And here are some more detailed pics of the rest of Gol Kolea's Platoon. As we look a bit closer, I'd like to take this opportunity to remind everyone that this commission is really a "Best of the Ghosts" army, representing the characters at their best point in the stories and bringing them all together on Jago, in the high country around Hinzerhaus (from the 2008 novel Only In Death).
Here are Kolea's command squad. From left to right: Ayatani Zweil, Adjutant Rerval, Major Gol Kolea, Grenade Launcher, Junior Commissar Nahum Ludd, Flame trooper Lyse, Surgeon Ana Curth.
A mixed squad of Vergahstites and Tanith, led by Tona Criid (front & center) with fething Lijah Cuu kneeling to Criid's right.
Another mixed squad, this time led by Sergeant Ceglan Varl (front & center) with Belladon trooper Cant to Varl's left.
Details of Zweil, Kolea, Ludd, and Cuu. Zweil is converted from an Empire Flagellant and painted up to echo the colors worn by the infardi of his home world, Hagia. Kolea carries an axe-rake, from his mining days on Verghast, and sports the scars from his injuries suffered on Phantine. Junior Commissar Ludd is converted from the old Hero model from the Schaeffer's Last Chancers squad, his left hand is from a Rogue Trader-era commissar model holding a book (no doubt containing reams of infractions against Imperial Law). Finally, Lijah Cuu kneels down and plunges his straight silver through a ripe ploin (I've always imagined them to look like pomegranates), staring at the blood red juices spilling out and running over his blade and hands.
Details of Criid, Curth, and Lyse. Sergeant Tona Criid is converted from a Necromunda Escher ganger. Ana Curth was presented in this post here. Flame trooper Lyse is obviously a solidly-built woman, she has to be to lug around that heavy flamer and fuel. Her head is from the Victoria Miniatures female Arcadian set, and I added a scarf/bandanna to help bring the two together.
Details of Bragg, Cant, and Varl. "Try Again" Bragg is based on the Last Chancer's Ox model, his head is from an old Catachan Captain, and the two bottles of sacra strapped to his back are from the Empire Outriders kit. His heavily-laden loader is weighed down with quite a few belts of ammo from Dragon Forge Design. Belladon trooper Cant is a simple kitbash. Sergeant Ceglan Varl is also primarily a kitbash, but there's a little extra sculpting around is augmetic shoulder.
And here are some pre-paint photos of five of the characters.
I hope you enjoy them : )
Cheers
Dave
These are just great. There is such character and uniqueness in the models. What a lovely army.
ReplyDeleteThanks Greg!
DeleteLoads of character in these models. You must have had lots of fun building them. The paintjob is about right too. Simple and effective. The extensive kitbashing means there's plenty to look at such that painting techniques can be kept a little muted.I love the armor chipping on the shoulder pads and helmets. Really legendary stuff.
ReplyDeleteThanks Tim. When it came to planning the best way to represent the look of the Tanith on a reasonable budget over a project that might take years to complete there were a lot of things to consider. For an army wearing black fatigues, body armor, webbing, carrying black weapons, many of them with black hair, it was kind of tough to get to a good, reproducible spot.
DeleteNice work Dave, greetings.
ReplyDeleteThanks Eli!
DeleteI sure enjoyed them! Wonderful stuff! I really love the tattoo of Kolea. It shows his dedication to his new life in the Guard after Vervunhive.
ReplyDeleteNice to see Ludd with a book. It is maybe Hark's field journal?
I like your Cuu. He has a very dark look.
I have one question though, is there a special reason you didn't used Secret Weapon's voxcasters by this platoon?
Thanks Anon. This platoon is primarily Verghastites, with a handful of Tanith and Belladons thrown in. I wanted them to be different from the previous platoon by giving them some gear that was a little more "standard issue", if that makes sense : )
DeleteAs a big fan of the Tanith First and Only, truly awesome work!!
ReplyDeleteseeing these characters brought to life is simply breathtaking. i especially like Cuu and Tona, both of whom are just so perfect. I always like Cant as well, so its great to see him in there.
ReplyDeleteThanks Atreides : )
ReplyDeleteAwesome all the way around, really fantastic to see my Favorite guard get brought to life like this. Thank you so much for shareing!
ReplyDeleteThanks Lance!
DeleteOnce again, brilliant work on the detail here Dave! Really looking forward to the day you finally get to Gaunt and his inner circle! Would you be using the official models as is? Or are there any modifications you'd make?
ReplyDeleteTo be honest, I never understood why they gave the special weapon trooper a plasma gun!!!
Thanks James. I think we'll be going for something considerably custom when we get to Ibram, but no doubt informed by the GW model.
DeleteReally enjoying seeing your Tanith - so many fantastic conversions!
ReplyDeleteIf I had to pick favourites from these I'd have to say Zweil, Ludd, Tona Criid, & Lijah Cuu - they're just how I pictured them in the books; you've really captured their character.
Thanks PC!
DeleteWonderful job on these. With all the great background to pull from with your talents make this such a great project!
ReplyDeleteThanks Jason!
DeleteGreat work on those! Your FEMALE medic is a standout :)
ReplyDeleteLol, thanks Grant!
DeleteI thought I'd recognised your 'Try again' Bragg model, it looked familiar to me but couldn't quite put my finger on it.
ReplyDeleteSaid 'old catachan captain' is the powerfist catachan captain model inspired by the 90's 2nd ed. IG codex artwork by Mark Gibbons (or was it the other way round), your headswap conversion work is amazing.
Thanks MT, it is indeed that Catachan Captain inspired by the MG artwork, which was no doubt inspired by Arnie in Predator.
DeleteThese are amazing, Really impressed with these.
ReplyDelete