions - I've wandered through several armies (several OG necormunda gangs, sisters, then guard, with some dabbling in marines) and all involved at least some converting of some models, though largely just weapon swaps in the beginning.  Even if its just that, or cutting up a model to change its pose slightly, its all a great place to start.  Then, as you become more comfortable, you can try more ambitious projects - the best way to get the skills is by doing.  That said, if that isn't your cup of tea and you prefer to just admire, that's great too - the best way to enjoy the hobby is the way you enjoy the hobby.

Edited November 12 by Dr_Ruminahui

[Firedrake Cordova]

Sounds like chronomancy being perpetrated by the followers of Chaos to me - call the Inquisition!  

[TheArtilleryman]

13 hours ago, Dr_Ruminahui said:

TheArtilleryMan, I'm really happy you like me setting out my thought process and procedures on conversions like this.  That said, no reason to get into chaos (though you totally should - we've got free tentacles! ) to start experimenting with your own conversions - I've wandered through several armies (several OG necormunda gangs, sisters, then guard, with some dabbling in marines) and all involved at least some converting of some models, though largely just weapon swaps in the beginning.  Even if its just that, or cutting up a model to change its pose slightly, its all a great place to start.  Then, as you become more comfortable, you can try more ambitious projects - the best way to get the skills is by doing.  That said, if that isn't your cup of tea and you prefer to just admire, that's great too - the best way to enjoy the hobby is the way you enjoy the hobby.

Edited 13 hours ago by Dr_Ruminahui

Haha thanks! I tend to prefer my limbs with fingers, but I’ll bear it in mind ;)

 

I do a fair bit of kitbashing and conversion; I like to do this with all my characters where I can as I like them to be unique so I know nobody else has the same model. I’ve posted a few of them up on here. But your stuff is on a whole other scale of skill and effort. Kudos.