Well I finally managed to finish this squad. The arms on this squad are from the terminator models as apposed to the power armour arms used on the previous squad. It’s a lot more work but ultimately a much better finish. The brief for this squad was for mostly charging poses. I didn’t manage to achieve the standard charging pose of GWs Space Marines, but for the most part have created a sort of striding pose, which I’m rather pleased with. I think the running pose can take away from the sense of weight that I try to instill into these conversions, and are best left for Assault Squads with jump packs. All models are WYSIWYG with the exception of two carrying combat blades instead of bolt pistols. The arms on the sergeant are magnetized as I’ve already pointed out before. I got the chance to experiment a little with “brownstuff”. At the moment I’m just trying to get a feel for it. Despite many people preferring it to greenstuff, at the moment I’m more comfortable with the good old green-chewing -gum.

The full squad. Click for a larger image.

Various size comparisons. Click for larger image.

Sergeant weapon variant 1.

Sergeant weapon variant 2.

Completed Project Mark V, Squad

Just thought I’d give a sneak peak of the squad I’m working on. The rest of the squad just needs there rivets adding and they’re finished, but for now here’s my favourite. There’s something about the scale of heavy weapons on an Actual Scale Space Marine that is really satisfying. I’m pretty sure I’ll be using lots of them in my own Space Marine army.

Completed Project Heavy Weapons, Mark V, Multi Melta

Here’s the first of the finished members of the Mark V Tactical Squad. As per the clients orders this model has magnetized swappable arms, so he can be equipped with bolter/bolt pistol and power sword/fist. Still need to drill out the bolter and perhaps add a back banner. I’m very pleased with the way this has turned out. I feel there is some progression and improvement on the previous squad.

Also for your viewing pleasure I have one of the near completion marines from the same squad. The dagger (not entirely WYSIWYG, but looks pretty cool) is from a Catachan command squad (I think). I’ve tried to pose him as if he’s firing at close range, hence the slightly lowered bolter, with his combat blade ready to slash out at the approaching enemy. I also swapped out the magazine on the bolter for a belt feed, as these marines are meant to be heresy era. All marines in the squad also have the same style of back pack, which is pretty close to the accepted old mark back packs. I used a simply greenstuff mold to make the basic layered plates shape and added rivets from the Grandt Line range.

Work in Progress Combat Blade, Magnets, Mark V, Rivets

I’ve made some slow progress on the second Mark V armour Space Marine squad.

Click to see larger image.

Progress feels quite slow when working on large squads such as this, however, I’m pleased with how they’re coming along. I’m going to be making these using terminator arms. I have a shortage of plastic studs right now so that feature of the models will have to wait until last.

Work in Progress Mark V

Here’s a small update on what i have on my desk at the moment.

This is the work in progress for a second commissioned Mark V armoured Tactical Squad.

The client asked for the squad to be charging forward. On the majority of the figures I’ve tried to position the legs into striding poses, or at least a little more dynamic than the usual generic Space Marine pose. The positioning of the arms and heads will have a large effect on the dynamics of each figure, so I think they’ll look like they have more movement when finished.

The backpacks are coming along a lot more nicely than the previous squad. The helmets are also nearly finished, with just the addition of studs to come. All the torsos on these Mark Vs come from the assault marine sprues. Once they’re filled out with greenstuff cabling they are suitably bulk to fit the model.

Because I had a shortage of terminator legs with knee pads (that would need trimming down anyway) I opted to use the other variant and carve a groove to separate the greaves from newly formed knee pads. I’m fairly satisfied with the result, in fact I think they’re better than the previous squad.

The checklist of things left to do on this squad is as follows:

greenstuff all the calves and thighs, the abdomens and groins.

convert and attach arms & weapons

finish backpacks

add studs to helmets, greaves and shoulder pads

greenstuff the boots to make them chunkier

add final detailing

Hoping to have these finished before the end of next week, as I have a lot more projects booked to have to make a start on.

Work in Progress Knee pads, Mark V

Thanks to Doghouse posting a pick of one of the old style backpacks in his Warseer Project Log, I managed to improve on the backpacks of the MK V conversions I’ve been working on. Here’s the first, a definite improvement over those issued to the last squad. This one will be used to create a small greenstuff press mold.

Work in Progress Backpack, Mark IV, Mark V, Mark VI

OK, well today I finally got around to finishing this squad (it’s been 3-4 weeks now). I’m not going to show the “work in progress” shots this time round and just proceed to the finished stuff.

The order was for a 10 man Tactical Squad all equipped with mk V heresy armour. The client was very helpful in requesting details for individual members. All the models are fully WYSIWYG, mounted on 40mm bases. The client intends to replace the blank shoulder pads with pre-sculpted pads that he already has. Although these were quite difficult to make, now that they’re finished I find myself wanting to keep them (I picture them as an Ultramarine honour guard, but that’s just me). The client might (no promises) start up a project log of his own whilst painting them, which I’d love to see and if so I’ll obviously provide a link.

All the models use the standard power armour marine arms. Although terminator arms (trimmed down) work well too, these are a perfectly viable option.

Note:some of the blank pads have a notch missing out of the front. I didn’t have any others spare at the time for their “finished photos”, but as I said they’ll be replaced by the client.

(click for larger image)

And here’s the the thirty-odd individual photo close ups (may as well go the whole way, right?).

Squad Sergeant - he has swapable magnetized arms

will have a comms backpack (made by client)

My personal favourite model in the squad

Scratch built bionic leg.

Can't go wrong with a Plasma Cannon (unless it vaporizes you!)

There are more photos in the directory if anyone wants more views http://masteroftheforge.com/images/june09/mkvsquad1

Finally a size comparison shot (with Bob the Lamenter).

Completed Project Finished, Mark V

Emperor's Spear Assault Marine

I’m a real fan of this colour scheme, and only made this marine as a test piece really. The battle damage on the armour could have been painted better, but I guess my next attempt will be an improvement.

My first atempt at a Mk V armour. The head was taken from the Black Reach Missile Launcher Marine.

My first Grey Knight. Technically he's not finished yet. I'm planning to make myself a Daemonhunters army all in actual scale.

Completed Project Black Templar, Emperor's Spears, Grey Knight, Mark V, Mark VII, Painted, Test Models