Last of the Genswick Conversions: Officers, Sergeants and Lord Commissar Creed

For those who don't follow me regularly, I am selling off my Genswick (less than a day left in this Auction) Imperial Guard Astra Militarum and before I get rid of them I wanted to post a few more conversions in the army that I had done. One last hurrah if you will.

First off the Officers

These are all really easy yet effective conversions to evoke the Genswick imagery, especially that of an aristocratic officer corps/ The left is simply a WHFB Empire Duelist with a Bretonnian Men-At-Arms helmet and is a platoon commander. The right is the Imperial Guard Fleet Officer, once more with a helmet. Not really seen is the Bretonnian sheathed sword on the back hanging from his belt to represent a power sword. This too was a platoon commander. The center model is the company commander and is just a Forge World DKK Command HQ Squad Officer with the head removed and a full Bretonnian Men-At-Arms head put in place. Fits right in, perfectly ages him and makes him seem bitter IMO.

Next are Genswick Power Axes

Once more easy conversions that clearly establish what the model is, fit with the Genswick look and are minimal in effort. The one on the left is just a normal Men-at-Arms pike with the part above the hand removed and the majority of a Space Wolf Axe from the SW upgrade sprue added. The one on the right is the Men-at-Arms religious icon banner staff with the top leveled off and the head of a regular SM assault marine power axe attached. These conversions fit perfectly with the long pole weapons I used for CCW and fit with the feel of Genswick, yet clearly are power axes and nothing else.

Finally Lord Commissar Creed Conversion

This one I realized I should've done a little differently after I was already half way through it and I couldn't let the cap go to waste (and I forgot I had the other bit). Hopefully this is inspiration though. To me the Creed model just evoked Imperial Presence and calm, brooding oversight, which is perfect for a Commissar. So this is just the regular Creed model (if you can get Finecast vice metal for this conversion, the old head was nearly impossible to remove). I took the lower half of a Men-at-Arms head and added a peaked cap from the Hellhound kit (unfortunately ruining such an awesome head). I used some green stuff in between and had to sculpt eyes and the bridge of the nose back in, but ultimately got it to read Commissar IMO. An easier way to do this would simply be to use a Leman Russ Tank commander head. Then he is yelling too and the cigar fits a little better IMO.

What I'd Like To See In Blood Angels 40k 7th Edition 2014

So having played Blood Angels since 3rd Edition going through a minidex that stretched over two Space Marine, a White Dwarf Codex, and the current codex, I have a lot of hope for the next edition of Blood Angels.

First of all, I want them to be a stellar Close Combat Army. And really, they are now. The issue is that 6th ed isn't good for that. I think the upcoming 7th edition will address that more so than any codex ever would, or even could. So I won't go on and on about that, because the scope of that topic is too large for this post, and frankly I think the upcoming edition change will largely help...

The hardest thing to predict and anticipate for is making them divergent enough from the current SM codex as to make it worth it that they aren't just better off as a supplement to the main SM codex, though that would be horrible I guess. I would just be worried of them being too much like vanilla marines. While grav weapons and centurions would be nice, I already have hand flamers, inferno pistols and Sanguinary Guard... do I need, or in fact deserve to have those weapons/units...

1- Inclusion of the Storm Talon or some proprietary flyer. Talking about needing/deserving, this one is BIG to me. The BA were the first with the Storm Raven (they had it before the model was even designed!!!). I was okay with the Grey Knights getting it, but then every Space Marine chapter (Sorry DA and SW) got access to it? What the heck? They stole it, just because everyone wanted it and SM deserve everything (okay, to sell more...) And the other Chapter's also get the Storm Talon, which as I have discussed before makes most sense in the Blood Angels as rapid fire support and goes with their "Refuse to cede their mastery of the heavens to any foe, even for a moment" (pg 38 BA Codex). This closed lid on Fliers has even continued into FW fliers, with BA pretty much only getting the new Fire Raptor gunship, but no Storm Eagles (which make most sense for BA and were introduced for all other SM as on offset to Ravens... then they all got Ravens!) Raven's are nice, but no longer proprietary. I would like some of the individuality back please.

One of mine, before he was based. CHS jump pack.

2- Viable Jump Troop Armies. Jump Packs are COOL. BA have the greatest amount to access to them. Their delivery and effectiveness needs to be really effective as opposed to the game now in 6th. A big part of this has to do with how assault works in the game right now. Hopefully 7th is a fix to that issue another way to make Jump Troops viable would be...

3- Viable Descent of Angel Army. Basically a way around the 1/2 reserves rule would be nice. Drop Pods armies can get around this since the pods HAVE TO DS. Well since DS is a BA preferred method, they should be able to get around this nuisance too. The problem is they can't. I shouldn't have to take Drop Pods when I have the most capable Jump Troops because of DoA. As well, since Ravens aren't dedicated transports, the squad inside of them has to adhere to the 1/2 deploy 1/2 reserve restriction, so it's not like I can put everyone in Ravens. 5th ed may have been a little too extreme in this manner, but 6th swang way to far in the other direction.

Dante and Astorath at a Nerfed Anonymous Meeting 

4- CHARACTERS WITH AXES THAT AREN'T I1!!!! Really this is Dante and Astrorath. The 2 Greatest heroes from the chapter known for it's combat prowess. They should be combat beasts, but apparently Sergeant McNobody of the Imperial Guard... uh I mean Astra Militarum (that is still so wrong to me) is just as handy with an Axe as them. With the abundance of AP2 weapons that aren't I1, these guys can get a break.

5- Moriar the Chosen- There are so few character vehicles in the game, I just feel this would be cool to bring back. He is an awesome part of BA lore (same with Veteran Sergeant Cluetin if you know back that far). Plus dreadnoughts are AWESOME.

6- A kit that includes a grail bit- This is just a simple wish for ease of conversions.

7- A Sanguinary Priest model that isn't a character. (This could satisfy #6) Really the Apothecary models GW offers are such old sculpts. The FW ones are nice, but kinda static infantry and, well, FW. It would be nice to get a new Apothecary sculpt and I feel that BA are the correct place and time to do this. \

8- Tech Adepts back in Honour Guards. A nod to the old fluff. I still model them this way, though it is just a veteran per the rules. I would just like to see the option brought back, especially since BA don't get (or at least currently) Masters of the Forge or Thunderfire Cannons, and I really don't want or need those. It brings them too much in line with Codex SM. Tech Adepts in Honour Guards is a great way to work the role into the army without it treading on other codices WHILE going back to BA roots.

9- Come up with something better for the Glaive Encarmine. It is just a mastercrafted weapon. Good and cool I guess, but not really taken since it is 2 handed. It is funny how in the Sanguinary Guard kit, only 2 of the two handed weapons are posed in such a way that they are being handled by two hands...

10- More background fluff on Iconography and such. Since this will be a full colour, hardback codex dedicated to a single marine chapter, I am expecting pretty expansive art and background. It has become more and more developed, but the current SM codex goes over several different chapters and still manages to show all 10 of the Ultramarine's company banners. I would like to see mine.

11- A Flesh Tearer or 3rd Company Supplement. Either Or. Being a BA player, I'd rather see Tycho's company at Armageddon, however I understand that Flesh Tearers would likely be more popular and successful, especially if an upgrade sprue or kit were released alongside it. An all DC force supplement would be cool, but this can kinda already be done and Unbound armies will allow for this anyways...

So there you go, my wish list for BA. Not too much to ask for IMO. Really just want the feel of my 5th Ed BA back (what the codex was designed around) and some little hobby additions. What do you think? Is it too much... did I just fall short of asking them to throw in the kitchen sink...

Its a deep sink with a really wide faucet.

Blood Angel Work and WIPs

While selling off all my Guard, I have been diligently toiling away at my Blood Angels and wanted to share some of my recent work.

First up are 3 painted marines: 1 Death Company, 1 Assault Marine w/ Meltagun and 1 Honour Guard w/ Meltagun

The Chainaxe is from FW. Old Metal DC body with new plastic DC shoulder pads.

The chest shield is from a terminator pauldron shield

Body is another old Metal DC. Jump pack is from Chapterhouse studios

Vanguard Veterans. 3 Mk III Iron Armour Assault Marines w/ legs mixed from the normal MKIII marines. \The two with TH will also get storm shields. The Plasma Gunslinger is using FW plasma pistols and arms, Sanguinary Guard legs and Tactical Marine torso and head.

The MK IV guy is from the FW Jetbikes (I am putting Sanguinary Guard bodies on the bikes). The Lightning claws are FW.

More Vanguard! Well actually the MKIV in back will be a normal assault marine, but the 5th vanguard for this squad isn't "new". Anyways, more FW. Completed the MKIV in front with normal tactical marine legs.

Left to right: A vanguard from another squad- SG legs, Sternguard upgrade Lightning claws, and tactical marine torso. See below for the next. Next is a new Sanguinary guard to have a sword vice an axe as what I currently have, made from SG legs & head and an SM champion torso. The last is a WIP Tactical marine.

This is going to be my "Sanguinor"- Brother Sepharan, the current leader of the Sanguinary Guard. Used an Emperor's champion body and sword, shaved off the shoulder pads and add SG ones and an SG head. Still have to make the Grail.

Genswick Astra Militarum/Imperial Guard for Sale

So I am getting out of my Guard Army. It is more than just the name change to Astra Militarum, but I am never going to get around to painting them and prefer playing Blood Angels and want to really build them up as a collection.

Warhammer 40k Astra Militarum Imperial Guard Army COVERTED GENSWICK+FW+IA Books

BUILT

79 Infantry + 9 Heavy Weapons Teams + 3 Artillery Pieces

-Lord Commissar (Coverted Usarkar Creed w/ new head and peaked cap)

-Company Command Squad (5)- Converted FW DKK High Command Squad Officer, 2 Melta Guns, banner and vox

-Platoon Command Squad (5)- Converted IG Officer of the Fleet, 2 Melta Guns, banner and vox

-Infantry Squad (10)- Power Maul, Flamethrower, vox

-Infantry Squad (10)- Power Axe, Meltagun, vox

-Infantry Squad (10)- Power Axe, Grenade Launcher, vox

-Infantry Squad (9)- CCW, Plasma Gun, vox

-Heavy Weapon Squad (3 Teams)- 3 Lascannons (converted Ork Zzap Guns)

-Heavy Weapon Squad (3 Teams)- 3 Mortars (converted Ork Lobbas)

-Heavy Weapon Squad (3 Teams)- 3 Gatling Guns counts as Autocannons (converted SM landspeeder assault cannons)

-Veteran/Engineer Squad (10)- All converted double barreled shotguns, gas grenades/demolitions

-Veteran/Engineer Squad (10)- All converted double barreled shotguns, gas grenades/demolitions

- 2 Ogryns (converted WHFB Ogres)

- 3 DKK Grenadiers

- 2 Advisers: Astropath and  Master of Ordnance

- 1 Extra Officer (converted Empire Duelist)

- 1 Extra Meltagunner

- 3 Forge World Heavy Mortars w/ 3 crewmen each

NOT BUILT/PARTS

-7 DKK Grenadiers

-3 Ogryns (WHFB Ogres and associated parts)

-6 Heavy Weapon Sprues (90% full, parts used for Ogryn and Heavy Weapon team conversions)

-1 ziploc IG Cadian and Bretonnian bits

TANKS

1 Baneblade

1 Macharius Vanquisher

1 Leman Russ Vanquisher (FW turret) w/ Heavy Bolter Sponsons and Lascannon Hull Mount (turret glued on)

10 Leman Russ Hulls w/ Heavy Bolter Sponsons and Lascannon Hull Mount (turrets not glued, options below. If you don't want the specialist turrets, the parts bag and sprues have standard Leman Russ turret parts on them.)

-3 FW Demolisher Turrets

-1 FW Vanquisher Turret

-2 Converted Conqueror Turrets

-2 LR Turrets w/ Stormbolters

-1 LR Turret w/ Heavy Stubber

-1 LR Turret

1 Forge World Enclosed Basilisk, partially built- hull built, crew compartment and weapons included

28 partial Tanks Sprues (Leman Russ and Baneblade)

3 Partial Apocalypse Command Sprues

2 NIB Hell Hounds (1 still in shrink wrap)

2 New unassembled DKK Hades Drills

BOOKS & ACCESSORIES

4th Edition Imperial Guard Codex

5th Edition Imperial Guard Codex

Forge World Imperial Armour Vol  I 2nd Edition: Imperial Guard (LIKE NEW)

Forge World Imperial Armour Vol 5, 6, 7: The Siege of Vraks Parts 1, 2, and 3 w/ Slip case

Games Workshop Carrying Case w/ Foam for infantry (1 latch broken)

Original Release Apocalypse Imperial Guard Armoured Company Box