Imperial Guard Squad

[greenstuff_gav]

so, i've picked up a box of Victrix 54mm British Napoleonic Infantry today with a view of making some generic Imperial Guard NPCs.

As i look at them, they're rather large, even compared to GWs heroic standard;



I plan on re-sculpting the hat, maybe into something Mordian or a Tommy Soupbowl.

Along with removing the integral base, the rifles will become lasguns and i'll stick some aquilas around

as i've got 16 in the box, i'm thinking a stock guard squad, a heavy weapons team, an officer, two special weapons and a sniper

[Knobby2]

Look about right for a pyrian dragoon regiment (armageddon 3rd war regiment), they could have las guns similar in design too the vostoyan ones

on a quick side note im sure you mentioned humans are never the same height so a few tall npcs dont matter,

[Kaludram]

@Knobby2:  Agreed--just assert they are from a lower-gravity world making them all slightly taller than human norms.

[greenstuff_gav]

well, the main theory is that as an RPG, you don't want NPCs to be the same size or bigger than your player characters; by being slightly smaller this will draw more attention to the PCs who will look more impressive by being bigger

currently chopping up the rifle to make a lasgun

[Kaludram]

A suggestion on making them shorter, then...

In addition to reducing the size of their hats, once you cut off the integral base, shave some off the bottom of their boots and mount directly to plasticard or a metal disk (if you want something heavier but still thin).  That will help keep their heads lower than a PC model on a full sized base.

[greenstuff_gav]

the hats helped, as did shaving their feet (?!)... i've used non-gw bases too as they're slightly shorter

so, here's about 5 / 6 hours work from today


Ro is quite short anywho so i'm happier with their size .. but still slightly large for my tastes :lol:

the lasgun barrels will be shortened once everything is dry and las-nubs need adding (along with detailing the clip).
i've a pressmould of the aquila drying (as i idnt like my sculpted version) to add to the guns, belts, cap and onto a pouch they all wear and the back of the backpack.
will be free-handing an aquila onto he lasgun stock, so a wing runs from the back forward (eagle on the end)
i think i need to bulk up their hats too; their heads look awful short :lol:

the Plan is to have a squad of 10 done for two weeks time; Triple HElix want me to run a demo / big game on their birthday celebrations and who better to throw into a firefight than some imperial guard!

[Dolnikan]

They look to be the proper size now, this way they will look like NPC's without being dwarfed by the other models.

[Cortez]

They look a better size now, however you appear to have shaved off the top of their craniums along with the hats.

[Kaludram]

They look a better size now, however you appear to have shaved off the top of their craniums along with the hats.

Agreed.  This seems to be the only issue.  Other than the lack of cranium (which may not be too big an issue for some IG units), they look good...makes me want to pick some up for myself.

[greenstuff_gav]

i did spot the head-shortness ... not bothering to fix 'em tho as they're designed to die

today's work; been working on the lasguns and using my pressmould; there's a winged skull on each man's pouch, on the base of the backpack and on each lasgun




debating doing a missile launcher weapons team and a flamer for the squads' special... i like the idea both are cheap weapons to make and maintain but as i recall flame weapons are needlessly overcomplicated

[Heroka Vendile]

great greenstuff work gav, but I do think you took s couple millimetres too much off their heads, just doesn't look quite right.

[Koval]

Yeah, I think they'd look better with slightly bigger heads as well, but I can't fault anything else.

[Myriad]

Liking these.  They've got a real imperial look about them - without the shakos they size up well.

[Inquisitor Dionzi]

Looking good Gav! I'd make the peaks of their caps a bit higher though as there's not enough room for the crowns of their heads: I realize the stereotype is that leathernecks and groundbiters don't need to think, but there're some physiological considerations too!

[greenstuff_gav]

so, i wanted all 10 assembled by this evening, but i'm 2 short
i blame playing Inquisitor with A.D and Adrian (a fellow player coming Saturday!) Tuesday


still, 8/10 isn't bad going

i've gone for a magnet in the end of the flamer; this will allow me to put a melta-end on there for the demo to make life a bit easier
i've also made the loader for the missile launcher team; he's gonna have some goggles once tonight's sculptin' has dried

(a bit blurry .. i want my daylight lamp back )

from the back you an make out the icon that's gone onto all the backpacks and the extra large fuel tank on the special weapon trooper.. it'd be a shame if someone was to shoot that with a solid slug 


also i've done a mass of press-moulding as i've forgotten the Aquila on their belts!  it's a small touch but one i wanted to do
next up is a comm-link trooper and then the missile launcher guy
but they're going to have to wait till Monday now