Conversion Corner: True-scale Space Marine two

They underestimated the force behind the hatred.

When I was converting my recent Iron Snake True-scale Space Marine, I came across an old bolter I had started converting out of a Primaris Reiver heavy bolt pistol. The half-finished conversion seemed to be a great starting point for building a second True-scale Iron Snake. The process was quite straight-forward, following the same procedure as before, removing many of the more obvious Primaris elements. Most of the effort for the conversion was in creating the bolter.

Dragged into Turbolasers Episode 75: The evolution of Space Marines, from True-scale to Primaris

A true-scale Space Marine (converted from a Primaris model) between an Imperial Guard and a Inquisitorial agent.

In this episode we are joined by our friend Brad Smith and talk about how there has long been a disconnect between the caricatured Space Marine models and the towering warriors portrayed in the artwork and lore, and how this led hobbyists to create true-scale Space Marines. We discuss some of the early efforts in this space, like Migsula’s Alpha Legion, and how everything changed with the release of the better-proportioned Primaris Space Marines. Finally, we talk about some of the different approaches hobbyists are currently using to create true-scale Space Marines, including the traditional method of adding spacers to the legs to older Space Marine models, and sculpting them from the ground up.

Adeptus Astartes: Iron Snakes Space Marine

Never break the chain.

To commemorate the release of the new edition of Warhammer 40,000, I converted a Primaris Space Marine into a regular true-scale Space Marine. With the new edition coming to stores this weekend, I wanted to get the model painted in time. Being a fan of the Black Library author Dan Abnett, I decided to paint the model as an Iron Snake, one of the Chapters he created. This also gave me the opportunity to experiment with Vallejo Metal Color acrylic paints. I had heard a lot of very positive things about the paint range, particularly their smooth application straight from the bottle via brush and airbrush. I was surprised to learn that they have a staggering 17 different metallic paints in the range, most being different silvers.

Conversion Corner: True-scale Space Marine

"I, for one, was bloody glad to see the Snakes power in. Beautiful bastards, they are. I owe them my life and my soul." – after the battle of Ambold Eleven

It has been quite a while since our last conversion corner article, but with the recent announcement that a new edition of Warhammer 40k is on the horizon, complete with new Primaris Space Marines, I thought it would be fun to revisit my first primaris model. The model was actually gifted to me by Mr_Pink (from the excellent Modern Synthesist blog), and at the time, I just converted the bolter to be a little smaller and used the model to examine how it fit alongside other 40k models. To honor the new edition, I felt it was a good time to revisit the model and do some simple conversion work to make the model read as a normal, albeit better proportioned, Space Marine.

Dragged into Turbolasers Bonus Episode: #New40k, or talking about the new edition of Warhammer 40k

#New40K

In this bonus episode of the podcast, we discuss the newly revealed edition of Warhammer 40k. We talk about a variety of topics, ranging from the new cinematic trailer, to the updated logo, and new models. We consider how Games Workshop’s stance on Primaris Space Marines has changed over the years, shifting from creating truly new unit types to essentially updating all the old traditional Space Marine models. We laugh about the new Primaris bike designs, postulate on how the new Judiciar is a 40k equivalent of Severian from the Book of the New Sun, and appreciate that the Necrons are actually getting some new models. 

Conversion Corner - Space Marine Operative

The Happenin' Habber stands next to her newest Space Marine friend.

For the second installment of Conversion Corner, I decided to focus my attention on converting a Space Marine operative. I have been exploring the design for Space Marine weapons, namely the bolter (True-Scale Marine, Elder One Othalanga; Primaris Marine) for a while now. For this marine I wanted to delve even further into creating a sub-machine gun (SMG) variant of the bolter (and challenge the commonly perceived size of such a weapon). Additionally, I wanted to experiment with equipping a marine with one of the Genestealer cultist shotguns. Since their release, I always thought they would work perfectly on Space Marines, particularly the Primaris-scaled Marines.

The Unforgiven: True-scale Dark Angels

Thought begets Heresy. Heresy begets Retribution.

When 8th edition of Warhammer 40k was released last year, I purchased one of the starter sets, and experimented with turning the included Primaris Space Marines into True-scale Space Marines. I found that by simply replacing their powerpacks and bolters, they made pretty convincing normal Space Marines. Being a longstanding Dark Angels player, when the new Dark Angel codex was released last year, I thought it might be fun to try to convert some tactical marines in this way. The hope being that I could build a bunch of them quickly to use in games of basic 40k (I manage to play a game or two each year). With this in mind, I got a box of the Dark Angels-themed Intercessors and set to work.

A look back: The miniatures of 2017

With 2017 coming to a close, we thought we would write our annual post looking back at the best Games Workshop models of the year. It has been an interesting year, filled with a lot of high profile releases, ones that many people people have eagerly anticipating for quite some time, such as reviving Necromunda and expanding the range of Death Guard models. Unfortunately nearly all of these releases were fraught with significant problems, which put a damper on our excitement for them. Longtime readers of the blog will know we can be very critical of the miniatures that Games Workshop releases, wishing to provide constructive criticism that will continue to push the company to being the best miniature company in the world. Towards this end, more than any of the blog’s previous years, we spent our efforts putting our critiques to action, converting and modifying many of the models that we had issues with. With this post we wanted to review the highlights of the models that Games Workshop released this year, and choose what we think is the best release of the year!

Space Marines: Raptors

A dagger in the dark is worth a thousand swords at dawn.

After being suitably impressed with the First Strike starter boxed set for Warhammer 40,000, I decided that some of the models in the set might be a good place to experiment with painting. Aside from painting the majority of Dreadwhisper for the Curse of the Alabaster games last winter, I have not painted another model in my entire long history of being involved in the hobby, letting that all fall on Adam’s shoulders. Having no particular use for the push-fit Primaris Space Marines that I assembled from First Strike, they seemed like the ideal place to start to learn the particulars of painting. I also had an extra cast of our True-scale Space Marine, and figured his large size would also be a good way to ease into the process. After some consideration, I selected the Raptors Space Marine Chapter to paint my first models as. I always loved the drab military look of their chapter, reminding me of Sherman tanks from WWII. Conveniently, I also had most of the colors that I thought I would need from a Vallejo Model Air paint set for German/Allied WWII models.

Warhammer 40k 8th Edition: First Strike

First Strike

Despite being out for a few months already, we only just recently played a game of Warhammer 40,000 8th edition. While the initial Dark Imperium boxed set was enticing, filled with all manner of nice Primaris Space Marines and Death Guard models, and a hardback copy of the rulebook, its price and sheer number of models (that would likely end up in a box unassembled for a long period) ultimately swayed our hands. It was almost as though Games Workshop knew our plight, and that of new hobbyists, and released two smaller introductory boxed sets, Know No Fear and First Strike. First Strike is heralded as the “ideal first purchase for those new to the Warhammer 40,000 hobby” by Games Workshop themselves, so we thought it would be fun to get the box and see if it lived up to the statement. If nothing else, it would give us a few of the new Primaris and Death Guard models to experiment with, so what was there to lose (aside from $40, ha ha)?

Rainbow Warriors Project: Chaplain Painted

Blessed is the mind too small for doubt.

I recently posted pictures of a Chaplain that I converted for the Rainbow Warriors Project, an initiative to promote diversity and inclusiveness in the miniature wargaming community. I was able to devote the last week or two to painting the model, and am happy to show you pictures of the completed model sans base. All of the bases for the army are being painted separately by Dan from the Lonely Havocs, to help unify the force. Any thoughts or comments on the model are appreciated!

Dragged into Turbolasers Episode 26: New Primaris Space Marines!

Primaris Space Marines have their own Centurions!

In this episode, we talk about some of the new Primaris Space Marine releases. We talk at length about the Reiver and Aggressor models and how they fit in with the rest of the range. We also discuss the new Chaplain and Apothecary character models. Finally, we briefly mention the huge Redemptor dreadnought.

Rainbow Warriors Project: Chaplain

“Now I am become Death, the destroyer of worlds.”

Dragged into Turbolasers Episode 24: The Reivers!

The Reivers!

In this episode we talk about some newly revealed Warhammer 40k models that will be included in a few new starter sets. First we discuss the new character models for the Primaris Space Marines, a Captain and Librarian. We then talk at length about a new Primaris unit, the Reivers, and how they fit within the Space Marine range as a whole. Finally, we end the episode talking about some new Nurgle models.

Primaris Space Marines: First Impressions

Hope is a mistake.

Over the years, we have become increasingly critical of the miniature design of Space Marines, and the discrepancies between them and much of the artwork. Many of the awkward elements of their anatomy, and diminutive size compared to other human models in the game, pushed us to begin converting some “true-scale” Space Marines. To our surprise, shortly after creating some of these larger marines, it was revealed that Games Workshop was releasing a line of new larger Space Marines, called Primaris Space Marines. Many were quick to claim that GW had finally made their own true-scale Space Marines with the models, and we were eager to get our hands on some to make our own judgement, and to see if they corrected some of our issues with Space Marines. Mr_Pink (from the excellent Modern Synthesist blog) generously provided us one of the new marines, and wanted to tell you some of our thoughts on the quality of them, and their place next to their “normal” brethren.

Dragged into Turbolasers Episode 23: Dark Imperium

Dark Imperium.

In this episode we are again joined by the talented Mr_Pink, from the blog Modern Synthesist and now a new podcast called Xenos Alchemist, to talk about the new Warhammer 40,000 boxed game Dark Imperium. We discuss all the models contained within the box, as well as the new dreadnought revealed during Warhammer Fest.

Dragged into Turbolasers Episode 22: A classic design revisited, Primaris Space Marines

Hope is a mistake.

With this episode we are joined by the extraordinarily talented Mr_Pink, from the blog Modern Synthesist, to talk about the newly revealed Primaris Space Marines. We talk at length about the models as well as the lore surrounding them.