"Going Back to 40K" Topic

I havent played 40k since 2nd edition but ive always liked the models and the backround of the games. So recently Ive decided to jump back into 40k. Ive purchased the Imperial Guard codex and a copy of the mini rulebook they put out with one of the boxed sets ($50 for a rule book?)

My plans for this project are to build a small to medium IG army, while converting most or all of the models to some degree. This is really just for my own amusement and to give my army a unique look. Several ideas appealed to me but Ive decided to give the army a "WW2-esque" look, based on german gebirgsjagers.

I plan to use Westwind SHS german heads for all the figures, a mix of para helmets with and without covers, and field caps. Possibly some of the fieldcaps with gasmask heads (from the Secrets of the Third Reich line) for special weapons men and vehicle crew, and maybe some Pig Iron heads for storm troopers. I even have long-range plans for a unit of rough riders converted from perry brothers heavy cavalry plastic minis.

So, does anyone have any ideas or suggestions for details on infantrymen and/or vehicles to add to the gebirgsjager look? I plan on adding some coils of rope and climbing axes. Any suggestions for where I might find useful bits would be appreciated as well.

Have you looked at the new Wargames Factory Scifi shock troops?

wargamesfactory.com

The Warzone plastics are a great way to build up a cheap horde. A good base for conversions, and they have a WW2 sci-fi look to them. Prince August sells the minis nowadays.

From what I have seen the Pig Iron Heads go fine with the Plastic Cadian bodies.

Starting with the Wargames Factory plastics seems like a pretty good idea. If I were doing what you were doing I would at least buy one box of them to see what I thought. If, for some reason, you don't like them you could always convert them into dead guys to spruce up your battlefield.

I am using Warzone plastic Trenchers (brits) and Pig Iron Heads for WWW2 Soviets, they work very well and the warzone plastics are super cheap and nice minis. I got mine on a special and paid someting like £15.00 GBP for 80 minis. The pack contains 40 Trenchers (brits) and 40 Ducal Militia (german), infact you could just use the heads that come with them. They make fine IG's imho, though they are a smidge shorter than GW minis.

link

Actually i think the lower tech trencher look with german headgear might suit ig's better.

As for the Warzone plastics, I just saw this today…
TMP link

I really do not like the look of the CHimera or the Leamahn Russ tanks, so I use Old Crows for my IGs… link

I also recently went back to 40k, having not played since 2nd ed. And I have to say I really like this edition.

Why not start with 28mm gebirgsjager models and work from there? Brigade Games, Black Tree Design (buyer beware) and I think there is another company that I cannot recall at the moment…

Don't follow the reasoning here … you are getting back into 40k because you like the models, but you're not going to use the models?

porfirio,

read carefully:

"My plans for this project are to build a small to medium IG army, while converting most or all of the models to some degree. This is really just for my own amusement and to give my army a unique look."

Leland R. Erickson
Grayhawk Studios
grayhawkstudios.com

Great idea about the Westwind/Pig Iron heads – I am using the Westwind SS heads with the canvas helmet covers plus their heads with field caps – they look good on the Cadian bodies – my first batch is near finished and I will post photos when they are done

I also have done a bit of scratch building with a variety of other heads, including some Empire heads from the regular Warhammer figs, for my recce squad – will post shots as well – those Cadian heads are just too dorky looking

Another vote for the Wargames Factory great-coated shock troopers – I have two sets on order – can't beat the cost

Welcome back to 40K! I must admit, I find them fun to play

Plus, I like the poster

motivatedphotos.com/?id=2677

I am kind of eyeballing 40K as well, and Flames of War too. Sadly, when I tell you why, it will come off as 40K bashing anyways, but still… I suffered some brain damage from a head injury at work earlier this year, and I honestly can't follow the games that I would like to be playing. But Games Workshop is still there for me, she will still have me back after all the bad things I said. And there's a new game store right by the bus stop where I get my transfer to work (since I can't drive anymore due to afore-mentioned head injury) that stocks all kinds of GW and FoW stuff. The owner and I have had some issues in the past, but I didn't know it was *his* store when I walked in. He was pretty nice to me the first time, so I went back when I needed some paint, and he was really nice to me. When I had to order some paint, I ordered a GW box too, so we'll see how that turns out.

Nothing wrong with "going back" to 40K, whatever the reason. I am ashamed that it took *this* to make me realize it.

And a big apology to anyone I have offended over the years with any of my anti-GW rants and tirades. It's all good, guys.

I've got Pig Iron heads on Cadians, they fit real nice!
link

You can still get the pre-order deals on the Wargames Factory stuff if you buy them now. I don't think you'll be able to get the deals after the end of the month. Their shipment got delayed and once it comes it they will end the sale.

link

Mark – nice work! I need to get me some of those Pig Iron heads

porfirio,

read carefully:

My mistake, sorry about that.

I love the fact that this DIDN'T turn into the usual anti-GW/40K thread… and I love that you 're telling us what you're using, it's giving me ideas…

I think you can get coils of rope from the Space Marine Scouts kits, but buying some spiderwire braided fishing line is significantly cheaper over the entire army.

I'm not afraid to scratchbuild some climbing gear, like axes or shovels. Ice axes look like brutal weapons in 40k… A short wander down the plastruct or evergreen styrene trees should find you all sorts of interesting shapes to start from.

I'd seriously consider just getting 28mm Gebirgsjager, myself, but that's a different discussion. GW has certainly gone with the 'bolt-action laser gun' before…

Alternate heads on Cadians certainly work well, and really change the look of the models dramatically. To continue the theme of light weapons, I'd personally consider ordering some of the Elysian drop troop weapons from Forge World (OW! my wallet just bit me!). If you watch the exchange rates, you can occasionally catch the Forgeworld pieces at lower prices than their GW counterparts.

@Impala: If you still have the fine motor control, I'd suggest Flames over 40k. I just really prefer the way flames plays over 40k. I mean, maneuver seems to be a lost art in 40k, while it's still vital to Flames. Also, a friend of mine is in a similar situation to you, and his doc suggested doing things that make him push a little bit to make new connections of things.

maneuver seems to be a lost art in 40k

Unless you are one of those rarely loved Tau or Eldar (either type) players. The lack of love comes, as you might expect, from their unwillingness to sit there and take return fire…

Well, I ordered the heads from westwind today. Ive been doing some sample army lists and Im looking at a decidedly light infantry force. The only vehicles I plan to use are a half dozen sentinels
@Lion: I saw the rope coils in the marine scout bits, but ive decided to make up my own. Ive looked at the forgeworld stuff and it looks great…but I dont want to spend that kind of money…one thing I very much liked was their missile launcher sentinel-- the launcher on it looks so much better than the stock weapon. I think I can come close to that on my own. Ive also had an idea of putting a climbing claw on the foot od the sentinels to tie them into the whole mountain theme.

Thanks for the replies guys.

maneuver seems to be a lost art in 40k

Unless you are one of those rarely loved Tau or Eldar (either type) players. The lack of love comes, as you might expect, from their unwillingness to sit there and take return fire…

My preferred army in 40k was Appleseed-inspired Tau: A dozen Crisis suits and a couple squads of Fire Warriors on foot. At least until 4e came out and made fire warriors viable. Then I added stuff to get to the Fish of Fury (probably before that name came out). Still had the entire store tell me that my army was no fun to play against.
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Like I said, Moke687, keep your eyes on the exchange rate between GBP and your local currency. Any time the exchange rate is close to 1GBP=$1.50, Forgeworld stuff is cheaper than it's GW counterpart (until you count shipping). If you've got enough saved up for a free-shipping offer or are doing a group order, problem solved.