When photos of the new Space Marine Centurion models first surfaced I was torn. There was so much about them that I wanted to love, but there was something about them that I just didn't like.
I knew, however, that if a I picked up a box of them and started tinkering, I'd find the problem. So, I did just that. Turns out my biggest "problem" with the models wasn't any particular element of the kit, I think that they're all great individually... by themselves. The problem was the way they were assembled. There just seems to be something "wrong" about a technology that can build/modify a suit of armor, to be piloted by a warrior (already in his own armor) that struggles to get it's weaponry sorted out efficiently.
I thought the idea of big fists was cool. I thought the idea of big drill arms was cool. I thought the idea of big drills stuck to big fists to be completely unnecessary, and to add to the strangeness they then tacked on flamers or meltaguns. In the end you had "arms" that were larger than the body of the Centurion.
Of course the same thing goes for the Devastator Centurions, but without the additional assault weapon.
There are other options for putting weaponry on that frame, but it seems GW just kept pushing the OTT button whenever they had a good idea, rather than stepping back, starting again, and incorporating the good ideas into the original design.
Anyway, here's my quick take on a "prototype" Centurion from an Adeptus Mechanicus Skittarii Cohort. Hope you like him ; )
Cheers
Dave
That is a great take on the kit Dave. I like how you fitted the arm to the drill peice. Did the servo skull bit come with the kit or is that from the devestator kit?
ReplyDeleteI think that particular servo skull is from the Cadian command kit, as is the head. The centurions don't come with servo skulls.
DeleteMUCH better!
ReplyDeleteThanks Jugger. He's still pretty stocky, but not as ape-ish.
DeleteNice fix. I know we are hobbyists and converting is fun, but why do we have to keep fixing their expensive kits? ~sigh~ Again, looks great.
ReplyDeleteThanks Zab.
DeleteI really want to extend the front of the feet so they aren't so dreadnoughty.
ReplyDeleteI didn't really feel the need to do that, but it shouldn't be too difficult.
DeleteWow, great work, and a huge improvement.
ReplyDeleteIf you are heading away from "marine" with these, why not look at the weapons from the sentinal kit? A multilaser would look pretty great as a right arm replacement, and the missile launcher would be interesting as a shoulder mount weapon.
Thanks! I think there are all sorts of combos you could come up with. I kept the grav cannon as I tend to play against Plague Marines quite a bit ; )
DeleteNice! I took off the codpieces and reposed the legs so that they looked like they were moving.
ReplyDeleteSounds good, I might try something more dynamic with the next one.
Deletei would like to see a space wolf variant of these or do logan grimnar in one
ReplyDeleteI think that'd be pretty cool to do a Logan Grimnar conversion!
DeleteVery nice fix. It looks much better like this, although, as stated before I'd do something about the feet and take away the hip-shields(whatever they're called) if I ever do a take on these models.
ReplyDeleteI have to say I'm somewhat surprised by the choice of head considering they're almost the best parts of the kit (in my humble opinion...)
According to the instruction sheet they're called tassets. I looked at the model without them, and there didn't seem to be a good enough reason to leave them off.
DeleteAs for the head, I wanted to move away from the Marine look, so it was either this, or a helm like those on the Thallax.
Big improvement on the basic design. Not sure how you would translate that to a WYSIWYG legal unit of 3 but excellent work. This kit has some potential that would be fun to play around with if you could get just one but three of those monstrosities at that price is hard to swallow.
ReplyDeleteThanks! But yes, it's a tough price to swallow. I think that converting them makes them better value, as you've already spent more time with the kit before they ever hit the table ; )
DeleteI went back and looks at the kit again and I think you are right that the way they mounted the weapons is one of the major problems and why it does not look good. Also do not really like the crotch guards but Freshcoast40k built some without them and the legs are very plain.
DeleteI could see people stealing the Gravcannon mount but not sure if you could mount the TL Lascannon or HB that way. Might just be to much. Might have to chop one arm way down and try a more dreadnought mount with 1 joint.
I like the direction you went with these. I am not a fan of the way the arms feel like a novice kit bashed random object on to each other. This will be fun to watch. You get to change my mind about the kit! :)
ReplyDeleteThanks John ; )
DeleteHe looks worlds better then the stock version. The grav cannon looks a lot more natural on the shoulder. Now it might actually be able to use its powerfist!
ReplyDeleteYou really hit the nail on the head about the individual parts being nice, but coming together poorly. Instead of recessing guns into the fists, they simply tacked a larger version to already overly large pieces.
FW has a pretty similar rock drill for a dreadnought, but it works a lot better because it is not attacked to the side of a dreadnought close combat weapon. And the flamer is within the grinding bits.
I was surprised that GW didn't take the FW deign cue you mention GF. It seems like such a simple solution.
DeleteGreat idea! I think this would work really good with the assault version with meltas on the shoulders, or the devastator with two lascannons up there. Great idea!
ReplyDeleteTwin-linked shoulder mounts sound great!
DeleteGreat minds think alike! I've been working on something very similar - but more like an automaton. So essentially a different head and slightly different take on the shoulder mount theme. Thanks for sharing and thanks for continuing to be the biggest source of traffic to my blog!! I need to find away to return the favor :)
ReplyDeleteHey Migs! No need to thank me, just keep doing what you do in the way you do it. Always very inspiring : )
DeleteNice and obvious idea at the same time.
ReplyDeleteI think you'll also need to rework the groin and raise it a little compared to the legs , make the model a bit taller just like in the picture of the codex, less blocky and lengthen the legs a little bit.
Furthermore, I really don't think the assault drill do fit to the model. It would have been best to go for super chainsword. At least they wouldn't look like vacuum cleaners.
I would have relocated the secondary weapons on the arms, near the wrists. They are smaller and do not prevent the model to use its fists and furthermore, I don't think it's wise to store ammo near the chest of the pilot. In fact, it would let you make the chest wider and give credibility to the designer claim stating that the pilot arms are in the chest piloting that thing.
Eventually, I would do somethin for the head.
Add some sort of armored canopy giving additional protection to the pilot's head in a firefight and in case of a fall.
It's make no sense to wear such exo armor and leave the head bare or exposed.
My two cents.
Keep the good work.
Hmmm, you've given me a good idea for the head/helmet/canopy. Thanks Anon!
DeleteI'm really eager to see what you have in mind.
DeleteThanks FM!
ReplyDeleteTip top conversion work as ever. I agree with the rest of the posts that you've greatly improved on GW's original design.
ReplyDeleteThanks Euan!
DeleteVERY nice! Just curious, is that guitar wire for the wires, or something else?
ReplyDeleteThe cabling is from Dragon Forge Designs, it's basically cast white metal that is flexible enough to bend easily into the shapes you want. I love the and use them all the time : )
DeleteLove it, Dave. This is more akin to some of the original concept sketches I've seen by Jes, and is something I've considered doing when I pick up a kit. You've executed it very well! Can't wait to see it painted and join up with your force!
ReplyDeleteThanks Hivemind, painting has begun.
DeleteYep great work. The weapons just bolted onto the huge fists is lazy design, especially considering that they arent even power fists, so whats the purpose of the huge fists anyway?
ReplyDeleteI think im going to try mounting the devastator weapon on the lower arms (like your rock drill) as the fists serve no purpose and it would fit with the Dreadnought look. Either that or ill steal your one fist one weapon arm look!
the other big problem I have is the hurricane bolted/missile placement. Look how big the hurricane bolters are on a LR, now look how big they are on a Centurion....
I think that's why I went for the frag launchers instead of the hurricane bolters, it just seemed to make more sense.
DeleteI think the hurricane bolters need the forearm treatment too.
DeleteMaybe main weapons as shoulder mounted and back up as single forearm mount leaving the other hand free for the big fist.
Either that or hurricane/missile launcher on one arm and twin Hvy bolters/lascannons on the other arm.
Funny you mention the giant arms and hands piece... seems maybe G/W drew some "Inspiration" from playing BioShock Infinite. Not that THEY have every "borrowed" an idea before . . .
ReplyDeleteReally like you Skittarii concept. Just reading "Lords of Mars" now, and I can picture this model fitting right in to that role.
Aaaahh I've never played Bioshock, but your suggestion makes sense. Thanks for that.
ReplyDeleteI checked out devservice.net and found it to be a well-designed platform offering a variety of services. The user interface is intuitive, making it easy to navigate through the different service options. Whether you're looking for web development, design, or other IT-related services, it seems like they've got you covered.
ReplyDelete